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  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The Eagle Christian

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The Eagle Christian

    Read: Job 39:27-30

    Meditation verse:

    “But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount  up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and  not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

    Eagles do not shy away from storms. Do you know how an eagle respond to a  storm? It faces the direction of the storm, lifts its head high, flaps its wings and  rides through the storm. As it rides through, the winds propel its wings, lifting it  higher and higher until it is above the storm. Another interesting feature of the  eagle is its piercing and sharp vision. Its eyes observe from afar. From high above  the sky, its eyes spot a prey on the ground and in one swoop, it lowers itself and  grabs the prey. The eagle makes its nest on high; it dwells and resides on the  rock. The crag of the rock and the stronghold are its home. Its young feed on  blood and where the slain are, there you would always find the eagle.  

    The symbolism of the metaphor “the eagle Christian” is evident in these  characteristics of the eagle. As an eagle Christian, you would not shy away from  the storms of life but will face them boldly, mounting on the wings of prayers  and ascending higher. Your dwelling place would be on the solid rock, Jesus  Christ who is the rock of ages and our stronghold. You will consistently be on  higher grounds, shunning that which is worldly and mediocre.  

    Colossians 3:2 says “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth As an eagle Christian, your vision will be precise and your eyes focused on the  prey, which is the expansion of God’s kingdom. Mathew 6:33 says “But seek first  the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added  to you”.  

    Finally, just as the young ones of the eagle feed on blood, as an eagle Christian,  you would have led your young ones to Christ and brought them under the  covenant of the blood of Jesus Christ. So, are you an eagle Christian?

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The eagle christian

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The eagle christian

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Job 39:27-30

    Meditation verse:

    “But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

    Eagles do not shy away from storms. Do you know how an eagle respond to a storm? It faces the direction of the storm, lifts its head high, flaps its wings and rides through the storm. As it rides through, the winds propel its wings, lifting it higher and higher until it is above the storm. Another interesting feature of the eagle is its piercing and sharp vision. Its eyes observe from afar. From high above the sky, its eyes spot a prey on the ground and in one swoop, it lowers itself and grabs the prey. The eagle makes its nest on high; it dwells and resides on the rock. The crag of the rock and the stronghold are its home. Its young feed on blood and where the slain are, there you would always find the eagle.

    The symbolism of the metaphor “the eagle Christian” is evident in these characteristics of the eagle. As an eagle Christian, you would not shy away from the storms of life but will face them boldly, mounting on the wings of prayers and ascending higher. Your dwelling place would be on the solid rock, Jesus Christ who is the rock of ages and our stronghold. You will consistently be on higher grounds, shunning that which is worldly and mediocre. 

    Colossians 3:2 says “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth As an eagle Christian, your vision will be precise and your eyes focused on the prey, which is the expansion of God’s kingdom. Mathew 6:33 says “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”. 

    Finally, just as the young ones of the eagle feed on blood, as an eagle Christian, you would have led your young ones to Christ and brought them under the covenant of the blood of Jesus Christ. So, are you an eagle Christian?

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • Muslim-Muslim ticket: We can’t defend this before our constituents – Northern Christian APC leaders

    Muslim-Muslim ticket: We can’t defend this before our constituents – Northern Christian APC leaders

    …say it’s unacceptable

    … insist 1993 June 12 not 2023

    The 19 Northern states All Progressives Congress APC, Christian leaders rose from a meeting on Monday and declared that it is virtually impossible to defend a Muslim -Muslm ticket before their constituents in northern Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls the APC presidential candidate Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday unveiled his fellow Muslim, former Governor of Borno Senator Kashim Shetima as his running mate.

    The leaders of the 19 Northern states that are christians within APC have declared that there’s no basis to compare 1993 June 12 presidential election that produced a nullity to the forth coming 2023 presidential election.

    To this end the leaders noted that:”At this moment of National peril, we believe that what should be paramount in Nigeria is UNITY.

    “For without unity we cannot build. Any political party or candidate that elevates the greed of a few people above the needs of the generality of the people has no business running the affairs of Nigeria.

