April / may edition

David’s Camp Magazine

issued in the UK

Showing the way, the truth, and the life...John 14:6

Free | April/May 2018

DO MY OWN FIRST PAGE 2

DOES GOD HAVE FAVOURITES? PAGE 12

WHERE ARE THE DISCIPLES MENTORS? PAGE 10

MENTAL HEALTH PAGE 4

GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING PAGE 5

HEALTH TALK PAGE 3

JACK M.A THE RICHEST MAN IN CHINA PAGE11

A MEETING WITH THE EXCEPTIONALLY ANOINTED SEUN ARE

Seun Are

SON OF THE LEGENDARY DR. BOLA ARE--SEUN ARE

6 ways a Christian Wife

cherishes her husband PAGE 8

DO NOT ACCEPT DEFEAT PAGE 9

PAGE 6

Letter From THE David Oluwole-David

Do my Own First”

EDITOR

a prolific writer, an ardent Bible student, an author and has compassion for the liberation of souls that are yet to know about the faithfulness and goodness of God.

1 Kings 17:13...”Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.”

N

ow there are lots of lessons we can unpack from this scripture above.

Loads of dissecting we can do if Holy Spirit gives us an understanding.

“Anytime you sort the things of God out first, He will sort you out first.”

Matthew 6:33...”But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” (Contemporary English Version) I remember years back when the Holy Spirit gave us the nudge to start the magazine. Oh! We gave Him lorry full of excuses why it’s not the right thing to do at that time. Few years down the lane, in the middle of storms, there was no need to be nudged before we succumbed and started the publishing of the magazine that has been a blessing to many in many nations of the world.

Even Jesus told them, forget about the attractions and distractions, just do my own first.

In Luke 9:59:62...He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Isn’t it interesting when Jesus got to the boat of Peter, before He urged him to cast the net for a net-breaking catch, He first asked Peter to lend Him his boat to preach. Wise Peter obliged and at the end, he didn’t only became fisherman but fisher of men.

Lessons from Doing God’s first: 1. You don’t have to worry or fear.

In out text above, Elijah told the woman, “fear not.” In my few years of walk with the Holy Spirit, I have learned when you are sold out to the things of God, He will make you a centre of attraction.

The widow became famous in 1 Kings because she did according to the instruction of the prophet of God. Hasn’t it interest you to ponder on the hidden fact prophet Elijah spent about 3 years in the house of the widow and her son, doing Bible studies with them, fellowshipping with them, praying for/with them. All because of one small meal. Because Elijah resided there, the widow’s residence became a citadel of God’s power.

2. God will not decide for you.

“The choice you make, makes you.” Elijah, having heard the woman’s plight told her to “go home and do as you’ve said.” Indirectly, 2

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he was telling the woman, “Go home and eat the last meal with your child and die” ....Fortunately for the initially unwise widow, Elijah added... “But first make a small loaf of bread for me.”

Still, the woman could have refused and rebuffed Elijah’s piece of advise. The obvious result would have been to die like others who died of hunger in the city. God is sovereign but He won’t force things on you. He will only nudge you, and sometimes, He will send you someone that needs your help as a set up. It’s up to you to either turn a blind eye or see it as an opportunity to be a blessing. Be wise, friends!

3. It doesn’t matter how poor you think you are, you have something to offer.

Poverty is a thing of the mind. A prophet of God in his exhortation recently said the cost of just one kidney is in millions of the currency of that nation. So imagine, no matter how poor you think you are, just one of your kidney is worth a fortune.

Elijah acknowledged the woman had a little as she said in the previous verse 12 of 1 Kings 17 but still told her, “make a small loaf of bread for me from the little you have.”

Let’s proclaim together, “I have something to offer. I’m more than this. I’m going far.”

4. God doesn’t recognise your negative circumstance God sees you beyond your current plight. The widow just told Elijah there’s just little left for her and her son, yet Elijah did as if he didn’t hear her and said,” But first Continued on page 5

Editors

Olamide Ajayi Bose Oluwole-David

Contributing Writers David Oluwole-David Dr. Margaret Rutherford Eniola Israel Pastor Olamide Ajayi Pastor Layo Afuape Bose Oluwole-David Joshua Tosh Ima Nkanta

Published by David’s Camp Limited, davidscamp.org@mail.com www.davidscamp.org

Designed and printed by shalomwales int’l 07806781603, myprints@mail.com

Showing the way the truth and the Life...john 14:6

- Rachael Eniola Israel

- A qualified public health practitioner

HEALTH TALK

DEPRESSION What is Depression?

Depression is a common mental disorder that causes people to experience depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.

Symptoms of Depression Tiredness and loss of energy.

Sadness that doesn’t go away.

Loss of self-confidence and self-esteem.

Difficulty concentrating.

