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  • Easter: Atiku salutes Christians, preaches love, sacrifice

    Easter: Atiku salutes Christians, preaches love, sacrifice

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of Easter to pray for Nigeria’s unity and for peace to return to the country.

    In his Easter message, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart said Easter is not only the time to be merry but also the time to reflect on love and sacrifice.

    “The essence of Easter celebration is not merely for us to merry. It is a season to reflect on the purpose and meaning of love and sacrifice. Love, because God says we should love our neighbours as ourselves. And sacrifice because love is hardly practicable without an intention to make a sacrifice,” he said.

    He also recalled how the coronavirus pandemic crippled many activities in most countries in the world last year. He hailed the health workers who, like the example set by Jesus Christ, sacrificed their lives in battling the virus.

     

    See his full statement below…

    This year’s Easter celebration is significant in the sense that it is the first major national festival we will be witnessing after the commencement of the administration of vaccines against the dreaded Corona Virus. I recall that during last year’s celebration there was a global lockdown as most countries of the world required that citizens stay indoors and, for the first time in many generations, we celebrated Easter in a low-key style.

    But the story this year is slightly different. Now, there are several certified vaccines and Nigeria, having given nearly a million of our population their first doses of vaccination, has joined the league of countries that are pushing back the virus. But we are not anyway near the safety threshold. The deadly virus is still much potent as it was last year and the requirement for us to stay safe by adhering to all the Covid-19 safety protocols of washing our hands, wearing face-mask, avoiding crowded places and observing social distance, needs to be observed diligently.

    However, we remain thankful. First, to the Almighty God for His benevolence in giving us the knowledge to overcome the virus. Secondly, we must thank our ever-courageous health workers, who like the example set by Jesus Christ, sacrificed their time and in many instances, their lives in order for us to get to where we are today in the fight against the deadly virus.

    The essence of Easter celebration is not merely for us to merry. It is a season to reflect on the purpose and meaning of love and sacrifice. Love, because God says we should love our neighbours as ourselves. And sacrifice because love is hardly practicable without an intention to make a sacrifice.

    Therefore, on this occasion of Easter celebration, I urge all Nigerians to take time to pray first of all for peace to return to the country and also for unity. Nigeria is at the precipice of insecurity, poverty and, most unfortunately, disunity. These are challenges, not impediments. The way to surmount these challenges is to learn from the world when super power countries who are rivals suspended politics to face a common threat in Covid-19.

    I believe that when we approach our challenges with a heart of forgiveness and love, humanity will always triumph. This is the lesson that Jesus (Nabil Yisa) taught us.

    As I join in wishing the Christian faithful in Nigeria and across the globe a happy Easter celebration, let us take a moment to pray for our military men and women who are keeping the vigil of daily sacrifice in order to keep us all safe.

    May God bless our nation and its people.

    Atiku Abubakar

    Wazirin Adamawa

    Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999-2007

    3 April, 2021

  • Easter: CAN tells Christians to rejoice for God will surely roll away banditry, herdsmen attacks, others in Nigeria

    Easter: CAN tells Christians to rejoice for God will surely roll away banditry, herdsmen attacks, others in Nigeria

    The Christian Association of Nigeria has pleaded with Christian faithfuls across the country to exercise patience in the face of tribulations, especially as regards the security situation troubling the country.

    In a statement on Friday, CAN president, Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, encouraged Nigerians not to be discouraged while assuring them that God will roll away the many challenges facing the nation.

    He that rolled away the stone from the grave shall roll away insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, herdsmen’s attacks, ritual killing, armed robbery, unemployment and other challenges we are facing presently in this nation in the name of Jesus Christ.

    The Christian body encouraged Nigerians to impact others positively while leaving the best life, praying that Jesus will roll away insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, herdsmen’s attacks, ritual killings, armed robbery, unemployment and other national challenges.

    The statement read, “Rejoice in Hope: All Shall Be Well. I rejoice with all Christians all over Nigeria and the world at large for the grace God has given to us to celebrate the Easter of this year. We thank the Lord that we are not under complete lockdown this year as it was last year. Blessed be the name of the Lord who has shown us His mercy in Nigeria.

