smaj publishing house

Goliath Must Fall: Winning the Battle Against Your Giants By: Louie Giglio

2018-01-03T02:50:00.001+01:00

Many of us have giants in our lives--hang-ups and habits, fears and insecurities that keep us from reaching our full potential.

Frozen, we lose sight of the promise God has for our lives and settle for far less than best. But there is a better way forward.

In Goliath Must Fall , Louie Giglio offers powerful insights from the Biblical story of David that will help you overcome your giants once and for all by fixing your eyes on the size of your God, not the size of your giant.

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Killing Kryptonite: Destroy What Steals Your Strength | John Bevere

2017-12-17T19:56:00.001+01:00

Just like Superman, who can leap over any hurdle and defeat every foe, followers of Christ have the supernatural ability to conquer the challenges we face.

But the problem for both Superman and us is there's a kryptonite that steals our strength.

Of course, both Superman and kryptonite are fictional. But spiritual kryptonite is not. This study offers answers to why so many of us are unable to experience the divine strength that was evident among first-century Christians.

Killing Kryptonite offers answers to why so many of us are unable to experience the divine strength that was evident among first-century Christians. Includes discussion questions for group study.

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THE DIVINE INTERVENTION | Segun M. Alonge Jr

2017-12-16T16:25:00.001+01:00

CHAPTER FIVE
“Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech” Gen 11:7
“And suddenly, there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind...” Acts 2:2

THE DIVINE INTERVENTION

MANKIND WAS ON A ROAD to self-destruction by her quest to live apart from her source. We would here consider the stepping in of the community of the God-head.
You would recall that at the event of man’s creation, the same conversation ensued. “Then God said, let us make man in our image...” (Gen. 1:26)

This erection is needed to be stopped by a loving Father. Every structure not founded on the Eternal Rock will surely be pulled down. The pathway to the restoration of man would never be blocked. We find here the answer to why there are so many languages on the earth and why the human race spread so rapidly across the earth after the flood. In both cases above, there was a divine intervention - as well as a descending from above.

The sound from heaven was not a wind, but like the sound of a wind, suggesting the mighty but unseen power of the Spirit. Tongues, as of fire – not fire, but like fire. John the Baptist foretold how the Spirit baptism would be accompanied by wind and fire (Matt. 3:11, 12).

How often we are quick taken away by signs at the expense of focusing on the core of what the Lord has in store for us. The core of what happened in this chapter was the coming of the Holy Spirit. He was released for all and he came to stay. The only power on earth resisting the forces of darkness is the power of the Holy Spirit, withdraw or take him away and we all would be faced with gross darkness and sheer wickedness.

Jesus was praying for us in the seventeenth chapter of John and he said, ‘I do not pray that you should take them out of this world, but that you should keep them from the Evil One’. How are we to be kept from the Evil One? We are kept by the sealing of the Holy Ghost (Eph. 4:30)

So far, we have been able to discuss these closely related passages in line with God’s plan and purpose for mankind. I would here like to conclude by rehashing the major differences between the two passages as well as their similarities.

There was a release of diverse tongues – People have often asked why the Lord would have to scatter the congregation of men by releasing among then diverse tongues/languages. But we can now clearly see that the core of this account was in the Spirit. The release of the diverse tongues in Acts 2 united the brethren as they magnified God with one heart but different tongues. This also indicates that the gift of the Holy Spirit cannot be limited by tribe, culture, and race.

The other tongues here refer to spoken human languages, unknown to the speakers but known by others.
Erections were made – When prayers are offered with a united heart by the brethren, structures is being erected. But they are erected in the name of the Lord. Mankind came together to erect a structure/monument apart from the Lord which necessitated its being pulled down.

The geographical location – The disciples decided to settle at a location – Jerusalem. But the mandate was not to be limited to a location, but to spread abroad – still proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom with power and great unction.

(culled from the book, Gaining More Grounds by Segun M. Alonge Jr with Olufemi T. Olayinka)

Wonder By: Hillsong UNITED

2017-12-08T12:19:00.001+01:00

Rising to global impact as the youth ministry of Australia's Hillsong Church, Hillsong UNITED has grown from a modest ministry to award-winning, platinum-selling artists.

Currently fronted by Joel Houston and Taya Smith, the collective features a shifting cast of contributors and an eclectic approach to modern worship.

Despite the rotating lineup, the group consistently provides the church body with fresh expressions of faith, anthems of praise, and captivating live events.

Following their 2015 studio recording Empires and subsequent live release Of Dirt And Grace , Hillsong UNITED offers a bold new set of engaging modern worship originals.

Wonder features twelve brand-new songs, including lead single "Splinters and Stones" plus "Greatest Of These," "Future Marches In," "Water To Wine," and more....

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The Paradigm: The Ancient Blueprint That Holds the Mystery of Our Times By: Jonathan Cahn

2017-12-08T07:24:00.001+01:00

Is it possible that an ancient blueprint holds the secret behind the events of our times?

Could this blueprint lie behind the rise and fall of leaders and governments?

Could events that took place nearly three thousand years ago now be determining the course of our world and with it the course of our lives?

Could ancient figures from the Middle East hold the key to the leaders of our own day, what they do, when they rise, and when they fall?

Is it possible that this ancient paradigm has determined not only the events of modern times but also their timing-even down to the exact days and dates?

Could a mystery from the ancient Middle East have foretold the outcomes of current events more accurately than any poll or expert-even the outcomes of presidential elections?

Has this mystery even touched the events of your life?

Does the paradigm reveal what will take place in the future?

And does it contain a warning critical for every person in this generation?

Prepare to be stunned, shocked, illuminated, and amazed. The Paradigm will reveal secrets and mysteries taking place all around you and show you what you never could have imagined.

Jonathan Cahn, who caused an international stir with his New York Times best-selling book The Harbinger, will take you from the ancient Middle East to the news of the modern world on a journey you will never forget. As you open up The Paradigm, his most explosive book yet, you may never see your world the same way again.

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THE QUEST | Segun Mark Alonge Jr

2017-12-05T23:57:00.001+01:00

God's love is universal and His thoughts are higher

CHAPTER FOUR
“And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top is in the heavens, let us make a name for ourselves” Gen 11:4
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” Acts 2:1

THE QUEST
IN WHOSE NAME ARE YE GATHERED? Every structure that is not erected in the name of the Lord would surely be pulled down.
In the previous chapter, we clarified the coming together to ‘make’ by mankind as well as another coming together to ‘make’ which was an absolute work of the Lord.

A good illustration is in the construction of a house. The first requirement is to put together the bricks and other materials that would be needed for the construction. In recent times, the blocks have to be moulded (made) into shape. That would be closely followed by the building process. Mankind (in her fallen state) came together to build a city for themselves apart from God. We could clearly see this in the repetition of the words, ‘let us’. ‘Come, let us make...’.’Come, let us build...’ ‘Let us make a name for ourselves’.

Many today are gathered as unto the servant of the Lord. The vessel has been highly exalted above the potter. May we not grow so deep into the knowledge of the Lord that we would seek independence of Him! I am the Great Shepherd, he said. We are not assigned to Lord it over the flocks but to feed and nurture them. We were called into service and not to be served.

How sad it is in our day, that we now lay claims on the flocks the Lord has assigned unto us. We have opted to run the affairs of the Church as though she is our private investment. We talk down other ministers all to our selfish interests. We now glory in our population at the expense of nourishing those that have been assigned to us.

