1st March 2019

Checking into His Presence... Genuine Christian Ministries are not set up for the purpose of game shows and they should not be perceived as a place for different rehearsals. Attending any of them should not in any way be a means to act as Christians, rather such gathering should aim towards showing results gained from the process of true worship and the believe that sets them in consonance to the rightful ownership to the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. What is your Ministry to you and what is it to the outside world? Do you still wrestle between the emblem of Christ ownership upon your Ministry and the desires of the flesh? Ephesians 5:29 declares that "no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church". Know ye therefore that Christ sacrificed Himself for the sake of the Church; those who comes into relationship with Him through any of His Ministries must be ready to serve and worship Him with genuine desires. They must also love and honour Him, knowing they are dealing with the body of Christ when they present themselves before Him in their different Churches. Churches therefore are not meant for actors and actresses. They do not represent boxing rings or avenues for fashion displays; neither should activities therein be seen and classified as where a beauty contest can be held. It cannot be a den for robbers, drunkards or set up as stages to hold plays which deviates from the purpose of a Christian worship. A church is a place where those who seek God can congregate as Christians for the purpose of seeking redemption for their sins and ultimately gaining salvation for their souls. Oh Jesus we have promised to worship You until the end, do keep our souls and make them Yours in Jesus name. Just Checking into His Presence...

28th February 2019

Checking into His Presence... Standing tall in every gathering is not about height at all; although our aptitude can ensure we achieve greatness in every endeavours, the only minus is one still needs to keep working to maintain the flare. Few events in life have given me courage to write about the journeys of an ideal Christian. When we are in Christ, we are described by what people can say about us; nothing more! Definitely, aptitude can take anyone to a certain degree. Indirectly this can offer great medium for man’s unfortunate transformation. Which means to stand on the rock of Christ needs God’s intervention which must be grasped with both hands? This opportunity can offer modern miracle that amplifies Jesus as the rock and the way to salvation. The message on the Cross however is quite simple; in that Christ invitation to worship assures we can serve Him in a way that is inexpensive to improve the chances of gaining salvation. The decision to serve Him does not necessarily mean our faith in Him will not take some hit in form; when this happens, we are encouraged to consider such position as joy because we should walk with the knowledge "that the testing of our faith produces patience." (James 1:3) Standing tall in Christ therefore is not just about attractive displays of colours, grammar, and position but about the circumcision of the hearts which indemnifies and link us with the riches of heaven. "No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God." (Roman 2:29) May God help us to circumcise our hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. (Deuteronomy 10:16) Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

27th February 2019

checking into His Presence... There can be absolute power in whatever we choose to control and or to dominate our lives. These attributes stem originally from what earns every individual enormous respect out of the ordinary things. However, and apart from the varying comforts derived from their dominance; If care is not taken what makes an individual so popular and relevant in life can also be misconstrued and used very wrongly even where ardent Christian eyes have been developed. In such manner, Christian developments would have been so reduced to a level where Satan’s effort on their attributes can now be seen to be very dominant. Are you therefore popular because of your pet, wealth, ministry, beauty or other gifts such as prophecy? What of the skills attributable to some sports and the ability to speak and write well? Does that have any bearing on what intoxicates you with power and beauty you may not have tomorrow? Quite naturally, many have been found to show more respect to all of the above mainly because of the fleeting comforts derived from each of the above gifts. Therefore "why should the living complain when punished for their sins? Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say: “We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven. “(Lamentations 39-41) We pray to You Father, empower us so much that what gives us joy would also not be the reasons for our failures in Your presence. Amen Just checking into His Presence...

26th February 2019

Checking into His Presence...   Let us talk about motives today, this simple word can be a blessing and at the same time can be responsible for some curses. The operations of the word are unique; simple as it sounds and people are very conscious of it. At the end of the day, it can be accepted, abused and misconstrued. It can be ill timed, misjudged and have also been found to be responsible for every suspicion walking through every facet of life today which can be found in homes, work places, businesses and churches too. The word itself transcends its expectations because every deed revolves round the word ‘motive’. Quite honestly, the word underlies every attribute; whether good or bad or indecisive. Talking about motives, "the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). Looking at the story of Saul in the Bible, his motives were to please man and not God. The Lord commanded him to destroy the Amalekites including their King but Saul did something contrary to the instructions of God (1 Samuel 15:1-35). Whereas, David's motive was to please God, after committing adultery with Bathsheba he knew he needed a new heart which only God can fixed. He therefore asked the Lord to "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10) What is your motive? Are you a user, a cheat, a bench warmer in a house of God, a liar, rumour carrier, a skiver, a true husband/wife or a true worshiper? What other motives have you set up for your ministries, your skills, gifts and position in any assembly? Can they be likened to Saul's or to David's? You can make amend today because God really cares. Father, create in us a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within us in Jesus name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...  

