Son: Dad, of all our neighbours, I noticed that Mr. Johnson is always happy and cheerful especially when he gives. But he’s getting old, if he keeps giving, won’t he become poor?

Dad: (Smiling): That’s a brilliant question Kevin. Take a walk with me let’s talk about giving.

Thrilled by the opportunity to be outdoors, Kevin jumped to his feet, held his father’s hand and pulled away. He couldn’t wait to learn more about giving.

Dad: Kevin, giving is an attitude not an amount. It is a mental health principle that cascades into every area of life and enables the giver to live a healthy and happy life.

Mr. Johnson is always happy especially when he gives because he understands that we steward the gifts we give. Those gifts neither own nor control us.

People who lack this understanding act as though the gifts own them and are, therefore, unhappy to give because they think that by giving, they have less. This is far from the truth.

Giving is a universal principle and an investment for eternity. 1 Timothy 6 reveals that when we give, we are storing up treasure for ourselves in heaven.

Kevin: (Wide eyed): We are?

Dad: (Smiling): Yes, we are son, God takes note. Do you remember what John 3 vs 16 says?

Kevin recites it excitedly.

Dad: Excellent son. John 3 vs 16 reveals that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. This goes to show that the nature of God is the nature of giving and since we were created in the image and likeness of God, giving is also our nature.

Kevin: Dad, you mean that whenever Mr. Johnson gives, he is acting like God?

Dad: Exactly!

That verse also demonstrates that the nature of love is the nature of giving. That’s why when we give to people, we afford them the opportunity to experience God’s love.

Kevin: So people now know the love of God because of Mr. Johnson.

Dad: (Smiling): Yes son.
He continues.

Dad: Furthermore, John 3 vs 16 reveals the purpose of giving which is to meet needs. God gave his son because the world needed salvation and redemption from sins. It is worthy of note that that singular act transformed the world and changed the course of history forever. This goes to show that when we give to meet the needs of others, our giving makes tangible impact and a positive difference in the world.

Kevin: (Understanding the line of thought): That’s why Mr. Johnson is always happy and cheerful when he gives.

Dad: That’s right Kevin.

Dad: You see one characteristic of giving is that it places premium value on the receivers rather than discriminate against them.
God loved the world and gave his son not because the world loved him in return, not because the world would value or appreciate his gift, not even because the world was worthy of his gift. God gave his most priced gift in the person of his son to an undeserving world because He placed premium value on the world.

Kevin: (Looks at his father shocked): That must be the reason Mr. Johnson bought food items for the couple that live down the road even though they are quite troublesome.

Dad: (chuckles): Yes son, that’s why.

Kevin: But dad, I don’t see the people Mr. Johnson gives to giving back to him as much as he gives to them.

Dad: That’s true but it doesn’t change the fact that giving confers rewards on the giver. You see when God gave his only begotten son, he gained many sons and daughters who believe in him and, therefore, have everlasting life.
So Mr. Johnson receives rewards for his acts of kindness in ways we may not know of.

Besides, apart from receiving rewards, there are many benefits derivable from giving. Some of them include:

Giving promotes physical health by reducing stress, and fighting low self-esteem and depression. This is because giving naturally builds a person’s confidence thereby naturally repelling self-hatred. You’d agree with me that this can increase and enhance a person’s lifespan.

That’s not all. Giving promotes social connection and improves relationships because it makes us selfless. When God gave his only begotten son, he wasn’t focused on himself, he was focused on meeting the need of the world. This sacrifice restored the relationship between man and God.

It would interest you to know that when we embrace giving, we introduce people to the quality of life God designed for humanity and by implication, cause his kingdom to come as his will is done on earth. Note that giving isn’t limited to money or gifts. It can be giving time, care, your abilities, advice, assistance, etc.

I’ll close by saying this: Giving influences our lives directly and indirectly so, if we want to change our lives, we must change the way we give. This is because giving is a spiritual transaction that provokes spiritual and physical supplies.

Kevin: (Wide eyed): Dad, I want to be a happy and cheerful giver like Mr. Johnson. I’ll start by helping him offload the things in his car.

And off he went before his dad could say a word.

Mr. Steven just smiled to himself happy that Kevin had learnt vital lessons in giving and was excited to put them to practice.

This morning we are praying for ourselves, therefore, present yourself before God with a heart of thanksgiving. He was faithful to take you through the first quarter of this year and has brought you into the second quarter. Thank him for the gift of the new.

