Author Archives: Ekundayo

Is Sabbath Day Compulsory for Christians?

Posted by Dec 10, 2015 Holy Word, Church, Family, Podcast , , Leave a Comment
Is Sabbath Day Compulsory for Christians?

Sabbath day is the first holiday on earth. And God the creator of all creations declared the seventh day to be free from work. The observance of Sabbath day had become a controversial issue across the world.

I became interested in the significance of Sabbath day when the doctor told me that my terrible body weakness was as a result of inadequate rest. The little findings I did showed that the people who rest on the Sabbath day had less occurrence of body ailments when compared to people that don’t rest.

 

What Day is the Sabbath?

God created seven days, and He made the seventh day for a special purpose to rest. Sabbath day is the day you rest from your work. Genesis chapter 2 verses 1 to 3 says: “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”

The LORD is never tired but HE wants us to follow His model on how to spend the seventh day. We should work for six days and rest on the seventh day.
I read about many arguments about the issue of Sabbath day. But no one had disputed the seventh day to be Saturday.

Some theologians complicated the Sabbath day by differentiating Saturday as the Jewish Sabbath and Sunday as the Christian Sabbath. There is no scriptural reference to support this discrimination. The LORD sanctified the seventh day as Sabbath from the beginning of the world.

 

Is Sabbath a Jewish Law?

Sabbath day is not a Jewish law. It was only emphasised during the presentation of the Ten Commandments to the Israelite. The motive of God for creating the seventh day is for all humans to rest from all the works we do from Sunday to Friday.

 

God reminded the Israelite in Exodus chapter 20 verses 8 to 11: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God.
In it you shall do no work: you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or your stranger who is within your gates.
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”

The phrase “Remember the Sabbath day…” in the above Bible passage shows that the Sabbath day had been in existence since the beginning of creation.

God chose to include Sabbath in the Ten Commandments, so that the Israelite could always remember to enjoy the rest. He made it clear in the book of Isaiah that Sabbath should be acknowledged by the Gentiles as well.

Isaiah chapter 56 verse 6 and 7 says: “Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants-Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant- Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer…”

Thus, your rest on the Sabbath day has nothing to do with the Jewish law. The LORD blessed the Sabbath day for you to rest. He wants you to rest “… Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work”… (Genesis 2:3)
Don’t be deceived by those who want you to work for seven days. It is against the six days stipulated by God in the beginning of the creation.

Did Jesus asked us to quit rest on the seventh day when He said that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath? The context of His statement was meant to correct the selfish Pharisees who had turned the intention of Sabbath into something else. (Mark 2:23-28)

Paul revealed that he was faithful to the Jewish commandments (including the Sabbath day) when he appealed to Caesar in Act chapter 25 verse 7 & 8. Paul has no authority to break the holy sabbath, thus don’t be confused by his statements.

But he condemned the hypocrite Jewish way of presenting the Sabbath to the new Gentile converts. Colossians chapter 2 verses 16 say: “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths ….” The context of his instruction was to stop the Gentiles from obeying the man-made Sabbath laws of the wicked Pharisees.

The Sabbath day created by God does not deserve argument if the six days for work were not disputed. Thus, I want you to understand this issue from the point of view that God created the seventh day for your body to rest. It has nothing to do with any religion.
God knew the strength in your body. So, He designed your body to work for six days and to rest on the seventh day. And there are many benefits to derive from resting on the Sabbath day.

 

Benefits of the Sabbath day

• Bye to incessant body sickness
If you relax your body on the Sabbath day, then you will have less cause to visit the doctor. Doctors confirmed that inadequate rest of our body increases the stress hormones. And it can lead to stress induced ailment such as; hypertension, high blood pressure, stroke, cardiac arrest, migraine, etc.

 

• Refreshment
You’ll become refreshed if you give your body a 24 hours rest. This will boost your performance for the next six working days. I tried it and it works! Exodus chapter 31 and verse 17 say: “…for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”

 

• Opportunity to help the poor
You can learn from the lifestyle of Jesus, who helps the needy that comes His way on the Sabbath day.

 

• More time to worship the LORD

“A work-free day is a praise-full day.” You’ll have enough time to read the Bible without rush. A good time for fellowship with the LORD.

• Gives long life
One of the reasons for the short life expectancy in our generation is due to the neglect of the Sabbath day. Anyone with a lifestyle of working for seven days will never live a long life, because it is against the plan of God for humanity.

 

Will you love to enjoy the rest of the Sabbath day?

