Category: Get Inspired

THE DMC MOTIVATIONAL CORNER

The Big Question on my mind is: Why would God describe us as Sheep?

… Because He could have used some other animals.

You know, I would prefer to be the Lion: Courageous, Strong, Royal, with a Powerful roar that sends fear into the hearts of other animals.

Or may be the Eagle: Soaring High, Running into storms and Riding them to amazing heights! The incredible Power of Vision and all that.

But well, God in His Wisdom decided that in describing His Relationship with us, He would describe us as Sheep.

So when you hear Sheep, what comes to your mind? What Qualities? What Attributes?

If you want to describe the Sheep, how would you describe it?

… MUMU! In our local language – A DUMB!

You have seen animals use the Circus Show and you know how well People can TRAIN Animals.

You have seen Leopards or Tigers, you have seen Lions, you have seen Elephants, you have seen Dogs, you have seen Horses in Races.

But you never see the Sheep.

WHY? … It CANNOT be TRAINED!

It is not as smart enough to learn anything or to do anything sophisticated. It doesn’t even have the Power to defend itself!

It cannot fight: no horns, no claws, no fangs to bite.

AH! So the question again – So why is it this Sheep that God decided to use to describe us?

GOD in His Wisdom wants us to know that the Sheep has ALL those QUALITIES; but the STRENGTH of the Sheep is in the SHEPHERD!”

When you look at the equation very well; you will find out and realised that the Strength of the Sheep lies in the Shepherd.

The capacity for direction and defense of the Sheep lies in the Shepherd according to Jeremiah 50:6.

Because we are Sheep therefore, we crave for Leadership.

The Sheep is very susceptible to deception and there is a lot of deception in our world today.

… By the time you get what you want; will you want what you get?

God wants to be our Shepherd and our King.

One thing so sure is that: Our days of anxiety and going in the wrong directions are over.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Reverend Sam ADEYEMI is the Senior Pastor, Daystar Christian Centre.

He is also the President of Success Power International, an NGO that among others things specializes in Organizing Financial, Leadership and Motivational Seminars and is President of Daystar Leadership Academy, a leadership School for Business Owners and Ministers of the Gospel.

DISCOVERY MEDIA CREW … REACHING OUT TO THE WORLD THROUGH THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL!

Yours Always

MOSES DURODOLA
CONVENER, DISCOVERY MEDIA CREW

When a newspaper reporter interviewed a farmer who grew an award-winning corn each year he entered his corn in the State Fair about the secret of his success, it was revealed that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbours.

Surprised and Perplexed, the reporter asked: “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbours when they are entering into the same corn competition with you each year?”

The farmer simply smiled knowingly and went ahead to explain the mystery to the reporter: “The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from one field to another field. If my neighbours grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn.

So therefore, If I am to grow good quality corn, I must help my neighbours grow good corn as well.

This same Principles applies to our lives: Those who want to live meaningfully and well must help enrich the lives of others around them.

For the Value of a Life is measured not only by the amount of wealth you acquired to yourself but by the value of the lives of the Hopeless ones you are able to give Hope to.

Therefore, those who choose to be happy must first learn to Give Hope to others in order to find happiness – for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all!

You may chose to call this the “Power of Collectivity” or call it the “Principle of Success”.

The fact remains, “None of us truly wins, until we all win”.

In life, when you help the People around you to be good, you surely become the best.

Always bear this in mind that “Real Happiness in Life really resides in the Amount of Hope you are able to Give to the Hopeless around you.

Please, you need to give a great thought to this – By Giving the much desired Hope to the Hopeless around you today and always!

The truth of the matter is that: “Every daily efforts that you failed to make use of will gradually erodes your Position in Life”. The Choice therefore is yours … SO PAY THE PRICE!

Yours Always

Moses Durodola
CONVENER, DISCOVERY MEDIA CREW

There are times in the course of our life that some Problems may spring up in our lives.

Sometimes they may seem so BIG that we refer to them as “Giant-Problems”.

As Christians however those things that looked insurmountable are found to be much easier with Jesus Christ on our side: “Looking unto Jesus Christ; the author and finisher of our faith.”

The following can however be noted when it comes to “Giant-Problems”:

1. Their size may intimidate you.

There are some things that may face you and you realized that every other Person is running away from it for cover including your Leaders.

