Friday, 16 September 2016

Day Ten. #RunToWin

Day Ten. #RunToWin

I read about this young, vibrant pastor who GOD used to speak against the evil in the government of his day.
God so supported him that even the nation's president was subdued before him.

I didn't find his name from where I read about him--he died nameless!

Have you also read about him? He's the young prophet in 1 Kings 13.

He began well, but his lack of a strong resolve  finished him, before he finished his race.

Many of us mirror this young prophet.
We begin as live hot coals ��; but as we begin to soften our consecration, we become warm... normal... and ultimately turn cold.

*To render a pot of hot water cold may not require dilution with cold water, one may just need to put it off fire, and leave it for a period of time.

To win, the fire on the altar must not go out.

Grace to you,
#RunToWin

Day Eleven. #RunToWin 

Day Eleven. #RunToWin 

Would you ever expect Nigerian amateur tennis player to defeat Serena Williams?
Or do you expect Togo to triumph over the US or Russia in war? 

I don’t think so. 

But you see, strong men don’t always finish strong!
Goliath had enough winners medals, all David had was a story of how he had fought Lions and Bears. 

Wait a minute, would you have believed that young lad? 

But the lad won, and the champion lost. 

It’s this simple: Those who rely solely on their ability will never make the podium. 

This is Ifeoluwa Fatoki encouraging you to #RunToWin. 

Grace to you, and peace. 

Good evening. 

Day Nine. #RunToWin

Day Nine. #RunToWin

At the mention of the name Samson, we are quick to think of his powerful exploits, but as I searched the Scriptures more, I think of his lust for women too.

Samson was singled out by GOD in his generation for exploits, but he nearly missed the podium.

Samson did not fancy money like Judas, I don't think he was given to wine or material things either--his lust was after women.

There is some bad news here: we all have our "species of lust!"

But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).

And our lust doesn't kill us immediately, it gradually injures us, leaving us weaker with each blow, before finally knocking us out.

If injured, a footballer only misses a few minutes, in order to get help from the medic, but if he pretends to be fine, and refuses help, he will definitely miss many games afterwards.

There's only one place to return to, for treatment this evening. It is The Throne of Grace.

That's where I'm headed right now.

Hope you're coming too?

Day Fifteen. #RunToWin

Day Fifteen. #RunToWin

It was Daniel Kolenda who said "Repentance is a practice of righteous."
It couldn't be more true.

Simon Peter stumbled quite a number of times in his race, but he did make the podium.

What if Malchus had bled to death when he chopped off his ear... That's murder!

You remember well that he denied JESUS CHRIST on three separate occasions....

Considering his intimacy with Christ, I know it would have taken a lot of expertise to successfully deny JESUS CHRIST.

We all stumble, and sometimes we need it to remain humble.

However, in true repentance lies fresh strength to forge ahead, and that's how we #RunToWin.

First half gone, how is the race going with you?

Blessings always.

Day Fourteen. #RunToWin

Day Fourteen. #RunToWin

I know some guys who had a very privileged upbringing.
Their father, a pastor, was the number one Christian in their nation at that time (equivalent to our own CAN president)

These guys grew up to become pastors too...but they didn't make the podium!

You remember Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli?

They misused their offices, and were replaced. Instead of ending up as victors on the podium, they ended as victims of war.

Lionel Messi has his achievements in football already. However, that does not guarantee that his son(s) will become successful footballer(s).

Running to win is not hereditary, so I'm encouraging you to #RunToWin.

Grace to you always.

Day Thirteen. #RunToWin

Day Thirteen. #RunToWin

Amnon was David's first son. I see him as crown prince. He could have succeeded David as King, but his story didn't end that way.

Instead of ending as king, he was murdered in cold blood.

Amnon had prospects, but he didn't end well.
Autopsy report revealed that he died of two causes:

•Amnon had an inordinate desire that he couldn't master. He was so obsessed with Tamar, that he was willing to do anything to lay with her!

•He didn't have the best of company! Though Jonadab was his cousin and friend, he wasn't a man of Godly Ideas.

In fact, Jonadab was the first person to announce that Amnon didn't make the podium - he announced his death.

*If we desire to #RunToWin, then we must watch the desires we harbour (enemy within) and the company we keep (enemy without)*

Enjoy the rain.
Blessings always.
Good evening.

Day Twelve. #RunToWin

Day Twelve. #RunToWin

King Saul was not really a bad guy. If he was, do you think GOD would have considered him for kingship?
I don't think so.

GOD made him king, but ended up rejecting him...

What could have happened? ��

Many things did happen:
In fact, prior the "Agag-drama", he had already fumbled.

