Many people think that, sickness is natural, so they don’t see healing as important. For some, there’s no need to pray when disease comes. Others say, God gave them the sickness so they think it is his will not to heal them.
Do you know it is God’s will to heal everyone? The whole Bible is full of verses where Jesus himself as God healed many people. The healing of the blind, lame, maimed, mute, deaf and demon-possessed were common place in those days. Everyone who came to him with faith, received a miracle.
Mathew 8:16, When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
Out of love and compassion for us, God sent Jesus to show us we have a relationship with him.
In John 14:9, he said he who has seen Jesus has seen the Father. God and Jesus never gave sicknesses to anyone. On the contrary, when a leper or sick person came to him for healing, Jesus, full of compassion, told the leper, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Is God willing to give us healing?
God is willing and ready to give us healing for every aspect of our lives. Every part like All about us. Healing doesn’t only imply health when we are sick in the body. Healing extends to financial, emotional and even mentally.
Wasting time to think, your broken situation is the plan of God to make you learn something, is a popular myth. It is funny that some people say God wants me sick, but they go to the Doctors, take medications and rest. God created the plants used to make the medicines. Whether we recognize it or not, that’s still part of his love for us.
In summary, God wants us to be well and healed.
If you still doubt how much God is willing to see us healthy, check out his prophecy of what Jesus will do to us through Prophet Isaiah.
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
What does God want us to do?
If you are sick in any area of your life, know that God did not give you the disease or problem.
God is all powerful. He could’ve saved us without dying. Yet, he suffered and died to make us see how he relates with our suffering and life.
I recommend you search all healing miracles of Jesus and spend time reading. You will see that, Jesus was happy to heal everyone who was sick.
Exodus 15:26.He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
He wants us well.
All we need to do is to believe in him. We have to have that unwaving strong conviction which says God’s with us, and he wants us to be in the healthiest state of mind and body.
If we call upon his name, he is ready to respond if we will just call upon him. If you didn’t know, healing is our right. Jesus paid it all on the cross. Every stripe on his body was a significance of our peace and health. He paid the price for our healing.
Healing is our right
So if the devil says, and he always does that you cannot be healed,”just declare”, Jesus has paid for my healing, disease has no right to be in my body. I am healed in Jesus’ name!”
Did you know that every curse of sickness that was supposed to fall on you fell on Jesus instead? He bore every one of those painful stripes on his body, so that you and I can walk in divine health all the days of our lives. The price has been paid so that we can rise up and get out of our bed of affliction in celebration.
Regardless of what you are experiencing today, God has healed that marriage, job situation, relationship and body. In his perfect time, he will make it manifest, so let’s rejoice in hope and Thanksgiving.
Lapu-lapu city formerly called Opon is a big city in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It is part of the Cebu province and the host to the second-busiest airport in the country – The Mactan-cebu international airport.
I wasn’t very wowed at the arrival section, but the departure part stole my heart. You can still do last minute shopping of Filipino artefacts at the national departure section.
Coconut sellers are many beside almost every street corner. I noticed the coconuts are whitish and very soft inside. So, these vendors scrape everything, put in a big jar full of ice blocks, add thick condensed milk and sell based on prices. They sold in tiny white plastic bags and would give a straw if you asked. That wasn’t natural to me, therefore I didn’t try.
It was no suprise fishing are the islanders’ primary activities. I saw countless small and big size boats and sea vessels anchored at almost every edge of the Island’s water.
There is a 2,822-foot (860-metre) bridge that was completed in 1973 which connects Mactan and Cebu islands.
The island doesn’t have much to see except swimming at different beaches. I didn’t go because they were far away and most had relatively high entrance fees, at least in my opinion. Cannoneering is common water sports for many tourists and Filipinos in Cebu. I didn’t dare because I am not courageous to dive from heights.
Here are a few things to do for free in Lapu-Lapu city.