This of course is the best time to recall your Past Victories: the Red-Sea sized ones or the Jericho-Wall sized ones.

In essence, recall how Big your God is and that He can solve all Problems that come your way!

He said in His words: “Come unto me all you that are tired and heavily laden and I will give you rest.”

2. Their words can cause you to doubt yourself (your own ability) or the Capability of your God (ability of your God).

This is quite serious friends!

Kindly recall the story of David and Goliath, when King Saul and all the People of Israel heard the words of the Philistine, they were greatly afraid (1samuel 17:11).

Hearing News such as: “more than 40% of the results of those who wrote Jamb failed or the Labour Market are so much saturated with Graduates and there is no job for Youths etc”; can be such scaring and dumbfounded.

The question is: How then can you handle such News?

By turning to the Living Life (Turning words in the News to the Living God); which transcends all circumstances and trumps all opinions.

“The grass withers, the flowers fades but the Words of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8).

3. There is however “an OPENING”.

Your sole responsibility therefore is to look for such and explore it!

It was recorded that Goliath could throw his spear half of the length of a football field.

Aside this, it was reported that he has body armour protecting him from head to toe except for a “Small Opening” between his eyes and forehead.

It was exactly this same spot – OPENING that David targeted and aimed for eventually and he got it… Gbam!

The All Encompassing Lessons from all the aforementioned “Giant-Problems’ depicted above is that when you ask God for something or solution to a Problem; it may come as a “Small Opening” rather than the size of half a football field.

Your own part of the deal is to trust Him enough to get you through once such opportunity presents itself.

Don’t ever look down on the size of the solution He is providing for you.

It should be noted carefully that God’s response to that “Giant-Problems” is not designed to increase your sense of Comfort but to build your Confidence in Him.

… That way, you will not only be able to handle the “Giant-Problems”; but the others waiting for you in the nearest future.

The extent in which you grow your world definitely depends on you.

Always remember that: “Success comes from having dreams that are bigger than your fears” (Terry Litwiller).

The truth of the matter is that: “Every daily efforts that you failed to make use of will gradually erodes your Position in Life”. The Choice therefore is yours … SO PAY THE PRICE!

Yours Always

MOSES DURODOLA

CONVENER, DISCOVERY MEDIA CREW

The Discovery Media Crew brings to our reading pleasure an in-depth study on the characteristics of churches: a case study of the biblical account in revelation chapters 2 and 3

The Churches are as listed below:

• The Churches in Ephesus,
• Smyrna,
• Pergamos,
• Thyatira,
• Sardis,
• Philadelphia and
• Laodicea as a replica of the various happening in the various Churches even as we have it as at today.

Kindly download

– A tale of two (2) Prophets as recorded in the Book of Jeremiah Chapters 28 and 29

In the Biblical Account in the Book of Prophet Jeremiah; we have a Story of two (2) Prophets – Jeremiah and Hananiah.

God had earlier spoken by Jeremiah concerning the consequence of the sins of Israel. He said they will be seventy (70) Years in bondage in Babylon.

Hananiah later comes on the scene with a Pseudo Prophetic utterance that was very appealing but really worsened the situation at the end of the day for the Israelites.

… He declared that they will not spend seventy (70) Years in bondage but just two (2) Years in bondage after which their great God will deliver them.

Hananiah was even dramatic – he went and demonstrated the breaking of the yoke, acting it out as he Prophesied.

Obviously, two (2) Years in bondage sounds more appealing than seventy (70) Years.

Everyone in Israel must have rejoiced and shouted at the words of Hananiah over and against the words of Jeremiah.

You can imagine the experience to know how you sit and listen to a message highly applauded but it is nothing more than Psyching the People.

It must have been like: “Yes, this is the True Word that shows and says that God Works Miracles among His People”

However, the Prophecy of Hananiah simply worsened the situation for the children of Israel.

Jeremiah announced to them in reply that: You have broken the yoke of wood and replaced it with iron over the neck of the Israelites.

Why was this so?

Because a false expectation of quick Victory had been created and they were expecting to be back home in two (2) Years.

Now Jeremiah knew this will lead to deep disappointment and broken hearts making the seventy (70) Years now look much longer than it really seems to be.