Terrorists: Great Tribulation of the End Time

Posted by Nov 30, 2015 Holy Word, Gospel Evangelism, Podcast Leave a Comment
Terrorists: Great Tribulation of the End Time

It is unfortunate that the terrorists are part of the fulfilment of the prophecy related to the great tribulation. Terrorism across the world is a serious threat to the survival of Christians in the last three decades.

Terrorists are the soldiers of devil and they have the intention to kill Christians and hinder the spread of the gospel.

Jesus knew that the terrorists would come on board. So, He encouraged us 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.”

 

Global Tribulation from Terrorists to the Christians

Terrorists might not be active in your area, but some Christians are going through terrible tribulations. Below are few occurrence of terrorism across the world:

• Twelve Christians were tortured and murdered by the Islamic State terrorist group for refusing to embrace Islam in Syria. This persecution included a 12-year-old boy who had his fingers chopped off, three women who were raped and three others who were crucified.

• Islamist terrorists returned to the scene of an earlier massacre in Borno State, Nigeria and shoot nine survivors in addition to burning thirty-churches and three-hundred homes.

• A handful of devout Muslims storm a Christian college at Garissa city, Kenya and separated the non-Muslims, and execute one-hundred and fifty in cold blood.

• Ten Christians were targeted and murdered by the Islamic terrorists at South Kordofan, Sudan. This tribulation included four children and an elderly woman. Their church was also destroyed.

• Five young Christian fishermen between the ages of 18 and 22 were brutally slaughtered by some terrorists at a lake in Macedonia.

• An Iraqi Christian who refused to convert to Islam was beaten by the Islamic State and then executed.

• Targeted suicide bombings near two churches by some terrorists left fifteen dead worshippers and seventy injured in Pakistan.

• A dozen Christians on a refugee boat were thrown to their deaths by Muslims in Italy.

• On the 27th March of this year, Al-Shabaab terrorist group released a video showing the brutal execution of six young Christians.

• A retired missionary couple was among four Americans taken hostage and executed in cold blood by Muslim pirates in Oman.

Terrible tribulations are happening to Christians across the world. This is an eye opener for you to believe the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew chapter 24 verses 29 to 31 explained the events that would take place after all these tribulations: “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, 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 together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

So, it is wise you take your relationship with the Lord very serious than before. And It is good you act like the five wise virgins who had an extra jar of oil to lighten their lanterns. Terrorist and the act of war in the world are clear signals of the end time. Please let’s stay on the path of righteousness as we expect the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Bible study: 7 Reasons to Personally Study the Bible

Posted by Nov 24, 2015 Holy Word, Church, Family, Gospel Evangelism, Podcast Leave a Comment
Bible study: 7 Reasons to Personally Study the Bible

Bible study is the act of digesting the word of God in your heart for a healthy spiritual growth. It is unfortunate that the Christians across the world could not tackle the rise in abominable acts in the societies. Why? The significance of personal Bible Study got diminished!! We need to promote private Bible Studies.

The 2012 online survey of Life-Way Research shows that only 19% of churchgoers personally (not as part of a church worship service) read the Bible every day.
But the shocking statistics for 2014 conducted by the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture says only 9% of Americans read the Bible daily.

According to the Canadian Bible Engagement study (May 2014), 55% of Canadians never read the Bible, 28% seldom read the Bible and 11% read it once a week or more frequently.

The British Bible Society released a study showing many British citizens cannot identify certain Bible stories; 43% of children have never heard the story of the crucifixion.

This sharp drop in Bible studies is a signal of end time tribulation. The faith of the young ones in Jesus Christ is becoming irrelevant. Jesus predicted this faith scarcity recorded in the book of Luke chapter 18 verses 8: “… Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

The seven reasons for a personal Bible Study include:

1. God’s Identity Card

Bible study is the easiest way to identify God. The reason for the high number of lukewarm Christians is due to the failure to know the profile of the Lord Jesus Christ they accepted as Savior.

It is impossible to enjoy a good relationship with someone you can’t identify. And you will find it easy to know the identity of the Lord when you always study the word of God in the Bible.

For instance, you might not know the name of the Lord if you have never read a passage such as Exodus chapter 3 verse 14: “And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

2. Authentic Road Map

This generation is filled with false Pastors and Prophets. If you obey their teachings without studying the Bible, then you will miss the right track to heaven. The Bible is the only perfect Book that describes how to live in holiness, love and peace.

The journey to heaven requires bible study. This is synonymous to your map readings, and obedience to traffic rules when driving on the highway.