Enjoy the sunset and a drink at 10,000 roses and café
This is a small café at the edge of the Coldova beach. You are wondering what is different in this place compared to others. I wondered too until l went and saw. The two storey has a deck with chairs and excess sea breeze. There are protective bars at the edge for people like me who preferred standing.
Inside, the smell of coffee could almost suffocate me. I was impatient to stand on a long queue, but the number of people indicated it was tasty.
What makes this place special is the garden of thousands of roses. These artificial roses are organized in a line, separated into 5000 each and a small alley.
During the day, the bright white colour blinks corresponding to the sun rays whilst in the night, the tiny electric bulbs inside the roses creates a whole different vibe. It is the perfect picture zone for lovers and families. All you will see are smiles and hear cheeses.
I even saw a couple taking wedding prep photos there. Amazingly, If you get a spot to take your picture, you have to be fast before someone else unintentionally photo bumps.
When to go there
It’s one of the touristic attractions and a local relaxation hotspot for Cebuans. As such, it can be very crowded, especially towards evening hours.
I went there at 4pm and cannot lie, it was the perfect time. I really enjoyed watching the sunset transforming the white-blue skies into thick orange-yellow. It remains one of my favourite sunset views.
I recommend going there earlier in the day or morning, that way maybe there will not be a lot of people.
Weekends too are not the best times because there wil be many people.
The small place has a lot of picture zones beside the roses, where smiles and laughter is all you will hear as people pose.
This little hidden gem is far from the main city, so expect to spend at least an hour on the way. You can board a jepney and then a tryclce or hire a Grab taxi. Either way, the photos were worthy.
How much is the entrance fee
Since there are some people who want to just relax beside the sea and not buy from the café, the place instituted an entrance fee. I paid 20 pesos after standing on a long queue in front of the main gate.
To my surprise, I noticed residents from Cordova were exempted from the fee upon showing their national identity cards.
Everyone gets a small receipt and a stamp on their wrist.
I spent two hours just relaxing and admiring nature. It was too crowded to join the line for a drink.
Take a historic walk to the lapu-lapu city, Mactan Shrine
The famous Shrine can be misconstrued for a holy avenue, at least that’s what l thought when l heard it was a tourist area.
Before l cancelled it on my list, l decided to read more. Reading in detail, l learned this place is a historic-treasured site. Filipinos honor one of their fighters Lapu Lapu who succeeded to fight the Spanish invaders. On the 27 of April in 1521, Chief Lapu-Lapu fatally wounded Ferdinand Magellan.
In remembrance and memorial, there is a huge stone plint at the open area bearing the date that Magellan died. This Spaniard’s defeat resulted in the victory of the Philippines, reasons why the whole city is named after Lapu Lapu.
Also, there is a gigantic steel sculpture made of him holding a large sword and a shield. Its golden paint is appealing meters away.
Those national monuments are constructed in commemoration of the 500 anniversary of the Mactan Battle. Just so you don’t over expect, this is simple an open area beside the beach with a large cemented ground area. No one can resist not taking pictures with Lapu Lapu after hearing about his bravery.
Another section beside the monuments has bathrooms and an open gallery. There are paintings simulating the war on a large wall.
Besides hearing about Lapu Lapu and the history of Cebu from a commercial boat rider and some friendly Filipinos, l was happy to go shopping at the back part of the gate area.
There’s a line of small shops almost 10 in number selling unique Filipinos arts spanning from designed bags, slippers, clothes and a lot of jewellery. In my confusion, l settled for a medium size bag and a comfortable pair of slippers.
Go shopping at the Lapu-Lapu city Opon market
If you are a picky eater like me, you might have to go to this market. I went there almost every two days. It isn’t very big, but it has all the necessities you will need to cook a simple pot of food. I typically bought fresh fish, pork, beef, vegetables and spices. The eggs were relatively cheaper there than at the neighborhood shops.