    “Though we have many challenges in the nation today ranging from different types of insecurity to social and economic challenges, I urge all the children of God to rejoice in hope. We must not be disillusioned as the disciples were when Jesus was arrested, crucified and buried.

    “They were overwhelmed by grief and doubted His resurrection. They locked the door against themselves for fear of those who killed Jesus because they felt they would descend on them too.

    “This is the time for us to exercise patience in tribulations and to continue instant in prayer. With hope in God who can never fail his children, with patience and continuous prayers, a glorious morning of resurrection would come.

    “As they joy rejoiced at last when they saw the resurrected Lord, may you equally see the glory of God and be filled with everlasting joy in Jesus’ name. He that rolled away the stone from the grave shall roll away insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, herdsmen’s attacks, ritual killing, armed robbery, unemployment and other challenges we are facing presently in this nation in the name of Jesus Christ. Do your best to let your lives touch others positively and the Lord would reward you abundantly in Jesus’ name. Happy Easter. May Hallelujah be your song forever in Jesus’ name.

  • Easter: Buhari sends message to Christians from UK

    Easter: Buhari sends message to Christians from UK

    President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with Christians on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Buhari is presently in the Uniteed Kingdom on a routine medical checkup according to the presidency.

    The president made his feelings known in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Thursday.

    Buhari recalled that a year ago, “in most of our major cities, our celebrations were somewhat subdued, as we battled the effect of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

    “The restrictions meant that our brethren could not attend traditional church services as they would have wished. I salute their resilience and understanding.

    “Today, we are able to congregate and worship together, cautiously.”

    He also acknowledged and appreciated the sacrifices of the nation’s doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers, “who have made the difference in saving lives and ensuring the reduction of the spread of the virus.

    “I thank Nigerians who have religiously adhered to various interventions to curb the spread of COVID-19, including regular hand washing, safe distancing, wearing of face masks, and embrace of vaccination.

    “We are united in our belief that if we do the right things, take the right decisions and act responsibly, the pandemic, like others before it, will no longer be a threat.”

    According to the president, as Christians celebrate Easter, it is an opportunity to renew hope and faith, show love and appreciation to one another and not to despair, no matter the challenges of the period.

    “As a government, we will continue to ensure that the weak, the poor and the underprivileged in our midst are not abandoned.

    “We have reached out with palliative care even in the midst of dwindling resources, we have tried our best to provide support to families and businesses affected at this time.

    “That is the spirit of Easter, the spirit of Faith, the spirit of Belief, the spirit of Hope,” he added.

    The president equally commended the law enforcement and military personnel who continue to confront evil-minded individuals through the darkest of nights to keep the nation and all citizens safe.

    “I am convinced that the new resolve within the security personnel to make sure that insecurity in the country becomes part of our history will come to pass.

    “We should not allow the antics of a few mischief mongers to fragment the unity and faith that the vast majority of citizens of this country cherish and believe in.

    “As I have said before, we are better and stronger as one nation under God.

    “I congratulate our brothers and sisters once again on this occasion and wish everyone a Happy Easter celebration,” he said.

  • Palm Sunday: Christians mark first day of holy week

    Palm Sunday: Christians mark first day of holy week

    Today is Palm Sunday, an annual feast in the Christian calendar that marks the transition from Lent into the Holy Week that leads up to Easter.

    Palm Sunday symbolises the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where he triumphantly rode on a donkey a week before his resurrection. The event is recounted in each of the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

    According to the Holy Bible, as he entered the city of Jerusalem, people laid down their cloaks, palm leaves and small tree branches on the ground before him, singing “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.”

    This tradition is still practised by Christian to date, this time churches commemorate this high point in Christ’s public life at a divine liturgy in the church decorated with palms and laurel leaves. A procession through the church re-enacts Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.

    Children often carry lit candles they have decorated. Small crosses are made of palm and handed out to everyone who attends the service.

    For many Christians, palm branches symbolises goodness and victory.

