VALENTINE :THE ORIGIN, ESSENCE AND SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS OF VALENTINE DAY:*

*THE ORIGIN, ESSENCE AND SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS OF VALENTINE DAY:*

During the third century, an oppressive Roman Emperor called Emperor Claudius II had made it a capital punishment (death) to worship and serve Christ.

He had decreed the Romans to serve and worship his gods, and deprived the young Roman soldiers of getting married.

But an elderly Christian had stood his ground for his faith and had insisted on serving Jesus Christ and preaching the love of God to the young soldiers.

This was considered treason against the government.

He was arrested, sentenced to death and jailed. In the last weeks of his life in the prison, the jailer (prison commander) who observed that he was very learned and possessed very good Christian character, brought his blind daughter to him to be giving her lessons.

He taught her about God and told her many Roman histories and stories from the Bible. He taught her the love of God. The blind girl got so used to the elderly Christian prisoner. On his last night he left a note for Julia, the blind girl, encouraging her to love God and serve Him. And in ending the note, he wrote: "From your Valentine".

His death sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D.

*The name of this martyr was Valentinus*, a man who died for standing for the Preaching of the Christ and teaching people about the love of God.

So, for his love for God, he was regarded as 'Saint'.

Archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb; an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. During 496 AD, the Pope marked February 14 as celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

*February 14, is known as Valentine Day. But the essence of Valentine Day historically was a celebration in honor of the martyrdom of a devoted preacher, Valentinus, who stood on his faith in Christ against the devilish idolatry decrees of a Godless Emperor.*

*He preached Christ to the Roman soldiers and spread the love for God and humanity when it was a crime to do so. The day he was martyred was declared "Valentine Day". February 14, 270 AD.*

However, the devil has rewritten history today. All over the world, the history has successfully been erased and rewritten the way the devil wanted. The reason for the DAY has been blotted out from people's memory and a minor aspect of the whole story had been blown beyond proportion. The little card note Valentinus had left behind for Julia, her young beloved convert, whom she taught, preached to and prayed for, had ended with: "From Your Valentine".

*On February 14, in the year 270.AD, somebody died for Christ and is now in Heaven, but on February 14, 2017, several people will die spiritual death.*

The Destinies of several young men and girls will be aborted that day, because the devil had changed the reason for the Valentine Day celebrations. He had rubbed off living and dying for Christ and replaced it with living and dying on the bed of immorality.

That day, many young girls and ladies will give their virginity away for a gift of phones, ipads, bags, clothes, and even valueless gifts as little as chocolate, sweet, fried chickens and plates of pepper-soup and salad.

By the evening of this year Feb 14, demons of fornication and adultery will invade our streets and storm our night clubs and hotels to take register of those who are dying soon of STDs, including new candidates who are going to contact HIV and AIDS.

On Feb 14 this year, forces of evil are coming down on adulterated Valentine Day to possess people with the spirit of Rape and drug abuse. Imagine the amount of pregnancy preventive drugs and materials that shall be sold. Harlots will sell that day. There will be Christian backsliders that day....BECAUSE SOME GLORIOUS DESTINIES WILL BE ABORTED ON VALENTINE DAY.

*The story of Reuben, Genesis 35:21-22a:*

21. Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

22. And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard about it.

A strange spirit came upon Reuben, the first born of Jacob, and he went and slept with his father's young wife. Israel heard about it and said nothing. Nothing was heard about it again for many years, and we never heard that Reuben asked for forgiveness or repented or became sober about it and the matter died just like that. Really?

So many events came over it, nobody mentioned it again. He went with the rest of Jacob's children to Egypt; he saw the glories of Egypt. He was welcomed into the palace of Joseph and ate with him in the royal palace. He grew and had many children and everything was going fine for him till the day their father would say the last prayers for them and give them his final decree.

At the point of death, whatever he said was final for life.

He gathered them together for the final blessing and began to bless them all. But he began with Reuben, the first son, who was to be the heir who should carry the highest blessings among the children.

