Author Archives: Ekundayo

Prayer: 5 Ways to Get Your Requests Answered!

Posted by Jun 27, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Family, Word of Faith, Youths Leave a Comment
Prayer: 5 Ways to Get Your Requests Answered!

Prayer is not only begging for God’s intervention, but also a channel of acknowledging the greatness of God. Prayer is a vital medium of getting supernatural results. Some people’s prayers go unanswered due to some irregularities. But, don’t lose hope in prayers to God.

According to a 2014 Pew Research center survey, 55% of Americans said they pray every day. 21% said they pray weekly and 23% said they seldom pray. It is interesting to discover that Americans ages 65 and older are far more likely than adults under 30 to say they pray daily (65% vs 41%).

I want you to agree with me that God who created ears is not a deaf Being. Thus, He hears when we speak. The book of Isaiah chapter 59 verse 1 and 2 says: “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”

This post will show the important ways of presenting your requests to God for quick answers.

  1. Use Distraction-Free Venue

If your prayers at public centers (such as church etc.) are not answered, then consider a private place. God answers the prayer of those who speak to Him with an undivided attention.

For instance, an earthly father would never take his son seriously if the boy requests for a new bicycle while watching Tom and Jerry (cartoons). The boy is expected to avoid distractions, look straight into his father’s face and present his request.

I got this style of prayer from Jesus and it is working great for me. Matthew chapter 14 verses 23 say: “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.”

Jesus prayed in the temple and public gatherings, but He always retreats to private places for uninterrupted prayers… This style of prayer plays a vital role in the success of Jesus on earth.

Don’t get tired of prayer! You might be using a wrong venue filled with distractions. Find a place of prayer where your heart and attention will not be carried away from the God’s presence.

  1. Fix Fasting

Prayers you have done for a while without an answer may fall into the category of prayer and fasting. Not all prayers need fasting, but some requests that need instant supernatural miracle will require such. Jesus Christ did not start His public ministration without fasting and prayer.

He asked God to bless Him with great authority, wisdom, power of healing and miracles. And God answered His prayers without hesitation. “Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing…” (Luke 4:1 & 2)

Jesus’ disciples tried to emulate Him, but they couldn’t due to a prayerful lifestyle that lack essential fasting. “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.

So I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him… Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief… “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

If your prayer requires a spectacular outcome for people to see, then it is wise to fast.

Note: Don’t wound yourself with ‘almighty doctrines’ because you want to fast and pray. Jesus says: “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.” (Matthew 6: 16 & 17)

    1. Call the Right Name in Your Prayer

Prayer is all about communication between you and God. But your relationship with God will be stronger if you call Him by His rightful names. When praying to God, call Him JEHOVAH, I AM WHO I AM, God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob, Prince of Peace… (Exodus 3:14 & 15, Isaiah 9:6)

You cannot call Him in reverence and stay the same. When you call His holy name, your prayers would receive feedback.

At this point, I want to advice you not to attach the name of God to any man (pastor, overseer or founder of a ministry) because the minister might not be serving the Almighty God.

I remembered a true life story of a female gospel musician in Nigeria. She always mentions the name of her pastor as a suffix to God’s name. She sang in her albums that it is the god of her pastor that saved and blessed her life…she thought she was making reference to God Almighty.

After the pastor died, she and everyone discovered that he belonged to a famous cult in his home town. And the false pastor was buried by his cult members. This scandal affected the reputation of the gospel musician.

If you don’t abuse the Lord by calling Him names He never told you He is, then He will listen to your prayers.

  1. Have a Firm Faith

Don’t waste your time praying, if you discover some level of bias in your heart. Such prayers will hit the rock. A vital role you need to play for your prayer to be answered is having faith in the power of God.

For instance, Jesus ensured that the faith of the blind men corresponded with their prayers before He answered their request. (Jesus is not a magician). “…two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”… And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” (Matthew 9:27-29)

Jesus emphasizes faith as a key reason for prayers to be answered. Matthew chapter 17 verse 20 says: “So Jesus said to them… if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

  1. Do Away with Materialism

A lot of prayers go unanswered because of the idolatry medium involved in it. The false pastors and prophets introduced the practice of materialism into the Christendom and this had affected genuine relationship with God.

Some church doctrines encourage their members to always pray with the aid of materials such as; candle, water, soap, handkerchief, oil, rosary etc. Such prayers cannot be answered by God. Though, am aware of devil’s manipulations of “answering” such idolatry prayers at times.

