by Onovae Akpoesiri | Sep 13, 2016 | Food for thought, Members Writeup
Prayers in pubic should be short and characterized by a natural tone of voice —The long prayers made by some ministers have been a great failure. Praying to great length, as some do, is all out of place. They injure the throat and vocal organs, and then they talk of breaking down by their hard labor. They injure themselves when it is not called for. Many feels that praying injures their vocal organs more than talking. This is in consequence of the unnatural position of the body, and the manner of holding the head. They can stand and talk, and not feel injured. The position in prayer should be perfectly natural. Long praying wearies, and is not in accordance with the gospel of Christ. Half or even quarter of an hour is altogether too long. A few minutes’ time is long enough to bring your case before God and tell Him what you want; and you can take the people with you and not weary them out and lessen their interest in devotions and prayers. They may be refreshed and strengthened, instead of exhausted.
Prayer need not be long or loud—Prayer is not understood as it should be. Our prayers are not to inform God of something He does not know. The Lord is acquainted with the secrets of every soul. Our prayers need not be long and loud. God reads the hidden thoughts. We may pray in secret, and He who sees in secret will hear, and will reward us openly.—(Messages to Young People, 247.) Pr 216.
A mistake has been made by many in their religious exercises in long praying and long preaching, upon a high key, with a forced voice, in an unnatural strain and an unnatural tone.—(Testimonies for the Church 2:617.) Food for thought.
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Jun 27, 2016 | Food for thought, Members Writeup, Share your view
Is It real? The reality of sexual activities in dreams is common in our contemporary society. Stories of individuals having sex in dreams has been termed as being engaged to a “spiritual husbands and wives.” Such sexual activities in dreams are evident at dawn with symptoms and ecstasies associated with it. These by implication has resulted to spiritual effects in form of bareness, delay in marriage and other physical manifestations.
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Some years ago there was a woman who had a man with a face of her secondary school teacher coming to her in a dream to have sex with her at early part of her any pregnancy, whenever this happen it result to miscarriage the following day and when this happens, she confessed that her love for her husband disappears. This kept on for years until I was posted to be her Church Pastor. She narrated all that she has been passing through, we organized a three days of fasting and prayer with the family with anointing service with the woman after which she was delivered from this affliction for years after which she has gotten three children.
In another experience, a young woman in one of our churches in Lagos, suffered for about 6 years under the power of the devil. She narrated that her ordeal started when a friend invited her to a party when was in 300level in the university. At the party, a young man proposed and she agreed to terms on friendship alone, and after 3 days she began to experience night mares. In the dream, the young man will always appear to offer help and take her to safety. This was the beginning of closeness in the dream land and after 3 weeks they began to have sex which she said she will wake up in the morning weak and there will be stains of a man’s semen on her body. She has not been able to tell anyone and she has also could not relate well to other men, she has suffered some delay in having life partner.
How the case was handled.
To dispel darkness, bring in the light. “The entrance of your words gives light” (Ps. 119:130, NKJV; see also 2 Cor.4:1-7).
The means of demonic entry and the grounds upon which they stand need to be defined, but persistent and indulged hatred, bitterness, lying, unforgiving spirit, blasphemy, filthiness, just to name some, are equally effective in bringing bondage into a person’s life (note Mark 7:20-23). Other means of entry are involvement in heathen worship, hypnotism, occult practices, and similar mind control techniques.
It is important to have the afflicted person repeat prayers of confession and Renunciation. In doing this, they are clearly declaring their choice to forsake the powers of darkness but to have Christ rule their lives. On the basis of faith in Him, those powers have no alternative but to retreat.
The Bible and prayer are primary weapons which will discomfort the evil spirits. Eph.1:7; Ps. 35, 51, 107:20; 1 John 1:9; Matt.28:18, Luke10:19 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” Eph.1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ministry Magazine 1998)
A vigil was organized after 6 months I got to the District and it was at the program she said, she had this burning desire to share her experience with me. When this lady reported to her pastor that she has been tormented by this strange occurrence. Her pastor encouraged to start a seven days fasting and prayer to be meeting in the church an hour day. She was also given seven different Bible texts based on victory over forces of darkness to be read and claimed the promise by night and by day. It was also agreed to be praying together at every 1am until she gain victorious.
