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Tag: God

  • The mystery of the heart – Francis Ewherido

    The mystery of the heart – Francis Ewherido

    By Francis Ewherido

    I was a very relieved man when I got married, especially to the one I loved and have deep feelings for. The love and feelings remain deep.

    One of the irritants some of us had during our bachelor days was having deep feelings for girls who either could not reciprocate or did not even give a hoot about us.

    To add to our frustration, we got loved by girls whose deep feelings we could not reciprocate. We were like “God, why don’t you just transfer the deep feelings Girl A has for me to Girl B, who I have deep feelings for, but is not reciprocating, so that I can just get married and move on with my life.” I am not sure God answers such prayers of “transfer of love.”

    But once in a while, some of us did meet girls who also had deep feelings for us. Some of these relationships with mutual feelings eventually hit the rock, while some led to marriage. I guess even in our sinfulness, God’s mercy was still very present with us. Some of these marriages are still waxing stronger like old wine.

    But some of those who went ahead to marry those they did not have deep feelings for out of sympathy have a different story to tell. Those who forced themselves on their current spouses, using traps like money and pregnancy also have different stories to tell. It takes fundamental love for a loving marriage to endure. Every marriage goes through turbulence.

    Among other factors, fundamental love helps it to overcome the turbulence.

    That is partly why I can never understand how any normal person can go into a marriage where it is obvious from the beginning that your spouse will not love, celebrate, respect and honour you.

    These are some of the fundamental ingredients of a happy marriage. It is foolish to go ahead and get married when there are red flags like these. Unfortunately, this foolishness is driven by desperation, and desperation is more blinding than river blindness.

    But history keeps repeating itself. Many of those coming behind have learnt nothing from those ahead of them. They still want to get married to people who do not have deep feelings for them and vice versa.

    And when they are rebuffed or jilted, they dig themselves into a mess because of desperation, anger and sometimes unforgiveness. Recently, I read a story of a lady who poisoned and killed her herself and her former boyfriend, a week to his (former boyfriend) wedding to another lady.

    What message was she sending? If I cannot have you, no one else will. You take your own life because a man jilted you? What foolishness? The man was never meant for you in the first place, that was why he left you. As we say in Warri, water when you go drink nor go pass you.

    I have said it before, I believe that for every woman who is destined to get married, God created a man for her. It is your responsibility to pray for God, to lead you to that man through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

    When you meet that your prospective husband, no woman, born of a woman, can take him away from you. So, those men and women committing suicide because of the loss of a lover are just killing themselves for nothing.
    Do not get me wrong, being jilted is traumatising; it can lead to suicidal tendencies. I have been there before and I know the pains and agony first hand.

    But I also know that nothing lasts forever and time heals. When you get jilted, even in your pains and agony, give God thanks giving, because we are admonished to praise God in all situations (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Having done your thanksgiving, turn to God; He is a great burden carrier, if you take refuge in him (Matthew 11:28). Finally, God has a way of replacing what you lost with something equally good or better. There is absolutely no need to kill yourself or maim, poison or burn a lover who dumped you.

    The best and sweetest form of revenge is to be successful. Become the rejected stone that became the cornerstone. That is best form of revenge for anybody who rejected you, whether in a relationship or other aspects of life. Rather than wallow in self-pity, build yourself, improve yourself, work harder, get better. It is a sacrilege for anyone who rejected you to meet you where he left you after a while. Success is from God and he gives it liberally.

    God uses people to bring others success, but if the person he sent to you refuses, God will either force him like he did with Jonah or fleshen dry bones to get it done (Ezekiel 37). Why will you commit suicide or homicide because someone rejected you? Is that person God? Does He have the final say?

    Bad as being jilted is, young people must realise that being jilted is nothing new. It has been with man from time. Sometimes, it is just a mystery of the heart. At other times, it is just the heart of man being desperately wicked. Jeremiah 17:9 captures it succinctly, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick, who can understand it?” While I was growing up, I heard the stories of artisans who sent their fiancées to the university. The thinking was that it is not good for both husband and wife to be uneducated. By the time the women graduated, they refused to marry the men who sponsored their education.

