THE FEAR OF THE LORD 2

 

 

Nigerians are some of the most religious people on the planet. On any given Sunday and indeed several days during the week pews are filled to capacity and church buildings are bursting at the seams, hard pressed to accommodate the teaming faithful. In most churches the crowd in the over-flow sections out-number those in the main building.

Church members attend programmes, conferences and crusades religiously, sometimes travelling for miles to attend these meetings. Almost everyone professes to be 'born again'. Christianese is a common language spoken by all and sundry. 'It is well', 'I am more than a conqueror', 'Greater is He that is in me', 'I receive it IJN!', 'I am blessed and highly favoured!'. The list is inexhaustible.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

 

 

This is a subject I have thought about a lot in recent years. What is the fear of God? Is it a feeling of terror that one would expect to have in the face of danger? Is it that out-of-control feeling when faced with an uncertain situation? Is it the expectation of certain punishment when we're guilty of wrong-doing?

 

These all describe different aspects of fear. It is normal to be afraid when faced with danger, to be anxious when things are going on of which we do not have full control and to dread exposure or punishment when we are guilty of an offense.

 

FAITH HEALING, ORTHODOX MEDICINE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE?

There are some stories that are just too surreal to believe! This couple, Catherine and Herbert Schaible from Philadelphia, USA, are currently serving a 10 year probation for the death of their 2 year old son in 2009. They had opted not to seek medical help, instead resorting to prayer.

They have since broken the terms of their probation after a second child , this time an 8 month old, died last week for the same reason!

This is just so sad on many levels. Innocent babies have died unnecesarily and these unfortunate parents have lost 2 children in a short space of time. One cannot begin to imagine the sense of guilt and loss they must feel.

It brings to the fore once more the issue of faith healing and orthodox medicine. Being a Christian and believing in faith healing in no way negates the efficacy of orthodox medicine when the need arises. The two positions are not mutually exclusive.

God can heal sicknesses and diseases in whatever way He chooses. Afterall He is the source of all wisdom and without Him there wouldn't be any of the knowledge used by doctors and other medical professionals to bring cures to the humankind.

Such a tragedy brings reproach to Christianity, I believe, as it exposes a lack of wisdom and sound teaching which makes us more objectionable in the eyes of the world.

I pray for the grace and healing of God on that family!

TELEVANGELISM GIMMICKS

I watch a lot of Christian tv. There are many annointed ministers who preach the word of God and are a blessing to the listener.

There are others that I am not so sure of.  When these come on, I instinctively change channels.
The common theme of these ministries is prosperity. There is absolutely nothing wrong with biblical prosperity.  Several passages in the Bible speak of God's kind of prosperity and how to go about partaking in it.

REFLECTIONS 2

This is a beautiful song by Don Moen, one of my favourites. It's a bit old but still so poignant. Really love.
Great indeed is the measure of our Father's love. He has promised never to leave nor forsake us and His promises are sure.

Hope it blesses you.

REFLECTIONS

Call on the Lord while He may be found
Call on Him while He's near
Call on the Lord while He may be found
He'll wipe away your tears

(from Isaiah 55 vs 6)

ASSOCIATION OF WITCHES AND WIZARDS IN NIGERIA GIVE VERDICT ON 2015 ELECTIONS!

This story had me in fits of laughter, lol! What?! So there's such an association in existence in Nigeria and they have the boldness to make public statements like this.
It would be interesting to know how many members they have on their register. Maybe they represent a significant voting bloc. Read the story HERE!

RED SEA / REED SEA, WHATEVER!

I'm watching a documentary right now titled "10 Things You Didn't Know About Tsunamis".

For years experts have been trying to discredit the biblical account of the Red Sea crossing by the children of Israel.
They claim that the crossing didn't actually happen on the shores of the Red Sea, which is a deep body of water, as the word sea would imply. Rather the Israelites crossed the Reed Sea, which is an ankle-deep pool of water over marshy ground.

They claimed there was no miraculous parting of the water since it was just ankle deep. These arguements fall down however when you consider the fact that the whole Egyptian army drowned during this incident, which historians attest to.