Not being able to enjoy things that are usually pleasurable or interesting.

Feeling anxious all the time.

Avoiding other people, sometimes even your close friends.

Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Sleeping problems - difficulties in getting off to sleep or waking up much earlier than usual.

Very strong feelings of guilt or worthlessness.

Finding it hard to function at work or school.

Loss of appetite.

Loss of sex drive and/or sexual problems.

Physical aches and pains.

Thinking about suicide and death.

Self-harm What leads to Depression?

Faulty mood regulation by the brain.

Genetic vulnerability.

Stressful life events.

Medical problem.

Medications.

Types of Depression Mild depression Depression is described as mild when it has a limited negative effect on your daily life. For example, you may have difficulty concentrating at work or motivating yourself to do the things you normally enjoy.

Major depression Major depression interferes with an individual’s daily life - with eating, sleeping and other everyday activities. Some people may experience only one episode but it is more common to experience several episodes in a lifetime. It can lead to hospital admission, if the person is so unwell they are at risk of harm to themselves.

Bi-polar disorder The mood swings in bi-polar disorder can be extreme - from highs, where the individual feels extremely elated and indestructible, to lows, where they may experience complete despair, lethargy and suicidal feelings. Sometimes people have very severe symptoms where they cannot make sense of their world and do things that seem odd or illogical.

Post-natal depression Post-natal depression is more intense and lasts longer. It can leave new mothers feeling completely overwhelmed, inadequate and unable to cope. They may have problems sleeping, panic attacks or an intense fear of dying. They may also experience negative feelings towards their child. It affects one in ten mothers and usually begins two to three weeks after the birth.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) SAD is associated with the start of winter and can last until spring when longer days bring more daylight. When it is mild, it is sometimes called ‘winter blues’. SAD can make the sufferer feel anxious, stressed and depressed. It may interfere with their moods and with their sleeping and eating patterns.

How to get out of Depression Counselling Counselling gives people the chance to talk through everyday issues that may be causing depression and to develop strategies for resolving them.

Cognitive therapy Cognitive therapy (sometimes called cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT) addresses the way you think and how this can cause depression. It teaches you skills to identify patterns of behaviour and thinking that are causing you problems and change them.

Psychotherapy Psychotherapy can be more intensive than counselling although people and organisations often use these terms interchangeably. It often looks at how past experience may be affecting your life now, so it may involve delving deeply into early experiences and key relationships.

Anti-depressants In many cases your GP will recommend anti-depressants, either on their own or in combination with talking therapies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ADVICE PLEASE CONTACT us via: Tel: 07723511133 Email: grassroothealthinitiative@yahoo.com Or follow us social media Twitter: @healthgrassroot Facebook: @grassroothealthinitiative Instagram: @grassroothealthinitiative

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MENTAL HEALTH

WHEN A PARENT’S

Unconditional Love

IS WORN AWAY...

BY DR. MARGARET RUTHERFORD

W

henever I hear the term “unconditional love,” I think of the first moment I saw my son.

That’s probably the purest love I’ve ever felt, or ever will feel. All he had done so far was breathe and cry a little, and I loved him.

Yet unconditional parental love can be used up, worn away and virtually destroyed.

Some of the most difficult moments I’ve ever witnessed as a therapist, where there wasn’t an actual death, is when a parent is agonizing over a child whose destructiveness and emotional manipulation is squeezing out the last drops of unconditional love that parent feels. By the time they’re in my office, there have been years of lying (by commission or omission), stealing, drug abuse or prescription medication abuse, disappearances and reappearances, emotional manipulation, multiple jobs, and chronic chaos — maybe even continual suicidal threats. To say these “children” haven’t successfully launched is an understatement. They seem stuck in years of making a mess out of their lives, and frequently blame others, especially parents, for their plight.

Certainly, there are many parents who do a poor job of providing safety and a sense of being securely loved for their children.

A child can feel besieged by the instability and emotional onslaught of a parent as well. It can take years for that child to understand that their parent isn’t stable or it wasn’t their “fault’ that their mother or father wasn’t, and probably isn’t, there for them. That reality can make a child’s path to adulthood very difficult, and can leave emotional wounds that can only be healed with awareness, compassion and time.

But not always.

When parents are good enough but children still struggle…

Parents may have actually been decent, “good enough” parents. They didn’t expect too much or too little, they focused on letting their children be children, they 4

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were understanding and handled life with maturity, they provided safety, they worked together. Sure they made mistakes. But the mistakes were normal and unintentional.

Yet children can still develop emotional and mental problems. She may have a diagnosable severe mental illness which creates deep despondency and/or chaotic highs, but refuses treatment. Drugs may be altering her personality and an addiction may govern her every move.

Her patterns of thinking and behavior may be distorted and dysfunctional, and her emotions and impulses may ravage through and control her, as in a personality disorder.