    Meanwhile, Pope Francis has asked Christians to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ.

    The Pope in his tweet on Sunday said: “God triumphs, but the palm of victory passes through the wood of the cross. For the palm and the cross are inseparable.”

    “We are called to recognize that other living beings have a value of their own in God’s eyes: by their mere existence they bless him and give him glory, and indeed, the Lord rejoices in all his works.”

  • Insecurity: Nigerians may be forced to carry weapons in churches, mosques to protect themselves – CAN youth wing

    Insecurity: Nigerians may be forced to carry weapons in churches, mosques to protect themselves – CAN youth wing

    Worried by the incessant security challenged in Nigeria, the Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria on Sunday said Nigerians may resort to carrying weapons in churches, mosques, while travelling and wherever they find the selves.

    The organisation urged the President Muhammad’s Buhari government and security agencies to sit up and act now or never.

    The national chairman of YOWICAN, Belusochukwu Enwere, raised the fears in his speech titled: ‘Kidnapped RCCG members: Nigeria on the march to Golgotha‘, delivered at the just-concluded leadership retreat held in Abuja, and obtained by journalists on Sunday.

    He was reacting to the kidnapping of a bus filled with Christians from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Kaduna Province 1 who were said to be going for a prayer work to Kafanchan.

    According to him, the incidence of kidnapping had become a case too many and has left bitter tastes in the mouths of many persons in Nigeria.

    Enwere wondered whether the abduction of RCCG members was another case of religious persecution, coming after the recent kidnapping of 39 Students of College of Forestry, Afaka close to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

    He said, “We challenge the government, we challenge the security agencies to act now or never. The protection of lives and properties of the common man is their primary responsibility.

    “This anti-human behaviour cannot be corrected by mere condemnation by government on the pages of Newspapers. No responsible government will just sit or stand akimbo and watch the country slide in to anarchy.

    “Buhari’s government and security agencies should sit up. If the situation does not improve, YOWICAN fears that self defence may be inevitable as Nigerian citizens may be forced to arm themselves in churches, mosques, while travelling and in some holy places.

    “Our hearts bleeds that a busload of Christians from RCCG from Kaduna Province 1 going for a prayer work to Kafanchan was abducted on their way. The incident of kidnapping is a case too many and has left bitter tastes in our mouths.

    “This has become a norm in our society where humans, on daily basis, could be whisked away by gunmen. As youths, we are disappointed that victims could be left with correspondence from the government without further actions. Nigeria is on its way to Golgotha and only divine intervention can stop it.

    “We must not forget in a hurry, John F. Kennedy who, in 1962, said that, ‘Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.’

    “The government must rise now and take responsibility of the security challenges going on in the country. How could citizens be taken away just like that without a trace?

    “For some time now, kidnapping has become the new trend in our society. Our students in Kastina, Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna and other parts of the country were kidnapped. And now abduction of church members. This is disheartening indeed.”

  • Justification of the ungodly – Femi Aribisala

    Femi Aribisala

    Pull Quote: While sin robbed us of silver: grace gave us gold. While sin killed the body of the flesh: grace gave us the body of the Spirit.

    The managing director had a liking for Fred, to the great annoyance of Joe his main rival for promotion. Joe was convinced that Fred was no better at the job than him. He tried his level best to impress the boss but to no avail. So, he opted for a new strategy.

    He would set a trap for Fred, confident that he would slip up sooner than later. He did not have to wait for long. Fred fell into the trap hook, line, and sinker. Joe quickly and gleefully brought the matter to the attention of the boss. The dye was cast. He knew that Fred would be given the sack.

    Once you judge a man, you are casting stones which automatically qualifies you for condemnation in the court of God: “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.” (James 2:13).

    Kingdom dynamics

    But he was in for a surprise. The boss tried Fred under the perfect law of liberty, found him guilty, and convicted him. But then he also tried Joe for tripping up Fred. He tried him under the Law of Moses, also found him guilty and convicted him. But why try them under different laws?