GENERAL OVERSEER OF MFM GIVES OUT N500,000 EACH TO FIRST CLASS GRADUATES

Read original story HERE.

Apparently Pastor Olukoya of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry has given cash gifts of 500,000 Naira each to 77 individuals who have graduated with first class degrees from different universities. This, in my opinion, is a commendable move by Pastor Olukoya who began the awards scheme 3 years ago. Another photo when you continue...

WHY WOULD SOMEONE DO THIS?

Mr Solomon Akiyesi, a Nollywood actor, today had his secret wedding to his mistress foiled by his first wife, amidst much drama.

He has now gone on Facebook to declare his right to marry someone else because he felt his first wife was a source of retrogression to him
In the eyes of society I guess he is free to divorce his first wife and go with some one else. Not so in the eyes of God though.

The issue is, he did not divorce his wife, though he claimed they are separated. Another big issue for me is how his friends and family could be complicit in this whole saga while leaving his wife in the dark.
Finally why should a man drag his wife's name in the mud and blame her for his woes, when she had stood beside him for years through thick and thin, simply because he wants to trade her in for a new model?

We could come up with different reasons, right or wrong, for these chain of events, but bottomline is this:
There is a pervasive lack of the fear of God throughout society. Ecclesiastes 8:11 tells us,

"When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people's hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong."

Hmm... but we should also remember that even though God might be slow to anger, His rod of judgement is sure!

HIGH STANDARDS - ANY NEGATIVES?

There are many single women around who long to have a husband and a family  of their own. Many of them have great jobs and all round success except in this one area of marriage. Our society being what it is, generally does not accept that a woman is accomplished and successful if she is yet unmarried.

There are various reasons for this state of affairs. One that has piqued my interest is the situation where a lady has recieved advances and proposals from men but the problem is that non of them meet her standards.

The question now is: Should a lady be blamed for having high standards if she's still single in her late 30's to  40's?

Should she just settle for any man at all and have no standards?
Should she lower her standards and make do with the available since the desirable is not forthcoming?

I guess it depends on her personality. Some girls are strong-willed and seek perfection in whatever they do while some are less fastidious in their expectations and so would be more inclined to settle for a suitor who may not be all they had hoped for.

So who ends up finding fulfilment? The strong-willed perfectionist who may remain forever single or eventually marry much later in life, or her more easy going friend who goes for Mr Available-but-may-not-be-the-best-choice-for-me?

JOEL OSTEEN HOAXED!

FULL STORY HERE!

Lol! That is one determined individual. I understand his frustration but I don't know if this is the best way to go about effecting a change.
Different ministers have different callings and styles. I'm sure there are many who are already speaking out against GMOs and other social issues. Pastor Osteen is a hero to many, but there are many others who do not appreciate his style.

I think this gentleman would be better served if he diverted his energies to more productive endeavours. Remember Romans 14:4,

"Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand."

DREAMS 3

Some may call me a dreamer...oh well!
This is a dream I had last night as well. A man came to me with his son and asked for some green vegetables. I found his request quite strange because:

1. We didn't have anything in common. They were from a part of the world that I don't have any ties to.

2. The vegetables they wanted are native to Nigeria and as far as I know are only eaten by her indigenes.

DREAMS 2

Last night I had a dream which was similar in some respects to one I had a couple of nights previously. In the first dream I had just gained admission into school and having arrived later than the other students I was the last one to get to my dorm room.
There were 3 beds and the other girls were kind enough to let me take the second best spot in the room. That's all I can remember.

CHARLY BOY AND THE LOGIC OF HIS CASKET

Please read story HERE.
Psalm 90 deals on this issue and verse12 is quite pertinent,

"So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom."

So the bible does encourage us to take regular stock of our lives and make amends where necessary. Charly boy has a point but I guess it's his method of putting the point across that has people aghast!

RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRE PLANS TO MAKE HUMANS IMMORTAL BY 2045

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read full story HERE! This billionaire should probably look for better things to do with his money.

The bible says in Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment..."

