5 Things every Pastor must know.

1. You are pastoring a parade. 

The first time I had a family leave the church I was leading, I was personally hurt. I thought I had really messed up as a pastor, or in my more frustrated moments, I thought they "just didn't get it." What I failed to realize is, sometimes, God removes people from your ministry for your benefit. And, I am sure, sometimes he moves them for their benefit! It was John Maxwell I first heard say, "Every pastor pastors a parade ... people are always coming and going." As I have watched people "come and go" over the years, I have learned to trust solely in the Lord to bring people who would add benefit to the church. It is, after all, his church to build. Indeed, God often removes someone in order to drive us to him, and then blesses us with someone else who adds tremendous value to the church. So, as a young pastor, be prepared for the fact that people will come and go, and trust that God is doing so for your benefit and for the good of the body.

2. The people who demand the most serve the least.

As a young pastor, my assumption was the people who gave and served most faithfully would demand most of my attention. The truth was the exact opposite. The people who demand the most are typically those who give the least and serve the least. And, upon reflection, that makes sense. When people are faithful and obedient to give of themselves and their resources to advance God's Kingdom, they are far less inclined to believe they should have a pastor's undivided attention. So, don't be surprised when those most disappointed in you and who criticize you the harshest are those who have the least invested in the ministry of the local church.

3. You will see ugly behavior. 

I have to be honest—this lesson comes from my wife. I asked her what she wished she would have known when we first started out. Her comment was, "You will see the ugliest behavior you can imagine in the church." Now, please don't think of my wife as a bitter crank. She is not. Rather, as the wife of a young pastor, she was not prepared for the "ugly behavior" she saw. As a young pastor, it is important to remember you are not the only one who hears the criticism of others. You need to be sure to help your family understand such behavior is sin and we ought not return sinful behavior with sinful behavior. Instead, let the Lord defend you as you exhibit Christ likeness in the face of criticism.

4. You are irreplaceable (but not at church).

A lot of pastors act as if they are irreplaceable at the church they are serving. That is why they cancel or postpone family outings and activities to attend to the latest need of a church member. But being irreplaceable at the church is not what is intended here. Rather, you are irreplaceable at home. Think about it: You likely were not the first pastor of the church you are serving, and hopefully you won't be the last. But your role as husband and father are the only truly unique roles you will have in life. I first heard this idea from Andy Stanley at a critical time in my life. I spent nearly half of my pastoral ministry taking my family for granted as I tried to be the pastor everyone else wanted me to be. Thankfully, I have learned it does not profit us to grow a "successful" church and lose our family. A careful examination of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 2:6 illustrates the importance the Lord places on you faithfully discharging your duties as husband and father as a prerequisite to serving as a pastor.

5. Preach the Word. 

Every year the market is filled with the latest books on how to grow a church. Some of that advice is really good, being based on solid research into churches that are growing. Others are not so good. The temptation for young pastors is to find a concept or idea that they resonate with and decide to run with it. Or, worse, they simply attempt to copy what is working somewhere else. However, while there is much to gain from missiologists and church growth practitioners, there is one thing that must not be forgotten. The only thing we have to say that is of any value to our people is found in the Word of God. No church growth gimmicks, slick presentations or changes in style can replace the power of the man of God, hidden behind the cross, preaching Christ from all of Scripture.

Regardless of which describes you, may we all be mindful to "not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).




Courtesy: MountainofFire Milton Keynes Branch

How to embrace the future

Nobody except God knows what the future holds but you can embrace the future with boldness. You need God in your life and you must keep learning.
Keeping the ten important secrets (listed below) that Dr Michael Blackwell wrote in his book, ‘Riches beyond measure’ will also help you to have a colourful future and make it in this changing world.

1.  Have a purpose in life. Staying busy is a sure antidote to boredom.

2.  Know that things generally work out for the best , even though it may be hard to see how.

3.  Maintain a positive outlook. If you look for the good in people and circumstances, you are more likely to          find. Avoid criticizing anyone, rather pray for them.