To the glory of God, after such spiritual activity the appearances of the evil spirit where not frequent anymore and after a month. By the middle of the second month, she was set free from the power of darkness. She no longer experience this evil visitation and she began to weep that the devil made her keep quite over the years in other that she might be oppressed.
SDA Church Position (how will the church handle the situation)
In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, responding to such is filled with lots of mis-feelings. The church has philosophy or worldview that the power of darkness should be mentioned less. The church posits that the more attention given to them, the more grounds they gain to perpetrate their havoc. So little or no attention/mentioning of the physical manifestation of the works of the evil forces among members is being discussed.
Though the church acknowledges the great controversy between good and evil, hence, we also believe the work of evil angles. Rev 12:7-11 “And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down — that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:” Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”(NIV) this evil angles are at work in different kind of method to afflict man far from God.
Ephesians 5:11, 12. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret here.
How are other churches handling this issues?
For other churches, it is a major event in church programs/activities. In which designated day of the week is used for fasting and prayers with deliverance services for all that are being possessed or attacked by the forces of darkness.
Suggestion/recommendations for addressing the issues
Our thought should be focus on Christ “Those who turn from the plain teachings of Scripture and the convicting power of God’s Holy Spirit are inviting the control of demons.” What does that say for the religious leaders and scholars who are completely opposed to the idea of Christ being the Son of God? Think of the Sabbath, what about the law of God. “The hypnotic influence of Satan will rest upon those who turn from the plain word of God to pleasing fables.” {EGW, 8T 294.1}
As we see and hear our members confess that they are either possessed or attacked by evil forces, extra-ordinary care is required of the church and/or the Pastor in other not to leave the gospel of righteousness, obedience, truthfulness, love, charity, total surrender and submission to Christ unpreached at the expense of demon possession.
It is also clearly stated in the SOP that “there we never be a time for us to change our messages”
My soul is much burdened, for I know what is before us. Every conceivable deception will be brought to bear upon those who have not a daily, living connection with God. Satan’s angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light and will proclaim it as new and wonderful; yet while in some respects the message may be truth, it will be mingled with human inventions and will teach for doctrine the commandments of men. . . . Many apparently good things will need to be carefully considered with much prayer, for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path that lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from it. . . . {CTr 362.2}
The pen of inspiration went further to counsel that:
We are to pray for divine enlightenment, and at the same time we should be careful about receiving everything termed new light. . . . I have been shown that it is the device of the enemy to divert minds to some obscure or unimportant point, something that is not fully revealed or is not essential to salvation. . . . {CTr 363.2}
Also that:
We must let the principles of the third angel’s message stand out clear and distinct. The great pillars of our faith will hold all the weight that can be placed upon them.—Manuscript 82, 1894 (Review and Herald, Nov. 4, 1965). {CTr 363.3}
Furthermore encourages:
Our ministers must cease to dwell upon their peculiar ideas, with the feeling, “You must see the point as I do, or you cannot be saved.” Away with this egotism! The great work to be done in every case is to win souls to Christ. . . . {CTr 363.4}
We are also adding our voice to her conclusion which states:
There is a time of trouble coming to the people of God, but we are not to keep that constantly before the people, and rein them up to have a time of trouble beforehand. There is to be a shaking among God’s people; but this is not the present truth to carry to the churches; it will be the result of refusing the truth presented.
ABOUT AUTHOR
Pastor Akhaine Augustine
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Jun 4, 2016 | Food for thought, Members Writeup, Share your view, world Church
One of the biggest threat faced in Sabbath School is members not showing up on time. What percentage of your church members arrive at Sabbath School early, 100 percent? 80 percent? 50 percent? 20 percent? 10 percent? Recently I started visiting churches around the nation, I noticed that Sabbath School starts on time, but the percentage of Sabbath School members present at the beginning of the Service was less than 50 percent. Do you think it is a problem in the church? Do you think the Sabbath School officials are to blame? Do you think the fault is from the members? This article will be focusing on ways to draw people early to Sabbath School.
