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Tag: God

  • Placing God under house arrest – Femi Aribisala

    Femi Aribisala

    Jesus was going into Jericho, and blind Bartimaeus repeatedly shouted for help but Jesus did not answer him. On his departure from Jericho, Bartimaeus was still by the wayside.

    When he realized it was Jesus passing by again, he cried out so much more than before and made a complete nuisance of himself.

    Bystanders told him to keep quiet. But Bartimaeus refused to be denied. He cried out a great deal more. Suddenly, his cries put Jesus under arrest. Jesus stood still and told his disciples to bring the man to him. Then he asked him: “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus requested that his sight should be restored and it was restored immediately.

    Do you know why? Bartimaeus received his sight because he refused to be denied. He would not take no for an answer. James says: “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” (James 5:16-18).

    God of Jacob

    Have you ever wondered why God is identified preeminently in the scriptures as “the God of Jacob?” (Psalm 46:7). Jacob was a liar, a cheat and a deceiver. So how come, in spite of all this, a holy and a righteous God singles him out for his love? God says: “Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated.” (Malachi 1:2-3).

    Jacob was one man who knew what he wanted and he went for it anyway and anyhow. He was also a man who refused to be denied. He refused to take no for an answer.

    If Jacob asked you for something, and you refused to give him, he would steal it. If he asked you for money and you refused to give him, he would pick your pocket. If he asked you for the time and you refused to tell him, he would steal your wristwatch. Jacob would climb any mountain and cross any ocean to get what he wants.

    God loves this kind of person. It is the kind of person Jesus is looking for in his kingdom. Once you are able to convert him, he will suffer violence and take the kingdom by force. (Matthew 11:12). If you can get this kind of man to fall in love with God, you can be sure he will be a man after God’s heart. (Acts 13:22).

    Praying with importunity

    “Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1). When Jacob wanted Rachel as his wife, he would not give up. He was prepared to serve Laban for seven years without pay because of her. When he was deceived on his wedding night and given Leah instead, he readily served another seven years for Rachel.

    Have you ever heard of a man who asked a woman out and she refused? He then insisted that she was wasting her time? He said: “You are not only going to go out with me, you are going to be my wife.” She retorted: “Who is going to marry such a useless good-for-nothing man like you?” The man is not bothered, but continued: “Just you wait and see, you are going to marry me.”

    You already know what happened. The man ended up marrying the woman because he would not take no for an answer.

    Right from the womb, Jacob was determined to be the firstborn. From the womb, he started struggling with Esau who was strategically positioned for that distinction. God observed Jacob’s fight in the womb and said: “Wow, I love this boy.” The bible records that at birth, Jacob took Esau by the heel, presumably to prevent him from coming out first.

    The inference here is that Jacob was spiritually sensitive. He was prepared to go to any lengths in order to be the heir of salvation. He lied; he cheated and deceived his own brother and father in order to inherit a birthright that was not his.

    Yes, Jacob was the quintessential child of this world. But Jesus says: “The children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.” (Luke 16:8).

    But what about the sons of light? Like Esau, we are a bunch of jokers. We don’t know what we want. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ, but we have little or no regard for our blessings. We say we want to go to heaven. Fine. But tell us to sell all we have and give to the poor and follow Jesus, and we are likely to have a change of mind.

    Tell us to fast, and we won’t. Tell us to pray, and we come up with excuses. Tell us to read the bible, and we would rather read “Mills and Boons.” Tell us to come to a revival service, and we are busy watching the Premier League on television. But do we really want to go to heaven? Yes, we do. But we don’t want to pay the price. As a matter of fact, we don’t want to pay any price whatsoever.

    Jesus says: “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? “They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not weep.’” (Luke 7:31-32).

    Wrestling with God

    Have you ever had the audacity to place God under arrest? Have you ever gone boldly before the throne of God and said: “Father, you are under arrest?” Have you never read what Jacob did: how he wrestled with God till the break of day? Did he not “lock God up?” Jacob was insistent, saying: “I will not let you go until you bless me?”

    Jesus says: “When you pray, enter into your closet and shut the door.” (Matthew 6:6). Have you ever got to that point in your relationship with God that you locked the door and would not allow God to leave until he answered your prayers? The songwriter says somewhat menacingly: “Today, today, Jesus will answer me, today, today.”

    How can a man have the audacity to wrestle with God? The whole thing simply does not make sense. And the fight went on all through the night. What exactly does that mean? Was Jacob as strong as God?

    The fight did not end in the first round. It went the distance. And do you know what the bible said? It said Jacob had power with God and prevailed. “Pre” what? He prevailed. Prevailed against whom? He prevailed in a wrestling match against God. And what happened? God blessed him there.

    Stop dilly-dallying. If you have a need, contend with God for a miracle. God actually wants to meet your need, but he is waiting to see how bad you want it.

  • The prayer of faith – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    Jesus says: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

    But can we pray without Jesus? Certainly not! Prayer is only acceptable in the name of Jesus. Moreover, when we want to pray, the host of spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies is determined that we should not. Therefore, we fall asleep, are distracted and “buy and sell.”

    Offensive prayers

    When we offend God, we cannot even pray. The sky over our head become bronze, and the earth beneath us iron. (Deuteronomy 28:23). Our vitality is turned into the drought of summer. (Psalm 32:4).

    Therefore, we are desperately in need of God’s help even in order to pray to God. The psalmist confirms this. He tells God: “Quicken us, and we will call upon your name.” (Psalm 80:18). This means before we pray for anything, we need to pray first for the grace to be able to pray. Otherwise, our prayers become a waste of time.

