₦airaland Forum

The importance of daily prayer

Tue, 14 Jul 2026

“I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10

Dr. George Washington Carver overcame racial prejudice and became an educator, scientist, and inventor who was honoured by the U.S. Congress. He was also a follower of Christ. And here’s what he had to say about prayer: “My prayers seem to be more of an attitude than anything else. I indulge in very little lip service, but ask the Great Creator silently, daily, and often many times a day to permit me to speak to Him…I ask Him…to give me wisdom, understanding, and bodily strength to do His will; hence I am asking and receiving all the time.”

Carver gave the world many inventions and was most famous for what he could do with a peanut. He stood on the truth of these Scriptures: “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight” (Isaiah 45:2 NKJV). “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV). “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV). Pay particular attention to Carver’s words: “I am asking and receiving all the time.” Prayer was not his last resort, but his first choice. To him, it was more than religious ritual; it was a means of constant communication with the God he loved, sometimes talking and sometimes listening, but at all times sensitive to and aware of the presence of God. And daily prayer should be that for you too.

😂😂😂...... wahala for who no get catapult.

Be a team player

Mon, 13 Jul 2026

“One standing alone can be…defeated, but two can…conquer.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

Solomon wrote: “One standing alone can be…defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.” What Solomon is saying is this: “Be a team player.” Deuteronomy 32 speaks of one person chasing 1,000 and two putting 10,000 to flight (v. 30). The lesson is that two working together will be ten times more effective than one going solo.

Teams create synergy. The best explanation of synergy is that a hand is more effective than five fingers working independently of each other. When the press interviewed Edmund Hillary regarding the key to his success in being the first to reach the top of Mount Everest, his response was inspiring: “Our greatest strength on Everest in 1953 was our very strong team spirit. Individually, as mountaineers, we were not particularly expert people. We were competent climbers, but we worked together, and we were determined that someone should get to the top. All of us, of course, wanted to be that one, but it was even more important that someone in the group reached the summit. In modern-day climbing, this team spirit is not quite so common. There are many more prima donnas in the modern climbing fraternity, people who have great skills and great individualism, but who may not work together as enthusiastically as we did.” The truth is that no individual is as smart and strong as all of us are as a group. Or to put it in the words of Dr. John Maxwell: “Teamwork makes the dream work.” So be willing to sacrifice your personal agenda for the greater good that can be accomplished only by a team.

Hallelujah 🙌

royalnose:
101. He healed me from Liver and Heart diseases

Start your day with God

Sunday 12th July 2026

“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord.” Psalm 5:3 NKJV

How do you start your day with God? If you’re not a “morning person,” don’t put pressure on yourself to have an extended time of reading Scripture and praying first thing in the morning. Frank Laubach, a modern-day master of practicing the presence of God, said, “If you are weary of some sleepy form of devotion, probably God is as weary of it as you are.”

Instead of forcing yourself in the morning, try to arrange—as early as you can after you wake up—to have just a few minutes alone with God. Do three things: First, acknowledge your dependence on God. Second, tell Him about your concerns for the day. Third, invite God to spend the day with you. The Psalmist said, “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord…I will direct it to You, and I will look up.” Then he added, “I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word” (Psalm 119:147 NKJV). So how can you start your day with God? Don’t attempt to do a lot of new or heroic things. Just do the things you normally do—only do them with God. In our culture, we often talk about embracing the moment and seizing the day. But we are not meant to embrace moments; we are meant to embrace God. Moments are not always good; God is never anything but good. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!” (Psalm 118:1 NKJV). Remind yourself that today God is with you, and that He will be good to you and for you.

Haba! This is not fair to a dead man at all. May his soul rest in peace.

Nwaokunkpara:
I don't think that south African souls deserve to rest in peace

Kilishi is much preferred. Though, that suya from the University of Suya on Allen Avenue, Ikeja is something else.

😁😁😁

Look back and be encouraged

Sat, 11 Jul 2026

“We count them blessed who endure.” James 5:11

James wrote: “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:10-11 NKJV). Here we are reminded to look back and be challenged and encouraged by those who went before us as we await the Lord’s coming.

