Secret of Victory in a Sinful World

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Ours is a worldly, sinful, wicked, wild world, and you must be victorious, triumphant, and successful, in the way of God, despite the odds.

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Despite the declining numbers, Christianity remains the dominant religion, but how being victorious in the Christian race is the ultimate goal of genuine Christian adherents.

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Rev 3:21).

Christianity is all about mankind having a perfect understanding of the truth that “The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Genuine Christians have indeed come into this repentance, and marching in faith through God’s marvelous grace as Pilgrims unto Heaven..

The love of God for man is so great, proven by offering His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and that whosoever believe might be saved, and not perish in this life.

Unfortunately, lukewarm-ness and doubt has engulfed Christianity in the modern world to the point that Christian power as of old and the fire of the Gospel remains threatened from time to time.

It is not as if Satan, the devil, and the world can win or overcome the power, the purpose and the plan of God, NO, Never, but many Soldiers of the Cross are lukewarm, lethargic, indolent, and are neither hot nor cold to contend for the faith once delivered to the Saints.

The naked church in the Bible is Laodicea, a so-called Christian assembly or fellowship filled with unsaved church members whose souls are closely knit to the world, fixated on worldliness, and its sinful nakedness.

These church people say with their mouth that they are of Christ but are not born again in their soul, neither are they covered in their heart with Christ’s robe of righteousness.

The lukewarm churches in Laodicea are worldly churches, not part of the spiritual Church of Christ.

Therefore they dress like the world in its fads and fashion, live like the world in its materialistic pursuit and desire, speak like the world in its sinful terms and filthy language, supporting the sinful causes of the world rather than the Gospel Truth of Christ.

From such, turn away!

Standing upon His Truth and His promises alone, being on your guards against false teachers and heresies, you will surely win the battle over the devil and the world, and secure your victory in a sinful world.

Unfortunately, lukewarm attitude has eaten deep into the lives of so-called believers who are famously known as Christians but lack the transforming power of the Gospel of Christ.

It is the duty of Christian ministers, preachers, teachers, mentors and the general Christian laity to consistently point the world and sinners to Christ by their character, their lifestyle, and the virtues they project to the world at large.

A godly mentor models Christ’s character, and leads the world to Christ and the Gospel truth, teaching us to completely surrender our will and desires to God’s will for eternal gain and glory.

“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Act 11:26).

Christ’s true Disciples are people who had made the firm decision with serious thought to embraces the religion of Christ, to uphold His faith, to believe His promises, and make His calling their chief ministry in life.

It is very sad and disappointing that big names in Christianity and high office holders in the visible church and large Christian assemblies are hobnobbing with worldly systems, opening and brazenly playing with the fire of the anti-Christ.

“But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:” (Mar 13:14).

The church in Laodicean era is lukewarm and suffering from a serious spiritual malady, and only Jesus Christ, the great sin Physician, with a complete and perfect healing remedy, can provide adequate panacea.

The church in Laodicea era is the church of the present modern age which is rich and prosperous in material things but bankrupt spiritually.

“And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” (Mat 11:23,24).

The church in modern era has greater light as a result of expansion of knowledge and advancement of technology to reach further and wider than the time of the Apostles and early believers.

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Rev 3:17).

There can be no greater sin than self-deception.

Christians in the Laodicean era boast of wealth, health, prosperity, power, popularity, wide acceptability, great membership and followership, and big churches and cathedral.

But, in actual fact these lukewarm Christians and assemblies are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”. Nothing else in life can be so offensive to man and God, dangerous to the human soul, as pride and self-sufficiency.

There is no stronger delusion than that which makes men believe that they are righteous and accepted of God, while at the same time they are sinning against Him, and are in a deplorable spiritual condition.

Rather than exhort Lesbians and Homosexuals to repent and turn to Christ, Pope Francis is urging the church to accept gays, lesbians, same-sex marriages and the LGBT community.

The Church of England is no longer the strong defender of the Faith of Christ and hard-core biblical doctrines anymore.

Why is the Anglican Communion sympathizing with sinners such as gays and homosexuals, rather than come out to condemn the sin and preach the sinners into repentance?

What kind of Christian leader does one make of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, outspoken critic of the apartheid regime in South Africa, who declares, ‘I’d pick hell over an anti-Gay Heaven’.

Is he an Archbishop in the church of Christ or the church of this world?

This world may approve and accept lesbianism and homosexuals a million times over, but the Bible and the Word of God condemn it as abomination, and that is it!

Many Christians nowadays are evolving into modernity while moving away from the life and teachings of Christ, the doctrines of the faith entrenched in the Bible and committed to the Apostles and early fathers.

Prince, the “Purple Rain” musician, is rated to be probably the most famous Jehovah Witness member.

Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson family, mother of the old Jackson Five band boys is reputed to have raised all her children in the Jehovah Witness faith, and that Michael Jackson with Janet Jackson were at some point in their lives very active members of the Kingdom Hall assembly.

Does Jehovah Witness faith accommodates all these modern ideas, such as seen in the lifestyle, music and public image of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson, their sibling and their offspring?

How have their lifestyles, their larger-than-life fame, power in the music industry and other sectors, position and influence impacted genuine Christianity or serving worldliness, while they are still Christians?

Venus and Serena Williams are unarguably world leading lawn tennis players who have dominated the scene for quite some time now, and are actively practicing Jehovah’s Witness members, who often thank Jehovah after winning matches.

Christians doctrinally give glory to God for successes in life, breakthroughs, and achievements, while we pray to Him in times of trouble.

One wonders aloud if the life of Serena Williams and Venus Williams has supported the Great Commission or projected them and Christianity in a bad light to the world through their private and public lives.