    The Christian leaders noted: “That the current Nigerian environment and political atmosphere is different from what occurred in 1993, therefore a Muslim -Muslm ticket is unacceptable. It doesn’t take the smart to know that the Abiola/Kingibe victory in 1993 turned out to be a pyrrhic victory there was never a President Abiola nor vice President Kingibe. Is that what we want a repeat of in 2023?

    ” The selection of a Muslim running mate is a display of crass . incensitivity to the complexity of modem Nigeria and the entire Church. It is al. a betrayal of the advocates of unity and peaceful co-existence with our muslim brothers including notable Imams who had forewarned the Party and the candidate from traveling that treacherous route.

    “That the APC has always come under the suspicion of the Church as pursuing an islamization agenda Hence the various labels of the APC as: Islamic Movement, Islamic brotherhood, janjawced party, Boko Haram party etc, etc. Now with all the positions in the hands of our Muslim brothers. it would take ingenious mendacity to prove otherwise

    “That the rejection of a Muslim Muslim ticket by Christians would undermine the electoral fortunes of the APC and . candidate. across. all States and constituencies where Christians enjoy numerical advantage. By so doing APC h. recklessly thrown its Christian candidates under the bus across. the nation.

    “That considering the fact that, the chairman of the party, deputy chairman north, the president of the senate, the speaker and deputy spanker, and now both presidential candidate and his running mate: etc, are all Muslims and assuming that such lopsidedness does not violate 5.I4 (3) of the Constitution: if this was to be reversed an that all these were Christians, can any contentious Muslim.

    “Can Nigeria attempt to sell such patently unjust and unfair arrangements to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria?

    .. The Muslim-Muslim ticket appears to have violated this provision.

    ” That Mr. President being also the Leader of APC is urged to intervene in this matter in order to ensure justice, equity and fair play in the interest of the peace and stability of this great nation and save our party from disintegration.

    “We believe that PMB who fought to keep Nigeria one, will not allow fanatic on both sides to wreak havoc on what remains of the tapestry that binds us as a people. We can avoid the dire political consequences of the contraption called ‘same faith ‘ticket.

    ” We are disheartened that someone who wants to be a leader for all sections of the country is ‘,sorting to religious exclusivism as a tool for wining an el.:lion. This will certainly result in a massive revolt against the party. Leadership is all about inclusiveness, justice and equity.

  • Good Friday: Obaseki tasks Christians on love, tolerance

    Good Friday: Obaseki tasks Christians on love, tolerance

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Friday in Benin, enjoined Christians to emulate the virtues of tolerance, love and selflessness as shown by Jesus Christ on Good Friday.

    Obaseki gave the charge in a message to mark Good Friday, a Christian holiday in preparation for the Easter celebration.

    He urged Christians to use the celebration of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for mankind on Calvary, to reflect on the significance of the day by imbibing the virtues of love, tolerance and selflessness.

    “It is only when we are able to tolerate and accommodate others; love one another irrespective of religious, political, ethnic, or ideological differences, and live selflessly as Jesus Christ did by sacrificing his life on the cross, that we will be able to tackle the many challenges facing us as a country and people.” he said.

    Obaseki urge all to be their brother’s keeper, uphold the spirit of togetherness and remain resolute on their love for God and our nation.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Great leadership lessons from king David (1)

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 1 CHRONICLES 11 & 13
    Meditation verse:
    “So, he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands” (Psalm 78:72).