 

I guess it's natural for us as humans to desire immortality. In Genesis 2, God put Adam in the garden of Eden and gave him instructions among which was that he could eat of any tree in the garden, except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 

PASTORS SHOULD NOT PRAY FOR CORRUPT POLITICIANS?

This is according to Pastor Wole Oladiyun of Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry, Lagos, Nigeria. He reckons it is a sin for any pastor to pray for these politicians who have, in their greed for corrupt gain, misappropriated public funds and made the lives of the populace a misery .

RICK WARREN'S SON DEAD!

Culled from: HUFFINGTON POST

In an emotional letter to his church members, pastor Rick Warren of Lake Forest, Calif.-based Saddleback Church told them that his youngest son committed suicide.
“At 27 years of age, Matthew was an incredibly kind, gentle and compassionate young man whose sweet spirit was encouragement and comfort to many,” Warren, the popular author of The Purpose Driven Life, said in the letter. “Unfortunately, he also suffered from mental illness resulting in deep depression and suicidal thoughts.”
Matthew Warren, the youngest of three children of Rick Warren and his wife, Kay, killed himself Friday, the evangelical pastor said in the letter.

SAFETY PINS

I dreamt the other night that someone had dropped several safety pins on a sheet on which I was lying. The person was known to me in the dream but I cannot recall who it was now. I picked up all the safety pins and put them in a safe place, but was left wondering how someone could be that careless.

Some dreams are quite clear and literal while others are more symbolic. I have no idea what this dream means, but I've recently started making notes of my dreams and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about dream symbols.  I know it's probably going to take a while, but with the help of the Holy Spirit I'll get there.

I STAND WITH ISRAEL

 

I can't remember exactly when it happened, but ever since I became aware of the nation of Israel I have loved that country as much as, if not more than, my own fatherland, Nigeria. Not very patriotic I know, but what can I say? I think my affection grew out of the knowledge that my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ's earthly origins is Jewish.

 

PASTORS' WIVES AND FIRST LADIES

I have just listened to an interesting interview about the office of the pastor's wife or 'first lady'. Before now I hadn't actively thought about it, but I remember that the few times it had crossed my mind, I thought it a bit odd whenever I saw a pastor's wife seated in an exalted position at the front of the church, sometimes in a throne-like chair. I must admit though that the first time I heard a pastor's wife referred to as first-lady I laughed out loud. It sounded ludicrous! This is what obtains in many pentecostal/charismatic churches.  

PASTOR TUNDE BAKARE CALLS FOR PROBE OF OSTENTATIOUS CLERGY

Story from: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE


Pastor Tunde Bakare is well known in Nigeria for his outspokenness and no-holds-barred approach to issues of religion and government.
There have apparently been calls from various quaters for religious organizations to be made to pay tax. Pastor Bakare in his arguement has pointed out the fact that in most other countries, religious and charitable organizations are exempted from taxation. He has however called for men of the cloth who live a flamboyant and ostentatious lifestyle to be investigated, and if found guilty of any impropriety, to be brought to book.

I'm sure he would have stepped on many toes with that statement but maybe he's right. Maybe religious organizations should open up to public scrutiny simply to display transparency and dispel the rumours and worries among a significant proportion of Nigerians who feel that certain men of God are misappropriating church funds to feather their own nests. My two cents.

THANK YOU LORD FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE!

Woke up and this hymn came to mind. Sometimes the ancient and modern hymns are the best, lol!

New every morning is the love

Our waking and uprising prove 

New perils past, new sins  forgiven

New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven!

MY QUOTE OF THE DAY

I'm listening to Chuck Missler right now ( one of my all time favourite bible teachers), and he's teaching on 'Preparing for the Future'. He's just said something that I feel compelled to share :-)

"Managers solve problems; Executives anticipate them!" WOW! Never heard anything like that before. Ponder!

'PASTOR' AMONG AIRPORT ROBBERY SUSPECTS!

 

Culled from VANGUARD

 

SEVEN suspected members of a robbery gang that attacked the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA,Lagos, last month, killing two policemen and injuring several others, have been arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad , Ikeja, Lagos.