If you don’t study the word of God regularly, then it is impossible to know the right lifestyles acceptable to the Lord. Second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 and 17 says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

3. Bible Study yields Miracle

The study of God’s word in the Bible can ease your heart from heavy burden. It restores hope, strengthens faith and can heal your broken heart. I had never regretted studying the Bible every day.

In the past, I suffered memory loss. But, when I gave my life to Jesus and read the Bible daily, I noticed a great improvement. I’m no more suffering from memory loss! Hallelujah!!

4. Bible is God’s Amplifier

God is not dumb and He won’t hesitate to speak, if you are ready to hear from Him. Your regular Bible study will give answers to questions bothering your heart.

For instance, I noticed my heart always becomes troubled when I play jokes. And my pastor did the same to make us laugh during the church service. So, no one told me it was wrong to be a clown! I prayed to God to explain the misery of my troubled heart.

I didn’t hear from God until I stumbled on Ephesians chapter 5 during my personal bible study at home… “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”

Bible study will save you from a lot of mess in the Christendom today.

5. Understand God’s cultural views

The careful study of the Bible shows that God is so much interested in the cultural practices of His beloved children. He warned the Israelite not to follow the culture of the Amorites and others, because such cultural practices are bunch of abominations. (Exodus 23:23-25)

In a scenario where the culture of your land contradicts God’s view, it is wise for you to engross yourself in an uninterrupted bible study. For instance, America and some countries had legalized the practice of homosexuals which is against God’s will.

Leviticus chapter 20 verses 13 say: “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.”

Everyone in this generation requires an intensive personal bible study, this will give us the understanding of God’s view on the right culture to practice.

6. Bible Study Exposes Devil’s secret

You will know more of devil’s devices if you study your bible every day. And you will also find it easy to scrutinise the false teachings of the antichrists in the Christendom.

Devil knows that a lot of ‘lazy Christians’ find it difficult to read the Bible, so he is recruiting a lot of brilliant Pastors. Their job is to deceive the people with ungodly doctrines.

The bible study I did in the book of second Peter opened my eyes to see many sugar-coated deceits in our midst. “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1)

7. You will overcome temptation and sin

Jesus Christ did intensive Bible study when He was young and it helped Him in the desert where there was no Bible to read. He overcame Satan’s temptations through the word of God. Listen! ‘You can’t give what you don’t have!’

The Devil is not happy about God’s salvation for your life. So, he will whisper many temptations to your heart, because he does not want you to be free from sins. But, Jesus Christ will wash your sins away if you give your total life to Him. 

Read your Bible Daily and you will overcome all the temptations of devil.

Love of God and its Counterfeit

Posted by Nov 15, 2015 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism, Youths Leave a Comment
Love of God and its Counterfeit

Love of God is the basis for our salvation from eternal punishment. But it is painful that some preachers monetised the Gospel to present a counterfeit love of God to people. You don’t have to pay a single cent to enjoy the love of God….

 
The love of God is available for sinners to repent from their evil lifestyles. And it is also available for the believers to sustain their fellowship in Jesus Christ. God is love and it is dangerous to take the love of God for granted?

 
My concern is that the love of God suffers abuse by a lot of ‘lazy Christians’ who find it stressful to study their Bibles. Their careless lifestyles confuse many new converts that join the church.

Beware of preachers who tells you that anything goes in the presence of God’s love. How could genuine Pastors preach to you that the love of God permits you to do ‘anything’ you like?

 
For instance, one of the top five most influential Pastors in America preached a “Brand New” sermon series in February this year. Andy says that it doesn’t matter what the congregation believe as long as they love.

 

He claimed not to water down the love of God, but his explanation does not guide the listeners to holy lifestyle in Jesus Christ. Andy gave the listeners the impression to do any worldly action as long as they love their neighbours. This is one of the reasons the love for God is growing cold in the Christendom.

 
Romans chapter 12 verse 1 and 2 says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

 
Charles Stanley is a Pastor with a great influence in America and beyond. You have to be very careful with his counterfeit preaching on the love of God. Charles says: “The Bible clearly teaches that God’s love for His people is of such magnitude that even those who walk away from faith have not the slightest chance of slipping from His hand. Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy”.

 
This strange teaching on love of God from Charles encourages the listeners to engage in sin with the assurance of not missing heaven. Unfortunately, this ‘new teaching’ was embraced by a lot of preachers in America and other continents.

 
This ‘new teaching’ of the love of God contradicts the Bible, but it is unfortunate that large crowd is embracing it. You can’t disobey God’s rules in the Bible and have any guarantee to enter heaven.

