SWEET, SOOTHING, EDIFYING AND POWERFUL DEVOTIONALS

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord: Day 31 of the Lenten Fast: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you"

Scripture

1st Reading: Is7:10-14;8:10; Responsorial Psalm: Ps40:7-11; 2nd Reading: Heb10:4-10; Gospel Acclamation: Jn1:14; Gospel: Lk1:26-38

The height of God's engagement

At the appointed time, decided by God in His inscrutable wisdom, after humanity had been under the throes of sin and death, and satan had held sway from the foundation of the world, God acted and brought relief and remedy to beleaguered and traumatized humanity. This was the highest expression of the love of God; it was God assuring us that He had not forgotten humanity and that He was prepared to apply the greatest remedy for our collective shame and fall from grace to grass, from holiness to sin. At the appointed time, God sent the Angel Gabriel to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man, whose name was Joseph, and the virgin's name was Mary. Are we joyful that God decided to save us by sending His Son to us?

The message of Archangel Gabriel

Angel Gabriel, a ministering spirit who stands in the presence of God, came to Mary with a message. But first, the angel greeted her as full of grace and that the Lord was with her. What this greeting means is that Mary had been prepared by God in an extraordinary way as a human being that had the plenitude of grace. This was in view of the role she was to assume, which Gabriel came to announce to her today. She was told not to be afraid, but that she had found God's favour, that she would conceive and bear a son, and that she should call his name Jesus. She was told that the child would be great and would be called the Son of the Most High; that God would give Him the throne of his father David; that he would reign over the house of Jacob for ever and there will be no end to his kingdom. Do we have faith in the word of God?

The fulfilment of the promise

Mary was a virgin. She had not known man. She was a lady full of the deepest and noblest virtues. She knew there jad never been any conception of a child without the meeting of a man with a woman. She knew she had never had any sexual relationship with Joseph and would never have until they came to live together. So she wanted to know how this was going  to take place. The angel told her that this conception was going to be extraordinary: she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, who would come upon her and the power of the Most High which would overshadow her. The child she would conceive would be called holy, the Son of God. To prove that nothing was impossible for God to do, the angel told Mary about her cousin, Elizabeth's conception of a child in her old age. Mary accepted the role God had assigned her. She declared that she was God's handmaid and that what had been said should happen to her as it was said. Do we rejoice in the fulfilment of the promise of God to humanity?

 The sign was given

The first reading spoke about a sign. The people were beleaguered by their enemies. They needed protection. God told them that He would deliver them but that they should trust in the sign that He was giving them. If they believed, they would be saved. If they doubted and they followed their own evil counsel, they would perish by the sword of their enemies. God would be with them if they obeyed His voice and did as He commanded. In the same vein, in today's second reading, we are taught that God sent His Son precisely to become man so that He could have a body to offer up in sacrifice for the sins of the world. This was because the blood of bulls and their flesh were insufficient to wash away sins and make one righteous. The Son came to do the will of His Father. Do we believe in the signs given to us by God? Do we hold fast to God's promises?

This Lenten Day

On this day, let us reflect on the immensity of God's love. Let us meditate on what it cost God to send us His Son. Let us be grateful for this wonderful gift.

Let us pray

"O God, who willed that your word should take on the reality of human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, that we, who confess our Redeemer to be God and man, may merit to become partakers even in his divine nature." Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls today and always. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

☀️*MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY-25th MARCH ,2026*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*The Power of the Anointing.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*1 Samuel 16:13*_

"So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on." 

*TODAY'S WORD*:🔥

*In 1 Samuel 16, when David was seventeen years old, Prophet Samuel showed up at his house to choose one of the eight sons of Jesse to be the next king of Israel. Jesse didn’t even call David in from the shepherds’ fields because he thought David was too young, too small, not talented enough. But when Samuel saw David, he said, “He’s the one.” He anointed David as the next king, and the Scripture says that the Spirit of God came powerfully upon David.(vs 13).*

Dearly Beloved, with that anointing, 

1. David was not able  to get bitter about his father and brothers not believing in him. He remained humble and patient.

2. With that anointing, David went out and defeated Goliath and became a national hero.( 1 Samuel 17:45-50).

3. With that anointing, David was able to resist paying King Saul back for repeatedly trying to kill him. Twice David had the opportunity  (1 Samuel 24:6-7 ; 26:9-11).  

That is what the Holy Spirit does. He brings fresh anointings that suddenly turn your health around, break addictions, and strengthen you to face a challenge. He brings fresh favour, fresh attitudes, fresh vision. Do your part and receive it by faith. Halleluyah! ✅

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪘🪇🪕🪗🎺🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏 

Faithful Father, thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit in my life that is so much greater than all of my might and power. Thank You that You are always coming to not just meet my needs but to bring freshness and new life. I believe in the promise of Your Spirit to do it in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions."*(Psalm 45:7)

*"Anointing breaks the yoke."*(Isaiah 10:27)

Monday of the 5th Week of Lent: Day 29 of the Lenten Fast: "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again."

Scripture 

1st Reading: Daniel13:1-9,15-17,19-3,33-62; Responsorial Psalm: Ps23:1-6; Gospel Acclamation: Ezek33:11; Gospel: Jn8:1-11

Justice belongs to God

Each of us has a commitment to God. When we sin, we destroy that commitment, we offend God whose love we have abandoned by our sins, and we offend our neighbours whose love and trust we have broken. The gravity of our sinfulness is, however, weightier on the side of God because He is our Creator and He does not sin against us in any form or fashion. He protects, cares for us, loves us with an everlasting love. But God who is more offended is the one most ready to forgive us. In fact, the same God we offend grievously every minute of the day, and who we go to endlessly for forgiveness, is the one ever ready in an infinitely countless ways, to forgive us. This is the beauty of the heart of God. What God does effortlessly whenever we go to Him, countless times, is what we are unable to extend to our neighbour, who sins against us one or two times. That is the irony of our lives: that we ask for forgiveness from God in countless times but we withhold the same forgiveness to our neighbours. The incident in today's gospel was a live one. The Lord went to the mount of Olives, ostensibly to pray throughout the night. In the morning, he came to the temple and they brought to Him a woman who had just been caught in adultery. This woman was the only person brought. Her male partner in crime was never accused and brought. The scribes and Pharisees told our Lord that the woman had been caught in adultery and that Moses in the law commanded them to stone such woman. They then asked our Lord what He had to say. Do we condemn others for their sins and refuse to extend God's mercy to them? Do we understand that the same measure of unforgiveness can also be measured to us by God?

The hypocrisy 

The scribes and Pharisees who brought the woman caught in adultery were hypocrites. While it is very true that adultery is a grave sin, the Lord today saw through the false lives of those who brought this woman and who were judging her. They brought her to test the Lord, that they might have some charge against Him. They thought they had a solid case against this woman and believed that there was no way our Lord would wriggle out of the dilemma. But they did not know that they were testing the Son of God, who shared the same nature with His Father. They were testing everlasting Wisdom with their very limited, human wisdom. The Lord did not answer them bur bent down and wrote with His finger on the ground. They kept asking Him, so the Lord gave them an answer: "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." This was a tall order that no mortal can scale through. None of the accusers, if he was human, could ever stand and claim that he had never committed sin. So, if they had all committed sins and nobody was asking for their heads, and they had been severally forgiven by God, otherwise they would have been dead and would not have been there to accuse another fellow human being, then why was it that they were the ones calling for the head of the woman? Today's gospel passage is very captivating and dramatic: they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus alone was left with the woman standing before Him. The Lord then asked the woman: "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." The sinner was justified and acquitted, not because the Lord was weak, but because the sinner needed a second chance to amend her life. Do we understand that God desires not the death of the wicked man? Do we look with compassion on human frailty, knowing full well that we also are weak sinners?

God comes to the aid of the falsely accused

There are times when it seems the adversary and the enemy has almost achieved their aim of cutting short our lives, but for God's miraculous intervention. In such instances, the power of God and His ability to turn a disastrous into a glorious end becomes manifest. Susanna was falsely accused of adultery by the same persons who wanted to commit adultery with her and to whom she refused to give her body for their sinful pleasures. Susanna was accused by people the exilic community in Babylon held in very high esteem. These were judges, but whose lives were very corrupt and who lived off the corruption of their lives. They were the adulterous people, who betrayed public trust and were doing what was displeasing in the sight of God. But God does not sleep. God heard the cry of Susanna as she was being led to be stoned. God aroused the Spirit of wisdom in Daniel. It was Daniel who eventually convicted the two corrupt judges from the contradicting testimonies they gave about the same incident they claimed happened in their presence. These two judges were put to death for their sins, and the life of the innocent was spared. Do we trust in God when we are in grave, mortal danger?

This Lenten Day

On this Lenten Day, the word of God calls us to deeply examine the flaws in our lives and character: we are quick to judge others and condemn them for the same things we do. We condemn others' lives even when we know we are terrible sinners, the only difference being that we have not been caught. We are called to mercy and compassion. We are to help the sinner rise from their sins, knowing that we are not better either. May God help us.

Let us pray

"O God, by whose wondrous grace we are enriched with every blessing, grant us so to pass from former ways to newness of life, that we may be ready for the glory of the heavenly kingdom." We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

☀️*MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY-5th MARCH , 2026*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*....Doing Great Exploits.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Daniel 11:32*_

"But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits". 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*God’s dream for you is that you will be strong and do mighty exploits. No more living intimidated and saying, “I can’t do it. It’s too big.” When you know who you are, when you know your God, you won’t run from the giant, you’ll run to the giant. God didn’t say you’d just do exploits; He says mighty exploits. It’s going to be bigger than you can accomplish on your own. You can’t do this just in your power, your ability. The Most High God will back you up.(Zechariah 4:6). Sometimes He’ll let the odds be against you in a great way so it will be a mighty exploit.*

Dearly Beloved, do you realize that you were created in the image of Almighty God? (Genesis 1:26). When He made you, He put a part of Himself in you. Because of that you are powerful. You are anointed. You are favoured. You are blessed. You’re a mighty warrior. You’re full of can-do power.(Phillipians 4:13). His favour surrounds you like a shield. ( Psalm 5:12). You can bring healing to the sick. You can start that business. Don’t go through life thinking you’re average. There is greatness in you. Halleluyah!✅

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🥁🪘🎸🪗🪇🪕🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Gracious God the Father, thank You that You are the all-powerful Creator of the universe. Help me take the limits off what I believe You can do in and through my life and carry out great exploits. I open my heart to You and ask You to increase my capacity to be full of can-do power in  Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*" You are children from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."*(1 John 4:4)

☀️ *MORNING TEA*:🍵

_*FRIDAY-27th FEBRUARY, 2026*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*The Power of “I Am”.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Proverbs 12:14*_

"People are filled with good things based on the "fruit of their lips" (their words) and are rewarded for the work of their hands."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Whether you realize it or not, all through the day the power of “I am” is at work in your life, for whatever follows those two simple words will always come looking for you. When you say, “I am so unlucky,” you’re inviting disappointments. “I am so overweight.” Calories come looking for you. It’s as though you’re giving it permission to be in your life. That’s why you have to be careful what follows the “I am” and not wield its power against you.*

Dearly Beloved, the good news is, you get to choose what follows the “I am.” Get up in the morning and invite good things into your life. “I am blessed. (Numbers 22:12). I am strong.( Joel 3:10). I am talented. (Ephesians 2:10). I am wise.( Proverbs 8:12). I am disciplined. (2 Timothy 1:7). I am focused.(Proverbs 25:28). I am prosperous.(Psalm 1:3).” When you talk like that, talent gets summoned by Almighty God: “Go find that person.” Health, strength, abundance, and discipline start heading your way, and it costs you nothing! Halleluyah!✅

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🎸🪗🪇🪕🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏 Almighty God the Father, thank You that my words have creative power, and I can use the power of ‘I am’ to become who You say I am. Thank You that You call me a masterpiece and Your treasured possession. I will use my words to invite good things into my life in  Jesus’  name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words."*(Proverbs 18:21)

☀️ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*MONDAY - 9th FEBRUARY, 2026*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*The Victor’s Promise.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Isaiah 54:17*_

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*We all have difficulties that come against us that look permanent. The setback, or an addiction, or a health issue seems so big, so intimidating, so impossible. It’s easy to be overcome and think that it will never turn around. But God didn’t say we would never feel under attack and outnumbered. He is saying, “Troubles may come, a sickness may form, someone may do you wrong, but don’t worry. It’s not going to prosper.” That’s not how your story ends. God has the final say. Your times are  in God's hands( Psalm 31:15). He doesn’t stop every difficulty, but He promises it will not succeed in defeating you. (1Corinthians 10:13).*

Dearly Beloved, when thoughts come whispering that you’ll never get well, never get out of debt, never see it change, don’t believe those lies. Just smile and say, “No, thanks. The Most High God says this will not prosper.” Whatever is trying to hold you down, whatever looks permanent, you need to see it turning around and walking away from you. It’s just a matter of time before that trouble recedes, that depression lifts, or that addiction is taken away. It has to go back. Halleluyah.!✅

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪕🪘🪗🥁🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Awesome God, thank You for Your promise that nothing that forms against me is going to ultimately succeed. Thank You that You know what’s coming my way, and You have a strategic plan to override whatever tries to hinder me. I’m staying in peace, knowing You will turn it around in Jesus’ amen.

Dearly Beloved, 

_God said,_

*"Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against you shall fall for your sake."*(Isaiah 54:15)

☀️*MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY-5th FEBRUARY,  2026*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*God Sees Your Heart.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*1 Samuel 16:7*_

"…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*In the Scripture, David was discounted by his family, and his job as a shepherd was considered insignificant.(1 Samuel 16:11).  His family looked on the outside, but David had a heart after God. He didn’t complain or get bitter; he didn’t slack off because nobody was watching or cared. He just kept being his best where he was. And on the day the prophet Samuel showed up to anoint one of his father’s sons as the next king, it was David who was anointed over his brothers.( 1 Samuel 16:13)*.

Dearly Beloved, just because people leave you out doesn’t mean God leaves you out. People may overlook you or judge you by your looks, your talent, or your skin colour. God looks on the inside. He sees your faithfulness, your integrity. The good news is that if you keep honouring God, He’ll take you from the background to the foreground. Scripture says , "Nothing good will  God withhold from those who are upright."( Psalm 84:11b). People may try to push you down, but God will lift you up. People don’t determine your destiny; God does. "When men are saying casting , God is saying lifting for you."(Job 22:29).  Halleluyah!✅

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪕🪘🪗🥁🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY*:🙏

Gracious God, thank You that You are not limited to seeing me as other people see me. Thank You that You see my heart, and You know my faithfulness to You. I believe that promotion comes from You, and You are lifting me toward my destiny in  Jesus’ Name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."*( Psalm 139:23)

POWER OF DIVINE ATTRACTION : THE LORD IS AWESOMELY ATTRACTIVE

Thursday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time: "a great multitude, hearing all that he did, came to him."

Scripture 

1st Reading: 1Sam18:6-9;19:1-7; Responsorial Psalm: Ps56:2-3,9-13; Gospel Acclamation: 2Tim1:10; Gospel: Mk3:7-12

The power of His presence

People are attracted to others for different reasons. Some are attracted to beauty, fame, riches, influence, power, authority, name, public persona, charm, popularity and so on. In modern times, there are internet personalities, cult like adulation for heroes, deep emotional attachment to people who have the power of the word and have uncanny ability to manipulate public opinion for their own selfish ends. But unfortunately, our collective humanity has been battered by such persons, who used their talents and endowments for the wrong reasons. In today's gospel passage, we see a different model of attraction to personality. The gospel account narrates that the Lord withdrew with His disciples to the sea, but that despite this, great multitude from Galiliee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea followed them. They were magnetized by His person and made great sacrifices to hear Him. His words pierced their souls. His saving actions moved them to seek Him. Are we truly attracted to the Lord on account of who He is, not what He does?

The crowd that could not leave Him

When one has gone through life without getting a meaning and purpose out of it, the appearance of a person with a solution becomes a life changer. The crowd that gathered about the Lord today was so great that the Lord was afraid they might crush Him. He had healed so many that those who were not yet touched by His power and whose problems have not yet had solutions, were pressing upon Him to touch Him, so that they too could receive their healing. His power was so awesome that it dominated both the physical and the spiritual realms. Unclean spirits that had tormented and subjugated people were sent out of them. God's power liberated and set His people free. Do we trust in the power of the Lord to liberate and set us free from all that torment us?

The anointing that triumphs

The victory of David over Goliath set him apart in the eyes of the people as one on whom the favour of God rested. The unexpected victory over Goliath and the Philistine army brought great national joy. The people were happy that their tormentors had finally been silenced. Unfortunately, in the process of doing this, they made comparisons between the exploits of King Saul and the upstart David. This led to great envy and jealousy on the part of King Saul, to such extent that Saul sought to kill David. But in such a precarious situation, God sends helper from the most unexpected source. In this case, the "angel" used by God was Jonathan, King Saul's son, who was David's friend and who loved David as a brother would. Jonathan became the go-between his father and David and saved David from what would have been an untimely death. Jonathan interceded for David before King Saul, his father. Are we privileged to have good friends who have our backs?  Do we treat fellow human beings with love and compassion?

Let us pray

O God our Father, we thank you for sending us your Son and for the power of His presence among us, even as we speak. We ask you to give us your grace to follow Him till the end. We ask this through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

TIMES OF WAITING AND NEED FOR PATIENCE, ALL NECESSARY AS PER GOD'S PLAN

☀️*MORNING TEA*🍵

 _*TUESDAY -20th JANUARY, 2026*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Keep Travelling Steadily.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖 

_*Psalm 37:34*_

"Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep travelling steadily along his pathway and in due season He will honour you with every blessing..."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Most of us don't like times of waiting. We're interested in the destination, but God is interested in the journey. When we understand that He's working in us along the way, waiting and patience become a part of the process. When you stay faithful in the waiting times, when you don't get impatient and complain because it's taking so long, when you don't get upset because the door closed, when you're Travelling steadily along God's pathway and honouring Him, He will give you every blessing. You won't have to make it happen in your own strength, Scripture says , not by power or might ... ( Zechariah 4:6) and you won't have to manipulate people or try to force the door to open. He will open the door unto you which nobody can shut (Revelation 3:8).*

Dearly Beloved, God will give you the position, give you the spouse, give you the influence. Don't fight the wait time. You're not falling behind. God has already lined up the blessings He's going to give you. He will surely make lines to fall in pleasant places for you . (Psalm 16:6). He's already put your name on things bigger and better than you've imagined. Now keep Travelling steadily, keep trusting Him when you don't see anything happening. Halleluyah!✅

_*Praise the Living God somebody*_🎹🎤🎸🪘🪗🥁🪇🪕🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Heavenly Father, thank You that there is a purpose for times of waiting, whether I understand it or not. Help me to be patient, to be faithful, and to rest in the fact that it's all part of Your process. I believe that I am right where You want me, and that You have every blessing already lined up for me in Jesus' name.

Dearly Beloved,.

*"But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint".*(Isaiah 40:31)

CALL JESUS HEARTILY. ASK FOR HIS HELP LET JESUS HEAL YOU. DON'T BE EMBARRASSED BY WHAT OTHERS MIGHT SAY👇

Mark 10:32-52

15 Dec 2025

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. — Mark 10:47-48

DAYBREAK

MARK 10

Bartimaeus had a great need — he was blind — and he had faith that Jesus could restore his sight. Then the day arrived when Jesus would pass right by him. As Jesus approached, Bartimaeus called out to Him, and immediately faced opposition to those actions. Resistance and hindrances often come to those who reach out to Jesus. In this case, the opposition was in the form of bystanders who told Bartimaeus to be quiet. Most people would find it embarrassing to be reprimanded like this. Many would feel like quieting down or perhaps even getting away as fast as they could. Whether Bartimaeus was embarrassed or not, we do not know. But we do know that in his mind, his need was far more important than the opinions of those around him. So he cried out even louder. The result? Jesus not only gave him the desired gift of sight, but He also praised him for his faith.

In my young adulthood, I had a far more serious problem than physical blindness. The Lord had started to speak to me about my spiritual condition. Although I attended church regularly and was even involved in Gospel work, I began to realize that I was not right with God. For a time I carried water on both shoulders, trying to pray privately about my condition but not really facing up to the issues and making a complete break with the past. Part of my problem was, “What would people think?” It would be embarrassing to me to admit that I was backslidden in heart and that I needed to make things right with God again. On the other hand, I had to admit that I did not have the inward peace or victory that comes from having my sins forgiven and living my life for the Lord.

Then one Saturday, while on an outing with my family, I faced up to the crisis. Silently, with no one else realizing what was going on, I determined that I was going to do whatever it took to get right with God, including openly telling my Christian friends of my need for forgiveness and restoration. The following morning I did just that. Like Bartimaeus, I cried out to God for mercy, and just as Jesus responded to Bartimaeus’ request so long ago, He also responded to mine. Oh, the wonderful peace and joy and victory I experienced as I became completely honest with God! And I learned that my Christian brothers and sisters did not think less of me for my actions, but were wholly supportive of me.

God knows what we need today, just as Jesus knew what Bartimaeus needed. Nevertheless, He wanted Bartimaeus to clearly state his need. What a lesson for us as we come to God in prayer! Whatever our spiritual situation, we must be sure not to allow the opinions of others to hinder us. God looks at us and deals with us individually, and He will help us if we come wholeheartedly to Him.

BACKGROUND

In today’s portion of text, Jesus again predicted His upcoming death, taught His disciples about positions in God’s kingdom, and healed Bartimaeus.

Mark’s narrative gathers momentum as he describes Jesus on the way to Jerusalem for the final time. In Jesus’ third major prediction of His death (verses 32-34), He clearly delineated for His disciples what was ahead: the religious leaders would condemn Him to death; He would be mocked, scourged, spit upon, and killed; and He would rise again. Jewish teachers of that time walked ahead of their followers, but in this case, the disciples did more than just follow as students; they were afraid. They had left all to follow Jesus, and now He was saying He would die. Even though they did not fully understand, they felt dread.

Although the Jewish people as a whole looked for the coming of the Messiah, they were thinking in terms of a conquering king — one who would restore the glories and independence of the nation of Israel. In verses 35-37, James and John were asking for the two highest positions in this kingdom. Matthew 20:20-21 indicates that their mother was also involved in this request. How quickly the disciples seemed to have forgotten Jesus’ earlier instructions about who would be the greatest in His kingdom.

When Jesus asked James and John if they could endure suffering such as He would face, they were sure they could. Even though Jesus knew they did not understand what they were saying, He could foresee that in time James would be martyred and John would be persecuted and banished for the Gospel.

Jesus again instructed His disciples that the pathway to greatness was through service, a contrasting concept to the attitude of the world. The Lord Himself was the supreme Example of this.

Verse 45 is the first time in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus explained the reason for His life and death. He came “to give his life a ransom for many.” The Greek word translated ransom denoted loosing a slave or freeing a debtor. The word for could be translated “in place of.” Jesus’ point was clear: He came to die in place of all sinners.

Jericho was on the route from Capernaum to Jerusalem. The travelers had crossed the Jordan River not far north of the Dead Sea. Bartimaeus’ words, “thou son of David,” identified Jesus as the Messiah with the right to rule through King David. When Jesus called for him, in his haste Bartimaeus literally threw aside his garment, which was probably one of the few things of value he possessed. Because he was blind, he might have had no hope of finding that garment again, but his faith reached out for sight. He was rewarded, and he traveled along with the crowd after Jesus healed him.

CONCLUSION

Do not let embarrassment or the opinions of others prevent you from seeking the Lord for the needs in your life.

🌤️ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*MONDAY-15th DECEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*The Right Attitude of Giving*_.

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*2 Corinthians 9:6-7*_ 

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Giving in the Scriptures is an act of love and kindness. Giving is not an idea, neither is it a promise but giving is action. In today’s passage the lesson is clearly on how to give in a way that pleases God. Please take note that the approach God is teaching us here apply to giving, not only giving in a church service/ programe or giving to a pastor. This is not limited to only money. When you give little, you get little from it.* 

Dearly Beloved, giving is likened to planting, so if you give a lot, your harvest (from giving) is greater. Give more, not just to church, but to people in need too. Make up your mind how much you should give. God gave you a will. Use it. The amount to give is your decision. Do not let another person decide, even if it’s a Pastor or a p Prophet. Even if they suggest it, decide yourself. God will not punish you for how much you decide to give. Feel free. The Bible continues in 2 Corinthians 9:8 saying, “YES, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do." This is the result of God’s way of giving. Obey Him and trust Him to keep His Word. Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪗🪇🥁🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Heavenly Father, thank You for your love and grace available in the Lord Jesus Christ. I receive the instructions in the Word and I make progress anytime in Jesus Mighty Name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."*(Proverbs 19:17)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY -9th DECEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Let's Fly Together.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Hebrews 10:25*_

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

*TODAY'S WORD*:🔥 

*It’s easy to do life on our own and think we don’t need any help. But you won’t reach your highest potential by yourself. God has ordained people to help strengthen you, to encourage you, to push you towards your purpose. Over thirty times in the Scripture, it says “one another.” “Love one another, encourage one another, serve one another, comfort one another.” You need others around you. Don’t isolate yourself and think, “Well, I’m strong enough. I’m tough enough. I’m talented enough.” You may be for what you have in mind, but not for what God has in mind. He has something bigger, something more rewarding, that you can’t do by yourself*.

Dearly Beloved, 

"You need me and I need you."

Are you flying solo? Or do you have a community of faith? Are people flying with you, watching over you, encouraging you, inspiring you? There’s power in connectivity. Others’ faith makes you stronger. Their praise helps you fight your battles. Their joy gives you joy. It’s not only refueling you, but your faith is helping others. You won’t become all you were created to be without the right people around you. Halleluyah!

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🎸🪗🪇🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

 Heavenly Father, thank You that You ordained me to be in a community of faith so that my faith can be joined to others’ faith. Thank You that there is a power released when I’m connected to others that gives strength to fight my battles. Help me to fly together with other believers in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect."*( Hebrews 11:40)

CLAY IN THE POTTER'S HAND

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY -18th NOVEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*In the Potter’s Hands.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Isaiah 45:9*_

 "What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, 'Stop, you're doing it wrong!''