So, in the literally sense of it and in effect; the False Prophecy may have done “Good” momentarily but ultimately it was going to bring much more greater damage.

The picture of its effect can be depicted as like a doctor administering pain killers to relieve the pain without dealing with the real root cause of the ailment in the first place.

To this God asked: Is there no Balm in Gilead?

Why are my people not recovering from their wounds?

Jeremiah 8:22 says: “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?”

Friends, the reason for the no Complete Healing and Restoration in the land of Israel then was the False Prophecies being given out about the Complete Recovery without going through the Process Ordained by God Himself to deal with the root cause.

Jeremiah 8:11 says: “For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, Peace; when there is no Peace.”

If indeed we desire to get it right in our present predicament; It is time to get to the root of our Social Ills, and deterioration of things by teaching how true reformation occurs rather than succumbing to the delusion of Prophecies that circumvent God’s Ordained Processes for Change for our dear life.

The truth of the matter is that: “Every daily efforts that you failed to make use of will gradually erodes your position in life”. The Choice therefore is yours … SO PAY THE PRICE!

CULLED FROM THE THOUGHTS OF PASTOR POJU OYEMADE (SENIOR PASTOR OF COVENANT CHRISTIAN CENTER)

Yours Always

MOSES DURODOLA
CONVENER, DISCOVERY MEDIA CREW

DMC MOTIVATION TIPS CORNER

Our searchlight in our Motivational Column focuses on how we can handle our Business Financial Position viz-a-viz obligations to Government as regards rendering your Tax Returns to Government in the Most reasonable way that you won’t put yourself at a disadvantage.

Please note the following if you are a Business Owner or you are planning to become one:

1. If you have registered a limited liability company with the Corporate Affairs Commission and you have opened a bank account in your company name, don’t use the account for personal transactions, if you do, you run the risk of having tax issues with the FIRS.
2. When FIRS discovers such bank account (with BVN, it’s very easy for them), they will ask you to account for the money. They will ask you to present different kinds of accounts such as Audited Financials, Management Account, Cashbook, etc. You will be expected to show evidence of your VAT and WHT payments as well.
3. If you claim your company is not doing any business yet, they will not believe you because there are transactions in the company’s bank account. So they will assume all the inflows into your bank account are transaction proceeds and they shall compute VAT at 5% on the sum total.
4. So I advise you, if you have a company registered and you have not started doing any business with it, do not open a bank account in that company’s name and if you have opened an account, do not transact with it. Transact personal businesses with your personal bank accounts. That way, you only have PAYE to worry about with your state internal revenue service.
5. If you have registered a limited liability company and you have not started business, ensure you file Zero Returns with the FIRS.
6. If you want a Business name for whatever reason, instead of registering a company, why not start with a Business Name? You can have your corporate bank account but you will not have to file returns to the FIRS. You will only remit VAT, and WHT on Invoices from limited companies, any other tax (basically PAYE and WHT on Invoices from non-limited enterprises) will just be with your state IRS.
7. Finally, do not transact personal business with your corporate bank accounts.

An uncle wants to send you #2m to buy a car. Do not receive it through your corporate account, receive it into your personal account.

You want to start that small business? Register a business name and not a limited liability company.

Save yourself from avoidable tax issues in the future!

… Let’s Educate ourselves on Tax Matters!

EDITORIAL NOTES: This short story as told by this Narrator will surely give you another Perspectives as to how you should react Joyfully when people around you keep on meeting you for Assistance in life to meet their Needs.

… Happy Reading!

Over twenty five (25) Years ago I was an unfulfilled young Manager working with one of the banks.

I was angry with myself and with people around me as I felt cheated and felt used.

I found out that am usually particularly upset towards the end of each Month after I get paid my salary interestingly.

My deep frustrations stemmed from the fact that immediately after I received my salary; my friends and relations (Nuclear and Extended alike) would literally line up to collect all the money. Each had a Compelling Need bothering on problems necessitating urgent attention – Financial Needs equal to or more than what my salary may crop up with sometimes.

These lasted for years unabated and i wondered when all these would really come to end so that I will be free and enjoy my money alone with my family.

One night I wept until I slept off. And then I had a dream: God spoke to me. He said He has heard my cry. He said since I was tired of Helping Others; He will re-arrange things in my family and among my friends.

