AGBO SAINT STEVE

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SCRIPTURE UNION CELEBRATES ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY The Scripture Union, Nigeria, has joined its international counterparts to mark the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the body. The colourful event, which took place at the national headquart…

2017 has been declared our year of opportunities.
All we need to do is to make the best use of these opportunities as they come our way.
Happy new year!

The best way to thank (appreciate) the Lord for what is has done for you, is living your life in line with his words (commands).

YOU ARE WHAT YOU READ

There is the saying that “if you want to hide something from a black man put it on paper”. What this implies is that we black people do not read, or maybe we do not create the time to read. Could this be true of you? I know it is not true of you. The fact that you are reading this article right now is an indication that it is not true of you. One thing you should understand is that reading is an invention. Our ability to learn anything new is based on several “design principles” that showcase the uniqueness of our species- brain.

This article shall be addressing the following issues;

Who are you?
What do you read?
Why do you read what you read?

WHO ARE YOU?
This very question can be answered very well by one person and that person is you! You know yourself better than anyone else, you know yourself better than even your parents or guidance. You may also agree with me if I tell you that whatever you are today is a combination of experiences, information, books you have read, and things you have imagined. Your life is an encyclopaedia, is a library, an inventory of objects, a series of styles, and everything can be constantly shuffled and reordered in every way conceivable.

WHAT DO YOU READ?
The Bible, novels, magazines, news papers, comics, text books, or what? But what you need to know is that every single piece of writing has a message. Everything you read is communicating something to you, no matter how small. Which leads to the question: when you read, how are you receiving this message? Is it just falling into your open head?
Passive reading is a lot like watching television. For the most part, you’re inactive. You watch a movie to be entertained, not (for the most part), to get some message or meaning out of it. It’s the exact same thing when you passively read a book.
Passive reading usually happens with novels or other fiction; you may pick up a book at the library, and think, “This looks good.” Interpreting the message of the book could be the last thing on your mind. You may be looking for a good story, one that will entertain you, draw you into the characters. Could this not be true of you?
When you read a novel, you’re being exposed to what the writer believes. Even though his message is “covered up” the story itself, you’re still impacted by it. You learn from it. Ponder it. Reject it, or whatever.
That’s what’s so scary about when you read passively: things are being dumped into your head without you even being aware of it. And even when you’re just reading for pleasure, the dumping is still there. And is it really good to be affected by something without even being conscious of it? This is why we need to watch what we read.

WHY DO YOU READ WHAT YOU READ?
To have the ability to read is to have the ability to choose what you read. We read to learn something. For instance, we read the Bible so that we can learn about God in His own words, and to form and nurture a relationship with Him. We read textbooks to learn the facts inside them and sometimes because we want to pass our exams or test. Even when we read novels, though we’re not always aware of it, we’re learning something; the author’s worldview, or the message he desires to communicate in the writing. But whatever may be your reason, you should understand that while reading, you may have left your own consciousness and pass over into the consciousness of another person, another age, another culture and so on, and in less than no time you tend to behave in like manner.

CONCLUSION
As we conclude, it is very important that you know that when you read and you come across a strange word, you should pause to take a look at the dictionary for the meaning of that word, don’t be in a rush to ignore or jump that word. This would help you to develop you vocabulary, and I advise that you should get an audio dictionary to aid your pronunciation skills. You should not assume that you know the meaning of a word if you have not confirmed it from the dictionary, even if you feel you are familiar with the word or have always heard people make use of it. I tell you the truth that you may be getting the shocker of your life when you take time to consult the dictionary for the meaning of that word.

Bro. Stephen Ejeh
Scripture Union (Nig) Hqtrs
Ibadan.

You can also reach me on this platform.

Wishing Nigeria a happy 55th anniversary!

Every POWER has an expiring date, therefore use your POWER well. Have a blessed day!