A quick reminder: You do not own the flocks – if you do, then it is simply your personal investment and such a building is entirely apart from the building unto the Lord. All gifts are for the perfection of the Saints and the work of the ministry.
Mankind dispensed off the name of the Lord and they said one to another, ‘let us make a name for ourselves’. You can only come into the knowledge of yourself by the ‘working in’ of the Lord. Moses wore a veil to obscure the temporary nature of the glory on his face upon returning from Mount Sinai. His literal veil illustrates the spiritual veil which prevents some who read the Old Testament from seeing the true glory of God’s word, which is Christ.
Whenever Moses left the people to go into the presence of the Lord, he removes his veil. Likewise, under the new covenant, to turn to the Lord is to be open to the Spirit, who gives the liberty of unveiled access to God in Christ. ‘But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:18). The image has been clearly expressed in the person of Christ (Heb. 1:3)

How do we come into the knowledge of who we are? We can only achieve this feat by looking into the person of Christ who is the express image and the brightness of the glory of God.
In considering the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, it is important to note that the first verse appears to be the continuation from the fourteenth verse of the previous chapter – just in the similitude of Genesis 11:3&4. ‘When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place’.

Pentecost was an annual Jewish festival, also known as the ‘Feast of weeks’ or the ‘Day of first fruits’ a celebration of the first buds of the harvest. Jewish men were required by law to go to Jerusalem three times each year to celebrate the major feasts (Deut. 16:16): Passover in the spring; Pentecost (Greek pentekostos, ‘fifty’) seven weeks and a day later (Lev. 23:15-16); and Tabernacles at the end of the harvest in the fall.

A building was also seen to be erected here but not a physical structure. It was spiritual in nature. They all held on to the pillar of prayer reaching up to the heavens. They were all assembled in the name of the Lord. Being in one accord here indicates being unanimous, having mutual consent, being in agreement, having group unity, having one mind and purpose. The Lord clearly stated that, ‘Now nothing they propose to do will be withheld from them’ (Gen. 11:6b). The problem was not with the building, the erection, the Law. The problem was with the motive, the heart and the nature. The problem was with the timing as well.

The Lord had instructed his disciples to tarry in Jerusalem to be endued with power from on high and become his witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the Earth. But they were seen to be clogged together still after the endowment from above. It took persecution to fulfil the divine mandate of spreading to the ends of the earth - for as they spread, the light of the gospel of the kingdom shone on as many as they encountered.

Many today have formed the habit of erecting monuments for themselves. Or what could be said of a shepherd who mortgaged the building meant for the regular meetings of the Saints for a bank loan? We ought to address this plague called corruption from within – and it must begin from among us. If not, we would as well be prepared to be blessed with persecution in that similitude from the Lord. Our assignment is to build men and not physical houses made with clay. May we come into this understanding before it is too late!

The church today is fast losing grounds for many are busy at the wrong assignment. Little wonder how we have devised so many means to winning the already saved over to our congregation to enlarge our population when many souls are perishing daily without the knowledge of the Lord. We invest huge resources into erecting structures at the expense of strategic outreaches. Oswald J. Smith clearly puts it thus: ‘No man is permitted to hear the gospel of the kingdom twice before the knowledge has been made known to all men’ (paraphrased). Our assignment is to make it known to all men – not necessarily to have them saved – though it the desire of the Lord and ours too to have all men come into the light of salvation. ‘This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all men in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come’ (Matt. 24:14)

(culled from the book, "Gaining more Grounds" by Segun M Alonge Jr with Olufemi T. Olayinka)

HEART MATTERS - MOTIVE | Segun Mark Alonge Jr

2017-12-05T23:33:00.001+01:00

God's love is universal and His thoughts are higher

CHAPTER THREE
“Then they said to one another, come let us make...” Gen 11:3
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication...” Acts 1:14

HEART MATTERS – MOTIVE
HOW QUICKLY THE MEN reasoned with one another and decided to embark on a massive construction. How often we like to make bricks for ourselves as well.
A closer look into that verse paints a clear picture of the heart of the fallen man. They had brick for ‘stone’, and they had asphalt for mortar. This indicates a binding together of stones with mortar - stones symbolically represent resistance.
The heart of the fallen man constantly stands in resistance to the counsel of the Lord. Moses ascended to the Mount of the Lord and came back with the tablets of stone upon which the laws were inscribed. The problem was not with the written laws because we would later see in the thirty sixth chapter of the book of Ezekiel that the promise of the Lord thus states, ‘I will give you a new heart (not parched but exchanged) and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh’.
The law was to be inscribed on the heart of flesh not the stony heart.

We can consider the two closely recorded accounts of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus (Luke 18 & 19)
The rich young ruler came to Jesus and inquired what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus knowing that he upholds the Jewish laws said unto him, ‘You know the commandments’ and he went further to state only five out of the Ten Commandments. He pointed out laws as related to his fellow man on how to morally conduct himself – and the young ruler boasted in his own strength. These things I have kept from my youth, he said. But Jesus, discerning the state of his heart said unto him, ‘you still lack one thing’ he was closely held to his riches - a binding together of stones with mortar.

The desire of the Lord is that you submit for the shattering of the tightly bounded stones. As long as you hold tightly to them, you would never come into the victory you so much desire. The law was written on the tablets of stone not to make man holy and righteous but to show man his incapability to fulfil the whole law and cry out for help. Lord, save me!
Zacchaeus on the other hand, welcomed Jesus into his household and Jesus said to him, ‘Today, salvation (the word is both used in a material, temporal sense and in a spiritual, eternal sense) has come to this house. There were no re-instatements of which laws to keep in this situation. This clearly shows that Zacchaeus was as well familiar with the laws. He was not just a tax collector but also has won a chieftaincy title in collecting tax. He was not a poor tax collector but a rich one of his kind. So, the issue of wealth appear in both cases.
Jesus clearly stated that his coming into his house signifies the coming in of salvation. And Zacchaeus was seen in an earlier verse to receive the Lord joyfully into his house. He received the sweet aroma of the gospel of the kingdom and he could not but rejoice greatly.
Simeon saw a glimpse of this soon coming of the salvation of the Lord and waited patiently for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25). He held the salvation of the whole world in his arms and blessed God and said:
Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
According to your word
For my eyes have seen your salvation
Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles
And the glory of your people Israel
Luke 2:29-32

‘Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Look Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold’ (Luke 19:8). This scripture is often quoted when the question of restitution is being raised. It is important to note here that the requirement was not coming from the Lord. Neither is it a pre-requisite for the coming of salvation into the house of Zacchaeus. But Zacchaeus discerning the complaints of the people made a personal decision to openly declare that he is no longer bounded to his riches with the mortar made out of asphalt.
His decision was as a result of the working in by the Lord and his subsequent working out of what the Lord has done. He was already reconciled to God which indicates a peace with God but in this scenario, there is also a need for peace with men. How often we confuse this arrangement – we say, sin no more and the Lord will receive you, but Christ says, come unto me and you would receive the victory over sin. The act was clearly an act of love. He never wanted to be a stumbling block to those that would later come in to receive the salvation of the Lord.

Both men knew the Law. One claim to having kept all from his youth up, the other simply came as he is. Both men were rich. One could not part with his wealth (earthly) to receive the riches (of heaven), the other simply detached himself from earthly riches and surrendered all unto the Lord. One left sorrowfully, the other was blessed with the joy of salvation. If total restitution was the requirement for total salvation then, we could as well say that Apostle Paul was never saved for no restitution was made for the life of Stephen. The bottom line is for us to allow love lead. I can recall a case of a rich ruler in a village who has amassed great wealth by forcefully taking over lands and animals of the villagers. Upon receiving the salvation of the Lord, he went back to repay those he had forcefully taken their properties as an outward mark that he was no longer entangled by the riches of this world – that is the purpose of restitution. It is a clear indication of a change of Lordship. It is also important to note that restitution is also aimed at winning the other party to Christ. Hence, it is often done when the offender has not yet received the salvation of the Lord - so many have come to know the Lord through this act.
The disciples of Jesus were also seen in Acts 1:14 to come together in one accord. This, as well indicates a binding together of one another but not with mortar. They were bounded by love and the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy. They continued daily in prayer and supplication. The following attributes of prayer are important to note from here

° Prayer indicates absolute trust and surrender – If prayer was a room, I would say it is a place of self-les and God-all. The disciples came together and yielded themselves completely unto the Lord.

