STRANGE THAN STRANGERS

Isn't it strange how N500 seems like such a large amount when we give it as offering, BUT such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how 2hrs seem so long when you're at place of worship BUT how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're to make supplication to God, BUT you've no trouble thinking of what to gist about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult & boring it is to read 1 chapter of the scriptures, BUT how easy it's to read 100pages of a popular novel/magazine?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts, film house or games, BUT they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in the holy gathering?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in Paradise, BUT they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn't it strange how we send jokes in emails, BBM, Whatsapp, BC & they are forwarded right away, BUT when we are going to share messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?

IT'S STRANGE, ISN'T IT?

RECIPES FOR TRUE PROSPERITY

Acquaint now yourself with Him [agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will] and be at peace; by that [you shall prosper and great] good shall come to you" (Job 22:21, Amplified). 

God wants us to be at peace and live in prosperity. He never created us for trouble and afflictions. He made it clear in His Word that He wishes "above all things that you may prosper and be in health" spirit, soul and body (3 John 1:2). Today's Scripture verse as presented in the Amplified gives us a clear picture of the secret to true prosperity and success in life. 

The process of getting acquainted with God begins at conversion. This is when man acknowledges his sins before God and agrees with Him that he cannot save himself and that he needs a saviour. Man agrees further with God by accepting God’s way of salvation and God's provision of a Saviour in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. To acquaint yourself with God implies that you draw near to Him. In order to do this, we cannot shove aside the words of Jesus. Hear Him: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). 

The next stage is to conform to His will in a manner that shall be evident to heaven, earth and hell. This is where you need all the instruments by which men may walk with God. You begin with the instrument of prayer which involves daily communion or conversation with God. Jesus taught us that a major purpose of prayer is to draw divine grace to be able to do the will of God in the earth as it is done in heaven (Matthew 6:6-13). Please make this a central part of your daily prayer. 

You continue with a habit of consistent study in the Holy Scriptures, remembering the word of the Lord that says man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). In fact, the Scriptures have been shown over the centuries to be great tools to achieve prosperity and good success (Joshua 1:8). Study the Bible daily, it will make you wise and you will gain from it all that you require for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). 

And then you consolidate with right fellowship with saints of similar pursuit. The Bible urges us not to forsake the assembly of God’s children (Hebrews 10:25). Fellowship is important for Christian growth in that it provides encouragement and stimulation to "love and to good works" (Hebrews 10:24). But please don't just go to any church. Pray and let God direct you to the place where He would have you serve Him. That is where you will truly be at peace and prosperity and great good shall come to you. 

Finally, you must back up all the above with a firm resolve to stay on the Lord's side and obey His commands no matter what. It is well with you. 

2 TYPES OF SUCCESS

John answered, “It’s not possible for a person to succeed—I’m talking about eternal success—without heaven’s help" (John 3:27, The Message). 

There are at least two types of success. There is eternal success and there is what we may call temporal, earthly success. A man could wiggle his way through and attain some measure of earthly success, all by himself. But our focus today is on eternal success - success that comes from God. In Psalms 121, the Psalmist confirms to us that those who want eternal success must look up to heaven for help, to the Almighty God who made heaven and earth. 

Eternal success may be described as the blessing of God that makes rich without adding sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). It is success that comes with inner peace, health, joy and contentment. Like Matthew Henry observed in his Bible commentary, we are talking about a success or blessing of which there is "no disquieting care to get and keep it, no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment of it, [and] no tormenting grief for the loss of it". It is only through the help of the God of heaven that we can achieve this. 

The question now is, how do you access heaven's help? Jesus is the straight answer to that question. Let me illustrate. A middle aged man who had been born lame suddenly began to walk after receiving prayers from Peter and John. All who saw and heard of the miracle began to look at them as some special people. But Peter told them, "We are not any special people and we don’t have any special powers or unusual holiness. We have been able to succeed at this only because we secured heaven's help through the name of Jesus. It was through faith in His name that this lame man was made whole". 

Later on, Peter addressed the Jewish council on this same matter. He made it clear to them (and us) that there is no other means of drawing help from heaven other than through the name of Jesus. His words, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved [or helped]" (AActs 4:12). 

Friends, that situation has not and will not change. If you need God's help, please call on Jesus. He said, "the Father will give you anything that you ask him. If you ask him in my name (because you are mine), he will give it to you" (John 15:16b, Easy English Version). No one else has ever given us such an assurance. 

"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth" (Psalms 124:8). 

I pray for you today, that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will avail for you and unlock every door of success the enemy has closed against you. May that name defend you as you labour on in the field that God has given you until you land in the palace of eternal success. Victory is yours in the precious name of Jesus Christ. 

DIVINE VERDICT FROM GAMALIEL

So I am telling you: Hands off these men! Let them alone. If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it—and you better not be found fighting against God! (Acts 5:38-39, The Message). 

The average student of the Bible knows the story, how that after the death of Jesus, the disciples faced serious persecution from the Jewish elders. The preaching of the gospel of Jesus and the working of incredible but undeniable miracles through His name continuously irritated the religious authorities of the day. Their resolve was to stop the apostles and disciples of Jesus by every possible means. Harassments, corporal punishments, and even imprisonments followed. But everything that was done against the disciples could not stop them. They succeeded and triumphed in spite of all the evil that was done to them. 

Finally, a decree came from heaven, though it was released through the mouth of one of them, a member of the persecuting company. And this is one thing I love about God. When He orders concerning your life, even your enemies have no choice but to comply. One of them rebuked the rest saying, "Hands off these men! Let them alone..., you better not be found fighting against God!" It is always interesting when from the midst of your accusers God raises a defendant for you. It is always exciting when your persecutor suddenly becomes your comforter. Oh, this God! You are just too much. 

And now, I decree the following concerning you - 

Every work of man in your life that is contrary to the plan of God shall fall apart. 

Whatever the enemy has put together to disgrace you and stop your progress will backfire. 

Every human program to put you to shame or frustrate your genuine efforts in life shall fall apart. 

Your life shall not yield to the pressure of the enemy. 

Everything the devil has organised for your downfall shall be turned into divine instruments for your lifting. 

From today, whoever is fighting you shall be accounted as fighting God and the judgment of God shall be swift upon every force, person or power that is warring against your destiny. 

This is the decree of Jehovah God almighty, and it is established concerning you today in Jesus Christ's mighty name. 

GET RID OF YOUR PhD....

