Special Personality 1

Rev. Olusola Ayodele Areogun is an ordained minister of the Gospel. He serves the will of God in this generation as Author, Teacher, Church Planter and Mentor of Leaders for the next generation with varied ministerial exposure and experience. He also serves as a father and cover to many up and coming ministries.

He is the president of the Living Jesus Ministries Inc. and the general overseer of the Life Oasis International Churches. His daily Radio/TV programme, “Living by the Answer” is heard across Nigeria, Africa, UK, Europe and the US. Other outreaches include Web of Wisdom ministers’ Conference, a bi annual event to refresh and refire ministers of the gospel, the Living Jesus Ministerial Institute (A full time Bible School), Eagle Media, Spirit Meat (A freely distributed daily devotional guide) and Abundant Life House, the publishing arm has over 70 publications.

In a vision, he saw himself standing before the Lord with other servants of God to pick their life assignment; so when his turn came, he picked a sheet of paper on which was written; “Committed to helping men realize their God given dreams in life.” This sums up the heart beat of this servant of God.
Personally, I have been blessed by his teaching on "Acquiring the Leadership Lifestyle" and "Sexual Purity".
He is happily married to Oyenike, also an ordained Minister of the Gospel. They are blessed with two (2) children, Joshua and Peace, who are also involved in the Ministry.

Are You Under Peer Pressure?

Choose your friends wisely! You remember your parents, guidance counselors and teachers repeating this time after time, right? But, it wasn't until I reached adult-hood, that I truly understood why. The other day I found myself sounding like my parents and saying the same thing to a young teenager. When he asked why, I explained that the peer group you choose can influence more than just one decision. It can effect your life-course- in a good way or in a bad way. If you choose a peer group that has a lower expectation for themselves or their lives, it can bring you down. If you choose a peer group with an equal or higher expectation, it can raise you up by challenging you to become more. He asked how? That's when we talked about 'peer pressure'. After grumbling how "hard life is as a teenager", he asked if 'peer pressure' still existed for adults. My reply? Absolutely!
Adult Peer Pressure Basics
Have you ever felt pressure to attain, obtain or earn something based on 'pressure' of your peers? Maybe it was a friend that got a raise and traded in their practical car for a luxury sedan. Maybe it was a friend losing weight and getting into killer shape. Maybe it was a co-worker getting a promotion ahead of you.
Here are 4 important questions to ask yourself:
1. How did you deal with the pressure?
Did you become lost in a fit of internal jealousy and pout. Did you run away from the 'pressure' and make excuses for why 'you can't have the same result'? Or did it inspire you to want more and better for yourself?
2. Is what they have, really what you want?
When you saw the new car, bigger house, weight loss or whatever the trigger was - did you feel the 'pressure' because you actually want that too. Or is it just 'pressure' that you should want that too?
Example: Sade see's her best friend and neighbor buy a bigger house in a nicer neighborhood than they live in. Sade feels the 'pressure' to do the same every time she visits her friend. But, Sade loves her house and doesn't really need a bigger house, yet feels like she 'should' be working toward a bigger house because her friends always want to know when she's going to 'upgrade'.
There's nothing wrong with wanting bigger and better but is your desire to upgrade your home, car etc.; an attempt to keep up with the Jones's or are your choices in upgrades because they are your dream?
The easiest way to relieve yourself from feeling the 'pressure' of things you don't really want is to know what you do want in your life.
3. If you attained, obtained or earned (fill in the blank), would it be a positive or negative influence on your life?
This goes back to if it's something you really want, or want just because you're trying to keep up. Also- always remember, there is always someone with bigger, better, newer, nicer, more expensive things. This is a hamster wheel that will never end and eventually, you'll get spun right off the wheel!
Example: If you need to feel 'significant' by upgrading your house or car, yet doing so is going to stress you financially, that would be a negative influence. In the end, you may have the immediate feeling of success, but when your friends aren't around complimenting you and you're staring at your bank balance of zero naira, how will that impact your life?
4. What are you going to do about it?
This is where you get off the pot! If you found yourself feeling 'pressure' to attain, obtain or earn something you really, honestly and truly want and it will be a positive influence or addition to your life, ask yourself, what steps are you taking daily, weekly and/or monthly to reach your goal?
New Rule: If you want something, and someone else has it, you don't get to complain or rant about what they have, if you're not willing to do the work to get it yourself.
Your Peer Group
Adult 'peer pressure' is real and can affect your life, decisions and happiness, just like it can for a teenager learning the ropes of life. Your peer group, even as an adult, is incredibly important. Do you surround yourself with people who will bring you up or bring you down? Do your closest friends share similar goals for health, family, finances and life in general?
For example, if you take the average weight of your 5 closest friends, chances are it's pretty close to your weight. Same goes for income. So, if you have high goals for your life, make sure your peer group does as well!
Conclusion
In the end, it's all about you. Be who you are, do what you love and don't let others bring you down or make you feel less than because of your decisions or desires. In return, don't do that to anyone else either. Hold your friends and yourself to a high standard.
You have the opportunity to create any life you want, any way you want it.
Excuses are over. It's time to live!

