GOD MADE US – TO HELP US!

*GOD MADE US – TO HELP US!*

Welcome to Friday, the *_28th day of FEBRUARY 2025._* This is the last day of February, in THE YEAR OF OUR ULTIMATE TRIUMPH! Receive your *GOOD NEWS* as we continue our ultimate march *_from trials to triumph!_*

*This year of Ultimate Triumph, your positive achievements will manifest; your unprecedented success will attract greatness to you; your God-instituted ministry will set your community free from pain; and your household will enjoy a limitless peace. The Almighty God has announced your dominion, writing off your testy frustrations to His Glory in Jesus’ Name!_*

AMEN!

Our *THEME –* Our *GOOD NEWS –* is titled:

*_“GOD MADE US – TO HELP US!”_*

*BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 121* (NKJV).

1 I will lift my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

2 *_My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth._*

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

 

*Our Seven-Fold Prayer Raid:*

1) Divine Health and Strength –

Bible Verse: _“The LORD is my strength and shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped.”_ (Psalm 28:7, NKJV.)

Prayer: *_My Father, My God: The Author of Help – release me from every bondage of helplessness in Jesus’ Name._*

2) Comfort and Restoration –

Bible Verse: _“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things.”_ (John 14:26, NKJV.)

Prayer: *_Holy Spirit – my Comforter, wash away every spiritual, mental, relational, and financial imbroglio that creates barrenness in my life, by the blood of Jesus Christ._*

3) Compassion and Service –

Bible Verse: _“Let each of you look out not only for his interests but also for the interests of others.”_ (Philippians 2:4, NKJV.)

Prayer: *_O Word of God incarnate, give me the spirit of compassion and wisdom to help others maintain my ministry as a builder, in Jesus’ Name._*

4) Victory Over Barriers –

Bible Verse: _“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”_ (Isaiah 54:17, NKJV.)

Prayer: *_By the Anointing of the Triune God, let me become a god over all barriers Satan poses. Ensure failure for the evil one’s efforts in my life’s endeavours, in the Name of Jesus._*

5) Evangelism and Discipleship –

Bible Verse: _“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”_ (Matthew 28:19, NKJV.)

Prayer: *_My Father, My God – make me an extension of God’s compassion to Christian Evangelism, in the Name of Jesus Christ._*

6) Cleansing and Redemption –

Prayer: *_I receive my cleansing and redemption as I activate your divine call for me through the perfect guide of Jesus Christ._*

7) Empowerment for Church Leadership –

Bible Verse: _“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”_ (1 John 1:9, NKJV.)

*_“And He Himself gave some to be Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Pastors and Teachers.”_* (Ephesians 4:11-12, NKJV.)

Prayer: *_Father, anoint and empower me – and your Church – to help your flock possess dominion and enjoy your total protection and provision throughout this life, in the Name of Jesus._*

*Our TEXT:*

*_“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”_*

-Psalm 121:2

 (NKJV)

*TRUST AND OBEY*

Category: *Experience of Christ*

Subcategory: *Obeying Him*

Lyrics: *John Henry Sammis* (1846-1919)

Music: *Daniel Brink Towner* (1850-1919).

Key: *F Major*

Meter: *6.6.9.6.6.9. with Refrain.*

Author’s Story and Credits, Courtesy of *_Rt. Rev. Dr Okechukwu Ogba_* Methodist Bishop of Ndoki-Asa.

*1.*

When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

*Refrain:*

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.

*2.*

Not a shadow can rise,

Not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt nor a fear, Not a sigh nor a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

*Refrain:*

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.

*3.*

Not a burden we bear,

Not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief nor a loss,

Not a frown nor a cross,

But are blest if we trust and obey .

*Refrain:*

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.

*4.*

But we never can prove,

The delights of His love,

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favour He shows,

And the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

*Refrain:*

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

*5.*

Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet.

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.

What He says we will do,

Where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

*Refrain:*

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.

*Exhortation: _”GOD MADE US – TO HELP US!”_*

*_Rt. Rev. Dr. Michael A. Femi-Adebanjo_* Bishop of Good News (CGNM).