You know the story, there was war, no doubt he was under pressure, but instead of waiting on GOD, he sought the alternative of helping himself.

*Those who run on their own strength only compete, they don't win!*

Let me put Isaiah 40:31 this way: Those who wait upon The LORD shall receive renewed strength to forge ahead.

And that's how you and I can #RunToWin

May The LORD bless and encourage you. Amen

Good evening.

Saturday, 10 September 2016

Day Eight. #RunToWin

Day Eight. #RunToWin

There were many casualties between Egypt and Canaan. Even Miriam, Aaron and Moses couldn't make Canaan.

There is this man however, who seemed to have escaped.
He crossed 251km River Jordan (some say Lagos to Ilorin is about 254km), he ate manna, and was even privileged to watch high-Jericho crumble.
But he missed out.

This man is Achan.

What happened?
He coveted and stole "a beautiful robe imported from Babylon; and some silver worth $200, and a bar of gold worth $500..." (Joshua 8:21 TLB)

I think he wanted to supplement whatever provision God makes for him in the promised land.

In simple terms, running to win requires living within God's supply for our needs, to live outside it is to miss the podium.

Good evening.
Grace to you.

Day Seven. #RunToWin.

Day Seven. #RunToWin.

Many people have lived since the creation of the world. Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Noah, Enoch, David, Gehazi, Paul, Diotrephes... The list is endless.

All of these guys share some things in common: they lived in Bible times.

What's more? They just went about living their lives. I don't think they knew that their races were recorded for us!

Maybe if they knew, they all would have run to win.

There's definitely not going to be another Bible, but how we choose to live now, determines how our races will end.

Let's trust God for timeless treasures as we begin close examination of certain characters, who ran their races in Bible times, from tomorrow.

Let's check together what was responsible for their ending in a bid to help us make the podium.

Good evening.

Day Six. #RunToWin

Day Six. #RunToWin

"You've all being to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.(MSG)
To win the contest; you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best..."(TLB)
1 Corinthians 9:24,25

Keeping beards may be trendy, but that's not for a military man.
While he was Nigerian Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar always had a clean shave, he has enough beards now.
He's retired anyway.

What's the point this evening?
There may be things you like to do, but finishing on the podium may require you to deny yourself such.

Paul The Apostle put it this way:
Just because something is technically legal, doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate... " (1 Corinthians 6:12 MSG)

In short, all things may be lawful, but all things are not ultimately helpful.

#RunToWin.

Good evening.

Day Five. #RunToWin

Day Five. #RunToWin

If the average speed of a vehicle on a journey is 105km/hr, then it has some implications:

•The vehicle did not begin at that speed,
•Being the average speed denotes variation.

Beyond these two, however lies the consistency principle, and to finish on the podium requires this principle.

If the brakes are applied when the vehicle attains a speed of 140km/hr, and the vehicle is brought to a halt, will it resume its journey at 140km/hr?

To win, we must keep on beholding Him always.
To apply the brakes in our relationship with HIM is dangerous if we desire to RunToWin.

Good evening.

Day Four. #RunToWin

Day Four. #RunToWin

A man may serve well, and yet miss the podium.

Sound engineers may be so busy attending to the mixer and speakers they may not even hear the topic, let alone the body of the sermon.

Dear poor Martha was distracted with service, which wasn't seemingly bad anyway, but she was missing the one needful virtue for making the podium:
Unbroken Fellowship with The Master

Working for GOD guarantees medals, but reaching the podium to pick those medals is guaranteed by walking with Him.

Good evening.
#RunToWin.

Day Three. #RunToWin.

Day Three. #RunToWin.

Martha almost missed it! Although she had received JESUS CHRIST into her home, she wasn't doing what HE wanted. She was in the kitchen, but Christ needed her at his feet.

Our tasks may vary; but someday we shall all come to a halt. If we will finish well, the knowledge of what we were meant to do is pivotal.

It's not just about doing something, it is about doing the right thing.

Martha was doing something, but alas, it was not the right thing for that moment.

To get it right, we need to return to The LORD, trembling with this question, "LORD, what do you (really) want me to do." (Acts 9:6, NKJV, Emphasis mine)

To win, one must play by the rules, this is one of such.

I'm encouraging you to #RunToWin.

Good morning.

Friday, 2 September 2016

Day 2 #Run to win

Day Two. #RunToWin 

Moses was a man whom The LORD knew face-to-face. The Scriptures also tell us that God spoke to him as friend.
One more thing; he wrote the most number of books in the Old Testament!

However, Apostle Paul "outdid" Moses, in that about 13 books were credited to him in the New Testament, BUT Paul didn't start well.