Parents are left to fight through the questions and find their own answers. The guilt can feel immense, “What did we miss? What did I, or we, do or not do?”

To go from watching a toddler take his first steps to overhearing him make a drug deal or vehemently claim that one more supervisor was after him is a long, extremely painful journey. And that pain can become unbearable.

In order to cope, in order to reach some kind of emotional balance, a necessary sense of detachment begins to happen — necessary because continuing to unconditionally love that child will only end in sabotaging what’s left of their own lives, and the lives of their other sons and daughters, grandparents and other family members.

Anyone can use up unconditional love.

Anyone. Your spouse. Your parent, Or your child.

It’s a kind of emotional death. The death of dreams. The death of hope. The death of trust.

You love. But that love becomes cautious.

Guarded. You detach, just as they say in Alanon, “Detach with love.” These parents know their child is miserable, often leading a life that she recognizes in her core is far from what she dreamed. But she doesn’t have the belief or the readiness to risk choosing another way of being.

The need to set boundaries…

These same parents, who’ve tried to

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love as well as they knew how, have to set boundaries. They change the locks on their doors to keep their 28 year-old daughter from stealing — or tell their 32 year-old daughter she’s not invited home due to her emotional sabotage of one more holiday– or cut off financial support from a 40 year-old son and realize he could be homeless — or feel better when that son is in prison because they know where he is.

It can feel terrible. Yet these are natural consequences of their now adult child’s behavior. Setting boundaries can escalate the child’s behavior, as he or she tries desperately to manipulate the parent into returning to a little or no boundary zone.

Hopefully the boundaries remain intact.

But it’s far from easy.

When parents don’t agree on what to do…

A couple comes immediately to mind. His daughter had a severe alcohol problem, and would call at all hours of the night — or leave messages and then not pick up the phone. He would rush over to find her passed out in the bathtub or on the floor.

His wife, the stepmother, had had enough, as this had been going on for years.

“You have to stop. She has to confront this in herself. As long as she knows you’ll save her, you’ll fix it, she won’t fix it herself.”

“But what if the one time I don’t go is the time she actually dies? I could never forgive myself.”

The room got very still. Both looked at me as if I had the answer. I didn’t. There was no good answer.

They eventually met with the daughter, after compromising on what he could stomach, and what she could tolerate.

These parents feel the kind of pain that doesn’t get written about. It doesn’t go away. Way too often, there isn’t a Disney ending to these stories. It can’t be made pretty.

The child has to reach his or her own “bottom.”

And that can be agonizing to watch.

Showing the way the truth and the Life...john 14:6

WHEN YOU ARE DOWN TO NOTHING, GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING! F

riend, let me share with you a story of the day I faced a desperate situation. One day, I went to keep an appointment.

I had only a one way fare, and was so sure to get some money back. I went with confidence. I got to the place right within the time frame of the appointment.

As I made my way towards his office, the front desk person said my host was out, that he left a few minutes ago after receiving a call for an urgent meeting somewhere.

I was stunned. Now, my disappointment was not only that I couldn’t meet him even when he invited me to meet him, but how to return home. I was down with nothing in my pocket and nothing at home. I was to pick up some money from him for a service I had provided him earlier.

Wosssh! He was not there. I stood askance. Sweats of bitterness began to swirl to the fore of my skin. But as a child of God, I subdued my emotion and made towards the roadway. How I would get home was my concern by now. But I determined I was going to walk home, in spite of the distance.

It was really sunny, and walking won’t be funny. As I stood by the road side, a tune welled up within my spirit. “ How can I be stranded when I have the Holy Spirit of God in me?” Then I became more relieved and confident that something good awaited

Continued from page 2

me. Few minutes later, I got a ride along the way I was heading. It didn’t end up bad as the situation painted itself. God had stepped into my stranded moment to bring me a message for others in similar difficulty.

Ever since, that message I received has been a very strong point of encouragement and motivation whenever I find myself in a near impossible situation. Those words, “I cannot be stranded,” have always helped remind me that the Holy Spirit is with me to help me out of difficult situations and problems to which I have no immediate human solution.

Thank God for the gift of the Spirit to be with us. With Him, I cannot be stranded whatever it be!

Are you facing an impossible human situation even worse than my own? When you are down to nothing, God is up to something. God gave me a life changing message out of my mess. Perhaps I would not have received such an inspiring ministration if I did not find myself in a mess.

God is up to something in what you are going through now. If you listen closely, you will get an answer in the direction you so badly desire.

When you are down to nothing, don’t fret, God is up to something.

Shalom!

-with love from Ima Nkanta, Eternal House of Glory, Uyo, Nigeria.

Pastor & Editor, Quest Inspirational magazine.

Do my Own First

make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.” Is he deaf or what? Didn’t he just hear the widow say there was just so little for two?