*TODAY'S WORD*:🔥

*The Scripture says "that God is the potter and we are the clay".(Isaiah 64:8).The potter takes a lump of clay and spins it on his wheel. The clay could say, "I'm tired of going in circles. Let me off this wheel." The clay doesn't realize that while it's spinning, the potter is moulding it. It's rising up from a lump of clay into a beautiful vase. After it has gone through the process, it would tell you, "I didn't like the spinning, but without it I wouldn't be what I am."*

Dearly Beloved, you may feel like you're spinning (troubled)  today. You're doing the same thing over and over and don't see much progress. But when it feels like you're going in circles, something is happening that you can't see. You're coming up higher. God is moulding your character. It may seem routine, but when you're faithful where you are, when you have a song of praise when you could be complaining, you're rising higher. Trust Him when you're spinning. Trust Him when you're in the routine. Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🎸🪗🪘🪇🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏 

Most Gracious God, thank You that my life is in Your hands, and You are shaping my life like a potter—not just my dreams and goals, but my character. Thank You that You are working in the routine to mould my life into Your image. I trust You whether I’m seeing progress or not in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"God will keep you as the apple of His eye and  hide you in the shadow of His  wings."*( Psalm 17:8)

THE LIGHT OF GOD THAT DISPELS THE DARKNESS

Isaiah 60:1-22

17 Nov 2025

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. — Isaiah 60:1-2

DAYBREAK

ISAIAH 60

Not long ago, our town suffered a major electrical blackout in the middle of the night. A portion of the power distribution station for the surrounding area exploded with a loud boom and a light show that could be seen across town. The result was a loss of power to every part of the city. There were no street lights, traffic lights, or porch lights — in fact, the only lights at all were those on emergency vehicles and headlights. The darkness was so dense in our house that you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. I found it difficult to sleep under these circumstances, but my biggest concern was that if our two small children woke up, they would be afraid. Sure enough, before long they both awakened and found the darkness so disturbing that they began to cry. To put their minds at ease, we lit some candles in the living room. That was all it took and the children found the peace and comfort they needed to drift back into slumber.

Deep darkness, such as you might find in a cavern or a large blackout, can be frightening when there is no light to dispel it. It is very difficult to find direction in darkness like this, yet the smallest amount of light can fill an entire room and help you find your way. In our focus verse, the prophet Isaiah predicted that “the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” In the midst of this spiritual darkness, God said He would shine His light and glory upon His people and in turn it would draw other nations to Him.

Today, if we have been born again, God’s Light has shone upon us, and we are His people through His Son Jesus Christ. As such, we need to direct others to His Light. Just as our children found peace in the candlelight during our neighborhood blackout, people around us can find peace in the Light of Christ. This world grows darker every day and many are looking and longing for something that will bring peace to their troubled world. Whether it is at school, on the job, or in conversation with our neighbors, God’s Light is the very thing they need.

If you think that what you can do seems small, remember that any glimmer of light will appear brilliant in a dark room. With God’s help, we can point others to His Light in this darkened world!

BACKGROUND

This chapter begins with a climactic announcement of hope — a divine call to Zion and Jerusalem, which was pictured as a captive slave, lying upon the ground. The summons was to “arise” and “shine” because the “glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” Note that the prophet was so assured of the future fulfillment of his message that he used a verb tense indicating it had already occurred. After the dire depictions of the darkness and misery brought about by the sins of the people, the prophet proclaimed the advent of the new city of God, where the Lord will have dispelled the darkness. Because the Messiah would come to Jerusalem (see Isaiah 59:20), the Shekinah glory of God would emanate from the city.

In verses 4 through 9, the prophet indicated that the Jews living in foreign lands would return, and that Gentile nations from the east and west would come, bringing their tribute to Israel. This will result in great wealth flowing into the country. The specific places mentioned in verses 6 and 7 belonged to obscure tribes in the Arabian desert, hundreds of miles from Israel.

Verses 10 through 18 paint a graphic picture of Zion’s restoration. In His Millennial Kingdom, God will motivate foreign nations to help rebuild the city of Jerusalem, and the city that was once forsaken will become one of “eternal excellency.” Israel will become the world’s preeminent nation, and those who rebel and refuse allegiance to Jerusalem will be destroyed. Violence and crime will be unknown in Jerusalem, and the city will be one of both outward beauty and inward stability.

In the last four verses of the chapter, the prophet concluded by alluding again (as in verses 1-3) to the city being filled with brightness that comes from the Redeemer. The dark days when sin encompassed the world, referred to in verse 20 as “the days of thy mourning,” will have ended, and the people will be nourished and cared for by God himself.

CONCLUSION

God’s light alone can dispel the darkness of the wicked world that we live in. How we long for the day when the promises of this chapter will be fulfilled!

ABOUT WISDOM FROM GOD

Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time: Seek the Kingdom; ask for true wisdom; follow the Lord, who is the Way

Scripture 

1st Reading: Wis7:22-8:1; Responsorial Psalm: Ps119:89-91,130,135,175; Gospel Acclamation: Jn15:5; Gospel: Lk17:20-25

The coming of the kingdom of God

Expectations, waiting, permutation are all part of the human system whenever there is a situation that has no known  human solution. The human mind may eventually start making projections of possible scenarios. The human heart knows that there is a longing to go beyond itself, a transcendence that is innate and not taught. That longing that refuses to go and that transcendence that nothing earthly can satisfy, only finds answer in God. The longing for God, therefore, is what pushes the heart and soul to understand that there must be a solid preparation of the self while here on earth, so that each person's hereafter may become a union with God. The Pharisees went to the Lord today with this same preoccupation that has filled human hearts and imaginations for centuries. They asked the Lord when the kingdom of God was coming. They asked this since at the time of the Lord, the heightened messianic motive and expectations made people to seek for the truth concerning the presence, appearance and mission of the Messiah and the implications of that presence for humanity. Since some had come to believe in Him, the Pharisees wanted to know if the kingdom of God had finally arrived. Are we preparing ourselves for the kingdom of God? How solid is the preparation we are making?

Misconceptions concerning the coming of the kingdom 

As the expectation of the kingdom was high among the people, so were the various explanations that people who claimed to have known better, gave to the people. A lot of these persons fed on the ignorance of the people and gave spurious and utterly deceptive projections. But the Lord, the Son of God, knew the true answer. In today's gospel, the Lord was clear: looking for signs or observing signs will not work. Doing permutations that this was the sign here or there amounts to a waste of precious time. The Lord declared today that the kingdom of God is in our midst already. With His presence and the signs He gave and the teachings He taught, He inaugurated the path to the kingdom and made the kingdom present in our midst. The Lord continued today by telling His disciples that the day would come when they would desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and they would not see it. When charlatans and deceivers come to tell us that the day of the Son of man had come, the Lord told us not to follow them. The Son of man in his day would be like the lightning that flashes and lights up the sky. But even at that, with all these glories mentioned by the Lord that He would bring in His day, the Lord still predicted today that His suffering and rejection must precede everything. Do we have a true understanding of the coming of the kingdom? Do we understand the central place the Lord occupies in the plan of the Father for the kingdom?

Seek wisdom

To understand all that the Lord taught us on the kingdom today, we need to ask for wisdom. Wisdom is what aids us to make the right choices. Our first reading today makes us understand and lists the qualities of this wisdom that can only come from God: intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible,  beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle. This wisdom is pure, because she is a breadth of the power of God and a reflection of eternal light. This wisdom can do all things and renews all things. God loves a person who lives with this wisdom, because this wisdom is more superior to the light and more beautiful than the sun, and evil does not prevail against it. Wisdom orders all things well. Do we truly possess wisdom? Do we order our ways by the wisdom that comes from God and that God allows to pass into willing souls?

Let us pray

O God our loving Father, we praise and thank you for teaching us the way to our union with you. Give us your grace to desire your kingdom with all our hearts and infuse in us the wisdom we need not only to seek it but to actively work for it, so that we will not be counted unworthy of it at the last day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

Tuesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time: Memorial of St. Martin of Tours: "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."

Scripture 

1st Reading: Wis2:23-3:9; Responsorial Psalm: Ps34:2-3,16-19; Gospel Acclamation: Jn14:23; Gospel: Lk17:7-10

The love of service

Many of us want to be masters. We believe ruling others is our birthright and sadly, we behave like people who are entitled to leadership, whereas our idea of leading others is actually thar of ruling over them. When we truly understand the fundamental idea behind leadership, that it is all about service, holding the hands of the weak to lift them up, spending ourselves for the good of others, putting ourselves down so that others might trample upon us, then many would recoil at the invitation to lead. The leader is a servant of all. The Lord Jesus today made it clear to us that a servant is a servant ant time, any day, any circumstance or situation. A true servant does not go on vacation from service. In the parable today, one would have expected the master of this servant who came in from the fields, to excuse him from service because he was just coming in. The master was not going to invite him to table to sit with him because sitting there would not allow him to carry out the functions of his calling as a servant. Do we honestly have the right idea of service? Do we lead by the example of our lives?

We are unworthy servants 

Service is not for self promotion, self acclaim, or for earthly rewards and recompense. Many offer service for these reasons. They serve so that they could climb on the social ladder and escape poverty or win the people's acclaim or be handsomely rewarded. The Lord today made it clear that for a true servant, the joy is in the service rendered with love and passion and total  dedication of self and life. This should be the reward of all those who serve others. In our gospel passage, the Lord made it clear that the master does not thank the servant because he did what he was commanded to do. In the same way, when we understand the true meaning of service, and we have done all that is commanded us, we simply rejoice in the fact that we have been given the privilege to serve our brothers and sisters, and we say we are unworthy servants and have only dons what was our duty. Do we see service of others as our God given duty? Do we serve so that we could be given earthly reward for our service?

We were made perfect by God

The word of God makes it clear to us today that what we presently are, was not the plan and design God had for our race. God made us good and perfect, in imitation of His own goodness and perfection, so that we might be His mirror and reflect His glory. We lost everything as a result of sin, that was brought because of the devil's envy. But today's word gave us cause for hope and joy: that when we live here on earth in obedience to God's will, by the time we die, our souls will be in the hands of God and ni torment will ever touch us. We would be at peace. The world might think that the death of the righteous is an affliction or destruction or punishment, but faith teaches us that the hope of the righteous is full of immortality. The soul of the righteous will receive great good,  because having been tested here on earth and found worthy, God would accept them and make them shine forth and appoint them to govern nations and rule over peoples, since grace and mercy are upon God's elect. Do we see the pursuit of righteousness as our ordinary calling in life? Do we live for God so that God can always abide with us?

 St. Martin of Tours

St. Martin came to faith and did not depart from it. He became a Christian and while still a catechumen, demonstrated great love for the poor. He went to Gaul where he founded a monastery and from where they made him the Bishop of Tours. He was a consummate evangelizer who saw to the spread of the faith in Gaul and especially around Tours. He died in the odour of great sanctity. May he intercede for us.

Let us pray

"O God, who are glorified in the Bishop Saint Martin, both by his life and death, make new, we pray, the wonders of your grace in our hearts, that neither death nor life may separate us from your love." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY -23rd OCTOBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Unconditional Trust.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE*:📖

 _*Daniel 3:18*_

"But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*This is what three Hebrew teenagers (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - Daniel 3:14-30) did in the Scripture: They wouldn't bow down to the king of Babylon's golden idol. He was so furious that he was about to have them thrown into a fiery furnace. They said, "King, we're not worried. We know that our God will deliver us. But even if He doesn't, we're still not going to bow down." That's unconditional trust.*

Dearly Beloved, you may have a lot coming against you. Perhaps, you feel as though you're about to be thrown into a fire. 

*These are the keys:*

- Stay in faith,

- Believe in your dreams,

-  Believe the situation will turn around, and 

- Then declare, "Even if it doesn't happen my way, I'm still going to be happy. God, if You turn it around, or if You don't turn it around, I'm still going to give You praise." (Psalm 35:18; 1Thessalonians 5:18).

 Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🥁🪇🪗🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

 Heavenly Father, thank You that You are worthy of my unconditional trust. There are things in my life that I don't understand, situations I want to see changed, but even if they never happen, I'm still going to trust You. I gladly leave these matters in Your hands in Jesus' name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever".*(Psalm 125:1)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*MONDAY -20th OCTOBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Beyond Critical Voices.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖 

_*Micah 7:8*_

"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise... "

*TODAY'S WORD:🔥*

*Anytime you set out to do something great in life, there will be critics. If you’re going to be a great businessperson, coach, student, leader or employee, there will be opposition. The more success you have, the more opportunities there will be for distractions. The higher you go, the more haters will come out. When you reach a new level by pursuing what God has placed in your heart, the jealous people, the critical people, and the small-minded people come out of the woodwork and start making negative comments, but you don’t have to let that distract you.*

Dearly Beloved, if you are under pressure today, if the critical voices are coming against you, know that it’s because you are making a difference. Don’t let them throw you off course. Instead, dig your heels in and say, “I will not get distracted. I will not get drawn into battles that don’t matter. Your battle is God's ( 2 Chronicles 20:15b). It doesn’t matter what others think; it matters what God thinks!” Today, look beyond the critics. Stand strong in adversity. Like Apostle Paul , "Press forward to what lies ahead and win the prize of life that He has prepared for you". (Phillipians 3:14). Halleluyah!☑️

_*🎹🎤🎺🪘🥁🪇🪗🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

 Heavenly Father, today I choose to let go of the negative voices, offences and hurts from critical voices. I choose to focus on You and the good plan You have for me. Give me Your peace and joy as I move forward in the victory You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."*( Jeremiah 29:11)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY-15th OCTOBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Do Not Despise Small Beginnings.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Zechariah 4:10*_

 “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.”  

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When David went out to face Goliath, all he had was a slingshot and five smooth stones.( 1 Samuel 17:40). It looked insignificant, ordinary, and certainly nothing special. But God breathed on him, and he defeated Goliath (1 Samuel  17:50) and became the king of Israel. All Moses had was an ordinary stick, something he found on the ground, yet when he picked up that rod and held it in the air, the Red Sea supernaturally parted.(Exodus 14:16) Samson was surrounded by a huge army. All he had was the jawbone of a donkey. But he picked up that jawbone, God breathed on him, and he defeated a thousand men.(Judges 15:15-16)*

Dearly Beloved, don’t despise the day of small beginnings.(Zechariah  4:10). Don’t look at what you have and say, “I can’t do anything great. I don’t have a lot of talent.” If you’ll use what God has given you, He will multiply it. He will not only bring your dreams to pass, but He will do more than you can ask or think.(Ephesians 3:20). Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🥁🪇🪗🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Heavenly Father, thank You that You rejoice to see me use what You have given me, and You will bring the increase as I trust in You. Thank You that a slingshot and five stones are enough to bring down a giant. I believe that nothing can keep me from my destiny in  Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Though your beginning was small, your latter end would increase abundantly."*(Job 8:7)

Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time: "Did not he who made the outside make the inside also?"

Scripture

1st Reading: Rom1:16-25

Resp. Psalm: Ps19:2-5

Gosp. Accl.: Heb4:12

Gospel: Lk11:37-41

 Appearance and reality of life

We live in a world of appearances and make believe. A lot of persons live exactly different from what they make others believe they really are. This is the great difference between appearance and reality. To live on the level of appearance is to be superficial. What is of primal importance is what each of us really is, and what we really are is what God is interested in. The law of ritual cleansing before meals was the bone f contention between our Lord and the Pharisees in today's gospel passage. While the Pharisees put stress on external purification, our Lord emphasized internal, spiritual purification. Do we take the state of our spiritual lives with utmost seriousness?

Guard what goes on within

The point made by our Lord in today's gospel passage is clear: the state of our spiritual lives and the condition of our souls are far more important than the appearance of our bodies and physical conditions. Our Lord stressed that the inside of us must not be filled with sin and wickedness, while we appear externally as clean. What is inside is therefore what should be of primal concern to each of us. This is why our Lord recommends that we practice almsgiving so that we can be cleansed from the evil that is within us and be indeed clean. Are we in touch with what goes on within our hearts and souls? Do we guard them so that they promote our growth in the Spirit?

 Declare for the gospel of the Lord

A true Christian is one who makes Christ known. A true Christian is one who is not ashamed of testifying to the hope Christ has given. The word of God today challenges us never to be ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith. The gospel reveals the righteousness of God through faith for faith. The gospel teaches us godliness and guards our steps against wickedness. The word today teaches us that even creation narrates the truth about who God is. To claim not to know God, after seeing creation and again, after hearing the good news, is a tragedy. This is because to do this is tantamount to exchanging the truth about God for a lie and to worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. Are we bold to testify to our hope in the Lord? Do we live out our faith in all circumstances of life?

Let us pray

We ask you, Lord, to make us true to who we are. Give us your grace to live out the demands of the good news and strengthen us to follow you to the end. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*MONDAY-13th OCTOBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*A-Life-of-Generosity-Rewarded.*_ 

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE*:📖

 _*Proverbs 11:24*_

"It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Today's Scripture (Proverbs 11:24)  could read like a contradiction, but God's ways are not our ways. ( Isaiah 55:8-9) . Everything in you may say, "If I'm going to fix my finances and overcome my problems, I don't have the money or the time to help anyone else. When I get my problems solved, I'll help others." No, giving your time, energy, and resources to helping others in their time of need is what's going to open the windows of heaven and cause your problems to turn around. You're never going to end up with less.*

Dearly Beloved, 

*Here's the beauty:* 

- When you help others, what you give is going to come back to you not in the same proportion, but pressed down, shaken together, and running over.(Luke 6:38). 

- It's a seed you're sowing that's going to keep coming back to you and multiplying. 

- When you live a life of generosity, when you make sacrifices to help other people rise higher, it's not just going to affect you, it's to going to affect your children. 

- It's going to be more than you imagined.

Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🥁🪇🪗🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY*:🙏 

Gracious God, thank You for the promise that it is possible for me to give away my time and resources to those in need and yet prosper. Thank You that as I sow seeds of blessing in others, You will cause it to multiply in coming back to me. I believe that You will open the windows of heaven to me in Jesus' name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*''Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act."*(Proverbs 3:27)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*FRIDAY-10th OCTOBER , 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Avoid The Trap of Fear.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE*:📖

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe". 

*TODAY'S WORD:🔥* 

*Fear is one of the enemy's favourite tools to keep us from moving forward. The moment you make a decision to step out in faith, the enemy will immediately bring fear to stop you. He'll put thoughts in your mind such as, "What if I fail? What will others think? Maybe I don't have what it takes." He'll do his best to use fear to try to convince you to shrink back and just stay right where you are. Fear is the devil , when we put our eyes away from God . The Scripture tells us that fear is a spirit. It affects your emotions. (2 Timothy 1:7). But when you choose to put your trust in the Lord, no matter how you are feeling, you are combating fear.*

Dearly Beloved , today, don't allow fear to trap you and hold you back. Instead, take a step of faith knowing that God is on your side.(2 Corinthians 5:7). He is for you and with you, leading and guiding you in the path of victory all the days of your life. Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪇🪗🎸🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏 

Awesome God, I choose to put my trust in You. I press forward in faith so I can overcome fear. I believe You have my best interest at heart and know that You are leading me in the paths of righteousness all the days of my life in Jesus' name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."*( 1John 4:18)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*FRIDAY -3rd OCTOBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Another Victory Is On The Way.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*2 Corinthians 2:14*_

 "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere ."

*TODAY'S WORD:🔥* 

*Are you facing challenges or difficulties today? Maybe something has happened that could easily discourage you and cause you to give up on your dreams. I want to remind you that where you are is not where you are going to stay. God has a good plan in store for your future.(Jeremiah 29:11). When you stay in step with Him, you’ll walk right into victory. The Scripture tells us that God wants to take us from glory to glory, from victory to victory.( 2 Corinthians 3:18). Even if you are between victories right now, keep your passion. Keep your enthusiasm. Focus on the fact that God has another level for you—another level of glory, another level of increase, another level of His favour*.

Dearly Beloved, today I encourage you to go out with a smile on your face. Give Him your best. When you thank God for what He has done, you are sowing a seed that He will use in your future. Keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping, and stand strong because another victory is coming your way! Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪇🪗🎸🥁🎼

*PRAYER FOR TODAY:🙏* Almighty God, right now I choose to focus my mind and heart completely on You. I choose to step out of discouragement, step out of complacency, step out of worry, and step in to Your glory. You alone are worthy, and I thank You for the victory You have in store for my future in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"We have overcome him ( our arch enemy,  the accuser of brethren)  by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony......"*(Revelation 12:11)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY-2nd OCTOBER, 2025*_ 

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Choose The Voice Of Faith*_.

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Deuteronomy 15:5*_

"If only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today." 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*All through the day, there are always two voices competing for our attention—the voice of faith ( from the Holy Spirit )  and the voice of defeat.(From Devil - evil spirit). You'll hear a voice saying, "You'll never rise any higher. You don't have what it takes. You've reached your limit." But if you listen carefully, you'll hear another voice saying, "You are well able. You can do all things through Christ.( Phillipians 4:13). Your best days are still up ahead."( Jeremiah 29:11). You are the one who gets to choose which voice comes to life.*

Dearly Beloved , the way you do it is by speaking it out of your own mouth. Always verbalize your thought process faithfully .  The moment you verbalize that thought, you give it the right to come to pass. When you speak faith, you're in agreement with God. When you speak defeat, you're in agreement with the arch  enemy, the accuser of brethren - Devil .(Revelation 12:10). God-talk brings God on the scene. Enemy-talk brings the enemy on the scene. Why don't you get in agreement with God today? That negative voice may be louder, but you can override it. You can take away all of its power by simply choosing the voice of faith. Choose to declare favour, blessing and increase over your life so that you can walk in the victory the Lord has in store for you. Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪇🪗🎸🥁🎼

*PRAYER FOR TODAY:*🙏

Heavenly Father, today and everyday, I choose the voice of faith and victory. I declare that today I am rising up higher in You, that I can do all things because You give me strength. I bless and honour You in everything I do in Jesus'  name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"*(Romans 10:17)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY-23rd SEPTEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

 _*A Habit of Prayer*_.

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE*:📖

_*Psalm 30:8*_

 "To You, O Lord, I called, and to the Lord I made supplication."

*TODAY'S WORD*:🔥

*God promises so many things to those who call on Him.(Jeremiah 33:6). He is always listening; He is always ready to receive us when we come to Him. The question is, how often are you calling on Him? A lot of times people think, “Oh, I need to pray about that,” but then they get busy about their day and distracted with life. Thinking about praying isn’t the same as praying. Knowing that you need to pray isn’t the same as praying. We have to be diligent to make time every day, throughout the day, to stop and pray and call on Him. God is still in the mood of answering prayers.*

Dearly Beloved, one way to develop a habit a prayer is to have a prayer partner, a friend whom you agree to connect with and pray together. It doesn’t have to be long or formal. The Scripture tells us there is power in agreement. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11). When two or more come together in Jesus' name, He is there. ( Matthew 18:20). If you don’t have a prayer partner, Jesus will be your prayer partner! Just make sure you carve out time each day to develop a habit of prayer! Halleluyah!!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪇🪗🎸🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:🙏*

 Almighty God, thank You for Your promises and many blessings for those who are faithful to seek You in prayer. Help me to be faithful, help me to be diligent to keep you first in everything I do in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*''Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"*.( 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY -17th SEPTEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Lay Aside the Weights.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Matthew 11:28*_

 "...Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Sometimes it’s as though we’re carrying all these heavy bags around—a bag of guilt, another bag with all the mistakes we’ve made, then we add on a bag full of regrets. We go through life carrying around all of these bags, then we wonder why life is a struggle, why we’re tired, why we can’t accomplish a dream. It’s because you weren’t created to live with guilt, condemnation, and shame. "No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."( Romans 8:1)*

Dearly Beloved, the Scripture tells us to “lay aside the weights that can easily entangle us.” (Romans 12:1). It’s time to lay aside those weights of guilt and shame and regret. It’s time to get rid of that baggage. This is a new day. The accuser has held you back long enough. Nothing you’ve done in the past is too much for the mercy of God. You are redeemed. You are restored. Shake off the guilt and the accusing voices and receive the gift of righteousness in Christ Jesus and rest for your soul. Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪇🪗🎸🥁🪘🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Awesome God the Father, thank You that I can come to You and unload all the weight of heaviness, regrets, feelings of unworthiness. I am laying aside all those heavy bags and receiving Your gift of righteousness. I will rest in Your love and mercy and forgiveness in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."*(Hebrews 12:1)

Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time: Memorial of Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian: the compassion of the Lord for human suffering and tragedy

Scripture 

1st Reading: 1Tim3:1-13; Responsorial Psalm: Ps100: 1-3,5,6; Gospel Acclamation: 2Tim1:10; Gospel: Lk7:11-17

The sad reality of death

Death is the natural end of life. It is the end of dreams, aspirations, goals, talents, endowments, beauty, fame, glamour, popularity and worldly honours. Death puts an end to so many things and throws those left behind into an abyss of despondency and hopelessness. Only the presence of the Resurrection and the Life can change this horrifying narrative. That presence, of the only begotten Son of God, the vanquisher of death, makes the fundamental difference, because it turns despondency into hope, sorrow into joy, meaninglessness into profound understanding, the emptiness of death into the fulness of the new life after the grave. That presence mattered greatly in our gospel passage today. As the Lord and His disciples were entering the town of Nain, there was a very sad and tragic funeral cortege. A young man, the only son of his mother, died and was being taken for burial. The sight of that sad mother filled our Lord with pity. The sight of that sorrow mother must have painted the picture of what His own blessed mother would undergo and endure in a few months to this incident. But while no one would rescue the Blessed Mother Mary from that tragedy of seeing her sinless Son's life cut short in its prime, the Lord, in this instance at Nain, decided to act. Do we understand the mystery of suffering and death as capable of bringing joy and gladness of new life in God?

The miracle of life at Nain

The mercy of the Lord is everlasting. The Lord sees, knows, identifies where we need Him and with faith in His power, He intervenes. In the case of the widow who lost her only son, her entire hope for the future, the widow did not ask our Lord for help. Maybe she thought all hope was lost. But the Lord saw into her heart. The Lord knew what bringing her son back to life would do to this grieving widow, who had no hope of having a child again. The Lord went towards the widow and the bier, told her not to cry. Then the Lord put His hand on the bier and the bearers stood still. Then in a voice full of mighty power, the Lord commanded: "Young man, I tell you to get up." The word of power was given. The gates of death was thrown open. The powers that held the life of this young man relinquished their prey. The dead man sat up and began to talk. The Lord then gave him to his mother. Those who witnessed this instance of amazing grace were filled with awe and praised God that a great prophet had appeared among them and that God had visited His people. Do we doubt the power of God? Do we think there are situations that are beyond God's power to resolve? In moments of crisis, do we stubbornly hold on to God even when the available indices do not favour our blind faith?

