The Love of God is Powerful and All-inclusive. This morning, we sing of His infinite love for humanity, through this enthralling rendition of Excess Love.
All posts by Nwodo Divine
What does God’s Word say about Violent Protests?
1 Corinthians 14:33: “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace”
Hebrews 12:14: “Strive for peace with everyone”
From the above scriptures, and many more written in the Bible, we see God’s stance on Believer’s engagements in their environments.
The Bible never advocates for violent protests. God never advocates for criminality and destruction of properties.
The Bible does not support the breaking security protocols, especially for political reasons.
Violence tears down a nation. Violence creates division, disloyalty, distrust, as well as fear in the country.
Romans 14:19: “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding”
It is only Peace that can build up a Nation. It is only Peace that can restore a nation back to its past glory.
Peace is the lifestyle of a believer.
Note that God doesn’t condemn us from expressing our voices either.
He is not against us demanding for fairness and Justice.
1 Corinthians 14:33: “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace”
God is not a God of disorderliness or violence. He is a God of Peace.
Inasmuch as one might have been wronged, politically or judicially, yet, if one is a Christian, one must learn how to put sentiments and emotions aside, and express oneself in a cultured and peaceful manner.
This is the true conduct of believers.
Scriptures tell us that our conversation is not of this world. We are citizens of heaven, and we are but Pilgrims on this Earth.
Hence, our progress and thrive, is not dependent on the economy of the country. Neither is it dependent on who the government’s leader is. We are dependent on God.
Joseph thrived under Pharaoh, a pagan ruler. Daniel thrived under Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan ruler.
God’s people have always been the target of enemies, especially the Pagan Rulers. But those who in time past, have held unto God, always fulfill God’s will even in the midst of the hostility.
So fear not! Be at Peace! Speak calmness unto your soul! Refuse to partake in any movement that has violent expressions and implications.
You are first a Christian, before you are a Conservative or Liberal.
You are first a Christian, before you are a democrat or Republican.
You are first a child of God, before you are a Trumpist or Pro-Biden.
Uphold your Civic duties as a Believer. Choose and advocate for the path of Peace.
Finally, pray for your nation. Pray that the Lord’s will, and not anyone’s sentiment, be fulfilled. Pray that order may be restored, and that no life may be lost.
Pray for God’s wisdom upon the leadership, to be able to manage these crisis properly.
Shalom
Follow me as I follow Christ
Being a leader is not an easy task,
Taking up the mantle is a decision.
Teaching your followers is not an easy cake,
Standing firm requires precision.
Trusting people is selective,
Loving people is a commandment.
Hurting people is manipulative,
Blessings lives is our Divine assignment.
Speaking right reflects our attitude,
Knowing what is right shows our altitude.
Never give up on your destiny,
Never go after impurities.
Go not after vain ideologies,
Seek after Christ pathology.
Follow not the call of babylon,
Follow after the call of the kingdom.
Greenhills Emmanuel Amarayahweh
Daily Worship: Miracle-Worker
Psalm 86:10: “For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God”
This morning, we worship God with the consciousness that He is a wonder working God and there’s nothing too hard for Him to do.
ABIDE
There is no greater refuge,
Except in Him,
There is no greater hope,
Unless we have him.
There is no greater future,
If we don’t behold him.
There is no greater answer,
If we don’t seek him.
There is no greater mater,
If we don’t follow him.
There is no greater educator,
If we don’t listen to him.
There is no greater savior,
If we don’t know him.
There is no greater comforter,
If we don’t understand him.
Teach me how to abide,
So that I can be immersed.
Take me to your abode,
So that I can learn your ways.
Open yourself to him,
So that I can live forever.
Abide in Christ Jesus
Greenhills Emmanuel Amarayahweh
Hidden Lessons in Peter’s Miraculous Catch of Fish
Luke 5:1
So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,
Luke 5:2
and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.
Luke 5:3
Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
Luke 5:4
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Luke 5:5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Luke 5:6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.
The story of Peter’s miraculous catch of fishes is one which is widely read, awe-inspiring and faith-lifting.
Yet, one can be tempted to ignore it, or pass over it during Bible study, due to one’s familiarity with it. Hence, missing its Spiritual significance.
Therefore, I intend to use this medium to highlight three important spiritual lessons the Saint must imbibe from the event.
1. Life without Jesus will be full of Toiling:
Night was the season where fishes were to be caught easily. At night, once the net is thrown into the river, much stress isn’t required to get a catch.
Yet, Peter labored all throughout the night, and he has nothing to show for his labour. He had nothing to show for his toiling.
When you are a Christian, and you try to make a living on your own, without the support of The Master, like Peter, you will discover that your toiling will amount to nothing.
