jumoke 90:

@JJYOU
thank you. . .  that video is wonderful and the site too is good thanks. . .  [size=14pt]i pray God will give us the Grace to make Him our everything and to give Him all our time not only when it is convinient for us but always [/size]

Amen. God bless you richly. thank you i love your signature and your name too.  one of the nicest people i know is called olajumoke. she is a fab Godly lady.

All the People
3 July, 2009

"And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD commanded to Israel." (Nehemiah 8:1)

That was an amazing congregation there in the street of Jerusalem that came together that day just to hear Ezra read the Bible and explain its teachings. Nehemiah's previous chapter had just enumerated over 42,000 people who had returned from Babylon to rebuild the city.

Even if "all the people" is not meant to be understood literally, but representatively, this was still a very large assemblage. It even included all but the smallest children (Nehemiah 8:2), and they all stood up (!) throughout the reading and exposition (Nehemiah 8:5-7), from morning to noon (Nehemiah 8:3).

Presumably all they had was the Pentateuch (tradition says that Ezra, who was doing the reading, eventually compiled the rest of the books with it into the Old Testament canon), but this was enough, and "all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law" (Nehemiah 8:9). Ezra not only read the actual words, but also "gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading" (Nehemiah 8:. He further explained that, although they had been guilty in breaking God's laws, they had been redeemed and God was fulfilling all His gracious promises in restoring them to their land. Thus they had joy as well as grief over their sins.

So should it be today. That is, when God's Word is simply read and explained, that should be enough both to generate sadness and repentance over sin, and also true joy in salvation. Then, as it was to the returning Jewish exiles long ago, "the joy of the Lord" becomes our "strength" for true worship and obedience (Nehemiah 8:10). HMM

Ceremony Becoming the Occasion
4 July, 2009

"The LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." (Isaiah 61:1)

"Philadelphia, July 5, 1777. My dear Daughter: Yesterday being the anniversary of American Independence, was celebrated here with a festivity and ceremony becoming the occasion . . . The thought of taking any notice of this day was not conceived until the second of this month, and it was not mentioned until the third. It was too late to have a sermon, as every one wished, so this must be deferred another year" (John Adams, from Adams Family Correspondence: June 1776-March 1778, 274).

John Adams made two observations that should be remembered today. First, the idea of "taking any notice" of the significance of the day was "not conceived" for some time, and second, "every one wished" to hear a sermon rather than hold a celebration. We have come far!

But note the Creator's idea of independence. The text in Isaiah 61 is what the Lord Jesus quoted in the synagogue in Nazareth as He assumed His public ministry. "This day," Jesus declared, "is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:21). God's great liberty is of the spirit and of the mind, not merely of the land and the national population. The independence of Christ will heal the brokenhearted. It grants deliverance to the "captives" and new sight to the blind. The liberty of the King of kings and the Creator of the ends of the earth will set at liberty the bruised.

Be grateful and celebrate the wonderful liberty that God has granted the United States. But pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. . . . For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" (Matthew 6:10-13). HMM III

@ JJYOU
thank you my brother may God Bless you richly(amen)


. . . . . THOUGHT 4 THE DAY: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31)

How to Become Great
5 July, 2009

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)

The principle expressed here by our Lord Jesus is found frequently in the Scriptures and thus must be of key importance.  The greatest example of humility was set by the Lord Himself.

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

"He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:8-9).

The words of our text verse above were actually spoken both to and about a group of proud scribes and Pharisees, very religious and very proud of it.  But as Jesus said to them, "ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (Matthew 23:28).

Yet His closest disciples needed also a similar rebuke when they fell to arguing about which of them was the most important.  "Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: . . . whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:25-27).

Remember that even Paul could testify that he was "serving the LORD with all humility of mind" (Acts 20:19). Finally, Peter's admonition is most fitting: "Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:5-6). HMM

Born Again
6 July, 2009

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

The vital doctrine of regeneration has been applicable in all ages, for man by nature is a lost sinner and must be spiritually reborn through faith in God and His promises to be saved. This truth appears in the Old Testament, for example, in David's prayer: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).

It is emphasised more clearly and explicitly in the New Testament. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:5-6). "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).

Note that this spiritual birth is produced only through the eternal Word of God. "According to his abundant mercy," the Lord "hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4).