Let’s carefully consider the following suggestion:
1. Prayer
The first and the most efficient way to make members to come early to Sabbath School is prayer. The Sabbath School superintendent and his officials must see the need to organize prayers for themselves and Sabbath School members.
Prayer points includes:
Spiritual growth for all members- coming early to church is an indication that the spiritual health of your members is good.
Also pray for membership attendance and also for new convert to come into the church through Sabbath School. Other prayer points can be included.
2. Planning
Going through the creation story, you will realize that God is very organized. From creation of light down to creation of man and the rest on the seventh day. The master planner desires that we lay careful plans for every aspect of His work. This plans includes drawing people to Sabbath School on time.
As a Sabbath School superintendent, you need to plan on how to make your members be in church early. In doing this, you need to know your base and ask yourself the following questions: How many members do you have? How many arrive early last year? Last month? What is your specific goal for this year? How are you going to achieve it this year? Remember, you get what you work for.
3. Get a Good Plan
One of the best ways to get Sabbath School members to come early to church is for them to see that you have good plans for them.
Here are some suggestions:
Call one another tactics- The Sabbath School superintendent should encourage Sabbath School members to call at least one person on Friday evening. Sabbath School staff, teachers should try and call one person and invite him/her to come early to Sabbath School. These calls are just to show concern and love for one another.[AdSense-A]
Good Example Tactics- It will be a bad example if members of the Sabbath School crews arrives late to church. They should arrive early and welcome the members.
Get a Yearly Calendar- Nothing is as nice as when the Sabbath School members sees a plan for the year or for the month. Especially when the programs are nice and they are in our church bulletin.
Sweeter Beginning- Organize special musical presentation or special features early in your program, right after opening prayer. Make sure the members are aware of this programs, announce it the week before.
I Wish Tactics- Make them wish that they had come earlier. Recap the morning activities at the end of the Sabbath School program.
Appreciation Tactics- Always appreciate those that arrive early, if possible give them gift
And finally, always make them to look forward to next week Sabbath School.
4. Evaluation
There is every need for the Sabbath School council to periodically evaluate its program. They need to know if their tactics are working or not, if the Sabbath School is meeting the need of the Sabbath School members, if they are meeting the objective of the Sabbath School. Regular Evaluation will help the Sabbath School crew to discover ways to improve the Sabbath School programs. By God’s grace, with these few step coming late to Sabbath School will drastically reduce.
by Onovae Akpoesiri | May 7, 2016 | Food for thought, Members Writeup
I have always imagined how heaven will looks like: so many birds singing sweet songs, lion dining with the lamb, street of gold, room made of diamond, ceiling made of silver, and lots more.
Recently I traveled to see my niece, when I got there, she was watching a Barbie collection and she was so focus on it. As I sat with her, I began to see beautiful sites and what really drew my attention was the beautiful mansion, the golden streets, the perfect vegetation and the robe they wore. I said to myself perhaps that’s the way Heaven would look like.
Then I started picturing heaven like those images I saw in the barbie collection until one day I saw a text in the bible. That scripture text has changed the way I view heaven and I will be delighted to share it with you.
1 Corinthians 2:9 kjv
But as it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”
So if it can come into the mind of humans to design those beautiful castle in Barbie collections, build Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab structure in Dubai, Space Needle in Seattle, Sydney Opera House,The Shard in London and many other great sites built by man, yet the Bible says eye have not seen what He is preparing for us.
The bibles says in John 14:2
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Just take a minute and imagine how a city would looks like if the architect is Jesus Christ. The God of perfection has promised to prepare a place for us, so imagine how that city will be like. Do you really wants to miss it?
In John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
The important thing is to believe in Jesus and accept Him as your Lord and personal saviour and then every imagination about heaven will be actualized.
John 10:9 I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
and lastly
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Remain steadfast in the lord, keep trusting him.
Soon the cloud will open and the trumpet shall sound, and by His grace, we all will be in that mansion He is preparing for us in Jesus name-amen.
