HE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU

"The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace" (Exodus 14:14).

It is always a beautiful thing to watch the Lord fight for you. The sweetest of victories, the easiest of triumphs, the cheapest of conquests, and the most profitable of deliverances is what you.experience when God fights for you. When God fights your case, you are immensely awed at what God does. Friends, anything is possible when the power of Jehovah is exerted in your behalf.

I have been blessed with the experience of God fighting for me and my family on many occasions. These are wonderful experiences which at the same time have been very humbling, sometimes making me to feel very sorry for those who rose up against me. I have seen it again and again, and I have come to the conclusion that the most dangerous person to fight with is that man or woman who God has undertaken to defend.

While it is true that God is a just God and has by way of natural justice positioned Himself to defend the defenseless, the real thing that guarantees that God will fight for a man is if such a man is in a covenant relationship with Him. Moses confirmed to the children of Israel that God was going to fight for them because of the covenant they had with God through Abraham their progenitor. When God was through with those who rose up against them, the Bible says that the children of Israel "feared the Lord" (Exodus 14:31).

If you have given your life to God through Christ Jesus, I want to assure you that you are under the same covenant that provoked God to fight for the Hebrews. In fact, that covenant works better now having been renewed through the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The Bible chronicles for us stories upon stories of how God continually showed Himself faithful, fighting the course of His people and putting their enemies to rout. That same experience is available for you today if you will take your place in Christ Jesus.

But there was a condition that Moses laid before the Israelites which we also must fulfill in order to see God in action. In today's Scripture verse, the Bible expressly requires that you hold your peace. That means, don't be agitated, neither should you panic. It means to keep calm even in the face of intense provocation from your adversaries. You need to have the peace of God in your heart to see the victory of God in your life.

Secondly, holding your peace means that you will refrain from avenging yourself. You see, like I often tell people, the one whom God is fighting for does not need to fight. The two of you cannot be fighting the enemy at the same time because God will not want to share the glory of the victory with any man. In all biblical history, God was known as the one who gave His people the victory, and it has never been in conjunction with any mortal. If you would be taking any step while God is fighting for you, those steps must be in obedience to the

express commands of the Lord or such actions as the Holy Spirit directs. In fact, the Bible verse we are looking at could be taken to mean, "the Lord will fight for you, but you must wait for God’s instructions and act on them".

Shalom!

~

DO WITHOUT THE TRIUMPETS...

"Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already.

But when you give to charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, So that your deeds of charity may be in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:2-4, Amplified).

Charity in today's world has become a sort of business, and like every business, the motivation for profit and personal gains has become the essential driving force. Few people are now interested in being good to others as an end in itself. That is why you see them publishing their good deeds everywhere, ostensibly to bring in more business, or more profit, or more recognition. A couple of years ago, I saw a man on television distributing exercise books and some other learning materials to school children. I immediately told my wife that the man must be looking for something from the community. Not long after, he announced that he was contesting for a political position and needed the people's votes. It is an irony that man could be so selfish in his act of kindness.

Sadly, the church has also bought the lie that every good deed must be advertised, publicised and published. The whole world must now know when we give food to the widow, scholarship to the orphan or help to

the physically challenged. In the days of Jesus, the hypocrites merely "blow a trumpet" when they give to the poor. But the religious hypocrites of today's world have gone nuclear. They don't just blow a

trumpet, they put a whole orchestral to work to sing the praise of their good deeds that the whole world may know how philanthropic they.

The newspapers must carry it as full page advertorials. Terrestrial and cable television must do special documentaries to proclaim how good thou art! Well, Jesus said "they have their reward in full already".

But for me the most unfortunate dimension to this hypocrisy is the attempt by the modern church to replace correct evangelism and meaningful soul winning with good works. We do it because we know that when we advertise how many bags of rice we have shared among the poor, more people will come to our churches and the feeling of having a crowd will boost the pastor's ego and public image. While it is important to take care of people and their physical needs, it is even more important - and indeed, a priority to give them the word of life that will minister to their souls and make them candidates of eternal life. The message of the cross (the salvation that Jesus came to offer) must take precedence over the message of the cash.

It was typical of the ministry of Jesus Christ to feed the people and give to the poor. But it was even more typical of Him to preach and teach the word, pointing people to the way of eternal life. He was known, first and foremost as the teacher of God’s word and it was in that process that He also became a channel to spread God’s love in practical terms. He remains our perfect example of ministry and our wisdom as individuals and as a church is to do as He did. After all,

He made it clear that He has sent us just in the same way and for the same purpose as the Father sent Him (John 20:21).