One of the suspects, Ibikunle John, discovered to be the General Overseer of The Way of Joy church located on Alliu street, Egbe,Lagos, told Crime Alert that on the day of the operation, (March 13, 2013) he administered an oath of secrecy on members of the gang before they left.

ATHEISM IN AFRICAN COMMUNITIES

 

 

I have just read an article by Mr Leo Igwe who professes to be an atheist, and it got me thinking. I know atheism is not common among African people. Most people believe in a higher power, be it in the african traditional religion, Christianity, Islam or the various other religions. It's quite odd when an African says he does not believe in any God/god because we are such religious and superstitious  people. In my experience it's mostly (but not exclusively) people who have studied in communist countries that come back as atheists/communist/socialist.

 

Truth be told there's really no such thing as a true atheist. There is an inherent desire in every human being to worship something or someone greater than themselves. It could be an ideology, an object or another human being. If a man refuses to worship the Creator he will eventually end up worshipping the creature. Which do you choose?

 

HAVING BABIES OUT OF WEDLOCK NOW SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE?

This is a question that needs to be addressed seriously in Nigerian society. The spate of unwed parents in the news especially among our celebrities gives cause for concern.
It's no longer news that western influences have taken firm root in our society, but up until just a few years ago, having children out of wedlock was considered a thing of shame and the parties involved would do everything in their power to have a hasty wedding before the birth of the baby, or if it transpired that one of the parties had no intention of getting married (in most cases the man), the girl would virtually be in hiding until the baby was born. It was considered a thing of dishonour.

This is not in anyway to cast aspersions on babies born under such circumstances, or individuals who have found themselves in this situation, I'm just stating facts.

COSSY'S NEW LOOK

 

Could this be a sign of new things in Cossy's life? I sincerely hope so. She looks like a different person and quite pretty. Go Cossy!

 

 

DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT FULFILS VOW MADE TO GOD BY BUILDING A CHURCH

This is a laudable effort, keeping his own side of the bargain by fulfilling his vow. I don't know much about the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, but I hope he is able to take a firm stand for truth, equity and justice.

God is not seeking buildings but he is seeking true worshippers!

WHY SHOULD NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS NOT COMPLAIN?

Excerpts from an article written by Mr Ezukanma for VANGUARD:

[THE German theologian, Prof. Motlman, rightly stated that “it is not the idealistic concept of none violence that is in consonant with the Gospel, but a responsible action of love”. It is a misunderstanding of the Christian Gospel of non-violence for a man to passively watch a rampaging lunatic break into his house and bludgeon his son to death and rape his wife.

NIGERIAN SHINES AS UNESCO SCIENCE LAUREATE, WINS $100,000

Her name is Fransisca Okeke, a professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Some inspiring news for a change. Something to make us all proud. Kudos!
Another photo when you click through...

Courtesy: SAHARA REPORTERS.

WORD!!

There was a farmer who had a horse and a goat…..
One day, the horse became ill. So he called the veterinarian, who said:

"Well, your horse has a virus. He must take this medicine for three days.
I'll come back on the 3rd day and if he's not better, we're going to have to put him down.

POWER CUT AS PRESIDENT JONATHAN GIVES EASTER MESSAGE IN CHURCH

CULLED FROM PUNCH

[President Goodluck Jonathan has again pushed forward the timeline for his administration’s pledge to deliver improved power supply, telling Nigerians on Sunday they would continue to live with epileptic electricity supply at least until 2014.

Mr. Jonathan made the comment on Sunday after his Easter message at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, was interrupted by power outage.Electricity went off midway into the president’s 10-minute speech, and he was thereafter handed a battery-powered microphone to continue.

ARE DREAMS IMPORTANT?

Do you take your dreams seriously? Do you even remember your dreams? I think dreams are a vital part of anyone's life and could provide vital information and direction for our lives if only we would pay attention. I believe they are one of the ways in which God speaks to us. I have taken a conscious decision to always make a note of my dreams for future reference. I'm also praying for the gift of interpretation. Who knows where it could lead? As they say, the possibilities are endless :-)