THE IMPORTANCE OF THANKSGIVING

Giving thanks is an act of showing your sincere appreciation to someone for a favour or a service he ⁄ she has rendered to you.

If there is something that you have been praying and asking God for but it does not seem forthcoming, check yourself. It is not because you are not asking rightly (although sometimes that could be the case) but most times it is because you do not use the right approach.

Take this example; there’s this little girl who everyday asks her father to buy her ice-cream on his way back from the office. He promises to do it but at the end of the week it turns out he never did. Then one Monday when her father gets back from work she goes to him and says daddy I am so grateful for the ice-cream you got me, it was wonderful. Now her dad wonders what ice-cream because he is so sure that he did not get her any. Now instead of receiving the daily request of ice-cream from his daughter he gets a daily thank you for something he is yet to do. Believe me in no time he not only got her the ice-cream but popcorn to go along with it.

Another example is when Jesus fed the five thousand. The available food was not enough but instead of asking God to provide more or going around looking for more he simply gave thanks and instantly there was an answer.

The same thing applies to God. God has made us several promises he will definitely keep. But to you it may seem like there is a delay in the fulfillment of these promises in your life. Try this, instead of asking God consecutively for it; choose to thank him for already doing it. You will see that your answer will come faster than you can ever imagine.

Thanksgiving is a way to speed up the arrival of the answers to your prayers. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. Give thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nnenne Ude

INDUCTION WAS AMAZING!!!!

This is just to thank every single person that prayed for us during the course of our induction programme. It was amazing and we had so much fun. We as YWAP are extremely grateful to everyone that made induction possible through prayers and money. May God bless you and a a big thank you to MICKEY JAY! You rock! Thank you and God bless!

Practical Christianity

At the last YWAP meeting, we spoke about practical Christianity and we suggested a few things we as xtians could do...

Check it out...
NOTE: This is a checklist and anytime you accomplish a task...tick it!

SO YOU WANT SOME PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY?

1 Timothy 1:5

Now the purpose of this charge is love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith…

Think about that verse for a minute. Chew it up, swallow it, and digest it.

The charge of Christianity is more than speaking Christianese as Harry says.

Here’s a weekly schedule of what you can do to be much more real. Tick it off as the days go by and watch yourself become less of An Andolasian* and into the real world!

SUNDAY - Go to church and make friends with someone new that sits beside you!

- Be kind to a parent or visitor by calling their ward personally, especially if its 400 floor. (and yes this includes boyfriends looking for chicks and vice versa)

- Go out of your way to be nice to a floormate you’ve never talked to.

- Find your hall rep, class rep, floor rep, council chairman and say well done (this is so weird!)

MONDAY – have you told Mr. Wogu congratulations?

- Paint your roommates toenails and totally pamper her (trust me the rest of the week will be free indomie for you!)

- Complement people (boys please do not flatter or “whine”); this includes strangers

- Pay real attention in class (for once, sweetie!).

TUESDAY- help a lecturer carry his stuff into class (and yes, this includes those who come 1 hour late)

- Choose a Bible mentor and read something about him or her (mine is David.)

- Say hi to a complete stranger (here crushes are included, so this should be fun!)

- Give something you rilli want for yourself to someone who rilli needs it.

WEDNESDAY – tutor someone who doesn’t understand.

Go to caf for someone (if you can, buy them lunch! And this doesn’t include taking a girl out!)

- Take out time to study the bible for an hour and write down all you’ve read (try Leviticus first..lol! J)

- Help stack up chairs or arrange chairs after cell fellowship (please come)

THURSDAY – visit another YWAP member and talk about your day.

- Look for someone you don’t like and like them.

- Buy a birthday present or card for someone this week

- Pray for anyone you think that needs prayer write it down somewhere and when a reply comes tick it off (this is great!)

FRIDAY- consciously make an effort to speak positively.

- Take out time to listen to what people are saying not rushing to say something of your own.

- Read a verse from Proverbs and think about it.

- Arrange your room and do not gloat about it to your roomies.

SATURDAY – do your devotion, pray and worship (even if all this takes just 5 minutes! Lol J)

- Make someone’s Saturday, buy someone free lunch.

- Write a list like this for next week.

*Andolasian: someone from the cartoon world. If you haven’t watched Enchanted add it to your list! And guys, really, this could improve your game!

PRAYER REQUEST: Induction

YWAP Ota's Induction is coming soon and we are calling all our friends from all over the world to pray for us and also for a speedy registration process in school.

Thank You!

