Still there are Bible lessons and divine wisdom illustrated in reactions of characters in extremely hostile situations. You may someday find yourself in these tough situations …in which you are puzzled at the scale of opposition.  Also, often we do not see our flaws or at best underplay them … or we overreact to situations misreading them as unwelcoming….or we can simply work on our attitude .. to be more friendly. Whatever may be the scenario … many may need help someday to cope when conditions become very hateful either in the workplace or even in ministry.

TD Jakes gave his own thoughts and tips in his best-selling book “Ten Commandments of working in a hostile environment” …I listed them below:

• Know that you are anointed for the position
• Don’t expect to be appreciated
• Embrace opportunities for change
• Do the job well while remembering the vision
• Don’t let the environment get inside you
• Increase your capacity to work with difficult personalities
• Where you are is not where you are going
• Achieve optimal results with minimal confusion
• Don’t get into cliques and groups
• Always keep your song near you

The Bible has some examples…a few are summarised.

Joseph as a favoured pampered young visionary is initially presented as a tactless lad who talks too much and was quick to bring tales to his father on the adventures of his brothers. You could say this is a case of hostility that could have been avoided if adjustments to manners or attitude were made. Joseph narrowly escaped death in the hands of his own brothers.  Still, he avoided cliques, not allowing himself to be bitter and remained faithful to God till his story eventually changed.  You could say he kept His song

Genesis 37 [19]  And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. [20]  Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

Isaac was a man who prospered in a famine and was consistently resisted till he finds his Rehoboth. In this case, envy and jealousy cause Isaac to simply move on to avoid further strife… reminding us that where we are now is not our final destination.

Genesis 26 [16]  And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we. [17]  And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.

David is being hunted down by Saul for years  - finding himself exposed to different enemies… it seems an entire geography became hostile to his existence.  To survive – David resorted to unusual methods to stay alive until God’s appointed time. David knew how to live without accolades and appreciation … he learnt of a source of joy – God, that sustained him through the strangest trials and harshest periods .. so can we..

I Samuel 21[12]  And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. [13]  And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.

Scripture teaches that periods of hostility are also means for the Potter’s training and preparations to forge the best vessels as David, Joseph and Isaac.  Still, the devil finds these periods ideal for sowing deep discouragement and wrong thoughts and answers … focusing his baits to lure the battle-weary and inflicting emotional wounds and scars that only God must heal.  Many do not come out like the Bible stars.

Td Jakes ends his book “Dear brothers and sisters, I charge you to go forth into your workplace, no matter how hostile it may be, bathed in His anointing, knowing that you are blessed and highly favoured!  I wish you Godspeed on your journey and joy along the way!..”

… and if you feel hurt whether deserved or undeserved and you have damaged your testimony in not reacting the way this blog would have advised  or you have not yet emerged glittering like Joseph, Isaac or David… still go to Jesus to uphold you.

Matthew 12 [20]  A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench, till He brings justice and a just cause to victory. (Amp)

He must still bring you to His house of victory.  God bless you and remain always strong in Him. Amen

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Ps 25:5.

While I wait on you dear Lord, please lead me in your truth and teach me that which I need to know. While I wait, let it train my faith in thee that my life may serve the purpose for which you created it. While I wait let me not only wait patiently but may I be found waiting properly and profitably.

While I wait . . . At the proper place!  Oh thou Spirit of grace, truth and mercy, there is a place I need to stand and hear what God has to say to me, while I wait. Please lead me to the well Lahairoi, the well of the living God, that there I might meditate on God’s ways; that my wait be not a waste of precious time. O let my location and dwelling place be by this well – the well Lahairoi, the well of the living God who sees me . . . for that was how it was for Isaac.  “At that time Isaac was living in the southern part of Canaan near a place called “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.””
Gen 24:62 –CEV

hmm! What a dwelling place for a brother – by “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me!” What a dwelling place for Isaac while he was yet single!! While yet in this dispensation of life as a single brother too, may I realise that my mother’s tent may not be the right abode for me now. Though it has become vacant and available for me to move in, yet, it might hold too many rooms for me. And since there is no void in nature, I might fill it with what it’s not meant for. This might only end up as a ‘nest’ with too much temptation than I can bear.

If I begin to move in the vacant rooms of submission to authority, which my mother’s “death” has seemingly left for me to do as I like, and I am not moving in with another assigned mother to constrain me, I will only grow untamed into an unplanned recklessness. If I begin to explore the vacant rooms of “the need for feminine affection”, which Mother’s voice and cuddling used to provide, I will only lay myself wide open for flames of passion to consume. If I begin to fill mother’s vacant kitchen table with “food flasks” of strategising ladies, I may only end up on the laps of a strange Delilah who has no better interest than to cut the locks of anointing which mother spent her whole life to cultivate to maturity!

This was the unfortunate situation thrust on Jacob as he had to flee home, where mother was, to go fend for himself and pick a wife for his future. God’s grace in response to the blessing of a father eventually got him the will of God in Leah but his reckless flames of passion got him a Rachel along and his strategising wives complicated his future with two housegirls more, as wives. (Gen. 28-31).

Isaac’s place of residence by ‘The Well of The Living One Who Sees Me’ was therefore written for my own example and admonition. O that my heart will agree to dwell by my well Laharoi!

While I wait . . . For the greater profit! While I wait in God’s presence, things can only get better, I can only reap the benefits. When a man waits patiently in God’s presence, it can only be for his greater good. No evil can sneak in here to ruin me because I live by The Living One Who Sees Me! The emotional flames that threaten my soul are easily quenched by the Water from ‘The Well of The Living One Who Sees Me.’ This is a place of maximum security for my life and future because in it I am fenced in by the presence of The Living One Who Sees Me.