4.  Learn something new every day, or week, or month. We are never too old to learn.

5.  Find something you are passionate about and then do it.

6.  Remember you were placed on this earth for a reason. We are only on this stage of life, so make the most of your opportunities.

7.  Remember the MED formula for a long life; Meditation, Exercise, and Diet. Prayer, staying active, and watching what you eat promote good health.

8.  Find something to laugh about every day and cry if necessary once in a while. God gave you emotions. Use them.

9.  Make a firm decision regarding a possible course of action. After you have made that commitment, take the first step. Always look ahead, never behind.

10.  Do everything with great enthusiasm.






Courtesy: Tosin ‘Badeniyi, Ph.D

100 Truths About Jesus

Jesus came to die and destroy Satan's power - Heb. 2:14
Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - Matt. 5:17
Jesus came to give life - John 10:10,28
Jesus came to taste death for everyone - Heb. 2:9
Jesus came to proclaim freedom for believers - Luke 4:18
Jesus claimed to be God - John 8:24; 8:56-59 (see Exodus 3:14);10:30-33
Jesus created all things - John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17
Jesus is before all things - Col. 1:17
Jesus is eternal - John 1:1,14;8:5 8
Jesus is honored the same as the Father - John 5:23
Jesus is prayed to - Acts 7:54-60
Jesus is worshipped - Matt. 2:2,8,11;14:33;28:9,17 John 9:35-37
Jesus is called God - John 1:1,14;20:28 Col. 2:9 Tit. 2:13
Jesus is omnipresent - Matt 28:20
Jesus is with us always - Matt. 28:20
Jesus is our only mediator between God and ourselves - 1 Tim 2:5
Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant - Heb. 7:22;8:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Bread of Life" - John 6:35,41,48,51
Jesus said, "I A M the Door" - John 10:7,9
Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd" - John 10:11,14
Jesus said, "I AM the Way the Truth and The Life" - John 14:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Light of the world" - John 8:12;9:5;12:46; Luke
2:32 Jesus said, "I AM the True Vine" - John 15:1;15:5
Jesus said, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" - John 11:25
Jesus said, "I AM the First and the Last" - Rev 1:17;2:8;22:13
Jesus always lives to make intercession for us - Heb. 7:25
Jesus cleanses from sin - 1 John 1 :9 -
Jesus discloses Himself to us - John 14:21
Jesus draws all men to Himself - John 12:32
Jesus forgives sins - Luke 5:20;7:48
Jesus gives eternal life - John 10:28;5:40
Jesus gives joy - John 15:11
Jesus gives peace - John 14:27
Jesus has authority - Matt. 28:18; John 5:26-27;17:2;3:35
Jesus judges - John 5:22,27
Jesus knows all men - John 16:30
Jesus opens the mind to understand scripture - Luke 24:45
Jesus received honor and glory from the Father - 2 Pet 1:17
Jesus r esurrects - John 5:39;11:25-26;6:40,44,54
Jesus reveals grace and truth - John 1:17 see John 6:45
Jesus reveals the Father - Matt. 11:27 Luke 10:22
Jesus saves forever - Matt 18:11 John 10:28 Heb. 7:25
Jesus bears witness of Himself - John 8:18;14:6
Jesus' works bear witness of Himself - John 5:36;10:25
The Father bears witness of Jesus - John 5:37;8:18; 1 John 5:9
The Holy Spirit bears witness of Jesus - John 15:26
The multitudes bear witness of Jesus - John 12:17
The Prophets be ar witness of Jesus - Acts 10:43
The Scriptures bear witness of Jesus - John 5:39
The Father will honor us if we serve Jesus - John 12:26 see Col. 3:24
The Father wants us to fellowship with Jesus - I Cor 1:9
The Father tells us to listen to Jesus - Luke 9:35; Matt. 17:5
The Father tells us to come to Jesus - John 6:45
The Father draws us to Jesus - John 6:44
Everyone who's heard & learned from the Father comes to Jesus - John 6:45
The Law leads us to Christ - Gal. 3:24
Je sus is the Rock - 1 Cor. 10:4

