A New Terrorism and Attack on Free Speech

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Bode Ososami

The recent bombings of news media premises in Abuja and Kaduna, Nigeria by suicide bombers portend another fearful extension of the violence in an emerging nation’s socio-political terrain. The choice of houses of worship, law enforcement and western embassies perceived as supportive of an unresponsive government as targets is now inclusive of premises of unsympathetic media houses. Freedom of press establishes the opportunity for every perspective to have opportunity of unhindered expression given flaws in objectivity for which there are adequate legal avenues for relief. Seeking to spread the fear to speak sets a tone for fascist tyranny and attacks the very fabric that permits truth to be known. Someone once said … “it is a paradox that every dictator has climbed to power on the ladder of free speech but immediately on attaining power each dictator has suppressed all free speech except his own.”

“Without free speech no search for truth is possible… no discovery of truth is useful.” Charles Bradlaugh

I heard years ago the parable of several blind men examining an elephant … one holding the feet and calling it a tree…another leaning on its body and likening it to a wall …the other feeling its trunk and suspecting this must be a strange snake. The flaws in our insights will surprise us but it is better to have different parts of the jigsaw expecting that all the pieces of the puzzle will one day provide a complete picture.

It seems we have a nation where targets of irritation for bombing down are selected if government is not motivated in creating the safety nets that alleviate hunger and pangs for some form of recognition and fulfilment that only these carriers of terror define. The institutional structures meant to regulate for fairness and guarantee order are weakened and caged in strange prisons of silence and extra legal actions apparently prevail to provide solutions that puerile bodies refuse to offer. Without strong mature and effective institutions in all spheres … all that is bequeathed by the best of leaders to future generations are fears, tensions and grievances awaiting expression. Mutual distrust, tribal allegiances and prejudices embedded in new change maps already sabotage changes before they can even be initiated. Most will be silent for fear of being cruelly targeted.

The Bible says God is angry with the wicked everyday … have we become a wicked nation that must inherit only days of trouble? The Bible often describes the wicked as they who thrive by short-changing the weak and the vulnerable…rulers who rose through evil elevators and are trapped only to supervise the perpetuation of corruptions and oppressions in various forms. The only way to appease God is a genuine repentance – change of heart … as well as return of plunder.

Isaiah 57 [20] But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. [21] There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

A respected cleric recently asked …how can we transform or change anything for good when in our hearts we do not want to change or be transformed and deep wickedness thrives unchecked without repentance or restitution albeit in several masked strains.

The recent conviction of the former Liberian President and other similar landmarks in judicial history remind us that those who take advantage of the complex wounds of vulnerable emerging nations to raid their resources, foster troubles and sow evil, injustice and sorrow… will eventually be judged as criminal losers – no matter how long it eventually takes for them to be exposed and someday they will reap multiples of what they have sown.

Psalm 139[23] Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: [24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

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The Great Need For Good Leaders by Zac Poonen

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Bode Ososami

Zac Poonen

The state of God’s people depends on the quality of their leader. Most of today’s leaders in Christendom are not strong enough to keep God’s people on the straight and narrow path because the leaders themselves do not know God and are compromisers. They seek to please men and to be popular like Aaron, and therefore God cannot endorse their leadership. Moses and Joshua never sought to be popular.
“The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work the Lord had done for Israel” (Judges 2:7Judges 2:7
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel. outlived: Heb. prolonged days after

WP-Bible plugin). But by the time Joshua and his fellow-elders died, there were no God-fearing men available to replace them. And so “all that generation also died and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10Judges 2:10
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

WP-Bible plugin). There was nobody who knew God.

