“These (painful trials) have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” ( 1Pet 1:7)

Today I celebrate five weeks since I fell and broke my foot. It has been five weeks of clear testimony that in all things God Almighty, the God of the Bible, He is my God. I did not chose the way or the timing for the testing of my faith. God did it! This is my committed attitude: Anything God does to me, even if painful, is a privilege. Here I am, passing the test of faith, by His grace, for His glory and for my good! Hallelujah!

‘I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. He pastures his flock among the lilies’ (SS 6:3)
My husband and I. In between the two pictures there is an interval of more than 40 years, much happiness, three children and six grand- children. To God be all the glory!

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies” (Song 6:3)

The Song of Solomon is one of my favorites books in the Bible. To me, it is always strong and fresh, exciting, inviting, fragrant and romantic. It speaks of the eternal love between Christ and His Church. It also testifies of the true love in a godly successful marriage. This Song helps me to be a better Christian and a better wife. By reading its beautiful poetic lines I am challenged to walk closer to God and to make my marriage better. What are the requirements for a godly successful marriage?

5. DO VICTORIOUS SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Marriage is God’s gift and the devil hates it. You should know that! You need to know how to do victorious spiritual warfare in the name of Jesus!

In chapter 5 we find the Beloved and her Lover already married. And they have their first quarrel. It is not something serious but it could have become worst. They wisely defeat the enemy and quickly repair the damage to the relationship.

“I sleep, but my heart is awake;
It is the voice of my beloved!
He knocks, saying,
“Open for me, my sister, my love,
My dove, my perfect one…”
“I have washed my feet…
Must I soil them again?”…
I arose to open for my beloved…
But my beloved had turned away and was gone.
My heart sank at his departure…” (SS 5:2-6)

This is the story: the Lover comes late at night and wants to enter her room. She is not too happy with his request. She complains that she has taken her bath and does not want to get dirty again. He feels offended and goes away. Almost immediately she feels guilty about her attitude and she goes to open the door. But he is gone. Heart broken she leaves the house in the night to look for him. The watchmen on the street abuse her thinking she is a prostitute. But she is truly heartbroken and ‘love sick’. She is begging them to find her Lover. When the daughters of Jerusalem ask her why does she take such a risk to look for a man in the night, she tells them how wonderful he is and how much she loves him. She looks for him until she finds him. They finally reconcile and are happy again. They are wiser now! The enemy of their marriage has been defeated! They have passed the test of love! Hallelujah!

My husband and I have applied these lessons over the years. What are these?
*Arguments and crises shall come. Learn to show self control! The devil wants you to add fuel to the flesh so that the quarrel will increase. Learn to lovingly withdraw when the tempers flare up. Later, when both of you are calmer, speak love and wisdom to each other. Pray for one another! Learn from mistakes!
*Learn how to satisfy one another sexually. This skill does not come automatically.
*Humble yourself! Be quick to repent! Submit to one another! The devil wants you to be proud and stubborn with your spouse. Reject that!
*Even during times of crises learn to speak only good words to your spouse. Do not insult your lover. The devil wants to use your words to destroy your marriage. He has nothing to lose but you have too much to lose! Do not be foolish. Words hurt more than daggers. Remember the power of the tongue to build or to destroy! Be a builder!
*When you sense trouble coming pray in the Spirit! The devil is a liar! Jesus is Lord!
*Pay the price for reconciliation! Appreciate peace in the home! Be pro active in seeking peace!
*Ask help from others who are more spiritual and wiser than you.
*Enjoy your marriage every day! Be grateful to God! He is on your side! Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning! Remember that morning will surely come!

My children, I pray that God will grant you spiritual wisdom and the gift of a strong, happy and successful marriage! To God be all the glory! In Jesus name, amen!

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies” (Song 6:3)

The Song of Solomon is one of my favorites books in the Bible. To me, it is always strong and fresh, exciting, inviting, fragrant and romantic. It speaks of the eternal love between Christ and His Church. It also testifies of the true love in a godly successful marriage. This Song helps me to be a better Christian and a better wife. By reading its beautiful poetic lines I am challenged to walk closer to God and to make my marriage better. What are the requirements for a godly successful marriage?