The character of the leader in a Christian community

Leadership is given by God. While it is true that people seek leadership for various reasons and eventually get it, they fail often because their motive for seeking leadership is not pure and God-like. The word of God today gives the attributes and qualities a leader in a Christian must possess. This is why authentic Christian leadership is at variance with the leadership paradigm that the world brandishes. In today's word, we are taught that the leader must have impeccable character. If he decides to marry, he must not have been married more than once. He must be temperate, discreet, courteous, hospitable, a good teacher, not a heavy drinker, not hot tempered but kind and peaceable. He must not be a lover of money and must be one who manages his family well and brings up his children in the fear of God. What this leads us to is that the leader must lead by the example of his own life. He must be seen as someone who puts into practise what he teaches others. Do we aspire to lead from right and correct motives? Do we have the right understanding of Christian leadership as service that is rooted in the way we live our lives?

Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian

Sts Cornelius and Cyprian were two great Saints of the early Church. Cornelius was pope and bishop of Rome and Cyprian was bishop of Cathage in North Africa. Both of them were united in their deep and unconquerable faith in our Lord. Both stood firm and gave authentic Christian leadership and witness in time of persecution. They gave their lives in witness to their faith. May they intercede for us.

Let us pray

"O God, who gave Saints Cornelius and Cyprian to your people as diligent shepherds and valiant Martyrs, grant that through their intercession we may be strengthened in faith and constancy and spend ourselves without reserve for the unity of the Church." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

*🌤️ MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY -16th SEPTEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Love Drives Out Fear.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*1 John 4:18*_

 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. "

*TODAY'S WORD:🔥*

*Scripture tells us that God is love.(1 John 4:8).  He is perfect, and His love is perfect. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make Him love you less. His love towards you is steadfast; it’s unchanging. His arms are always stretched out towards you, and He is always ready for you to come to Him.*

Dearly Beloved, oftentimes, when people make a mistake or feel that they have disappointed God, they think He might be mad at them, but the Scripture tells us just the opposite. God’s not mad at you; He’s madly in love with you! (John 3:16). It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you’ve come from, God’s arms are open to you. He’s longing to show you His goodness and grace. It’s His kindness that leads us to repent and change our ways. Halleluyah !☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪗🎸🎺🥁🪇🪘🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:🙏*

 Gracious God, thank You for loving me perfectly. I want to know You more, and I want to know Your love. I receive it by faith today and ask that You show me Your ways and fill me with Your peace as I keep my heart and mind stayed on You in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law."*(Romans 13:10)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*MONDAY -15th SEPTEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

 _*God's Plan for Your life*_.

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE*:📖

_*Jeremiah 29:11*_

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*God has a plan for your life, but He doesn’t show you all the details. If He showed you what He has in store, where He’s taking you, it would excite and amaze you. But if you saw what it’s going to take to get you there—the giants and Pharaohs you’ll face, the lonely nights, the betrayals, the closed doors—you would think, “I’ll just stay where I am.” God doesn’t show us the details because He knows we would talk ourselves out of it. If you can’t figure out how something is ever going to work out, and you start getting worried, that’s a sign God doesn’t want you to know. You have to be comfortable not knowing.*

Dearly Beloved, when you say, “God, I don’t see a way or have the answer for how this situation can work out, but I trust You,” that attitude of faith is what allows God to do great things. He had the solution before you had the problem. Pass the test and simply trust Him. Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎤🎤🎸🎺🥁🪇🪘🎤🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

 Heavenly Father, thank You for Your plan for my life, a plan that is full of hope and an abundant future. Thank You that You are calling me to trust You and to be comfortable not knowing how everything will work out. I believe that You are for me, and that is all I need to know in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Cast your burdens upon God, because He cares."*(1 Peter 5:7)

Monday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time: Memorial of our Lady of Sorrows: "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother"

Scripture 

1st Reading: 1Tim2:1-8; Responsorial Psalm: Ps28:2,7-9; Gospel Acclamation: Jn3:16; Gospel: Jn19:25-27; Lk2:33-35

Co-sharer of suffering, in love

Love overcomes everything. In moments of crisis, sickness, troubles, hardships, sufferings, the power of true love shines out. It is in these moments that identifying with another in pain, proves to be the greatest hallmark of love and care. The love of a mother is great and powerful. A good mother is prepared to sacrifice anything for the good of the child. When a mother is ready to do this, how much more the mother of God, who understood the mission entrusted to her Son to save the world, even if she did not fully know the details of the plan God had. Despite this, when the time came for her to make a decision at the appointed time of the fulfillment the plan of salvation, when the Son had to give His life and pour Himself out for the redemption of the world, the mother of God fully collaborated in all these. In today's gospel passage, at the scene of the crucifixion, as the Lord hung on the cross of shame, in indescribable pain and agony, the word of God recounts that the mother was there at the foot of the cross. She stood there with her sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas and Mary Magdala. What is the quality of the love we profess for people we claim to love? How ready are we to share, not only the joys that love brings, but also the pains and sufferings? How protective are we of people we love, no matter the circumstance?

The divine entrusting 

Love seeks out the beloved. No matter the circumstance, if people truly and genuinely love, they will always seek the good of the beloved. This involves sharing the pain of the beloved. Despite knowing that her Son was set for the rising and fall of many, she stood by Him to the end. The mother of God, who stood by the cross of her divine Son, gave us the example of true maternal love, that stands by the beloved child till the end. But love rewards love too. In today's word, the Lord, despite His horrific sufferings on the cross, and with His bloodied face, still recognized His blessed mother from the crowd that gathered at Calvary on the day of His crucifixion and death. Though in excruciating pain, the Lord decided to repay His mother for her dedication and also provide for the needs of the Church from the abundance of her maternal love. The Lord entrusted the Church to her, through the disciple whom He loved. The Lord also entrusted her to the Church, making us understand that her maternal love and care, which she gave to Him, should now be extended to His bride, the Church. The mother of God, from that moment till today, has not ceased demonstrating this great love and care for the Church, the disciples of her divine Son. Till this day, in series of appearances in different places, she comes to warn the world to return to the right path. Do we understand the depth of the love between mother and Son? Do we fully comprehend that the entrusting of the Church to the Blessed Mother by the Lord manifested the love He had for His mother and for the Church?

The obligation to pray

The word of God today makes the case for incessant prayer. In our first reading, we are admonished to pray for everyone without distinction. The prayers should be in form of petitions, intercession, thanksgiving. We are to pray for people in authority, so that "we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet." If we are able to achieve this, then we will be able to please God our Saviour and reach full knowledge of the truth. We will be able to please God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Mediator He appointed, who sacrificed Himself as a ransom for us all. This is the good news that St. Paul referred to himself as Apostle of and that in all places, people should lift their hands reverently in prayer. The mother of God teaches us what it means to pray. She used her entire life as a fragrant song of thanksgiving to God. Do we pray only in times of crisis? Do we give quality time to prayer as our means of connecting to God?

Let us pray

"O God, who willed that, when your Son was lifted high on the Cross, his Mother should stand close by and share his suffering, grant that your Church, participating with the Virgin Mary in the Passion of Christ, may merit a share in his Resurrection." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SUNDAY-14th SEPTEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE*📖:

_*Romans 8:38-39*_

 "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our LORD." 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*People may come and go from your life, but God is always with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.(Hebrews 13:5b).  His love goes way beyond any human love you have ever experienced. Human love may be conditional, but God’s love is supernatural; it’s unconditional and knows no limits. There’s nothing you can do to earn His love and nothing you can do to stop His love.*

Dearly Beloved, the Scripture tells us that His love is patient and kind. (1 Corinthians 13:4). His love believes the best. His love redeems and restores you. No matter what you’ve been told or what you may think about yourself today, you are His most prized possession. There’s nothing that can separate you from His love!(Romans 8:38). Remember, faith is activated by love. As you allow Him to flood you with His love, your faith will be ignited, and you’ll be empowered to live the abundant life He has for you! Halleluyah!

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🎺🥁🪇🪘🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:🙏*

Faithful God, thank You for loving me and setting me free. Thank You for working in my life and restoring the broken places. Everything I have I surrender to You. Fill me with Your perfect love in Jesus’ name. 

Dearly Beloved,

*"We love because he first loved us."*(1John 4:19)

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

*🌤️MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY-13th SEPTEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

 _*God Using Difficulties For Our Best*_. 

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

 _*Psalm 119:71*_ 

"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."

*TODAY'S WORD:🔥*

*When you understand the principle that God is going to use difficulties for your best, life gets much more freeing. You don’t get upset when things happen that you don’t like. You know God allowed it, and He’s going to use it for good. It’s a part of the process. He may be developing patience in you. Whatever it is, He has a purpose for it. Keep the right perspective; it’s all good.*

Dearly Beloved, we are not going to understand everything that happens and doesn’t happen in our lives, but God sees the big picture. He knows where the dead ends are, the shortcuts, the bumpy roads that are going to cause you heartache and pain. (Isaiah 46:20).  He’ll keep doors closed that you prayed would open because He knows going through them would be a waste of your time. God is asking, “Do you trust Me with your closed doors and unanswered prayers?” He’s getting you ready for the next level of your destiny. Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🎺🥁🪇🪘🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

 Heavenly Father, thank You that You know best when it comes to the things I want and ask You for. Thank You that You are directing my steps and that You’ll take me through the things I don’t understand. It all may not feel good, but I declare that it is all good in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose"*.(Romans 8:28)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you"

Scripture 

1st Reading: Col3:12-17; Responsorial Psalm: Ps150:1-6; Gospel Acclamation: 1Jn4:12; Gospel: Lk6:27-38

The new deal 

Humanity had been suffering from self inflicted wounds. Humanity was self annihilating. The power of negativity, cruelty, hatred, vengeance, violence threatened to completely obliterate the beautiful nature God created. There was need for a new way of doing things, an introspection, a rethink and re-strategizing. In today's word, the Lord Jesus brought humanity back to the original plan and design God had for it. This divine plan is grounded in the very nature of God. Consequently, God, by this plan, is recalling humanity to the original design He had for it. Against our fallen and sinful nature, the Lord today commanded us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us and pray for those who abuse us. For too long, the Mosaic law of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth had dominated and kept humanity in its stranglehold. Humanity will receive freedom if it follows this teaching of the Lord. Do we hate our enemies? Do we believe they deserve no pity and no mercy?

Pay back good for the evil done you

We know that the "natural" human reaction is to pay back the offender in the measure that the offender has measured to us. The Lord today commanded us to repay that evil with good. He taught us to turn the other cheek to the one who strikes us, to offer our coat to the person who asks for our cloak and not to ask from him. We are to give to everyone who begs us and we should do to men what we would wish that men do to us. We should be merciful, in imitation of our heavenly Father who is in heaven. The word of God contains a promise today: we will be sons of the Most High. The word of God teaches us that we should love our enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. We must not judge or condemn. Do we pay back evil with evil? Do we have unforgiving spirits?

Put on good virtues

Christians are called to live the life of God. To live the life of God is to practise the values and virtues God has revealed to us of Himself throughout the course of His engagement and encounter with us in history. In today's word, we are challenged to put on the values of God: compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness. The word declared today that over and above all of these, each of us must put on love. It is this love that binds everything together. We must let the peace of Christ reign and allow the  The word of God also mentions thanksgiving. We should show gratitude to God for all He has done for us. How thankful are we for all that the Lord has done for us? How patient are we in learning of the ways of God?

Let us pray 

O God our Father, we thank you for the power of your Son's teaching, calling us to a new way of life. Give us your grace to heed His call. May our commitment to your word be seen in the manner we live our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY -11th SEPTEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Be a Person of Integrity.*_ 

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:📖*

_*Psalm 101:2*_

" I will walk with integrity of heart within my house."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Solomon said, “A good name is worth more than great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1). Your reputation is one of the most valuable things you have, and it is built on the foundation of your personal integrity. A person of integrity does the right thing when no one is watching. You can have talent, determination, and vision, but without integrity, you won’t reach your full potential.*

Dearly Beloved,

*Where does it start*?

In today’s Scripture,(Psalm 101:2),  David was saying, “Starting in my private life, when I could compromise, give in to temptation, cheat people, instead I’m going to do the right thing. I’m going be a person of excellence and show God that He can trust me.” He went on to say, “I will not look at anything impure. I won’t watch things that are going to poison me. I will not have anything to do with crooked dealings, things that are shady, not ethical.” (Phillipians 4:8). Your name is too important to let it become tarnished by not having integrity.  Halleluyah! ☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🎺🥁🪇🪘🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Merciful God,  thank You that down at the foundation of my life I can be a person of integrity, someone who’s true to You no matter what. Thank You that as I honour You, You are a shield of protection to me. I will not let small things keep me from Your big blessings in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God."*( Proverbs 30:8)

Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time: the beatitude as pathway to heaven

Scripture 

1st Reading: Col3:1-11; Responsorial Psalm: Ps45:11-12,14-17; Gospel Acclamation: Lk6:23; Gospel: Lk6:20-26

The blessedness that is not worldly 

The values of the world are often opposed to the values of the kingdom. The things that men see as the source of completion and fulfillment are stubble and nonsense in the divine consideration of authentic, life giving parameters. This is why the wisdom of this world will always be considered as foolishness before God. In today's gospel passage, the Lord taught His disciples the true values that they needed to imbibe and live by, in order for them to qualify to enter the kingdom of heaven. The first is poverty. This poverty is not necessarily material poverty or deprivation of necessities and means of livelihood. It is not want or penury. Poverty here intended by the Lord is spiritual, that humility, self detachment from worldly allurement, desires, he love of one's ego or self. It indicates our total dependence on God, without whom we are nothing and before whom we count for nothing. The second value proposed by the Lord is hunger. This hunger is spiritual, that is, the soul's longing for perfection, union with God and release from earthly encumbrances. The third value is tears and cry. This is the soul's passionate longing for perfect union with God. Those who have this value would be satisfied. Do we find meaning in the things that happen to us daily?

The reversal of fortunes

The Lord knew that He was building the people for the reality of His absence when He would have been taken way from them to enter into the kingdom of the Father, the place He emptied Himself and let go so as to heal and save us. The Lord declared today that being hated and persecuted for the sake of the gospel is a praiseworthy act. The Lord was clear in His teaching: the reward of those who endure such exclusion, hatred, casting out one's name as evil, is great in heaven. The Lord ended His teaching today by declaring a reversal of fortunes for those who think they own the world and who have no place for God in their lives. Those of them who are rich will be poor because they have received their earthly consolation; those who are full will hunger; those who laugh now would weep. Do we have eyes and hearts for the needs of others?

Seek the things that are above

We are in the world but we are not of the world. The word of God today teaches us on the implications of our being raised with Christ and the new life we have been given: we should seek the things that are above, not the things that are below. The gaze, focus and attention should therefore be Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God. The word of God therefore enjoins us that we have died and our lives are hidden with Christ in God, and we should therefore put to death all that is earthly in us so that the wrath of God can be averted. We must remember that these earthly things were the things we held on to before we were rescued by the Lord. We are now to put them away permanently. We should put off the old man and put on the new man. What do we seek? What focus do we have? 

Let us pray 

O God our Father, we thank you for teaching us your word and for challenging us by it to leave our old lives behind and embrace the new life. Give is your grace to live the life of the beatitudes. Assist us to overcome the difficulties of our lives and so live in total fidelity to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SUNDAY-7th SEPTEMBER, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*God doesn’t Need a Cloud To Make It Rain.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Genesis 18:14*_

 "Is anything too hard for the Lord?..." 

*TODAY'S WORD:🔥*

*One beautiful, sunny day we were in the backyard enjoying the blue sky when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, it began to rain even though there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The sun was out and very bright, but for about three minutes, there was a downpour. We thought, “Where in the world is this rain coming from?”*

*It was like God was saying, “I can make it rain whenever I want to. I can use a little cloud, a big cloud or no cloud. I’m God. I’m the All-Powerful, Creator of the universe. When I say rain, I don’t need a cloud. When I say healing, I don’t have to use medicine. When I say promotion, I don’t need the approval of your boss. When I say abundance, I don’t need a bank. I’m not limited by the natural. I’m a supernatural God.”* 

Dearly Beloved, whatever 

you are facing today, no matter what things look like in the natural, know that God has the answer. Trust Him because He can make a way where there seems to be no way.(Isaiah 43:19). He can make something out of nothing, and He doesn’t need a cloud to make it rain!

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🎺🪇🪘🪗🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY🙏* 

Almighty God, I praise You today because You are worthy. I trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I believe that You can make a way out of no way, and I look for Your rain of blessing in every area of my life in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible'".* ( Matthew 19:26)

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time: new wine, new skin

Scripture 

1st Reading: Col1:15-20; Responsorial Psalm: Ps100:1-5; Gospel Acclamation: Jn8:12; Gospel: Lk5:33-39

The criticism

The criticism levelled against the Lordborders on accusation of impiety and lack of seriousness about religious matters and ritual demands. The Lord and His disciples were accused of not keeping two of the most essential pillars of the religion of Israel, which helped to regulate and calibrate the content and dispositions of Israel to the laws and demands of God over them. The Lord did not fast and His disciples too did not. The Pharisees and the scribes saw this as giving bad example to the people. The Lord made them realize that fasting and prayers were hinged on two conditions: that the bridegroom had not come; thar the bridegroom had not been taken away. They were accused of eating and drinking while they should have fasted and prayed in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, the promised one. Do we think before we act, check before we conclude, reflect and judge b4 we act?

the dynamics of salvation

The Lord not only knew the dynamics of salvation, but He was effectively origin and source of it. In today's discourse with the scribes and Pharisee, the Lord made it known that there would be no need for fasting since the bridegroom was already around. Fasting would be done when the bridegroom would be taken away from them. The Lord was clear today that what He came to offer was a new covenant, a new way of looking at things. The Lord was not following any rabbinic or Pharisaic school. His teaching was the new order. Consequently, it was impracticable to superimpose this new teaching over the old teaching taught by the Pharisees. The people would lose the understanding of both of the old teaching and the newness of the one the Lord was offering. Consequently, there was need for a new and fresh approach to the good news that the Lord brought. The good news must never be made to fit into the old modes of doing things. There must be life transforming approaches. We must therefore understand that we must show a high level of flexibility and adaptation. As true disciples, we must be careful of the way we act so that they did show us as people who cannot walk the talk. Do we understand the dynamics of salvation? Do we realize that the Lord represents new wine that must not be put into the old wineskins that would destroy its freshness?

The glories of the Word of God

Our first reading today recounts the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God and the first born of all creation. The word of God made it clear that all things were created in him, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. All things were created through Him and for Him and all things hold together in Him. He is the head of the body, the Church, the beginning and first born from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. All the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in Him and through him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Do we understand the privilege given by Him who took our nature upon Himself to save us?

Let us pray 

O God our Father, we thank you for the coming of the bridegroom, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Give us the grace to be always ready for His coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time: the divine power to teach and enlighten the minds and hearts from darkness of error and liberate from evil forces 

Scripture 

1st Reading: 1Thess5:1-6,9-11; Responsorial Psalm: Ps27:1,4,13-14; Gospel Acclamation: Lk7:16; Gospel: Lk4:31-37

The demonstration of divine power at Capernaum

Words are powerful. But words, combined with demonstrable proof of authenticity, convince more than anything. When someone is able to match his words with action, the public acceptance of such a person and faith in what the person represents, becomes a necessity. The Lord grew up in Nazareth, a city in the region of Galilee. Capernaum was also a city of Galilee. The Lord, as a faithful Jew, today was in the Synagogue of that city, teaching the people on the sabbath. His fame as a prophet and teacher had preceded Him into Capernaum. In today's gospel passage, we know that the teaching was not done in the way of other known teachers who relied on the spiritual authorities of those who taught them. The people saw in the Lord a source of power, a new origin that they had never seen. They were astonished because He taught with authority and His word demonstrated this without any iota of doubt. Do we understand the newness and power in the teaching of Jesus even today? Do we know that there is never and there can never be any teacher in spiritual matters, like Him?

The recognition of the divine presence and power

The human capacity to understand and grasp divine truths and mysteries is oftentimes vitiated by sin and the state of weakness and corruption that our nature was thrown into as a consequence of original sin. The people at the synagogue in Capernaum were astonished at the power in the Lord's words and teaching. They were incapable of recognizing the divinity behind these powers and authority that the Lord exhibited. But the evil spirits and the powers of the underworld understood and read correctly. They knew that violence was going to be visited on their kingdom and that they would lose their stranglehold on the souls of people they had possessed and whose lives they had destroyed. In fact, the demons in the man with unclean spirits asked what business the Lord had with them, since they knew that light could never coexist with darkness; identified Him as Jesus of Nazareth; stated that they recognized that He had the power to destroy them; declared that they knew who He was; and called Him the Holy One of God. Do we recognize the divine power of the Lord in the big and small events around us? Do we have the discerning minds to know the actions and power of God?

The power over negative, malignant spirits

The Lord demonstrated power in His teaching. He taught things no human person ever taught, with an insight no human person ever gave about the things of the divine. But the Lord also showed that His power was from the God of Israel. He showed this by His comprehensive domination of malignant, negative spiritual forces, especially the ones that tormented the humanity that He came to liberate and redeem. In today's gospel passage, the Lord did not have any dialogue with the spirit of an unclean demon that tormented the man in the synagogue. The Lord commanded the spirit by the power and authority He had. He told the spirit: "Be silent, and come out of him!". The word was given; the action followed. The spirit came out of the man, having done him no harm. The people again, for the second time, marvelled at what the Lord did: "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." Only God could have such powers to subjugate and dominate the forces of darkness. Do we realize that God did all these to elicit faith in His Son and the mission He sent Him to accomplish in the world?

Prepare well; the day of the Lord will come 

Scripture warns us today again complacency and lack of focus in our journey through life. We are told to beware of behaving as if we would live here forever. The word teaches us that the day of the Lord would come like a thief in the night. We should beware of thinking that we have peace and security and everything under control in this world. If we have this mindset, the day of the Lord will come surprise us like a thief. The word of God teaches us not to be asleep, but awake and be sober. God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ. Are we preparing well for the day of the Lord?

Let us pray

O God our Father, we thank you for teaching us your word, which challenges us on the way we are to live our lives. Give us your grace to listen attentively to your Son. May He use His powers to liberate us from the power of evil and the suggestions of satan. May our lives show our devotion to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

Wednesday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault"

Scripture 

1st Reading: Deut34:1-12; Responsorial Psalm: Ps66:1-3,5,8,16-17; Gospel Acclamation: 2Cor5:19; Gospel: Mt18:15-20

The liberating power of reconciliation 

The world is where it is today because of its deafness to the message of truth preached by the Lord Jesus Christ centuries ago. The world is where it is as a result of the lack of commitment  to the message of Christ by those who claim to be Christians but pay lip service to the truth of the Lord's word. Hatred, murder, oppression, wars, destruction of innocent lives occur because of human pride and the submission of the human heart to demonic forces that blind us to see that we come from the same stock and belong to the same humanity. The Lord's recommendation centuries ago are the ones we still need to return to if ever we want to have peace. In today's gospel passage, the Lord taught about conflict resolution and reconciliation. The Lord declared that if our brother sins against us, we should go and tell him his fault, between us and him alone. If that brother listens, we have gained our brother. The points here are twofold: the one offended should make the first move towards peace and should not wait for the offender to initiate the move for reconciliation; the gaining back of our brother must be ranked above our human feeling of hurt and the negative desire to exact vengeance. Do we realize that our lives are shortening because we refuse to reconcile and let go? Do we know the impact holding on to hurts has on our physical and mental health? Do we know we are slowly poisoning our system literally because we fail to reconcile? Have we ever acted the way the Lord has taught us today and moved to reconcile with those who hurt us?

The door of reconciliation must never be closed

From the Lord's teaching today, we can deduce that the greater merit and blessing will always go to the offended who makes strenuous moves to reconcile. The Lord knew the human heart and how obdurate we could be even when we are the offenders. He knew thar the sin of pride could make the offender to be arrogant in his foolishness. The Lord declared that even in the likely situation that such offender refused the offer of reconciliation from the one offended, the person offended should take one or two others along with him as witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, the door of reconciliation must never be shut: he should be reported to the Church. If he refuses to listen to the Church, the door should still not be shut: he should be pursued with love and mercy and compassion, just the way the Lord treated the gentiles and tax collectors of His own time. The Lord then made it known to us that whenever we decide to reconcile hatred and offer mercy and forgiveness, our actions are ratified in heaven and the offender is forgiven also by God. This is why it is important for us to unbind those we have bound here on earth on account of our refusal to forgive and let go. Let us remember today the words of the Lord: "if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Do we make reconciliation a priority we must pursue? Have we ever unbound those whose sins have tied them down and made them enemies of God?

The faithful servant goes home to his reward 

Moses was a great and humble servant of God. He served the Lord God with all his heart and put in everything into the role God gave him to lead the people out of Egypt into the promised land. But whatever has a beginning must have an end. Moses was not to set foot on the promised land. In our first reading today, Moses went up the plains of Moab and the entire land which God promised to the Patriarchs, was shown to him. Moses then died on the plains of Moab and was buried by God in the valley in the land of Moab. No one knows that burial place till today, to express God's abiding love and the high status on which God placed this man. The word of God today stated that there was no prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. There was none like him for all the signs and wonders God sent him to do in the land of Egypt. Moses lived an illustrious life of service to God and neighbour. What kind of life are we living now? Do we think of our own ends? Are we planning for our death?

Let us pray

O God our Father, we thank you for the word of life we heard today, challenging us to move to higher grounds of holiness and righteousness. We ask you to soften our hardened hearts that hold on to grudges and refuse to let go of hurts. Empower us and give us courage to reconcile with those who offend us, so that the promised blessings may be ours. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

Tuesday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

Scripture 

1st Reading: Deut31:1-8; Responsorial Psalm: Deut32:3-4,7-9,12; Gospel Acclamation: Mt11:29; Gospel: Mt18:1-5,10,12-14

The true definition of greatness 

There are human made paradigms that have been imposed on cultures, communities, systems, states and nations. These paradigms are seen to be the hallmarks of success and completeness. People live their lives in pursuit of these paradigms. One of them is that of greatness. People associate greatness with wealth, position, authority, power, influence, beauty, ability to sway others, domination, achievements, impact, accomplishments. There are also those who define it by the integrity and character that people manifest. The Lord gives us the true and lasting understanding of greatness today. The disciples came to Him to ask who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The Lord put a child in the midst of them and gave them the true definition of greatness: "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Do we realize that greatness in according to the definition of the world does not translate into greatness before God? 

