Thriving Words

....whosoever believes in Him(Jesus) shouldn't perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16 A simple message to everyone this morning: We all are going to die someday, that is sure, whether you love more than an hundred years or live below fifty years, death is a sure thing. It's not news anymore.  But what isn't so sure is many don't know what happens after death, do we all die like that and everything is forgotten, back to dust, nothing else? NO! For those that died knowing and believing Jesus, there is hope of a eternal life. While death is a sure thing for everyone, every believers rises up to immorality to reign forever with Jesus. Don't be confused, to every believer in Jesus, death isn't a sentence for us, because we have overcome death through Jesus. Death rather is a removal of the mortality in us. In the after life, we can't die. Of course every believer want to reign forever with Jesus but we all have a duty to tell everyone a...

...And being warned of God in a dream that they (The 3 wise men) should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way - Matthew 2:12 There is something I learnt from the story of the 3 wise men in the Bible:  They almost gave out the location of baby Jesus to Herod, who wants to kill the child. Well they didn't because God instructed them not to.  Many times, we have friends who have unknowingly let out vital secrets about us to the enemy. Some because of their loose mouth. It's not everything you see or know that you must tell others. You have to be discerning. Sometimes we ourselves gives information that could hurt us to the enemy (unknowingly of course). Something's are meant to be kept to oneself and ponder on it. When speaking, always sieve your words, don't just talk anything but talk sensibly because lives can be destroyed if you don't. The three wise did not back to meet Herod because they were discerning enough t...

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  - 1 Timothy 2:2 For over a year consecutively, I have deliberately pray for the president of my country, Nigeria. I didn't vote for him during the last election, infact if he Re-contest, I might not vote for him but yet, I will always pray for him as long as he is the president. I remember when I told some folks to be praying for the president during his recent health challenges, some were like it's none of their business. He is rich, he doesn't need our prayers. Some even said they haven't pray for themselves enough. Some said because they don't like him, therefore they wouldn't pray for him. But here is the thing: the decision of the king can affect you for good or bad, whether you like it or not. When we don't pray for those in authority, they could make bad choices and it will affect you negatively and you will...

He that dwelleth in the  secret place of the most High  shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.                - Psalm 91:1 " He that dwelleth, in the secret place of the most High."  The blessings here promised are not for all believers, but for those who live in close fellowship with God. Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercy-seat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence. Those who through rich grace obtain unusual and continuous communion with God, so as to abide in Christ and Christ in them, become possessors of rare and special benefits, which are missed by those who follow afar off, and grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Into the secret place those only come who know the love of God in Christ Jesus, and those only dwell there to whom to live is Christ. To them the vei...

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. - Acts 20:28 A very good friend of mind sent me a message asking me why Private Universities owed by churches in Nigeria are charging high school fees? I remember this question has always been a controversial and a divisive one. Below is the response I gave my friend: This issues has really been controversial. But I try as much as possible to be objective and neutral on this. The question I do ask is, will they be able to run the school effectively and at a world standard if they reduces the tuition fees? I know many of these schools gives scholarship as well.  Truth is the church can't solve every need. It's the government that is to build cheaper schools. In the long run, the quality might reduce if the church reduces fees. But this is where the church should come in, there are...

Taste and see that the Lord is Good - Psalm 34:8 One beautiful thing about Christianity is the privilege to know and experience God for yourself. Yes, someone might have tell you to become a Christian. But you can still experience this God to know if it's real or not. Don't just become a Christian because it's a popular religion or because your family members are Christian. Be a Christian because you know God and you have experience Him. To every atheist and folks of other religions, right where you are, no matter who you are or what you have done, you can decide right now to experience the true God for yourself. God is ready to reveal to you. He is ready to quench all your doubts and worries. Don't just believe what I said alone, you can also experience the true Most High God. Someone asked, if I experience this true God, what does it have to do with my life? It has to do with Everything. You will always have this fulfillment and joy like no other whe...

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  - Romans 5:12 Jane has a 4 months old baby that was recently diagnose with cancer. She is finding hard to believe God exist and would allow her baby to have cancer. Doe is an upcoming Gospel singer who was involved in an accident. His spinal cord got broken and he couldn't walk again. He is struggling to come to terms that God would allow such a terrible Accident to happen to him despite him been a Christian. There are many more examples like that. Atheist believes that if a loving God truly exist, He would have intervene in the world affairs; but they are wrong. Because evil exist doesn't mean God doesn't.  When God created man, He gave man freewill, the liberty to make a choice. We would have become robot if that freedom is taken away from us.  God is also a principled God. He can do anything doesn't mean He will do anything...

