Christian Living – Page 2 – TREM Marks Gate

Dcn Niyi Olajide – Rest in the Midst of Challenges

Rest in the Midst of Challenges – A powerful and liberating message delivered by Deacon Niyi Olajide at TREM Dagenham.

What Christmas without Christ? by Deacon Abiodun Adebisi

Christmas is truly “the most wonderful time of the year.” That song blaring on most television and radio channels at this time captures the mood of the season. I hope it does the reason for the season.

It’s the end of the year when everyone could do with a well-deserved holiday or visit friends and family, give their homes a make-over, display beautiful Christmas lights, exchange greeting cards and give gifts to loved ones as well as the needy as a gesture of “goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14 KJV).

God loves all that because love is his nature. The scripture says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1John 4:8 NIV). In fact it was the love of God for mankind that propelled Him to send his only begotten Son to the world as propitiation for our sins, that He might redeem us, for we lost it big time with the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. What the scripture says is, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).

However, it’s not our gesture of goodwill that gives us right standing before God. It’s our intimate relationship with him. The scripture likens all our righteousness to “filthy rags” before God if we fail to take advantage of the redemption from sin for which Jesus Christ came into the world (Isaiah 64:6 KJV). The significance of his birth lies in his mission. That’s what makes Christmas Christmas.

The eating and drinking and general Christmas merry making is good, no doubt. But is Christmas an opportunity to sleep around and drink to stupor? Far from it. In fact, that contradicts everything Christmas stands for. The kingdom of God is not about that, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17 KJV). Righteousness is of the Lord, his peace is beyond human understanding and it is he who gives joy that keeps flowing like a river (Isaiah 54:17; Philippians 4:7; Psalm 46:4). Let’s remember this as we sing, “Joy to the world…”

In case you’ve been seeing your goodwill as a passport to heaven, think again. That mindset is what the scripture describes as “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…”, a characteristic of the last days (2Timothy 3:5 KJV). The word of God says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). You can’t possibly please him without faith (Hebrews 11:6). Your faith in God is consummated when you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus (Romans 10:9-10 KJV). That’s how to be saved. It’s as simple as that.

The world may laugh at you as you do this. Let them laugh. It’s because the only means of reconciliation to God which he himself approves looks foolish to the world: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1Corinthians 1:18 KJV).

Accepting Christ is the best decision you will ever make and you have no reason to be ashamed of the gospel. Apostle Paul boldly declares, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). This admonition comes with a stern warning from Jesus though: “But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:33 NIV).

One more thing that Christmas is not. It’s not about ghost stories or supernatural tales. There’s only one story which the scripture captures so vividly:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV).

What Christmas then without Christ? Let’s bear in mind the reason for the season as we celebrate. Merry Christmas!

Deacon Abiodun Adebisi
Deacon Abiodun Adebisi, a National Officer with The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) writes from the United Kingdom.

God’s Rest by Deaconess Yemi Adesanya

Deaconess Yemi Adesanya of TREM Dagenham preaches a challenging message for today’s restless generation.

This is Your Season of Liberty by Pastor Abiodun Adesanya

This is a message preached by Pastor Abiodun Adesanya at TREM Dagenham where he addresses spiritual blockades and obstacles and declares ‘enough is enough’. In an anointed delivery, he declares boldly that this is the Season of Liberty. Note: This is an impromptu amateur video shot on impulse and so excuse the footage and key in to the message.

Be Sober, Be Vigilant by Deacon Abiodun Adebisi

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Watch the Labels
Whenever we go shopping and I keep off the ‘Rebel’ brand, even my wife gives me that look that says it all, ‘Darling, aren’t you being unduly sentimental about these things?’ Nice products, no doubt, but I would not be adorned in a ‘Rebel’ outfit. The same goes for the ‘Criminal’ and ‘Animal’ labels. All very beautiful products…but there’s something about their names. The inscription (perhaps I’m “old school”) projects not just the product but also the person using it, and I would not like to be seen as a rebel, a criminal or an animal!

And I have seen more worrisome inscriptions on the streets of London. I’ve seen ‘Disturbed’, ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and ‘Kiss the Boys and Make Them Cry’ on some T-shirts and ‘Dirty Pig’ on some jumpers. My take is, if the inscription didn’t align with your thinking, you wouldn’t even buy the product, talk less adorn it with pride. What the scripture tells me is, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7).

