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.

Having the right attitudes to money and a stewardship mindset is important for financial success.  The Bible contains a lot of wisdom related to this.  Recently it was reported in Time (Moneyland) that the Charles Schwab 2011 Teens & Money Survey (Please download survey PDF report) suggested, if only in some small way, the recession may have changed attitudes and knowledge about money management in young people who experienced recession in one way or another. Attitudes are more positive and constructive than it was prior to the Recession.

Highlights from the data, from the online survey of 1,132 American teens between ages of 16-18:

• “93% say their family was impacted by the recession
• “64% say they are more grateful now for what they have.”
• “58% say they are less likely to ask for things they want.”
• “73% say it’s important to have enough emergency savings in case times get tough.”
• “77% describe themselves as “super savers,” and only 23% say they’re “big spenders.”

Psalm 119[67]  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

There are consequences for doing things our way, this includes entering cycles of loss and ultimately the demise of all hope as crashes produce anger and more rebellion – even while grace still cries out that there is a way back.   We can still find our path back to God, the Owner, who is ever seeking good stewards.  A few more words to reiterate on stewardship.

1.God supplies our needs and will not have us hungry.  He does not supply our carnal wants or wasteful excesses.

2.Covetousness is trying to be someone God has not gifted us to be and without the grace and abilities.  This produces bitterness and anguish of spirit and much zeal without knowledge.

3.Remember, we do not own the gifts and wealth but we can have power with God to make wealth.  God does not seek our permission to give or take that which belongs to Him.  There are direct unfortunate consequences for seeking independence from God in managing His resources rather than depending on Him.

I will have you attempt solving the following puzzle.  Three frogs were lounging on a fence facing a pond. Then suddenly there appeared a big fat insect. As the three frogs watched it strut towards the pond, one of them decided to jump down and go after it. Now, how many frogs were left on the fence?

Was your answer 2, 3, 1 or none? The correct answer is three.  There were three left. One only decided to jump but he did not. It is not enough for you to decide to be blessed you need to act.

It is our doing and obedience that saves us and not our decisions. Doing is always costly and often painful. Perhaps the lessons from this Recession will lead to more than decisions.

Count yourself blessed O stricken and afflicted.  I have encountered few who justified continued sin in their lives even with scriptures (as is common today) until mercifully struck down with financial or moral crisis and they found grace to cry and return to God for help.  It was easier to appreciate the gravity of misdeeds before God and seek repentance. Today, they have corrected many ethical situations that previously plagued their finances, marriage and life in general. Crisis (though not the preferred instructor we wish God to appoint) also teaches vital disciplines of prayer, humility and obedience that are not as well assimilated in today’s user-driven word environment.  Perhaps if we surveyed this aspect of the impact of the Recession, we may be able to establish improvements in our devotional life and like David also say…

Psalm 119 [71]  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

The Recession that did the most good was the affliction of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary that we might be saved and receive eternal life… Surrender your life to Him.

Now you are better armed to manage the windfall soon coming your way.

(Originally published in The Christian Post)

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.

Philippians 4:12   [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.

There are many who know “how to be abased” who have not learned “how to abound.” When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian far oftener disgraces his profession in prosperity than in adversity. It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the fining-pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God! Yet this is not a matter of necessity, for the apostle tells us that he knew how to abound. When he had much he knew how to use it. Abundant grace enabled him to bear abundant prosperity. When he had a full sail he was loaded with much ballast, and so floated safely. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming cup of mortal joy with a steady hand, yet Paul had learned that skill, for he declares, “In all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry.” It is a divine lesson to know how to be full, for the Israelites were full once, but while the flesh was yet in their mouth, the wrath of God came upon them.

Many have asked for mercies that they might satisfy their own hearts’ lust. Fullness of bread has often made fullness of blood, and that has brought on wantonness of spirit. When we have much of God’s providential mercies, it often happens that we have but little of God’s grace, and little gratitude for the bounties we have received. We are full and we forget God: satisfied with earth, we are content to do without heaven.

Rest assured it is harder to know how to be full than it is to know how to be hungry–so desperate is the tendency of human nature to pride and forgetfulness of God. Take care that you ask in your prayers that God would teach you “how to be full.”

” Let not the gifts Thy love bestows estrange our hearts from Thee.”  As the sound of abundance of rain is heard again, this time I am making a decision by the grace of God to be a better witness and make better use of the opportunity to create a more conducive discipling environment for God to use as He pleases.