The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”   - Psalm 14:1 The earth had a start - what caused it? The  Scientists are convinced that our universe began with one enormous explosion of energy and light, which we now call the Big Bang. This was the singular start to everything that exists: the beginning of the universe, the start of space, and even the initial start of time itself. The universe has not always existed. It had a start...what caused that? Scientists have no explanation for the sudden explosion of light and matter. Yesterday post looks at the  In Christianity, fortunately, we have the explanation. In the beginning, a Creator created Time, Matter and Space. What the scientist couldn't explain, Christians can explain.  Sometimes I wonder when atheists still looks for evidence to see if God truly when everything around them is evidence. Nature is the evidence of a Creator. Humans itself is an evidence of an Intelligent Designer Who ...

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”   - Psalm 14:1 I have met several atheists (Free Thinkers), I have some as friend. We do debate on the existence of God. Most times I try not to argue with them. Some even tend to believe there is an Intelligence Being behind all this but they don't believe there is a God. Some can't even fathom why on earth a loving God allow people to be killed endlessly, a baby having a cancer, hurricane and fire outbreak killing and yet a loving God is somewhere seeing all this... so they conclude God doesn't exist and if a God like that exist, He is wicked and should be overthrown. My conversations with atheists could be another post for another day. But How do we even come to know that there is a God. For the scientific free thinkers, this is always my first point:  The complexity of our planet points to a deliberate Designer who not only created our universe, but sustains it today. Do you know that the earth is  si...

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:16 In understanding the differences between Christianity and other world religion, one must also understand the similarities. What are the similarities between Christianity and other World Religion? Most of the world religions feature common themes within. A deity is worshiped, a problem with the world is observed, and a solution proposed.  Another similarity is that most world religion share number of beliefs with Christianity in judgement, hell, heaven (paradise), spirits, angels, etc Not surprisingly, christianity and some relions have often experienced controversy and conflict (an example being the  Crusades ). However,  While these similar features are present in biblical Christianity, the differences between it and other religions are nevertheless vast. Biblical Christianity has its founding, salvation work, and conversion in the Cr...

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:16 Continuation on the difference between Christianity and other World religion, what set Christianity apart and how do one it's the true religion... 2. The Creator God does the work of conversion in biblical Christianity. Biblical Christianity cannot be spread by external force. Whether political force, violent force, economic or social force – not one person in history has ever experienced conversion by the power of man. Various misinformed individuals have and will argue that Christianity has spread by force at times in history: they may cite the rule of Constantine, the Crusades, Conquistadors, or the Inquisitions. More contemporarily, one might cite the external force of social and cultural pressure in decadent places like the United States. Residual methods from, for example, the Second Great Awakening, involve a form of social and emotional coercion...

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:16 What makes a Christian different from other people of different religion? Many times People are been told to come to Jesus and accept Him and become a Christian (I.e Christ Like).  But to everyone out there who is wondering what is the different between a Christian and other Religions... some do wonder and ask if we ain't serving the same God. Muslim, Buddhist, Ifa, Hindu etc.... Some even ask what happen to those that doesn't believe in God (the atheists). While many of the world’s religions have similar features, biblical Christianity differs radically from them all. There are a handful of things which put it in a category of its own. Without understanding these differences, we cannot properly comprehend Christianity. The First Difference: Christianity is more than a religion, it is a way of life. Christianity is not really a rel...

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. - 1 John 2:27 The collective teaching of Scripture is that demons can never spatially indwell a true believer. Those who promote and practice deliverance ministry claim that Christians can be indwelt with demons. In order to be free from addictions, depression, and all sorts of sins that may weigh or afflict the person, the demon must be exorcised. A Christian can be oppressed by demons especially when such Christian doesn't know his/her rights or refuses to exercise the rights. To Demon Possessed is to be an unbeliever that doesn't have the Holy Spirit in Him/her. To be Demon Oppressed is to allow the Devil to torment without resisting him, maybe out of ignorant, fear etc. Every Christian is a powerful being, but due to laz...

Top of the Morning to you. Trust you had a restful weekend.  There has been this question I have come across repeatedly and I have seen various answers; Can a Christian be possessed by demons?  To answer this, our verse for today,  1 John 4:4 says: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world"  The one that’s in us is the Holy Spirit.  Again and again we’re told that if you’re a child of God, you’re indwelt by the Spirit of God.  So the answer is No, a Christian can’t be possessed by demon. Come to think of it, can a demon be possessed by Christian?   On the other hand, a Christian can’t be possessed by demons but a Christian can be oppressed by demons. A demon can’t be possessed by a Christian as its activities has shown who it (the demon) works for.  So if a Christian can’t possessed a demon, definitely a demon can’t possess a Christian. ...