If you love fruits, you will see a variety here too. I bought a lot of fresh fruits there. For example, I was so surprised to see some of the biggest guavas l have ever seen in my life. Given they are my favourite, l hastily bought a few. Unfortunately, they didn’t taste as sweet as l expected, but my hunger urge was satisfied.
The red and green seedless grapes weren’t very sweet either, but l liked the watermelon. You will probably like the mangoes or the tapioca (mango juice) sold around the streets.
There were a few sections for clothes, shoes and household basics. UNITOP is a large nationwide supermarket where electronics and household things are sold. Beside the main road, a large area was dedicated for BBQ. I saw chicken most of the time l passed there, but l guess there were other things like intestines also grilled.
Try a Filipino food at a local restuarant
My attempt to try local Filipino food left me with many thoughts. During one of my random walks, I stopped by at Von’s Grill. The tiny restaurant had only three tables and seemed to offer a variety. Sadly, the chief cook wasn’t available. The attendant suggested Filipinos pasta and beef with vegetables. I was too hungry to deny.
First, the food portion was reasonable, but the taste was an issue. It was too salty. I cannot confirm if that’s how it’s typically done, or it’s the mistake of the interim chef. Either way, I filled my belly as much as I could handle, sipping water along the bites.
Maybe because I don’t like unfamiliar food, but I recommend trying any Filipino meal or street snack.
Do you like fast food?
On another lazy day, I did a random search of McDonalds. With a 20-25mins walk, I was at their small branch. I cannot elaborate the menu on this post, but I think it’s the same as those in other countries.
I am not a fast food fanatic, but I enjoyed the spices used in the chicken. The portions too were reasonable. I felt satisfied for all the three different times I popped there.
Jollibee will be a new name to a non-fast food eater, at least it was for me. I saw many of their branches littered on almost every street corner.
After stopping by a few times to satisfy my grumbling intestinal worms, I noticed it was a fast-growing international food chain that had been for 25 years. Their signature ice tea seems to be what separates them from other fast foods. At least that was my observation. They sold ice creams instead of soft juices. Their burgers were smaller in sizes, but the meat filling was delicious.
I dared their spaghetti and sausage tomato sauce and could say, it was average. I must remark that, their prices were relatively cheap, no wonder their shops were crowded too.
The tiny Mom’s Pizza shop beside Saekyoung condominium has delicious pizzas too. On the day I arrived, tired and hungry, I felt calm after swallowing several bites of cheese pizza made within a couple of minutes. Their memory flashcards were a unique form of decoration. I recommend grabbing a bite here.
Since I cooked most of the time, my list is short for food. Once, I was too lazy and tired after work to even go outside. I ordered via the Grab app and had McDonald deliver with 20 mins. The taste was awesome, but I had to pay extra for the biker.
Where to stay in Lapu-lapu city
Many well furnished flats in the Philippines were pricey.
I used Airbnb for my search and could affirm l wasn’t disappointed. The studio room at Saekyung Condominum has a fridge, microwave, electric cooker and all basic kitchen utensils. There’s a big queen size bed with a comfortable mattress. If you choose to relax on the comfy sofa and watch Netflix, you will still be satisfied. Whether with the air conditioner or enjoying the fresh sea breeze from the balcony in the mornings and evenings, there seemed to be enough air coming into the house.
The spice of my trip was the big pool in the yard. It was great to unwind and remove the sweat from the scorching sun in the warm pool water.
However, I contracted pool sinuses after my third swim, but l think it was because of the chlorine. Maybe my skin was sensitive, but l assure you it was fun swimming there. People are always there except on Mondays to balance the heat of the sunny weather.
Why should you stay at Saekyung Condominium
The advantage of this place is that it’s barely 20 mins away from the main Cebu province airport.
This place is located in Lapu- Lapu city, some 30–45 mins away from the famous Cebu City.