    As a matter of fact, our prayers easily become offensive to God. This is what happened to Israel. As a result, the psalmist pleaded: “Lord God All-Powerful, how much longer will the prayers of your people make you angry?” (Psalm 80:4).

    For this reason, the disciples came to Jesus with a simple petition: “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1). They did not ask him to teach them how to pray. Prayer is simply talking to God. They asked him to teach them to pray. This is because, as with everything else, the grace to pray comes from God.

    Many do not know that the acceptable prayer is always according to the will of God. Therefore, Jesus answered the prayer of some disciples by saying: “You do not know what you ask.” (Matthew 20:22). Paul also observes that: “We do not know what we ought to pray for.” (Romans 8:26). Therefore, before we can pray, we need to ask the Alpha and Omega to give us the grace to pray and to direct our prayers aright.

    Healing prayers

    How does this relate to healing?

    When the disciples of Jesus could not cast out a dumb and deaf spirit, he rebuked them, saying: “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.” (Mark 9:19). When they asked him later why they were unable to cast out the demon, he tells them that type of demon does not go except through prayer.

    However, prayer by itself does not heal. Certainly, the prayer of a faithless generation is ineffectual. What heals then? It is faith in God that heals: “The prayer of faith will save the sick.” (James 5:15).

    Jesus emphasized this again and again. When a woman with an issue of blood touched his garment, believing she would be healed by so doing, Jesus pointed out to her that her healing did not come from his garment. He said to her: “‘Daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was made well from that hour.” (Matthew 9:22).

    .

    It is our faith that heals. As a matter of fact, if you have faith, you don’t have to pray for healing. You simply decree a healing and the healing is established. (Job 22:28).

    Jesus says: “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:22-24).

    Gift of faith

    So, the critical issue is faith. How do we get it? Faith comes from God. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). Jesus is the author of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2). When some Jews asked him: “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” he told them: “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he sent.” (John 6:28-29).

    But we cannot just decide to have faith and then get it. Faith is not of works. It is, first and foremost, a gift of God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8).

    Therefore, we need to ask God for faith and pray earnestly for it: “Ask, and it will be given to you.” (Matthew 7:7). We must come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to have faith in God. (Hebrews 4:16). When we do this, God gives us individually “a measure of faith” required to fulfill our petition. (Romans 12:3).

    If you want the faith to fight cancer, he will give you the faith to fight cancer. If you want the faith to fight a headache, he will give you the faith to fight a headache. The faith to fight a headache is not the faith to fight cancer. The faith to move a car is not the faith to move a mountain.

    Prayer of faith

    So, let us go back to the earlier question we started with. Why could the disciples not cast out the dumb and deaf spirit? They could not because they did not have the faith to cast it out. They did not have the faith because they did not ask for the grace to have it. They did not pray for the faith.

    James explains this common predicament: “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss.” (James 4:2-3). But he notes that to those who ask aright, God gives “more grace.” (James 4:6).

    How do we ask amiss? With regard to healing, we ask amiss because we ask for healing instead of asking for more grace and for more faith. If you have faith, you will be healed by decree. If you don’t have faith, you won’t be healed. According to your faith, so will it be unto you.

    For those who have been paying attention, Jesus emphasized this again and again. When two blind men asked him for healing, he asked if they have faith. When they answered in the affirmative, he opened their eyes by saying: “According to your faith let it be to you.” (Matthew 9:29). When blind Bartimaeus came to him for healing, he healed him by saying: “Your faith has made you well.” (Mark 10:52).

    Therefore, it is imperative for us to keep coming to the throne of grace to receive more grace and more faith to deal with the vagaries of life. When the disciples understood this, they said to Jesus: “Increase our faith.” He replied: “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:5-6).

  • Any Man of God not with Buhari was not called by God— Interfaith Group

    The Chairman, Organising Secretary For the 40 days prayer session for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Peace in Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Wada has said any man of God not in support of Buhari at the moment was not called by God.
    Wada who spoke at the second day of the prayer session organised by the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace (NIFROP) in Abuja said it is necessary for all religious leaders at the moment to rally round the President Muhammadu Buhari for Peace to reign in the country.
    He said Buhari is the only messiah that can salvage the country from its present Predicaments.
    He added with persistent prayers, all the storms confronting the nation can be a thing of the past.
    While stating that religious leaders have a great role to play in ensuring the success of the forthcoming election, Wada charged all men of God to unite and support the President ahead of next year polls.
    Also speaking at the session, Bishop Sunday Garuba charged Nigerians to be more fervent in prayer so that the Nation can overcome its present challenges.
    He added that an array of soul-enriching activities to make the event worth the while have been lined up.
    “We shall commence this programme with worship and praise by guest singers and choirs. After which we shall begin Intercessory prayer session for Nigeria, prayer session for President Buhari and his cabinet, prayer for the Nigerian troops at the war front, intercessory prayer for the upcoming General Election and peaceful conduct by all citizens, and Intercessory prayer for our dear president and his victory at the poll.
    ” We shall also hold a special Thanksgiving session with praises to appreciate God for the defeat of Boko Haram and the political killers who came to torment the citizens of our dear country.
    “A prayer against evil men on the Plateau and other forces of evil across Nigeria that have continued to encourage bloodletting in recent times.
    “There shall also be a different representation of members of the various faiths gathered, as well as messages of solidarity to the good people of Nigeria
    “My dear brothers and sisters gathered here, we are gathered to pray and fervently. We are gathered to pray against evil forces. We are also gathered to pray for the betterment of our dear country Nigeria.
    “God in his infinite mercies would make this event a huge success and also, by his grace alone President Muhammdu Buhari shall return in 2019″he said

  • The devil is a servant God – Femi Aribisala

    The devil’s ministry contributes to God’s plan by subjecting the heirs of salvation to testing designed by God to purify their faith in him.

