THE PODCAST: Recent Episodes
Pious D. Serwonu
In his second presentation at the School of Purpose and Relationships, PDS speaks on the Communication Cycle and how it can be used to bridge communication gaps. The session follows with Q&A where Ps. Enoch Amoah and moderator Bright Agropah also give very intelligent answers.
Speaking at the maiden batch of the School of Purpose and Relationships, PDS opens his class on Communication Skills with this interesting subject which can be termed as a pre-communication. He lays the foundation for Christian or Biblical communication and declares that all communication skill is subject to the Biblical standard of communication, especially when we are speaking about preaching of God's Word.
PDS delves into the Church of Pentecost's annual theme (A PEOPLE OF GOD UNLEASHED TO TRANSFORM THEIR WORLD) with a group of vibrant COP youth at the second meeting of the year. He shares encouragement from Gideon's call and calls on all to be truly unleashed for God's course. The message takes about 40 minutes while the remaining time is spent in prayer. Whatever year it is, it is your year to possess territories for God. And He promises you victory, for His glory. Amen.
PDS shares a message for the first Unleash Prayer in 2024. Unleash Prayer (UP) meetings will be organized quarterly to pray into the evangelistic efforts of the Church of Pentecost (COP), Kasoa CP District, English Assembly, and COP as a whole. Join us receive the Word of God and pray.
In this podcast, PDS shares prayers made on Day 1 of the annual BEGINNING WITH JESUS Fasting and Prayers by the English Assembly of the Church of Pentecost, Kasoa CP District. Be stirred up for more prayer as you listen in prayer.
In this episode, I summarize a series of Facebook posts made in rebuttal of false teaching that God cannot be angry. The posts are on my Facebook timeline under the name Pious D. Serwonu and the hashtag #CanLoveGetAngry. May we all accept God's truth over lies from respected men.
Pious looks into the seemingly contradicting counsels of Proverbs 26:4-5 on how to respond to folly from fools. Does the Bible command us to be silent and never mind fools? Or does the Bible permit us to take them boot for boot?
God has said that He is the LORD who heals His people. Today, we seek to receive God's healing for ourselves and others through prayer as we learn what His Word says about sickness in relation to faith, sin and fellowship. Receive your healing in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Quickly rescue breaking relationships, otherwise it'll take very much more to heal broken ones.
In this episode, PDS discusses the role people played in Bartimaeus' journey to Christ and healing. It's a must-hear.
What do you do when those who helped you start now need you to stop as you properly and passionately pursue Jesus? Is it time to stop and quarrel? Is it time rather to continue to pray the LORD for mercy?
Many times faith is the first miracle we need in a dead situation. If Jesus will give us the miracle, who gives us the faith? Can He not help us believe?
Do you know that your faith is God's gift of love to you? Find out how and why God makes you believe even when it seems impossible.
Many times, we lost sight of the purpose of our lives when we get self-centered and compare ourselves with ungodly standards. In this episode, we learn how such false comparisons can be depressing. Then, we learn how to always reset and find true pleasure in fellowship with the LORD our Creator.
Last week we mentioned that the purpose of our existence is to bring glory to God. More importantly, for believers, we are recreated to declare God’s excellence and walk in good works that He predestined for us (1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 2:10). God has decreed in advance that His chosen ones will be an expression of His greatness in many ways including miracles and character. While the glory of God comes through our agreeably good conditions, God’s thoughts are higher than that.
In John 9:1-12, Jesus met a man who was blind from birth. His disciples asked whether the man was blind because of some sin. But Jesus’ answer tells us something. Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3, ESV)
There is someone reading this now whose glorification of God will not come from the perfections of health but from restoration and healing. Someone’s glorification of God will come through the darkness of their sins because they will be forgiven greatly and they will be evidence of God’s display of mercy. Someone’s glory to God will come from their gloomy days and dark lives because they will see God’s great light.
The context of your situation is that God has an opportunity to display His glory. Your life is for God’s glory, and so is your death. Your health is for God’s glory, and so is your healing. Your sight is for God’s glory, and so is your blindness. Jesus’ answer tells us that God can still get glory from the gory. God does not enjoy our glory, He creates His own glory from our humus. He manufactures His praise. You are blessed if you are not offended in God’s judgment, because He is the context overall. And it’s all about Him. Hallelujah!
Your life is for God's glory. Satan doesn't get the glory. Nothing else gets the glory. Nothing else gets your attention, nothing else gets your effort. Nothing else gets your dedication. What you should dedicate your whole life to, no matter what you are doing, no matter what job you are doing, no matter where you are situated is that your life should bring glory to God. No matter what you are going through you need to premise in your mind that "my life is for God's glory". Your life indeed is for God's glory. That is the context of your existence and that is what you should be doing - giving glory to God. I pray that this year your life will bring glory to God's name. God bless you. Amen.