In my ignorance, l thought Cebu City was the only city on the island. Very shortly after my arrival, l learned that Cebu is a province full of many islands. With simple prior geography search and reading, l should’ve known. It was too late to change the island. There aren’t a lot of touristy things to do in Lapu Lapu, so plan accordingly.
Cebu City on the other hand has a lot of attractions and l would’ve loved to stay there.
After regretting, I later figured how to go there. ?first, l walked almost 20 mins to the bus terminal where l boarded a bus to Cebu island. It took 45 mins sometimes due to traffic. Other times, l walked some 15 mins to the ferry terminal and took a ferry which lasted 20 mins. The ferry was faster, but you need to take a taxi or jeepney from the port to move around the city because it’s slightly far away from the heart of the city.
The famous Merriam-Webster dictionary defines fornication as sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other.
This is a common phenomenon these days. People are comfortable staying with their boy/girlfriends without a marriage vow. Though it is rampant these days, it has its roots in centuries before now.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Contrary to popular belief, fornicating is a choice, not a mistake. Everyone is tempted and will be tempted, but we choose not to yield to the temptation if we fear God.
In the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, sexual sin was condemned without an exception.
Jesus spoke strongly against sexual sin, calling it an “unclean thing” Matthew 15:19. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
What should I do if I have committed fornication?
Q. Does it mean If I had been a fornicator, I cannot be forgiven?
A: Absolutely not. You can be forgiven if you wholeheartedly repent.
God loves us all unconditionally and is willing to accept us anytime we run to him in need of help.
The first is to acknowledge it and second believe God for healing and turn a new page.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Here are some scriptures about it.
Consequences of fornication
It is easy for people to tell others to stop some habits. However, many people like to know why they should avoid it.
The Bible is littered with verses specifying God’s reason for us not to fornicate. Its a sin against him.
Surprisingly, the Apostle Paul categorically recommended believers to stay away from fornicators in his whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 6.
Let’s allude to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
From that verse among others, we see that Paul through the Holy Spirit didn’t approve fornication. Committing this sin is sufficient to prevent someone from inheriting the kingdom of God.
This means it is a very serious matter.
Sexual sin is not just a physical act, but also a sin against our bodies. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
What does the Bible say about fornication?
Everything mentioned in the Bible is for our spiritual wellbeing. Abstaining from fornication doesn’t change God, but it affects our relationship with him.
Galatians 5:19
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery.
Acts 15:20
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints
Is idolatry different from fornication?
Some verses in the both Testaments, define fornication as idolatry.
Numbers 25:1
And Israel abode in Shittim; and the people began to commit fornication with the daughters of Moab.(Numbers 25:1)
Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry
Isaiah 23:17
And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the Lord will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
Ezekiel 16:26
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.
Where does fornication begin?
Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders”.
It is easy to think if you haven’t done the physical sexual action then you are not guilty. Fornication starts from our thoughts. What we tolerate and entertain.
If you invest time watching pornography, watching TV shows or movies with naked scenes or looking at pictures of naked people, the thought will naturally creep in.
Thus, disciplining ourselves to not read erotic books or magazines is a safe way to prevent us from nurturing fornicating thoughts.
Acceptably, there are situations where we might see a lady or guy indecently dressed on the street and feel tempted to consider sexual sin, but we are expected in such situations to honour God instead of the temporary pleasure.
Job was called a devout man partly because he decided in his heart to not sexually sin against God.
Job 31:1
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
There are several interesting artciles on different spiritual topics here.
Santosa is a small island city owned by the big Singapore island. It left me in awe. I knew for my 3 weeks visit around Singapore that they had invested a lot in developing the tiny island but l wasn’t sure how much they had done for Santosa. Sincerely, I can attest, l was impressed beyond words.
I was delighted that l went there. Singapore is a rich country and the government has endeavored to make entertainment accessible to everyone, tourists inclusive. Some places require an entrance fee. Given l was on a budget, l visited only free places. Here’s a list of things I did on my whole day touring around the island.