The record was opened to his long forgotten atrocity. He thought it had been swept under the carpet. He thought he was smart and he had had a simple fun. But his father opened his mouth for his final blessing and said:

● Gen. 49:3-4 (NKJV)

3. "Reuben, you are my firstborn,

My might and the beginning of my strength,

The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.

4. Unstable as water, you shall not excel,

Because you went up to your father's bed;

Then you defiled it—He went up to my couch.

Though he was the beginning of Jacob's strength, he was supposed to be an epitome of Excellency of dignity and power. He was to be naturally blessed and was born to be a man of natural dignity and power, but....HIS DESTINY WAS ABORTED the day he had "fun" with his father's young wife. So, his own verdict was: *"You shall not Excel"* from a man who was anointed to proclaim a final verdict on the Sons of Israel. Reuben was destined to be a royal dignified personality above his siblings, but for that single night of 'fun' with that woman.

Many people will have a lot of lustful funs on Feb 14, and wake up Feb 15 morning as normal, but the truth is: long after a very hot pressing iron had been disconnected from the power source; it would still be hot for a while, until it begins to grow cold. Some power cable would be disconnected from the power source of some people on Feb 14.

Some young men and women will place their entire life virtues and destinies in the hand of marine agents that night.

Feb 14 evening is a 'Night of Fun', when many men and ladies will slaughter their destinies on the bed of lustful pleasure. By Feb 15 morning it is done!

Destiny Auctioned to a young man or a lady whose future has been mortgaged to the devil.

If Joseph had had a fun with Potiphar's wife, he would never have got to the palace to see the type of Glory he saw. He escaped that trap which would have aborted his destiny on which so many lives in Egypt and Canaan land, including the lives of his generation unborn depended upon.

There is a great story in

 ●*Proverbs 7:6-27*. It is a sad story of a young man on his own "Valentine Night".

He had thought he wanted to have a fun that night, he had thought he wanted to enjoy himself, but crashed his future in a night of fun.

*●Proverbs 7:21-23*

21. With her enticing speech she caused him to yield,

With her flattering lips she seduced him.

22. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,

Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,

23. Till an arrow struck his liver.

As a bird hastens to the snare,

He did not know it would cost his life.

I beg every child of God reading this post to send it to their loved ones especially all those whom they know have not known the true meaning of Valentine Day so that their destinies could be preserved for their glorious future.

Dear brethren, Please let's post this write up to our young ones to guide them in escaping the devil's traps on Valentine's Day and pray that the power of God will prevail against the desires of the devil.

May The Lord bless us as we preach the true meaning of the DAY

SAVING IS INVESTMENT

Just Drops!

Recently, when I was going to bed after using my bathroom, I started hearing sound of drops of water from the tap in slow successions, but since it was dropping into an empty bucket, I decided to let it be.

But, alas! When I woke up the next morning, around 5am, the bucket was almost full! I was surprised that just drops even in such slow successions could produce that much. I couldn't help it, 'Just drops?!' I questioned rhetorically.

But the following night, I made sure that the tap in my bathroom was locked completely and I checked the bucket and saw that it was empty, though wet. Then I went to sleep.

I guess you already know what I saw the next morning. The bucket was not wet as I had left it, but it was now dry!

Then I realized the importance of a drop and how much difference it can make in all ramifications of one's life compared to a dry tap.

Imagine letting the drops be for a year, I would be scooping with drums at the end of the year!

So, how about that drop of savings?

How about a drop of reading useful books today and every day?

How about that drop of a verse of the scripture today and every day?

How about that drop of prayer today and every day?

How about that drop of a soul won for Christ today and every day?

How about a drop of worship today and every day?

How about a drop of step towards your God-given dream today and every day?

How about a drop of giving into your heavenly account?

What virtue and discipline will you start today in little drops?