For as long as I make this my dwelling place, I shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, my fruit shall never miss its season, my leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever I do shall prosper, because my dwelling place is by ‘The Well of The Living One Who Sees Me.’
No wonder Isaac was never agitated, though Rebecca came only after he was forty years of age. By ‘The Well of The Living One Who Sees Me’, agitation cannot find a foothold because meditation is the order of the day and communion with the Holy one is the life there. He that is planted here shall make no haste, though the Lord may seem to tarry, for he knows that his Father doth spend the time to undertake for him.

He knows, he shall not need seven years of labor to secure his Rebecca; neither can he be tricked with a Leah instead of a Rachel, for the eyes of The Living One Who Sees him goes ahead of him.

Oh my Father and my God, while I wait here for you, please send your Spirit to where the damsels are learning to draw water from the well of life. Cast the lot Yourself that will secure the Rebecca for my life. Speak to her and those that have custody of her life . . . and relieve me of the dangerous assignment of choosing by myself at the wells of life. Bargain for her on my behalf and overcome all the delay tactics of reluctant in-laws. Who else but You can know on whom You have placed the same blessing that You already have pronounced on me? Together we shall possess the gate of our enemies and cause the purpose of our God to prosper in our generation. My waiting shall never be in vain. It was designed to bring me much profit.

While I wait . . . For the Proper Lessons!  Dear Lord, while I wait, may I learn my lessons and learn the principles that makes for a Godly union and home. While I wait, may I receive truths that You have kept for my future and my coupling. While I wait, may my spirit acquire the grace of the husbandman that will deliver me from being a mere “horseband”. While I wait for, and on the Lord now, may I learn how I shall bring her into my mother’s tent. Open my understanding that I may learn how to dwell with her with wisdom.

Help me now, so that when she comes, I may take her, this Rebecca and not another; take her for who she is, for what she is and for all that is in her. Thou God who is Thyself ‘LOVE’, create in me now, the heart that will love, even this your Rebecca for my life.

Lord, now, before her arrival, may I truly know the “death” of my mother. May she be permanently gone from the tent she occupied in my heart; for there is no way this Rebecca will come as a comfort, while ‘Sarah’, my mother lives, still in her tent within me. May I wait, learning and growing in this necessary death that will ensure that proper cleaving will ever take place.

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery…” Ephesians 5:31, 32

And as for me, Oh Lord, let this no more remain a mystery, but make it a life for me while I wait for, and on you. Amen. Let me not live to see my Rebecca struggle with my Sarah for space and attention in my heart while I watch, helplessly torn between two bosoms that I have come to love.
Lord, while I wait, let me learn how to recognise her when she comes. Let me know her before I know her. Let me be one with her in the spirit, lest I be confused by the dressing of prettier girls. When your Rebecca for my life comes, let not the Camels become my attraction, nor the myriads of ladies riding alongside her, lest I miss the real help meet for my life.

And when you come! . . . with her in hand, may joy unspeakable make me rise in divine recognition to joyfully receive her without doubt or struggle from Thy loving outstretched hands. May Grace within spring up to apply without a fault, all the lessons that the days of my waiting have quietly imparted to me.

Even so, Lord Jesus. Amen!

(Article originally published in Living Seed.org by Gbile Akanni)

Many times we have looked at our challenges, difficulties or seen the decay in our nations or the dearth of truth in the wilderness of wandering saints … and like Moses say  “I’m standing here surrounded by 600,000 men on foot and God says, ‘I’ll give them meat, meat every day for a month.’ So where’s it coming from? Even if all the flocks and herds were butchered, would that be enough? Even if all the fish in the sea were caught, would that be enough?”

Have you asked… where is my help going to come from?  Where is the deliverance of our nations going to come from?

God answers Moses … Numbers 11[23]  And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

The Church does not believe God.  She trusts in her committees, taskforces … her means, her good men…her prayer bands and missionaries …her new found wealth.  The Church does not believe that by a strong hand and by fire there shall be an awesome revival.  She trusts in the flock, the crowds, her means … her leaders and the strong organisation … But God does not require this to move – good as they may be.

Doubt no more, take no thought of the worsening challenges or the defeats that appear imminent … instead consider that it is the Lord’s hand that is promised as your tool of deliverance and not yours or your weary allies.

God is speaking to someone and He says … you will see whether His word will come to pass or not.  All tend to have times of doubt when we think God has not accepted us, or cannot save us or is too weary to help us.  But look up again – O doubter …  Believe your God and you shall prosper.  The joy of the Lord is our strength. Look again … see Him and live.

Cursed sin of unbelief …be gone from us.  It is the gracious, loving, strong and long hand of the Lord that attends to the matters before our nations.

Has the sacrifice of Christ and the blood of Jesus lost its efficacy ?…Why do you distrust Christ with a mock humility that your sins are varied and many?  Is He unwilling to forgive? … Come to the foot of the cross and lay down all your burdens …exchange your waning strength for reliance on His sure hand.  Could you dare to trust Him and live again?

Take your eyes off the headlines of horror, do not be distracted by the voices that say “how can it be?” … God has not promised to deliver us by mortal hands  –  especially yours.

Still we must also remember that if we continually ignore His plea to believe Him, repent and choose instead to live as His constant enemy and oppressors of His saving truths … continuing to do as we please – be certain that His hand is also not short to send terrible and fiery plagues in His fury.

Numbers 11[31]  And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. [32]  And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. [33]  And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.

But also remember …the hand of the Lord is not carte blanche or another free license to do as we wish… but guaranteed to all that truly seek him

Ezra 8 [22]  For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.

Be ashamed of all you have looked up to for help … the band of soldiers and horsemen you have beckoned.  Lord, instead teach us to seek you and look to you.  You alone and you always it will henceforth be.  Help us to trust in your nail pierced hands.