    The devil is widely regarded as God’s arch-enemy; a supernatural being implacably opposed to the will of God who leads people astray. This view is supported in scripture. However, there is another side to the devil’s portrayal in scripture. This sees him as entirely subject to God’s control.

    God uses the devil to accomplish his purposes; making him not only God’s adversary but, more substantially, God’s servant. One need not be consciously devoted to someone to serve him. God calls Nebuchadnezzar his servant even though Nebuchadnezzar is an enemy of God that does not know God: “I will send and take all the families of the north, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land.” (Jeremiah 25:9). “I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him.” (Jeremiah 27:6-7).

    God uses Assyria to serve his purposes without the Assyrians knowing about it: “I am sending Assyria against a godless nation, against a people with whom I am angry. Assyria will plunder them, trampling them like dirt beneath its feet. But the king of Assyria will not understand that he is my tool; his mind does not work that way. His plan is simply to destroy.” (Isaiah 10:5-7). In the same manner, the devil is a tool in the hands of God.

    He is not only subject to God, he is used to achieve God’s will. Job’s example The subordination of the devil to God is most explicit in the prologue of the book of Job. God hands over Job to the devil by inviting him into Job’s affairs. He extolls Job’s uprightness but the devil contests it, arguing that Job only seems to be upright because God shields him from wrongdoing. Thereby, the devil admits he cannot breach the protective wall God puts around Job. God then gives the devil permission to afflict Job. However, he sets a limit to this: the devil cannot take Job’s life. This shows the devil’s subordination to God.

    It shows he cannot act independently without God’s say-so. Moreover, his affliction of Job was part and parcel of God’s plan and ultimately to Job’s benefit. Although Job initially lost all his wealth and children, the Lord restored them all. “Indeed, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10). Job himself acknowledges that his affliction led him into more intimate knowledge of God than ever before. He tells God afterwards: “I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6).

    Jesus says: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8). In effect, God used the affliction of the devil to purify Job’s heart. Thereafter, Job saw clearly “the invisible attributes of God.” (Romans 1:20). God’s emissary It is the devil who afflicts Job: “Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” (Job 2:7).

    Nevertheless, the scriptures lay the responsibility squarely on God’s shoulders, indicating that the devil only does what God prompts him to do: “All (Job’s) brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him.” (Job 42:11).

    Even more significant is the fact that God himself accepts full responsibility for being the cause of Job’s affliction, even though it was the devil he used to bring it about. He said to the devil: “(Job) still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” (Job 2:3). The idea of God using evil spirits for his purposes is presented in other cases in scripture: “A distressing spirit from the LORD troubled (Saul). (1 Sam 16:14).

    In the case of Ahab, Micah gives us with a fascinating revelation whereby God sent an evil spirit to confuse his prophets and destroy him. “I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner.

    Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ The LORD said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the LORD said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.” (1 Kings 22:19-23).

    Heirs of salvation As a matter of fact, the devil has a God-given demonic ministry with ministers. (2 Corinthians 11:15). Though he opposes God, the devil’s ministry contributes to God’s plan by subjecting the heirs of salvation to testing designed by God to purify their faith in him. Jesus himself was subjected to this at the instance of the Holy Spirit: “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1).

    Thus, even as God handed over Job to the devil for testing, so did the Holy Spirit hand over Jesus to the devil for testing. Jesus also told Peter: “Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.” (Luke 22:31-32).

    Jesus then told all his disciples that the devil’s testing is divinely designed to identify those who will be given the crown of life: “The devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10).

    God also uses the devil’s testing as a tool of righteousness. This was Paul’s experience who was also handed over to the devil: “One of Satan’s angels was sent to make me suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud.” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

    In similar fashion, Paul hands over sinners to the devil. He writes to the Corinthians: “You must then hand that man over to Satan. His body will be destroyed, but his spirit will be saved when the Lord Jesus returns.” (1 Corinthians 5:5). He also writes to Timothy: “Two of them are Hymenaeus and Alexander.

    I have given these men over to the power of Satan, so they will learn not to oppose God.” (1 Timothy 1:20). In effect, as Habakkuk finally realizes, God uses the devil and his evil works for good, disciplinary and corrective purposes: “O LORD, you have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, you have marked them for correction.” (Habakkuk 1:12).

  • God is responsible for all the evil in the world (1) – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    As a Christian, life becomes a lot easier once we take God at his word. Nevertheless, many find it difficult to do so. One area of great difficulty concerns the origin of evil. Christians find it difficult to believe the God who is love is behind all the evil we see in this world? We would rather be diplomatic and attribute it all to the devil.

    However, the devil is merely the servant of God. God says categorically he is the author of evil: “I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create evil; I, the Lord, do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7). Amos echoes this: “If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it? (Amos 3:6).

    Nothing good or bad happens outside of the will of God. The devil initiates nothing. He only does what God permits. (Job 1:6-12). “Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? (Lamentations 3:37-38). Thus, Job asks his wife: “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10).

    Indeed, God takes issues with those inclined to limit him to one-dimension: “It shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do evil.’” (Zephaniah 1:12).

    Counsel of God

    The devil did not just happen: God created him. He was not God’s mistake; God cannot make a mistake. God created the devil to be a devil. Jesus says: “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. Offspring of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things?” (Matthew 12:33-34).

