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Tag: God

  • Anambra Church killings an attack on God- Ohaneze​

    Anambra Church killings an attack on God- Ohaneze​

    The Socio-Cultural group Ohaneze Ndigbo has condemned the attack on St Philip Catholic Church Ozubulu, Anambra state by unknown gunmmen describing it as an attack on God.
    “Such a dastardly and cantankerous act smells to high heaven. People have lost reason, civility and good conscience. This is a direct attack on God with daft and brazen impunity,” the organisation noted .
    In statement by the National Publucity Secretary of the Organization, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga, Ohaneze said the attack is unforgivable.
    “The devil sold a dummy to them and they bought it hook, line and sinker. This is condemned in all ramification. If you attack a man you appeal to God for recompense, when you attack God in His sanctuary who will will appeal to”, he queried.
    The group while commiserating with the government and people of the state, urged the Police not to speculate but to carry out detailed investigation to unmask the real perpetrators.
    “Ohaneze joins the league of well meaning Nigerians to commiserate with the good people of Anambra state and, in particular, the entire bereaved families and pray the Almighty God to give them enough spiritual shock absorber to bear the irreparable and irreplaceable loss.
    “The operatives should not speculate. They should swing into action to unmask the devil incarnates”.
    Mr Achi-Okpaga further charged  security agencies to redouble their efforts to make the south east zone safer for the people.
     “The whole of South East is under siege with Police and military blockades here and there. Yet herdsmen killings and kidnapping and all sorts of vices have become the order of the day. It is unfortunate,” he lamented.
  • Ojudu to Fayose: stop playing God on Buhari’s health

    Ojudu to Fayose: stop playing God on Buhari’s health

    Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, has advised Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose to key into empowerment programmes of the Federal Government to better the lot of his people.

    Ojudu warned Fayose to stop playing God on the health of President Muhammadu Buhari “through doomsday predictions that the nation’s No. 1 citizen will die and unfounded allegation that he is on a life support machine.”

    The presidential aide said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would return to power in 2018, to give good governance.

    Ojudu who addressed reporters during a media breakfast in his Ado-Ekiti residence on Sunday, identified such empowerment programmes as School Feeding Programme, Rice Outgrowers Scheme, Cocoa Farm Renewal Scheme, Emergency Relief Fund, among others, which other states enjoy.

    He claimed Fayose has not shown interest in the schemes, which will benefit Ekiti residents, but rather turned himself into an “opposition leader.”

    The presidential adviser noted that Fayose is embarrassing his people by mocking Buhari’s health challenges, warning him to “stop playing God on the President’s health.”

    Ojudu said: “A governor is supposed to govern and provide good governance for the people who elected him and not to be wishing the President dead. It is not the duty of a governor to be telling Nigerians the President will soon die, that he is on life support.

    “If the governor (Fayose) wishes the President dead, it is not reasonable; when the governor abuses the President everyday, that is not the way we are brought up in Yoruba land where we always wish a sick person quick recovery.

    “Why will somebody arrogate the power of God to himself? Nobody knows who will die tomorrow and why do our governor always wish the President dead? Are you his doctor, are you his God? Why will somebody arrogate God’s power to himself, that individual is not a normal human being and that is insanity.”

    Ojudu stressed that Buhari has been transparent on his health, and transmits power to the Vice President anytime he travels on medical vacation, a scenario different from the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration.

  • THEME: THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (14)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The word of Truth

    As a man thinks in his heart so he is, for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies and these things defile a man. This was the case with the Pharisees and the scribes, their heart was full of evil; hence, their evil actions. They were religious leaders who portrayed themselves as righteous; having an outward appearance of godliness, but they were brood of vipers as Jesus called them; they lived in hypocrisy and much wickedness. Isaiah prophesied of them saying, “These draw near to Me with their mouth, and honour Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me, and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”.

     

    While Jesus sought to make sinners free from the bondage of sin, they sought to punish and kill (as the case may be) those they find guilty of breaking their law. They ostracised from the temple anyone who does not agree with their hypocritical way of life and doctrines.

     

    They organized their followers and saw to the death verdict of Jesus, in whom no guilt was found, one whom God sent to deliver them from their blindness and bondage of sin; they were so blinded by their hatred and envy that they refused the Truth. Although Jesus’ death was God’s plan to put to perpetual death the power of sin over man, but the religious leaders should not have been the ones to mastermind this. Their action showed the true state of their heart despite their deceptive religious outlook.

