ECWA Goodnews Church Ilaro

ECWA Goodnews Church Ilaro ECWA Goodnews Ilaro, widely recognized as the "great family serving great God," is a Christ-Centered Church.

Rooted in the principles of Christianity, the Church is committed to fostering a sense of unity and devotion among its members.

25/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
MONDAY 25TH MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 6:1-4
TOPIC: PRIVILEGED TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER: II

(EPHESIANS 6:1-4 NIV)
:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
:2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—
:3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

PRIVILEGED TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER: II
The joy of every parent is to have children who are respectful and responsible both in the home and in the larger society. Paul issues a command that children should "obey their parents in the Lord, for this is right" (v1). A lot of arguments have gone out regarding the extent to which children should "obey" their parents! Perhaps the phrase "in the Lord" should be the defining point. This instruction is predicated on 5:21, where believers in all household relationships are called to a life of "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." So, the "in the Lord" of 6:1 connects the instructions given to children to 5:21. The submission to obey the parents must be what will "reverence" the Lord Jesus Christ, not just anything that will constitute sin and rebellion to the Word of God. The command is packed with blessings to the child who obeys and respects his/her parents. However, the parents are also commanded to "not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the fear and instruction of the Lord" (v4). Parents are called to serve their children by being godly models of grace and mercy, purity and holiness, love and forgiveness, etc. All of these must be founded on the Word of God. A parent is only an older child of God; all of us are children of God.

QUESTION: How is your relationship with your parents or children?
PRAYER: Use the answers to the question above to pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

24/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
SUNDAY 24TH MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 5:21-33
TOPIC: PRIVILEGED TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER: I

(EPHESIANS 5:21-33 NIV)
21:Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
:22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
:24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
:26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
:27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
:28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
:29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—
:30 for we are members of his body.
:31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
:32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
:33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

PRIVILEGED TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER: I
After reading the text, one might wonder why the writer chose this topic: 'privileged to serve'? Verse 21 serves as a hinge upon which 5:22-33 and 6:1-9 revolve. These verses address husband relationships, the part of human life that a preacher refers to as the most difficult aspect of human relationships. A succinct understanding of verse 21 and its applicability will empower the characters addressed in these verses to fulfill these demands with great ease and enjoy doing them with gratitude. Paul enjoined all in these verses to be "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ" [v21]. In other words, members of the family are called to serve one another as their way of bringing honour and praise to Jesus Christ. The husband serves his wife by loving her sacrificially, and the wife serves her husband by respecting and accepting his leadership over her. The bottom line is that a husband-wife relationship must depict love, respect, and submission that exists between Jesus Christ and the church.

QUESTION: What is your ideal picture of marriage?
PRAYER: As a couple, evaluate your relationship and responses to one another [If you are not yet married, then ask God for Grace to be prepared for this life] and let this guide your prayers now.

23/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
SATURDAY 23RD MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 5:15-21
TOPIC: WALKING IN WISDOM

(EPHESIANS 5:15-21 NIV)
:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
:16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
:19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

WALKING IN WISDOM
Imitating God and living in the Lord Jesus Christ requires wisdom, to which Paul turns in today's text. Take a closer look at how he puts it in verses 15-16: "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." The tone of the voice used here indicates the importance and urgency of what Paul is calling the believer to. Note that he calls the Ephesians to "look carefully", indicating the necessity, which is further emphasised in the attitude of "not as unwise but as wise." He supplied the reason for such an important call as "because the days are evil." The only way to apply wisdom in these evil days is by understanding "what the will of the Lord is" and being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (vs17-18). The result is a life filled with joy and praise to God, being a blessing to be with, serving one another out of reverence for Christ, and adding value to all the people God brings into your life.

QUESTION: How do you know that your life is led by wisdom from God?
PRAYER: Dear God, fill me with your wisdom and grant me the courage to choose a life of praise, thanksgiving, and blessing to others, in Jesus' name. Amen.

21/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
FRIDAY 22ND MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 5:7-14
TOPIC: IMITATE GOD, WALK IN LOVE: II

(EPHESIANS 5:7-14 NIV)
:7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
:9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
:10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
:12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
:13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
:14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

IMITATE GOD, WALK IN LOVE: II
Paul is saying that those who imitate God and walk in love as Christ did do not "become partners with" the sons of disobedience and "take part in the unfruitful works of darkness" [v11]. He reminded the Emphasis believers that there was a time when they "were darkness," not now they are "light in the Lord," so "walk as children of light [for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true]" [vs.7-9]. The Emphasis are required to be discerning of what pleases the Lord and commit to exposing the evils that are done in darkness because they are now children of the light. Imitators of God who live in love, following the example of Jesus Christ, are themselves light that shines in our dark and perverse world. Their life points those who are sleeping and dead In their sins to the salvation Jesus secured by His death and resurrection.

