Pastor Corner

Welcome to the brand new month of April. This month, you will operate in the supernatural wisdom of God. The Bible calls wisdom the principal thing in Proverbs 4:7 meaning that our hearts must yearn after the wisdom that comes from God. The TPT renders it in a very interesting way. “Wisdom is the most valuable commodity — so buy it.”

The way it’s rendered in the above translation means that there’s a price to pay for wisdom. Promotion, honor, glory, riches and favor are all the by-products of choosing to embrace God’s wisdom. Most of the issues and challenges we face in our lives are due to the short supply of wisdom or our refusal to walk in the available wisdom over a period of time.

The wisdom we are speaking of is the one that is found in God. Remember the man who wrote the book of Proverbs encountered firsthand God’s wisdom as seen in the book of 2nd Chronicle 1:7-12. He was a man who valued wisdom above riches, wealth, fame, long life or even the life of his enemies. When he says to exalt wisdom in Proverbs 4:8, then we better do so. The value you place on wisdom determines the measure of it that will flow in your life.

The book of James particularly made mention of the character of God’s wisdom in chapter 3 verse 17 which is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and without partiality or hypocrisy”. Whatever wisdom that is in operation that is devoid of the aforementioned is therefore not to be embraced.

Here are a few suggestions on how we can access this superior wisdom of God;

• Ask for it. Acknowledge your need for his wisdom and take time to pray for it. James 1:5-6 says to ask in faith without doubt. The wisdom we don’t have is the one we have not asked for.
• Search for it. What we seek for is what we find. Wisdom spoke in Proverbs 8:12 and 17 that those who seek me diligently will find me. There must be a diligent search for wisdom to be found. Read and study books of wise people.
• Associate for it. The Bible says that we will be wise when we walk with the wise. Proverbs 13:20. Be intentional about the company you keep. The company you keep determines what accompanies you like your friend determines your end. We cannot be better than our associates. 1 Corinthians 15:33.

There is much more I could share, but let me stop here as we take practical steps to implement the ones mentioned. My prayer for you is that you will walk in supernatural wisdom that will catapult you to God’s designed destiny for you in Jesus name!

GET WISDOM!

Children’s Corner

The Great Commission

Welcome children!

You are welcome to another exciting episode of learning with the FLOAT newsletter.

My name is Amaka, and today I have Nifemi  with me. It’s the holiday season and I know you all are enjoying yourselves.

NIFEMI: That’s right Amaka, I’m definitely enjoying myself this holiday and this holiday I also decided to do something different – which is to talk to people around me about Jesus.

AMAKA: Oh wow, that’s an amazing decision Nifemi. Who says children cannot preach the Gospel to people? It is what we’ve all been called to do.

NIFEMI: Yes! Everyone of us has been tasked to carry out the great commission.

AMAKA: Hmmmn, what is the great commission Nifemi?

NIFEMI: Oh, it’s all about spreading the Gospel everywhere, the disciples of Jesus were given the task to do so and they spread the Gospel and pass it down to us also.

AMAKA: Amazing! Since it’s what we have been tasked to do, we must do it then.

NIFEMI: Yes and you can talk to anyone about Jesus. For example, your neighbor, classmate or friend just tell them about JESUS CHRIST.

AMAKA: That’s a great one Nifemi, even children can share the Gospel. We’ll close this session with a part of the Bible I want you to learn.

Memory Verse:

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Development corner

Investment with Returns

I had thought of titling this “Investment without Return” while thinking about the man with one talent (Matthew 25; 14-30). He had gone to bury his talent while others had worked on theirs. However, I changed my mind. It occurred to me to instead focus on the men who had made worthwhile returns.

As Christians, we are not created just for the sake of it. We are created for a purpose. You have something in you that sets you apart from others. We talked about this in January (A pool of talent- the need to act now).

Now that you have discovered your God-given purpose, I have some questions for you;

• What do you intend to do with it or them?
• Would you be like the man that thought it wise to bury his talent or would you rather be like those who put in the work and made great returns?

I hope you make a wise choice and prioritise honing your skills.

If you’ve found your purpose, strive to make it work. Nobody, absolutely nobody ever put in the work and not reap the reward of their labour.

Quiz

E	T	A	K	E	O	V	E	R	A
N	D	C	S	B	L	F	L	H	C
O	B	U	E	U	U	I	H	F	E
I	A	L	C	F	M	D	A	E	I
G	P	T	S	A	W	M	U	S	F
I	P	U	F	M	T	T	I	A	B
L	L	R	V	I	X	I	M	T	T
E	E	E	Q	L	L	E	O	Q	N
R	F	T	U	Y	C	V	D	N	A
E	C	N	A	N	R	E	V	O	G

Takeover, Culture, Fame, Governance, Education, Family, Religion, Summit.​

Health corner

What is African Vaccination Week (Immunisation)?

