Youths Archives - Page 5 of 7

How to Get Christian Wealth

Posted by Ekundayo Apr 10, 2016 Holy Word, Gospel Evangelism, Youths wealth Leave a Comment

Peaceful wealth comes from the LORD and everyone wants to be rich! Why is it impossible for everyone to be wealthy? Why is it difficult to lay your hands on the master key that opens the doors of money? You may have questions and I also have questions too. But it does not change the fact that riches comes from the LORD.

The number of millionaires (in U.S. dollar terms) globally reached 19.6 million, and their cumulative wealth stood at US$74 trillion, according to the World Wealth Report 2020 released by Capgemini, a Paris-based consultancy and technology services firm.

New World Wealth also recorded that not less than 56.2% identified themselves as Christian. I was not surprised about this statistic because it is the fulfilment of God’s covenant to His children.

We measure wealth based on asset and cash, but God’s wealth is not limited to cash and material things. The LORD’s wealth for you also include; salvation, good health, joy, peace, gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal enjoyment in Heaven.

4 Powerful Ways to Get Wealth from the LORD

1. Serve God Faithfully

If you devote your time and strength to obey God’s will, then you will enjoy God’s wealth. Abraham was wealthy in his generation because he obeyed the LORD.

“…the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Genesis 17:1-2

Isaac became the millionaire of his time because he obeyed God. “There was a famine in the land… Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you…

Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous.” Genesis 26:1-13

2. Practice Your Talents Daily

When you find yourself in an unwanted circumstance, don’t hesitate to continually invest your talents to the needy. Joseph did not blame God for his wretched life in prison; rather he continued to make use of his spiritual gift (wealth) to help the needy. His stewardship and patience made him a rich man at the end of the day. Genesis 41:41-45

Do not under-estimate the talents God gave to you. The rightful usage of your spiritual gifts can be the potential discovery of your wealth.

3. Solemn Prayers to the LORD

King Solomon acquired wealth from God by praying for wisdom to rule the land. The Lord was highly impressed with his worship and sacrifices. The Lord answered king Solomon’s prayers and gave him riches as well.

“…behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you… And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.” (First King chapter 3 verse 10 to 13)

4. Seek the Kingdom of God

The Lord will never allow you suffer, if you obey the instructions of Jesus Christ. Matthew chapter 6 verse 31 to 33 says: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Is it a Sin to become Wealthy?

I searched through the Bible and couldn’t find any verse that says a rich person is a sinner, but the worship of wealth is taboo! The Old Testament has many references to material wealth while the New Testament emphasized on spiritual wealth. So, you have to find the balance!

God made some people rich so that they can take care of the poor. He instructed the rich Israelites to help the poor; “For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’” Deuteronomy15:11

When the rich man called Zacchaeus gave his life to Jesus Christ, he shared his wealth with the poor.

“… Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich… Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:1-10

Wealth becomes sinful if it is acquired through occult or dubious way.

Wealth comes from God. It is wise to spend your riches according to God’s instructions and do not invest your wealth in the debauchery of this world.

Entertainment: Risk of Losing Heaven?

Posted by Ekundayo Mar 20, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Family, Gospel Evangelism, Youths entertainment, movie, music Leave a Comment

Entertainment is all about fun and relaxation, but how safe is this activity for Christians? I compared the present Christian entertainment to the scriptural standard and I noticed some interesting outcomes.

It’s unfortunate that the Christendom is embracing all forms of entertainment established by the unbelievers. The liberty we enjoy in the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ does not give us the freedom to accept whatever form of worldly entertainment.

The Bible warned us to scrutinize our actions. 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.”

Forms of Entertainment

Sports
Gambling
Music
Film Show
Books/Magazines
Story
Dance
Video games
Comedy
Drama …

What is the position of Christians in the entertainments mentioned above? Is entertainment biblical? Well, the word ‘entertainment’ cannot be found in the Bible. And that is the reason for proper scrutiny of any entertainment you intend to do, using the word of God as your yardstick.

The Bible says: “…brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.”

Church and Entertainment

I noticed that some preachers focus more on the emotions of the congregation than God’s word. They make jokes on the pulpit (without considering the biblical warning) to ginger their congregation. It’s not a sin to laugh, but, it calls for concern when the origin of the laughter is through jesting or foolish talks.

Ephesians chapter 5 verse 1 to 4 says: “… Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children… 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.

Comedy is a good form of entertainment to the unbelievers, but, it is a kind of fun that adversely affects the spiritual growth of Christians. This is the cause of lukewarm in our midst.

I am not judging anyone, but raising a serious concern for us to check and balance our state of fun.

Revelation chapter 3 verse 15 and 16 says: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

Be careful and don’t involve yourself in entertainment related to jokes or comedy because it is rooted in lies and deceits.

