Becoming Effective Witness for Christ Part 1 by Promise Monday

“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17 KJV

Jesus never got confused with the purpose of His coming, among many other ancillary benefits, His reason for coming was to seek and save those who were lost. In Romans 3:23...Apostle Paul revealed that all have sinned and have lost the glory of God. Jesus came to save all of mankind, you and me. None is excluded. It is important to remember that no one is too good for this salvation and none is too bad to be saved in on all ages and all races in all nations.

Jesus did not come so He could hang out with the spiritually stable or prominent religious leaders. It was so that He could get into the messy business of compassion and serving the downtrodden. He came to relate to the broken, sick and lost to lead them to eternity.

We were told expressly in 1 Corinthians 5:20 that we are Ambassadors of Christ. By Ambassador, it means the one to stand instead in representation in words, in character, in lifestyle and profession. An Ambassador has no other mission in a foreign other that he was sent to do.  In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus was single-minded about his mission for us as His Ambassadors, which is to seek and save those who are lost and disciple them for Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8)

In Mark 2:17, we are being challenged as believers and Ambassadors of Christ to do the same, and we call it witnessing. It is the very core of our mission on Earth. Many often ask what their purpose is, and if that’s you, start with this verse. 

Go out there and be a witness for Christ. This means looking for opportunities to meet unbelievers, building relationships with them, and sharing what Jesus did in His own mission on Earth (Acts 10:38). "See your place of work, office or business as a place for ministry. When you see your boss, co-staff, or employee, ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to do in the life of that individual" said Pastor Gbenga Owa. This is what the Church is about. Like C.S Lewis said, the Church exists only but for one reason- to draw men to Christ, to make them little Christ (1 Timothy 2:4).

Witnessing is a mandate to serve with honour and not be seen as a sacrifice.

Mediation: "The thief (devil) enters only to steal, kill, and destroy (lives). I (Jesus Christ) came so that they could have life—indeed so that they could live life to the fullest." John 10:10 CEB

Prayer point: Pray that the Lord will align your heart with His Kingdom mandate as you go back the week business. And that as a local Church, we will position ourselves at the very heart of God's business which is making lost men little Christ.

To be continued...

Public Health Development

“No developing nation can improve its entrenched poor health indices without effective health policy, huge human capital and material investments and implementation strategies for Public health development”

Promise Monday on Public Health Development
12th October, 2017

Human Capital Development

“For human capital development, in addition to the education of the citizenry, emphasis is placed on promotion of healthy living, prevention of diseases, early diagnoses and prompt treatments, as well as rehabilitations of sufferers of complications of these diseases for optimum physical, psychological and social functioning. This is the hallmark of Public health development in every serious nation.”

Promise Monday on Public Health vis-à-vis Human capital Development  (10th September 2018)

Advocacy for optimum breastfeeding

"Breastfeeding is not a choice that mothers make; it is a basic responsibility of nurturing that mothers give to their children. We betray the ethics of the profession as health care providers when we make mothers believe there is greater good in not breastfeeding their children"

Promise Monday on advocacy for optimum breastfeeding
(25th August, 2018)

To my daughter on your wedding day

What A Father Told His Daughter A Day Before Her Wedding
My Daughter, tomorrow you will stop bearing my name. You will be happily married to the man you love. Don’t miss me because I have fulfilled my purpose, it is now time for you to start fulfilling yours.
From your childhood, I have raised you well by the grace of God but before you say I do, there are few things I need to tell you about living with a man and being married. Do you remember when you wrote your WAEC and JAMB exams? You came to me and I gave you 20,000 naira for the registration? Well, even though I gave it to you, the money was not mine. I know you always thought I paid the fees. The truth is, I was broke… but your mother gave me the money She could have given it to you but she decided to give it to me to give to you.
Support your husband. Some times things will get tough… he will be frustrated. Even though he acts tough, in his mind he has fears… he fear you may not value him anymore because he has fallen. That is the time to get behind him and support him!
The best way to show your husband you love him is to respect him! You may argue with him, you may disagree but at the end of the day, let him know he has your respect.
Do you remember the day I screamed at your mother? What did she do? She was quiet! Do you also remember the day she screamed at me? What did I do? I was quiet! My daughter learn to be quiet sometimes when your husband is angry. When one person is hot, the other should be cool. If two are always screaming at same time, that is how big problems start in marriage.
The first thing to know about your husband is his favourite food! If he has more than one then keep them at the back of your mind. Don’t let him ask for it, always prepare it for him.
There was a day your mother caught me touching a woman’s hand affectionately. I was lust after that woman but I was not yet cheating on your mum. When she saw us… she didn’t fight the lady, she quietly left. I was afraid of going home because all hell will break lose. But when I got home she said nothing. She served me my food. Guilt was taking control over me. I started begging. From that day, I never looked at a woman two time. Who knows? If she had fought and threatened me… maybe I could have run away from the fight into the arms of the lady. Sometimes Silent brings better solution than fight.
Forget those romantic novels you read while you were 21. Remember those Indian and American love movies? Also remember those too sweet Nollywood films on African magic? Forget them! Don’t expect your married life to be that way.
Life is different from fiction The last thing I want to tell you…. Do you remember how you were born? After our wedding, things were tough and your mum had to do two jobs to support us. I was working as well. I get home 6 PM while she gets home 8pm tired. But when we get to bed…she will not refuse me my night food. That is how you were born. Don’t form a habit of denying your husband of his night food.
Be a good wife. You will always be Daddy’s girl…