     

    The Bible makes us to know that “a good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart; for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Therefore, your heart is who you are. The Psalmist knowing this truth, prayed saying, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”

    No matter how much someone pretends and tries to deceive to be seen as a godly person, in the long run the real person behind the deceit will show. Anyone who wants to bring forth good fruits without pretence must then look seriously on how to keep his/her heart pure; to be full of light, man has a lot of part to play to achieve this.

    No wonder the book of wisdom says, ‘guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life,”.

     

    How then can a believer make his/her heart pure? From my personal experience and other people’s lives and above all from the revelation of God’s word, I know that the only way to make one’s heart pure is by engaging in a deliberate and continuous daily STUDY OF THE WORD OF GOD with the intention to OBEY what God reveals to you. This is when a genuine transformation from within can take place, for The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Only the word of God can truly transform a man from inside out.

    The word of God as written out for us in the Bible renews our minds; it cleanses and transforms a man’s heart. Remember, the whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.

     

    So anyone who studies and obeys God’s word is the man who brings forth good fruits, his/her show of righteousness is never a pretence but from a genuine transformation. God transforms his heart as he yields to God, studying His word daily and living by His teaching. This yields an amazing good result and I am a living proof.  There is NO end to the effect of the Word of Truth in the life of a believer in Christ Jesus.

     

    May the good Lord make us love to study His word, revealing the deep truth therein and helping us obey Him fully, so we can be truly transformed beings, who will do God’s will on earth and cause a true change to come upon this nation Nigeria and the world at large in Jesus name- amen!

     

    TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-18, Luke 6:45, Psalm 51:10, Hebrews 4:12, 2Timothy 3:16, Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 23:7.

     

  • Advocates of break-up ignorant of God’s purpose for Nigeria, says Dogara

    Advocates of break-up ignorant of God’s purpose for Nigeria, says Dogara

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has cautioned advocates of a divided Nigeria, saying they are ignorant of God’s plans for the country.

    According to the Speaker, who spoke at a church event in Abuja yesterday, the 1970 Civil War was enough to break-up the country.

    But, he said God had other plans and did now allow it to manifest.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, reads: “Those calling for dismemberment of Nigeria don’t know the plan of God for the country.

    “Nigeria is not a mistake because it was God, who created the country and He has good plans for her people.

    “Those who think Nigeria is a mistake, it may be because they don’t know the purpose. But if you want to know the purpose of a thing, you have to go back to the manual, and who puts the manual together? It’s the manufacturer. So, I would challenge them to go back to the manufacturer of Nigeria, who is God. So that we can get the manual for Nigeria.

    “If we were a mistake, maybe during the first civil war, this country would have disintegrated. But God decided to keep this country one and God has never made a mistake.”

    The Speaker argued that for the country to have survived the civil war means that there was a purpose for the nation, adding that “until the destiny of this nation is realised, nothing will happen to Nigeria”.

    Acknowledging that the nation is facing multifaceted challenges, the Speaker urged Nigerians not to relent in offering prayers for the country as, according to him, nothing is impossible with God, including Nigeria’s challenges.

    He said: “For our country, we will never cease to ask that prayers be made, especially collective prayers. We all know the benefits of collective prayers; it is said that whenever two or three of you come together and ask of anything, God will do it.

    “We know the challenges we face, they are quite enormous challenges, they are very difficult, but they are not insurmountable. With God on our side, we will surmount them, and the only way we can do that is when we have the benefit of the wisdom of God; wisdom means application of knowledge.”

  • THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (13)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The word of Truth

    You see, God has given you and me all that we need to be able to stand strong and live in victory on earth. Unfortunately, many neglect the very help God has graciously given and chase after the wrong things that can never make them victorious but be victims of all kinds of deceit by agents of darkness.

    I recollect my encounter with a lady and her friends in her shop in the market place; she told of a medical doctor’s counsel that the most important needs of a person in this life is first, to have a good medical doctor and secondly to have a spiritualist. This the doctor told her after narrating a disturbing story of someone who died mysteriously because according to her, she didn’t have a medical doctor to monitor her health and a spiritualist who sees beyond the doctor. This lady believed the doctor and took her counsel wholeheartedly; spreading it to others.