QUESTION: Is Your Life an open book that everyone can read because Christ is shining on You?
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the privilege to not only be Your child, but for the grace to imitate You and live the love that Jesus shows me, in Jesus' name. Amen.

21/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
THURSDAY 21ST MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 5:1-6
TOPIC: IMITATE GOD, WALK IN LOVE: I

(EPHESIANS 5:1-6 NIV)
1: Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
:2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
:5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

IMITATE GOD, WALK IN LOVE: I
The opening word in our text is "therefore" and refer to Chapter 4. WE might be wondering how a mere human being who is mortal and fallible "imitates God" in this age. Paul added a bigger challenge when he noted, "And walk in love as Christ love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us" [vs 1-2]. A maxim in the Hausa language has it that, "a good son takes after his father!" Paul is not asking for perfection, but to live and act in a manner that connects your life to God. The word of God presents God as full of grace and love, which is practically demonstrated in the sacrifice Jesus offered of Himself as a fragrant offering to God for our forgiveness and redemption. Believers are chosen to be blameless and holy in character and daily engagements.[1:4]. Paul drew up a catalogue of ungodly attitudes that the believer is counselled to avoid because the wrath of God has been reserved for the sons of disobedience [vs 6]. It is wise to resist being deceived into thinking that God doesn't punish disobedience and rebellion to His instructions, so all believers are counselled to resist the temptation to join the sons and disobedience [vs.7].

QUESTION: Do you know that your current lifestyle is a direct description of who you are imitating?
PRAYER: Evaluate your life now. What do you see in the light of who you are imitating? Is it something you want to pray about right now? Go ahead, please.

19/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 4:25-32
TOPIC: PRACTICE THESE THINGS

(EPHESIANS 4:25-32 NIV)
:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
:26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

PRACTICE THESE THINGS
Paul now mentions some basic traits that the Emphasis believers should portray in their daily engagements. He began with a call for them to "speak the truth with" their neighbour as members of the body of Christ. These traits are expected to guide the members of the church in engaging with one another. They should speak truthfully, resist the devil from controlling their emotions, resist covetousness, laziness, avoid speaking evil of others. He asked that they should avoid grieving the Holy Spirit, by whom they have been sealed for the day of redemption. These virtues are meant to help the believer pursue a life above reproach and holiness, becoming more like Jesus Christ.

QUESTION: Can you list all the things Paul asks the Emphasis to avoid and those to practice?
PRAYER: Ask God to forgive you for those things Paul requests that we shouldn't be found doing, and request grace to practice those we are challenged to practice. Name each by name.

19/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
TUESDAY 19TH MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 4:17-24
TOPIC: LIVE YOUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

(EPHESIANS 4:17-24 NIV)
:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
:18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
:19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
:20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.
:21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
:23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

LIVE YOUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
It is proper that Paul follow his plea to maintain the unity of the faith in the bond of peace with a call for the Ephesians believers to continue living this new Life in Christ Jesus. He drew their attention to the futility of their former life as unbelievers [Gentiles], [vs.17-18]. Who would want to submit to a life that is callous and full of sensuality, greed, and all kinds of impurity, after being renewed in the spirit of the mind, created anew after the likeness of God, destined for true righteousness and holiness? These words are the expressions of a shepherd's heart to his dear sheep and a reflection of the work God ordained the apostles, the prophets, the pastors, and the teachers to do in the church.

QUESTION: Is there a visible sign that your life in Christ is different from who you were before you accepted Christ as Saviour?
PRAYER: Is there a visible sign that your life in Christ is different from who you were before you accepted Christ as Saviour?

18/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
MONDAY 18TH MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 4:1-16
TOPIC: THE UNITY OF THE FAITH

(EPHESIANS 4:1-16 NIV)
:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
:4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
:8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”
:9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?
:10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
:12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

THE UNITY OF THE FAITH
In today's text, Paul describes how the unity in chapter 2 can be maintained. He insisted this can only be done when the believers " walk in a manner worthy of the Calling to which" they have been called, "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace [vs.1-3]. God provided the instruments that will be responsible for reminding the new united body of how to live this new "walk!" [v.7]. They include "apostles, the Prophets, the evangelists, the Shepherds [Pastors] and teachers" [v11]. Their are assigned task is to "build up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the son of God, to mature to manhood, to the measure of the Stature of the fullness of Christ" [vs.12-13]. This is how the church is meant to live, mature and be able to overcome many false doctrines that are going on around us.