It is well…begin to prosper again.  Amen

The outlook is positive though fears of a future dip again into recession still persist and though companies are richer than in prior years – they will not be spending as generously as they used to.  The best tips for success could be as follows:

1. Know/perfect what you are good at and remain in your area of strength – find where you excel/add value to others (where you can differentiate your product offering) and have developed cost advantages and continue to compete based on a lower cost excellent value strategy … moderation will remain the king of values in 2011. Frills will not sell.
2. Stock prices are coming up … but these are yet to be proven as sustainable jumps.  Look beyond the numbers to understand why prices are coming up.  Well run companies with nimble structures that understand how to flex their costs to adjust to seasons are probably going to be winners.  Spot and stick to the winners and invest prudently.  Use simple investment plans you understand with a low-risk grow-rich-slowly vision.
3. Many still project that real estate prices will still go further down before they rebound again. If you have spare cash you will not need in the medium term…it may be a good time to get an excellent deal on Real estate but be careful and get professional help.  Do not borrow to purchase real-estate …though banks will be more generous to target good credit customers.
4. Online web-based creativity will continue to be rewarded although more charlatans will flock to this arena. Increase in expendable income will push a lot of expenditure into this space.  This is a no-brainer…web-based services are cheap and positioned for the mass-market with little barriers to entry and almost limitless reach even as infrastructure for the internet continues to improve globally.  The greatest gains in 2011 will perhaps be in this sector as a new army of internet entrepreneur warriors emerge.
5. Maintain personal prudence –i.e.  Putting off purchases, eschew debt, save more…and watch your eating and physical habits to enhance health.  Spend much less than you earn.  Consolidate new financial habits and disciplines you imbibed in 2010…such as using a financial worksheet to project and plan expenditures and track net worth movements over the short/medium term.

Following are some of my favourite finance scriptures for meditation and some balance …so please be prayerful and watchful.

Psalm 37[16]  A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

Deuterenomy 28[12]  The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Ecclesiastes 5[12]  The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. [13]  There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely , riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

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About Olabode Ososami

Bode Ososami has pastored and faithfully declared the gospel of Christ at the Redeemed Christian Church God (RCCG) , Lagos, Nigeria for ten years. Recently he has published 2 books – Worship in Spirit and in Truth and Wealth out of Ashes. Wealth out of Ashes was recently recognised for a finalist award by USA BookNews (2009 National Awards) in the Christian Inspiration Category. Bode is married to Bimbo Ososami and they have three sons Adedolapo, Tosin and Mayowa.  His labour to comfort and feed the people of Christ has resulted in a copious amount of articles and posted materials now available and updated regularly at www.recessionproofchristianlife.com and The Christian Post Blog. Bode hosted a TV Bible study which aired on (ACBN) African Christian Broadcasting Network at 7.00hrs GMT Sunday. His theological background is from The Redeemed Christian Bible College & Schools and the Redeemed Christian Church of God – School of Disciples.  He has a Bsc in Chemical Engineering and is also a Chartered (certified) Accountant. He retired several years ago to be fully in ministry after over 20yrs experience as Director in a leading global management consultancy.  To God be the glory.

Sin will conquer great military generals and presidents with fear, hatred, anger and ambition as they go pursuing conquests that only lead them to a Christ-less eternity.  Other mighty generals, fine brilliant officers and political leaders will be conquered by women or worse teenage boys  … sent speedily to hell.  Others considered by many as great will so routinely be conquered by alcohol consumption and drugs …these being their specially assigned slave masters.

Sin has no regard for anyone.  Sin is smarter than the most intelligent professor or scientist and wiser than our wisest and most brilliant men and women. The great commanders and builders of mighty empires have been known to succumb so easily.  Celebrities acclaimed worldwide did not stand a chance when faced by sin – conquered by lusts for shoes, handbags and clothes.  Medical doctors have been conquered by smoking;  business men so easily defeated by greed and strife.  Satan has his prisoners of war.  He conquers by fair words and friendship and an array of pleasant baits.  Our pleasure is its primary and chief target.

Some celebrities – so talented and gifted – yet easily conquered by sex, alcohol, drugs and other sources of momentary pleasure.  Others are defeated by fashion and a decadent culture…so many chained by vanity.  Great minds and academics are slain so easily…as they loose all their wisdom to its baits. Others have fallen to pride.   Even great business and academic consultants and thought leaders are not spared.  On the issue of sin, they must seek consultation to survive its audacious attacks.  Sin is not afraid of the church…indeed it loves to invade the church.  The church is the only place with the cure for sin through our Lord Jesus – yet sin is bold to ravage the church…dragging millions to hell.  It is as comfortable on the pulpit as in the darkest coven…it fears no bishop, senior pastor or prayer leader.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a sect that was very strict.  He was a ruler of the Jews, the special people of God.  Yet he knew he was caught in the web of sin.  He prayed long prayers, gave money to the poor…yet still captured by sin.  Nicodemus ran to Jesus…the only one who can address sin.

Bishops, pastors, evangelists are not exempted.  Sin does not respect titles or accolades…be it an archbishop or a pope or a Church Leader… large denominations, small and mega-churches do not scare him.  All these mean nothing to sin.   There are specially fashioned baits for them.

John 3[3]  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4]  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? [5]  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus offers a heart transplant.  All who desire to be free from the clutches of sin must come to Jesus. He would remove the nature that loves to sin and plant His own nature.  Romans 3:23 declares that all have been conquered by sin, but the gift of God is eternal life…and the wages of sin is death.

