Jesus Club

19/09/2024

Jesus loves me, this I know. Since childhood I’ve known Jesus loves me and I didn’t doubt it. Little girls grow up. The world breaks us apart so the lies creep in unnoticed. Our hearts begin to question, does Jesus really love me?

Friend, I’m here to tell you I’m proof Jesus loves us and we can know it. For some reason my heart grew up thinking I had to earn Jesus’ love. It was never taught in church. The Bible never showed me this, but in my sinful way I strove to buy God’s love with my own faithfulness. If I went to church, prayed, read my Bible, and did all of the Christian-y things, God would keep loving me.

Then over the years I realized the depth of my sin. Mourning this means we want to change. I wanted to change because I didn’t like the idea of God not loving me.

04/11/2019

REFLECTION FOR TODAY!

Monday 4th November, 2019

Theme: Hear And Be Profitable

Passage: Mark 4:21 - 33

God gives us five senses. Each of these senses performs its function for us to bring glory to God and make our life resourceful. In this morning's passage, Jesus focuses on the ear, which is the sense of hearing. He says, "If anyone has ear to hear let him hear" (Mk 4: 23). It is common seeing a lot of people troupe to crusades, revivals and conventions. We may ask, what is the percentage of those who hear the Word of God to profit their lives? If greater percentage that attend these religious programmes for the purpose of improving their conduct with the word of God, social ills like prostitution, human trafficking, examination malpractices, rigging of election, moral and financial corruption will not be rampant as we have it now in our country.

This parable stresses the need to hear the Word of God and apply it to make positive impact in our lives. As we prepare to go out today and other days, let us cultivate the habit of hearing the Word of God to profit our Christian life. To hear the Word and make it profitable indicates that we allow the Word to mix with faith in us to the extent of mending the broken parts in us and correcting our wrong attitudes. We need to have the courage to accept the truth and allow the truth to set us free. We need to allow the Word we hear to pe*****te the dark areas of our life and let the light of Christ shine there. These are the ways by which the Word of God we hear can be profitable to us.

MEMORY VERSE: Mark 4:24 "Then He said to them Take heed what you hear, with the measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given."

HYMN: MHB 308 - LORD thy word Abideth

PRAYER: Lord God, let Thy Word I hear daily grow in me to bear the fruit of the Spirit for I ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

02/11/2019

DAILY REFLECTION

Saturday 2nd November, 2019

Theme: Be Perfect
Passage: II Corinthians 13: 7 - 14

There is nothing that makes a father to be more proud of his son or daughter than for his son/daughter to take after him in word and deed. Paul, in his final exhortation to the Church he founded at Corinth, reminded believers of the Word of Jesus Christ to the disciples to "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5: 48). This injunction is another way of calling us to be holy.

The way to be perfect, as enunciated in this passage, is to uproot all forms of evil thoughts, words and deeds from all manners of life and do that which is honourable and acceptable to God and humanity. There is nothing that is more honourable than to know the Truth, Jesus Christ (Jn 14: 6, 8: 32). Who can set us free from bo***ge? He is the only one that can give us the grace to be perfect. Being perfect is to walk in Him daily by making all necessary adjustments and amendments in our unwholesome conducts as we journey in the Way. We can achieve perfection by reflecting the Word of God daily and applying it as the source of knowledge and wisdom.

This is All Souls season and God enjoins all souls to deal with all entanglements that can hinder them from being perfect before our heavenly Father. Jesus exhorts us to drop them at the feet of His Cross and receive the grace of perfection. It is by this that He takes the heavy burden in your heart and gives you rest.

MEMORY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 13: 11 "Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort; be of one mind, live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you."

HYMN: MHB 422 - BLESSED assurance Jesus is Mine

PRAYER: God of perfection, grant me the grace to be perfect and to walk blameless before You in Jesus' name. Amen.

READ: Day -John 16; Night -Jer. 15-17

16/09/2019

21/06/2019

DAILY REFLECTION

Saturday 22nd June, 2019

Theme: Play Your Part
Passage: Philippians. 2: 12-18

The Pauline Epistle to the church at Phillipi encourages every Christian to prove his mettle by working out his salvation with fear and trembling. Paul declared in vs.12: “Therefore my beloved as you have always obeyed not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, prove your ministry. Let us see your faith translated into good deeds.”

The world is tired of theoretical Christians who make much noise without living out the life of Jesus Christ which is full of love, humility, compassion, mercy and forgiveness.

Today, so many Christians and Pastors mount the pulpit jumping up and down shouting without shining. It was not so for Apostle Paul. Paul proved his ministry hence he said, 'I have fought the good fight and finished the race.' What is your own assessment of your services to the Master?