Ask him to sanctify and bless each day of this month and order your steps aright in the paths of peace and righteousness.

Declare that the sun, the rain, the forces of the day and night will work in your favour this month.

Decree that no weapon fashioned against you will prosper. Command the covering of the Lord over yourself that you will not encounter any accident as you travel.

Declare open heavens over yourself.

Speak forth joy, peace, favour, success, progress, prosperity and open doors for yourself this month.

Hosea 10 vs 12 and Jeremiah 4 vs 3

#prayerworks#believersauthority#onlinechurchservice

#rpmhqs

Is your heart troubled? Are you concerned about what the future portends especially for Nigerians?

Let the words of the song of Minister Lionel Peterson speak peace to your heart and over our country Nigeria, the Lord is with us.

🎵🎼🎶I will worship the Lord for He is worthy
I will lay down my sword
The Prince Of Peace is His name
King of the flood
The Lord is mighty
The Lord can quench the evil flame

Peace when trouble blows,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows
He is my peace, when sorrow nears,
Jehovah sees, Jehovah hears

Feel the presence of God
Upon the water
Hear the voice of the Lor
Within the thunder that rolls
King of the flood
The Lord is mighty
The Lord can calm the troubled soul

Peace when trouble blows
Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows
He is my peace, when sorrow nears
Jehovah sees, Jehovah hears

Like the breath
I need to live
Jehovah takes, Jehovah gives
Gives me peace
When trouble blows
Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows

Judgement coming
He is my peace
Men pursue me
He is my peace
Judge judgement is coming
He is my peace
War may follow but I know he is my peace🎵🎼🎶

thepeaceofGod #restinGod #churchonline

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Redeemed People’s Mission has its origins in a burden and vision given to Rev. N.C. Thompson by God.  This burden led to his coming as a full-time evangelist, with a call to work in Northern Nigeria in 1973.

The Free Gospel Society, an evangelistic association from Lagos planned and sponsored a city-wide crusade in Jos in October 1973. The co-ordinator of the crusade was Rev. N. C. Thompson. At the end of the crusade, the new converts were discipled and this group settled down as a non-denominational fellowship under the name of Free Gospel Society. Programmes of the group were Bible Studies and Prayer meetings on Wednesdays and Fridays as well as non-denominational services which held every Sunday afternoon. Members were also engaged in “morning cries” from street to street, witnessing for the Lord. Street-corner evangelistic meetings held mainly on Saturday evenings.

Following the successful crusades held in Jos, Rev. Thompson and his team held other crusades in Bukuru, Pankshin, Lafia, Bauchi, Maiduguri, Gombe and Zaria between 1974 and 1975. Some of the groups started at various cities were however taken over by other Pentecostal groups.

Having suffered setbacks operating mainly as a non-denominational, evangelistic group, the Free Gospel Society in Jos thereafter decided to embark on church planting efforts in order to conserve the fruits of their labour. The existing group had their first Sunday morning worship service on the 18^th of April 1976 at their newly constructed hall at Laranto area of Jos.

Having suffered setbacks operating mainly as a non-denominational, evangelistic group, the Free Gospel Society in Jos thereafter decided to embark on church planting efforts in order to conserve the fruits of their labour. The existing group had their first Sunday morning worship service on the 18^th of April 1976 at their newly constructed hall at Laranto area of Jos.

Following the polygamous life of the leader in Lagos that developed from a secret way of life to an open affair, the key evangelists resigned en mass in 1977. The groups established by Rev. Thompson in the Northern part of the country then became a separate entity. On the 9^th of July 1977, the group adopted the name “The Redeemed People’s Gospel Mission” with Rev. Thompson as the founder and General Superintendent. During the process of registration and incorporation of the ministry, the name of the Mission was modified to “Redeemed People’s Mission”, being its present name.

Following the polygamous life of the leader in Lagos that developed from a secret way of life to an open affair, the key evangelists resigned en mass in 1977. The groups established by Rev. Thompson in the Northern part of the country then became a separate entity. On the 9^th of July 1977, the group adopted the name “The Redeemed People’s Gospel Mission” with Rev. Thompson as the founder and General Superintendent. During the process of registration and incorporation of the ministry, the name of the Mission was modified to “Redeemed People’s Mission”, being its present name.

The Federal Government of Nigeria issued a Certificate of Incorporation to the Mission on the 7th of July 1984.