    There were also women who took care of the home and supported their husbands for higher education. By the time they came back, the husbands dumped them because they were “beneath their new status.” Some of these women were lucky to remain in the marriage while their husbands married second wives who “matched” their new status. Nothing is new under the sun. Your life is precious. Do not waste it because of a man/woman who cannot love and appreciate you.

    The last word is for people who kill or maim former lovers. The truth is you are not marriage materials. Marriage is an institution where you forgive, forgive and continue forgiving. And you do not get into marriage before you learn the act of forgiveness. It is a habit you should bring into marriage. So if you do not know how to forgive, marriage is not for you.

    Second, love partly means protection. You protect what you love. If you can kill or maim someone because he/she jilted you, then you never really loved him/her before; your feelings were different. Some married people, who were jilted by their exes before they got married to their spouses, still maintain cordial relationships with these exes. They wish them well. It does not matter how the relationships ended. Whatever happened is in the past.

  • The hope of righteousness (2) – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    We shall be perfect; one hundred percent perfect.

    The bible calls us to rejoice in hope. It says we should rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2).

    When we rejoice in hope, our joy is in the promise of God. Like Christ, it is a joy that enables us to overcome the world. We become like Christ who: “For the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2).

    “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (Romans 8:24-25).

    Carnal hope

    If our hope is in this life, we cannot be true believers. To prosper, we would have to live the unrighteous and cut-throat way the people in the world live because it is the ungodly who prosper in the world. (Psalm 73:12). Believers only prosper in Christ.

    If our hope is in carnal things, we would soon run out of time. But if your hope is in God, just wait. God is never late, and He promises:

    “For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory.” (Isaiah 62:1-2).

    Those who hope to spend eternity in heaven must be determined to learn the ways of God. John says: “Everyone who has this hope in (Jesus) purifies himself, just as (Jesus) is pure.” (1 John 3:3).

    Since we expect to sit at the Lord’s right hand in heaven, we cannot afford to remain mired in the works and lusts of the flesh. A man who truly has the hope of righteousness does not continue to live in sin.

    Jesus is looking for a church without a spot or wrinkle. His disciples are not those who hunger and thirst for the things in the world. Neither are they even those who hunger and thirst for heaven. They are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They are those who are determined to be completely sinless. They are those whose hope is the hope of righteousness.

    Righteousness is the preeminent glory of God. Everything about God is in Him. Nothing about God can be abstracted from Him. God cannot be rich because he has riches. He himself must be the riches. That is why He makes us partakers of Christ, that we also might be the riches in glory of God.

    When Moses asked to see God’s glory, he did not see God’s possessions. He did not see money, lands, houses, or properties. He saw God’s character. He saw the righteousness of God because the glory of God is His righteousness. (Exodus 34:6-7).

    God’s decree

    God says: “Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness; let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it.” (Isaiah 45:8).

    When a man has the hope to be rich, it makes him greedy and selfish. When he hopes to be promoted, it makes him mean-spirited. But when he has hope in Christ, it brings forth godliness. Paul says: “The only hope that bears fruit is the hope that is in Christ, and the fruit it bears is the fruit of righteousness. (Colossians 1:3-6).

    When a man has the hope of righteousness, he has peace, and he has joy. He does not need to be impatient. He can afford to be long-suffering, confident that whatever happens everything is going to work together for his good. (Romans 8:28).

    He is inclined to show love for all the saints. Since we are to live together forever in heaven, there is no point in quarreling here on earth. After all, we are to be partakers of the same joy, the same love, and the same glory.

    Spiritual heaven

    The heaven of the believer in Christ is not fleshly. It is not physical heaven. God is Spirit and not flesh and blood. Therefore, the heaven that we are going to is spiritual heaven. It is the heaven of being like Christ. It is not the heaven of a place; it is the heaven of a being.