    Who makes the good tree good and the corrupt tree corrupt? Only God; the creator of all things!

    Popular Christian theology says the devil was created good, but he became evil. In short, he diverted from the purpose that God purposed. That is impossible! Nothing deviates from God’s purpose. The counsel of God is immutable. His will is always done. Paul says: God “works all things according to the counsel of his own will.” (Ephesians 1:11).

    God is emphatic: “My purpose will stand.” (Isaiah 46:10). “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.” (Isaiah 14:24). The psalmist says: “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever.” (Psalm 33:11).

    So where do Christians get the fallacy of a devil created good who then deviated to evil? The scriptural backing for this error is found in Ezekiel 28:1-19 where a lamentation of the king of Tyre is said mistakenly to be about Satan; and Isaiah 14:12-23, where a proclamation about the king of Babylon is also said incorrectly to be about Satan.

    In actual fact, in Ezekiel 28, the king of Tyre is compared to Adam and not to Satan. It was Adam who was in Eden, the garden of God. (Ezekiel 28:13). It was Adam who was perfect in all his ways until iniquity was found in him. (Ezekiel 28:15). It was Adam who was cast out of the mountain of God. (Ezekiel 28:16).

    The devil, on the other hand, was never perfect. God created the devil to be devilish. He says: “I have created the waster to destroy.” (Isaiah 54:16). Jesus also says the devil has always been devilish: “He was a murderer from the beginning.” (John 8:44). So, God did not make a mistake with the devil. The devil and his works are part and parcel of the will of God. As a matter of fact, the role of the devil is crucial in God’s plan of salvation.

    Times and seasons

    So why did God create the devil, and why does God create evil?

    God creates evil that we might know and appreciate the good. If we don’t know darkness, we would not appreciate light. If we don’t know evil we would not appreciate good. If we don’t know sickness, we would not appreciate good health. In short, God creates evil that we may know him: the good, merciful and compassionate God.

    For this reason, God creates times and seasons of good and evil. Solomon says: “To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pull up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).

    Unlike man, God does things in twos: “The LORD makes poor, and makes rich: he brings low, and lifts up.” (Isaiah 2:7). The psalmist says: “God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God. Also to you, O Lord, belongs mercy; for you render to each one according to his work.” (Psalm 62:11-12).

    If God speaks once, it is absolutely essential to hear him twice. This is because the first time might be the expression of his power: but the second time will be the expression of his mercy. Remember: God’s mercy ultimately triumphs over God’s judgment. (James 2:13).

    “For God does speak- now one way, now another- though man may not perceive it.” (Job 33:14). God’s second often brings his first into sharp relief. While the first might reveal the wrath of God, the second reveals the grace and mercy of God. Accordingly, the first man was Adam the sinner but the second man is Jesus the righteous. God first gave the law through Moses, where the wages of sin is death. Then he revealed his grace through Jesus, where the gift of God is eternal life.

    The resurrection and the life

    Make no mistake about it, God is a killer: “The Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead.” (1 Chronicles 21:14). Don’t romanticise Jesus out of this either. Listen to his words: “I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death.” (Revelation 2:22-23).

    However, unlike man who kills in order to destroy, God kills in order to make alive. Therefore, expect God to redeem life out of death: “The LORD kills, and makes alive: he brings down to the grave, and brings up.” (1 Samuel 2:6). “He bruises, but he binds up; he wounds, but his hands make whole.” (Job 5:17-18).

    That is the beauty of our lord Jesus Christ. He creates evil in order to redeem perfectly from it. He kills in order that the redemptive works of God may be revealed. (John 9:3). Now you can understand why Jesus stands in glory as: “the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25).

    CONTINUED

  • God is alpha and Omega of everything [2] – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    God only makes men do the evil they want to do. But he makes them do the good he wants them to do. Once we affirm the gospel truth that God is responsible for everything everywhere, even Christians are confronted with a dilemma.

    If God is the author of everything, how can man be held responsible for his actions? Is God also the author of our sins? Does the scripture not say: “Don’t blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn’t use evil to tempt others. We are tempted by our own desires?” (James 1:13-14).

    However, the dilemma arises from knowing neither the scriptures nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29). The scriptures demonstrate conclusively that God is the uncaused case of everything. The power of God then ensures that God’s determinism never contradicts man’s responsibility for his actions. God only makes men do the evil they want to do. But he makes them do the good he wants them to do.

    Myth of freewill God gives man freewill which enables us to make choices. Moses said to the Israelites: “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19). However, man cannot choose life because God allows us to be in the devil’s captivity. But “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

    When we finally know the truth, we will realise that our will is exactly the same as the Lord’s. Jesus says: “If you continue in my word, you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32). Meanwhile, God controls the seemingly free actions of men. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; he turns it wherever he wishes. (Proverbs 21:1).

    God also controls the human disposition. If we are happy, it is because of God: “You have put gladness in my heart.” (Psalm 4:7). Concerning Israel: “He also made them to be pitied by all those who carried them away captive.” (Psalm 106:46). When Israel went astray, God was behind it: “ O LORD, why have you made us stray from your ways, and hardened our heart from your fear?” (Isaiah 65:17).

    When the Israelites sinned, God’s judgment affected their will: “You make us turn back from the enemy, and those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves.” (Psalm 44:10). God’s will be done Jesus says categorically: “Without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). Paul says: “It is God who works in (us) both to will and to do for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). We can see this in the case of Assyria.

