Welcome To February!

From The Truth Media Family,

Happy New Month!!!

Welcome to February!

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When your heart beats to please

The King of kings,

His kingdom you seek,

Not worldly things

Peace resides within your soul

And joy overflows like a river.

To every plan given to Him,

He brings to live and would deliver

Go through this month

With trust in Him;

When true worship rises like sweet perfume

And in grace you rejoice with wondrous hymn

Then should you prepare for testimonies;

For miracles await!

*** Written by Michael Olajubu alias Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***

THE TRUTH MEDIA

...building the body of Christ.

Blessed Are The Pure In Heart

Text: Matthew 5:5-8; Hebrews 12:14

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” Matthew 5:8

The statement in Matthew 5:8 was spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ as part of what is called the Beatitudes among “the Sermon on the Mounts”. Here Jesus was addressing not only His disciples but also the multitude of people who gathered to hear what He, Christ, had to say about the heavenly Kingdom.

There are two issues raised in the statement. First, the purity of heart, and second, the issue of seeing God at last. These two thoughts are reiterated in Hebrews 12:14. It is thus clear that except a man is holy, he cannot make heaven or see God.

A number of deductions can be made from the two texts referred to. One, God expects that our hearts be made pure in order to see Him on the last day. But how can the heart be made pure – the heart described in Jeremiah 17:9 as “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…”

Two, He commands that we follow peace with all men. But the unsanctified man cannot follow peace with any man, not to talk of all men.

In the light of what the Scripture says in Genesis 6:5, “that God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually”, one wonders how the natural man is to live in peace with all men without a change of life, without the heart’s transformation.

God told Moses, “thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live” (Exodus 33:20). To see God on the last day, our hearts must be purified, purged, made holy; and this is done only by the act of God.

Little wonder, therefore, that the sanctification experience is a must for all believers in Christ. As long as we live and hope for the second coming of Christ, we must follow peace with all men and live a holy life.

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Wandering Child, Come Home

Have you wandered away from your Father’s care,

Heavy-hearted and sad do you roam?

There’s a sweet gentle voice calling now to you –

Wandering child, wandering child, O, come home

Chorus:

Child, come home, child come home,

Wandering child, why longer roam?

This thy Father entreats,

Wandering child, O, come home

Is your frail bark adrift on life’s raging sea,

Are you tossed on its billows and foam?

There’s a safe harbor home, waiting now for you –

Wandering child, wandering child, O, come home

Chorus:

Child, come home, child come home,

Wandering child, why longer roam?

This thy Father entreats,

Wandering child, O, come home

He is pleading today, heed His gentle voice,

As He bids you no longer to roam,

To that dear Father’s house haste without delay –

Wandering child, wandering child, O, come home

Chorus:

Child, come home, child come home,

Wandering child, why longer roam?

This thy Father entreats,

Wandering child, O, come home

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True Liberty

Text: Galatians 5:1-13

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 1:1 (NIV)

Everyone that is in physical bondage desires to be free. The Bible speaks of the children of Israel who “sighed by reason of the bondage” (Exodus 2:23). To have liberty therefore is to be free from bondage or slavery, from servitude or from being under a yoke.

It is not only by reason of physical confinement that one can lose one’s liberty. The sinner is in spiritual bondage. “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant (slave) of sin” (John 8:34). He or she is under the dominion of sin, Satan, self and fear.

Consequently, he/she commits adultery and fornication; he/she steals and tells lies, smokes and drinks. He/she is covetous and malicious, engages in gossip and causes harm to others, etc.

In this state of sinfulness, the sinner may think that he/she is exercising his/her liberty to do what he/she likes. But when he/she comes to realize that these actions are not only antisocial but also displeasing unto God, he/she becomes weary and burdened with the guilt of his/her sins.

Yet, he/she finds that he/she still cannot free himself/herself neither is there any power on earth that can free him/her. No wonder the cry of his/her heart is: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24).

But only Jesus Christ can give true liberty: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” for, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (John 8:36, Acts 4:12).

Jesus Christ is our divine Liberator, Saviour and Redeemer who ransoms us from spiritual bondage and captivity.

Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we have freedom from the power of sin and its pollution, from self-will, guilt and condemnation, fear of God’s wrath and of future judgment.

Our liberty through Jesus Christ enables us now to obey God from our hearts, live unselfish life, love God and our fellowmen with all our hearts, to please God not by keeping the law but by grace through faith.

This liberty enables us to have fellowship with God and the children of God, consecrate our lives, energy, time and talents to the service of God and helps us to live a life of holiness and righteousness.

True liberty is in Jesus Christ alone. Won’t you come and be saved and set free? Won’t you whisper from your heart: I yield?

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You Are Running Out Of Time

“Are you this chicken-hearted, Dave? When did you start taking this thing serious? No Dave, no! I can’t let you lose your senses. You’re not going anywhere. In fact, I’ve had enough; I can’t bear no longer. Up! Let’s get out of here!”

These words burst from Susan in an angry rush. She rose from her seat, grabbed David’s right arm and pulled him towards the exit.