    David, the man whom God referred to as “a man after my own heart”, was Israel’s greatest king. He lived with such great zeal and is listed in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11. What was the secret of David’s successes and why was he such a great leader?
    He waited for God’s perfect timing before ascending the throne. Despite being anointed as king, he did not usurp his predecessor king Saul in any way. Promotion comes from God; allow Him to place you in a leadership role. When He does, nobody can bring you down.
    One of the first things David did on becoming king was to arrange for the ark of God to be brought back to the city. The ark was a symbol of God’s presence, and he knew that he needed God to succeed as king. Psalm 127:1 says, except the Lord builds the house, the builder builds in vain. For your efforts to endure, all your life’s work must have God as the foundation.
    David understood that leadership was for service and not for personal gain. He knew that God had established him as king over Israel because of his people. Great leaders are more concerned about what they can give.
    David had a great army. He surrounded himself with great warriors who were skilled, determined and physically fit (1 Chronicles 12:1-40). Strong leaders are not intimidated by competent followers, only weak leaders are. Surround yourself with a team of competent, skilled, and focused people.
    David had a consultative leadership style. He conferred with his officers and commanders and carried everyone along. He said to the whole assembly, “If it seems good to you, let us…” (1 Chronicles 13:1-3). Do not be an “I will” leader, carry your team along. Great leaders listen to their people and encourage them to contribute to decision making.

  • New wine, new wineskins – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    Many Christians are still living frustrating lives. We cannot live lives of victory. We cannot stop smoking. We cannot stop drinking. We cannot stop fornicating. We cannot stop losing our temper. We find it difficult to forgive and forget. We still have ungodly thoughts. We are still held in the bondage of masturbation. We are addicted to pornography. We still find ourselves telling lies.

    And all the time, the devil keeps telling us that we are not Christians. Our hearts continue to condemn us, and we come to believe that we are hypocrites.

    In many respects, the church has been singularly unhelpful in this regard. All that the church does is promise us hell and brimstone. The church has failed to appreciate the new wine of the gospel and continues to serve it in old wineskins.

    The good news of the gospel has become bad news for many. Failing to promote righteousness, the church has emphasised regulations and the punishment of sins, and this has led to witchcraft and bondage. Many of the rules and regulations that are prevalent in the churches today are man-made and cannot lead to salvation.

    God says: “These people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.” (Isaiah 29:13).

    The problem with man-made regulations is that they cannot change the heart. Paul says: “These rules may seem good, for rules of this kind require strong devotion and are humiliating and hard on the body, but they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts and desires. They only make him proud.” (Colossians 2:23).

    As a result, churches have become places where people’s hands are cut off in the name of religion. It is the place where people are stoned to death in the name of righteousness.

    Comfort My people

    The Lord has sent me to comfort you, beloved Christian, and to offer you a godly counsel. The very fact that you feel terrible, that you feel frustrated, and that your heart condemns you is actually a confirmation that you are a child of God.

    “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence. Whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.” (1John 3:19-20).

    The reason why we keep falling short and keep feeling terrible is that we are disciples of John the Baptist. But we need to become disciples of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist himself counsels: “(Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30).

    Without realising it, many Christians are disciples of John the Baptist, and they put Jesus’ new wine in old wineskins. This inevitably creates problems.

    Instead, we need to follow the example of the disciples of John who deserted him and followed Jesus: “John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.” (John 1:35-38).

    John the Baptist

    John the Baptist was a powerful preacher. He spoke, and people immediately became convicted. If you were to listen to John the Baptist preach, and you would know immediately that you are finished. If you ever thought you were righteous, by the time you listen to John’s message, you would see yourself in a different light.

    No arguments, no excuses. You would know that have to repent, or else. But there was a problem with the preaching of John the Baptist: it left the people worse off than before.

    John was a prophet in the tradition of Isaiah. His mandate was designed to frustrate the people to death. God said to Isaiah: “Go, and tell these people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.” (Isaiah 6:9).

    John could not answer the most nagging question of the people: “What shall we do?” The answer was clearly beyond his pay grade.

    “The people asked (John), saying, ‘What shall we do then?’ He answered and said to them, ‘He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.’ Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than what is appointed for you.’ Likewise, the soldiers asked him, saying, ‘And what shall we do?’ So he said to them, ‘Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.’” (Luke 3:10-14).

    Futile prescriptions

    The church is full of John the Baptist messages. Do not steal. Do not fornicate. Do not tell lies. Do not cheat. Do not fight. But these injunctions are simply religious, they are completely ineffectual.