    We are called into fellowship with God. Therefore, heaven is not so much a place as wherever God is. Heaven is all about God and not about things. While it involves, sharing in the Lord’s power, joy, and honour; it lies in our being spiritually and morally like him.

    John writes: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (John 3:1-2).

    Hope of glory

    Paul says: “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27).

    The present and indwelling Christ is our hope of glory. This glory will not be revealed to us. The glory will be revealed in us. This coming glory makes every difficulty of the present bearable because “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18).

    The glory that is in Christ is the same glory that will be in us. Paul says: “According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20).

    How delightful it would be to have no propensity to sin whatsoever. We shall have no temptation to sin. There will be no erring judgment, no straying passion, no rebellious lust. There will be nothing that can defile, or weaken, or distract. We shall be perfect; one hundred percent perfect.

    We shall be secure from every danger. There will be no evil in us and none around us. No bereavement, no sorrow, no labour, and no reproach. No doubts, no difficulties, no anxieties, and no fears. No sickness, no accidents, and no pain. Just the righteousness of God. Hallelujah!

    “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:10-11).

  • 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).

  • God’s Children In Faskari, Stephen Ojapah

    God’s Children In Faskari, Stephen Ojapah

    STEPHEN OJAPAH MSP

    We are gradually rounding up the great season of Lent. By next week we will begin the Holy week festivities and ceremonies, another wonderful moment of divine encounter. For me as a priest, the week is my most cherished week of all the weeks of the Year. The entire liturgical ceremonies reminds us of the vain glory and the ephemerality of life and the pursuit of emptiness and shadows that most of us are engaged in. The forth coming Holy week will present and remind us of the ever real drama of life, that consists of Praise singing; Trust; Betrayal; Injustice; false accusation; death of the innocent, and eventual triumph. As we journey in these remaining days of Lent; let us become more like Moses, who is known for his great intercessory role in the life of the people he once guided. “But Moses begged the Lord his God and said, O lord why does your burn hot against your people whom you have brought out. Of the land of Egypt with great power and with mighty hands. Why should the Egyptians say with evil intend he brought them forth, to slay them in the mountains? And to consume them from the face of the earth, turn from your fierce wrought and repent of this evil against your people (Exodus 32:7-14).

    There are many lessons that we can learn from the life of Moses. In this article, we will look to learn from Moses’ role as both a spiritual and political leader, and try to understand what the role of the leader is fundamentally about. Although the initial call Moses received was to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, that task was only the start of his leadership. Through the journey in the wilderness, Moses’ role shifted from being an inspirational, revolutionary leader to leading a reluctant people on a depressing detour of their own making, away from and not toward the better future originally envisioned for them. As we will see in this article, Moses was instrumental in acting as a mediator between God and the people; in the institutionalization of values and practices; and, finally, in serving the people by preparing for a successor to lead in his inevitable absence. At the heart of all that Moses did was the recognition that his leadership was not about self-glorification. Instead, it was about serving one greater than himself and joining in his work.

    To understand the role of the leader, it is important to first establish what lies at the heart of leadership. Through our collective experience in politics, we’ve come to see that leadership of any kind and at any level invariably involves the reconciliation of conflicting interests. In Moses’ case this meant not only mediating disputes among the Israelites themselves, but also acting as a mediator between God and his people. Initially, of course, Moses acted as a mediator between God, the Israelites, and Pharaoh. But once the Red Sea had been crossed, Moses began to face intense criticism from the people he was leading. Despite being freed from slavery, they resented the hardships of the desert journey toward the Promised Land and frequently demanded a return to Egypt. Most often their criticisms were directed at Moses as God’s representative, forcing Moses to stand in the gap between God and his people.

