When the Wind Blows

Text: Psalm 18: 29-30

 Reverend &Mrs David Korede 

The Moderator, 

Good News Baptist Association Lagos

Pastor, Shalom Baptist Church Isheri Lagos Nigeria 

June, 2017,

Once there lived a farmer who owned a land along the coast of the Atlantic ocean. Even after letting out several advertisements for recruitment to take care of his farm, no one seemed to sign up for it.People were reluctant to work along the Atlantic, it had frequent raging storms. These storms were cruel, violent and destroyed every building and crop-field they touched.

After months of advertising and request refusals, a man approached the farmer for the job to take care of the farm.“Do you have any skills or experience to work on a farm like this?” the farmer asked him.“Well, I may not have enough experience, but I can sleep when the wind blows”, replied the man.Although the farmer wasn’t much convinced by the man’s answer, the farmer was too desperate to have someone to help him on the field that he hired him anyway. The man worked well around the farm. The farmer was pretty satisfied with the man.

Then one stormy night, the wind howled waking the farmer. The farmer immediately got off his bed, grabbed a lantern, and headed towards the quarter where his helper was sleeping.“Wake up” the farmer yelled, throwing the soundly asleep man off the bed- “ A storm is coming. Tie things down before they get blown away”.The man sat up and said- “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.”

The farmer turned red with fury after listening to this. He controlled all his will to fire the man because at the moment it was more important to secure his fields and barn that to argue with his helper. The farmer ran out to tie the things up and was surprised by what he saw.

All of the haystacks were covered with tarpaulins. The chickens were in the coops, the cows were in the barn, the doors were closed and barred, and the shutters were firmly secured. Everything was tied down so that nothing could be blown away. The farmer smiled as he comprehended what his employer said. Now, he understood what the man meant by when he said he could sleep

  when the wind blows. He went off to bed and slept soundly through the storm.

-Anonymous (www.alltimeshortsories.com)

Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?

Wind literally means real or perceived movement of atmospheric air, usually caused by differences in air pressure. In fact it is the current of air. It is usually forceful, directional and powerful. In real life situation, it implies challenges, difficulties and trials. It connotes storm, struggles and strains. It can come from any direction, at any time and to anybody.

The Psalmist experienced several challenges and difficulties. He was physically, emotionally and spiritually attacked. In fact, he was surrounded by troops of enemies and enclosed in a walled fence. He has lost hope of surviving the siege, but the LORD came to his rescue. 

In Ps 18:28-30, he exclaimed:

You have turned on my light! The Lord my God has made my darkness turn to light.  Now in your strength I can scale any wall, attack any troop. What a God he is! How perfect in every way! All his promises prove true. He is a shield for everyone who hides behind him.  For who is God except our Lord? Who but he is as a rock? (TLB)

When you’re prepared, physically, mentally, and spiritually, you have nothing to fear. 

Whenever the wind blows, all you need is divine strength!

VICTORY OVER DESTINY KILLERS 2 Kings 6: 8 -18

"Each and every one of us that has believed on the name of Jesus Christ for our salvation is a possessor of the authority of heaven..."

www.abundantgracemin.com

I felicitate with us fathers in this Sanctuary today and the rest of the Baptist family on this year Father’s Day. It is my prayer that the day will mark a turning point for better, success, prosperity and sound health in your life and family in Jesus name.

This year’s Theme is “Victory over Destiny Killers”

As you may want to know, Destiny is the glory of God deposited in you. It is the potential in us that are designed to launch us into limelight. It is the authority we carry to be fruitful, increase, multiply, rule and replenish the earth.

It is this glorious package that attracts Satanic attention. Satan therefore is bent on attack, steal, kill and destroy the destiny before we take charge of the earth. Gen. 1: 26-28; Revelation 12: 10-12; 1 Peter 5: 7-8; John 10: 10; Ephesians 6: 10-14.

You Have a Glory to Protect

Every single soul created by God has a glory planted in him and must be protected manifested and accounted for. We are created in the image of God with His fullness dwelling in us for extension of the heavenly kingdom on earth. Therefore we must defend this treasure to death if so be. If you cannot fight for it, then it is not worth living for. That is why Apostle Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4: 7.

God's Glory in Us: Our Authority

Each and every one of us that has believed on the name of Jesus Christ for our salvation is a possessor of the authority of heaven. Jesus said that we have the keys of the kingdom. Keys represent authority. I have on my key ring a key that will open every door in this building, because I have authority in this place, I can come and I can go. A door is meant as a barrier but once you possess the key its no longer hindrance to you. We possess the keys of the kingdom, in other words WE HAVE AUTHORITY. Nothing that the enemy of my soul throws at me will deter me, slow me down, or cause me to give up, because I possess the keys of authority. The power of heaven binds whatever I bind the power of heaven loses whatever I loose. It is so because of the glory of God in us.