     

    I tried to make her know I don’t agree with her but she quickly cut me short saying, “I know you want to tell us we need God first” She and her friends are ‘Christians’ who feel comfortable to live in error. I perceived they see themselves as not qualified to seek, know, and hear God for themselves. I told them the importance of knowing and fellowshipping with God personally and that He is able to reveal great and mighty things to them as they seek Him whole-heartedly in total dependence, patience, and trust. This, they eventually agreed with me, as the best way and they desired such intimacy with God. I wish people would be discipled aright, being pointed to Jesus rather than to the worship of fellow humans and some fetish means to get their problems solved.

     

    We discussed the importance of studying God’s word for ourselves by creating time alone with God (Quiet time), in order to grow to know Him more and have Him speak to us directly through the Bible. The how of Quiet time was explained in the last edition. The earlier we begin to do the right thing the better for us, as delay will make things worse.

     

    God’s divine power has given us all things that pertains to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. As you seek to personally know God better and better, He will give you, through His great power EVERYTHING you need to live godly, such that you will have His divine nature which makes you live differently from the lust and corruption of this generation and you will enjoy more of His kindness and peace.

     

    True knowledge of God is found in the scriptures, for the whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. Note also that, the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The word capable of such glorious transformation of lives is in our hands, why won’t we cherish it and study it day and night? The devil knows the power in the word, so he will do everything within his power to prevent us from studying it for ourselves, so to remain in his bondage of deceit and defeat. Through God’s word, we get to know the victory Jesus brought us.

     

    Any country that begins to live by the teachings of the word of God in the Bible will prosper and have good success, the kind of success that leads to eternity in heaven. Nigerians need to know the word of God and live by its teaching; therein will our dear nation know peace, prosperity, and good success. The enemy of our progress is using people to fight against the true word of God; among them are those who use it to deceive.

     

    There are so many calamities in the land threatening to destroy our nation: corruption, kidnapping, child trafficking, terrorism, fighting, divisions/agitations, armed robbery, murder, lying, dishonesty, rape, child molestation, sexual immorality/perversions, homosexuality, and the like. These are on the increase; we need help so we are not totally consumed.

     

    The knowledge of a nation’s law and its outlined punishments to offenders cannot keep people away from committing crimes; it will not even stop criminals from committing more crimes. Although, some really want to obey the law but they cannot because they lack the power to do so, they try in their own strength but still find themselves going back to their old ways of breaking the law; their strength fail them. The ONLY solution to this is – believing in God’s Son, Jesus Christ whom God sent to set us free from the bondage of sin, giving us the power of the Holy Spirit to help us live righteous. As we follow Jesus through His teachings in the Bible, we shall never again walk in the darkness of sin but will walk in the light.

     

    The word of God builds our faith and this in turn leads to right living.

     

    TEXT:  Ephesians 6:10-18, 2Peter 1:2-4, Hebrews 4:12, 2Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:11, Mark 1:35, Psalm 119:105.

    FROM: FAITH NWACHUKWU

     

  • THEME: THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (12)

    THEME: THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (12)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The word of Truth

    To be victorious in all things like Jesus is possible only if we will hear His voice and obey Him. His voice is His word and we have this written for us in the Bible.

    “…the sheep hear the voice of the good shepherd and come to Him; and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. He walks ahead of them; and they follow Him, for they recognize His voice.  They won’t follow a stranger but will run from him, for they don’t recognize his voice.” Jesus is the one being talked about as the good shepherd, the sheep are those who hear His voice and follow Him. The true sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice and they follow Him; they grew into recognizing His voice and are able to differentiate it from a stranger’s voice because they fellowship one on one together with the good shepherd. Through continuous personal fellowship with the good shepherd they mastered His voice, no one can deceive them for they will not follow the voice of a stranger who comes craftily to kill, steal and destroy. Just like Jesus when tempted could not be deceived into following the suggestions of Satan who quoted scriptures to deceive Him, so also the true sheep of the good shepherd will not be deceived by Satan and his agents.

     

    We are in the age of great deceit where many are being deceived into believing all kinds of false doctrines/teachings, all because they have refused to see the great importance of knowing God by themselves but prefer to go through mediums to reach God which of course is impossible. Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the life, He is the good shepherd who came to give us life more abundantly and opened the path to true fellowship with God.

     

    After my encounter with Jesus, He got me into fellowship with Him, this made me love to study His word- the Bible and my life truly has been awesomely changed through this. I am incomplete without my daily study of God’s word; not knowing what He has to say to me daily.

    I would have gone astray and fallen into deep pits; but His word has kept me safe, it has been a lamp guiding my feet and a light directing my path.

