God is indeed alive! He was yesterday, He is today, and He will be forever and ever. He is the God of the living. In Him we live, move and have our being.

 It is only the living God who can keep our lives going onto eternity with Him (Eternal Bliss). Sing: "Am serving a living God...O a living God". He is not man that He should lie...In His Father's House there are many mansions there. Note: You can't appreciate the life of the blessed, if you do not appreciate the creator of blessedness! Your faith must assist your hope for blessed life in eternity. Sing: "Do you know there is another fellowship in heaven? I know there is another fellowship in heaven".

Dear friend, your faith is in your hands. Nobody can force you to believe in God the creator of all things. When you find Him, you have everything! Max Lucado wrote, "A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek God just to find her". Today, what effort do you put into seeking God your creator? - Never relent!!!

However, two things are certain in this world; birth and death; no one knows the accurate time of each. Just be good while still living! Surely no one can leave this world alive! ...what we are to be has not yet been revealed...we shall behold him as He really is, at the end of time! Some things are also certain while in this finite world: Your birth, name, education, income, respect, first and last bath will be given by others.

Also after death, your property and belongings will be taken by others.

Even funeral service will be done by others... why not just be simple,humble and loving towards God and neighbour for eternal happiness with Him forever. Your faith and hope should be strong in the resurrection of the dead... Don't be like the Sadducees who deny the resurrection of the dead.

He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. You remember what she said, "My brother would not have died if you were here...but I know you can still make him to live again" (Statement of strong faith and hope in the Power of the living God). He is the everlasting Life-giver! Sing: "Ijoba orun lere onigbagbo o..."

The seven brothers in Maccabees 7:1-14 endured suffering and pain because of a better life to come in God. They said, "Ours is a better choice". What is your own choice today amidst the recession and hardship in the land? This Yoruba song comes to mind: "Sioni o, ilu ayo, Jerusalemu o, ilu

ogo. Afigbati oju mi ba ri o, ye o ma gbagbe gbogbo iya ti mo je...". How are you also holding on is faith? Tomorrow will be brighter and greater for those who trust in the Lord. "Good better best, I will never rest, until my good is better...". Let us all endure today, so as to enjoy tomorrow. Ps. 17 tell us, "I kept my feet firmly in your path Lord...and shall be filled when I awake with the sight of your Glory"

The most important thing happening to you today is not your lotto, money, mansion, wife, children, love affairs, job, business, certificate; but life itself, that you are alive and God is watching over you...the life within you wants to keep living to eternity. Face the reality and be forever happy in whatever situation life puts you! St Augustine says, "My soul is restless until it rest in the Lord". Let us be men and women of faith. All is well. Sing: "Am trading my sorrow, am trading my pain, am laying them down for the joy of the Lord...".

Happy Sunday my dear People of God

one. Fr. Balogun Stephen