    For example, when the Israelites (after receiving the negative report from the spies) refused to enter the Promised Land, God threatened to destroy them and start all over again by creating a new nation from Moses’ own descendants. But Moses interceded as a mediator on their behalf, reciting back to God the promise he had declared to Moses on Mount Sinai: “The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion” (Numbers 14:11-19).But perhaps the most striking example of Moses as mediator occurred when venomous snakes were sent among the people in response to yet another outbreak of rebellion. Again Moses interceded in prayer for the people, and God responded by instructing him to make a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Whoever looked at the bronze snake, after being bitten, would live (Numbers 21:4-9). In the New Testament, Jesus specifically refers to this incident as analogous to his own role as a sin bearer and his mediatory death on the cross—“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14).

    This appeal for intercession is borne out of my latest pastoral trip to Faskari Local Government area of Katsina State, one of the Local government that has been taken over completely by the bandits and the people are living under constant threat of violence and attacks. Faskari like Jibia, Kankara, Dandume and over three hundred communities in Katsina state alone have recorded unprecedented attacks by the bandits unchallenged, and unstopped by our security forces. Moses in the scriptures remains a central figure, in the grand plan of our salvation history by God. He was the central figure at the reception of the Ten Commandments in Exodus chapter 20:1-17. In Exodus 32:19, we see another side of him that was very “violent”: When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. In Psalm 106: 22-23 the Psalmist, talking about the virtues of Moses said: For this he said he would destroy them but Moses the man he has chosen stood in the bridge before him, to turn back his anger from destruction.

    After over ten years of constant attack by Boko Haram, Killer Fulani Herders, Bandits, and Kidnappers; many Nigerians are almost concluding that the Lord has abandoned us to our enemies. And we need Moses to once again rise on our behalf. But the most important Moses we appeal to, to rise right now, is the one in government. The one that is commanding the troops in Faskari, and other troubled parts of the country. In our interaction with the Muslim and Christian Communities in Faskari. One thing that was very clear on the lips of every man and woman on the street of Faskari is: They feel abandoned and unprotected, by the military and the security forces. Without the slightest intention to cause any dissention in the hearts of our security agents. We appeal to the Moses in their midst to speak in defense of the people they are constitutionally design to protect.

    God’s children in Faskari are in bitter tears, there are hundreds of families who are homeless and driven out of their ancestral homes by Bandits, and many lost their farmlands and farm produce. God’s Children in Faskari, are without food. We met a family during our trip who were still mourning the kidnapping and brutal killing of their son, whom they have paid over three million on for ransom. The list of the pains in Faskari is endless. The Divisional Police Officer who received us was just recuperating from the bullets he sustained from the bandits. The Emirate Council in Faskari was thrilled by the fact, that we could risk coming to them in this most insecure times. We have too because they too are God’s creatures and His Children.

    As Christians, no matter what position we occupy in society or in an organization, we are called to practice the ministry of reconciliation. In doing so we are acting out one of the most central doctrines of our faith (II Corinthians 5:17-21). And while this is not the place to expand on all that the ministry of reconciliation involves, it is nevertheless instructive to recognize that mediation was one of the central tasks of Moses the political and spiritual leader, and that in this regard he models leadership in the spirit of Christ.

    Fr Stephen Ojapah is a priest of the Missionary Society of St Paul. He is equally the director for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism for the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, a member of IDFP. He is also a KAICIID Fellow. (omeizaojapah85@gmail.com)

     

     

     

  • 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.

  • Caterpillars and butterflies (1) – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    Some people love to read obituaries. When they open a newspaper, they go straight to the obituary pages or columns to find out who has dropped dead lately. But what about you, Christian Ojo? Have you read your own obituary lately?

    The bible says that the word of God is sharper than any double-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12). This is because it tells us about life as well as about death. Indeed, the bible is full of obituaries. It says, for example:

    “Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

    What I want to tell you is this. You are not a caterpillar; you are a butterfly. You are not a turkey; you are an eagle. You are created to soar. You are ordained to arise and shine. (Isaiah 60:1).

    This says here lies dead and buried fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards, and extortioners. But then it says these same people now alive, after having been washed and sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit.