    The Law of Moses is a law of judgment. Because Joe showed no mercy to Fred in tripping him up and reporting him, he could receive no mercy. Therefore, Joe is given the sack. Jesus says: “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:7).

    But the law of liberty is a law of mercy. It does not lead to condemnation but to exoneration. Accordingly, Fred was sentenced to mercy, whereby he was not only absolved from the offense but was also enrolled for training that would ensure that he would not be able to commit another offense in the future. Since he was thereby now deemed to be a model worker, he was promoted. In Fred’s case, mercy triumphed over judgment.

    These are not the ways of man; these are the ways of God. These are kingdom dynamics.

    Caught red-handed

    Once, the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. They wanted to know whether he would contradict the Law of Moses, which states that the adulterous should be stoned to death.

    There was no question that the woman was guilty. She was caught red-handed, in the very act. Neither did she argue or attempt to defend herself. She pleaded “guilty as charged.” And yet, Jesus did not allow her to be condemned. Instead, he challenged her accusers: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And the bible records a dramatic turnaround:

    “Those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” (John 8:9-11).

    The case of the woman caught in adultery deserves scrutiny not least because it was a major threat to Jesus’ ministry. It was an attack launched from the pit of hell. Had Jesus condemned the woman, his earthly ministry would have ended. Had he condemned the woman, he would have had to, by the same token, condemn all men: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

    That would have short-circuited the whole plan of salvation. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17). Instead of being the Saviour of the world, Jesus would have become another accuser of the brethren.

    Grace of God

    “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3:22). Because of the plan of salvation, God is not only just; he is also the justifier of all those who believe in Jesus Christ. This makes God paradoxically a God of the sinner as opposed to a God of the righteous.

    Jesus was at pains to explain this to the self-righteous Pharisees: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Mark 2:17).

    Indeed, according to the dynamics of the kingdom of God, the competition is not between sin and judgment, but between sin and grace. So, Paul says: “The law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” (Romans 5:20).

    The more the sin: the more the grace of God. Moreover, the redemptive power of grace has given us much more than sin ever took away. Thank God Adam sinned; for while sin robbed us of silver: grace gave us gold. While sin killed the body of the flesh: grace gave us the body of the Spirit. While sin consigned us to dust: grace lifted us up in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

    No condemnation

    Be careful therefore not to forfeit the grace of God. Jesus told the story of the contrite publican whom the self-righteous Pharisee despised at the hour of prayer in the temple: “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14).

    Once you judge a man, you have arrogated yourself to be God. Once you judge a man, you cease to be justified. Once you judge, you will be judged. Man often justifies the righteous but God will only justify sinners.

    Since the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death, Paul says: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1-2). Then, it naturally follows that those who are in Christ should not condemn others. It makes no difference if you are right; know it would be wrong.

    Once you judge a man, you are casting stones which automatically qualifies you for condemnation in the court of God: “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.” (James 2:13).

    Let us look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus contradicted every prescription of common sense. He knew that Peter would betray him and yet continued to walk closely with him. He knew that Judas was a thief, and yet he kept him as his treasurer. He knew that we were sinners, and yet he died for us. And now the bible says to us: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5).

    “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8).

  • Hijab crisis: Beware of God’s consuming fire, Oyedepo warns Muslims in Kwara

    Hijab crisis: Beware of God’s consuming fire, Oyedepo warns Muslims in Kwara

    Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church, has expressed dismay over the ongoing hijab crisis in Kwara State.

    He advised Muslims to leave Kwara mission schools and establish or find hijab-wearing schools for their children.

    Oyedepo made the remarks on the hijab controversy while speaking during a midweek service on Wednesday.

    Recall Christians and Muslims have been at daggers drawn over the approval of hijabs for female students in 10 government grant-aided missionary schools in Oyo State.

    ”You know the reason why, we have never showed the world the other side of God. God is not a toy, let us show them the consuming fire part of God. They need to know.

    Reacting, the Cleric who said the controversy was a nasty development urged the Kwara State Government to return the schools to the missionary.