To be raised from spiritual death in sin to eternal life in Christ is a true miracle, as much so as the physical resurrection of Christ Himself, or even as the very creation of the world. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new |creation|: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). HMM

We Have the Mind of Christ
7 July, 2009

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Although humanistic intellectuals often scoff at the Christian intellect, the fact is that it is only the born-again Christian who is able really to understand spiritual truth, for "the god of this world hath blinded the minds |or 'thoughts'| of them which believe not" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

By the miracle of the new birth, however, received through faith in Christ, the believer is "transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).  In fact, "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).

The potential of a renewed, Christ-honouring, scripturally submissive mind is tremendous.  In the first place, said the Lord Jesus, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God . . . with all thy mind" (Matthew 22:37).  Secondly, one must have implicit faith in the Word of God: "Neither be ye of doubtful mind. . . . O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken" (Luke 12:29; 24:25).  One should also "put on . . . humbleness of mind" (Colossians 3:12) and seek to discipline his mind--that is "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober" (1 Peter 1:13).  Along with this should be developed mature thinking[i]--"in understanding be men"[/i] (1 Corinthians 14:20).

That potential is implicit in the great truth that in Christ "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).  We therefore should seek to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Certainly we should not allow our minds to dwell on the vain imaginations of those "professing themselves to be wise" (Romans 1:21-22) in the "wisdom of  this world" which will soon "come to naught" (1 Corinthians 2:6).  It is we, not they, to whom God has given a "sound mind"! HMM

No Vision
8 July, 2009

"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (Proverbs 29:18)

The "vision" mentioned in this familiar verse is more than just a noble goal; it means a literal revelation from God to His people.  It was first used in the sad testimony of 1 Samuel 3:1: "And the word of the LORD was precious |that is, 'rare and costly'| in those days; there was no open vision."  This was just before the capture of the Ark by the Philistines and the death of the inept prophet Eli.

The word used for "perish" here means "exposed and helpless," and the glory soon departed from Israel once they had forsaken God's leadership (1 Samuel 4:21).  Our own nation was also founded on God's written Word (the modern equivalent of the divine "vision", but the Word has now been almost forgotten, at least in our schools and other public institutions, as well as in the daily lives of most of our people.  Consequently, "the people" are indeed largely exposed and helpless before the attacks of the wicked one.  The terrible warning of Psalm 9:17 hangs over our nation: "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

There is an encouraging exhortation to the believer, however, even if he lives in an apostate nation: "He that keepeth the law, happy is he." To keep the law means not merely to obey God's commands, but more precisely, to guard His Word! Even if all around us are neglecting, or even ridiculing and seeking to destroy the Scriptures, we must defend and obey and proclaim their eternal truth and authority. Even if this should entail opposition and persecution, God assures us that here is the way of blessing and true happiness. "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book" (Revelation 22:7). The people will perish who lose God's Word, but "happy is that people, whose God is the LORD" (Psalm 144:15). HMM


http://www.icr.org/article/4683/

In all situations;
Only Wait And Trust The Lord;
Tears May Endure For Just A Night;
And After The Night Teardrops;
Will Come The Morning Smile.

For The Storms and Challenges We Face;
They Are NOT Purnishments From God;
But Opportunities We Have;
To Learn, To Grow and Strong.

I applied this when I was facing a serious challenge and it has really worked for me.

My King of Old
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

"The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter." (Psalm 74:16-17)

http://www.icr.org/article/4684/

Delight in the Law
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1:2)

http://www.icr.org/article/4685/

Thank YOU for the good works .The Lord is your strength.

kola oloye:

Thank YOU for the good works .The Lord is your strength.

God bless you for the encouragement, may the Lord richly reward you with His grace.

The Love of Jonathan and David
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

"Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul." (1 Samuel 18:3)

http://www.icr.org/article/4686/

proverbs 23 :17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

The Called
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

http://www.icr.org/article/4687/

I Luv dis forum cos it is exeptionally unique, ful of unique men wit unique destiny. i also want 2 apreciate d pioneer

Psalm 15

Who Shall Abide in God's Sanctuary?
A Psalm of David.

O LORD, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart;

who do not slander with their tongue,
and do no evil to their friends,
nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
in whose eyes the wicked are despised,

but who honor those who fear the LORD;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
who do not lend money at interest,
and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved.