After many years of moving in many Christian groups, I have to say that I have met very few Christian leaders who really know God, and who can say like Elijah, “I stand before the Lord God.” Most people in Christian work today are professional preachers. They study the Bible and get a degree, get someone to support them and then go out to “serve God”. There may be some sacrifice in their lives and even zeal. But zeal, sacrifice and knowledge are of no use, if a person does not know God. The statistics of their work may be impressive, but the quality of their converts will be poor, because they don’t know God. They may say that they have born-again believers in their church. But are these “believers” disciples of Christ? There is a vast difference between spiritual believers and carnal believers. Any man of God knows that it is better to have a small church of spiritual believers, than a large church of carnal ones. That’s like saying that it is better to have a few 1000-watt bulbs than a hundred zero-watt bulbs.

We are to be the light of the world. But the intensity of our light depends upon how much we know God. If the leader does not know God, the people will not know God either. You can study the Bible and teach it to your church-members, and they will know the Bible. But that would be like teaching them chemistry in a classroom. That won’t help them to know God. People cannot know God by getting Biblical information. You can know God only as you go through trials and testing. You have to humble yourself in those trials and have to have a yearning in your heart for God. That is how you can know God, not by sitting in a meeting. We certainly need to know the Scriptures, but we need to go beyond the Scriptures and get to know God. “The people who know their God will be strong” (Dan.11:32). The Israelites did not know God and therefore “they did evil in the sight of the Lord and served other gods.” (Judges 2:11Judges 2:11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

WP-Bible plugin) That was because Joshua had died, and now there was no God-fearing leader to lead them.

The history of Christianity in the last 2000 years is replete with numerous examples of men whom God raised up to start a church or a movement that brought revival in their lifetime. But once they died, their church (or movement) declined just like the churches and movements before them. The new generation holds the same doctrine as their founder and the same theory of sanctification, but they are not holy as their founder was. Many of them claim to have the same “baptism in the Holy Spirit” that their founder had. But their life and ministry do not have the same anointing. Something is missing. Then God has to raise up another man and start something altogether new.

God has always done His greatest work in the church through individual men whom He has raised up in different generations in different lands. Around such a man God gathers together a few people who are concerned not so much for size as for quality – for a pure testimony for God in their generation. I believe the church needs many such men and women.

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The Next American President

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Bode Ososami

The American Family Association’s Bryan Fischer once echoed the belief: “The next President needs to be a man of sincere, authentic, genuine Christian faith.”

But just as in times when the children of Israel demanded for a king of their own, initiating only a downward spiral … it is either that we discover that the righteousness of the best are filthy or we cannot converge given the dynamic of the times on what constitutes virtue. Is the authentic man strict or tolerant? Is the sincere man wise to be silent or bold in controversy? What is Christian faith and how do we recognise the genuine brand? Times of human choices tend to be times of prevailing ignorance.

Samuel was once irritated that men who cannot discern right from wrong wanted to have their own king … God reveals the agenda behind this apparently noble desire.

I Samuel 8 [5] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. [6] But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. [7] And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Men have always elected, irrespective of the methods they chose or their good intentions, to have a vassal to administer their grand program of rejection of the purposes of God. The excuses of the age of Samuel and deviant children are not accorded any attention by God who understands real motives and sees thoughts before they alight.

Every election has always focused on the wrong problem …finding Mr. Perfect with perfect family and morality …rather than dealing with the overarching issues of rejection of God in all realms of life. This does not advocate we elect cheap rats into office and even as Saul was tall, charismatic and seemed to fit the bill … God already foreknew this was a walking disaster perfectly suited for a people that abhorred repentance. Jesus had always known he would be hated when he told the parable … in Luke 19[14] But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

Calling nations to repent appears not as germane to the issues of the day as the important calling to vote for sincere leaders unless wen consider the wisdom in Proverbs 8[16] By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

The best and worst will only rule by the mercy and permission of God. This implies that our elections may seem to serve us well, but the problem of a displeased God will always haunt the most sincere dispensations of governance.

Amu Sullivan wrote in Time Magazine “Often in modern politics, however, the conversation dwells at length on the question of religious motivation, which supporters and detractors alike believe tells them everything they need to know about a politician. The conservative supporters of a Republican candidate see opposition to homosexuality or evolution as evidence that the politician will support their entire agenda. And liberal detractors use the same beliefs to belittle the candidate as backwards and anti-science. Sometimes they’re both right. But not always. There are limits to what we can know about how a President would respond to real-world problems in real-time. And it’s their decisions, not their deity, that really matter.”