° Prayer unites – Show me a congregation of elders who are united by continual prayer and supplication with one accord and I would show you an assembly where Satan has no foothold. Little wonder why the Devil has a place among the brethren today. We granted him a foothold by giving to strife and discord among us. And it is important to note that when you give the Devil a foothold, he goes further to establish a stronghold. We were admonished by the Lord not to give him a place via creating a loophole among ourselves.

° Prayer is God-centred – The motive behind prayer is to offer service and sacrifice unto the Lord. We have often seen prayer as a time of making requests exclusively. Most times, all we needed to have done or to do is to bless him for all he has already released in Christ.

° Prayer releases divine strength – ‘My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weaknesses. Those were the words of the Lord to Apostle Paul when he sought the Lord to take away his weakness. The yielding of ourselves to the Lord in the place of prayer releases divine ‘enablement’.

(culled from the book, Gaining more Grounds by Segun M Alonge Jr with Olufemi T. Olayinka)

THE DWELLING PLACE | Segun M. Alonge Jr

2017-10-27T04:29:00.001+01:00

God's love is universal and His thoughts are higher.

CHAPTER TWO

“And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the East that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and they dwelt there” Gen 11:2

“And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying” Acts 1:13

THE DWELLING PLACE
THERE REMAINS THEREFORE A REST to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter that rest (Heb. 4:9-11). So many of the life-giving truth in the Word consists of two interwoven halves that cannot be separated. ‘Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest’.

As for labour, it is true that there is a great deal of struggling and searching and pleading and agonizing in the process of discovering and understanding truths fitted to our needs. And much of the same pathway is trod in an effort to appropriate and enter in. All this is not in vain, it is necessary. But it is not the key that opens the door to reality. We would do well to rely on the key that opens the door.
Rest is the key to entering into rest.

The Psalmist further stated, ‘He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty’ (Psalm 94:1).

The first part of the text indicates firstly, a dwelling place and secondly a covering. I would here illustrate with the texts we here consider.
Mankind was seen to journey from the East and they found a plain and dwelt there. The plain signifies a suitable place to dwell and rest.

The disciples of Jesus, in the same manner, entered into Jerusalem and went up into the upper room where they were staying. I would like to clearly state that there must be a dwelling before a covering. “As many as come into the ark of grace enjoyed the covering of the Almighty because they were first seen to dwell in it”.

I could recall a study class I attended sometime ago and the argument was on God’s exclusive choice of who he decides to have mercy upon. The next prayer line was a loud cry unto God to have mercy upon us. Although they all cried with a loud voice and for some with a genuine heart but I do not see this as the right approach to that scripture in the new creation. Very accurately, God says to Moses, I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion. But we do not have an identity before God in ourselves. I clearly explained to them that we are in Christ and God has chosen to have mercy on his son. We stand before God in the identity of Christ. When he looks upon us, he sees his son. We do not live in probability assuming that God might choose to have mercy on us or decide to withdraw it completely.

In the absence of God’s mercy is judgement and mercy has prevailed over judgement on our behalf. If you are a disciple of Christ, you have obtained mercy. You do not need to press into it as to attain it. It was imputed into you. If I should make a transfer (cash) into your savings account and you have the knowledge of the deposit, it would be unwise of you to still keep praying and tarrying to attain the financial status of the amount credited. For instance, if I had transferred a million naira, you can boldly go about and announce to friends and family that you are now a millionaire. It is already yours – all you need is to receive via ‘obtainment’.

Most times, there would be need to journey from where you are into the place of rest (Promised Land). Mankind was seen to journey from the East to the plain in the land of Shinar (Gen 11:2), Abraham left Ur of the Chaldeans for the promised land (Gen 11:28), the disciples of Jesus left Galilee where they gazed upon to behold the ascended Christ on Mount Olivet and journeyed to Jerusalem – they entered in and went up into the upper room where they were staying.

How long have you dwelt on the mountain of struggling and striving with the flesh? By strength shall no man prevail! Rise up and enter into the rest of your maker. Are you not tired of perpetual trials and failures? All he requests from you is to lay it all down at his feet. Submit wholly to him. You need not pray an elongated prayer with many words. You can take a cue from Apostle Peter – he saw Jesus walk on water and he said, ‘if it is you, bid me to come’. He stepped out hinged on the authority of the command ‘to come’, but he looked away and saw the raging storm. He began to sink and he cried out – Lord, save me!

(culled from the book, 'Gaining more Grounds' by Segun M. Alonge Jr with Olufemi T. Olayinka)

THE CURIOUS MIND | Segun Mark Alonge Jr

2017-09-14T16:45:00.001+01:00

God's love is universal and His thoughts are higher.

CHAPTER ONE
Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. Gen 11:1
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. Acts 1:12

THE CURIOUS MIND

THE QUESTION IS OFTEN ASKED why God would have to step into the affairs of a united mankind and cause kiosk and rancour among them by confusing their language. We would look closely into the details of the occurrence and the purpose for it.

The eleventh chapter of Genesis opens with an acclamation that the whole earth had one language and one speech. It is important to note that in talking about the whole earth as here stated, it was referring to as many as survived the flood that swept the whole earth in the previous chapter. Noah and his household came out of the flood by the reason of God’s absolute favour shone on him. This occurrence in itself clearly points us to two major events.

Salvation
God’s dealings with Noah and his household clearly depicts the picture of Christ and as many as will come into him. Living in times when the whole world was condemned under sin and gross wickedness – the thoughts of evil multiplying in the heart of the man God found so much pleasure in creating.

The devil came and sowed tares (evil) among the wheat (good), but presented it in such a way that it would appeal to man’s emotions. “And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die”. He presented evil to mankind because all that was present with man at creation was thoughts of good continually. And it grieved the Lord at his heart that he had made man on earth – that was a heart that truly loves: for it only takes a loving heart to grieve.

He could not behold the works of his hands rot under sin, sickness and disease. His man was made to have dominion over all he has made, thus making man the crown of all creation. But grace separated Noah for salvation. And grace won’t be grace, if it was worked for or merited.
The whole world was condemned under gross wickedness. God bestowed grace on him in order to make for himself a new generation of his creation.

The fall of man not only affected himself, but also the beast, the creeping things, the fowls of the air and all other creatures - their primary purpose was thwarted - hence, their earnest waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. A total number of eight souls were saved alive, marking the dispensation of a new beginning. It could also signify the Lord’s Day as it took six days for the creative venture and the seventh was declared Sabbath – but the eighth marked a new beginning.

Baptism
The second symbolic event is baptism. Noah and his household were saved from and through the waters. The washing of water symbolizes purification while the immersion indicates death, burial and resurrection.

The initial invitation into the ark was not in merit. It was an open invitation to as many as will desire to come into it. Everyone that came into the ark, including other living creatures were saved and presented to the washed earth. The believer does not immediately get translated upon coming into the family of God, but is washed and cleansed within to live a life acceptable unto God. He does not live a patched life but one that has been exchanged for the better life in Christ.

We cannot ascertain the expanse or number of years between the tenth and the eleventh chapter. But the introduction of the first verse in the eleventh chapter clearly connote that there has been a massive increase in the population of men dwelling upon the face of the earth. “Now the whole earth had one language and one speech” – I would here suggest that they as well have the same approach to God. If there was a religion practised then, it would be a uniform practise – for one language could also be interpreted as one culture in most cases.