     

    To be a sheep who recognizes and follows the voice of the good shepherd, you need to prayerfully start studying God’s word (the Bible) systematically daily. To do this you need to start your QUIET TIME.

     

    What is Quiet Time and how is it practiced?

     

    As the name implies Quiet Time is a time, which is QUIET, devoid of distractions and disturbances; a time set aside to hear the good shepherd and relate with Him intimately. This builds in us a lifelong, ever-abiding loving relationship and fellowship with God. As a relationship without proper communication dies, so also one’s relationship with God dies without proper communication; and remember communication should be 2- way; hence the need for quiet time.

    What you will need/How of Quiet Time:

    • Prayer: Ask for God’s grace for without Him it will be very impossible; it will become an uphill task. For we are weak bodily but He is strong- only Him will help you wake up at your chosen time and empower you to study, revealing deep truths in His word to you.

    When God asked me to make my Quiet time earlier than it used to be, at first, it was quite difficult for me to accept mentally. I had so many excuses and reasons why it would be impossible. As long as I didn’t accept it mentally and believe in Jesus’ strength to make it possible, it would remain impossible for me. The truth remains that no one who desires to be used to do great things on earth, thereby fulfilling purpose, can do without his/her time alone with God. Until I accepted it and asked God’s help was I able to do it and for years now, God has remained faithful. I would have missed out of a great opportunity of a deeper intimacy with God, if I didn’t submit to Him.

    • Create a regular time– a time you will not be disturbed or distracted. Most ideally, early/ wee hours of the morning, set aside at least one hour daily. You can set your alarm for this.
    • A quiet place: where you will not be disturbed.

    Jesus’ intimacy with His father and His quiet time habit kept Him focussed on His assignment and helped Him end well. Continually Jesus withdrew from the crowd, daily life activities, and the demands of His ministry to be alone with His Father and communicate with Him.

    • A Bible: In a simple translation you can understand. It will be nice to have other translations to compare text for better understanding.
    • A Notebook: where you write down lessons learnt from your study and your daily dealings with God.
    • Your reading note/devotional booklet: There are a lot in circulation but prayerfully seek the best for you; one that will help you study the Bible systematically and deeply every day. I’ve found DAILY GUIDE to be very good for adults, DAILY POWER for youths and DAILY MILK for children, all published by Scripture Union Nigeria. You can prayerfully choose from other good ones in circulation. NOTE: Your devotional booklet should NEVER replace your Bible, it’s meant to help systematically arrange the Bible text and also highlight some important revelations from the day’s text for full and better understanding, it’s wrong to read only the booklet.

    Aside quiet time, we need to study God’s word always. God’s word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

     

    TEXT:  Ephesians 6:10-18, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:11, 2Timothy 3:16, John 10, Mark 1:35, Psalm 119:105.

     

    FROM: FAITH NWACHUKWU

     

  • ‘I knew God more in BBNaija house’

    ‘I knew God more in BBNaija house’

    Winner of Big Brother Naija, Efe Ejeba, has been touring. The Delta State indigene visited The Nation newspaper and he spoke about his project of raising funds to treat 200 children with congenital heart conditions and other issues. JOE AGBRO JR was there. Excerpts  

    SINCE you won the BBN reality shows, you’ve been meeting with top people including governors and also receiving awards. How does this feel?

    Two things. I’ve not met with governors. I’ve met with two governors – the governor of Plateau State and the governor of Delta State – which are my two homes. It’s obligatory that I meet with them. Secondly, nobody has given me awards.

    After Big Brother, how do you intend to use this brand to encourage the dreamers we have around in Nigeria?

    I think it’s just to do what I know how to do best.

    What is it?

    It’s music. Music has been what I’ve been doing for the past seven years. I started recording in 2010 and while I was in Jos. I left Jos as an elite artiste but the hunger for more brought me to Lagos in 2015. So, as Big Brother came, I said, ‘this is a big platform to showcase myself.’ If I didn’t go on Big Brother and I came here, no one would answer me.

    Now, I came and you’re answering me. I’m just someone that has perseverance. I don’t give up. I finished my final year exams and in about two weeks, I packed my bags and came to Lagos. I was just waiting for school to finish. My mother wanted me to go to school and I gave her the certificate and took a walk. So, I came to Lagos, not knowing anybody. I gathered the money I made from my music in Jos and used it to pay for house rent and started life. I would be at home for one week atimes, I won’t go out because I didn’t know anybody in Lagos.