There is no verse in the Bible, where God instructed us to come before Him with such materials. I studied the prayer life of Jesus and discovered that the only instrument He used during His prayer is faith. So, if you believe in the power of Jesus, then do not put any material (idol) between your faith and God.

The danger in such practice is that your faith would cling to the soap, oil or handkerchief (and not to Jesus alone).

Stop the purchase of ‘spiritual materials’ from these dubious false bishops, pastors and prophets. They are swindling you of your hard-earned money. Jesus says: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

A true man of God will freely show you the right way to pray just as Jesus thought His disciple how to pray in Luke chapter 11 verses 1 to 4.

I am a living witness to tell you that God answers prayers. Though, He won’t answer any prayer which is against His will. Thus, always worship God in spirit and in truth, so that your entire prayer requests will not contradict His plan for your life.

RAPTURE: How to Get Prepared for the Second Coming

Posted by Jun 15, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism Leave a Comment
RAPTURE: How to Get Prepared for the Second Coming

The Rapture is a “designed technology” by God to airlift the Christians to meet Jesus – an escape route from deadly tribulations. Rapture is derived from the Latin word ‘raptus’ and it means: “a carrying off”.

There are different teachings about the rapture and its timing. The pre-tribulation, during-tribulation and post-tribulation doctrines are causing a lot of confusion. I am not introducing a new teaching about the rapture, but I want to show you the clarity on this topic.

Is Rapture a Real Future Event?

The failed predictions of the end-time by some people such as: John Wesley 1836, Margaret Rowen 1925, Jehovah’s Witness 1941, Herbert Armstrong 1943, Pat Robertson 1982 and Harold Camping 2011 could make you become bias about the rapture.

But, I had discovered that the best way to avoid confusion about the second coming of Jesus is to believe the word of Jesus only. Any new prophesy from anyone should be thrown into the ‘trash can’.

Rapture is real. Listen to Jesus in the book of Matthew chapter 24 verses 30 and 31: “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

When is the Rapture?

We’d had enough from our professors (Theologians), prophets and pastors who were very ‘good’ in biblical mathematics! But, none of their dates are correct. This substantiates the statement of Jesus Christ to be true. Jesus says: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

God chose to make the rapture day unknown so that the cheater will not corrupt His judgment. If the date of the second coming of Jesus is known by everyone, some will choose to be unfaithful to God till the last hour.

Funnily, in less than twenty-four hours to the take-off, they will ask for God’s forgiveness and to usher them into the rapture day as a saint… No one can cheat God! Galatians chapter 6 verses 7 and 8 say: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

The information from Jesus did not give a date, but the rapture is certain immediately after the dreadful tribulations.

Jesus says: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven…” (Matthew 24:29 and 30)

The Bitter Pills of Tribulations

Tribulations are unwanted events happening to human beings. And end-time tribulations precede the occurrence of rapture. You might want to ask me if Christians will be a partaker of these tribulations.

Tribulations such as flood, disease outbreak, wars etc. had been in existence before the arrival of Jesus Christ. The tribulations never stopped on earth when He came to shed His blood for our salvation.

Rather, Jesus predicted more tribulations, and He made it known that we would meet many trials and sorrows.

Jesus says in the book of John chapter 16 verses 33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Don’t be scared of tribulations, because the love of God in your life is not quantifiable. The Lord Jesus Christ told us that the end time tribulations will be severed, but the LORD had made provision (rapture) for the saints to survive it.

Jesus says in Matthew chapter 24 verses 21 and 22: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.’’

The difference between Christians (elect) and non-Christians during the tribulations is that only the Christians will overcome in the end-time tribulations.

How to Prepare for the Rapture

 

  1. Understand the Purpose of the Rapture

You had found out from the scriptures mentioned earlier that the rapture is a ‘special flight’ for the saints during the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And rapture is designed for the end-time harvest.

First Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 15 to 17 say: “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and stay until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

  1. Keep your Light Burning

There is no shortcut to get the ticket for rapture. The need includes; accepting Jesus Christ into your life as the Savior. And your daily lifestyle must be controlled by His holy Will.

Sinners cannot catch-up with Jesus during His second coming. So, don’t be enticed into sin by your carnal thoughts, friends, society or the government.

Jesus concluded the story of the ten virgins narrated in the book of Matthew chapter 25 verses 1 to 13 with this advice: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming”.

Second Death: How real is Eternal Punishment?

Posted by May 31, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism Leave a Comment
Second Death: How real is Eternal Punishment?