    Yes, we know that we should not do all those sinful things. We know! We know! We know! But the knowledge of sin does not promote righteousness. All it does is give us a guilty conscience. The Christian now knows what is sinful. The Christian now hates sin. But the problem is that we cannot seem to stop doing sinful things.

    Let us be instructed by Paul’s confession. He says: “No matter which way I turn I can’t make myself do right. I want to but I can’t. When I want to do good, I don’t; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.” (Romans 7:18-19).

    The reason for this is that, because of sin, God has closed the hearts of men. Thus, He gives Isaiah a strange assignment that is repeated more times than any other scripture in the Bible:

    “Make the heart of these people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” (Isaiah 6:10).

    Accordingly, despite the many outstanding miracles of Jesus, nevertheless, the people did not believe in Him. They did not believe because they could not:

    “They could not believe, because Isaiah said again: ‘(God) has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” (John 12:39-40).

    Jesus’ Beatitudes

    On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus seemed to worsen the problem. His beatitudes take the Law of Moses to another impracticable level. Before, we were struggling with fornication, but now Jesus says if we even so much as look at a woman lustfully, we have committed adultery.

    Before, we were struggling with anger, but now He says if we say, “you idiot,” to someone we are in trouble with God. Before, we were struggling with the desire to punch that hateful brother in the nose, but now Jesus says if he slaps us on the one cheek, we should turn the other cheek.

    .

    Let us face it, the standards of Christ are impossible to fulfil. But with God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:27).

    CONTINUED

  • The calling of a Christian – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Mark 12:29).

    Everything about the Christian faith is one: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

    God hates the double-minded. He despises the double-tongued. The believer’s eyes must be single and focused. Accordingly, there can only be the same calling for every believer.

    Once a man meets the Lord, it is time to start praying for him that the eyes of his understanding may be enlightened that he might know “the hope of God’s calling.” (Ephesians 1:18).

    The purpose that is purposed

    What precisely is the purpose behind God’s calling? What is God’s agenda for those who are called according to His purpose?

    Paul says: “(He who God) foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called.” (Romans 8:29-30).

    This indicates that the purpose that is purposed for those called by God is to be exactly like His Son Jesus so that Jesus might be the firstborn among many brethren.

    Is that not wonderful?

    Indeed, God’s prophecy says when we finally see Jesus, we shall be exactly like Him:

    “Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, right now, and we can’t even imagine what it is going to be like later on. But we do know this, that when he comes we will be like him, as a result of seeing him as he really is.” (1 John 3:2).

    I know of no Christian that does not want to be like Jesus. But there is one little problem. To be like Jesus, we have to suffer.

    Problematic appointment

    When Jesus called Paul, He sent Ananias to him saying: “I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:16).

    Peter says: “Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude He did; you must be ready to suffer, too. For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses its power.” (1 Peter 4:1).

    Sinless Jesus came to save us from our sins. Suffering is the only way through which we can deal with the problem of sin. The scriptures teach that we can only learn obedience through suffering. It says of Jesus: “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8).

    To be like Him, we must follow His example. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6).

    Moreover, we cannot know God unless we suffer: “For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (Hebrews 2:10).

    Jesus Himself acknowledged that if He had not suffered, He would not have entered into glory. He asked Cleopas and his companion: “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:26).

    Therefore, to be exactly like Jesus, to be partakers of God’s divine nature, we have to suffer unjustly without grumbling or complaining. We are called to suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake. We are called to do good and to suffer for it.

    Jesus’ blueprint

    This is what happened to Jesus: “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7).

    Thus, Peter says: “This is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:19-21).

    When the Christians in Thessalonica suffered persecution, Paul wrote a similar thing to them: “No one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” (1 Thessalonians 3:3).

    When the Disciples of Jesus were flogged for preaching in the name of Jesus, they rejoiced in the knowledge that this validated their calling:

    “When they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5:40-41).

    Fighting the truth

    The road to heaven is paved with good intentions. However, our good intentions are not enough. Our dilemma is that we want to go to heaven, we want to be like Jesus, but we do not want to suffer.

