LESSONS FROM THE MAN DAVID

Adebola Afolashade Balogun

David did not become the fearless gaint-slayer he became in one day. He did not just wake up and know how to kill a lion or a bear. Have you ever wondered how he became a great warrior without being formally trained? Let us look at Psalm 144:1. "Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight".

When someone is being taught something, they almost always don't get it right the first time. The Bible never records it but I am sure there must have been times when a bear or lion came to attack one of the sheep David was keeping and all he could(as a young boy)was probably throw a stone or stick to chase them away, the stick or stone would only keep them away for so long and they must surely return to try again. David must have been hurt by a wild animal a couple of times, he might have even run away to call his elder brothers for help when he could not handle them on his own. He might have even lost one or two sheep in the process but he never stopped trying to protect his father's sheep.

I can imagine God watching this daily struggle and saying to him, "Hey, let me teach you how to kill this thing and give you a permanent solution". Hence, the training began.

 God watched him grow over time, saw his commitment to mere sheep and must have thought to himself "I think I have found someone I can trust to lead,guide and protect my people. If he can be this dedicated to sheep and goats, how much more humans?"

 What am I getting at you might be wondering? The reason a lot of people give in to challenges or refuse to take on any is because they do not see it as training grounds or opportunities to learn. They do not want to get all messy, they want the reward but not the responsibility but the truth is that both go hand in hand. God himself sought out David and made him a king because he saw a prepared 'man', one he had personally trained, one who went from timid boy to warrior. Remember, he was in the wilderness tending sheep. He was just a boy and could have been playing around or doing any other thing but he chose to take on the responsibility of tending sheep.

We must learn to see every stage of our lives as training grounds and be willing to gather as much knowledge as we can in the process.

We might never know when that big break will come, when that opportunity will come, when that skill will be what a president, king or Governor is looking for.

My charge to us as this new week begins is for us be open to opportunities, to learn new things as often as possible, to develop skills and stay prepared because we just might never know when that skill will launch us into greatness.

Have an exceptional week ladies!!

GOD HAS NOT CHANGED HIS MIND ABOUT YOU

Adelola Edema

Recently I was lining my eyebrows and I remembered when I could have sworn, "I would never line my eyes and my eyebrows". A few years later, even if I want to go without makeup, I line my brows at least. (Yea, I know I need help) I grew up hating ogbono soup. I also hated iru and ede (locust beans and crayfish) with a passion. I was that child that was not ashamed to pick out iru from the soup I was served, anywhere. Now ehn… I am a huge fan of iru and ogbono soup. I still don’t like ede o, but I don’t only eat it, I cook with it sef.

Quite a number of people know that I HATE daddyrising and mummyrising men of God. In fact, I could literally throw up if someone called his pastor Daddy around me. I used to tell people, without shame sef, that I could leave a church simply because members call the pastors Daddy or Mummy. But surprisingly, in my present church, I join other members to call the pastors Daddy and Mummy. It was just recently I noticed that I had been calling them Daddy and Mummy for months and I did not die. So I have concluded that this "Daddy, Mummy thing" is not as bad as I thought (I'm not sure o).

My point is that I am human, and change is the only constant thing. My dear, don’t assume that the Adelola you knew in Ife is the one typing this o… I have changed gaaaaaaan. You could have been able to predict me then, but maybe not anymore, because I have changed; and I am still changing.

But do you know what? God testifies of himself "I am the Lord, I do not change" (Mal 3:6). Hebrews 13 says that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. So even if you cannot predict man that can change, you can be rest assured in God that if he said something about himself, then he remains that thing. God has not changed his mind about loving you. Scripture says he has loved you with an EVERLASTING LOVE. He tells you that you can now come boldly before his throne through the blood of Jesus, don’t worry he has not decided that the sins of this generation is too much, and then withdraw his mercy that the blood paid for.

So my dear, yes I know you have changed, but don’t judge God being same as you. He says that he remains the same forever. Trust that he is faithful. Be rest assured in him. He will not deny himself.

Much love,

Adelola

Only you can give birth to it!

Olufolakemi Ibidokun

 

How many people did it take to rescue the dying man on the Jericho road?

One good Samaritan!

How many people did it take to confront Pharaoh and lead the exodus out of Egypt?

Only one..... the man Moses!

How many people did it take to break the long-standing tradition, marched into her husband's throne room, spoke her mind and rescued her people from annihilation?

Just one ..... A Jewish slave girl.... Esther!

Are you feeling inadequate today?

Are you thinking, 'someone else should be doing this instead of me'?

Hear this......

GOD HAS PUT A DREAM INSIDE YOU. IT'S YOURS AND NO ONE ELSE'S!

Only you can live it!

It holds your potential!

It declares your uniqueness!

Only you can give birth to it!

Albeit.......

Not to discover it!

Not to act upon it!

Not to take responsibility for it!

IS A GREAT DISASTER!

As it will not only negatively affect yourself but also those who would have benefited from your dream.

THINK ABOUT THIS

Good morning!

DON'T DOUBT HIM

Bimbola Tayo-Bamidele

This message is one that is very crucial for this season.

It may not be a message for everyone.

But it's definitely a message for someone.

I was doing some meditation this morning and that part of the Scripture where John doubted if Jesus was really the Messiah lingered in my heart.

