Now That I Am A Christian Colossians 2:6-9 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in...

The More of Jesus Matthew 14:13-21 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowd heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassions on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves." But...

How Important is Prayer James 5:13-18 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be...

Prepare the Way for the Lord's Coming Matthew 3:1-11 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lords coming! Clear the road for him! Johns clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate...

Trusting in the Lord Psalm 121:1-8 I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The...

A Fresh Look at Compassion Philippians 2:1-11 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Dont be selfish; dont try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Dont look out only for your own interests, but take...

How to Get Out of the Dog House 1 Peter 3:8-12 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Dont repay evil for evil. Dont retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking...

The Heresies of Hell Everyone goes to heaven because Jesus paid for everyone's sins (aka "Christian" Universalism) Everyone goes to heaven eventually. Hellfire is purifyng not punishing (aka Ultimate Reconciliation) Why does a loving God send people to hell for all eternity? People aren't sent to hell, they choose to go there. People want out of hell but not into heaven. Heaven would be hell with evil doers. People in hell keep sinning. Sin is worse than we think. Hell is torment not...

Facing Spiritual Forces Ephesians 6:10-20 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of Gods armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of Gods armor so you will be able to resist the enemy...

Why Some Christians Tithe Malachi 3:10-12 "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord of heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies....

Why Choose Jesus John 20:1-18 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, They have taken the Lords body out of the tomb, and we dont know where they have put him! Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb...

Lessons From the Life of St. Patrick Slavery John 8:31-36 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." "But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, 'You will be set free'?" Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a...

The Lord Is My Helper Hebrews 13:1-6 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery....

Wanting More Acts 2:17-21, 37-41 "In the last days," God says, "I will pour out my Spirit unto all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants-men and women alike-and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below-blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before...

Pastor Bode Akindele

Rejection & Acceptance Jesus Understands Isaiah 53:2-3 There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. John 1:10-11 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have...

Urgent Times Romans 13:8-14 Owe nothing to anyoneexcept for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of Gods law. For the commandments say, You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet. Theseand other such commandmentsare summed up in this one commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of Gods law. This is all the more urgent,...

The Trial of Temptation Luke 22:31-33, 39-46 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you." Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, "Pray that you will not...

Focusing on the Last Days Matthew 24:3-14 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? Jesus told them, Dont let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, I am the Messiah. They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but dont panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end wont follow immediately. Nation...

The Christmas Story: More Profound Than You Know Luke 1:26-35 In the sixth month of Elizabeths pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. Dont be afraid, Mary, the angel told her, for you have found favor with...

#Blessed Genesis 25:24-28 And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins! The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau. Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau's heel. So they named him Jacob. When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved...

Staying Focused Philippians 4:4-9 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it againrejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Dont worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience Gods peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one...