    I just had that drive, that belief that one day, it would happen. I didn’t know how it would happen but today that is how it is. For me, I just feel that every youth should keep doing what they know how to do best and stay focus. That’s why I have three things as my mantra – You gotta believe in God, number two, believe in yourself and number three, you die put.

    What about the awareness you’re trying to create of people donating one thousand naira?

    For me, my life is divine. Expectations are very high. Some people feel that by now, I should be signing a lot of endorsement deals but I go by God. I see it as a very fortunate scenario that the first ambassadorship I belong to is charity. So, I put in my best with the influence I have. But I’m scared because when it gets to the real deal of actually contributing, it’s difficult.

    The conversion rate is I have about 400, 000 followers on twitter, donating one thousand naira. But that’s the level I want to know how my influence is positive. That’s the only I measure how influential. So the 1K1M is a simple stuff. We need one thousand naira to be donated by one million individuals. That’s the least. You can donate like five thousand because it’s for open heart surgery for children in Nigeria. By September, we look to have raised one billion naira if one million Nigerians donate one thousand naira. But they can donate more. Some people are sending me screenshots that they’ve donated more than one thousand naira and it’s encouraging me that this is a good cause. I grew up in Jos and sometime ago, I heard people did open heart surgeries for children and I was actually happy.

    So when they brought this stuff on board, I connected with the organisation. I’m very passionate about it. And this program covers only 200 children and we have about 1, 000 children on the waiting list. So, it is that bad. And about 85, 000 children are born with congenital defects every year in Nigeria. Just Nigeria. And for me, my brand is even beyond Nigeria. But for now, I’m focused on Nigeria.

    Efe before BBN and Efe after BBN, what are the challenges you’ve had to face?

    There are many now. Before, if I felt my urinating, I’ll just find one corner. I can’t actually buy boli again. It’s been long I bought akara. It’s been very annoying. Even my clothes, I can’t go to buy it. If I go to the boutique after the seller has taken pictures with me, he’ll now increase the price of what I want to buy. It’s tough.

    Before, I used to say how I feel but now, I’m reminded that I’m responsible for 14 million people that voted for me. So, I can’t just talk how I feel even if it’s the truth. I have to diplomatic now. That’s the most painful thin for me because I like to be frank. But now I have to be cautious because some people may feel offended when I say what’s on my mind. That has really limited my level of expression.

    But you’re also an ambassador for Nigerian youths. What are your duties?

    It’s not actually a statutory position with duties and status. It’s more like you’re representing Nigerian youths as the ‘most popular youth.’ You have an obligation to work side by side with government. To the best of my ability, I’m definitely coming up with programmes to herd the youths in the right direction, with the support of the ministry.

    Don’t these things put pressure on you?

    Yes, it does. I’m human, I won’t lie. But for me, the only pressure I feel is the expectation from people. People say, ‘by now you would have done these, you would have done that.’ They don’t know that it’s a gradual process. Efe was just a normal guy. I’m now a brand and I need structures.

    And that’s why I’ve been going around. People think I’m enjoying myself. I go for meetings and try to set the ball rolling so that one year from now, Efe will still be very much relevant. And thank God for my music which is a very sure content I will dish out. And by the way, my video for the song, ‘Based on Logistics’ will drop very very soon. So, after ‘based on Logistics’ video is out, I’m dishing out two singles back to back as e dey hot.

    What were the indications to show that Big Brother Naija was actually watched by other African countries?

    I’ve been getting a lot of feedback from my social media handles. And we get calls too from people outside of Nigeria. I just responded to somebody from Namibia. Zambia is actually expecting me, South Africa, Kenya. Just round the whole of Africa. It’s surprising to me the love we get. It shows Nigeria is really the giant of Africa. Our voice is loud.

    While you were in the BB house, you and Marvis were an item. What is the status of your relationship with her now?

    This is like two months after the house. For me now, it’s progressive. I like to talk about my music and the things I’ve been doing currently. For me and Marvis, we’re very good friends.

    But who among the housemates are you still very close with?

    I’m still close with everybody as much as possible because there is no time and everyone is hustling. As I’m here at The Nation office, another person can even be in America hustling. Na forward ever bi di movement. I’m just actually happy that everyone is doing fine. I think this our set will really prove a point that everyone that goes to Big Brother don’t leave and not do well. And I pray that in as much as we’re moving ahead, we remember who we are and where we’re coming from.