Part of the re-arrangement process will involve transferring the Blessings He gave me to one of my unnamed brothers. After that I shall become one of those asking for Help from him.

I woke up in the morning and began to roll on the floor. I prostrated before God; begging God to retain the status quo.

I begged God not to turn me to a beggar. I begged God to send more people to ask for Help from me – I was broken at the stark reality of what it means to be a Giver and not a Receiver.

That morning God reassured me that He had heard my New Prayers and He then revealed some more sparkling revelations to me which I will like to share with you as below:

He told me that in each family and Nation He had made Provision for a JOSEPH.

And that He even chooses the Joseph of each family and Nation even before they are born.

And then He explained further to me that He usually blesses such Joseph SO THAT THROUGH THEM HE WILL BLESS THE REST OF THE FAMILY AND NATION

He said peradventure if such Person does not cooperate with Him in carrying out this Divine Mandate; He takes away that Blessing from such and places it on another sibling of his.

With this revelation I understood some issues surrounding me: I learnt to become a better Giver to relations – Doing this, I became more Fulfilled.

… And this in the long run, Life made more meaningful to me afterwards.

Hear this Friends: Every Blessings God gave you is for you and others – With even quite a larger proportion of it interestingly even meant for others.

So, If you withhold such alone and use it alone you will soon feel a crack on the pipelines of Supply.

Friends, do you find yourself in this shoes? You may be the Joseph of your family and Nation!

At your leisure time, I will strongly admonish you to read through meditatively the Story of Joseph from Genesis Chapter 37 to Genesis Chapter 50 to grasp a better understanding of this Subject Matter: He became Great so that he would save his brothers, his father, the Nation of Egypt and in fact the whole world.

So stop feeling bad in Helping others. Do it with all gladness of Heart knowing fully well that you were Chosen from birth for that Purpose.

You are infact in doing that carrying out a “Divine Mandate” you did not labour to qualify for.

Check this out: All you have if they are for you alone, God would not have given you that much and given your friends, brothers and sisters that less.

Our God is smart a God. He knows what you exactly need. Be always glad to distribute to your siblings, close friends, relations and the poor around you.

… You were raised up to lift them up – So learn from my mistakes.

As from today, start enjoying life again like this Narrator. Stop lamenting lest you get God angry.

Rejoice and Fulfill your Destiny Mandate.

Do remain Blessed and you will soon share your Testimonies of your New Fulfilments in Life!

The Truth of the matter is that: “every daily efforts that you failed to make use of will gradually erodes your position in life”. The Choice therefore is yours … SO PAY THE PRICE!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Pastor Simon Aranonu.

Yours Always

MOSES DURODOLA

CONVENER, DISCOVERY MEDIA CREW

One Major thing that even though is bound to happen yet we don’t like talking about in this part of the world is death.

… The Bible says that it is appointed unto a Man to die.

What however that should be more of Interest to us is: What happens to the Estate of the Deceased upon transition to another realms beyond?

Has the issue of nominating a Next-of-Kin adequately solve all those issues?

We are poised by this to take out time to study what the Next-of-Kin stands for in the Position of Law and will like to share same with us.

… Happy Expository on the Revelations:

Are you among those who thinks that by giving a name to a Financial Institutions (bank for example) as Next-of-kin; you have chosen that person to automatically inherit your wealth in the event of your demise?

In other words, do you think that by merely picking someone as your Next-of-Kin, you have made that person a beneficiary to your wealth or entitlement(s) in the event of your death?

Let us attempt a little Legal Analysis based on two (2) factors:

1. Whether the deceased has a Will (a document written by a deceased when he was alive that prescribes how his/her Property is to be shared when he/she dies).
2. Whether the deceased dies without a Will.
3. In Law, when a person dies leaving behind a Will, he is said to have died Testate.

In such a circumstance, the issue of Next-of-Kin becomes useless.

The reason is that the wealth of the deceased will simply be shared in line with the contents of the Will.

1. The Position of the Law is still the same even where the deceased died without leaving a Will shockingly.

The Position of the Law is that when a Person dies without a Will, the question as to who to inherit his wealth is determined by the Law itself. That is to say, the determination of the Beneficial of the Estate is determined by any of the following: Customary Law, Islamic Law, English Law or the Administration of Estates Law (or its equivalent Legislation).

