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Tag: God

  • God is not good all the time – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    Nobody spoils a man’s life like Jesus. Jesus is a killer of all worldly joy. God’s attitude to the world is often lost on many. God hates the world system. The world hated Jesus and killed him. Therefore, anyone who is a lover of pleasure; anyone who likes this world becomes an enemy of God.

    Accordingly, James asks: “You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4). Paul is of the same opinion: “She who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.” (1 Timothy 5:6). Thus, Jesus assured his disciples: “In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33).

    God is so implacably opposed to the world; he has doomed it to destruction. Isaiah says: “I have heard from the Lord God of hosts, a destruction determined even upon the whole earth.” (Isaiah 28:22). In the meantime, God plans “to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.” (Isaiah 23:9).

    God allows wickedness to prevail on earth, the better to commend to us the superiority of the kingdom of heaven. Job notes that: “The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked” (Job 9:24). This is because God allows it to be so. Thus, God allows the worst kinds of people to be heads of states and governments: “The High God rules human kingdoms.

    He arranges kingdom affairs however he wishes, and makes leaders out of losers.” (Daniel 4:17).

    Wonder-less world

    Thanks to Jesus, we are brought to the realisation that what we deemed to be life is actually death. Under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, believers are made foreigners and strangers here on decrepit earth; having become citizens of a spiritual heavenly kingdom.

    Out of this new reality is then fashioned a completely different psychology. The atonement kills everything before it makes alive. This is what God says about his own peculiar process: “I, even I, am he, and there is no God besides me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from my hand.” (Deuteronomy 32:39).

    Christ makes every pain irrelevant and he diminishes every joy outside of himself. Therefore, be contemptuous of every advantage. Overlook every disadvantage. Jesus is a leveller. The kingdom of God cancels deficits and erases credits. Before the glory of God is revealed: “Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low.” (Isaiah 40:4).

    God is at pains to make us see that what we call wonderful is “wonder-less.” He tells us the man who is blessed is not he who won the lottery, but he who receives forgiveness of sin: “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him.” (Psalm 32:1-2).

    Jesus maintains the joy to be cherished is the joy of salvation: “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” (Luke 10:19-20).

    Man of sorrows

    God prefers to make people cry than to make them laugh. Jesus was a man of sorrows; acquainted with grief. (Isaiah 53:3). The bible says of him: “It was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief.” (Isaiah 53:10).

    There is really very little to laugh about here on earth. What is there to laugh about in a world riddled with sin, where souls are perishing every day; and where the thief comes daily to steal, kill and destroy? (John 10:10). What is there to laugh about in a grief-stricken world?

    Therefore, Jesus pronounces woe on those given to laughter. He says: “Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep” (Luke 6:25). Amos also says: “Woe to those lounging in luxury at Jerusalem and Samaria.” (Amos 6:1). James goes even further to prescribe a strange tonic for the soul: “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.” (James 4:9).

    But we thought Jesus came to give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness? (Isaiah 61:3). Yes indeed! But Jesus’ ministry is only for those who are sorrowful and mournful. Moreover, the consolations of Christ come not through the reform of this world, but by invitation to another kingdom; a kingdom not of this world.

    Divine prescription

    The nature of this ungodly world is such that, according to the wisdom of God, even in laughter the heart should sorrow, since the end of mirth may be grief. (Proverbs 14:13). Solomon says: “Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better.” (Ecclesiastes 7:3). By laughter and merriment the heart is made worse, vainer, more carnal and more sensual. It is made more in love with the world and more estranged from God and godliness.

    If sorrow is indeed better than laughter, then the man who God makes sad is more blessed than the man who is happy. When a man decides to be good to another man, he tries to make him happy. He ministers to his body. He makes him comfortable. Not so the goodness of God. When God is really good to someone, he is more likely to make him sad. God’s goodness works more on the heart than on the flesh: “The goodness of God leads you to repentance.” (Romans 2:4). Its main objective is to lead us along the path of life and make us heirs of salvation.

    Therefore, God is not good in the way that is normally considered to be good. If we don’t understand the peculiarity of God’s goodness, we are likely to be sad when we should be glad, and to be glad when we should be sad.