David confesses in Psalm 139[2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. … that God has unlimited knowledge of how everyone will respond to everything in every situation … even decades ahead.

Times of elections are particularly important times for prayers, to seek God’s forgiveness and mercy, to repent and call people back to their maker. Far more important than discerning rash promises of men … that even those who pronounce have no way of knowing if they can keep.

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An End to Recession and Oppression. A Prophetic word for 2012

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Bode Ososami

All over the world there seems to be crises – a siege of evil, be it in politics, economics, education, morality and particularly so in religion. Depression seems to be lingering even longer than the over three years that God had ordained for it to be in the times of Ahab … causing many to ask, when are we going to experience the “rains” again. The Bible indicates that God will often use dearth and oppression to draw the attention of His own to their false altars and remind His own, that the juxtaposition of Baal worship and worship of Jehovah in the palaces of Ahab may be convenient for Jezebel but is not acceptable to God who demands purity. Still, at the appointed time God turns the hearts of His own back by His divine intervention, and there will be showers again.

These are like the days of Ahab, an evil King, married to Jezebel the epitome of idolatry. Most prophets have been already killed –silenced by Jezebel’s baits, others dine and serve Ahab in his palaces – useful only to hide the hundreds who must remain concealed to protect their livelihood and thousands who had not bowed the knee to Baal but who also remain quiet as the altar of God remained in ruins, and the people who remain uncommitted, neutral … and Jezebel likes it so. A broken altar always leads to trouble. It is man’s prerogative to boastfully scatter the altar of God … it is God’s to withhold rain and close the heavens.

And there was one isolated – Elijah (a man subject to like passions as we are, who prayed earnestly) and who at the appointed time was told to go and show himself to Ahab. The encounter of Elijah with Ahab is bizarre …

I Kings [17] And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? [18] And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

At the United Nations, a world leader recently proclaimed that Religion is in the way of progress in advancement of Human rights without which peace is evasive … even as the liberal press all over the world continually labels the “narrow” paths of Christianity as offbeat to a search for global harmony and to be shunned if the troubles of civilisation are to cease. We seem to miss the link between evil and continued recession… comatose to the decay that is the real undoing of the times.

At the time appointed God locates Elijah who lays the blame boldly at the feet of Ahab – the King that oversees the forsaking of God’s commandments (now termed legalism) and follows after Baal alongside the worship of Jehovah. Elijah says it is Ahab’s creative syncretism and wickedness that has caused the recession and oppression. Elijah knows something that Ahab does not know – and that is God has decided to end the period of suffering and usher in wellness and turn the hearts of His own back to Him again.

The confidence in God causes Elijah to challenge Ahab to a spiritual duel, repairing God’s altar and crying to God in prayer culminating in a dramatic divine intervention and slaughter of 450 of Baal’s prophets and another 400 prophets of the grove.

I Kings 18 [37] Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

I found an old prophetic message that speaks to the heart by Revd. Jackie McCullough delivered at an arena that dramatically foretells Elijah challenging Ahab and his alliances.

In 2012, God does a new thing and it will be well. The prophets of Baal and the prophets of the groove are in for a most horrible and terrible surprise. The sound of abundance of rain will be heard again unexpectedly even as God raises His own to repair the broken altar of the Lord. A new purity of worship will be heralded as power is transferred from the wicked grip of Jezebel’s prophets and her political proxies and a new revival of justice, righteousness and Godliness will be evident. This is the doing of the Lord.

Be on the right side. Reflect on a previous blog post on Resolution to be a serious Christian in 2012.

I Kings 18[21] And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

Do not fret – if in Christ, instead be still and know … If you are not in Christ, it is time to return. The fire of God is about to fall.