For Christ’s sake, it’s a free world, and people are free to wear what they like! I agree. Just as they’re free to be identified as sons and daughters of God or as ‘sons of Belial’ and ‘daughters of Jezebel’ but all our choices have consequences – even our choice of food and drinks!

Perhaps we should also look at the names of some drinks. There’s a drink called ‘Hooligans’ and another called ‘Monster’. Perfectly legitimate. Freedom. Yes, people are free to identify with and be identified as hooligans and monsters, but not me.

William Shakespeare says in Romeo and Juliet: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.”

Not so with our God. Otherwise, Jesus Christ would not have been given a name that is above every other name; it’s the name at which every knee must bow (Philippians 2:9-11). The scripture says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Jacob had his name changed to Israel (Genesis 35:10). Similarly Abram had a name change and became Abraham (Genesis 17:5). Even now, anyone named Esubiyi (‘a child of the devil’) would like a name change to Oluwabiyi (‘a child of God’) – if they believe in God, that is. So there’s much in a name – from God’s perspective and from the perspective of those of us called by his name. (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Mind your Language
Why make so much fuss about such an “innocuous” thing as a product name? If that’s how you see it, wait until you see how language is adapting to sin so much so that it is obliterating it. Very soon, the word “sin” will no longer be found in the dictionary, or at best it would be classified as “archaic”. Adultery is fast becoming an outdated word. These days, the “cool” terms are “affair” and “fling”. Do you hear the word “promiscuity” any more? All you hear these days is “one night stand”. A prostitute is now dignified with the title “call girl”, “scarlet woman”, “escort”, “working girl” or “business girl”.

And because it is now conventional for “partners” to move in and cohabit, you hardly hear the word “fornication” any more. Although God says, “flee fornication”, people do just the opposite as they tend to run towards it as if it is magnetic. Little wonder the scripture says, “…the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7).

When last did you hear the word “stealing” used? These days, people “nick”; they don’t steal. So much for the “observance” of the commandment, “Thou shalt not steal!” (Exodus 20:15). Isn’t sin now being glorified? One of the strategies of the devil is to present sin as fun. Beloved, it is not. That’s why the scripture warns us not to be ignorant of the devil’s devices (2Corinthians 2:11).

“Sodomy” and “homosexuality” are fast disappearing from the vocabulary because they are considered stigmatising, in line with global “best practices” or political correctness! The “cool” term now is “sexual orientation” as if being “straight” and being “gay” are two sides of the same coin. Anyone who says homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God is straightaway branded homophobic. Not that homosexuals are keen on the kingdom though. But believers have a duty to let them know that God loves them and wants them to repent and make heaven.

Be sober, be vigilant
The devil is very crafty. He tries to control state apparatus by exploiting people’s obsession with greed and power to install them in strategic positions to do his bidding. Often he goes about it surreptitiously; but sometimes he does it brazenly. The “harmless” brand names, the use of chip and pin, regional currencies, the gradual progression toward a world currency and the drumbeats of a new world order are examples of the surreptitious. With globalisation, it is possible to wreck the economy of “recalcitrant countries” and get them to tow the line. The world is truly under the ubiquitous eye of Big Brother as portrayed in George Orwell’s futuristic novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four.

The legalisation of homosexuality and demonisation of the people on the Lord’s side who oppose the practice is a brazen act. That’s why homosexuality is spreading worldwide like wildfire and the saints are being persecuted. The few countries which say No to the practice may be strangulated economically, financially or even militarily. Homosexuality may well become a state religion, but does that make it right? The state may rewrite the bible to expunge the “offensive” doctrines or ban it outright, but does that make the word of God in Matthew 24:35 that “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” of no effect or invalidate Revelation 22:18-19?

I remember coming across a Facebook post to the effect that slavery, the holocaust and segregation were all legal, so the state should not be used as a metric for ethics. How so true! Let’s remember, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1Corinthians 6:12).