    Introduction

    Today, I want to do something slightly strange. I know that there are many people you don’t know, and sometimes it is necessary for someone to introduce them to you. But now, I want to introduce you to yourself if you happen to be a born-again Christian. I know you know the old you, but I have a feeling that you don’t really know the new you well enough.

    You need to get to know the new you who according to God is created in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:24). For we are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should do. (Ephesians 2:10).

    What I want to tell you is this. You are not a caterpillar; you are a butterfly. You are not a turkey; you are an eagle. You are created to soar. You are ordained to arise and shine. (Isaiah 60:1).

    Caterpillars

    One of the ugliest insects you are ever likely to see is the caterpillar. Can you imagine a caterpillar crawling up your skin? Yuk! First, I cannot understand why the caterpillar has so many legs.

    But now think of the butterfly. Look how beautiful it is. Even Solomon, in all his splendour, was not clothed as intricately and as beautiful as it is.

    Someone asked me the other day if I am smarter than Solomon. I was offended. How can I be compared to Solomon? I am certainly wiser than smarter than him. In the first place, I only have one wife, not 700 wives and 300 concubines. (1 Kings 11:3). In the second place, I have not ended up as an idol worshiper as Solomon did. I only worship the One true God in spirit and truth.

    Read the manual

    If someone should ask you how the new Q-led television is supposed to work, tell him to read the manual. It is completely different from the old model. The Q-led is a new creation. The same applies to the believer.

    Jesus says to Thomas: “Blessed are those that have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29). Jesus is talking here about the new creation. He is talking about the man who is born again. The born-again Christian is blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3).

    When Jesus was presenting the beatitudes on the Sermon on the Mount, He was describing the attributes of the new creation. (Matthew 5-7). Are you born again? Then I tell you, blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. (Matthew 13:16). You are appointed to dream dreams. You are ordained to see visions. (Joel 2:28).

    Unlike the natural people who were listening to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount but could not meet its requirements, the power of God has now given to you all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3). Jesus was preaching about turning the other cheek to people who could not turn the other cheek. He says blessed is this and blessed is that. But his listeners could not enter His blessings.

    Not you. There is nothing that God requires of man that you cannot fulfil. This is because there is an anointing to do the impossible, there is an anointing to do the supernatural that God has now placed in you. That is why Paul declared that he can now do all things because of the anointing which gives him supernatural strength. (Philippians 4:13).

    The new creation must look in himself and see that it is God who is now at work in him both to will and to do for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13). Stop looking around for things when God is with you. (Matthew 1:23). Stop looking for help when God is for you. (Psalm 56:9). Look into yourself, recognising that God who is in you is greater than the devil who is in the world. (1 John 4:4).

    Who are you?

    Do you really know what manner of spirit you are of? Do you know that you are greater than Elijah? Do you know that you cannot be compared to Elisha? Do you know that it is an insult for anybody to put you in the same category as Moses (who parted the Red Sea) or Joshua (who brought down the walls of Jericho) or Samson (who terrorised the Philistines) or David (who incidentally killed Goliath)?

    Jesus affirmed that he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than any of these people. (Matthew 11:11). These people are all caterpillars. And there is a big difference between a caterpillar and a butterfly. If I did not know better, I would have said that they are not even related at all. So different is the beautiful butterfly from the ugly caterpillar.

    I have discovered that some born-again Christians don’t know who they are. They know that they are new creations, but when they look in the mirror, they see their same old faces and think that they are still the same. But a child of God does not merely look at “mirror mirror on the wall” in order to see his natural face. A child of God looks continually into the mirror of the perfect law of liberty to behold his spiritual image. (James 1:23-25).

    Stop looking at those vain pictures on your Instagram and Facebook pages. Start looking into yourself in the mirror of the gospel. Stop looking at the outside: start looking inside. Stop looking at others. Look at Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2).