1. S. President Donald Trump has ever been a popular man as a successful business mogul. The contest for the Presidency, and performance so far as the consummate U.S. President, has projected him as a crusader against Muslims, illegal immigrants, refugees, and a host of other institutions, even the Pope.

He openly support white supremacist, as against colored people, yet a Christian!

Between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is ‘A Tale of Two Corinthians’ – he, wrongly referring to “two Corinthians” instead of “second Corinthians.”  The former Secretary of States getting it right in quoting “First Corinthians, 13, which happens to be one of my favorite passages”.

Which of the two Christians really gives more to the Gospel and the Great Commission evangelism than politics and business?  You be the judge!

From President Barrack Obama, the Christian U.S. President whose Christian faith evolved into signing same-sex marriage into law, to Prince Charles of England, leading light of the Church of England, whose biblical understanding of marriage permits divorce and questionable remarriage, is the failure for many so-called Christians to recognize their spiritual poverty.

The Laodicean message is a last-minute call by the Lord upon modern Christians and last-days believers to expose the folly of imagining that they are spiritually wealthy and in need of nothing, when they are actually wretched, miserable, poor, blind, lukewarm, and fit only to be spewed out of the mouth of Christ, as an object of loathing.

Lukewarm Christians are Laodiceans who, in their public lives, are neither hot nor cold for Christ and His true Church, and in their inner souls, too compromised to contend for the faith, and too lazy to seek urgent remedy for their spiritual malady.

Modern Christianity places her focus upon her material progress in prosperity, philanthropy, growing church membership, progressive church projects, constructions, crusade, and seminars.

However, all these material progresses are taking place at the expense of failing spiritual upliftment.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1Co 13:1,2,3). 

True love to God and man is a benevolent and charitable heart to obey and hearken to the commandments of God and treat fellow mankind the way you wil treat your very self.

How are those deluded who look for acceptance and reward for their good works, which are as scanty and defective as they are corrupt and selfish!

While modern Christians are getting on well on prosperity and the good life, their core state of moral power, core Christian virtues, biblical understanding and scriptural knowledge, sanctified life, and fulfillment of the Great Commission, are dwindling and falling apart. Whither then is the Christianity in the man?

The present age has been described as an age of scientific progress, human achievement, and tremendous advancements into new frontiers of technology.

Ours is a modern world, an age of moral and spiritual crisis, yes more and more people are trooping in en-mass into the churches, devoid of salvation.

This is the era of phenomenal increase in crime, war, and drug addiction, universal preoccupation with sex, nudity, homosexuality and gay life style.

There is general disregard for authority; there exist great social upheavals and racial strife all across the nations, and abysmal lack of moral understanding and concern.

We find ourselves living in an age analogous to the dark ages of the Judges when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Jud 21:25).

The great apostasy of our day and the perilous times in which we live were foretold by the Apostle Paul as characterizing the last days:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (II Tim 3:1-5).

It is a time when, even among professing Christians, being “accepted” by the group seems to be more important than being accepted by God and the distinction between the sacred and the secular is rapidly becoming more difficult to discern.

The need of the hour is for Christians to experience once more a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit, and to rediscover His blessed ministry in their lives.

The continuous indwelling of the Son with the Father was the secret of the Lord in gaining victory over the world.

”Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.”( oh 5:19,20).

When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought, a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature is done, which we can never accomplish by ourselves.

The soul that is yielded to Christ, becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own.

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?” (Joe 2:12 -14).

Points to Ponder:

1. Ponder about your professional, career, and business life. Does it glorify God or tarnishes the label of Christianity you adorn in public. Does your shrewdness, craftiness, acumen, and sagacity glorify god or dishonor Him.
2. Ponder about your family or relationships. Is your wedding in line with Christian standards, your marriage fulfilling the purpose and plan of God, your spouse loved and beloved with care and faithfulness, and your children and home Godly, goodly, and Christianly?
3. Is your life a channel of blessing to the vineyard of God and His sheepfold? Is the love of God flowing through you unto the saved and unsaved mankind, telling the lost about the love of the Savior, daily fulfilling the Great Commission, getting ready daily for the Rapture?

“And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

1Sa 7:4  Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only” .( 1Sa 7:3)   

The proposal of Christ to Laodicea involves a complete union of the human with the divine as the only hope of victory in a sinful world.

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The plea of Christ to you is for reconciliation, for union, for reunion, and for seamless communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost unto eternal life.

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Triumph Over Fear

It takes absolute faith in God to be truly brave and bold in this world.

Absolute assurance in God is real confidence, while a lack of faith in Him means a lack of power, leaving you exposed to danger, and making you feel insecure, helpless, weak, even unsure of yourself, and afraid to make the next move.

A man’s belief in God as his supernatural protector serves as a buffer from that man’s fear of all things in nature and in life.

Your belief in a heavenly inheritance through Jesus Christ makes you stronger and bolder to strive and go through life passing the “narrow way” without a fear of Satan, demons, enemies or even death.

Fear is as old as man himself.

Of all the diseases known to man in biblical days, leprosy was most dreaded because of its incurable and contagious character, and more so because of its horrible effect upon its victims, it filled the bravest of men with fear.

Fear is a painful response to physical and emotional danger, a response to acute stress, anger, angst, anxiety, fright, horror, joy, panic, and sadness.

There are so many situations and circumstances that we face or confronted with in life which makes us become fearfully cowered. Some of our fears are real, concrete, objective, and are thus Constructive fears.

Others are subjective, unreal, imaginary, and made-up, built up through our motions or emotions, or calculated by way of our momentary feelings and submissions, and are thus Imagined fears.