John the baptist was the one who announced Jesus to the world. He was the one who showed him to the people. He was the one who baptized him. He even said he was not worthy to tie the shoe lace of Jesus. He was Jesus' forerunner.

What on earth could make such a man to later send men to ask Jesus, "Are you really the Messiah that we have been waiting for or should we look for another one?"

See Luke 7 for details.

What happened to John?

What shook John's faith?

What made him doubt if Jesus really saves?

What trial of faith or level of adversity could make such a man lose confidence in the Lord?

The Bible says John had been imprisoned by Herod.

Perhaps, John expected and waited for Jesus' deliverance from that prison.

And when he did not see Jesus' brake light, he lost his faith in Jesus.

He heard of all the exploits Jesus was doing, yet, he doubted if Jesus was really the Messiah. His doubt was to the extent that he sent the same men he once told about Jesus, to ask Jesus, "Are you really the Saviour?"

Or maybe he didn't doubt Jesus.

Perhaps, he just was offended and angry and annoyed and bitter and disappointed that, despite all he did "for" Jesus, all he did and sowed into the Kingdom, and all his exploits for Jesus, Jesus would not "rescue" and deliver him from "prison".

When his messengers got to Jesus with the message from John, asking, "Are you really the Messiah, or should we look for another?"

See what the Bible recorded about Jesus' response, "...Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news (the Gospel) preached to them. And blessed (happy--with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from outward conditions--and to be envied) is he who takes no offense in Me and who is not hurt or resentful or annoyed or repelled or made to stumble [whatever may occur]." Lk.7:22,23 (AMP) In other words, Jesus said, blessed is he who still retains his confidence, belief and trust in me, regardless of his situation, physical circumstances or whatever condition he finds himself in.

It was such blessed attitude that made the three Hebrew men declare unto the King, "O, king, let it be known to you, that, we are not mincing words in this matter. Our God whom we serve will save us from this fire of yours because He's able to. Nevertheless, if he does not, he remains our God and will remain magnified in our eyes forever more." (My paraphrase of Dan. 3:17,18) It was such blessed attitude that made Apostle Paul decree, "Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?

...For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom 8:35-39 Are you currently in a stage where your faith is beginning to get shaky like that of John the Baptist?

Or perhaps, you are beginning to get offended?

I want to encourage you this morning:

Don't doubt His love.

His love remains.

Don't doubt His faithfulness.

He is faithful still.

Don't doubt if He's for you.

He can never be against you.

Be strengthened.

Be encouraged.

Let your faith be rekindled.

Strength for your feeble knees in Jesus name!

"Nothing shall separate us from His love!"

TGD Etiquette Session Examination Malpractice

Bukola Olupona

Examination Malpractice

 

Good day ladies. I'm sure the week was a good one. It's the last weekend in August and we bless God for having brought us this far.

I was somewhere preparing for exams,the class was quiet initially,only for some people to come in and were proudly making fun of the people reading,it was really annoying because we were preparing for the same exams,but that's not the point, what got me was a later discussion. A: Don't mind them,is that how to read? (Laughter from two others)

B: Let's get going,so we won't lose our seats (an arrangement that helps communication)

C: We must not lose it o,meanwhile have you arranged everything in the right places? Jokes apart,can we really hand this lifestyle over to our children? *That got me* (The trio moved to another cliché) I can't fathom what happened, but I knew an argument came up about denomination,someone claiming she is a genuine member of a group in church, and was defending it. I couldn't tie the sharp contrast in their disposition. Are these christians? Yet they take pleasure in examination malpractices with all joy and claims to be Christians.

So the focus on this edition is Examination malpractices.

What is the limit for us as Christians?

What difference can we make,or is it right because the majority is doing it? Dubbing,sidewalks,chokes,bonding and all others,which is permissible, which is not?

What is the escape route for good success in exams without compromising?

Sisters, this is one menace we must face because it cuts across all facets of our lives. let's talk, let's shine as light,let's make a difference,but let's tell ourselves how?

Waiting for your responses in the comments below.

Thanks in advance.

AUGUST 2015 MESSAGE

Good day ladies. Happy new month.

We'll like to thank everyone that participated in the 7 days prayer. We pray that the Lord will hear our cry, visit us and give us testimonies.

For everyone trusting God for one thing or the other, here's Psalm 20 for you to meditate on. You shall be celebrated, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

Psalm 20

King James Version (KJV)

 

1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.

5 We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.

6 Now know I that the Lord saveth His anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.

 

Have a testimony filled month ahead.

TGD PRAYS 27072015

TGD PRAYS

Good day sisters. How are you doing?

Can we pray for the following categories of people? This prayer post will be repeated for the rest of the week.

1. Our children.

2. Sisters trusting God for husbands

3. Sisters trusting God for the fruit of the womb 4. Sisters trusting God for marital restoration.

5. Sisters trusting God for healing for themselves and/or loved ones.

6. Widows and Orphans

7. Sisters trusting God for a financial miracle 8. Sisters who are dealing with difficult situations 9. Sisters trusting God for a (new) job/business.

10. Sisters who are dealing with betrayal from trusted family members and/or friends.

May the Lord bless you as we lift one another up in prayers.