QUESTION: Are you primarily concerned with denominational unity or the unity of the faith in Christ Jesus?
PRAYER: Dear God, help me to live a life that promotes the unity of the body of Christ without compromising the gospel, in Jesus' name. Amen.

16/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
SUNDAY 17TH MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 3:14-21
TOPIC: PAUL'S SECOND PRAYER

(EPHESIANS 3:14-21 NIV)
:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
:15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
:18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
:19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
:21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

PAUL'S SECOND PRAYER
Since the mystery of Christ has been revealed, Paul found it necessary to pr to the father on behalf of the Ephesians. Notice that Paul strengthened the new bond and unity that Christ achieved between the Jews and the Gentiles when he affirmed God, the Father, as "from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named" [v14]. Three things Paul prayed for: that the Ephesians may be strengthened in their inner being with power, resulting in Christ dwelling in their Hearts through Faith. Secondly, to receive strength to comprehend the extent of the love of Jesus Christ, and thirdly, to be filled with the fullness of God. He concluded his special Prayer by informing who God is and what He is capable of doing, showing that He is unpredictably gracious.This prayer should be a model for all believers, especially Christian leaders Who realise they are called to be Shepherds of fellow Believers.

QUESTION: Is there anything that you feel God cannot handle for you?
PRAYER: Because our God "can do for more abundantly than all that" you can ask, "according to the power at work" in you who believes in Jesus Christ, I charge you to pour out your heart to Him now. Amen.

16/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 3:1-13
TOPIC: JMYSTERY OF CHRIST REVEALED

(EPHESIANS 3:1-13 NIV)

:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
:2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
:3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
:5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.
:8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
:9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
:11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
:13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

MYSTERY OF CHRIST REVEALED
The opening words "for this reason" in v. 1 is a reference to what he has discussed in chapter 2:11-22. Here, Paul spoke of the mystery of Christ that God revealed that “...the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the Promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” [v6]. Notice he said "of the same body" to emphasise breaking down Walls and building bridges, which now brought the Jew and gentiles together as one in Christ. All these are made possible through the sacrificial death of Christ, [1:3ff]. Today this new body is formed, the Church, has become the instrument that God use to "bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, [vs.9-10]. Nobody has any excuse not to accept the life God offers in Christ to the world.

QUESTION: Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior?
PRAYER: If not, I ask that you open your heart to Him now, confess your sins and accept Him as Lord and savior. If yes, then ask him to strengthen you more with power and wisdom to explain this mystery to those who do not know him.

15/05/2026

ECWA GOODNEWS ILARO
FOOD FOR THE DAY
FRIDAY 15TH MAY 2026
TEXT: EPHESIANS 2:11-22
TOPIC: BREAKING WALLS, BUILDING BRIDGES

(EPHESIANS 2:11-22 NIV)
:11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)—
:12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
:15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
:16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
:17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
:18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
:21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

BREAKING WALLS, BUILDING BRIDGES
Walls have special uses depending on who builds them. Walls separate, seclude, set boundaries and borders, and segregate, and sometimes a symbol of intimidation and hospitality. It has been discovered that walls sometimes signify fear and anxiety, physically or emotionally. Bridges, on the other hand, are open invitations to dialogue, fellowship, communion, and commitment to share with or into someone else's life, and they also make you vulnerable. Our text revealed that "once" we were dead in our sins and rebellion, which became a wall that separates us from God and His family and blocks us from all the blessedness of hope and any fellowship with Israel. But through Christ's death and the blood He shed on the cross, this wall of hospitality was pulled down, and a bridge replaced it. Through this bridge, we have been united with Christ Jesus, reconciled back to God and united with the Jews to form one new nation and family.

QUESTION: Is there a wall separating you from Christ because of sin and rebellion?
PRAYER: If yes, I charge you to open your heart and accept Him as Savior and Lord, but if you have, praise Him and offer Him thanksgiving.

Address

Oke-Odo Ilupeju Behind IAB Filling Station Express Way Ilaro
Ilaro
112106

Telephone

+2348102320981

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