Because there are spiritual forces that are against the thriving of a believer. If you fail to acknowledge Christ and get Him involved in whatever you do, it will all amount in nothing.
Peter toiled and caught nothing.
Could you have spent hours studying, yet, ended up getting a result below what you expected?
Could you have toiled in your business, yet, the more you toil, the more the business collapses.
Fear not, The Master has the ABILITY to restore you hundredfold.
2. He Gave His Master His Boat
The place of Giving in getting financial miracles can never be over emphasized. The Master asked Peter for his boat, and Peter gave it willingly.
This very day, the Master is asking for your boat. Your boat could be your capital, it could be your business, it could be your heart.
In our quest to get quick fortune, many of us have shut the door of our heart against the Master.
We have become unfaithful in our tithes and firstfruits and offerings, because we feel that giving to the Lord’s work will impoverish us. But that is the mindset of a carnal man. The Enlightened Saint will know that Giving to the Lord’s cause will only make you Richer.
Have a portion in your income that you use for the Gospel. Use your social media Influence as a platform for preaching the Gospel.
3. The Miracle was in Peter’s Obedience to Jesus’ Instruction
Jesus used Peter’s boat to preach, yet, nothing happened. Peter never received any miracle. Peter received his Miracle when he obeyed Jesus’ Instruction to let down his net into the sea.
Maybe you have been working for God for years, and it seems as if nothing is happening. I want you to know that your miracle is tied to your obedience of God’s Instruction.
The commands of God are our Wisdom. God’s breakthroughs are embedded in His Instructions.
Are you doing that which God asked you to do?
Do you know the right thing to do at this moment?
This is the reason why fasting and prayers are necessary. When one fasts, one separates oneself from worldly engagements, to hear from God, the secret to one’s breakthrough.
Have you sought the face of God on the next course of action to take?
Have you sought the Lord’s will on the work you are doing.
Until you do this and align yourself with His Will, you will keep Toiling and laboring without anything to show for it.
Peter was initially reluctant to obey Jesus’ Instruction. He was reluctant because he had labored all through the night and had caught nothing.
He had given up already. He was already tidying things up.
Have you given up on serving God?
Or maybe you have given up on actualizing that dream.
I admonish you this morning, be not weary. Don’t give up. God is working out something big for you. A Miracle is coming your way.
Jesus never came to Peter when he was telling at night. It was in the morning when Peter had given up and lost hope, that the master showed up with a miracle.
The Master which shows up when All Hope Is Lost and breakthrough seems impossible.
There might be economic crisis. They might be lockdowns. And in the midst of all these, your business might seem to be at its last breath.
You might even be pondering closing it and signing for unemployment. I want you to hold on just a little longer.
The Master has a miracle in store for you.
Another reason Peter was reluctant to let down his net into the sea, was that the day time wasn’t the right time for fishing in the Bible days.“
Fishes always rose to surface at night which made fishing at night easier.
So when Jesus instructed Peter to let down his net for a catch, Peter said, ‘We have toiled all night, yet, we caught nothing’.
It was as though he meant to say, ‘At night, which is the best time for fishing, we worked hard, yet, we caught nothing. Is it now that isn’t the right time for fishing, that we would catch fishes?’
Probably, you’re in Peter’s condition. You’re skeptical about believing in God’s promises. You say to yourself, ‘Before the Covid, my business was already failing, is it during this lockdown that God wants to prosper it?’
Beloved, the God you serve is the Master of Times and Seasons. You do not determine the season of your visitation, He does.
Believe in Him.
Trust Him for a visitation!
Listen for His Voice and obey His Word.
You will be amazed at the miracle you will receive!
Food Vs Fasting
Mr Fast and Mr Food had great controversy on the earth that it’d reached God’s hearing. He came then to intervene in the dispute, bringing peace. Below is the case in a court where God was Judge, to bring peace;
Mr Food: My Lord, Mr Fast here in his excess kills men. He makes them weak and kills them. I save them. Thus, he should be done with.
Mr Fast: That’s not true my Lord. It’s Mr Food in his excess that kills men. He makes them fatigue and kills them. That’s why doctors always tell their patients to engage me as to clear the toxins that Mr food has placed in them.
Mr Food: What!!! That’s not true. Can they fast without haven eaten. Can they live without eating? You don’t even stand a chance against me! The Lord didst plant all trees in the trillions and made animals in the billions all for men to engage me(feed). Why should they then leave me for you and lay waste all the Lord has made them for their consumption?
Mr Fast: It’s you who don’t stand a chance against me. In the Lord’s sight, I’m of more value than you. Now Mr Food, a question for you.