Not necessarily the Person whom the deceased mentioned in his bank or Place of work as Next-of-Kin.

How then do we know the Law to be applied in sharing the Property of the deceased?

The Law to be applicable in distributing the Estate of the deceased shall be determined by the Incidence of Marriage of the deceased.

If a deceased contracted a Statutory Marriage, succession to his wealth will be effected in accordance with either the English law or the Administration of Estates Law (or the equivalent Legislation) – all depending on the jurisdiction.

CASE STUDY: See Obuzez V. Obuzez (2007) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1043) 430.

Under English Law and the Administration of Estate Laws of various State; the surviving spouse together with the children of the deceased inherit his Estate to the exclusion of every other person.

The parents of the deceased takes next after the surviving spouse and children, followed by brothers and sisters of the full blood, brothers and sisters of half-blood, grandparents, aunties and uncles of full blood relation to the parents of the deceased etc.

CASE STUDY: See Kekereogun & Ors v. Oshodi (1971) LPELR-1686(SC)

This is subject however to contrary Provisions under the Administration of Estate Laws of various States.

Where however the deceased contracted a Customary Marriage, then Customary Law will determine who will inherit the Property of the deceased.

That is to say in the circumstance, heirs are those who are under Native Law and Custom entitled to inherit his Estate.

For Muslims, Islamic law determines who is to inherit the deceased estate.

Therefore, under the Nigerian Law of Intestate Succession, one cannot choose his/her heir under the pretext of Next-of-Kin – The Law imposes heirs on him.

For example it is the surviving spouse and children of an intestate who married under the Act that are his heirs.

SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

In view of the foregoing, a Next-of-Kin may not necessarily benefit from the property or asset of the Deceased.

What however the Selection of the Next-of-Kin stands for among many other things includes the following:

1. Next-of-Kin is merely the first contact point if anything happens to you.
2. He is someone empowered to make decisions for you in times of emergency or where you are not readily available or unable to make the decisions yourself.
3. He is someone empowered to provide necessary information about you where needed such as confirming your identity.
4. He is also someone positioned to make Medical Decisions such as providing consent for a medical procedure.
5. At best, what a Next-of-Kin can do after the demise of the deceased is perhaps to ensure that necessary steps are taken towards obtaining Letter of Administration from the probate.

It is therefore important that we established that the typical Nigerian’s Conception of the term, “Next-of-Kin” is therefore erroneous.

The Conclusion of the matter therefore is that a Next-of-Kin can inherit the Estate of the Deceased only if he/she is Named in a Will as a beneficiary or by his status he/she is entitled by Law to inherit but not actually because he is named as the Next-of-Kin of the Deceased in a Bank or Place of work.

SPECIAL APPRECIATION TO: Barrister Oladipupo Bodunrin for his great contributions on the Subject Matter.

MOSES DURODOLA
CONVENER, DISCOVERY MEDIA CREW

Many years ago I visited a multi millionaire elderly but frustrated friend. He was then in his late seventies. He sat recluse and deeply unhappy. He was living in a Private Estate of about 14 fully detached houses. He owned all the houses. Located strategically at the center of the Private Estate, was his opulent quasi Palace.

He then told me never to make the mistake he made.

My ears were itching to hear. He reeled them out in between sobs – Those 14 houses were built for his children. Most of the boys traveled overseas and never settled in Nigeria. The few that live in Nigeria never liked the houses and built their own houses. The rich man and his wife had arthritis and could not walk upstairs to their room in their own mansion. Both were then living in their Guest Room downstairs. Rodents and reptiles naturally took over many of those houses.

Physically, I saw a rich man lamenting.

He then advised me never to build big houses for myself or my children.

… That was the advise!

Hear me: Anything you acquired in excess will give you headache if not now but in the nearest future.

Those who have a fleet of cars will have high maintenance budget for vehicles that are largely underutilized. They will have regular liaison with car mechanics.

Those who have many houses will be occupied with many tenant related problems – Its either the roofs are falling off or the houses are due for repainting or some recalcitrant tenants have taken you to court. I forgot to mention land use charges .

My friend what you need to be happy is not as much as you imagine.

When you get to your mid fifties, you will suddenly observe that your house is too big for you.

The reason is that the children are gradually leaving the house to either marry or move to their homes.

