ENVIRONMENT IS EVERYTHING
Pastor Gbenga Onabanjo @ Sunday First Service
Pastor Gbenga Onabanjo, during his message at the August 29 Sunday first service told the congregation that environment affects people either positively or negatively. He said this noting that the environment affects a person’s development. “The environment we find ourselves in plays a hugely important role in determining our success in life. A toxic environment takes away while a good environment adds,” he noted.
Defining environment as the condition that affects human beings both physically and spiritually; hence the reason God created an enabling environment for Man to thrive according to Genesis 1:1-28 and 2:8; the clergy stated that that condition includes the physical structure and components that surrounds them as well as the intangible forces of culture, ideas and opinions they are opened to overtime. This condition, he further noted, would affect the way an individual thinks, processes information reacts to stimuli, speak and communicate.
In his words, “God’s plan for His children is to prosper. So, everywhere and anywhere you find yourself, you are supposed to create an enabling environment for prosperity. Your destiny begins with what you sow in your thought but the thoughts come from your environment which could be an association, physical or emotional. This is why your environment will shape you and you need to be careful of who your friends are.”
He, therefore, urged his listeners from 1 Corinthians 15:33 and Deuteronomy 23:12-14, to provide an enabling physical, educational, spiritual, and healthy environment; stating that an enabling environment is needed for huge achievement in the world. “Your environment will shape you. If you want your environment to take care of you, you must also take care of your environment,” he urged.
POSSESSING OUR HEALTH
Pastor Chukwuma Nzeogwu @ Sunday second service
Speaking from the Book of 3 John 1:2, Pastor Chukwuma Nzeogwu while ministering at the August 29 Sunday second service emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle. According to him, it is the express duty of humans and especially Christians to take care of their bodies so as to be able to fulfil their purpose or assignment while still alive. “God has an assignment for each and every one of us and for us to do those assignments, we must make sure our body is fit and ready to serve the Master,” he said.
Pastor Nzeogwu who is also a Medical Doctor went further to list some of the health fundamental principles. He noted that eating right; exercising regularly and resting well enough are some of the ways to lead a healthy lifestyle. He said, “A healthy diet consists of vegetables, fruits and natural cereals like pap, millet, and sorghum. Avoid products made from flour and white sugar. They cause diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity among others.”
He continued, “Regular exercise improves weight control, reduces the risk of heart disease, improves mental health, keeps your thinking, learning and judgement skills sharp as you grow older, and helps to stop smoking. Regular exercises should be done in a conducive environment.”
The clergy further warned his listeners to desist from too much consumption of red meat as well as alcohol as they can lead to or increases the risk of cancer. He also urged them to take milk in moderation because some hormones contained in milk can contribute to cancer. Adding to the list is the abusive use of substances like drugs, nicotine and narcotics; noting that it can cause brain damage.
Pastor Nzeogwu finally admonished believers from Philippians 4:8 to possess these good virtues which will in turn, help them to possess their health in Zion.
THE TRANSFORMING LIFE OF A BELIEVER
Pastor Fred Ohiani @ Thursday showers
Pastor Fred Ohiani has said that Christians cannot continue to operate with the old creature mindset once they give their lives to Christ. He made the comment during the August 26 Thursday Showers, explaining that the old nature of man died when one gave his or her life to Christ. “Once you have accepted Christ, you have come to know that the life you live is not yours,” he said.
Referencing Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 12:1, the pastor reiterated that a Christian is supposed to do away with the old nature of sin, and carry the character of Christ in everything he or she does; adding that being born again means that they have yielded up their lives to Him to use for His glory. “You will need to begin to build up yourself to be Christ-like,” he said.
Pastor Fred Ohiani further explained that the word of God makes the difference in the life of a believer; saying it brings conviction and not condemnation. “The moment you become born again, your spirit comes alive because however dormant that spirit is, that spirit was created by the word of God,” he added.
He continued, “The power of the Word makes the difference. It does not condemn, but brings us to conviction. So, when you hear the Word, it comes in contact with your spirit and brings you to a place of conviction,” he said.
He then admonished them to live that new life they have received through Christ noting that the word of God would help them. “The word of God does not only convict and make people realize their mistakes, but it also provides a solution. That way is Jesus, and all you need to do is repent, renounce and let Jesus come into your life,” Pastor Fred noted.