    In the kingdom of God, the way up is down.

    In order to enter, we must be born again. (John 3:3-5). In order to see, we have to be blind. (John 9:39). In order to be full, we have to hunger. (Luke 6:21). In order to gain, we have to lose. (Matthew. 13:44-46). In order to be rich, we have to be poor. (1 Samuel 2:7). In order to be strong, we have to be weak. (Judges 7:2-7). In order to be masters, we have to be slaves. (Matthew 20:25-28). The elder must serve the younger. (Genesis 25:23).

    In order to laugh, we have to weep. (Luke 6:21). In order to enter into glory, we have to endure suffering. (Luke 24:25-26). In order to be healed, we have to be sick. (Luke 5:31). In order to live, we have to die. (John 12:24). In order to save our life, we have to lose it. (Matthew 16:25-26). In order to be first, we have to be last. (Matthew 19:30).

  • Be the best – Prince Ufford

    Be the best – Prince Ufford

    BY PRINCE UFFORD

    1CORINTHIANS 12:31. But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and grace (The higher gifts and choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all – love]. Amplify Bible.

    *Be different among your friends.

    Your thought creates your future, you can not see your thought but you can trace the effect. Positive thinkers succeed in life. Positive thinking will display your value (best). Who you are now and who you will be tomorrow is your decision. Be ready to create change, see break through with your spiritual eyes. Have faith in God for the best.

    *Do not devalue yourself, meaning you should not lower your standard no matter your condition naturally. How you rate yourself before the world is how the world will rate you.
    *Go after success even after you have failed. Do not feel discouraged even when you fail, but rather encourage yourself with I can make it. “YES”. YOUR FRIENDS SHOULD NOT DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE, DECIDE YOUR FUTURE YOURSELF. BE IN AGREEMENT WITH YOURSELF.

    *Create the atmosphere for what you want with your own words. Discouragement will kill your drive for greatness, do not allow it. Take charge of your thoughts, see yourself winning in life, don’t forget that Life is a race. Run well that you may win. Have faith in yourself, believe in yourself.To transform your life naturally, look at the area in your life that you need to change. This will be possible because you have decided that you want to experience what God has said in His word concerning you naturally.

    *Your life style naturally is your responsibility, your approach to life will earn you well. What you become on earth with regards to prosperity, failure is the choice you make daily. For instance, wrong word will create an atmosphere for condemnation. Kind word will make kindness available to you. Naturally you may look empty but spiritually you are fully loaded with raw materials for greatness. Stop looking down at yourself even though you are not there yet. Create your world with a vision.

    *Stop discouraging yourself with wrong statements. Stop seeing yourself as a failure. You are a great product. Words of success will help create room for you. Be concerned about your future, create it now, work towards actualization of what you see from within. Give yourself a good life by creating healthy environment to dwell in.
    *Think to create idea for money. Wealth comes from idea. If you refuse to work or engage yourself in business, you will not have money. Don’t forget money will not fall from heaven. You will have money because you have what it takes to make money. Your idea is the raw material.

    *ECCLESIASTES 9:10. WHATEVER YOUR HAND FINDS TO DO, DO IT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT, FOR THERE IS NO WORK OR DEVICE OR KNOWLEDGE OR WISDOM IN SHEOL (THE PLACE OF THE DEAD), WHERE YOU ARE GOING. Whatever you are engaged in, do it with the sincerity of your heart. Whether you are a manager in an organzation, a driver, give your best, be happy in giving your best.

    *GENESIS 4:3-5. AND IN PROCESS OF TIME IT CAME TO PASS, THAT CAIN BROUGHT OF THE FRUIT OF THE GROUND AN OFFERING UNTO THE LORD. AND ABEL, HE ALSO BROUGHT OF THE FIRSTLINGS OF HIS FLOCK AND OF THE FAT THEREOF. AND THE LORD HAD RESPECT UNTO ABEL AND TO HIS OFFERING :BUT UNTO CAIN AND TO HIS OFFERING HE HAD NO RESPECT. AND CAIN WAS VERY WROTH, AND HIS CONTENANCE FELL.
    *Your best will attract honourable report unto you naturally, your best at work will earn you promotion. Doing your best will create happiness and sense of fulfillment in your heart. Cain did not do well, it is the same thing we do unto God Almighty every day; we refuse to honour Him with our best yet we expect the best from God.