RCCG, DEEPER LIFE, MFM AND OTHERS TO MERGE?

What denomination are you?"
When we tell people we are Christians, we tend to get asked this question a lot. It makes sense.
Our denominational affiliation tells people, at least in part, what type of Christian we are. There is even a non-denominational denomination.
Why do so many different denominations exist? We divide the Church because we care more about our comfort than we do about the cause of Christ. We are more interested in what we want than what He wants.  The Church was created to unite followers in Christ under His mission and banner. We are supposed to be one body with many parts, but what we have become is a stockpile of different parts. We have churches instead of the Church. We have uniformity instead of unity. Apparently, we can’t have people who believe different things about Biblical issues come to the same building to worship the one, true God. That would just be chaos! But we need to remind one another that our Lord Jesus Christ is not coming for a denomination but a church without spot and wrinkle.
In the book of Acts, we see the Holy Spirit constantly working to create unity in the Church. At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit shows up, illustrating God’s approval. Then in Acts 2, after Jesus has ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit shows up again. He arrives to show God’s support of this new Church. By Acts 8, the Jews were asking if Samaritans (half-Jews) could be a part of the new Church and the Holy Spirit appears to place God’s seal of approval on Samaritan Christians. Then the next time He shows up it is with a Gentile (completely non-Jew). All throughout Acts the Holy Spirit is working to create unity in the Church, to break down social, cultural and economic barriers.
Despite all this, we feel no qualms about dividing and subdividing the Church into more denominations than any reasonable person can keep track of. Denomination of churches have created separation of power instead of synergy of strengths. The Bible tells us to be like-minded, but instead, we tend to become carbon-copy Christians. To a certain point, it makes sense. When everyone agrees, you will have less conflict. Perhaps it’s noteworthy that Jesus invited a tax collector and a religious zealot to be His disciples. That’s like trying putting members of the Ku Klux Klan in a small group with Black Panthers. Why would Jesus do something like that?
Jesus called different types of people to be His disciples because He intended for the Church to be diverse. God made us different. That’s the point. Without the tension of diversity we are not challenged to grow and to constantly dive into His Word. When everyone sees everything exactly the same, there is no healthy conflict. Instead of iron sharpening iron, we get complacent spiritual social clubs. God didn’t create the Church so we could all start acting like one another. He created it so we could all start acting like His Son.
Think of the Church like an army: We have cavalry, archers, swordsmen and various types of units and specialties. An effective army might organize different units in formations based on their strengths, but they still keep them all in the same army. An army consisting of entirely of one type of unit would easily be defeated because every type of unit has strengths and weaknesses. In the denomination divide we have lost one of the greatest strengths. Without diversity working together in harmony, we don’t have unity, we just have conformity.

Instead of fighting with each other over which denomination is best, we should be working together to advance the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Jesus didn't give us many different churches. He gave us one Church. The more we divide it, the more our attention turns to what makes us different. We lose focus on the mission of Jesus because we are too busy looking inward. It's time to stop warring over state borders and start focusing on national ones. Instead of fighting with each other over which denomination is best, we should be working together to advance the Gospel to the ends of the earth. There won’t be denominations in heaven, so why do we make a big deal out of them on earth? The Church is not about how we interpret the Bible—that’s not to say sound theology isn’t important, but our understanding is not the primary focus. The Church is about Jesus. It is ever, only, always about Jesus. Rather than distracting ourselves (and everyone else) with all the different types of churches, we should be showing people what the Church is about: the love of Jesus.
On a final note, The Redeemed Christian Church of God is known for HUMILITY AND AGGRESSIVE EVANGELISM, Deeper Life is known for preaching HOLINESS and Mountain of Fire and Miracles is known for vibrant PRAYERS, won't it be great if these churches merge to become one and synergise their strengths? what's your view

Be Trained To Reign

Many people want to reign but only few are ready to be trained. The truth is, if you are not trained you are not likely to reign in your area of interest. Greatness never happens by chance but by choice. If you really want to make it in that your area of interest then get your mind prepared to be trained because the future belongs to only those who prepare for it. Expectation without preparation can only lead to frustration. Remember, you cannot give what you do not have. The training may be rigorous and unpleasant but it will certainly improve you.
winners win basically because they prepare to win. I have often hear some people say " I hope I don't lose this game", I hope I don't fail" but the fact is that there is a difference between "I don't want to lose" and I want to win" so it is with " I don't want to fail" and "I want to succeed". Through training, our confidence is built up. If a man begins to reign without adequate training he will soon lose his position. No man never become a champion on the ring. Champions are made on the training field but are only recognised on the ring.
Training is a part of our preparation process. It is using your present state to prepare for success in the future. The more delicate your assignment, the more time needed for training. That is why medical doctors, especially those who specialise in certain fields spend more years getting educated. To live and finish strong, you have to subject yourself to training Going up in life is a function of training. To continue reigning, you need to continue training!