    While you were on the show, a segment of Nigerians criticised the show negatively, saying you people were promoting ills. What is your response to this?

    This is about two months after the show. ‘How many of us have you actually heard that have left the house be involved in immoral display of character’? On a serious note, I’m very proud of my fellow housemates. We’re doing pretty well. No one will go into that house (BBN) and come out and play. We are hungry. So, on a note of ills, that house just portrayed what happens in reality. It was just because we were doing it behind closed doors.

    And like I said in one interview, for me, it was in that house that I really knew God more and appreciate his wonders. Everybody shouts grace, I saw it, literarily. I’m a manifestation of grace. So, we can find God anywhere. It doesn’t matter. All those people talking ills know what happens behind closed doors. No need to starting shouting. We went to the house to live our true lives day and night.

    Now, as Youth Ambassador for Nigeria, what is foremost that you’ll like to impact?

    Formally, I’m still planning that. But the whole idea is self-development. Because, I don’t actually believe in waiting for anybody, not to even talk of the government in the first place. For instance, if you road is not tarred, if you have the money, you can tar it. No need to waste your credit calling the government, that’s the way I see it. Right from my 200 level in the university, I didn’t plan to look for work. I just wanted to do music, entertainment.

    So I focused my energy there. But not everyone can do what I did. So, if you want to look for a job, find it well. That’s why they say, it’s to be focused that matters. But self-development is the best thing. You might be thinking this is where your path is but if you keep working on yourself, researching, you’ll get better. That’s why school is very important. Unfortunately, it’s not everyone that can go to school. But there are even handiworks and different things one can do aside schooling.

    But I think self-development is one of the most important thing you need to know. It gives you self-confidence, it makes you believe in yourself and it makes you be not scared of making mistakes because the first problem we have is the fear to make mistakes. When I got up to go for this audition, you could say the judges would reject you but you’ll say if they don’t allow you enter, it’s not the end of the world. You move on. If you don’t make it, you go back to the drawing board. If you make it, you move forward. Ahead ahead, na im bi de way.

  • THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (10)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The word of Truth

    Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount of Olives by saying, “Whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall. For it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: “the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.

    What would keep the man’s house from falling? The word of God he hears and obeys. To win any battle in life you have to know God’s word and live by it. His word is written out for us in the Bible.

    Difficult times will surely come to everybody- the times from the above when the rain descended, the floods came and the wind blew. What determines whether one falls or stands strong in the face of these challenges is THE WORD OF GOD YOU KNOW and OBEDIENCE TO THIS WORD.

    If you know and obey the word of God, then you will withstand the storms of life; the challenges of life will not consume you, rather they will make you stronger, you will walk through them and come out better, more matured in your faith. That is what the word of God does for you and me, as we read/study to obey it fully by God’s grace.

    The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abadnego is very relevant in this very difficult time, where those who call on the name Jesus and following in His ways are facing many persecutions.

    They were taken as slaves to serve king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Though being appointed as officials in his government, they maintained their strong faith in their God and obeyed His command rather than the contrary command of the king.

    The king made a gigantic image of gold, and called to gather all his satraps, administrators, governors, counsellors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image, which he has set up. When they had all arrived, and were standing before the monument, a herald shouted out, “O people of all nations and languages, this is the king’s command: that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music. You shall fall down and worship the gold image that the king has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” This sure sounds like where we are today, and where we are going to in this perilous time, where one is forced to compromise one’s faith and go with the wrong crowd.

    Sure enough, all the people did as commanded, except for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abadnego who know the command of God that they should not bow to idols. They were reported to the king and the king was very furious with them for disobeying his orders.  He gave them a second chance, saying, “now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down, and worship the image which I have made, good!, but if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. And who is the God who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abadnego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up”

    At this, the king who was full of furry commanded that the furnace be heated seven times more than it was usually heated. Then he commanded men who were in his army to bind the boys and cast them into the burning fiery furnace, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abadnego. The boys were thrown into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

    The king was astonished; he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counsellors, “did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” they answered and said, “True O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”  Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abadnego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then they came out from the midst of the fire. The satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counsellors gathered, and they saw the men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not burnt nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

    Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “ blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abadnego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God.  “ Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach  and Abadnego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”

    Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abadnego in the province of Babylon.