PULL HIM DOWN TRAIT

So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault" (Romans 14:19-20, The Message). 

Appropriate brotherly relationship is important for all individuals in order to live a life of peace with your neighbours and to also have peace within you. When you are not at peace with people around you, it will be impossible to have peace within you. I remember a brother telling me how that he could not sleep for about a week just because another brother offended him by speaking unkind words to him. So the Bible urges us to commit to using "all our energy in getting along with each other". And you know, we don’t have to be best of friends to do so. 

In human relationships, the way we use words matter a lot, having grave consequences for personal and communal peace. Today, permit me to exhort you to be an encourager in the way you use words. You will build more lives and relationships that way rather than always finding fault with everything and everybody. Learn how to criticise constructively with a view to bringing out the best in the person you are criticising. I have found out that at the end of the day, most people would not reject help if the help is presented in an attractive and conciliatory manner. 

That was the manner of life that Jesus taught us. Even when He spoke harshly, it was always in love so as to get His hearers to do the right thing. On one occasion, it was reported that "all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth" (Luke 4:22). Virtually everyone who came to Jesus left challenged and encouraged in their journey towards the kingdom of God and towards doing right. The exceptions were those who appeared to have made up their minds to continue in their life of sin and hypocrisy. 

Like Christ, let your words "be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:6). You will lose nothing by doing so. Ask the Lord God for "the tongue of the learned" that will help you to "know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary" (Isaiah 50:4). Other Bible translations (like the International Standard Version) refer to it as the "instructed tongue" that will help you to know how to "sustain the weary with words". You will gain nothing by killing the weary with your words. 

Friends, remember that you don't have to win every argument outside of a formal or official competitive debate. There never is a trophy for winning an argument against a friend or for putting your neighbour down with your words. Let people remember you for the kind words you spoke that lifted them out of despair and saved them from errors. That is the life of honour you were meant to live. Live it! 

DEVELOPING A WAY OF LIFE

"All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without a lot of distractions" (1Corinthians 7:35, The Message). 

A scribe once came to Jesus asking to know which is the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus told him that it was the commandment to love, and that this commandment has two parts. The first part which is very relevant to today's message says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). Loving God in the manner described above would require spending quality time with the Lord which takes us back to the issue of devotion. 

Modern life, especially in the metropolis has been structured in such a way that spending time with the Lord has become a luxury that only few people can afford. Apart from the legitimate busyness of earning a living and the daily preparations that go with it, we have also invented several adult toys and preoccupations that take away the time of the 21st century man. But he that will make a success of his walk with God must learn to prioritize fellowship with the Lord in all that he does. 

Jesus led quite a busy life, attending to people, ministering to their spiritual and physical needs, and moving from place to place, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. Sometimes, it could be so serious that Jesus and the disciples would have "no leisure so much as to eat" (Mark 6:31). But in spite of such a tight schedule, Jesus still succeeded in affording quality time of devotion with the Father. From this we learn that there will always be a way out if only we will take the effort to find it. 

Developing a way of life that will help you to spend plenty of time together with the Lord without distractions is a task that you must give attention. Developing it means that it won't come naturally. It won't come naturally because you have a lot of things demanding your attention and the devil doesn't even want you to maintain a dynamic relationship with the Lord. That you are to develop it also implies that you might need to be innovative about your devotional life. There would be no hard and fast rules; the only important rules are those that help you get it done. Yes, it will require a great deal of continuous discipline but if you approach the matter with utmost sincerity, you will know what will work best for you. 

THEY FIRST LOVED HIM....WHO?

"So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can" (1Corinthians 10:14, The Message). 

Using God for selfish ends is a common thing in the modern church. Our worship of God has been reduced to nothing more than doing the needful to get His blessings. For many, God has become a mere tool that we use to achieve our life goals and realise our personal ambitions. The idea of serving and worshipping God simply for who He is has become unfashionable. 

To be sure, the name of the Lord is on every lip and Jesus is being proclaimed in every corner. But don't let that fool you to think that the person of Jesus lives in their hearts. The name of Jesus is on the lips of men because men have since discovered that the name works wonders. The name is seen only as a key to open the door of the next miracle. 

But the disciples who first used the name of Jesus evidently loved the Lord. They did not use the name of the Lord to enrich themselves or for any other selfish reason. They identified with the name of the Lord as a strong indication of their identification with the person of the Lord. That was the reason why they endured so much persecutions and afflictions as they took the name of Jesus with them everywhere they went. 

Today, the Lord is admonishing us not to be part of those who merely use God for their own selfish ends. Rather, let God use you for His own perfect purpose. Christianity is a call to serve God, not to serve self. When the day is done, and the story of the day is told, let it be said of you that "Here was the man who was used of God for the supreme benefits of His kingdom and of humanity".

THIS TELEGRAM OR THY WORD

Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He’s standing right alongside God, and what he says goes" (1Peter 3:22, The Message). 

No one has the final say about your life. That place of finite authority is reserved only for the Lord Jesus. If He has not spoken, know that all that has been said by whosoever is not final. And if He has spoken, you bet that is the final because you can always take His words to the bank. Indeed, "what He says goes". 

Let me also add that whatever you decide to be the final verdict concerning your life shall indeed be the final verdict. If you choose to accept the counsel of the ungodly or the threatening of the devil as final, that is exactly what you are going to get. But if you choose to hold on to the word of God rather than the report of mere mortals, then I have got good news for you. That word is going to prove you and give you a handsome reward for your choice. You may not know when, how or where, but you can be sure that God will ultimately show Himself faithful and true. 

There is the story of a mother who had been praying that God would save her boy and make a preacher out of him. The young man in question was a wicked sinner and he eventually landed in prison for his many atrocities. But the mother continued to call upon the Lord for him, believing that God would answer her prayers. 

One day she received a telegram from the prison, saying that her son was dead. The mother was stunned for a few minutes. Then she went to her room. There she prayed with her open Bible before her. She said to the Lord, “O God, I have believed the promises Thou didst give me in Thy Word. I have believed that I would live to see my son saved and preaching the gospel. Now, a telegram says he is dead. Lord, which is true, this telegram or Thy Word?” 

She rose from her knees and wired the prison: “There must be some mistake. My boy is not dead.” And there was a mistake indeed, a case of mistaken identity. The young man was alive! Not long afterward he was saved. When he was released from prison, he became a mighty soul-winner and preacher. 

Be encouraged friends. God’s word will come through for you. Your attitude should be like that of Apostle Paul who said, "I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:25). Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! 