The Eyes of the Lord
13 July, 2009

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Since God in His essence is Spirit (note John 4:24) and is omnipresent, one might wonder how He could have physical eyes.  The fact is, however, that the Bible frequently refers to His eyes.  In fact, this phrase, "the eyes of the LORD" occurs no less than 21 times in the Bible.

While this is hard to understand in one way, it is wonderfully clear when we remember that God is omnipotent and omniscient, as well as omnipresent.  "He that formed the eye, shall he not see?" (Psalm 94:9).  We may not be able to understand the actual seeing mechanism of spiritual eyes; nevertheless, "the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).

The prophet Zechariah reminds us not to "[despise] the day of small things," for they will be observed by "the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth" (Zechariah 4:10). The phrase is used first of all in connection with those terrible times when "the wickedness of man was great" and "the earth was filled with violence" (Genesis 6:5, 11). Yet God could still see righteous Noah there. "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:, and he and his family were saved through the awful worldwide Flood.

The last usage of the phrase is in Peter's epistle, quoting Psalm 34:15: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil" (1 Peter 3:12). We do well to remember always that one of the great names of God is "Thou God seest me" (Genesis 16:13), and then conduct ourselves accordingly, aware that our God is indeed watching us with deep love and concern. HMM

Systematic, expository study of God’s Word

Special Study:

GOD’S PROGRAM FOR HIS PEOPLE THROUGH THE MESSIAH
Daniel 9:20-27

“And whiles I was speaking, and praying; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, Gabriel, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me, informed me, and talked with me” (Daniel 9:20-22).  The promise of God in Isaiah 65:24 was fulfilled, God responding swiftly and promptly to Daniel’s prayer.  He prayed for that which God had promised; he prayed according to God’s will and the immediate answer shows that He is faithful that promised. Indeed, the angel said, “At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee” (Daniel 9:23).  The Lord was so well pleased with Daniel that at the very beginning of his prayer (before much pleading) an angel was sent with haste to deliver the answer.  Angels serve in obedience to divine commands and in dependence upon divine strength.  They excel in power and wisdom and are eternally committed to doing God’s pleasure (Psalm 103:20,21).

“O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding, . . . for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision” (Daniel 9:22,23). Though God loves all His children, yet there are some that are more “greatly beloved” than the rest.  Christ had one disciple that lay in His bossom; and that beloved disciple was he that was entrusted with the greatest, end-time prophetic vision and revelation in the New Testament, as Daniel was with dreams and vision concerning end-time prophecies in the Old Testament.  “Therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision” (verse 23). Those who would understand the things of God must consider them, must apply their minds to them, prayerfully meditate on them, comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13). This vision requires personal consideration and constant meditation.

1.    ADVENT AND DISPENSATION OF MESSIAH, THE PRINCE
Daniel 9:24; John 1:41-49; Matthew 1:21; John 19:28-30;
2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Hebrews 2:14-17; 5:9; 7:25,26; 9:12-14; Jeremiah 23:5,6.

In this revelation given the angel in answer to Daniel’s intercession for the nation and for its capital city (Daniel 9:7,11,16,19) the angel gave him an outline of the future history of the Jewish nation under the figure of “seventy weeks”. Each “week” in the prophecy represents seven years – a day for a year (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6). The seventy weeks or seventy sevens equal 490 years. The seventy weeks are divided into 3 parts: 7 weeks, 62 weeks and 1 week. There is a time gap between the 62 weeks and the last one week. For illustrations of time gaps in prophecy, see Isaiah 9:6,7; 61:1,2; Zechariah 9:9,10. In the first part of Isaiah 9:6, there is a gap of at least 2000 years between “a son is given” (Christ’s first advent) and “the government shall be upon His shoulder” (looking forward to the millennium). In Isaiah 61:2, “proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” (Christ’s earthly ministry) is separated from “and the day of vengeance of our God ” (referring to the period of the Great Tribulation). It is very important to note that when Jesus read this passage during His earthly ministry He ended the reading in the middle of the verse, for “the day of vengeance” was not the purpose of His first coming (Luke 4:17-21). The same time gap is clearly seen in Zechariah 9:9,10. Verse 9 is a clear reference to the triumphal entry of our Lord, but verse 10 looks forward to the millennium. The time gap in each case is the period of the Church Age.