HOW TO GET RID OF UNNECESSARY WEIGHT...

"THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1, Amplified).

The Bible records that there are certain things that could be described as "unnecessary weights" which when allowed in our lives would greatly hinder us in the race that is set before us. The journey of life is a race and it requires that you travel light because no one comes on a race track with luggages. In particular, Christianity is a race and to run successfully, we must do away with the extra luggages that have become part of our journey towards destiny. The practical implication of this is that God wants us to travel light - very light.

The other day, I saw a man - a Christian - manifesting so much anger, bitterness, hate and unforgiveness, and I wondered how far and how well he would go in the journey of life. The most unfortunate aspect of the story is that the more people were trying to calm him down, the more aggravated, agitated and aggressive he became. I had a lot of pity and concern for his soul because these type of things never add to us; rather, they devalue us before God and man.

I am yet to see a man who was honoured for his anger, neither have I met a lady who was rewarded for her bitterness. Hate never profits and there is no blessing in unforgiveness - to the one who harbours it nor to the one upon whom it is inflicted. The simple fact is that there is no virtue in anger, bitterness, hate and unforgiveness. Even if we ever have occasion to use them, they must be dumped and flushed down the drain as quickly as you do to a used toilet paper or a sanitary towel. The value duration of anger for instance must not exceed "a moment", otherwise, danger cometh! (Ephesians 4:26-27).

But you know, we all have our different kinds of needless luggages that have become part of our life journey which we must labour to do away with immediately. That is why today's Scripture verse urges us to strip off and throw aside every encumbrance, the unnecessary weight brought about by the needless luggages we have acquired because of the sin nature. Let us confess our sins in this matter to the Lord and receive grace to mortify these invidious tendencies in our lives. May the Lord show us mercy.

JUST BREAKING: BEWARE...

"Do not be tricked by false words: evil company does damage to good behaviour" (1 Corinthians 15:33, Bible in Basic English).

It is important for Christians to pay attention to the kind of relationships they keep and carefully choose their companions. Friends play major roles in who or what we become in life. Often times, you are who are because of the friends you keep. As the adage goes, show me your friend and I will tell you what sort of a person you are. That is why the Bible cautions us severally on the issue of friendship. For instance, the first few chapters in the book of Proverbs contain

several warnings to be mindful of the associations we keep.

Jonadab was a bad friend to Amnon the son of David. He taught him how to rape his own sister (2 Samuel 13:5). In the end, it led to the death of Amnon. One of the greatest undoing of Samson was the ungodly companions he had. It was such a bad company that one of them took Samson's wife and thought nothing of it (Judges 14:11, 20). The point is that your friends can only offer you what they have. No friend can give you what he does not have.

I try to relate well with everyone God brings my way. But my principle has always been that I can do without whatever or whoever will not get me closer to God or take me to heaven. Indeed, the truth is that you really don't need whatever or whoever will not increase God and His righteousness in you. Of course, you will always need to have some forms of relationship with people who have nothing to do with your walk with God and your journey to heaven. But my point is that these are relationships you can do away with without any negative eternal consequences. You must always be willing to take that step when it becomes needful.

Finally, the exhortation here implies that each of us should take heed to himself so that he is not deceived by the false teachers who tell us that it doesn't matter who you walk with. By their smooth and plausible arguments, they want you to ignore the biblical injunction that "friendship of the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4). But the Bible is emphatic that whoever chooses to be a friend of the world has already taken his stand as an enemy of God. God forbid that you become numbered in that group.

THE LORD'S HOME RUN

Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team.

The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named "Love."

Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because "Love never fails."

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch.

Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: ball one.

Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because

he never swings at what Satan throws.

The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told him He was now going to bring in His starplayer. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Freddy said, "He sure doesn't look like much!" Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace.

Thinking he there was no way he could lose, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen! However, Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by.

He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; the roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence for a home run!

The Lord's team won!

The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn't win the game. Freddy answered that he didn't know why.

The Lord explained, "If your love, faith, and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith, and Wisdom will get you on base, but only My Grace can get you Home.

"For by Grace are you saved, it is a gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11

THE CATALYST, THE ELIXIR

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, Amplified).

The call of God upon our lives is to shine the light through the agency of His life that is in us - the life of God in Christ Jesus.

But it seems to me that today's church has chosen for itself another assignment, namely to multiply torches, produce more lanterns and manufacture more candles. However, good and necessary as that may be, carrying about a huge torch or lantern or advertising the biggest or tallest candle can never be the same thing as shining the light.