What can you deduce from Phil 4:15? Every Christian ought to be proactive, productive and dependable in his ministry. Do not be parasitic, eating without contributing to the growth of the church. Arise and shine by playing your part for the edification of the church.

MEMORY VERSE: Philippians 2:12 “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

HYMN: MHB 526 – O! JESUS, I Have Promised

PRAYER: Lord Help me to serve you to the end in Jesus' name. Amen

21/06/2019

DAILY REFLECTION

Friday 21st June, 2019

Theme: Examine Yourself
Passage: I Corinthians. 11: 27-34

Today's Passage and Theme are a clarion call for self-examination as presented by Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth. In the early church, the believers often had a love feast before the communion or the Lord's Supper. Suffice it to say that the beauty of the occasion was often spoilt by wrong attitudes. Can you find these out in vs. 27, 29

Paul's emphasis is on the right celebration of the Holy Communion. It is a visible reminder to all who participate in the Holy communion that Christ died for them. It is also a testimony to outsiders that Jesus died for them too. When we approach the Lord's Supper with un-confessed sin or live in hostility with one another, we eat unworthily. Note the serious side effects of coming to the Lord's Table without examining our lives vs. 29-30

The time is now for us to purge ourselves from every besetting sins that hinders us from enjoying sweet fellowship.

MEMORY VERSE: I Corinthians 11:31 “But if we judge ourselves, we would not come under judgement.”

HYMN: MHB 338 – RESCUE the Perishing

PRAYER: MY Lord, my Maker I come before you with a penitent heart. Cleanse me of every filthiness today in Jesus's name. Amen.

10/06/2019

DAILY REFLECTION

Monday 10th June, 2019

Theme: Comfort From Above
Passage: Isaiah 51: 1 – 6

A young lady with a six- month-old child lost her husband two years after their wedding. The woman refused to be comforted. Many people visited to no avail. Instead, she said “There is no God,” "If there is a God, why should He allow this to happen to me?” For many years she mourned, but the merciful and gracious God decided to bless that child. The child became the best in his class in primary school and won a scholarship in the secondary school. At his graduation in secondary school, he won another scholarship to study in a University abroad. At graduation, he made First Class and won express appointment to work with the presidency as the best medical doctor. On his arrival from abroad, the government threw a party to receive him. His mother was decorated and was brought from the village to the Presidential Villa, in Abuja. Wow! She could not believe her eyes. With joy she shed tears and said, “There is God.” She received Comfort from Above!

The faithful remnants may have been left alone, but God, in Isaiah 51, reminded them of their ancestors, the source of their spiritual heritage. Abraham was only a person but much came from his faithfulness. If the faithful will remain faithful, even more will come from them. If we Christians remain faithful to our calling, think of what God can do through us. We will, no doubt receive the comfort from above like the young lady in our story.
Though the young lady said there was no God, she decided to remain faithful to her late husband and take care of her baby boy. Eventually, she received the comfort from above. Whatever you may be passing through, remain faithful to God just as God told the people of Judah in Isaiah 51:1-2 “Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from where you were hewn, And the hole of the pit from where you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah, who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him.” The writer of Hebrews 12:2 also made the same call and appeals to us to “Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” As you abide in Him, may you receive the comfort from Above in Jesus' name. Amen.

MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 57:18 “I have seen his ways, and I will heal him; I will also lead him, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.”

HYMN: MHB 601 – THEY who tread the path of Labour....

PRAYER: Love Divine, give me the grace to faithfully follow You and richly qualify for comfort from above in Jesus' name. Amen.

25/05/2019

DAILY REFLECTION

Saturday 25th May, 2019

Theme: Grow In Christ
Passage: 2 Peter 3:1-18

The second letter of Peter was intended to exhort the suffering Christian believers to stand firm in the Lord and be daily prepared for the second coming of Christ as against scoffers' taunts about Jesus' second coming. There are people, even among the self-acclaimed 'Christians,' that still doubt the 2nd coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. They say that for more than 2,000 years, the second coming of Christ had been a swan song among Christians and Jesus is yet to come! Jesus Christ will surely come at the God-appointed time “Like a thief in the night.” Or when we least expected.

Apostle Peter, therefore, in this 3-chapter epistle tried to reassure his readers-especially those undergoing suffering as a result of their faith in Christ, of the Parousia. Worshipping God in the North Eastern part of Nigeria as well as some Muslim-dominated countries like Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Iran and Somalia, have become extremely difficult. The story of Miss Leah Sharibu, a Dapchi girl kidnapped with more than 100 female students by Boko Haram, is still fresh in our minds. Sticking to her faith in Christ, Leah and many others like her must have undergone extreme torture in life.