4. TRUE LOVE
“He brought me to the banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.
Sustain me with cakes of raisins,
Refresh me with apples,
For I am lovesick” (SS 2:4-5)

As pastors, my husband and I meet with many couples who struggle in their marriages . We also witness pure holy love that make the marriage strong and happy. There are many books sold in the Christian bookstores written about the secret of successful marriages. Only very few quote scriptures from the Song of Songs. What a pity… In this Book we see how two young people fall in love, date each other, have their wedding, pass thru the struggles and the testings of love and finally come to the place of fulfillment in their marriage.

These days we are inundated with negative images about sex and fleshly passion. Most people, young and old, are ignorant about true love as it is found in the Bible. Let me say this: It is a beautiful thing to to see a man and a woman fall in love in the presence of God! It is a beautiful thing to witness the wedding of a man and a woman who love each other passionately with the Love of Christ ‘shed abroad in their hearts’. God is love and God gives love to be shared among men. Next to your relationship with God, loving your spouse should be the priority of your life!

Here we see true love displayed between a young man and a young woman. Some say that it is the story of King Solomon falling in love with a simple ‘village girl’. First if all it speaks of the love Christ has for His Bride, the Church. It is also a guide to true love in marriage. We can learn so many lessons about love in this wonderful Book.

The first lesson is this: these two people are passionately in love with one another. This attraction and this passion is mutual. Both of them talk. In fact, the Beloved talks more than the Groom. We should come to worship God with words!!! These two are not ashamed of each other or about their love. This is a warning: if love is very strong but it is coming from only one direction, that marriage cannot last. If one of them talks all the time and the other keeps silent to ‘avoid trouble’ that marriage relationship cannot last. A bird needs two wings to fly. Even so love must be mutual and balanced to grow!

We see that the groom brings his bride to the ‘banqueting house’ and decorates that house with a big banner saying LOVE! A banner is like a big flag indicating the identity and the location of the people under that banner. For example, each tribe of Israel had a banner lifted high in the wilderness. In war it gives courage to the people under that banner. There was the banner of Judah, of Benjamin and so on. If a man got lost in the desert, he will look for the banner of his tribe and go there.

The groom openly displays his banner of love so that everybody knows that his Bride belongs to him and that she is safe there under his protection. If a husband is ashamed of his wife in public that marriage is in trouble. If a wife mocks her husband in public, that marriage is falling already. The banner of love shows that what is in your heart is also on your lips and displayed in your actions! You must feel love, speak love and act love for that marriage to grow!

This is a good counsel: if as a prodigal son or daughter you get ‘lost’ in the desert of this world, and you desire to come back, do not look at men’s faces or at your circumstances! Look for the banner of Jesus! God loves you! Go to the Cross and you shall find there the eternal source of all true love!

This is my testimony: I never wake up in the morning with fear that Jesus will ignore of abandon me today. I am sure of His love for me. I do not doubt His love for me. Try to imagine being married to a man who loves me like Jesus! In the past I was foolish enough to sometimes doubt my husband’s love for me. But I was wrong. Thru the study of the Word of God and prayer, we both grew in the security of our love for each other. We do not exchange bad words in our house or in public. We do not threaten each other with divorce. We do not mock or insult each other, not even jokingly! We help and encourage each other to be like Jesus! This is our attitude!

“Catch us the foxes,
The little foxes that spoil the vines,
For our vines have tender grapes” (SS 2:15)

Love is like the tender grapes. Love is like a baby. Both the husband and the wife need to care for that ‘baby’ so that it matures into a strong and fruitful son. The little foxes of foolishness, greed, lust, quarrels and ambitions can damage the roots of true love and spoil the vineyards, destroy what love can be. Careless words hurt the relationship and forgiveness is so difficult to find. You must be jealous with the testimony of your passion. If not, the tender love displayed at the wedding day fails to mature into a vineyard of sweet harvest in the old age.