How can you go to Santosa?
I began my trip from the Harbourfront subway station where l bought a 4 dollar ticket to board the monorail. A monorail is a sky train which is small- two cabins. My first surprise was that, the trains were colorful. Infact from the decorations at the ticketing office, even a blind man can feel the colors. I saw hot red, bright green and yellow monorails moving up and down the main island to Santosa island. If you love exercising, you can also take a long walk on the broadwalk on the main road to Santosa.
Some people rent bikes or skate from mainland there. The most convenient is to drive your car but if you are up for a luxurious ride, you can use the cable cars. The singapore cable car sky network is operational from 8:45-10pm. With $35 for adults and $25 for children anyone can go to Santosa from the Harbourfront subway station. Just like anyplace, a taxi ride is also possible and you can use bus 123 from Bukit Merah station.
How to have fun
The government has been considerate to make special passes which can allow guests to visit many places at a discount rate. They are referred to as “Token”. You can buy it for either 60, 90 or 120 Singapore dollars and enjoy a variety of activities.
I regret that l planned only a day- the eve of my return to visit Santosa. There were too many activities to do there. This blog will be based solely on the things l did. I will leave a link below for other activities but l think l can better speak of my experience. Also, many activities are paid but l was able to spend the whole doing doing free stuff. I recommend allocating at least 3 days to explore the entire island. If possible, lodge at any of the hotels there to ease your movement around.
What can you do in Santosa?
1.Explore movie life at Universal Studios Singapore
This is the first stop of the train. This large area is made of gigantic buildings crowded with tourists and Singaporeans. If you want to visit the main studios then you need to buy a ticket. There are ticketing machines in front of the main gate costing 90SD. One man l spoke to told me it was 80SD if I bought online from their website. The area is parked with Disney world characters and scenes of movies. This is a must see for movie lovers. I think the movies will come to live after this experience. I went there at 5:55pm barely minutes to the closing hour so I couldn’t go inside.
Universal Studios opens at 9am – 6pm. I didn’t regret the time because l was able to take lots of pictures at the large Lego shop and tha massive signature rolling globe ball symbol of the Universal Studios. Lined up on the same area is a bunnyverse- an area with cute bunny statutes all wearing dark glasses and seating around.
I was equally intrigued to see a whole wall decorated with the famous paintings of Vincent Van Gogh in large sizes. The entire area is littered with several cafes- Starbucks, food trucks and ice cream places. Words will fail me to describe the grandeur and beauty of this area.
To experience this, you need to alight at the first stop of the monorail in Sentosa called “Resort World Station”. I guess there are some hotels around too.
2. Take an Santosa island bus tour
The small island has tarred roads leading to all the edges. The big streets still covered with vegetation in some places are clean and organized with bus stops. My greatest shock was to hear, l could board a bus for free, sit down and just enjoy the entire island. When l heard that, l happily boarded with my new Japanese tourist friend, Chiba. We spent almost 20 mins admiring the beauty of the place as the bus made stops at various stations.
Whether it was the large Santosa golf club or the W hotel, l was surprised at the high standard buildings and quality of life there. You can choose to board either Bus A, B or C. They all came to the bus station after every 15 mins and they went to different directions. My friend and l used only Bus B and it’s because we were unaware there were others.
Similarly, at the beach, you can take a walk on the brownish sand or hop in on the beach shuttle for free. It also comes every 15 minutes and could be crowded especially on weekends.
3. Shop for perfumes at Scentopia shop
If you love fragrant smells like me, this small shop should be on your list when you go to Santosa. I was initially interested in just seeing how it was inside the shop but after l smelled several paper pallets of different sprays hanging on a tree outside, I spontaneously decided to buy. As soon as the door opened, my nose was hit with a myriad of fragrances, l couldn’t resist a smile. The shop workers do a good job at confusing you by giving you tasters on papers. I inhaled some many perfumes and decided to buy one.