    He said, ”It is such a nasty development in Kwara State where Muslims are asking their students in our schools to wear Hijab, and the church said “no”

    ”You know the reason why, we have never showed the world the other side of God. God is not a toy, let us show them the consuming fire part of God. They need to know.

    ”Leave the schools for the owner, go to your schools. Is there any fight? Stop putting fingers in the eyes of others, the world should be warned against the church. The church is a time bomb.

    ”When God turns his back on anyone or any system, that system is cursed. My advice is leave the schools for the owners, find your schools. Men and women can wear hijab there. Stop putting your fingers in the eyes of others when they are not blind.

    Oyedepo also prayed for an end to all harassment against the church in Nigeria.

  • Kwara’s hijab crisis worsens as hoodlums attack schools, shopping centres

    Kwara’s hijab crisis worsens as hoodlums attack schools, shopping centres

    The disturbing hijab crisis in Kwara State was heightened yesterday as suspected hoodlums attacked schools and shopping centres in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The Christian community, the former owner of the 10 government grant- aided schools also mobilised its own forces to counter the attack in the bid to protect their people and property.

    The prompt intervention of personnel of the State Police command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Army, however, saved the situation from getting out of hand.

    The hoodlums, it was gathered, brandished dangerous weapons including cutlasses and bottles while matching along some roads in Ilorin metropolis.

    Some of the hoodlums spotted along Offa road, G.R.A, Ilorin wore masks apparently to cover their identity.

    According to eyewitnesses, the hoodlums threw stones into the premises of Cherubim and Seraphim school at Sabo- Oke, Ilorin in a bid to force open the gate of the school.

    The violence also spread to St. Barnabas LGEA Primary School, Murtala Muhammad Way, Ilorin and some churches in the area.

    The Christian community mobilised its own forces to counter the attack in a bid to protect their people and property.

    Owners of shops and offices located in the areas hurriedly closed for the day, to avoid attack.

    It was reported that some shops were looted by the hoodlums.

    Armed security agents patrolled the metropolis to restore peace.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said the prompt intervention of their men and officers prevented the situation from worsening.

    He said peace had been restored.

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yesterday advised Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRasaq not to set the state on fire with the hijab issue.

    It spoke at Cornerstone City, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, through its President, Bishop Wale Oke, while hosting the Ekiti and Ondo chapters of the Fellowship led by Bishop Clement Abifade and Bishop Joshua Kolawole Opayinka.

    Bishop Oke said if the hijab issue was not handled with care, it could cause crisis in the country.

  • Caterpillars and butterflies (2)- Femi Aribisala

    Femi Aribisala

    The natural-looking glass has distortions. When you see yourself, you don’t see the real you. But the perfect law of liberty sees you perfectly. It describes you accurately. If you want to know about yourself don’t ask Ngozi or Tunde. Go and read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount because it describes you precisely.

    All you see in the looking glass is the body of death. All you see is the flesh, which is crucified, and which is bound eventually to go to dust. What you do not see is your new heart. The heart of flesh that replaced the old heart of stone. A heart that finds sin abhorrent.

    The heart of stone calls iniquity “no big deal.” But the heart of flesh always grieves because of sin. Your heart now has an incredible capacity to receive the things of God. It is there that the Holy Spirit dwells. Foxes have holes, the birds of the air have nests, but Jesus now has your heart on which to lay His head.

    It was you that the psalmist was talking about when he said: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2).

    Love of God

    One of the first assignments of the Holy Spirit is to shed the love of God in your heart. This means, whether you fully realise this or not, you are now head over heels in love with Jesus. There is nobody as precious to you in heaven and on earth as Jesus. You are now so overwhelmed by the love of God, that your heart burns with affection for Jesus.

    It was you that the psalmist was talking about when he said: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2).

    Now you just cannot help talking about Jesus. Indeed, people are getting fed up with you because you are always talking about Jesus. Everything is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. You seem to be determined to introduce the whole world to Jesus.

    You are completely sold out to Jesus. Everything about you is defined and determined by Him. You love what Jesus loves: you hate what Jesus hates. Everything you do is for one purpose; that Jesus may be glorified.