LOOKING AT THE RIGHT ANGLE

"The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!" (2Corinthians 6:12-13, The Message).

God has great thoughts towards you and He has great plans for your life. On this subject, the Psalmist observed, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee" (Psalms 139:17-18). Friends, God has purposed that you should accomplish great things in this life. 

However, we will never be able to achieve those great things if we keep focusing on ourselves. The natural man will always feel inadequate when he keeps looking at himself vis-a-vis the great plans of God. Our abilities and skills, our talents and giftings, our educational and professional qualifications, preparations and experiences will never be adequate to bring us into the realisation of the big dreams God has given to us. 

But nothing makes us feel more inadequate as our limitations and challenges. Well, of course, no man looks to his weaknesses and feels strong. No, you don't gain strength by focusing on the things that are wrong with you or the situation in which you have found yourself. Yes, it's okay to examine your frailties, but that consideration is only useful to the extent that it helps you to learn the necessary lessons and helps you to plan how to overcome them or triumph in spite of your weaknesses. 

This is why it will always be a worthy counsel to constantly look unto Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). You can't keep looking unto Him and still feel small. In fact, what will likely happen is that as you look unto Him and consider what He went through for our sake, your failings, frailties, weaknesses and challenges that the enemy has been using to keep you down will suddenly become small and pale into complete insignificance. 

So I encourage you today to look away from yourself, open up to the Lord and let Him fill your life with His fullness (Ephesians 3:19). How would you ever feel small again when you open up to Him and hear Him say, "You are my temple, and I have said, 'I will dwell in you, and walk in you; and I will be your God...'" (2 Corinthians 6:16). Keep looking  unto Jesus and you will hear Him say, "be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Then divine strenght will muster within you and you will feel a new note of confidence that you will make it. 

It is well with you. 

SHOUT 'IN THE NAME OF JESUS'

.. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:23-24). 

The name of Jesus Christ is the most powerful name in heaven and on earth.  Remember that the Bible says God has given Him a name that is above every other name so that at His name, every knee should bow and that every tongue should confess His lordship (Philippians 2:9-11). Not even the names of the best and greatest of angels could match that of Jesus, for "God has caused his Son to be much greater and much better than the angels. God has given him a much greater and much better name than the angels’ names" (Hebrews 1:4, Easy English Version). Hallelujah! 

When it comes to the issue of prayer, the name of Jesus remains the ultimate game changer. Yes, we must pray in faith and in accordance with the provision of God’s word for our prayers to be answered. But Jesus is the Author and finisher of our faith. He is also the living Word of God, the very embodiment of the Scriptures. Therefore, in the final analysis, prayer works simply because the name of Jesus works. In our Scripture verses for today, Jesus told us with all the emphasis at His disposal that the Father will give to us whatever we ask in His name. 

I remember a time when Apostle Peter put the words of Jesus Christ to test. It was the scene of the healing of a middle aged man who had been born lame. The man had never walked all his life, but when prayer was made for him in the name of Jesus, "immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength". Then he began "walking, and leaping, and praising God". When people inquired as to the secret of this miraculous answer to such a simple prayer over such a complex and impossible situation, Peter said the name of Jesus is the key. 

Friends, I want to assure you that faith in the name of Jesus guarantees answer to prayers even today. I have personally been a consistent beneficiary of the goodies that come with the name of Jesus. I have also been privileged to employ the name of Jesus Christ in the behalf of countless numbers of people for nearly three decades now. My testimony, like that of Apostle Peter is that faith in the name of Jesus works. So then, friends, take the name of Jesus with you every time you go to God in prayer. It has worked for billions of people and it will not fail in your case. 

WEEKEND JOKE: DON'T JUST LAUGH, PLEASE THINK

While walking down the street one day a senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance. ‘Welcome to heaven, what we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity. says St. Peter.

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.

"I’m sorry, but we have our rules." say St. Peter.

And with that, St.Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a

very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator raises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. ‘Now it's time to visit heaven. ‘So, 24 hours passed with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by.

St. Peter returns. ‘Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity. ‘The senator reflects

for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the

middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in bags

as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

'I don't understand,' stammers the senator. 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time.

Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, 'Yesterday we were campaigning....Today you voted.'

Don't be deceived, all Satan offers is deceits

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD part 6

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD!!!

Yesterday, God helped me to successfully complete my proofs from the various ''sword'' statements of Jesus that Jesus never preached or tolerated or supported violence. Not even ONE commenter could disprove the veracity of the interpretations. How good it is to acquire accurate knowledge in addition to the infilling of the Holy Spirit! Hallelu Yahweh!!!

From the previous posts, we can see that the concept of violence as seen in the teachings and actions of these two prophets are irreconciliable! So, we can safely assume that Jesus and Muhammad preached different GOSPELS! Now, let's move on.....

NUMBER TWO: LOVE

Today, I'm quoting from the Quran because my very good Muslim friend, Muhammad Hamza, said Muhammad's teachings are what Allah revealed in the Quran. Now let's hear Allah out: ''Allah does not love those who reject Islam.''

1. Surat Ar-Rūm (The Romans) 30:45

(Sahih International) states:

''That He may reward those who have believed and done righteous deeds out of His bounty. Indeed, He does not like the disbelievers.''

2. Surat 'Āli `Imrān (Family of Imran) 3:32 

(Sahih International) states:

''Say, 'Obey Allah and the Messenger.' But if they turn away - then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers.''

3. Surat Al-Haj (The Pilgrimage) 22:38

(Sahih International) states:

''Indeed, Allah defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful.''

BUT......... 

Jesus said God loves everyone (John 3:16). The Greek word for love in this verse is ''agape''. This love is not the sentimental, biased love. It's not even a reciprocal love. It is not a love based on any reason(s). It is the love which God demonstrated towards us all in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

We did nothing to deserve this love. This love is not dependent on our obedience, loyalty or attitude towards God. Contrarily, it is one that seeks to bring/draw us back to God, regardless of our status quo.

While Allah is said to love those who do good deeds (2:195), those who are pure (2:222), those who are righteous (9:7), and those who fight in his cause (61:4), the Qur’an is equally clear that Allah has no love for transgressors (2:190), ungrateful sinners (2:276), the unjust (3:57), or the proud (4:36). 

Even more significantly, the Qur’an states that Allah does not love non-Muslims: 

Qur’an 3:31-32—Say [O Muhammad]: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Say: Obey Allah and the Apostle; but if they turn back, then surely Allah does not love the unbelievers. 