I was surprised to hear there was a take-home perfume making kit. Equally, if you are interested, you can sit in one section inside the shop and make your own perfume. That is, they provide you with the items and you can mix to form your own unique scent. Chiba and l didn’t plan to spend much time there so we admired it from a distance for a few minutes.
I guarantee you will be tempted to take pictures sitting on the beach in front of the shop pretending to be the body of a big beautiful butterfly. I did that with a smile.
5. Swim at Siloso beach
Every edge of the island is a beach, and the famous Siloso was in my list. Though l didn’t come with swim suit for a dive, l was okay dipping my legs into the warm sea water as l walked through the sand.
Given how hot Santosa can be in the afternoons, l suggest you move with an umbrella and grab ice cream from any shop to stabilize the body heat. Chiba and l had so much fun taking pictures on the beach signs and feeling jealous to see others enjoying water games.
6. Stroll at the Santosa Palawan Green beach
This section of the island was really my favorite. I wasn’t just envious of people swimming and jumping on water tubes in the ocean but l was smiling as I heard the loud screams of children enjoying at the pools on the adventure waterparks all beside the beach. There was a lot to do. As l thronged my way on the sun scorched brown sand, l was surprised to see large adult swings open for anyone to relax. As you may guess, Chiba and I quickly took a break swinging up and down while l sang and made jokes.
I must remark that, the island has tarred walk paths with roofs. There were hidden speakers in the herbs around street lights playing constant light hearted music. I didn’t know the songs but l was smiling and dancing as l walked through causing Chiba to laugh in surprise. At several corners beside the main road, there are statutes of sea animals like a turtle, snail, octopus, just to name a few. Equally, there were wooden statutes offering a perfect spot for pictures.
I was most surprised to see a sunscreen dispensing kiosk. There was no one standing standing beside or a payment option which means, it was free for anyone. I have never seen this before. Apparently, you don’t have to worry if you forgot yours or didn’t have.
On one area also, l saw a huge canopy pitched for everyone to take a rest after enjoying the water. This is uncommon in many beaches l have been to.
7. Visit the southernmost point of Asia
This area is located on a very small island beside Santosa. You will have to walk across the ocean on a tiny canopy shaky bridge. The threads are secured and safe but l was scared when l took my first few steps. Geographers have confirmed this island is the most southern point of the continent of Asia.
Therefore, Singapore is making it a place worth visiting. Unfortunately, some parts are still under construction. They are building 2 wooden open house like structures there. For now, it was only possible to walk the stairs to the top and take beautiful pictured of the ocean and the front beach area. I really liked the sea breeze from that top part.
Your tour here will be incomplete if you don’t take a picture at the large stone Santosa monument. The government has done a great job of piling a lot of concrete and stones at the edges of the ocean to protect marine life. I liked the fact that there were still trees littered around the place. It was a perfect stop for Chiba and l to sit, sip some water, check the free paper map and plan our next move.
Finally, if you still have time, you can stop at the Central beach bazaar for a bite or many of the restaurants littered around the island. Food shops were fired everywhere. I think hotels also have restaurants. We didn’t have time to eat as we needed to go back to the main island but we left satisfied. I will visit more places if l ever go to Santosa again.
Check out this link to see more detail things to do in the island.
Go here if you want to read more of my travel stories around the world.
The Living Faith Church Worldwide, often referred to as Winners Chapel, has experienced significant and rapid growth since its establishment in 1981.
The rapidly expanding ministry, known as Winners Chapel, was founded by Bishop David Oyedepo, who also serves as its President. Inspired by a divine vision and a deep love for all, he established Winners Chapel as a means to share the message of God’s love.
With a presence in over 21,000 churches across Nigeria and thousands more worldwide, Bishop Oyedepo has remained dedicated to spreading the teachings of Christ.
