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TUESDAY MEDITATION

 TUESDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER, 2017.

THE UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM (PART 6)

"When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Lk 18:22)

What does it mean to belong to God's kingdom? We have an answer to this crucial question today. There's a story of a certain rich man who came to Jesus to know what he must do to inherit eternal life. (Lk 18:18-26) Jesus' reply that the man knew the commandments was meant to take the man from known to unknown.

The Ten Commandments never mentioned anything about eternal life for those who observed it. It's at best a system that regulated morality, initiated ethical behaviour and spirituality. Having mentioned the Ten Commandments, his expectation was that Jesus would approve him of being ready to inherit eternal life. Instead, Jesus told him "one thing you still lack." Go and sell all that you have and give the proceeds to the poor thereby removing his heart and trust from his riches.

Let me call your attention to three points in this story:

1. THE HEART OF THE MATTER IS THE MATTER OF THE HEART. When you settle your heart issues with God you are ready to become a kingdom citizen.2. Jesus was not against riches. He was against putting one's heart and trust in temporary things. (Matt. 6:24, 33; 1 Timothy 6:7-10)3. No one can fulfil the conditions of entering God's kingdom by observing the laws! The primary condition has been fulfilled in Jesus. (Rom. 5:1-11) It's your turn to repent in response to Christ's provision. The conditions of the laws have been fulfilled in Jesus.

ACTION: The first priority in the kingdom of God is the situation of your heart. God wants first your love, trust, devotion before anything else.

This devotion is a gift of God to you through Bethel Gospel Centre. It will come to you every Tuesday morning. You may share it to allow it benefit others. Have a profitable day.#bgcblog#thefaithandthefaithful#tuesdaymeditation#BethelGospelCentre

TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, 2017.

THE UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM (PART 5)

The kingdom of God is not something removed from or remotely connected to those who believe in the message and mission of Jesus. They are the carriers of the kingdom. The kingdom of God is within them (Lk 17:20-21).

Your calling to belong to God's kingdom is not a mere invitation to separate yourself from worldliness but to carry the kingdom to wherever you're placed, and to establish it there.

Our text today focuses on Jesus' last wish or command following His resurrection. Please note that this command goes beyond preaching the good news of God's kingdom. In fact, it is about enacting the kingdom of God over the whole creation.

Enacting the kingdom of God over all of creation requires two things: faithfulness to the words of Jesus and engaging in deeds that complement our words. For example, as a citizen of the kingdom, when you speak against the evil political machinations that subtly ensnare people and take take away their liberty of conscience, when you engage in social justice moves to recognise the humanity of others and you declare the matchless love of God to others, you're enacting the kingdom of God on earth.

However, kingdom citizens are often slothful in fulfilling this command today. One known reason is unbelief. That is why Jesus rebuked his disciples "for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe" (Mk 16:14) before telling them to go and establish the kingdom everywhere.

ACTION: Unbelief has no good than to discredit the truth. Get rid of unbelief. Rise up in the arms of faith and begin to establish God's kingdom in your own corner.

Blessed are you for enacting the kingdom of God as you step out!

This devotion is a gift of God to you through Bethel Gospel Centre. It will come to you every Tuesday morning. You may share it to allow it benefit others. Have a profitable day.#bgcblog#thefaithandthefaithful#tuesdaymeditation#BethelGospelCentre

TUESDAY MEDITATION 

TUESDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2017.

THE UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM (PART 4)

We emphasised the power of God's kingdom as evident in transformed lives last week. Today, we are reflecting upon kingdom power in healing and miracles.

Healing and miracles are vital focus of Jesus' ministry. Jesus healed the sick and performed diverse miracles as signs and foretaste of the kingdom. Healing of Jesus revealed His ultimate power and authority over evil and oppressive forces, His dominion over Satan.

When the early disciples were sent out to preach the good news of the kingdom, the command given them was "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." (Matt. 10:8; cf Lk 10:9)

The power of the kingdom is still available to bring health and deliverance to human body today. Faith activates all that Jesus did during His earthly ministry in our own time. The message of the kingdom is the same and the process of partaking in its blessings is as valid as ever.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Heb. 13:8)

That said, it should be mentioned that believers in Christ are not supposed to run after miracles. They are expected to proclaim the good news of the kingdom and miracles bearing them witness as they go.

ACTION: Do you have a situation needing healing or miraculous intervention? Your decision to exercise faith will bring all that Jesus did to reality in your situation.