Look back at Hosea: His wife deserted him, but he faithfully hung in there and God restored their marriage (Hosea 3:1-3). Look back at Daniel: He was thrown into a lions’ den for standing firm in his faith, but God delivered and promoted him (Daniel 6:1-28). Look back at Jeremiah: He was arrested, accused of being a traitor, and thrown into a well to die (Jeremiah 37-38). But he looked up, and God delivered him. Then there’s the roll call of the faithful listed in Hebrews eleven! Those of us who have been rejected by family members can look back to Abel (v. 4). Those who are misunderstood can look back to Noah (v. 7). Those battling a crisis of faith and who seem to be up against the impossible can look back to Abraham (vv. 8-10). If you’ve been used or abused, look back to Joseph (v. 22). Those confronted by seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life can look back to Joshua (v. 30). Those seeking to move beyond a sinful past can look back to Rahab (v. 31). So, this is the word for you today: Look back and be encouraged.

Holy Communion

Fri, 10 Jul 2026

“This is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24

Here are three reasons you need to partake of Holy Communion:

(1) To make you grace-minded. No one will ever stand in heaven and say, “Look what Jesus and I have accomplished.” If you had to pay one penny of your debt of sin, it would make you a co-redeemer with Christ. What an offence to the cross! (Ephesians 2:8-9.) Hymnist Horatio Spafford wrote: “My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!” (2) To keep you sensitive to sin. “…Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29 NKJV). You say, “If I sin and take communion, does that mean I’m drinking liquid damnation?” No, it’s the “manner” in which you approach God that counts. You don’t have to avoid the communion cup; you need only confess your sin, then drink deeply with gratitude. (3) To keep you focused on Christ’s return. “…I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25 NKJV). Every communion service brings you one step closer to the greatest communion service of all: the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven (Revelation 19:7). Are you planning on being there?

Holy Communion

Fri, 10 Jul 2026

“This is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24

Here are three reasons you need to partake of Holy Communion:

(1) To make you grace-minded. No one will ever stand in heaven and say, “Look what Jesus and I have accomplished.” If you had to pay one penny of your debt of sin, it would make you a co-redeemer with Christ. What an offence to the cross! (Ephesians 2:8-9.) Hymnist Horatio Spafford wrote: “My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!” (2) To keep you sensitive to sin. “…Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29 NKJV). You say, “If I sin and take communion, does that mean I’m drinking liquid damnation?” No, it’s the “manner” in which you approach God that counts. You don’t have to avoid the communion cup; you need only confess your sin, then drink deeply with gratitude. (3) To keep you focused on Christ’s return. “…I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25 NKJV). Every communion service brings you one step closer to the greatest communion service of all: the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven (Revelation 19:7). Are you planning on being there?

ExxonMobil? I thought their production was at Ibeno/Eket in Akwa Ibom? I might be wrong sha? Or, do we have 2 ExxonMobil? 🤔

Omoh, you too waka ooo. And you are not afraid of a ghost coming to attack you? ☹️

Reprogram and renew your mind

Thu, 9 Jul 2026

“Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5

Neuroscientists show that repeated thoughts and habits strengthen neural pathways over time. Now juxtapose that with this: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5 NKJV).

Simply put: the mind of Christ is the Word of God. After all, Jesus is “the Word” (John 1:1). When you pray, or meditate, or memorise Scripture, you are engraving Jesus on your brain. Neurologically speaking, you are recruiting new neuro connections and rerouting old ones. Slowly but surely, your brain is being rewired and renewed. Think of it as mind sync. You are downloading the very words, the very thoughts of God. And over time, those downloads are upgrades that form the mind of Christ in us.

Note what author Mark Batterson says about how he reads the Bible, “I continue until I come to any verse that may suggest pausing. It’s often something I need to think about or pray about. Sometimes it’s the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and I need to have a conversation with God before I continue…When I come to one of those verses, I do three things:

First, I underline it or circle it in my Bible.

Second, I write it out in longhand in my journal.

Third, I journal thoughts, confessions, and ideas associated with it. Then, when I feel like the Holy Spirit brings closure, I go on to the next verse.”

Those are three great ideas that will work for you too.

😁😁😁😁. You know, the racism will always give them out.

dettolgel:
The slowpoke even wanted to play the victim. She thinks the rest of the world is as slow as Paraguayans.

O pari.....🤷.

kiddaz:
Honest truth: Not in this lifetime bro. So long as there's life on earth. There can never be absolute peace. Chaos is a tool nature uses to balance herself from time to time

God. When are we going to have the final peace?

She is such a disgrace to her family and country. Useless woman.