Job 8:7...”And though you started with little, you will end with much.”

God’s looking at the bigger picture while we are looking at our present predicament. * In Joseph, his brothers saw a stupid dreamer, God saw a Prime Minister; * In David, his father and brothers saw a shepherd, God saw a king; * In Esther, everyone saw a slave girl, God saw the next queen; * In that man of Gadara, people saw madness, God saw a great Evangelist; * In Mary Magdalena, people saw a cursed woman, God saw a disciple.

The list is unending. In your life, God is not seeing what you’re seeing. May He give you a glimpse of what He’s seeing about you in Jesus name. Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” (2 Kings 6:17) 5. Never underestimate God. He is the only God that can supply all your needs according to His

riches in glory... Philippians 4:19 Bishop Oyedepo said it’s an embarrassment to hear he’s worth just 150 million dollars. He called it an insult. The great bishop said he’s originally worth “my God can supply all my needs according to His riches in glory” The widow underestimated the God of Elijah. The God that says, “for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:10 NIV) In this edition of the magazine, we feature the anointed minstrel, Seun Are, a gifted singer and musician who is also the son of the legendary famous Nigerian singer, Dr. Bola Are. Seun took us through his musical journey and his musical school of thought.

Great minister of God. We appreciate all our regular writers who keep being a blessing.

Special thanks to Pastor YLayo Afuape, my spiritual mother, Pastor Joshua Tosh, a writer, singer and preacher of the gospel, Pastor Ima Nkanta, the great man that laid the foundation of my ministerial journey, Dr. Margaret Rutherford, Eniola Israel who is doing a great job promoting health awareness. May our rewards here on earth as promised by Jesus and the ones in heaven never elude us in Jesus name.

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5

» Star Influence of our Time

Seun Are son of the legendary Dr. Bola Are--Seun Are

1. Shall we start by knowing your personality? Who is Seun Are? Seun Are is a child of God, a God-fearing man, a father of two children and a husband of one wife.

Seun Are was born into the family of a great icon in gospel music and a living legend, Evangelist Dr Bola Are as the second child and first son. Hmm...What a privilege! Smiles.

Seun Are is a very passionate man when it comes to Music, things of God, supporting new innovations in technology and other areas of life that can benefit humanity.

Seun Are loves to take care of widows as his first widow is his mother. He sees through the pain they have to go through knowing they have no companion except God. Smiles. It’s difficult trying to put all that Seun Are is into few lines of sentences.

2. How do you find yourself doing music, and gospel music, not secular music?

Wow! You can’t live in the house of Evangelist Dr Bola Are and listen to any other music than gospel music.

I grew up watching mummy practice with her band, watching my sister, Yetunde Are singing so I had no choice.

In fact, to date, you can never see me dance or listen to secular music because there is nothing for me to gain from it.

Don’t get me wrong, its not that all secular music are bad but I listen to beats and trust me, they do great beats but most times, the lyrics can take me out of my focus with God

3. In this day and age, does anyone who is gifted in music really need to be born again to be a gospel artiste?

Trust me. This Trust me, this is very important. If you are not born again and you are gifted in music entertainment, you might be easily driven away by the kind of music that is in vogue.

I believe as a gospel artiste, you need to be born again and have a relationship with God personally.

4. What principles guide you in life?

My guiding principles are very simple: 6

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Showing the way the truth and the Life...john 14:6 1- If it’s not of God, then God is not involved, even if it looks good, so I don’t get involved; 2- I have a name “ARE” to protect. This name has not failed in the past so it must not fail now. This helps me to stay focus; 3- Involving God in all I do means I can’t involve God in it and still be in sin. Impossible!

5. Guess being the son of a living legend gives an additional pressure, doesn’t it? Can you please expatiate on your experience growing up?

Yes it really does. Smiles.

Growing up, we were so disciplined to the point that even on our street everyone knows that these ones are different.

People will say, ‘don’t you know them? They are Bola Are’s children.’ So everywhere we go we get very careful of our behaviour.

Till date, many people see me on the street and say, ‘How is Mummy Bola Are?’ I will be like WOW. So you can imagine if I was doing something wrong, this is how people will be disappointed. I carry that name like gold. May God help me to maintain it till the next generation takes over from me in Jesus name(Amen).

6. What were your personal ever-green experiences growing up as the son of Dr. Bola Are? Wow! There are a lot of ever- green experiences growing up as a son of Dr Bola Are. We had privileges of meeting great Prophets, important personalities, top politicians, lots of them.

I can never forget the day Late Bishop Idahosa invited us to his house and we had dinner with him on his dinning table. I could not get over it. It was overwhelming!

7. Let’s talk about your music. You’ve done some albums. How many are they, and what are the experiences they’ve brought you?