Never neglect the importance of a drop, for when the harvest time comes, you would have made a big difference. May God Bless Us! Have a wonderful day! Start something good even though small now please Jesus cares you are lifted

By Samuel Adesina Aworinde

HARD TRUTH FROM FOUNTAIN OF WISDOM : ENOCH ADEBOYE PERSPECTIVE

Angry Letter To The Nigerian Youth (4): Please Marry A Lazy Woman By Bayo Adeyinka

Dear Nigerian Youth,

Twice this week, God spoke to you but you were deaf. You missed the message totally. Not only did you miss the message, you put up the twin messengers on the cross and you are dealing them with the worst kind of blows. In your follow-the-herd mentality that has afflicted your generation, you have only succeeded in demonstrating your crass ignorance and the reason why you may never be taken seriously. Coincidentally, both messengers are old men but you mock them. You may have new clothes even more than the aged but you can never have rags like them. Their ragged experience is by far better than your new age wisdom.

The first messenger brought a series of messages. He gave some pieces of advice to a generation that is wise in its own sight. A harmless advice has now been turned over its head. How come this generation always end up making simple things complex? How come this generation always major on minors and minor on majors? Don't marry a lazy woman, he said. Don't marry a woman who cannot pray for one hour. Most of you are products of prayer but you come online to mock because it feels right to do so. Instead of lending your ears, you say the mouth of an elder is smelling. Just how did you think the elderly got their sunken eyes? It's because of what they have seen and experienced. As for you, you're like a dog destined to be lost and you're deaf to the whistle of the hunter.

You know what? Go ahead with your schemes. Marry a lazy woman. It is within your rights. Go for a couch potato. We are in the modern world. As long as she can apply good make-up, wear designer shoes and sun-glasses and update her status on Facebook while twerking regularly, that's all the qualifications she needs to get Mr Right. Who cares if she can do the dishes when there's a dish-washer? Who cares if she can make her own bed when she can hire a domestic help? Who cares if she can cook when Domino Pizza is still selling their franchise all over the nation? As for you modern lady, young men care more about how good you look than how well you cook! They will rather discuss your Peruvian and Malaysian weave-on than Italian cuisine. If they are hungry, they can go to their mothers- or help themselves. Whoever said the way to a man's heart is through his stomach has never met the 21st Century man.

And as for prayers, marry a lady that will take your problems to Agony Aunt. Taking them to the Lord in prayers is so old-school we don't even sing the song in church again. Your knees are so delicate you shouldn't even kneel down before God. Marry a woman who will rush to update your situation on Instagram instead of updating God instantly. Don't be bothered that she can't pray for one hour- as long as she can watch the whole series of Lekki Wives in one fell swoop, you're good to go. Prayer is so outdated. Making long prayers is so so outdated. What will she do when challenges of life come? So easy- she will twerk at them. The devil hates twerking and can't stand it. A family that twerks together stays together. Marry a woman who has tweeter handles but handles nothing else. We are trying to save your chicken from impending death but it's still hell bent on going to the refuse dump for its meal. What an elder sees while sitting, a young man can never see even if he stands. Bae, you can spend one hour applying concealer, mascara and lipstick on your face that you can't carry for twenty four hours but you can't spend one hour praying for a home that you hope to sustain as long as you live. In the voice of Lagbaja, "mo sorry fun gbogbo yin o, mo sorry fun gbogbo yin lo kokan".

Hey girl, marry a man that is jobless. Marry a man who can take off his shirt but can't take out the thrash. A perfectly toned man is better than a perfectly toned wallet. A man with six packs is better than a man with six figures. Romance is better than finance. Marry a man who has no ambition and has no clue about where he is going in life. Marry a man who lives on you and feeds off you. Marry a man whose only property is what is within his trousers. As you lay your bed, so you will lie on it. Silly working girl, hear me: love is blind but marriage is an eye-opener. Your eyes 'will soon clear'. No one tells a blind man that the market is over. If he cannot see, at least he is not deaf. Marriage is hard work, if you don't know. Too much of Kim Kardashian has robbed you of reality. Marriage is not Indian film.