Death means a separation from God – a Christ-less eternity in hell… a future of unimaginable horror.  The best news is that salvation is free…why don’t you swallow your pride and acknowledge your sin that imprisons you and accept that you cannot save yourself.  Call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save you and He will, no matter how long you have been captured.  You could have committed murder, or be involved in the occult.  Jesus will still receive and deliver you.

The Lord Jesus took captivity captive and set the captives free.  He captured Satan; He not only set us free from Satan’s clutches but also makes us family members, brothers and sisters of the Prince of Peace.  Jesus does not conquer us by force but by love and our voluntary surrender.  We are promoted to heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.  It is not the will of God that the recession or the best of times should cause you to perish but that you be saved.  May God have mercy on us all. Do pray this prayer if you will.

Heavenly Father, have mercy on me.  I have been enslaved by sin.  I believe your Son Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary, shed His precious blood so that my sins can be forgiven.  I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.  Thank you for saving me in Jesus Name. Amen.

Bode Ososami releases his 3rd book in early December –The Majesty of God.This book delves into the glory of God and takes a glimpse into the majestic throne room to reveal a greatness that is often misrepresented due to limitation of words to describe the indescribable or completely obscured by deliberate attempts to introduce God as the old comical wise man high up somewhere – weary, exhausted and increasingly outwitted by the modern mind.

Matthew Owojaiye who co-authored this article is 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.

(Originally published in The Christian Post)

God bless you…Also enjoy this message on ” Making Disciples” by Gbile Akanni

Paternity testing was the goal of a recent court case involving a former partner of Tiger Woods. The case was handled by a Florida judge who dismissed a paternity case filed against Tiger Woods by Devon James. The adult movie actress, whose real name is Melinda Brinling, alleged that Tiger Woods was the father of her 9 year old son Austin after reportedly having a relationship with the professional golfer sometime in 2001.

Woods grew up a child prodigy, introduced to golf before the age of two, by his athletic father Earl, who was a good standard amateur golfer and one of the earliest Negro college baseball players at Kansas State University. Earl Woods (Tiger’s father) was born in Manhattan, Kansas, some 125 miles west of Kansas City. Earl’s father Miles had five children by his first wife Viola, and six (of whom Earl was the youngest) by his second.

Three generations of broken homes suggest a pattern playing in the life of the star golfer. Where do these patterns originate and how are they broken? What has this got to do with “Altars” – a place of sacrifice?

Genesis 8[20] And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. [21] And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.

Genesis 12[7] And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

The early patriarchs were always building altars to the Lord at strategic points recognising that a greater covenant always had to subdue the older. We also note that the early fathers were from wicked heathen backgrounds. Every life has an altar already built speaking and enforcing certain covenants and behaviours …many of which are powerfully irresistible and negative. When we surrender to Jesus we break up with these past altars and their powers have no dominion over us. However, our prayer and devotional life is a new and living spiritual altar that must always be kept burning with sacrifices of praise and selfless service and obedience to God. Indeed we become living sacrifices.

Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean, but it will be cold. The Prayer Room is the boiler room for its spiritual life. –Leonard Ravenhill.

If the spiritual altar in Christ Jesus by His blood – is not kept burning … we are not just carnal but old powerful parental altars established in previous generations unknown to us can begin to speak again. This was why Christ always warned the delivered and healed sinner to be watchful and sin no more as carelessness was invitation for great trouble. The commandments to pray without ceasing, never to look back and not permit spiritual cracks in our armour is not a call to fanaticism but requirements for spiritual survival. We should also not be quick to compare our spiritual journey and battles with another’s because we do not understand the altars they deal with. When we see brethren backslide or fall into disrepute we are often quick to judge actions and speak ill of them as weak rather than overpowered … in need of help for God’s altar to be rebuilt and reignited by His Spirit.

Gideon we also see had to pull down his father’s altar before he could move forward – many also need to do this. Judges 6[27] Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night. [28] And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.

In times of Recession, negative financial patterns leading to stagnation, suicide and depression may not always be due to suspected visible factors but to powerful altars in our past.

Elijah knew what to do (I Kings 18) and that is to silence the voice of every other evil altar of Baal on which offerings and sacrifices have been made to affect destiny either in the past or present. But that is not all…we must prepare a new altar by surrendering to Christ (for His blood speaks of love, mercy, new beginnings and peace – terminating all evil past covenants) or repair broken down prayer/devotional lives – if already a Christian … and begin to be a living sacrifice of praise and service and obedience to God. Ask God to send a fresh fire upon your life …keeping you always “hot” – never lukewarm for Him.

Previous generational patterns of infidelity, financial ruin, sexual perversion, moral delinquency, sickness, early/untimely deaths, fruitless efforts etc … especially when they run through more than two generations should put us on the alert…especially the first son. Prayerlessness and not being watchful and sober in Christian living are luxuries we cannot afford.

Tiger may have inherited many positive aspects as everything seemed to be in place even from the age of two to ensure he emerged a star – the highest-paid professional athlete in the world, having earned an estimated $90.5 million from winnings and endorsements in 2010. But the spiritual altar of the past still speaks of revenge, marital instability and confusion…and waits to be demolished. The most important issue could not be cured by financial success and was never dealt with.

