RCCGGKParish

18/09/2020

SEASONS COME AND SEASONS GO

Anchor scripture:
1. Gen 8:22- While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease (KJV).
2. Ecc 3:1- There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (NIV). Please read Ecc 3:3-4 & 11.

People who are dead are the only ones who are free from earthly troubles. As long as we are in this world, we will certainly experience tough times and difficult moments. Jesus knew this too well and it was the reason he said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world- John 16:33.”
I have not seen that one person whose life is totally smooth, trouble free and has it all put together 100%.

I have a bible crush and his name is Joseph. He went to the school of 'hard knocks.' This man went through hell! Life dealt heavy blows on him and even his family members that he loved so much turned their backs against him. He had every reason to give up but he didn't. Instead, he solidly held on to God. He didn't complain or murmur. God came through for him and changed his story. Joseph went through 7 major seasons in his life called the 7Ps, People (his family), Pit, Potiphar's house, Potiphar's wife, Prison, Palace, Prime minister.

As long as we still have breathe in us, we will go through several phases in life- good, bad, palatable, unpleasant coupled with loads of lessons for us to learn. Little wonder the bible says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire,( you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze"- Isa 43:2 (NIV). "When" means, 'in the event that.' God certainly knows that we will experience turbulent times but He assures us that he would never leave or forsake us.

One thing people do that puts them in a state of despondency is them comparing themselves with others- family members, peers, colleagues etc. They look at what others are doing or have achieved in life. We should avoid falling into the comparison trap because some of the people we compare ourselves with most times put up the best pictures of themselves and we won't really know if they are going through worse problems than we are.

We are on earth for different reasons. It is therefore pertinent that we discover what our purpose is in life. Once we discover our purpose, it will keep us focused. We would find it difficult to compare ourselves to others because we know that our journey in life is totally different from others. Our purpose would be a compass and a guide for our lives.
The pursuit of our purpose will bring fulfilment and keep us on track.
Joseph knew his purpose in life and it helped him focus on the prize.

We need to know that every trouble we experience won't last forever. Delay does not mean defeat. There's a time frame to our challenges. It is only a phase and it would surely pass. Never run ahead of God's timing, you might be producing an Ishmael.

Truly, seasons come and seasons go. Every problem we are going through has come to an end in Jesus name.

Like Joseph, we must
*Live a holy life
*Serve God wholeheartedly
*Run away from sin
*Help those in need even in our darkest times
*Eliminate murmuring and replace it with thanksgiving
*Depend solely on God

Let us pray
1. Oh God, thank you for keeping me alive till today. I am only alive because of your mercy and grace.
2. Father, in anyway I have murmured and complained against you, please forgive me.
3. My heart is fainting Lord. Please, help me to trust in you because you are the possibility champion.
4. Father Lord, you own the key to my life, please open a new chapter for me. Jesus, be glorified in my life.
5. Father, please deliver me from every terrible situation I am experiencing and put an end to long standing problems in my life.
6. Oh Lord, your word says, weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. I declare that my time is now, let my joy come right now. Wipe away my tears Lord.
7. You created me for a purpose, please help to discover what your purpose for my life is.
8. Father, please turn my life around and let the whole world rejoice with me.
9. Dear God, help me not to turn away from you in my trying times. Help me not to cut corners or try to help you.
10. Spirit divine, I need you more than ever before. Help me to be sensitive to your leading and to your voice. Hold me by the hands and walk me through life's journey.

16/08/2020

Sunday Service
16/08/2020

Prayer points
Matt 24:37-42
1. Father, have mercy upon me, my family, every member of my family, my church and nation. Help us to be rapturable.
2. Father, continue to have mercy upon the nations of the world and let Corona Virus come to an end.
3. Father, everything standing between me and my salvation, let them be bound in Jesus name.

Topic: Faith Boosters
Text: Heb 11:1, 6.
Minister: Pastor Elisha

There are many factors that can boost one's faith. You can't get anything from God without faith. If you have faith without hope and love, it's useless. Faith, hope and love all go hand in hand. 1 Cor 13:13, Matt 22:37. If you don't have the love of God, you're just wasting your time. The plan of God for mankind is anchored on love.