A message that does not contribute to the eradication of poverty and empowers the deprived in the community, spreading country wealth cannot be the good news that Christ was anointed to preach … at best it is a contemporary sectarian heresy of the advantaged class or another subtle tool of oppression, in that it excludes Christ all together.

In this third part of a series on Money and the Bible, the focus is on biblical perspectives on poverty. Poverty can be described in absolute and relative terms and this often causes misunderstanding especially in a non-biblical mindset.  Absolute poverty or destitution refers to lack of the most basic human needs, which commonly includes safe water, nutrition, health care, basic education, adequate clothing and shelter. The absolutely poor are vulnerable and helpless beggars … lacking in the most common dignity, exposed to terror for lack of basic protection, shame, fear, corruption, disease and routinely abused.  Conservatively, over 2 billion people are estimated to live in absolute poverty today. Many, who have never been exposed to absolute poverty, will often mistake the poor as mentioned in the Bible to always refer to relative poverty which pertains to lack of an acceptable level of resources as compared with others within a society.

To illustrate the income inequality between rich and poor countries, consider these facts: about 1.75 billion people live in extreme deprivation in education, health, and standard of living; 1.44 billion people out of the developing world’s 6.9 billion people live on $1.25 per day; 2.6 billion people are estimated to be living on less than $2 a day. Multidimensional poverty varies by region from three percent in Europe and Central Asia to 65% in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Proverbs 10[15] The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty….Proverbs 13[18] Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honoured. …Psalm 37[25] I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

The Bible does not ask any to be contented with absolute poverty – a monster that administers the evil trilogy of killing, stealing and destruction … for the poor die slowly but surely, all their hopes are devoured and their joys and faintest aspirations shattered. Scriptures teaching contentment must refer to relative poverty and do not advocate acceptance of afflictions for which Christ already paid an expensive price for deliverance. Jesus may have appeared relatively poor, but to have followers and supporters (even if few or limited) – He could not by any measure be counted as amongst the absolutely impoverished.  He had all His needs met and confidently sent the one in need to the mouth of a fish where there was money waiting.  The righteous Savour had no need to beg any mortal being … it cannot therefore be Christ-like to beg in shameful apparel.

Luke 4[18]  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, [19]  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

The poor are not waiting for a treatise on the Trinity, nor do they need the fine details of Eschatology … they need a present friend that sticks closer than all their long departed brothers … to just bring hope and lift them out of their despair. Since many have never known relative poverty, divine principles of contentment only confuse them – for they will be exceedingly overjoyed if sure of safety from the most basic health hazards and immune from waterborne death in the streams from which they daily drink and have their baths.  The only gospel … the good news that they need is that their tomorrow will be better than today.

Absolute poverty, associated with shame and  death is in distinct opposition to glory … and God is referred to as the King of Glory.  God, the King of Glory is burdened for the poor that they are lifted up to a fulfilled life.  Poverty is not necessarily always associated with sin, just as sickness and bondage is not necessarily due to sin … but just as sickness and death are closely allied in scripture with evil, a nation immersed in absolute poverty is dark in many regards. Eighteen of the 20 poorest countries by GDP per capita are in Africa … not surprising given the famine and war that have racked the continent for the better part of the last four decades … but this was also referred to as the dark continent.  The poorest nation outside of the African continent, Haiti has been beset by natural disasters, poor health conditions, drought and famine.  Demonic oppression, corruption and spiritual bondage are very strongly linked to poverty – which is perhaps why the bible refers to it as the destruction of the impoverished in Proverbs 10:15 .

The true gospel is good news to the poor … this means it is both spiritual to conquer the demonic and practical to bring at least a sustainable basic decent life and end corruption that causes suffering amidst adequate resources .  This does not mean the poor only hear a prosperity message, but they need a ministration that includes a love that is enough in deed and in truth to cause a fellowship that empowers them to stop weeping after the church service.  Indeed 60% of the world’s poorest in Sub-Saharan Africa must be admitted into the greater reality that the worst poverty is still spiritual poverty – a life without Christ that ultimately will bring eternal shame arising from the folly of not receiving His salvation.  But the wisdom of knowing Christ and possessing the righteousness of Christ also disqualifies from a destiny of slow starvation.

Proverbs 3[35]  The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Let’s pause to consider the concept of relative poverty  … driven by a competitive market-driven frenzy of acquisition and self-improvement … always beckoning us to “keep up with the joneses”… and use the gospel as a social ladder … deluding us with a false state of frustration orchestrated by the clever demon called mammon.  In Christ we have assurance that our basic needs are met and we can receive grace to abound or to be thankful if we must go through extended periods of relative lack. The fear of relative poverty is not the fear of God but of mammon – the harbinger of the prosperity gospel causing us to hoard divine treasure … holding on to much more than God has intended as we squander resources on excess we now percieve to be basic comforts … or live in constant envy and anxiety seeking that which we do not have any benefit from.

Philippians 4[11]  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12]  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13]  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [14]  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. [15]  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. [16]  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. [17]  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. [18]  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. [19]  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

For an unselfish moment, do let us remember the absolutely poor in their warfare against deep spiritual and physical afflictions … battles we may not ever have encountered.  They do not have access to basic infrastructure like electricity, nor do they have the motivation or the education to read this blog.

Remember they are often too battered mentally to recognise the differences between a Mormon, Catholic … Protestant.  They are too vulnerable to discern the prosperity preacher from the deeper reformed theologian.  But they understand and relate to the good news of a Saviour, Jesus Christ who sacrificed His very own life so they can leave the category of beggars clothed with shame and now join those who have put on a new glorious righteousness purchased by the blood of Christ and in so doing – also delivered, never to beg again.

Deuteronomy 15 [11]  For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

God must observe as disobedient a culture or progress that promotes wide chasms between the rich and the needy.  The hand of the prospered is not to be cautiously opened but rather opened wide … to brethren and not just to the relatively poor around us but more and especially so to the vulnerable widow, orphan and afflicted destitute.