Jesus is the Savior - John 4:42 1 John 4:14 Jesus is King - Matt. 2:1-6 Luke 23:3
In Jesus are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Col. 2:2-3
In Jesus we have been made completeCol. 2:10
Jesus indwells us - Col. 1:27
Jesus sanctifies - Heb. 2:11
Jesus loves - Eph. 5:25
We come to Jesus - John 5:40;7:37;6:35,37,45,65
We sin against Jesus - 1 Cor 8:12
We receive Jesus - John 1:12 Col. 2:6
Jesus makes many righteous - Rom 5:19
Jesus is the i mage of the invisible God - Heb. 1:3
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit - John 15:26
Jesus abides forever - Heb. 7:24
Jesus offered up Himself - Heb7:27;9:14
Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for all time - Heb. 10:12
The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20
Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith - Heb. 12:2
Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession - Heb. 1:3
The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20
Jesus cleanses us from our sins by His blood - Rev. 1:5; Rom. 5:9
Jesus is the Light of the world - John 9:5
Jesus has explained the Father - John 1:18
Jesus was crucified because of weakness - 2 Cor. 13:4
Jesus has overcome the world - John 16:33
Truth is in Jesus - Eph. 4:21
The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ - Phil. 1:11
Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come - 1 Thess 1:10
Disciples bear witness of Jesus Christ - John 15:27
Jesus died and rose again - 1 Thess. 4:14
The Christian dead ha ve fallen asleep in Jesus - 1 Thess. 4:15
Jesus died for us - 1 Thess. 5:10
Jesus tasted death for everyone - Heb. 2:9
Jesus rendered the devil powerless - Heb. 2:14
Jesus is able to save completely - Heb. 7:25
Jesus was a ransom for many and to serve - Matt. 20:28
Jesus came to be a priest - Heb. 2:17
Jesus came to save - John 3:17; Luke 19:10
Jesus came to preach the kingdom of God - Luke 4:43
Jesus came to bring division - Luke 12:51
Jesus came to do the will of the Father - John 6:38
Jesus came to give the Father's words - John 17:8
Jesus came to testify to the truth - John 18:37

Things You Should Never Do At Your Work Place

Never get to talk about your colleagues to fellow colleagues especially what you can't see openly. It has no other word but you being a GOSSIP. Those same people you gossip with are most likely going to tell others what you said and how you are such a bad gossip.

Avoid lending money or other items from colleagues. Its better to look outside for your financial, fashion and other needs rather than looking for your helpers within the office environment. You always lose respect from colleagues when you take your needs to them.

Avoid discussing your family, emotional, financial and general problems with colleagues. In the office place, there is always something to be said and the day the office lacks gist, a secret shared with a colleague might just pop-up to be the discussion of that day.

Never talk evil about your bosses, colleagues and job. The office setting is like a jungle. It is always survival of the fittest. A colleague who is the bosses' enemy today can turn around and seel you out to gain favours from the boss and remain in their good books.

Never buy things all for the purpose of impressing your colleagues. While you are busy doing fashion competition with your fellow colleagues, always remember that your days to exit their company is drawing near. Either through retirement, retrenchment, resignation or even sack, one day you will have to leave that company. So rather than waste of frivolous items to create a 'fake personality', try to have savings to help you out during raining days.

Don't always offer to pay for meals and other items for your colleagues when you go outing. Since you all collect salary, then don't make it a point of duty to always pay for colleagues. If you do it consistently just to create a 'nice personality' image, it will be taken personal by colleagues when you try to stop.

Let your colleagues know your turnoffs. In as much as you should avoid quarrels, confrontation and malice at the office, it is always good to point out to colleagues when they do anything to you that you aren't happy with. Let people know when they are crossing the line of familiarity.