I join my faith with yours to declare that as you believe God for it, it's released in Jesus' name!

This devotion is a gift of God to you through Bethel Gospel Centre. It will come to you every Tuesday morning. You may share it to allow it benefit others. Have a profitable day.#bgcblog#thefaithandthefaithful#tuesdaymeditation@Bethel Gospel Centre

TUESDAY 29TH AUGUST 2017.

THE UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM (PART 3)

As we focus on one of the characteristics of God's kingdom today, Paul's testimony presents us an opportunity to unpack this characteristic of the kingdom.

The kingdom of God is characterised by power. This power is evident in change and transformation of lives and human character. When we declare the good news of God's kingdom, we are declaring heavenly counsel and are placing demand on the kingdom power to be manifest in human affairs.

Observe that in Paul's declaration the good news of Jesus does not have power BUT IT IS THE POWER OF GOD which brings salvation - pardon and emancipation, even a rescue from the reality of hell. That is why 1 Cor. 4:20 affirms that: "For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power."

What does this power do?

1. It transforms lives.2. It brings God's intervention in human affairs.3. It evokes the reality of the kingdom.4. It equips the kingdom people for kingdom mandates.

I can personally testify to the changes that occurred in my life when I accepted the good news about Christ and allow Him to direct my life. It recreated me from a raging fellow to a humble and gentle person with new set of priorities and values!

The evidence of kingdom change is present in a kingdom citizen! To experience the power of God's kingdom you must continue to declare the good news of the kingdom.

ACTION: Think about ways in which you can experience the power of God's kingdom at work.

This devotion is a gift of God to you through Bethel Gospel Centre. It will come to you every Tuesday morning. You may share it to allow it benefit others. Have a profitable day.#bgcblog#thefaithandthefaithful#tuesdaymeditation@Bethel Gospel Centre

TUESDAY MEDITATION

TUESDAY 22ND AUGUST 2017.

The kingdom of God is a realm of righteousness, joy, and peace that the Holy Spirit supplies. We have a modest invitation to manifest the joy and peace that is exclusively offered in the kingdom of God! What a wonderful privilege!

In this kingdom, you receive God's imputed righteousness, unexplainable joy and unending peace that the world cannot understand. Joy goes beyond your circumstances. It's a strong, bright side of assurance and hope that manifests itself in excitement or exuberance from the inside of you. Peace, on the other hand, is a state of spiritual well-being, an inner flowing of serenity that convinces you of God's presence in a specific situation. Joy and peace proceed from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. (Gal. 5:22)

Living in God's kingdom is neither about the things you fail to do nor things you do wrong. Rather it is about being made right with God and being filled with the Spirit.

Note that in this kingdom, certain things will attempt to attack your joy and peace perpetually. Your sins of the past, the accuser of brethren and our world systems will try to exterminate your joy and extinguish your peace. They will remind you how sinful you were in the past. Never give in to their intrigues because you have been made right with God.

Go out today and manifest the joy and peace of the kingdom, for unto this you have been called!

ACTION: Decide to allow the righteousness, peace, and joy of the kingdom of God to manifest through you from today onward.

This devotion is a gift of God to you through Bethel Gospel Centre. It will come to you every Tuesday morning. You may share it to allow it benefit others. Have a profitable day.#bgcblog#God'skingdom#tuesdaymeditation@bethelgospelcentre

TUESDAY MEDITATION

TUESDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2017

THE UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM

We are starting another series on God's kingdom as an invitation to entire humanity.

Jesus began His ministry by announcing the arrival of God's glorious kingdom. This is the one invitation of all time, clearly issued with good intention, conditions and purpose. Today, we are focusing on Jesus' announcement of the arrival of God's kingdom.

The hearers of Jesus' message were familiar with an idea of God's future kingdom spoken about in the Old Testament (Isa. 9:6-7; 24:23; 32:1; Ez. 34:24; Jer. 30:9). It was not a mistake that Jesus began His ministry by this proclamation.

The kingdom of God is least a geographical location. It is a realm of God's power and dominion. We may conceive it as well as a domain or sphere where humans submit themselves to God's rule as their king. This announcement has two components: arrival of the kingdom and conditions for entering into it. One thing that is clear is the urgency with which Jesus proclaimed His message. Human beings have roles to play in deciding whether to come under God's leadership or not. In coming under this rule of God, the condition is to turn away in opposite direction of one's sins and to believe in the good news that Jesus brings.

