Pastor Corner
ADVANCE.
Welcome again to the month of March. My prayer for you is that you will enjoy greater momentum for progress in this new month in Jesus name. Amen.
The word the Lord has impressed on my heart for this month is ADVANCE. He’s challenging us most importantly amongst many other possible areas of advancement to advance in our spiritual life and journey with Him.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said “on this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. This presupposes the fact that inherent in the DNA of the church of Jesus is movement and advancement. He’s not building a church that will be static, but one that will invade and be on the offense against the established gates and systems and structures of hell.
That being said, we must realise that we are not going to be able to advance beyond the gates of hell without spiritual strength. Apostle Paul being aware of this says to the people in Ephesus and all the saints by the spirit “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might”. Our spiritual lives cannot be in a coma and we will expect to see the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our God and his Christ.
Like we are familiar with the natural growth process so we have the different stages of growth in the spiritual. Never forget that inheritance is only handed over to matured sons not the babies. I realise that the distance between us and many things that rightfully belongs to us in Christ is our spiritual growth. Paul alluded to this fact in Galatians 4 when he said a child is not different from a servant as long as he is a child even though the entire estate belongs to him.
As much as God is pleased with us giving our lives to him by being born again, much more is his desire for us to grow up in our walk with him. This month, he’s challenging us to make advancements in our walk with him no matter what stage of spiritual growth we are currently on. One thing is sure, ‘there is always more in God’. You can move from ankle to knee to waist and the overflowing measure as stated in Ezekiel 47.
Just before I wrap this up, let me say that in order to grow spiritually, we must be intentional about what we feed on. As food is to our bodies so is the word of God to our spirit man. We must not forget that not all foods nourishes our body and so it is also that not everything that people say with the bible will nourish your spirit man. We must become intentional with our spiritual diet.
Trusting God to grant us intense desire for his word this month and make us long after spiritual things that will cause us to grow in him. While the growth is happening, we will see greater results in other area of our lives in Jesus’ name!
I call you blessed!
Children’s Corner
Our Confidence Before God
Hello children! Welcome to another Sunday. We trust you had an amazing week. Today, we will learn about having confidence before God. Open your Bibles to Hebrews 10:22-24 (TBT translation). Let’s read together:
“So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, because we have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold on to the hope we say we have and not be changed; we can trust God that He will do what He promised. Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds.”
Wow! What a powerful message! Let’s role-play and listen to our friends Chimdi and Femi, as they talk about what this means for them.
Chimdi: Hi, Femi! Have you ever felt nervous when talking to God?
Femi: Yes! Sometimes I wonder if He’s listening or if I am good enough to pray.
Chimdi: I used to feel the same way, but today’s Bible verse helped me understand something important. It says we can come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith.
Femi: What does that mean?
Chimdi: It means we don’t have to be afraid or feel guilty. Jesus has made us clean, and because of Him, we can talk to God freely!
Femi: That’s amazing! So, even when I make mistakes, I can still pray?
Chimdi: Yes! Verse 23 says we should hold on to our hope and not change because God keeps His promises. That means He will always love and forgive us when we ask.
Femi: Wow! So, instead of feeling scared, I should trust that God wants to hear from me.
Chimdi: Exactly! And verse 24 says we should think about others and help them show love and do good deeds. We should encourage each other to trust God more.
Femi: That makes me happy! From now on, I’ll pray with confidence and also remind my friends that God loves them.
Chimdi: That’s the spirit, Femi! Let’s tell everyone that we can talk to God anytime with boldness!
Assignment
- Memory Verse: Write down Hebrews 10:23 (TBT) and say it aloud three times.
- Discussion: Ask a friend or family member if they’ve ever felt nervous about praying. Share what you learned today.
- Activity: Draw a picture of yourself praying with confidence before God.
Development Corner
Occupy Till I Come
This year in church, our theme is “Possessing your possessions”. Asides the spiritual aspect, what do you intend to do to rightfully possess what is yours.
You do not intend to sit idle and expect your possessions to come to you just because you’ve been praying about it. Proverb 22:29 (KJV) says “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings.”
It’s the third month of the year and while you might have not started early like others, know that it’s time to get started. If you have started and you feel you’re slacking off—it’s time to intensify your efforts.
Jesus told a parable in Luke 19:12-27 of a man that left in possession of 3 servants some talents. He left them with the instruction “Occupy till I come”. One version of the Bible says “trade with it” another version says “earn with it”.
What are you doing with the talent God has given you? What are you doing with that genius idea you have? What actions have you taken to achieve your goals?
It’s not time to lay blame. Whatever you have, in spite of how little it may be, it is a step to maximising your talents and achieving your goals. Remember the man with 1 talent in Luke 19, he thought so little of what he had and wouldn’t trade with it or should I say invest with that little.
Be a wise Christian and get to work. Go and occupy!
