Pastor Joseph Ondu: Lit & Lifted - Inspiring Minds through Sermons, Books, and Stories

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread By Pastor Joseph Ondu Key Text: Matthew 6:11 (NKJV) – “Give us this day our daily bread.” Introduction: Beloved, in the Lord’s Prayer often called the model prayer—Jesus gave His disciples a powerful blueprint for how to approach God. One line stands out for its simplicity yet carries profound spiritual and practical truths: “Give us this day our daily bread.” This prayer is not just about physical bread. It is about reliance , trust , provision , and sustenance . It teaches us about how to live one day at a time under the watchful care of our Heavenly Father . Let us break it down and draw deep truths from these few but mighty words. 1. “Give Us…” — The Source of Provision The word “give” is a request. It implies that what we are asking for is not something we can manufacture ourselves. We are not demanding, we are petitioning God , acknowledging that He alone is our Source . James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming dow...

The Sin of Ingratitude: From Entitlement to Thanksgiving We think that we suffer from ingratitude, while in reality we suffer from self-love. Walter Savage Landor Main Scriptures Psalm 50:12-15 “If I were hungry, I would not ask you for food, for the world and everything in it is mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Let the giving of thanks be your sacrifice to God and give the Almighty all that you promised. Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me.” Introduction Gratitude is defined as a positive emotional reaction that serves a biological purpose. It’s the appreciation of the valuable and meaningful things in our lives. There are sins committed by action known as sins of commission, and there are other sins we commit by failing to do what we ought to do, known as sins of omission. As James 4:17 teaches, "Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin." Ingratitude is a deadly ...

  Are You Fighting the Right Battles? Introduction Life is full of battles: In families At workplaces In our minds In churches In our communities But the question is: “Are you fighting the right battles?” Many believers are exhausted not because they lack strength, but because they are spending their strength fighting the wrong battles . They are: Fighting people instead of the real enemy. Fighting temporary issues while neglecting eternal purposes. Fighting to prove themselves rather than letting God fight for them. Fighting for positions instead of fighting for souls. Ephesians 6:12: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”   1. Understanding the Nature of Our Battles Not every battle is worth your energy. Types of battles: Petty battles : Arguments, gossip, bitterness, e...

  Do You Know Your God? Introduction There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. Many attend church, sing songs, and recite verses, yet do not truly know the God they profess. Daniel 11:32 says: “But the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” It is not the people who merely hear about God that do great exploits, but those who know Him personally. The way you know God: Determines how you walk with Him. Defines how you respond in challenges. Shapes your prayer life. Influences how you see yourself and others. 1. We Should Not Belittle Our God One of the greatest hindrances to faith is having a small view of God. Some people think God is too busy to care about their needs, so they do not pray boldly. Others believe God can only help in small matters but not in issues that look impossible. Some only see God through the lens of their environment or culture, thinking He is limited to their nation,...

  Arise and Shine It’s time to move from surviving to thriving, from standing to shining. God is calling us to display His light in a world that desperately needs it. Isaiah 60:1-4 is a powerful call for God's people to rise up and reflect His glory. The passage begins with: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). In this, God is calling us not only to arise meaning to get up, stand firm, and step into our purpose but also to shine . To shine means to allow the light of God, His glory and goodness, to be visible in our lives and to the world around us. Many of us have experienced moments in life where we have had to rise up from difficult situations, challenges, or trials.  we have overcome obstacles and found our footing. But God wants more than just for us to stand. Now is the time for us to shine to let His presence within us be reflected outward, bringing hope, light, and transformation to those around us. ...