Let me present an analogy, Beloved Friends and co-children of God. It is about *“The Guardian Eagle”*

Once upon a time high in the mountains, there lived a mother eagle who meticulously cared for her young chicks. Each day, she would soar gracefully above the cliffs, keenly observing her surroundings, ensuring her children were safe and secure in their nest. From her vantage point in the sky, she could see danger long before it approached; whether it was a fierce storm brewing or a lurking predator, she was always prepared.

One day, a great storm swept through the valley below. The winds howled, and rain fell in torrents. The little chicks quivered in fear, wondering where their safety lay. They looked up to the stormy skies, uncertain of what was to come. In that moment, they began to doubt their mother’s ability to protect them. “Will she really help us?” one of the chicks whispered to another.

Just as fear began to take hold, the mother eagle returned to the nest. With gentle strength, she sheltered her young under her wings, shielding them from the harsh winds and relentless rain. “Trust in me,” she said softly, “and I will keep you safe.”

As the storm raged on, the mother eagle did not falter. Instead, she kept her chicks close, providing warmth and comfort, reminding them that she was there to help, even when the situation seemed dire. She used her powerful wings to protect her young from the storm’s fury, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to their safety.

When the sun finally broke through the clouds, illuminating the mountainside, the little chicks emerged from their cozy refuge. They looked around and saw how the storm had transformed their home; the trees swayed with fresh vigor, and a beautiful rainbow arched across the sky. The chicks gazed up at their mother, filled with gratitude and newfound faith. “Thank you for protecting us, Mother,” they chirped, now understanding that she had always been their source of help.

*Reflection:*

Just as the mother eagle provides protection and care for her chicks, Psalm 121 reminds us that our help comes from the Lord—our ultimate protector and helper. Like the eagle who watches over her young, God sees our struggles and provides for us, often through the people He has placed in our lives.

In acknowledging that *“God Made Us – To Help Us,”* we are called to be like the eagle, not only relying on God’s guidance but also extending our wings to protect and uplift others around us. Let us remember that in times of distress, we are not alone; we have the One who created the heavens and the earth watching over us, guiding us, and helping us. And, in turn, we are empowered to be a source of help for one another, reflecting God’s love and compassion in our lives.

As we gather today to appraise the theme *_“GOD MADE US – TO HELP US,”_* we are reminded of the profound truth in Psalm 121. This passage reassures us that our help comes from the Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In a world filled with challenges, uncertainties, and helplessness, it is vital to remember that God is our ultimate source of support.

1. Safety in His Hands.

The Psalmist starts by looking to the hills, pondering where his help will come from. Often, we, too, find ourselves gazing at our problems, wondering where our support lies. Yet, we must remember that our help does not come from the heights of our struggles but from the Lord Himself. As the hymn *_”In the Hollow of His Hand”_* beautifully illustrates, we are safe in God’s embrace, no matter the storms we face.

2. Relying on God’s Guidance.

Life’s journey can be tumultuous, akin to a traveller navigating steep hills. The challenges may feel overwhelming, but we must trust God’s guidance. He does not slumber or sleep; He is ever-watchful over us. We are called to help one another, just as God helps us, creating a community of support and love.

3. Creating Community.

We are reminded that God made us not to receive help from us, but to offer it. In our struggles, we often forget that we can uplift others. As we experience God’s grace, we are empowered to extend that grace to those around us. We must be Jesus’ hands and feet, to help the struggling people, ensuring that no one navigates their mountains alone.

For better assimilation, let us apply our theme to a few human scenarios:

• The Individual Who Believes Righteousness Does Not Attract Success:

We must remind them that true success is only found as humans align with God’s will. To earn a good income, you prepare yourself by being groomed in the knowledge of that profession while at duty you display creativity in good mastery of the process. You work hard. That is God’s will. Adding the knowledge of God and righteousness establishes you on that job, warding off external aggression and internal foes from you.

This expresses that Righteousness leads to divine favour and blessings that surpass material wealth.

Encourage other people to help others and watch how God blesses them in return.

• The Corporate Firm/Business:

Emphasising the importance of integrity and compassion in business practices helps a lot. A company that prioritises helping its employees and the community will flourish. The bible encourages business people to create programmes that support employees’ well-being and community initiatives.