This invitation is equally valid for us today. As in the time of old Jesus invites you today to come under God's reign beginning with turning away from self, sin, and Satan. He invites you to believe in God's gracious offer of salvation. It can be yours today!

ACTION: Are you in God's kingdom? If yes, keep on believing the good news. If not, you can enter this reign today by recognising Jesus as the bearer of good news. Ask for forgiveness of your sins and follow Him daily.

This devotion is a gift of God to you through Bethel Gospel Centre. It will come to you every Tuesday morning. You may share it to allow it benefit others. Have a profitable day.#bethelgospelcentre,blog#unshakablekingdom #tuesdaymeditation

TUESDAY 25^TH APRIL, 2017

YOU ARE A WITNESS (PART 2)

“…we were not telling clever stories that someone had made up. But with our own eyes we saw his true greatness.… We were there with Jesus on the holy mountain and heard this voice speak from heaven” (2 Pet. 1:16-18).

In our world today, many people are sceptical about the authenticity of the message of Jesus. Why do you think the initial followers of Jesus considered it worthwhile to suffer not minding their own lives for the sake of the gospel of Jesus? Simply put, because of the assurance they had regarding the validity of the life and message of Jesus.

Peter the Apostle presents to us his own conviction about the message of Jesus. First, he talks about his encounter at Jesus’ transfiguration in company of James and John where God, the Father confirmed the authenticity of Jesus’ Sonship (Matt. 17:1-5). Second, the prophecies of the prophets about Jesus Christ spanning over five hundred years were intimately coherent. These are the foundations upon which Peter built his own ministry of witness (2 Pet. 1:18-19).

Many people find it confronting today to witness for Christ with their mouth today. We can all learn from Peter’s example. He was sure beyond the shadow of a doubt:

“When we told you about the power and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling clever stories that someone had made up. But with our own eyes we saw his true greatness. God, our great and wonderful Father, truly honored him by saying, "This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him." We were there with Jesus on the holy mountain and heard this voice speak from heaven. All of this makes us even more certain that what the prophets said is true. So you should pay close attention to their message, as you would to a lamp shining in some dark place. You must keep on paying attention until daylight comes and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:16-18).

Everyone who has ever witnessed for Jesus has had some life-transforming encounters. Except you encounter Jesus Christ beyond the “scope of religion”, you cannot be a true witness to that change and difference that Jesus makes in a person’s life.

ACTION: You don’t need a special calling to be a witness for Jesus today. Position yourself for an encounter and tell others about it today.

This devotion is a gift of God to you through Bethel Gospel Centre. It will come to you every Tuesday morning. If it has blessed you, kindly share it and allow others to benefit from it. Please contact us to share your testimony or for questions or prayer support. Have a blessed day!

#positionyourselfforanencounter #http://www.bethelgospel.org.au/blog #witness #tuesdaymeditation

TUESDAY 25^TH APRIL, 2017

YOU ARE A WITNESS (PART 2)

“…we were not telling clever stories that someone had made up. But with our own eyes we saw his true greatness.… We were there with Jesus on the holy mountain and heard this voice speak from heaven” (2 Pet. 1:16-18).

In our world today, many people are sceptical about the authenticity of the message of Jesus. Why do you think the initial followers of Jesus considered it worthwhile to suffer not minding their own lives for the sake of the gospel of Jesus? Simply put, because of the assurance they had regarding the validity of the life and message of Jesus.

Peter the Apostle presents to us his own conviction about the message of Jesus. First, he talks about his encounter at Jesus’ transfiguration in company of James and John where God, the Father confirmed the authenticity of Jesus’ Sonship (Matt. 17:1-5). Second, the prophecies of the prophets about Jesus Christ spanning over five hundred years were intimately coherent. These are the foundations upon which Peter built his own ministry of witness (2 Pet. 1:18-19).

Many people find it confronting today to witness for Christ with their mouth today. We can all learn from Peter’s example. He was sure beyond the shadow of a doubt:

“When we told you about the power and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling clever stories that someone had made up. But with our own eyes we saw his true greatness. God, our great and wonderful Father, truly honored him by saying, "This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him." We were there with Jesus on the holy mountain and heard this voice speak from heaven. All of this makes us even more certain that what the prophets said is true. So you should pay close attention to their message, as you would to a lamp shining in some dark place. You must keep on paying attention until daylight comes and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:16-18).