The paradigm shift 

In the ancient culture from which our Lord spoke today, children were naturally not assigned any leadership roles because of their age. They were generally seen but not heard. Their opinions were often considered as not mature enough for acceptance by those of older generation. They were seen as vulnerable, with limited rights, even though they were also considered as blessing from God. Our Lord used the child as the paradigm of true leadership and greatness. He mentioned that a great leader must be welcoming, open handed and open hearted, take on the qualities of a child, be humble, must not despise others and must seek the lost and those who go astray. Greatness is measured by the ability to see to it that no one of the little ones perishes. Consequently, greatness is measured by humility, service, compassion, being there for others, sacrificing oneself for the common good, placing others over and above oneself. Is this the idea of greatness we have? If indeed we are true disciples of the Lord, do we follow Him faithfully in this radical understanding of greatness in leadership and try to make it truly our own?

The Lord will keep His promise 

Servants go and servants come. The work of God continues and marches on till the end of time itself. Generations come and go. Great servants of God do His will and when the time comes for them to depart for their eternal reward, they pass the baton to their successors. The baton changed in the leadership of the chosen people as they marched towards the promised land. Moses finished his arduous work of leading the people. It had been decided by God at Meribah that Moses would not set foot on the promised land. But Moses knew that God would be faithful to His promises and would lead the people into the promised land. In today's word, Moses told Israel that God would be faithful to His promises and would clear the obstacles on the path of the people. They were admonished to be courageous and Joshua was unveiled as the new leader and given the assurance that God would go before Him in his tasks. Do we believe that God is a covenant keeping God? Do we understand that God's ways are sure and that He will take us to where He wants us to be, for the greater glory of His name?

Let us pray

O God our Father, we thank you for the gift of our lives. We ask you to implant in our hearts the true understanding of greatness. Assist us so that we do not use our entire lives to pursue shadows and seek for worldly greatness and forfeit the true greatness that will lead us to our eternal inheritance. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

[7/30, 11:41 AM] Alaba Babalola: IN REMEMBRANCE, AND IN HONOUR OF OUR DEAR DEPARTED FRIEND AND BROTHER, VINCENT OLUFEMI BURAIMOH WHO USED TO SHARE THIS👇 DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH US ON THIS PLATFORM FIR THE EDIFICATION OF OUR SOULS. MAY HIS SOUL CONTINUE TO REST IN PEACE, AND MAY PERPETUAL LIGHT OF GOD'S LOVE SHINE UPON HIM, IN JESUS' MIGHTY NAME, AMEN🌹👇

Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time: the treasure in the field and the pearls of great value

Scripture

1st Reading: Exod34:29-35; Resp. Psalm: Ps99:5-7,9; Gosp. Accl.: Jn15:15; Gospel: Mt13:44-46

The treasure

We long for the good life. We want comfort and well-being. We seek for satisfaction. We want to excel and be the best. We want to make impact. But if we are not careful, our gaze may be totally earth bound and limited to the ephemeral and passing things of fleeting values. These are treasures in the worldly sense of the word, but they do not last. Wisdom is needed for each of us to navigate successfully the demands that the world makes on us, without jeopardizing the commitment we are to have towards the eternal values. The Lord made it clear today that the kingdom is actually a treasure of eternal values. The focus of our existence should be to be part of the kingdom, that is, to acquire it. Nothing must be considered too great to utilize for that acquisition. Everything we have must be thrown into making sure we get there. Is getting to the kingdom the greatest value we have on our priority list? Is heaven the treasure of inestimable value that we daily long to acquire?

The wise will get there

The Lord made it clear today that only the wise and discerning, who know how to make the right choices at the right times, will get to the kingdom. The kingdom must also be searched for, it must be sought-after, and discovered after such a search. That was why the Lord taught today that the kingdom is like treasure hidden in a field on the one hand and like fine pearls, on the other. These were two powerful imageries that the hearers of our Lord could readily identify with and connect with, because they knew and heard of persons who really went in search of those treasures that people hid in fields and forgot where they hid them and probably died without giving any of their loved ones the information about where such treasures were hidden. The point made by the Lord in today's parable was that those who found these treasures and fine pearls went and sold all they had in order to buy the fields where they found the treasures or in the place where they found pearls of great value. Do we value the kingdom high on our priorities? Are we wise in our prioritization?

The awesomeness of God

There is something we cannot explain about the lives of those close to God, who are God's friends. When we encounter them, we intuitively know that they are different and that there is something about them that sets them apart. These friends of God are people who spend time with God to know His will, learn His ways and conform their lives to His teaching. Something extraordinary happened to Moses after his encounter with God on Mount Sinai: the skin of his face shone. Moses' face was transformed by virtue of his nearness to God on Mount Sinai. The people who saw this extraordinary sight were afraid to come close to Moses. Consequently, a veil was put over the face of Moses after Moses had finished speaking with the Lord, before he spoke with the people. Do we reflect the awesome God in our lives? Do people see the marks of God's holiness and purity in our lives? Do we reflect the glory of God?

Let us pray

We thank and praise you, Lord, for the treasure of lasting joy that you offered us today. Position us, Lord, to do everything in our power to acquire the treasure and help us to overcome our limitations in the process of searching diligently to acquire it. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

[7/30, 11:42 AM] Alaba Babalola: IMPORTANT AND CRUCIAL MESSAGE.

DON'T 

MISS

IT.🌹

[7/27, 8:07 AM] Emmanuel Lewis: Sunday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time: "Lord, teach us to pray"

Scripture 

1st Reading: Gen18:20-32; Resp. Psalm: Ps138:1-3,7-8; 2nd Reading: Col2:12-14; Gosp. Accl.: Rom8:15; Gospel: Lk11:1-13

Pray in this way

We need God in our lives. We cannot have God if we do not know Him and how to approach Him. We need to have a relationship with Him. The disciples of the Lord came to Him today to ask Him to teach them to pray. But in this instance, they asked so that they could be like the disciples of John who were also taught by their master how to pray. The Lord then taught them how to pray: to honour the name of God, ask for the imminence of His kingdom, request for our daily bread, ask for forgiveness and beg not to be led into temptation and evil. Do we understand our dependence on God? Do we pray to God in Fidelity and truth?

Parable on persistent prayer

The Lord today also taught His disciples what should be the quality and character of their prayer: it should be persistent, insistent and importunate. Our Lord buttressed this by telling the parable of someone who went to his friend at midnight to ask for a loaf of bread for a visitor who had just arrived. The one who was approached refused to budge, claiming he was already in bed with his wife and children. The Lord today made it abundantly clear that if this man would not get out of bed for the sake of friendship, he would do so because this petitioner would take no for an answer and would worry him to death. The Lord used this parable to teach us that our prayer should have no let up. We find this type of prayer in our first reading today. Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham begged God not to destroy the two cities if 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, 10 righteous persons were found in them. Unfortunately, both cities could not boast of ten righteous people. Do we pray as if our entire lives depend on it?

The three ingredients of prayer 

The Lord today taught us three features that our prayer must have. In the first place, we must ask. Now, we cannot ask if we do not beg the Lord for the right thing to ask for. If we ask for the right things, the Lord promises us today that we will receive answer to our petition. The second feature is to seek. To seek is to be in search of something we do not have or possess. Search must always be meticulous, focused and precise. We must understand that what we seek for must be something oriented towards our eternal good. If we seek for the right things, we will definitely find. The third feature is to knock. We must also know the door we are going to knock at and the right time to knock. If we do this, the Lord promises us today that the door will be opened to us. The Lord concludes today that there is no father among us whose son asks for a fish who would give him a serpent or for an egg who would give him a scorpion. If our earthly fathers would not do this, how much more our heavenly Father who is ready to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Do we use these three ingredients or features in our prayer to God?

Let us pray

"O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

[7/27, 2:56 PM] Alaba Babalola: POWERFUL 

DON'T 

MISS  

IT🪘

THIS IS FOR ME. I CLAIM IT.

THANK YOU LORD.👇

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY -26th JULY, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Your Faith Journey*_.

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Genesis 12:1-2*_

*The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*The way God leads us always requires faith. For Abram to reach his destiny meant he had to leave his comfort zone of family, friends, and blessing and take steps of faith into the unknown. Our God is a moving God. He’s taking you on a journey. The place of blessing is going to move. It may not always be physical as it was for Abram; sometimes it’s your thinking. You have to leave limited mindsets. You have to quit telling yourself you’re not qualified and take that new position at work, teach that class, or volunteer at the church. Quit thinking about what didn’t work out, who did you wrong, the relationship that didn’t make it. God is in control. He knows when it’s time for you to move forward. That’s why He’s commanded another place for you to be blessed. Now be sensitive to what He’s saying and quick to obey.*

Dearly Beloved , you have to leave where God was and go to where God is. It is a place strategically orchestrated to get you prepared for the fullness of your destiny. Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🎺🪗🥁🪇🪘🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY*:🙏🏻

 Gracious God, thank You for calling me to follow You and Your direction in my life. Thank You that You are a moving God and that to journey with You always means taking steps of faith into the unknown. I look forward to the new places of blessing that You have for me in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"A person's life path is not determined by their own will, and that humans cannot independently direct their own steps."*(Jeremiah 10:23)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*FRIDAY-11th JULY , 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Don't Get OnBoard With Anger and Bitterness.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Ephesians 4:26*_

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*You can’t stop negative feelings such as anger, disappointment, or sadness from coming, but you don’t have to let them control you by getting on board with them. Imagine you’re at a train station and the conductor says, “All aboard for the Depression Express. Stops at offences, self-pity, and worries.” Too often, we hand the conductor our ticket and step aboard. No, quit getting on board with those feelings. Try a different approach. Next time those negative feelings say, “All aboard,” say, “No, thanks. I’m not going where you’re going. My destination is joy, peace, abundance, and victory.” When we’re controlled by how we feel, that’s a very surface way to live. You have to go deeper than that.* Dearly Beloved, there will always be opportunities to be discouraged, offended, and upset. You have to make the choice. “That’s not for me. I’m going to live this day in faith.(Romans 1:17).  I’m going to focus on what’s right. I’m going to enjoy my family. I’m going to be grateful. I’m choosing to have a good mood.” That’s how you rule your feelings, and not let them rule you. Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God.*_🎹🎤🎸🎺🪗🥁🪇🪘🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God, thank You that though I can’t stop the circumstances around me, I can guard my heart and mind against the negative things that try to control me. Thank You that I don’t have to get on board the hurts, the worries, and disappointments. I will stop the anger and bitterness from getting in me in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool"*.(Ecclesiastes 7:9)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY- 25th JUNE, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*🍵

_*Get in Agreement With God.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*John 5:6*_

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*In John 5, Jesus asked a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years if he wanted to get well. The answer seemed obvious, but rather than say yes, the man began explaining why it seemed impossible. In one sense, Jesus was saying, “I need your permission to help you. If you’re not in agreement with Me, if you’re giving Me reasons for why it can’t happen, I can’t turn this around.” You have to give God permission to bless you, permission to free you, permission to promote you. You have to get in agreement with Him.*

Dearly Beloved, as long as you’re thinking of all the reasons why it’s not going to happen, talking about how impossible it looks, that’s going to keep you where you are. The conditions may not look favourable for it to ever change, but this is what faith is all about. "We live by faith not by sight."(2 Corinthians 5:7). You’re looking at it in the natural, but we serve a supernatural God. Release your faith, expecting His goodness, and He’ll make things happen that you can’t make happen, things that you can’t explain, things that you don’t see coming. Halleluyah! ✔️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪇🪘🪗🥁🎺🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Heavenly Father, thank You that with Your calling upon my life comes the power to release any old thinking, old habits, discouragement, and dysfunction that would keep me stuck. I’m dropping the excuses that hold me back and taking steps of faith for a new beginning today. I’m getting in agreement with You in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Heal me, Oh Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise."*( Jeremiah 17:14)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SUNDAY-22nd JUNE, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Keep Praising God , faithfully.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Romans 4:20*_

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God ".

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When Abraham was seventy-five years old, ( Genesis 12:4). God promised him a son. Isaac, the promised child, was born twenty-five years later. (Genesis 21:5). How did he wait during those twenty-five years? Was he complaining, “God, when is it going to happen? I don’t understand it”? No, he kept giving God praise and saying, “Lord, I know my son is on the way. Thank You for my baby. Thank You that You are faithful to Your promises.” Good is too faithful to fail us . He kept believing and believing, and finally the baby came.*

Dearly Beloved , as with Abraham, you may have believed God’s promise but nothing’s changing, no doors have opened. But you’re constantly thanking God, living with an attitude of faith and expectancy. You may not realize it, but every time you thank God, you are close to seeing your promise. Note that God inhabits the praises of His people .(Psalm 22:3). All of heaven comes to attention when you praise God. The breakthrough is about to happen. Don’t stop praising. Don’t stop believing. What God has put in your heart is in transit. It has your name on it. It’s headed your direction. It’s just a matter of time before it shows up. Wait for the God's timing .(Habakkuk 2:3). Halleluyah! ✔️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪇🪘🪗🥁🎺🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are my God and that’s reason enough to never waver in believing Your promises. Thank You that my faith can grow stronger through this. I am going to keep believing, keep praising, and thanking You for what’s on the way in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, .

*"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."*(Romans 4:21)

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

Saturday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time: Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga: "No one can serve two masters"

Scripture 

1st Reading: 2Cor12:1-10; Resp. Psalm: Ps34:8-13; Gosp. Accl.: 2Cor8:9; Gospel: Mt6:24-34

You cannot serve two masters

There is loyalty and allegiance given. Loyalty takes one's time, energy and efforts. The Lord declared today that we should beware of split loyalty when it comes to matters of the spirit. He taught us that we cannot serve two masters at the same time, because we would hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. What the Lord intends for us here is that we cannot serve God and any other thing. Our hearts cannot be with God and with something or someone else. We cannot serve God and mammon. Now people serve different things other than God because of anxiety over tomorrow. The Lord is clear today about what we need to do in those circumstances. He told us to trust in God. Do we serve two masters? Do we put anyone or anything before God?

Anxiety kills

What kills in our world today is anxiety. We are anxious over everything. We worry and fret. We age on account of the pressures that worries put on our lives. We worry about food, clothing, drink, position, wealth, privileges. The Lord gave us some examples of creatures whose existence are sustained and they have no time for anxiety: the birds of the air, the lilies of the field, the grass of the field. The Lord made it clear that we worry and are anxious because we are people of little faith. He assured us that our heavenly Father knows our needs. What we should do is to seek first his kingdom and its righteousness and that all the things we are anxious about will be ours as well. We should not worry about tomorrow because every day's trouble should be sufficient for the day. Are we dying slowly on account of anxiety?

The real source of pride

The word of God turns the values we cherish upside down. We boast about our earthly accomplishments and glorify in them. But the real source of glory should lie elsewhere. Today's word cautions us that we should boast of our weaknesses, that is, put out our weaknesses so that we could realize that we are not in the right and do everything possible to amend our lives. St. Paul today made us understand that to keep him from being proud about his accomplishments, a thorn was given in his flesh and a messenger of satan to harass him to keep him from being too elated. God revealed to Paul that His grace was sufficient for Paul and that His power was made perfect in weakness. What are we proud of? What do we hold out as our conquests?

St. Aloysius Gonzaga: a new deal

St Aloysius lived his entire young life for God and for his fellow men. Though born into a rich and wealthy family, he renounced the riches and honors his family fortune and name gave to him and dedicated his life to the Lord in a life of total service, simplicity and holiness. He died at the age of twenty three while attending to the sick from whom he contacted the plague. May he intercede for us.

Let us pray

"O God, giver of heavenly gifts, who in Saint Aloysius Gonzaga joined penitence to a wonderful innocence of life, grant, through his merits and intercession, that, though we have failed to follow him in innocence, we may imitate him in penitence." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY- 19th JUNE, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Walking in Circles With  Loud Voice , To Break The Wall.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Joshua 6:3-5*_

“You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse.”

_*TODAY'S  WORD.*_🔥

*The city of Jericho was surrounded by a massive wall made out of brick and stone. (Joshua 6:1). There was no way in the natural for the Israelites to conquer the city. Why did God have them walk in circles seven days, doing the same thing over and over? It seemed like a waste of time and energy. He could have brought the walls down on day one. But marching around that city was a test to see if they would be faithful in the routine. Would they trust God and do the right thing when nothing seemed to be changing? When you’re faithful in the routine, God will make things happen that you couldn’t make happen. (Isaiah 60:22).*

Dearly Beloved,  you may have been doing the right thing for a long time. You feel like you’re falling behind, you’re being left out. But God sees you being your best even though things are not changing. He sees you doing the right thing even when there’s no growth. Your time is coming. Suddenly those walls are going to come down. Suddenly you’re going to see favour like you’ve never seen. May you be encompassed with favour like a shield.(Psalm 5:12). Halleluyah!✔️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪇🪘🪗🥁🎺🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Oh Lord our Heavenly Father, thank You that no obstacle is so high and wide that it can withstand Your touch. Thank You that to bring about Your promises in my life You have called me to walk by faith and not by sight. I will live with a sense of expectancy that You are about to bring walls down in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"What are you, mighty mountain? Before  (Your Name) you will become level ground. and God shall bring forth the head stone with shoutings of Grace, Grace, upon the Mountain."*(Zechariah 4:7)

Thursday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time: Pray then like this

Scripture 

1st Reading: 2Cor11:1-11; Resp. Psalm: Ps111:1-4,7-8; Gosp. Accl.: Rom8:15; Gospel: Mt6:7-15

The correct attitude of prayer

There are conventions and approved ways that certain things are to be done to achieve the right results. When we fail to understand this and do the needful, we end up not getting what we want or desire. Our relationship with God also has these "conventions" set by God that govern how we are to do things. In today's gospel passage, the Lord gave His disciples the pattern of prayer that would enrich their relationship with God. The Lord gave the some steps they needed to take whenever they wanted to have this dialogue with God. The Lord taught them that in praying, they should not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, because they think that they would be heard for their many words. Do we have the correct attitude to prayer?

Your Father is close to you

The Lord made it clear today that we have a Father who is in heaven and that this Father is close to us, knows what we need before we ask Him. This is a truth none of us must ever forget, especially whenever we want to pray. The Lord then gave the disciples the pattern they should follow whenever they prayed. They should first acknowledge the presence of God and His primordial role in their lives as Father. They should honour His name by what they do and how they live and show that with the homage of their lips. They should pray for the imminence of God's kingdom and ask that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. They should then pray for their daily sustenance and provisions. They should pray for the forgiveness of their trespasses but know that forgiving  those who sin against them is a pre-condition to receiving God's forgiveness. They should pray not to be led into temptation and for deliverance from evil. Do we follow this pattern whenever we pray to God?

Do not be led astray

There are ideologies, thoughts, principles that are directly opposed to the gospel of Christ. The word of God today makes it clear that these ideas come from the Evil one who sows these in the hearts of believers to deceive them and make them fall. But the true believer must be able to identify the authentic gospel of

the Lord Jesus Christ. St. Paul made it clear today that he preached this word of God without any cost at all. He did it in an admirable way, without putting any burden on the people. Consequently, the true doctrine and teaching handed down by the Apostles should not be diluted and confused with the ideologies prevalent in this world. Do we hold on to the true deposit of the faith? Do we allow ourselves to be led astray by charlatans and deceivers?

Let us pray

O God our heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for your presence and love for us. We ask you to give us the grace to respond to your love. Give us a true spirit of prayer, so that our relationship with you may grow and be sustained. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

Wednesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time: "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them"

Scripture 

1st Reading: 2Cor9:6-11; Resp. Psalm: Ps112:1-4,9; Gosp. Accl.: Jn14:23; Gospel: Mt6:1-6,16-18

Beware of show off

We live in a world of make belief. We are bombarded every second with information, images, concepts that are many times manipulated and skewed in favour of the narrator who projects his personal agenda and plans to foster such on everyone. A lot of what we hear and see may qualify for deception and manipulation. This is due to the fact that man wants to control and dominate others. The Lord spoke against make belief and falsehood in today's gospel passage. The point the Lord made is that a believer must have integrity, must understand that he is not doing anything for showmanship but that religiosity must go beyond external acts. Do we know that God is interested in what goes on within our hearts? Are we cultivating integrity and shunning make believe? Do we verify information before we disseminate it?

Do not practise your piety before men

The Lord warns us to desist from practicing our piety before men in order to be seen by them. What the Lord warns us against here is to be careful of the motives for our religious actions. Some carry out their religious actions in order to be seen as holy and righteous. Others do so for material gain and reward. Others to acquire prestige, fame and power. The Lord teaches us today that these are wrong motivations for serving him. That is why He taught us today that our motivation should be to please God rather than attract men's praise and adulation. The Lord made us understand that when we give alms, pray and fast, we must not do them to attract public praise. We should do them secretly so that our Father who sees in secret will be the one to reward us. Are we showmen? Do we feel offended when people do not praise us for the service we render in the Church?

Sowing and reaping

The word of God is clear today about the imperative to live well so that we can have a good reward at the end. It couches the message in agrarian terminology: sowing and reaping. The word teaches us that if we sow well, we will reap well. If we reap well, we must be open handed and give cheerfully. When we give cheerfully, God will provide us with every blessing in abundance, so that we may always have enough of everything and provide in abundance for every good work. The cheerful giver, who knows that what he has, has come from God, will have his resources multiplied by God and the hsrvest of his righteousness increased. Such a person will be enriched in every way for great generousity,  which will produce thanksgiving to God. Do we sow well? How much of our lives do we give back to God?

Let us pray

O God our Father, help us to love, serve and honour you with our lives, for that is what you called us to. May we not carry out our actions from the motive of attracting people's praise. Make us generous with our lives so that we can offer ourselves fully to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time: "I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil."

Scripture 

1st Reading: 2Cor6:1-10; Resp. Psalm: Ps98:1-4; Gosp. Accl.: Ps119:105; Gospel: Mt5:38-42

The new law

One of the most consummating passions is revenge. People go to all lengths to repay the offender. They do this because of the need to satisfy the human psyche that requires restitution for offence committed. Some also go this route to make the offender taste the pill they administered to others. So, they believe it is justice to repay the offender in this way to serve as example to others and act as a deterrence. This belief is based on the law of eye for eye and tooth for tooth. The Lord knew this law. In today's gospel passage, He modified that law and brought about a completely new one. He declared that a believer should not resist one who is evil, but that if any one strikes one on the right cheek, we should turn to him the other also. Do we allow the desire for vengeance to consume us and destroy our beautiful lives?

Do not pay back evil for evil

The point made by our Lord today is that we have no obligation to retaliate but we have obligation to love the offender and the sinner. We are to pay back good for evil, not evil for evil. We are to go the extra mile to show our love and kindness towards those offend us and do evil to us. This teaching finds traction in the life of the Lord Himself. What the Lord taught by His life is love and forgiveness, the total letting go of hate and hurtful feelings. In today's word, He concluded by teaching us to be generous and willing to give those in need. We are to give to him who begs from us, and never refuse him who would borrow from us. Do we allow the words of today's gospel to have a place in our relationships with others, especially with the offending brother or sister?

Do not accept the grace of God in vain

The work of God is not the exclusive preserve of anyone. It belongs to God and all who are called to it are workers and collaborators. This is why there must be a true sense of partnership and extension of the hand of fellowship to all who are involved in the work of ministry. Those called to work for the Lord, indeed all believers, should realize that intrinsic to discipleship and followership is suffering. The word of God today made it clear that we may not escape suffering in one form or another, for the sake of the gospel. We have the duty to endure because of the goal we pursue, which is, the salvation of our souls and the souls of others. Consequently, we must be persons of character and who possess qualities that can attract people to Christ the Lord: endurance, purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, genuine love, truthful speech, righteousness and honour and reputation for goodness. We must understand that the Christian life is not a bed of roses. Do we accept the fact that we are called to work together with Christ, live the life of Christ and endure what the Lord endured? What type of idea of service do we have?

Let us pray

O God our Father, we thank you for your living and true word. Be with us in the course of our journey through life. Give us the grace to overcome retaliation. Leg our hearts find peace in loving those who hate and harm us. Make us follow your Son, not only in words, but more importantly, in the manner we live our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

*Message*

"God Created Man Simple, But Man Complicated His Own Life"*

*Introduction*

We live in a world of endless complexity—constant noise, relentless busyness, and overwhelming choices. Yet, when we look back at God’s original design, we see that He created man in simplicity and purity. Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8), free from stress, anxiety, and the complications we face today. But sin entered, and with it came the complications of human schemes, selfish ambitions, and unnecessary burdens.  

Today, we will explore:  

1. *God’s Original Design – Simplicity*

2. *How Man Complicated Life* 

3. *Returning to God’s Simplicity*  

 *1. God’s Original Design – Simplicity* 

In the beginning, God created man in His image (Genesis 1:27) and placed him in a garden where all his needs were met. Life was simple:  

- *Spiritual Simplicity* – Direct fellowship with God.  

- *Relational Simplicity* – Pure love between Adam and Eve.  

- *Physical Simplicity* – No toil, no stress, no lack.  

Jesus reaffirmed this simplicity in Matthew 6:25-34 when He said, *"Do not worry about your life… Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you."*  

*Empirical Example:* Studies show that indigenous tribes with minimal material possessions often report higher happiness levels than modern societies. Why? Because they live closer to simplicity—community, nature, and basic needs.  

*2. How Man Complicated Life*

Sin distorted God’s perfect design. Consider:  

- *Adam & Eve*– They traded simplicity for the *"knowledge of good and evil"* (Genesis 3:6), introducing shame, blame, and separation from God.  

- *The Tower of Babel*– Humanity sought to build a name for themselves (Genesis 11:4), leading to confusion and division.  

- *Modern-Day Complications* – Stress from overwork, debt from materialism, broken relationships from pride, and anxiety from endless choices.  

*Modern Example:*

- Social media was meant to connect us but has led to comparison, depression, and fake realities.  

- Technology was meant to simplify life but has made us busier than ever.  