By Onovae Akpoesiri
Share this message and save a soul.
by Onovae A. | Jan 10, 2016 | Food for thought, Members Writeup
It is a rear privilege to write on the title “Your home in your hands.” It is important to remember that every action and inaction exhibited in the society today originates from ‘the home.’ It is a true saying that you cannot give out what you done have’. Therefore, whatever a child gives out to the larger society must have been imbibed from the home. Thus it behoves us to take care of our homes.
The larger society is made up of families. And a nation is made up cities, towns and communities where the families live. The impact of families either negative or positive is felt by the larger society (communities and towns) and the nation in general. The prevailing negative penchants among our youths today (kidnapping, drug addiction, smoking, cultism, robbery and rape) and other social vices indicates the rot in our society. This scenario is a signal that we must not rest our oars to making our homes a haven on earth for our families.
What is a home?
The Microsoft Encarta (2009) describes a home as “dwelling place, constructed as a home for one or more persons.” It further noted that “whether crude hut or an elaborate mansion, and whatever its degree of intrinsic architectural interest, a house provides protection from weather and adversaries.” John Clarke, an English scholar who lived in the 17th century stated that “Home is home, though it be never so homely.” Home will be homely if it is comfortable and will never be homely if it becomes a battle ground and frustrating.
A home is the abode of every human being. The home is where we reside, a place of shelter. The home is our dwelling. In St. John 14:1-3, Jesus emphasized what the home should be like. From this passage, Jesus told His disciples that “in My Father’s house are many mansions …, I go to prepare a place for you …” Two critical lessons to be learnt from the conversation between Jesus and His disciples are:
1. A home should be accommodating (without troubles). The home should be the desire of every family member, most especially, the husband and children. The Wife (mother) of the home should be able to make the home like a ‘magnet’ that will always drag the people closer. Nowadays when children tends to be attracted and enraptured by social life and worldly vices, let the teaching and activities from the corridors of the home remain their thoughts. The home should be at the minds of the family members as a place of abode. Ellen White noted that “the woman should have the Spirit of God (should be controlled by the Spirit of God), or we can never have harmony in the home. If the woman has the spirit of Christ, she will be careful of her words; she will control her spirit, she will be submissive (Ephesians 5: 22, 23) and yet will not feel that she is a bondslave, but a companion to her husband.”
2. A home should be well kept (neat and attractive). The home should be receptive. It should be a resemblance of the paradise that Jesus has gone to prepare for us. If you wish to enjoy your family you must make your home neat and attractive for your children and husband, it is part of the duty of the woman.
From the conversation between Jesus and His disciples in the book of John, it is evident that Jesus is preparing a home that would accommodate us that is free of trouble; a home that is beautiful, neat and gorgeous. In fact, an anonymous writer depicts the home prepared by Jesus in the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal number 450 as ‘Beautiful.’
Beautiful Zion, built above,
Beautiful city that I love,
Beautiful gates of pearly white,
Beautiful temple, God its light.
Beautiful trees forever there,
Beautiful fruit they always bear,
Beautiful rivers gliding by,
Beautiful fountains never dry.
Beautiful crowns on every brow,
Beautiful palms the conquerors show,
Beautiful robes the ransomed wear
Beautiful all who enter there.
The description of the home Jesus is preparing by the song writer gives us a sense of how our homes here on earth should be. A critical look at the stanzas shows that the home encompasses everything.
What is the role of a mother at home?
There are several roles of a mother; the Home builder and a model for her children to emulate. The Bible noted that “every wise woman buildeth her house” (Proverbs 14:1a). Your family members should feel your impact through encouragement and support. A wise woman must strive hard to build her home according to the instruction of God’s word.
To make a home conducive, certain factors must be maintained consciously. These include.
1. The relationship between the husband and wife
The husband and wife are duty bound to see each other as partners in the building of their home. Sister White noted that “Jesus looks with pleasure upon the family relationship where sacred and unselfish love bears sway.” The couple is married as one body. Marriage is lawful and honourable (Hebrew 13:4); Jesus in his time attended a marriage ceremony in Cana (John 2:1). Therefore, the couple should work hand in hand to see to the success of their children and progress of their home.