• The Marriage Under Acute Stress:

Christlikeness encourages couples to lean on God and each other for support. We remind couples that God made you partners to help each other through life’s challenges. That way, we promote open communication and mutual support as couples seek God’s guidance together.

• The Atheist Heart:

Let us challenge our neighbours who refuse to recognise God in everyday challenges to see the ways in which they are divinely helped every day, whether they recognise it or not. Discuss how love, kindness, and support from others reflect a divine source, urging them to explore the possibility of a loving God who desires to help them get better deals in life.

• The Leader of the Nation, State, and Local Governments:

I seize this opportunity to encourage our political and societal leaders to embody servant leadership, recognising your role in helping the people you serve. I challenge you – leaders – to implement policies that benefit the vulnerable citizens and foster a sense of community, ensuring that you act as instruments of God’s help to all and sundry.

Now, as we reflect on the theme *_“God Made Us – To Help Us,”_* let us remember that we are not just recipients of God’s help; we are also called to be conduits of that help to others. In every situation we face, whether personal or communal, we have the opportunity to mirror God’s compassion and grace.

Let us commit to being active participants in each other’s lives, offering support, encouragement, and love. As we do so, we fulfil our divine purpose and draw closer to God, who is our ultimate source of strength and refuge.

We cannot achieve this by struggling. We must give our lives to Christ, or if we already had the saving grace, rededicate our lives to Him who made us all. We all need the Holy Spirit to guide us on the journey to transform our lives of righteousness into winning the divine help to prosper where the Satan-inspired-nationals would never dare!

*God Made Us – To Help Us!!*

Blessings to you as you become the main reason for our continuation with God’s impactful ministry.

*AGAIN, LET US PRAY:*

8) *Topic: Strengthening the Compassionate Community*

Bible Verse: _“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”_ (Galatians 6:2, NKJV.)

*Prayer: _My Father, grant me the strength and enablement to bear the burdens of the struggling, so that together we may glorify Your Name._*

9) *Topic: Hope for the Broken-hearted*

Bible Verse: _“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”_ (Psalm 34:18, NKJV)

*Prayer: _Lord, give me the courage to be a voice of hope and encouragement to those who feel lost, broken-hearted and helpless._*

10) *Topic: Reaching Out in Love.*

Bible Verse: _“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out?”_ (Isaiah 58:7, NKJV.)

*Prayer: _O Lord, empower me to reach out to the marginalised and the downtrodden, reflecting Your love in my actions._*

11) *Topic: Recognizing Needs.*

Bible Verse: _“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink.”_ (Matthew 25:35, NKJV)

*Prayer: _Father, help me to recognise the needs of those around me and provide for them as You have provided for me._*

12) *Topic: Stewardship of Gifts.*

Bible Verse: _“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”_ (1 Peter 4:10, NKJV.)

*Prayer: _Lord, anoint me with fresh grace to serve others selflessly, reflecting Your compassion and love, in Jesus’ Name._*

13) *Topic: Trusting God’s Provision.*

Bible Verse: _“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”_ (Philippians 4:19, NKJV.)

*Prayer: _My God, teach me to trust in Your provision and to help others trust in You as well, in Jesus’ Name._*

14) *Topic: Encouragement Among Believers.*

Bible Verse: _“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”_ (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NKJV.)

*Prayer: _Father, guide me to be a source of encouragement and strength to my family and friends, reminding them of Your promises._*

15) *Topic: Acting on the Word.*

Bible Verse: _“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”_ (James 1:22, NKJV.)

*Prayer: _Lord, may I always be sensitive to the needs of others, acting as a vessel of Your grace and mercy._*

16) *Topic: Seeking Divine Wisdom*

Bible Verse: _“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.”_ (James 1:5, NKJV.)

*Prayer: _Holy Spirit, fill me with Your wisdom to discern how I can best serve and support those in need._*

*ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE HYMN!*

Many of us of grew up singing this familiar gospel song in Sunday School classes, worship services, during revivals and other gatherings of the church… TRUST AND OBEY!

This hymn was written by John Henry Sammis who lived between 1846 and 1919.

We are not sure of the text upon which the author, based his hymn.

Some sources suggest 1 John 1:7, but, as some point out, there does not appear to be any substantial resemblance to this passage and the content of the hymn.

Others cite 1 Samuel 15:22: “And Samuel said, ‘Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken better than the fat of rams.’”

