Religion
Sunday Worship Service (27th January, 2024): Topic: A faithful man abounds in blessing

By Pastor Kola Oyekale

Text: Proverbs 28:20 NKJV
[20] A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

Nothing spectacular happens in your life by chance.
If you strongly believe that your future and progress lies in God then give him honour.
Faithful people abound in surplus, abundance and prosperity. A faithful person abound in strength and is stable in the face of adversity.
Faithful people experiences God’s protection and deliverance; they are always secure. They abound in contentment and peace even in the midst of trials.
Faithful people are known to be trustworthy and loyal.
Faith is believe. Faithfulness is acting in accordance with what you believe.
Faithfulness come from a place of trust and loyalty.
Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
[6] But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Faith is very important in your relationship with God.
It is one thing to believe and it is another thing to be faithful to what you believe. You show you have faith by being faithful.
You show you are faithful by:
1. Prayer
When you pray always, it shows your confidence and trust in God.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2. Reading God’s word
Joshua 1:8 NKJV
[8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Psalm 75:6 KJV
[6] For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the south.
No lifting comes your way without God.
Psalms 119:65 NKJV
[65] You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.
God will do well with you according to his promises. What can you lay on to that he has promised you that you can run with this year 2024.
Acts 20:32 KJV
[32] And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
3. Obedience to his instructions
God gave us a command to win souls (expand God’s kingdom). You can’t desire your enlargement if you don’t want to expand God’s kingdom.
If you don’t create time for God, God won’t create time for you.
4. Service
The proof that you love God is that you serve him faithfully.
When you choose to obey and service God, prosperity is waiting for you.
You are doing yourself a favour when you serve God. You are adding to your time when you give your time to God.
5. Love
The proof of your faithfulness is in how much you love God.
John 3:16 NLT
[16] “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
God didn’t give himself cheaply for your redemption.
6. Giving
God is faithful and he is a giver. If you have God’s nature, then you must possess the nature of giving.
All that you have was given to you. So why should you give? Anyone you love, you give to that person. If you love God then you must give to him.
Luke 6:38 KJV
[38] give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
When you give expect harvest. God gave one son and he got many sons. If you want to act like your God, then give.
First fruit is a principle of honour. First fruit shows that you make God your priority. Everything to lie up on spite of any challenge that comes your way when you give God your first.
Making God first establishes his lordship over your life.
Exodus 23:19 NKJV
[19] The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.
Romans 11:16 NKJV
[16] For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Your first fruit is giving Hod what you cherish and shows how much you love him.
First fruit activates God’s promises towards your financial future.
It shows the depth of your dependable of God and not yourself.
It secures and ensures your harvest.
God wants your best and first fruit.
2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP
[8] And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.
There are crowns to be won or lost depending on how faithful we are.
Some of these Crowns are:
1. The incorruptible crown for those who will live a disciplined life.
Punctuality, focus and diligence are proofs of a disciplined life. Discipline yourself to pray and read your Bible.
2. The crown of glory for those who are faithfully waiting for the coming of Jesus.
You must live your life as if Jesus is coming today.
3. There is a crown of glory for those who take care of the flock.
As a leader of a department, you must take care of the flock
4. There is a crown of glory for those who love God’s appearance.
5. There is a crown of rejoicing for those who win souls.
Prayer: This year you will walk in abundance, enlargement and favour as you walk faithfully with God in Jesus name.

Religion
Eid-El-Fitri: Reps Minority Caucus calls for prayers for peace,unity and progress in Nigeria

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives extends warm felicitations to Muslims across the nation, urging prayers for peace, unity, and the overall progress of Nigeria.

This was conveyed in a Sallah message jointly signed by the caucus leaders; Rep. O.K. Chinda – Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Ali Isa J.C – Minority Whip, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki – Deputy Minority Leader and Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi – Deputy Minority Whip.

In their message, the caucus congratulates the entire Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Fitri celebrations, which mark the end of the sacred month of Ramadan.
They said, “Indeed, this day holds deep significance for every Muslim faithful, as it follows the successful completion of the one-month-long fasting, a fundamental pillar of Islam.
“As our Muslim brothers and sisters across the country join others around the world to celebrate this auspicious occasion, we remain confident that Allah has accepted their prayers and supplications.
The Caucus encouraged all to uphold the teachings and values learned during Ramadan, including charity, empathy, generosity, and compassion towards one another.
“The Caucus also urges Muslims—and Christians, who are concurrently observing Lent—to continue praying for the peace, unity, progress, and development of our dear country.
“We firmly believe that through earnest prayers, our leaders at all levels will be divinely guided with the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding needed to address the multifaceted challenges hindering Nigeria’s growth, which have subjected citizens to severe hardship and economic distress.
“Furthermore, the Caucus calls on the Federal Government, through its relevant agencies, to take decisive action in ensuring the safety of lives and property, especially in light of recent security concerns affecting various communities in the North West, North Central, South East, and South South regions.”