My children, please, do not take love for granted! Do not misuse God’s gift of marriage! Do all you can to protect it from internal and external enemies! This is my prayer and my wish for you: May your marriage be strong and happy to the end! In Jesus name, amen!

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies” (Song 6:3)

The Song of Solomon is one of my favorites books in the Bible. To me, it is always strong and fresh, exciting, inviting, fragrant and romantic. It speaks of the eternal love between Christ and His Church. It also testifies of the true love in a godly successful marriage. This Song helps me to be a better Christian and a better wife. By reading its beautiful poetic lines I am challenged to walk closer to God and to make my marriage better. What are the requirements for a godly successful marriage?

3. GOOD MORAL CHARACTER
Moral character refers to the qualities of a person that make him spiritually mature, responsible and loving. This person may look ‘ordinary’ but is considered a true leader, a hero and an inspiration to others. This person is born again and filed with the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Holy Spirit is clearly manifest in his or her life: ” The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). You need these fruits in your lives to have a happy and successful marriage. Nothing else compares with these.

In the Bible a person with good moral qualities is said to have ‘a name’. In Hebrew, the word ‘name’ means identity, character, reputation and fame. If a man falls into sin they say he has lost his name.

Read this:
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your NAME is like perfume poured out.
No wonder the young women love you!” (SS 1:2-3

In Song of Songs we see that the first thing the Beloved appreciates about her Lover is his name, or his character. The Bride falls in love with the Groom because of the way he behaves towards her and towards the others! That is why she wants to kiss him! Even the other girls appreciate his good behavior! At the very beginning of their interaction she is not impressed so much by his beauty, strength or wealth. It is his character! She appreciates his name, his fame! Everybody knows that this man is wonderful in behavior! Beauty is fleeting and money may fail. But a good character will sustain any marriage any time!

This is a reminder of the power in the name of Jesus. Even before we knew His promises and miracles, we were attracted by His wonderful name! Jesus!!!

Any person who does not have a good character cannot have a successful or happy marriage! It is also a warning to the young people who are getting ready for marriage! Dear children, Please pray for wisdom!

OUR TESTIMONY
We are married for 42 years! The older I get, the more I appreciate my husband’s character. Below is a partial list with my husband’s qualities that I have discovered over the years. My husband is:
*A true man of God!
*Loving, generous, compassionate and kind!
*Honest, truthful and open; he does not lie, steal or cheat!
*Courageous, doing what is right even in the presence of rejection or danger!
*Willing to sacrifice himself and his money for the work of God and helping others!
*Controls himself; he stays calm under provocation, temptation or stress!
*Just and fair; he does not discriminate!
*Good citizen; he abides by the laws of the country!
*Spirit of excellence; he does his best and he is happy with his work!
*Keeps his promises; is dependable and trustworthy; he hates to disappoint others!
*Respects others; he honors their rights, dignity and freedom! Hates to hurt them!
*Responsible; he does not shift blame on others!
*Patient; he knows that good things take time to achieve!
*Forgiving; he is able to leave hurtful things behind; does not seek revenge!
*Peace Maker; he is able to talk things without being violent!
And so on… And so on …To God be all the glory!

Now you know the secret of our happy and strong marriage! May God grant you the blessing of a wonderful marriage! In Jesus name, amen!

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies” (Song 6:3)

The Song of Solomon is one of my favorites books in the Bible. To me, it is always strong and fresh, exciting, inviting, fragrant and romantic. It speaks of the eternal love between Christ and His Church. It also testifies of the true love in a godly successful marriage. This Song helps me to be a better Christian and a better wife. By reading its beautiful poetic lines I am challenged to walk closer to God and to make my marriage better. Please read on…

My husband and I are married for more than 42 years. We got married as unbelievers. Then one by one we got saved. Now we are in full time ministry helping others to live godly lives. We are sinners saved by grace. We made many mistakes along the way. But the grace of God who brought us together when we were young shall keep us together to the end. This morning, being inspired by the Word of God and also from our experience as a married couple, I want to help and challenge the younger believers to make their Christian life and their marriage a great success.