Never be too dependent on a colleague. If you have a colleague who has a car while you don't have one and go your direction, don't always make it a point of duty to follow them every single day of the week. You get a salary and part of the expenses you need to incur is yours transportation so don't be too miserly. Even though the need to save is understandable, don't make anyone believe they are doing you a huge favour. There's nothing wrong if you decide to take public transport even while your colleague is heading towards your direction. That way they will not only respect you, but also realize you can do without their favours.

Where and How one finds love is something that can never be predicted. But if you can totally avoid having a relationship or falling in love with a colleague then the better for you. It saves you from subject of office gossip, uneceassry pressure, fake life, self denial and a lot of other vices associated with dating a colleague at the office.



Source: Naira Land

How this sickle cell anaemia patient had his blood changed from SS to AA

When he passed out of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital clutching MBBS (Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine) in 1993, Dr. Bazuaye Godwin Nosakhare  did not know he would be heading back to the school to help groom other doctors. He also had no inkling that 17 years down the line, he would lead a team to put the institution on the global medical map.



 Inside the aircraft on a long flight to Switzerland in 2009, four members of staff of the teaching hospital comprising two nurses, one staff in the haematology department, and Bazuaye began the journey to history. At Basel, in Switzerland, they had an intensive one-year training in stem cell transplant, a relatively new branch of medicine that provides total cure for sickle cell patients, leukemia and other blood-related disorders.


When their trainers certified them fit, Dr.  Bazuaye, Mrs. Imafidon Rose (pediatric  nurse) Mrs. Ogunlere Beatrice (adult nurse) and Mr. Eguae Osaretin of the haematology unit returned to Benin to begin a process that makes the hospital wave the flag as a pioneer in bone marrow transplant in West Africa, coming behind Egypt and South Africa.


Something new? Dr. Bazuaye would not be drawn into any controversy given claims by some people who say they ‘have been working on it since 2001’.  ‘‘I would rather not involve myself in any claims.  I can tell you  that we have successfully carried out bone narrow transplant here and the patient is alive and well. The World Health Organisation recognises it and verification teams from the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health were here. Even the minister was here. We are not in any controversy. If anyone says he has done any such transplant, it will be nice to see the patient and see how well the patient is doing,” he says, preferring to discuss the job.


Ndik Mattew  was five when his distraught parents brought him to University of Benin Teaching Hospital. He was a  sickle cell patient who regularly fell ill. He was ‘problematic’ as described by the team that did the bone marrow transplant on him. He reportedly could not stand on account of stroke and paralysis.  He was the shadow of a healthy when he was brought the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.


Changing from SS to AA Shortly after the trainees returned from Switzerland Ndik became their first test. ‘It was a tough and rigorous process’ said Egua Osaretin of the hematology department who carried out countless blood tests on the patient and his elder brother whose blood came to his younger brother’s rescue. The donor was admitted for weeks so that his blood can be certified fit for his brother through radiotherapy.



The process took the hematologist to lagos endlessly given that the equipment in UBTH had not been certified at that time. When this reporter visited recently the equipment  been certified. That  will further simplify the process should the hospital  undertake another transplant.   After series of verification and a close watch that saw Dr Godwin Bazuaye living in the hospital premises for weeks, the bone marrow transplant tool place on September 28, 2011.


Ndik free from sickle cell   Dr. Nosa and his team were lent a hand by one of their trainers in Switzerland. The highly technical process simply meant that ailing Ndik’s blood was drained and replaced with that of his brother whose blood had no trace of sickle cell anemia. It is a rigorous process. Contaminated air must not slip into the patient and there must be 24-hour electricity supply, which made UBTH provide stand by power and inverter. There was no power outage, a tall order in Nigeria. But for Ndik to escape from the strangle hold of sickle cell the near impossible was done.