Because you think you might not know enough and could make mistakes, people sometimes become so paralyzed with the fear of making a wrong decision that they panic and lose sight of starting what they need to accomplish. Being hindered by fear, they end up doing nothing.

Feelings of inadequacy create the fear that leads to failure.

Self-confidence could only boost your ego, lift up the id, and massage your self-dependability. However, when we suffer feelings of inadequacy or failure, where can we put our confidence?

Self-confidence can wax and wane as we wade through life. No matter how lowly we may be, as depraved sinful men and women, the Lord is ever faithful and willing to deliver us out of every fear if we could call upon Him in faith at every time of time of distress.

How sad the religions of the world focus on giving forced and coerced reverence and worship to fearful gods, mindless deities, and devilish demons to explain creation and human existence.

Fear upon fear will always end up in fear. This is the reason the world is in fears most of the time. It is impossible to get peace in the world in any life or culture without the power and name of Jesus Christ, no matter how we try.

HAPPINESS With Eternal Hope

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The ways of God are quite different from the pattern of men, but there are great riches and abundant blessing in the quest of any man who strive in truth and in faith to seek God, who come in faith to understand God, and search for His judgment.

The best of human creativity on earth is still very far from the perfect works and awesome creativity with which God has endowed every man and woman. Therefore, it is difficult to experience true happiness with a sinful lifestyle, a selfish heart, and a perverted and unsanctified mind.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! “ (Rom 11:33).

No matter how he tries, the unsaved and unsanctified soul can never find lasting happiness and enduring joy in sheer humanity, carnality, worldly wisdom, godless learning and teaching, in her writing and reading, in her arts, culture, and general humanities, in her music, movies and the media, and in many other material as well as mundane affairs of man.

Man’s sensational life is as most comprehensive, and as highly complicated. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. This convinces us of the vanity of the world, and that it cannot make us happy.

The vileness of sin, and its certain tendency to make us miserable, are the tools of Satan to ensnare and buffet us upon the earth, and rob us of any lasting joy and happiness. The heart of man is in recurring demand for insatiable wants and desires, and no human creativity can satisfy the yearnings of the soul.

True happiness and lasting joy could only be found in God when your heart is led unto Christ Jesus through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

THANKSGIVING

At in-gathering offerings and celebrations, we give thanks to God for bountiful harvests and joyfully celebrate as family and congregation the successful completion of another season.

Though their first winter in the New World was hard, tough and difficult, the Pilgrims and many early settlers took the spring to learn from Native American Indians how to cultivate their new lands and adapt to their new home.

The peace pact between the settlers and the natives gave a peaceful atmosphere that colored their first in-gathering celebrations in the fall of 1621, and thus the first American Thanksgiving.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Php 4:6,7)

In 1881, the great historian the Rev. Samuel Johnson, Pastor of Oyo, described great-grandfather, Pa Jonathan Ojelabi, as “the foremost Christian gentleman” in his town. Grandfather Emmanuel left his wealth and immense connections, prepared a trust and care for his family, and went on Christian evangelistic campaigns. He died in the course of these missionary works, and was buried within the courtyards of one of the churches he helped to set up. His offspring thrived and stay in Christianity till this day.

Dad and Mum were Roman Catholics, and so were we, the children. It pays to serve Jesus!

I give thanks to God today for a good life, a happy family, a kind, understanding, and loving wife and godly children.

It has been a wonderful experience in life for salvation, justification, and the great hope of eternal redemption. The greatest experience of any man is his transformation from a Gentile into one of the partakers of the blessings and covenants of God through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is. “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”( Eph 2:12,13).  It is great to understand that God loves me so dearly and gives me the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ.

Life has provided me with caring tutors, wonderful schools and a very rich education, to touch and gladden other lives and people. This is not just a coincidence but also the wonderful benevolence of God to His undeserving child. God I thank you. Jesus I praise you.

God cares, and performs His wonders in mysterious ways.

Heikki Koivu was once the MD of Perusythyma, the Finnish Civil Engineering Construction Company, where I started my working career.

Armed Robbers attacked one of the project sites of the organization where I was the Accounting Officer. The Police arrested me and locked me up as their prime suspect. Heikki Koivu trusted me, flew down to site, and went through a rough ride with the police to get me released.

However, the police vehemently refused but Mr. Koivu spoke glowingly of me and stuck out his neck to sign all necessary papers that led to my release from detention.

Three months afterwards the robbers were caught in their attempt to cash some Thomas Cooks traveller’s checks stolen from us. Heikki Koivu was proved right and I was vindicated. Had Mr. Koivu not taken that risk my life would have gone in a different direction, probably pitched with gangsters and criminals.

“An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.” “The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.” (Pro 17:11, Psa9:15).

Dr. Donald Eickner, in his inaugural address to college freshmen, taught me how to value time, and make best use of every passing moment. “Write down your achievements in the past five years, and then explain what you seriously want to achieve in the next five years. Work hard and pray hard about it!”, the college President taught new college students.

Though I was born into a family of strong dedicated Christians and strong believers, Professor Johnny Manassian opened my understanding of the Good News that no one get saved or converted into Christianity by virtue of religious background or lineage, but through personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Dr. Manassian led me to Christ!

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Joh 8:32

Not much of a swimmer, I was caught off-guard once at an ocean brook and within a quiet sea beach. Drowning and almost lost at sea, I owe my life to the grace of God and prompt intervention of friends who rushed and swam deep to rescue me and revived my life. For what else are friends and friendships, than ‘that a man lay down his life for his friends’? There is no greater friend like Jesus Christ.