What are the requirements for a godly successful marriage?

2. Contentment
Contentment is having peace of mind and rest in your soul. It is defined as a state of peace, joy and satisfaction. It means to be free from worry, restlessness and impossible ambitions. It means to be satisfied and grateful with God’s provision for your life. A born again believer should be satisfied when his life’s basic needs are met, he has a good and happy family and attends a good church.

Many wrongly believe that money is the real source of happiness. America in particular, gives the impression that materialism produces satisfaction in life. The truth is that material wealth helps to have an easier life generally, better health and a good education. But the happiness that comes with wealth is limited. It stops at a certain point and cannot increase from that level on. Rich wise people have discovered that happiness comes with being generous with your wealth. It is this flow of ‘give and take’ that makes a man happy. Greedy people who hoard their money for future happiness can never be satisfied. This is a very good advice: Simplify your life! Money should be your servant and not your boss! Do not buy things just because you have the money! Pray about all your purchases! Do not compete with others in dressing and fashion! Be simple! “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Tim 6:6-8)

In marriage you also need to practice the attitude of contentment. You have to decide that your spouse is God’s gift to you. Until death do you part, there is no other! Marriage is not a market place! You should be satisfied with your husband or your wife. You will always see others who are younger, stronger, more beautiful or wealthier than your spouse. But you chose to be are satisfied with your own. Learn to appreciate your own! Kill any desire to love a stranger! You should not compare your spouse with others. Before you marry, you ‘seek’ your life partner! From the day of the wedding you stop ‘seeking’! Put a stop to it!

Contentment also applies to the level of wealth or social standing your spouse is able to provide. Do not desire more than that! As you can see, contentment is not an achievement to boast if, but a spiritual attitude that needs to be cultivated thru prayer and the Word of God. “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content… In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (Philipp 4:11-12)

“I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment” (SS 8:10). In Song of Solomon the bride is seen as a wall and her breasts are like towers. This is symbolic prophetic language. It reveals the type of woman she is. A wall represents strength, help, faithfulness, protection and stability. The picture of her well developed breasts means spiritual maturity and readiness to be fruitful. This is how the believer in Christ should be. The bride is not weak, ignorant, foolish or a push around. She knows her identity in Christ and pays the price to be like Him. She is content with her Lover and makes Him happy! This should be our desire too! Pray about this…

 
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies” (Song 6:3)

The Song of Solomon is one of my favorites books in the Bible. To me, it is always strong and fresh, exciting, inviting, fragrant and romantic. It speaks of the eternal love between Christ and His Church. It also testifies of the true love in a godly successful marriage. This Song helps me to be a better Christian and a better wife. By reading its beautiful poetic lines I am challenged to walk closer to God and to make my marriage better.

My husband and I are married for more than 42 years. We got married as unbelievers. Then one by one we got saved. Now we are in full time ministry helping others to live godly lives. We are sinners saved by grace. We made many mistakes along the way. But the grace of God who brought us together when we were young shall keep us together to the end.

This morning, being inspired by the Word of God and also from our experience as a happy married couple, I want to help and challenge the younger believers to make their Christian life and their marriage a great success. Dear children, please read on…

What are the requirements for a godly successful marriage?

1. Commitment
To be successful a marriage needs commitment from both husband and wife. Commitment is defined as a vow, a promise to do or give something; to be loyal to the end. It is the attitude to work very hard to the success of marriage. The vows you made to each other on your wedding day need a life time of commitment. God is a covenant keeping God of commitment to His promises.

As a believer in Christ you must be like God! Success in marriage requires a willingness to spend time and energy to make it work. Lazy, careless, greedy, worldly, irresponsible or foolish people end in divorce. Commitment means that you are not free to waste your time and emotions in things that do not build your marriage. Even if these things are good, if they do not help my marriage, I shall ignore them. It is my responsibility to avoid close friendship with people who dishonor their spouses. I can pray for them and counsel them but they cannot be my friends. it is my desire to make friends with women who are better wives than me so that I can learn from them. This is my strong life time commitment to pray and to do everything that is necessary to make my marriage a success. So help me God!

