[Ukemeobong Michael]

Interestingly, I preached this message last sunday in church and I was glad to see a young couple who had only recently joined our Local assembly, come up to indicate interest in being actively involved in different departments in the local assembly. In our local assembly, I do everything I can to make the service go smoothly and I’m not the Pastor. I do the drumming, conga, the technical or logistics and still preach or lead prayer or anything that I’m given to do. Because like I said, its my father’s house so I refuse to be cajoled to do anything. Its how we always did it as @phil4krist can attest to. We do everything so the church (which is you and me), can be built up.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Sure! by the Stripes of Jesus we are healed from every plague and by his death and resurrection, we have divine health. Despite the wonderful advances in medicine, true wholeness comes from Jesus!

[Ukemeobong Michael]

We will keep holding on and encouraging each other to the end. Amen

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thank you @phil4krist for this educative post. Always refreshing to talk about the concept of God’s Kingdom which is the true essence of the Christian life. I will summarize with 5 points, of the words that jumped at me in the Kingdom chat:

– Christianity is not a religion but about culture – the culture of heaven on earth.

– The purpose of Christianity is not to take men to heaven rather to bring heaven to earth – in the hearts of men.

– The kingdom is not after the earth and its properties (For me this means it’s not about acquiring big lands, cars or luxuries to prove like the world does, that we are successful) but after the world’s culture and mindset which is what determines the world’s way of life on earth. This for me is the Kingdom concept. Paul says in Ephesians 6 that we are not fighting against flesh and blood rather we should brace up against the strategies (military tactics) of the evil forces in the unseen world, acting through deception. Also in 2 Corinthians 10:3 he says, that we do not wage war with human weapons but we use God’s mighty weapons (His concept, the Kingdom concept) to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning, corrupt culture and destroy false arguments. This is why we preach the gospel that God’s influence is here now, permeating into the hearts of people.

– The Kingdom of God produces the Church. Wow! Every time someone hears this gospel of the Kingdom and opens up their heart to be influenced by this new culture, a new church is created. So its not when we open a new church office or facility that a new church is created. It reminds me of cell division in elementary biology. Each cell produces its kind by growing then dividing into several cells which become a tissue, many tissues get together to form an organ; then different organs functioning together with the same goal become a system. As we keep up with this gospel, we form a strong SYSTEM on earth governed by the principles of God.

– Lastly, the Kingdom of God is about influencing society and culture and less about religion. I couldn’t agree more. I think this is the meaning of soul winning. The soul is the seat of human will, reason and intellect which runs by information. We win the soul through the information we input in its system and for us its about influencing it to think, decide and act based on the information from God. Praise God!

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks Pst Rick. I believe Christianity without spiritual gifts is just another religion. Spiritual gifts remind us of our supernatural life.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

I really love this. I think this is where the power of any church organ lies. When we work together without rancour or grudge, God’s Spirit and blessing is magnified for the world to see.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thank you @phil4krist for the inspiring post. I like that you said to work on doing and being. I think it was Daisy Osborn who said to, “…work on being, not having”. As discussed, leadership is not about having something or position, its an expression of who you are. While younger, I was not really enthusiastic about a lot of leadership talks or seminars because I felt it was a lot about motivational speakers telling people how to fit their “round pegs in square holes” to strive to achieve some presumed position of greatness. I like that this is not what we are saying here, rather it is about us living out the best version of ourselves.

When we embrace our true nature as defined by the word of God, true leadership shines through inspired by love and grace. I recall during my house job year, I was passionate about ensuring everyone on my team worked together and no one being seen as weak. I avoided the gossips and small talks by stirring up friendships so we just enjoyed supporting each other. The senior doctors actually commented that they’ve not seen a more united team. I was voted the best house officer in the entire hospital that year even though I did not come from that area. I wasn’t looking for it but our light cannot be hid. Sometimes, its even about how we handle other people’s things. After I moved home, my former home manager commented that the house was so clean that you wouldn’t believe that I had kids living there because I ensured that I left the house in a good state. I don’t think I am there yet but I believe these small things matter.

I think of people like Joseph in the bible who demonstrated honesty, sincerity and efficiency wherever he found himself even in prison. He wouldn’t have thought that his way to the throne would come through his diligence in prison. David had been laying his life down for his sheep, fighting the lion and the bear, even in obscurity of the forest before God chose him to be the arguably the greatest King Israel had. Many times we are waiting for that opportunity for a great position but it all can be predicted from the way we treat others today or handle the responsibilities committed to us. We can only give who we are.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks @purposefaith for the lovely and insightful summary. It was an inspiring and educating episode on Kingdom channel.

Reflecting on this subject, I thought about the writer, Apostle Peter whom we all know was a kind of impetuous character among the disciples and so had experienced what he is talking about. From walking on water by faith to near drowning because of unbelief; From the revelation that Jesus is the Christ and Son of the living God to being rebuked by Christ for letting the devil speak through him. He notably cut off a man’s ear, denied Christ, then went back to his fising business before he met the risen Christ and his faith and love got revived. He later led the great revival at the upper room, working great miracles and won thousands of souls into God’s Kingdom.What a transformation in a man! So I can imagine why he was the one to admonish us on these faith supplements. These must be his secret elixir.

Personally, I take these to be the foundation as well as the decorations of a mature Christian. While its good to enjoy the largesse of the Kingdom, it is much better to be established on these supplements if we are to live triumphant Christian lives without spot or wrinkles.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Surely! I can attest to that.This is why we do what we do. We trust God for that paradigm shift in our time. Thank for sharing.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks@elyon for sharing. I can say that I’m in the same boat as you. A bit introverted and just prefer my comfort zone😁. But as I get to fellowship with believers, I look out for that niche that I fill and then I realise that people like us have great grace when we tap into depths of ourselves.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks a lot @purposefaith for sharing. Quite instructive. Yes there are no shortcuts or special impartation to make one suddenly mature. We need to engage in the fellowship to be built up. We need to express our God-given blessings.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks a lot @purposefaith for the wonderful examples you’ve given. You are an example of innovation in child care which is evident in the forum, parenting little ones. I’m sure you’ll have more to tell us with the arrival of the little princess. As stated here, many times people just want to get married and have kids on autopilot, without a clear plan of what they want out of the relationship. This is the source of the restlessness and unfulfilled expectations which engender strife, bitterness and dissensions. Thanks for letting us know we can actually study a few materials or courses to refresh or sharpen our parenting or marital skills.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks @Rebecca. This is an inspiring testimony. You know many people fail because they have not understood what works for them. Its like a fish being asked to climb a tree. So I like that you knew what works for you. There are different kinds of learners, the visual, the audio and the kinaesthetic learners who prefer to feel things like in workshops or 3d images. Knowing this can be an innovative way to deal with yourself, your clients and even your children, Helping to create better appreciation and value in each communication. I remember when I was teaching some college students years ago, when digital technology was in a nascent stage, I usually would bring printed images of what I was teaching about to help them see it and register better in their minds. This made them learn better and faster. So we can be creative in every task we given to do. Great!

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thank you@phil4krist. So true. It is the change of our way of thinking that opens the door to seeing new things. It makes us amenable to divine inspiration because we can believe that anything is possible. Spending time with the Holy Spirit is our secret for creativity and innovation.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks @purposefaith that scripture says a whole lot. its great to imagine ourselves as babies in God’s nursing arms. Babies have no cares because they know their supply is not their responsibility so they can rest assured in their carer’s arm. Jesus said for us to cast our cares on Him because He is our carer. How comforting to know that God has our future planned out and no need to worry.