    God says: “What sorrow awaits Assyria, the rod of my anger. I use it as a club to express my anger. I am sending Assyria against a godless nation, against a people with whom I am angry. Assyria will plunder them, trampling them like dirt beneath its feet.

    But the king of Assyria will not understand that he is my tool.” (Isaiah 10:5-7). Assyria does not know God is behind its actions. But as it is with Assyria, so it is with all men. What then is the point of man’s freewill if we cannot even exercise it? God gives man freewill so we can have the good sense to relinquish it to him. Jesus surrendered his will completely to God. He never takes any independent action. He says: “By myself I can do nothing, (John 5:30).

    “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38). He then enjoins us to do likewise: When you pray, say: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50).

    Nevertheless, God is also behind it when we don’t do his will. Speech-control God not only determines what we do, he also determines what we say: “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:1). We cannot even pray unless quickened by the Holy Spirit. Accordingly, the psalmist says: “Revive us, and we will call upon your name.” (Psalm 80:18). When Shimei cursed David on his hurried retreat from Jerusalem when he was overthrown by Absalom; David refused to heed Abishai demand that Shimei be killed.

    David knew Shimei could not curse him unless God allowed him to do so. He said to Abishai: “Let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” (2 Samuel 16:10). Jesus does not even speak his own words. He says: “Whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12:50). “The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” (John 14:11). Man is held responsible Nevertheless, we are responsible for everything we say and do even though God is behind it.

    Thus, Assyria will pay for the evil God caused it to do because evil is in the nature of Assyria: “After the Lord has used the king of Assyria to accomplish his purposes on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, he will turn against the king of Assyria and punish him—for he is proud and arrogant. He boasts, ‘By my own powerful arm I have done this. With my own shrewd wisdom I planned it.’” (Isaiah 10:12-13). “But can the ax boast greater power than the person who uses it? Is the saw greater than the person who saws? Can a rod strike unless a hand moves it? Can a wooden cane walk by itself?” (Isaiah 10:15).

    The marriage between God’s purpose and Assyria’s will lies in the power of God. Therefore, even though God is the Alpha and the Omega: “Everyone will die for his own sin.” (Jeremiah 31:30).

    This is because God only makes man do the evil he always intended to do. In spite of the supremacy of his determinism: “God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). He will “reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 32:19).

    Ask for help Therefore, our prayer should be focused on asking for God’s divine enablement: “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things. (Psalm 119:36-37). “Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.” (Psalm 19:13).

    Salvation does not even depend upon man’s will. God says: “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” (John 15:16). “I was found by those who did not seek me.” (Isaiah 65:1).

    Even repentance is God’s gift. (Acts 11:18). When we are set free from sin, we become: “slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:19). We only want to do what God wants: “I delight to do your will, O my God; and your law is within my heart.” (Psalm: 40:8).