Yes I have done two powerful albums now. I bless God for the two albums. They came as inspirations from God when I wasn’t expecting to have a single track.

I remember being in the studio to record my first track and I was shaking. The producer had to call my mum to report me. Guess what happened when I picked mummy’s call.

She roared like a lion and said, “the son of a lion is a lion! In the name of Jesus begin to sing now because it’s your heritage”, and that was it.

8. You’re a guitarist, isn’t it? What influence has your playing guitar had on your musical disposition?

Yes I am a guitarist. My playing guitar has help me to be musically inclined.

I relate with top producers and review their work give feedbacks on how to make it better.

It has helped me to become a music producer and a sound engineer helping many churches in sound designing and installation It has also helped me to develop the spiritual side of ministering when i play my guitar. Yes there is a spiritual side of instrument playing

9. Did you mum force you to play music or it’s just a natural flow from the blood?

Are you wishing your children do music too?

No I was not forced at all. It’s indeed a natural flow from the blood. I play Lead Guitar, Bass guitar, Drums and a little bit of keyboard but i picked all these up following my mother to her ministrations and rehearsals.

I watch her instrumentalist closely and i take my chances to play when anyone of them is running late so i quickly play for few minutes before they take over.

But the rest is history today. The legacy have to continue. God willing

10. What’s your planned legacy in life? What do you wish will come to mind when the name, ‘Seun Are’ is mentioned anywhere in the world?

I want to leave a legacy in life that young ones will emulate. To invent new ideas in music. I have started by inventing my first music live performance app called “Afrobeats On The Pad” I want whenever or wherever the name “Seun Are” is mentioned all over the world, the world would say Yes we know him, He is a great inventor, He has contributed to the growth of music using the latest technology available. I want younger generations to want more than what i have achieved. I want to be a solution provider. I want people to say Seun Are is a giver.

My Final Word:

11. Your final word to lovers of your music all over the globe, and what’s your pieces of advice to upcoming gospel musicians/artistes?

To all musicians and most importantly up-coming musicians, don’t make money your priority.

Don’t mix worldly lyrics to your music Wait for God’s direction Be focused Don’t follow the crowd God Bless Thank you, minister Seun

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RELATIONSHIP

6 Ways a Christian Wife Cherishes Her Husband

T

here is a lot of confusion among Christians today regarding what makes for a godly marriage. Much of this controversy centres around how a husband and wife interact with each other.

BCL’s recent article, “6 Ways a Christian Husband Cherishes His Wife” explores some ways a Christian husband honors Christ in his relationship with his wife. Here are six ways (in no particular order) a Christian wife cherishes her husband: 1. Companionship A Christian wife should be her husband’s friend. After God placed the first man, Adam, in the garden of Eden, he declared, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Gen. 2:18). While she doesn’t need to join in on all of her husband’s activities, a Christian wife should enjoy spending as much time as possible with her spouse.

Even though we don’t get to go as often as we would like, I love going fly-fishing with my husband. It’s a pretty good deal for me as he ties all my flies and helps me find good fishing spots. He never gets frustrated (at least he doesn’t show it!) when I get my fishing line caught in the bushes, and he always comes over and helps me get untangled. We have a lot of fun, and it’s wonderful to spend time together away from the usual routines of daily life.

2. Love A Christian wife should always love her husband. Because Paul tells husbands to love their wives and wives to respect their husbands in Ephesians 5:33, some Christians think this means that a Christian wife doesn’t have to love her husband—but this is not the case at all. All Christians are commanded to love their brothers and sisters in Christ, and this is especially true in marriage. When a man and woman get married, they make a vow before God to stay together until death parts them. To be in a relationship where love is onesided—or there is no love on either side—is a great tragedy.

When Christians remember how God loves them so much that he sent his Son to suffer and die on a cross for them, this gives them courage and the will to love even in the most difficult of circumstances. When a Christian wife loves her husband with the love of Christ, this love can do much to soften the hardest of hearts (1 Pet. 3:1).

3. Respect A Christian wife should respect her husband. The Greek word the apostle Paul uses in Ephesians 5:33 for the respect wives should have for their husbands is phobētai, which means to have a profound measure of reverence/respect for someone (BDAG, 1061).

Some Christian women wrongly believe that the word “submit” in Ephesians 5:21–24 means they must tolerate any kind of treatment from their husband. The Greek word Paul uses in these verses for “submit” is hypotassó, and it is directly related to respect. Hypotassó refers to a wife’s “recognition of an ordered structure” in which her husband is the person to whom she should show appropriate respect “as to the Lord” (BDAG, 1042; Eph. 5:22; see also Col. 3:18 and 1 Pet. 3:1–6). If a husband directs his wife to do anything that goes against her conscience, she always “must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29; 1 Cor. 8:12–13).