Second death sounds scary, but not as fearful as the first death! The good news is that second death is not for everybody. No one has ever experienced the second death. So, there is no statistical report to show the world about the reality of the second death.

Thus, a lot of people are confused, but I had a divine revelation about this topic which will interest you to know.

I had a prophetic vision from God on the first day of September 2003. “I noticed from afar that some guards surrounded a white throne. They raised their voices to call and suddenly I saw the Almighty Judge rose from the white throne.

He took some foot steps forward and I was given the grace to see beyond. I saw a golden crown descended upon the shoulder of the Almighty Judge.

He approached two groups, each group had a leader. The Lord spoke to the group on the left side: “Satan had been doing badly, so he is condemned to the lake of fire”. It was after this pronouncement; I got to know that the handsome group leader was Satan.

Something amazing happened; Satan and all his followers were automatically put into bondage with golden handcuffs. There was deep sorrow and hopelessness in their midst. I saw them shaking their heads in sorrow.

The Almighty Judge moved to the group on the right and said: “Jesus had been doing well, so he is victorious”. Everyone in this group, including Jesus the group leader was dancing, laughing, jumping, and shouting victory! Victory!! Victory!!! ”

After this ‘three hours’ vision, the Lord told me to narrate it to the world as an evidence to buttress the biblical teachings about end-time judgment, lake of fire (second death) and heaven.

What is Second Death?

Second death is a term used to describe permanent separation from God accompanied by eternal punishment. The first death is the physical departure from the earth. But, the second death is for the spirits and souls that disobeyed the instructions of the Lord.

Second death is the lake of fire. Revelation chapter 20 verses 14 says: “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

Who is the Second Death designed for?

The second death is designed for two categories:

  1. Fallen Angels

Satan and demons were once angels of God in heaven until they rebelled against the LORD. And the war led by Angel Michael defeated the rebellious angels.

Revelation chapter 12 verse 7 to 9 says: “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

The second death is the eternal home for the fallen angels who rebelled against God’s kingdom. Jude verse 6 emphasized the truth that the fallen angels (Satan and demons) cannot escape the great judgment. “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day”.

  1. Disobedient Human beings

The second death (lake of fire) is also designed for any human being whose lifestyle is not in accordance with God’s instructions.

Revelation chapter 20 verses 13 to 15 say: “The Sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

How to Avoid the Second Death

Always make the right choice to stay away from anything sinful. Since the Blood of Jesus Christ is enough to deliver you from the stronghold of sins, then be active on the path of holiness.

Revelation chapter 21 verses 8 gave a summary of the kind of characters you must avoid. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Only the overcomers who tapped the Power in Jesus Christ can be free from the judgment of the second death.

Thus, always endure all the unwanted circumstances. And be faithful to the commandments of Jesus Christ in your riches. The early churches were also warned against the judgment of the second death.

Revelation chapter 2 verses 11 say: “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

You might not find it easy to live a good Christian life in this generation filled with terrible abominations and persecutions, but don’t give up. Jesus says: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Your endurance in the power of Jesus Christ will make you a victor in the end. Revelation chapter 20 verses 6 say: “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years…”

Eternal punishment is for the ‘goats’ (disobedient and stubborn souls) as explained in the book of Matthew chapter 25 verse 31 to 46. Second death (lake of fire) is a real estate of sorrow; you must not plan to mortgage it!

Jehovah loves you, thus, put your body, soul and spirit under the control of the Word of God. And let your lifestyle be consistent in the practice of holiness. Then, the second death (lake of fire) will never be your eternal home in Jesus name.

Love of Jehovah: 5 Things His love Cannot Do

Posted by May 25, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism, Youths Leave a Comment
Love of Jehovah: 5 Things His love Cannot Do

The love of Jehovah is massive and incomparable to the love of man. You might wonder why this enormous love of God could not prove itself in some situations.

I remembered an old story of a king and his slave. “The king, who did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all circumstances, said: “My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes!”

One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty losing a finger. Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said “Is God loving? If He loves me, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger”.

The slave replied: “My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and he knows ‘why’ of all these things”. Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.

Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices. In the altar, ready to sacrifice the nobleman, the savages found that the victim had not one of his fingers, so he was released. According to them, it was not so complete to be offered to the gods.

Upon his return to the palace, he authorized the release of his slave that he received very affectionately. “I really enjoyed the love of Jehovah! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: if God loves, why did He allow me to put you in jail?”

The slave replied: “My king, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger. Thus, the love of God has always been established in every situation.”