    *JOHN 3:16. FOR GOD SO GREATLY LOVED AND DEARLY PRIZED THE WORLD THAT HE [EVEN] GAVE UP HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN (UNIQUE) SON, SO THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN (TRUSTS IN, CLINGS TO, RELIES ON) HIM SHALL NOT PERISH (COME TO DESTRUCTION, BE LOST) BUT HAVE ETERNAL (EVERLASTING) LIFE. Amplify Bible.
    *If you have love in your heart [genuine love] you will not find it difficult to give your best. God had shown unto us what it means to love. He gave His only Son to us. He even allowed Him to die for us. He took our punishment by going to the CROSS for our sins.

    *If we walk in love we will do our best at any given time. Kingdom principle says , whatever you sow that’s what you will reap. Ifyou sow kindness you will enjoy same. If you sow wickedness, you will enjoy wickedness. If all you sow daily is evil, you will enjoy harvest of evil – hardship.
    *So stop, think, consider. Cain showed disrespect unto God Almighty, God refused to accept his offering. Some of the offerings and tithes pastors receive from members of the congregation as unto the Lord God Almighty might not be acceptable to God, but it is acceptable to the pastor. In our churches today, there are Cains, just as there are Abels. Love will propel you to give your best.Make your choice.

    *2CORINTHIANS 5:14. FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINETH US: BECAUSE WE THUS JUDGE, THAT IF ONE DIED FOR ALL, THEN WE ALL DEAD. Understand from this scripture that you can only have genuine love in your heart if you are recreated in Christ Jesus. You have supernaturally move from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. And by reprogramming your mind with the written word of God through the help of Holy Spirit. Walking in love will not be difficult. With the Spirit of love in your heart, you give out your best.
    *COLOSSIANS1:12-13. GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER, WHO HAS QUALIFIED AND MADE US FIT TO SHARE THE PORTION WHICH IS THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS (GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE) IN THE LIGHT. [THE FATHER] HAS DELIEVERED AND DRAWN US TO HIMSELF OUT OF THE CONTROL AND DOMINION OF DARKNESS AND HAS TRANSFERRED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE SON OF HIS LOVE. Amplify Bible.

    *You can see from this verse what love has done for us. We should flow in the same Spirit of love. Love will compel us to do our best, love will compel us to show love the exact way by demonstration.
    *Your faith will work to produce miracles, grace will help you because you are obedient to Spiritual principles of grace. Give your best where ever you find yourself. If you give Almighty God your best, you will enjoy grace. Abel’s offering was acceptable unto God Almighty because he honoured Him with an excellent offering. God honoured him in return. The Lord spoke to me recently. [He said darkness can not give direction to light]. Holy Spirit will teach you how to be the best, allow Holy Spirit by submiting to Him.

    *In MATTHEW 7:12. SO THEN, WHATEVER YOU DESIRE THAT OTHERS WOULD DO TO AND FOR YOU, EVEN SO DO ALSO TO AND FOR THEM, FOR THIS IS (SUMS UP) THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
    *Do you desire the best things of Life? Practice they say makes perfect. Good things will only happen unto those who practice doing good. Naturally you can not do good, sometimes what we celebrate as good before God is evil, some of the testimonies we share in church might not be God who has done them, but because we are not able to decode them spiritually. God rejected Cain’s offering, it was not acceptable unto God , which means it was not according to kingdom standards but Abel’s offering was honourable, acceptable, a sweet smelling offering full of appreciation to show God he was grateful for His mercy and grace toward him. It was an offering full of love and worship from the heart.