VALENTINE!
Background, Behaviour & Bible
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT VALENTINE AND ITS CELEBRATION
Valentine’s Day is considered a time to celebrate what is called love, in any form. A day for grandparents to show affection to grandchildren, husbands to wives, brothers to sisters, boyfriends to girlfriends etc.
In the Philippines, thousands of couples participate in the world’s largest kissing event. In Nigeria, husbands and wives dine at restaurants with family. In Brazil, concerts featuring romantic samba music occur nationwide.
While wearing hearts symbol being “in love,” and showing a “special someone” how much you care by giving a teddy bear, chocolates or flowers may seem perfectly innocent, there is another side to this “Day for Lovers” most people fail to consider.
But where did the holiday originate—and how did cards, the heart symbol and Cupid come to be associated with it?
One legend purports Valentine was a Roman priest: It is believed that the young priest rose to distinction after betraying Emperor Claudius in 270 AD by conducting illegitimate wedding ceremonies in the capital, Emperor Claudius claimed that married men made poor soldiers and consequently decreed that all marriages of younger citizens would be outlawed. Bishop Valentine, however, maintained that marriage was part of God’s plan and purpose for the world. He continued to conduct marriages in secret between young people.
His success gained him unwelcomed dishonor, which became Bishop Valentine’s downfall. He was jailed and ultimately beheaded, but not before he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. It was thought that on the evening of his ex*****on, the Bishop passed her a note which read ‘from your Valentine’. This story is what has blossomed into the defining tradition of Valentine’s Day.
Aside, the above story, it is very necessary we come to the realization that Valentine was executed in February 14, 270AD, on a day that the Romans celebrated Lupercalia, a festival honoring the birth of Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of the city.
For part of the celebration, on February 14, young women would place their names in a box. Eligible men would draw a name and the couple would pair of for the rest of the festival -- sometimes even longer. As Christianity progressed into Rome, the practice was decried as Pagan and immoral, and done away with by Pope Gelasius.
In 494AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 a holy day in honor of Valentinus instead of the pagan god Lupercalia. This allowed Christianity to take over some of the celebrations of love and fertility which had previously occurred in the context of paganism. Pagan celebrations were reworked to fit the martyr theme. Christianity did not approve of rituals that encouraged s*xuality. Instead of pulling girls’ names from boxes, both boys and girls chose the names of martyred saints from a box. The challenge for these bachelors was to try to be more saint-like in the coming year, studying and learning about the messages of their individual saint.
It wasn’t until the Renaissance of 14th century that customs returned to celebrations of love and life rather than faith and death. People began to break free of some of the so called bonds imposed upon them by the Church and move towards a humanistic view of nature, society, and individualism. Moving towards more sensual art and literature, a lot of poets and authors wrote stories in connection with love, s*xuality, and procreation.
A common symbol of this day is Cupid, often pictured as a chubby, winged baby who shoots arrows to make people fall in love. This Roman god’s name is derived from the Latin word cupido, meaning “desire.”
Today, Cupid’s arrow has become an accepted symbol of love. His name and image are frequently associated with Valentine’s Day cards, romantic gifts and dating services, as well as is the heart symbol, which is said to be the seat of emotion.
As a result of the atrocity connected to this very day, Valentine’s Day is no longer part of the official liturgical calendar of any Christian church; and in 1969, it was dropped from the Catholic calendar. It’s no longer a feast, a celebration, or a memorial of any martyr.
As you continue to read, it is important you know that true, mature love can be defined as genuine concern that is directed outwardly towards another. Love is unselfish. It is not focused on getting or taking, but rather is interested in the welfare of others, and is centered on the desire to give.
Valentine’s Day has always focused on GETTING: from getting a s*x partner for the year in ancient times to getting affection, getting love—getting SEX— today!
No matter how hard a person tries, or how sincere one is, the lust-filled pagan origins of Valentine’s Day cannot be ignored. God does not—and would never—condone such a holiday. Notice: “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not act like the other nations … Their ways are futile and foolish…” (Jer. 10:2-3 NLT).
True love cannot be expressed once a year as part of a superficial holiday. Nor can it be found in a one-day affair of free s*x that so often results in unwanted pregnancies, abortions, STDs, pain, depression or su***de. Instead, true love is focused on continually GIVING another person what he or she needs with no ulterior motives. 1 cor. 13:5 (NLT) says “…Love does not demand its own way…”
If that boy or girl is trying to lure you this period, know for sure that he/she does not love you. If he/she does, he/she will wait until you are both pronounced husband and wife.
If you are looking for someone to go out on a “date” in this valentine period, allow me to introduce you to Jesus Christ. A single date with Jesus this valentine season will turn your story around. Hear what he says in Rev. 3:20 (NLT) “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Won’t you rather share a meal with Jesus this Valentine period than sharing it with someone who has no eternal plans for you?
To share a meal with Jesus, just say, LORD Jesus, come into my heart and be the Lord of my life. And that settles it. You are welcome to the world of Christ!
For more enquires and counseling, please contact Scripture Union (Nigeria) on any of these numbers:
Ibadan 08034061644, 08075339909, 08126060800
Abuja 07039343392, 08076840417, 08075648914
Akure 08075649276, 08037378416, 07068065127
Benin 08063232322, 08174087305, 08075339332
Enugu 07035190229, 08188021227,08068962499,
Lagos 08035476120, 07058076447, 08078004504
Okigwe 08133236720, 08027135845, 08075355777
Onitsha 08035452005, 08093299537, 08109612380
Osogbo 08060491366, 08157656242, 08136871550
P/H 08074939901, 08033724483, 08065412878
Uyo 08034032348, 08075339014,08132264865

God is counting on you, please do not disappoint him.