Shall we because of suffering or attacks forsake Christ? God forbid. In 2 Cor. 11:23-28, Apostle Paul could boast of the many times he had suffered for the faith, yet this Gramaliel-trained lawyer could boldly, say in Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Paul was always prepared and ready for anything for the sake of Christ. We also should.

Apostle Peter in the text today, told fellow believers about the end-time and admonished his readers and all of us, not only to be prepared but also “to grow in grace.” Christian life in this world is like a seed planted in the soil, growing from one stage to another. Seeds grown in fertile grounds do better than seeds planted in arid land. We have to nourish and water the seeds in order to do well. The Word of God is the nourishment every Christian needs everyday to grow well in Christ. You need to have it in abundance, too.

MEMORY VERSE: 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

HYMN: EMHB 308 – LORD, Thy Word abideth

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I strongly believe that the Second Coming will be like a thief in the night.
Help me, I pray, to grow in Your Grace and Word, and be as one prepared for that day. Amen.

24/04/2019

DAILY REFLECTION

Wednesday 24th April, 2019

Theme: Dangers Of Materialism
Passage: Luke 12:13-21

It is often not easy to secure a visa to travel, to either visit or stay in another country. You have to do many things to satisfy that country's embassy before the visa is issued to the intending visitor. So it is for the kingdom of God. Everyone wants to make heaven but only those who obey the laws of God will be there.

This passage gives us another clue to who might make heaven and how we can make it. The rich young ruler tried to justify himself that he had done all what Jesus Christ asked him to do in verses 17c to 19. But when he was told to sell all he had; give to the poor and then follow Jesus Christ, he was sorrowful because he had a lot of property. To be rich is not a sin but our attitude to riches can make one to lose heaven.

How many of us can sell our houses, land property to give the proceeds to the poor and follow Jesus? This, no doubt is a bitter pill to swallow for many people. Jesus would not say what He told the rich young ruler if it were not possible. This, too, was why Jesus said it would be nigh for rich people to make heaven (Verse 24).

Lot was not happy to lose all he had in S***m when destruction came and he left reluctantly but his wife refused to leave and she turned to a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:1-26). Ananias and wife, Saphira, suffered untimely death because of money. Many people worship money today rather than God. Don't forget, money will leave you one day (Matthew 6:33).

MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 19:21 “Jesus said unto him; If thou will be perfect, go and sell what you have and give to the poor, you shall have treasure in heaven and come follow Me.”

HYMN: MHB 923 - WE give thee but thine own

PRAYER: Prayer Lord, help me to love what You love and hate what You hate so that in the end let me journey with you to heaven in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

05/02/2019

DAILY REFLECTION (METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA)

TUESDAY 5TH FEBRUARY, 2019

THEME: DO NOT IMITATE EVIL

PASSAGE: DEUTERONOMY 12:30-32

MEMORY VERSE: Deuteronomy 12:30 “Do not be trapped into following their example in worshiping their gods. Do not say, 'How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example”.

HYMN: MHB 565 – I KNOW that my Redeemer lives

MESSAGE

The word 'imitates' means, “To use or follow as a model; to copy; to copy exactly; reproduce” (Falex). In this present world of competitions, many manufacturers have tried to copy other manufacturers' inventions or products so that they can make a lot of undue gains. God warned the Israelites from imitating the heathens who were their neighbours either in traditions, customs or religion. God had made it clear to them from the beginning that He is a jealous God. The nation of Israel was under the direct control of Jehovah and it would be a gross disobedience for them to go after other gods to worship or inquire from them.

On many occasions, the nation of Israel had played the 'harlot' in following the gods of the nations around them. Some of the forbidden heathen gods were Baal, Ashtoreth, Dagon, Chemosh, etc. Some of the time, God delayed in His response to Israel's requests because of their sins or because of His good purpose which they might not understand. Due to delay in God's response to their requests or expectations, they sought support or assistance from heathen gods they felt might answer them speedily (although with bitter repercussions). For instance, Israel requested for a king and wanted to be like other nations and God gave them what they wanted but with bitter repercussion. King Saul became a whip God used to chastise them for their rejection of Him (1 Sam. 8:7-20). Are you considering visiting a heathen god for a solution to your problems? Are you considering joining in going back to your old ways of life because of your new worldly friends? Are you considering befriending your male lecturers so that you can pass that course after some failures? It is definitely NO WAY OUT! Trust in God who can give a lasting solution that does not bring regrets. Wait for the Lord!

PRAYER: Almighty God, do not allow the ways of the world to ever get my attention or desire, for You alone are the True and Omnipotent God. Grant me the patience to depend upon You and wait for Your time in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.