    *GENESIS 8:20-22. AND NOAH BUILDED AN ALTAR UNTO THE LORD: AND TOOK OF EVERY CLEAN BEAST, AND OF EVERY CLEAN FOWL, AND OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS ON THE ALTAR. AND THE LORD SMELLED A SWEET SAVOUR: AND THE LORD SAID IN HIS HEART, I WILL NOT AGAIN CURSE THE GROUND ANY MORE FOR MAN’S SAKE: FOR THE IMAGINATION OF MAN’S HEART IS EVIL FROM HIS YOUTH: NEITHER WILL I AGAIN SMITE ANY MORE EVERY THING LIVING, AS I HAVE DONE. WHILE THE EARTH REMAINETH, SEEDTIME AND HARVEST, AND COLD AND HEAT, AND SUMMER AND WINTER, AND DAY AND NIGHT SHALL NOT CEASE.

    Noah recognized grace as the favour of God showned unto him. He decided to appreciate God by honouring Him with the best. He carefully selected the best for God. God visited Noah with prophetic blessings. Naoh drew God’s attention unto himself and the entire family.

    * My mother used to say this to us, if you do good, you do for yourself. You do bad, you do for yourself. The scripture has this to say, be not deceive whatever you sow that’s what you will reap as harvest naturally. Daily my eyes are spiritually open to receive understanding, therefore it helps me to apply living wisdom for effectivenss in life.

    *God is good. Jesus Christ while here was a good person. The question I should ask myself is: Prince are you a good person? I am sure you will like to ask yourself the same question.

    *ROMANS 12:1-2. Amplify Bible. I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Amplify Bible

  • Women who call God’s name during orgasm will go to hell – Prophet

    Ghana’s controversial prophet, Nicholas Osei, popularly known as Prophet Kumchacha, has said that women who mention the name of Jesus during sexual intercourse with husband or boyfriend would go to hell.

    According to Adomonline Nicholas, said the name of Jesus Christ is not supposed to be mentioned in vain, hence cannot fathom why some women take it on the lighter side to scream it during sex.

    “Whether you are making the love with your husband or your boyfriend, once you scream the name of Jesus Christ while in the act there is no way you will not go to hell,” says Nicholas.

    He further explained that there are Angels in Heaven who are specially trained for women who commit such blunders and if care is not taking the person could be flogged by invisible hands while in the act

  • God is slow to anger and abundant in mercy – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    The Lord sent me on an errand. He asked me to go and talk to an old man about Christ. I can never say “no” to the Lord, but I dragged and dragged my feet. I had known the man all my life and felt it would be presumptuous for little me to preach to him. As I dilly-dallied, I was informed he was seriously ill in hospital. Then I became afraid. What if he died?

    Cost of disobedience

    The Lord said to Ezekiel: “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezekiel 3:18).

    To be frank, I did not remember this scripture at the time. But I rationalised that God must have known about my reticence beforehand and would have sent a more receptive person to the old man as a backup. I kept on this debate until the man died. Then I knew I was in trouble. I became overwhelmed that such enormous responsibility was laid on my weak shoulders.

    I then realised I could not fathom the depth of the love of Christ. The good shepherd comes down from heaven in search of one lost sheep. He searches night and day over the hills and the valleys nonstop until he is found. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. Why was it so difficult for me to be like him?

    Covenant with death

    The more the details emerged about the old man’s death, the more grievous my disobedience became. I was told he had a covenant with death. There was apparently a ring on his finger that was a “death-repellent.” As a result, he spent months in a coma. Finally, his son came to see him and he removed the ring from his finger. When he did, the man reportedly died immediately with a snarl on his face.

    I cannot vouch for the veracity of this account, but I know for a fact that people actually make covenants with death. As a matter of fact, God talks reprovingly of this in the scriptures. (Isaiah 28:15-18). But why would anyone make a covenant with death? It only shows complete lack of wisdom because death can never guarantee life.

    There is a popular folktale of the scorpion and the tortoise. The scorpion begs the tortoise to carry him on his back across the river. “Are you nuts?” exclaimed the tortoise. “If I do that you will sting me while I’m swimming across and I will drown.” “My dear tortoise,” exclaimed the scorpion. “Why would I do such a stupid thing? If I sting you and you drown, I will drown with you. Now what would be the point of that?”

    The tortoise saw reason with the scorpion and agreed to carry him on his back. However, halfway across the river, the scorpion gave the tortoise a big sting. As they both started to sink to the bottom of the river, the tortoise asked the scorpion in bewilderment: “But why did you do that? Now both of us are going to drown.” “I couldn’t help it,” the scorpion replied sadly. “It’s in my nature.”