2. Home as a School
Home is the first school of a child. Children learn how to pray, greet, cook, read and write from home. This goes with the saying that “charity begins at home” This is because a child ought to learn virtually everything done in the society from the home where he/she grew up. Undoubtedly, it is the mother that shoulders the responsibility of teaching their children many things. Understanding that this task would be enormous on the women, God created women differently from men using “bone” Genesis 2:22, 23. God from the beginning (Gen. 2:18) knew that the responsibility of women would be greater; He therefore designed women to be special. In fulfilling their role as a teacher, Ellen White wrote that “instead of sinking into a mere household drudge, let the wife and mother take time to read, to keep herself well informed, to be a companion to her husband, and to keep in touch with the developing minds of her children.” Messenger of Hope: Connecting with Jesus; Counsels for the Church, p. 1405.
Understanding the need to educate children from home, many have advocated that home should support schools in training of children. This is because, early training (teaching) of children from home has been found to be rewarding in their upbringing. The Bible further admonish us to teach our children the doctrines of God, (Deut. 4:10; 11:19); and “…the songs of victory shall ye teach it to your children” (31:19). Doing this ensures that children are aware of their origin and brought up in the way and manner so that when they are old, they will never depart nor deviate from it (Prov. 22:6).
3. The Home as a source of spiritual growth
The challenge facing families today is to train their children to become responsible citizens in the society. There are evil vices and bad influences that tend to change the hearts of the young ones. E.G. White admonish women to “use wisely the opportunities now to influence her dear ones for the higher life; let her take time to make the dear Saviour a daily Companion and familiar Friend. Let her take time to study of His word, take time to go with the children into the fields (Church) and learn of God through the beauty of His works.”
4. The home as center of love
Love should pervade the home. Sincere love is to be the ruling principle of the heart that love God and love to the husband can alone be the right ground of action. John H. Mchaughton, the author of the Seventh-day Adventist hymnal, number 652 did not mince words when he wrote the song “Love at Home.” He described the situation of the home when there is love. He went further to say that Jesus who is the strength and Head of every home should make us wholly His own. The song writer also imagined heaven smile at us when love permeates the home. Love is needed at home from the parents to the children and vice versa. When there is constant flow of love from the mother to the father and to the children, it makes every member of the family to think of coming home. Children should also be given responsibility at home. They should be engaged meaningfully, because the idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Engaging them in the activities of the home will make them feel belonged and help them become responsible and yearn for home.
Conclusion
We must remember that your home is in your hands. You should know that God created you as a desire of your family members, and everyone in your family looks up to you. It is very important to build confidence in your family that through you, your family will succeed.
References
Microsoft Encarta Premium (2009). Home.
The Holy Bible, Authorized King James version.
White, E. G. (n. d.). Messenger of Hope, Connecting with Jesus: Counsel for the Church. Everlasting Gospel Publishing Association: Korea, Seoul.
Elder Omeluzor Sat
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Dec 29, 2015 | Daily Digest, Food for thought, Members Writeup
True faith and true prayer — how strong they are! They are as two arms by which the human suppliant lays hold upon the power of Infinite Love. Faith is trusting in God,–believing that He loves us, and knows what is for our best good. Thus, instead of our own way, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership, and accepts its blessings. Truth, uprightness, purity, are pointed out as secrets of life’s success.
It is faith that puts us in possession of these. Every good impulse or aspiration is the gift of God; faith receives from God the life that alone can produce true growth and efficiency.
“This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith,” [1 JOHN 5:4.] It is faith that enables us to look beyond the present, with its burdens and cares, to the great hereafter, where all that now perplexes us shall be made plain. Faith sees Jesus standing as our Mediator at the right hand of God. Faith beholds the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him. Faith sees the robe and crown prepared for the overcomer, and hears the song of the redeemed.this faith will see you through.(GC)
The greatest victories gained for the cause of God are not the result of labored argument, ample facilities, wide influence, or abundance of means; they are gained in the audience chamber with God, when with earnest, agonizing faith men lay hold upon the mighty arm of power. {GW 259.1}