The love of Jehovah is not slack. Some preachers made us to believe that the love of God will permit ‘everything’ we choose to do. But, a lot of people got disappointed that God could not satisfy all their (self) wishes, so they left the church to become an atheist.

A series of Bible studies and events on earth made it known that the love of Jehovah is so much with us. Some folks thought that God’s love is handicapped. But, I would like to share some things the love of Jehovah cannot do.

  1. Love of Jehovah Cannot Condone Disobedience

There is a false believe in our midst that the love of Jehovah will stop Him from punishing Christians for any commandment we disobeyed. How can we claim to be a Christian and still delight in worldly actions?

The love of God forgives sins, but He does not urge you to continue sinning. First John chapter 3 verses 1 to 10 says: “…Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness…He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

For instance, can you blame God for the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? Genesis chapter 3 verses 2 to 6: “And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; “but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” …So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

The Lord sent them out of the garden; does that mean God did not love them? No! They had been forewarned, but they choose to obey the serpent.

The love of Jehovah in your life does not give you the license to misbehave, because there is discipline in it.

  1. Love of Jehovah Cannot Support Impatience

Can we blame God for Abraham’s family crisis? The LORD promised Abraham that He would make him the father of all nations, but he wasn’t patient enough. Abraham obeyed his wife’s advice and that marked the beginning of a great division in the human race.

Genesis chapter 16 verses 1 to 6 says: “…So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai… So Abram said to Sarai, “Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please.” And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence.”

Is it fair to blame the love of Jehovah when we find ourselves in troubles that originated from our impatience?

There are lots of youths in jail because of financial crimes such as; drug trafficking, fraud, robbery and so on. They want to get rich overnight, but the law of the land caught up with them. Does that mean the judge in the court of law refused to love the criminals? No!

Similarly, the atheists chose to hate God because they expected the love of Jehovah to support their selfish attitude of impatience.

  1. Love of Jehovah Cannot Embrace Unfaithfulness

There are various crises in the world such as: terrorism, corruption, poverty, economic crunch, crime to humanity and so on. I discovered that all these crises caused by men were as a result of unfaithfulness to one another.

Thus, can we blame God’s love for the predicament caused by people in the society?

The false teachers preached to us that once we believe in Jesus, we can do ‘anything’ and the love of Jehovah will save us. But, I had discovered from the Word of God that His love cannot embrace unfaithfulness.

For instance, the Israelites were not faithful to God in the wilderness. So, only two of the adult generation got to the Promised Land. Deuteronomy chapter 1 verse 34 to 38: “And the LORD heard the sound of your words, and was angry, and took an oath, saying, Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the LORD.’… Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.”

Also, Jesus expressed His love to the Jews, but they remained unfaithful. Thus, we cannot blame Jesus for the siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Jesus says in Matthew chapter 23 verses 37: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”

The love of Jehovah controls the faithful worshippers as explained in the book of John chapter 4 verses 23 and 24: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

  1. Love of Jehovah Cannot Help Carelessness

Some people believed that once they become a Christian, Jesus Christ will always disallow the repercussion of any careless act they engaged to do. Hmm! Accepting Jesus implies carefulness.

For instance, the love of Jehovah towards king Solomon was so great that He blessed him with wisdom and wealth. But, can we blame the love of God for king Solomon’s carelessness with the beautiful women?

I wept when I read the later part of king Solomon: “But king Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites-from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you.

Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines…that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God…So the LORD became angry with Solomon…”(1King11:1-25)

  1. Love of Jehovah Cannot Befriend the Hypocrite

Hypocrites are people who pretend to serve the Lord. They are good in church activities, but their lifestyles are not Christ-like. The love of Jehovah in your life does not give you the liberty to love the ‘things’ of this world.

Jesus understood this fact, and that was the essence of His reply to the devil when He was tempted. Matthew chapter 4 verses 8 to 10 says: “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.”

You cannot be active in sin and expect the love of Jehovah to open the doors of Heaven for you.

The love of God was expressed through Jesus for the salvation of everyone, but He never befriends the hypocrites. Listen to one of his responses to the hypocrite: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27)

The love of Jehovah can save sinners and they become saints. Meanwhile, His main priority is to help all saints to enjoy their eternity in heaven. Thus, God’s love can neither promote selfishness nor support ungodliness.

Why is Christian Youths Abandoning Faith in Christ?

Posted by May 16, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Family, Gospel Evangelism, Youths 3 Comments
Why is Christian Youths Abandoning Faith in Christ?