    It is in the nature of death to kill. Indeed, death is the only thing death can guarantee. Therefore, those who make a covenant with death are foolish. The only person that can guarantee life is Jesus. Jesus says: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).

    God says from his throne of mercy: “Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand.” (Isaiah 28:18). Therefore, he sent me to raise the old man back to life. But, as a latter-day Jonah, instead of going to Nineveh, I took a boat and headed for Tarshish.

    Fruits of repentance

    I carried the burden of the old man’s death on a business trip to New York. I went to Kings Plaza in Flatbush, one of the major shopping centres, and sat down for a burger in one of the fast-food shops. It was time to have a serious heart-to-heart with God. I apologised for my disobedience and for my insensitivity. I pleaded that I was just too afraid to talk to the old man, but my fears could not justify my disobedience.

    It was one long monologue. The Lord said nothing in reply. As I got up to leave, I remembered that I always have difficulty getting a taxi back to Canarsie every time I came to King’s Plaza. So I asked the Lord: “Could you please help me get a taxi?”

    As I came out of the fast food and turned right, the Lord finally spoke. He said: “Femi, turn left.”

    I turned left to discover the swing glass doors leading outside were actually there. Immediately I pushed them and walked outside, I was surprised to find a man sitting in a car, some ten metres away, beckoning to me. I looked behind me, to make sure he was not calling someone else. But he pointed to me, indicating I was the one he was calling.

    When I got to him, I leaned through the car window, wondering what he wanted. “Where do you want to go?” the man asked. It was only then I realised he was a mini-cab driver. “I am going to Canarsie,” I replied. “Hop in,” he said.

    Forgiven

    I could not believe it. I asked the Lord for a taxi and I did not even have to hail one. The driver was the one who called me. I smiled in astonishment all the way to Carnasie. The Lord has forgiven me! No wonder, one of his names in the Old Testament is “the God-who-forgives.” (Psalm 99:8).

    The next day, I took another taxi, headed for a completely different destination. Suddenly, I closed my eyes and started praising God. I said to him: “Daddy, you are such a wonderful person. I disobeyed you, and yet you readily forgave me. I asked you for a taxi and you made the mini-cab driver beckon to me. You are just too much.”

    Suddenly, the Lord said to me: “Femi, open your eyes and look up.” When I did, I could not believe what I saw.

    I was in the taxi at the exact same spot at which the mini-cab driver had beckoned to me the day before. There was a traffic-jam and we were at a stand-still. To my right were the swing glass-doors of the Kings Plaza where I had exited the previous day. Don’t ask me how we got there because I have absolutely no idea.

    “Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, his favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:4-5).

     

  • Leave Vengeance for God, By Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

    Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

    Self-preservation is a natural instinct in almost every living organism. Human beings naturally want to preserve their lives and defend themselves against any threat to their existence on earth. It is natural for human beings to avoid whatever could cause them pain and suffering. Whatever is a threat to life is a source of fear that calls for safety. In the process the body is energized with a release of adrenaline. Apart from an increased strength, the senses of hearing, smell, and sight are stimulated to prevent emotional trauma that could distort the mind. Even the single-celled bacteria avoid any environment that is not conducive for their existence. Consequently “self-preservation is essentially the process of an organism preventing itself from being harmed or killed and is considered a basic instinct in most organisms (www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2017-12-01). With these analysis, it appears that our subject under review is not meant for human beings but for the sacred and transcendental beings.

    Here we can begin to reflect more on the dictum that “to err is human and to forgive is divine.” I love the expression in the Holy Qur’an that God is the best of planners (Qur’an 8:30). This means that the Holy Qur’an makes provision for human beings to allow God plan for them. In the Holy Bible, God’s says, “vengeance is mine” (Deuteronomy 32:35). Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. ” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:19-21). Vengeance belong to God alone because God is all knowing (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 5:21; Proverbs 15:3). Vengeance belong to God because he has more strength and energy to protect the oppressed and victims of injustice.