We exist because God decided to make us and the rest of the Universe exist. Some people believe they evolved from apes or some accidental collision of dusts. If that is you, then your context is different. An accident of existence can only accidentally make any meaning. And I wonder how an unintelligent and unintentional existence can make any sense. If you are just some product of chemical of no source, then there is no real need for a meaning to your life. You are just happening.
But we believe that humans were created by God. He is a wise and intentional God, so our lives are meaningful.
The meaning of a word or phrase is largely determined by its context, not just how it’s pronounced or who says it. Context provides cues into intentions and meanings that would have been hard to define. Isolating a word or sentence from its context is a recipe to confusion and chaos. Similarly, our existence will be soaked in confusion if we don’t appreciate the context in which we exist. Unless we put our individual selves in the overall context, life is just a puzzle for our confusion.Our years can be meaningless circles around the clock and our activities can seem never to add up, even our wealth and family; unless we appreciate the context in which we exist. Meaning is found in context.The context of human existence is found in God, and meaning comes from Him. (Acts 17:28)
There is a such a thing as a godless people, and they are lawless people. The idea of laws and rules is ultimately sourced from the authority of God. Though liberals and subjectivists say that people are free to live as they please and by their own minds, we experience across diverse societies that humans are governed by laws, and not just their minds. PDS espouses in this episode that humans have laws because there is an ultimate Lawgiver who is God. Any society that rejects God, will become increasingly lawless. #God #theism #atheism #thereisGod #GodIs #GodLives #Laws #Legal #Moral #Religion
For a long time Israel lived without the true God, without priests to teach them, and without a law. (2 Chronicles 15:3, GNT )
For a long time Israel lived without the true God, without priests to teach them, and without a law. (2 Chronicles 15:3, GNT )
This week, we take a special replay dedicated to my good friend, Mavis, who lost most of her belongings to a fire this past weekend. I want Mavis and everyone else to know that God gives new beginnings. Don't give up, dear!
We build the conclusive point now that without teachers who teach God's instructions, we will not know the true God nor worship Him in spirit and in truth.
We emphasize once again, the importance of the written word of God for the governance of God's church and our lives.
God reveals Himself beyond what we can learn of Him in creation. He reveals Himself more personally through the patriarchs, the Law, the prophets, Jesus Christ, and summarily through the Bible by His Spirit.
We seek to understand why teachings and teachers are important. But first, we explain the basic universal access to some truth about God. Do men and women naturally know God, or must they be taught to know Him? This is the first part of a message originally titled THE NEED FOR TEACHERS.
In this last episode of the Communication series, we look at how our words must be timely and the power in a well-timed word. Be blessed in Jesus' Name.
Our speech should taste like us - like salt. Beyond that, what does it mean to season our speech with salt always? Let's learn from the Word.
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble. (Proverbs 21:23, CEB)
Jesus said severally; "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." In this episode, practical lessons are taught on how to become better listeners.
In this episode of the Communication series, we look at the need to listen. Why should listen?
The Christian journey is a race that's set before us. We must run - that is, "flee from and pursue...."
By grace are we saved, it is not of works that anyone should boast. There's a grace to this Christian race. It is not of him who wills or runs but God who shows mercy.
Believers are initially tormented by the sins of the world. They may however begin to acclimatize as a way of dealing with the torture of their soft God-loving hearts. But sin must remain unbearable and evil to the righteous man who will endure to the end and be saved.
Lot's sons-in-law laugh at his warning to them instead of heeding and leaving Sodom. They burned with the rest of Sodom despite receiving God's warning because they rejected it, treating it as a joke. It's a dangerous thing to laugh at the wrong side of your mouth.
"Who is weak and I am not weak? Who is made to fall and I am not indignant?" ~ Paul. Are you so untouched by the backsliding of people around you? You are not angry?
Ministry cannot (or should not) be held in gloves 🧤 because you will (or should be) personally touched by the weakness of your flock.
What do you do when there is no energy to carry on even though God has promised you victory in the end? Keep running. [Keep listening.]
Our loyalty to God will not always be in contrast with the leading vessels of His assignment. Instead, we will often show our loyalty to God through our commitment to His "Gideons". Be free to cheer Gideon up. In your quest to not idolize Gideon, don't become dispassionate about His ministry. And in your quest to rely on God and please Him only, O man of God, don't lack social capital.
When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit. (Judges 8:4, NKJV)
We are usually deluded from how interconnected our battles and victories are. Fighting in silos will bring temporary comforts. But our life's purpose isn't selfish, and we're not spent if we only care for ourselves. Let's fight together.
Instead of causing an unnecessary stampede, it's wiser to help each other win. We must be led by the Spirit with regards to timing and purposely alliance.
Israel put away the selfishness of hesitation or hastiness, and they rather went up before God in a corporate prayer.
Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. (Joshua 24:14, KJV)
And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt. I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out. And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea. And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season. And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you. (Joshua 24:1-8, KJV)
Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? (Judges 1:1, KJV)
What we have is the Blood of the Lamb and the death (and resurrection) of God's first born.
When God sent Moses to deliver His people from Pharaoh, there were eight landmarks in Moses' quest for freedom as he engaged Pharaoh.
This strange and matured understanding of Joseph, I believe, is the reason we don't see him demonstrate even an iota of bitterness towards his brothers when he had every opportunity to. He cried because he had missed them. He longed to see them again. He helped them and their families. But we never see Joseph even rebuking his brothers for their act or hating them in a moment of weakness. This is too unnatural of a man. I believe the secret is what Joseph reveals in Genesis 50:20 - the understanding that God was working even through the evil intents and acts for greater purposes. Joseph's understanding shifted from what humans had done against him to what God had done through them. And so, Joseph didn't see himself as the person who should be forgiving others for their role in the grand plan of God. Joseph saw God as the In-Charge. If God's in charge and was in control, who am I to dwell on your wrongdoings as if they had any power to thwart God's plans? It was all working for my good. I don't know what God thinks about you, but I'm too small to be the one you have offended or the one who should free you. Joseph does not say with pride that he forgives his brothers as though he had any other choice.
You must have God for yourself because no prophet lives forever. No pastor lives forever. Moses will die one day. If he isn’t dead yet, he will take leave one day. One day, your pastors number won’t go through when you call. One day, that prophet won’t be available. One day, the anointed Papa or Mama may even backslide and denounce the faith. Now, where is your God? (PDS moves away from THE PLACE OF GOD series briefly to deliver this word in season)
There are two extremes, none of which you should be in. One person says God is in control and locks his hands between his thighs. He is lazy and irresponsible, because he thinks all responsibility is God's. He spends his time on some religious activities thinking they will cover up for his irresponsibility. This is a bad extreme. The other person thinks her destiny is in her own hands. She is her own god and everything depends on her. She believes in pragmatism and does not really believe in what the people of faith say. Her faith is in working hard, making money, networking and all that must be done for success or victory. The ball is in her court. She wakes up and quickly gets to work without praying. She knows that work is how she will win. This sister is also in error.
Proverbs 21:31 says that the Horses and Chariots are prepared for battle but victory comes from God. In this episode, PDS explains the balance between preparing and believing. We are brought to the middle, where we know the place of proper preparation without losing sight of the God without whom all our earnest efforts can be in vain.
Joseph is approached by his brothers who are afraid he might revenge their evil now that their father Jacob was dead. Joseph reassures them saying, "Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God?" (Genesis 50:19) Joseph's rhetorical question is the same question his father asked his mum when Rachel confronted Jacob on her earlier childlessness. (Genesis 30:2)
In this first episode of a series of messages, we discuss "the place of God" being His irreplaceable role as the ultimate Provider.
Jacob's grief over Joseph turns into a blessing of joy as he realizes in the last years of his life that God rather sent Joseph ahead into Egypt in order to preserve Israel in the season of severe famine. When Joseph brought his children (Jacob's grandchildren) Manasseh and Ephraim to be blessed by Jacob, he first blesses Joseph their father and his son. In doing so, he refers to the God Abraham and Isaac walked with and the God who fed him and redeemed him from evil all his life.
In this short episode, Pious D. Serwonu teaches and prays from Genesis 48:15-16 that God indeed supplies all our needs and redeems us from all sorts of evil. It's my earnest prayer that we experience God's faithfulness and rich depth of testimonies in our own walk with Him. Our God is faithful! Amen.
Many in this age will remember to go to God in their time of need, counting on His grace to help them. They may be praying simply for luck, protection, healing for a loved one or just some provision from God. While Hebrew 4:16 encourages us to approach God boldly for grace and mercy, it is important to note that a person who hasn't embraced the grace of God for their salvation will be putting the cart before the horse if they only relate to Him through prayers of supplication.
In this episode, the Great Invitation that precedes an opportunity to "ask in Jesus' Name" is briefly expounded. You need to COME before you come. It is an invitation to the Bread and Water of Life. Come!
Jesus mandates us to walk in His glory through the very places where shame was loaded on us.
No matter who we are and what we do, we must happily submit ourselves to God and do so before those we lead.
Forgiveness is not for those who simply accept their guilt, but those who actually look to Jesus for salvation.
Another person's weakness is no proof of your righteousness but should remind you of your fallibility and make you humble in your dealings with the weak.
In Jesus, the Father justifies us, not because sin ceases to be fatal; but because Jesus died for our sins.
We must teach in season and out of season, when it's convenient and when it's not. We continue to discuss John 8:1-2.
Discussing from John 8:1-2, PDS discusses the important subject of teaching. In this episode, we look at how Jesus was purposeful about teaching and His command for us to do same.