THE SEAL OF LOVE
‘Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, it’s jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it will be utterly scorned’ (SS 8:6, 7)

A seal is a visible stamp applied with fire proving that the object is original and intact. The seal is upon the heart, in the most intimate place where strangers cannot enter. It is also on the arm, the strength openly displayed to others. First of all, as a husband and wife, our love must be sealed in the most intimate emotions. We must guard our hearts! We must protect our Spirits! We must be gentle with our words! Also, our love for one another must be displayed in actions and words for others to see. Our love displayed means love protected. Be jealous over the testimony of your marriage!

What God has joined together let no one put asunder! Any man or woman who tries to destroy our love shall be burnt by the fire of the same love. This love is not for sale. Our love is priceless for Jesus died to give it to us! To bribe for love is an abomination! Love in marriage is God’s gift to us and must be so to the end. Our love for one another is a testimony that Christ indeed loves the Church. We must be jealous over our love and protect it from strangers or wicked spiritual parasites! This is our commitment to one another in the presence of God! May the seal of the Holy Spirit placed on our hearts and arms speak for itself! In Jesus name, amen!

“But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands” (Is 53:10; NLT)

When I was little I loved the story about a wild bird, a quail, that pretended to be injured to distract the attention of the predator. This bird had five chicks. She saw a vulture coming toward her nest. She told her babies not to move no matter what. She then boldly went before her enemy and started shaking. Her wings were fallen to the ground. She was making painful cries. The vulture thought that she is helpless or wounded and it will be an easy prey. He tried to catch her. But limping, she was going farther away from the nest. She wisely kept her distance from the hunter. Little by little the mother bird drew away the enemy from her babies. Once she arrived at a good distance she flew in circles and then went back home. The vulture slept hungry that night. Good for him!

I have faith to apply this story to my present condition. At least twenty five years ago I made a covenant with God that if my children (natural and spiritual) are under attack, I am ready to take that on myself. God approved my request. Over the years I have been attacked spiritually by arrows meant to hurt my children. I have my wounds as a testimony of my work as an intercessor. I know that I am stronger than them. It is better that I am attacked instead of them. This is spiritual warfare and a labor of love. For example: a spiritually poisoned arrow is able to make my child sick enough to have a surgery in the hospital or an accident. But it will only give me a headache. I gladly chose the headache. I am a mother and a spiritual covering for them. These are not just empty titles or cheap words. This is the truth and God is my witness.

Like I said, a month ago I fell and broke my left ankle. It is very possible that the devil attacked my family. Who knows what could have happened if my children had to take this attack on themselves. I am so grateful to God for the ‘diversion’. This is an encouragement to my children to praise God for their deliverance and to serve Him more! The devil is a deceiver but this time he was deceived. He ‘missed road’ as we say in Nigeria. Like the vulture, he is gone away Disappointed! Thank God for that! My bone will soon heal and we shall dance to the glory of God!

My children, be strong and happy! Arise and shine for your light has come! The devil has failed! The enemy shall regret this attack! Our family is blessed! The blessings shall increase and multiply! There is an overflow of joy coming directly to us! The anointing has increased! Happy! Happy! Happy! This is the time for that! I see it… Do you see it? The breakthrough has happened! Have faith in God! The sick is healed; the jobless one has a good job; the single shall marry; the oppressed shall be free! To the glory of God! In Jesus name, amen!

“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” And He blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip” (Gen 32:24:31)

It is more than four weeks since I fell and broke my ankle. My husband is my hero in this time of need! He is a champion and a true man of a God. He is helping me the best way he can. I thank God for his life! But he is also a very busy man. So, I am alone in my room most of the time. I now have more than enough time to read the Bible, to pray and to meditate about God and my life. It is my desire to find a higher level of the grace of God. I don’t want to waste my pain. This is a great opportunity for me to have an encounter with God. Because of the cast, I cannot go to church as usual. But nothing shall stop me to go to the throne room of God. I do not need legs to go there. I only need faith. I have faith!