Hebrews 12 [24] And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. [25] See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape , if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven. Romans 12: 1 [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.

I pray every altar speaking negative patterns into your life will be silenced in Jesus name. Lord help us – especially to challenged leaders in public arena – that the fire of Christ in our lives will never go dim.

God bless you. Surrender to Jesus – the new and living way.

(Originally published in The Christian Post)

Enjoy the following sermon videos …

For investors, a double-dip, if it materializes, would be a throwback to 2008, with a floundering economy punishing stock returns. Jeff Tjornehoj, Lipper’s research manager for the United States and Canada, says the Dow Jones industrial average could touch 9,000 by the close of 2010. “Is it reasonable to expect it? I think it’s reasonable to put some odds on it,” he says.

Nahum 1[9]  What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

2 Kings [7:1] Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. [2]  Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. [3]  And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? … [18]  And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria: [19]  And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. [20]  And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.

As we enter the second half of the year, it remains to be seen if it will be the best half or another record low as a double-dip manifests.

The 4 lepers in 2 Kings did not have much theological background and perhaps never even heard the prophesy of Elisha. They simply came to the conclusion why not do something…if they did nothing they would die anyway.  There is someone reading this blog with an idea, a dream, a new book, a new business, a new plan…and the odds of success seem grim given all the indicators. But consider what would happen if you did nothing.  The difference between the worst case of your new venture and your do-nothing scenario tells you to move forward.

Move forward in the Lord…the flood gates of heaven have opened for you. Enjoy a new beginning. The blood has cleansed you and brought you justified for an overflow of blessings. May you be so extraordinarily blessed in this second half of the year that all who associate with you will also be blessed.  Amen

An area of caution …watch your confession. Your words have consequence.

At a deeper level we see these 4 lepers as unwanted strangers ready to die … they gave their very lives… consider what you could ultimately loose if you do not move in self-sacrifice … Zac Poonen writes on the spirit of sacrifice …

In Ephesians 5:25, it is written that “Christ loved the church and gave HIMSELF for her”. To build the church, we have to love the church in the same way. It is not enough to give our money or our time. We have to give OURSELVES – our Self-life.

When God wanted to describe His love to man, He could compare His love with only one earthly example – the love of a mother for her newly-born child (See Isaiah 49:15). If you observe a mother, you will see that her love for her baby is full of the spirit of sacrifice. From early morning to late at night and right through the night, a mother sacrifices and sacrifices and sacrifices for her baby. And she gets nothing in return. She endures pain and inconvenience, year after year for her child, joyfully, expecting nothing in return. That is how God loves us too. And that is the nature He wants to impart to us. But it is impossible to find a fellowship anywhere in the world about which it can be honestly said that they all love one another like that.

Most believers know only how to love those who agree with them and who join their group. Their love is human and is far removed from the sacrificial love of mothers!!

Yet Divine love is the goal towards which we should be striving. So each time we sing the above lines, we should not only honestly admit that our love is not yet like that, but also confess our hope and longing that our love will become like that one day.

A mother does not care whether others around her are sacrificing anything for her child or not. She joyfully sacrifices everything herself. In the same way, one who has seen the church as his own baby will not be bothered whether others around him are sacrificing anything for the church or not. He will sacrifice himself joyfully, and he will have NO complaint or demand against anyone else. Those who complain that others are not sacrificing for the sake of the church are not mothers but hired nurses. Such nurses have fixed working hours and will complain when the nurse for the next 8-hour shift does not come on time.

But a mother does not work 8-hour shifts each day. She works a 24-hour shift daily – year after year – and she does not even get paid for it. Even when her child is 20 years old, the mother’s work is not over!! Only mothers can have milk for their babies every day. Nurses cannot produce milk for the babies they care for. In the same way, those who are like mothers in the church will always have a word for their spiritual children – in every meeting. Many elders have no word for the church because they are nurses, not mothers.

A mother does not expect any payment from her children. No child ever pays its mother for her service. In fact, if you were to calculate the wages a mother should be paid, at the rate of Rs.20 per hour (as paid to nurses), you will find that every child owes its mother more than 3 million rupees, by the time it is 20 years old!! Which child can ever repay such an amount to its mother?

Now the question that comes to us is: Who is willing to work like that for the Lord and for His church – without receiving any payment, but giving oneself, day after day, year after year, until Jesus comes? If God can find just one person with that spirit anywhere, He will use him to build the church, much more than He can use 10,000 half-hearted believers who try to serve Him without the spirit of sacrifice.  When Jesus returns to earth and you stand before Him, will you have any regrets over the way you lived, or will you will be able to look back over a life spent usefully for the kingdom of God?

Many are drifting along and wasting their lives on earth. Wake up before it is too late, and ask God to show you that His way is the way of sacrifice. He who has ears to hear let him hear.