On completion of the transplant things began to take a turn for the better. Twelve days down the line dramatic changes occurred in Matthew’s system. The change process had commenced. His blood began to change. The SS blood group was disappearing and the AA was taking root. Expectations were that after one hundred days the injected blood would have been fully engrafted


‘In a successful bone marrow transplant such as we did here, it is expected that in one hundred days the new blood must have been fully engrafted into the patient.  That is why the search for blood donor begins from a member of the immediate family. If non is found from the family then we look out. Ndik’s elder brother came to his rescue. I believe that must have helped matters because his rate of recovery was outstanding ‘ said the Hematologist.



 Six months after the hospital represented Ndik  to the public. He had virtually transformed.  There was no stroke or paralysis. He had begun to walk around. His elder brother had come to his rescue. As the saying goes blood proved thicker than water. Ndik’s cure had a family touch. The family is better for it. They have their son back. He has become a far cry from the sickly five- year, struck with paralysis.


Another method  Daily Sun findings showed that bone marrow or stem cell transplant is racing ahead with fresh discoveries. These days transplants can be done without a donor. An enquiry at the Moyo clinic in the United States of America with outposts in Florida, Arizona and Minnesota showed that the patient could be his donor. The hospital wrote thus:’ A bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant, also known as a blood and marrow stem cell transplant, is a procedure that infuses healthy cells, called stem cells, into your body after you receive a course of chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy.


Your doctor may recommend a bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant if you have a certain type of cancer, such as leukemia, or a type of blood (hematological) disease, such as sickle cell anemia. The transplant may be performed using cells from your own body (autologous transplant) or from donors (allogeneic transplant). ‘


The system to use is contingent on the disease and the diagnosis. The heart-wrenching situation is that University of Benin Teaching Hospital is stuck. It cannot proceed with more patients in spite of an avalanche of requests. There are no back up equipments. Dr Nosa Godwin confirms that the Chief Medical Director who was away on official assignment when the reporter called had tabled requests to relevant authorities in the health sector to help procure those equipments to enable more Nigerians to benefit from the institution. Nosa has extended his call to corporate bodies to bridge the yawning gap between Nigerians and bone marrow transplant.


He says the country’s army of sickle cell patients [about three percent of the population] deserves more succor than they get. The stem cell centre at UBTH is secluded and quiet. As you walk away from the center, you simply shrug helplessly bewildered by a seemingly wasting asset. You are left wondering if and when the next patient will be saved from the debilitating strangle hold of sickle cell Anaemia.




Culled from: sunonline.com
by ALVAN EWUZIE 

The Black Billionaires 2012

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is no longer the richest black person in the world. He’s been ousted by Ethiopian-born Saudi billionaire Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amoudi who is worth an estimated $12.5 billion. That’s $1.3 billion richer than Dangote.

Of the 1,226 people who made it to the 2012 FORBES list of the world billionaires, only 6 are black. These are 6 who made the cut:


Mohammed Al-Amoudi, $12.5 billion

Saudi Arabia. Oil

Born to a Saudi father and Ethiopian mother, Mohammed Al-Amoudi immigrated to Saudi Arabia as a child where he made a fortune handling lucrative construction contracts for the Saudi Royal family. He subsequently invested in Sweden, Morocco and Ethiopia. His most prominent assets include oil companies Svenska Petroleum Exploration, which produces crude oil in Africa, and refinery operator Preem.  Al-Amoudi stays committed to the country of his birth: Ethiopia. In February, he announced a $3.4 billion investment in Ethiopia via his newly formed Derba conglomerate. The funds will be invested in agriculture, cement production, steel and transport. He also owns gold mines in the country and the very prestigious 5-star Sheraton Hotel, Addis. Passionate soccer fan.

Aliko Dangote, $11.2 billion

Nigeria. Sugar, Cement, Flour

Dangote loses his position as the world’s richest black man, but he remains Africa’s wealthiest individual nevertheless. He shed more than $2.6 billion from his net worth since last year as a consequence of Nigeria’s floundering stock market. His $15 billion (market cap) Dangote Group is Nigeria’s largest industrial conglomerate, with interests in everything from sugar refineries, flour milling, salt processing and cement plants in Nigeria, Zambia, Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa. Passionate philanthropist has given away millions to education, health and social causes.