    Hmm, the whole decree changed, the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abadnego is now the one to be worshipped and honoured not the gods and the golden image of the king as originally planned. All this because these men knew their God, trusted Him and obeyed Him even in a foreign land. Choosing to obey the command of their God against the command of such a powerful and influential leader. Note that they were promoted after the battle; this tells us that our great challenge/difficulty comes at the edge of our promotion. Many have aborted their outstanding promotion because of unbelief, lack of trust in God, which give rise to disobedience to God, they have chosen the way of mediocre instead.

    Obeying God, even in battles and storms of life lies the victory. Even if the fire had burnt them to death, they still would have been victorious because their journey to heaven would have been hastened. It would have still been a win- win case, nothing lost at all. It is better over there.

    You and I will definitely face our times of little and great challenges; trials, afflictions, temptations, when our faith is put to test, our resolve should be to stick to God’s word and standard no matter what is at stake. Choose to obey God over the quest for money, fame, positon etc., even unto death.

    The test of our trust and obedience to the God we serve come in diverse ways… God has said to us not to fornicate, not to commit adultery, not to practice homosexuality, and all forms of sexual immorality, not to worship idols, not to lie, not to cheat, steal and the like. Do you trust Jesus to help you live in total obedience to His word? Or you ignore God’s command and live according to the dictates of your flesh and according to the expectations and lifestyles of the society?

    God has given you and me all we need to live godly, fulfilled and a victorious life the choice is ours to make whether to hear and obey Him or not.

    The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.

    TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-18, Daniel 3:1- 30, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:11, 2Timothy 3:16.

     

  • THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (9)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The word of Truth

     

    The word of Truth that you know, believe, and abide in will set you free from the fear of failure and builds you to know that ‘with God ALL things are possible’.

    The story of David in the Bible is still one that strengthens me always. Though a little boy, Bible scholars say he was about 15 years old when he gained victory for his nation; that which the King and the warriors of his country could not do, David, the youth did. His faith and trust in His God gave him victory.

    David had a personal relationship and fellowship with God. While in the field tending his father’s sheep, he killed lion and bear, with his bare hands just by trusting in God. The field was his place of training by God, where he also practiced alone with God. I believe that David meditated on the word of God while in the field. He declared the word of God as he faced Goliath- the giant of Philistines, who tormented his nation Israel. His faith and courage were from God’s word; the word he declared had power and was effective because he lived by it.

    Only David knew who God made Israel to be, he knew that they were the armies of the living God, none of Saul’s army knew this truth, not even Saul the King. They left God out of their battle and decided to trust in their own understanding; trusting in their sophisticated man made armours. No wonder they ran whenever Goliath confronted them.

    We need men and women who know the word of God to lead this nation Nigeria into God’s purpose, not people who trust only in their ability and expertise. God is the only one who will get us to our expected end. As Saul continually ignored God’s word, not willing to obey Him fully, God rejected him as king and sought David; a young man whose heart yearns for God, ready to do God’s will fully. God testified of him saying, “I have found a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” so God replaced Saul with David.

    Every nation belongs to God, we should submit to His Lordship and in our saviour Jesus, in order to experience good success. A success that will take us to heaven at the end of our pilgrim here on earth.

    David, though not born when God chose Israel to be the nation where salvation will come through to the whole world, knew the word of God concerning his nation Israel, because he studied to know it. See the words he spoke to Goliath when he faced him: He said to him, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day, the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. This day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’S, and He will give you into our hands.”

    With these words, David ran towards Goliath, put his hand in his bag, and took out a stone; and slung it and struck Goliath’s forehead and he fell on his face to the ground and died. David’s stone and sling did not kill Goliath; it was his strong faith in God Almighty that killed him.

    All the Goliaths frustrating Nigeria can be defeated, if only we have FAITH in the true and living God, and faith comes through the word of God.

    I was discussing with my mummy in the Lord, telling her that the reason people go from one ‘prayer’ house to another seeking solution to their problems is because they do not know God on an intimate level, this is so because they do not study His word to believe and live by it. We have the weapon (the Bible) in our hands, which our fathers of old gave their blood in gruesome persecution in order to make it available to us in the language we understand. Why should we not get our help from God’s word? Imagine having the word of God with you, yet you hardly open it. The Bible is the Word of God- the God who created the whole universe, the Almighty, the LORD OF HOSTS. When you abide in His word, you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free from every bondage and affliction. People rather choose to live by their own understanding and depend on fellow man for help. As we study God’s word, we will get to know who He is, His ways and how He wants us to live.