Our second text shows the account of Christ’s ascension and the steadfast gazing up of the disciples into heaven. They probably might have been familiar with the account of Elijah and Elisha. Elisha had demanded a double portion of Elijah’s anointing upon the latter’s inquiry of what he wanted when he is being taken away from him (2 kings 2).

Elisha followed him closely up till the point of departure, because he had been instructed to watch while his master would be taken away to receive what he wanted. He demanded a double portion but he got the mantle that fell off Elijah when he was caught away from him. He picked up the mantle and the ministry began. The disciples might probably have been gazing up as well to receive the unction that Christ has promised them earlier.

All their gazing won for them were the words of the two men that stood with them in white apparel. The gift they expected would come on them and live in and with them. Christ had earlier promised that to them that believe in him – the works he did they would do also an even greater works.

The two men were clothed in white apparel symbolizing the purity of the spirit and the double fold unction they were to receive not many days after. The men appeared in the apparel (mantle), a similitude of what Elisha received from his master. But that would not be applicable here, for it was a community of individuals.

The unction was to come upon everyone who waits in anticipation for it. I am sure that if Christ has released the mantle as Elijah did, that would have been the beginning of division among the brethren. In the person of Christ, we have far greater blessings and benefits.
Upon the announcement from the two men, the disciples journeyed down from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem as instructed by the Lord – to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit in bodily form to rest upon them and dwell in them.

It is sad that up till this day, believers still gather and tarry long for the coming of the Holy Spirit. This act cannot be separated from an inadequate understanding of what the word says. It is more like the three wise men praying for Jesus to be born after they had presented the gifts and returned to the East. The Father’s promise was given once and for all. The Holy Spirit is at work on earth till the end of this age.
I encourage you, dear disciple of Christ, to cease from tarrying and asking the father to release the promise from above. He had released centuries ago, you only have to receive. You obtain what has been released by faith.

Hebrews 11:1 leaves no question about this: ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’. Faith, standing on the facts of the word of God substantiates and gives evidence of things not seen. And we know that evidence must be founded on facts. Since true faith is anchored on scriptural facts, we are certainly not to be influenced by impressions. George Mueller said, ‘Impressions have neither one thing nor the other to do with faith. Faith has to do with the Word of God. It is not impressions; strong or weak, which will make the difference. We have to do with the written Word and not ourselves or our impressions’.

(culled from the book, 'Gaining More Grounds' by Segun M. Alonge Jr with Olufemi T. Olayinka)

Revealed! THE WORLD AND YOU

2017-05-07T05:28:00.001+01:00

THE QUESTION IS OFTEN ASKED, what should be the relationship of the followers of Christ with the world system?

So many have tried to withdraw entirely from the systems due to the fear of being corrupted.

Moving around town some months ago, on the streets of Ilorin, Kwara State, I was especially drawn to the various business enterprises around town, but most especially the big eateries. I do not really know the owners of these enterprises but one thing I’m sure of - they are patronized by Christians as well.

CHRISTIANITY IS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH INFERIORITY

The mentality of a consumer is so rampant in the Christian faith – some of which sprang from the idea that since Jesus is coming soon, we need not invest in something that would be of lasting value. It is disheartening to hear these same teachings from most of the pulpits. This has made many believers limit themselves in what they can achieve.

WE ARE NOT HERE TO SURVIVE

So many just live to get by. Investing in lucrative businesses or starting up a large firm to some is synonymous to the love of the world and money. The irony is that the same sets of people envy the individuals who are really gaining grounds via their investments. They are recognized especially when they make a special donation to the church.

How are we to live apart from the world? Does that mean separating ourselves from it altogether? Definitely not! Since that would also mean leaving the earth completely, not partaking in the education system, health care, recreation and much more.

Christ says as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. The same can be said of the church in this dispensation. As long as the church is in the world, she is the light of the world. I would like to make this dimensional.

On the one hand, the church as the body of Christ, group of believers, having a meeting place in a locality should be able to win the vicinity for Christ. The impact of the Church should be so much felt that even unbelievers would run in there to be saved. The sick in the vicinity should be rushed in there for healing – not because the building is housing the anointing but because there are men and women of the new creation resident in the building per time.

On the other hand, the church as individuals should move out into their places of work, firms, and institutions of learning to impact – not necessarily quoting scriptures but living the life in the scriptures.

A follower of Christ practicing medical science should have a different touch to his profession.

I know a family friend who is a medical practitioner – working as an employee in a private hospital. He does his job well professionally but aside that, he believes in the miraculous. At times when I pay him a visit, I am always thrilled to see so many patients waiting to see him exclusively – not because he is the best doctor at the hospital but because he has brought the kingdom life into the hospital.

Now, I can say he is in the world but not of the world, that is, not dependent on the world system. His hope does not rest entirely in the efficacy of medical science. Little wonder why he prays for his patients even before he administers any form of treatment or medication.

"Neither do men light a candle and hide it under a bushel but on a candlestick."

The devil has successfully made us belief that we cannot overcome the world; hence, we should hideaway in anticipation of the coming of Jesus. This would really have not been an issue if we were taken up immediately we became re-created – but we are still here. Our children would still be here. Politics still affects us on the short and long run.
Our presence here should add meaning to life generally.

So much impact is made on the youth via learning institutions these days that we cannot afford to fold our arms and watch how the events will turn out. Atheism is growing so fast that it is crumbling the belief system of many, especially university students.

Some atheists are currently canvassing for the deletion of theology from the university curriculum claiming it is denying the intellectuals of maximally utilizing their reasoning capacity. If they would be successful, then we can equally await a gradual degradation of what it really is to be human.

How can we define humanity outside of divinity?

We lose the notion of who we are when we discard the personality of our creator. A product cannot entirely understand what it is meant for unless the manufacturer is consulted. The manufacturer is not thinking about what the product can or will do because that to him is in his past.

The world system should be infiltrated.

We need kingdom men and women who would rise up and be salt indeed to this degraded world. The follower of Christ is not created to be a consumer. We are creators, originators. Life flows out from us. We do not live by worldly standards for we know that our stay on the present earth is for a while – we are here on a mission.

We dare to move into the systems and influence it.

We dare to make his kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

(culled from the book, 'Gaining more Grounds)

HEAVEN IS NOT YOUR HOME

2017-03-05T10:51:00.001+01:00

A couple of years ago, I engaged my social media friends with a conversation centred around the quest and deep heart longing for 'making' heaven. Their responses came pouring in in different shades. While some affirmed that heaven is the final place of rest for the new creation man, others posited that it is only a temporary place for the new creation man.

The discussion extended into asking if they would still keep their moral integrity if a liable source (divinity) discloses that there is no longer the promise of 'heaven'. A good number submitted that; what then would be the essence/reward of living in response to God's gift of righteousness.

This submission brought me into the conclusion that many professing new creation men are simply doing so for the purpose of being rewarded with a heavenly abode (wherever the Father dwells is heaven....the person makes it heaven not the environment) - so much that a prayer would not be seen as complete if it is not coated or better still rounded off by the cliche, '....and you shall make heaven at last.'

Some would even have wished that they were immediately translated at the point of accepting the gift of God to all mankind (the kind called Man) - until they came across the words of the Lord in His prayers for His disciples. He prayed thus: "I do not pray that you should take them out of the world (immediate translation), but that you should keep them from the evil one (Jh 17:15 ext. mine).

My continued study of Scriptures have revealed that the essence of the new creation is to live the life as it was originally designed to be lived wherever we find ourselves - either in the corrupt world or in a perfect abode some refer to as 'paradise'.