25th February 2019

Checking into His Presence... To have been kept alive till today shows God to have taken a very big gamble upon us. These investments have not come very lightly, they have been designed with Christ enormous desire to see if we can make and or maintain our way back to Him. Having the grace to live rests squarely on the assurance given by Christ so that we can improve our conduct before Him if indeed they had been faulty or filled with uncertainty. The only way to make this achievable is by having a perfect relationship with the commandments of God. (Psalm 19: 7-9) Not only that, such person must also keep abreast Satan's overpowering intention; and that is to prevent any perfect relationship with God the Father by standing in the way of erring and dithering Christians. John 10:10 describes Satan as the thief that "comes only to steal, kill and destroy;" and that Christ have come that we may have life and have it to the full." Every Child of God must always act and press towards the eternal race armed with this notion. In other words, they must refuse to slip into things that will snatch the victory of the Kingdom of God away from their hands. You must also know that if Satan sees any child of God dejected; he will be quite happy. Whereas, God is the last person that can let anyone down and will not rejoice in their downfall. Let us therefore participate passionately in the fellowship of Jesus Christ; we must refuse to be absent from His presence and be steadfast to His work in beliefs, truthfulness and honour to His name. These are the basic needs required to excel in His Kingdom and live to enjoy a worthy life in this world. In Acts 2:42-47, Apostle Paul was clear about how to maintain a perfect relationship with God so as to maintain and retain a peaceful life. In that "they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Today, don't allow God to repeat the same sermon over and over again. Begin to master His Creed and preach the good news of the finished work of Christ. Stop, think and consider the effects of sin! Don't remain a sinner so that God won't be disappointed in you and finally; publicly declare His glory today and then pray without ceasing. May the riches of His Kingdom give us the power to sacrifice our inordinate desires in return for a perfect relationship with God in Jesus name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

Renewal and Charismatic Movements.

Factors that led to the great awakening and their characteristic. The term Great Awakening is used to refer to a period of religious revival in American religious history. Historians and theologians now identify three or four waves of increased religious upheavals occurring between the early 18th century and the late 20th century. Each of these enthusiastic waves in religion were classified as "Great Awakenings" which became characterized by widespread revivals led by evangelical Protestant ministers, a sharp increase of interest in religion, a profound sense of conviction and redemption on the part of those affected, a jump in evangelical church membership, and the formation of new religious movements and denominations. Debate over the reasons behind the Great Awakening was nothing compared to the somber spirituality felt in 1700 as the revivalism ushered in by the Awakening brought people back to “spiritual life” because they now felt a greater intimacy with God. Up until this period, there had been fighting between religious and political groups which ended in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. This ensured the establishment and the dominance of the Church of England as the primary religion of the country. As a result, other religion such as the Catholicism, Judaism and Puritanism were then repressed. Everyone now practiced the same religion which may sound right from a political perspective. However, in the religious sense it created disenchantment and alienation which eventually brought some reactions against this complacency which now developed into a new spiritualism or revivalism which enables Christians to believe from the depth of their hearts during worship as opposed to going through the motion during services. People like the Wesley brothers and George Whitefield in England were affected by this new breed in spiritualism which now spread to the American Colonies during the first half of the 18th Century. Consequently, the Awakening ensured the practice of new style of sermons, therefore the way people practiced their faith breathed new life into religion in America. Participants became passionately and emotionally involved in their religion. Hitherto, they had passively listened to intellectual discourse in a detached manner at most service. This new style of preaching enabled people to nickname Ministers who used this new style of preaching as "new lights", while the preachers who remained unemotional by still treading in the old path were referred to as "old lights". However, people affected by the revival also began to study the Bible at home which was quite unlike the period before the Great Awakening. This effectively decentralized the means of informing the public on religious manners and was akin to the individualistic trends present in Europe during the Protestant Reformation. The Awakening also played a major role in the lives of women especially, though very rarely were they allowed preaching or take up public roles. Conclusively, however the following characteristics can be identified with the period of the Great Awakenings as a result of an encounter with the Holy Spirit 1. Every period of Revival started with prayer that came not mechanically but intuitively upon the witness of the Revival 2. The people were drawn closer to the authority of the word of God which put them at variance with established religious norms. 3. The Holy Spirit spurred them to doing things that are not sensible but super sensible, just like the day of Pentecost. As a result, people became passionately and emotionally involved in their religion as opposed to listening to theological/intellectual discussions in the worship 4. There were spiritual cleaning not to man but to God and there were complete turnaround and restitution. 5 The supernatural occurrence miracle that defy human scientific arguments. Some of the things that will happen when you have an encounter with the Holy Spirit: People were pulled away from ceremonies and rituals with severe emphasis on faith. 6. You must put away any un-confessed sin. The powerful preaching during the awakening moved people beyond its base, thereby encouraging them to recognize their sin and the need for them to take decisive action in coming back to God. It also taught the fact that peoples action will dictate their relationship with God 7. Any doubtful habit 8. Obey the Spirit promptly and the importance of Baptism with the Holy Spirit was stressed. 9. You must confess Christ publicly. The Great Awakening therefore has become a religious revitalization movement that swept the Atlantic world, especially the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s, leaving a permanent impact on American religion. It resulted from powerful preaching that gave listeners a sense of personal guilt and of their need of salvation by Christ. Pulling away from ritual and ceremony, the Great Awakening made religion intensely personal to the average person by fostering a deep sense of spiritual guilt and redemption, and by encouraging self belief and a commitment to a new standard of personal morality which hitherto were non existent.