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city” (Jerusalem). The seventy weeks, seventy sevens or 490 years, span from Artaxerxes’ decree to rebuild Jerusalem, at 445 B.C. (Nehemiah 2:1- to the time of Messiah’s kingdom. At the end of 7 weeks and 62 weeks, that is, at the end of 69 weeks or 483 years from Nehemiah’s time the “Messiah is cut off”, crucified. The final one week, the seventieth week, that is, the final seven years is the time of the Antichrist, “the prince that shall come”. The time gap between 9:26a and 9:26b is the period of the Church Age, or “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24).

“The Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ” in His First Coming, came to save His people from their sins, to turn away everyone from his iniquities, to make reconciliation between God and men and make men righteous.

2. ATONEMENT THROUGH THE DEATH OF MESSIAH, THE PRINCE
Daniel 9:24-26a; John 4:25,26,39-42; Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 26:28; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 5:6-11; 1 Peter 2:21-24; 1 John 3:5-9.

This amazingly accurate prophecy predicts what Christ the Messiah would do at His First Coming and at His Second Coming. It predicts the time when “Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself” (Daniel 9:26a). This is a clear reference to the atoning death of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The words “cut off ” find their complete fulfilment in the manner in which the Lord Jesus was put to death. The Jews looked for a Messiah that could deliver them from the Roman yoke and give them freedom, power and prosperity whereas the angel described clearly what the mission of the Messiah would be. Christ was to come to “finish the transgression” and to “make an end of sins”. For this purpose Christ was manifested, to take away our sins, to blot out all our transgressions. “He was wounded for our transgressions”. “For the transgression of my people was He stricken” (Isaiah 53:5,. “Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin”. “And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin” (Isaiah 53:10; 1 John 3:5).

“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be CUT OFF, but not for Himself” (Daniel 9:26). “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, He was CUT OFF out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people” (Isaiah 53:7,. By His sacrificial death was He, the Messiah, to satisfy divine justice and so make peace, bringing man to God. As the Peace-maker, He, by His substitutionary death was to “make reconciliation for iniquity”. He is the atonement and through Him all who believe are reconciled unto God. And He does not only forgive our sins, He purges us from all sin. He came to “bring in everlasting righteousness” (Daniel 9:24). “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:18,22).

The Jews at His First Coming rejected Christ their Messiah. At His Second Coming, “they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10). “And so all Israel shall be saved” (Romans 11:26) and the Messiah’s accomplishments predicted in Daniel 9:24-26a will be fulfilled “upon thy people” (Israel) and “upon thy holy city” (Jerusalem).

3. ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION BY THE MONSTER-PRINCE
Daniel 9:26b,27; Matthew 24:15-22; Daniel 8:8-12,23- 25; 11:36-45; Luke 21:20-36; Daniel 11:21-25,30,31; Matthew 23:37-39; Daniel 12:7,11; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.

“And the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary”. Who is this “prince that shall come”? He is the same as the “king of fierce countenance” that “shall destroy many” (Daniel 8:23-25). He is the “mighty king (that) shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will” (Daniel 11:3). He will be energized by “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30). This “prince that shall come” will be the head of the revived Roman Empire, the Antichrist who will come to power and rule during the Tribulation.
“And he (the prince that shall come) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week”. The Antichrist, in the latter days, at the beginning of the seventieth week, that is, at the beginning of the seven-year period of the Tribulation, will make a peace treaty with Israel. “And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease”. In the middle of the seven-year period, the prince will turn hostile toward Israel, forbidding their worship of the true God. He, the “man of sin”, “the son of perdition” will “oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4). All this is still in the future and Jesus referred to it when He said, “when ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:15,21). “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36).

* * * * * * * *

Congregational Song:

CHRIST JESUS HATH THE POWER

1. Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
The power to forgive,
The pow’r to quicken whom He will,
And make the sinner live.
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
O tell it far and near!
O bring to Him your guilty heart,
And grace shall banish fear!

Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
The pow’r of God He wields!
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
My heart surrender yields!
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
I trust Him ever-more!
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
I worship and adore!

Make Your Calling Sure
14 July, 2009

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (2 Peter 1:10)

Although the calling of God is solely by His grace, apart from works (2 Timothy 1:9), and although "the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29), it is quite possible for a person to believe mistakenly that he has been called, and so Peter urges each professing Christian to make sure of his calling.