God loves and accepts you

Wed, 8 Jul 2026

“He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness.” Colossians 1:13

Jimmy Wayne never knew his father, and his mother spent more time in prison than out. When Jimmy was twelve, his mother was released from jail and took up with a troublemaker. They loaded him into the back seat of their car, and for a year that was his home. Then one day, they dumped him at a Pensacola, Florida, bus station and drove off.

He had no home, no future, and no provision. While wandering through a neighbourhood, he spotted an older man at work in a garage woodshop. He approached the elderly gentleman and asked if he had any work. Not only did he give Jimmy Wayne a job, but he also took him in to live with him and his wife. Having a home to live in was like heaven to Jimmy. Still, in spite of their kindness, he refused to unpack his bag. For four days, his plastic bag sat on the floor, full of clothes, ready if the husband and wife changed their minds. It took several days, a dozen or so meals, and more than one heart-to-heart conversation. But they finally persuaded Jimmy to trust them to care for him. Perhaps you question your place in God’s family or His love for you. What if He changes His mind? God answered that question at the cross. When Jesus died, the heavenly vote was forever cast in your favour. “He has rescued [you] from the kingdom of darkness and transferred [you] into the Kingdom of his dear Son.” P.S.: What happened to Jimmy Wayne? He took his place in the family, got an education, and became a country music singer and songwriter.

Kudos to the state police.

More responsibility calls for more prayer

Tue, 7 Jul 2026

“When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me.” Psalm 56:9

In the early days of America, a stranger asked how he might identify George Washington among those present at Congress. He was told, “You can easily distinguish him when Congress goes to prayer. Washington is the gentleman who kneels down.” Washington was known as a man who prayed. When the fate of the new nation hung in the balance at Valley Forge, he frequently found rest and relief in prayer.

Stories from that era describe Washington as a man of prayer, especially under pressure. A farmer returned home and told his wife: “George Washington will succeed, and the Americans will secure their independence.” His wife said, “Isaac, what makes you think so?” He replied, “I heard him pray out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will, Hannah, rest assured, He will!” When we have less, we’re more aware of our need and pray more. But as we acquire and achieve more, we become more self-sufficient and pray less. That’s a mistake. The more God entrusts to you, the more you need His strength, His wisdom, His guidance, and His grace. David sat on a throne and ruled Israel. Was he proud or arrogant? No. “When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me…In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid” (vv. 9, 11 NKJV). So this is the word for you today: More responsibility calls for more prayer.

Have you prayed about it?

Mon, 6 Jul 2026

“You do not have because you do not ask.” James 4:2

From the beginning of the Bible to its conclusion, we see absolute evidence that God answers prayer. Things that we think are impossible, God does when people pray! When we pray, we align ourselves with the purposes of God and tap into the power of the Almighty. Because we pray, God works through us in ways He wouldn’t otherwise.

God has made certain things dependent upon prayer, things that will never be done unless we pray. Could God do whatever He chooses without our prayer? Of course. But God has determined that He will use the prayers of His people to accomplish His purposes. When we do not pray, we limit what God will do in our lives. Some may not like the sound of this, but if it were not true, what could James mean when he writes: “You do not have because you do not ask?” Why would Paul ask some friends to, “Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured…that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NIV), if he did not believe their prayers had the power to change his circumstances? Both James and Paul believed that God might well withhold His hand of blessing from them if they neglected to pray. Since they wanted all the blessing available to them, they not only prayed themselves, they recruited others to pray for them. They never wanted to limit what God might be pleased to do in and through them by failing to pray. And if you want all the blessing God has available, you too must pray.

🤣🤣🤣

AlphaTaikun:
That's a bad ass combo of Ikokore Ijebu and garri Ijebu that I'd like to try someday. Well garnished Ikokore is very tasty though.

Radarada ☹️.....

If only she knew what her father did to cover up for criminals. Pleading in advance to the in coming government to forgive their sins.

How to have a good day

Sun, 5 Jul 2026

“In vain you rise early and stay up late…for he grants sleep to those he loves.” Psalm 127:2

In western culture, we think of a day beginning when the sun comes up. But the creation account says: “The evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:5 NKJV). Each day began with evening. One author said it this way; the biblical writers help us to remember: “Everything doesn’t depend on me. I go to sleep; God goes to work. It’s His day. The world keeps spinning, tides ebb and flow, lives begin and end even though I am not there to superintend any of it. God is present when I sleep.”