News
Delta women give Senate President 14-day ultimatum to apologize to Senator Natasha

A group called the Virtuous Women of Delta (VWD) has given the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, a 14-day ultimatum to tender an unreserved apology to Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The group made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Coordinator, Deaconess Eguolo Oghenekevwe.

In the statement, the group expressed their outrage over Akpabio’s alleged disrespectful behavior towards Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing his actions as sacrilegious according to Delta’s cultural traditions.
The statement read, “We have patiently watched as the Senate President has dragged our sister through the mud. In our tradition, such actions are considered sacrilegious and carry severe consequences.”
The group further emphasized their disapproval of Akpabio’s behavior, particularly his decision to have Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan removed from a public space, which they found deeply disrespectful.
“The fact that he had our wife walk out of a public place is enough to make us march to the National Assembly in protest,” they stated.
The group gave Akpabio 14 days to issue an unreserved apology, warning that if he fails to do so, they will be compelled to take action and express their anger in person at the National Assembly.
The controversy stems from previous comments Akpabio made, including the use of inappropriate language referring to a nightclub, despite the fact that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is married to a prominent Delta man.
Akpabio had earlier apologized for his remarks, acknowledging their sacrilegious nature.
“Such words are unacceptable, especially when a married woman is involved. Our men are like lions and will not tolerate such disrespect,” the statement continued.
The Virtuous Women of Delta emphasized that, as Akpabio hails from the same geopolitical zone, he should be aware of the importance of their cultural values and traditions, which cannot be disregarded.
“We politely ask the Senate President to apologize, or face the consequences within the next 14 days,” the group said.

Religion
Sunday Worship Service (16th February, 2025): Topic: The Concept of Love: How to Make the Right Choice

Pastor Kola Oyekale

Verses of God’s promise to us:
Isaiah 30:19 NLT
[19] O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.

Jeremiah 30:19 AMPC
[19] Out of them [city and palace] will come songs of thanksgiving and the voices of those who make merry. And I will multiply them, and they will not be few; I will also glorify them, and they will not be small.
Meaning of Love
There are different dimensions of love
1. Eros Love: Love between man and woman
2. Philia Love: Love between brethren in church
3. Storge Love: Love between family members
4. Agape Love: God’s love. It is a love that has no condition attached to it. This is the love that is in the kingdom. It is the love that flows from the life of God (Zoe).
When the Bible was talking about marriage, God brought in this love.
For this kind of love to be experienced in a relationship or marriage, it has to be deliberate and intentional.
Marriage is a business. A successful marriage does not happen by chance. It is not cheap. If the only thing you carry into marriage is your physical appearance, you will get no result.
If you make wrong choices you will have troubles. Even when you don’t make the wrong choice, there are still troubles you will experience in a marriage relationship.
Factors to Consider When Making the Choice of a Marriage Partner:
1. Be the right person
You cannot be the right person if you do not know yourself. Knowing yourself is crucial to the kind of person you want to marry.
Singleness helps you discover who you are. Knowing yourself helps you know who you can marry.
Most successful single people find their purpose before they get married.
So when you get married, you have a helper who can help you fulfill purpose.
You need a purpose for your life before you can pick a marriage partner.
Do you have the things, qualities and virtues you are seeking in a spouse?
The journey to finding someone is to first find you.
Find yourself first so you can know your value. If you don’t value yourself, you will sell yourself cheap.
To find the right person, be the right person.
Nobody will increase your value except you. The value you put on yourself is your investment. Don’t wait for a man to add value to your life.
2. Choose the right person
There are marriages you must qualify and prepare for before you enter it.
Don’t be desperate when it comes to marriage. Desperation can make you fall into wrong hands.
There is a plan for your life and a choice for your life.
When you identify your purpose, you will know who to choose.
A woman who chases after a man reduces her value.
3. Do and keep doing what is right.
Galatians 6:9 NKJV
[9] And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
When you marry, you will not get all you want, however you should keep on doing the right thing.
Start doing the things you want your spouse to do.
Don’t marry with the mind that you will change your spouse. Nobody has any power to change anybody, only God does.
Song of Solomon 1:16-17 NKJV
[16] Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed is green. [17] The beams of our houses are cedar, And our rafters of fir.
The word ’green’ means refreshing, life, a relationship that is renewed, not dirty and not defiled.
There must not be defilement of bed when a relationship starts.
Every relationship must begin and end pure.
The only test you can do before marriage is the test of character not the test of sexual compatibility.
Every relationship begins with Friendship, then Courtship then Marriage.
Believers are encouraged to be friends without ulterior motives.
When you are friends, you can see each other better than when you are in a romantic relationship.
Friendship opens you up to see each other clearly without hiding.
The whole essence of marriage is so that you will produce godly seeds.
Your knowledge of God will help you out in married.
Marriage is an act of faith.

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