I am interested in particular in the scriptures that describe the blessings associated with brokenness, which is the Royal Way of the Cross. One of best stories is found in Genesis 32. We see here Jacob wrestling with the Angel of God who is the pre-incarnate Christ. It is the story of Peniel, seeing God face to face and live. Jacob is coming back to the Promised Land. The pain and the blessing found at Peniel is the visa to enter the Promised Land.

Jacob ran away from home because he was afraid Esau will kill him. He cheated his older brother by taking his birthright. He deceived their father Isaac and took away the blessing of the first son. Afraid for his life he runs away from home. He has an encounter with God at Bethel. He goes to his uncle Laban. God prospers him there. He marries and has children. He becomes a wealthy man. At part, he deceives Laban by running away from him. His name Jacob means ‘Deceiver’. Deception and scheming was his strategy of success in life. And it worked for him in the past.

He is now ready to come back home. Jacob is humbled. He needs a new strategy of success. He does not want to deceive Esau like in the past. He wants to live as a man of God. He wants to be a worshipper. He needs a change of heart. He needs to be delivered from himself. He needs to discover his weakness. He needs to know the power of God in his weakness. He needs a new name and a new identity. He needs God to bless him with a true new beginning. He needs the anointing of God for ministry.

How can God bless him? By breaking his will, by killing his flesh, by crippling him. This is the strange way God blesses strong men for ministry!

Jacob is left alone. He wrestles with God in Christ the whole night. God dislocates his hip. From now on he will limp and use a walking stick. But from now on the Sun of righteousness, Jesus Christ, will rise on him with healing in His wings. His name will be called Israel, Prince with God.

Here we see God’s grace hunting and hurting a man until he conquers that man. We see God and man wrestling on the ground until the connection of holiness and the eternal blessing is established. In the natural, in a wresting match, there is a winner and a loser. It is a battle for control and superiority. But in an encounter with the living God there are no losers. God wins and man wins! There are two wrestlers and two winners. This is the way of The Lord! Pinned to the ground, finally, God has His man in the grip of His grace. From now on, God can trust man with His resources. Delivered from the power of flesh, man can now rest in the power of a new identity and a most special blessing.

Waiting for God to heal my broken ankle, there is nothing more I desire than the blessing of His presence upon my life. Let my pain lead the way to Peniel! Let me see God face to face! Let my travail be not in vain! Let it bring forth eternal fruitfulness to the glory of God! Like Jacob, let me lean on my staff and worship God! May the power of Christ find my weakness acceptable as a dwelling place! May God bless my husband with a stronger anointing for ministry! May God bless my children (natural and spiritual) with the blessings of Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen!

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Eph 6:2, 3)

Today is Father’s Day and I remember my father, Prof. Albai Ion. I want to honor his memory. He went to heaven about 15 years ago. He was my loving father, my history teacher and the principal of our school. The best thing I remember about him is that he loved his wife (my mother), my sister and I very very much. He was very protective of his daughters. I loved to be his daughter. My mother was a disciplinarian. My father was the mediator. Each time my sister and I misbehaved and our mother punished us, he always ‘begged’ on our behalf. Because of that we decided never to misbehave and hurt him. It was not the punishment that changed us it was his constant love! I remember that… His love was the greatest encouragement for us to be good!

 
One of the best movies i have watched is called ‘Chariots of fire’. It is inspired from the true life story of Eric Liddell who won the gold medal at the Olympics in Paris in 1924. He was a Scottish athlete and a committed born again Christian. His parents were missionaries in China. He was a very fast runner. He prepared for the 100 meters race. When he was told that the heat for that race was on a Sunday he refused to run. He said that God commanded His people to rest on the Sabbath and to go to church. His stand brought him a lot of persecution. The news went all over the world. The Olympic committee put pressure on him but he refused to compromise his stand. Then one of his team mates suggested that they can exchange their races. Eric can run the 400 meters race and he will run the 100 meters. This was a much more difficult race and he was not prepared for it, but he agreed. Miraculously, the Olympic committee approved the switch.