So, the Psalmist wrote: “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves” (Psalm 127:2 NIV). Every year, thousands of people die in car accidents caused by sleep deprivation and fatigue. Lack of sleep causes people to argue with spouses and friends, do subpar work, be less loving and more irritable with children and friends, and generally feel miserable. So, here’s how to “have a good day.” Before you go to sleep, take a few minutes to review your day with God. Seek to resolve any household conflicts before bedtime. Paul wrote: “Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT). Confess any sin that comes to mind and ask for forgiveness. Where you were blessed today, take time to savour it and say thanks. In other words, give God the last word in your day.

What again does Gbaja want in life? 🤷...... his greed had caught up with him.

Exercise patience

Sat, 4 Jul 2026

“Therefore be patient…until the coming of the Lord.” James 5:7

Patience, from the biblical perspective, embodies these four things:

(1) Confidence in God’s unfailing love and faithfulness to us: “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV). (2) Confidence that He will keep His promises to us: “There has not failed one word…which He promised” (1 Kings 8:56 NKJV). (3) Confidence that He has everything that concerns us under control: “The Lord will vindicate me” (Psalm 138:8 NIV). (4) Confidence that even in the most difficult of circumstances, He is working for our good. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28 NKJV). Confidence in God enables us to live by the Word: “He that believeth shall not make haste” (Isaiah 28:16 KJV). Impatience is at the root of so many of our failures. Hence the apostle James wrote: “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.” Look at Simon Peter: He came close to committing murder in the garden of Gethsemane in a vain attempt to protect Jesus (see John 18:10). Look at Moses: His impatience caused him to strike the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded; hence he forfeited the Promised Land (see Numbers 20:1-13). Look at Abraham: His impatience while waiting for God’s promise of a son to be fulfilled led to the birth of Ishmael and serious complications in the family (see Genesis 16:1-16). Hence Paul wrote: “Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4 NKJV). So, the word for you today is—exercise patience!

Before you get married

Fri, 3 Jul 2026

“Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” Amos 3:3

Here are three things you should be clear about before you commit to a lifetime relationship in marriage:

(1) Does your partner have a strong relationship with Christ? “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” (Amos 3:3 NLT). To stay together, you must walk in step and in the same direction. (2) Is your partner growing spiritually? “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). If you are not growing together, you will eventually grow apart. Looks may bring you together, but a shared faith and values will keep you together for the long haul. (3) What kind of family background does your partner have? God can help us overcome our handicaps caused by family dysfunction. But you need to know what you are dealing with before you vow to love one another “For better or for worse.” Paul wrote: “Carry each other’s burdens…this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NIV). But you need to know upfront what those burdens are before committing to a lifetime of helping to share them. Do you know about your partner’s past relationships? “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV). But that doesn’t mean you can cover up the past or lie about it. Mutual transparency is the name of the game! When you know the whole truth about one another, the past loses its power to sabotage your present and your future. No spouse is perfect, but don’t settle for less than God’s best.

With God’s help, you’ll succeed

Thu, 2 Jul 2026

“My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

Some of the world’s greatest achievers went through life with physical disabilities and overcame incredible adversities. Sir Walter Scott was crippled. John Bunyan, author of The Pilgrim’s Progress, was imprisoned. George Washington, America’s first president, almost froze and starved to death in the snows of Valley Forge. Abraham Lincoln ended the scourge of slavery in America, yet he was raised in abject poverty and died prematurely from an assassin’s bullet. British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli was subject to bitter religious prejudice. Franklin D. Roosevelt was struck down with infantile paralysis.

Ludwig van Beethoven became deaf. Glen Cunningham, an Olympic runner holding many world records, had his legs badly burned in a school fire. Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman, Marion Anderson, and George Washington Carver were born into a society filled with racial discrimination. Enrico Caruso was from a large, poor Italian family where only a few children survived past infancy. Itzhak Perlman, concert violinist, was paralysed from the waist down at age four. In the eyes of his father and family, biblical David wasn’t considered worthy to be Israel’s next king in the place of Saul. Moralists and legalists would surely have disqualified him because of his violation of Bathsheba. Yet God referred to him as “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22 NIV). And here’s what David said about God: “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…I have put my trust in the Lord God” (vv. 26, 28 NKJV). The word for you today is: with God’s help, you’ll succeed.