Music Entertainment

Music is a good act that no Christian can afford to miss. I have the privilege to tell you that music plays a vital role in heaven! Worship songs filled with praises to God are the best entertainment for you.

It is unfortunate that the styles of musical entertainment of the unbelievers were adopted by most musicians in the Christendom. We cannot be of equal yoke with unbelievers. There should be a clear separation in the way we do things.

In our generation, worldly musicians invite gospel musicians to their stage. Did you refer to this as love? Listen to Jesus’ expression to His true followers in John Chapter 15 verse 19: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

For instance, the unique style of Christian music tunes and lyrics till late 1970’s were outstanding. If you listen to Christian music in the 19^th century, you will agree with me that it has good quality than what we hear in this millennium.

Most of the Christian youths believed the school of thought that says; ‘there is no specific style of music or dancing for Christians. Thus, everyone can sing and dance anyhow’. Hmm! Devil’s deceit!

When I was in the world, being a good fan of Dion, but when I gave my life to Christ I disowned myself from listening to worldly music. I came across a ‘Christian disk’ which I thought would help my spiritual growth.

When I slot it into the disk player, the instrumentation was that of Dion’s bestselling and only the lyrics was different. The Christian musician disappointed me, because his lyrics never stick to my brain. But it only opened my memory to mime the Dion’s music. I removed the ‘Christian disk’ before it puts me into a state of apostasy.

I want all Christian musicians using worldly style of music (such as rock, rap, etc.) to know that you can’t genuinely win souls to Christ using such medium. You have to put a round peg in a round hole. Jesus says in Mark 2 verse 22: “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

Music as a form of entertainment must lift up your soul and spirit to the presence of the Lord. Good music must not exalt the wealth, women, carnal love, and other basics of this world.

Movie Entertainment

The wide acceptability of Hollywood, Bollywood, and others might not allow you to believe me but ‘movie entertainment is not for the Christians’.

The WordWeb dictionary defines movie as: “A form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion (deception) of continuous movement”.

Is Christianity a boring life if I don’t watch all the ‘woody’ films on earth? No!

You can entertain people during evangelism by:

1. Narrating true life stories. Jesus narrated true life story of Lazarus and the rich man to preach to the people – Luke 16 : 20-25

2. Quoting proverbs and parables. These are strong tools of evangelism used by the Lord Jesus – Matthew 13:18-23

3. Displaying true life documentary about people’s testimonies.

Whatever medium of entertainment you intend to use for the Gospel, deceit must not be used as a tool of evangelism. Devil is the father of all liars. Jesus exposed the Pharisees who were using deception to conduct the temple.

John chapter 8 verses 44 say: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

The worldly people are expected to learn new things from the Christendom, but the reverse is the case. The world started film shows and the church embraced it without considering the risk.

Whenever you gather people to do drama or watch film, then you are using a deceitful medium to convey a righteous message. Why?

The characters in every movie do not bear their true names – deceit!
Every speech is recorded in heaven, because God does not joke.
For instance; a man addressed another man’s woman as his wife in the film/drama – deceit!
At the end, the film writer writes on the screen that all you had watch is a fiction – deceit!!

The Christians into “drama ministry” proved their actions by making reference to the demonstrations of the great prophets. Then I responded quickly that the demonstrations were real life incidence instructed by God. It wasn’t a drama written by anyone, but a true documentary.

Please read through the passage below and send a comment to me if it seems to be a drama: “… the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia, so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners, and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.” (Isaiah 20:2-4)

Movie entertainment was not the idea of God, but Devil invented it to spread the spirit of lies. Satan is the father of lies. Some Evangelists thought (false) film-show was a good medium to win souls to Christ. Such souls may not survive the storms of life because their foundation was laid on deceit.

Some years ago I was an artist, play writer and drama coordinator in various churches. But when God opened my eyes to see the deceits in acting drama/film show, I stopped immediately. I discovered that using deceptive tools for the ministry of God is witchcraft.

Thus, the safest entertainment for you is to enjoy your resting day (Sabbath) in the presence of the Lord with godly gospel music. Entertain the poor with food and water, and your fun will be so fantastic!

How good is Gambling for Christians?

Posted by Ekundayo Feb 27, 2016 Church, Family, Holy Word, Youths gambling Leave a Comment

Gambling is a risky action that involves getting gain from the loss of others. Over 80% of Australian adults are said to be gamblers, which is also the highest rate in the world. 75% of adults gamble in UK and 80% of American.

Approximately 1.6 billion people gamble across the world during any given year and over 4.2 billion gamble at least once every year.

It is a shocking revelation that some Christians take part in lotteries, slot machines, horse or dog racing, Irish sweepstakes, roulette wheels, poker, flipping a coin, church bingo, and sport betting.