- Wealth was meant to provide security, yet many rich people are the most stressed.  

Proverbs 13:15 says, "The way of the unfaithful is hard." When we depart from God’s design, we complicate our own lives.  

*3. Returning to God’s Simplicity*

How do we simplify our lives?  

- *Spiritually* – Return to childlike faith (Matthew 18:3). Pray simply, read Scripture, and trust God.  

- *Relationally* – Forgive quickly, love deeply, and avoid unnecessary drama (Colossians 3:13).  

- *Practically*– Live within your means, declutter your life (Hebrews 12:1), and focus on what truly matters.  

*Example:* The Amish live simply—no excessive technology, strong community bonds, and reliance on God. They remind us that simplicity brings peace.  

God’s design was perfect, but we have cluttered our lives with sin, selfishness, and unnecessary burdens. Today, let us repent of our complications and return to God’s simplicity. As David wrote in Psalm 23: *"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."* When God leads, life becomes simple again.  

*Call to Action:*

- *Simplify your faith* – Trust God more, worry less.  

- *Simplify your lifestyle* – Cut out what distracts you from God.  

- *Simplify your heart*– Let go of bitterness and embrace peace.  

May we return to the simplicity of Christ, for in Him, we find true rest (Matthew 11:28-30).  

*Amen.*🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🌈🌈🌈🕊️🕊️🕊️

(COURTESY OF FINGER OF GOD BY PLANET MINISTRY)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*SATURDAY -14th JUNE, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Enter Into The Rest of God.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Hebrews 4:11*_

"Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest of God, to know and experience it for ourselves.''

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Today’s Scripture (Hebrews 4:11)  talks about entering into the rest of God. That means that when you have a problem, you don’t lose sleep over it, knowing that God is in control. If you get a bad medical report, you’re not worried because you know nothing can snatch you out of God’s hands.(Psalm 118:17).  If you have a financial setback or lose a client, you’re not upset because you know God will supply all your needs.(Phillipians 4:19). You stay in peace because you’re trusting Him. (Phillipians 4:7, John 14:27). You’re not up when your circumstances are up, and you’re not down when they’re down. You’re stable and consistent. You’re in the rest of God. (Psalm 139:14)*.

Dearly Beloved, are you losing sleep over something you can’t do anything about? Are you trying to change things that only God can change? As long as you’re being your best and honouring God, you can rest. Your load will get a lot lighter if you turn that over to Him and enter into His rest in PRAYERS. "Can God forget you ? NO! "(Isaiah 49:15-16). Do what you can, apply wisdom, then leave it up to God. Come back to a place of peace. Halleluyah!✔️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪇🪘🪗🥁🎺🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a place where I can rest in Your grace and strength to fight my battles. Thank You that I can stay in peace and know that You can make things happen that I never could. *I declare that I will not lose sleep over what I can’t change or do something about in Jesus’ name*.

Dearly Beloved,

*''"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."*(Psalm 46:10)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND.*_

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY -10th JUNE, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*What Really Matters- Your Heart of LOVING God*_.

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Matthew 22:37*_

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*All of us have areas that we struggle in. We make mistakes and do things we know are wrong. We determine to not give in to a temptation again, but we do. We lose our temper, don’t keep our word, let our guard down and compromise. It’s easy to go around feeling guilty, condemned, and beating ourselves up. Voices will whisper, “God’s never going to bless you. You don’t deserve it. You failed again. Just sit on the sidelines.”:But Scripture says, "there shall be no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus...."( Romans 8:1).*

Dearly Beloved, we think of a perfect performance for God to bless us. “Once I overcome all these weaknesses that I’m struggling with, then I’ll have God’s favour. Then I’ll feel good about myself.” But God looks at your heart. He is not looking for people who have perfect behaviour, who never make a mistake. He’s looking for people whose hearts are turned to loving Him. That means you may make mistakes, but deep down you have a desire to please and honour Him with your life. Your performance may not be perfect, but He sees your heart is right. It’s your heart that matters.

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪇🪘🎺🪗🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Sovereign God, thank You that I can come to You with an open and willing heart. Search me and know me. I struggle and make mistakes, and there is so much I need to improve on in my character, but my heart is committed to loving You. Show Yourself strong in my life today and forever in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous"*(1 John 5:3)

Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter: The Father will give you anything you ask in my name

Scripture 

1st Reading: Acts18:23-28; Resp. Psalm: Ps47:2-3,8-10; Gosp. Accl.: Jn16:28; Gospel: Jn16:23-28

The divine assurance

There is power in name. People use names to garner influence, seek favour, open doors that otherwise would have remained closed. The Lord today stressed the power of His name as the key to unlocking the door to their relationship with the Father after His Ascension and physical departure from them. The Lord solemnly declared with the formula: "Truly, truly", emphasizing both the seriousness and the definitiveness of the proclamation that He was making. He told them before His death and eventual departure for heaven, that anything they asked the Father, the Father would grant it in His name. The Lord then declared: "Until now you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." Do we understand the name of Jesus? Do we know how to properly ask, calling on that name?

The prediction of the hour 

The Lord also declared in today's gospel passage that He had spoken to them before now in figures and parables. But the hour would come when He would speak no longer in figures but plainly. The disciples would ask in the name of the Lord in that day. The Father would grant their request because the Father loved them because they had loved the Son and believed that He came from the Father. The Son came from the Father and had come into the world. The Son was now leaving the world and going back to the Father. The Lord here stressed the intimate relationship between Him and the Father. It is on the basis of that intimate relationship and on the fact that the disciples loved the Son that their prayers would be answered whenever they prayed in the name of the Son of God. Do we love the Father the way the Lord taught us? Do we pray in the name of the Son because we have already fulfilled the conditions of loving and believing in the Son of God?

The Apostolic labours for the gospel

The labour to save souls took Paul and the early Apostles and disciples to places and cultures, languages and peoples. We read in today's first reading that Paul departed from Antioch and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. At Ephesus, there was a Jew named Apollos, who was eloquent and well versed in the Scriptures, was instructed in the way of the Lord, was fervent in the Spirit, spoke and taught accurately all things concerning Jesus, though he had not been baptized. Priscilla and Aquila expounded the truths of the faith to him. Apollos crossed over to Achaia, where he disputed greatly with the Jews and confuted them, demonstrating publicly that Jesus was the Christ. What labours are we doing for the gospel? What testimony are we bearing for the Lord? What fruits of the Holy Spirit are we manifesting?

Let us pray

"O God, whose Son, at his Ascension to the heavens, was pleased to promise the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, grant, we pray, that just as they received manifold gifts of heavenly teaching, so on us, too, you may bestow spiritual gifts." We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*MONDAY-26th MAY,     2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*A Heart of Wisdom*_.

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Psalm 90:12*_

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*If we knew we weren’t going to be here in a month, we wouldn’t let the little quirk that our spouse does get on our nerves. We would look at all the things we love about them instead of the few things that rub us the wrong way. We would be happy to have another day to enjoy life with them. We wouldn’t criticize our boss or grumble about going to work. We would be happy to have a boss and place to go to work. A heart of wisdom reminds us that some people are in the hospital, some people don’t have a job, some people don’t have family and friends to love. So much of what bothers us is not worth losing our joy and peace over. They don’t really matter. Your life may not be perfect, but keep the right perspective.*

Dearly Beloved , Scripture says,  "Number your days."( Psalm 90:12). God has blessed you with everything you have. He is on the throne, He’s fighting your battles,( 2 Chronicles 20:15b) and He will get you to where you’re supposed to be at the right time. Enjoy today. It’s His gift to you. Halleluyah!✔️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪗🪘🥁🎺🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Awesome God, thank You that this day is a gift from You, and I’m not going to live sour and defeated. Thank You that You’ve given me the wisdom to not allow what others say or do or what I don’t have to steal my happiness. I’ve made up my mind that I’m going to keep my joy in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."*(James 1:5)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY-24th MAY, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Live From A Place of Rest.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Matthew 11:28*_

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When things come against you in your health, your finances, or relationships, it’s easy to get upset and let your mind constantly dwell on the "what-ifs". If your mind never rests, if you live wrought up, fighting everything you don’t like, you’re going to be worn out. Your physical body can rest, but inner rest is just as important as outer rest. If you start resting, turning it over to God, He’ll go to work. He sees what’s happening. He knows what wasn’t fair. And the good news is, God already has the solution. He has a way to not just bring you out, but He’s going to make the enemy pay for bringing the trouble. He’s going to bring you out better.*

Dearly Beloved , now do your part. Bring it to Jesus and sit down and rest in faith. Quit worrying and trying to figure it out. There are no logical solutions to some situations. The Scripture says, “Lean not to your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6). It’s okay to take your seat and live from a place of rest, a place of peace, a place of trust. (Psalm 125:1). Halleluyah!✔️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪗🎺🪘🥁🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Gracious God the Father, thank You that I can come to You and unload all the weight of heaviness, regrets, and difficulties. I could be worried and upset, but I’m going to give it to You, take my seat, and live from a place of rest. I believe that You are bigger than any problem, and You have this covered in Jesus’  name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Cast your burdens upon God because He cares"*.(1 Peter 5:7)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

Friday of the 5th Week of Easter: "This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you."

Scripture 

1st Reading: Acts15:22-31; Resp. Psalm: Ps56:8-12; Gosp. Accl.: Jn15:15; Gospel: Jn15:12-17

The greatest of all commandments 

There are human rules, made by men and women, that guide life and conduct. But in most cases, these rules fall short of leading people to happiness and the good life. The departure from the prescription of God on how we are to regulate our lives and conduct is the bane of the ills confronting us. The Lord gave us a commandment. It is actually an old commandment that had been given by God to the children of Israel. It was the commandment to love. The Lord told them that His commandment was that they loved one another. But they Lord added an important clause to tell them the kind of love they should have for one another: "as I have loved you." The love they are to have for one another is not patterned on the love that the world teaches them about. It is to be patterned on the example of love that He showed them. What model or example of Iove are we following? Do we listen more to the world than to the Lord?

The Lord's example of love

The Lord did not leave His disciples hanging about what He intended by His commandment of love. He declared to them what He meant by the concretization of this commandment by the declaration: "as I have loved you." The Lord taught them that the way He loved them was that He laid His life for them. They were His friends and He made this greatest sacrifice of dying for their sakes. But the Lord added a caveat today: yes, He called them friends and indeed they were His friends. But they would remain in His friendship on one condition: that they did what He commanded them. They were not servants any more because a servant would not know his master's business. Rather, He called them friends because He had made known to them everything He learnt from His Father. In love, He chose them and commissioned them to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Are we friends of the Lord? Do we behave like servants?

The dissemination of the good report

The Apostles and disciples decided that there was no need to saddle the gentiles with Jewish customs and practises. They were to abstain from certain gentile practises and love God and follow the commandments of the Lord. The Apostles and elders wrote a letter and sent Paul and Barnabas with the letter to the Churches in the gentile lands of Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. They wrote that those who were teaching that gentiles should follow Jewish customs were not acting under their authority. The letter stated that the gentiles were not to be burdened beyond the essentials: abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from fornication. They were to avoid these and keep the law of God, love as the Lord loved them and live out their Christian lives. Are we sources of unity to the Church? Do we strive to be bridge builders rather than fence or wall makers?

Let us pray

"Grant us, Lord, we pray, that, being rightly conformed to the pashal mysteries, what we celebrate in joy may protect and save us with perpetual power." We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter: Found your lives on the love the Father has for His Son and abide in the love of the Son

Scripture 

1st Reading: Acts15:7-21; Resp. Psalm: Ps96:1-3,10; Gosp. Accl.: Jn10:27; Gospel: Jn15:9-11

The model of love

Love is powerful. Love is good. Because of its goodness, love is often abused and people are often deceived by those who profess human love. The Lord offers us an example and model of love, which should be the foundation and model of our human love. The model the Lord offers is that of the love the Father has for the Son. In today's gospel, the Lord told His disciples: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love." The Father loved the Son by giving Him up for us, by offering Him as a sacrifice for our sins. This is the basis and foundation of any thought on love that we may ever have. What is the model of love we follow?

Abide in my love

We make mistakes in our lives when we pattern our lives after our own personal choices and preferences. In today's gospel passage, the Lord declared that we will not make mistake if we abide in His love, that is, if we pattern our love on the basis of the love that He has for us. We will not make mistakes if we abide in the love that the Lord has for us. The Lord taught us today that we will abide in His love if we keep His commandments, just as He kept His Father's commandments and abided in His Father's love. The Lord made it clear that modeling our lives after this teaching is what will bring us joy, make His joy be in us, and make our joy to be full. Do we understand the love the Lord has for us? Do we abide in the love of the Lord? Do we keep the Lord's commandments?

The resolution of crisis

Crisis can destroy the best of all institutions. But if handled well, it can become the foundation of future strength and unity of purpose. The crisis about the reception of gentile converts and circumcision and adherence to the law of Moses, almost tore the early Church apart. But the Apostles and elders put aside personal ego and listened to the Holy Spirit. In today's first reading, the Holy Spirit resolved the matter for them. Peter declared that the Holy Spirit was given to the gentile converts, just as it was given to the Jewish converts; that God made no distinction between the two groups; that no yoke should be put on the necks of the gentile converts. Paul and Barnabas also testified to the marvels God was working among the gentiles. James summarized everything with a position: that gentiles should abstain from the pollution of idols and from unchastity, from what is strangled and from blood. Thus, disaster and calamity were avoided. Do we listen to the Holy Spirit talking to us? Do we allow the Spirit of God to guide our decisions in moments of crisis?

Let us pray 

"O God, by whose grace, though sinners, we are made just and, though pitiable, made blessed, stand, we pray, by your works, stand by your gifts, that those justified by faith may not lack the courage of perseverance." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

Sunday of the 5th Week of Easter: The glorification of the Son of man and our new commandment 

Scripture 

1st Reading: Acts14:21-27; Resp. Psalm: Ps145:8-13; 2nd Reading: Rev21:1-5; Gosp. Accl.: Jn13:34; Gospel: Jn13:31-35

The glorification of the Son of man

Earthly glory is ephemeral, transient, corrupt, time bound. The glories of this world pass away, no matter how tightly we hold on to them. They pass away or we pass away, because we are time bound too. Nothing we hold on to that will not outlive us, except our earthly lives. But our life hereafter will go on and outlive the life we hold on to here on earth. This is where we need the wisdom that comes from God Himself. We need the power of discernment to make the right choices and hold on to the right things. Glorification by men, no matter how exalted, will outlive us. The claps will stop. Those hailing us that we are the foundations of their lives will port to another gullible foundation and keep mouthing their deceptions. In today's gospel passage, Judas had just departed the Upper Room during the Last Supper. Judas sought earthly glory and honour. The Lord knew what awaited Him, that it was going to be bloody. But the saw this as the path to glory. What kind of glory do we seek? What motivations do we have for our actions? Do we still hunger for earthly glory and laurels to the detriment of our eternal good?

A new commandment

In today's gospel passage, the Lord predicted His glorification. He was not talking of ascending an earthly throne, taking an earthly title, coming into a stupendous wealth, taking possession of a government. The Lord was talking of the horrific events of the cross. The Lord declared that now is the Son of man glorified. Through the glorification of the Son of man, God too is glorified. The Lord went on in today's word: "if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once." For us, the Lord gave a new pathway to glorification today, not the type of glorification the world offers. The Lord taught us that if we want the kind of glorification that the Father bestowed on Him, that set His name apart among all creatures in heaven and on earth, then we must follow the new commandment that He gave us. That new commandment is that we love one another even as He had loved us. It is by this love, which has its foundation and model in the love of Christ, that people will recognize us as the disciples of the Lord. Which commandment do we follow? What law governs our conduct? What glory do we seek? How much love do we have within us? What is the driving force for our love for others?

The pure love for the mission 

When we love the Lord, we would work for His mission and strive with all our hearts to spread His kingdom among those close to us. When we love the Lord, His tasks become our tasks and those who love Him become our friends and lovers. Paul and Barnabas were united in this love for the mission of the Lord and they became friends on account of their passion for the work of the gospel. The word of God today recounts that they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,  strengthened the souls of the disciples, exhorted them to continue in the faith and declared to them that the kingdom is accessed through tribulations. They recounted the works they had achieved for the gospel of Christ and how the gentiles were turning to God. These Apostles and fervent disciples of the Lord were the ones who collaborated with the Lord to bring about the fulfillment of the vision in Revelation that we read in our second reading today: they collaborated with the Lord to bring about the new heaven and new earth and the new Jerusalem. What love do we display towards the mission of Christ?

Let us pray

"Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the paschal mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Chrism: Day 38 of the Lenten/Paschal Fast: "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing"

Scripture 

1st Reading: Is61:1-3,6,8-9; Resp. Psalm: Ps89:21-22,25,27; 2nd Reading: Rev1:5-8; Gosp. Accl.: Lk4:18; Gospel: Lk4:16-21

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me

The One who was the anointed of the Lord was known as the Christ. There was only one person that the Father, the Creator of the world, sent to humanity. That person is the Lord Jesus Christ. His appearance on earth had already been foretold and the nature of His mission pre-disclosed. Isaiah was one of the prophets God used to disclose these great and momentous happenings in the history of humanity. In today's gospel, the Lord Jesus declared the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah in Himself. In the synagogue of Nazareth, the place where He was brought up, on the sabbath, the Lord read the book of the prophet Isaiah. This prophecy is about the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. In terms of His nature, the Spirit of the Lord would be upon Him because God would anoint Him. This anointing would mark out the Christ and prove as the seal of the mission entrusted to Him to save mankind. Do we allow the Spirit of the Lord to take control of our lives? Are we persons of the Spirit?

The mission

The Christ would be anointed for others, that is, anointed for mission to others. The anointing would empower the Christ to preach the good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, liberty to those who are oppressed. The Christ would also proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. These were monumental deeds that the Christ would carry out as fundamental parts of His mission on earth. Good news would be preached to the poor and they would receive the gift of renewal and transformation of life. Captives to the clutches of satan would be released and set free. Those who have been rendered blind on account of their attachment to the world would recover their lost sight.  Those under the oppression of the elemental spirits of the world would receive their liberty. The Christ would proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Do we, by virtue of our baptism, collaborate with the Lord in His mission? Are we part of the workers who make Him known to those around us?

The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled

The prophecy of Isaiah that we read in our first reading today, and that our Lord read in the synagogue of Nazareth in today's gospel passage, contained words of hope and consolation and assurance that God had not forgotten or abandoned His people. The prophecy made it clear that the Spirit of the Lord would be upon the Anointed One. He would carry out a mission no one had ever done. He would comfort all who mourn, give them hope in their hopeless situations, praise in place of their sorrows and mourning. They will be called priests of the Lord and ministers of God. God promised today that He would faithfully give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them. They shall be servants to Christ, the Anointed One, whom our second reading today describes as the faithful witness, the first born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. These servants of Christ are the priests He constituted as the priests of the New Testament on this day, the day before He suffered death on the cross. Do we listen to the priests of the New Testament, who were constituted by the Lord Jesus Himself, on Holy Thursday, the day before He suffered? Do we disregard the words of these anointed ones of the Lord?

The birthday of the Catholic priesthood and the Chrism Mass

Today is the birthday of the Catholic Priesthood, the priesthood of the New Testament. It was the will of the Lord to so constitute this body of servants and anoint them to carry out special  tasks for Him: to continue the anointing for the good of His people and further His mission of salvation; to offer the saving sacrifice for their own good and the good of others; to lead people back to Him be setting them free from the clutches of satan. As we celebrate this monumental gift to the world, let us pray for all those who courageously heard the call and answered the Lord in this radical way of discipleship. Pray for Catholic Priests who were specially entrusted with this mission directly by the Lord Himself at the Last Supper. May God bless His priests in their very difficult task of collaborating with Him to save souls. Remember also to pray for me today as one who is so privileged to carry on this mission and who is entrusted with the great responsibility of preparing future priests for the Church. God bless you as you do this. Happy birthday of the Catholic Priesthood. 

In Catholic Cathedral Churches today, the Mass of the Sacred Chrism is celebrated. This is the Mass in which the oils that are used for the celebrations of the sacraments throughout the year, are blessed. May the Lord, the Anointed One, consecrate these oils for our use and transform our lives through their usage.

Let us pray

"O God, who anointed your Only Begotten Son with the Holy Spirit and made him Christ and Lord, graciously grant that, being made sharers in his consecration, we may bear witness to your Redemption in the world." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

🌤️ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*SUNDAY -6th APRIL , 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Walk by the Spirit.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE*📖

_*Galatians 5:16-17*_

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Your choices are never free from the inner conflict of the flesh and the Spirit. You have to know that this is a battle that will never go away. You can be a believer who has matured for fifty years, but you will still have to deal with the flesh, the carnal nature that basically tells you to live and do whatever you feel. You don’t overcome it one time to be defeated. It will come back again and again. You have to get skilled at saying, “No, I’m not going to let my flesh have what it wants. I’m not going to let my guard down and give in. Scripture says ,"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires"( Romans 8:5)*

Dearly Beloved, are you winning the war within? Are you living by the Spirit, making decisions that honour God? Or are you letting the flesh win, doing whatever you feel? You need to take the flesh off the throne. Quit letting it determine your decisions and dictate how you live, respond, and handle adversity. Start walking by the Spirit, taking the high road, and doing the right thing when it’s hard. ''But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness". (Romans 8:10). Halleluyah!

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪇🎸🪗🪘🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

“Awesome God, thank You that I can choose to be disciplined and to say no to the flesh and its desires. Thank You that every day I can take my feelings off the throne and allow Your Spirit to control my life. Help me to walk by the Spirit and do what’s right in Jesus’ Name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*God will empower you  with His Holy Spirit to stay on the course that He has set for you, to walk in truth and to live a life that honours Him.* 

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY-8th MARCH, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Tested To Be Approved.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Exodus 13:17*_

"God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When the Israelites were in the desert on their way to the Promised Land, God didn’t take them the easiest way because they weren’t prepared for war.(Exodus 13:17-22). The longer route with the delays and difficulties wasn’t because God wanted to make their life miserable. He was getting them ready for enemies that would have defeated them. Having to deal with hardships, not knowing what they were going to eat, people coming against them, was all strategic. That was growing them up, making them stronger. God knew they needed that to go into the Promised Land.*

Dearly Beloved the reason you face difficulties, things that may not seem fair, is because God has an awesome future in store for you.(Jeremiah 29:11). That’s a time of testing. Where God is taking you is going to take greater faith, greater strength, greater patience. Every challenge you face is a sign that God is getting you ready for something you’ve never seen. Don’t get sour. Have a new perspective. That’s how you grow. That’s how you come out stronger, more confident, more patient, more loving, more forgiving. Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪇🪘🎺🥁🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Immortal God, thank You that my faith and trust are anchored to You and Your mighty power at work in my life. Thank You that I don’t have to be moved by the tests and troubles I face because I know that You are making me stronger. I declare that I am coming out better in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Consider it pure joy brethren, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."* (James 1:2-3)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*MONDAY-3rd  MARCH , 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Overwhelmed by God's Blessings.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Deuteronomy 28:1-2*_

“…if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God…all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*The Scripture says that when you honour and obey God, His blessings will overtake you. Deuteronomy 28: 2-13).There is this popular saying to my local church congregants: "When God speaks ,He commands ; once we obey, His blessings follow". When you chase after God, you don’t have to chase blessings. They will chase and track you down. You never dreamed you could pay off your house or send your child to college, then suddenly a blessing comes—a promotion, an inheritance, a business opportunity. You never dreamed you’d be running your department at work. What happened? You came into a blessing. God took you from the back to the front, from renting to owning, from not having enough to more than enough.(Ephesians 3:20)*

Dearly Beloved, blessings are not just material things. They are also influence and prestige. People who didn’t give you credit or value your ideas will see you in a new light. Just keep doing the right thing and being your best.(Proverbs 21:3). They may discount you now, but the day is coming when you will be in a position of honour and influence. It’s going to happen suddenly. You couldn’t make it happen. It’s the hand of God. Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪇🎸🪗🪘🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God, thank You for Your promise that as I honour You and keep You first place, blessings are headed my way, tracking me down and overtaking me. Thank You that You have blessings in abundance. I believe that I will be overwhelmed by Your goodness in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"The blessings of LORD JEHOVAH makes rich and there shall be no sorrow with it."*.(Proverbs 10:22).

*Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time:* "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again."

 *Scripture*

 

1st Reading: Sirach1:1-10; Resp. Psalm: Ps93:1-2,5; Gosp. Accl.: 2Tim1:10; Gospel: Mk9:14-29

 *The necessity of spiritual preparation* 

The word of God today centres on the power of faith to succeed in the spiritual warfare we have to face daily and the necessity of certain predispositions and attitudes to succeed in this spiritual warfare. The word of God reminds is and calls us to remember that we are not just fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. In today's gospel passage, we see the inability of the disciples to heal this unfortunate boy. The boy was totally epileptic and helpless against the onslaught of this debilitating sickness. The disciples of our Lord, at this point, were part of those the Lord referred to as faithless generation.Their faith was little; their capacity to know the right process that would ensure mastery over evil  powers was limited. The little faith of the disciples is contrasted to the great faith of the father of this epileptic boy, who brought his son to the disciples in the hope that they could heal him. Unfortunately, they were unable to cast out the mute spirit. This was because they did not yet understand that such confrontation with the spirits of the underworld needed certain specific preparations. _Do we have enough faith for the spiritual warfare we may be called to fight? Do we fortify ourselves daily with the word of God and the Sacraments so that we can win the spiritual battles we face?_ 

 *"If you can do anything, have pity on us and help us"* 

The cry of this boy's father came straight from the depths of his anguished heart. It was a cry of love for one who was powerless against the tragedy that had befallen him. The Lord, full of merciful love, saw through all these and rose to the occasion. The Lord made a statement that all of us should reflect on and take to heart: "All things are possible to him who believes." Here the Lord expresses the limitless power of faith. The father of the boy replied that he believed and that the Lord should help his unbelief. Here we see the comprehensive power of the Lord over all negative spirits. The Lord also made us understand today that for us to receive answers to certain prayers, we need incessant prayer, supported by fasting. We are also taught that faith has great power. We are cautioned to know that even today, there are spiritual warfares we may need to fight. _Do we belief in the power of the Lord to overcome difficult situations of life?_ 

 *"All wisdom comes from the Lord"* 

To God be the glory, for great things He has done. To God belongs all wisdom and power. The word of God today teaches us that creation demonstrates the wisdom and power of God. We are taught that the word of God is the source of wisdom. The closer we are to the word of God, the more profound will be our wisdom and understanding. God is the source of all wisdom. God created wisdom in the holy spirit and poured wisdom on all His works. The wisdom that comes from God dwells with all flesh according to the gift of God, and God supplies this wisdom to all those who love Him. _Are we in possession of divine wisdom?_ 

 *Let us pray* 

We thank you, Lord, for the different facets of our lives. We thank you for the gift of faith. In difficult circumstances, increase our faith in your power to rescue and save us. Make us realize that there is no greater power in heaven and on earth more than your own. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. *Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele*

Dearly Beloved,

Let's Pray:

OH Lord, I pray for everyone who dislikes or hates me, and those with bad intentions in their hearts towards me . I pray that you shower your blessings and compassion on them. Fill my heart with love for them, Oh good God. Please give me the desire to pray for them even when I don't want to,  in Jesus' name. 🙏🏻AMEN.