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Christianity, Politics, National Crises and 2012.

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Bode Ososami

Historians will often blame religion as the hidden driver of most crises – the tool most preferred for the most evil power schemes. Atheists suggest its elimination to pave way for new accord, the lukewarm embrace a compromise without savour and many others remain aloof, uncertain … but God indeed is sovereign in all the affairs of men. One observes common patterns in different country situations … albeit more pronounced and violent in some scenarios than others.

Religious variation and extremism always play well in politics for those skilled in playing the right strings knowing well that the citizenry remain more loyal to religion and this bond can be exploited. A country political leader in a multi-religious polity once openly said “Religion cannot be ignored as a potent weapon for mass mobilization…” How is religion best manipulated as a weapon of mobilization? Again the Bible illustrates it in the case of Jeroboam, a King who successfully created and mentored a false religious order to hold on to power as he feared that pilgrimages to Jerusalem will ultimately threaten his kingdom.

I Kings 12[25] Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel. [26] And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: [27] If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. [28] Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. [29] And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. [30] And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. [31] And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

Political powers have an age-old fear and satanic envy of the allegiance and loyalty of followers of Christ. The doctrines of the Bible if followed will protect the traditional family, outlaw murder of the unborn, eschew ostentation, corruption and greed but will cause an unpredictable social revolution and shifts of power. That is why Christ says He did not come to make peace even as He is the Prince of Peace. He is already peace for those who will reject their past life and accept Him. Today’s Jeroboams will not have that so they midwife their own genres of worship in bewildering variety. Obama, Clinton and indeed most successful power brands must legitimise their own brand of faith to retain the control they need … new priests like Oprah Winfrey are not fortuitous. Who is attending these temples and does this manipulation work? Watch the polls and votes for admired persons for a feel of the influence. To unseat the president, the faithful may have to choose between a Mormon, a repented serial adulterer and whatever else can survive “Jeroboam’s” political filter. The crisis is more spiritual than physical.

In Nigeria, the pattern is similar but perhaps more physical, crude and even violent. Past hurts and injustices have perfected a religion of hatred, grabbing and competition for influence … secretly sponsored and operating through proxies to destabilise and possibly balkanise the nation for fiendish gain … a different Jeroboam. The weaknesses of basic policing, security and judicial order make terror and fear the best appliances. Unchecked repetition of religious manipulation and violence normalises and legitimizes its application on both sides of the warring fence. All this consolidates “ Jeroboam’s agenda ” as there is no united voice or moral authority to address issues of corruption, nation building, abuse of power, moral, social and infrastructural decadence … and worse, terror and fear seem to insulate against true faith and the gospel. But why are “Jeroboams” successful at their wicked craft?

Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia addressing the World Evangelical fellowship on 4^th May, 2001 said..

“Intolerance breeds injustice, injustice invariably leads to rebellion and retaliation, and these will lead to escalation on the part of making reconciliation impossible. It would appear that during times of stress, despair and frustration, people become increasingly irrational, and do things which they never think they are capable of…and so we see hideous brutality perpetrated by the gentlest people….Once started religious strife has a tendency to go on and on, to become permanent feuds. Today, we see such intractable inter-religious wars in Northern Ireland, between Jews and Muslims and Christians in Palestine, Hindus and Muslims in South Asia and in many other places. Attempts to bring about peace have failed again and again and again. Always the extremist elements invoking past injustices, imagined or real, will succeed in torpedoing the peace efforts and bringing about another bout of hostility.”

John 5[1] Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. [2] Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. [3] Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [5] One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. [6] When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” [7] “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” [8] Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

Religion is like the scenario of the invalid for 38 years in the great company of other disabled … it just will not get better, and will continue to be a vassal for powers that know how to exploit it. A friend said recently that crises are good… if it makes us go again to Christ and begin to live for eternity again, a day at a time. Crises wakes slumbering powerless Christians, depleted – by carnalities (formerly called sin) of once possessed inner strength … trembling like Gideon in a cave … in need of revival and reconnection to the arm of the Almighty via repentance and rededication. Granted I thought my friend to be harsh to say this at a time when many still mourn losses of lives from the Christmas day explosions in Abuja, Nigeria and many do the right thing to vigorously reposition to protect their families and property from further attacks.