Does the Lord eat? Of course not!
Did the scripture not say men were made in His image and likeness and are His children? Of course! Now if He doesn’t eat and men are His children, made in His image, why should they? Aren’t they missing something?
Perhaps a truth when they eat that they’re not supposed to? There’s a realm the Lord operates in which His people and children has got to operate in as well otherwise, they’ll just keep on eating, not realizing themselves.
Mr Food: You’ve asked me yours. Now, I ask you: ”When the Lord Jesus came to earth, didn’t He eat? Did he fast everyday? I thought you said he doesn’t eat? I just think you’re just under deception Mr Fast which does brings men to destruction.
Mr Fast: It is you who is under deception Mr Food. You used the Lord as an example and I will too.
With what did He begin His ministry? Food? Of course not! For the power and Life He sought, He did with a fast!
Do you think men can access the Lord’s depth with you? Of course not!
It’s I they need. Enoch, almost always! Moses, 40days. Elijah, 50days. Daniel, 21days. Esther, 3days. The Lord Himself, 40days! What does that tell you Mr food? Watch out the lives of these people that engaged me if they remained the same…
How about those that engage you? Anything changes? Nothing of course except toxins added to their system.
That should tell you why they need me and the Lord ever recommended me to them.
Great tension arises in the atmosphere between these two opponent. Thus, the Lord steps in to settle them,
The Lord: Let the dispute end. Let me come in:
You all should know that I did all at creation and made no mistake. I made food for man and not man for food. I made fast too for man.
As my word says, ‘a time to eat and a time to fast’. Man shouldn’t eat all the time nor should he fast all the time.
I never intended food for man as he’s spirit but nevertheless, I made food still for him as I gave him flesh. As long as he’s on earth, he’ll need food or he’ll die.
When he returns to me, he won’t need food as I originally designed but will live in fast. Till then, as long as he lives on earth, he should do both in proportion. For stability, he shouldn’t eat than he fast nor fast than he eats.
In all, they should do whatever either eat or fast to my Glory. That’s what truly matters!
© Jemifor Zaphenathpaaneah Roland
Health Talk: Dealing with Menstrual Cramps
Most adolescents are not unfamiliar with the word ‘menstruation’. It has become a household name.
By definition, it is simply a woman’s monthly bleeding often called ” Period“, which can last for as long as 2- 7 days.
The typical age for girls to start menstruating is age 12. However, some girls start as early as age 8 or as late as age 16.
Women have menstruation up until 45-55 years old, and then they enter Menopause.
Menstrual periods are natural and are part of every woman’s life. However, some women find it difficult to deal with as a result of the discomfort that comes along with it.
It is fundamental to know what a menstrual cycle is and what constitutes a healthy one. The menstrual cycle is the monthly series of hormonal changes a woman’s body goes through in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
It starts on the first day of your last period and ends on the first day of your next period. The average length of a cycle is 28 days long. However, anything between 21 days and 45 days is considered normal.
This series of hormonal changes affect the whole body resulting in familiar menstrual symptoms such as:
1. Acne
2. Cramping in the lower abdomen and back.
3. Mood swings.
4. Constipation/loose bowel/ more frequent bowel movements.
5. Food cravings.
6. Trouble sleeping.
Nevertheless, You may need to visit a physician if:
1. You have severe pain during your periods.
2. You bleed for more than 7 days.
3. You change pads or tampons hourly.
4. You’re 16 years old and still haven’t seen your period.
5. Your period or premenstrual symptoms keep you away from your usual day-to-day activities.
6. Your periods stop or suddenly becomes irregular.
7. You get very gloomy and nervous around the time you get your period.
What can affect your Regular cycle?
The menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman. What is considered normal in one woman may be abnormal in another.
Nonetheless, some factors can affect the regular cycle in any female. These factors include;
1. Using birth control methods like pills, implants, etc.
2. Stress
3. Poor diet and nutrition.
4. Changes in your hormones/hormonal imbalance.
5. Exercising too much
6. Sudden weight gain or loss
7. Being sick
8. Taking certain drugs
It is advisable to keep a track of your menstrual cycle and that is how best to learn if your period is regular or not.
MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
This is one of the most discomforting symptoms of a regular period. While some ladies experience this a lot, some others are fortunate enough to not go through it.
Menstrual cramps can be “primary” or “secondary.”
Primary menstrual pain is caused by the menstruation itself. Secondary menstrual pain is caused by another root element, such as a health condition like endometriosis.
While primary menstrual pain can be relieved by a few simple steps, it is advisable to visit a medical doctor when the discomfort gets severe.
What to do to ease menstrual cramps?
1. Heat- try using a heated pad or a heated water bottle on your abdomen or back. Some others find relief in getting soaked in a hot bath.