The Barna group conducted a survey to study the trend of Christian youths abandoning their faith. George Barna said: “A majority of twenty-something – 61% of today’s young adults-had been churched at one point during their teen years, but they are now spiritually disengaged (that is, not actively attending church, reading the Bible, or praying).”

My heart breaks when I saw the trend at which the Christian youths abandon their faith in Jesus Christ. God is not pleased with the level of unfaithfulness and hypocrisy in the midst of the Christian youths.

When the Lord called me to be one of His special messengers to the world, the first message He asked me to preach to the world was centered to the youth. The Lord said: “Reveal the secret of the devil to the youths. Devil had a strategy to pull the Christian youths to hell. Since the largest population of the world is in this category, then his target is to distract them from Christ.”

“Devil will do such through the forms of scientific and non-scientific means. The target of devil is to have youths as the highest population in hell. Go and preach to the Christian youths to stop embracing worldliness. I love the youths and I don’t want them to perish. Worldly style of doing things should not be imitated in the Christian practices”.

I was shocked when the Lord spoke this message to me and I asked Him: “Hope the listeners of this message won’t say that I have come to judge the youths?” The Lord responded: “No, you are not judging the youths, refer whoever accused you to read the book of Amos chapter 3 and verse 7.”

I stood up and opened the Bible to know what was written in the Book – “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing; unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”

I started preaching this secret 16 years ago and I won’t stop. Scriptures made it known that Jesus is not happy with this situation. The book of Mark chapter 9 verse 42 says: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he was thrown into the sea.”

It is important to identify the factors that influence Christian youths to abandon their faith in Christ.

  1. The Role of Parents

Proverbs chapter 29 verse 17 says: “Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.” ‘Parents are not robot manufacturers’.

You have the obligation to train your children in the way of the Lord. Pushing them into the car for Sunday church service is not enough to make your children fear God. Always find time on a daily basis to pray and study the bible together.

When your children ask questions, please always give full answers with references to the scriptures. It will be difficult for Christian youths to abandon faith in Christ, if there is a parental care that shows Christianity as a relationship (and not as a religion) with God.

Many Christian youths are biased about the power of Jesus, because their parents (who work round the clock) had no time to answer the questions that troubles their hearts.

Some parents thought that should be the sole responsibility of the church Pastor. Show your children the path of the Lord; they will not depart from it. The Bible says: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

The vital way to reduce the skyrocketed figures of Christian youths abandoning their faith is that parents must be a faithful role model in Jesus Christ.

  1. The Role of the Church for Christian Youths

The church is not the mega building, but the people gathering in it. How would you expect the faith of Christian youths to be stronger in a church filled with eye-service, ‘church politics’, love of money than the soul of the giver and indiscipline?

It is no more news that majority of our ‘Pastors’ in this generation are ‘economical’ with their preaching. The style of preaching in the 19th century is different from what we hear in the pulpit now. Some Pastors are scared of losing members (to other ‘Christian denominations’) if the undiluted word of God is preached in the pulpit.

With respect to my findings, seven out of ten churches are simply entertainments gathering. The order of services is filled with claps, jokes, and little of God’s word. I won’t be surprised if Christian youths from such churches abandon their faith when they get to high school or college!

To stop this unfaithful trend in the midst of our teens and youths, the church must go back to the first love. “…Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp-stand from its place–unless you repent…” (Revelation 2:1-7)

Let’s do it just like the early church. “…Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need…with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Act 2:42-47)

  1. The Role of Technology

Science has been a great distraction to Christian faith. The theory of evolution, New Age movement, Atheism and the invention of the internet are good instruments of distraction. It is dangerous for any Christian youths to share believes that originate from science.

The only source of faith is the Bible. Modern technology is not bad if it is used appropriately in accordance to God’s will.

Some Christian youths abandon their faith in Christ, because their heart had been carried away from computer games, social websites, television cable networks and surfing the internet for information not beneficial to their spiritual growth in Christ.

Nevertheless, Christian youths will be responsible for their decision before the Lord. The bible is available for everyone to study both online and offline. If there is any part of the scriptures you don’t understand, the Holy Spirit can help you.

John chapter 14 verse 26 says: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

God will never accept any excuse from the unfaithful youths, because the power of choice of every Christian youth is the main cause that sustains their faith in Christ.

Thus, Christians must tightly hold on to the faith they have in Jesus Christ in the midst of trouble or confusion. Jesus says in John chapter 16 verses 33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Read your bible daily and live a lifestyle that is strictly controlled by God. Thus, devil’s devices against your faith in Jesus Christ will be destroyed. Jesus loves you!!