    God worshiper

    Never mind what your useless good-for-nothing flesh continues to say: your soul is forever blessing God and praising him. You are continually making melody to God in your heart.

    Let no one mislead you, you love to talk to God. By the time some people have dressed up their vainglories as prayer and embellished it with highfalutin scriptures, you may be inclined to disqualify yourself. Don’t fall for that malarkey. You are accepted in the beloved of God.

    Have you ever met a child who does not like to talk to his mother? In fact, the first word a child learns is “mummy.” Similarly, you have received the spirit of adoption whereby you call God: “Abba Father.” You know Him as your Daddy.

    Children’s bread

    You used to read the bible without understanding many of the things written there. But now when you read the bible, everything makes perfect sense to you. You have suddenly discovered that you tremble at the word of God. The more you read the bible, the better you feel.

    Don’t ask me how or why, after reading the bible you just know that everything is all right. You just know that God is in control and that you are covered. That is why every day, you store more and more of the word of God in your heart. You love to meditate on the word and to turn it over in your mind. As a result, you know more about God today than you ever did. Every day you are increasing in the knowledge of His will.

    It did not use to be like that, but now you delight to do the will of God. And you know what” God knows that you are now determined to obey all his commandments.

    Shall I tell you more about yourself? You are a wonderful listener. You can listen to people and empathise with them for hours on end and not be bored. Did you know that? I bet you did not even know that. You can enter into the pain of others and share their burdens.

    Now you love righteousness and you hate and detest evil. Sin is no longer fun. Now any time you fall into sin, you are completely overshadowed by godly sorrow. You just feel so terrible, and you have no peace until you take the matter to the Lord with a broken spirit and a contrite heart, and quickly bring it under the blood for cleansing.

    The new you

    Shall I tell you more about yourself? You are a wonderful listener. You can listen to people and empathise with them for hours on end and not be bored. Did you know that? I bet you did not even know that. You can enter into the pain of others and share their burdens.

    When you speak now, kind words come out. Your words encourage people. Your words build people up.

    Often you are amazed at some of the things you tell people, because your words are so full of wisdom. Don’t be amazed. You see, God has made your tongue the pen of a ready writer. Without any fanfare, and without your knowing it, God has poured grace into your lips. That is the reason why when you speak; you speak what is good and edifying. You say things that impart grace to those who hear you.

    Those were the days when every other word out of your mouth was a swear word. Those were the days when you loved to gossip; when you loved to bad-mouth people. Can you remember those days when you used to be malicious and hateful? Those days are now history. You only read about them in the obituaries.

    Now you are at peace with everybody. You simply don’t have the energy or the inclination to fight anybody anymore. Now you are tender-hearted, inclined to forgive everyone and anyone who offends you.

    You no longer lose your temper. Even when you get angry now, you don’t sin. The reason is simple. You would never allow the sun to go down on your anger. And the last thing you would ever want to do is to grieve the precious Holy Spirit.

    Pilgrim on earth

    Have you noticed that you no longer feel at home in this world? Have you noticed that all those things that seem to be so vital and so important just don’t seem to matter anymore?

    Like a thief in the night, God has stolen the joy in the world from your heart. Now you wonder what the big deal is about being a Senator, or a Governor. Frankly, you no longer know what a lot of people are on about.

    So, beloved, just say this after me. I am very patient. I am very kind. I am never jealous or envious. I am never boastful or proud. I am never haughty or selfish or rude. I never demand to have my way. I am never irritable or touchy. I don’t hold grudges. I hardly even notice it when others wrong me. I am never glad about injustice. I always rejoice whenever the truth wins out. (1 Corinthians 13:4-6).

    That is what makes me a son of God. God is love and I am his loving son. I am a butterfly: I am no longer a caterpillar.

  • The sure mercies of David

    By Femi Aribisala

    To be kind, God had to be cruel. That is kingdom dynamics.

    Someone asked me a question. She said: “What can I do to provoke the Holy Spirit?” I told her: “To provoke the Holy Spirit, you must be very provocative.”

