A man may act honestly in larger matters for fear of disgrace. He may know that certain small things about him are not likely to be mentioned in public, and so he may do them. But the fear of disgrace deters him from doing more obvious things because it will disgrace him. What is this but one form of selfishness overbalancing another form?
A man may fear that honesty will injure his business. He deals honestly in important matters, while in little things he is ready to take advantage of anyone he can. Thus a man will take advantage of a seamstress and pay her less than he knows she deserves for making a garment. The same individual, in buying supplies, wouldn't think of cheating because it would injure his business. In dealing with an abused and humble person, he can gripe and squeeze out a few cents without fear of public disgrace, while he wouldn't be publicly spoken of as disreputable and base under any circumstances.
The love of praise influences many men to act honestly and even piously in noticeable things. Many men will cheat a poor person out of a few cents in the price of labor, and then, in some great public display, appear to act generously. Why would a man habitually take advantage of everybody and then give hundreds of dollars to charities? He may do it for the love of praise and not the love of God or man.
Individuals often manifest a lack of principle in regard to the payment of small debts, while they are extremely careful and punctual in paying notes at the bank and in their commercial transactions.
For instance, if a man subscribes to a newspaper and the price is a small sum, he may never pay it. The same man having a debt at the bank would certainly have been punctual. Why? Because if he does not pay, his credit will be injured; but the little debt of five dollars will not be protested. He forgets about it, and the publisher has to send for it or go without his money. Obviously this man does not pay his debts at the bank from honesty or principle but purely from a regard to his own credit and interest.
The real state of a man's heart is often more obvious in small matters than in business or greater importance. Men are often deceived and think that being honest in greater things will prove their honesty of heart, despite their dishonesty in smaller things. Many individuals conceal little mistakes that are made in their favor, for example, in giving change. If a man would say nothing and let it pass, only opportunity would prevent him from taking any advantage whatever or cheating to any extent.
How much would be gained if Christians would display purity and honesty on all occasions and to all people! Sinners often fix their eye on professing Christians' petty offenses. What an everlasting reproach to Jesus!
Of what use is it for a woman to talk to her neighbors about the Lord, when her neighbor knows that she will not hesitate to cheat in petty things? Or why should a merchant talk to his clerks, when they know that however honorable he may be in his public transactions, he is cheap and stingy in little things? It is worse than useless.
From ‘THE DANGER OF DECEPTION’ by Charles G. Finney
Friday, 21 January 2011
Monday, 13 December 2010
SERMON OF THE MONTH
"My King was born King. The Bible says He's a Seven Way King. He's the King of the Jews - that's an Ethnic King. He's the King of Israel - that's a National King. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King.
He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.
He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.
His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He's indescribable. That's my King. He's incomprehensible, He's invincible, and He is irresistible.
He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!"
- Shadrach Meshach Lockridge (March 7, 1913 – April 4, 2000)
He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.
He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.
His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He's indescribable. That's my King. He's incomprehensible, He's invincible, and He is irresistible.
He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!"
- Shadrach Meshach Lockridge (March 7, 1913 – April 4, 2000)
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
MUSICIANS MONEY & MINISTRY (Should Musicians be paid for playing in the Church?)
"If you pay peanut, you'll get monkeys"
Every one is entitled to their opinion on whether Musicians shoud be payed for playing in the Church.
In as much as i advocate always that Musicians should not be money driven, or money oriented, i strongly believe that if the Church sees pure Worship/Music as a key element to the growth of the church then it will do all it can in its power to get quality musician that knows the true heart of worship.
I believe, there are times when Musicians should sacrifice, but that should not be taken for granted.
Any Musician that sees what he does as a ministry / profession is worthy of his wages - 1 Timothy 5:18b "The laborer is worthy of his wages." S. Ajuwon (London)
I love this.The most important thing is, salvation, ur comminion with God,or fellowship.then Gods leading............The focus is bringing Gods glory, presence,so as 2 allow free flow of Gods blessing, vistation, and so on. Am not for or against it.Gods leading is what should be important. A. Samuel
Hmmmnn!! Wat a great topic to delibrate on...people talk bout this every day,critically and to be realistic, anything you do or any musical instrument you play in the house of God,once done with a pure heart,i'll tell you,its being done for God and his glory..The simple truth is no matter what a church gives,we should regard it as an act of showing appreciation. I'll keep saying it, "no one can pay you for the work you are doing for God" Our Lord is not concerned with worldly things like money and accomodation which some churches give to instrumentalists...GOD has his own way of blessing all God fearing instrumentalists as heavenly reward...However, i think there are other angle to this, characters and manner of some instrumentalists as far as payment is concerned is so unencouraging...they tell you this is the amount they want and where the church has defaulted in payin at the right time,there actions and reactions would make you doubt if they are really working for God..
I believed God gave me the talent,and the first thing is to keep displayin it in his presence, not in fela's shrine, so if am doing it with my whole heart, then whether am being paid or not is not the point!
My life is a testimony...have been playing musical instruments since my childhood without being payed, then it got to a point i stopped depending on my parents for some things financially, i entered the university and i started playing at redeem church in Abuja, Nigeria..they asked me, how much do i want per month? I asked for any reasonable thing they could afford..they themselves called it appreciation and in many occassions they prayed for all instrumentalists..they have a mindset,that we are working for God..and they ll never treat us like....'are you not being paid.....?'
To be frank, i respect rccg for this, and no wonder they are getting all the youths from all the churches which has mentality of "do not pay them!!".....and at the end of the day,these instrumentalists turn music directors in most of this churches,as such much more committments!! O.M Ajayi (UK, Sent via Facebook Mobile)
Yes. That is their ministry and source of income . More over pastors get paid when they minister and Gods gift are in parts. –F. Sosanya (London)
Yea, I voted NO musicians shouldn't get paid! What did you expect I am NOT a bastard as Daddy would say! Its about training.