God bless you

Bode

John 10[10]  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 2 Peter 2 [19]  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

The power of temptation and sin to destroy could not have been more evident as it was with Tiger Woods.  Sin will surely cost you and it is quite expensive. You cannot afford this costly luxury expense in good times and certainly not in recession.  This post is not focused on Tiger’s discovered adultery, its huge cost nor about his public repentance but summarises some related thoughts on sin.  Today, we are promised liberty…and anything more laborious than a yawn in the sanctuary is termed to be “works”.  All attempts to warn of the dangers of a virulent destroyer have been labelled and shunned as “legalism” and many hide and suffer in bondage – too ashamed to uncover the bitter reality of enslavement.  We toy with a wise destroyer who sneaks through the cracks of “innocent” entertainment, leisure and expression of natural freedoms to drop his poisons and explosives. We are deceived to imagine concealment of sin equates to escape from its consequences and so perfect the art of covering our tracks.

In his book “God’s Call” Charles Finney also writes “While it is true that men have this attribute of moral liberty, it is equally true that they are morally enslaved to evil – they are in moral bondage.  They have liberty through their created makeup; the bondage comes by voluntary perversion and the abuse of their powers. The best of human beings are in voluntary bondage to appetites and passions, alcohol, love of money, fashions of the world and opinions of other people and bondage to selfishness.  Everyone who is led counter to his convictions of duty is enslaved.”

A school of thought would want to legalise as much of bondage as is decently possible as though making poison legal reduces the potency of the venom. How flawed and naive a defence against a destroyer intent on complete devastation of body, soul and spirit. Charles Finney also writes “No matter what the form of the temptation may be, moral conscience convinces us of our duty to fight and not feed it…but every time we do not resist we become more and more helpless and commit more and more to the control of the iron-hearted master. “

The tempter deceives the victim to believe that no harm or cost is intended – only pleasure. The serpent is admitted and slides under the sheets to be embraced…there seems to be no immediate hurt done…only a momentary and oftentimes lingering and addictive pleasure.  Temptations continue with a strong and fearful delusion that the victim is getting better because he receives temperance lectures and has noble thoughts but the next day is left as drunk and helpless a victim as ever…as the victim falls again.  But there is a cure.

Jesus – the friend of sinners says – come. I have the cure to sin. The cure is a double cure that cleanses from the guilt of sin and its power to destroy.

Romans 6[20]  When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. [21]  What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! [22]  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. [23]  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

Nowadays, Christians do a lot of things in the name of liberty.  God says He is coming to fight against those following and sponsoring wrong doctrines. 

Rev 2[14]  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. [15]  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. [16]  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

The sin associated with your business is the most significant expense item on your income statement.  Repent – go to Jesus for His rescue plan.

listen to this message on the rescue plan …

Bode

Genesis 26[12]  Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

II Kings 8[1]  Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.

There are special blessings reserved for those who have made themselves special to God.  This confirms once again that God treats us the way we treat Him.  How are you treating God today?  When a seven year famine was coming upon the land, Prophet Elisha saw many people but singled out the Shunammite woman for that piece of information.  Not only that He guided her away to other lands without famine.  If you are close to God, He will guide you away from danger.  One thing we learn is that God has a solution recipe for every famine.  In Kings 17:1-16, after self-inflicted famine, God asked Elijah to leave for the place He had arranged for him to be provided for.  God always has a place of refuge in times of famine.  Sometimes that place may be outside the area affected by famine but at other times it is within the famine-ravished land, as in the case of Isaac in Genesis 26:1-16.

Isaac thought of escaping to Egypt to avoid the famine but God warned him to stay there and sow.  He obeyed and got so great a harvest that he became the envy of the Philistines.  When he had become prosperous and enlarged, Gerar could no longer contain him.  Apart from a secure location, there are things you can do to escape famine.  Quite a lot of people travel out searching for greener pastures.  Many Nigerians in Nigeria are living better lives than some who left these shores hoping to escape the hard times.  Even in your profession, trade or business, if you are precious to God, He will warn you of imminent storms and give you the recipes to apply. Cultivate a working and lasting relationship with the Lord and you will access relevant information that could affect your today or tomorrow.  Remember God is the original haven from famine.

Famines affect people differently.  While the majority may be experiencing its worst times, a minority may be experiencing its best moments. (Pastor E.A. Adeboye)

Culled from “Open Heavens –Daily Devotional   14 February 2010” by  Pastor E.A. Adeboye  who is the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. 

 Sin is sin and merits punishment, whether you acknowledge it or not…Martin Luther

 “If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, “You do not understand,” or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other’s highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.” ‘IF’ by Amy Carmichael

Bode

It is no more news that over 200,000 of the world’s poorest are dead.  The aftermath of suffering, questions and anguish is still fully emerging even as many generously offer practical help and ask …why?

Ecclesiastes 7:12 …. and money is a defence…Proverbs 14[20]  The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

I do expect many songs and blogs of encouragement on the Haitian Crisis even as Pope Benedict XVI, we read this week, has a new commandment for priests needing to get their message across  to “Go forth and blog”

Also, listening to an insightful podcast BBC (Radio Wales)- All things considered on Haiti sets you thinking even more.  Indeed an unfair proportion of disasters has hit the poorest nation in the western hemisphere – 4 earthquakes in the last 2 years, a landslide, a collapsed school, political turmoil, loss of life at an extraordinary scale and now this.