Chasing mundane things of the world is not faith. Biblical faith is about you laying down everything at the feet of Christ and seeking for the expansion of his kingdom. Praying that the glory of God will be made manifest all over the world.

You can't sow a seed and expect to harvest the fruit the next day. Learn to be patient. You heart must be fixed on God. Do not depend on man.

Nothing should stand as an alternative between you and God. Hold on solidly to God. Let him be your everything.

For God to help you, you must be committed. Let your lifestyle be pleasing to him. Make God your source.

12/06/2020

I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE HILLS FROM WHENCE COMETH MY HELP- Ps 121:1

Study 1 Chr 4: 9-10 (The Story of Jabez)

The title above is a cry from someone who is desperate for a change. One faced with challenges, untold hardship and unpleasant vicissitudes of life.

At this point a person is stuck; not knowing what to do. Some begin to scamper about looking for solution to their numerous problems. Some people miss it by visiting the wrong places thereby bringing bigger problems into their lives.

The answer to your problems is not in a pastor, a prophet, a spiritualist, a sorcerer, a palm reader or an herbalist. The answer to all problems can be found in Jesus. It is good to know your source and who your greatest ally is.

Jabez' (in the bible) situation was very peculiar. His mum named him sorrow after he was born. He knew he had to do something quickly. One day, he decided to change the status quo having a strong faith in God that He would wade into his situation. He cried and God heard and his story changed for the better. God is indeed faithful in caring for those who seek him.

Today, we will cry like Jabez did and pray the same prayers he prayed. The Lord of Host in his infinite mercy will hear us. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." -1 Jn 3: 8b (KJV).

1. Thank God for his faithfulness and for keeping you alive.
2. Pray that God would bless you and enlarge your territory.
3. Pray that his hand will be with you.
4. Pray that God should keep you from harm so that you will be free from pain.
5. Thank God because he has heard.

29/05/2020

Being faithful to God does not erase the possibility of trials in marriage. It means since He was involved at the beginning, He will gently guide you through. ❤️

How does Faithfulness to God reflect in an earthly Marriage?
By Oluwaseyitan Olatunji.

When you are faithful to God, it means you are loyal and committed to Him. It means that you trust Him with your whole being. Being loyal to a person is a matter of the heart. Irrespective of the turbulent situations or circumstances you may face, you do not waver or look back.

🙌🏽 An example of loyalty and commitment to God is seen in Genesis with the story of Abraham and his wife Sarah. Although they did not have a child when they desired, Abraham never left God. God called Abraham his friend, and at the end He blessed him with his promised son, Isaac. Faithfulness to God means being prompt in obeying His instructions and trusting Him wholeheartedly.

🙌🏽 According to 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (KJV), “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

💛 Faithfulness to God also means having the desire to please Him. It is trusting that He will direct you in your choice of a spouse, and by extension, marriage. It is also important to note that faithfulness to God does not mean it erases the possibility of trials in a marriage. It means because He was involved at the beginning, He will gently guide you through.
There are many templates in the Bible regarding every aspect of our lives.

💛 The template God gave on how to love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. (NIV)
1If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.

As believers of Christ Jesus, we show our faithfulness to God by following this template.
Now, let’s look at a couple of examples on how God instructs us to honour Him in marriage:

For husbands, Ephesians 5:25-28
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

And for wives:
Ephesians 5:22-24
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

🙏🏽 When married couples follow these Biblical templates, they can trust that God is on their side (faithfully) and all will be well in in end. This is especially seen when we remain in constant communion with God, and build a relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit.

🙏🏽 The Holy Spirit will never lead you astray.
John 14:26 (RSV)
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

🙏🏽 He will grant you strength to work on your weaknesses and will draw your attention to the issues you need to work on.
Faithfulness to God comes with obedience, thus. when instructions regarding your marriage comes, be prompt to obey and ensure you are not too busy to hear when He speaks. Only then there will be true peace within your marriage.