Sudoku
Instructions: The objective is to insert the numbers one to nine into a grid consisting of nine squares subdivided into a further nine smaller squares (sub-grid) in such a way that every number appears once in each horizontal line, vertical line, and sub-grid.
| 4 | 9 | 1 | ||||||
| 3 | 9 | 5 | ||||||
| 9 | 3 | 7 | 4 | |||||
| 5 | 9 | 6 | 7 | |||||
| 2 | 7 | 6 | ||||||
| 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| 4 | 6 | 9 | 2 | |||||
| 6 | 9 | 5 | 8 | |||||
| 1 | 9 | 3 | 5 |
Biblical poetry
Make Living Worth It!
Afterall it did take nine months to form you,
Many months of imagining what you would look like,
Of thinking about the life God had mapped out for you.
Nine months of blessings being counted.
And then one day, whether early or late
you made your entry into the physical world,
temporarily separating from the spiritual realm.
You put your trust into others,
Looking to them to provide you with your most basics needs
And wailing persistently when they didn’t know what to do.
And in those instances, when they struggled to understand your demands
You were patient, trusting that God had placed you with the right family.
And when the time was right, they reconnected you with the spiritual realm
They Christened you, acknowledging that you were a Gift from God.
Knowing that earth was your new home,
You decided to learn the ways of the humans.
Watching and studying until eventually you could walk, speak and make decisions.
In time you grew physically, and with guidance spiritually and emotionally.
The years kept passing and soon more was expected from you.
You started to notice the importance of Making Living Worth It.
With time you started to pay more attention to your spiritual connection.
It soon became apparent that some of your guardians resided in heaven.
Deciphering the bible was critical to your spiritual growth.
That praise and worship drew you closer to God
That sacrificing instant gratification will develop your self-discipline
Changes to your behaviour will help you become a disciple
Changes to your lifestyle could make you a walking example of God’s love
So you read the bible, listened to the sermons, danced to the praise
And decided to Make Living Worth It
Health Corner
Proven Oral Care Tips for a Brighter Smile
Your mouth is more than just a tool for eating and speaking—it’s a gateway to your overall health. Poor oral hygiene doesn’t just lead to cavities and bad breath; it can also contribute to serious health issue. Taking charge of your mouth isn’t just about brushing and flossing; it’s about committing to a lifestyle that promotes total well-being.
A Common Myth: “If My Gums Bleed, I Should Stop Brushing”
Many people believe that if their gums bleed, they should avoid brushing the affected area. The truth is, bleeding gums are often a sign of gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Instead of stopping, you should brush gently and floss regularly to remove plaque buildup. If bleeding persists, see a dentist.
The Facts About Oral Health
- Your mouth hosts over 700 species of bacteria. Some are beneficial, but others can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing keep harmful bacteria in check.
- Gum disease is linked to heart disease. Research shows that inflammation from gum infections can contribute to cardiovascular problems.
- Your toothbrush has a lifespan. The American Dental Association recommends replacing it every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed.
Our mouths play a significant role in both our physical and spiritual well-being.
The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Just as we should use our words wisely to bring life and encouragement, we should also care for our mouths physically to maintain good health.
Take Action Today
Don’t wait until you have a toothache to prioritise your oral health.
Start today by:
- Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing daily to remove hidden plaque
- Drinking plenty of water and limiting sugary foods
- Visiting the dentist regularly for checkups.
Your mouth matters—take charge of it, and your whole body will thank you!
Fun Facts
Conclusion:
A God-centered family is a family that prioritises God and His Word in every aspect of their lives. It is a family that recognises God as the ultimate authority and seeks to honour Him in all they do.
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Moses instructs the Israelites “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
This passage emphasises the importance of loving God with all our hearts and teaching His commandments to our children.
Our family should be characterised by;
- The love for God
- Upholding biblical values
- Constant fellowship
As we journey through this month, we must be conscious of the fact that building a God-centered family requires intentionality, commitment, and a willingness to prioritise God and His Word. By doing so, families can experience the numerous benefits that come from living a life centered on God. It begins with you!
We now have Missional Communities in 15 locations and would like to encourage you to find one near you or start one in your local area.
| Opic; Isheri, River View Estate | Oworo, Olorunfunmi Street. | Surulere, Iponri Estate. |
| Lambe, Korede Balogun | Unilag, Akoka | Federal College of Education, Akoka |
| Lekki Phase 1 | Victoria Island, Ligali Ayorinde | Ikoyi, Awolowo Road |
| Victoria Island, Oniru | Victoria Island, Chicken Republic, Oniru | Abijo, Destiny Homes Estate |
| Ogunfayo, Off Palace way | Victoria Island, Kofo Abayomi |
Upcoming Events
March and April 2025
Activities outside of the regular Mid-week and Sunday services
March
- 1-3rd: Three Days of Glory
- 8th: Evangelism, led by IN family
- 29th: Hour of Grace & Evangelism
April
- 1-3rd: Three Days of Glory
- 5th: TakeOver at the Summit
- 12th: Evangelism, led by OUT family
- 21st: Teens Carnival
- 26th: Hour of Grace & Evangelism