24th February 2019

Checking into His Presence... It does not matter how much beauty you think you possess; if such beauty cannot be translated into the true reflections owing to the righteousness of God, then there is a problem. Can I then ask what sort of experience you are giving those who come into contact with you? We must always remember that in life, we all must live within certain boundaries where we profess the name of God. To cross these boundaries is to transgress only to cope with what can be described as the "sins of the enlightened". This is because such people have come into contact with the revelation of Christ which shows the transgressors to be automatically accessible with the revelation Christ. Presumably with what they must have learnt in the name of Christ, therefore they should know what they are doing. It is therefore not a misjudgment for Christians to be defined by their actions. What they say and do plays major part in any relationship, nothing more! The Bible already professed "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of"-Luke 6:45. Hence, most problems people claim to face cannot be attributed to the church and immediate family per se; but to the sins of their hearts. Clearly, there had been numerous opportunities to get to hear the word of God at the altar of God EVERY service day. Scripture states that "if we build again the things which we have destroyed, we make ourselves transgressors" (Galatians 2:18). What have you disowned in the name of Christ that clandestinely you have linked up with a bridge? Consider the anger you probably have jettisoned and now it is worn through the look of your eyelids. What of lying in God's name? Take us, make us, build us and cleanse us; make us Your own. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

23rd February 2019

Checking into His Presence... Oftentimes, genuine Christians can be plagued with some sort of hindrances which can limit, kill and or obstruct their growth to stardom and or any position of influence. Those hindrances can be linked to hereditary, unfriendly friends and foes which can also be found in the House of God; they can be men and women of God seated on plum seats in every Church arena. Many impediments also occur due to ugly perceptions, unhealthy rivalry, anger, impatience, hatred and some other vices which we may have grown accustomed to and are not mentioned here. Let us also remember that some of these hindrances can come purposely to text our faith through trials and temptation. In looking at Job's story however, it was reported that God allowed Satan to test his faith. Job's destiny may have been impeded by Satan, his relationship with God was very consistent and God ensured he was adequately rewarded for all his misfortune-his latter wealth became greater than the former one. (Job 42:12) From the above, we can infer that we cannot get to where we want to be without first of all going through a refinery process. The story of Prophet Isaiah also offers compelling evidence. Before he can get to the position of prominence King Uzziah had to die so that he can see the glory of God. The Book of Isaiah 6:1 confirms this assertion. "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple". As in the case of Joseph, he was marked out from the beginning as a very special child with a garment of many colours. His success story did not end there because for him to be linked with his great destiny the first thing that went was this garment of many colours (Genesis 37). David too had to run away from Saul, which means his apprenticeship was completed in the wilderness as a fugitive before he could rise to stardom (1 Samuel 21-23). Apostle John in the Book of James 1 teaches us that tests have a purpose so also are trials and tribulations. They were described as the process by which the genuineness of our faith are determined and that through these processes the quality of our steadfast character may also be developed! As a child of God, are you developing according to the taste of the Holy One? What have you done with those messages of hope, advice, instructions, prophesies and counselling? Are you repulsive and unwilling to let the past go? Many hindrances Satan have successfully planted into the path of genuine Christians; the ironies are that they may not know unless they are equally endowed with the Spirit of God. May every hindrance, impedance and impediment on our ways be taken away by the IRRESISTIBLE HAND OF GOD in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