    You could not be more provocative than Solomon. Solomon went to Gibeon to offer burnt offerings. He offered 1,10, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, 700, 900. When he got to 1,000, God was provoked. He appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked: “What do you want?”

    “Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask! What shall I give you?’” (1 Kings 3:4-5).

    God gave Solomon wisdom, that made him wiser than any man that ever lived. Then He made Him the richest man in the world.

    Promise of God

    You never know what you are going to do that will trigger God. As the owner of the biggest video rental outfit in Nigeria, I made a lot of money and God made me give it all away. I had 11 different outfits, all successful. God said to me: “Sit down and write the names of all those working with you.”

    When I did, He then dictated their salaries one-by-one.

    The first salary He dictated for someone exceeded what I was earning at the time as a Senior Research Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos.

    I did not buy a plot of land. I did not buy a house. I did not buy a car. But I bought cars for some members of my staff.

    But one day, the editor of a Nigerian newsmagazine was running out of the country from the clutches of Sani Abacha. The American government had offered him political asylum and he needed some money to escape to Benin on the way to the USA. On his way out, he came to my house and asked for financial assistance.

    I did not give him naira: I gave him all the dollars with me that I used for business purposes. As I closed the door of the taxi he was taking, God spoke to me. I heard him as clear as a bell. He said: “Femi, I will make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

    Without planning it, God had given me the grace to provoke Him. That was some 25 years ago. This year, on January 1, He renewed that covenant with another scripture: “My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).

    Unchangeable God

    If God promises to be good to you today, rest assured He was good to you yesterday, whether you realised it or not. If God heals you today, know for certain that He healed you yesterday. It also means he will heal you tomorrow. He says: “I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” (Malachi 3:6).

    Sit down and examine your life. You will discover some grace of God that has always been operating in your life. God is the same yesterday and today and forever. If he is your provider, then He was your provider and will be your provider forever. If He is your Saviour, then He has always been your Saviour. He does not just become your saviour when you answered an altar call.

    “(God) does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17).

    Provocative David

    David was jealous for God. He was living in a palace and the Ark of God was in a tent. David felt uncomfortable about this and decided he must build a befitting temple for the Ark of God. When He made that decision, God was provoked.

    God sent Nathan to David and turned the tables on him. Instead of David building a house for God, God told Nathan to tell him: “The Lord declares to you that the Lord Himself will establish a house for you.” (2 Samuel 7:11). “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16).

    These promises provide the foundation for what is called: the sure mercies of David: “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” (Isaiah 55:3).

    Merciful God

    God is merciful. He does not claim to be fair, as men call fairness. “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

    God says furthermore: “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” Romans 9:15).

    So many things in life are unfair. Men will cheat you, rob you and despise you. You will work and not get paid. You will help people, but the same people will refuse to help you. You will help people, but the same people you help will despise you.

    Stop complaining. Don’t be offended. Life is not fair, but you have God. The person who has God never loses anything in the final analysis. God is a covenant-keeping God. Therefore, He promises to redeem all our losses. He says: “All flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Isaiah 49:26).

    Cruel to be kind

    God told Saul to go and attack the Amalekites with the following strange instructions: “Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.” (1 Samuel 15:3).

    Was God being cruel or was He being kind? To be kind, God had to be cruel. That is kingdom dynamics. God is kind to Israel, but because of His kindness, He has sworn to be cruel to Amalek forever.

    The Amalekites made an unprovoked attack on the Israelites in the wilderness. After God gave the Israelites the victory, he made an ordinance that because of that assault, He will fight against Amalek for all generations:

    “Moses built an altar and called its name, THE-LORD-IS-MY-BANNER; for he said, ‘Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.’” (Exodus 17:15-16).

    He made this ordinance because He is very jealous for Israel. Indeed, God is extremely passionate about His people. That is why Paul asks the rhetorical question: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

    Only a fool, an idiot, a nincompoop.

    Some people are in danger of being God’s enemy for life because they dared to be against the sons of God. That is partly why you need to pray for your enemies. If you don’t, they are in mortal danger.