Truly, the end time is here. It’s as if the devil is on the rampage, not sparing the church of God. There is aggressive recruitment of famous and beautiful celebrities, including ex-gospel singers, to sell their souls to the devil in order to lure youths into darkness (2 Corinthians 11:13-14; Matthew 24:24). The devil’s ministers have also infiltrated the house of God, parading themselves as agents of light, teaching heresy which is swallowed hook, line and sinker by the gullible as these ministers play on their ignorance. However, ignorance is no defence before God because He has made the truth available unto us that we may not perish (Hosea 4:6; John 8:32).

Believers are required to be vigilant. The scripture says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8). This write-up has attempted to highlight some of his devices so that we will not be caught napping. We should always read between the lines and be sensitive in the spirit. We must present our bodies “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” (Romans 12:1), avoid “corrupt communication” and speak only that which edifies (Ephesians 4:29).

One thing we must know. The devil is not likely to appear with a husky voice wearing a mascara face with horns on his head any more. He now wears Prada. He is eloquent and soft-spoken and can easily sway crowds to his side. But his mission remains the same: “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). That’s why we need to put on the whole armour of God as highlighted in Ephesians 6:10-18. In spite of all that is going on all around us, we have responsibility to shine and beam the light of God to a dark world so that the world may see our good works and glorify Our Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:15).

The “roaring lion” may be on the prowl, but the Lion of the tribe of Judah is more than able to keep the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3; John 10:27-30). We shall not fall prey in Jesus’ name.

Deacon Abiodun Adebisi
Deacon Abiodun Adebisi, a National Officer with The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) writes from the United Kingdom.

Secret Formula For Solving Problems

“Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward” – Job 5:7

Problems are natural, they are part of the package that becomes available to us as human beings from birth! Trouble is a birth package! One of the most important things you will need to learn if you want to make progress in life is how to solve problems. Problems are the exams of life, no tests, no triumphs, no examinations no promotions!

This is why you need to truly understand the content of this article. If you can master how to solve problems, you have mastered 50% of all you need to learn to get your life where you want it to be.

Let me warm you into this with a story – Once upon a time, a father tried so hard to read for his exams, but he was constantly distracted by his 5 year old son. The little boy had not had enough of his dad’s time and he was demanding for it. Asking him questions, enquiring about what he was reading, doing all it takes to be there.

The father, not wanting to destroy his son’s hope and enthusiasm decided to give him some work to do. He reached out for a magazine, found a page with the picture of the world, tore it up in pieces and gave it to the excited young boy to put together again. In his mind, if the he could get his son working on a problem that tough, he would get up to an hour to read, and the boy out of boredom would fall asleep. To his utter shock and amazement, the boy was back with the world completely and correctly re-arranged, in less than 4 minutes! How he did it, is how you will solve every problem you have as well!

The father quizzed you little boy, “How on earth did you get that done so fast?” The boy smiled at his father, and revealed the secret. He explained to this dad that he saw that at the back of the world map were fragments of the face of a man, and that by putting the man’s face back together, the world came back together. The boy by re-arranging the man, he re-arranged the world.

What are the lessons this 5 year old boy can teach us?

1. How you see the Problem is the Problem! Now that statement may sound simple to you, it’s not! I say this with all sense of emphasis that whatever problem you face is really a problem because of the way you see it! All problems are perceived as they are, based on the lens through which we analyse them. The boy saw a human face which he could arrange; the father saw a world map which the son could never arrange. You need to change how you see your problems, look through the lens of universal eternal principles, and your position will be authentic.

2. Don’t look for the world, look for the man! Your problem is not anybody else, your problem is you! Our problems with ourselves manifest in relating with others, but the root problems are with us! To fix the world, fix you! By focusing on our circle of influence, we expand our influence. Trust me, the problem is not how you see it, the problem is also not the other person, if you change, your energy will change, if your energy changes, the world and people around you will change!

By Charles Ezeh

Stop, Reverse and Maybe, Pull Over

STOP!!!

Stop! You have travelled that road for a while now, but is it taking you to where you are going? Stop! When did you last take an audit of your life holistically? Are you really making progress? Stop! It’s insanity to increase speed, when direction is not sure. Stop! Take counsel, in the multitude of counsel, there is safety! Stop and think, thinking is work, but you need to discontinue what you are doing, and give 1 hour of serious thought to your future – on earth and eternally.