Could it also be the defenceless poorest are the most spiritually vulnerable as we also learn that religion in Haiti has long been a fluid mix of Catholic and Afro-Caribbean spiritual traditions and animism, which for centuries have made the island country a battleground for Western missionaries? But we do seem to have at least evidence that the poor seem somewhat unusually vulnerable even to natural forces.

Poverty has dimensions that the comfortable may not be familiar with.  The poor can be desperate and more akin to spiritual experimentation - easier victims for even minimally funded offerings.  The poor are numbed to being targeted for hatred as years of repeated mental and physical abuse distort realities and crush esteem. Richer nations often cannot understand their plight and will tend sometimes in very bad taste to glamorize the quaintness in poverty in films like “Slum Dog millionaire”.  Indeed many sell physical belongings and come to poor nations to help as missionaries offering hope and help – but some come with a rich and advantaged mindset. I have heard portrayals of links between poverty and the virtue of humility.  Perhaps it is more  true to say that the poor are not necessarily humble – they are often just plainly hungry, weak, abused, exposed and desperately in need often tending to criminality.  The poverty of the worlds poorest extends beyond lack of material possessions to mental distortion from decades of abuse and low esteem, poor education and confusion worsened by spiritual bondage.  The real disaster of poverty is down played to ease the conscience of the advantaged who sip cocktails in terraced parlours as they send generous aid quickly to nations buckling under crippling debt, political confusion and an ensuing darkness…as soon as media prick their hearts to do so…indeed, they buy peace and comfort of mind with their giving.

The suffering poor are quick to say there is nothing good about poverty and cry for more food, education, freedoms and liberating truths and will often ponder over the missionary who has never faced nor desires to face their devils but instead offers a blend of faith that seems at peace with their unseen warlords.  They know as they politely receive food, medicines, hope and money from all that will bring them – but still secretly appeasing their deities – that only a bolder power confrontation will unseat the hierarchy of unseen principalities. They wait for food but also for a spirit-filled Paul to confront their peculiar “Diana of the Ephesians” (Acts 19)

But  crisis can have its benefits…which will emerge someday.

1. It teaches lessons on “Faith in adversity” that only victims can demonstrate.  The grieving need to hear the truth that God does not forsake us in affliction. Only those who have suffered and have been comforted are credible comforters.
2. Crisis can dislocate the debris of the past and allow a better future – creating the opportunity for a new beginning.
3. There is a “glow” under the ashes someone said that only the burnt can offer to a world with a distorted mindset unable to deal with some realities of life.

As the recession gradually recedes and a new lifestyle of moderation becomes the fad, perhaps the excess (instead of financing abortions in the west or another credit card spree) can be funnelled to cancel all the debts of the poorest nations like Haiti and offer sustained and more direct support for education, infrastructure reconstruction, basic healthcare and food supplies for the impoverished…even as corruption and other ills are tackled.  All nations should make firm commitments to poverty eradication - recognising that poverty is evil. Stronger nations should help the weak.

Jesus Christ referred to the religious Pharisees (seen as the models of generosity, truth and integrity in His time) as a generation of vipers and when the people asked what they should do differently… Jesus did not say “give what you can” nor does He say” help the poor”… He answered quite plainly …

Luke 3[11]  He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

I suspect if all believers obeyed this very simple and plain teaching and give all that they should (not just to other Christians) … there will be far more progress. Christ  knows about the corruption and the challenges…but still concludes that true Christianity bridges the gap between the rich and poor and doesn’t extend it and even does more than just reducing the chasm.

More spiritual warriors and perhaps less commentators are also needed to dislodge the grip of darkness that enslaves the poor…even as a new opportunity for enlightenment presents itself for the right response.

God bless you…as we pray for more grace to let Jesus reign in our hearts in 2010.

Bode

My dear Friend …

Perhaps in the many diverse shakings and trials of the stormy recession of 2009, many things seem to have gone awry for you that have caused you to wonder again and again.  “Is all well with me?  Am I really saved?”  As 2010 is ushered in  - you recall acts of indiscretion that hit the headlines or the  recent discovery and open publication of shameful misdeeds.  Yet, do thank God that you still can find the grace to read a post like this as you ask God “…but why am I thus ?  Why did I embrace that desperate and corrupt act that has led to this?  Why have I been found to be so weak? …Why am I thus? ”

Indeed, many brethren and trusted loved ones now watch from a safe distance. You are left alone…finally alone with God.  But even in His presence, all you seem to discern are doubts singing to you “Were you really of God? Did you ever know Him?  Are you His or are you not?”

John Newton (1725 –  1807) was an English Anglican clergyman and former slave-ship captain. He was the author of many great hymns, including “Amazing Grace“.  He also wrote several lesser known hymns especially this one which is rarely sung perhaps because it was penned for the person immersed in deep doubts… a situation well familiar to him.

Below are the verses of the hymn  titled “’Tis a point I long to know”.   I do not recommend this for next Sunday…but rather to hide in your personal  repertoire for a time of great need of divine assurance.