All the huge cathedrals, massive educational institutions and other symbols of physical advances of the church today are no more than huge lanterns. The titles that have so filled our church system will not shine the light. Only the life of God within us can shine the light we are talking about. For it is written of Jesus Christ, our perfect example, that "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men" (John 1:4). If it was so with Jesus Christ, that He had no other light to shine to affect His world, it cannot be otherwise with us who have been called to carry on His works.

Friends, if we will not become a sorry disappointment to the cause and cross of Christ, this Christianity of 'things' that has become the hallmark of today's church must stop immediately. The gospel of 'things' cannot save the world, neither will it change its manners from unrighteousness to righteousness. Similarly, the gospel of

'morality' that does not take its cue from the life of God, the gospel of 'success' that makes light of the will of God, and the other kinds of 'gospels' available on the stable of the modern church cannot save the world. It is only the Gospel of life, the life of God in Christ Jesus that can give hope to humanity.

Jesus came to give us life - eternal life, abundant life (John 10:10).

Whereas we will have the good things of life to follow us as we pursue the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), the purpose of Jesus' coming was not to give us things. The life that Jesus came to give is what we must also primarily offer to this dying world.

Every facility God makes available to the church must only be seen as tools to advance the life of God in the hearts of men. Similarly, every resource God has given us as individuals must always be seen as tools to share with others the life of God. May the Lord help us all in Jesus' name.

THE WAY TO GO NIGERIA...

"And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever" (1 Kings 12:7).

I have always maintained that leadership at its best is service. The ideal leader in any society or organisation is the servant leader.

Jesus said to His disciples that even though they called Him Lord or Master, and rightly so, He operated among them as one who served (Luke 22:27). And when He washed the feet of the disciples, Jesus also demonstrated that it is not just enough to talk about being a servant leader but that the leader must truly serve.

In serving the people, leaders provide answers. The old men told Rehoboam that his job it was to answer the people. In other words, a leader provides answers because a leader is an answer. It is a major aspect of the duty of a leader to be an answer to the questions in the lives and situations of the followers. In doing so, leaders bring comfort to the people they lead and peace to the community or organisation over which they preside.

All these attributes were adequately exemplified in David, the grandfather of Rehoboam. He served God and his people creditably well.

He was a covering to the people, defending them often times at the risk of his own life. He brought comfort and prosperity to Israel, and the nation progressed greatly during his reign. That quality foundation in national leadership was built upon by Solomon and Israel became the envy of other nations. But sadly, Rehoboam came and messed up everything. Due to his bad leadership style which did not honour the people, Israel disintegrated and the nation was broken into two.

The ultimate lesson to learn from the misadventure of Rehoboam is that leadership is a privilege and for leadership to succeed and endure positively, the leader must honour his followers. If Rehoboam had opted to treat the people with decency and dignity, he would have been loved, respected and accepted by the people. Like the elders told him, the people would have served and followed him wholeheartedly.

The time has come that leaders must treat their followers with respect so that both the leader and the led may achieve their common purpose.

The rule will apply the same way irrespective of the type of organisation you might be involved with, whether at home, in the church, in business corporations or in civil government. Even in a military setting where unquestioned obedience is required, demanded and given, leadership will achieve more, succeed more and endure more if the followership is treated with reasonable courtesy, dignity,

honour and respect.

THIS NATURE

There was this Christian who saw a scorpion floundering around in the water. He decided to save it by stretching out his finger, but the scorpion stung him. The man still tried to get the scorpion out of the water, but the scorpion stung him again.

A man nearby told him to stop trying to save the scorpion that kept stinging him.

But the Christian said: "It is the nature of the scorpion to sting. It is my nature to love. Why should I give up my nature to love just because it is the nature of the scorpion to sting?"

Don't give up loving. Don't give up your goodness. Even if people around you sting

THINGS AREN'T WHAT THEY SEEM

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead, the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel

replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night, the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the

angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their

only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, How could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him," she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed

and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it." "Then last night as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife.

I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem." Sometimes, that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way it seems they should.

5 TERRORISTS IN THE CHURCH

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in certain churches. Church security identifies these as Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin.

Their leader, Osama Bin Lucifer, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy the pastors and the churches.

A tiny cell known by the name Bin Workin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. This group appears to be very weak. It is easy to detect

because it is the only group that is active in service to Christ. Unlike the true terrorist cells, the Bin Workin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin Workin visibly does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ.