Qur’an 30:43-45—Then turn thy face straight to the right religion before there come from Allah the day which cannot be averted; on that day they shall become separated. Whoever disbelieves, he shall be responsible for his disbelief, and whoever does good, they prepare (good) for their own souls, that He may reward those who believe and do good out of His grace; surely He does not love the unbelievers. 

Notice that 3:31-32 makes Allah’s love contingent on whether a person believes in Muhammad. This is similar to what we find in 19:46, which declares:

“Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficent will appoint for them love.” 

Hence, although Allah is called “the Loving,” the Qur’an only means by this that Allah will love people once they believe in him and obey his prophet. The god of Islam has no love for sinners and unbelievers. 

Interestingly, the “Love me first and I’ll love you back” kind of love exhibited by Allah in the Qur’an is condemned by Jesus in Matthew 5:43-48: 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Can you see the difference??? Well, if you have any of Jesus' own statements which shows God as hating sinners (I'm not talking about punishing sinners o), kindly bring them to my attention!!!

To be continued..........

God bless you!

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD part 7

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD!!!

Two days ago, I brought to conclusion the comparison of Jesus and Muhammad based on their approach to violence and killing of enemies. Yesterday, I addressed the differences in their message about God's love towards sinners. So far, their messages remain irreconciliable! And, d'you still want us to believe Muhammad is sent by the same God preached by Jesus? Let's go on......

3. THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT 

Let's hear from Muhammad's mouth as recorded in an hadith (and, in case, you have a verse from the Quran which says otherwise, do not hesitate to notify me. God bless!)

Sahih Muslim Book 001, Hadith Number 0149 states:

''Abu Dharr reported: I said: Messenger of Allah, which of the deeds is the best? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Belief in Allah and Jihad in His cause.''

What was Jesus' own response? 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength" (Matthew 22:37-38).

Love your neighbour as yourself was attached as next to the greatest commandment, according to Jesus (vv. 39-40). Now, can you the same God who mandates you to love your neighbour as part of his greatest commandment also require you to fight jihad against your neighbour in His cause???

Something really is confusing here!!! Do we say it is the God Who spoke through Jesus who also spoke through Muhammad? Remember, we are dealing only with Jesus and Muhammad (not Moses, David, etc.)! Why do these preachers conflict???

To be continued.....

God bless you!

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD part 5

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD!!!

Glory be to God who makes it possible for us to witness another day. I've explained Luke 19:27 and Matthew 10:34 in previous posts, and no one could  refute the esplanations. This means our Muslims friends are having a better understanding of the Bible, contrary to what they were taught. Yesterday, I proved the fact that Jesus NEVER intended that His disciples make use of sword in Luke 22:37 and I stopped at the promise of explaining what the word ''sword'' in Luke 22:37 means. This, I'll do now. God bless you as you flow along!

The word used for sword in this verse is ''machaira'' in Greek and it has several meanings as can be seen in its various New Testament usage:

1. Literally, it means a large knife for killing and cutting up

2. Figuratively, it is a symbol of violent death (Romans 8:35), of hostility (Matthew 10:34), of the power of life and death (Romans 13:4). 

3. Metaphorically, it is used for the penetrating power of words spoken by God (Ephesians 6:17).

This implies that the context determines the meaning of a word and not vice versa. I said yesterday that Jesus used the word ''sword'' metaphorically. He told His disciples that now they'd rely on this ''sword'' as they continue their mission! Yet, Jesus forbade the use of sword by Peter and NEVER used a sword Himself. Also, Jesus silenced His disciples when they claimed to have two swords; He told them ''Enough!'' For the scriptures to be fulfilled, Jesus had to die and thus there's no point in getting a knife to kill, contrariwise to the fulfilmwnr of scriptures.

The point Jesus was making was this: ''You are now moving into a whole new situation. If they arrest Me, they will one day arrest you. If they treat me like a common criminal (Isa. 53:12), they will do the same to you; so, be prepared!''

During their ministry with Jesus, the disciples has been sent out with special authority, and they were treated with respect and appreciation (Luke 9 and 10). At that time, Jesus was still a very popular rabbi, and the authorities were not able to attack His disciples. But now ''His hour had come'' and the situation would change radically. Today, God's people are aliens in enemi territory, and we must use our faith and sanctified common sense as we serve the Lord. This is a good warning to zealous people who foolishly get themselves in tight situations and then expect God to perform miracles for them.

The disciples' words ''Here are two swords!'' mush have grieved Jesus, for they indicated that the disciples had missed the meaning of His words. Did they think that He needed their protection or that He would now overthrow Rome and establish the kingdom?

''It is enough'' means ''Don't say anything more about the matter'' (Deut. 3:26) and not that these two swords are enough to fight the arresters. Jesus' kingdom does not advance by means of men's swords (John 18: 36-37) and that is why it is selfishness that results in religious wars (no thanks to the Crusaders; they failed to imitate Jesus)!

Jesus' kingsom advances by the power of God's truth, the Word of God that is sharper than any human sword (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12). Every Christian used this sword as seen in the Acts of the Apostles and we also saw how Apostle Paul used the ''sword'' of human government, in addition to the spiritual ''sword'' (the Word of God) to protect himself and the Gospel (Rom. 13; Acts 16: 35-40; 21: 37-40; 25:11).

As much as we can, Christians also must employ these swords (Scriptures and Government/Law) to protect ourselves as we, like the earliest disciples and Christians of later generations, engage in carrying out the Great Commission given by our Lord and God, Jesus. Do not hesitate to do the work of an evangelist, preaching the Word in season and out of season. God bless you all!

To be continued..............

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD prt. 4

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD!!!

Good morning once again, dear friends. Hope you enjoyed your sleep? I wish you all a successful day ahead. So far, I had analysed what Jesus' statements in Luke 19:27 and Matthew 10:34 meant in their original contexts in the last two days. I appreciate my readers and, most importantly, my critics. However, not one person could prove the interpretations wrong. In fact, opposing comments have reduced drastically! Wow!!! Jesus is Lord! Halleluyah!

Today, I'm addressing the second (and the last known) ''sword'' statement of Jesus. If you know of any, kindly notify me and I would work on it. God bless you.

Luke 22: 35-38 is the passage to be analysed today. In this chapter, Jesus was having a sort of ''Farewell'' service with His disciples. Jesus talked about Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, corrected self-promotion, and instituted the Lord's Supper before praying on the Mount of Olives and the eventual fulfilment of His predictions.