Ordinarily, David and Susan would have chosen a five-star hotel or an amusement park for some moments of sinful pleasures. But somehow, for reasons beyond them, they decided to attend an open-air Gospel meeting that was being held in the city by a renowned international evangelist.

Although they had heard so much about the miracles happening there, they didn’t believe in such things. So this fateful day, they agreed to go and see things for themselves. At least, this would add some new dimension to their fun, they thought.

When they arrived at the venue, they wriggled their way through the mammoth crowd to a vantage position from where they were sure to have a clear view of all the proceedings. But the story changed that evening when the evangelist made a call to salvation at the end of his sermon.

He preached about God and His love for humanity and about Jesus, His only begotten Son, who shed His precious blood to redeem man from eternal doom.

The sermon melted David’s heart; he was completely broken. In his brokenness, he rose to answer the preacher’s call but Susan would have none of it. She prevailed on him and prevented him from moving out for the call.

As she pulled him toward their car, parked across the road, she continued scolding him, “Dave, how could you be so pliable? How dare you! Have you easily forgotten the reason we came here? For fun! Nothing but fun! She spat out in disgust.

“We are leaving immediately! In fact, let me have the car key. I’m moving it!” Dave, who had been quiet all this while, handed over the key sheepishly; still unable to explain what was really happening to him. Susan, boiling with rage, got into the car, turned on the ignition and whisked her partner away from the meeting; away from the mercy and saving grace of God.

They hadn’t gone too far from the venue when they had a fatal accident. Unfortunately, David died on the spot. Susan was admitted to the ICU of a nearby hospital, having sustained some serious injuries to her head and spinal cord. While on the bed, the words of the evangelist came back to her faintly: “Now is the time to repent and turn to God; tomorrow may just be too late.”

Tears ran down her cheeks. She tried to mutter some words of prayer but just at that moment, her breath became too heavy. She breathed rapidly and then, she ran out of time. Death had come for her too.

Did you know that sooner or later everyone runs out of time? Death is certain for everyone and indeed, you will also run out of time someday, for “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Maybe sooner than you expect, you will be the silent guest at your own funeral. You friends will fade as your time on earth ends, and all the benefits you spent your lifetime working for will be gone forever.

The Bible admonishes, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation…harden not your heart” (2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:8).

Don’t delay any longer, tomorrow may be too late. Give your life to Jesus; do it now! Kneel before God in prayer of repentance; confess your sins to Him; plead with Him to forgive you those sins; believe He has forgiven you; sincerely forsake those sins; and henceforth, live your life according to all that is written in the Bible.

Remember, “You can’t repent too soon because you don’t know how soon it may be too late.”

*** Culled from DCLM Gospel leaflet ***

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Through It All: Memoir Of My Many Trials And Triumphs by Kola Olugbodi

BOOK REVIEW

“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him”. – John 9:1-3 (NIV)

A similar situation as depicted with these verses above was the case of Mr. Kola Olugbodi and unarguably, the works of God were mightily displayed with miracles and wonders.

“Through It All: Memoir of My Many Trials & Triumphs” is a book that summarizes the magnitude of God’s goodness, grace and faithfulness in the life of a man sold out to God in Christ Jesus.

Mr. Kola Olugbodi’s experiences might not be so peculiar – contracted polio at an early age, had a tough childhood, grew with disability, failed O-Level exams once or twice, had his marriage proposal turned down three times by the love of his life, eventually got married and had issue with the fruit of the womb, job issues, business nosediving to bankruptcy, becoming a debtor that stood behind bars for days and a host of other human problems.

“It is right it should be so:

Man was made for joy and woe;

And when this we rightly know

Through the world we safely go.

Joy and woe are woven fine,

A clothing for the soul divine”

These poetic lines by William Blake succinctly correspond with what the Holy Spirit’s inspired Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind…” (NIV)

All of Mr. Olugbodi’s travails are not entirely new to man but what stands out is how his life predominantly reflects yet another revelation of how God repeatedly proves to mankind that He is dependable and will never forsake those that put their hope and trust in Him.

“…and God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

And true to His promises, in every storm of life God has always provided a way of escape for His children, which was evidently portrayed in the life of Mr. Olugbodi, as you will come to discover in this book.

In all of our trying times and amidst the toughness of our ordeals, when God is brought into the picture, disability becomes ability, impossibility becomes a possibility and every test eventually turns out to be a testimony. Only when God is brought into the picture!

God’s ways always defy the myopic reasoning of men. “Seeing is believing” is a phrase that resonates with the human psyche but Mr. Kola Olugbodi’s memoir elucidates the potency of dogged faith that believes even without seeing.

Through it all, the hands of the lord rise strongly for the good of those that truly love Him.

“He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,

but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

It is not by strength that one prevails” – 1 Samuel 2:9 (NIV)

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“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,

who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

They rejoice in your name all day long;

they celebrate your righteousness.

For you are their glory and strength,

and by your favor you exalt our horn.

Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord,

our king to the Holy One of Israel.” – Psalm 89:15-18 (NIV)

“Through It All: Memoir of My Many Trials & Triumphs” is a motivational pill everyone should read and be inspired to confront and overcome life’s challenges, not alone but by the strength and power of the living God. For where there is the living God by your side, there is a way. Victory is assured!

Mr. Kola Olugbodi’s life is a sheer miracle “that the Lord has done and it is marvelous in our eyes”.

You can purchase the book “Through It All” via this link: https://amzn.to/2Mmt4ja

It is worth a read!

*** Book review by Michael Olajubu alias Jacobs Adewale ***

THE TRUTH MEDIA

...building the body of Christ

Faith Under Fire

My Dearest Friends,

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 1:7.

Herein is a valid consolation for every believer in distress and anguish, not losing sight and thought of the assurance of peace and gladness through it all.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, David wrote in Psalm 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Being a man or woman of faith does not exempt you from the travails of life. Just as “the rain falls on the just and the unjust”, the believer and the unbeliever alike share similar life’s experiences.

We hurt, we struggle, we fail, we fall, we fall sick, we groan and we are consumed by the burden of living each day at a time, but these are not enough reason to surrender and forsake our faith even when the tempest is at its peak.

We should know that God never promised a smooth sailing by reason of our choice to repent of our sins and accept His grace in Christ but He did promise to guide and guard us through till a safe landing is attained.

Jesus told a parable about a man who built his house on a rock and a man who built his house on the sand. The same storm came to both houses but when all was said and done, the man's house on the rock was still standing.

Both builders had the same opportunity and faced the same storm but what distinguished the result was the foundation. The house built on the rock exemplifies a life with the foundation of faith. A life built on faith in God is never shattered or defeated.

Often times, after the storm leaves you come out better than before the strong winds started blowing. Increase, promotion and divine health emerge, and a peace of mind that passes all understanding overshadows the pains of the past.

As a believer, I encourage you to shake off the victim mentality and put on a victor mentality.

In Christ Jesus, you are equal to and ready for anything the enemy throws your way. That sickness is no match for you, so don't let it overwhelm you. You can handle it. You have been armed with strength in the Lord.

Isaiah 51:9 says, “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord...” God has you in the palm of His hand and He's not about to let you go. There is an anointing on your life that protects you and enables you to overcome the wiles of the enemy.

“Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Beloved, I wish above all that you prosper and live in health and holiness continually. Please see below a short video titled “Faith Under Fire” to enliven your soul and remind you about the attitude you should have when trials come your way.

May the God of peace and the peace of God abide with you now and always. Amen.

God bless.

*** Written by Randall Brewer (Edited by Jacobs Adewale) ***

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Happy New Year, Awakening to 2019

From The Truth Media family,

Happy New Year!!!

Welcome to January 2019

When we look back to the year before

And some faults and failures we find,

When still we thrive and choose to ignore

The aches and anguish that lay behind,

We often find strength to soar,

Faith to fly and grace to grow;

And for the believer who would have no more

Of worldly ways and none of sin to know,

Such is blessed without fear

And 2019 becomes a year of cheer.

*** Written by Michael Olajubu alias Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***

THE TRUTH MEDIA

...building the body of Christ

How To Please God

You become like the people you spend the most time with, so choose your friends carefully. If you spend time with angry, resentful people, you risk becoming an angry, resentful person yourself. That’s because attitudes are contagious.

Here’s a wonderful story that illustrates the point.

A man purchased a newspaper at a newsstand every day. He always greeted the vendor very courteously, but in return received very gruff and discourteous service; the vendor would rudely shove the newspaper in his face.

The man, however, would politely smile and wish him a nice day. This went on for several days until a friend asked, ‘Does he always treat you this rudely?’ The man replied, ‘Unfortunately, he does.’

The questioner asked, ‘Are you always polite and friendly to him?’ The man replied, ‘Yes, I am.’ The questioner continued, ‘Why are you so nice to him when he’s so rude to you?’ The man replied, ‘Because I don’t want him to decide how I’m going to act.’

The Bible says: “If you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example and you must follow in His steps.

He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when He was insulted, not threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly’ (1 Peter 2:20-23).

“Without faith”, says Hebrews 11:6, “it is impossible to please God”. It’s good to have faith but having only faith is not enough; it must be accompanied correspondingly by works of righteousness in the newness of life born of God in Christ Jesus (James 2:14-17).

As a born-again believer, there are several ways to please God but when you live a life that daily glorifies and reflects the character of God in accordance with His commandments and will; this is how to truly please God.

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Welcome To June!

Background Image Cred: Cardstore

From The Truth Media family,

Happy New Month!!!

There’s a whisper in the air,

It tells of pleasant things;

The valiant who can dare

Would get what this month brings.

It’s a bright new day of peace,

It’s a brand new month of June,

When you let all worries cease,

Soon will you savour life’s boon.

Put your trust in God,

He’ll guide and defend you;

Though your life is flawed,

In Him is hope for you.

Prepare your mind for wonders,

As all your dreams come through,

This June may displease others,

For you, it’s sure breakthrough.

*** Written by Michael Olajubu alias Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***

THE TRUTH MEDIA

...building the body of Christ