Ezekiel 33 [30] “As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’[31] “So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.[32] “Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.[33] “And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

God help us all to do and not just hear your word. Amen

It is the period for lists … more exactly I mean shopping and gift lists, as malls are crowded with people. Lists are necessary so we do not rely only on our memory for things that are important. Every item on a shopping list has a price, be it a mink coat, Ipad or a Christmas card – and may often require that we forgo something else to acquire that listed as important.

I have compiled my lists …these are thoughts, experiences and principles I would wish to be real in my life and never forget. I look at each list and items as having tagged prices all pleading for a different sacrifice from me … as I remember that Christmas is about Christ who paid for my salvation.

Romans 12 [12:1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Top Ten most Comforting Thoughts in the Bible

1. We are saved by faith in Christ and not by our works of righteousness
2. The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sins confessed to Him from which we repent
3. Death has no sting nor the grave any victory for the saint
4. God is faithful to supply all our needs according to His limitless riches
5. The mercy and love of God reaches to the heavens and unfathomable depths … none has ever stretched it to its limit.
6. Saints are safely kept in the palm of God’s hands … God looks after us.
7. Christ who has gone to prepare a home for His bride is soon coming back for His own.
8. God lays a table before us in the presence of our enemies …our cup overflows.
9. By the stripes on Jesus at the cross we already are healed … Divine health is already our portion
10. None of God’s children will be forsaken or have cause to beg

Top 7 most joyful experiences/narrations in The Bible

1. The conception of Sarah when the odds were completely against her bearing a heir for Abraham. God is faithful to do as He has promised you.
2. Jacob’s realisation that Joseph was still alive and well and prospering. Never say it is over.
3. The transformation of the mocked and barren Hannah to a mother of many. Wait on God
4. The marriage of Ruth – a hopeless Moabitess to the kinsman Boaz. Soon you will laugh.
5. The welcome of the returning Prodigal Son. You can return to Christ and receive a rousing welcome.
6. The woman at the tomb realises that Christ is risen … the tomb is empty. Jesus is alive
7. The rescue of Rahab the Prostitute from the annihilation of Jericho and admission into honour. Do not say God cannot use or rescue you.

Top 10 most attacked Principles in the Bible

1. God wants us to prosper only as our soul prospers … spiritual prosperity – a righteous walk comes first
2. The debtor is a servant to the lender. Escape the bondage of debt.
3. Many will profess doing great things in the name of Jesus … yet He will say I never knew you.
4. There is no greater virtue than knowing God … no higher calling or assignment than worshipping Him in Spirit and in Truth
5. We cannot serve both God and Mammon – we all love one and hate the other.
6. Without holiness … no man can see God.
7. God created us for His pleasure and not the other way round
8. The wages of sin is death
9. The best and worst are yet to come in God’s Eternity. Heaven and Hell are real.
10. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. God does not change.

It does take guts to go completely against the grain by encouraging those uniquely gifted to serve God … remaining single – without sounding like Mother Superior.

We forget, all too conveniently, that Christ was single as well as the most prolific of contributors to the New Testament, Apostle Paul.  I published a related article by Brother Gbile on a different Deliverance from Earthwardness . Abby writes to her daughter …

Daughter dearest,

I have not written in a while, you know a proper letter, fold the paper and put it in an envelope (matching envelope please) seal the envelope and place the stamp (correct postage ) in the right hand corner of the envelope (and not up-side-down), letter!  I like the world of instant, Blackberry messengers, facetime, twitter, and facebook …but a letter…this will be one of the many I will be writing…it is my pledge to you  (nay to myself).

I was at the grocery store today and on offer were instant oats in all varieties and flavours. I settled for the long cooking one, nothing like soaking the oats in water with a pinch of salt (the way your Nana taught me) and then on low heat, simmer, the smell, the warmth…and then poured into a bowl and sprinkled with cinnamon and brown sugar. It’s the preparation….

And now to your question, ‘Mother give me 5 reasons why I shou1d remain single?’ It’s the preparation

I remember the words of the old Diana Ross and the Supremes song ‘you cann’t hurry love, you just have to wait….’ I may not have 5 reasons but I do know, that you are beautiful, and a treasure and a gift, God’s gift…I know this, but do you know this, do you believe this…at this time of your life you are being divinely prepared, all that you are and even going through is preparing you for LIFE…whether as a single young Lady or a married one

Are you enjoying the preparation or enduring you…are you being the best you? You for your Lord and You for yourself. Your singleness is a gift….a wonderful gift of God’s grace…a time for you to know You, discover you, love you…..and don’t get me wrong I am not saying that you cannot be YOU in a relationship, but so many women go into a relationship looking for the other person to ‘define’ them. I long for you Child to embrace your singleness and for the Lord’s Glory to come through… in every area, the vocation you chose, your creativity, in play and recreation, even in the hard places of life.

Another November, for it was in November my husband died and I too died, died to my ideal life but then came alive again … .and I went on ‘exeat’ to Chelsea yesterday. Popping into my favourite shops, the shop windows are such a delight, not shopping ( I lie, I did buy one or two things)  just browsing on Kings Road, hopping on the bus at the Duke of York Square  and off again, I treated myself to a cuppa (chai latte with soya milk extra hot and a sprinkling of cinnamon), I bought myself lunch at the Stockpot and I wondered if ‘Johnny English’ was showing yet at the Odeon for I will come and see it alone and laugh alone!!!!! I wondered in Anthropologie bought some soap and browsed through some books, a title grabbed me ‘the Happiness project’ hmmm wonder what that is about? In the middle of musings and browsing it occurred to me I have been a single woman for 15 years; having been previously married for 17 years. Almost half and half, can I honestly look at my 17 years of being married and claim they were better that the 15 years of being single….NO, not better, both gifts…it was Elizabeth Elliot through her writing, (some of the books are no longer in print) books like ‘Loneliness’ ‘Let me be Woman’ that I discovered (funny I read most of her books when I was married, that ‘singleness is a gift’…. and daughter dearest I pray you will fully live, embrace and appreciate your ‘gift’