Spiritual pathways (6)

Wed, 1 Jul 2026

“Truly my soul silently waits for God.” Psalm 62:1

The contemplative pathway. If you relate to God best through the contemplative pathway, you love large blocks of quietness and uninterrupted time alone. It is very likely that when you were a child, your parents would tell you to go outside and play with other kids more. Reflection comes naturally to you. You often feel like an observer in life.

Here are some Scriptures you easily identify with: “Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still. Selah” (Psalm 4:4 NKJV). “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret” (Psalm 37:7 NKJV). “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NKJV). “Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.” God is most present to you when distractions and noises are removed. Images, metaphors, and pictures help you as you pray. If you get too busy or spend too much time with too many people hanging around, you begin to feel drained and stretched thin. You do not require much external stimulation. Making time to listen to God in silence and solitude is vital to the health of your soul, and it’s necessary for you to experience a deepening sense of His presence. You need regular, protected, intense, undistracted time alone. But here’s a word of caution: The Bible says, “If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11 NKJV). And love takes time and effort. Sometimes it requires sacrifice. One of the best ways to show your love for God is to show it to the people around you whom God loves.

Happy New Month ❤️

Spiritual pathways (5)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” Ecclesiastes 9:10

The activist pathway. When you’re on this spiritual pathway, you have a high level of energy. This may be one of your favourite Scriptures: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” But one of the dangers of relating to God best through the activist pathway is that a big chunk of your motivation can be self-fulfilment and self-satisfaction.

Hence Paul wrote: “Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church” (1 Corinthians 14:12 NLT). When you are an activist, you love a fast-paced, problem-filled, complex, strenuous way of life. At the end of the day, you want to be able to say, “I ran really hard. I used every ounce of effort and zeal at my disposal, and it’s all for You, God.” One biblical example of an activist is Nehemiah. When he heard that the walls of his beloved Jerusalem were in ruins, he wept, he prayed, he petitioned the king for the resources to rebuild them, and then he rolled up his sleeves and went to work. If you are an activist, you need a cause. Without it, your spiritual life will stagnate. But here is a word of caution: Don’t get so excited about your cause that you run over people or exploit them. And here’s another word of caution: If you are an activist, you may have a hard time discerning God’s true calling from your own strong impulses to action. If that’s the case, take added time to pray and hear from God and have a qualified friend in your life whose counsel you trust.

Spiritual pathways (4)

Mon, 29 Jun 2026

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” Psalm 122:1

The worship pathway. When you’re on the worship pathway, you resonate with the Psalmist: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” Something deep inside you feels released when praise is given. Your heart opens up and you come alive. You find yourself in tears, sometimes in moments of deep joy, because God seems so close. But here are two cautions if you’re on this pathway:

(1) Don’t judge people who are not as outwardly expressive as you. Some of them grew up in churches where no one raised a finger, let alone a hand in worship. (2) Guard against an experience-based spirituality that has you always looking for the next “worship high.” C. S. Lewis warned against demanding that God reproduce an experience or an emotion. He said that of all prayers, this may be the one God is least likely to grant because it can lead us to worship an experience rather than the God to whom our experience points. Music, for instance, can be a great gift to worship. But because music affects our feelings so powerfully, we can grow dependent on it to produce a certain emotional response. In this case, you may need to spend some time worshiping God without music, so that your worship is based on who God is and not a matter of getting swept up in certain sounds. Also, you may need to engage more in Bible study so that your heart is deeply rooted in the knowledge of God.

Spiritual pathways (3)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026

“I thought about my ways.” Psalm 119:59

The serving pathway. On the serving pathway, you find God’s presence seems most tangible when you’re helping others. You identify with the words of Jesus: “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these…you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40 NKJV). And you may find that you are uncomfortable in a setting where you don’t have a role to play or a service to perform.

An example of this would be Dorcas, whom the Bible says, “was full of good works and charitable deeds” (Acts 9:36 NKJV). The primary reason for serving is not that it’s something we’re supposed to do, but that it brings joy. Some of us feel the presence of Jesus more strongly in the presence of those we serve. President Jimmy Carter has probably inspired more people as an ex-president than he did while he was in office because of his passion for servanthood through such channels as Habitat for Humanity. People on this pathway find that if they’re just attending church but have no place to serve, God begins to feel distant. They need to be “plugged in.” Two dangers faced if you are in the serving pathway are: (1) You will be tempted to judge others who don’t seem to be serving as much as you do. (2) You can get caught up in being God’s servant and forget that you’re His beloved and redeemed child. Hence you have to stretch by learning to receive love as well as to offer it.