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY- 20th FEBRUARY, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Bless Your Enemies.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*2 Samuel 9:1*_

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*For several years before David became the king of Israel, King Saul had pursued him in the wilderness, trying to kill him. ( 1 Samuel 19). Yet David remained loyal to Saul and refused to try to pay him back.( 1Samuel 24: 4-13) Fast forward years ahead to when King David was in his later years, enjoying the amazing success and favour God had given him and asking today’s Scripture ( 2 Samuel 9:1). You can imagine his men saying, “David, have you forgotten that Saul was your enemy?” David was saying, in effect, “In spite of what he did, I want to bless anyone left in his family.” No wonder David was called “a man after God’s own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14;  Acts 13:22). Jesus says we are to love our enemies, do good to and bless those who hate us, and pray for those who mistreat us. ( Luke 6:27-28).*

Dearly Beloved, will you love somebody who hasn’t been good to you? Will you let go of the anger, the resentment, and the bitterness and bless and be good to them? ( Ephesians 4:31-32). When you do, you’re the kind of person whom God can entrust with greatness and use for His highest purposes. Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🥁🪘🎺🪇🎸🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Awesome God, thank You for the mercy and forgiveness and protection You have shown me when I’ve done wrong. Help me to do good and to bless those who have done me wrong. I am leaving them in Your hands and giving them the grace that allows for change in  Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."*(Luke 6:27-28)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY -18th FRBRUARY , 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Call on God In the Day of Trouble*_.

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Psalm 50:15*_

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with anxiety over a trouble that we’re facing, what might happen. At other times, we’re anxious over past mistakes we’ve made, regrets that come back to haunt us. Those can become lingering worry, lingering anxiety, that the enemy will try to convince you will never go away and keep you in fear and depression. Don’t be complacent. Don’t just accept it and say, “My anxiety is high today. My depression is really bad.” No, don’t take ownership of it. It doesn’t belong to you. The moment you say “my,” you’re inviting it in and giving it permission to stay. Instead of inviting it, you need to start casting it away in Jesus' name (Phillipians  2:10).* Dearly Beloved, see anxiety as foreign, as not welcome and as temporary. If you call upon the Lord, He will give you the strength you need until the deliverance comes. Every morning you need to call. “Lord, thank You for strengthening me today. (Psalm 5:3).  Thank You that anxiety cannot stay in my life. I am a temple of the Most High God.( 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Halleluyah!☑️ 

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🥁🪘🎺🪇🎸🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Heavenly Father, thank You that I can literally call out to You in a day of trouble, knowing that You will deliver and protect me. Thank You that I can invite You into my circumstances and receive the strength I need to overcome. I am casting any anxiety away and calling on You for deliverance in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

_God says,_

*"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."*( Jeremiah 33: 3)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*MONDAY-10th FEBRUARY, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Rooted Deep in Faith.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Colossians 2:7*_

"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."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, ( Genesis 37:36) where his master’s wife falsely accused him of a crime and had him thrown into prison.(Genesis 39:20). He could have gotten bitter, but he realized that God was going to use it to increase him. Joseph kept growing, getting stronger, his roots going down deeper in faith. What seemed like wasted years was preparing him for the fullness of his destiny. Joseph went from the pit to the prison and all the way to the palace.( Genesis 44: 40-44).*

Dearly Beloved , perhaps you’ve had some bad breaks, you’re dealing with a sickness, or a dream died. But what may feel like a pit is not the end of your story, and the prison is not your final chapter. Your destiny is the palace. God destined you to live a victorious life. If you stay in faith and keep doing the right thing, your time will come to be promoted, to be blessed, to be vindicated, and all the forces of darkness cannot stop you. God has the final say. He will get you to where you’re supposed to be. Halleluyah !☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🥁🪇🪘🎺🎸🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🔥

Gracious God,  thank You that I can let my roots go deeper in my faith and build my life on Jesus. Thank You for Your overcoming love and that You’re making me a victor and not a victim of circumstances. I’m going to stay in peace knowing that no obstacle that stands in my way can stop Your plan in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*" The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices"*(Proverbs 21:3)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*MONDAY- 27th JANUARY ,2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Armloads of Blessing.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Psalm 126:6*_

"Those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*We all have times when our hearts are heavy through a loss, a bad medical report, or being mistreated on the job. It can feel as though the pain will never change. But today’s Scripture says that even when your heart is heavy, you’re going to come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.(Psalm 126:6) . God is going to bring you out of that trouble better than you were before.*

_Dearly Beloved, today, you may be carrying burdens, carrying sorrow, carrying pain, but God is about to do an exchange. Scripture says, "..Gladness and joy will overtake you, and sorrow and sighing will flee away".(Isaiah 35:10b). Instead of carrying the sorrow, how about carrying joy? Instead of carrying the hurt and loneliness from a divorce, how about having someone great walk into your life? Now you’re laughing, now you’re dreaming, living a victorious life. That’s how good God is. You go out with a heavy heart, and you come back laughing, loaded down with blessings, with favour, with peace, with victory. You come out stronger, healthier, promoted, at a new level of your Halleluyah !_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🎸🪇🥁🎺🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You that You don’t fault me for the times when my heart is heavy and I don’t know what to do with the pain. Thank You that You find a way to exchange the trouble and sorrow with armloads of blessing. I believe that You will turn it around and bring me home laughing in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*".......Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in  the MORNING"*. (Psalm 30:5b)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY-25th JANUARY 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Draw Closer to God at all times.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Psalm 63:1*_

"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*David is thought to have written Psalm 63 in the isolation of the wilderness during the difficult years when King Saul was trying to kill him. He used that time to seek God, to draw close to God with his whole being. One thing about being isolated, not having a lot of people to give your attention to, you can turn your attention towards your Heavenly Father. It’s an opportunity to learn to talk to Him and get to know Him. It’s a time to develop a deeper relationship where He’s not just a Sunday morning God, but all through the day, in your thoughts, you talk to God as you’d talk to a friend.*

Dearly Beloved , Scripture says, "Draw close to God , He will draw near to you." ( James 4:8).

God will be as involved in your life as much as you want Him to be. If you keep Him in a Sunday morning box, He’ll stay there. But He wants to be so much more than that. Sometimes with all the "busyness of life," with all the people, the activities, we don’t make time for God. That’s a mistake. Make sure you keep Him first place.( Matthew 6:33). Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🥁🪇🎺🎸🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Oh Lord our Heavenly Father, thank You that I can seek You with my whole heart, knowing that I will surely find You. Thank You that I can live my life passionately, with a desire to go deeper with You. You are my God every moment of the day in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.."*(Psalm 46:1)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

🌤️ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*FRIDAY-24th FRIDAY, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Who is in Your Ear?*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Proverbs 13:20*_

"Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*We all have people who are influencing us, people who are in our ear. We’re listening to their counsel, following their suggestions, trusting what they say. The question is: Are they the right people? 'You shouldn’t take advice from everyone or be swayed by every opinion'. You need to look at their track record. Have they made good decisions? Do they honour God? Do they have your best interests at heart? You have to be careful who’s in your ear. If you have wrong voices, you’re going to make wrong choices. If you hang around friends who compromise or co-workers who gossip, their example, their advice, and how they’re influencing you will keep you from your potential. Scripture says , bad company corrupts good character.( 1 Corinthians 15:33).*

Dearly Beloved, Be selective. Some people will tell you how to run your life, but they can’t even run their own life. They’re giving you relationship advice, but they’ve been through six breakups. They’ll tell you how to invest and spend your money, but they can’t pay their own bills. Before you take that advice, consider the source. Are they a person of integrity and excellence? Halleluyah !☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🥁🪇🎺🎸🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Awesome God,  thank You for the people in my life who inspire me, challenge me, and make me better. Help me to be wise about who I listen to and the counsel and opinions I receive. Help me to distance myself from anyone whose influence will keep me from my potential. I want to walk with the right people in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*" The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil."*(Ephesians 4:29)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY -22nd JANUARY, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Another Chance*_.

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*

_*Lamentations 3: 22-23*_

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*We all have opportunities that we’ve missed and times when we failed. We knew God’s calling was on our life. He had given us a dream, a great spouse to love, a door had opened, but we let distractions and compromise get us off course. We look back and think, “What could I have become if I would have been more disciplined, controlled my temper, finished school, or forgiven that person?” It’s easy to live in regrets and think our life is limited because of past choices. We knew better; if only we’d done better.  The good news is, God is the God of another chance. He’s full of mercy. He knew the times when you’d fail, shrink back, and compromise. When we don’t deserve it, He steps in and says, “I’m giving you another chance to have a great relationship, to accomplish the dream, to step into your purpose.*

Dearly Beloved , it’s not too late.” You haven’t made too many mistakes. God’s calling is still in your life. He never changes His mind. ( Numbers 23;:19). He doesn’t disqualify you. Now don’t disqualify yourself. Receive His mercy. Halleluyah!

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🥁🎺🎸🪗🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Oh Lord our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning and for Your great faithfulness to me. Thank You that I can start every day new, rejoicing and expecting a great day. I declare that I will keep setting my mind for victory and the abundance of Your favour today in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*“Your steadfast love, Oh Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”*(Psalm 36:5)

*🌤️ MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY -11th JANUARY, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Rule Over Your Feelings.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Proverbs 16:32*_

"Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit better  than he who takes a city."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*God created us as emotional beings. At times, we may feel joy, excitement, or passion. At other times, we may feel sadness, sorrow, or discouragement. Feelings come to us all, but feelings are not facts. You wake up in the morning feeling gloomy, but then you get a cup of coffee and feel great. Feelings can change on a dime. The mistake we make is to let feelings determine our mood. We feel the blahs (depressions), then go around discouraged. We feel offended by someone and go around upset. We have a bad break and feel self-pity, then wonder why we don’t enjoy life. It’s because we’re being ruled by our feelings. You can’t stop negative feelings from coming, but you have a choice to not let those feelings dictate your mood.* 

Dearly Beloved, you can rule over those feelings and decide what kind of mood you’re going to be in. You can choose to say, “Feelings, you are not my boss. You are not going to control my life.” Get your mind filled with the right thoughts, ( Romans 12:2) and the feelings will eventually follow your thoughts. Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪇🥁🎺🎸🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Immortal God,  thank You that I have the power to remain full of joy and stay in peace when circumstances and people try to take them from me. Thank You that You made this day, and I’m not going to live sour and defeated. I’ve made up my mind I’m going to rule over my moods in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*''May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,  guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."*(Phillipians 4:7)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

🌤️ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*FRIDAY -3rd JANUARY, 2025*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*You Are Very Powerful.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*2 Chronicles 1:1*_

"Solomon son of David took firm control of his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him and made him very powerful."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*At the start of this new year, you may be facing situations that look too big. The opposition is too strong, the dream too great. It’s easy to have a weak mentality, to feel intimidated, as though you’re at a disadvantage. This is probably the way Solomon felt when his father, David, died. David was an amazing leader who had conquered nations and defeated giants. Solomon wasn’t a warrior king like his father, but he was suddenly thrust into this position. I’m sure he was tempted to shrink back and think, “This is too much. I can’t lead a nation.” But today’s Scripture says that he took firm control of the kingdom, for the Lord was with him and made him very powerful.*

Dearly Beloved , you may see yourself as limited, not enough, less-than, but the Lord your God is with you. ( 1 John 4:4). He has made you not just powerful, but very powerful. What you’re up against may be big, but it’s no match for you. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you will quicken your mortal body.( Romans 8:11). You’re not ordinary. You’re not common. You are very powerful.

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪇🥁🎺🎸🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God, thank You that every force of the enemy was broken when Jesus rose from the dead. Thank You that You have given me Your power and that there will be no situation in this new year that is too big or opposition too strong. I declare that You have made me very powerful in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"No weapon fashioned  against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD."*(Isaiah 54:17)

🌤️ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY- 2nd JANUARY, 2025*_

*TODAY'S WORD:*📖

_*An Exceedingly Abundant Year.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Ephesians 3:20*_

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*I believe this is going to be a year where God exceeds your expectations. AMEN . He’s not going to do just what you’re asking for; He’s going to exceed it. He’s going to open doors you never dreamed would open and which nobody can shut (Revelations 3:8). He’s going to take you further than you’ve imagined. You’re going to look back and say, “I never dreamed I would be this blessed. I never dreamed I would get this position. I never dreamed I would overcome this addiction. I never dreamed I would feel this healthy.”* 

Dearly Beloved, get ready! This is a new year, and God is doing a new thing. ( Isaiah 43:18-19). He’s about to exceed your expectations. He’s about to do things that you’ve never imagined. He’s going to make things happen that you couldn’t make happen. In this Year 2025 , *One touch of His favour will catapult you where you could not go on your own.* God is releasing healing, favour, opportunities, breakthroughs, promotion, and freedom. You didn’t have to work for it, you didn’t earn it, and you didn’t deserve it. It’s just the goodness of God, showing His favour on your life.  Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪇🥁🎺🎸🪗🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Sovereign God, thank You that You think extraordinary, You think abundance, and You think freedom. Help me to expect that You will exceed my expectations in this new year. I believe and declare that You will do exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Your expectations in Year 2025 will not be cut off "*(Proverbs 23:18)

December 30: Sixth Day within the Octave of Christmas: Anna "spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem"

Scripture 

1st Reading: 1Jn2:12-17

Resp. Psalm: Ps96:7-10

Gospel: Lk2:36-40

The witness of life

The best we can give is our life. We do this when we commit them to the service of God by putting God's claims first, over and above other claims. In the Old Testament, one of such persons was the Prophetess Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. We are told that this woman was faithful and totally dedicated to God. She lived with her husband seven years from her virginity and had been a widow for years. She used her time for God. The word of God recounts today that she did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. When we are faced with life's challenges, like Anna who became a widow early in her life, how do we accept such challenges?

The end of a long wait

Prophetess Anna was one of the faithful Jews who waited expectantly for the coming of the Messiah. Anna was a faithful watcher. That was why when eventually the Saviour was brought to the temple, Anna was privileged to see Him. Her decision not to depart from the temple, worshipping God will fasting and prayer night and day, was handsomely rewarded by God. Seeing the One in whom her heart had longed for many years, Anna gave thanks to God, and spoke of Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Do we faithfully and patiently wait for the fulfillment of God's promise in our lives? Do we know that God will not fail to bring His promises to fruition?

Faithful and devoted parents

Parenting is not just about providing material things for our children, sending them to the best schools, buying the most expensive dresses for them, pandering to all their demands and wishes, good or otherwise. More importantly, parenting is about guiding our children in the ways of God, in good moral conduct, so that their lives could become catalysts in the overall reform of the human society. The parents of our Lord took parenting with all seriousness. Even though they knew He was the Son of God, and that He was the One to guide them, they still carried out their human, parental responsibilities. In today's gospel passage, they performed for their new born child, everything prescribed that was to be done according to the law of the Lord. The word of God makes it clear today that after they returned to Nazareth, the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and the favour of God was upon him. How faithful and devoted are we in our parental responsibilities to our children, especially with regards to their upbringing in the faith?

Love God and not the world

The first reading today teaches us about the dangers of loving the world. It teaches us that to love the world is to abandon the love of the Father. This is because there is in the world, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. The word warns us that the things we love in the world that draw us away from God, will pass away. They are not intended to last for ever. The good news here is that those who do the will of God will abide for ever. We are to love God and not the world, so that our hearts can rest solely in God. May God help us.

Let us pray

"Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the newness of the Nativity in the flesh of your Only Begotten Son may set us free, for ancient servitude holds us bound beneath the yoke of sin." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

☔ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY -26th DECEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

*Too Wonderful for Words- JESUS CHRIST:*

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

 _*John 3:16*_

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Beyond the Christmas lights and presents, beyond the music and great food, God reminds us of the most wonderful gift that has ever been given…this gift is Jesus. The babe in the manger. The Saviour of the world, who brought the promise of unconditional love, unending hope, and eternal life to every person who believes in Him. (John 10:10b). Apostle Paul was so overwhelmed at the thought of all that God has given us that instead of trying to put it all in words, he simplified it this way: “Thanks be to God for his Son—a gift too wonderful for words." (2 Corinthians 9:15).  Jesus is God’s perfect, indescribable gift. And the amazing thing is that not only are we personally able to receive this gift that is too wonderful for words, but we are able to share Him with others today and every day.*

Dearly Beloved, we need to make sure our hearts are ready, both to receive Christ’s love and to extend it to others. This is what Christmas is all about. Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🪇🥁🎺🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Oh God , thank You for Your amazing love and the indescribable gift of Your Son Jesus, who is too wonderful for words. Thank You for the gift of eternal life and the unending hope I find in Jesus. I receive Your love right now and look forward to sharing this gift with others in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*“For unto us a child is born, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."*( Isaiah 9:6)

*☔ MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY -18th DECEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Joy Is Coming.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE*:📖

_*Psalm 30:5*_

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*You may go through seasons of weeping, of sorrow, of pain. But when you’re in the suffering and the struggle, you can’t see what God is about to do. All you can see is more of the same. It seems like there’s no way out. But notice that the psalmist says weeping “may” endure, which means it’s not certain, it’s questionable. Don’t let what you’ve been through convince you that the suffering is permanent. Scripture says, "there is no temptation that is peculiar, but God promised a way of escape ."(1 Corinthians 10:13) God’s promise is that joy is coming—not maybe, not hope so, not there’s a good chance. The Most High God says that joy is on the way. That means no more heartache, no more mourning, no more loneliness.*

Dearly Beloved, those tears of sadness are coming to an end. God is about to do a new thing.(Isaiah  43:19). You’re going to laugh again, you’re going to dream again, you’re going to love again. You’re going to see God’s blessing in such a way that you’ll have tears of joy, tears of gratitude, tears of thanksgiving. Get ready to laugh in amazement, laugh in gratefulness, laugh with songs of joy. Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🪇🥁🎺🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God the Father, thank You that in times of sadness, when I don’t see the way out of suffering or a loss seems too great, I can know that the morning is coming and the tears of sorrow will be turned to joy. I believe Your promise is on the way and I will laugh in amazement and gratefulness in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*" Rejoice, I say Rejoice."*(Phillipians 4:4)

*☔MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY -17th DECEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*No Intimidation! No Fret!!.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Philippians 1:28*_

"Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*You have gifts and talents that you’ve not tapped into yet. There is a treasure inside you, but negative thoughts will try to keep it pushed down. The enemy doesn’t want you to reach your full potential. There are forces constantly trying to make you feel intimidated, inferior, and unqualified. Recall that you are a MASTERPIECE.( Ephesians 2:10). You may be flooded with doubts and feelings of fear, thinking of all the things that can go wrong. If you’re going to fulfill your destiny, you have to shake off the negative voices. Shake off the thoughts that are telling you, “I am unable. I am unqualified.” scripture  says, "You can do all things through God who strengthens you". (Phillipians 4:13).*

Dearly Beloved, don’t invite weakness. Don’t give intimidation an invite. You may feel unqualified, but before you were born, God equipped you. He empowered you. ''You are fearfully and wonderfully made." ( Psalm 139:14). You are not lacking anything. God has already stamped His approval on you. People may try to push you down, but when you know Almighty God has approved you, you realize, “I don’t need other people’s approval. I’ve been equipped, empowered, and anointed by the Creator of the universe." Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🪇🥁🎺🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Awesome God, thank You that I am Your child, a victor and not a victim of the enemy’s intimidation. Thank You for the promise that You have approved me, equipped me, and empowered me. I declare that I am staying in agreement with what You say about who I am in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

God said, 

*"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish".*(Isaiah 41:10-11)

*☔ MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SUNDAY -8th DECEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Present Your Case in God's promise.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Psalm 119:49-50*_

"Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.…Your promise preserves my life."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*One of the most powerful ways to pray is to find a promise in the Scripture and remind God what He said about you. Isaiah 62:6-7 says, in effect, “Put God in remembrance of His promises. Keep not silent. Give Him no rest till it comes to pass.” When God hears His promises, He dispatches angels with the answers. He sets the miracle into motion. He will change things in your favour. It may not happen overnight, but just stay in faith and keep reminding God what He promised you day in and day out. My question is, Are you presenting your case to God in His promises?*

Dearly Beloved, have you found His promises and are you reminding Him of them and thanking Him for them? All throughout the day, and especially when the doubts arise, kick it into gear. “Father, You said the moment I pray the tide of the battle turns.”( Psalm 56:9): “God, You said I am more than a conqueror.” (Romans 8:37)“God, You said You hold victory in store for the upright.”(Proverbs 2:7-11). Present your case based on God’s Word and you cannot lose. Halleluyah !☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🪇🎸🥁🎺🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Awesome God, thank You that I can stir up my faith and put You in remembrance of Your promises. Thank You that when I say ‘You promised,’ something powerful happens because You watch over Your Word to perform it. I believe that You bring Your promises to fulfillment in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"For all the promises of God find their Yes in Christ Jesus. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.''*( 2 Corinthians  1:20)

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

Saturday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time: "watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man."

Scripture 

1st Reading: Rev22:1-7

Resp. Psalm: Ps95:1-7

Gosp. Accl.: Lk21:36

Gospel: Lk21:34-36

Do not let the world lead you astray

The world is sweet. Life is beautiful. We would prefer to live here forever. But that is because our vision is myopic and we think what we have now is the best and are comfortable with it. This is why sometimes we think to enjoy life is to immerse ourselves in this world and live it out as if here is the end of everything. The Lord today warned us to beware of living out life in total dissipation and letting our hearts be weighed down by the world and its cares. He warned us of drunkenness and preoccupation with things that will never last. If we allow ourselves to be so engrossed, then the day will come upon us suddenly like a snare. Are we taken up by the world and its cares and worries? Do we live in the world as if our destination is here alone?

Watch and pray

The Lord taught us today that living in the world should be with the attitude that we are birds of passage. We are to live in the world but constantly be on the watch. A watchman is one whose duty it is to be alert and monitor movements and make sure no unlawful person comes near a property that has been entrusted to his care to watch over. The good watchman cannot therefore sleep while on this important job. The Lord also told us today to pray. Prayer is not directed to us. It is a dialogue between the creature and the Creator. The Lord is clear: we must pray always, pray while on our duties as watchmen in the world, as people entrusted with properties to guard. Those properties are our souls and the souls of others that would perish if we take our duties with levity. We are to watch and pray that we may have strength to escape all these things that will take place and to stand before the Son of man. Do we watch always? Do we pray always?

The river of the water of life

There is a beautiful place prepared for us long long away. It is long because of our limited human capacity to measure space and time. That is the destination of the elect. The word of God today teaches us that there is a river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. There is the tree of life beside this river that produce good fruits for the healing of the nations. The Lamb shall be in the city and there shall be night no more. The elect will stand before the throne of God and of the Lamb and worship Him. The name of the Lamb shall be on their foreheads. They shall see the face of God and of the Lamb. They shall reign forever with Him. Do we honestly long to be in this city with the Lord? Are we making efforts to become part of it?

End of the Liturgical Year

Today is the end of the current Liturgical Year. This evening, we will begin the season of Advent and with it, our preparations for the coming of the Lord Jesus at His Incarnation will begin. We thank the good Lord who has fed us with His living word this past year. I thank those who forward this explanation of the word to thousands daily. God knows you and will definitely reward you for your faithfulness. Let us prepare ourselves to begin the journey of faith again this evening and tomorrow as we enter the Season of Advent. God bless our faith.

Let us pray

We thank you Lord, for the gift of everlasting life that you offer us in your house in heaven. Prepare us to use our present life for that beautiful encounter with you. Thank you for your word that we have heard this past year. Give us your grace to continue to profit by listening to your holy word. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

☔*MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY-30th NOVEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Unequaled in Greatness.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

 _*Psalm 150:2*_

''Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!"

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*You realize just how limited you are, but God is unlimited. We’re natural, but He’s supernatural. When you don’t see a way out, you’ll be tempted to complain. No, turn it around and praise Him for who He is. “Lord, praise You that You’re bigger than this sickness. Praise You that You’re stronger than this addiction. Praise You that You’re greater and more powerful than this trouble or these people.” You could be sending up doubt, defeat, and complaints, but you’re bragging on the goodness of God and sending up praise that sets miracles into motion. That’s when God will show up and do what you cannot do.*

Dearly Beloved , sometimes we’re waiting for circumstances to change, then we’ll give God praise, then we’ll have a good attitude, but that’s backward. You have to praise God first. You have to have that song in your heart when nothing is changing. God is still on the throne. Keep thanking Him that He’s working. Keep declaring that you’re coming through this. Let every breath you take be with praise to the Lord. (Psalm 150:6). Halleluyah!☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🪇🎺🥁🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Holy Father, thank You that You are unequaled in greatness and worthy of my highest praise. Thank You that You reign over all the circumstances of my life and that You are with me. As long as I have breath, I will praise You and believe You are defeating the challenges in my life in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*''I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you."( Psalm 35:18)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

There shall be showers of blessing:

  This is the promise of love;

There shall be seasons refreshing,

  Sent from the Savior above.

 Showers of blessing,

  Showers of blessing we need;

Mercy-drops round us are falling,

    But for the showers we plead.

There shall be showers of blessing—

  Precious reviving again;

Over the hills and the valleys,

  Sound of abundance of rain.

There shall be showers of blessing;

  Send them upon us, O Lord!

Grant to us now a refreshing;

  Come, and now honor Thy Word.

There shall be showers of blessing;

  O that today they might fall,

Now as to God we’re confessing,

  Now as on Jesus we call!