22nd February 2019

Checking into His Presence... In Mark 16:16 Jesus surrendered Himself to John the Apostles to be baptized so that He can fulfill all righteousness. This act which was performed on Christ can only be completed by immersion in water. When Christians also go through such act, the impression is they have come through water baptism. Presumably, they can be adjudged to have fulfilled all righteousness in accordance to the teachings of Jesus Christ in Mark 16:16. This states "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." It is the intention of most Christians nowadays to pay premium on the act of water baptism itself. However, the overwhelming nature in the manner of worship nowadays cannot fulfill the purpose the act of baptism performs which is by bringing all participants into union with Christ. Roman 6:3 also opines on the theory that if indeed we "know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Such failure in identifying the true essence of baptism will always rebuke any communion/relationship we may likely have with Christ. It should not be strange if we continue to have issues relating to the level of our relationship with Christ. Such acts are dependent on what interpretation the actual water baptism connotes in the life of every Christian. "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his" Is your worship linked to the holiness in baptism? Without you first being dead to sins; the essence of every water baptism purportedly claimed with pride will always remain bare, weak, and lame which also can be detrimental to the growth of any Christians. That could only mean there is no Christ in such person. We invite you to our hearts, revive and transform us so that we shall always be baptized with Your Spirit. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

21st February 2019

Checking in into His Presence... I got the inspiration to write and declare the Greatness of the Lord which relates to my personal encounter with God’s favour. Unless you read to the end, you will not be able to learn from the story which can rebuild your relationship with God if indeed it had been faltering. You must also note that the whole experience stems from a very queer fire incident that engulfed the Church earlier in March 2015 when Satan thought it was all over for us. An experience I do not wish for any of my adversaries, if any! On 17th August 2015 at 12:24pm I received an anonymous text which reads- "Good morning my Father in the Lord. I recently heard about the fire incident in your church and saw some of the photos from your harvest program. I was greatly moved and the Holy Spirit lay it in my heart that I and my family should contribute to the re-building of the church and musical instruments. Can you send me account details that I and my family can contribute to. God bless and uphold you and His Church. Yours Sincerely-A Fellow Brethren in Christ." Shocked about the anonymity but very sure of what the Lord has done since the fire incident. Raising unsolicited support where I could never have imagined, thereby rebuilding His Temple by turning all ashes to beauty-without any levy on the parishioners, albeit with little or no fuss at all. My response one hour later when I came across the message was-"Waoh! I can only shout Halleluyah because this is another Testimony unto the Lord. I pray for the mercies of the Lord upon you and yours. For this text alone, you have received your breakthrough and even your greatness shall be multiplied beyond limitations for every seed sown in Jesus name. Amen And at 14:18, this followed- Amen in Christ's name. Our covenant has now been paid into the account. God bless. Amen. Stunned and very grateful to God for this uncommon favour, I wrote- "Waoh! To God be the glory and I rejoice with the name of the Lord uppermost in my heart for the gifts of His blessings through you with the level of affection, considerations and love you showed to us. As a Parish, you have displayed and taught us what the Lord is capable of doing in our midst, and that is if we faint not. Today's gesture has become part of our testimonies. We therefore give glory to God for the privileges He extended to you by putting you in a position to help us where help is greatly needed. I pray through the power of His Grace that you will be progressive and shall continue to multiply. You will live long to reap the fruits of your labour. Amen On behalf of Christ Royal Parish, I say a very big thank you to you and your family for your help at this time. It means a lot to us. May the Lord bless you all. Amen The mystery for the time being was concluded with this short reply from the donor- "Amen and Thank you for your prayers. As a matter of choice, I have no access to the account and so I had to wait for the Secretary to furnish me the details of the account. That did not occur until 23:21 after the youth meeting and the figures beggars’ belief. A deposit of £1000 was credited to the church account and the donor wanted it so much to be anonymous. It sets my mind ablaze and that is to remind me about how great God can choose to be to those who are prepared to walk Him, work with Him and also diligently serve Him. For this reason, I cannot sleep and so I implore all those who come into contact with this message to pray for this family who the Lord have used anonymously to support us at this austere times. Please include all Church members and those who have rendered their unsolicited support in order for us to be able to rebuild The Church of God in no time. I can categorically say the support had been immense, unprecedented and by our standard, unrivaled! I conclude by saying the Lord at work in the life of the Parish will transform your lives, rebuild your hope in Him where you may be nursing doubts and engrave Himself in your ways so that the fire of the evil one will not burn you in Jesus name. Amen Just checking into His Presence...