    The chief young ruler wanted to inherit eternal life. However, when he understood the requirements, he had a change of heart. When Jesus told him to sell all he has and give the proceeds to the poor, the man lost all interest. He wanted eternal life but found the cost to be too expensive.

    The Israelites wanted to go to the Promised Land. But when they discovered that to get there, God would suffer them to hunger and thirst and they would have to fight against giants, they opted to go back to Egypt.

    Solomon says history tends to repeat itself. As it was in the days of old, so it is now. Christians want to be like Jesus, but then again we do not want to be like Him because we despise the fellowship of His sufferings.

    New wine, old bottles

    The choice is ours to make, but the requirements will not be amended for our convenience. If God did not want us to suffer, He would have given us new bodies immediately after we were born again. But by leaving us in this body of death, He has consigned us in this lifetime to pain and suffering.

    That is why we are groaning in ourselves to be released from pain and suffering by the redemption of our bodies. In the meantime, the born-again Christian is like new wine in old bottles.

    The counsel of God says: “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22). Jesus confirms this: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ((John 16:33).

    Satan is the ruler of this world. (1 John 5:19). Therefore, all those that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12). The devil will make sure that the wicked persecute the righteous. (Gal 4:28-29).

    “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

    He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalm 34:19-20).

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Keep becoming

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: PHILIPPIANS 3:12–18

     

    Meditation verse:

    “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).

     

    You are a work in progress. You need to keep moving towards perfection because you must realise your full potential to become all you were created for. You must finish your race. God has declared the end of your life. He knows who you are meant to be. And who you are meant to become is a solution to someone’s problem. If you do not become this person, you will be robbing them of the blessing they would have gotten.

     

    Jesus Christ came to this world to die on the cross for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, we obtain salvation. Against all odds, He set His face on this goal. He did not stop until He died on the cross. Just before His death, He declared that it was finished, and then He rose on the third day. If he did not die and rise again, salvation would have eluded mankind. “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

     

    You are on a journey on this earth and there is an assignment for you to accomplish. You must keep going until you become all you were created to be and complete your assignment. Myles Munroe is quoted as saying, “the richest place on earth is the graveyard”. Many people die and are buried with their assignments still in the wombs of their destinies, thereby robbing the world. Refuse to be amongst this group. Choose rather to die empty. Here’s what Paul the apostle said:

    Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

    – Philippians 3:12–1

    Why not adopt this mindset going forward.

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder, The Rock Teaching Ministry, (TRTM)

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org

     

  • Sainthood: The Target of Every Christian, By Margaret Ogbebor

    Sainthood: The Target of Every Christian, By Margaret Ogbebor

     

     

    Margaret Ogbebor SSMA

     

    I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). In this passage, St. Paul presented himself as a hero in the faith. Our society today, needs people who are brave, strong willed and assertive, heroin like Esther as recorded in the book of Esther 7:3-4. This verse focuses on how God used the brave queen Esther to save the lives of the Jews. Every hero or legend has a life that is well disciplined and value driven; these values make them different from ordinary people in the society. They show us the ideal; they work for the peace and the good of all. The society needs people who would correct wrong doings; people who will serve as a voice for the voiceless, people who cannot cover the truth. In 2 Samuel chapter 12, we saw how God sent Prophet Nathan to tell King David the truth about his sinful act. These people are like light lit on a hill top that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). These set of people should be found in every nook and cranny of our society. People who cannot compromise themselves or take bribe for any reason, people who are willing to fight for justice, in a country that is deteriorating by corruption, greed and selfishness, the intervention of God fearing people is needed to put things right.

     

    Saints are people who are recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness. They are reckoned as those that are very close to God. These are people that do ordinary things in an extra ordinary way. They are people that are always ready to make sacrifices even when it is difficult to do so. They go out of their way either to save lives or to put things in order in places where there is misunderstanding, chaos or disagreement. No wonder it is said that God sends his saints to the world when they are most needed, not men and women of general holiness but specialized expert who fit into the pattern of the times and are capable of giving God’s tone to the world.