Your Spiritual Potential: Elijah was referred to as man of God. It speaks of his relationship to God. 6:9. Therefore we have a destiny if only we are in personal encounter with God. John 15: 4; Deut 7: 6; Exodus 19: 5; Psalm 135: 4; 1 Peter 2: 9; 2 Peter 1: 3-4 In other words you are a child of destiny.  Your Physical Potential: 6:12 Elijah was referred to Prophet. This is is reference to his physical potential. You are designed to go places through your physical demonstration of God’s given talent/gift in your life. Joseph the dreamer Genesis 37: 18-20; Judges 6: 12, 14; Luke 1 17; Eph. 4: 11-14

What is your talent? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your Dothan, a Place to Battle: Elijah was located in Dothan commonly referred to as haunted place. 6: 13; Genesis 37: 15-17.

Where is your Dothan?   _______________________________

Signs of Destiny Killers: Go and see, 6: 12

Mysterious movements/occurrences by night 6: 14, Stubborn and unending problems, 6: 15

Fear 6: 16

Solutions to Destiny Killers

Be bold in the Lord 6: 16

Believe the word 6: 16

Pray against the enemies 6: 18

Above all, you must be born again, filled with the Holy Spirit and as you do so your destiny killers shall die in Jesus name

HOPE FOR THE HURTFUL

An excerpt by the children in memory of our mother Pastor Mrs E. F. Adeyemo who passed on to glory on the 10th of June 2016
.

 I got home 5pm with a few food packs which would eventually cover my Lunch and dinner and probably breakfast Sunday morning at least I am sure now that by Monday evening my packages would be rolling in and my dreams come true, this time, I began to brag about the lodge about how my worries would come to an end soon, now, lodge members concluded I had won a huge lottery. My life was still filled with fun, foods and drinks from the party, gist and assignments to be done in progress until about 7pm when the call came in relaying the big news of an accident that occurred which involved my Dad's car containing one of my Aunts, a brother from church, Dad, Mom and my foodstuffs and it was a bit serious; the first question from me was “HOW IS DAD?” “He is fine currently receiving treatment” he replied abruptly “AND MOM?” I quizzed further “she is also here in the hospital and erhm…” with his voice shaking, my adrenalines now gathering momentum to rush out from every available opening, my heart pounding as loud and as fast like a horse's hoofs, my head I could feel it at that point in time also resonating my heart beat; “can you please send me your guardians' contact phone number?” he asked again but I was too impatient to get the answer to my question, tho I wasn't guessing nor trying to imagine worse “sure, why not” I replied after telling it to him off-hand he hung up on me without a response and that sent a signal to me something is wrong somewhere. However the call was made in the presence of a friend who stayed around, I narrated what I had heard on the phone and he said “be rest assured nothing is going to happen to anyone in the car” just to stair me up hoping it was so, I got so engulfed and lost in tears I quickly ran into my room next building laid on the mattress and then prayers started in the midst of tears and nose-floods “DAD MUST NOT DIE, MUMMY MUST NOT DIE…” I wish I could roll back the hands of time and reverse the event, I wish I could just flash back and ask them not to come anymore, I wish I had super powers to foresee and foretell the future, I wish this I wish that soon consumed me I almost lost my mind.

Soon after, same number called me back lost in suspense to hear how mom was fairing he asked “do you have any other number your guardian is using? Because this is not going through” “No” said I, “TALK TO ME, WHAT'S GOING ON?” I asked one more time with tears in my eyes rolling down my cheeks; “Did he just hang up on me again?” I wondered five minutes later the final call which changed the atmosphere came in was a bit reluctant to pick up but because my anxiety and curiosity are both thirsty of the truth I had to pick up after the third beep and the words were like this “Isaac, Dad and Mom were involved in a multiple accident and it was very serious” “ehn ehn so?” I cut in “and I am sorry MOM IS GONE” He said I hissed even in the midst of my tears in disapproval “gone to where” I asked “Isaac Mom is DEAD” The news threw the phone I had inherited from her while resuming as a fresher into the University on the wall it scattered so bad each part was picked up from various axis of the room I exclaimed and my wailing drew the attention  of co-tenants to my room I was wailing so high neighbors had gathered behind my window, the Landlord and his wife had heard this noise.  I further screamed jumping and distorting the room no one could come closer risking getting punched or slapped or injured “MY MOM IS GONE” I said with no one asking me “gone to where?” Sister Yeti my school mother asked “she is gone o, somebody help” This time around they knew they were in for a serious business and not joke Isaac drenched in sweats and tears this is not a joke anymore it was more like a drama some were still wondering “ah ha is he joking this time again ni?” they murmured “probably he is rehearsing his part in the drama presentation” another said “MY LIFE IS IN SHAMBLES, AND MY FUTURE IS OVER HERE” These were the words that finally locked the room and shut the whole place down, they were uttered by me as far as I can remember I was held by 3 hefty men, sat me down on the mattress but the wailing got no help. The room which used to be the centre for jokes and food soon turned into a mourning room, at that point I felt an emptiness in my heart, it was so real I felt I would die before dawn, “Isaac take it easy ehn, she can't just die like that” said a brother “Impossible” another responded “we need to pray people of God” my favorite brother in the lodge suggested and in no time they all concurred. Few seconds into the prayers, Bible quotations hitting each other, commotion of tongues and authorities but faith was put to test which everyone passed but fortunately it was God's decision to take His saint away and no amount of prayers would be enough to reverse His decisions; Forty-five minutes or less into prayers but to no avail Spirit-filled brothers and sisters succumbed to God's will “Mom is gone” I kept on repeating on my lips till it sank into my subconscious and swept my feet of the ground into sleep. 