Jesus reminded His disciples of His instruction to them prior to sending them out in Luke chapters 9 and 10, and Matthew chapter 10. Now, Jesus tells them that the disciples would now need those things He once told them not to worry about earlier on. However, Jesus did not talk about not taking ''sword'' before now. Thus, it is surprising why He tells them to get a sword at all costs!

Amazingly, Jesus NEVER approved the use of sword by His disciples but His disciples assumed Jesus approved its use when they sought permission to strike with the sword (v. 49). But, to start with, Jesus said ''It's enough'' when the disciples answered that they are with two swords. This implies two things:

1.''Enough of this'', i.e. keep quiet!

2. ''The swords are sufficient'' but the question is how will just two swords be sufficient to fight a battle when He has twelve men on his side and several soldiers as opponents???

Now, we see that Jesus did not resist arrest and rebuked Peter who used one of the swords (John 18:10). He ordered Peter to put back the sword in its sheath, implying that Peter should never fight with a sword. And, never again did any of Jesus' disciples use a sword (if you have one instance, please present it).

In addition, Jesus told Pilate that if His kingdom were ''worldly''/''earth-focused'', His servants/disciples would have been fighting so that He won't be delivered over to the Jews.

A strong condemnation against the use of sword by Jesus goes thus: ''Put your sword back into its place. FOR ALL WHO TAKE THE SWORD WILL PERISH BY THE SWORD'' (Matthew 26:52). Gbam!!! Can you imagine??? Then, Jesus added that if He even needed security, He has access to more than twelve legions of angels (a legion = a Roman regiment of 6,000 soldiers and above). This means that each disciple can have over 6,000 supernatural powerful beings protecting them.

However, Jesus refused to employ this divine security just as He rejected human security by His disciples! Why??? Jesus wants the Scriptures to be fulfilled and drink the cup that the Father has given Him!!! (Matthew 26:54; Luke 22:37; John 18:11). So, it is evident that Jesus NEVER approved the use of sword as so many think!

Now, why did Jesus tell the disciples to sell their cloak in order to buy sword? This is just to prepare them for the persecution ahead of them. Now, what exactly did Jesus mean by sword here? It is glaring that the disciples misunderstood Jesus when they took His words literally from the above analysis. In the same vein, everyone who takes the word ''sword'' here literally misunderstands Jesus who NEVER approved the use of sword!!!

So, d'you want to know what Jesus meant by ''Sell your cloth to buy a sword''??? Join me tomorrow.....

God bless you.......

To be continued......

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD Prt3

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD!!!

Two days ago, I started with comparing the words on the lips of these two men and yesterday, I took the pain to clarify the words of Luke 19:27 that it never meant Jesus' ordering the execution of His physical enemies though it points to the spiritual death (separation) of everyone who refuses Jesus' Lordship (Muslims inclusive).

There was no one who disproved the exegesis of that verse and this implies that my Muslim friends understood perfectly the message of that verse, in contradistinction to what they were taught. I'm grateful to God for that. It's my sincere prayer that the continuation today will do a better job (Amen).

The passage to be considered today is Matthew 10:34 and I pray we would have a clearer understanding in Jesus' name (Amen). This chapter is the ''missionary message''  by Jesus replicated in Luke 9. Jesus said ''Do not think I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.''

Peace, in this verse, refers  to lack of persecution of the disciples who are to preach the salvation message to an unbelieving, hostile world. Verses 16-23 detail the persecution. Jesus said the disciples  (and subsequent Christian missionaries/evangelists of future generations) will be delivered to the state leadership for punishment and this will serve as opportunity to bear witness of Jesus before these people. This is seen fulfilled in Paul (Acts chapter 22 onwards).

In verses 21 and 22 of Matthew 10, Jesus talked about domestic and general persecution, ever before He mentioned the word ''sword''. Then, He added that preachers should escape from places of persecution as soon as they can. Apostle Paul did this throughout Acts chapters 13 to 18. The earliest Christians also flee from persecution in Jerusalem (Acts 8: 3-4).

Jesus gave the premise for this persecution which is how He was also persecuted and eventually will be killed (vv. 24-25). He warned the disciples against fear of those who persecute and kill (vv. 26, 28), urged them to preach loudly what He had taught them secretly (v. 27), and then assured them of the Father's sovereignty and concern for them (vv. 29-30). Preachers are to be fearless since they are of great worth/value to God. How we treat Jesus is also how Jesus will treat us on the judgment day (vv. 32-33).

Now, we come to the verse we are to discuss (Matthew 10:34)! Still in this context of evangelism, Jesus declared (as He did in vv. 21 and 22, that His coming was not to  COMPULSORILY establish family ties, especially as one's family and relatives would also be involved in this persecution exercise (v. 36). He said that identifying with Him MIGHT and DO require that we love Him more than we love our families such that the love for our families may compare to hate (cf. Mal. 1:3; Luke 14:26)!

It is inevitable to have unbelieving relatives/family members (like me) and some might even be hostile to the Christian gospel message. And, while Jesus respects family ties, He values and honours the gospel message over and above family ties (cf. Luke 8: 19-21). So, Jesus taught that we should be prepared for hatred and rejection by family members, if need be, as we hold tenaciously to and persistently preach the gospel message to them and the world at large.

So, when Jesus claimed to bring sword, He used it in the figurative sense that He brought ''war'', ''battle'', ''disunity'' and also ''death'' as an expected consequence of persecution (as discussed above). When Jesus said He brought ''sword'', He was not referring to the ''swords'' used in battles, since He NEVER fought any physical battle. He referred, rather, to ''warfare'' as seen in how the earliest disciples were fiercely pursued, persecuted and killed, even by their blood relatives.

Jesus did not bring ''swords'' (plural), He brought a ''sword'' (singular). He did not share swords for people to engage in fight. So, when we treat Matthew 10:34 in light of the whole chapter, we'd see that this singular mention of the singular noun ''sword'' meant absence of agreement with members of one's family and others when it comes to upholding the gospel message.

Can you now see also why non-Christians (no matter how close we are) WILL NEVER agree with Christians concerning the gospel message? Jesus, the All-Knowing, has revealed that His message is one of division among even closest pals of blood ties. The ''sword'' of Matthew 10:34 is not a metal weapon of warfare but a ''metaphor'' for ''division''

God bless you.....

To be continued.........

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD Prt 1

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD!!

Pastor Anthony Fawole

You can welcome me back to my apologetical ministry after a long break! Never mind me, I was much more into issues and mattes of national concerns. If you can't welcome me back, it's your problem!