Worthy of note is also the truth that the new creation man is wired to live at a higher and superior dimension to the old creation man. If you seek a perfect example of such a life, search no further - the perfect template is found in the man, Jesus, the Christ. He lived in complete dominion over all the created things. Notice I said things and not people. You are not designed to dominate people but the created things.

Jesus, our perfect example of leadership, never took forcefully His followers freewill. As a matter of fact, they always had their will - their freedom of choice was always theirs. They followed because they trust and love His message and Himself. He was and is indeed a perfect advocate for man. He came down to earth to show man how to live on earth and proceeded into the heavens - breaking through all barriers to reaching the very throne of God and sat down at the right hand of His majesty until His enemies are made subject completely to Him. After which He would reign on earth as the eternally crowned king - being the firstborn of all the kind called man from the dead (old nature).

'In the beginning....' I here refer to the beginning of what is known as mankind. The first verse of Genesis chapter one was not the beginning of God neither was it the beginning of spiritual beings. The creation order as seen in that book was entirely centered on how the kind called man came into existence. There are other kinds that were before the kind called man.

Earth was and is made exclusively for man. To illustrate: You don't start living in your house before it is built. The house is first built. The essence of the house is not in itself but for the purpose of its dwellers. The abode for man was first made - with all its amenities before the crown of the order was introduced. With this, you should be able to picture the height of injustice man does to his personality by worshipping the sun, moon, stars, animals, seas, trees etc.
The great insurrection called unbelief, led the kind called man into his doom - so much that even the earth became hostile to him. The created things began to hunt him - as they, since then, awaits his manifestation.

The Father's unfailing love bond for the kind called man was not broken still. He decided to offer Himself to appease Himself as a propitiation on man's behalf.

The redemptive process thus began with the kind called man. He could thus live on the polluted earth as the redeemed of the Lord based on the atoning sacrifice of the lamb of God. The glory of the kind called man can hence only be seen in his adoption into the one big family of God. There is nothing called the dignity of mankind outside the personality of divinity. Divinity bestows upon humanity her dignity.

A glimpse of the redemption of animals played out when Daniel, the prophet of old was thrown into the lion's den and came out unscathed. I like to submit that the lions were simply operating in their natural order. It is an abuse of purpose when animals eat up man's flesh. They were not created thus. I am currently engaging my pen in writing - that was the original purpose for which it was made but I could also use it as a weapon of destruction - which would be an abuse. A change of the nomenclature of an object often bestows upon it another usage on which it could be rendered - even when the physical design has not been altered.

The new creation man awaits the redemption of the earth in its entirety. His current presence on earth only redeems it tentatively.
See you on the new Earth with the new heaven - where the architect and builder is GOD.

AUTHORITY
I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. (Jer. 27:5)

The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S; but the earth He has given to the children of men. (Ps. 115:16)

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Rom. 11:29)

GRACE IS NEITHER A MOVEMENT NOR A REVOLUTION

2017-02-13T00:08:00.001+01:00

"Whenever you remove any fence, always pause long enough to ask why it was put there in the first place"
- G. K Chesterton

Oftentimes, when we speak about morality in the Christian faith, we would be opposed all together by brothers and sisters advocating a new revolution - called the GRACE REVOLUTION. I have always a singular response to this movement.

If we paint 'grace' as a revolution or movement in a way that we make people believe it is a new thing or a new doctrine, we should as well be prepared for a total overhauling in the nearest future.

The very initiation of a revolution connotes that it is for a time - and I do not agree that the Christian faith should be placed on such quicksand. In talking about being placed upon quicksand, I do not mean that the grace message is heretic in nature.

I am saved eternally (as long as I abide in Him), I believe strongly in the death and resurrection of Christ (I rest in His finished works and labour from the position) - where my sins were washed away and the old nature was crucified once and for all. When Christ died on that cross, I died with Him. When he was buried, I was buried with Him. Could death hold us bound? Never! He rose on the third day, I was risen together with Him. In His glorification rests my glory.

Speaking at a community meeting in Abeokuta, Nigeria, months ago, a question was asked about 'fences' instituted by man, its importance and necessity. I would here state my response with a material we all are familiar with - it is called 'daily devotional'.

Denominations from times past, present and probably future have engaged this potent tool to guide their congregation as they journeyed to be with their Lord eternally. The potency of this tool cannot be overemphasized, especially for a young believer. It is helpful for growth in the faith - as you would agree with me that a perpetual concentration on an act - though tedious/burdensome at the initial state - turns out to become an habit over time. Don't you? To withdraw that completely from the young believer is like weaning a child at about a month old. You expose her to turbulent times difficult to deal with.

What happens when a child is weaned at the right time? The mother introduces solid meals.

But does she embark on this act almost immediately? No! That would be suicidal. She introduces the solid meals gradually, before she wears her completely. Such is my take on removing fences and growth in the Christian faith.

What I frown at is when a believer makes the 'guide' his/her resort for growth and daily living exclusively. I believe in growth all together - spiritually, mentally, physically.

Printed shots from the camera keeps the record of our physical growth and development. What about the growth of the YOU that dwells in that tabernacle called body? How often we neglect that and focus on the physical, sometimes on the mental and scarcely on the Spiritual.

You need to understand that the man/woman that penned that 'guide' in your possession was able to put it together through daily encounters with our Lord. You can as well decide to archive your dealings by and with the Lord for generations unborn to be blessed by.

I challenge you, take that step today.

Righteousness is God's gift to man.
Holiness is man's response to it.
- Segun M. Alonge Jr

FATHER CHRISTMAS FROM ROME?

2016-12-13T17:14:00.001+01:00

It's the Yuletide again. The period of celebration of a pre-Christian festival associated with the (northern) winter solstice, later absorbed into the festival of Christmas.

The whole world has alluded the festival to the commemoration of the birth of her saviour, Jesus Christ.
As glamorous as the event always turn out to be yearly, it is also true that it is a season of deceit, chiefly from teachers to pupils. We all (in this part of the world) grew into the mentality of having Santa come from Rome to our various schools. The media says the same - even churches claim this to be so.

I would never forget the day I realized that our long awaited Father Christmas from Rome was a form teacher in my school. I was indeed disappointed. It was more as if the whole world has lied to me. I hated being deceived.

The scenario is still standing up till date. Kids are still made to believe that Santa comes from Rome with so many gifts and lots of fun. Although, sooner or later, they come to realize this not to be true.

The questions are: Must we continue to paint lies to our kids all in the name of festivities? Must we imbibe the western or the Oriental culture to celebrate the birth of our universal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Can't we be creative enough to make up something that can amaze our kids without embellishing it with lies?

Don't be surprised when your kids look you in the eye and say, 'everyone lies' - hence, you have no moral right to scold them for not being truthful.

The man Jesus, who we claim to celebrate, lived a morally upright life. Let's ensure our kids follow suit by being truthful to them from a tender age.

Falsehood is Falsehood - no matter how much it is being sugar-coated. Santa is not coming from Rome.

Happy Celebration
#smajconcepts

6 KEYS TO MAXIMIZING THESE TIMES

2016-10-20T04:22:00.001+01:00

The assertion 'I can't wait' is often heard from the lips of many. For instance, college graduates in Nigeria would say - 'I can't wait to go for National Youth Service - even right from while they write their final exams as undergraduates. Few months into the service year, they can't wait still to complete it and get a job, followed closely by marriage. This I noticed has been the trend - the default setting. Very few of us have chosen to defile this anyways.

I like to propose my ideal pattern for living which is ENJOY EACH MOMENT TO THE FULL.