Mike Adenuga, $4.3 billion

Nigeria. Telecom, banking, oil

Adenuga started off trading lace and Coca-cola before Nigeria’s former military president, Ibrahim Babangida took him under his wing. Adenuga was subsequently rewarded with lucrative oil blocks which changed his fortunes forever and saw him become the first Nigerian to strike oil in commercial quantities in the early 1990s. Today, his Conoil Producing Company is Nigeria’s largest indigenous oil exploration company. Daily production: 100,000 barrels per day. New ambition: Striving to build Africa’s largest mobile telecommunications network. His mobile phone operator, Globacom, already has over 15 million subscribers in Nigeria and over 500,000 in Benin Republic.

Patrice Motsepe, $2.7 billion

South Africa. Mining

South Africa’s first black billionaire trained as a lawyer at the University of Witwatersrand and went on to become the first black partner at storied Johannesburg law firm, Bowman Gilfillan. He later founded a small contracting business doing scut work, then acquired low-producing gold shaft mines in 1994. He turned the shafts profitable using lean management style. Today he is the Executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), a South African mining company with interests in platinum, nickel, chrome, iron, manganese, coal, copper and gold. He owns 41% of the company. Also owns Mamelodi Sundowns, a South African Football Club.

Oprah Winfrey, $2.7 billion

USA. Television

The Queen of all media is having a difficult time working her magic on OWN- the lifestyle-themed cable network she founded in a joint venture with Discovery Communications. The network completed its first full year, marked by ratings disappointments and turnover at the top. Never mind: She’s still the world’s richest black woman. In January, her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa graduated its first set of students.

Mo Ibrahim, $1.1 billion

United Kingdom. Telecoms

The Sudanese-born telecoms magnate conceptualized an unorthodox approach to solving Africa’s leadership problems. Through his Mo Ibrahim Foundation, he awards $5 million annually to democratically-elected African leaders who deliver the dividends of good governance to their people and equally transfer power to their successors in democratic fashion. Mo made his fortune by founding Celtel, a mobile a mobile phone company that serves 23 countries in Africa and the Middle East. He sold it off in 2005 for $3.4 billion. He subsequently founded Satya Capital, a $150 million private equity firm which invests solely in African companies. Enjoys smoking pipe.


Source: FORBES Dictionary

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

The song ”IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL" was written by a successful Christian lawyer.
He had two girls and a wife, and the family planned a summer trip to go overseas. Since he had a lot of work to do, he sent his family and decided to follow them later.
He heard the news while on the next ship that another ship has
capsized and he knew that his family were there since they mentioned the name of the ship.

As he returned home, his Law firm was burned down and the
insurance refused to pay, they said "ITS AN ACT OF GOD". He had no money to pay for house and no work, he also Lost his house.

Then while sitting and thinking what's happening to him, being a spiritual person, he wrote a song -
whatever my lot, you have taught me to say - IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.

My dear friend, a good attitude will determine your attitude. When you look at your life, career, job or family life, what do you
say? Do you praise God? Do you blame the devil?
A good attitude towards God makes Him move on, on your behalf. Just sit down & say, Today God , it is well with my soul , I am
thankful I had a peaceful sleep , I am thankful I am alive with possibilities , I am thankful I have a roof over me , I am thankful I
have a job , I am also thankful that I have Family and Friends.

Above All, I AM thankful that I have God on my side.
Be blessed. And please don’t be envious or shocked when others are
prospering, because you don’t know what they have been through to get there (test, trials and tribulations) so thank God for what you have.
"Little is much when God is in it When peace like α̲̅ river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou
has tot me to say.
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!!!!!
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

This is our HOPE in Nigeria, That It is well with our beloved Country.


Courtesy: Hope For Nigeria.