4. Help A Christian wife can help her husband in a multitude of ways. This will look different in each family. While some Christians think cer8

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tain work and household responsibilities belong to a specific sex, believers should not be bound where Scripture gives them liberty.

One important way a Christian wife can support her husband is in the area of counsel. In the Bible, we find instances where women gave their husbands good counsel or were discerning (Sarah in Gen. 21:12; Abigail in 1 Sam. 25:3; Pontius Pilate’s wife in Matt. 27:19) as well as instances where women gave poor counsel (Eve in Gen. 3:6; Sarah in Gen. 16:2; Jezebel in 1 Kings 19:1–2). A Christian wife should seek to grow in knowledge and wisdom in God’s Word as well as in all her callings in life, so she can give her husband the best possible counsel in all circumstances (Prov. 31:10–31).

God never intended for a wife to be a “yes-person.” A husband bears great responsibility, and he needs his wife’s straightforward input.

A Christian wife should be honest with her husband about any concerns she has regarding a particular matter to protect him from potential harmful consequences.

5. Devotion A Christian wife should be completely devoted to her husband. This includes being faithful to her marriage vows, caring for her husband physically and emotionally, praying for him, and seeking his good in all things. A Christian wife should joyfully help her husband in his callings to the glory of God. She should be loyal, trustworthy, and look after the interests of her husband (Phil. 2:4). When a Christian wife honors God in her comportment in daily life, she also brings honor to her husband.

6. Self-Respect A Christian wife honors her husband when she expects him to respect her in all circumstances. There is no excuse ever for a husband to harm his wife physically or emotionally. Paul is clear on this matter: In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. (Eph. 5:28–29) When a Christian wife is in an abusive marriage, she needs to seek help from extended family, friends, civil authorities, and the leadership of a faithful church. This is why it is so important for Christians to be members of a church community that upholds God’s Word carefully and provides proper oversight over its members. There is no situation where a woman should be abused—period. A Christian wife honors her husband when she holds steadfastly to standards that help him to be a godly man.

Because of our sinful natures, Christian husbands and Christian wives will not fulfill their duties to their spouses perfectly in this life. Thankfully, our hope lies not in our own works but rather in the perfect work of Christ done on our behalf. Christian marriage involves joy, sacrifice, commitment, and forgiveness. Our failures should keep us humble and direct us to daily seek God’s help in loving our spouses to his glory in all.

Showing the way the truth and the Life...john 14:6

Moving to

your

next l evel “Do not accept defeat” S E R I E S

… 1st Chronicles 4: 9-10

SEVEN PRINCIPLES TO TAKE YOU TO YOUR NEXT LEVEL IN LIFE Life is a synergy of circumstances, that is, it is a diary of events.

Life is too fragile to handle. Whatever stage of life you are right now, please remember this, it is not yet over with you!!!

I would like to discuss with you seven principles to take you to your next level in life. I am trusting God that someone’s life will never remain the same again in Jesus name.

Principle 1: Desire a Change – Alan Cohen said, “It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secured, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement, there is life, and in change, there is power”.

The Bible is full of stories of men and women who relocated from one location to the other. For example: (i) Jabez in 1st Chronicles 4:9-10 woke up one day and desired a change; (ii) Hannah in 1st Samuel 1:11, 27 decided to weep no more, changed her countenance and prayed for a divine visitation and she got it.

Change is not always for the worse, but it is necessary at times.

Bishop David Oyedepo said, “Until something changes within you, nothing changes around you. Every change begins from within, without a change within, there can never be a change without”.

Those who are in change always are those who believe in change. Jesus Christ is the ultimate changer of men’s destiny; He is the King of glory. He is the unchangeable who changes times and seasons. And yet remains constant… Malachi 3:6.

Principle 2: Have A Right Attitude- Abraham Lincoln said, “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing”.

Attitude determines outcomes; your attitude in life will dictate your performance. There is just a little difference in people; that little difference makes a big difference and that little difference is attitude.

The power of attitude is so great that it determines how high you fly in life. What is your attitude to life, marriage, work, money and your God? Confucius says, “To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life, that is, we must first set our hearts right”.

Principle 3: Don’t Accept Defeat and Don’t Blame Anyone For your Circumstances- Don’t blame God for your lack of success. You can develop a burning desire to succeed by keeping your mind on the things you want and off the things you don’t want.

Behind every adversity, there is a seed of greatness. To succeed in spite of your past negative experience: (i) Identify yourself with a successful image … Proverbs 23:7 (ii) Develop a picture of who you are in Christ… Romans 8:17 (iii) Always remember that you have the mind of Christ… 1st Corinthians 2:16 (iiii) Define your purpose in life. Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievements (v) Develop your talent. Every man was born with a special Godgiven ability. What special ability do you have? Develop it!