I had to go for the break 'cos it's incumbent upon me as a preacher to speak out on politics and to politicians.

Now that I'm back, I'd start with addressing the question: ''Did Muhammad and Jesus preach a morally equivalent message or that all religion is the same?'' My good universalist friend, Paul Good-News Minter, would say YES! 

Please, let's gradually flow with the line of thoughts as I compare Jesus' own words with Muhammad's. No insult is permitted please. God bless you all!

NUMBER ONE:

"Fight everyone in the way of Allah and kill those who disbelieve in Allah." - Muhammad (Ibn Ishaq 992) 

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." - Jesus (Matthew 5:14) 

Even though many Muslims regard terrorists who kill in the name of Allah as criminals, they cannot deny that Muhammad also killed in the name of Allah. What example of Jesus do Christians emulate which has them confused them with terrorists and criminals? 

Each year, thousands of Christian homes and churches are torched or bombed by Muslim mobs, and hundreds of Christians, including dozens of priests, pastors, nuns and other church workers are murdered at the hands of Islamic extremists. The so-called justification varies, from charges of apostasy or evangelism, to purported "blasphemy" or "insulting" Islam. Innocent people have even been hacked to death by devout Muslims over cartoons. 

Yet, there is little if any violent retaliation from religious Christians to the discrimination, kidnapping, rape, torture, mutilation and murder that is routinely reported from nations with Muslim majorities. Neither is there is any significant deadly terrorism in the name of Jesus, as there is in the stated cause of Allah each and every day. 

Muslim clerics in the West do not fear for their safety as do their Christian counterparts. The "Christian world" and the Islamic world contrast sharply in other ways as well, from the disparate condition of human rights and civil liberties to economic status. 

An astonishing 70% of the world's refugees are Muslims - usually seeking to live in Christian-based countries. While Western societies take seriously "scandals" such as Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo (where no one has actually been killed), Muslims routinely turn a blind eye to their own horrible atrocities, even those committed explicitly in the name of Allah. The Muslim world has yet to offer a single apology for the tens of millions of lives consumed by centuries of relentless Jihad and slavery. 

These sharp differences are almost certainly rooted in the underlying religions, which begin with the disparate teachings and examples set by Jesus and Muhammad. They are incomparable!!!

To be continued........

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD Prt 2

COMPARING JESUS AND MUHAMMAD!!!

Yesterday, I resumed my apologetical ministry after a long break. I appreciate my readers for their contributions. Lemme also thank the members of Yusuf Adepoju's ACADIP Facebook Group. I would appreciate them because yesterday was my first time of encountering them and they gave me a beautiful welcome.

However, I have to tell you (since we're new to one another) that I don't muddle up issues in my posts. I address my points one after the other and expect them to just go along, as you will see members of other groups do. I take my time to speak on my topic, even if it will take me a whole week to satisfactorily address it.

Welcome to this beautiful first Sunday of May as I continue from where I stopped yesterday: ''Did Jesus and Muhammad preach an equivalent moral message?'' Yesterday, I talked about these prophets' reactions to their enemies. Today, I'll continue by discussing the use of ''swords'' by these men.

A good number of comments yesterday mentioned Luke 19:27. As much as I love this quotation as a signal that my Muslim friends read the Bible, I realise that they only twist the Words of the Holy Scriptures to suit their beliefs or merely in conformity to what their religious leaders tell them. Had it been my Muslim friends stop reading the Bible and start studying it (as I suggested in one of my status updates yesterday), there would be lesser confusion and disorientation.

Now, let's look at the passage: Luke chapter 19 verse 27 in its immediate context. In verse 11, Jesus began a parable of a king who went on a journey to receive a kingdom for himself. However, the citizens of the kingdom he wanted to receive rejected him but he was still eventually made king by the powers that be.

Before this king left, he had given his servants certain money and upon his arrival, he requested an audit report of the money he gave them. Among these servants was one who failed to trade with the money. From verse 22, this king spoke up till verse 27 and it is only insincerity that makes one muddle up the king's statements with Jesus' own words.

The king gave his verdict on his ''wicked'' servant in verses 22-24. In verses 26, the king replied to the complaint that the servant he is about giving the wicked servant's pound already has ten pounds (v. 25). The king now spoke, as he did in verse 22, in the first person plural:
''He (i.e. The King) replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them - bring them here and kill them in front of me.'' (vv. 26-27, NIV)

Verses 26 and 27 make one sentence according to the Greek text (grammar, syntax and structure). A cursory view of this story reveals that verse 26 happened in the story and not an act by Jesus, so it becomes incumbent that verse 27 is also part of the story: an act mandated by the protagonist of the story (the king) and not one by Jesus.

Verse 28 reveals that, after these words were spoken, Jesus moved on to Jerusalem (CJB, NET, NIB, NIRV, NIV, NLT, and several other versions helped to clarify the confusion that the speaker in verse 27 was not Jesus).

Now, come to think of it! Did Jesus seek to become a king that some people would now stand as his enemies stopping Him from achieving his goal? Even when the people tried to enthrone Him by force, Jesus avoided them (John 6:15). Jesus told Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world, otherwise His servants would have fought to protect Him just as it is the case for every earthly king (John 18:35).

Now what does this imply to you? The parable of Luke 19: 11-27 was really to correct the notion of the people who though that the kingdom of God should immediately appear (v. 10). Jesus told them, via this parable, that He is coming back to establish His kingdom in the very place He is rejected. The Book of Revelation pictures Jesus, the Lamb of God, exercising sovereign rule over the whole universe and creation, as God!

Now, when Jesus comes back to establish His kingdom (the kingdom of God), He will punish His servants (Christians) who refuse to engage in productive service for Him and the worse punishment would be meted out on those who do not want Him to be the Lord of their lives. This second category includes everyone who refuses to worship the Lamb of God (Jesus), which by inference includes Muslims. So, my Muslim friends do not need to wait till Jesus comes back to announce the irreversible verdict of eternal death (separation) before you accept Jesus as Your Lord. If you do not submit to Jesus coluntarily now, you'd be compulsorily subjected to Him later because Jesus MUST reign and all things shall be put under His feet (1 Corinthians 15: 24-27).

Will you wait till you're forced to worship the Lamb Who was slain and Who is worthy to receive all that we do give God? (Revelation 5: 12-14; cf. Rev. 4:11). The earlier the BETTER! God bless you.....

To be continued.........