You think the guy loves you when all he loves is your wallet. In the words of the elder who should know, "Even if he says he's a contractor, ask him to show you evidence of the contracts he has done because you may just be the contract". When you cry eventually, no one will be there to comfort you. I trust your fellow ladies: they will even laugh at your misfortune. You know women are the enemies of women. You will think you are trending but all they do is to help you trend your misfortune on social media. Is it any wonder your parents could hold a marriage together for 50 years but you can't even hold yourself together? The values they hold so dear have been devalued by you. Now, you're of no value.

By the way, what's your own issue with the dressing instruction a man gives to his employees? If I tell my staff I don't want tattoos, how come that is now your headache? He said his employees should not wear beards- how has that become your concern? Your joblessness is a major cause of worry.

And then there's the second 83-year old elder who was sent as a message of sorts to you. In my side of the country there is something called 'aroko'. Aroko is a form of communication which is usually non-verbal. The 83-year old man that you derided so much for being made the Chairman of a parastatal was a message sent to you. Instead of burying your heads in shame and covering yourselves in sack clothes and ashes, you are demonstrating the only thing you excel at doing- internet hooliganism. You should be worried that very few people in your generation have been found worthy of holding such a position on trust. The few times you have been given this kind of opportunity, you have proven to be worse than the geriatrics you complained about. Your generation inspires no confidence and engenders no trust. The stealing appetite of a man supposedly at the departure lounge is restrained while your own is uncontrolled. Generations before you stole in millions but you steal in billions. Generations before you kept stolen money in Swiss accounts but you keep yours in Panama. Your generation only knows how to wear t-shirts and carry placards. Your generation only knows how to hurl insults on Facebook. Your generation has no fresh ideas. The best of your generation is one Dino who may soon become your President. You laugh? While you're wasting your time using your scarce resources to buy internet data to fight over him, he's making himself relevant. Hardly does a day go by without a discussion about him. While you remain anonymous, he is always in the limelight.

Sit down and think. Stop in your tracks for a while and have a time of deep reflection. Consider these two messengers and their messages. Life does not discriminate. You need to face it fair and square. You have a lot of growing up to do. You are way behind in the scheme of things. Life has left you behind. There is a lot of catching up to do.

I'm afraid for you.

BEHOLD THE NEW C.A.N PRESIDENT

REV. DR. AYOKUNLE
PROFILE OF Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN

Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, a pastor, teacher and sociologist, was born in Oyo town in Oyo State Nigeria on January 25, 1957.
Mr. Ayokunle attended the Oniyanrin Baptist Central Day School, Iware Road, Oyo State, graduating in 1971. Six years later, he completed secondary education, earning a West African School Leaving Certificate, Ordinary Level.
Thirsty for more education,  the young Mr. Ayokunle studied further and obtained a  Higher School Certificate in1979/80.
He then proceeded to the University of Ibadan in 1980 where he enrolled for undergraduate studies in sociology. He graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Three years later, in 1986, he enrolled for a post graduate diploma in Education. He then went on to study for a Masters of divinity degree in Theology in 1992 at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomosho.
He got married on September 5, 1987 at Aatan Baptist Church, Oyo to his heartthrob, Deborah Olutoyin Abosede Ayokunle (Nee Adesipo) and the marriage is bless with wonderful children and a grand child.
Not done with acquiring degrees, Mr. Ayokunle went back to the University of Ibadan for another Masters degree, this time in Guidance and Counselling.
On graduation in 2000, he headed to Liverpool Hope University,  Liverpool,  England for a third Masters degree in Theology and Religious Studies in 2003.
On completion of that programme, he immediately commenced his PhD at the University of Liverpool in 2004,  earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Theology in 2008.
Work Experience
During his National Youth Service between 1983 and 1984, Mr. Ayokunle worked as a teacher at Ekan Community Secondary School, Kwala, Plateau State.
After youth service, he continued work as a teacher at Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ago Are, Oyo State, between 1985 and 1987. He then left for Fasola Grammar School, near Oyo, in 1987 where he served for two years.
Mr. Ayokunle later spent three years (1989-1992) as a public administrator at the Federal Civil Service Commission.
In 1992, he followed his life calling: to work in God's vineyard. He was Pastor, Estate Baptist Church, Oyo State, between 1992 and 1995.
He was moderator, Ibadan East Baptist Association, from 2000 to 2003. He was equally the Treasurer  of Ibadan and Environs Ministers' Fellowship during the same period.
While studying in the United Kingdom, he was health care assistant and  support worker at various health institutions between 2003 and 2007. He was also co-pastor, Pentecost Baptist Church, Kensington, Liverpool, England within the same period.
While he was Pastor, Jubilee Life Baptist Church, Ibadan, he became President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention in 2011, a position he still holds.
He is also visitor to Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria. The University is owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
He was elected President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.