Gambling in the Church

Gambling is an ancient practice of the unbelievers, but it was not embraced by the early Christians.

It is unfortunate that the love of money is everywhere, and some elders thought that the easiest way to raise fund for the church project is through church bingo and lotteries.

“Is it a godly idea to rob Peter to pay Paul?”

There is no verse in the Bible that supports gambling. So, Christians seeking money to enjoy a good life or for the propagation of the gospel must not engage in gambling.

The Wisdom of God does not support gambling because Proverb chapter 14 verses 23 say: “In all labour there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty”. Proverbs chapter 28 verses 19 say: “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!”

Gambling and Lots

Devil deceives some Christians that betting is the same as the use of lots in the Bible. It is a misconception of the scriptures!

Casting of lots is to seek for direction or important decision, and it is determined by God. The use of lots in the Bible is not the same as gambling. Proverb chapter 16 verse 33 says: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD“.

Prayers and casting of lot were used to select Matthias as an Apostle. Act chapter 1 verse 26 says: “And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

Casting of lots has nothing to do with risking your money or valuables. Casting of lots was used to decide matters without partiality, so, it has nothing to do with loss or gain.

For example, the promise land was shared for the Israelites through casting of lots. Joshua chapter 18 verses 10 say: “Then Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD, and there Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.”

The arrival of the Holy Spirit as the Counsellor ended the casting of lots among the Christians.

Is Betting an Investment?

Please don’t be deceived by the pit manager, because the risk involved in gambling is not the same as any business investment. And every business has a projected profit, but gambling is all about an uncertain chance of gain or loss.

Business investment involves professionalism, but gambling is all about luck. Business involves hardworking which is scriptural, but gamblers are interested in quick money without sweat. When you invest your money in business, then risk is averted. If you gamble your money, then you are a risk-seeker. Don’t consider gambling as a form of investment!

Is Betting Spiritual or Entertainment?

Some rich gamblers claim that gambling is for fun. How could someone engage in a trend of spiritual bankruptcy and refer to it as recreational activity?

The spiritual reality of gambling is worshiping gods of luck and fortune. Isaiah chapter 65 verse 11 and 12 say: “But you are those who forsake the LORD, who forget My holy mountain, who prepare a table for Gad, And who furnish a drink offering for Meni. Therefore I will number you for the sword, And you shall all bow down to the slaughter; Because, when I called, you did not answer; When I spoke, you did not hear, But did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.”

‘…prepare a table for Gad (god of fortune) …drink offering for Meni (goddess of fortune and numbers)’. This description best described those who prefer to enjoy drinking and playing games at the casino than enjoying God’s presence.

Profit of Gambling

The covetousness of money is the driving force of the gamblers. The trick in gambling is that you can become a millionaire in a moment. But a winner at this moment can become the biggest loser in the next moment.

The ‘profit’ of gambling includes;

Addiction
Chasing Holy Spirit away
Torments by spirit of Mammon
Stealing
Lying
Poverty
Family crisis and divorce
Alcoholism
Committing fraud
Lack of personal time with God

Gambling is a good weapon of the devil to distract Christians from cordial relationship with the LORD.

Gamblers are not trustworthy steward to the Lord, because their money and valuables are not expected to be placed on the ungodly altar of luck. I want you to belief that gambling is one of the devices of Devil. You must not be carried away by the attractive attribute of gambling.

Worry: 5 Ways to Control Anxiety

Posted by Ekundayo Feb 8, 2016 Family, Holy Word, Word of Faith, Youths anxiety, worry Leave a Comment

Worry signifies a troubled mind which leads to mental uneasiness called anxiety. Worry might be harmless when you have the power to solve the situation. But, it becomes harmful when the condition is not under your control.

Researchers at the University of Queensland conducted surveys across 91 countries in the world. More than 480,000 people were involved and the outcome showed that globally, 1 in 13 suffers from anxiety. Worry hooks you through your thinking faculty, when you encounter issues of life that has no instant solutions.

I subjected myself to worries some years ago, but I was shocked that all my days of worry could not provide solutions to my hard times. Thus, worry has no power to solve issues of life, it could only add to the troubles.

What Can Worry Do?

Worry pretends to be important but serves no useful purpose. Worry can cause:

Mental disorder

Physical health problems

Family crisis

Emotional imbalance

Loss of concentration

Unattractive look

Addictions such as; drunkenness, overeating, smoking, gambling and drugs.

Worry was not a strange topic to Jesus, so He took His time to explain anxiety in Matthew chapter 6 verse 25 to 34. Verse 27 says: “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”

How to Stop the Pressure of Worry

Thus, if you are engulfed into worries, the steps below are your escape route to freedom.

1. Push your Worry into the Word of God

Fix your mind to the Word of God when you have any difficult issues bothering your mind. For instance, if you are going through hard times of insufficient funds, then meditate on the Word of God.

