‘They took note that these men had been with Jesus.’
Acts 4:13 NIV
1. To be ‘under the influence’ means to be controlled by something or someone other than yourself. Who you are, what you are, and where you are today is because you were under the influence of certain people. The company you keep influences your thinking, your thinking influences
2...your actions, your actions influence your character & your character determines your destiny. Influence is impossible to escape. It’s like the weather – always there to be reckoned with. That’s why it’s essential to monitor your children’s use of the internet, what they watch
3...on TV & the company they keep because these things can influence them for good or evil. And if you’re really wise, you’ll spend time under the influence of Jesus. You’ll read His Word and spend time with Him in prayer. Indeed, the more time you spend with Him, the more you’ll
4..become like Him. When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they were transformed to the extent that some people thought they were drunk. But Peter said: ‘These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only 9 in the morning! No, this is what
5...was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people”’ (Acts 2:15-17). Two chapters later, we read this: ‘When they saw the courage of Peter & John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and..
6..they took note that these men had been with Jesus’ (v. 13 NIV). And today the Holy Spirit, who is simply the influence of Christ, can transform your life too.
I had a plumbing problem and called my plumber. He came, fixed the sink and on his way out, told me he wanted to show me something. Dude opened his phone & showed me the project he just delivered - 4 duplexes, fully sold. When he told me his profit, I was stunned and speechless.
I was stunned but proud of him at the same time. You see, he is an intelligent guy, good at his job and knew a lot about construction obviously from experience of working on many projects. I had always encouraged him to scale up because I believe therein lies the big pay day.
Apparently, he took my counsel seriously and decided to partner with some people to do a real estate project. They pitched to someone who had cash and they were able to deliver. The investor made a good ROI. A return that made the investor commit to another round of the project.
1. Knowing our tendency to complicate things, Jesus said, ‘When you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him’ (vv.7-8). By using the words ‘thoughtless repetition’, He’s teaching us that prayer doesn’t have to be long,
2..loud, or laboured. And bcos He said ‘your Father knows what you need before u ask Him,’ He’s inviting you to find a scriptural promise that corresponds to your need & stand on it. Charles Swindoll, who uses his driving time to pray, writes this: ‘Often I speak to God out loud.
‘But the fruit of the Spirit is…’
Galatians 5:22 NIV
1. Everybody has influence over somebody. It’s what you do with that influence that determines whether it’s negative or positive. Sociologists tell us that over a lifetime even the shyest & most introverted person will influence about ten thousand people. Every interaction you..
2..have with another person enriches or impoverishes them. Influence is never neutral. And u can’t turn it off, because it’s built into the structure of life itself. Furthermore, it doesn’t matter what your title is. Ultimately, your character will determine if the title fits you
I have always believed that the solution to racism, tribalism, bigotry and discrimination lies in the Church because Galatians 3:28 says "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man. there is neither male nor female; for we're all one in Christ". This is..
...the bedrock of our faith. Christianity provides this fantastic opportunity for us to bridge the divides around ethnicity through inter-tribal marriages and working together with people from different ethnic backgrounds for the sake of Christ. Unfortunately, over the years..
...our churches have become more sectarian. You will hear people openly describe a church as Igbo Church and another as Yoruba Church. Right inside the church, you will see parents preventing their wards from marrying a Christian from another tribe or another denomination.
‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.’
Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
1. Next time you see a big oak tree, remind yourself that it began as a tiny acorn. What you have to offer today may seem small, but when God blesses it, it can grow. In 1912, Dr Russell Conwell, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Philadelphia, told about a Sunday school student..
2...named Hattie May Wiatt. Because of overcrowding, Dr Conwell had told Hattie May he would love to have buildings large enough for everyone to attend. When Hattie May became ill & died, Conwell was asked to preach at her funeral. The girl’s mother told him Hattie May had been..