We have noticed that the Bin Workin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Prayin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ, to return. Which cell group do you belong to?

2 Thessalonians 3:11-For we hear that there are some, which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

Mark 13:32-3-But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father, Take ye heed, watch and pray: For

ye know not when that time is.

These same groups have been detected in other denominations. The Office of Home Church Security is coordinating its efforts with the Bin Workin group to interdict the activities of the five terrorist cells now known to be active throughout many American churches.

Report all sightings to proper authorities.

WHERE IS THE PROOF?

"What is the use (profit), my brethren, for anyone to profess to have faith if he has no [good] works [to show for it]? Can [such] faith save [his soul]?" (James  2:14, Amplified).

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that faith without works is dead. Your faith in Christ Jesus must be accompanied by practical demonstration of what that faith represents. Otherwise, it would become what I call faith dead on arrival. In the same way, works without faith is also of no value before God. It is important to believe in God. But you must show the proof of what you believe by the good things you do so that your confession of faith does not become worthless.

Abraham, the father of faith was presented to us in Scripture as a man who was "strong in faith" (Romans 4:20). But he was also shown to be a man carried through whatever he believed in by corresponding action.

An instructive reference point is the attempt by Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a supreme expression of his faith in God. Abraham's life teaches that when you believe, you must behave.

The relationship between faith and corresponding action is well illustrated in the story of an old Scotsman who operated a little rowboat for transporting passengers. One day a passenger noticed that the good old man had carved on one oar the word “Faith,” and on the other oar the word “Works.” Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man, being a well-balanced Christian and glad of the opportunity to share his faith proceeded to show thus:

He dropped the oar labelled 'Faith' and plied the other called 'Works', and they just went around in circles. Then he dropped that oar and began to ply the other called 'Faith', and the little boat just went around in circles again - this time the other way around, but still in a circle.

After this demonstration the old man picked up 'Faith' and 'Works' and plying both oars together, sped swiftly over the water. Then he explained to his inquiring passenger, “You see, that is the way it is in the Christian life. Dead works without faith are useless, and “faith without works is dead” also, getting you nowhere. But faith and works pulling together make for safety, progress, and blessing.”

Dear friends, whatever God has told you or the things you have seen in His words must also be acted upon in order for you to see the physical manifestation. As faith teachers have repeatedly told us, true faith is "acting on the word of God". Such faith that is backed up with right action is the overcoming faith. Such is the faith that pleases God.

NIGERIAN PASTOR BUTCHERED TO DEATH

A popular Nigerian pastor, who is touted as a dedicated servant to the poor, was "butchered" to death last week on his way back from pastoral duties by Muslim Fulani

herdsmen, whom some say could be linked to the terrorist group Boko Haram.

As Morning Star News reports, pastor Joshua Adah, who founded and operated a school that provides over 400 kids with free education in the village of Bantaje, fell victim to the wrath of Muslim extremists belonging to the Fulani ethnolinguistic group, the same herdsmen that also reportedly attacked Nigerian Christian communities last week.

According to unnamed supporters of Adah's ministry, Adah was on his way back to his mission station last Friday after attending an "evangelistic outreach" event when his car broke down and he had to pull over on the side of the road.

After pulling over, Adah then called his mechanic who came to the scene to see if he could fix the car. When it was determined that the mechanic could not fix the car, the mechanic then left the scene to call a tow truck.

After calling for assistance and returning to the scene, the mechanic could not find Adah. After conducting a long search, the mechanic was able to find Adah's slain body.

"A few kilometer from Jalingo, he had car issues along the Wukari-Jalingo road," the ministry supporter said.

"He was mercilessly hacked to death by Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram."

A local police spokesman, Joseph Kwaji, confirmed that Adah was killed by Fulani herdsmen.

"The pastor's car broke down at Chediya on his return from Koji. He then phoned his mechanic at Jalingo to help him fix the car. When the mechanic arrived, the two men agreed to hire a vehicle nearby Dan Anacha, which would tow the car to Jalingo," The police spokesman said. "The mechanic upon returning to scene could not

find the pastor. … After a thorough search, his body was found in the area."

Although the police spokesman didn't provide details about the exact manner in which the herdsmen murdered Adah, his wife told Morning Star News that he was indeed "butchered."

One ministry supporter recounted Adah's sacrifices and his commitment to providing for the poor after being born again in 2000.

"Not too long after he got born again, he left the comfort and 'luxury' of city life for a remote village on a hill without light nor potable drinking water, not even a well in sight," the supporter explained. "He was there with his humble wife and kids to answer the call of God at this time when larger cities meant greener pastures, fatter offerings and sizeable tithes to others doing

ministry. He continued to preach the Gospel and hold campaigns, not in the urban areas but mostly in rural areas.