One of life's greatest tragedies is to arrive at the end of your journey and realize you could have done more, loved more, laughed harder, played more intensely and lived more vivaciously - T.D Jakes

KEYS TO LIVING MAXIMALLY
1. Minimize your load
Travelling is a lot less stressful with reduced luggage. Most people live with malice, hatred, hurtful feelings and they expect to soar fast and high. I often like to posit that forgiveness is in the real sense a blessing to the 'forgiver'. As a matter of fact, the individual you hold a grudge against might not even know it. Past hurts kept would only cloud your vision to seeing those God is sending your way. Let go so you can fly

2. Cut off conflicts based relationships
You do not need everyone on your journey to fulfillment. Regularly assess your friends database to know if your time, energy and resources investments have really been worth the while. You would often need to cut off from some 'I knew you when....' friends. You can identify them by the stories they share with you. All they talk about are past events. Ask them what they are up to and the response would be 'nothing really'. I like to take the response for 'nothing at all'.

3. Celebrate diversity in friendship
What kind of people make up your mastermind group? If you have a team, who are those you have on board? Are they all 'Yes men and women'? You won't scale heights that way. You need people with diverse views and perspectives but same eternal purpose. Diversity does not mean strife would be engendered. My great mentor, Jesus Christ, had on his crew fishermen and tax collectors. You should be so diverse in your choice of friends that there would be at least someone to consult on any subject. My friends are assets!
Strengths and weaknesses can be balanced when you celebrate diversity. You can strike a balance.

4. Create time for refreshment
We need refreshment in our lives. Take time off those busy schedules and give yourself a good treat. You don't always need to wait for someone to do that for you. Celebrate yourself! That job would always be there even when you are gone. I agree with Dr Ravi Zacharias' statement: 'Anything that refreshes you, without distracting you from, diminishing or destroying your final goal in life is a legitimate pleasure'. Plan a date with yourself or a loved one and enjoy nature in its simplest form. I have come to realize that it's the artificial things that are extra expensive. Get rejuvenated occasionally!

5. Plan to win
How often do you set goals? Do you practice 'stick-to-it-iveness'? Not planning at all equals planning to fail. Even default settings are the handiwork of an individual. You are merely being programmed by someone else. If you aim at nothing, that is exactly what you will achieve. See each day as a brand new gift from your maker and live it to the full. You will never have another of its kind. I do not believe in a special day for a special cloth - all days to me are unique and special. Sit by yourself and draw out the schedule for each day. People won't respect your time if you don't either. Those who should make it up to the top on your friends list are those who respect your right to say 'when' to decisions that can make or mar your destiny.

6. Living is giving
Ask anyone fulfilling purpose what their secret is and you would realize that all responses would still narrow down to helping others. You would never come across a perpetually stinking river because it flows. Hoarders are not livers, givers are.
You should use your resources so much that all that would be left after living on earth would be an emptied vessel.
See you at the top!

P. S: If this has been helpful in any capacity, do leave a comment. Thanks.

Contact @ segunmarkalongejr@gmail.com

6 STEPS TO DISCOVERING YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE

2016-10-17T19:35:00.001+01:00

Every product created and released into the market by a manufacturer has a purpose to fulfil. As a matter of fact, the purpose is first conceived before the product creation begins.

Man is/was created by God for a sole purpose - which is to rule over the heaven and earth created for him. Hence, he is the crown of all creation.

Having said the above, it is important for each individual to discover his/her place in the scope of fulfilling this great mandate.

What on earth are you here for?

Take time out to diligently follow through this six steps. It has worked for me - you won't be an exception.

1. Look Above You
Man would not be far from insanity to believe that he is a mere product of chance. The consideration of your body systems and how they all work together for the sole purpose of your earthly existence is enough proof that there is a designer behind the design.
When there are questions as regards a product in the market, who do we channel them to? The manufacturer of course. I'm glad to announce to you that the manufacturer handed out a manual already (THE BIBLE - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). He has not left you in the dark. Go back to him. He is more concerned about you than you are about yourself.

2. Look Within You
Every product carry within it the capacity to actualize the purpose for which it has been released into the market provided all basic instructions as documented in the manual are carefully followed. Stop running to a service man not certified by the manufacturer. He is going to ruin you. God has deposited in each and everyone of us the potentials for a maximum living. Notice I called it the potentials. Potentials can be latent for a whole lifetime if not discovered, activated and maximized or even abused. Crude oil has been in the Nigerian soil ever before it was discovered in the 20th century.
Take time to shut out all external distractions and talk to your maker - he is always ready to listen to you. He owns you. You are his special product.

3. Look Around You
Every product is designed for a target market and environment. Your placement in Africa and other parts of the world is not by accident. You are placed in this environment because you can thrive in it. You are not designed to survive. Right there where you are, your potentials are highly needed. Unpack your luggage and get to work. Your assignment is that one thing that you can live and die for. Always be sure to narrow it to a specific purpose. You should be able to state it in a simple sentence. Write it down and make it plain on tablets. The entire universe was created perfectly - every part of it. Finding yourself in Africa for instance means you have embedded in you the resources to thrive.

4. Look Beside You
Man is created for relationships. Some you can choose, others you cannot. You cannot choose your biological family but you can choose your circle of friends. Who are those you have very close to you?
How are your friends living their lives? Eagles don't scratch with chicks. Your friends will either make or mar your destiny. Better to have one good friend than to have a league of flatterers and sycophants.
Schedule a date with a close friend - one you know would not deceive you or mince words. Ask questions about yourself and request sincere answers - regardless of if it's going to hurt your feelings or not.

5. Look Behind You
Where are you coming from? If you are a teenager, reading through this material at this time, you sure have existed for about a decade or/and more. What are those dreams you shared as a child - when there were no pressures from any angle whatsoever? You could ask your Mom, Dad, siblings - these ones knew you and have lived with you for years without minding your character flaws. Reach out and talk to them if you can't place those little dreams of yours when you were a child - when the quest for money accumulation was no where to be found on your priority chart.

6. Look Ahead Of You
Having gone through the previous steps, I would like to end with this. I call it vision.
What do you see ahead of you?
Most people talk about finding your passion but I am of a contrary opinion. Your passion is not lost. As a matter of fact, passion is to man as gasoline is to an automobile.
Passion is that energy that keeps you up all day and night studying materials in your field of calling. Watch out for distractions! It sucks passion out of you - just like a leaking fuel tank of a car.
A vision without action driven by passion is a mere daydream.

SET OUT AND SOAR!

P.S: If the material has been of help in any capacity, please leave a comment.

You can also reach the author at segunmarkalongejr@gmail.com
He would be glad to take up the conversation from there.
Best Wishes!

CHILDREN AND PARENTS

2016-08-27T06:50:00.001+01:00

Ephesians 6 :1 - 4

1 - recall wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. Apostle Paul knew that they were submitted to the Lord for Lordship require total submission. Hence, he admonishes the believing wife to submit to HER own husband in the same similitude.
Here, children are admonished to obey their parents in the Lord. These guidelines are for the family *in the Lord* and are not necessarily expected to work outside the believing home.

2 & 3 - Parents deserve to be honoured for they occupy a ministerial as well as stewardship position in the lives of their children. Since they must give account, it is required of the children to honour them

4 - the Father likewise is laden primarily with the responsibility of bringing the children up in the way of the Lord. He prepares the path for the children to walk in.

MARRIAGE - CHRIST AND THE CHURCH

2016-08-27T06:47:00.001+01:00

Ephesians 5 : 22 - 33

22 - Women are never made second to men in general, but the wife is specifically called to accept her husband's leadership and not endeavor to dominate. The husband must lead with mutual respect. The wife leads through influence, the husband through position of authority. That balances the equation.
The same way the saints pray and see things happen...we are the bride of Christ.