Immunisation, sometimes known as Vaccination, is a procedure by which a person enhances their immune system against a pathogen. Although vaccinations cannot always eradicate illnesses, they significantly reduce their impact. Immune system preparation from vaccinations against pathogenic microorganisms can aid in the body’s ability to fight against or avoid illness.

Vaccination can protect against over 25 distinct infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, polio, measles, pertussis, and diphtheria, from early childhood to old age. According to estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO), immunisation saves between two and three million deaths annually. Nonetheless, 22.6 million newborns globally, mostly in less developed nations, remain unvaccinated. Immunisation has helped people stay healthy for over two centuries, from the first smallpox vaccine in 1798 to COVID-19 immunisation in 2020. Immunisation plays a role in safeguarding communities against deadly diseases.

AVW is an annual event celebrated during the last week of April to strengthen immunisation programs in the African region by increasing awareness of the importance of every person’s need and right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Through awareness-raising activities and advocacy efforts, African Vaccination Week (AVW) ensures that individuals of all ages have access to life-saving vaccines.

Since its founding in April 2011, AVW has worked to make vaccination a top priority on national and regional agendas and to spur more coordinated immunisation efforts throughout the continent, emphasising the role that each person must play in this endeavor. The Federal Ministry of Health provides free vaccines through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, with backing from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners. Through partnerships and activism, this campaign creates momentum for greater access to life-saving vaccinations.

Psalm 147:3 emphasises God’s mercy, sending a message of consolation and assurance. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds,” the Bible says. This passage reminds people of God’s presence and his ability to heal and comfort troubled spirits, providing consolation to those going through suffering or loss.

Fun Facts

• The tiny
 pocket 
in 
jeans 
was 
designed 
to
 store
 pocket 
watches.
• No 
number 
before
 1,000 
contains 
the 
letter 
A.
• Cherophobia 
is
 the 
irrational
 fear 
of
 fun
 or
 happiness.
• Most
 Korean 
people 
don’t
 have 
armpit 
odor.
• Most
 people 
fart
 around 
14 
to
 23 
times
 a
 day!
• A 
lion’s 
roar 
can 
be 
heard
 from 
5
miles
 away.
• Saint
 Lucia 
is 
the 
only 
country
 in 
the 
world 
named
 after 
a
 woman.
• On 
average,
 men 
get 
bored
 of
 a
 shopping 
trip
 after 
26
 minutes

Biblical poetry

He showed me mercy,

Even when I was unworthy

I sinned against myself and others

And he did not use those events to define me.

With all my sins he still loved me

Even when I wasn’t able to love myself.

He blessed me with the ability to wake-up each morning

The opportunity to start afresh daily.

As I slept he cleansed my soul

As I slept he renewed my mind

A renewed mind should not be interested in the burdens of yesterday

A mind focused on giving thanks for today, saying:

I am new every morning, great is my faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:23

He taught me mercy

By forgiving me daily,

I am learning how to forgive

By not holding my past against me,

I am learning not to judge others

His patience with me,

when I am too hasty to wait on him,

Is teaching me the value he has placed on me.

He gifted me with the ability to love another, forever

The grace to see beyond their daily sins

The desire to speak positivity to their soul

The desire to reconnect with their mind.

And ascertain if they would like to repent

Encouraging them to seek the joy in salvation

For my Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting,

And his truth endureth to all generations

Psalms 100:5

Conclusion

The mercy of God is indispensable in the life of every child of God. It is by this mercy that we gain access to certain realities God’s grace has provided for us.

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most”. Hebrews 4:16 NLT

It is the Mercy of God that keeps us from what we do not deserve, while the Grace of God gives us what we do not deserve.

A life devoid of the mercy of God is meaningless. What kind of life will one live when the mercy of God is absent?

The mercy of God is a necessity for anyone who desires to live purposefully. Below are some of the benefits of the mercy of God:

• His mercy prevents us from being consumed by the enemy.
• His mercy unleashes God’s judgment on our enemy.
• His mercy shields us from judgment.
• His mercy rescues us from mystery and affliction.
• His mercy makes divine exemption happen.
• His mercy inspires hope in us.

The mercy of God is like the air we breathe and one of the ways we can provoke God’s mercy is through thanksgiving.

Let us embrace the lifestyle of thanksgiving, as we journey through this month.

Upcoming Events

April to May 2024

Activities outside of the regular Sunday services

• Three days of Glory: 1-3 April
• Takeover at the Summit: 6 April
• Evangelism: 13 April
• Hour of Grace & Workers’ Congress & Evangelism: 27 April

• Three days of Glory: 1-3 May
• S.H.E Conference: 4-5 May (John you can remove this event from the list if you have a visual version of it)
• Holy Ghost Meeting, GHQ Ibadan:
• Leaders Training: 18 May
• Children’s Day celebration / Family Conference: 19 May
• Hour of Grace & Evangelism: 25 May