As a Graduate Assistant at the Lebanese American University to Professor Robert Polhill, the famous American Professor of Accounting and kidnapped in Beirut in January 1987, I became a prime subject for kidnap because of my closeness to the American Professor.  Polhill was very fond of me as a lecturer, boss, friend and counselor.  Well, I graduated from school in fine colors, and Professor Polhill came out of captivity in April 1990 after 39 months in captivity. All things are possible with God.

Talking of friends, I surely have them plenty, and across the nations. Friendship is good when your friends are true. Korion came from Armenia, Barn is from Lebanon, Newborn is an American, Phillips is from Trinidad and Tobago, Murray is a Canadian, Tabingo is from the Philippines, Balcha Gizaw came from Ethiopia, Takeo is Japanese, Burgess is English, Emilio is Argentine, Gramkow is German, Luigi is Italian, Zekry is from Egypt, Sonig is from Syria, and so on.

John called to see me, immediately he flew in from London, and would be very glad to meet my family; our last meeting was in 1987.

Of my friends, I can truly say, “That man had nothing and gave me half of it, and we both had abundance”.

You may not be rich or wealthy, but if Jesus makes a great difference in your life, then you must be living a rich, peaceful, virtuous and abundant life. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

God’s only begotten Son came to change your gloom to brightness. He has come on wounded feet to roll out your ailment and smooth your scattered sickbed.

Christ enters your life with spike-pierced hands to soothe your pain with His balm and His precious blood shed on the cross at Calvary.

Jesus Christ washes away your grief and discomfort with His undefiled living waters.

At in-gathering offerings and celebrations, we give thanks to God for bountiful harvests and joyfully celebrate as family and congregation the successful completion of another season.

Whatever need or challenge you may have in life, you only need to “taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

Oh give thanks to The Lord; Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the people!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His steadfast love endures forever! (1 Chr 16:8,34).

Christmas: Why Wise Men Seek Him?

Wisdom is knowledge guided by understanding, but clever men and women rule the world.

“The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.” (Psa 94:11-13).

Generally, people who could reason well, who could think well, and who could speak convincingly are regarded as clever. Man’s cleverness is always apt to promote self, display pride and arrogance while seeking selfish gains and personal aggrandizement.

“The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.” (Pro 14:8).

Wisdom is the personal character which enables one to apply his knowledge skillfully, with perfection and finesse, behaving with dignity and consideration, to solve seemingly insoluble problems with objective logic, and for the interest of all concerned.

They do great feats without much ado, they find a knotty issue and quickly discover the best way out of the logjam, and they go all out to seek the best but simple way while maintaining their coolness and restraint.

Wisdom of God is the principal thing in Christianity.

Wise men still seek Jesus!

When Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the east were given the divine assignment to seek out “where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Mat 2:2).

The Great Commission

After His resurrection from death, and shortly before His ascension into Heaven, Jesus Christ committed The Great Commission into the hands of His disciples – genuine followers of Jesus Christ. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mar 16:15,16).

Today, wise men still seek Jesus,

• To know Him,
• To worship Him,
• To serve Him,
• To walk in His steps,
• To preach the gospel to all mankind, and
• To win lost souls into the Kingdom of God.

Holiness – Beauty of the Redeemed

The Magi and genuine disciples, redeemed souls, are wise men. “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:” (Isa 35:8,9).

Encounter with Jesus

Three Magi, gentiles who were far away from Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, saw in the east “a Star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel” (Nu. 24:17), as a revelation of the Savior of all nations.

The Magi sought Jesus as best they knew how. They followed after the star tenaciously from their home base till “the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was”. (Mat 2:9).

• Have you come to meet Jesus Christ right where He stands calling you – O sinners come home?
• Do you celebrate the birth of the Savior of humanity in sinfulness and out of iniquities?

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Rev 3:20,21).

What sort of Christmas

Life of sinfulness and disobedience to God is always a long dark night of bondage under the captivity of the devil.

What a happy day it always is when Jesus Christ washes your sins away.

The wise Magi felt great joy and heartfelt satisfaction when they sighted the Star of Jesus again. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Mat 2:10).

• Do you celebrate Christmas as a child of God, or as a sinful man or woman reveling in worldliness and unsure of where you’ll spend eternity?

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:”

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” (1Ch 16:29).

Christmas has become commercialized and worldly because:

• some want the crown but they won’t bear the cross,
• some others want Heaven’s bright mansions but they won’t pay the price,
• a very large throng are called Christians while they live daily in sinfulness and worldliness,
• But it takes your hands, your head, your heart, your all and your everything to serve the Lord.

The wise men came to worship the lord bearing costly gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense. They brought all they had – themselves, their talents, their treasures, and their time to worship the King of Kings.

Wise men today are still seeking for Jesus, but not in the reveling and satanic orgies of Christmas festivities without Christ, but through all of Christ Himself, His Word, His Spirit, and the teachings of His saints.

Wise men still seek Jesus, but not in the cheating, looting, and deceptions of the world and its system, but in Truth and in Spirit.

Wise men seeking Jesus realize how much they need Him, and follow Him through the waters, through the garden, through the judgment, through dark Calvary, and just all the way.

Because they go wherever He leads them, Christ goes with the wise men all the way, and He gives them grace and glory which worldly pleasures and Christmas without Christ could not give.

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Dan 12:3)

This Christmas, if you are already a Christian, you must continue in the Lord’s service.

Serve the Lord thy God!

Serve Him with all your might, with all your heart, with all your soul, with your entire mind, and with all your strength. That will be wisdom indeed!

This Christmas, if you are not yet one of God’s dear children, repent, and enter His fold, for – “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (Joh 6:37).

Christmas celebration must be nothing short of:

• the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of all men,
•  salvation of man from his sins, and
•  restoration of man unto a perfect relationship with God.