PARENTING BY PASTOR HENRY OLAEBHIE

PARENTING
Mal.2:15, Gen.18:19, Eph.6:4

Types of parenting
1. Domineering parenting-Eph.6:4
When you dominate your children without love and communication they become afraid of you.
These children have tendency to be violent. They are the type that tend to demand their rights outside. They the ones who grow up to beat rules like traffic rules.
They lock their spirit against your training. At this stage they can only obey in your presence and not in your absence.
They also become afraid of you.

2. Neglectful parenting-Prov.29:15
The children do poorly in school
They have tendency to be rebellious and insecure

3. Permissive parenting:Prov.19:18, 13:24. He doesn’t have rule for the child. The child determines everything. They believe in democracy. No rules and regulation.
The child becomes manipulative. They could develop insecurity and lack of control
4. The loving and firm parent or participating parent:1 Tim.3:4, Eph.6:4

Both parents are responsible for child's up bringing but the father is more responsible for the parenting
When a child is not doing well, God talks to the father e.g. Eli, David. Adam where are thou
Authority and discipline is with you as a man. The onus of discipline is on the man.
This fourth one is the kind of parenting God admonishes us to have in our home.
This parental style give affection to their children. They are involve in their lives. They admire and appreciate their children
1 Cor.11:1.
Fatherhood is about leadership, guardians and support.

Children watch how you react to issues, so they will do what you do not what you say.

What you don't want to see in the life of your children deal with it in your life. John 17:15

Sanctify your self for the sake of your children.
Your children will become reflection of who you are.

If you don't pray at home or study scriptures they will not learn it.

When you don't love people, your children will not learn how to do it.

Let us be good examples to our own children.

THE 4 PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD FROM DAY 0-18 YEARS
Changes brings about growth.

Phase 1: Care giving phase
The child is 100% dependence on you. From age 0-4 years

Phase 2: The authority phase.
The assertion of leadership and authority. Who caught the short.
Age 4-7 years. The child is exercising his will. You must tell the child who is in charge. Is beans everybody is eating today so is beans you will eat. You are wearing t shirt not the native I bought for you. Don't miss this phase. Allow the child to cry. The child's cry is usually manipulative.

Phase 3: Teaching and training phase. Age 6-12 years
What the child needs at this phase is discipline and communication.
Please don't discipline the child when you are angry. They know the punishment require for each offence, don't give more strokes than necessary.
Foolishness in the heart of a child is not removed by communication but by rod.
Also develop communication in addition to discipline

Phase 4: Coaching and cheer leading phase. Age 12-18 years.
You develop strong friendship and relationship with the child. It is very important. At this phase you don't Lord it over them, you guard them through taking decisions.

THINGS TO NOTE WITH RESPECT TO YOUR CHILDREN UP BRINGING

1.Value your children for who they are and not for what they do.

2. Don't favour one child over another

3. Give attention to each of your children

4. Play with your children. Get involved with them. Learn what they are learning and correct every wrong message you notice.
This will help them to develop mentally.

5. Learn to touch your children and tell them you love them. It helps them to develop  emotionally. That is why you don't beat them with your hands but you use cane.
Don't also tell the child to knee down, as this may be confused when you tell child to knee down for prayers.

6. Teach your children spiritual things. Study with them , pray with them. Buy books for them. Take them to church. Even while in the car on their way to school, ask them to explain a particular verse of the scripture, and explain appropriately afterward. Confess God's word with them.

7. Be regular and early to meetings; they are watching you.

Compiled by Promise Monday

Father's Love Letter

Father's Love Letter
An Intimate Message From God To You.

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

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