No inadequacy of yours can prevent you from changing your world because whatever your mind can conceive and believe, your mind can achieve. Don’t blame anyone for your current situation, admit it and seek the way out.

Principle 4: Turn To God For Help – God is the best connector, He knows how best to connect you with your miracle. You do not need any human dependence to receive heaven’s assistance. If you make man your utter dependence, you will definitely receive the mandate of suffer and plenty of frustrations will go with it.

God wants you to solely depend on Him. He knows what is good for you as well as how you can get there without stress or struggle. Without Him, we can do nothing. But with Him, we can do all things… Philippians 4:13 To be continued....

Quote of the Edition “When you are visible enough to be noticed, you will also be visible enough to be misinterpreted.”

David’s Camp Magazine

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9

Where Are the Disciples’

Mentors?

- BY PASTOR ‘LAYO AFUAPE (PLA)

Parish Pastor The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Great Beauty Tabernacle Catford, London. on them? When last did you ask God to help you make a disciple for Him? How occupied are you in making disciples?

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” - Matthew 28:19 One of the instructions our Lord Jesus Christ left for believers in Him when He was going to the Father is for us to make disciples in the Kingdom.

A disciple is that child of God who has decided to follow God with all his or her heart, soul and mind. A disciple is that believer in Christ Jesus who has decided to follow the foot steps of Christ in holiness - total obedience to God, pursuance of righteousness and good works. However, no one can be able to achieve this without the support of another spirit-filled and experienced christian.

It is an area that it seems this generation needs to look at more than ever before.

There are many mentors who are there for others in terms of just bearing burdens and attending churches of perhaps Pastors they are mentoring to deliver the gospel. It seems we do not have enough committed mentors who are closely following up and checking the younger generations in terms of their relationship with God. Who do you encourage to read their bible daily?

Apostle Paul made a disciple out of Timothy with the help of God. Elijah made a disciple out of Elisha and Moses also did the same in the life of Joshua. Who are you spending your time with just because you desire for them to grow in Christ? How many youths are in your local Parish who seem to be lost just because there is no one to call or send a message during the week to check

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David’s Camp Magazine

To make disciples for Christ requires having genuine love for the soul to grow in Christ.

You must be willing to spend time with the person, give them work to do such as memorising bible verses, books to read and able to outline learning as well. It also requires monitoring their church attendance, involvements and submission to authority.

I am writing this as the Lord lays in my heart to ask us “who are the disciples we are making for Him?” “Who are the lives we are spending extra time with for them to be soldiers for Christ not only in prayers but understanding the heart and will of God through His word?” Apostle Paul wrote the following to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:12...”You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

My beloved, can you call someone at your local Parish or within your family or neighbourhood a ‘son’ because of your role in His life? How many have you taught personally or teaching the word you have heard? How many souls have you equipped personally for Christ?

I pray that God gets us busy for the things of His Kingdom like raising disciples. A disciple will be taught on sound doctrine, will be grounded in the word of God and knows that anyone who wants to live a godly life will suffer persecution. Disciples are coached so much by their servant-hearted mentors that they live 1 Corinthians 15:58 as Christians who are immovable, steadfast and always abounding in the work of God. Disciples are noted for being: - God fearing like Joseph...Genesis 39:7-9 - spirit filled...Romans 8:5-8 - will never join the multitude to do evil...

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Exodus 23:2; Numbers 16 - will obey their leaders...Hebrews 13:7;17 - not idle but occupied for Jesus with a servant heart, hence they are committed to things that will foster unity and not division...Romans 16:17-22 - carrier of good news and not tale bearers...

Proverbs 11:13 - are committed to depopulate the kingdom of satan and populate the kingdom of God...

Matthew 28:18 - are willing to spend and be spent for Christ...2 Corinthians 12:15 - are appreciative of God always and whoever has impacted their lives and above all...1 Thessalonians 5:18 - are committed to finishing all their assignments and making it to heaven. Disciples of Christ will not leave a team or church because he or she is upset except being asked

by God to do so. A disciple would not seek for his/her good alone. A disciple is quite clear about Galatians 2:20 that his/her life is for God. “Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible but not everything builds up. No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.” - 1 Corinthians 10:2324.

We need to raise people who are matured in Christ with solid foundation in undiluted word of God. Let us pray that God opens the eyes of our understanding as to the need to make disciples who will consistently resist temptation, who will rise with the help of God after making mistakes and always look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Let us rise and shine in making disciples for Christ. Will you or still sit back? Let us raise disciples that will cover the whole world.

Showing the way the truth and the Life...john 14:6

Jack MA,

WEALTH

The Richest Man in China

Jack MA, The Richest Man in China said: If you put Bananas and Money in front of Monkeys, Monkeys will choose Bananas because monkeys do not know that Money can buy a lot of Bananas.