All genuine followers of Jesus Christ have taken the personal decision to:

• follow Jesus Christ,
• walk with Jesus Christ,
• work for Jesus Christ, and
• stay with Jesus Christ Him unto death.

Making the birth of Christ meaningful and real unto you, commit yourself and your way unto God today!

1. ACCEPT that you are a sinner, and turn to God with a repentant heart.
2. BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior.
3. CONFESS your sins to God with a contrite heart and genuine remorse.
4. REPENT from those sins with the desire and determination not to go back into them again.
5. FORSAKE sin in all forms and ramifications, shades, colors and types.

You can seek God now, following those five steps, and pray the prayer of faith unto God, and become a brand new person in Christ.

It is not by trying to do it; it is TRUSTING IN GOD to do it here and now!

Truly, wise men, like you, are still seeking Jesus!

Better be wise!

THANKSGIVING

At in-gathering offerings and celebrations, we give thanks to God for bountiful harvests and joyfully celebrate as a family and congregation the successful completion of another season.

Though their first winter in the New World was hard, tough and difficult, the Pilgrims and many early settlers took the spring to learn from Native American Indians how to cultivate their new lands and adapt to their new home.

The peace pact between the settlers and the natives gave a peaceful atmosphere that colored their first in-gathering celebrations in the fall of 1621, and thus the first American Thanksgiving.

Today I give thanks to God for a good life, a happy family, a kind, understanding, and loving wife and godly children.

It’s been a wonderful experience in life to be transformed from a gentile into partakers of the blessings and covenants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is great to understand that God loves me so dearly and gives me the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ.

Life has given me caring tutors, wonderful schools and colleges, and a very rich education to touch and gladden other lives and people. This is not just a coincidence but the wonderful benevolence of God to His undeserving children. God I thank you. Jesus I praise you.

Life has taught me many things, one of which is the fact that God cares, and performs His wonders in mysterious ways.

Heikki Koivu was once the MD of Perusythyma, the Finnish Civil Engineering Construction Company, where I started my working career.

Armed Robbers attacked one of the project sites of the organization where I was the Accounting Officer. The Police arrested me and locked me up as their prime suspect. Heikki Koivu trusted me, flew down to site, and went through a rough ride with the police to get me released. Though the police vehemently refused but Mr. Koivu spoke glowingly of me and stuck out his neck to sign all necessary papers which led to my release from detention.

Three months afterwards the robbers were caught and tried as they attempted to cash expatriate staff’s traveler’s checks stolen during the robbery. Heikki Koivu was proved right and I was vindicated. Had Mr. Koivu not taken the risk my life would have gone in a different direction, probably pitched with gangsters and criminals. Have a great thanksgiving day, Heikki!

Thanksgiving is a golden opportunity to remember that life has been so good, that some people such as Heikki Koivu had been so nice and supportive, and that God has been so caring despite daunting challenges, difficult moments, and unpalatable circumstances.

You may not be rich or wealthy, but if Jesus makes a great difference in your life then you must be living a rich, peaceful, virtuous and abundant life. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

You must remember on this day of Thanksgiving that God’s only Son came to change your gloom to brightness. He has come on wounded feet to roll out your ailment and smooth your scattered sick-bed.

Christ enters your life with spike-pierced hands to soothe your pain with His balm and His precious blood that was shed on Calvary.

Jesus Christ washes away your grief and discomfort with His undefiled living waters.

Whatever need or challenge you may have in life, you only need to “taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

Oh give thanks to The Lord; Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the people!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His steadfast love endures forever! (1 Chr 16:8,34).

Jesus is knocking the door of your heart to come inside. He wants to breathe His words of faith into your gentle ears and your soul because “fear and anxiety, grief and gloom could not live where He is.” He cares for you, even while you were running from Him.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
with a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near? 

O yes, He cares, I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Saviour Cares.

You’ll Never Walk Alone

https://www.scribd.com/doc/245121422/You-ll-Never-Walk-Alone

The subject of success and personal achievement has gained much popularity and desire in the affairs of men from time immemorial. Success, personal achievement, wealth, and prosperity have become cultural idols with which men, communities, nations and continents are defined.

The ideas of the rich against the poor, the successful and the unsuccessful, the prosperous against the needy, the developed nations against the developing or poor nations, the industrialized against the under-developed, the superpowers against the less powerful group, has been in the categorizations of men and communities from time to time.

This kind of orientation is usually classified in line with the so-called American Dream phenomenon – “You can get it if you really want to get it, just try, try, and try, and you will succeed at last” or “If you work hard enough, you can be anything you want to be.”

Success in anything at all is to have a peace of mind and self-satisfaction in your achievements.

This state of inner calmness and tranquility together with a sense of freedom, when thoughts and worries cease, and stress, strain or fear disappear can only come from God when you do His will.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Php 4:7).

The biblical ‘Parable of the Talents’ offers profound insight into the true meaning of success and the real purpose of work and human labor. Three servants were given different amounts of money, denominated by talents, each according to his ability. A servant was given five talents, another was given two talents, and the third servant was given one talent.

The first and second servants doubled their investments and received the master’s praise. The third servant, who was given one talent, safeguarded the money but did nothing to increase it. The third servant was condemned by the master for his inactivity.

Lessons of life have taught us that we cannot travel the journey of life all alone. You need The Lamb’s guide and lead at every twist and turn. God gives the in-born talents and gifts plus the tools with which to achieve success. Your faithfulness in trading rightly and correctly for good profitability is all that God require from you.

You get into the trenches, roll up your sleeves and get reconciled with God to become a partaker of the kingdom of God, and then go out to fulfill the Great Commission, making disciples of men and women. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Into what have you cultivated and invested your God-given talents – is it unto your selfish ego and personal aggrandizements or unto furthering the kingdom of God. It takes faith to plough our God-given talents into doing the will of God and in furtherance of His kingdom, whether you have been given one, two, or five talents.