Matthew chapter 6 verse 28 to 30: “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

Have faith in the Word of God, and He will help you solve the difficult problems in your life.

2. Soak your Worries into Prayers

It is a deadly act to fold yourself on a sofa, thinking and giving yourself to anxiety. Jesus encountered a lot of circumstances on earth, but He never sat down to worry. He went to private places to pray every night. Luke chapter 6 and verse 12 says: “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

Issues of life beyond your control can only be resolved by divine intervention of God. So, have faith in God, and the power of your prayers to God will melt your worry. Philippians chapter 4 verse 6 and 7 say: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

3. Live Your Life to Each Day

The Lord promised to give us long life. But, a good way to overcome worry is to take each day for its own attention. A lot of us worry about the future which we are not sure of its existence. Jesus said that no amount of worry about your future can increase your days (Matthew 6:27). Most of the things you worry about never happen!

Thus, take life so simple. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too much wishes of life. Always appreciate your hardworking but don’t forget that only God can do all things. The advice of Jesus in Matthew chapter 6 verse 34 shows that you should not bring tomorrow’s challenges to today’s troubles, else you won’t be able to cope with issues of life.

Worry does not take away tomorrow’s troubles, but it only steals today’s peace. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

4. Count Your Blessings

It is mysterious to know that no one on earth goes through the toughest problem. For instance, your own main worry (with a sleepless night) might be the smallest part of another person’s worries. Stop worrying about what can go wrong in the next minute and get excited about what can go right by faith.

Thus, don’t allow worry to depress your life. Always give thanks to God for the good things in your life. And your heart of appreciation to God will encourage Him to solve other pressing issues of your life. Did you know that singing songs of praise in the midst of trouble was the action that liberated King David (the Psalmist) in the Bible?

5. Expose Every Endless Worry

Worry steals your joy and waste your precious time and resources. When you’ve done all the best to stop the endless worry in your life, then share your worry with a faithful servant of God. He will be in the best position to dissect your worries through the wisdom of God. The counsel of genuine man of God will also ease your heart from anxiety. It worked for me!

I pray the Good LORD would heal your heart and all your worries would fly away in Jesus name. Let your faith in Jesus Christ be firm in the midst of your challenges and the LORD would surely make a way for you. Stay Calm in Christ.

How good is Abortion for Christians?

Posted by Ekundayo Jan 24, 2016 Holy Word, Family, Podcast, Youths abortion, murder 1 Comment

Induced abortion is a deliberate termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus resulting to death.

I was interested in this topic when I stumbled on the statistical figures below:
In 2014, Planned Parenthood wasted the lives of 327,653 babies in the United States. And most women that engaged in the abortion claimed to be Christians. Protestant and catholic women got 42% and 27%. About 18% of all induced evacuation of fetus in the United States each year are performed on teenagers.

According to World Health Organization, every year in the world there are an estimated 40-50 million abortions. This corresponds to approximately 125,000 abortions per day.

Why is Induced Evacuation Becoming Popular?

• Some couples chose abortion when the birth control technique fails them.
• The unmarried woman will not want her parents and Pastor to know that she’s no more a virgin.
• Women engage in abortion because giving birth to the baby will interfere with their job, school or other responsibilities.
• Some women embrace induced evacuation of fetus with the excuse of poverty.
• Some Doctors encourage women suffering from health complication to opt for the act.

Abortion had been legalized in many countries and a lot of people are pleased with this man-made law.

God’s View on Abortion

When God created Adam and Eve, He proclaimed an automation of mass reproduction to their sperms and eggs respectively. When the sperm fuses the egg, fertilization takes place and new person is formed.

Genesis chapter 1 verses 27 and 28 say: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…”

God formulated sex for married couples only. So, He did not expect any unmarried woman to solve any problem through abortion.
Don’t allow some medical experts to deceive you that an 8 weeks fetus is not a living being. All medical scientists knew that once fertilization takes place, a living being is formed. If you abort any pregnancy, then it implies murdering the innocent life in your womb.

God does not support the act of induced abortion. Revelation chapter 21 verses 8 says: “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”.

How to avoid UNWANTED PREGNANCY

There is no verse in the Bible that supports induced abortion. Thus, Christians seeking the kingdom of God must not obey the man-made law that supports such.
1. Married couples tired of child birth should avoid mating that could lead to fertilization.
2. Single women to stay away from fornication.
3. Women that give priority to other things at the cost of child bearing should ‘zip-up’.

Evacuation could only take place if the fetus lost his/her life in the womb due to the poor health of the womb or the mother.

Induced abortion in the early weeks of pregnancy is regarded as a harmless practice by some doctors. But God did not approve the deliberate act of evacuating the unborn.
Anyone that says abortion is right should imagine him/herself aborted!!