2012 is the year I must be strong in my inner-man to be salt and light … inner strength that produces external victories to evangelise as Christ ordered with not just my lifestyle but to tell everyone there is power for them to begin to walk again … making disciples for Christ. Every one rescued from Jeroboam’s grip is one less potential spiritual or physical terrorist. Every convert lost or follow-up postponed can easily be gain someday for captains of evil spreading another gospel. My undoing is my refusal to be salt and light and actively spread the gospel as my Lord commanded. Where I refuse to shine, darkness creeps in. God forgive me.

John 18 [36] Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. …John 12 [25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

What does it mean to hate our life in this world? Strong words used by Jesus. Hate does not mean tolerate or endure peaceably but implies strong passionate disdain. Jeroboams succeed because we love our life and our vanities and convenience.

Jonah 2[8] They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

Our enemy is not Islam, politicians, Jeroboam’s priests or another new religious proxy but the lying vanities we observe that are leveraged to manipulate us … that cause us to forsake our mercies. Let 2012 be different. Holy Spirit, Revive us again. Let God do a New Thing. God have mercy on us all. Come to Jesus.

Pray for Nigeria. Pray for your country…Pray for your leaders. May 2012 be a different year.

Amen

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Pragmatism and Fighting the Monster of Corruption

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Bode Ososami

The monster has not come for games. It has studied the battlefield and watched the protagonists closely for centuries and is deft in laying out tactics to remain unvanquished. This monster understands well three vital things which it uses to maintain his grip.

Pragmatism is the real religion of many professors of ethics and many are simply as motivated to material comforts and/or prominence as any other. Pragmatism means we must do our best to secure a reasonable and practical conclusion on matters in front of us – doing of course our best given the circumstance. Everyone bribes and can be bribed … most with money, others with honour and elevation and almost all with compliments, attention and recognition.
Morality for most is not absolute and the context will determine the case. Every case can be argued and we need to probe the context to establish truth. Truth can be true in a case and untrue for another – depending on who is presenting it or arguing for it. It is the end that justifies the means ….and this creates different scenarios and possibilities – enough to sustain every evil action. The best minds can argue decadence to be right. Everything can be contextualised.
It seems all dread inconvenience, bad news, shame, loneliness and lack more than they fear the hell that they preach about … if they still truly believe it. Most will only have pragmatic perspectives presented and will eschew rather than help people grapple through real ethical dilemmas. All like good news and worship happy endings.

Corruption is not new. Indeed at its height, the Roman Empire was the most impressive human administration the world had ever seen. Roman legislation was indeed effective and is still the basis of the legal code of many countries. Yet, many have said it was corruption that hastened Rome’s downfall. The Romans were experts in juggling a corrupt judicial system and knew how to play the cards of the law as was required. They were the ultimate pragmatists.

Acts 24 [22] And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. [23] And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. [24] And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [25] And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. [26] He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

The apostle Paul suffered under corrupt Roman officials. Felix, the Roman governor recognized Paul’s innocence but hoped to be bribed by Paul to secure his release – after all this was only the pragmatic solution to enable Paul have the freedoms he needed to preach and do the work of God. An ally in Felix would also have been most helpful. What practical value will an incarcerated Paul confer? “ None “ says the positive pragmatist. Surely, Felix deserves some consideration for his kind intervention.

Instead of bribing Felix, Paul spoke about “righteousness and self-control.” Felix expecting a more practical discussion was incensed and had Paul retained in prison. For many what the monster demands is not money, but our services or an assent to evil or a quiet silence – anything to secure our freedoms from the bonds of the gospel and the love of God which restrains us. But we are yoked to Christ and must do as the Holy Spirit commands … in this our coast is supernaturally enlarged to do even more.