Take me as i am - Lecrae

[Talking]
Christ through faith
I talked to a cat the other day
And he was like;
Man I really wanna come to Christ
But I gotta clean my life up first, get my sins together
I told em, I used to think that way too
I thought I had to change myself before I could come to Christ
But Christ changed me
Let me tell you my story, it starts like this

[Verse One]
It's 5:46 in the mornin', tossin' and turnin'
Chest burnin', sermons in my head keep reocurrin'
Havin' visions in my head of a kid
Cryin' at the feet of the Father, for all the wrong things that he did
Now I'm sweatin' in my sheets can't sleep
My mind keeps tellin' me I'm six feet deep
Don't remind me, even though I'm still alive I can't tell
The way I'm living my life I feel I'm going to hell
God they telling me I should accept you
That you had to leave the world, cause the world left you
Reason I can't change, like a mystery to me
So I make believe there really is a heaven for a G
Even though they say you loved the world so much, you shed ya blood
God I feel I'm too messed up for love
They tell me come as I am but I smell like smoke
My whole lifes full of sin cause it's all I know
The bible told me that you died for my sins
If I believe in Christ, it'll save me from the end
But I'm scared to ask you, to save me my heart
So evil, I got thoughts, that's full of hatred hurtin' people
I thought at first I had to clean up my life
Now I'm hearin' I just need to cling to the light
I'm ready to do it, but Lord I pray you understand
My life is a mess, will you take me as I am

[Chorus]
Will you take me as I am
I know the way I'm living is wrong
But I can't change on my own, trying to make it alone
I wonder, how could you love me when my life so ugly
But you came down and died for me

Will you take me as I am
I know the way I'm living is wrong
But I can't change on my own, trying to make it alone
I wonder, how could you love me when my life so ugly
But you came down and died for me
Will you take me as I am

[Verse Two]
I'm sick and tired of trying to be the man, my daddy never taught me to be
I'm grown up now, life ain't what I thought it would be
I made many mistakes in my past I can't fix
Now I'm staring at this crucifix tatted on my wrist
Is it true what they telling me, am I just crazy
Did ya bleed on the cross, for my sins to save me
But why would ya die for me
My whole life I've been working for Satan, while He fed lies to me
And now I'm hearing too much, trying to get a true touch
Of a love that can change me, I'm all screwed up
Figure Hell is what I deserve
But your word says we all fall short so I guess we all outta burn
Teach me I wanna learn
How you could save a wretch like me, before death says it's my turn
I think I finally understand
No matter my past, you'll still take me as I am

[Chorus]

[Verse Three]
My father had a few last words to give
I be telling people the reason to live
The reason to die, united with the King in the sky
This life is passing us by, I got no reason to lie
You'll never give the world enough, they'll hunger for more
They figure there ways are nuthin to the wonderous lord
More security than the man that left you
More love than the moms who kept you
He'll always accept you
Be everything your supposed to
Let Christ rule ya heart, mind, body and soul cause He chose you
And if the world don't know you
It don't matter you're Gods child and he'll never disown you
Ya purpose on earth is far from worthless
That's why ya glorified like ya life's been purchased
And it don't matter if the world don't seen us
We still mean the world to Jesus

[Chorus]

[Talking]
Yeah, we're saved by grace through faith
It's not works
Ain't nuthin you can do, ain't nuthin I can do
That could get us this grace salavation that we got man
It's only Christ
So if you feel like you gotta clean yourself up
Before you can come to Him
Forget it
Just come to Him
He'll take you as you are, and he'll change YOU
From the inside, out

PRAYING FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY

A lot of us Nigerians are fond of blaming the authorities. A very typical Nigerian would blame the government officials for the corruption we experience in virtually every sector of the economy. Let’s not forget that there is no economy without you and me. We make up the economy. The authorities represent just about 15% of our total population. As it is often said the majority carries the vote. If the remaining85% of us can decide against corruption then we’d see that there would be change.

Well, that’s by the way. What I’m here to talk on is “praying for those in authority”. Let’s take our cue from the book of Romans 13:1“Everyone must submit himself to authority, for there is no authority that exists except that which has been established by God. All the authorities that exist have been established by God”. We see here that the bible is against rebellion against authorities. We agree that some of our leaders are not on track but who are we to judge? Is there any of us that can say that indeed if today our life was to become a topic for discussion we will be found spotless? We are human and it is in the human nature to sin except you operate under God’s grace. They also are human and have as much tendency as we do to sin. The difference is that we have come to the knowledge of Christ and are operating under his grace. It is by this grace that we strive to live perfect lives. Even the bible in Matthew 5:48 says “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”.

Most of our leaders are ignorant of the fact that God who has placed them over His people will grant them His grace to be efficient leaders. Most of our leaders lead based on their own understanding. The bible makes us understand that the wisdom of men is foolishness in the sight of God. It is therefore our duty to pray for our leaders. We ought to pray that God’s will alone, will prevail in their lives. That whatever decisions they make will come directly from Him. Here’s the thing, if we fail to pray for them every decision they make will not only affect you but affect you in a negative way. That is when they will remember to increase the price of fuel or embezzle the money meant for the development of your community. You may think that just because you are still under your parents’ roof you shouldn’t be bothered. Remember that time does fly and before you know it you will be on your own and become a direct recipient of their actions.

Every door has a specific key to open it. Without that key it can never it can never be opened. Prayer is the key that unlocks every door. In reality we are the ones holding Nigeria back. Pray for those in authority today and help in moving your country forward.

Written by Ude Nnenne

WE ARE BACK!

Hey,

I know our blog has been down for a while now. It has been due to some challenges on our part. Anyways, no need to worry anymore because we are back and better. Get ready and brace yourselves because you are not ready for what we have in store for you.

Till then...

Keep affecting your generation for Christ!