In the first place, one who is truly called will love God (Romans 8:28), and such love should not be superficial, but with the whole heart and soul and mind (Matthew 22:37). One who is called should "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:1-2). If our lives fail such tests, we should at least "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5).

God's call is not only unto salvation, of course, but to a particular service for His glory. Some like Paul were "called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1). Many in Paul's day were actually called to be slaves: "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayst be made free, use it rather. For he that is called to the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. . . . Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God" (1 Corinthians 7:20-22, 24).

Even the apostle Paul, however, could still say (and so should we), "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). We need, first of all, to make our "calling and election sure." HMM

Lyrics:
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee

Chorus
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee

You're my friend and You are my brother,
Even though you are a king.
I love you more thank any other,
So much more than anything.

I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver,
And the apple of my eye.

have a lovely day and remember God in all you do!!!

JJYOU:

[size=28pt]RESTITUTION:[/size] A bitter pill to swallow!
[/size]

A restituted personRestitution is an act of putting right all things that were wrongly done or acquired illegally. In some Christian religion circles, it is emphasised that a polygamist must stick only to his first wife, thereby relinquishing others. How easy is this perceived spiritual mandate to those concerned? Ask Olu Osunde, Biodun Muhammed and Modupe Okusanya. Christians.

Faith cometh by hearing says the bible. It is a rare privilege and special grace for a lost ship to gradually give attention to the voice of the shepherd and progressively retrace his step.

[b]Notable men of God like Brother Kumuyi, Bishop Oyedepo, Pastor Adeboye and many others [/b]have stressed the importance of restitution as emphasised by the holy bible. However, since we cannot but choose one out of the many definitions of restitution as drawn from the bible, we shall make do, in this case, with that of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God who defines restitution as follows: “Restitution is an act of putting right, what has been done wrongly, restoring what has been taken wrongly and repairing or giving an equivalent to loss or damage.restitution but added “This is a very important step for every believer for a clear conscience and good testimony.”

Brother Abraham, a newly converted Christian could simply be described as someone who truly listened to the word of God, meditated on it and practicalised it. He was once a drunk, fornicator as well as a liar and an examination fraudster.

However, Brother Abraham secured favour in the sight of the Lord as he was led to Christ after a miraculous encounter. As the young man was trying to build his personal relationship with God by meditating on his word, he subconsciously glued his attention to the bible book of Leviticus chapter 6 verse 2-5 which states clearly that lying, cheating, deciet, robbery and other vices are wrongs which should be made right by way of restitution. The story of Zacchaeus who promised to give back all he wrongly acquired in multiple fold in the book of Luke chapter 19 verse 8 also came running across his mind. He then concluded that if restitution could feature prominently in the old testament as well as play a key role in the new testament, then it needed to be taken seriously.

The youngman, who was then almost completing his study in a university, threw his ordinary level WAEC results away as he said he cheated to make the papers. He returned to his secondary school and started the process all over again from Senior Secondary Two, (SS 2).

He was called various unprintable names for his decision but today, he’s a lawyer who is fervent in the lord.

Glory be to God that Brother Abraham could do his restitution without any scare over his decision. However, Pa Alfred was not that lucky, the only consolation, which is of great importance, is his assurance of salvation as he paid a price that could devastate and make a man to burn-out. The man carried his cross and created a vacuum that no mortal man could block. Here is the simple story.

Pa Alfred was 60 when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He had acquired four wives before then and the church elders advised him to let go the three wives he married after the first wife. The wives and their children were suddenly detached from their loving husband and father. The first wife was really no longer with the man again as had they separated for long. Pa Alfred is now a bachelor as the bible does not give him the chance to remarry since his first wife is still alive.

God is faithful to his word as he is no man that he can repent. He is not God of confusion despite some situation get too difficult to be explained except by God’s spirit.

Tribune Church’s finding revealed that in some cases, restitution could looks difficult if not impossible, for example a number of men were asked, "how would you react if your friend says he was sleeping with your wife until now that he has repented." We got frightning responses and we shall use Bro. Sam’s response as a summation of them all since they all spoke almost the same way “Only God would tell if that friend would leave my house alive,” says Bro. Sam.

With the seeming dilemma at hand, Tribune Church approached church leaders for their views on restitution, when and how it could be done.