This is a higher kind of stewardship, and the one that could only fetch you enduring happiness and eternal reward. It is the only stewardship from which you will receive the commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

It is your love of the Master that drives and inspires your work. And since the end always justify the means, you will never lack bread and butter on your table, children in your house, and peace of God in your family and life.

I am not unmindful of the popular pattern and formulas for success by imitating the life-styles and methods of renowned rich men, industry leaders, and economic gurus. The Bible does not teach us how to become the next Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, Mark Zuckerberg or King Solomon.

There are so much trainings in visualization, meditation, hypnosis, brainwave entrainment, visualization, NLP – neuro-linguistic program processes, subliminal messaging, mindfulness, Emotional Freedom Techniques – EFT, Law of Attraction, Tapping, and so many other techniques and programs.

The simple message of the scriptures is to guide every willing heart how to receive the Master’s well done – the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Pro 3: 5 – 10).

Bible reading is a great way to start to understand the way of God and His pattern for your life. The Bible is not arranged in the same way as your regular books. Rather, the Bible is its own interpreter and best teacher of the scriptures.

Life is full of friendly foes and unrelenting enemies, yet God cares.

Whether you are wrapped all over and all around with snares, miseries, calamities, plagues, and death, God always have a great plan for you.

God walks with the simple and reveal Himself to the humble.

He gives wisdom and great understanding to all who are teachable like babes.

To those who are pure in mind God opens the ken of knowledge and good sense. But His grace, very clear and glaring in man and nature, is hidden from the proud and the arrogant.

God moves in mysterious ways to perform His wonders in the lives of men.

Those who strive to live unto God, who trusts in Him, are never ignorant of the divine sweetness and support promised for the persevering and unwavering believer.

While many people mistake Christianity for religion, the blessing of walking with Christ goes beyond the provision of bread and butter for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and sound health and care for the sick and needy, a better life is assured all who walk in faith with the Savior, not only in this life, but in His coming Kingdom.

Walk on, through the wind
Walk on, through the storm,
And don’t be afraid of the dark
He’ll appear and take your feeble hands,
You’ll never walk alone!

Please click below to read more.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/245121422/You-ll-Never-Walk-Alone

 

 

Thanksgiving

At in-gathering offerings and celebrations, we give thanks to God for bountiful harvests and joyfully celebrate as a family and congregation the successful completion of another season.

Though their first winter in the New World was hard, tough and difficult, the Pilgrims and many early settlers took the spring to learn from Native American Indians how to cultivate their new lands and adapt to their new home.

The peace pact between the settlers and the natives gave a peaceful atmosphere that colored their first in-gathering celebrations in the fall of 1621, and thus the first American Thanksgiving.

In 1881, great-grandfather Jonathan was described as “the foremost Christian gentleman” in his town by the great historian Rev. Johnson.

Grandfather Emmanuel left his wealth and immense connections, prepared a trust and care for his family, and went on Christian evangelistic campaigns. He died in the course of these missionary works, and was buried within the courtyards of one of the churches he helped to set up.  His family thrived and remained in Christianity.

Dad and Mum were Roman Catholics, and so were we.  We later learn to become Christians through personal conviction. No one get saved or converted into Christianity by virtue of religious background or lineage but through personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  It is a greater thanksgiving being in Christ.

In our clime, it is a great challenge to be born and bred in a city and country where corruption is rife, but great blessing to have parents who imbibed in us good manners, upright characters and noble attitudes. Money does not fetch such traits, and it makes you stand out in the midst of many dishonest circumstances and situations without being tainted by their dishonest dainties and gains of corruption.

To have caring tutors, wonderful schools, and a very rich education is not just a coincidence, but the privilege of a good life. What tremendous privilege and uncommon opportunity to share and mingle with different people from various parts of the world, most of whom one could confidently call friends. Korion came from Armenia, Barn is from Lebanon, Newborn is an American, Phillips is from Trinidad and Tobago, Murray is a Canadian, Tabingo is from the Philippines, Bacha came from Ethiopia, Takeo is Japanese, Burgess is English, Emilio is Argentine, Gramkow is German, Luigi is Italian, Zekry is from Egypt, Sonig is from Syria, and so on. I sincerely thank God for each of them.

Not much of a swimmer, I made for the beach in company of about ten other friends, good swimmers. I stayed at the brooks, playing in the shallow part of the waters while my friends were catching fun in the deep.  Before I knew it, I was caught off-guard, the sand before my feet just gave way, and I realized that I was sinking deeper into the water. I felt a sort of magnetic force pulling me deep down into the water.

At a point I shouted the name of JESUS right inside me! Immediately, a force pushed me up out of the water, but not ashore. As my head got out of the water, I remember shouting, or rather yelling atop my voice, HE! HE! HELP!!! My friends sprang forth to rescue me, drained so much beach water from my belly, and nursed me back to full recovery. If you ever have a second chance to live, as I do, you should give thanks to God, the giver of life.

Having the basic essential things of life is worth thanking God for. A lovely spouse, loving children, adoring octogenarian mother, caring sisters and concerned brothers, good friends, and respectable colleagues, a home ‘built firm upon The Savior’, regular good food, a sound mind, a good spirit, and a fit body are great pointers to longevity, and heritage of The Lord.

Thanksgiving is a golden opportunity to remember that life has been so good, and God has been so caring despite daunting challenges, difficult moments, and unpalatable circumstances.