    The relationship between Saul and David reveals that it is possible for a human being to leave vengeance for God notwithstanding the natural urge for self-defense and retaliation. David was at the service of King Saul and his kingdom even when he was aware that Saul had concluded plans to kill him. Saul attempted to kill David with a spear (1 Samuel19:10). When he did not succeed he sent messengers three times to kill David (1 Samuel 19:11; 1 Samuel 19:15; 1 Samuel 19:20; 1 Samuel 19:21). When these efforts fail, Saul went by himself for another attempt to kill David (1 Samuel 19:22). What was the offence of David? Political ambition! The young David killed Goliath and defeated the Philistines’ army (1 Samuel 17: 1-58). As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other musical instruments. And as the women danced, they sang out, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom” (1 Samuel 18:6-8)?

    Saul vowed to kill David who had no intention to do harm to him. In the course of pursuing David, Saul got tired and fell asleep. This was the condition David met Saul. What an opportunity to end the danger to his life once and for all. Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.” But David said to Abishai, “Don’t kill him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 26: 8-11).

    What David did is beyond human response to an enemy who is after the life of the innocent victim. David took the spear and water jug near Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep. Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them. He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, “Are you not going to answer me, Abner?” Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?” David said, “You are a man, are you not? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men must die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed. Look around you. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were near his head?” Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David replied, “Yes it is, my lord the king.” And he added, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? Now let my lord the king listen to his servant’s words. If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! They have driven me today from my share in the Lord’s inheritance and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.” Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.” “Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph” (1 Samuel 26: 12-25).

    The way and manner Saul died through the arrow of the Philistine and finally falling on his own sword (1 Samuel 31:3-6) shows that the vengeance of God is better than human efforts to avenge the enemy. When Jesus insists that we love our enemies (Luke 6:27-38), the implication is that man should grow above mere human existence to the manifestation of the image and likeness of the divine transcendence with which God created the human person. The human person is not created to live on earth forever. The mission of every living person is to be happy on earth. Happiness is a virtue that is exhibited in a community hence peaceful co-existence is the soul of life. The vision of human life is to be happy with God on the last day. The eschatological consciousness of the human person is the solemn awareness of the existence of heaven and hell. Those who enabled happiness for others through personal contentment enjoy the eternal vision of the loving God in heaven while those who made life miserable for others spend eternity in hell. This is why human beings must strive to avoid greed and injustice that often cause lack of access to natural resources. The result of these are tensions and structural conflict that could end in violence and all forms of insecurity. If we allow God to inspire us to choose leaders who can promote dignity of life with the available natural and human resources, we may not even reach a situation that would call for self-defense. May the whole world experience the peace that would keep humanity happy forever!

    Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of NIREC (nirec.ng@gmail.com)

  • Election Postponement cannot change will of God for Nigeria – PFN

    Election Postponement cannot change will of God for Nigeria – PFN

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has charged Nigerians to remain unperturbed in spite of the postponement of the 2019 general elections by a week.

    PFN appealed to Nigerians, particularly Christians, not to give up, saying that the postponement would not change the outcome of the elections.

    This is contained in a statement by PFN National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Bishop Simeon Okah.

    He urged the electorate to turn out en masse to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had announced the postponement of the elections owing to logistics problems on Saturday.

    Okah said, “Let us all understand that postponement of election date cannot postpone or change the will of God. We must remain positive and speak positively to all our neighbours.

    “Speak positively about the elections. We must remain resolute and ensure we cast our votes.

    “No action should weigh us down or deter us. Except you want things to remain the way they are. But if you want real change, then be ready to make all sacrifice.

    “By the grace of God, next Saturday, we should all come out again and ensure we vote.

    “We do not have any country other than Nigeria. We must remain and build it together.

    “God will not allow the devices of the enemies of this nation to prevail.”

  • ‘Buhari will try but God said Atiku is the chosen one’

    ‘Buhari will try but God said Atiku is the chosen one’

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakarwill win the 2019 presidential election, according to Apostle Little-David Foc.

    Little-David Foc who is the General Overseer of Save the World Love Evangelical Ministry, Asaba, Delta State said this in his prophecies for 2019

    According to the cleric, the PDP will win the Kaduna governorship seat just as the All Progressives Congress (APC) may lose Lagos State.

