“Try to help those who argue against you. Be merciful to those who doubt” (Jude 1:22; TLB)

I come from a former Communist country. In school we were thought that God does not exist. The teachers told us that religion is a man’s invention to keep the poor people in bondage. They told us that there is no life after death. The best we can do is to work hard in this life and give some inheritance to our children. I believed that after death man disappears in a cosmic silence and nothingness. I did not believe in God or in the devil.

From time to time I dared to think that life is more than work, salary, marriage and children. I was a dreamer, a romantic at heart. I loved to read, anything like poetry, the biographies of famous men and true stories. I read many books. I loved country music. I played classical pieces on the piano. In school I was a perfectionist. I thought it was my duty to take first place in any exam or test that comes my way. I had no pity for losers. I felt very bad each time I failed any test. My parents were both teachers and of course, they were very proud of me.

The first time I had ‘an encounter’ with the word ‘God’ was in the first year of university. We were a group of friends and one day, we discussed what qualities each one desires in a life partner. Each one said something. I think I said that my future husband has to be intelligent and kind. Then Richmond Leigh, our Nigerian colleague said something so stupid that we all laughed with tears and made fun of him. He said: “I cannot marry a girl who does not believe in God…” God? What is God? I found myself looking at this young handsome man…he sounded so foolish…I pitied him and his parents in Africa. I made up my mind to help him be more ‘civilized’.

Richmond Leigh never repeated that sentence again. Few moths later he proposed to me. After many trials and temptations, against all odds, we got married. I did not want to remind him of his past foolishness. I was a little surprised that he proposed to a girl who clearly did not believe in God. I tried to forget his words about God. They made no sense anyway…But I could not uproot them from my heart. Like seeds coming from a strange tropical aromatic plant, they stayed in my heart for many years. I could not explain them. They just stayed there…

We were happy as two nice unbelievers can be. We finished Medical School and came back to Nigeria as a young couple with two little children in 1980. In 1986 I had a crisis conversion and became born again. Not long after that I became filled with the Holy Spirit. My life changed so much that my parents did not recognize me when I visited them. I was a new creation in Christ Jesus. I lost my all fears and my doubts. I did not look like a Romanian or like a Nigerian…I look like a peculiar person whose citizenship is in heaven. I became ‘foolish’ too, trusting God and praying to Him always! But this so called ‘foolishness’ became my protection and my strength.

Richmond and I, we are married now for more than 40 years. We are both pastors and in full time ministry in Warri, Nigeria. God had mercy on me for I acted in ignorance! Once the light shone, no one could stop it! I laughed at the words of God but I could not defeat them. Yes, God finally answered my husband’s wish to marry a woman who believes in God! This is my testimony…God’s ways are mysterious and they pass the human understanding!

“I never knew You will favor me this way…Thank You Jesus, Thank You my Lord” (Nigerian chorus)

Give your life to Christ! Become born again! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!

In Christ I declare:

I give all the glory to God for the salvation of my soul!

In Jesus name

Amen!

 
One of my daughters in Christ sent me a message this morning. She was worshipping and giving thanks to God! This is her testimony:
She has been working on a major project in her office. Many other people were involved in it. They trusted and delegated her to send it in before July 1st. Every day she added new material to the research. Her job’s promotion depends on this project. But as time went by she lost touch with the dates on the calendar.

Yesterday she came back from office, did some house chores, watched a movie and later she went to her room. She turned off the lights and she went to sleep. She was thinking that she still has another day to send in her work. She forgot that tomorrow is July 1st. At exactly 11:45pm she suddenly jumped up from the sleep shaking. She looked at her clock. It read 30th of June. She ran to her computer speaking in tongues but for whatever reason, it refused to come on. She then quickly dressed up with a bed sheet and entered her car driving like mad. She went straight to the Fed Ex office that is not far from her house and is operating 24 hours. Her fingers shaking, she finally sent the material. It was 11:56pm. She collapsed of joy in the chair. If she waited few more minutes, the boss could have been very angry and she could have lost her job.
The devil tried its best but failed completely!

I don’t want to be a quiet ungrateful mother! Please join me in thanking God who takes care of my children, natural and spiritual, both here in Warri and all over the world! Praiseeee the Looooooooord!!!!

In Christ I declare the Word of God over my children:
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Ps 121)
In Jesus name
Amen!

“Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good; impatience will get you into trouble”

“It is dangerous and sinful to rush into the unknown” (PV 19:2 GNT; TLB)

An ignorant man is an impatient man. Both ignorance and impatience are sins. Both are the work of demons.

A sinner is consumed by many desires. His soul longs for self-confidence, fame, wealth and for the pride of life. It has been said that superficial knowledge is very dangerous. If a man knows too little about a subject he will become proud and bossy. Most men are ignorant of their ignorance. It is also said that knowledge is power.

You say that you desire knowledge…what type of knowledge? In what field do you want knowledge? For the schools and their books in this world are many. “Much study wears the body” (Ecc 12: 12). There is a price to pay for deep knowledge. But you must choose the right field so the price is not wasted in useless adventures and weariness of soul.

The only knowledge truly worth living and dying for is the knowledge of God. If you know God, then you know everything. But you cannot attain that knowledge except God reveals Himself to you. He has already done that in the person of His Son. No man knows the Father except thru Jesus Christ. To know God is more than information. It is called eternal life (Jn 17:3). That is the knowledge you should desire!  Pay any price to seek that treasure! No other knowledge compares with it. The knowledge of any other field ‘puffs up’ and makes a man proud.

A proud man becomes restless with his social position in life. He wants to move on taking God for granted. He becomes impatient. He has little time to waste with weak people who need his help. He moves on fast like a car without brakes. “The man who thinks he knows something does not know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God” (1Cor 8:1-3). LOVE GOD!

An impatient man makes many mistakes. He is daring enough to go on ahead of the leading of the Holy Spirit, therefore grieving Him. His ambition drives him like mad. By his religious ignorant zeal he leads many into danger. An impatient man is rebellious especially against the doctrine of Christ. He is also rebellious against his pastor whom God has delegated to teach him. The work, the ministry of an ignorant and impatient man is called wicked. Godly patience is the mark of a born again believer. An impatient zealous man is a religious unbeliever. Do not be deceived! Do not become friends with such people! Do not extend an invitation for them to come and visit your home! Do not sponsor such an evil work of rebellion!  Do you know that you are responsible to God on behalf of your guests at home? Who are your friends? To whom you give encouragement, money and help?

There is safety in knowing God and patiently serving Him alone!

“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God…If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work” (2Jn 9-11)

In Christ I declare:

I separate myself from any person who runs ahead of the leading of the Holy Spirit!

I reject the religious demons of ignorance and impatience!

I raise the standard of the Holy Spirit at the door of my house!

No one will visit me except approved by God!

I do not need many friends! I need godly friends!

I know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent!

I have eternal life!

All glory to God!

In Jesus name

Amen!