As a Graduate Assistant at the Lebanese American University to Professor Robert Polhill, the famous American Professor of Accounting who was kidnapped in Beirut in January 1987, I thought it was all over after his capture. Some terrorists mistook me for another American because of my special relationship with Professor Polhill and his wife, Ferial Seikley. Polhill was very fond of me as a lecturer, boss, friend and counselor. Nevertheless, I graduated in fine colors, and Professor Polhill was released in April 1990 after 39 months in captivity. What a thanksgiving memento. Surely, Jesus answers prayers.

Denied, due to nepotism, after almost clinching a Federal government appointment in 1990, but as the scourges of nepotism can never break a tough guy, I learn to move on, and do better in other areas. It is great thanking God as you go to Him in solitude, shedding the penitential tear, claiming all His promises and assurances, as you plead where no one else, except God can hear.

As a project manager, I travel a lot, either in the airplane, on the roads, and on the waters. There had been times when an airplane that I missed to board would have been  in some terrible situations; or occasions when I narrowly missed or escaped a road accident, not by being smart or magical, but rather because The Lord of the ways always send His angels ahead to clear the way for His children. What a great privilege to thank Jesus.

I may not be rich or wealthy, but Jesus makes a great difference in my life, and in the lives of my family.  What great joy to have parents who are conscious of heaven, siblings who are saved and sanctified, and children who choose to live by “thus says The Lord”. Do you take time to thank God for your Mum, sharing with your brothers, sisters, children and almost everybody that “Others may, but I can not.”

Business thrives, and sometimes investment fails to yield expected returns. There is always hope while we live. A recent Federal Government promulgation on cement favored the mighty at the cost of the new entrants into the sector. Thousands of employees and families were suddenly thrown out of job and livelihood.  Nevertheless, we survive the struggle despite loss of investment, capital, business, and income. Give thanks you were sacked, fired or hindered while on the right. It always create opportunities for greater prospects.

On this day of Thanksgiving remember that God’s only Son came to change your gloom to brightness. He has come on wounded feet to roll out your ailment and smooth your scattered sick-bed. He enters your life with spike-pierced hands to sooth your pain with His balm and washes away your grief and discomfort with undefiled living waters. Jesus is knocking the door of your heart to come in and breathe His words of faith into your gentle ears that “fear and anxiety, grief and gloom could not live where He is.”

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

O yes, He cares, I know He cares!

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

The Passover – Liberation for the oppressed!

In the Jewish calendar, the Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan.

In Christianity, The Lenten Season is a holy month of fasting and prayer for forty days. The Passover falls within the last weeks of the Lenten season, specifically on Mundy Thursday. It is the holy month of Easter.

The eight-day festival of Passover commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. And, by following the rituals of Passover, we have the ability to relive and experience the true freedom that is made available to every child of God, Jews and Gentiles, through the redemption made possible to the Patriarchs in Egypt, and spread abroad to all in Jesus Christ who shed His blood on the cross at Calvary as the Paschal lamb.

After many decades of slavery, hard labor, and horrible lives in Egypt, God heard the prayers of the children of Israel, and fulfilled His promise to Abraham to deliver them. He sent Moses to lead them into a promised land far away in Canaan. But despite many warnings, signs and wonders accompanied with devastating plagues affecting the lives, the livestock, the crops, and the environment of the Egyptians, with no effect upon the Hebrews, Pharaoh refused to let go the people of God.

Before the tenth and last plague, the Israelites were guided to prepare the Passover meal and mark the doors of their houses with the blood of the Passover lamb so that the Angel of death that would afflict Egyptian first-born would not hurt them.

The tenth plagues took place midnight of the night of Passover when the Angel of death passed through Egypt killing all their firstborn, sparing the Children of Israel, “passing over” their homes—hence the name of the holiday.

Pharaoh’s resistance was broken, and he willingly allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt with all their belongings and precious gifts in such a hurry that the unleavened bread they baked as provisions for the way did not have time to rise. Six hundred thousand adult men, plus many more women and children, left Egypt on that day, and began the trek to Mount Sinai in freedom as Children of God. This is liberation.

The story of Passover transcends Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and finds relevance in the truth of liberation as expounded by many great religions and cultures of the world.

Just like the Israelites found God-given liberation from the hands of a wicked Pharaoh in Egypt, so did the Puritans and Pilgrims found rest for their souls in the New World of North America after persecution from a despotic and oppressive King James I of England.

The story of Passover is the message of God to humanity that slaves can go free,  that the future can be better, and that you can overcome all of your challenges and difficulties in life if only you can  trust Him.

The “Negro Spirituals” inspired the African-American community to trust God for freedom, emancipation and equal rights, Today the African-American, former slaves, is King, ruler and leader, not only in America but all over the world.

The Holocaustt is the killing of about six million Jews by the Nazi rulers in Germany, but it had a major impact on the formation of a homeland for the Jews and the establishment of the state of Israel. It was bleak and bitter for the Jews during the difficult days of the Alhambra Declaration, and other persecutions across Europe, but after darkness comes light, a corridor was eventually created for the Israelis. The Jews have their say in the affairs of the world.

Your seemingly bitter bread of affliction today will soon turn to a cup of milk and honey if only you could trust God and follow His leading to do that which your heart desire without hurting the other fellow.. That is the essence of Passover and its remembrance and re-enactment.

A greater Passover awaits you, however, if you would always do His will, follow His way, and live according to His dictates, for, you shall pass over unto life eternal after your days are made on Earth, into a life of bliss and happiness, in His very presence and in His kingdom.

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”  (Rev 7: 9 – 10).

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev  21: 5 – 8).

Would you be in The Great Passover?  Think seriously on this, and plan to be there.