Pastor Chris Godsent of the Deeply Covenated Family (A.K.A Life of God Evangelical Church) said “restitution is doing thing you had earlier done wrong well. Showing that you have truly repented by revisiting all those things you did wrongly with a view to making amendment. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and when he met Jesus Christ and he was assured of salvation, nobody forced him to say he would repay everything he had wrongly taken from any man in four folds.

“A very clear thing about restitution is that in some cases, you must be strongly backed by the spirit of God to act less you pay heavily for it. If the spirit of God leads you, no matter how delicate the case may look, He will back you up. For a former armed robber to go into a family to say he killed their bread winner would need the leading of the Holy Spirit.

“I believe restitution is one of the things that a new convert should be taught so that such a baby Christian could mend his way."

“Leading someone to make restitution requires that the pastors are deeply involved with the help of the holy spirit so that blunders are avoided. In some highly delicate cases, restitution could just be setting your conscience free before God by confessing your sin genuinely and begging for forgiveness. Like the death of Stephen, Saul was behind it all but when he repented, he did not go to the people of Stephen but placed his focus on God, his conscience did not condemn him.

In his own contribution, senior Apostle Michael Ogundana of the Holy Light of God Church, Aladura, said “While the case of Zacchaeus is a good example of restitution that should be emulated by Christians, It is not in all cases that a man can get the person he has done wrong against.

“We are under grace and so, one may need to just focus on God in true repentance. Tell me how a police man who has taken N20 from countless motorist would pay back. If he has the money to pay, can he get all the drivers? Zacchaeus had an opportunity that may not be available today because he could identify the people he did wrong against.

“I must also let you know that the cost of restitution could be so high that one is not able to pay. If you marry more than a wife and you have to restitute by cleaving to your first wife, the bible demands that you don’t just send the other woman or women away.

“You have to settle them well so that they don’t suffer. If a woman goes prostituting or she commits other sinful acts as a result of the failure of the man to settle her well as part of restitution, the man is still a sinner.

Talking about restitution which involves restoring or repaying losses in a way that makes amends, one question that comes to minds is, does the bible teach that restitution is necessary? However, going by the law of God in Exodus: 22:1 it says, If a man shall steal an ox or a sheep or kill it or sell it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheeps for a sheep.”

Also in Leviticus 5:15, the bible emphasises that; if a soul commit a trespass and sin through ignorance in the holy things of the Lord, then he shall bring for his trespass under the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flocks with thy valuation shekels of silver after the shekel of the santuary for a trespass offering and he shall make amends for the harm that the halth done in the holy thing and add the fifth part thereto.” Therefore, going by these scriptural refferences, we can boldly say restitution was something that was required under God’s law in the old testament.

But was restitution practised in the new testament which bible schoars reffered to as the dispensation of grace, where we are not more under the law but under grace.

However, Zacheus in Luke 19:1-9 told Jesus he would repay four times what he had taken dishonestly. Jesus did not ask or command him to do so, neither did he stop him from doing so. Can we then say the tax collector, Zacchaeus' actions was in obedience to the Jewish Law of God.

Jesus said by faith alone we are saved - Ephesians 2:8-9 “for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.’ Going by this scripture, one can deduce that even though restitution is still a valid thing and something that is and was required under the Jewish concept of God’s law, both in the old testament and in the old testament respectively, yet restitution is a “work” or “an action” which may not necessary lead to being saved in Christianity.

Also, from Zacheus’ example, restitution can be said to be a personal thing between us and God. Immediately he had an encounter with Jesus Christ (salvation), His Spirit began to speak to him concerning things in his life that he had done that he needed to set right; what a wonderful pattern to follow.

Restitution is part of repentance process but the beautiful thing about the two is that one has been accomplished and the other puts into action, what has been accomplished.

According to Rev. Fr. Patrick Ekpada (OCD) of The Carmalite Fathers Community, Ibadan. Restitution is a kind of amendment made for one’s sin(s) after confession in the catholic church. It is like a payment made for damages done. In the Catholic church, restitution is a necessary condition for absolution from sin after confession. However, it is weighed against the gravity of the confessor’s sins.

Usually, the practice is to ask the person to recite certain prayers in the church such as The Lord’s Prayer and the ‘Hail Mary’ as restitution.

The priest can also ask the person to make amendment by returning an items stolen in the case of a theft.

