Welcome to Joel's Corner

If you read open heavens devotional of 3 rd November 2016, then, this is no news to you, but don’t rush out because there’s yet something new in these for you. But if you didn’t, then, these writs are fully yours for the taken. Pastor E. Adeboye in that devotional titled “Matrimonial Robber” wrote extensively and bluntly on one of the vices plaguing our society today. A vice that is so common and popular, that it has become a norm; Deadly, yet selling. The alarming divorce rates; the emotional injuries here and there; the disappointments, frustrations and lack of fulfillment in many lives owe to this vice. Here it is:

Growing up in a remote part of the country gave me the opportunity for some adventures not common to dwellers in highbrow areas. These included fruits gathering, bird hunting, tree climbing, etc. Many times during these adventures, I will come across things that will leave me wondering and thinking. The bird nest was one of such things. Sometimes, it was an empty nest, at other times a nest with eggs or one with fledglings. Some of the questions that will run through my little mind then include:

The increasing level of fanaticism associated with church labels and general overseers, is a proof that denominationalism is a force that every christian needs deal with as we earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. The word denominate means 'to give a name to' or 'to designate'. In this sense, every group of 'Christians' operating under a particular name consist a denomination. But denominationalism on the other hand means to emphasize denominational differences to the point of being narrowly exclusive. So the problem is not necessarily the existence

Some hours ago I read an article by Peter  Ntephe of the cable news. This article was in criticism of Dr Reuben Abati's   the spiritual side of Aso Villa  which flooded  the media two days ago. I was particular disturbed at Peter's atheistic approach in his criticism. He criticised the reality of the supernatural and denied totally the possibility of such demonic manifestations in Aso Rock as described in Dr Abati 's claim. With many other readers lending their voices in his support due to

  Satan has so perverted the gospel of grace such that a 'Christian' can get up in the morning from the bed of fornication without guilt, wipe himself or herself with the towel of grace, go out on christian activities and return in the evening to the same act. We have been told often times that we are in the era of grace and not of law; which is absolutely scriptural. But there is a problem which can no longer be ignored: Grace being misinterpreted.

In our Primary School days, we learned that clean water is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. This of course is an established fact in science and confirmed in our everyday life. However, I know of a kind of clean water that has odor (smell): but a very pleasant, invigorating and refreshing one. This water has a scent that intoxicates and quickens. When you drink it, you smell like it. Sweet savor, Sweet fragrance.

Today October 04, 2016, Todd Starnes published a report on Fox News.com that a Government District in Georgia, USA has fired off directives to public school administrators ordering them to remove everything related to the Christian faith from the public schools. Below are excerpts from the letter sent to one of the public schools (East lake Elementary School)

I once read a story about an unemployed man who in desperation  to support his family applied for a janitor's job at a large firm and easily passed the aptitude test. The human resources manager told him, "You will be hired at minimum wage of $5.15 an hour. Let me have your e-mail address so that we can get you in the loop. Our system will automatically e-mail you all the forms and advise you when to start and where to report on your first day."

I have a confession to make. As a pastor, I have too much invested in getting people to attend church. My salary depends on it. My reputation depends on it. My sense of self-worth depends on it. All to a much larger degree than I'm comfortable with. And I'm not alone. COME TO CHURCH? Or COME TO JESUS?

BSM: “Familiarity breeds contempt.” How do you keep your familiarity with the Bible from causing you to grow indifferent to it? PIPER: I pray Psalm 119:18 each time I go to the Bible: “Open my eyes that I may behold wonders in your law.” I think the point of that prayer is that there are wonders everywhere in “the law,” in the Bible, the instruction of God. And the psalmist is aware that he doesn’t often feel or see wonderful things as wonderful. So he asks to see. I do as well. I’m asking specifically that I would have spiritual eyes to see what is wonderful as wonderful. And don’t think that it doesn’t matter that you read glorious things without seeing them as glorious. It matters, and therefore we should plead with God to open our eyes.

Take me back to the old Paths, when Moms were at home. Dads were at work. Brothers went into the army. And sisters got married BEFORE having children! Crime did not pay; Hard work did; And people knew the difference. Moms could cook; Dads would work; Children would behave... Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive; and children were polite.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un North Korea has crushed Christians under a steam roller, hung them on crosses above raging fires, herded them off bridges and other devastating forms of torture, according to a report. Christian Solidarity Worldwide issued the report earlier this month to call action against the Communist state, which is the top persecutor of Christians worldwide, according to  Open Doors. The horrifying report reads:

Matt Moore I have two spiritual heroes, and neither of them have theological degrees. They haven't written any books, nor do they have huge social media followings (or even Twitter accounts, for that matter). Their preaching isn't known around the world because, well, they don't preach. In fact, they aren't even men.Amy and Beth — my aunt and grandmother, respectively — are my heroes in the faith. Amy is a part-time medical professional slash full-time mom of boys, and Beth owns a little store and a herd of cattle (full of spoiled cows she's given names!) in the country.