20th February 2019

Checking into His Presence... It is another time to reconsider the motives behind our regular visits to every Christian assembly. Are those visits necessitated by some adverse conditions we are going through? Can those visits be likened to the desires that are awakened by our consciousness to always act upon every instruction based on the word of God? We must note that these are two parallel lines that can never merge. Mere presence in any Christian assembly dissipates the conscious choice in relation to faith which allows every believer to act on God's Word. Basically, there is no other choice by which every Christian can grow in faith except by hearing the Word of God and then choose to willfully act upon it. Also, there is no how the faith of a child of God will not come through intense scrutiny due to fear factor. Proverbs 29:25 declares "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. It then follows that if any child of God allows any adverse condition to be their main reason of coming in contact with any Christian assembly; such believers have simply negated the essence of faith in him or her right from the onset. Therefore, every visit to any Christian assembly is not about our problems per se but about God who is bigger than all problems. Psalm 8:3-4 aptly describes the awesomeness of the Almighty God "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him" You are invited to make up your mind today and choose between surrendering to the fear factors encompassed by the initial adverse conditions or take a plunge of faith; after all you don't have anything to loose. We praise you oh Lord and we want you to empower us so that our faith can be based on Your unchanging Word which we know comes from Your unchanging nature. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

19th February 2019

Checking into His Presence... Testimony Time:-In considering what you have, can they always make up for how feel? How about what you don't have? Are they enough to exercise the power of faith in you? In the light of these assessments, would it not be easier to humble yourself before the Lord in a defiant act of faith so that you don't have a share in the world filled with deceit? Please read Psalm 56: 8-13 and discover the extent humility can go when we allow God to take centre stage in our lives; God says He is ready to -"number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me. In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You, for You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

18th February 2019

Checking into His Presence... Do you respect and honour God according to His riches and glory? You only need to consider His Statement in Proverbs 8: 17-19 which states "I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. ”Riches and honour are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness. “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choicest silver". Your duties to God is not complete unless you are also able to respect and honour man in return. This is because "the prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it. The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honour and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them" (Proverbs 22:3-5) Has anger taken over your heart? Are you very quick to flip, judge or denounce? What makes you feel your claim is the only one paramount to God and not others? As well, are you really in a relationship with Christ and do you also use other people's life style to measure your own achievements. In addition, do you respect, honour and submit to Civil Authorities according to the proclaimed riches of God? 1 Peter 2:13-17 emphatically declares "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. [Act] as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but [use it] as bond slaves of God. honour all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king." Don't be deceived, to honour, respect and submit to all the above bear’s testament to His honour. The three goes hand in hand and none can supersede each other. For if we claim to serve God and cannot use our claims to silence the ignorance of the foolishness in men we cannot say we are doing the will of God. Very clearly, that also shows we cannot be doing what is right in His presence. Prayer is the key but prayer does not cover stupidity and the foolishness of this world. Do not get confused! We have come to your presence again today as always, Lord let our presence before you be acceptable and not considered as part of the foolishness of this world in Jesus name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...  

17th February 2019

Checking into His Presence... You can bleach as rigorously as you want it to be; lo and behold; can that make your heart so pure? You can wear as many designer labels as possible, does that mean you are wearing the emblem of Christ? You can be astounded in preaching as well as in writing about the word of God; can we boldly assume you have a place in the kingdom of heaven? What of every religious visit to different churches? Does that mean you no longer belong to the camp of undecided Christians? I have come to understand that it is not what you profess, not where you sleep, what you wear, eat, drive and which church you attend that connects you to the kingdom of God. You are however measured by the amount of practice you attach to the precepts of God. Remember, Joel 2:13 states "Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead." Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish". Tear your hearts and not your clothes! Let people be attracted to you through the attributes of God in you; not by looks, power, influence or affluence, wears, work of any kind or by any measure of our attendance in different churches. Surely, these issues remain poignant in the way we access ourselves in the Christendom today. There is no doubt you can be seen as a child of God; you may be seen to be offering prayers, thanksgiving, giving prophecies, fasting and also known by the level of your attendance in various church programs. All these simply have no bearing in the truthfulness of your worship. Quite honestly, your faith and conduct relating to the ways of God determines what answer God dishes out unto you in terms of your supplications to Him. Therefore, all services to God which are not linked to your hearts but found to be susceptible to the words of mouth, appearance and wisdom of this world will always be foreign to the Spirit of God. Therefore, take our eyes Father, let them be; take our hearts; make them Yours and let the gift of each day links us to Your precepts in Jesus name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

Warning against factions (1 Corinthians 3:1-9)