THE NEW VERSION OF CHRISTIANITY

: 

"If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you" (John 15:19, The Message). 

The church of today lives on the world's terms; there is no disputing it. The world loves today's church as its own. Armed robbers now come to pastors for prayers to succeed in their operations. Prostitutes come to our churches to receive prayers so as to attract wealthy customers, and afterwards bring their filthy tithes to our pastors. 

It is sad that in this generation, pastors are busy raising a people for the world and not for the Lord. Our churches are filled with earth-bound and world-motivated 'believers' in whose thoughts heaven rarely feature. Indeed, the church of today is no longer the church of the Lord Jesus. It is the church of the people by the people for the people! 

It is as though the world gave us terms and conditions to exist on its streets, and we spend all our resources laboring to meet those conditions. For instance, the world told the church: 

'If you want to prosper on my streets, you must preach sermons that will make sinners comfortable.

You must speak less of God and talk more of man. 

Remember you are on the earth, so don't talk to people about heaven'. 

The world adds: 

'And if you really want the people of the world to join you, you must dress the way they dress, play their kind of music, invite their comedians to 'minister' at your conventions, and make sure you don't speak in other tongues but speak the world's very language. If you do all these, the world will love you.        .

But what did Jesus say? 'I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms'. Therefore, we cannot afford to dance to the world's tune anymore. Rather, we must find out what it entails to live on God's terms and apply ourselves to those terms. We must also be content to live on God's terms in spite of the lures of the world

THE MOVING SPIRIT SERIES

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:2). 

From the very opening verses of the Bible, we are introduced to what theologians refer to as the Godhead. God is a triune being, clearly manifesting the person of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the trinity is one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith (1 Timothy 3:16). The manifestation of the trinity is consistent in both testaments of the Bible. Today, our focus is on the Holy Spirit and we want to draw attention to one of His important attributes. 

Today's Scripture verse is the first reference to the Holy Spirit in the Bible. This first reference in the first chapter of the first book in the Bible tells us something very important about the Spirit of God - THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A MOVING SPIRIT. "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters". The Spirit of God was the first mover: He moved upon the face of the waters. 

Wherever the Spirit of God is, there is a movement in the direction of the will of God and the establishment of God's divine order. The earth, we are told, was out of order, without form and void of the perfect desires of God. Then the Spirit of God came in and had the effect of moving the earth into God's divine order for it. 

The first work of the Spirit is to bring or restore order where it is absent. Where you find disorderliness and confusion, be sure that the Spirit of God had long taken His exit, for "God is not the author of confusion" (1 Corinthians 14:33). If anyone acts in a disorderly manner, and he tells you that he was being led to behave that way, know that he must have been led by 'another spirit' and not the Holy Spirit of God. 

If the Spirit of God is truly in you, He would move you in the direction of God's program for your life. A very useful prayer that should be constant on your lips is asking the Holy Spirit to move you in the direction of God's will for your life. When you pray thus, there will be light for you and you will not walk aimlessly through life. And this applies to every area of life, from marriage to business, career, relationships, ministry, politics, etcetera. 

But in closing, we must emphasize that the Spirit of God will never move us to sin against God or bring His name to dishonour. The Spirit of God will not move us against the word of God, the eternal truths set forth by the Holy Spirit Himself (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). The Spirit of God will always move us towards righteousness. Remember He is 'Holy' Spirit. 

THE MOVING SPIRIT

"So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the Spirit came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army" (Ezekiel 37:10, Modern King James version). 

From the beginning of time, the Holy Spirit is shown to us as a moving Spirit, bringing solution where there was problem, life where there was death, light to replace darkness, and order in the place of utter chaos. At a point in the beginning of the of the universe, it was reported that the world was without form and void, and darkness was everywhere. But when the Spirit of God moved, everything changed for the best. Today, I want to prophesy the move of the Spirit in your life to give you the positive change that you truly need. 

As we consider the earth without form and void, and the move of the Holy Spirit upon it, I am reminded of Ezekiel's vision of the valley full of dead and dry bones. It was a vision that pictured the complete hopelessness of the nation of Israel at the time. The entire nation was in captivity at the time, the people carted away to a foreign land and their homeland scorched by the enemy's fire. It was indeed a very gloomy scenario. 

The question was, "can these bones live?" (Ezekiel 37:3). In other words, could there be restoration for these lives? Could the situation ever change for the better? Would they ever get back in line with God's perfect program for their destinies? These were questions that the prophet (or any man for that matter) could provide no answers. Only the Spirit of God had solutions. In Ezekiel's vision, the Spirit of God moved upon the dry bones and we saw an amazing result. 

Friends, let me encourage you. Something "exceedingly great" can replace that completely hopeless situation in your life. I want you to know that God is on the throne and no human situation is hopeless when the living God is on His throne. The all-powerful God is the one who can reverse the irreversibly and bring us out of impossible situations. I tell people that even when you have lost all hope, just make sure you don't lose God. Again, even if by any means you happen to lose faith, do your best not to lose God. If you will hold on to God, you will get more than hope and faith could bring. 

I pray and prophesy that this moving Spirit of the Most High God will move into action in every area of your life. As you allow the Spirit of God to move in your life, get ready for your own amazing encounters that will bring about the restoration of God's perfect order into your life. Your dreams shall be restored. Your hopes shall be renewed. Your divinely ordained blessings shall be released, in Jesus Christ's mighty name. 

THE BEAUTY OF LIFE

: 

"Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes" (Mark 4:24-25, The Message). 

The beauty of life lies in giving, not getting. True victory and progress in life come from giving, not getting. Life itself begins through giving, and at the time a child is born, the woman is said to have 'given' birth. The new born child, the most beautiful image of God’s creation never belongs to those who 'took' her delivery; she goes home with the one who 'gave' her birth. Giving, my beloved, is a more blessed way of life than grabbing. 

There must be someone somewhere thanking God for your life every now and then. There must be a child somewhere (apart from your own) whose school fees you paid. There must be someone somewhere whose apartment rent you helped pay. You should consider your life incomplete if no one is constantly thanking God for your life. The more such people exist, the richer your life becomes, and the more valuable your life becomes to heaven and earth. 

Friends, I need you to realize that whatever blessing that comes to you was not meant to end up with you alone. Learn the wisdom of letting a portion of the blessing pass on to others. Don't let your life be like the Dead Sea: nothing lives in it because nothing leaves from it. There is death in your life if you are accustomed to receiving and never giving. Stinginess, my dear friends, impoverishes. 