There shall be showers of blessing,

  If we but trust and obey;

There shall be seasons refreshing,

  If we let God have His way.

*☔ MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY -19th NOVEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Make Up Your Mind*._

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*James 1:5-7*_

''If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Today’s Scripture  is talking about wisdom, but the principle is that when you ask God for something, be sure you really expect Him to answer. Sometimes we go to God hoping and wishing that something will happen. How about going to God with confidence, knowing that when you ask in faith, He will answer you? It says God will gladly give you wisdom. He loves for you to come to Him. He’s longing to be good to you. But if you’re going to see good things happen, you have to come to Him expecting an answer. And when you ask, believe that you receive it. ( Mark 11:24). By faith, believe that it happened. You have to make up your mind.*

Dearly Beloved, are you going to believe what God promised you, or are you going to let doubt, negative voices, or other opinions convince you it’s not going to happen? “You can’t get well. You’ll never break the addiction. You’ll never be successful.” Do yourself a favour and tune that out. Don’t let doubt keep you from your destiny. Have an unwavering mind. Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🪇🎺🥁🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Heavenly Father, thank You for the expectancy rising in my heart that You have good things in store for me. Thank You that my hopes and dreams can be in You alone. I believe and declare that doubt is not going to keep me from what You have in store in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*''And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."*( Hebrews 11:6)

☔*MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY -16th NOVEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Make a Change.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Colossians 3:8-10*_

"But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Every day you have to make choices. Am I going to hold on to an offence, or am I going to let it go? Am I going to hang out with friends who cause me to compromise, or am I going to stay on the high road and be a person of excellence? Am I going to cut corners at work, or am I going to have integrity and give it my best? Am I going to be critical, harsh, and contentious, or am I going to be loving, kind, and respectful*

Dearly Beloved , I’m asking you to put off the old man. Don’t let the flesh take the throne and dictate your life. Let the Spirit rule. (Ephesians 4:31-32).  Honour God with your decisions. You can win the war within. God is calling you up higher. Whatever you know is holding you back, this is the time to make a change. This is a moment of grace to do what you couldn’t do before. Your decision can restore a relationship, take you to a new level in your career, or break bad habits and addictions. Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🪇🎺🥁🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏

Holy Father, thank You that You have set me free and given me the power to make choices that honour You. Thank You that change is always possible and I am not stuck with the flesh ruling my life. I believe that Your grace is here to help me put off the old man and put on the new man in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come".*(1 Corinthians 5:17)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

☔*MORNING TEA*🍵

_*THURSDAY -14th NOVEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*What the Father Requires.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*John 14:31*_

“…but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*As Jesus approached the time of the cross, He said the prince of this world was coming but had no power over Him. (John 14:30). Then He added in today’s Scripture, “But I will do what the Father requires of Me.” (John 14:31).  That last part is the key. We’re all going to face attacks, trouble, and opposition. The enemy will come, and he has no power over us, but we have to do what the Father requires. We can’t sit back and say, “Why did this happen? This is not fair.” What the Father requires is that we move forward in faith.  Don’t let fear hold you back. The only tools the enemy has are deception and lies. The only power he has is the power you give him by believing his lies. He’s called the father of lies. (John 8:44).*

Dearly Beloved , there is no truth in him. Don’t believe the lie that a setback or illness is permanent. Don’t water down your dreams. The enemy is defeated. Now get your passion back and go after what God put in your heart. You will succeed in all that you lay your hands upon. (Psalm 1:3). Halleluyah!

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🪇🎺🥁🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Immortal God, thank You that I can guard my heart and keep it free from all the lies and deceptions that try to keep me intimidated and living worried. Thank You that I can ignore the lies and believe the truth of Your Word. I declare that I will obey and do what You require in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth."*(Deuteronomy 28:1)

Wednesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?"

Scripture

1st Reading: Titus3:1-7

Resp.  Psalm: Ps23:1-6

Gosp. Accl.: 1Thess5:18

Gospel: Lk17:11-19

The cry for mercy

The human condition requires always the presence and mercy of God. This is so since no human person can go it alone without the Creator. There are situations in life that each person knows that the application of human solution will never bring the desired result. One such case is a terrible sickness that knows no cure. Leprosy was this terrible sickness. At the time of our Lord, people believed that one contacted leprosy as a consequence of personal sin or the sin of one's parents. The cry of the lepers for the Lord's mercy may be based on those considerations. Their cry may also be founded on their faith that only God could show them pity and grant them relief from their terrible sufferings. They saw the Lord passing. They could not go near because of the distance that must be created between a leper and the rest of the society to avoid contagion. These ten lepers cried: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." Do we ask for God's mercy in the difficult situations of sickness and ill health? Do we trust in God's power to heal us and save us?

"Go and show yourselves to the priests"

The cry of these ten lepers to the Lord for mercy, reached the ears of the Lord. The Lord did not directly answer their cry. He only told them to go and show themselves to the priests. This was a test of faith. They had yet been healed as the Lord gave them this command, but if they did not move and obey the command, they would never have been healed. They needed to trust in the word of the Lord and obey. They did. On their way, they were all cleansed and healed of their leprosy. Of these ten, one turned back to meet the Lord, praising God with a loud voice and fell on his face at te feet of the Lord. This man who returned to give thanks was not even a Jew but a foreigner. The Lord declared to this thankful man: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." Do we have such faith in the power of the Lord? Would we have obeyed if we were in a similar situation? Are we thankful for the mercies received from the Lord?

True Christian Virtues

The Christian lives in two societies: the civil society and the society of faith, each with differing demands and expectations. But in both, the Christian is expected to live by certain rules and practise certain virtues. The word of God today teaches us on some of those virtues. We are taught to be submissive to those who rule us for the good of our societies. We are to be obedient and ready for any honest work, speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle and show perfect courtesy towards all men. We are to act and behave like people to whom mercy has been shown. We are to act like believers who understand the meaning of their baptismal washing and regeneration and the justification and hope for eternal life that this had brought them. Do we practise the virtues? Do we live as true believers before the world?

Let us pray

We thank you Lord, for your word of life. We ask you to give us the grace always cling to you especially in difficult moments of our lives. Reveal yourself to us in those moments as the God who saves and let us see your mercy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

ASK FOR GOD'S MERCY

HAVE FAITH IN GOD

THANK GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS.

☔ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*SUNDAY-22nd SEPTEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Abide in Him, To Be Fruitful.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*

_*John 15:4*_

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*To abide in Christ means you’re connected to Him, you’re trusting in Him for all that you need. When you’re abiding, it takes the pressure off. Instead of focusing on what you can do, you’re focused on what God can do. You’re depending on His goodness, His favour, His power. As long as you’re striving in your own strength, you’re limited to what you can accomplish. The problem is that we all face difficulties and situations that are too big. No matter how hard we try, our strength, our effort, and our talent will not be enough. Scripture says, "Not by might , not by Power , but by God's Spirit."( Zechariah 4:6)*.

_Dearly Beloved, that's why God said you can’t bear fruit by yourself, you must abide .( John 15:4). You can’t overcome that challenge, break the addiction, or accomplish your dream just with your own will power, your own hard work. You need power from on high. When you’re abiding, there is a force that breathes in your direction, a favour that opens doors that you can’t open,( Revelation 3:7) breaks chains that are holding you back, releases healing, creativity, and increase that will catapult you into your destiny. Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🎸🪗🥁🎺🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God the Father, thank You that I can abide in my relationship with Jesus and trust You for all that I need. Thank You that I can be free from striving to accomplish things in my own strength. I believe that You are supplying me with power from on high in Jesus’ name.

DEARLY BELOVED,

*MAY THE GRACE  TO ABIDE IN GOD BE UPON YOU  AND BECOME WHO HE  HAD ORCHESTRATED YOU TO BE IN JESUS' NAME.*

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

*☔ MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY -7th SEPTEMBER, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_The Secret to a Changed Life._

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Luke 19:5*_

"When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Zacchaeus was the despised chief tax collector in the region, known for cheating people and called a notorious sinner. Yet when Jesus could have spent time with any of the local religious leaders, He chose Zacchaeus, which they found disgusting. Religion says, “He’s too bad. He’s scum. Stay away.” Sometimes religion portrays an image of God where you can’t measure up, and it uses guilt and your feelings of unworthiness to try to get you to live right. But God says, “I gladly welcome Zacchaeus. What he has done does not cancel out My mercy.”  When Zacchaeus came to understand that God loved him unconditionally, even when he had made mistakes, he decided to change his ways and salvation came to him.*

_Dearly Beloved, sometimes we think that if we tell people all they’re doing wrong and make them feel guilty, they’ll change. But condemnation doesn’t make them do better. It is when they hear about a God who shows mercy when they deserve judgment that they’ll change. The Scripture says, “It’s the goodness of God that leads to repentance.”Romans 2:4). Halleluyah !_☑️

_*,,Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪇🥁🪘🪗🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Merciful God, thank You that even though You know everything about me, You still invite Yourself to come to my house for dinner and bring the gift of salvation. Thank You that it’s not about my performance, about being good enough, about being worthy, but it’s about Your love. Welcome to my house in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved

*"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."*(,Romans 8:1)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

*☔ MORNING TEA*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY -21st AUGUST, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Be Merciful, Like Our Heavenly Father.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Luke 6:36*_

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*No matter who we are and  in relationship with, no matter how good of a person they are, at times, they’re going to disappoint us, let us down, and hurt us. It’s easy to let that press us down, and we become sour. It isn’t long and we have a list of all the things they’ve done wrong, all the things we don’t like about them, how they don’t measure up. It’s all about past hurts, past failures, what they said, how they treated us. The easy way out is to disconnect and stop spending time with them.*

_Dearly Beloved, you have to let the past go. Apostle Paul said, "....But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus".(Phillipians 3:16-17) This is a new day. God’s mercy is fresh every morning.(Lamentations 3:22-23). Come into the present. Life is too short for you to hold on to hurts, to focus on what they did wrong. Give that person room to be human. Show them the mercy that God has shown you. Don’t hold grudges.(Ephesians 4:31). Forgive them and move forward.(Colossians 3:13).  Be kind, encourage them, be generous, and help them reach their dreams as much as you can. Halleluyah!_

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪗🎺🪘🪇🥁🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:* 🙏🏻

Merciful God the Father, thank You for freely giving me Your mercy that I might freely give it to others. Thank You that I can let the past go, that I can forgive and love, and that I can move forward. Help me give others the space to be human and not disconnect from them in Jesus’ name.

DEARLY BELOVED,

*"GOD WILL BESTOW ON YOU , A CROWN OF BEAUTY INSTEAD OF ASHES, THE OIL OF JOY INSTEAD OF MORNING AND A GARMENT OF PRAISE INSTEAD OF SPIRIT OF DESPAIR."*(Isaiah 61:3a)

*☔ MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SUNDAY-18th AUGUST, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Mountain Removal.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Mark 11:23*_

“Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*We all face mountains in life, things that seem big and permanent. It may be a mountain in your marriage, your finances, your health, or your dreams. It’s good to ask God to help you, but you may be praying about things you should be speaking to. If you don’t speak to your mountains, your mountains will talk to you. All through the day, those negative thoughts will come. They are your mountains talking to you.  If you face a mountain of fear, you have to say, “Fear, I command you to leave. "God has not given me the spirit of fear, but sound mind...( 2 Timothy 1:7). I will not allow you in my life.” If it’s a health problem, you have to declare to that sickness, “Sickness, you have no right in my body. "Your body is God's temple, where Holy Spirit resides ( 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). I’m not asking you to leave. I’m commanding you to leave my body.”*

_Dearly Beloved, when you speak words of faith based upon the authority of the Son of God, something happens in the unseen realm. The mighty armies of the Most High God will stand behind you. The forces of darkness will be defeated. Those mountains will be removed. Halleluyah!_📖

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🥁🎺🪇🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Heavenly Father, thank You for the power that You give my words to change my life. Help me to give my faith a voice by speaking words of life and blessing over myself and my future daily. I declare that You are greater than any mountain I face in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

_Declare now_:

*"What are you, mighty mountain? Before (Your Name), you will become level ground."*[Zechariah 4:7a) 

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

Mm☔ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*FRIDAY -16th AUGUST, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Be Glad-Hearted.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*1 Thessalonians 5:16*_

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*How long are we supposed to be glad-hearted, to be happy in our faith and rejoicing? As long as people treat us right? As long as the medical report is good? As long as the economy is strong? No, Apostle Paul says “always.” That means in the good times and in the tough times, when your life is going great and when life feels depressing and gloomy, when it’s sunny and when it’s raining.  Jesus says that “in this world you will have trouble. But take courage I have overcome the world ”( John 16:33).*

Dearly Beloved, we all face disappointments, unfair situations, tests, trials, and temptation. But know this: On the other side of every difficulty and adversity is promotion, opportunity, growth, and increase. Whether the sun is shining or dark clouds are overhead, your Heavenly Father is in control, and He has promised to take care of you, regardless of the circumstances. "Your tines are in His hands." ( Psalm 31:15).  Get up in the morning and have a song of praise in your heart.(Psalm 5:3). Keep your joy and be glad-hearted continually. God is about to show up and show out in unusual ways that will amaze you. Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🥁🎺🪇🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

"Heavenly Father's, thank You that I can be glad-hearted and rejoice in all circumstances today because You are always in control. Thank You that You are always doing exceedingly abundantly beyond all I could ever ask or imagine. ( Ephesians 3:20). I am going to keep a song of praise in my heart in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*God has made  known to you the path of life; in His presence, there is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.”*(Psalm 16:11)

☔ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY-13th AUGUST, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Let There Be No Bitter Root.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Hebrews 12:15*_

"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*We all go through tough times, disappointments, and hurts. But we can’t let a bad break, a divorce/separation  or a rough childhood cause us to get bitter. If we let bitter feelings take root, that bitter root will always produce bitter fruit. Bitter people don’t have good relationships. They’re too negative. When we’re bitter, it affects our attitudes. We see everything through a critical lens. Nothing is ever good enough. Bitter people can smile on the outside, but inside they’re critical and filled with self-pity. Bitterness infects everything you do and follows you everywhere you go. When we hold on to things we should let go, refusing to forgive, remembering the worst, we only poison our own lives. God is saying, “Get over it.” Life is flying by. We have limited time on the planet earth.*

Dearly Beloved, you don’t have time to waste another minute being negative, offended, or bitter. If someone did you wrong or you had a bad break, get over it, quit reliving all the hurt, and move forward. God will make it up to you, and you’ll come to the new beginning He has in store. God has promised  you a new thing ..( Isaiah 43 18-19). Halleluyah!☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🥁🎺🪇🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God, thank You that I can prevent bitter roots from ever starting to grow in my life by letting go of whatever holds me back. Show me if there is anything that is causing me to be bitter or resentful, and help me to release the bitterness and forgive any person who hurt me in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*" Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."*( Ephesians 4:31-32)

☔ *MORNING TEA:*🍵 

*SUNDAY-11th AUGUST, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*

_*What You Can’t See.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

"…the Lord knows how to rescue the Godly from trials."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*We all know that God opens doors which no one can shut ( Revelation 3:8). We’ve seen Him give us favour, good breaks, promotion. But the same God will close doors/shut wombs ( 1 Samuel 1:6). Maybe you prayed, but a relationship didn’t work out or you didn’t get the promotion or the loan. Too often we become discouraged and feel that God let us down. But we can’t see the big picture that God sees. He knows where every road is leading. He sees the dead ends and the shortcuts. "He knows the end from the beginning" .(Isaiah 46:10). A big part of faith is trusting God when you don’t understand why things happen the way they do. When a door closes, you don’t know what God is saving you from.*

_Dearly BELOVED, God may close a door because a relationship or a position will lead to heartache and pain. If He opened what you think is the opportunity of a lifetime, it could limit what He wants to do in your life. The bottom line is: God has your best interest at heart. Instead of being discouraged, have a bigger perspective. The reason the door closed is because God has something better in store. Scripture says , all things work together for good for those who believe ....."( Romans 8:28). Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🥁🙏🏻🪇🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY*:🙏🏻

Awesome God, thank You that You know best when it comes to the things I want and ask You for. Thank You that You see what I cannot see and You have reasons for closed doors as well as open doors. I believe that You have something bigger, something better, something more rewarding up in front of me in Jesus’ name.

Dear Beloved,

*"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things"*.(Phillipians 4:8)

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

*☔ MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY-7th AUGUST, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*What Are You Making?*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Ephesians 5:19-20*_

"…singing and  making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

*TODAY'S WORD*🔥

*We are all making something. Some people are making sadness, thinking about what they’ve been through, what wasn’t fair, who they lost. That’s drawing in more sadness, more discouragement. Other people are making worry, playing all the negative thoughts over and over in their mind. “What if it doesn’t work out? What if I don’t get well?” That’s drawing in more stress, more heaviness. Why don’t you start making melody in your heart to the Lord. Start having a song of praise inside. Instead of saying, “These children are so much trouble,” start saying, “Lord, thank You for blessing me with children.” Instead of saying, “It’s a pain to go to work,” say, “Lord, thank You that I have a job.” Instead of saying, “The medical report is not good. I don’t think I’ll ever get well,” be saying, “Lord, thank You that You’re restoring health to me.” (Jeremiah 33:6;  37:10).*

_Dearly BELOVED , are you creating an atmosphere of doubt, worry, and mediocrity. Or are you creating an atmosphere of praise, victory, and abundance? All through the day, under your breath, be one who is making melody in your heart. Halleluyah!_

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🥁🪇🎸🎺🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Heavenly Father, thank You that I can make melody to You in all my circumstances because You are bigger than any of my circumstances. Thank You that I can put the old sad songs of defeat behind me and start singing songs of victory. I declare that I will create an atmosphere of praise to You today in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His Holy arm have gained Victory for Him''*. ( Psalm 98:1)

*☔ MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*TUESDAY -30th JULY , 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Stepping Stones.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Genesis 41:14*_

"So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon.''

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When Joseph was a teenager, God put a dream in his heart that one day he would be in leadership,(Genesis 37:2, 5-8) but his brothers became jealous and sold him into slavery in Egypt. ( Genesis 37:23-27). He was being his best, but his owner’s wife falsely accused him of a crime, and he was put in prison.(Genesis 39:6-20). For thirteen long years it was one wrong after another. But notice that each of these wrongs was necessary to bring Joseph to where God wanted him to be—the interpreter of Pharaoh’s dream, taking him from the dungeon to being made the prime minister of Egypt.(Genesis 41:41-44).*

_Dearly BELOVED, maybe you’re having some wrongs in your life—someone betrayed you, a door closed on the dream you worked so hard for. How do you know you’re not a Joseph? How do you know that the wrongs are not divine detours, the hand of God leading you into something more amazing than you’ve ever imagined? You can live out of a place of rest, knowing that the wrongs, the things you don’t understand, are leading you into God’s perfect plan. Halleluyah!_

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪘🪗🥁🪇🎺🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Awesome God,  thank You that what so often looks like a setback is really Your hand moving me towards Your purpose. Thank You that what’s wrong is going to push open doors and bring opportunities I could never experience without it. Help me to live in peace while You work things out in  Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"What was meant to destroy you,  will turn around for good for you"*( Genesis 50:20).

Saturday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time: The plot against the innocent

Scripture 

1st Reading: Micah2:1-5

Resp. Psalm: Ps9:1-4,7-8,14

Gosp. Accl.: 2Cor5:19

Gospel: Mt12:14-21

They plotted to destroy Him

The heart of man is deep. A man laughs with you one moment and is killing you the other. A man is your friend during the day but your worst enemy at night. Such is the devious nature of a human heart that is not subject to the lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ordinarily, the Pharisees who claimed to know God and His ways, should have been the ones to know that no one could do what the Lord was doing if God was not with him. But such logic holds where the person involved is humble and open to allow God to guide him. Today, instead of hearing the Lord and be saved, the Pharisees planned how to destroy Him. From time immemorial, the devious had never had respect for human life. Their philosophy is that life is expendable and anyone can do what he likes with it. The Lord witnessed raw hatred from those who should have been the ones to show Him to others. Are we like the Pharisees? Do we seek to kill? Do we smile with someone in the day but draw the blood of the same person at night?

The wisdom of God

The Lord knew the evil intentions of the hearts of the Pharisees. No one needed to tell Him. He read their hearts and the evil therein. He knew His time had not yet come. This was why the Lord withdrew from the district where the Pharisees were planning to kill Him. His withdrawal was seen as fulfillment of prophecy concerning Him. He would be the one to lead the truth to victory. In His name the nations would put their hope. He was the servant of God whom God had chosen and whom God would endow with His spirit to proclaim true faith to the nations. While they were busy planning evil, the Lord was busy doing good, setting people free from their bondage. Are we led by the wisdom of God? Do we allow God to influence the way we live our daily lives?

Woe to those who plot evil

The word of God today has maledictions against those who use the beautiful hearts God created for them to perpetuate evil and destroy others. These are persons who use their hearts to plot the downfall of  others. Those who planned will reap the fruits of their labours. Injustice against the poor and the defenseless can only last a moment. There will be serious consequences for their perpetrators. God will give justice to those who have lost hope of ever getting it from the hands of their fellow men. Those who plot evil will eventually come to realize the evil does not pay. Do we strive to do good all the time? Do we allow God to use us for the benefit of others?

Let us pray

O God our Father, we thank you for your word of life. We are sorry for the times we have acted wickedly towards our neighbours. We ask for pardon for the times we failed to defend the cause of the poor, the defenseless and the marginalized. Purify our hearts so that we can act good, think good and live our lives well, for the greater glory of your name. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

Tuesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time: Memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions: "Never was anything like this seen in Israel"

Scripture 

1st Reading: Hosea8:4-7,11-13

Resp. Psalm: Ps115:3-10

Gosp. Accl.: Jn10:14

Gospel: Mt9:32-38

The goodness of God

The power of God is made manifest when God encounters His creatures to demonstrate His presence and active interest in their affairs. The gospel passage today recounts the healing of a mute demoniac. The Lord cast out the demon tormenting this man. The demonstration of power over the world of negative spirits convinced the ordinary people about the positive, liberating power of the Lord Jesus. They saw that no human person under the influence of satan could perform such feats. They knew that no human person had performed such great deed. But those who were supposed to know and who claimed to know, that is, the Pharisees, twisted the narrative and accused the Lord of casting out demons by the prince of demons. What is our attitude to other people's success and triumphs? How supportive are we of persons who are on the track to success?

The good work continues 

The accusations of the Pharisees concerning the source of the Lord's power did not in any way deter him from continuing His mission. He continued teaching, preaching and healing. He went on having compassion on the people the Father had sent Him to save. The gospel passage today recounted that He saw them and knew they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He saw the richness of the work of mission and the great tasks ahead. He referred to the great mission to rescue souls from the clutches of satan as harvest. He declared that this harvest was rich but the labourers to gather in the harvest were few. He asked them to beg the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to His harvest. Are we propelled by envy and jealousy when others are doing good? Do we see ourselves as active harvesters of souls for the kingdom?

They acted like people who had no God

Over exertion and declaration of self independence from God, based on the human freedom God freely gave to each of us, has some negative consequences. Forgetfulness of the mercy of God also leads us nowhere. The chosen people decided to demonstrate their independence from their God. They made kings and set up princes, but not through Him and without His knowledge. They made idols for their own destruction. They multiplied altars for sinning and worshipped false gods by bowing down to them. They disregarded the law of God and thought that by just offering sacrifices, they were worshipping and appeasing God. God declared that He would remember their iniquity and they would return to Egypt, the house of slavery and suffering. Do we over emphasize our independence and forget that our freedom was given to us by God to make us righteous to serve Him in fidelity of soul?

St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions 

St. Augustine Zhao Rong and his companions, many of whom were Chinese Catholics, took a stand to defend their faith until death. They were asked to give up their faith or be killed. They stood for Christ and suffered some of the most atrocious persecutions and tortures. They were undaunted by human punishment and suffering. They died for their faith in Christ. May they intercede for us.

Let us pray

"O God, who in your wonderful providence have strengthened your Church through the confession of the Martyrs Saints Augustine Zhao and companions; grant that your people, faithful to the mission entrusted to it, may enjoy ever greater freedom and witness to the truth before the world." Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele

*☔MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*THURSDAY -27th JUNE, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*The Songs of Zion.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Psalm 137:4*_

"How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?"

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When the Israelites were conquered and taken into captivity by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 29:10), it was a season of suffering and great loss. It was one of those times when the pressure is so great, the loss so heavy, the disappointment so discouraging, we don’t think we can go on. They could not sing the songs of Zion. They were in a season of weeping, which we all go through. God made us feel things. Something breaks your heart, and it feels too much to carry. Weeping is not a lack of faith. It doesn’t mean you’re not tough enough. It means that your heart is working, that you care deeply. Wow!*

_Dearly BELOVED, when you go through a season of weeping, remember that God says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” ( Psalm 30:5).  As He did for the Israelites, eventually freeing them to return to their homes, He’s already set the time to end your heartache, to turn around what’s causing your tears. God is going to bring you out better through the suffering, and your mourning will turn into dancing.(Psalm 30:11). Halleluyah!_☑️

_*PRAISE the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🎺🪇🪘🪗🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God the Father, thank You that You have the power to change what looks as though it will never change. Thank You that the morning comes, and You turn mourning into dancing and sorrow into joy. I believe that You will always restore me to sing the songs of Zion in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"God will put a new song in your mouth, a hymn of praise to Him. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him."*( Psalm 40:3)

For Ayaan

[6/22, 8:49 AM] Alaba Babalola: *☔ MORNING TEA*🍵

_*SATURDAY -22nd JUNE, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*There Shall Be No Condemnation.*_ 

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Revelation 12:10*_

“For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth- the one who accuses them before our God day and night.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*A lot of people are down on themselves because of past things they’ve done wrong. They’re so focused on their past that it poisons their future. We have all sinned and made mistakes, (Romans 3:23) but don’t let guilt stunt your growth. Come out from under that condemnation. Scripture says, "there shall be no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."(Romans 8:1). Quit thinking about all the things you’ve done wrong, living in regrets. When you live guilty, you’re in agreement with the enemy, the accuser.(Revelation 2:10).*

_Dearly Beloved, our accuser would like you to go through life feeling wrong about yourself. He’s trying to stunt your growth. He’ll do his best to keep you in condemnation. He knows your potential. He knows you were created to soar, which is why he works overtime trying to make you feel guilty, whispering, “You don’t measure up. You failed again. You’ll never be free.” There’s always some reason to be down on yourself. You have to declare, “No, thanks. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.(Romans 8:1) . I’m forgiven. I’m redeemed. My past is over, my present is secure, and my future is bright.” Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪇🪗🎺🥁🪘🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Merciful God, thank You that I am forgiven and redeemed by the blood of Your Son. Thank You that the price for my sins has been paid once and for all. I receive Your love and forgiveness and refuse to live under guilt and condemnation in Jesus’ name.