With all my love always

Mum

(this letter was first posted to http://www.milkandhoneymedia.co.uk/5-reasons-you-should-stay-single/ and is written by Abby Olufeyimi . Abby is the Parish Pastor of Builder’s House (The Redeemed Christian Church of God), a church plant and community outreach of Jesus House (RCCG), England)

“O that my heart was pre-conditioned to seek Thy face!  O that my reins would evermore long for Thy presence!  O that my mind, my thoughts and imaginations are perpetually fixed on Thee! And my words, my deed, my daily traffic, all completely centred on You.” Prayer by Brother Gbile Akanni.

Enjoy related video by John Piper …

John Piper interview from women's katoomba convention from kcc on Vimeo.

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 39:27) 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.

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.

Anyway, cakes were on my mind and I was smiling. Then I began to think of the trouble it goes through to become this thing that I see and seemingly fills me with joy. The thought of what the cake goes through to become what I like amazes me. The journey of cakes is interesting because before it gets baked, you don’t even want to taste it; it doesn’t look anything like what it will become. For some cakes, even after they are baked, they still are a far cry from what is presented at the event for which it was made. Indeed, the grander the event is where the cake will be presented, the worse the experience of the cake. Various ingredients are added to the flour and as each gets added, the cake goes through an experience because it has to be properly mixed. The mixing experience is no better even when the mixer is a machine.

The baker also has to be careful. He is required to pay attention to every detail so that the cake comes out just as it should. A little more of one ingredient than necessary may create another kind of cake. It has to be the right ingredients in the right quantities and at the right time. From one cake to the other, quantities and ingredients are different. Finally, the mix is ready and it goes into an oven for baking and at the right temperature. There is no cake without the mix getting in the heat. If the heat is too much, it burns the cake; if it is too low, mix becomes something else.

You would think that is where it ends but when it comes out, it has to be tidied again. Rough edges have to be trimmed to make it look nice and then if it is going to a real grand event, it needs to be iced beautifully. Icing is another experience altogether for the cake. Then as they say ‘voila’ cake is ready. It gets to the event and gets pride of place. It is absolutely on display. It displays the skill and craftsmanship of the maker.

I then realized that the story of our lives as Christians is just like the journey of the cake. When God is done, we put on display; displaying the manifold wisdom and craftsmanship of our God. We are like the cake in a grand event, on display and taking pride of place wherever we are. We are a city set on a hill and covered with the glory of the one who made us. What people see when they look at us is greatness of our maker.

Right now you may not be the finished cake ready for eating; you may be getting mixed or even in the oven and people are wondering what is going on. Take heart, it is because they don’t know what you will become. It is not their fault either; God has not revealed it to them. Only those that know about baking will understand what is going on and will begin to see the end even from the beginning.

What you are now, does not almost describe where you will end up or what you will become. The master baker Himself is at work. He is very skilled and has never produced terrible cakes. He always completes all his baking; never leaves any half baked. I can say confidently that He is good at what he does.

This is not the kind of famine that kills everybody or flushes everybody out. This kind of famine simply brings a spate of suffering . . . a difficult but endurable hardship allowed of God to test the faithfulness of God’s man, especially those whom He is considering for glory and leadership. He sends this kind of famine to find out who will hold on to God’s promise, stay put and be true to God’s commandments in the face of hardship or who will leave in search of relief, comfort and convenience outside of the will of God.

And it comes to all of God’s people in one shade or the other. There was a famine in the days of Abraham, there was another famine in the days of his son Isaac and there was yet another famine in the days of his grandson Jacob. All three encountered their different season of suffering, hardship and difficulty and all three responded differently. This period of suffering or hardship you are going through is not strange neither are you strange for going through it. It’s your own time of famine and how you respond determines your future.

Concurrently, in the time of these famines, God normally allows for there to be food, pleasures and convenience in a nearby land of disobedience. When this kind of famine comes to Israel, there’s always corn in a nearby Moab or Egypt. In order to be a real test of individual faithfulness, God never fails to leave a “tree of good and evil” within reach of his beloved man that is only made “out of boundaries” by clear instructions and commandments. Elimelech decided to take the easy way out, so he packed his bags and baggage, picked up his wife and two boys and headed out for the country of Moab.

This decision not to endure the famine was borne out of an individual’s response to endurable hardship; a selfish, self-seeking expedition. “I’m checking out, whatever happens to everyone left behind is their business, this is my chance to escape and have a breath of fresh air!”

Whatever be the cause of the famine, either of national punishment for forsaking the Lord or just the normal seasonal and cyclic phases of famine and plenty, it never lasts forever. God will soon visit His people in sending them Bread. God never punishes His people to the extent of extinction, he never forgets to remember mercy! If we endure and walk with the Lord, we will still prosper in the land though it be a time of famine.

So, there was a Boaz!, a near kinsman, a contemporary . . . . who remained behind in God’s Bethlehem Juda. He endured the hardship, “roughed the suffering” and continued planting in famine. The result? He became “a mighty man of wealth” in the same land from where Elimelech ran.

The decision to run was personal, it was individual even though he could have been influenced. It was “a certain man” that went to sojourn, it was “he” and “his” wife and “his” two sons. It was his decision. It is a man that takes the decisions for the family, it is a man that takes the lead, it is a man that determines the future and destiny of his household. That is usually the case, that is the way God ordained it.