    Work out what God has worked in. (Philippians 2:12-13). Stir it up. (2 Timothy 1:6). Violently take it by force. (Matthew 11:12). Strive to enter in. (Luke 13:24). Seek and find. (Matthew 7:7). Run that you may obtain. (1 Corinthians 9:24). Sow, that you may reap. (Galatians 6:7). Lay aside every weight. (Hebrews 12:1). Give all diligence. (2 Peter 1:5). Take heed to the ministry you have received in the Lord. (Colossians 4:17).

    You are appointed for good success.

    CONTINUED

  • If God be for us who can be against us?, By Stephen Ojapah

    If God be for us who can be against us?, By Stephen Ojapah

    Stephen Ojapah MSP

    We have entered the second week of lent, in our 40-day journey of prayer and fasting. These are sacred times for us Catholics and indeed all Christians. In this period, the Church calls all her sons and daughters to a deeper life of prayer and fasting. Prayer, which is the hallmark of every Christian, should be a cherished moment today and always, especially for those who have left God’s awesome presence through a life of prayerlessness. Lent offers us an opportunity to renew our love life with the divine. Daily Eucharistic Celebration and Stations of the cross for those who are Catholics, the celebration of the great hour of Mercy every 3pm; and the 6 hourly recitation of the Angelus will be a good start for many of us who wish to renew this prayer love life. Fasting makes us shed the extra spiritual baggage in our life and to focus our spiritual energies on things eternal. Fasting keeps us spiritually and mentally alert to the things of God. St Augustine once said: “Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity” St John Chrysostom also once said: “Fasting is the support of our soul: it gives us wings to ascend on high, and to enjoy the highest contemplation! God, like an indulgent father, offers us a cure by fasting.”

    But outside the physical fast it is very important to remember that God does not take pleasure in empty ritual that is devoid of charity? Or an empty ritual that is a mere outward show. “Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am” (Isaiah 58: 3-9).

     

    In a nutshell, the spiritual exercise of fasting should bring out the best of our humanity. For us in Nigeria at the moment, the gods have unleashed the worst of our humanity to hunt us. Why are the gods treating us this way many are asking, we are frankly speaking at the lowest point of our history: politically, economically and certainly spiritually. At the economic level, prices of food are extremely high, so much so that many families can’t afford basic food again, and the rich are stacking stolen wealth in foreign accounts. What sort of fasting will such a Christian offer to God? Politically, Nigeria is inflicting unbelievable wound on itself. Three things have left many of us speechless in the last two weeks.

     

    The clash in Shasha, Ibadan between the Hausas and Yorubas that left ten people dead and more than a hundred people injured, because of a cart pusher who is a Hausa man and cobbler who was a Yoruba man. The incident has brought innocent people untold suffering, and many were cut in the cross fire as a result of the activities of the Shashasha (fools) amongst us as Jibrin Ibrahim beautifully puts it in his Friday column of the Daily Trust on the 19th of Feb, 2021. To these Shashasha amongst us, what kind of fast would be pleasing to the Lord in this season of lent?

     

    The second breath taking incident in the last two weeks is the burning of a Mosque in Biliri in Gombe State, in North East Nigeria. The scripture says in Hosea 4:1 “My people perish for lack of knowledge” How often should we explain to such religious bigots that burning a Mosque in Biliri will gravely endanger the small community of Christians in Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara. The legitimate tussle for the seat of Mai Tangale and who to succeed the throne should be resolved through the court process. As a peace actor, we condemn in strong terms the destruction of the sacred place of worship for our Muslim brothers.