  • Have a little faith in God – Prince Ufford

    Have a little faith in God – Prince Ufford

    Prince Ufford
    LUKE 17 :5-6.” And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith. And the Lord said. If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree. Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea, and it should obey you”. Meaning what you say will happen if you believe.
    *I don’t have money.
    *I don’t have a job
    *I am not married.
    *I don’t have children
    *Nothing is working for me
    *Who will help me?
    You have refuse to employ your little faith to do something. The storm of Life comes to every body. Your little faith has power to create something for you, your little faith has power to make what looks Impossible to be possible. Notice they said unto the Lord, increase our faith. You have not been able to use what you have effectively, you are asking for an increase in faith.
    *God is aware of your trouble, that’s why He said: When you will pass through waters, He will be with you. Through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burnt. Neither will the flame kindle upon you.- Isaiah 43:2,4.
    *HERE IS THE SECRET. Jesus said have faith in God. He wants to help you naturally. Can you understand this. If your situation, circumstances is bigger than you, it cannot be bigger than God. It’s your faith in Him that makes all the Difference.
    ASSURANCE FOR VICTORY STANDING IN FAITH WILL GIVE YOU VICTORY OVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
    *YOU are precious to Him
    *YOU are honourable to Him
    *He loves you as a person.
    *His kindness toward you is great
    Consciously looking at this verse (MATT 6:25 – 34), it reveals the thought of God towards you. Heaven is deeply concern about your well being in Life naturally. He will meet your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. Your little faith will open doors for you if you are depending on Him. If you can trust Him.
    *God is your refuge and a very present help in the time of trouble. Your little faith is the key to obtain help from Him. Jesus said have faith in God. Believe he can help you through your faith, God is concern about your living naturally. God said call upon Him, He will answer you, he will open your eyes to show you how to use your faith to obtain victory.
    GOD IS SINCERELY FAITHFUL WHO WILL Not ALLOW YOU TO BE TESTED BEYOND Your ABILITY. HE LOVES YOU DEARLY.
    *Sometimes we are press down so hard by circumstances, situations that we hardly remember to approach God. Whatever you are going through is for a moment, do not run away from God rather run to Him. If God so clothe the grass, how much more you. In His words contain God’s promises to you as his child in this world which is full of trouble and uncertainty.
    *when the journey seens long and unending have a little faith in God that you will arrive your destnation safely.
    *Understand that God is your Heavenly Father with a caring heart towards you. So, He said you should come to Him with your concern. If you decide to trust in Him, excellent. If you decide to believe Him, that’s wisdom. Hello Mr. and Mrs. little faith, do not under-rate yourself or your little faith which carries power. You do not need to worry or be anxious if you seek God and you allow him to have control over your life. You can be sure he will assume Full responsibility of you because you have wholly allow him. O you of little faith!
    *LOOK AT GOD’s CLASSIC EVALUATION OF CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM. HE SAID YOU ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE BIRDS.
    *He says to you take no thought. Understand that he is not saying that it is wrong for you to make provision for your future physical needs, but he does forbid anxiety, worry which demonstrate lack of trust in Him, in God’s Fatherly care of love. Phil 4:6. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your (make) requests be made known unto God. Your little faith can make victory available for you. You can rise up again if you are down through faith.
    *The Holy Spirit speaking through Peter in 1Peter 5 :7. Amplified Bible says. Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him,for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.)to cast all your cares on Him is because you have knowledge and understanding of His will. Then rest in Him. Consciously learn to submit your cares to Him, allow him to help you because he has the ability to do them. Take Him by His word.
    *Here is a great call from God to you.
    The trees daily thank God for being alive. The birds sing songs of appreciation to God for providing for them daily, the birds are grateful. There are things God is doing in your Life daily you do not see, you do not know because they are not physically seen with Natural eyes.
    *He said in His word, come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will will give you rest. This is the promised of God to you. REST IS GOD’S PROVISION FOR HIS CHILDREN WHO WILL DARE TO PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM WITH ALL THEIR HEART. THE Fatherhood of a good Father is the ability to demonstrate his care for the children. David said in the time of trouble he cried out to God for help and God helped him because he had a walking relationship with God.
    *David said this poor man cried because poverty had taken hold of him, he did not know what to do, so he cried out unto God, God heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. His trust in Him made God to help him. Submit yourself first to God, do not allow the circumstances to take hold of you to the point of dominating you, address your circumstances with the word of God by faith without doubt in your heart, believe in Him that you may have victory. You have faith with you. The woman with the issue of blood said in her heart, if I can touch Him I will be healed. She acted based on her thought, she received according to her faith, because she believed.
    *In second Corin 4:13. We HAVING THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH, ACCORDING AS IT IS WRITTEN, I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE HAVE I SPOKEN :WE ALSO BELIEVE, THEREFORE SPEAK. What are saying? . What is your imagination like? Jesus asked the young man what do you see? He said I see men like trees walking about. Jesus had to anointing him again to see clear. The circumstances, situation no matter how hopeless it may look naturally, with faith and believe in God can be change. JESUS SAID TO THE MAN IF YOU CAN BELIEVE ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO THEM THAT BELIEVE.
    *God is able to help you if you can have faith in Him. What you hear will build your faith, increase your strength to believe Him for a way out. He promise to make a way where there is none. What you say will make positive result available to you. If you will believe in Him O ye of little faith. In 2 Kings 4:1-.A woman Came to prophet Elisha.
    *My husband is dead said the woman.
    *THE creditor has come to take my two children away from me as a ransome.
    ELISHA asked her this question.
    *What can I do for you?
    *What do you have in the house?
    *I don’t really have any thing except a small Oil, she replied.
    *Fine said Elisha to her
    *Go back to your house, on your way, stop at your neighbour’s house. .
    *Borrow empty containers, borrow plenty.
    *Go into your house, shut the door
    *Start pouring the oil into those empty containers, until all the empty containers were filled with the oil from small pot. Since there was no more empty containers, the oil stopped flowing. She came back to Elisha to inform him of what has happen. Elisha upon hearing the miraculous result , saith to her go sell the oil, pay your debt and live on the rest. If you borrow money to start business, make sure you understand what you are doing.
    *It pays to obey instruction. She had something in the house yet unknown to her. LORD open my eyes that I may see my breakthrough in Jesus name. From poverty to prosperity, from nothing to something. Poverty killed the husband. She listened carefully to Elisha’s instruction given to her, instead of poverty to continue to disgrace her. All the containers were filled with oil. She started oil business, she became talk of the community. She was no longer addressed as the poor woman by her obedience to instruction. Grace changed her story. Jumping into the lagoon is not the answer. The answer is sit down, engage yourself in serious thinking to bring out solution. The answer is in knowing through meditation. Jesus said you are more valuable than the birds of the sky.
    *Stop running a way from the challenges of Life. How long will you continue to run? Stop looking for who will solve your problem for you. If I have somebody to help me it will be better. Excuse me, every body has their own challenges. Who will leave his or her own to come and handle your own for you. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread :but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. Prov 12:11.
    *When you worry, you have decided to go into partnership with the satan. Many years ago I was down completely down because of the wrong decision I took. To eat was a big problem but in the midst of all these, I keep looking unto God for a way out. Sincerely speaking, God helped me. He can help you. Those who worry cannot receive any thing from the Lord. Jesus said which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his or her stature. Faith says I am bless. Faith says I have it. Faith says I know my redeemer is a Liveth. consciously learn to thank God for what He has done in your Life.
  • Faith cancels fear – Prince Ufford

    Faith cancels fear – Prince Ufford

    By Prince Ufford

    Matt 14:28-31. “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid :and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

    *Your attitude can CRIPPLE YOUR faith. Your religious mentality can cripple your faith. Your attitude of unbelief can cripple the supernatural working power of faith over your Life. Notice he said, Jesus is that you? Ask me to Come, Jesus said to Him, come. *He stepped out of the boat walking on water to go to Jesus. Suddenly, storm arose. Sudden fear took hold of Him. Fear stopped his faith from functioning. Fear quenched his faith. Then he said Jesus save me. Satan’s intention is to use circumstances to disorganize you. He is the enemy of progress. So watch out for him. Faith will stop fear.

    *Jesus said, have faith in God when Peter drew his attention to the fig tree which he addressed the previous day. Doubt and unbelief spiritually will stop your faith from working for you. Peter had faith but fear stopped him from walking on water.