All is not lost!

Let me be brutally honest with you. There are areas in which we have slept, and there is a re-awakening in the spirit.

If in the last 1yr you have not been the reason for anyone following Christ, it simply means you are not following Christ. The proof of our follower-ship, is that we are also building followers for Christ. There is no amount of financing the gospel, ushering or cleaning chairs that frees you from that eternal responsibility. If in the last few years you have not been bearing fruit, you are still alive, all is not lost!

If your expense is equal to or greater than your income today, you will weep tomorrow if you don’t correct the current reality! It doesn’t matter what you are earning, if you have not built a discipline that ensures you have at least triple your monthly income in escrow yearly, you are playing with arms! If you haven’t gotten it right in the last few years, you can start doing something today, all is not lost!

If you call Jesus Lord, but are not actively involved in doing the Father’s Will – forget the kingdom of heaven! If you are however humble enough to realise you don’t know his will nor have been following it, all is not lost!

It’s happening already!

There is a great outpouring coming upon the land. The batons are changing hands, as God executes His will in the earth. This will be characterised by strong conviction, leading men and women to God, and would be championed and financed by people who God is preparing. We will witness the powers of the age to come! Are you in place?

Ignorance is not an excuse! Get the facts at all costs (Prov 23:23). God is recruiting the elect, do not be left out!

By Charles Ezeh

Get Up!

This is not a poem.
Life is tough.
Get up.
When the enemy knocks you off your feet, get some sand in your hands and throw it in his eyes.
Then get up.
If he’s holding you down on the ground somewhere, grab him by the leg and bite him with all your strength.
Then get up.
The enemy doesn’t fight fair; well, neither do you.
Kick him in the groin.
Then get up.
You?
You are never out of the fight, and the fight is never out of you.
Get up.

Negotiate.
No matter the situation; negotiate.
When the landlord says he will throw your property on the street.
Negotiate.
When he throws your property on the street.
Negotiate; with him or with someone else.
When your bills are overdue.
Negotiate and renegotiate.
You can always negotiate.
Never close your mouth in the face of adversity.
When you are going after that contract.
Negotiate, or fight.
You are never out of the fight.
You are never out of the negotiation.
Negotiate or fight.
Then get up.

Life is tough.
Refuse to give up.
When faith seems futile, refuse to give up.
When the word hasnt manifested yet; stubbornly refuse to give up.
When depression tries to become your room mate.
Refuse it.
When life is hard to live.
Refuse to die.
When adversity comes.
Refuse to be intimidated.
When you are refused.
Refuse to be refused.
Refuse, negotiate, or fight.
And then get up.

Get up!!

By Chakadizulu

Why Did You Ruin My Life Mom?

Obinna had recently gotten a job but the salary was meager.

He rented a small but neat apartment and decided to marry Oluchi who had been by his side while he was in the University.

He knew they would have to live on a tight budget but trusted that God would bless the work of his hands and cause him to prosper along the way.

Oluchi had happily taken him home to meet her mother so they could proceed with their wedding plans.

She got a rude shock when her mother blatantly refused Obinna on the grounds that Obinna is a struggling young man.

She had prayed that her daughter would marry a wealthy man with a nice big house, cars etcetera. Oluchi was therefore a disappointment for bringing someone like Obinna home to her.

Many attempts to get her mom to accept Obinna proved abortive. No one could talk to her nor reason with her.

Oluchi’s mom further ensured that she said and did things to separate her daughter and Obinna. Finally, she succeeded as Obinna and Oluchi, with heavy hearts, bade each other farewell.

Tony, Michael, Chibuzor all came one after the other to ask for Oluchi in marriage afterwards.

Her mom equally rejected them, for the same reason. They were not rich enough, therefore, not good enough for her daughter.

By now, Oluchi’s mom had made life difficult for her daughter for bringing “the wrong kind of men” home.

Therefore, for peace sake, Oluchi brings Frank, who fits the description of the wealthy son in law she prayed for home to introduce to her mom as her fiancé.

Oluchi knew that she did not really care for the man and deep down, knew he could not make her happy. However, she was tired of the cold treatments from her mother and had gotten to the point she just wanted to marry and move out of the house.