Special Jokes!

A  pastor and his driver died in a car accident and went to heaven. Both of them were welcomed. The angel on duty then showed the driver a 3-storey duplex of pure gold and diamond and said "this is your mansion". He also showed the pastor his dwelling place but behold it was a small wooden house!
The pastor was confused. "I don't understand", he said. "Why should my driver get a golden beautiful duplex while all I get this wooden cupboard for eternity. I have been a faithful preacher for several years."
The angel replied, "whenever you preached, people slept. But whenever your driver drove, people cried to God!">>>>our lives must draw people closer to God

A man was driving around 1.00am alone in his car, he got to a check point. The policeman stopped him and asked for his particulars which he did showed them. The police had nothing against me but looking for a means to charge him, guess what the police man said; "I charge you for driving alone at this time of the day, if you had an accident now who would had informed your people?"
The man replied: I'm not alone, Jesus Christ is with me here, Angel Gabriel, Angel Rapheal, Angel Micheal and five other angels are with me here. The policeman then said: "all these people inside this your small car? I charge you for overloading!!!
 

Pastor E.A Adeboye's message: Don't Conform

 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2)

Believers must not toy with anything evil. You must cultivate the habit of refusing or rejecting anything that can lead you to sin. If you refuse to connive with the fraudulent in your office to cheat on your organization, you will be called a fool. It is better to be a fool for Jesus than to be called a smart person by the world and end up in destruction. Proverbs 14:16 says, “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident”.

When the world calls you a fool, God calls you a wise son or daughter. What God says of you should be more important to you. Proverbs 1:10 talks of the possibility of being enticed. Whether you like it or not, you will be enticed into sin. But the same passage also encourages you not to yield to any sinful enticement.

Some practical ways of overcoming temptations are: Avoid the meeting places of sinners. Avoid their joints. Such places include cinema houses, clubs, ball rooms and disco parties. Keep away from any riotous party or gathering. As a student, do not join in violent protests. You could be hurt for nothing. There are better ways of expressing views on your grievances other than violence.

Similarly, severe the relationship with anyone capable of luring you into sin - no matter how friendly the fellow appears. If you feel more at home making friends with the opposite sex than those of the same sex, something is wrong somewhere. If you are comfortable in the company of unbelievers, rather than fellow Christians, then you are treading the wrong path. The reality is that, you tend to behave like those you follow or mingle with. Even among fellow believers, be selective of those you associate with - those who can stir you up to godliness, excellence and hardwork.

Turn down every sinful suggestion and take your stand. Make no friend with anyone of doubtful character - such as an angry man (Prov. 22:24-25) or greedy fellow. Watch out for those who have a powerful influence over you and if it is an evil influence, break away. Study the Word and practice it daily. Be very prayerful and ask for the help of the Holy Spirit always.

PLEASE, PRAYERS NEEDED FOR BROTHER JAMES!!!

Brethren, brother James is presently in a precarious situation and needs our prayers fervently, ceaselessly and urgently! You may not know him but I will try to describe him to you. Brother James is a christian, he is a member of your church or fellowship, and he is in your unit or cell group. He is a fervent christian but not well known because he doesn't preach from the pulpit. He doesn't hold any key position in the congregation of the saint. He is not like brother Peter who is well known and often prayed for every time. In Acts 12:1-11, brother James was killed by king Herod because the church did not pray for him. Maybe because he was not popular like brother Peter or because he was not as useful to the church as brother Peter. The church neglected brother James and allowed him to die because they failed to pray for him. But the truth was, brother James also was a good christian just as brother Peter was. That was why king Herod killed him! After king Herod killed brother James, he went further and apprehended brother Peter, then the whole church came together to pray WITHOUT CEASING for him and at the end brother Peter was released! What was the church waiting for when brother James was apprehended?
The truth is that there are more brother James in our local churches, fellowships or even units today than brother Peter. What are we doing about those brother James around us? Do we pray for them or wait and watch them go through destruction, backsliding, pain, agony, shame and suffering without lending a helping hand? But when something happens to brother Peter, we all will raise prayer points for him because he is our leader, influential or more anointed. Brethren, the church prayed for Peter and he escaped death but did not pray for James and he died.
Let us not only pray for the Peters amidst us but also the James'. Matthew 18:19