    *Numbers 13:26 – Moses sent twelve spies to go and look at the land which God had promised them, a land flowing with milk and honey. They did, search the land, they saw the land with every thing God told Moses God’s servant. They even came back from spying the land with fruits as evidence. They brought these fruits to show the people. While in the land, they saw different ‘types of people whom they described as giants. Based on what they told Moses: “We cannot go in to take possession of the land, we are unable to because we are too small compare with who they are”. They brought back an evil report to the people instead of good news.

    *Doubt cuts off power supply supernatural.
    *Doubt terminates the power of faith. *Doubt says to faith you have no right to be here.
    *Hebrew 11 :1 ” Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not physically seen”. Faith is a spiritual key to unlock supernatural power to work things on your behalf. Peter believed he could walk on water, his faith made it possible. But
    what he saw took over from faith because he allow himself to be distracted.
    A man came to Jesus Christ in MARK 5 :23: MY LITTLE DAUGHTER LIETH AT THE POINT OF DEATH :I PRAY THEE, COME AND LAY THY HANDS ON HER, THAT SHE MAY BE HEALED : AND SHE SHALL LIVE.

    *Sometimes delay is not the end, in verses 35-36, while He Yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, thy daughter is dead :why troublest thou the MASTER any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be NOT afraid only believe. Fear will kill your faith if Not checked.

    *Jesus said to Peter why did you doubt, O you of little faith; but doubt came and push faith out. The mission of satan is to steal , to kill, to destroy. Faith will grant you access to abundant Blessing in Christ Jesus.

    *Rom 4:18 “who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the Father of many nations :according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be “.

    *He was not weak In faith even at hundred years old.
    *He staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief,
    *But he was Strong in faith, giving glory to God.
    *He was certainly fully persuaded of God because he knew God, had a walking relationship with God, he knew that God loved him, he did not doubt God. Through faith we understand that the elders obtained good report.

    *You will enjoy grace with good report by faith. Victorious living is the will of God for you, but you must be willing to have faith in Him. No matter how difficult the circumstances may look like, keep your eyes on Him. It may look naturally hard, don’t give up on God. You must believe that He is able. Job said he will wait until his change comes. He did not give up on God. I know my redeemer liveth, he proclaimed.

    *Even when it looked so impossible for Sarah naturally to have a baby, she by understanding judged God faithful. Faith is of God, doubt is of the devil. Faith brings you into the presence of God. In fact, doubt takes you away from Him. Do not allow situation to make you shift your focus away from Him because the moment you shift focus, the enemy will pull you out from faith. But for Jesus Christ, satan would have successfully destroyed Peter.

    *In Nigeria today, fear is everywhere. Fear and darkness work together to achieve their purpose. Light and truth work together to give you access to victory in life. You did not receive the spirit of fear from God.

    *Fear is destructive. Have you ever heard somebody say so boldly I am afraid it will not work. Fear is not of God because when you became born again into the kingdom of God, you did not receive Fear as one of the Blessings. Therefore, knowing the truth and operating with the truth consciously will drive Fear away from you. What Peter saw made him to become afraid. Fear is wicked. Fear is bad. Fear is hard. Fear associates with darkness. Fear steals faith, fear kills faith, fear destroys faith. Which you must resist steadfastly in faith because Fear can destroy your destiny by preventing you from going forward.

    * Fear does not have good report. The world’s system is fully governed, controlled in Fear. Fear therefore indeed is the enemy of success, prosperity, victory. Life is full of challenges which with faith in God you will surely come out victorious.

    *Lack of money to start a business will create fear in the heart. Peter cried out for help because he saw himself going down. You started business with all the money you have hoping to receive harvest, instead of harvest, you lost the business. You’ll become afraid. Fear will take hold of you. You will be discouraged to start another one. Jesus Christ said to Peter, ‘why did you doubt O you of little faith’ . The same little faith can move mountain if you believe. Peter according to his faith started out well but what he saw stopped him. Failure create discouragement. Do not give attention to fear. Faith will make you Happy but fear will make you sad.

    *Hebrew 11 :6 ” without faith it is Impossible to pleased God. He that cometh to God must believe that he is the rewarder of them who diligently seek Him.”
    Remember fear does not make things right, rather worse. But faith will make all things possible.

  • The school of the holy spirit – Femi Aribisala

    Femi Aribisala

    I never liked the intrusion of beggars. They can be such a nuisance. They tend to violate your space, even when you are busy minding your business in your air-conditioned car. Children beggars are the worst.

    They sometimes put their lips against your glass window, leaving behind traces of saliva. Others specialise in pushing their deformities into your face.

    Should you refuse to look up from your newspaper, they will still not leave you alone. They will beg, sing and pray adamantly that the secret behind your wealth would remain hidden from the knowledge of the world. Why can’t they just get a job for heaven’s sake? Or why can’t a relation of theirs take care of them?

    When you walk with the Holy Spirit, you know you are not supposed to feel like this. But I could not help it. I tried to feel different about beggars but without success. I just don’t like them. God knows I am a giver by nature. As a matter of fact, my entire life is consumed by giving. I give to family, relatives, friends and acquaintances. There is only one exception: I don’t give to beggars. I don’t want to encourage them. Surely God understands.

    The setup

    One day, I went to apply for a visa at the American Embassy in Lagos. At that time, applying for an American visa was a major expedition. To make sure you were attended to, you had to get there as early as five o’clock in the morning. And then you might still be on the queue at midday.