1.’Tis a point I long to know,
Oft it causes anxious thoughts;
Do I love the Lord or no?
Am I His or am I not?

2. If in love, why am I thus?
Why this dull and lifeless frame?
Hardly, sure, can they be worse,
Who have never heard his name!

3. Could my heart so hard remain,
Prayer a task and burden prove;
Every trifle give me pain,
If I knew a Saviour’s love?

4. When I turn my eyes within,
All is dark, and vain and wild;
Filled with unbelief and sin,
Can I deem myself a child?

5.If I pray, or hear or read,
Sin is mixed with all I do;
You that love the Lord indeed,
Tell me, Is it thus with you?

6. Yet I mourn my stubborn will,
Find my sin, a grief, and thrall;
Should I grieve for what I feel
If I did not love at all?

7. Could I joy his saints to meet,
Choose the ways I once abhorred,
Find at times, the promise sweet,
If I did not love the Lord?

8.Lord decide the doubtful case!
Thou who art thy people‘s sun;
Shine upon thy work of grace,
If it be indeed begun.

9.Let me love thee more and more,
If I love at all, I pray
If I have not loved before,
Help me to begin today.

2 Corinthians 12[9]  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Romans 5[20]  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: [21]  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

My friend, as you repent – find the humility to go to the feet of Jesus for grace and mercy and lay it all before Him. Like it was done for the man who fell amongst thieves, Jesus will unconditionally bind up your wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set you back on your feet and will take care of you – having settled the issues by His blood.

I John 1[9]  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10]  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Please, do not make the fatal mistake or believe the deception of concealing your sins, pains and many wounds behind another flurry of good charitable activities or attempt to justify yourself with well reasoned responses.  Instead, let the blood of Jesus Christ be enough for you…and there is a lot Jesus – the Balm of Gilead – wants to share personally with you to soothe your hurts.

Proverbs 28[13]  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Joel 2[23]  Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month . [24]  And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. [25]  And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. [26]  And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. [27]  And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Another hymn writer John Newton wrote in humble confession …

Weak is the effort of my heart – and cold my warmest thought
And when I see thee as thou art – I’ll praise thee as I ought.

Do stop weeping in your private lonely moments….It is well. You will see the merciful Lord who has been waiting for you. You can begin again wherever you are. I cannot explain how this mess will be turned to a message but I know you will yet praise God and testify of His great grace and mercies.

God bless you my friend.

Yours in Christ.

Bode

January 1, 2010 – The New Year rolls in like any other day … another day that God has made for us to rejoice and be glad. We thank God for His mercies that we are still here to be of some service to Him who created us for His pleasure.  We especially thank God for the abortion of the attempt to blow up the aircraft bound for Detroit on the day we remember the birth of Christ.  May we witness more of His divine protection this year.

The Recession is said to be progressively receding and while there already are unusual pockets of turnaround – most indicators, like unemployment, tend to be lagging and will take more time to reverse in our favour. We can expect the second half of 2010 to be better than the first. 

While reflecting on the word of God I discovered some unusual scenarios of blessing I thought could encourage someone at the onset of the year – even in the uncertain times.

II Samuel 6:1-9. David was in fear and discouragement over his mistakes and the bitter consequences he was reaping.  He was a great King who loved the Lord and meant well in seeking to bring the Ark (symbolising the presence of the Lord ) into the City of David.  But in doing so, he contrived a creative, modern and no doubt more exciting approach. God was incensed…soon Uzzah, who generously but naively lent a helping hand, was dead and David was confused…not knowing what next to do.

How many bad situations have we brought upon ourselves through well meaning “creative disobedience” … a term that best describes our contemporary and “more correct” and practical interpretations of the word of God in a modern and enlightened era?  Has the Recession not been a consequence of unprecedented consumption and greed coupled with uncontrolled desire for gains fueled by self-serving Bible interpretations? We embraced shortcuts and discarded eternal truths for the poisonous but more easy to digest leaven of mammon.  A fearful David goes back to the scrolls…possibly ridiculed … just as today many mock the clinging or returning to old landmarks that served Paul, Peter and the early saints even up to the 1800s.  But David also needs help – someone reliable somewhere needs to house the Ark – now percieved as a fearful piece of furniture.  HELP WANTED … and no one is applying.

Matthew 5 [5]  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Obededom (meaning servant) is a meek Philistine in exile but now so loyal to David that he is circumcised in adult age and conscripted to be a storekeeper, musician, gateman, porter, servant (I Chronicles 15: 16-21 & 24-25) and perhaps any other odd job David wanted done.  Amongst 600 other Gittites that came with David from Gath – a fiercely loyal band of strangers (2 Samuel 15:13-23). It does not take David long to identify the best person to hold the Ark – someone tested who was so meek and would not so No – even at great personal risk – the Ark had already demonstrated sensitivity to Philistines (I Samuel 5). Previous experience with the Ark suggested this could be a dangerous assignment (I Samuel 6 ;19-20) – Indeed 50,070 men of Bethshemesh died just for peeping curiously into the Ark.