23 - The husband being head is a position of responsibility. He is responsible over the nurturing and feeding of his family...both spiritual and physical.

24 - To such a husband, the wife can willingly submit herself. For she knows he has her interest at heart. We are sure God cares about our welfare for he has said he will never leave us nor forsake us

25 - Absolute love from the husband and total submission from the wife is equal to a successful marriage relationship.

26 - without the submission of the church to Christ, there won't be the washing of water by the word

27 - Notice that the sanctification and cleansing is coming from the Lord. Why? That he might present her to himself a glorious church. Just like when you buy a gift for yourself...you would be sure to buy the best and give it the suitable packaging

28 & 29 - In a case when the husband does not have love for even himself, little or nothing can be expected from him. More reason while the Lord admonishes that we marry in his community. These principles is not applicable to the world but to the saints.
The Lord nourishes and cherishes the church because of the love he has towards her.

30 & 31 - Christ and the Church are one inseparable as the husband and wife are also closely knitted in one. The husband is to leave and cleave. The two becoming one flesh.

32 - this is the great mystery being revealed...No one can take the Church away from Christ. He must either be Lord in all or he is not Lord at all.

33 - Love + Respect = Blissful relationship

WALK IN FREEDOM

2016-08-27T06:45:00.001+01:00

Ephesians 5 : 15 - 21

15 - circumspectly means to walk cautiously, sensitively, as a person would walk through thorny terrain. Walking as who we are - the wise.

16 - redeeming the time is capitalising on every appropriate opportunity. We give no chance to the devil to take advantage of us for we are not ignorant of his devices. He always wants to separate us from God's love and fellowship. It takes the wisdom of God to thrive in these evil days

17 - the will of God is in fulfilling God's purpose for your life. It is in making his light shine through you

18 - the being filled with the Spirit is here contrasted with being drunk with wine in excess. Wine mocks, the Spirit glorifies God and dignifies man

19 - notice where the melody stems from...the heart. Not just from the lips. True worship is not a good voice or pitch. It is that which comes from the heart to the Father. They that worship him must do so in Spirit and in truth. Spiritual songs are impromptu rhythmic lyrics given by the Holy Spirit in one's language or in other tongues

20 - Thanksgiving should not be seasonal. It should always be channeled to the Father in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ

21 - submission to one another is indispensable for growth and unity. It should be done in the fear(reverence) of God.

WALK IN LIGHT

2016-08-27T06:41:00.001+01:00

Ephesians 5:8-14

8 - Apostle Paul was talking about two different dispensation and their realities. The old man is darkness, the new man is light...the default state of a new man is light, hence the walk as children of light

9 - the seed of God is sown in the new creation man at salvation. The fruit includes goodness, righteousness and truth

10 - the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in us makes us know what is acceptable of the Lord. This requires a daily communion. Just the same way you know what dad likes and dislikes through daily interactions with him

11 - I told you earlier that light exposes darkness. This scripture has confirmed that. Have no fellowship/communion with the unfruitful works of darkness rather fellowship with the fruitful works of light

12 & 13 - light does not fear being exposed, only darkness does. The only secret place we have is the place of prayer; and even this is open to fellowship with other saints. Notice that we are not to hate the Gentiles but to expose their evil works and shine the light of salvation on them

14 - Notice the ministry of Jesus in this scripture - Just as Christ gives light to men, he has commissioned us to do likewise. Christ shines through us here on earth.

SENSE VS REVELATION KNOWLEDGE

2016-08-12T09:25:00.001+01:00

Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?
Student : Yes.
Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed
to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others
who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then?
Hmm?
(Student was silent.)
Professor: You can’t answer, can you

? Let’s start again,
young fella. Is GOD good?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Is satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor: Where does satan come from ?
Student : From … GOD …
Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this
world?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make
everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor: So who created evil ?
(Student did not answer.)
Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness?
All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them ?
(Student had no answer.)
Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to
identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son,
have you ever seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD,
smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception
of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable
Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do
you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of
events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat,
superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat.
But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458
degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any
further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is
only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We
cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the
opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a
thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?
Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence
of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright
light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you
have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality,
darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make
darkness darker, wouldn’t you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young
man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is
flawed.
Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You
argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and
a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as
something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science
can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and
magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood
either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be
ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive
thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now
tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they
evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary
process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own
eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to
realize where the argument was going.)
Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of
evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is
an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion,
sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class was in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the
Professor’s brain?
(The class broke out into laughter. )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the
Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one
appears to have done so. So, according to the established
Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science
says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir,
how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student,
his face unfathomable.)

Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man &
GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and
moving.
(source unknown)

Post script: Copied

OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTER

2016-08-07T03:01:00.001+01:00

See! All you have are those who fill the office of a prophet but lack the power thereof.

See! All they know how to do is pray for things when there are counsels for this time to be delivered.

See! They are soon going out of business because believers are coming into the understanding of their inheritance

See! The people are crying out for genuine food, you are only presenting irrelevances

See! The prophet is not really a happy man but he is joyous.

See! The prophet declares only the oracles of God.

See! The prophet is not a man of many words.

See! The Lord uses the life of the prophet to set the stage....to set the template for others to follow

See! Ezekiel was not a happy man. See him sleeping on the left side for 390 days for the sins of Israel and another 40 days for Judah. See him feeding on a ration of food and water as prescribed by the Lord.

See! Jeremiah was a weeping prophet. See him standing on behalf of the people of God. Hear the word of the LORD come to him saying, 'You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place'. See him eating the bread of affliction and drinking the water of affliction. See Micaiah threading the same path

Moses was also a man of like passion. He chose to lay down his life for the sheep.

See! Dear Shepherd of the Lord...co-labourer in his Vineyard. When the Lord blesses the people with physical abundance, what then would be your message

See! The people need spiritual meal, food for their souls.

See! We are not created to be subservient to things but to rule over earthly resources

See! How beautifully robed you are at the expense of tending my sheep

See! The pattern I laid is no longer what you follow

See! My sheep are feeding on unhealthy meals but you promised to feed and tend them

See! The army is rising among my people. I am making them myself. Think not that you are the only surviving vessel. Many others are yet still labouring in like passion. Take up the vision and run with it.

POWER TUSSLE : WHO MADE THE GOD OF THIS WORLD (SATAN )?

2016-05-01T21:18:00.001+01:00

Have you ever heard about how the devil formed a coup de tat against God while he was in heaven?

Although this might not generally be a myth but the way the tale had been told has often make me wonder and thus create a desire in me to investigate.

The popular belief was that Satan took one-third of God's angels in a quest to dethrone him.

Even though their was a desire to be like God, I suppose taking one-third army to fight against God who doesn't only have two-thirds of the angels on standby but also the All powerful God would have ended in automatic defeat.

The devil would have been wise enough to know the futility of this plan

Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Satan wouldn't have charged against God unless he is sure he would accomplish his sole purpose which is to be like God

Another thing that makes me wonder and put a lot of thought in my mind is the fact that it was told that God threw the devil into the world after defeating him and pronounced woe to all who dwells here, if this fact holds true, then why would a loving God do this to his own creation

Even nature teaches us that no responsible father will expose his child to harm.

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Satan is evil and their is no way he could have been the plan of God for him to harm his creation

In view of all this, I want to examine the scenario with facts laid out as evidence in the scriptures

In The Beginning
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was VERY GOOD.

The repeated phrase in Genesis is "and God saw that it was good"

He created the fish, sea, heaven, earth, man and angels inclusive. God created them all and he said that they were all good

If God creates good things alone then where did Satan come from?

The holy writ presented us some personality created by God called angels and one which is worth taking note of was named Lucifer.

Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

This was the description of the angel created by God, he was an emblem of beauty, and was perfect, he was in the garden called Eden. Of course he tempted man, but I suppose the sole purpose of him being in Eden was not to tempt man but to be a ministering spirit unto man
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits (talking of angels) , sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Lucifer was meant to be a blessing to Adam but he hath his own desire to be like God. And in Adam he found a way

Authority Of The Man God Created

God's creation of man placed man in a position of authority over every other creation in the earth domain (Genesis 1:28-30)

Adam was a god to this earth, God gave him that authority. The giving of this domain to him was without condition, at such if anything must happen in this earth then man must foremost agree to allow it to happen

The Fall- From Lucifer To Satan
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

The sole desire of Lucifer was to become like God. He also wants to have rule as a God.

Since he was placed in eden, he must have observed that Adam was a prototype of whom he loves to become. If he cannot dethrone God, he must find a way via which he can become the god of this world. Lucifer saw an opportunity in man.

If only Adam can give him the authority which he possess, then he also will become like god. What a great strategy

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

All Lucifer needed to do is find a way to make Adam become his servant at such he would have the delegated authority given to Adam

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Man yielded to Lucifer's craftiness and Lucifer became the god of this world

Satan specifically told Jesus that he is now the god of this world and Jesus did not deny the fact because it was true

Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Jesus retorted by affirming my kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36)

The creation of God was Lucifer but the making of the god of this world(satan) was done by man.

God gave man the authority, man handed it over to Lucifer and at the end he became the god of this world.

Written by Adedayo Ayoola (pleasantvik@gmail.com)

THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY?

2016-04-23T17:16:00.001+01:00

“...I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy”. Revelation 19:10

More emphasis has been laid on prophecy, prophetic utterances and the prophet in recent times. In fact, the office of a prophet has so much been exalted that everyone desires to be addressed as a 21st century prophet.

The scripture above clearly states that the testimony of Christ is the Spirit of prophecy. The honest inquirer would then ask, ‘What is the testimony of Christ?’ because in that answer lies the true meaning of prophecy.

The New Testament mentions the gift of prophecy several times, especially in the writings of Apostle Paul, but we are not certain about what the prophet said except for the instance of Agabus as related in the twenty first chapter of the book of the Acts of the Apostles. He took the girdle of Paul and bound his own hands and feet and said, ‘thus saith the Holy Ghost, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. The utterance was affirmed by the recipient and even much more. For Apostle Paul said that he was not only prepared to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Disciples of Christ are admonished to test every spirit to know if they were of God. What then should be our yardstick? In these words, ‘the testimony of Jesus’ we find answer to that question.

John bore record of the testimony of Jesus in the first chapter of the book of Revelation and he also affirms in the ninth verse that he was in the Isle that is called Patmos for the testimony of Jesus Christ. The twelfth chapter of Revelation also paints the picture of the Dragon going after the remnant of the seed of the woman that have the testimony of Jesus. From these accounts, we can conclude that Antipas, the martyrs, the two witnesses, and the victors also bore record or had this testimony.

What is then this testimony that often creates uproar in the world?

The declaration of the Lordship of Christ! Notice that the angel in the nineteenth chapter of Revelation made that declaration when John bowed down to worship him - worship God, he said.

Prophecy and prophetic utterances can thus be viewed and affirmed in that light. The spirit (heart, basis, root, and source) of prophecy is in the testimony of Jesus. His death, his crucifixion, his burial, his resurrection, and his glorification – are the testimony we bare record of and thus declare.

We can test all spirits to know if they are of God in the light of this testimony.

WHAT IS THIS GARMENTS THING?

2016-04-23T17:12:00.001+01:00

‘Behold, I am coming as a thief, blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walks naked and they see his shame’. Revelation 16:15

The honest inquirer wants to know what it really means to be constantly clothed – especially when the injunction is seen as coming directly from the Lord.

Are we to fear this coming happening when we are in the bath? How might a follower of Christ be found naked? Does watching at all times mean staying awake? Does it mean that the blessed follower of Christ would not be asleep in bed when Christ returns?

The context of the verse shows that the final wrath of the Lord had been revealed - the preceding verses clearly affirm that.

A wider context presents the coming of Christ as that of a thief in the night. This image is presented by the Lord in the gospels as well and Apostles like Peter and Paul referred it to while admonishing the saints to stay constantly alert so as not to be caught unawares. Stealth and surprise are the chief weapons of a thief. Is our Lord a thief? Absolutely not! The event was here illustrated and not the personality.

Apostle Paul, in the fifth chapter of his letter to the Tessalonians (II) stated clearly that the day ought not to come upon a faithful servant of the Lord by surprise because he lives daily in his expectation even as he labours on in his vineyard.

The clothing of the disciple of Christ is mentioned several times in the scriptures. While some were referred to as having soiled their clothes, others are admonished to purchase new garments. What then is this clothing all about? Are we to visit the market and obtain white linen fabrics and make garments for ourselves?

The nineteenth chapter of the book of Revelation clearly specified what this clothing is. ‘And to her (the wife of the lamb, the church) was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of Saints’.

Dearly beloved, the fine linen depicts our righteousness in Christ. Anyone found not thus clothed therefore is seen as naked. It is also important to note here that scriptures refer to some garments as filthy. Such garments are worn by the self-righteous.

The dual injunction of watchfulness and keeping one’s garment thus fits together perfectly. The coming of Christ cannot be calculated. In fact, embarking on such quest would be focusing more on world events than on the person of Christ.

I would close with these words of Christ, “Blessed is that servant, whom when his Lord comes find faithful and wise. Occupy till he come!”

SATAN IN HEAVEN?

2016-04-23T16:53:00.001+01:00

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the Dragon; and the Dragon and his angels fought,” Revelation 12:7

The question is often asked of the possibility of darkness in the presence of light. The reason for this question is not far-fetched. Whatever is good, pure, holy is attributed to God while evil, filthiness and unrighteousness belong to Satan.

The tenth verse of that chapter buttresses the fact that the accuser accuses the brethren before God day and night (this can either be a physical appearance or his voice and we can conclude both to still achieve the same aim).

A quick back flips to the book of Job further paints a clearer picture. ‘Now, there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them’. This has been a debate for years. Some claim that it was prior to his fall – if that would hold true, then he should not be addressed as the accuser of the brethren. The two scriptural quotations clearly present him as Satan. That would take us further into knowing who the sons of God were.

The ‘sons of God’ is a phrase that also appeared in the sixth chapter of Genesis, but with different points of reference. Here, its meaning is clearly that of celestial beings or angels God created as his servants. Satan is among them. He appears as the ‘Adversary’ to disturb God’s kingdom by causing trouble.

It is also important to note here that Satan was and is originally a creation of God. We could conclude that he was once a member of that great Assembly of God’s servants before iniquity was found in him.

More so, we need to understand that he was not lowered to the earthly realm. I submit that the so many paintings we have of Satan might not hold true. No place in scriptures do we find a backing for most of those paintings and pictures.

As stated in an earlier article, (see my article on the ‘bottomless pit’), God uses all his creation to achieve his purpose; Satan inclusive. The account of Job clearly affirms this truth – he can do nothing without divine permission and when God gives permission to Satan, he sets definite limits on his power.

James writes thus, ‘Let no one say, when he is tempted, I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone’. What about Abraham? He was tested by God. And if we would debate that further, claiming both words have the same root, then I would say, he was not tempted by evil.

The account of Job clearly depicts God’s confidence in the character of a man. He himself drew Satan’s attention to Job. Adam was given the same trust in the Garden of Eden and he blew it.

The life of Job paints a clear picture of absolute trust and confidence in God regardless of whether we enjoy earthly bounties or not. God’s testimony prevailed on the long run and Satan was put to shame.