DEARLY BELOVED,

*"FROM THE WEST, PEOPLE WILL FEAR THE NAME OF THE LORD AND FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN, THEY WILL REVEREND HIS GLORY IN YOUR LIFE."*(Isaiah 59:19a)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

[6/22, 9:02 AM] Alaba Babalola: *Saturday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time:* "do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself."

 *Scripture* 

1st Reading: 2Chr24:17-25

Resp. Psalm: Ps89:4-5,29-34

Gosp. Accl.: 2Cor8:9

Gospel: Mt6:24-34

 *Do not serve the world* 

There are services to give to God. We cannot replace God with anyone or anything in our lives. We cannot serve God and serve the world. We cannot serve God and serve money. The Lord was very in His teaching on this fundamental aspect of life in today's gospel passage. Our devotion must never be divided. Our loyalty must never be mixed up. Our problem, as identified by the Lord today is that we get entangled in many things because we are over anxious about how we are going to take care of ourselves and lead good and respectable lives. We are anxious about our lives and what we are going to eat and drink. _Do we have divided service and loyalties? Do we serve God faithfully?_ 

 *Look unto the provident Father* 

The Lord Jesus was very clear today: we are to look unto our provident Father in all things. This is because when we serve Him faithfully, He knows how to take care of us and all that concerns us. The Lord gave us the examples from creation to reassure us of the care and providence of God. He told us today that the birds of the air and the lilies of the field are provided for by our all loving and all caring Father. The grass on the field is also provided for by the same God and creator. All of these creatures live one moment and die the other moment. The Lord clearly taught us today not to be anxious about our earthly provisions. He asked us to always seek first the kingdom of the Father and its righteousness and all the things of the world shall be ours as well. _Are we over anxious about life? Do we seek first the kingdom of God?_ 

 *Do not forget God's goodness and benevolence* 

It is always tragic to forget the goodness and mercies of God. God gives without reserve. We should be grateful without reserve. King Joash forgot the mercies of God in his life. This is someone who should have killed by Athaliah, the usurper of the throne. He was saved by Jehoiada, the priest and hidden. It was the same Jehoiada who eventually orchestrated his coming to the throne. Jehoiada was succeeded as priest by Zechariah, his son. Zechariah, as customary with true priests and prophets, did not say what the king wanted to hear but what God sent him to say. The people departed from God and Zechariah called their attention to this. For this, King Joash had him stoned. Joash paid dearly for this forgetfulness of the mercies of God. The army of the Syrians overran Judah and Jerusalem and Joash was gravely wounded and was killed by his own servants. _Do we forget the deeds of the Lord? Are we grateful for all that God has done for us?_ 

 *Let us pray* 

O God our Father, we praise and thank you for your love and compassion over us. Give us your grace to use our time and our lives well. Give us grateful hearts for all your benefits over our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. *Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele*

For Ayaan

*Wednesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time:* do not practise your virtues before men in order to be praised by them

 *Scripture* 

1st Reading: 2Kgs2:1,6-14

Resp. Psalm: Ps31:20-21,24

Gosp. Accl.: Jn14:23

Gospel: Mt6:1-6,16-18

 *Live well before your God* 

For whom do we do our actions? Towards what end or purpose do we do good? Who do we worship? When we worship, what is purpose of our worship? We seek gratification in almost every area of life. We want reward for our deeds and actions. Even in matters of faith, we sometimes do things for people's praises and when they do not praise us, we get offended and sometimes even stop rendering them help altogether. The Lord calls us to a fundamental rethink today. The Lord's opening statement in today's gospel passage is one that we should all mull and reflect on. He told us to beware of practicing our piety before men in order to be seen by them. When we do thar, we will have no reward from our Father who is in heaven. _Are we loud and exhibitionary in our religious practices? Do we crave people's attention when we do good?_ 

 *Do all in secret, without attracting attention to yourself* 

Our religious belief and the relationship which flows from it should be private between us and God. There should normally be no reason at all for any crave for human recognition. But human that we are, we often crave for those recognitions. The Lord today warned us that good as our almgiving, fasting, and prayer are for our spiritual growth and edification, they are actions we must carry out in the privacy of our lives. They are actions directed to God for the upliftment of our spiritual lives and the rectification of our relationship with our Maker. Our Maker, to whom those religious acts are directed, should be the one to reward us for our good deeds. The moment we showcase them before men and make them realize we are doing them, then they will praise us and we will lose God's praise and approbation. _Are we showmen and showwomen in our religious lives and practices?_ 

 *Prophet Elijah, the true man of God* 

Elijah did the will of God all through his life. God's word was law for him and the basis of all his actions. Today's first reading narrates the reward for such a beautiful and impactful life that was totally spent in the service of God. Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind of fire. Elisha, his servant and successor, asked him for a double portion of his master's anointing. This was granted him because he obeyed his master's instruction on watchfulness. He witnessed the exact moment Elijah was being taken into heaven. God immediately revealed to Elisha that he would indeed enjoy His presence and approval. With the cloak that fell off from Elijah as he was being taken up, Elisha struck the River Jordan and it parted into two. _Do we live the true life of good and faithful believers?_ 

 *Let us pray* 

O God our Father, we thank you for your gift of life. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to worship and praise you. We ask that our worship may proceed from the good depths of our hearts and our love may continue to be genuine. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls both now and forever more through Christ our Lord. Amen. *Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele*

For Aayan / For me

*☔ MORNING TEA*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY-19th JUNE, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Don’t Disqualify Yourself.*_ 

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Exodus 28:1*_

“Now bring your brother Aaron near, and his sons with him from among the sons of Israel, so that he may serve as priest to Me.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, he left his brother Aaron in charge of the Israelites. But when Moses was gone so long, the people demanded that Aaron make them gods to worship, and Aaron gave in to the pressure and made them a golden calf.(Exodus 32:1-4). Aaron had spoken for Moses before Pharaoh and declared God’s words. He had seen God’s miracles up close over and over, yet he compromised and partook of what was a great sin. You would think God would be done with Aaron. But God doesn’t write us off. In His mercy, He chose Aaron to be the first high priest of Israel, the only priest who could go into the Holy of Holies once a year and offer the sin offering for the people on the Day of Atonement. (Leviticus 16:3-34).*

_Dearly Beloved, don't disqualify yourself because you compromised and gave in to temptation. Don’t live guilty, condemned, feeling washed up. Scripture says, "there shall be no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."(Romans 8:1). God forgave Aaron, and He has forgiven you, but you have to forgive yourself. God has something awesome still in your future. (Jeremiah 29:11). Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪇🪗🎺📖🥁🪘🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Awesome God, thank You that because of what Jesus has done on the cross, You remove the shame from my life. Thank You that You have redeemed and forgiven me and even made me a priest unto You.(1Peter 2:9). I believe that You have something awesome in my future in Jesus’ name.

DEARLY BELOVED,

*"GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOR EVER. "*( 1Chronicles 16:34)

☔ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*MONDAY -20th MAY, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*The Power of Faith*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*🙏🏻

_*Mark 11:22*_

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*In Mark 11, the disciples were surprised when they saw a fig tree had withered up one day after Jesus said that no one would ever eat from it again.(vs 14). Nothing on the outside of the tree had looked any different, but the roots had immediately begun to wither. He was showing us that the moment you believe and receive what you ask for in prayer, things in the unseen realm start lining up in your favour. Good breaks, the right people, healing, or abundance start heading your way.*

_Dearly BELOVED, Jesus responded to their surprise by saying, “Have faith in God.”(vs 22). It’s not faith in your circumstances, or what you can do, or in another person. They don’t control the universe. They didn’t part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:26) or raise Lazarus from the dead.( John 11:43-44). Our God is all-powerful. When He speaks, angels go to work, forces of darkness are broken, good breaks come chasing you down. One touch of His favour will catapult you ahead. What you’ve believed for and received in your spirit may look impossible, but it’s nothing for our God. (Matthew 19:26). Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪗🪘🎺🥁🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are in no way limited to what my circumstances look like or have been. Thank You that I can have the faith to believe and receive what I ask You for. Help me to have the patience to wait confidently for the miracle You have set in motion in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”*( Matthew 21:22)

 ☔ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*THURSDAY-16th MAY, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Take Possession.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE*📖

_*Jeremiah 9:24*_

“But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When you know your God and understand what He’s done, that He’s already defeated the enemy, that He’s taken away his power, you’ll be strong. You won’t be moved by opposition, you won’t fall apart when trouble comes, you won’t give up because somebody did you wrong. You know it can’t stop your purpose. You’ll not only have a supernatural strength, but you’ll do great exploits.  Scripture says, "The people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32). You’ll take your family to a new level, break addictions that have held you back, and accomplish dreams that are bigger than you’ve imagined. Have the right perspective: Whatever enemies you face—enemies of fear, depression, sickness, or insecurity—have already been defeated.*

_Dearly BELOVED, now, do what the Father requires. Move forward. Believe for your healing, speak victory over your children, stir up your gifts, pray some bold prayers, take steps of faith. What’s trying to stop you is defeated. The people who were holding you back have lost their influence. The power of the sickness, the addiction, or the trouble at work has been broken.( Psalm 129:4). It’s time to take possession of what God promised you. Halleluyah.!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎸🪗🪘🎺🥁🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Immortal God, thank You that whatever has tried to stop my purpose in the past has lost its grip because Your Son defeated the enemy on the cross and has brought me into freedom. Thank You that I can move forward. I declare that I will take possession of all that You have promised me in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"In your Home, there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness;  your households shall possess their possessions."*(Obadiah 1:17)

 ☔ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*FRIDAY-17th MAY, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*God Ordering Your Steps.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Psalm 37:23*_ 

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Most of us are very focused on the destination for our life, on our dream coming to pass, on our problems turning around. But it’s important that you learn to enjoy where you are today while you’re on the way to where you’re going. Life is not about the destination; it’s about the journey—with all the bumps in the road, the disappointments, the things you don’t understand. Too often we rush through the day, trying to force our way through the challenges and setbacks to the destination when we should slow down and enjoy the journey. You’re going to be frustrated living like that.* 

_Dearly Beloved, you have to realize that God is ordering your steps. Scripture says, "the way of the man is not himself ,it is God that orders his steps". (Jeremiah 10:23). Oftentimes the journey He leads us on is not comfortable, but all the difficulties, delays, and betrayals are a part of His plan to get us to our destiny. He will work all these things for your good.(Romans 8:28). Stay in the present. Take it one day at a time. "You don’t have grace for tomorrow". You have grace for this present step. Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody*_.🎹🎤🪇🪗🎺🥁🪘🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Sovereign God,  thank You that You have a destination for my life as well as a journey to enjoy while I’m getting there. Thank You that You purposefully order my steps in the way that is best for me. I believe that You have given me the grace for this present step and that it’s working for my good in Jesus’ name.

DEARLY BELOVED,

*"TAKE DELIGHT IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART".*(Psalm 37:4)

☔ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*WEDNESDAY -8th MAY, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*The Right Mirror.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*James 1:23-24*_

"If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like".

*TODAY'S WORD*:🔥

*James says that God’s Word is like a mirror. It reflects who you really are. What God says about you is the true image that you need to keep in front of you. You are not defined by people, by your past, by how you were raised, or by what didn’t work out. You are defined by your Creator. When you look in the mirror of God’s Word, you’ll see that you are valuable, talented, confident, favoured, blessed, and worthy. You have to see it on the inside before it will happen on the outside. You have to start seeing yourself as whole, as free, as forgiven and clean, as redeemed and restored.*

_Dearly Beloved, start seeing yourself as blessed, prosperous, crowned with favour, one of a kind. (1Peter 2:9). As you see yourself as God sees you, it begins to heal a damaged self-image, to repair the hurts and scars that have caused you to see yourself as lacking, inferior, unqualified. It may not happen overnight, but if you keep seeing yourself the right way, little by little you’re going to become what you’re seeing. Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪗🎸🥁🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Heavenly Father, thank You that You have made me the way I am and that what You say about me is my true image. Thank You that Your Word defines me rather than what other people say about me or what has happened in my past. I declare that I am becoming more and more like who You say I am in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”*(Ephesians 2:10)

☔ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*SUNDAY-5th MAY, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*It Will Never Be a Day Late..*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Habakkuk 2:3*_

"For the Revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re waiting to meet the right person, to see your business grow, or for a co-worker to start treating you better. Why don’t you relax, come back to a place of peace? God sees what you’re going through. He knows what you need. "His thought concerning you is of peace to give you a future hope".(Jeremiah 29:11). He knows your dreams and your goals. He’s the One who put them in you. What He has purposed for your life will come to pass, and it won’t be overdue by a single day. Because He is not human that he should lie .(Numbers 23: 19).*

_Dearly BELOVED, thoughts will tell you, “You’re falling behind. You’re missing out. Everyone is getting ahead of you.” No, you’re right on schedule. God is supernatural, and He is ordering your steps.(Jeremiah 10:23). He’s not limited by what limits us. You keep honouring Him and doing the right thing, (Proverbs 21:3) and you’re going to come into these right time moments when He’s going to thrust you ahead. It was a long time waiting, but when you see what God does, you’ll say it was worth the wait. He’s going to make things happen that you could never make happen. Your times are in God's hands.(Psalm 31:15). Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪇🪘🪗🎸🥁🎼

 

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Awesome God, thank You that what You have purposed for my life will come to pass and You are never late. Thank You that You are ordering my steps and helping me do what I could not do on my own. I believe that my set time is right on schedule and You will make it happen in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Heaven and Earth shall pass away , but not a single word that God has spoken will go unfulfilled "*(Matthew 24:35).

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

☔ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY -27th APRIL,2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*God Has The Final Say, No One Else......*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*1 Peter 5:10-11*_

"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen".

 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*You may be in a season of suffering and struggle. You may feel that your health, your marriage, or your finances are never going to get better. No, God Himself is about to step in and do what only He can do. When you see how He restores and brings you out better,(Jeremiah 37:10 )your mourning will turn into dance, your sorrow into joy, your weeping into laughter. (Psalm 30:11). Don’t believe the lies that you’ll always be lonely, you’ll always mourn the loss, always be brokenhearted. "No, your time is coming.Wait for it." ( Habakkuk 2:3).*

_Dearly  BELOVED, God says, “It won’t be long until I have you back on your feet.” (1Peter 5:10). It won’t be long until your health turns around, until your child gets back on course, until the situation in your marriage resolves. It may look as though the enemy has won. "The good news is that God has the final say." ( Proverbs 16:33). He’s not just in control of your life, He is in control of your circumstances. Nothing can stand against Him. When it’s your time, doors will open, freedom will come, healing will show up, good breaks will find you. "For all things shall work together for good for you".(Romans 8:28). Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪗🎸🪇🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Heavenly Father, thank You that there is a purpose for whatever suffering comes my way, and You have great plans to use it for my good. Thank You for the promise that the day is coming when You put me back on my feet. I believe and declare that You have the final say in Jesus’ name".

Dearly Beloved,

*"Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, When the Lord has not commanded it?"* (Lamentations 3:37)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

☔ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*MONDAY -22nd APRIL, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*It’s Your Time to Be Free.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Exodus 3:7-8*_

“I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”

*TODAY'S WORD*🔥

*The Israelites had been in slavery for 430 years. (Exodus 12:40). They were born into lack, hardship, struggles, and defeat. Their mind-set was that it was never going to change and they just had to suffer and endure. Pharaoh and his army had all the power. The Israelites had nothing. But God said, “This is a new day. I didn’t create My children to live in oppression, to be bound by worry, depression, and lack.” He stepped in and broke their chains, parted the Red Sea, and defeated their enemies.(Exodus 14:21-22).*

_Dearly BELOVED, Jesus Christ came to set you unquestionably free.(John 8:36). You’re about to see the God of the breakthrough put an end to what’s holding you back. ( Psalm 129:4).  When you can’t do anything about the medical report, can’t turn around your business, can’t break the addiction, God says, “It’s your time to be free.” That means there’s nothing draining your joy, nothing hindering your potential, nothing limiting your relationships. You’re going to see the hand of God do what you can’t do on your own. It’s going to be supernatural healing, supernatural freedom, supernatural provision, supernatural favour. Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪗🎸🪇🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY*🙏🏻

Awesome God, thank You that You have made me Your child, and Jesus has set me free. Thank You that You are the God of the breakthrough and have redeemed me from sin and guilt and sickness. I believe and declare that You are greater than anything that is trying to hold me back. In Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Though you walk in the midst of trouble, God will preserve your life. He will stretch out His hand against the anger of your foes and with His right hand He will save you"*.(Psalm 138:7)

☔ *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*MONDAY- 15th APRIL, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Call on God.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Psalm 91:15*_

"He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When you face situations that seem impossible in your everyday life, God says, “I dare you to ask Me for the help you need.” You may think God has bigger things to deal with than getting a car started or paying a bill. But you are God’s biggest deal. You are the apple of His eye.(Psalm 17:8, Zechariah 2:8). So often we limit God. We have a small view of Him. We think He’s over there busy running the universe. “I can’t bother God with these small things. I can only pray if I’m facing something really big.”*

_Dearly BELOVED, God knows the number of hairs on your head.(Luke 12:7). He knows your thoughts before you think them and your words before you speak them. (Isaiah 65:24). You’re not inconveniencing God by asking for help in your everyday life. God wants to be good to you. He wants to show you His favour in new ways. It’s not enough to just think it. It’s not enough to just hope something supernatural happens. He’s saying today, “I dare you to ask and watch Me show up in a big way.”(Matthew 7:7). Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪗🎸🪇🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God, thank You for Your heart of compassion that longs to be gracious to me. Thank You that it is Your pleasure to give me the kingdom, to answer me when I call on You. I am taking the limits off You and expecting to be surprised by Your goodness and love in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved, 

*"Call upon the name of the Lord in the days of trouble , He will answer you and do great and mighty things you have not known before."*( Jeremiah 33:3)

☔ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*SUNDAY -14th APRIL, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*God's Favour Factor.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Ezra 8:22*_

“The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him.”

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When God breathed His life into you, (Genesus 2:7) He put something in you to give you an advantage. There is something about you that makes you stand out, that draws opportunity, that causes you to overcome obstacles and accomplish dreams. The Scripture calls it “the gracious hand of God.” (Ezra 8:22).  You can’t put your finger on it. But you know this is not just your talent, your education, or your hard work. It’s Almighty God breathing in your direction. You could call it “the favour factor.”*

_Dearly BELOVED, Psalm 44:3 says, “It was not their own strength that gave them the victory. It was because You favoured them and smiled down on them.” The victories you’ve seen in the past weren’t just your own doing. God favoured you. You wouldn’t be where you are if the gracious hand of God was not on your life. Every accomplishment, every good break, every obstacle you’ve overcome, was God opening the door, God bringing the right people, God turning it around. The Creator of the universe was smiling down on you. His gracious hand is at work in your life. Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody*_🎹🎤🎺🪘🪗🎸🪇🥁🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Awesome God , our Heavenly Father, thank You that Your hand has been upon my life in so many ways, holding me firmly lest I fall. Thank You that Your blessing has equipped me to overcome obstacles and accomplish dreams I could never accomplish on my own. I declare that Your favour factor is taking me to new levels in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*" Those who look to GOD for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.*( Psalm 34:5)

_*HAPPY SUNDAY*_

☔ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*SATURDAY-13th APRIL, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Your Health is Restored in Jesus' Name.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Jeremiah 30:17*_

“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,” says the LORD.

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Too often we consider only what we can see and only where we are right now. We analyze and do projections based only upon the cold hard facts. But there are times when every circumstance and every report says, “It’s impossible,” and we have to determine to focus on God and His power to supersede what’s in the natural to transmute to the supernatural.  The economy may be down, but God says He will prosper you even in the desert.(Isaiah 43:18-19). Your checking bank  account may say you will not be able to settle your bills,  but God says, 'He will supply all of your needs..'( Phillipians 4:19). Your medical report may say your only option is to live with the sickness, but God says, “I will restore health to you.”(Jeremiah 30:17).*

_Dearly BELOVED, are you considering your circumstances? Or are you considering your God? He is called “the Great I Am.” ( Exodus 3;25). He’s saying, “I am everything you need. If you’re struggling, I’m your provider. If you’re worried, I’m your peace.(John 14:27). If you’re in trouble, I’m your deliverer. Psalm 46:1). If you need a break, I’m your favour.( Psalm 5:12). Look to Me, and I will show up and do amazing things.”(Ephesians 3:20). Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🎺🪘💙🪗🎸🪇🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God,  thank You that You are the Great I Am with power to supersede any need I have. Thank You that I have Your promise that You will restore health to me when the facts say I have to live with a sickness. I declare that my focus is upon You to do the impossible in Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

_God says,_

*"Behold, I will bring to you health and healing, and I will heal you and reveal to you abundance of prosperity and security"*.( Jeremiah 33:3)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_

☔ *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*THURSDAY -11th APRIL, 2024*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*A Sweet-Smelling Aroma.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Revelation 8:4*_

"And the smoke and fragrant aroma of the incense, with the prayers of the saints (God’s people), ascended before God from the angel’s hand."

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*Do you realize that when you give God praise, you’re putting off an aroma that attracts Him? God can smell praise. He’ll pass over person after person, then he comes to you and smells that sweet aroma. He hears you thanking Him, going around being grateful, talking about how blessed you are, declaring His promises. I can imagine God saying to the angels, “I smell something. Do you smell it? There’s a sweet-smelling aroma coming up. Who’s it coming from?” Your praise will attract God. He’ll pass over a host of people and find the one who is full of praise, who has a report of victory, who is talking about how big their God is and not how big their problem is.*

Dearly BELOVED, are your attitudes and your words putting off sweet-smelling aromas? Or are you creating stinky attitudes and negative talk and living worried? ( Phillipians 4:6). That’s pushing God away. If you want to attract favour, joy, peace, and creativity, start sending up some praise. "God inhabits the praises of His people". (Psalm 22:3). Start thanking God for what He’s done. Start bragging on His goodness. Start declaring victory over your life. Halleluyah!

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🥁🪗🎸🪇🎺🪘🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Gracious God the Father, thank You for the powerful vision of the worship and praise that surrounds Your throne at all times. Thank You that You are listening for my praise, to my every prayer, to the gratitude in my heart, and to my declarations of Your promises. Help me to give off a sweet-smelling aroma wherever I am in  Jesus’ name.

Dearly Beloved,

*"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever”* ( Psalm 107:1)

🌻 *MORNING TEA*🍵

_*FRIDAY-17th NOVEMBER, 2023.*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Let God make Your Wrongs Right.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Exodus 12:36*_

"The LORD caused the Egyptians to look favourably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth!"

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*When God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery after 430 years,(Exodus 12:40), He didn’t just give them freedom from mistreatment. Psalm 105:37-38 says that "God caused the Israelites to have favour with their oppressors, who loaded them down with silver and gold and clothing." Think about how strange that was. The people who had abused them all those years gave them their valuables. What was that? God paying them back. For years, they had been loaded down with burdens, oppression, and discouragement. But when God settled their account, they were loaded down with joy, gifts, and blessings. There were restorations. (Joel 2:25-26).*

_Dearly Beloved, there are seasons when you are tested and treated unfairly, but your time is coming. Wait for it , though it tarries.(Habakkuk 2:3). God is not going to leave you at a deficit. Payback is coming. You’re not going to be loaded down with burdens, with lack, or with sickness, but with blessings, abundance, and good health. God is going to restore everything that was stolen—the joy, the peace, the health, the finances, the relationships, the dreams.(Joel 2:25-26; Jeremiah 30:17). Why don’t you stay in peace and let God make your wrongs right? Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪇🪗🥁🪘🎺🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

Marvelous God, thank You that You are a God of justice and You keep the records. Thank You that the time comes when You say that enough is enough, that it’s payback time for what has been unfair. I believe that You will right the wrongs and bring me out loaded down with blessings in Jesus’ name.

DEARLY BELOVED, 

*"GOD WILL CUT YOU FREE FROM THE CORDS OF THE WICKED."*(Psalm 129:4)

🌻 *MORNING TEA:*🍵

_*SATURDAY -24th JUNE, 2023*_

*TODAY'S THEME:*📖

_*Turning Great Sorrow into Great Joy.*_

*TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:*📖

_*Luke 7:13*_

"When the Lord saw the grieving mother, his heart broke for her. With great tenderness he said to her, “Please don’t cry.” 

*TODAY'S WORD:*🔥

*In the Book of Luke 7, a funeral procession was coming towards Jesus. They were on their way to bury a widow’s only son after she’d already buried her husband. (vs 12). You can imagine the pain she was dealing with. When Jesus saw her, “His heart broke.”(vs 13). God sees when you’re hurting. He sees when you’re lonely. When you feel so overwhelmed that you don’t think you can go on, He is moved with compassion. Jesus went over to the woman and said, in effect, “You’re weeping now, but I’m about to turn your great sorrow into great joy.” He raised her boy from the dead, and her tears were turned into joy.(vs 16)*

_Dearly Beloved, sometimes life gets tough. You shed tears from hurts, from a bad medical report, from a child who breaks your heart, from dreams that don’t work out. I want you to see that it is not how your story ends. We serve a turnaround God. As with this woman, He’s going to step in and turn the sorrow into joy, turn the brokenness into wholeness, turn the mourning into dancing.(Psalm 30:11). Halleluyah!_☑️

_*Praise the Living God somebody.*_🎹🎤🪗🎺🪘🪇🥁🎸🎼

*PRAYERS FOR TODAY:*🙏🏻

 Awesome God, thank You for the dreams and promises and relationships You put in my heart. Thank You that You see when I’m hurting and overwhelmed, and that You are moved with compassion. I declare that You are the turnaround God to whatever I am facing in Jesus’ name.

DEARLY BELOVED,

*"GLADNESS AND JOY WILL OVERTAKE YOU; SORROW AND SIGHING WILL FLEE AWAY FROM YOU."* (Isaiah 35:10b)

_*HAPPY WEEKEND*_