FRANKLIN GRAHAM : BIBLICAL TRUTHS

Prayer is at the heart of Franklin Graham's Decision America Tour, and he continually reminds the 150,000-plus who have turned out during his first 32 prayer rallies that it is "the most important thing we can do."

It's not optional, particularly when it comes to praying for America's political leaders who shape the country with policies and reforms. And even if the political landscape appears grim, that doesn't diminish the power of Almighty God.

Consider the following four biblical truths Franklin Graham has shared:

God can turn the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1)
Our Sovereign Lord can redirect the heart of a king, or in America's case, a political leader, thanks to the intercession of praying Christians. "We should be praying for God's will to be done and for our leaders to seek God and listen to Him," Franklin Graham wrote. "We should pray that they would be surrounded by godly counsel and, most important, that our leadership would personally know God and the salvation found through faith in Jesus Christ alone."

Interceding for those in authority is a biblical command (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
You might not have voted for a particular president, senator, governor, council member, mayor, school board member or fill-in-the-blank leader, but they need your prayers. Faithfully obey God by asking Him to give these elected officials wisdom as they craft policies that shape part or all of the United States.

Pray urgently for all elected leaders (Ephesians 6:12)
This is not something to do later. During his Decision America Tour prayer rallies, Franklin Graham has said, "We're on the verge of Christians losing this nation." Christians have to get passionate and pray now about their desire to see America turn back to God. "The prince of darkness is grimly and powerfully at work in world affairs, and prayer is a great battlefield especially as we pray for those in leadership," Franklin said.

Pray for leaders who don't know Christ to be born again (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
The Lord can open hearts to the truth of the Gospel, and imagine the difference that could make. Franklin Graham has posed this question to the Decision America Tour crowd: "What if the majority of the mayors of the United States were God-fearing men and women? Would that change this country?" Just think of recent legislation that has made headlines and how different it could be. James 5:16b states, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Take a stand for God and country.

STAY INSIDE MORAL FENCE. ......by IREMIDE AKINSOLA

I grew up in an environment where I had everything decided for me. I was told what to wear and how to wear it. I was told when to go out and when to stay in. Just so you know, I was kept indoors
most of the time. When my friends were free, I was restrained and restricted. I would watch them from my window as they moved out of the estate. Sincerely, I was tired of the good child image. I wanted freedom. I wanted to discover life beyond my father's fence.
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Just so you know, my Father was a highly respected man. He was a man of strong faith, but to me, he was a stumbling block. I hated being mocked by my peers. I hated the fact that I was kept indoors like a pet in a cage. So, one day, I decided to take a stand. I decided I was done with the acting and pretense. I was sick and tired of being the good girl. I was sick and tired of being called "SU". I would show them that I know my way around. The end had come to my "church girl" image; the chains that held me down for so long were gone.
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On my first night out, I met a guy who swept me off my feet. He was a Prince. He was so adorable and the best part was that he loved me too. After a couple of drinks, he took me to his place just to show me around and drop some things before he dropped me at home. I was waiting in the living room for him to drop his things when I suddenly felt a strong hand holding me roughly. I turned and saw my worst nightmare. It was Prince. He begged me to sleep
with him, but I begged him to leave me. I begged him to have mercy on me. However, it seemed that my pleas only served to kill the man in him, because only a beast could do what he did next.
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I was in tears as I held on to my torn garment. I had been raped. My pride was taken from me forcefully by a beast. As I wiped my tears, I saw a sight that confused me. I saw Prince on his knees. He was in tears. He said he loved me and that he never wanted to hurt me. He said he wanted to marry me. He said he wanted to have me all to himself. I looked at him with disgust and shook my head in regret. If only I had known, I would have lived within my Father's fence...but I didn't and now, I would have to carry the scar all my life.
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PS. This story is fictional. It is adapted from the story of Dinah in Genesis 34. It teaches us that "...sometimes one shot is enough for the devil to nail you". Please don't hesitate to share your observations. Thank you! :)