    I had waited on the queue for several hours before I discovered that, in my hurry to get there on time, I forgot to bring the money for the visa. There was nothing I could do but go back home and return with the money the next day. But just as I was about to leave, the Holy Spirit told me to remain on the queue. He said: “Femi, when you get into the Embassy, ask the person you sit next to in the waiting-room to give you the money. He will give it to you.”

    That directive only served to complicate matters. I said to myself: “What exactly is the Lord up to? Why would an unknown person give me the money for my visa?” On the other hand, it was not inconceivable that I could meet an old friend or relation in the waiting-room. Habakkuk says: “The just shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4). Accordingly, after a brief reticence, I decided to stay on the line.

    When I finally went inside, the person next to whom I sat created even more confusion by immediately getting up and walking away. This made me wonder whether the Lord’s plans had been scuttled. Since there was now an empty seat between the next person and me, I decided to move to the empty seat.

    Reversal of fortune

    Now came the difficult part. I had to ask the perfect stranger seating next to me to give me the money to pay for my visa. That was unfamiliar territory for me. How do you ask a stranger for money? What would he think? Would he believe me if I said I had the money but forgot to bring it? Even if I really forgot, why not go back to get it and come back the next day?

    Can I tell a total stranger the Holy Spirit says I should collect the money for my visa from him without sounding like a con-man? What if the man is not a Christian and does not know of the Holy Spirit or believe in him? Would he not think I was just trying to finesse him out of some money?

    I started to rehearse in my mind exactly what to tell him when, suddenly, it dawned on me. It was as if someone unexpectedly switched on the light. It was all a set-up. I had been set-up. In the twinkling of an eye, by the masterful stroke of providence, God had decided to teach me a lesson by turning me into a beggar.

    Comeuppance

    All the contempt I had for beggars now came to haunt me. There was I, a man of means with a not-so-secret disdain for beggars, now constrained to join their ranks by asking a stranger for money. Moreover, I would not only be asking for small change but for a substantial visa-fee. Surely, if the stranger were to be as insensitive and judgmental as me, he would tell me to take a running jump into the lagoon.

    It took me a while but I finally summoned up the courage. Having rehearsed my speech over and over in my mind, I started to recite it: “Please excuse me, sir,” I said, in the most plaintive voice I could muster. “I don’t want you to think I am trying to pull a fast one on you. But I was in such a hurry to leave the house this morning so as to get a good position on the queue, I forgot to bring the money for my visa.”

    The man did not allow me to finish my laboured speech. He said: “That’s all right; I will give you the money.” He answered me so readily; I was convinced he did not hear me. Therefore, I started all over again: “What I am trying to say is that I was really in such a…”

    The man interrupted me again. “I heard you the first time,” he replied. “I said I will give you the money. You may not know this but I know who you are. Are you not Dr. Femi Aribisala? Did you not use to work with Professor Bolaji Akinyemi at the Ministry of External Affairs?”

    God’s providence

    I was completely bowled over by this astonishing display of God’s providence, despite my disdain for beggars. I would have expected him to deny me of the money, as a lesson for my insensitivity to beggars. But the man not only paid for my visa, he even engaged beggarly me in conversation as if I was a friend of longstanding.

    He told me he worked in the Administrative Section of Marina Bank. At the time, they were looking for qualified staff in his department. Could I recommend someone and send the person to him to be interviewed? He gave me his complimentary card.

    God used this object lesson to teach me that I am what I am by his grace. I now know I could just as easily have been a beggar if God’s providence had so decided. He also taught me that there is nothing wrong in itself with being a beggar. So, the next time you see a beggar, know that there you go but for the grace of God. But if you are a beggar, know you are one also by the grace of God.

    “O Jehovah, I know that the way of man does not belong to man; it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. O Jehovah, correct me, but with judgment; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.” (Jeremiah 10:23-24).

  • Palm Sunday: Priest urges Christians to trust God for victory

    Palm Sunday: Priest urges Christians to trust God for victory

    A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Mathew Onyilo, has urged Christians and Nigerians to trust God for victory in whatever challenges they are passing through in life.

    Onyilo, a Priest of the Abuja Archdiocese, made the call in his homily on Palm Sunday at the St Charles Lwanga Parish, Apo, Abuja.

    The priest, who spoke on the theme “I shall never be put to shame’’ urged Christians to learn from Jesus Christ who suffered and was victorious.

    “Whatever difficulty you are going through, whatever challenge you are going through, whatever is making you shed tears because you have put your trust in God; you will never be put to shame.

    “No one who places his trust in God can be forsaken; no matter the challenge you go through if only you remain committed to God, you will have the last laugh.

    “If you go through fire, you will not be burnt; God will be with you, according to the Book of Isaiah 43 verses one to five.

    “ God has not promised us that there will not be challenges.

    “ What God has promised us is that those things will not bring us down, those things will not ridicule us and those things will not put us in shame,’’ he said.

    The priest, however, urged Christians to keep faith in God saying “God will always keep to His promises”.

    “ He cannot lie to us; He will fulfil His promises if we keep faith in Him. So, see your challenges as a means for God to glorify Himself.’’

    Lwanga, however urged Christians to obey God in face of difficulties and challenges.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Christians celebrate Palm Sunda every Sunday preceding Easter in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

    Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, which is the beginning of the most holy of the sublime week of the Christendom because it contains the three most important days in the life of the Church.

    The three important days are Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, according to the catholic faith.

    Holy Thursday commemorates the institution of priesthood and institution of the Eucharist, the body of Christ while Good Friday commemorates the passion and the death of Christ.

    Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the death.