It is often common amongst Christians who listen to preachers to prefer one to another. If preachers are not careful, they can be carried away by the accolade they receive from listeners especially from those that have selfish ambitions. Let us look at a warning in Romans 16:17-18 – “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Easily, factions can be created from situations similar to what happened between Paul and Apollo. When factions are created, positions are created and those with selfish ambitions will have opportunities. Selfish people often find it difficult to relinquish position or authority. Hence, division is always protracted. Both Paul and Apollo were inspired preachers who furthered the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 3:11, Paul made them to understand that his message and that of Apollo were based on the teachings of Christ. That is: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” He explained in verses 5-6 that both Apollo and he are servants and each with his own task; he planted and Apollo watered. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollo, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollo watered; but God gave the increase.” In other to make Apollo and himself less important, Paul gave the credit of their works to God (verse 8: “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”). It was important to do this as people were declaring support for either Paul or Apollo or making comparison between Paul and Apollo to determine the better of the two. There are situations like this in churches all over the world. If it is not happening now, it is has happened before. The best way of dealing with it is to give the credit of the work to Christ who laid a foundation that no one else could lay. What we should be concerned about is how we build upon the foundation; preparing people for the coming of Christ or death, which today, comes without warning. When Peter objected to Jesus’ statement about going to Jerusalem to die, I believe that he unwittingly spoke for the devil. From the time John the Baptist declared Christ to be “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29), Satan tried to keep our Lord from going to the cross. In the wilderness temptation, he suggested that Jesus take the kingdoms of the world without the ordeal of Calvary. He incited the Jewish leaders to hate Christ, hoping they might kill Him by stoning. When these attempts failed, he switched tactics. He induced Peter to speak against God’s plan, and he “entered” Judas (John. 13:27). He prompted Peter’s denials of Jesus, the cowardice of the apostles, the brutality of the soldiers, and the heartlessness of the mob. Through all of this he hoped to convince Jesus that mankind wasn’t worth dying for. Satan lost that battle, but he continues to fight. He does all he can to hinder the spread of the gospel. He even uses religions that promote salvation by works and rituals. Despite his efforts, thousands are being saved through faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. They can joyfully sing, “Hallelujah for the Cross,” because the cross and the empty tomb spelled Satan’s ultimate defeat. Ultimately, spiritual growth requires faithfulness to God’s Word. If applied we should eschew hindrances that can cause factions such as, disobedience, lack of love, strife and lewd conduct. In 1 Corinthians 12:2, Paul outlined three basic principles for the fruits of the spirit that can eradicate factions in any Christian assembly. These are the principle of being in control. Unlike what happen in the occultist world, the power of the Holy Spirit moves supernaturally and does not affect people bizarrely. 2. All manifestation of the Holy Spirit will always line up with the word of God and will always glorify Jesus. 3. The main purpose of the Holy Spirit is to set people free bring them closer to Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will always frown at anything that can cause rancour or division within the families of God. On the other hand, rather than engage in the habit that can bring factions to any Assembly of God, Paul teaches us that even in diversity there can be unity. In 1 Corinthians 12:4, we are assured that God given His people spiritual gifts which He wants them to know how to operate effectively. This is a perquisite for the modern day reality lest we not be drawn into camps that can cause discord. It is the only way that can ensure spiritual growth, eliminate the power of darkness and by so doing bringing people unto Christ, saving them and elimination the risk of division by delivering Christ message which can only help to teach people how to use their gift responsibly and maturely too. Also in Genesis 37:3, we learnt how faction between Jacobs twelve son’s also helped to propel Joseph to the destiny God had pre-planned for him. It means if we remain faithful to God’s vision, we can be assured of finding favour in His sight. We can suffer the temptation to believe that is by drawing factions that we can only achieve the destiny that the Lord has for us. This would not augur well for our Christian creed which encourages us to trust in the Lord’s simple providence (Romans 8:28) which confirms that He works all things together for our good a we continue to be faithful and obedient to Him in love to our neighbours and obedience to His will and purposes. Father we thank you for this very rare opportunity, may your grace continue to live with us now and for evermore. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

16th February 2019

Testimony Time The time is here, When reading makes meaning When hearing is an opportunity. When learning is no crime. When change is a choice. When writing is still a pleasure. The race is still on. By every stroke of a chance We will enjoy what is ours Through our failings or otherwise Life can screw our choice to the full. Heaven would disclose its reign, The earth would pour what it had eaten And bleed the blood it had taken. The wind shall purge the dead When the heavens and its firmament Forced and ceases to exit. Surely, nothing can be hidden Not under the once shinning sun Reading, writing, listening Seeing and the power to choose Would never again Be of any pleasure. Just checking into His Presence...