You will suddenly notice that your 5 bedroom house has only two (2) inmates – You and your spouse. And you share one room anyway!!!

One word summarizes this message: CONTENTMENT.

Be content with what you have. Do not get involved in the rat race. Do not attempt to be like someone else.

Who told you the Person you want to rival is “Truly Happy” in the real sense of it?

Hear the Master Jesus Christ saying in Luke 12:15 — “A man’s life does not consist or depend on what he possesses.”

Instead the WORD of life says: GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT is Great Gain (1 Timothy 6:6).

Work with Wisdom. Do not sweat and labour and possibly hurt yourself for what you do not really need. Work hard for what you need and be content.

This way, one will not regret in old age like my elderly friend.

God bless you real good!

COPIED FROM: PASTOR SIMEON ARANONU’S WALL

Seeing “the world of sport today” as “a field of Christian Mission” may be a novel concept for many people.

On the superficial level, the Spiritual values of Christian discipleship would seem to conflict with the ideals of sports, which are viewed primarily as a secular activity.

Sports have become extremely important in the modern day world.

Political supremacy is often settled in the athletic field.

Professional sports occupy an important number of hours of TV programming.

Millions of people are involved in competitive leagues of all sorts.

Christian individuals will constantly be involved in competitive sports in one way or another: participating, watching, listening to Christian athletes and even evangelizing and giving Pastoral cares to athletes.

Sports and religion (Christianity) are essential tools for development, unity, stability, togetherness and peaceful co-existence among sports men and women as well as spectators i.e. sports lovers.

The only time Nigerians come together without any religious and ethnic sentiment or bias is when there is competition.

Religion and the role of religion as it pertains to sports involvement remain an area of concern – it should be apparent that sport and religion do have various common bonds.

Throughout history, humanity has invented sports primarily as a means to meet socially with others to display skills and physical prowess and to entertain or offer excitement.

Sports are recreational or competitive activities that involve some amount of physical strength or skill that has a form of disport meaning a diversion and an amusement.

Sports act as physical outlets; they allow participants to work out aggressive energies and emotions through involvement in the competitive recreational activity.

The roles of sports among many other things include the following:

1. To pursue personal achievement and self-promotion.
2. To be instrumental and goal-oriented in whatever one does.
3. To always be prepared for competition
4. To promote and develop social co-existence.

Religion fosters friendship; most societies see it as a means of recreation.

People converge in Churches and on days of Worship to meet friends and business associates.

Some regards it as a form of leisure.

There is no racial prejudice as it knows no bounds.

Religion advocates for love, brotherhood and social cohesion even among brethrens.

Several inherent relationship exist between sports and Christianity (religion) for instance: character building, discipline, competition, crown, physical fitness, constant practice, mental fitness, fairness,
playing according to rules, nationalism, and religiosity etc.

As such, sports are simply religion-like because both sports and religions have a similar characteristic that produces similar consequences.

It is observed that “Sports-Religions” relationship started from the Bible where … Jacob wrestled with the unknown (Gen. 32:24-30).

The following are identified similarities between Religion (Christianity) and Sports:

1. Both have places or buildings for communal gatherings and special events. Most sports have stadiums and arenas where fans attend regularly scheduled games or contests, and most religions have churches where believers attend regularly scheduled services.
2. Both emerge out of a similar quest for perfection in body, mind, and spirit. Sports emphasize physical training and discipline for physical development, and religions emphasize physical control and mental discipline for spiritual development.
3. Both are controlled through structured organizations and hierarchical systems of authority. Sports have commissioners, athletic directors, and coaches, and religions have Bishops, Pastors and Priests.
4. Both have events that celebrate widely shared values. Sports have games and contests to celebrate competition, hard work, and achievement, and religions have ceremonies and rituals to celebrate commitment, community, and redemption.
5. Both have rituals before, during, and after major events. Sports have initiations, national anthems, halftime pep talks, hand slapping, band parades, and postgame hand shaking; and religions have baptisms, opening hymns, regular sermons, the joining of hands, and ceremonial processions.
6. Both have heroes and legends about heroic accomplishments. Sports heroes are elected to ‘‘halls of fame,’’ with their stories told repeatedly by sports journalists, coaches and fans, and religious heroes are elevated to sainthood or sacred status, with their stories told repeatedly by religious writers, ministers, and believers.
7. Both evoke intense emotions and give meaning to people’s lives. Sports inspire players and fans to contemplate human potential, and religions inspire theologians and believers to contemplate the meaning of existence.
8. Both can be used to distract attention from important social, political, and economic issues and thereby become ‘‘opiates’’ of the masses. Sports focus attention on athlete celebrities, scores, and championships, and religions focus attention on a relationship with the supernatural, rather than here-and-now issues that affect the material conditions of people’s lives.