 
The book of Hebrew buttress this in chapter 6 verse 4 to 6: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”

 
This false teaching about the love of God is synonymous to someone telling you that the President of your country loves you. So, when you break the law of the land, the police will not put you into prison. But, you shall be given a wonderful reward for the crime you committed. Where is it done on earth?

 

Realities of the Love of God

 

• Love of God Saves You from Dying in Sinful Lifestyle

John chapter 3 verse 16 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Thus, believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Bible and you would be saved.

 

• Love of God will Discipline You

God does not want you to live your life carelessly. So, He wants you to obey the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Bible. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 says: “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action).” (AMP)

 

• Love of God in Your Life will Save You from Eternal Suffering

Your suffering (endurance) on earth due to persecution of the gospel, poverty, sickness, etc. does not underestimate the love of God for your life. 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.”

 

• Love of God is Not Partial
God loves both the believers and unbelievers. His love to the unbelievers is not to continue sinning. Love of God to the unbelievers is to make sure that they hear the true Gospel and repent from their sinful lifestyles.

There is impartial judgment in the love of God. He will separate the obedient children from the disobedient ones. Read details in the book of Matthew chapter 25 verse 31 to 46 “…All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats…”

 
The love of God is available for your righteous stand in godliness. Thus, don’t be deceived by false teachings that encourage you to live your life anyhow you want it. Enjoy the love of God through the biblical rules, and not by the worldly (sinful) rules that surrounds you.

Forgiveness: How to Forgive and Forget

Posted by Nov 8, 2015 Holy Word, Church, Family, Podcast, Youths Leave a Comment
Forgiveness: How to Forgive and Forget

Forgiveness is the ability to heal a wounded heart. To forgive and forget an offense involves an emotional process, and it is not an instant event.

Doctor Saima Noreen and his team at the University of St Andrews carried out a related research and their outcome suggests that forgiveness facilitates forgetting. The research found that individuals are more effective at suppressing items of information associated with memories for offenses they have already forgiven.

Fred Luskin, a psychologist reported that in careful scientific studies, forgiveness training has been shown to reduce depression, increase hopefulness, decrease anger, improve spiritual connection and increase emotional self-confidence.

Research also shows that people who are more forgiving report fewer health and mental problems, and fewer physical symptoms of stress.

There are various offenses such as cheat in the marriage/office, fraud, lies and so on. These offenses might not have the same hurtful size, but God wants you to forgive every offender.

Everyone had once offended the Lord, but He forgives us and forgot our past sins. The forgiveness of the Lord made us Christians today! So, the Lord made forgiveness a mandatory trend for every one of us.

Matthew chapter 6 verses 14 & 15 says: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

3 Rules of Forgiveness for Reconciliation

Forgiveness is not an action you do in haste or under pressure. You must find out the details of the offense, and the intention of the offender.

Jesus gave the rule of forgiveness in the book of Luke chapter 17 verse 3 & 4 says: “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

1. Criticize your Offender
It’s sinful to keep malice with your offender. Ephesians chapter 4 verses 31 say: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice”.

So, the first step towards forgiveness is to call the offender, and criticize the offense through the word of God. Read the Bible passage that condemns such offense to the offender.
You might be going through a serious pain, but you must be strong to explain the scriptural implication of the offense to the offender.

2. Confirm Offender’s Repentance
The offender that deserves forgiveness and reconciliation must feel bad for committing such offense.

For instance, a rude son offended his dad by joining bad boys to steal on the street. The action of this boy brought a public shame to his father. Having rebuked the boy, the confirmation of his repentance was to renounce his bad gangs, and join the group of God-fearing boys.

3. Forgive your Offender
Forgiveness might not be easy in some heart-breaking offenses, but it is safer for you to forgive the (repented) offender.
Matthew chapter 18 verses 15 says: “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.”

Forgiveness that deserves reconciliation is a two-way process which involves; repentance on the side of the offender and to forgive on the side of the offended person.

There are some occasions where the offender will not be remorseful for the offense committed. It would be impossible to reconcile with such offender. Don’t allow the bitterness to stay in your heart forever. The best options are forgiveness and prayers for the stubborn offender (who might be your enemy).

How to Handle Forgiveness without Reconciliation

Jesus explained the scenario in Mathew chapter 18 verses 16 &17:

• “But if he (offender) will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established’.

• And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector”.

Benefits of Forgiveness

• It restores hope for the offender.

• Forgiveness relieves the heart of the offended person.

• To forgive and forget offenses will give you a healthy heart that is free from bitterness, anger, stress and hypertension.

• The more you forgive, the lesser your risk of losing heaven…