15th February 2019

Checking into His Presence... What have you gained so far as a child of God? What can you say you have learnt apart from your religious visits to different churches? You have prayed, fasted, worshiped and sang songs of praises in different versions but how has that affected your image of being self-centered? "And Abel brought offering-fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favour on Abel and his offering,"-Genesis 4:4 At first, Abel presented his image well before God; that also meant his offering became acceptable. However, man's image continued to fall deeper and deeper into depravity, mainly for those who saw life from the perspective of Cane. The selfishness of man did not stop until God destroyed His first creation; only to start with Noah's family again (Genesis 6-8). From the fall of Abel, issues relating to images have always been a challenge and ever since it has developed into a broad issue governing every strata of the society. This initial problem Cane had now reverberates around homes, churches and work places. We beseech you Father to empower us to live according to Your image in Jesus name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

14th February 2019

Checking into His Presence… “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's”. 1 Corinthians 6:20 Undoubtedly, this should be the manifesto of every Christian for we have all been purchased at a price. The problem in the world today stems more from the inadequate value that those who are called Children of God place on the Perfect Blood of the Lamb shed on Mount Calvary. Mount Calvary was a significant place accorded by four of the gospel which gave accounts of Jesus's life. These gospels reflect on how Jesus was crucified at Golgotha or Calvary and not on Mount Sinai. Golgotha according to reports was probably just outside of the walls of Jerusalem and was also called the "place of the skull”. In Luke 23:33 Saint Luke the Evangelist wrote “when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. In this regard therefore; “Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:12-13). It has now been proven that Christ suffered because of His decision to accept to shed His own blood for the sake of humanity so that we can all go outside the camp bearing His reproach. Are you really related to this purpose? In your daily routine, encounter and attributes; can you honestly claim His sanctification? Do you remember this saying- “therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate?” How can we glorify God in our body and with our own spirit which has been classified as belonging to God if these simple tasks are being obstructed by the state of our minds? I therefore pray against every problem caused by Satanic influences that may have been anchored in our hearts to derail the true purpose of our salvation: they should be roasted and burn to ashes in the Jesus name. Through the grace of God, I withdraw from all enemies of progress our body parts that are being consumed as food, causing us problems such as ill health, poverty, untimely death and fruitlessness; I command through that Perfect Blood for such negative power to begin to starve to death. Every evil arrow shall be returned back to sender. As long as there is God in Heaven, we shall all be positioned in a significant place where we will never know or share any shame and our lives will always have a meaning. May the Lord remove the stronghold of Satan in our lives and the doors of goodness and greatness shall not be shut against us in Jesus name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence…

13th February 2019

Checking into His Presence… “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all”. Ephesians 1:15-23 We beseech Thee oh Lord to give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: let the eyes of our understanding be enlightened that we may know what is in the hope of Your calling and the riches attributable to the glory of the inheritance among the Saints. We also pray to You Almighty God that our destiny helper shall not rest until they locate and help us. We want You to protect us as we go out and be our Saviour as we return back to our homes. Covered our children with the blood of Jesus Christ and let them be able to sing a joyful song. You are the Almighty Jehovah and in You we have made our refuge and habitation. Pronounce that the eyes of the wicked will never have any impact on us neither shall their hearts think evil of us. We plead that in Your name You will uproot the sources of our problems and command them to be no more. Forbid that the legs of the wicked ones never to thread on our paths, render the impact of their hands useless for our sake and continue to fight our battles for us until we have peace in our lives in Jesus Mighty name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence…

12th February 2019

Checking into His Presence… Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory”. Ephesians 1: 8-14 As Christians we thank You oh Lord in whom we all believe. Our faith in You relies in the words that came out of Your mouth, that meant we have been sealed with the “Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.” Through this glory; direct our footsteps to great and mighty places so we can meet great and mighty people that would help us to define and fulfill Your purpose in our lives. Oh Lord; “having made known unto us the mystery of Your will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: By Your grace oh Lord, let our arrival at all places break barriers and the miracles we enjoy to break protocols. Decree that the testimonies in our mouths will last forever and for us to be mostly preferred anywhere we go in the apportioning of good things. Our Father in Heaven, Your word claims “we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will”: therefore I pronounce we shall be the head and not the tail. Where others are standing we shall be outstanding. We shall grow from shame to fame, from zero to be a hero. By His grace our mockers will become our workers while we will move from being insulted to enjoy the results of our handiwork in Jesus name. Amen Http://testimony-times.blogspot.co.uk Just Checking into His Presence…