To God be the glory for hope for the hurtful as recorded in the Scripture which has been our consolation as we mark the 1st Year in memory of our mother Pastor Mrs Eunice Foluke Adeyemo. The Bible says, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”  1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 

May the Lord uphold us and the Church till we see the Lord’s return with His saints in Jesus name.

Brother Isaac Adebayo Adeyemo

For the family

Laying All on the Altar

BIBLE TEACHING OUTLINE FOR THE YOUTH WEEK HELD AT CHRIST BAPTIST CHURCH

46 Akiwowo Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, off Egbeda Akowonjo Rd Alimosho Lagos

Topic: - Laying All on the Altar                                                           By: - Rev’d G. S. Adeyemo
Text: - Romans 12: 1, 2                                                                        Date: -6th June 2017

Introduction

Christian commitment is a matter of choice. No one can impose commitment or obedience in the Christian context. The word of God says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a water course wherever he pleases” Pro. 21:1. In order to conform to the divine purpose of God, each of us must get to a point of choosing between doing the will of God or not doing it. Deut. 11: 26, 28; Josh. 24: 15; Isa. 1: 18, 19; 2 Cor. 2: 9.

Insights for Living

1. The Foundation for Laying all on the Altar Romans 12: 1-2. God initiates laying all on the altar v1. The emphasis is on the mercy of God. Yielding to the commandments of God takes the grace of God. John 14: 6; Rom. 12: 1; Phill. 2: 13; 1John 4: 10, 19. 

a) It is by grace that we are saved Eph 2: 8

b) The grace is for all Tit. 2: 11

c) You need to obey to activate the grace Isa. 1: 18

Observe: - how easy do you think it is to stand out in the midst of worldly friends? 

2. Doing Everything for the Good of Others Romans 12: 3-5. Each believer belongs to the body of Christ as a branch. You must humble your perception for the sake of the unity in the body of Christ. 1 Peter 5: 7, 8; Gal. 5: 22; Phill. 2: 1-8; Rom. 12: 4, 5. You have a unique role to play in the body. Eph 1: 1-7 

a) Whatever you do affects the other believers. Malachi 2:8 "But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi," says the LORD of hosts.” 

b) Your sins affects the life of others Romans 1: 

c) The concerns of others in the body is the concerns of all Gal. 6: 2

Observe: -Each of us must play our roles in the body of Christ as we expect God to move in a greater dimension and we do greater exploits as youths and the church at large. 

3. United and complementing one another in the Ministry Romans 12: 4-8 the sign of genuine fellowship is oneness of the believers. Jesus prayed intensely for the unity of believers. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” 

Conclusion God has arranged every organ of the body for a purpose. The role God assigns you in the Church is not a show off. We should grow to a level in the church whereby we serve not within our tenure of office, but to be more committed and relevant in order to sustain the growth in the body of Christ. John 15: 5; Psalm 92: 12-15 say, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” No one is an island. When you fulfill your responsibility, and I do my part, the body of Christ will grow and our joy will be full. The Lord Himself will be glorified. 

Lessons Gained for Application

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My Utmost for His Highest

Brother M. A. Adeyemo
Youth President,
Christ Baptist Church, Alimosho Lagos
www.abundantgracemin.com

I give glory to God in the highest for yet another opportunity granted the Youth Department of the Nigerian Baptist Convention to celebrate and demonstrate the grace of God in our life. I felicitate with the Youth Fellowship of Christ Baptist Church Alimosho the victorious and happy people, for God's faithfulness and sustaining grace upon us and the Church. As we begin this year's Youth Week I encourage you to enjoy yourself in God's presence. I am sure you will be richly blessed this week in Jesus.

The theme for this year's Youth Week is “My Utmost for His Highest” taken from Philippians 1-20-21 It reads, “According to my Ernest expectation and my hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed but that with boldness as always so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether it be life or by death's” for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”

We are in an age when youths are scouting for convenience in all its ramifications. The pursuit of the fastest ways of meeting our yearnings is driving many into various temptations. The Church is not spared of the migration of the Youths from one denomination to another in the name of convenience. Unfortunately, many are frustrated as a result of unfulfilled appetite. Prophet Amos says, “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “When I will send a famine on the land not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it. 13 “In that day the lovely virgins and the young men shall faint for thirst.”  No one is ready to pay the price for end -time revival and the outpouring of God's power.

This year, you must stop running around seeking for the easiest way to get what you want at the expense of eternity. Be determined to offer your utmost to experience the Lord's highest. As we celebrate the year we should also not forget our desire to serve God with our best and not be ashamed of what anyone might say, or rather been ashamed of propagating the message of Christ to our fellow youths in the community, schools, and workplace and wherever you find yourself. Once again, I welcome us all to this year Youth Week and may we all be blessed richly in Jesus name.