    “Nigerians should not be afraid because this year is a better and brighter year to recover all they lost,” the cleric said.

    “The incumbent president will do everything possible, with the human capacity, to retain the presidency, but, God has said Atiku Abubakar is the chosen one. He will emerge victoriously.

    He added that “His victory will be a great surprise to many. I see PDP governorship aspirant in Kaduna State winning the election. I pray the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would announce the proper result in Kaduna State.

    “I see the governorship election of PDP and APC head-to-head, one mistake from APC and they will lose the election in Lagos State.

    “Akwa Ibom State, in the realm of the Spirit, the APC governorship aspirant will emerge as governor. It will take the mercy of God for PDP to get it back.

    “Senator Hope Uzodinma, the APC governorship aspirant in Imo State, and his counterparts in All Progressives Grand Alliance and PDP, will have a head-to-head contest, but Hope Uzodinma will be victorious.

    “I see the incoming governor restoring the hope of Imo people. I see the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, having a serious crisis after the 2019 general elections. I see Nigeria and Minna mourning a great man and a friend of the people.

    “PDP governorship aspirant will emerge victorious in Niger State. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State will be reelected.

    “His victory is sure. PDP will also emerge victorious in Rivers State, while God is going to use three former presidents of Nigeria, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan to fix the country.”

    He added: “I’m seeing a former governor of River State having serious political problems after 2019 general elections and former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, will recover his seized property as his political career will kick off again.

    “There is going to be a serious competition in the cement industry. Ibeto will regain his licence and the price of cement will come down.”

  • I felt very betrayed by God when my husband died- Eric Arubayi’s widow[VIDEO]

    I felt very betrayed by God when my husband died- Eric Arubayi’s widow[VIDEO]

    Eric Arubayi’s widow, Chinonso Arubayi on Wednesday, revealed how she felt when her husband died on February 11, 2017.

    Chinonso who was on Television Continental’s breakfast show noted that she felt very betrayed by God that her husband died despite him being a believer in God.

    Arubayi said, “My husband and I lived a faith-based life. We prayed together. When he died, I lived in denial because I felt betrayed by God that my husband, a gospel artiste, could die. For the longest time, I didn’t want to pray. People sent me scriptures and messages, I didn’t want to have anything to do with it.

    “While the society was supportive, it also had certain expectations; wear black, cut your hair, do and be seen to be in mourning.

    “I fell into depression, shaved my hair at first and went to the barber again, that it wasn’t low enough. I wanted to go bald. I cut my hair and my friends would go, “Girl, you are still fine.” That only made me feel worse. I just wanted to about with charcoal and everything.

    “When I started getting comfortable wearing black, being sad, I started going to church to hear the word. Also, a good friend of mine, reminded me that I was made for the glory of God and I needed to let it shine. That was when I started wearing make up and dressing up.

    “Besides, as a professional Make-up artiste, how would I be able to convince people to let me make up for them, if I was looking unkempt?

    Arubayi further stated that her husband’s death was, “so painful, because this was someone, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I wish I had him for longer. It was a rude shock to me. We were together for three years”.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BsIzCZphSCG/

     

  • Ogun APC crisis: Amosun backtracks, says ‘I fear only God, not Buhari’

    Ogun APC crisis: Amosun backtracks, says ‘I fear only God, not Buhari’

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun has clarified that he only fears God and not human beings, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Amosun said God whose counsel or pronouncement cannot be altered by man, is the one he fears and nobody else.

    The Governor spoke during the 2018 edition of the state’s Christmas Carol and Service of Nine Lessons at Kuto, Abeokuta, the state capital, in a reaction to newspaper headlines that he only fears God, Buhari and no one else.

    Amosun was reported to have made the comments while addressing leaders and members of All Progressives Congress (APC) during a stakeholders meeting last Friday at the party Secretariat in Abeokuta .

    But clarifying his earlier statement, he said he fears only God and not Buhari.

    “You know this is our time as politician, a time when politicians will call black, blue. Yesterday I held a meeting with our people, and the way I started was that, I was brought up to fear God but only for me to see in the paper this morning that ‘Amosun says he fears God and Buhari’.