IN REALITY, If you offer JOB and BUSINESS to people, they would choose JOB because most people do not know that BUSINESS can bring more MONEY than Wages.

Similarly, Robert Kiyosaki, author of the best selling book “RICH DAD, POOR DAD” and also a business partner of Donald Trump said: “One of the reasons poor are poor, is because they are NOT TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.” They spend too much time in school and what they have learnt in school, is to WORK FOR WAGES instead of MONEY WORKING FOR THEM. “Profit is better than Wages, for Wages can make you a living but Profits can bring you a Fortune.”

THINK INVESTMENT and stop fighting over increments of salaries, it still won’t be enough.

Hear this from a Professor to freshmen and women during their orientation, (Actually he is an Acting DVC Academic at a small/new university in Kenya): “Academic excellence is overrated!

Being top of your class does not necessarily guarantee that

you will be at the top of life.

You could graduate as the best student in Finance but it doesn’t mean you will make more money than everybody else.

The best graduating Law student does not necessarily become the best lawyer.

The fact is, life requires more than the ability to understand a concept, memorise it and reproduce it in an exam.

School rewards people for their memory.

Life rewards people for their imaginations.

School rewards caution, life rewards daring.

School hails those who live by the rules. Life exalts those who break the rules and set new ones.

So do I mean people shouldn’t study hard in school? Oh, no, you should. But don’t sacrifice every other thing on the altar of First Class.

Don’t limit yourself to the classroom. Do something practical.

Take a leadership position.

Start a business and fail. That’s a better Entrepreneurship 101.

Join or start a club. Contest an election and lose. It will teach you something Political Science 101 will not teach you.

Attend a seminar.

Read books outside the scope of your course.

Go on missions and win a soul for eternal rewards...

Do something you believe in!

Think less of becoming an excellent student but think more of becoming an excellent person.

Don’t make the classroom to be your world but Make the world your classroom.

Step forward, try politics, try farming, try business, try an extra thing... “

Psalm 23 in pidgin English

1. The Lord Na my Shepherd, I dey kampe.

2. E make me sidon for where betta dey flow and come put me next to stream make mai bodi thermacool.

3. E panel beat mai soul, come spray am white, come dey lead me dey go through express road of righteousness sake of Hin name.

4. Walahi! If I waka pass where arm robber, 419 and juju people boku, come even join okada reach valley of the shadow of death sef, mai bodi dey inside cloth.

Your rod and staff nko? Na so dem dey like back bone dey comfort me.

5. You don prepare Egusi, Efo and pounded yam make I chop. All mai enemies dey look Ayan—Ayan. You rub me for head with Vaseline intensive lotion, mai cup na River Niger wey overflow hin bank.

6. True, true, betta life and mercy go gum mai back till I delete. And man pikin go tanda for God house from lai lai to lai lai… Amen David’s Camp Magazine

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11

DOES GOD HAVE Favourites?

By Joshua Tosh

Is there favouritism with the Holy and fair God? I know God loves me so much and I desire to love HIM with every breath in me. No doubt He has great plans for me. But you see the thought that HE could actually prefer or choose some over others baffles me. So I ask you ‘does HE have favourites?’ When it comes to having an encounter with the fair and holy GOD, does He really have favourites?

HE revealed HIS character to Moses but HIS deeds to the people of Israel. In other words Moses had the privilege to know the personality, nature, disposition, temperament, and constitution… the make-up of God. Wow!- While the whole nation of Israel, only knew HIS actions…activities. God showed Moses ‘Who & How’ while He showed others ‘what’I want more than the gifts. I want to know the Giver! Must I be a Minister, Deacon, or a Pastor to have Moses-likeprivilege? Doesn’t the scripture say ‘there is no partiality with God’ Fair enough, some got the call to ‘go higher’ but there were also those who volunteered. Moses was chosen. Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” and he replied “Here am I. Send me!”I strongly agree with C.S Lewis. He proposed that ‘when it comes to knowing God, the initiative lies on His side...If He does not show Himself, nothing you can do will enable you to find Him. And, in fact, He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others—not because He has favorites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition. Just as sunlight, though it has no favorites, cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as in a clean one.’That’s why HE said ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart - Meaning the finding is guaranteed when we seek HIM with all our heart! Father, help us to seek you above all else. Prepare us and make us ready and receptive to your will. And please reveal yourself to us, to our children and children’s children in Jesus name. AmenRef: Rom. 2:11, Jer. 29:11-14, Rom. 9:13, Ps. 103:7, Is. 6:8 Joshua Tosh – is a Worship leader, Song writer, Music producer, Speaker, Mentor and a Pastor in the RedeemedChristian Church of God. He organises an annual Worship event called PUSH! – Praise Until Something Happens. He’s happily married with children. www.joshuatosh.com.