Unfortunately, it is never “he” alone that bears the repercussion of “his” decision. Many times, his wife, his sons, his posterity . . . . all partake of the fruit of a man’s wrong decision or indecision. In the end, Elimelech lost it all . . . his life, his two sons – his two opportunities of perpetuating his lineage and becoming famous in Israel. Only his wife escaped the cataclysm and returned to tell the tale of woe.

I don’t think you should take that journey! Whatever it is, if it is in response to a sense of being squeezed and choked by economic hardship or some other environmental hardship. I don’t think you should change your job, if it is only for greener pastures sake! I don’t think you should pack out of your husband’s house or abscond and leave the household simply because some pressure have come to which you have no answer.  I don’t think it will augur well in the end, if you leave the man of God you were posted to serve under while waiting for when the Lord will visit you. Don’t leave that Church, no matter the hostility of the Pastor!  Don’t leave your duty post because there’s a famine!
Famines are short-lived, it will soon be over. God will soon visit you and send you corn and wine and you will eventually dip your foot in butter! Think of tomorrow, think of posterity, think of your testimony!

(By Gbile Akanni – Originally posted in www. Livingseed.org  ”An Individual response to hardship”)

Beloved of God, stop, think and pray! Things  are about to change. The Recession will soon be over.  it will soon be over.

Sam Kputu

‘’As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God…But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice…’’ @ 2Timothy 4:6; Phil.2:17, NLT

A guy penned this note to his sweetheart: ‘’Darling, I love you so much and I’m often short of words to express my heart to you. Life without you is like a sea without water, or like a pen without ink. For you, I can brave the waves of the sea, run through blazing flames; what will I not do for the love of you? I will see you tomorrow, if it does not rain…’’

Does that sound funny and ridiculous? Perhaps; but it sounds pretty much like a ‘love note’ from many a believer to God. We write and sing many songs in praise of God and in celebration of our love for Him; we write many poems, posters and even books in expression of our love for God. But all that shows up as mere sentiments when the real test of love comes.

What is the true test of love? The Bible teaches two ways by which God’s love and our love for God and His people is manifest: OBEDIENCE and SACRIFICE:

1.OBEDIENCE: ‘’Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me…Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn’t difficult’’ @ John 14:21; 1John 5:3

2.SACRIFICE: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son… We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help -how can God’s love be in that person?’’ @John 3:16; 1John 3:16-17, NLT

We live in an age of caution. The world teaches us to take care, avoid risks, and insure everything: your life, your cat, your cell phone and even your false tooth. And whereas one is not advocating irresponsible living, we must reckon with the fact that, when it comes to our journey with God, our love for God, and faith in Him, demands complete abandonment; and that is risky. And it runs contrary to worldly wisdom that advocates a well-packaged and secured life. God demands that our lives be poured out life as an offering and a living sacrifice to Him.  How do we identify a life poured out to God?

A poured out life is lived in complete abandonment to God and His purpose. A poured out life is uncontainable; it goes wherever He leads and sends.  A poured out life is contagious; it brings God’s impact upon men and communities

How much of our lives are we willing to let God have? How far are we willing to go in the service of the Lord and the brethren? When do we get to tell the Lord, it is enough?  Do not seek to PACKAGE your life; POUR IT OUT to the Lord and watch your life grow in meaning and impact.

‘’If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life…’’ @ Matthew 16:26-27, NLT

The writer, buti Sam KPUTU is your brother. He has a passion for the Lord, His word and His world. His desire is to see God’s word’s taught simply, believed entirely, lived practically and shared powerfully by God’s people to as many in God’s world that are yet without the basic truth of the word.

God bless you!

Begin by thanking God for His goodness and kindness. All things are possible to you, if you believe.  Confess your sins, ask for forgiveness, forsake the old ways and your past sins and ask for the impossible things in your life. Receive grace to make needed corrections. And believe in JESUS name!

I summarise below five suggested prayer points linked to current themes.

1.  Middle-East: Let the Holy all consuming fire of God stop every other strange fire from erupting in more riots and chaos.  Let the true fire of heaven lick up every fire that burns to entrench more darkness, stop revival and the spread of the gospel.  Amen

Judges 15[6]  Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.

I Kings 18[38]  Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

The Philistines would rather see their own burnt than be the bride of Samson.

The prophets of Baal knew how to send strange fires on the earth but this time in the presence of Elijah they could not.  The fire of God when it came down…licked up everything on its path.

2.  Election/Leadership Transitions: Lord frustrate every insincere political alliance that will bring hardship to the people with a curse of heaven, that the people may rejoice under new leaders. Amen

Judges 9 [19]  If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: [20]  But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

Abimelech (son of a concubine) sourced funds from Baal and hired vain persons from Shechem and Milo to kill all the sons of Gideon except one that hid himself so he would emerge as leader.  A curse was pronounced on the insincerity of his murderous and greedy rule.  Later we see this alliance culminating in mutual destruction.

3.  Revival : Lord, you had enough mercy and grace to spare Nineveh – a people with no pastors, churches, meetings, prophets or even any prayer intercession, Send revival that will revisit the nations,homes, neighbourhoods and your church – exposing oppression, pride, corruption, secret defeats, vices, ambitions and error ; a revival that will reach far into the uttermost corners of Korea, Middle East, Japan and China.  Lord spare us! Just as you spared Nineveh and ushered revival. Amen

Jonah 4[11]  And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

4.  Comfort for the Hurting: Holy Spirit…you are the promised Comforter.  Come and calm and comfort the hurting and the pained all over the world (shaken with earthquakes and turmoil) as mortal men cannot.  Give us the Comforter. Amen

John 14[16]  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17]  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

5.  Let there be Light: Lord, your children are engulfed in strong deceptions and darkness once again seems to have covered much of the earth. Because of mercy, send your light and separate the dark and evil from the pure and true…let the distinctions be clear and unambiguous and make us children of your light.  Darkness could not stop your separation. Do it again.  Amen

Genesis1[1]  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [2]  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. [3]  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  [4]  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. (Amp)

May God answer our prayers and let our cries be acceptable and find His favour at His throne room of grace and mercy.  In Jesus Name we pray. Amen

Also pray for the author and this blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4UjmmFToJk

Matthew 5:10  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

New Testament Christians embraced persecutions. Persecution was the expected thing.  You cannot see in the New Testament where they hated being persecuted.  In fact they rejoiced that they were worthy to be persecuted for the Lord Jesus.  Indeed, the Lord told them they would be persecuted for His sake.  Something has gone terribly wrong with our pleasure-loving, crowd-loving, fun-chasing, persecution-hating, modern day Christianity.