What is pragmatism? This is how Steve Jobs would have defined it.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” (1955-2011)

But this is how the Bible describes the voice speaking in our hearts…Jeremiah 17 [9] The heart is deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Paul is not perfect and surely did not plan, when his life was interrupted on the way to Damascus, for a ministry in the prisons of Rome or to be crucified like a criminal, but the bonds of the gospel to which he called himself a slave demanded it.

The monster of corruption offers a wealthier, longer and healthier life, perhaps an opportunity in the lush courts of Felix to preach … but all that – did not affect Paul. Perhaps even though Paul did not dent the corrupt order, he saved his destiny and his soul – continuing in a pitiable incarceration from which he penned most of the New Testament.

The monster of corruption and injustice notes the identity of Paul, isolates him from his team and leaves him alone, waiting to hear of his eventual death and ignoring his tears in the sad corridors of a dark jail as he penned his works.

To my friend reading this post – be strong and courageous; continue to stand for truth. There is a new anointing in Christ not to be overcome by corruption. You will laugh last…all your private tears will soon be completely wiped away.

(Adapted from a real scenario and dedicated to the reader silently and privately suffering for battling the monster of corruption)

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Goliaths, Pharaohs and a New Dawn for a Great Nation

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Bode Ososami

President Goodluck Jonathan, the President of Nigeria – as the world’s most populous black nation today celebrates her 51st independence anniversary, says the future is bright and assures that the many challenges facing the nation will be eventually overcome.

The President, who gave the assurance in a televised address declared that his administration would spare no effort in tackling crime and building peace and likens the blockers of great nationhood to Goliaths and Pharaohs that will just not fade off as easily as many Nigerians will wish.

Many citizens observe that things are far from perfect and strain their imagination to observe or appreciate the new dawn that is breaking as an environment of improved governance and accountability, economic and fiscal discipline, a more professional and committed leadership team is slowly but surely emerging to transition an impatient citizenry with huge but yet to be realised potential.

Joseph Chamberlain once said “Great men are like mountains; we do not appreciate their magnitude while we are still close to them “even as Jonathan insists that there is much to celebrate declaring… “We must also take pride in our scientists. This week, Nigeria released 8 new high yielding cocoa varieties. This will help to transform cocoa production, across the 14 cocoa producing states in the nation,” he added.

The Bible records that the emergence of Jesus Christ and dawning of God’s very greatest revolution was received with even far less appreciation.

Luke 9 [9] And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Every new dawn comes with three vital elements. First, the element of Herod … the Goliaths, Jezebels and Pharaohs that represent spiritual battles that must be won to permit waning of powerful influences. Elijah and Elisha combined to anoint and empower Jehu to destroy the apparently invincible influence of Baal by a massacre of Ahab, Jezebel, seventy sons and many evil priests. It seems every great civilisation has had its political and socioeconomic revolutions – be it the Industrial Revolution in Britain, the storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789 during the French Revolution or George Washington, leading the American Revolution. The element of Herod is neutralised or vanquished.

The second element of new greatness is successful Transition. John the Baptist represented the transition that must identify, introduce and make way for Christ although he was not the Lamb of God, only a friend of the heavenly bridegroom. Transition elements must be tough, determined, selfless, impatient and perhaps even bold and courageous to be sacrificed as divine decoys to permit the concealed and fledgling revolution to eventually mature. Herod, after beheading John the Baptist, was surprised that someone even greater than John could be alive and thriving. Even Christ needed this element to prepare the way for Him. John the Baptist – the transition who prepared the way was perhaps disappointed, offended and beheaded, Herod was unable to stop Christ … and the new revolution that is Christianity still breaks out.

The third element is the New Dawn, the desire of all. I envision a new dawn breaking in a nation challenged with fighting many battles never been fought for fairness, justice, economic growth and new order of truth. New dawns do not just happen … For illustration, the American Revolution was the result of a series of new social, political, and intellectual transformations in early American society and government, collectively referred to as the American Enlightenment. Americans rejected the oligarchies common in aristocratic Europe at the time, championing instead the development of new enlightened paradigms of fairness.