Rev always says God pays but He doesn't pay like man! i.e on a weekly, monthly or even annually! But one thing is certain.... HE PAYS! THe problem is that we are NOT ready to serve God, but our own bellies.
I totally understand why this opinion / teaching / training is NOT popular in this day and age and especially in these parts of the world b/c they argue Money answereth all things! or better yet they argue the famous don't muzzle the ox while it treads out the grain and the Laborer worthy of his wages! These are the end times! Script says they will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money!
We've lost our first love.... there were days musicians or singers or any church workers counted it a great honor to serve in the house of the Lord. We would boast we are serving God and even wholeheartedly at for that matter.! THese days we are looking for entitlement and recognition. God beings somewhere in the background sitting quietly, while we forget the His giftings & callings are without repentance... where would we all be if God decided to take back these giftings in our lives that made us to stand b4 great men and pave way for us. When do we "pay God bacK" with what He has given us? thats what i want to know!
Much love!
Maggie (US)
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS...
Every one is entitled to their opinion on whether Musicians shoud be payed for playing in the Church.
In as much as i advocate always that Musicians should not be money driven, or money oriented, i strongly believe that if the Church sees pure Worship/Music as a key element to the growth of the church then it will do all it can in its power to get quality musician that knows the true heart of worship.
I believe, there are times when Musicians should sacrifice, but that should not be taken for granted.
Any Musician that sees what he does as a ministry / profession is worthy of his wages - 1 Timothy 5:18b "The laborer is worthy of his wages." S. Ajuwon (London)
I love this.The most important thing is, salvation, ur comminion with God,or fellowship.then Gods leading............The focus is bringing Gods glory, presence,so as 2 allow free flow of Gods blessing, vistation, and so on. Am not for or against it.Gods leading is what should be important. A. Samuel
Hmmmnn!! Wat a great topic to delibrate on...people talk bout this every day,critically and to be realistic, anything you do or any musical instrument you play in the house of God,once done with a pure heart,i'll tell you,its being done for God and his glory..The simple truth is no matter what a church gives,we should regard it as an act of showing appreciation. I'll keep saying it, "no one can pay you for the work you are doing for God" Our Lord is not concerned with worldly things like money and accomodation which some churches give to instrumentalists...GOD has his own way of blessing all God fearing instrumentalists as heavenly reward...However, i think there are other angle to this, characters and manner of some instrumentalists as far as payment is concerned is so unencouraging...they tell you this is the amount they want and where the church has defaulted in payin at the right time,there actions and reactions would make you doubt if they are really working for God..
I believed God gave me the talent,and the first thing is to keep displayin it in his presence, not in fela's shrine, so if am doing it with my whole heart, then whether am being paid or not is not the point!
My life is a testimony...have been playing musical instruments since my childhood without being payed, then it got to a point i stopped depending on my parents for some things financially, i entered the university and i started playing at redeem church in Abuja, Nigeria..they asked me, how much do i want per month? I asked for any reasonable thing they could afford..they themselves called it appreciation and in many occassions they prayed for all instrumentalists..they have a mindset,that we are working for God..and they ll never treat us like....'are you not being paid.....?'
To be frank, i respect rccg for this, and no wonder they are getting all the youths from all the churches which has mentality of "do not pay them!!".....and at the end of the day,these instrumentalists turn music directors in most of this churches,as such much more committments!! O.M Ajayi (UK, Sent via Facebook Mobile)
Yes. That is their ministry and source of income . More over pastors get paid when they minister and Gods gift are in parts. –F. Sosanya (London)
Yea, I voted NO musicians shouldn't get paid! What did you expect I am NOT a bastard as Daddy would say! Its about training.
Rev always says God pays but He doesn't pay like man! i.e on a weekly, monthly or even annually! But one thing is certain.... HE PAYS! THe problem is that we are NOT ready to serve God, but our own bellies.
I totally understand why this opinion / teaching / training is NOT popular in this day and age and especially in these parts of the world b/c they argue Money answereth all things! or better yet they argue the famous don't muzzle the ox while it treads out the grain and the Laborer worthy of his wages! These are the end times! Script says they will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money!
We've lost our first love.... there were days musicians or singers or any church workers counted it a great honor to serve in the house of the Lord. We would boast we are serving God and even wholeheartedly at for that matter.! THese days we are looking for entitlement and recognition. God beings somewhere in the background sitting quietly, while we forget the His giftings & callings are without repentance... where would we all be if God decided to take back these giftings in our lives that made us to stand b4 great men and pave way for us. When do we "pay God bacK" with what He has given us? thats what i want to know!
Much love!
Maggie (US)
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS...
Friday, 1 May 2009
Created to worship Him.
The Purpose of creation is that man could worship God.
How do we do this?
This is to be achieved not just by participating in the worship sessions on sundays or bible studies weekly, but living a lifestlye of worship that reflects total submission to God...so that every breath we take and every moment we are awake, God would have his way in us.
What do we get in return?
When we yield ourselves to Him, He'll come into our lives, carry us on His shoulder through the journey of life. And we will begin to live a life without struggles...
Lets Worship
How do we do this?
This is to be achieved not just by participating in the worship sessions on sundays or bible studies weekly, but living a lifestlye of worship that reflects total submission to God...so that every breath we take and every moment we are awake, God would have his way in us.
What do we get in return?
When we yield ourselves to Him, He'll come into our lives, carry us on His shoulder through the journey of life. And we will begin to live a life without struggles...
Lets Worship
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