     

    The third and the most disturbing incident in the last two weeks is the role seen to be played by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi in his attempt to bring the Boko Haram cum Bandits to the negotiating table. A function that should be well applauded and appreciated. But unfortunately we all stand suspect. at the moment. We are worried by his body language, and past comments about Boko Haram, being a blessing to Nigerian Muslims. The viral video of his meeting with the bandits has gained national attention. At the bandit’s den, Sheikh Gumi told them they are being killed by Nigerian Christian soldiers. A statement that is ridicules and totally unacceptable. At the meeting with the bandits Sheikh Gumi equally told them; when they come out to revenge, they should be careful about their Muslim brothers and sisters. In other words their Muslim fellows should not be targeted. Many of us were still willing to excuse his comments and move ahead, but the interview he granted to AIT television station on the 23rd of Feb, has nailed the coffin. He referred to the 5th columnists in the army as being responsible for the killing of Sardauna the premier of Northern Nigeria in the first Republic and the same columnists are the ones killing the bandits and carrying out genocide against them, as if the bandits are fighting a just cause that should be tolerated. I wish the sheikh never made such statements but sorry he did.

     

    These and numerous other monumental personal and national challenges are facing us in the face right now, and we need all the help that can come from God and the International community. Fasting and Prayer would mean, addressing all these issues head on, and bringing them to a speedy end. As a country we have obviously demonstrated a total lack of will to come round our insecurity challenges. But for us children of the loving Father. Let us be rest assured of God’s eternal love and care. And with Saint Paul we pray “If God is for us who can be against us? He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God. Who indeed intercede for us. (Romans 8:31-34)

    Fr Stephen Ojapah is a priest of the Missionary Society of St Paul. He is equally the director for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism for the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, a member of IDFP. He is also a KAICIID Fellow. (omeizaojapah85@gmail.com)

     

  • The sure mercies of David (3) – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    When you are at your wit’s end, don’t be at your faith’s end.

    Earthquakes can be disastrous, and they are even more lethal when combined with tsunamis. Earthquakes bring down buildings. To escape, you must run out. But with tsunamis, the flood confronts those who manage to run out of collapsing buildings.

    Earthquakes take place in earthquake zones. There are some parts of the world that are sitting on what is called a fault. It is like sitting on a crack. The crack can expand or enlarge at any time, leading to earthquakes.

    Here in Nigeria, we are sitting on a fault. There is a fault between Nigeria and Cameroun. That is why there is a high incidence of land erosion in eastern Nigeria. In short, earthquakes and tsunamis can easily take place in Nigeria.

    Whatever happens, we must never lose sight of the mercy of God in Nigeria. Remember this, if we continue in His word, God’s mercy in our lives endures forever. That is the covenant of the sure mercies of David.

     

    Victoria Island, Lagos and the whole Lekki/Ajah axis is reclaimed land. It is practically below sea level. That is why the beaches often washing ashore. You just wake up one morning and find water all over. So, if you have a tsunami in Lagos, parts of Lagos might disappear.

    There but for the grace of God. By the grace of God, all that happens is that we merely read about earthquakes and tsunamis in the newspapers. They hardly happen in Nigeria.

    Whatever happens, we must never lose sight of the mercy of God in Nigeria. Remember this, if we continue in His word, God’s mercy in our lives endures forever. That is the covenant of the sure mercies of David.

    Merciful God

    David came back to Ziklag and discovered that the Amalekites had burnt the city to the ground. They had taken everything take-able and carried away captive all the wives, sons, and daughters of the people. So, what happened to the sure mercies of David?

    The people wept until they had no more power to weep. They blamed David for their adversity and some even wanted to stone him. But David encouraged himself in the Lord. He remembered that God is merciful.

    Have you ever been discouraged? Encourage yourself in the Lord. His mercy endures forever. It does not matter if Lazarus is dead. It does not matter if he has been dead for four days. It does not matter if he smells already. God’s mercy endures forever, even in death.

    God brings light out of darkness. He brings peace out of trouble. He brings good out of evil. He works all things together for good for those who love him and for those who are called according to His purpose. Therefore, when you are at your wit’s end, don’t be at your faith’s end.

    The mercy of God had not departed from David, for His mercy endures forever. The mercy of God never departs, no matter the situation or circumstance. God told David to pursue the enemy and assured him that he would overtake and recover all.