The person making restitution may do this himself or have it done through the priest or any other person as the case may be. Care must be taken not to jeopardise the interest of the person in question.

However, he opined that not every sin can attract restitution. Speaking further, he buttressed the church’s view on restitution with the encounter between Zacheus and Jesus Christ in the bible where the former vowed to replace all that he had acquired unjustly or extorted from the people over the years in four fold, Luke 19:8 - And Zacheus stood and said to the Lord, behold, the half of my possession, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from anyone by false, accusationl, I restore four times as much. He added that the practice is sanctioned in the old Jewish tradition as recorded in the old testament where sinners were made to pay for their sins in two fold.

Recently, the General Overseer of Evangelical International Gospel Church, Archbishop Abraham Oyelakin Oyeniran held a revival of restitution in Seme border between May 22 and 31, 2009 setting, albeit inadvertently an agenda for another controversial discourse.

Defining restitution, he said, “it is the act of making right what is wrong particularly in your day-to-day life activities.

He added that “those who have sinned through stealing, armed robbery, lying, fornication, adultery, fraud, polygamy, bigamy, homosexualism, must do restitution to qualify for the end-time retreat.”

By Bishop Oyelakin’s definition and the vices listed, there appears not to be a clear disparity between restitution which in practical term must be done at the instance of a priest and a mere plea for forgiveness of sin which most times is discreetly carried out. This is done on daily basis, according to Bishop Oyelakin.

What appears most difficult is the moral constraints associated with the demand often made of an intending pastor especially if he is a polygamist. By restitution, such to-be priest must discard his excess wives and hold on to the very first one as his legal wife. The practicability of that no doubt, puts the Christendom in a tight corner, raising the question as to why God

Why am i not suprised. . . . JJYOU supporting holy criminals like oyedepo and adeboye calling them "notable men of god". JJYOU i always knew you were a criminal in disguise.

Thanks be to God Almighty who had given you this inspration ,May you never miss your eternal reward.My word of exhortation for someone out there is that God CARE is always more than whatever is making you SCARE today

Son of God/Son of Man
15 July, 2009

"And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (Matthew 8:20)

It is significant that although Christ clearly taught that He was the unique Son of God, He most frequently referred to Himself as Son of man, earnestly desiring that people understand His true and representative humanity.

The very first use of the phrase is in Psalm 8:4: "What is . . . the son of man, that thou visitest him?"  Although David may have been thinking of all "sons of Adam" in general, the writer of Hebrews applied the passage specifically to Christ (Hebrews 2:6), "that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9).  In order to save lost men, God in Christ had to become man through supernatural incarnation.  Then, as perfect, sinless man, He could represent us before God, finally tasting death for every man.

The vital importance of the incarnation is affirmed by John: "Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God" (1 John 4:2-3).  It is noteworthy that Satan and his evil spirits would recognise Christ as the Son of God (Matthew 4:3; 8:28-29), but never as the Son of man!  This reluctance seems also to characterise all the occultic philosophies of the so-called "New Age" movement, as well as all ancient and modern pantheistic religions.  They speak glibly of "the Christ" as a spirit which might come on many, but bitterly refuse to acknowledge that the man Jesus was actually the Son of man, God incarnate.

Finally, it is thrilling to realise that, although He only became the Son of man through His incarnation, He will always remain the Son of man! John saw Him in His glory--as we shall see Him in eternity--as "one like unto the Son of man" (Revelation 1:13; 14:14).  HMM

Tears in Heaven
16 July, 2009

"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it." (Isaiah 25:

It may be surprising to learn there are tears in heaven, but there are three places in the Bible where we are told that God will wipe away our tears there.  This promise appears first in the Old Testament in our text--a text which is quoted in the New Testament as applying to the events of the second coming of Christ.  "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).  The graves will be emptied and death itself will die when Christ comes again! But there will still be those tears, even after death, which God must wipe away.

The other two occurrences are in the last book of the Bible, both again in the context of the return of Christ, "|who| shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  Finally, in the new Jerusalem, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 7:17; 21:4).