"I don't know why God allowed Boko Haram to cut his life short. Even when it became dangerous, he refused to get out but kept preaching Christ in villages where many will not go," she added .

Adah became well known in the Taraba state as he was dedicated to providing food, shelter, money and medicine to the less fortunate villagers in the province.

"He shared his meager resources with the poor. He clothed them. He showed love to them. His home was theirs. I can't keep the tears away," the supporter said.

"I'm still hoping to wake up and realize it has all been a bad dream. If only I can see and speak to my friend, my big brother just one more time. [He was] a rare gem. I remember all the times he prayed with me and encouraged me. I feel so shattered. I am crushed."

Although there's no clear evidence that Boko Haram was involved in Adah's murder, it was reported in 2014 that many Fulani herdsman have confessed membership to the Boko Haram. In October, Muslim extremists stormed two Taraba churches, interrupting worship services, and killed 31 people.

Last March, Fulani herdsman in the Nigerian state of Kaduna burned down three Christian villages and hacked and burned to death over 100 people.

THE PRICE FOR GOD'S BLESSING...

"And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father"

(Genesis 26:1-3).

Famine at anytime indicates a serious problem. Certainly, a time of famine in any community is never a period of joy or laughter because the physical survival of people would hang in the balance. The aftermath of any period of famine is usually calamitous, and it would take quite a while for the community to get back on its feet.

But it was in such a period of famine that Isaac received God’s promise of abundance and also saw the fulfilment of that promise. The Bible declares that in the time of famine, "Isaac planted crops in the land. They grew well. They grew to 100 times the amount that he planted. This was because the Lord blessed him" (Genesis 26:12, Easy

English Version). Friends, it is possible to have abundance in the midst of scarcity when God is involved with you.

The involvement of God in any situation will always change the equations. Normal calculations and permutations that we are used to as humans will fail to produce expected results. When God is involved in

your case, two plus two may not always be four because God is above and beyond two plus two. God is a God of miracles, and when we talk of miracles, natural laws must bow for its Creator.

When famine hit the country where Isaac dwelt, he decided to flee to Egypt. God intervened, instructing him to stay where he was and not to flee, assuring him of His presence and blessing. The Lord kept his promise and blessed Isaac because he did not go to Egypt. Obedience will always be the price we must pay to access God’s blessings and see the fulfilment of His promises.

Friends, do you want God to change things in your favour? Do you want the hour of famine to be turned into your season of abundance? Do you want to experience the miracles of God from time to time wherein

natural laws shall be suspended just for you to receive your desired blessings? Then pay the price of obedience to the commands of God.

Like that popular Christian hymn tells us, we must "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus". May the Lord grant us all grace and strength to live a life of consistent obedience.

LETS TEAR THIS VEIL NOW...NIGERIA DECIDES

"And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations" (Isaiah 25:7).

Praying for the nation is an assignment that the Lord has given to all believers. The church is mandated to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalms 122:6). And whereas the physical Jerusalem in Palestine is the literal reference here, we cannot ignore the implied 'Jerusalem', namely your locality, your city or your country as the case may be.

Praying for your 'Jerusalem' is important because your personal peace and prosperity is directly tied to the peace and prosperity of your Jerusalem. That was why the Lord spoke through Jeremiah, urging the Jews to pray for the peace of the land of their captivity because it is in the peace of that land that they also shall have peace (Jeremiah 29:7).

Generally speaking, most nations of the world are in critical moments today and so, this injunction to pray for our respective nations must be taken as a matter of urgent priority. We must pay our God assigned dues in this regard, both as individuals and as a church. But in praying for the city, state or nation, we must do so with revelation.

We must wait on God to receive direction that we might not have prayed in vain.

Recently, we were in such a prayer session for our beloved country when the Spirit of God gave us the Scripture verse quoted above to be used to direct the prayers. The first thing I observed is that it is possible for evil people to cast a covering "over all the people" and,that from the kingdom of darkness, a vail could be spread on an entire nation and indeed the whole nations of the world. That discovery is frightening because it does not seem to align with the well proven dictum that you can fool some people some time but you can't fool all the people all the time.

The obvious inference that could be drawn from today's Scripture is that you can cover or fool all the people all the time - at least until the people cry out to God for deliverance as it was with the Hebrews when they got tired of four hundred years of Egyptian oppression, or until the power of evil attains its moment of divine expiration as it happened in the case of Sodom when the Lord destroyed the city with all its evil.