Perhaps this is the best we can do in this case.

The hymn was inspired in 1886 when the composer of the music, Daniel B. Towner (1850-1919), was the music leader during one of Dwight L. Moody’s revivals.

Towner provided the following account cited by Moody’s musical partner, Ira D. Sankey, in his biography:

“Mr. Moody was conducting a series of meetings and I had the pleasure of singing for him there.

One night a young man rose in a testimony meeting and said, ‘I am not quite sure — but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.’

I just jotted that sentence down, and sent it with a little story to the Rev. J. H. Sammis, a Presbyterian minister who composed the lyrics.

The text and tune first appeared in the 1887 and the hymn has been included in countless hymnals since then.

I can imagine that many sermons have been based on these three words, “Trust and Obey.”

And following the singing of this hymn at the conclusion of the sermon, many worshippers have headed home humming or whistling the refrain, providing a lyrical way to take the theme with them.

This hymn “is concerned with the rewards of trusting God’s word and obeying God’s will.”

The hymn covers two aspects of everyone’s salvation which are our faith and willingly or unwillingly obey the words of Almighty God.

If we follow Him willingly, it will be much better for us. Let’s try to understand the message of this hymn:

Stanza 1: If we trust and obey the commandment of God, we will walk in the light. If we do so, the Lord will shed his blessing and glory on our way.

Thus, Christ will definitely abide in us because we abide in His words.

Stanza 2: Shadows and clouds are most often considered the tribulations and trials of life. His smile expresses grace and He helps us when we want or need help.

Whether we have doubts, sighs, tears, and fears, the Lord promises that if we trust Him and leave everything to Him, He will give us our desires.

Stanza 3: Each and every Christian has a burden to bear. So keep in mind that God is not unjust and doesn’t forget to repay what we do for Him.

Even in a severe loss or grief, if we turn to our Lord and trust Him instead of putting confidence in men, He will certainly hear us and bless us.

Stanza 4: We can never appreciate the delights of His love until we surrender all at his altar. The secret to spiritual success is to trust and obey Him.

We should sacrifice our most beloved things for Him and in return, He will reward us for our acts.

Stanza 5: “Sit at His feet” means listening to the words of Jesus carefully. To “Walk by His side in the way” shows that we should do what we heard from Jesus.

If we do what Jesus says us to do and we go where He sends us to go, it means we trust and obey Jesus and this will lead us to salvation.

The ultimate reward, appears in the final stanza when the hymn writer muses that “in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet.”

The omitted stanza three of this hymn reads:

“Not a burden we bear,

Not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss,

Not a frown or a cross,

But is blest if we trust and obey.”

 

 *_I now command every sickness – including emotional, financial or spiritual barrenness – and failure in your life, home, and ministry to be cast into the desolate places, NOW, in Jesus’ Name._*

 

*_Amen._* 

 

* * *

  *_At Christ Jesus’ inspired word, the great help of God will cause you to flourish, annihilating your fears and destroying the traps set for you at these dangerous times, in Jesus’ mighty Name. ONLY BELIEVE!_*  

GLORY BE TO GOD!

*_Alleluia!_*

As God’s Anointed, I humbly prophesy, according to the Word of God, the evil declarations against your life are NOW divinely annulled and defeated, in Jesus’ mighty Name.

*_Every plan of the Kingdom of darkness against your soul has perished – forever, in Jesus’ mighty Name._*

 

  *_As for me and my household – including these prayer partners reading, hearing and praying along – we shall serve the living God in sound health, good wealth and prosperity of our souls, in Jesus’ Name!_*

*_“GOD MADE US – TO HELP US!“_*

*_I love you, in Jesus’ Name!_* 

 

*Amen. God Bless You!*

 

 

  *Enter To Worship… Depart To Serve!*  

 

 

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  *Bless Someone Today: It’s Your Happy Weekend!* I seize this opportunity to bless those notable persons whose birthdays or special anniversaries it is, today. May you continue to receive power to excel, unmerited favour, love and grace to overcome evil, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

 

HAVE A GLORIOUS END OF FEBRUARY, AND A SUCCESS-FILLED JOURNEY IN THE MONTH OF MARCH, in Jesus’ Name.