FROM THE PULPIT What Manner of Love Is This? Love is one of the greatest powers ever. Interestingly though, there are four kinds of love: I love you, you love me love. This is the ideal kind of love and probably the sweetest. E.g. David and Jonathan. I don't love you, you don't love me. Sad kind of love. (II Chro. 13:1-3, 13-17). I love you, you don't love me. Hardest kind of love to bear. Painful and sacrificial. E.g Joseph and his elder brothers (Gen. 37:1-17). I don't love you but you love me. Very scarce, hardly exist. Undeserved kind of love. The sort of love God has for us. Romans 5:8 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 1 John 3:1 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. David is someone that has the type and manner of God's love. He demonstrated this in the life of Mephibosheth. No wonder God said he is a man after His own heart. 2 Sam. 9:1-13 1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. 5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. 6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! 7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. 8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? 9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. 10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread always at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet. In biblical times, when a king ascends the throne, it is the custom of the new king to carefully fish out all those that were closely related to the last king and killed them. This will help to make his kingdom to last and put an end to a likely coup or overthrow. Continued on Page 5 Unrequested can be defined as unsolicited; unsought; unasked; unprompted; etc. While blessing can be defined as a special favour; mercy or benefit from God. The bible makes us to know that we need to ask God for things in order to receive; we would need to seek in order to find; and we would need to knock on ‘doors’ in order for them to be opened (Mt. 7:7). As a matter of emphasis, the scripture actually says that certain things we desire do not manifest because we fail to ask (James 4:2). The bible is filled with people that desired something from God and therefore besought Him earnestly. The stories of the woman with the issue of blood and Bartimaeus that was blind readily come to mind. They sought the attention of God and they were successful (Luke 8:43-48; Mark 10:46-52). On the other hand, the bible also records certain people that got unrequested blessings from God. In Luke 7: 11-17, the bible mentioned a widow that was just sorrowfully going to bury her only son. Without calling unto Jesus for help; Jesus was moved with compassion, beckoned to them, touched the stretcher and asked the dead man to get up! What a surprise joy for the widow and her mourners! God has impressed it upon my spirit that some of us will enjoy unprompted blessings in this month of August and the remaining segment of the year. God is prepared to bless us with surprising joy and exhilaration. By Pastor Samuel Obafaiye Astounding is defined as bewildering or striking dumb with wonder; or so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm. While accomplishments could be defined as the act of carrying out or achieving; something achieved or successfully completed; gained skills or talent; attainment of social grace, style, and poise. After God ordered Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor; Elisha left his lucrative mechanized farming and became a servant to Elijah. He would run errands for him and take care of his master. The time came when God was prepared to take Elijah away; Elisha’s contemporaries began to make mockery of him that he would soon be like them, but Elisha was determined not to remain as an ordinary son of a prophet; but as someone spectacular. So he demanded for the double portion of the anointing of God upon his master. The bible records that Elisha was able to fulfil the condition set by Elijah and so received the double portion of his master’s anointing! The sons of prophet that thought Elisha was already stranded at the other side of Jordan bowed before him and called him ‘Master’ after he parted the Jordan River and walked through it on dry ground! (2 Kings 2: 1-15). In the year 2012, the Spirit of God says He will make us to achieve feats that are astounding; gain talents and skills that are staggering; and enjoy attainments of social grace, style and poise that are startling! By Pastor Samuel Obafaiye FOR INDIVIDUALS: 1. He said many considered to be absolutely barren will be fruitful. 2. He said family histories will be rewritten, including an end to premature death. 3. He said desperate prayers will get quick reply this year. 4. He said some will experience massive transfer of wealth from the wicked to the just. FOR NIGERIA: 1. God says He has surprises both for His own and for the enemies of the church. 2. He said before this year ends, it will be said of Nigeria; all is well that ends well. 3, He said we are to pray more for prominent Nigerians, so that those who see this year may see the next. INTERNATIONAL: 1. Daddy says there will be a lot of power transfer. 2. He said new phenomenon will startle scientists. 3. He said we are to pray against earth quakes of record magnitude, tsunamis of record proportion and massive hurricanes. if we pray they will be subdued. 4. The civil unrest that started last year, will begin to end this year. However, no matter what happens, 2012 is a Year of New Things. All is well. By Pastor Enoch Adeboye (Gen. Overseer RCCG Worldwide) AUGUST 2012 THEME: UNREQUESTED BLESSINGS THE RCCG (EVERLASTING FATHER’S ASSEMBLY) 2012 PROPHECY THEME: OUR YEAR OF ASTOUNDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE RCCG (WORLDWIDE) 2012 PROPHECY THEME: OUR YEAR OF NEW THINGS JESUS IS LORD Workers’ Trg, Teens & Children Sunday School - 09:40am Adult Sunday School - 10:15 am Call To Worship - 11:00AM Wisdom Spot Praise & Worship Liberty Prayers Special Number Message Offering Announcements Tithes Closing Prayers & Benediction - 13:00pm Are you in need of Assistance or Support? Talk to Welfare Coordinator - Minister Adebisi Olobaniyi CONGREGATIONAL HYMN WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there. FREE TRANSPORT TO CHURCH For details of bus stops please email or call 07718079394 [email protected] - By Pastor Samuel Obafaiye