Everyone who has ever witnessed for Jesus has had some life-transforming encounters. Except you encounter Jesus Christ beyond the “scope of religion”, you cannot be a true witness to that change and difference that Jesus makes in a person’s life.

ACTION: You don’t need a special calling to be a witness for Jesus today. Position yourself for an encounter and tell others about it today.

This devotion is a gift of God to you through Bethel Gospel Centre. It will come to you every Tuesday morning. If it has blessed you, kindly share it and allow others to benefit from it. Please contact us to share your testimony or for questions or prayer support. Have a blessed day!

#positionyourselfforanencounter #http://www.bethelgospel.org.au/blog #witness #tuesdaymeditation

TUESDAY 18^TH APRIL, 2017

YOU ARE A WITNESS (PART 1)

“You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:48)

Happy Easter celebration! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the point of departure between Christian faith and other world religions. After his bodily resurrection, Jesus reminded his disciples that they have been appointed “witnesses of these things.”  "These things" refer to at least three ideas. First, the person of Jesus as the Christ. Jesus is the Messiah, the appointed and the anointed of God who came to take the sins of the world. Second, his transforming message of the Kingdom of God. Third, he died and was buried, and he rose again on the third day and that forgiveness must be preached in His name. No wonder that the only message the earliest ‘communities of Jesus’ had was that Jesus was the Christ, and the crucified Lord.

A witness is conversant with a story. These disciples had earlier followed Jesus Christ for a space of three and a half years. They learned a new way of life. Jesus invested into them not as spectators but participators in His mission on earth.

The story of the Cross is normative for us today. What Jesus told his disciples he is still saying today: “You are witnesses of these things.” We are called to follow the resurrected Lord by living out his life, his message, and the difference he can make in people’s lives.

One of the profound ways Jesus identified his initial followers was a community of testifiers to a new order of the Kingdom of God. We can witness to Christ through our lifestyle, compassionate help/support for others, intentionally following the steps of Jesus to enable others discover Christ through us (1 Cor. 11:1), and by loving others freely.

ACTION: Are you a true witness for Christ? Take a personal decision today to allow the life of Christ Jesus reflect in you.

This devotion is a gift of God to you through Bethel Gospel Centre. It will come to you every Tuesday morning. If it has blessed you, kindly share it and allow others to benefit from it. Please contact us to share your testimony or for questions or prayer support. Have a blessed day!

Happy New Year 2017 to you and your loved ones from Bethel Gospel Centre!  

Every New Year should begin with an attitude of praise and gratitude in anticipation of wonderful events ahead. We can join our voices with the Psalmist who declares in Chapter 103:1-5

With all my heart I praise the LORD, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! With all my heart I praise the LORD! I will never forget how kind he has been. The LORD forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death. His kindness and love are a crown on our heads. Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle. (CEV) 

Every year comes with its unique opportunities and challenges. Opportunities to develop new relationships, to do things differently, to set new goals, and most importantly to examine how we live in the past year. There isn't nothing that can't be improved upon. Take a conscious decision to improve on yourself.

For us at BGC, this is a significant year. We'll be launching in the second quarter of this year by God's grace. There are expectations to be met before we can have a full fledge ministry activities running. Details of the announcement would be made available at a later date. We have commenced our initial local connections and outreaches. In the last quarter of 2016, we had two major events through which we introduced our ministry to the community. Those who want to know more about our ministry have been meeting with us. Our interactions with other Christian bodies have been growing and we anticipate greater manifestation of God's glory this year.      

Let me leave you with some thoughts as we kickstart the year 2017. 

• POSITION YOURSELF FOR A BETTER YEAR. Your positioning determines what you see, what becomes of your goals, deams and what you eventually become.
• LIVE WITH A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. Human beings are created to be responsible.Take yourself accountable this year or if you like, give trusted persons around you the permission to hold you accountable. One known attribute of the weak and undetermined is blaming others for their failures.
• Think of ONE THING THAT MUST CHANGE  in your life now and BE COMMITTED TO IT. A catalogue of New Year's resolutions that could be forgotten before January ends would not help.  

Recognise that only God makes all things possible. We can trust God and His promises as we go through this year. He will never fail. May you have the courage to walk in the fullness of God's blessings and plans for your life this year. May your accomplishments be great in every way.   Shalom!

(Pastor) Titus S. Olorunnisola

BGC Lead Pastor