Remember Nigeria in your prayers as she goes through unique transitions. Indeed Goliaths and Pharaoh will not be permitted to stop her …

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Feed my Sheep, Feed my Lamb and Feed Yourself

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Bode Ososami

Much has been written about a recent trend of “successful” and perhaps more entrepreneurial pastors expanding their reach to bless a wider group through books, talking tours and nationwide conferences. Many say it may not be God asking them to separate for as long as they do from the assembly in the local church and, as seen in some scenarios, even resigning thriving pastorates to respond to the call through other ventures.

Christianity Today wrote recently in an article of many like Francis Chan, Jim Belcher, N. T. Wright and, now Rob Bell, leaving local church pastorates, some of which were churches they themselves had planted for what seems like more lucrative full-time conference and book ministry. It would appear that the local pastorate can provide an excellent platform that paves way for a broader more exciting and financially rewarding foray that does not require the tough ethical and doctrinal accountabilities (hassles) shepherding demands of the weary pastor whether in a small church or as part of a larger denomination. The sheep need a pastor to see Christ in and mentoring to maturity. As pastors leave, what happens to the sheep of Christ. Who will visit the unlovable in an era of do-it-yourself Christianity … and who will watch day and night in prayer over the careless?

The sheep may appear to have found new online savvy but they cannot see Christ as well on a podium or on a TV screen or on a blog as when they can feel the life of their pastor in his marriage, home and in how he masters challenges and defeats demons resisting him. In reality, the sheep want to be visited, heard and encouraged sometimes when the shepherd is exhausted and close to a nervous wreck battling his own challenges.

John 21[15] … Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. [16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus spoke to Simon Peter and asked if he loved Him more than “these”. “These” would be fame, money, acclaim, ease, comforts, lofty personal aspirations and agenda. If the answer is yes, then go and carry and feed the young silly sheep (lambs) and also their older sometimes unpredictable prickly parents. Christ needs those who love Him to pastor the sheep where He sends them – and remain there.

Pastoring as Christ ordained cannot be as thrilling as many would want it to be otherwise Christ will not repeat himself in three different sentences that the evidence of love for Him will be the patient duty of carrying the weak and rescuing the undeserving perishing. Feeding sheep includes staying awake to protect them from wolves, running to the cliffs to rescue some from falling headlong, helping to free the young unheeding lamb caught in a rough thicket, bringing out one that has fallen into a ditch, finding good pasture – leading and helping the thirsty to the quiet streams for a refreshing drink. This will require both the rod and staff as teaching tools – not just power-point and jazzy multimedia.

The elegant and sophisticated Egyptians despised Shepherds and looked down at them, considering them to be the inferior of men … they typically earned the lowest wages and stayed outdoors and were smelly.

Genesis 46[34] … for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.

The modern day shepherd has fared much better, and the pastor will have found many other pastimes on the internet, writing, touring, doing nationwide seminars – earning millions of dollars from a gift that a wider audience will pay for. Is this not part of the call and is God against rich and famous pastors? Surely not.

Sheep in recent times have also become more risky to handle, and many wolves in sheep clothing have devoured not just other sheep but less discerning shepherds … and some may ask in their low moments – am I called to this. Christ does not ask everyone to feed His sheep, only those who have been given the rare grace to love Him more than “these”.

Or perhaps Christ should have said “Feed my lamb, feed my sheep…and feed yourself”

( Published in The Christian Post )

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With Wings Like an Eagle

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Bode Ososami

The modern English name of the bird is derived from the Latin term aquila by way of the French aigle. The Latin aquila may derive from the word aquilo, the Latin version of Greek boreas, or north wind.