We have become spineless and thus ineffective.  The gospel is meant to be confrontational.  They confronted people with their sins and with standards of God. Matthew 5:10.  Most of us abhor being persecuted.  Those who are persecuted for righteousness sake are blessed.  In these days, when sermons must not be hard but alluring, when salvation is offered to all by just repeating a prayer, sermons on repentance, hell, day of judgement must be seen as out-of-date or old fashioned.

Today, sermons are cunningly crafted not to offend anybody.  We do not want to offend our clients and customers.  Instead, we want to retain them.  The Church has been so subtly led astray that we hardly notice that Jesus said we are blessed when persecuted for righteousness sake. This blessing-crazy will not go near this brand of blessing. Why were we to see persecution for righteousness sake as a blessing?  Because great is our reward in heaven.  The result of such persecution is the accumulation of credit for us in heaven.  God cannot leave Himself without a witness.  God is calling for men and women who will contest for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.  God is looking for men and women who will refuse to compromise, men and women who will not dialogue or hold peace conferences with the enemy.

Our minds should be made up to stand with Jesus Christ in this critical hour.  We will not vacillate. It is too late.  We are hooked into Christ for all eternity.  We are neither in a popularity contest nor to be caught by the materialism flu.  We want to so stand with Christ that we will make the devil mad.  O God, take us to the place where our brand of Christianity, our loyalty to Christ enrages the devil.

Jesus preached and the people picked stones to stone Him. Stephen preached and they donated a hail of stones that sent him to heaven immediately…King Jesus stood up to receive him.  Brethren, eternity is so long.  Our 70 years on earth is so short – not up to one-billionth of eternity.  But how we spend the 70 years will determine what we get in eternity.  How foolish of us to think that the earthly things we acquire here: houses, cars, companies, titles, money, influence are the real thing.  We must be mad to measure success in such mundane, ephemeral, temporary accumulations and pursuits.  Would it not be wise to spend the 70 years with eternity in view in the company of the persecuted but blessed?  2 Corinthians 6:4-10; Hebrews 5:5-9; 1 Peter 2:7-9, 1 Peter 4:12-16.

It is not about me

The Gospel is not about me.  It is about God.  The work I am doing for God is not about me, it is about God.  The challenges I am facing are not about me, they are about God.  The things heaven wants to accomplish are not about me they are about God.  The opposition rising up against me is not about me, they are about God.  The hosts of hell and their human agents rising in fury are not about me, they are about God.   God has chosen His style and God is always right.  He may wait until I am pressed to the wall or squeezed like a tube of paste, but God will always come through.  God waited until Moses was faced with a dilemma.  The Red Sea was in front, mountains on the side and Pharaoh’s army at the back.  There was nowhere to run.  I say it is not about me, it is about God. Joseph was squeezed and re-squeezed.  From being a pet son, he was sold into slavery to prison.  It was a double squeeze lasting 13 years still he came through.  God will always come through.

Imagine the Lord Jesus telling the disciples to give the multitude food.  Where will they get the food to buy to feed such a multitude?  The Lord knew what He would do. He came through for them.  He will come through for me and for you.  It is not about you or me, it is about God.

Enlarge your tent

Enlarge your vision. Enlarge the area you want to cover for God.  Enlarge your influence for God.  It is too small if it is for God. It is not about you, it is about God.  You see so many opportunities pass you by. You see so many things you could do for Him but you seem hindered, you seem incapable.  Remember it is not about you, it is about God. Why should I enlarge my tent when I have not even filled the tent? It is too big for you; it is too small for God. It is not about you, it is about God.

Enlarge your prayer.  Ask for greater things from God. Ephesians 3:19-20.  Ask for greater things …if He intends that you should be filled with all the fullness of God, you should come to the fullness of the stature of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13). Why should you squeeze God into your tent? It is too small for God.  Throw yourself into the box of God where you can have space to swim.  You are in God’s team where you can do impossibilities.  Do not squeeze God into a box.  It is not about you, it is about God.

Enlarge your vision.  Enlarge your confession.  Enlarge your expectation of God.  Enlarge the result you are expecting to get of converts, of miracles, of answered prayer.  It is not about you, it is about God.  There are so many prophecies, things that have to be fulfilled before the rapture.  The whole creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.

It is not my fault that I am alive at a time like this.  It is a privilege for me and too bad for the devil. The word of God must come to pass.  Satan and his forces must be defeated.  That is the word of the Lord.  It is not about me, it is about God.  God must win and win gloriously. I am in God’s team.  I can boast.  I can be jubilant, we shall win.

All the dust that Satan is raising will not scare me.  I can see beyond his threatening. He is born to lose.  I am in the best hour of the Church age.  The end of all things has come.  I am on the right side. It is not about me.  It is about God.

Rise and shine for God when darkness has covered the earth and gross darkness the people. Isaiah 60:1-2

God bless you…for more on Persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria .

Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye preached this message at RCCG Covenant House  April11, 2010.

Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye, Chairman – Northern States (of Nigeria) Christian Elders Forum  – NOSCEF, oversees the Food for the Total Man Ministry – The Jesus Embassy : 3, Broadcasting Road, P.O.Box 5127, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Rev. John Wagner

Rev. John Wagner (click picture to listen to message) shares some realities that can bring us out of our gloomiest periods. 