2. Pain relief drugs like ibuprofen are quite useful.
3. Exercise – Physical workout. You may need to concentrate on exercises that stretch the abdomen.
4. Rest.
5. Avoid smoking and alcohol
A Cheerful Giver
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
The Bible remains one of the greatest books in history, not for its grammatical accuracy, nor its mind-blowing storylines.
Rather, the Bible is regarded as the greatest book in history for it is the only book that possesses the quality of being straightforward in its description of people.
The Bible knows no sugarcoating. It states things as they are. In the Bible, foolish men are called fools, there is no application of Euphemism in it.
Similarly, when the Bible attributes a quality to a person, it means it. When the Bible calls a person wise, study such person well, he carries wisdom.
In the aforementioned text, the Bible told us that God loved the Giver who gave cheerfully.
We have been taught all these while that God loves givers. Yet, we discover that scriptures went on to specify the kind of Giver that God loves; a cheerful giver.
Hence, we should ask ourselves, if we are qualified to bear this description.
Are you a cheerful giver?
The answer is not far-fetched.
How do you feel when you the Pastor in the church calls for donations to Church projects?
What comes to your mind when it is time to pay the Tithe?
God is not interested in any gift that is given grudgingly. He is not interested in any gift that is given out of the feeling of compulsion.
We mustn’t give because we feel the church would not survive without our giving.
We must see Giving to the Lord’s work as a Privilege.
We must see it as an opportunity to prove our love and loyalty to God.
We must see Giving to the Lord’s work as an opportunity to receive from the Lord’s abundance.
Giving to God’s work open more doors for us than even prayers.
Prayer is Powerful. Prayer is necessary. But there are some things that prayer can never procure. There are some doors it can never open. These doors are mostly financial doors and doors to generational greatness.
The key to open these doors is in Giving.
David decided to build the Lord a House, for that, God established an everlasting covenant with David.
David never got this covenant through Praying. Neither did He get it through Fasting. He got this Everlasting covenant through His Giving (2 Samuel 7:1-16).
You might not be financially buoyant enough to build a Church building for the worship of God.
But have you given your mite to support the building?
Have you given your services to ensure the House of God internally and externally, is in good shape?
Are you Building the House of God, or are you pulling it down!
David isn’t the only man who got open doors through His liberal heart.
His Son, Solomon, followed his footsteps.
Solomon’s sacrifice so pleased the Lord, that The Lord appeared to Him, saying,
‘What do you want me to do’
Prayer could not get this unlimited access from God.
Fasting couldn’t. Yet, the sacrifice of Solomon gave him access to the unlimited bounties of God.
God is so interested in Giving that He sat at the Temple, watching the offering of the men.
God wants you to Give!
God is a Giving God.
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world; that He gave His only son”
God loved mankind, and He expressed this Love by giving the gift of His son.
What Gift have you given to mankind?
What Gift have you given to your family?
Are you a Giving Christian? Or are you the Christian who is this selfish and self centered.
What should I give?
1. YOUR MONEY.
No matter how little what you have is, you are not exempted from giving. In fact, the kind of giving that moves God most is when we give out of the little we have. That is what is truly a sacrifice.
Give Sacrificially! May we be like David who said, ‘I will not give to God what will not cost me something’.
This is the law of Trans-generational wealth.
Even in the Occult world, Satan does not demand gifts that are irrelevant.
He demands the life of a relative or loved one before blessing the person who comes to him. This is because the true evidenced of love and honor is sacrifice.
If you honour God, you’ll give your finances Sacrificially to His Cause.
2. VALUE:
What Value do you possess that can be added to the Church? Do you possess the ability to sing, or to play an instrument. Or do you possess Event Management skills?
Whatever these may be, ensure you use them to promote the work of the Lord.
And remember, to do it Cheerfully. Do it Happily.
That is the Sacrifice which is Acceptable unto the Lord.
God Bless You
Wisdom
The fairest has heard of her,
Kings sought after her,
The wise follows her immensely,
The foolish despise her ignorantly.
She knows the destination of every future,
She seeks a man diligence,
She searches the heart of a man posture,
She opens a man to intelligence.
She teaches what is fair and right.
Her counsel is more than Gold,
She delivers what is ripe,
She speaks of things untold.
She engages me with insight,
She plants me besides the riverside,
Am married into her foresight,
She makes me sit at her right hand side.
She expresses the reality of my design,
She calls aloud with her voice,
She influences me with her spirit divine,
Not following her will make me void.
This Wisdom, is Christ.
Christ is my Wisdom
Greenhills Emmanuel Amarayahweh
KOINONIA ART 