     

    The word saint is often used in the Catholic Church to tell us about our heroes or heroine in the faith, those whose life-style is worth emulating. They have left their legacy behind. People are not called saints when they are alive, but that does not mean that there are no Saints on earth. The pronouncement of Sainthood is done after the death of the person with proper investigation. As Christians, we are all called to become Saints that is why we are made in the image and likeness of God, so Sainthood is meant for all of us. God has no favorite, anyone who does the will of God or abide in his word is a Christian and a friend of God. This relationship continues as they transit from here (earth) to the next (heaven).

     

    Similarly, this week the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Maria Goretti (martyr). She was born into the family of Luigi and Assunta in the year 1890 of the Eastern side of Italy. Her father died when she was nine and they suffered hardship, Assunta (mother) struggled to raise the children in a Godly way. Maria took out time to do constant prayers and meditations. She was taught by her mother some Christian virtues and practices as she grew up. She was not educated, but had the opportunity of learning from her mother. She does things out of love of God no grudge. It was from her mother that Maria learned never to sin “at any cost”. On the other hand Alessandro her neighbor’s son was the typically depressed young teenager. He was attracted to Maria unnecessarily and wanted to have her at all cost but she refused, and he stabbed her severally to death. He later repented and went to Maria’s mother for forgiveness. He was later released from prison after attaining good virtues and character; Maria’s mother forgave him and took him to her home.

     

    Good characters are not easy to come by; it takes a lot of effort to attain it. For someone to imbibe good manners, such a person would have engaged in constant practice because it is said that practice make perfection. In 1 Cor 9: 27 St. Paul compared attaining self-discipline and good character to an athlete that engaged in constant practice in other to win. The teaching of good manners is very important and it goes a long way in the life of an individual. Ignorance is not an excuse, we should be ready to learn and be open to corrections. The school is one of the places where good characters can easily be imbibed in the life of an individual; teaching of morals, values, discipline and good behaviour can easily be taught in schools where we have teachers that are well trained in their various field of discipline. The school is at the fore front in this regard, education is the best policy because it is like a light in the darkness. It is a powerful weapon that liberates us from the bondage of ignorance.

     

    The school has a lot of role to play in the teaching of morals and values that is why our educational system should be given more attention. Train a child in the way he should go when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). The school is a formation ground where lives are been molded, shaped and transformed. Schools should be well equipped with all the necessary materials that will help in the teaching and learning process. But many a time these materials are not found in schools especially public schools, children who attend this kind of schools may not achieve much because there are no materials for learning. Some public schools have no chairs, no tables, no blackboard, no library among others, another problem facing public schools is inadequate teachers. Teachers in public schools are not serious with their jobs, they come to school at will, and worse still schools situated in the interior villages are nothing to write home about. Many public schools have become write-off because nobody bothers about them; the so-called supervisors are only concerned with the checking of statutory records and nothing more.

     

    On the other hand some children are not interested in learning; the issue of going to school is a no go area. They feel that without education they can still make their money and become rich. These set of people when they become politicians and have access to power, they will pay little or no attention to education because they never passed through it. Many parents have also failed in their responsibility of taking care of their children, they have forgotten that in the process of caring for them(children) they are able to discover bad habit(s) and make appropriate correction (good character). “Whoever loves discipline, loves knowledge but hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1). Unfortunately, children are left at the mercy of caregivers or nannies who are only interested in their money and nothing more. Training a child is not the work of the teacher alone; it involves the parents, the teachers, the society and the co-operation of the child.

     

    Finally, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), any society that instills good morals, characters and values on her citizens will enjoy peace, tranquility and progress. Any society that fails in it civic responsibilities to it citizens will face the repercussion.

     

    Sr Margaret Ogbebor SSMA is a Catholic Nun working in the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto. She is the Head Teacher of St. Martin de Porres Nursery and Primary School Katsina. okaimaogbebor@gmail.com

     

  • The hope of righteousness – Femi Aribisala

    Femi Aribisala

    Paul says the hope the believer has in Christ Jesus does not disappoint. (Romans 5:5). In Jeremiah, God says: “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

    But what precisely is the hope of the believer in Christ? Peter enjoins us that we should: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks (us) to give the reason for the hope that (we) have.” (1Peter 3:15).