    But David had only 600 men. By the time he got to the Brook Besor, 200 of them said they were too tired to continue and he had to leave them behind. But “nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6). Then they found an Egyptian in the field. The man was sick and dying. He had not eaten for three days and three nights.

    He who has received mercy has mercy to give. David had mercy on the man. He gave him bread to eat and water to drink. He also gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. And that was the man who God used to reveal to David the location of the Amalekite raiders. For His mercy endures forever.

    David launched a surprise attack on the Amalekites and routed them. And he recovered all that they looted from Ziklag. Moreover, David led captivity captive and received gifts. Remember the same thing happened to Abraham when his nephew, Lot, was taken captive. Abraham chased the enemy, routed them, and came back with spoils.

    This was repeated with David, and it was repeated with Jesus. They led captivity captive and gave gifts to men. It will be repeated with you. You are the seed of Abraham, of the House of David, and are predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

    Plenteous redemption

    “Thus says the LORD: ‘Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children. I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.’” (Isaiah 49:25-26).

    Although the Amalekites burnt everything in Ziklag to the ground, God made sure they killed no one. David himself had attacked the Amalekites (1 Samuel 27) and killed everyone he found. Yet God ensured that the Amalekites did not kill any of David’s people. For His mercy endures forever.

    This means everything that will happen to you will be for your correction and not your destruction. For God’s mercy endures forever.

    The Amalekites were nomadic people. They did not live in one place. They moved around, living wherever they found themselves at any given time. That means even when they go to war, they carry along their jewelry and their “television sets.” They bring along with them everything they have, including their cattle, their sheep, and their goats.

    So, by the time that David pursued and overtook them, he got back far more than he lost. He got all the property the Amalekites carried around with them. He got all their flock and herds. When he came back to Ziklag, the people who had spoken of stoning him now started hailing him, saying: “This is David’s spoil.” But it came from God’s sure mercies of David.

    Gift of God

    Some of David’s men insisted that the 200 who stayed behind should not be included in the division of the spoils. They felt it would be unfair to include them, after all, they did not fight. But an extreme concern for fairness is often a camouflage for greed.

    David understood that a man can receive nothing unless God gives it to him. He understood that it is not of him that wills or runs but of God that shows mercy. Therefore, he knew that it was not because some fought that they got the booty. It was because God fought for them. It was because the Lord was on their side.

    Therefore, whether they fought or not, David included everyone in the division of the spoils. He even sent some to friends in Israel who had nothing to do with the matter, saying this is a present from the Lord.

    David made this protocol into a statute and an ordinance in Israel. In the kingdom, you must be ready and willing to share with others.

    And so, God says: “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).

  • 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.

  • Why I remind my daughter I am not her father – Ninalowo

    Why I remind my daughter I am not her father – Ninalowo

    Nollywood actor, Bolanle Ninalowo a.k.a Nino B has opened up on why he reminds his daughter, Aliyah, that he is not her father.

    Makanaki, as he is fondly called, said he only plays the role of a guardian while God is her only father.

    The huge actor noted that because of his constant reminder, she keeps God first in everything she does.

    Ninalowo, who shared photos of himself and Aliyah on Instagram, wrote: “With Africa’s Next Top Model @myteenandi… I remind her every day that only GOD is her father, I remain her Guardian… So she keeps GOD first and I, behind her back…Maka”

    In an interview, Ninalowo disclosed that he is obsessed with his wife.

    “I am blessed and don’t forget that it’s a privilege to have what I have. Our love story is not that of a rich man that met a beautiful girl. We have been together for 16 years and have come a long way. We have been through so much. I had always imagined being successful in the entertainment industry and having a beautiful wife by my side.

    “She is quite an introvert. We are practically two opposite people that complement one another well. Before I became a celebrity, I used to show off my wife. She looks like my mother and I had always prayed to marry a woman that looks like her. I admire my wife and I’m obsessed with her. I have messed up so much in the past and I figured I could rewrite my own story. I am fortunate to have got a second chance, so I am just living my dreams. I am not living to impress anybody.”