But why should there be tears at all when death has passed away? The Scriptures do not say specifically why, but it seems probable that these may be tears of regret at lost opportunities, and tears of sorrow for unsaved friends and loved ones. It does say that, in the new earth, we shall somehow "look upon" the lost (Isaiah 66:22, 24) and that even some of the saved "shall suffer loss" when their works in this life do not "abide" in the judgment (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). But then, after these tears are shed, God will graciously wipe them away, and there will never be sorrow or crying anymore. HMM

thank God because God will always be by our side whenever we call or fall. . .please dont let us fight His hands that are holding us. . .HALLELUYAH!!

listen to tenth avenue north by your side, have a wonderful night

The Good Shepherd
17 July, 2009

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)

The 23rd Psalm is perhaps the best-loved chapter in the Bible, with its beautiful picture of Christ as the Shepherd. This chapter finds its New Testament exposition in John 10:1-30, where Christ identifies Himself as "the good shepherd" who "giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

These two chapters (Psalm 23; John 10) are probably the two greatest chapters in the Bible on the security of the believer in Christ.  This theme seems woven by divine inspiration into the very structure of the passages.  For example, there are six verses in the poetic structure of the psalm, each containing a different testimony concerning the providing and protecting Shepherd.  In similar fashion, there are six times the word "shepherd" is used in John 10, each referring again to the work of our Good Shepherd.  There are also six references in the other books of the New Testament where Christ is referred to as a shepherd.

The intensely personal aspect of the 23rd Psalm is evidenced by David's use of the first person pronouns ("I," "me," "my," etc.) no less than 17 times in its six verses, all expressing his absolute trust in the Lord.  Similarly, the word "sheep" is used 17 times in John 10, with the grand theme again stressing the security of the sheep.  This number "17" repeatedly seems to crop up in Bible passages related to our security in the Lord.  As one example, the famous passage ending the eighth chapter of Romans lists exactly 17 things that can never "separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:35-39).

In any case, this marvelous psalm of security concludes (as it began) with a great promise and testimony, which can be paraphrased as follows: "Surely |Christ's| goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me as long as I live, and then I will dwell in God's great heavenly family through all the ages of eternity!" HMM

Clothing
18 July, 2009

"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle." (Revelation 1:13)

In the beginning, at the creation of Eve from Adam's side, "they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed" (Genesis 2:25). There was no need for shame at their lack of clothing, for neither had any consciousness of sin or moral guilt. They were truly "one flesh" (v. 24), aware that their physiological differences had been divinely created to bring about God's purposes for His creation. Any embarrassment would have been quite unnatural.

But soon sin entered; they rejected God's purposes and plan for their lives. Satan had promised they would acquire wisdom, but what was their first taste of wisdom? "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons" (Genesis 3:7). Their shame must have been multiplied many times over as they heard God pronounce the dreadful curse on all of creation as a result of their sin. And then they had to watch as two of their animal friends (probably sheep) were slain, sacrificed to "make coats of skins" (v. 21) for their covering.

Many years later, another Lamb was slain for sin, stripped of His clothing and hanged on a cruel cross, bearing unthinkable shame. "I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture" (Psalm 22:17-18). Today, having conquered sin and death, He reigns in heaven, "clothed with a garment down to the foot" (text verse). In His death, He arranged for us some day to be "arrayed in fine linen, clean and white" (Revelation 19:, having "washed |our| robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14). JDM

you are blessed

Problems, Problems, Problems
19 July, 2009

"And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." (Psalm 55:6)

The 55th Psalm is a psalm of "complaint" (v. 2) by David, and gives an insight into his thought process as he tried to deal with the great problems and burdens that were overwhelming him.  His first instinct was to run away from them, flying like a dove far off into the wilderness.

The prophet Jonah (whose name means "dove" tried that strategy years later, only to encounter even worse problems (Jonah 1:3, 15).  One does not solve problems by fleeing from them.

Then, David decided to berate those who were causing him trouble and to complain about them to the Lord. "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17).  The words "pray, and cry aloud" here actually mean "complain and mourn."  "Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues" (v. 9).  "Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell" (v. 15).  His burdens were all the heavier because those whom he had trusted as friends and colleagues were now using deceit and guile against him (vv. 11-14), and the injustice of it all was almost more than he could endure.  But complaints and imprecations were also unsatisfying: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19).

Finally, the Lord gave him an answer, and David found the rest for which he had been so fretfully searching. Here it is: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" (Psalm 55:22). The last phrase of the psalm is "but I will trust in thee" (v. 23).

The way to deal with burdens and problems is not to flee from them or to fret about them, but to turn them over to the Lord: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7). HMM