Here’s A Gift For You. I love gifts, both the giving and the receiving of them. A friend of mine, let’s call her Ini (I always laugh when I remember ‘Which Ini are you?’ from this fantastic video here), recently celebrated her birthday and did something completely unexpected. She gifted some of her closest friends customised gift packs to let us know how grateful she is for our friendship.
I looked forward to receiving mine for many days, and when it came, it blew my mind. Every time I look at or use those gifts, I think of our friendship.
Do you like gifts?
Well, here’s one for you:
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1: 2-4 MSG)
I bet you didn’t see that coming. Tests and challenges are a ‘sheer gift’? Our Brother James is redefining ‘gifts’.
All through this lovely month of October, we have been dissecting the theme, ‘Don’t Give Up,’ and if you have been leaning closely into the sermons on Wednesdays and Sundays, you would understand where Apostles James and Paul are coming from as they encourage us through trying times.
Paul even calls them ‘Small Potatoes’ in our anchor verse of 2 Corinthians 4 v 16.
These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.
So hang in there,there’s a lavish celebration ahead, and yes, you already got your ‘Gift’ beforehand!
Oh, and we have another gift for you… ELC 2023!!!
The Excellence in Leadership conference is back, and the energy in the atmosphere is palpable! Every detail you need is here, but be sure to block that calendar for Thursday and Friday, November 2 and 3, 2023.
See you in church tomorrow, on-site at all our Lagos locations and online on all our social media platforms, including YouTube here.
Blessings!