A Surprise Guest at Valentine

It was a busy time inside the living room with my friends, as we undergo the last rehearsal of our Valentine Day’s love drama slated for presentation that afternoon at the school auditorium.

Mummy’s distinct voice was heard as she walked through the gate and the entrance into the living room, heading for the backyard. As I concentrated on the play, I could not look her way. But, somehow and suddenly everyone started to jump and scamper for safety. I still did not get the reason because my back was turned to mummy. I turned to greet her, and then I noticed a bent figure right behind her with face and top covered by a scarf. Startled, it was difficult to greet or hold myself together. Mummy was embarrassed and clearly disappointed.

“Never mind them Auntie, just keep following me”. She whispered unto the bent woman as she led her to the living apartments at the back of our main building within the compound.

After their departure, we gathered ourselves together, bewildered and disturbed about what my mother could be doing with such a clown and bent figure of a woman.

Who was she?

Where did she come from?

What has she got to do with mother?

Why should she come to our home?

I was not impressed or proud of whatever must lead mother to this sort of woman, and neither were any of my friends.

Our drama presentation was well attended and generously applauded. My script and role were the main characters, and I received warm ovations from the audience. It was a great and fun-filled Valentine presentation with many young lovers and adults in attendance. Lost in the euphoria of the celebrations and the positive turn-out of our drama presentations, I headed back home in company of school-mates and neighbors, completely forgotten about the case of the bent woman.

As I arrived home, mummy was waiting to get the report of how the Valentine celebration went. She was glad it all went agog, and everybody was happy. She then opened up to me about the stranger in our compound.

Ms. Kuku was a pretty young woman married to a farmer in a distant village. They had three children – a son and two daughters. She was afflicted with a strange illness that defied medical treatment three and a half years ago. Gradually it became difficult for her to stand upright and walk up straight. Her condition kept getting worse and was abandoned by family and relatives.

Her husband ran away out of fear and lack of funds to treat his wife. The children were sent to foster homes of distant relatives and others went into child labor.  As her condition deteriorated, the villagers alerted her parents and siblings who arranged occultist treatment at the shrine of a popular herbalist not far from our street.

Rather than get better, Ms. Kuku’s condition got more complicated and precarious, but she could not do anything about it as she had neither visitations nor support from her people. Occasional support only came through visitors and strangers that usually visited the herbalist for treatment.

Three weeks ago the traditional healer died, and was buried last week. Other patients in the healing home were collected by their people, but there was nobody to receive Ms. Kuku. Her parents and siblings believed it was a serious taboo to allow her live with them, so they kept away from her.

Great-grandfather, Pa Jonathan, was a “foremost” Christian Yoruba gentleman in his days. Grandfather Emmanuel was a wealthy Anglican community leader and close adviser to the king. He had a close encounter with the preachers of the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement of Moses Orimolade later in his life that he left family and property, and embarked on a missionary journey of northern Yoruba lands of Nigeria. He later died on this missionary journey and was buried in the church yard of one of the missions he helped to set up.

Dad was privileged to be trained in locomotive transport management and administration by the Americans. While training abroad, he took up the Catholic faith of his mentors and became a devoted Roman Catholic, “more catholic than the Pope”.  He would have been knighted by the Pope had he lived a bit longer. Thus, we were Roman Catholics, schooled and trained under the close tutelage of Jesuit priests and sisters.

Antonia, my elder sister traveled to Northern Nigeria, and got born again into an evangelical church movement that sprang up in Nigeria in 1973. Her attempt to introduce the new-found faith into the locality upon her return was rebuffed by the priests and laity of the orthodox faith. She was grossly persecuted by family, friends and foes, nevertheless, she refused to buckle. She set up a house caring prayer cell in our compound where people of various faith meet regularly during the week to pray and listen to Bible teachings.

While my mother would not discourage my sister from the new-found faith, she remain dedicated to her church activities and religious duties in the Church, scheming to become a Parish Woman Leader. As a respected women leader in the community and known trader, the family of the deceased traditional herbalist approached her to find a sanctuary for Ms. Kuku, saying she could “probably find healing and be delivered of her illness by the evangelical prayer cell”. It was rather out of concern and support, and not out of faith, that mother stretched out her hand of fellowship of the “good Samaritan” to Ms. Kuku.

Upon her acceptance into the ‘boy’s quarters’ of our house, the prayer cell’s Prayer Warriors, Bible Teachers and Evangelists descended upon her and the compound at regular intervals. Over time, Ms. Kuku, who were a chronic pagan and stark illiterate began to confess her acceptance of the gospel message, openly confessed and repented of her sins and sinfulness, denounced and renounced all her pagan and idolatrous life-styles and practices, and miraculously began reading the bible in the vernacular, while confessing Jesus Christ in their congregations.

By and by, the radiance of her color began to blossom and show. She was getting healthier by the day while most of her ailments and sicknesses started to give way and abate. Visits by her children and a couple of family member became regular.

About three months after her fellowship with the prayer group, Ms. Kuku was able to stand erect and walk straight up! She was able to stand up, bend down, and get up! It was a great miracle. Our compound became a Mecca of sort, with people from far and near coming around to witness the bizarre wonder.

The prayer cell grew. Mother and her children soon became regular devotees.  A patch of land was ceded to the group within the family estates, upon which they erected a district church of the evangelical movement.

February 14^th of the following year saw the opening ceremony of that district church which drew prominent members from the orthodox churches, Muslims, and pagans unto Christ.  My mother and I, threw away our pride and self-righteousness, met Christ without hesitations, and became born-again Christians that day.

It has since been wonderful Christian experience with assurance of salvation and genuine hope of Heaven. Kindness to a pagan has led nominal Christians unto true and genuine salvation. What a surprise guest at Valentine!