Please don't go through this life without empowering anybody or affecting people materially. And please don’t wait till you have enough before you subscribe to this kind of life I am talking about. Those who don't have enough to give when they are poor will never have enough to give when they are rich. It's really not about what you have, it's about who you are. A giver gives because it is his nature to give. I will keep coveting such a nature because it is the nature of God. 

Here is what you should do. Open your palms. Extend your hands to others within the limit of your capacity. Be admonished and challenged by the example of the Macedonian churches of whom the Bible says that they gave generously out of "their deep poverty" and while going through "a great trial of affliction" (2 Corinthians 8:2). Their story is worthy of our attention. Please read it carefully. The good Lord renew our hearts and implant in us such grace that was found in the Macedonians of biblical times. 

GREAT IS THE LORD

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness" (Psalms 48:1). 

Great is the LORD! That was a bold and authoritative assertion by the Psalmist. Of course, we know that it is also a statement of truth because even the enemies of God (and of His people) acknowledged that God is great (Ezra 5:8). Great is the Lord and He is greatly to be praised. Everything about Him is great. He is greater than anything and everything combined. 

God is the Creator of all things, both those that are visible and the invisible things. If we accept this fact, we shouldn't have any problem with the fact that God is great. I believe that it makes sense to say that no product is greater than its producer. The Creator is logically greater than the creation. It is plain foolishness to argue with that. So my intention here is not to prove to you that God is great. I take it for granted that you are smart enough to know that. My intention is to draw your attention to some dimensions of God’s greatness. 

First, we think of the greatness of His name. His name is infinitely and indescribably great. The Hebrews so venerated God’s name that it was considered improper to just mention it for the fun of it. And you know what, there is nothing anyone can do to reduce the greatness of the name of the Lord. As a matter of fact, His name shall continue to be great among all nations of the earth "from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same" (Malachi 1:11).

Then we think of the greatness of His person and His nature. He is the only one referred to as the "Most High". He is the "Lord, God almighty". No other being is worthy of such descriptions, and I am yet to know of any other being who is bold and great enough to accept such appellations. Our God is simply in a class of His own. 

It is to this great name and nature that we are all called to be partakers of in Christ Jesus. In Jesus, God gave us "a name which is above every name" wherewith we all may access the treasures that are locked up in our great God and the great works of His hands (Philippians 2:9-11). By Christ Jesus, God also gives us all a non-discriminatory invitation to become partakers of His divine nature which we have seen to be great. It remains written, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). I am glad to tell you that this invitation is still open. Please take full advantage of it if you have not. 

EXCELLENT IN POWER

"Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict" (Job 37:23). 

Our God is "excellent in power". The word, 'excellent' here simply means great or mighty. Great is the LORD, and He is great in power. If you read the book of Job, you cannot escape noticing the greatness of God's power. The patriarch observed that with His great power, God does "great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number" (Job 9:10). He tells us again, "Behold, [God] takes away; who can turn Him back? Who will say to Him, What are You doing?" (Job 9:12). That is my God. Who can query the Most High? 

How do we begin to talk about the greatness and almightiness of God's power? Like Elihu rightly observed, the Almighty God does "great things ... which we cannot comprehend" (Job 37:5). To barely scratch the surface would require a lot of space and time. But let us just take a look at the firmament which the Lord has spread in the heavens like a curtain. Where are the pillars holding it up? Why has heaven not fallen upon us since we've been toying with the idea? In all of modern man's space travels, we are yet to discover the suspenders of this vast expanse we call sky. I bet we never will discover anything other than what the Bible has said. 

The Bible tells us that the heavens came into being by the word of God (Psalms 33:6), and by that same word of His power, the heavens continue to be upheld (Hebrews 1:3). No wonder it is called "the firmament of His power" (Psalms 150:1). When the prophet Jeremiah considered it, he exclaimed, "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee" (Jeremiah 32:17). Friends, I want to assure you that the power that made heaven and earth is great enough to accomplish anything and everything that concerns you. 

We are also never going to discover the measurements of the firmament, nor all that it contains and the works constantly going on therein. How many billions of galaxies are in the universe? How many stars do we have in the sky? Yet the Almighty keeps track of their numbers and would even tell you their names (Psalms 147:4). I know the automobile technicians will tell you of wheel balancing and the accountants will talk to you about balancing your accounts. But do you know anything called "the balancings of the clouds"? (Job 37:16). God takes charge of that with His great power to ensure cosmic equilibrium. 

Hearken unto this, O sons of men: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. Consider the greatness of His power and might. Then let this bring you to fear before Him in holy reverence and worship Him. 

THE FULL DEFINITION OF GOD

"The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy" (Psalms 145:8).

God is not just great in name and power, He is great in His goodness. Everything about our God is great. His faithfulness, graciousness and mercy is great. In the midst of his 'lamentations' and tears, the prophet Jeremiah was still able to confess to God, "great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23). Talking about the greatness of His mercy, the Bible says it is as high as the heaven is above the earth (Psalms 103:11). The New Testament describes God as one "who is rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4) and 'abundant' in mercy (1 Peter 1:3).

The sons of men remains the primary object to whom God's great, rich and abundant mercy is directed. The Bible says this is so because of the great love wherewith God has loved us (Ephesians 2:4). Think of that again: God's mercy toward us is great because His love for us is great. When God's great mercy is displayed, men experience salvation, deliverance and unmerited divine intervention. The Psalmist for example, testified that it was due to the greatness of God's mercy that he was able to secure the deliverance of his soul "from the lowest hell" (Psalms 86:13).

Indeed, when God deals with man according to the greatness of His mercy, the impossible often becomes possible and long-term problems often get immediate solutions. The barren woman would conceive without delay and joy would automatically replace sorrow. Such was the case of Elizabeth the wife of Zachariah of whom it was testified that "her neighbours and her cousins" came to rejoice with her having "heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her" in taking away long years of the reproach of barrenness (Luke 1:58).

Divine mercy is the exclusive prerogative of God, for He has said, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" (Romans 9:15). But I'm glad to let you know that God is ever willing to show His great mercy toward them that fear Him and would be humble enough to call upon Him. Bartimaeus did just that and he was heard (Luke 18:35-43). His mourning was turned into dancing and his night was turned to day. Heaven came down for him and glory shone around him.

Remember my friends, the Lord our God "is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression" (Numbers 14:18). Run to Him today. Beseech Him for His great mercy in the name of Jesus Christ. He will not fail you.