Though Paul was running, he ran in a different direction, and for many years. 
*"To run in a different direction is to miss the crown, no matter how fast you can run"*

Religious Zeal or Good Religious History is not equal to personal knowledge of Christ. Until Paul knew Christ, he wasn't recognized as an athlete. 

Enlistment comes before the race. Have you been enlisted? Do you really know Christ? 

This is Ifeoluwa Fatoki encouraging you to #RunToWin.

Open heaven

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2016

THEME: HIS ALMIGHTINESS!

Memorise:
"Thou art The God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared thy strength among the people." Psalms 77:14

Read: Psalms 107:1-9, (KJV)
1. O give thanks unto The Lord, for He is Good: for His Mercy endureth for ever.
2. Let the redeemed of The Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3. And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6. Then they cried unto The Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8. Oh that men would praise The Lord for His Goodness, and for His Wonderful Works to the children of men!
9. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

MESSAGE
A. The Bible presents The Name of God as the cumulative self-disclosure of God to His people.
1. Therefore, The Name of God and The Person of God are inseparably related.
2. As a matter of fact, whenever The Scripture mentions God by any of His Names, it is an attempt to invoke God in His fullness.
3. When we call on The Name of God, God is worshiped and adored.
4. Genesis 21:33
"Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on The Name of The Lord, The Everlasting God.
5. When a people forget The Name of God, they lose His Presence.
6. Jeremiah 23:27
who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal.
7. And when we take The Name of God in vain, God is personally profaned and offended.
8. Exodus 20:7
"You shall not take the name of The Lord Your God in vain, for The Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.

B. 'The Almighty' is one of the popular Names ascribed to God to showcase His Divine Strength.
1. The strength of God is made known in Creation, Providence, Redemption, and The Empowering of believers to do exploit in this world.
2. Psalms 19:1 says:
"The Heavens declare The Glory of God; and The Firmament sheweth His Handwork."
3. The Bible reveals that The Almightiness of God could be clearly seen in nature and understood through The Complex Design of the things that were created.
4. It is a wonder to observe The World with its Archaeology, Geography, Animals and Human inhabitants.
5. It is more breathtaking to considerThe Design and Operations of The Universe as a well ordered whole, where Celestial Bodies of Humongous Sizes and Weights are revolving around their stars at a frightening speed and accuracy.
6. One cannot help but imagine The Awesomeness of The Almighty Designer and Creator of The Universe.

C. All power in Heaven and on Earth belongs to God, and He is unquestionable. 1. His Almightiness in providence gives Him the prerogative to do as He pleases.
2. Psalms 135:6 says;
"Whatsoever The Lord pleased, that did He in Heaven, and in Earth, in The Seas, and all Deep Places."
3. The Book of Daniel 4:35 went on to proclaim that,
"And all the inhabitants of The earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His Will in The Army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of The Earth: and none can stay His Hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?"
4. God is Almighty in Redemption according to Exodus 6:6 and Ephesians 1:19 which both talk about the exceeding greatness of His Power that delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt and raised Jesus Christ from The dead.
5. Exodus 6:6-"Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I Am The Lord; I will Bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will Rescue you from their bondage, and I will Redeem you with An Outstretched Arm and with Great Judgments."
6. Ephesians 1:19 -"and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power"
7. His Almightiness is further revealed in Revelations 6:15:
"And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains."

D. Everything in Creation is subject to His Almighty Power and He has made these available to all that will accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
1. Are you faced with challenges beyond your ability?
2. Ask for The Divine Support of the Almighty.  

Prayer Point:
Father, please let Your Awesome Power begin to work in my favour today in Jesus' Name. Amen!

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 13-15 and Psalms 47

AUTHOR: Pastor E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN: IMMORTAL INVINCIBLE GOD ONLY WISE!
1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

4. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light;
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render: O help us to see
Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
EMMANUEL=GOD WITH US!

Thursday, 1 September 2016

Running to Win

Good evening friends,

"Everyone who competes in a race ultimately reaches the finish line, but only a few get to the podium."

Right from tomorrow through September 30, we shall be examining Running to Win

"You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.
All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 MSG

Trust GOD for A Word, that's what I'm doing here too.

Catch you here tomorrow. Please pray along with us.

May The LORD bless you.

Ifeoluwa.

Day One. #RunToWin

Day One. #RunToWin

On the prize-giving day, many scenes abound. There is this very prominent scene however: The best student standing out on the podium, and the "very many" others sitting below.

However, they used to have common factors: They were all offered admissions; had the same time for lectures; and ultimately for their examination papers.

At the end of our stay here will come the prize giving day, when we would have finished our races!
Do you want to make the podium too?

This is Ifeoluwa Fatoki encouraging you to #RunToWin