In our country today, particularly as we approach the general elections, we must pray to remove every satanic covering and vail beclouding the eyes of understanding of our people. I can confirm to you that the political class has been casting spells, attempting to charm the whole nation in their quest for political power. I can confirm to you that marabouts and voodoo priests have been brought into the nation in their numbers at different times to advance the cause of certain candidates and to pursue agendas that are wholly unholy.

Sadly in all that is happening, the church has also been hoodwinked. Yet, it is on "this mountain" that the Lord has purposed to 'destroy' "the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations". The church must arise and pray dispassionately, yet fervently for the soul of this nation. I tell you, this generation of Christians will answer to God what they have done with the precious destiny of this nation. He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying. May the Lord in His mercy grant us understanding.

POSSESSED BY GOD....

"But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about" (Romans 8:9, The Message).

The Bible severally indicates that we were made to be God's dwelling place, a home for the presence of the living God. God’s eternal

purpose is to fill man with all His fullness so that humans become literal carriers of God. This should not be difficult to understand and accept because God is a spirit and as such, He could take up residence in our lives. The whole idea of Christianity is God in man and man in God. That was why Jesus came, the Emmanuel, God with us and revealed in us.

Today's Scripture verse for meditation takes off on the assumption that we have turned our lives over to God by receiving "the Spirit of Christ", and then posits that "if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him". In other words, a man who has given God room in his life ought to think more of God than of himself. Thoughts about God, His nature, His words and His kingdom should consume such a man from time to time.

The words and deeds of such a person should constantly give him out as someone who has been 'possessed' by God and His Holy Spirit.

Friends, how much of your thought life centres on God and the things of God? The Bible actually forbids us to be filled with any other thing than the Spirit of God (Ephesians 5:18). The implication of this is that we should consciously clear away from around us such things as would not encourage our focus on the Lord. As a matter of fact, Christians are admonished to keep looking unto Jesus and to nurture within themselves the "mind of Christ" so that they might be filled with His thoughts.

One more question to honestly think about. Have you truly welcomed the Lord into your life? A songwriter wrote a prayer song, fervently pleading that God should come and make her heart His home. Could that possibly be your earnest plea as well? As our Bible text for today indicates, you won't understand what we are talking about until you have welcomed "this invisible but clearly present God" into your life.

This you can do by simply asking the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart and be your Lord and personal Saviour. Do it right now. He will come in and fill you with His Holy Spirit, and your life will never remain the same.

YES, ON HIS WAY...

“'Yes, I’m on my way to visit you with Judgment. I’ll present compelling evidence against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, those who are inhospitable to the homeless anyone and everyone who doesn’t honor me.' A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies" (Malachi 3:5, The Message).

God's judgement is coming; it is inevitable. It is also inescapable. I know that you might have heard this before, but I want you to know that it is true. Men and women alike will come under it. Young or old, rich or poor, educated or non-literate, all shall be visited by God’s judgement. The Bible tells us clearly that the House of God will be the first to come under the fire. So we know that pastors will not be exempted - whether they come with the title of bishop, prophet,

apostle or reverend would not matter. Of course the congregation they lead will also be individually visited by the searching eyes of the all-seeing God.

God says He has compelling evidence to present against those who live in ways that are not pleasing to Him. Then He mentions some of them - the "sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, those who are inhospitable to the homeless". Because the list is inconclusive, the Bible  says "anyone and everyone who doesn’t honor" God is included.

I will not attempt to discuss the items on that list and the possible additions. Every one knows what kind of life he or she is living. The liar knows when he is not telling the truth. The adulterer knows that the lady in bed with him is not his wife, even if she bears the same name with his lawfully wedded wife. The employer cruising about in his luxury car knows that his employees have not been paid for months.

Every man is first convicted by his conscience and it is our personal duty to cooperate with our conscience.

But the mercy of God will always preceed divine judgement. I am persuaded that this is the season of mercy, and that God in His mercy is sending His word to us to help us that we may amend our ways.

Please understand that there is no such thing as getting away with any evil you have done. God's justice demands that each man answers for whatever he has done and that judgement be served appropriately. The only way out is true repentance and genuine commitment to live a life that honours God.

Honouring God is the business of every living, irrespective of culture, colour or creed. The created is under obligation to honour the Creator at all times in thought, word and deed. Anything to the contrary is tantamount to rebellion against the Lord God. Whatever your philosophy or belief, don't be caught on the side of rebellion against God in this world or in the next.

COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE..

"Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]" (Matthew 24:4, Amplified).

The level of deception that has befallen the saints of God is becoming increasingly disturbing and alarming. The church of today is definitely a ship adrift on the ocean of worldliness. Our depth in matters of spiritual perception, commitment to the will of God, willingness to be openly associated with Christ at critical times and

genuine demonstration of undying passion for the kingdom of God has become unpardonably shallow. It is  unfortunate that carnal reasoning has taken the place of spiritual perception and divine revelation. For a church of the living God that has the hope of reigning with Christ, this is completely unacceptable.

But such situation is the natural consequence of our abandonment of the presence of God, our neglect of discipleship, our preference for the gratification of the flesh and our chase after the wind of material success. Things cannot be otherwise when man has replaced God in the church and the vast majority of people who are supposed to have congregated for worship have actually come for other things that have nothing to do with God. In such a circumstance, satanic deception easily engulfs the church and spreads through the body like a wildfire during harmattan. That is the sorry state of the church today.

In times like this, my dear friends, you ought to take personal responsibility for your spiritual wellbeing. You cannot afford to leave your spiritual health in the hands of anyone else, not even the pastor. I have taught on this subject several times and I will yet teach it a thousand times over. You will please God or displease Him primarily because of what you do or don't do about your spiritual condition. You will go to heaven or hell primarily because of what you do and how you live. Every man is not just the architect of his own fortune or misfortune, but also the primary determinant of his status with God and of his eternal destination.

If you are deceived and led into error, you are entirely responsible for allowing that deception. If you are misled, even by a supposed man of God, you will still be personally answerable to God for your misdeeds. This is why Jesus said you have a duty to yourself to ensure that you are not misled. You are the one that must be careful and do all that you can to prevent your being deceived and being led into error. You do this by seeking to know the truth and what is in the mind of God concerning everything you are involved in. In the process of fortifying yourself with the truth, you must learn how to employ the weapon of prayer and meditation in the word of God.

If by this message I have stirred you up to take immediate steps for your personal development in the things of God, I give God the glory.

If you have been challenged to take responsibility for your spiritual health, I praise the Lord. May you receive grace to walk worthy of the bLord unto all pleasing.

WHAT A SHAME...

"May [the Lord] take notice of your offerings; may he accept your burnt sacrifice! (Psalms 20:3, New English Translation).

The other day, I was ministering on this Scripture in a church where I was invited to teach on finances from a biblical perspective. I remember asking the people to consider what they think could happen if

God should give attention to the kind of offerings they normally give in services. We all concluded that it would be better and safer for us if God would not remember our offerings.

The Bible encourages us to honour the Lord with our offerings. But for the average person in today's church, his offering is more of an insult to the Lord, both in terms of quantity and quality. I have seen it time and time again: people giving miserable offerings to the Lord as though He were a beggar. I think it is not okay when the amount of money you spend on a single airtime to recharge your mobile phone beats your total weekly offerings to God. I feel you are not doing right when the cost of your snacks is more than your offering to God who gave you life and made it possible for you to eat the snacks. Some even spend more on their dogs than they ever do in the house of God.

Shall we not be correct to say that they value the dog more than God?

What about the quality and decency of the money we give God as offering? Those in the ushering department see it all - the tattered and mutilated currency notes, the dirty and filthy bills that have been rejected in commercial transactions. These are brought to the house of worship and given as offering to the Most High God. And we do

it with some dancing to celebrate the dishonour we bring to the Lord.

What a shame! It reminds me of those who were accused of bringing sick and disabled animals for sacrifices to the Lord. God rejected them, challenging them to first offer those sick animals to their governor, whether he would accept them. I continue to marvel at how possible it is for us to comfortably offer to God what we would never accept as man.

We need to change our attitude when it comes to giving to the Lord. To begin with, all that we have come from God. Why should it be difficult for us to generously give back to Him quality offerings in appreciation of His goodness? And if you think, as many do, that the offering you give in church on Sunday goes to man and not to God, you are missing it big time. Yes, it is a man like you who will receive and administer the money on God’s behalf. But don't forget that it is God who commanded that it should be given and it is that same God who will reward the giver.

So my beloved, when next you go to church, give offering as one giving to the Lord and not man. Stop giving what is available, learn to give God the best. God taught me many years ago that I should not allow my

revenue to dictate my offering; rather, I am to give according to the revelation of God that I have. That is the only way we can give to please the Lord.