CREATIVITY IS THE FOUNDATION OF PRODUCTIVITY

10 Ways to Become a More Productive Pastor - Thom S. Rainer

The work of pastoral ministry is a joy, but it's also demanding. Every pastor is on call 24/7. Expectations of members are high and sometimes unreasonable.

Pastors are thus expected to "run the race" constantly. But how can a pastor keep the pace in this marathon of ministry without burning out? How can a pastor remain productive with such demands? Allow me to offer 10 tips to becoming a more productive pastor.

1. Be spiritually disciplined. Pastor, you cannot lead God's people spiritually if you are spiritually depleted. Find a time to pray and to read God's Word every day. Don't let it become an afterthought. Pick a time of day and stick with it. For some of you, it's first thing in the morning. For me, it's the quiet of late evening.

2. Pray for the day ahead. There is obvious overlap between the first two, but I want to remind pastors to pray about three specific things before you begin the day. First, pray for God's wisdom for all the conversations and situations you will be facing. Second, pray for His grace. You will hear from critics and high maintenance people. It's not always easy to be gracious to some. Third, pray for opportunities to show and share the love of Christ during the day. I am always amazed how He answers that prayer in my life.

3. Be physically disciplined. As you set aside a time of the day for spiritual discipline, also set aside a time of day for physical discipline. You may think you don't have time to do both. You can't afford to neglect either. I love the advantages of technology. My iPad, headphones, and treadmill are daily companions.

4. Make appointments for sermon preparation. How long does it take you to prepare a sermon? Take that time plus one hour and put it on your calendar each week. Don't try to do sermon preparation in the margins of your life; it's too important to minimize. You may not always get to keep those appointments, but you have a better chance if they are on your calendar.

5. Determine one to three priorities you will accomplish for the day. If possible, don't take on any other tasks until those items are completed.

6. Get sufficient sleep. Hard workers often like to brag about how much they work and how little sleep they get. If their lack of sleep is a reality, they are becoming less productive and more unhealthy. Sleep is not a luxury; it is a gift of rest and recovery given directly from God.

7. Make appointments on your calendar for strategic vision.Perhaps once a month, set aside a day to get away by yourself, pray, seek God's face and dream about the future of the church. Take notes that day, either electronically or on paper.

8. Laugh and have fun. Sometimes I have a bad attitude about my work and ministry and say I have to do something. My attitude should be that, by the grace of God, I get to do His work. We who are in vocational ministry often need to lighten up and laugh more. Not all ministry could be described as "fun," but much of it is if we have the right attitude.

9. Have a right attitude. Speaking of attitudes, productive pastors rejoice more. They learn greater gratitude. They see setbacks as temporary and opportunities as never ending. They see themselves as co-laborers with God Himself.

10. Work hard; rest intentionally.There are a few pastors who need to improve their work ethics. Are you truly laboring for God? But there are more pastors who need to rest and relax more. You are not omnipresent, omniscient or omnipotent.

Thanks for letting me share these 10 tips with you. What would you add to my list?

Thom S. Rainer is the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Previously, he served the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for 12 years, where he was a founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism.

For the original article, visitthomrainer.com.