While the ministry’s headquarters are located in Nigeria, often referred to as Canaan land, Bishop Oyedepo organizes annual events like Shiloh, where congregants come together both physically and online for a week-long retreat.
In addition to being a prolific author of numerous books, Bishop Oyedepo is passionate about reshaping education. Consequently, he has overseen the establishment and management of several primary and secondary schools, along with two prominent universities, namely Landmark and Covenant University.
My experience at Winners Chapel
For many years prior to my journey abroad, Winners Chapel was my spiritual home. Words can hardly convey the immense joy I felt worshipping with fellow believers during the Wednesday evening or Sunday morning services.
Winners Chapel stands out with its unique and well-organized structure of services.
Each gathering had a strict two-hour time frame, with all activities meticulously scheduled. I particularly appreciated this predictability, as it allowed me to gauge the flow of the service, even on the rare occasions when I was running late (which was infrequent).
Typically, the service commences with a concise prayer session, followed by an exuberant 15-minute praise and worship session. It is customary for congregants to leave their seats, dancing in the open spaces with wide smiles and hearts full of gratitude.
Why did I like the testimony segment?
Shortly after, there is a brief testimony segment where, depending on the number of participants, 6–10 individuals would succinctly share their testimonies with the entire congregation.
These testimonies are not only welcomed but encouraged, and people eagerly share their stories almost every service day. I was consistently captivated by the miraculous experiences shared, and it served as a powerful reminder to trust God even more.
These sessions significantly contributed to the growth of my faith, and it was incredibly meaningful to witness someone narrating their journey as a testament to God’s glory.
Following the church announcements, the Resident Pastors of each branch would deliver sermons lasting between 45 minutes to an hour. Their teachings are aligned with the mandate from Bishop Oyedepo.
Except during special programs that featured live streams from the main church in Nigeria, the individual branches were expected to function independently.
Winners Chapel exhibits remarkable structural organization, and I deeply appreciated the sense of order. The ministry has designated elders responsible for marriage counselling to support couples, and the children’s ministry is considered a vital component of the congregation.
Although I couldn’t attend the early morning 1-hour prayer sessions at the church, I was always impressed that there was an opportunity for believers to commence their day in fellowship and communal prayer.
Winners Chapel cell groups
Another remarkable facet of being a member of this church was the emphasis on communal living. Congregants are encouraged to join small groups comprised of fellow church members residing in the same neighbourhood.
These groups met regularly to share the word of God and engage in prayer. It also served as an avenue to invite neighbours into the fold, introducing them to the message of Christ and eventually bringing them to church.
Another consistent and impactful activity organized by Winners Chapel was the Saturday “all-out” evangelism effort. Members would assemble at the church premises in the morning, where they received fliers detailing the church’s activities.
Armed with these materials, they ventured out into the community, approaching strangers, engaging them in conversations, and extending invitations through the fliers.
This grassroots approach of reaching out to people in their homes is a sign of love. Talking to people at their places of business proved to be an effective strategy for church growth. Many individuals have been introduced to the gospel through these interactions, resulting in numerous conversions and an expanded congregation.
How was l involved in Winners Chapel?
I had a strong belief in serving at the church, so I joyfully dedicated my time to the choir. Every Tuesday and Saturday, I would eagerly make my way to the church for choir rehearsals. During these sessions, we typically had to learn three or more songs, following short voice training exercises.
On Wednesdays, Sundays, and special Thursday and Friday events, the choir was responsible for leading the praise. At these worship sessions, the choir performs a special song. I cherished every moment of these sessions, especially the dance performances.
Our repertoire was diverse, encompassing songs in various languages, including French, English, and Pidgin. Sometimes, we delved into traditional music, singing songs from Cameroonian groups and donning cultural attire.
On other occasions, we explored gospel songs from Nigeria, South Africa, Congo (in Lingala), and various African regions. American music was also in the mix. Our weekly performances were marked by this rich diversity, which I thoroughly appreciated.
Why should you visit the church?