Enough of looking up to men or women either at their virtues or their shame – look up and consider God as the Eagle who emerges with an unstoppable fury, speed and power as the wind. Surely, no man but only God could possibly have given the eagle its marvelous abilities. The Lord once explained to Job that the eagle has built “her nest on high” (Job 39:27Job 39:27
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? at...: Heb. by thy mouth

WP-Bible plugin) at the tops of the very highest trees or cliffs. Men can neither reach nor disturb even his most feeble plans and arrangements – so much so like the agenda of God for His people… unstoppable.

Unlike many birds, which abandon their nests after their young are hatched, the eagle keeps building upon her old nest, remodelling it, year after year. God has not abandoned you nor will He ever abandon His people. Eagles have wings wonderfully designed wings to soar (gliding with very little wing movement) for long periods of time at incredible speeds over 150 mph – at altitudes as high as 10,000 feet - and not tired.

The wisdom and power of this being God created helps us consider greater possibilities in the Creator concerning your situation. Take your eyes off the splendour and depravity of men for a moment and consider God and His awesome deeds reminding us of His unmatchable capabilities. Reflect on the following passages in scriptures that occurred or are prophesied to occur with lightning speed and unstoppable force to achieve what no one could stop or even anticipate hindering even in the slightest way …

Genesis 5[24] And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Exodus 14[21] And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land , and the waters were divided.

I Kings 18[44] And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot , and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. [45] And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. [46] And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

2 Kings 2[11] And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Acts 2[1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

I Corinthians 15[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Pastor E. A. Adeboye – General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God writes concerning the 59^th Annual Convention themed “With Wings like an Eagle”…

“ It’s an exciting journey as you prepare to ascend to the top; therefore you need to be focused and let nothing divert your attention or distract you throughout this Convention. Be determined to enter into a deeper relationship and intimacy with your heavenly Father through fervent prayer, heartfelt worship and meditating on the Word of life.

The benefits of flying high like the eagle are immense; for the just shall live by faith. This means that you are able to soar above fear, failure, traps and snares of the devil. It also means that your insight and perception of spiritual matters become very keen …”

Indeed we are in times that many things are happening within and without that cause us sometimes to tremble with wonder…Turn your eyes off these things for a moment and consider Him who makes His saints an amazement against all daunting odds.

RecessionproofChristianlife invites you to be part of the landmark Convention holding from Monday 8^th – Sunday 14^th August, 2011 either online or directly - please do visit the site on the 59^th RCCG Annual Convention for more details …

You were created for the supernatural … to soar with wings high above the mountains … to excel, fulfil destiny and overcome the challenges of life … and ultimately be with the Master Eagle in His Eternal heights far above the shadows. Let God help you.

Song of Solomon 4 [16] Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

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I cannot Come Down.

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Bode Ososami

Aiden W. Tozer

A.W. Tozer’s impact for the Kingdom of God is immeasurable. Like the prophets of old, he proclaimed the Word of God as he understood it – without compromise. His call was clear – repent from all sin, wholeheartedly embrace the cross, and follow Jesus in complete obedience.

I just read his biography by Lyle Dorsett “A passion for God”… refreshingly different. I have quoted the last paragraph in this book which is an extract from the timeless writings of Tozer. Remember we are in the last days …whatever you want to do for Christ do it quickly, if you need to repent do it quickly.

It may be justly said that the writer of these lines is of all men the least worthy to call Jesus Lord or to speak in his sinless Name. Amen. So be it. Nevertheless I have a soul to save, a God to glorify, and no one can stand sponsor for me before the great assize. There I must stand alone; and if it should be necessary that I stand alone for a little while here, I shall not wish it had been otherwise when the day comes. If my fellowship is worth asking then it will be given to the saintly man, the humble man, and the holy. He who would call me to his side must have garments that smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces. Let him show me his scars and then command my service. I shall not withhold it. Gladly will I toil beside the man who reminds me of my Saviour. As for the others, let them not trouble me. I am trying to show forth the glory of Him who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light. It is a great work and I cannot come down.

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