SOME BASIC TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY AND SPORTS

1. Being an athlete is not easy. The kind of patience and perseverance it takes to practice day in and day out for years, often without immediate reward, is not uncommon.

The true athlete follows all the rules in order to achieve his or her goal. Likewise it is not easy to be a Christian. The kind of righteousness and perseverance it takes to please God until the last day is available to us only because of God’s grace.

Both the Christian and the athlete know very well what it means to fight patiently now to be glorified later. They know how to live wholeheartedly for a goal.

Paul compares the Christian life to a race, but with a better prize in the end in 1Corinthians 9: 24-27.

1. The elite athlete is characterized by his Self-Discipline and Will Power.

He knows he can master his own body. He knows he is physically superior, and his will is stronger than most other people’s will.

But where is a Christian’s real strength? Not in his youth (Isaiah 40:30), nor in his Might and Strength (Psalms 33:16-17); likewise it’s not in his Greatness or Popularity (Psalms 118:8-9).

It is true that there is a physiological kind of Strength that has to do with physical fitness, and another one with will Power, but both are nevertheless limited by how much of them a person has at any particular time.

The kind of Strength and Might which come from God have nothing to do with those mentioned above.

They depend on the fear of God and trusting and hoping in Him.

If you are a Christian athlete you must avoid the temptation of thinking that Victory depends only on strictly following a training routine, thinking that you are in control of your life and thinking that you, by your own means only, can jump one centimeter higher (Matthew 6:27).

The athlete must give everything he has got in order to win, but the less he relies on his own Strength and the more he abandons himself in God’s Hands, the Greater his Might and Victories will be (Isaiah 40:28-31).

1. Athletes are used to giving priority to Sports before social life, rest, study, work, family, etc., and it is true that unless they do that, it will be very difficult to succeed.

At the same time, God wants the Christian to keep his/her priorities straight. God is number one (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), and Salvation should be everyone’s first concern.

It is necessary to give everything to sports in order to achieve success.

There will always be injuries, sickness, and failure; only the best however will get the prize.

And what is the prize? Is it worth all the effort?

The athlete fights for a medal or money prize, but the Christian strives to receive an eternal reward.

Should a Christian risk the latter in order to obtain the former? (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

1. Worship is often used in the Bible with a restricted meaning, related to Service and bowing down.

In order to please God, Worship must meet several requirements: it must reflect a life dedicated to obedience and the service of God (1 Samuel 15:22-23; Micah 6:6-8).

The worshipper must live in Holiness (Psalm 15), and be Just (Isaiah 1:11-17).

The Bible’s Old Testament is full of prescriptions for acceptable worship.

Furthermore, the New Testament states that there is one way to Worship God: in Spirit and Truth (John 4:21-24).

It is a little risky, therefore, to try to fit Sports competition as Worship.

The use of the term celebration (notwithstanding that celebration is sometimes a form of Worship) would be more appropriate. Although real competitiveness ought to be a characteristic of the Christian athlete, one condition should be met: the Glory and Praise should always be God’s, not the winner’s.

This is very difficult because sport fans idolize their champions.

The whole structure is built with a secular perspective.

Olympic Games, for instance, are a celebration of man’s Victory and Great Capacities.

True Christian games would not award medals to the winners but would end with Praise and Adoration of God (Acts 14:8-17).

In conclusion therefore, the ‘‘uses’’ of Sports by rlReligion and the ‘‘uses’’ of Religion by Sports are shared.

The combination of Sports and Religion strengthen National Unity, Church Membership, Self-Discipline and Character Moulding to cope with uncertainty, stay out of trouble, and give meaning to sports participation and Christianity.

It also put Sports into proper perspective, establishes solidarity and cohesion among teams, and reaffirms the rules and authority of coaches and the faith of Christians.

Moses Durodola