Genesis 42[36]  And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children : Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away : all these things are against me. 

 Romans 8[26]  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27]  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. [28]  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. … [31]  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

Jacob was deceived and so often are we in times of greatest elation but even more so in periods of grief. Jacob assumed the worst was coming and so have you in view of apparent mishaps, delays and disappointments.  Like Jacob, you conclude wrongly that God is repaying you evil for all the mischief of early years.  Jacob thought he had lost Joseph and was about to lose more of his children. But is God struggling to fulfil His promises made at Luz in the land of Canaan when He said in Genesis 35 [11]  And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; 

Paul in similar discomfort said the exact opposite … calling his challenges “these things” because he saw realities which Jacob could not see as clearly.  Jacob was not thinking nor responding right. Your pessimism can be helped with the following truths. 

1. Gloom blinds us to the present blessings of God and forgets what God had done in the past. We focus on the problem and do not see present blessings and answers to prayers. Pessimism exaggerates problems and imagines none has overcome in similar situations.  We blame one another and those nearest to us.  In reality we are deceived and all are working for us.
2. God has not left us alone and knows us well and helps our many weaknesses, frailties and infirmities.  Our walk, prayers and best devotions are plagued with infirmities known well to God…and we are not left alone without assistance. We have comfort and help in the Holy Spirit and God’s ministering angels.
3. God’s purpose will not be frustrated.  Ours often must be.  The blueprint of God is going according to plan…your blueprint is not. Do well to remind yourself that you are not God and God is right on target and has not missed one beat.
4. God is for us and therefore we will not be defeated and cannot experience frustration.  Satan is frustrated over you and your children.  Satan knows you and your family are coming out of bondage.  In Christ we can sing “…my sin not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more – praise the Lord O my soul..It is well.”
5. God will give us all that we ever need freely. If He did not spare Jesus His son in the hands of wicked men to get us…then would He not freely give us all things to be objects of His glory and love. What He does not give is what we do not need. His greatest acts of mercy are in His holding back the things we long the most for. 
6. God will defend us against all the accusations of hell.  He justifies us with His righteousness and finds no case against us – Christ having answered every case with His blood.  God will never condemn us because Christ has already been judged for us. 
7. There is no time when God will stop loving you…who can separate us from the love of God? Nothing created can. You think you are not so lovable unlike others … but God will never stop loving you.  God cannot help Himself but love us if we are in Christ Jesus.  Everything He does is because He loves you and working out His plans to fruition. 

Jacob assumed all was lost concerning him and his children… but he was so wrong.  His son was a prince…a governor… Jacob could not believe it.    

Genesis 45 [26]  And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.   

Get ready for a pleasant surprise concerning your sons and daughters… indeed in areas you have become pessimistic – and now expecting the worst.   

God bless you.
   

Bode   

Nigeria should be divided into two nations to avoid further bloodshed between Muslims and Christians, said Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, according to a BBC report. He made this call in a speech to students, where he praised the example of India and Pakistan in 1947 saying the “partition saved the lives of millions of Hindus and Muslims.” According to the Libyan leader, splitting Nigeria “would stop the bloodshed and burning of places of worship,” Jana, the Libyan news agency quoted him as saying.

 I Kings 3 [25] And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. [26] Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it.

The harlot woke up one day after a long night of adventures we do not want to hear about to discover something unusual. The baby in her arms did not look so healthy…the skin was pale and there was no reaction to any cuddling or pinching … only the infant just staring at the ceiling.  She had not fed her baby with milk for over a day and had overslept in the usual drunken stupor – this time she was not awakened by the normal cries for deserved attention from a mother.  And then suddenly this woman screamed seeing the baby was too still … dead.

This was not the promise that was made to her.  Her baby was to grow to become great, a source of joy and inspiration.  Indeed she knew and always believed strongly she held a star in her arms and would one day repent her wicked ways. Then as she cleaned the tears from her face she looked again to observe the tiny stiff open hands. The birth mark of greatness was no more on the tiny finger. She called to her silent friend, busy nursing her own baby, who shared the room and her eyes immediately caught the mark she had told no one about. In the arms of another she saw her star alive looking somewhat puzzled as though uncertain of the future.

Her trusted neighbour and friend had, in her drunken and careless moments, seized her baby and replaced her dream with a corpse. Now her trusted friend held firmly to her child…her dream…her star…stolen from her.

The case was taken to the Palace of the Judge.  As the different perspectives were presented a voice came saying “Divide the child…and give half to each…”  But the true mother could only see the bloodshed, the continued defenceless struggles, the endless battles and the final whimper as her star was eventually silenced by the axe. Then she screamed as one waking from a nightmare “O my Lord. Give her the living child.”  She would rather volunteer a poverty of spirit and pleasure than consider the snuffing out of her dreams. Without her dream alive she would lose all peace and would have elected for herself a greater sorrow and perpetual anguish. Perhaps someday she would have the opportunity to bring her case forward again before the Lord who surely lives. She accepts to be today’s loser and shuddered as she imagined her future star …nurtured in the cold arms of a thief…but then who can pull down a true star?  Who can stop the ordained will of the King of kings who reigns for ever. 

Then she hears the voice again as her Redeemer looked at her..I Kings 3[27] Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.

Today, her star is now back safe and protected by the justice of God … and growing to be what God has promised.  Meanwhile she has stopped her harlotry and drunkenness … her Redeemer will truly henceforth be her first husband.  Her joy is now full. The story has a blissful ending … finally her dreams come true even as  “ … kings, princes and princesses come out of her loins.”

Her baby is her nation. Do not be quick to judge her and disdain her experience …

I know my Redeemer lives and reigns forever.

Bode