11th February 2019

Checking into His Presence… “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:2-7 Many may be oblivious to the fact that God “predestined us unto the adoption of the Children by Jesus Christ to Himself.” This was in accordance to the good pleasure of His goodwill which was chosen before the foundation of the world. Through these assessments: I pray to God to put special trademark of increased greatness and excellence upon us. That divine trademark shall speak for us in every encounter we make in our daily pursuits. Our tenure in our work places shall be filled with God’s given Grace and they shall be marked with favour and accomplishments. No evil will befall any of us: neither shall any plague come near our dwelling. Any weapon fashioned against us shall not prosper and whatever evil imagination sponsored for our sake to bring unwarranted problems shall be destroyed by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord will find the source of all problems and eliminate their strength. Help will come from all sources of the world and they will be without limitations. The Hosts of Heaven will grant unto us rest from our labours and perpetual peace of God shall not elude us. As from now, all disappointments shall be turned into a living and divine testimonies in Jesus name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence…

10th February 2019

Checking into God's Presence... If care is not taken; it is possible for a strange spirit to deposit fear into the minds of men and women of God. The only way to avert this syndrome is to develop a very strong foundation in the knowledge of God and that needs walking and working according to the promise of God. If in any business; proper planning prevents poor performance. So too in life; men and women of God has to maintain a very strong relationship with God so that their peaceful existence in this world can be guaranteed. That means: pride gathered from any wild instincts which runs contrary to the will of God must be curbed and the mind should be freed for the spirit of God to trickle down. In essence; every ritualistic approach given to the affairs of this world would naturally disappear. Lamentations 3:25 declares "the LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh Him. Therefore seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:" Isaiah 55:6-7 "With our whole heart we are seeking Thee: O let us not wander from Thy commandments". Amen- Psalms 119:10 Just Checking into His Presence...

9th February 2019

Checking into His Presence… “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” Hebrew 2:1-4 Do remember what Prophet Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 40:25-26 which says- “To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom I shall be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing”. I pray today that God will call us by our names using the greatness of His might and the strength of His power. Through His grace no one will be declared missing at an early age. The voice of the Lord Almighty will stand out to nurture us in spite of the noise surrounding our lives and we shall be fruitful. Let His words speak and command peace into our lives and for us to be blessed by the power His right hand. May the Lord's covenants with Abraham, Isaac and Israel become irreversible to us for our sake and let the heavens rise so that the best plan of God for us will manifest. The Lord Almighty will help, keep us and also uphold His grace upon us. His grace will also sustain and work relentlessly to protect and defend us. The Lord’s greatness will cover our entire household so that His goodness can be shown in our life. Let the voice of our testimony last forever for the name of the Lord Almighty to be glorified in our lives in Jesus mighty name. May we all have a day that is filled with the Lord’s blessings. Amen. Just Checking into His Presence…

8th February 2019

Checking into His Presence... “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord.” Exodus 6:2-8 “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord”, therefore bring us out from under the burdens of this world. Rid us from every bondage set upon us by the enemies of progress and redeem us with the powerful strength of Your stretched out arm. With great judgments oh Lord, embark to free us from the strangulation of Satan and take us as Your people. Continue to be our God: and let us always know that You are the Lord our God who brought the Israelite out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. Father, lead us now into the land of peace that is very much like what You swore and gave to Abraham and unto Isaac. Also remember the fulfillment of Your covenant through Jacob which You gave to him as a heritage; this much so because You are the Lord. Therefore, let Your spirit empower us so that our shame can be obliterated, also make our lives better and brighter than the day for the purpose of Your Kingdom in Jesus name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

7th February 2019

Checking into God's Presence... Are you standing by the truth? Do you constantly sow into unrighteousness and allow your heart to be chained to sinful acts? How much of yourself do you give away to lustful desires and or temptations? For the sake of Christ; what can you do to ensure you obtain salvation? Just would want us to remember this faithful saying: "For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." 2 Timothy 2:11-16 What journey are you on with Christ? Is it one that leads to unrighteousness or such that is chained to the values of Christ? "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:7-9 Father we plead through Your grace to create a new heart in us and let our attributes is chained to the purpose of our creation. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...

6th February 2019

Checking into God's Presence... The year is no longer new. The euphoria that surrounded its emergence has suddenly dissipated. Not that the year itself had gone stale; but some attributes which should characterize the New Year have become impoverished; to say the least. What can make us happy every year is how joyful God is with our relationship with Him, more through our brothers? You may be thinking about God, do checks if that brings you closer to Him? You can preach, teach, serve and portray yourself as an apostle of God; in essence can you feel the presence of the Holy One in your life? I listened to a preacher who claimed many have forgotten themselves in the path of making God an option and serving Him when they feel like. He likened the traits to "eating with God mainly when they are hungry instead of forming the habit of dining with Him regularly." God knows your mind. He is not a man that He should lie. We have His breathe in us; let us use it to serve Him whilst we still have the time. "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." "For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, and thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Sheba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? Let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, it is truth." "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. “I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? Isaiah 43:1-13 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. Amen (Isaiah 43:25-26) Just Checking into His Presence...