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15 Because your pastor told you doesn't make it right. Because your parents told you so doesn't make it right. Because your teacher told you so doesn't make it right. Because a popular man of God told you so doesn't make it right Because your mentor or role model told you so doesn't make it right Because it is widely acceptable doesn't make it right Because everyone believe it doesn't make it right Because it is not popular doesn't make it right Because it is new to you doesn't make it right Because I said so doesn't make it right Because you trust the speaker doesn't make it right Then, what makes it right? It is right because God Word says so. Naturally, humans tend to believe what is popular, we tend to believe what our popular pastors told us. Of course...

But grow in the grace and  knowledge  of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. -  2 Peter 3:18 Nothing pains me more than meeting a young guy or lady who is very intelligent but does not know God.  Not here to rubbish great minds who are yet to know the Lord. I'm just saying what i feel.  If only being a Scholar could deliver after death... If only being an intellectual could grant one eternal life... If only speaking fine english could get you undeniable access into Heaven... If only pursuing a PhD is all you need to be great in life... If only. See academic greatness is awesome but don't get carried away by its highness. Because of ordinary human knowledge, some folks have read themselves out of God.  Some folks after consuming plenty of academic nonsense will come and start arguing there is no God. Many Atheists i have met are very educated people. Unfortunately human knowledge withou...

You are good and do good;....  - Psalm 119:68  Few months back, I came across an inspiring song by Jason David who happens to be a pastor.  He was diagnosed with cancer. After a year-long fight with cancer that claimed much of his tongue, Pastor Jason David refuses to stop singing. "These Walls" is an original worship song he wrote that became his anthem as he fought through several surgeries, chemotherapy & radiation. For someone going through challenges; financial, health, marital, academic, whatever it may be, I pray this song will bless you - no matter what walls or mountains you may face, God is greater & God is good!  Below are the lyrics of the song: Verse: You are greater than these walls I'm circling  You are stronger than these army  I see You are bigger than these mountains that I faced And I will choose only to praise You. Pre - Chorus  This is my song, these is my dare To worship you even as thes...

Can Two walk together except they agree? - Amos 3:3 The above verse has always been used in regards to marital stuffs. But it's not only limited to marriage, God spoke those words through Amos in regards to the attitude of the Israelites towards Him(God). It is a case of a relationship between man and God. Can two walk together except they be agreed? Unless they meet together, and appoint time and place, when and where they shall set out, what road they will take, and whither they will go; without such consultation and agreement, it cannot be thought they should walk together; and not amicably, unless united in friendship, and are of the same affection to each other, and of the same sentiments one with another; or it is much if they do not fall out by the way. These words in Amos 3:3  is to show, that without friendship there is no fellowship, and without concord no communion; as this is the case between man and man, so between God and man. God and man were original...

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God...   - Acts 26:18 I live in Africa, a continent where a slight headache could be said to be the works of the witches and wizardsIt's not very problems are caused by witches and wizards. Some problems are the consequences of our actions. Some problems are as a result of our ignorance. Some problems arises because we refused to do the right thing at the right time. Some problems are simply because we are out of God's will It's high time believers stop praying the wrong prayer. Does Witchcraft exist? Yes it does exist. But it is unreasonable to attribute Every problems to witches and wizard. One lie that Satan promotes is this: Nothing harmful happens by chance; everything bad that is not directly caused by someone occurs through mystical power (witches and wizards). For example, suppose that a child dies of malaria. His mother may know that malaria is a disease carr...

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.- Romans 12:2 If you live in Ghana or Nigeria, you might have come across the new dance popularly called the one corner dance. One corner is the title of a song by  an upcoming Ghanaian artiste; I don't know if he also invented the dance as well.  What amazes me about the crazy dance is the way it spread and became widely accepted by folks in Nigeria, Ghana and beyond. The guy that create this dance is creative albeit in a wrong way. My local assembly (RCCG) is currently having a programmed tagged Agents of Transformation. I mediated on the theme and related it to the One Corner dance popularity. Every believer ought to be an Agent of transformation. But I'm surprised that the agents who are sent to transform are even the ones been transformed. The one corner dance is funny and it's c...