    O Lord, please open our hearts to conceive this truth, that we may know the importance of your word, help us love to read and obey your word in Jesus name- amen.

     

    Jesus concluded His sermon on the Mount of Olives, with these words, “Whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall. For it was founded on the rock.

    “But everyone who hears these sayings of mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: “the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.

     

    Let him who has ears hear the word of God.

     

    TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-18, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119, 1 Samuel chapter 15-17, Matthew 19:26, Matthew 7:24-26.

     

    FROM: Faith Nwachukwu

  • THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (8)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The word of Truth

    God chose Joshua to be the next leader of Israel after Moses, to him was given the overwhelming task of leading the Israelites to possess their promised inheritance. Joshua knew Moses’ shoes were too big for him to fill. Someone who understands what leadership entails will not be quick to throw a party and celebrate when chosen to be a leader in whatsoever capacity. Leadership positions call for sober reflection; it is huge and never to be taken lightly because everything has to be done according to God’s pattern. Joshua understood this truth, he desired to be a leader after God’s own heart who would lead and succeed God’s way. The task ahead of him was enormous and challenging; there were strong nations to be defeated, he would need the acceptance and cooperation of the people he is to lead, and for God to be with him as He was with Moses.

     

    Joshua waited to hear from God before embarking on his assignment. God told him to ARISE! from his fear and despair and get set for the work, He then gave him his job description and told him how he will prosper and have good success as the next leader of Israel. God said to him:

     

    • “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to ALL that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then have good success”

     

    Joshua will have to study and know the word of God (the book of the law). He will meditate on it day and night so it will become part of him; he has to live by the word of God; in total obedience to do what God tells him to do and He will teach it to the people. Then and only then would Joshua be sure of God’s presence, prosperity and good success during his reign. God’s word will also build his faith, dispel his fear, and make him strong and courageous.

     

    Note that before Joshua embarked on his task, he waited to get instructions from the God who made him a leader; he did not trust in his own understanding.  He is to commune daily with God to get full direction on how to carry out each task and obey Him fully in order to experience good success.

     

    There is good and bad success. Good success is God’s success; you get it through godly means. God gives good success when you chose to honour/obey Him in all your ways. Good success does not have expiry date; it is everlasting, it will lead you to heaven at last, while Bad success is the success acquired through ungodly means. It is the success attained without honouring God in one’s actions. Many call on God with their mouths but do not live as God wants them to; they do not obey God, they do not do the right things God wants them to do to succeed. Bad success has an expiry date and it will lead one to hell fire someday. Let us be warned!

     

    The fortified Jericho was the first city they destroyed, except for Rehab and her family who were saved because she believed in the God of Israel and His word.

     

    God gave Joshua an unconventional strategy to defeat Jericho. Jericho was a fortified city with a double stone wall of about 12-15 feet high and 14 feet wide. It was virtually unconquerable. God instructed Joshua to march around the city with his army once daily for 6 days with seven priests walking ahead of the Ark of God’s Covenant, each carrying trumpet made from ram’s horn. On the seventh day they were to walk around the city 7 times and the priests shall blow the trumpets. When the priests give a long, loud blast, all the people were to give a mighty shout and the wall of the city will fall down. To most people this strategy will sound foolish and unreasonable but this was a test of Joshua’s full obedience to God’s word. Joshua summoned the people and gave them the instructions, they followed God’s instructions, and wall of Jericho fell down flat. Jericho was defeated.

     

    The next city to be conquered is Ai, a small city. They confidently went into battle against Ai with few soldiers but they were soundly defeated by small Ai, they fled from them and 36 Israeli soldiers were killed. Why the defeat? God’s command to destroy everything in Jericho except that, which was reserved for the Lord’s treasury, was disobeyed. For Achan took some loot for himself and this brought trouble for Israel.

     

    Joshua cried out to God and God spoke to him, saying, “Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have taken some of the accursed things and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. Therefore, the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you.”

     

    It was when Israel destroyed the accursed in their midst they experienced peace and victory again. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, enemies will defeat someone who will not fully obey God.

     

    If you truly want to win battles, prosper, and have good success, then you have to study God’s word (The Bible) daily to know Him and His ways, to know how He wants you to live, so you can fully obey Him. By so doing, our nation too will prosper and have good success.

     

    TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-18, John 8:32, Joshua 1:8, 6-8, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119, Psalm 119:11