NOT MORE THAN VESSEL

"…none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have – right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start – comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.” (1Corinthians 1:29-31, The Message).

There is nothing we have that we have not received. All that we have comes from the hand of God whether we believe it or not. The Bible says that every good gift and every perfect gift come from God, the Father of light, and that there is no inconsistency with this truth (James 1:17). Even where you have worked for what you received and you think you deserve to have it, you will still come to accept that what you received was a gift from God when you realise that there are others who have done what you did but never got the results you have.

That is the grace factor, the God factor in all we do and have.

If the above is true, then it makes very little sense to boast of whatever you have. Unfortunately, the average person makes a job of it, flaunting their gifts, talents and blessings as if they are the author thereof. In the same vein, it is utter stupidity to gloat over your neighbour for what he does not have. In fact, the proud and arrogant boaster is not only ignorant but foolish. He is ignorant and foolish because the object of man's boasting is typically transient and mostly ephemeral - something that is there today but may not be there tomorrow.

And why has God given us all that we have received? That we may serve Him all the days of our lives. We must realise that we are no more than vessels through whom God wants to get His will effected on the

earth, and that all we have are given to us to help us fulfil that purpose. Our birth, the breath we breathe, the abilities and the material resources we have, even the children God has blessed us with have all been given to us that we might serve God without distractions all the days of our lives. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist understood this perfectly (Luke 1:67-79).

So where does all the above lead us? It is not just that we should "blow a trumpet for God", giving Him thanks and praise for all He has blessed us with; that we must consciously and continually do, ascribing all glory to Him. But more importantly, we ought to use whatever we have - the things that we have received - to serve God in every direct, possible way, and to serve Him by serving humanity.

Every resource at our disposal must be put to the service of God.

Remember that is the very reason why you were given those things in the first place. It will become what I call an abuse of the blessings of God when we fail to utilise those things we have received in the service of God. May you never be found guilty of such an abuse.

As you go on in this momentous year, it will be a good exercise to constantly evaluate your performance in this all important department of life. So far, how much of what God has blessed you with have you

put into His service, both directly and indirectly? I want you to always remember that after you are done with this life, nothing that you've done will remain but what you've done for Him. Please don't

allow the tools God has given you to serve Him become the things that distract you from serving Him. That is a tragedy you should never permit.

THE REVELATION, MY THOUGHT..NIGERIANS DECIDE

"Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say"

(Proverbs 16:33, The Message).

Too many times, we seem to forget that there is a God who rules in the affairs of men. We often do not realise that God has a specific plan for every individual He has created. In the same way, our God has specific plans for each nation He has allowed existence. Such plans cover every detail and every aspect of life, both for the individual and for the community or group. I am a firm believer in the concept of the "will of God", and although I have not always gotten it right, I can confirm to you that I always do my best to seek God’s will in all that I'm involved in, and do the will of God that I know.

Friends, I am persuaded beyond any shadow of doubt that God has a thought on everything. It could not have been otherwise because God is too much a God of purpose not to have a plan for everything He has created and continues to sustain. Beloved, I want to assure you that God definitely has a plan for your organisation, community or nation, including the choice of who should lead or rule the people.

This is election period in my country, and our Scripture verse for today's meditation says "God has the final say" even in matters of civil elections. Yes, the politicians will make their 'motions' and the people will cast their 'votes', but I assure you that at the end of the day, Jehovah will have the final say. But both the political class and the electorates behave as if they are not aware of this truth. Man may propose but it is not in his power to dispose. That is the sovereign responsibility of God and whatever God ordains is what obtains.

I am particularly concerned about the Christian attitude in times like this. If indeed God has the final say in electoral matters and we believe so, then the Christian ought to be guided by the mind of God in exercising his civic right. You should be voting for particular candidates, not just because you like them but because you are

reasonably persuaded that such candidates are the will of God for those particular offices. But that will only happen when we have prayerfully sought out the will of God for our state or nation and are committed to bringing it to pass.

Dear Christian, what has God told you or revealed to you about your state or nation, and especially concerning the coming elections? Every serious Christian believes that God still speaks today and still makes His will known to the sons of men. Therefore, it is not out of place for me to have posted that very important question. If we would really contribute our quota to the deliverance and development of our state or nation, the Christian must act in such a manner as to bring about the establishment of God’s will. To do otherwise is to be working at cross purposes with God. Brethren, you should never be found doing

that. Don't be like the Samuel who first looked at men's countenance, height and stature to determine God’s choice. Rather, be like the Samuel who listened to God and voted according to the mind of God for

his country.