    So, what is this hope that we have? If according to Jesus it has been given unto us to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, then we must know the hope that is laid up for us in heaven.

    For this reason, Paul prayed for the Ephesian church: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:17-18).

    In short, what is the harvest that God wants to reap in the believer? What are the returns that God expects from His investment of Christ in our lives?

    Dividends of righteousness

    The glory of God’s inheritance in the saints is Christ’s righteousness. The hope that the believer has in Christ is the hope of righteousness: “We through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”

    The crown that God has prepared for us is not of gold, or riches, or wealth. It is a crown of righteousness: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8).

    The born-again Christian is not yet fully righteous. We sin, repent, and sin again. Nevertheless, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us now by faith. But the time will come when Christ’s righteousness will be imparted to us. Then, we will be sinless, exactly like Christ.

    Hopeless unbelievers

     

    If you ever see an unbeliever with anything, know that that thing is worthless. If he has money, wealth, property, position, education, fame; know that it is because those things have no value in the sight of God. God will never give anything of value to the unbeliever.

    God will never give anything that pertains to his kingdom to those who belong to the kingdoms of this world. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

    One of the main things that differentiate a believer from an unbeliever is that the unbeliever has no hope, while the believer has hope. When a man feels rejected and dejected, it is because his hope is in things and not in God. When a man is depressed, know immediately that his hope is not in God.

    The psalmist asks himself: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:5).

    The bible reveals that the unbeliever has no hope. He is: “Without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12).

    Even where an unbeliever is said to have hope, his hope is hopeless. The unbeliever certainly hopes for many things, but this hope is vain. It comes from the figment of his imagination and not from the promise of God.

    He hopes for what he desires, most of which never come to pass. Even when they do, they are soon terminated. He dies and leaves everything behind. Therefore, his hope is illusory. Indeed, his hope is hopeless. It is hope that will soon be cut off.

    But there is a hope that can never disappoint. That is the hope that is in Christ which laid up for the believer in heaven.

    The bible says: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

    Let no one deceive you. The eye has seen money, houses, lands, and property. The ear has heard about wealth and riches. Everything that man has made, or will ever make, comes through the hearts of men. Indeed, everything man-made comes from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, ensuring that it has the good and the evil in it simultaneously.

    The airplane is a wonderful means of transportation; it can take you from Cape to Cairo and from Buenos Aires to New York. It can also fall from the sky and kill you. Electricity is a wonderful tool; we use it to light appliances and power all kinds of gadgets, but it can also shock and kill.

    But the blessing of the Lord, it makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22).

    Godly hope

    The hope in Christ is beyond human imagination. No man in his right mind presumed to be sinless, even for one hour. No mere mortal could ever presume to be a partaker of God’s divine nature.

    That is the reason why eternal hope had to be revealed to us by the Lord himself, for we would never have known it otherwise. The central feature of the Christian hope is based on the promise of the Lord himself. It is the good news we never expected. It came by hearing the gospel and it is exclusively the work of God.

    It does not come from our industry or self-exertion. It does not come by sacrifice or by penance. It does not come from savings and investment. It comes through the completed work of Christ. It comes by the indwelling and in-working of the Holy Spirit. It is God that works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13).

    When God saved the Israelites from Egypt, what they were hoping for was different from what they encountered. They expected a life of eating, drinking, and being merry. But going through the wilderness, God humbled them and suffered them to hunger. He gave them manna to eat instead of pounded yam. Therefore, they were soon disappointed and wanted to return to Egypt.

    Similarly, today’s Christians are being wrongly socialised to hope for the good life in this world. Many are hoping to get married, have a family, and have a good job because of their faith in Christ. In effect, Christians are being socialised to no longer be believers. We are being socialised to hope for the vanity of vanities. (Ecclesiastes 1:2).

    Paul says: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

    CONTINUED