Dancing for joy, Oluchi’s mom congratulates her daughter and ended the cold shoulder she had been giving her daughter.

After the wedding, Oluchi tolerated her husband, whereas her mom enjoyed all the benefits of being an in law to a wealthy son in law.

After they had a child, things took a nose dive for Frank. He could no longer afford to stay in the nice big house, so they moved to a tiny apartment in a rickety part of town.

All the money and comfort was now gone. They could barely afford to eat. Sometimes, Oluchi had to go to her mom’s to obtain food or some money to fend for her family, especially for her little daughter.

On her way home from her mom’s one day, a car pulled up beside her. It was Obinna, her ex fiancé.

Obinna was shocked to see Oluchi so dishevelled and unkempt looking. He asked her to get in the car, asking directions to her home.

As he dropped her off, he made her confide in him and she narrated the difficulties that had befallen her within five short years.

Clearly, Oluchi had become a bitter and angry woman, filled with pain and regrets.

Obinna on the other hand had become financially comfortable, with a nice big house, nice cars and a happy and contented wife and kid.

Obinna drove off with a promise to return and when he did days afterwards: gave lots of money to Oluchi to start a business.

He brought lots of diapers, food, clothes, toys and drugs for Oluchi and Frank’s baby. He also bought food stuff in bulk for the family and even gave Oluchi money and food stuffs for her to give to her mother.

As Oluchi handed the items to her mom, she asked her mom why she ruined her life, weeping bitterly, a question her mother was too ashamed to answer.

Oluchi is now separated from her husband, raising their child alone, whereas Obinna and the other men she genuinely cared for after him have all moved on happily in matrimony.

Yvonne says: There is no denying the influence of mothers in our lives and the Bible commands us to honour and respect our parents, however, you cannot blame anyone for the outcome of your life. You have to take responsibility for your life: decisions, actions and reactions, even to parental counsel.

Oluchi’s mother’s reason for rejecting Obinna and the other men Oluchi genuinely cared for afterwards is wrong.

While I understand that no parent wants their child or children to experience lack, I frown at parents who push their child or children into matrimony for the sake of financial liberation and the power that comes with it, regardless of whether or not their child or children will be happy in the union.

Please, if you are presently doing that or intend to, Stop it. Remember that wealth can evaporate tomorrow.

As a parent, your concern should be the happiness, peace, well being and longevity of your child’s marital home.

I understand that money is important for all of these factors to fall in place but money is not and will never be a sole determinant of these.

Do not singlehandedly be the source of your child’s marital unfulfillment, frustration and failure.

Instead, pray for the prosperity and wealth of your child and his/her spouse, especially when you can see that he/she is someone going somewhere to happen.

I equally pray that God will help Oluchi (all real names withheld), heal from the pain and bitterness, forgive her mother and restore her marital life.

Her marital life may not be the best choice she made, but she is already in it.

May God’s grace reunite her and her husband and grant her inner peace and affection for her husband, as God’s grace teaches her husband to be the sort of man that she may grow to care deeply for or love someday.

May God also restore her husband’s finances.

I am certain that Oluchi’s mom will no longer interfere in their lives now.

May God help us all in Jesus name, Amen!

Until next time, I love you with the love of God! Shalom!

Spread the Word, Share!

Disciplines Of The Wealthy Part 1

If you practice these disciplines, you will become wealthy.

A study of wealthy people shows these disciplines are their points of similarities, and like the wise one said, “Everybody can walk on water, If they know where the stones are”.

I’d like to start with the discipline of making their passion their vocation!

If you see anyone complaining about their job and eager to close early, then you have seen someone who will not be wealthy. Clearly, their work is not their passion! They are stuck with it to make ends meet, but they are squandering their dreams. Wealthy people make their passions their vocation! They find what they genuinely enjoy doing, and put their energies behind it.

Some people can’t seem to understand why some people don’t seem to have closing time. They seem to enjoy working and feel fulfilled making things happen. When you find that spot in life, then it’s all a matter of time and the application of the other disciplines.

Greatness is found in the intersection of passion, skill and economic value.

Stop wasting your life trying to survive; there is more to life than breathing.

By Charles Ezeh