    “No, it is only God I fear, the one that is alive, the only one that will say ‘kufayakun’ and no one can change(it), that is the only God that I fear.

    “Of course, I respect President Buhari, I love him and he loves me too but I know him he fears God because he is from God. He doesn’t beg for respect he commands and earns it. So it is only God that I fear.”

    In his yuletide sermon, the Secretary-General, Anglican communion worldwide, Anglican communion office and consultative council, London, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon attributed the nation’s problem to scanty knowledge of both the Holy bible and the Quran.

    Idowu – Fearon said politicians are negatively using religion to divide the country but enjoined citizens to refuse any of such moves.

    He said: “Our major problem in this country today is that, so many people has scanty knowledge and understanding of the holy Quran and the holy Bible and they tend to propagate that little understanding of the word of God and anyone who does not agree with them, will be seen as an enemy.

    “For the Christians, the real problem is sin because it was sin that caused the reincarnation and that is why Jesus came as sacrifice and as ransom for men.

    “Jesus is a word that came in human flesh and as a result, he is a messenger and his mission is to save the people from their sins.

    “Meanwhile God expect us all to humble ourselves but our politicians are negatively using religion to divide us in this country and the time has come for all us to say no to them.”

  • Dissolution: Amosun dares Oshiomhole, says ‘We fear only God, Buhari, no one else’

    Dissolution: Amosun dares Oshiomhole, says ‘We fear only God, Buhari, no one else’

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State on Friday dismissed the announcement of the dissolution of the state executive committee by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The governor who has had a long running battle with the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole over the choice of a governorship flag bearer insisted that he only feared God, President Muhammadu Buhari and no one else.

    Meanwhile, the governor also on Friday received a letter from the Allied People’s Movement (APM) endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its presidential candidate for the February 2019 presidential polls.

    Amosun who took delivery of the endorsement letter from the governorship candidate of APM, Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, at the APC Secretariat on Abiola Way, Abeokuta, the state capital, for onward transfer to Buhari, declared that the elected executive of the APC led by Chief Derin Adebiyi would serve its four-year term fully.

    Akinlade was accompanied to the APC secretariat by the Director-General of APM Campaign Committee.

    The governor added that he and his loyalists “only fear God and Buhari,” warning those he said were seeking a state to destroy the duo should count Ogun out of it, adding: “We are ready for them.”

    The National Working Committee (NWC) led by Adams Oshiomhole had last Wednesday dissolved the APC executives in Ogun and Imo states, but Adebiyi has since dismissed the dissolution as an exercise in “futility.”

    Amosun assured that the state belongs to President Buhari and that the people would vote massively for him come February 2019.

    He also hinted that he would soon flag off his senatorial campaign for the Ogun Central senatorial seat.

    Amosun said: “You know me by now. For me, I fear God and I respect people. So, it won’t be because we are afraid or we don’t want to talk.

    “Where we are now, what we should concentrate in doing is to let them know that here in Ogun State, this is the home of President Buhari and we must vote massively for him.

    “This is the home of APC. We must let them know that come February 16, 2019, by the benevolence of the Almighty Lord…

    “We are human. We are no God, and that is why we are telling them that in this coming election, in this Ogun State, it is whoever all of you (people) decide to back that will win the election.

    “So, the best way to answer them is through our action. And what is the action? We will use our votes to let them know who owns this Ogun State.

    “So, if they are looking for states to destroy them, they should not think of Ogun State. We are ready for them.

    “We don’t fear them. All of them put together, we don’t fear anybody. We fear God and we fear President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We have decided to let them be for the sake of President Buhari. If not for the President, we know what to do.

    “Just ignore them. Don’t engage them for anything. Let us be focussed and redouble our efforts so that in the coming election, we are going to answer them with our votes.

    “I want to assure you that this executive that God has used you to put together, the executive will be there for the next four years. They will serve their term.”

    Meanwhile, the national body of APC has appointed a three-man caretaker committee for the party in Ogun State. They include Yemi Sanusi (Chairman), Ayo Olubori (Secretary) and Tunde Oladunjoye (Publicity Secretary).