Inspirational Worship Services: Winners Chapel offers vibrant and spiritually enriching worship services. With dynamic praise and worship sessions, heartfelt testimonies, and impactful sermons you will be blessed. Equally, attending services here can be a source of inspiration and spiritual growth.
Strong Sense of Community: The church places a strong emphasis on building a sense of community among its members. Through small groups, fellowship events, and outreach activities, you can forge meaningful connections with fellow Christians.
Biblical Teaching: Winners Chapel is known for its commitment to teaching the Word of God. The sermons are based on biblical principles and are geared towards helping you deepen your understanding of the Scriptures.
Opportunities for Service: If you’re looking for ways to get involved and serve, this church provides numerous opportunities. Whether it’s through the choir, outreach programs, or volunteering in various ministries, you can actively contribute to the church’s mission.
Evangelism and Outreach: Winners Chapel has a strong focus on evangelism and outreach. If you’re passionate about sharing your faith and reaching out to the community, the church’s evangelism initiatives is great. Also, the outreach activities provide a platform for you to make a difference.
Visiting Winners Chapel can offer a spiritually enriching experience, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for personal and communal growth.
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Gratitude is not merely a fleeting emotion; it is a deliberate and intentional expression of thankfulness for receiving blessings we may not necessarily deserve.
In our journey through life, we are never truly alone. God has divinely appointed individuals to walk beside us during different stages, offering encouragement and support as we fulfill His purpose on Earth. Therefore, it is our solemn duty to cultivate a spirit of gratitude towards them.
Conversely, we are also called to be instruments of support in the lives of others. It is an expectation that those around us hold, and it is our heavenly obligation to fulfill. While not everyone may express gratitude for our assistance, this should not deter us from extending a helping hand whenever we have the means to do so.
Apostle Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, serves as an exemplary model of recognizing and expressing gratitude to those who played pivotal roles in his ministry. This demonstrates that we, too, should follow suit.
Our expressions of gratitude can encompass various forms, including acknowledging the time people invest in our lives, appreciating their financial or material contributions, and recognizing their care and concern during both challenging and prosperous times.
In the scriptures below, we find Apostle Paul publicly expressing his heartfelt gratitude to numerous individuals who have made significant contributions to his mission.
How did Apostle Paul show gratitude?
Romans 16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3 Greet Priscillaand Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.”
Why should we be grateful?
The closing of this chapter highlights a multitude of individuals whom Paul held in deep gratitude. It serves as a poignant reminder that both giving and receiving appreciation bring profound joy to the human heart.
This sentiment isn’t exclusive to humans alone; it extends to God. Expressing gratitude is not just a request but a requirement from God. It’s not optional; it’s mandatory, yet it’s never coerced.
In fact, the more we cultivate an attitude of gratitude towards God, the more abundantly He showers us with His blessings. While God’s love and generosity are not contingent on our acknowledgment, our gratitude signifies our awareness of the countless gifts bestowed upon us.
While human love may not always mirror God’s unconditional love, there’s an inherent inclination to give more to those who express thankfulness.
What can we do to show gratitude?
Expressing gratitude is a deeply personal and diverse experience, as everyone responds uniquely to acts of appreciation.
One of the simplest and most economical ways to convey gratitude is through spoken words.
Clearly articulating our thankfulness when someone extends a kindness toward us is fundamental. Moreover, sharing how their actions have positively impacted our lives adds depth to our expressions of gratitude.
However, a thoughtful approach is to tailor our gestures of thanksgiving to the individual’s personality. For instance, if you’re aware that a person cherishes receiving gifts, a small, meaningful token can hold immense value, regardless of its price.
Conversely, for those who find joy in spending time with others, surprising them with a visit can be a powerful expression of gratitude.
In summary, whether it’s gratitude towards God or fellow humans, there’s always a way to convey appreciation. The key is to find ways to do so regularly, embracing diverse means of expressing our thankfulness.