I Chronicles 13[13]  So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. [14]  And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.

But…for the next 3 months, blessings were storming on a meek , willing, obedient and loyal Obededom at the same time when David was afraid, confused, crying to God, seeking answers and consulting elders in enlightened forums to debate truths that were meant to be simply obeyed and not argued.

Occasionally a perplexed and confused David must have enquired if Obededom was still alive…but instead he gathers that unusual blessings are raining on the House of Obededom the Gittite… a Philistine.

David at last repents and corrects his ways and gets priests ( not professionals and performers) to carry the Ark on their shoulders – as God commanded…and with joyful praise out of the house of Obededom.

This year someone will be unusually blessed…even in the early months of 2010. I will humbly advise all to return to ponder over the commanded word of God. These are commandments and not suggestions awaiting informed considerations.  In the year of the King of kings – some well intended approaches may prove suicidal …

Hebrews 12[2]  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:[10]  He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Lord help us this year to worship, obey and serve you as you want to be served and like never before …and may sorrow be far from us and our joy be full.

Amen

Psalm 91 [5]  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; [6]  Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. [7]  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

In an article by Daniel Pipes in 2002 entitled – Militant Islam’s New Stronghold it was stated “Nigeria: Disregarding both the Nigerian constitution (which stipulates a separation of church and state) and demographic realities (only 50 percent of the population is Muslim), Islamists of this West African country have adopted or announced plans to adopt some version of Islamic law in 12 of its 36 states since 1999.

Implementing Islamic law means forbidding such practices as the construction of churches, music performances, the wearing of pants, drinking alcohol and riding in mixed-gender taxis. Forced conversions to Islam are reported, as well as coerced divorces of Muslim women from Christian men. Vigilantes enforce Islamic law via punishments that include stoning, flogging and the chopping off of hands. Solidarity visits from Sudanese, Pakistani, Saudi, Palestinian and Syrian Islamists tie Nigeria to the wider forces of militant Islam and concludes that Nigeria may be undergoing a process of “Talibanization.”"

The UN Legal Committee attempted a (hard to finalise) draft of a convention, which reiterates that criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstances unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or other nature that may be used to justify them.

The difficulties in concluding this draft or even agree on definitions of terrorism come from sensitivity to ideological differences and the impossibility of agreement on the  political correctness of any cause – resulting in a widespread moral vacuum and only more free publicity – a gift to the terrorist ideologues. Even if damage can be inflicted on terrorist leadership, the manifesto proved capable of cloning itself in countless small local cells of potential terrorists. Countries such as the UK and US remain in a constant state of alert to uncover plots of indiscriminate criminal activity.  Nigeria with a virile and energetic young population has not just the moral vacuum, but also leadership and institutional vacuum which create the ideal environment to recruit.

My concern for the church is to watch its youths and rethink its paradigms on age-segregated youth ministry.  Scott T. Brown, an advocate of church reformation and the strengthening of families recently said. “Modern youth ministry is inherently destructive in its impact. It divides the church by creating generational division and multiple cultures instead of a unified ‘body”.  Families need to be stronger than ever, closer than ever and more united…Wealth and comforts easily weaken family structures as children are routinely shipped abroad to be schooled and exposed to uncontrolled media.  The deterioration of local secondary and tertiary educational institutions has not helped…and more Christian colleges/universities are needed…

Parents have a very important role in correction and upbringing and not the state, school or the church. Where there is no time now to know, influence  and control what your son is up to…there will be time later to sort the mess that is ahead…Correction of the youth is very biblical and withholding it is disobedience to God.

Proverbs 22[15]  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Proverbs 23 [13]  Withhold not correction from the child…

Why do some convert to Islam?

Daniel Pipes also writes. “The poor are attracted to Islam because of its zakat, or alms giving, where 2.5% of all assets are redistributed to the needy. This was a huge difference compared to the aristocratic pre-Muhummad Mecca. The religious were attracted to the absolute “monotheism” of Islam, and the Koran’s strict commands seemed straight forward enough–providing a much needed law structure.

At least in America, Muslims convert by playing on the class structures and social structures in society. Specifically, the Nation of Islam converts in the prisons, where many African-Americans find purpose. The Nation of Islam believes that there is a white and Christian conspiracy to keep down all blacks, which is ridiculous….

The main reason for conversion is ignorance of Christ Jesus and His gospel, ignorance of Islam, disillusionment with society and false truth.”

1Peter 3 [8]  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: [9]  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. [10]  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: [11]  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. [12]  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. [13]  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? [14]  But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye : and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; [15]  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The current recession has had its impact on the poorer nations and recovery for them will be slower…worse is the continued impact on social and ethnic tensions and the resulting disillusionment as unemployment of youths takes its toll…

A young Christian weaned on trendy gospel music lyrics and taught he will have so many wonderful things now, and not ever suffer anymore – comes to Christ set up for disillusionment … and anger…

Fellow Christian…remember Nigeria in your prayers as the year comes to an end…

God bless you

Bode