The very Sunday he was to run he was invited to the Church of Scotland in Paris to preach. He encouraged the congregation from the Book of Isaiah 40:31.
“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint”
He ended by saying: ‘if you honor God, God will honor you!’

The word of truly prophetic! Two days later he ran in the finals of the 400 meters race. The Americans were the all time favorites. Nobody gave Eric a chance. They all stated running. Half way in the race the French runner pushed him and he fell injuring his knee. For few seconds he lied down there looking the sky… He had to chose between victory and defeat. He silently called the name of Jesus. Then, in much pain, he got up. Limping, he stated running again. To everybody’ surprise he overtook them all and won the gold medal to the glory of God! After this success he fulfilled his vow. He never ran again. He went as a missionary to China. He died there in 1945 serving The Lord!

I remember this story especially now. It is such an inspiration! As you know, four weeks ago I fell and broke my ankle. For now, I have to stay on bed rest in a cast. But this early Sunday morning, I am encouraged to get up and dance again! To the glory of God! This is a great lesson for us all: Even if you fall, you don’t have to give up your dream! Against all odds, you can rise again and still win that battle! Your enemies shall be disappointed! The devil is a liar! Your friends shall rejoice! God is on your side! Jesus is Lord!

This is is a quote from his book:
“It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the true medals.” (Eric Liddell)

(The movie can be seen fee of charge on utube. The original song is very anointed! in the picture you see the real Eric Liddell)

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe” (PV 18:10)

Today is exactly four weeks since I fell and broke my ankle. It has been quite a journey. I know that God could have prevented my fall, for He has done so all my life. But He allowed this accident to happen so that thru it all, He may be glorified!
There are so many revelations I have received since this fall. Like I said to you, God’s ways are often strange to us, human beings. His ways are different and much higher than ours. As a child of God you should be always grateful and give thanks to your Father in heaven! This should be your attitude in life!

My dear children, let me remind you of this: God is never afraid of what we call emergencies of life. He is never shaken from His throne in heaven by our crises and challenges. Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses for as a Man He experienced all our pains. But He is never troubled by them. After our Lord went back to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit that we may live in victory just like He did. He also gave us access to the authority invested in His wonderful name. Oh, the name of Jesus…

This is my testimony: the moment I fell, I did not stop to ask any questions. I ran to hide in the power of the name of Jesus! It is not only that I called His name aloud, but my spirit ran towards the throne of mercy and grace to find help in that my time of need. Like we say in Nigeria… ‘See race…’ But if I did not know how to go there, I could have been in serious trouble. If I did not know how to seek God at the mercy seat, I could have been confused. If I did not know God’s ‘address’ I could have been captured by the devil. If I did not know how to dive into the ocean of God’s grace, I could have been shaken spiritually. I could have ended not only with a broken bone, but with a broken spirit, filled with anger at what has happened and querying God in all this. Then the devil could have rejoiced at his victory. But thank God for victory!

This is my experience: the name of Jesus was too strong for my enemy to break, too high for him to climb its walls, too hot for him to quench. I ran there as a child runs to the mother when he is afraid. And immediately I entered the strong tower of the name of Jesus, I felt safe, secure and strong. My leg was still paining me but my spirit had the victory!

This is an extremely practical lesson: It is what you do when there is peace that you can apply in times of war. Walk while you have light so that when darkness comes and the walk stops, you may be found in a good safe place. Learn to love the name of Jesus before the trouble comes! Study the Word of God and find the revelation of the power invested in the name of Jesus! This eternal deposit of holiness shall be your strength in times of trouble when no man understands and no man can help.

My children, please listen to me: If you are lost and you need salvation, if you are afraid and you need comfort, if you are lonely and you need a friend, if you are poor and you need provision, if you are single and you need a life partner, if you are barren and you need a child, if you are weak and you need help, if you are anxious and you need peace, if you are sick and you need healing, if you are confused and you need direction, if you are foolish and you need wisdom, if you are under attack and you need protection from enemies, if you need the strength of a father, the compassion of a mother and much more that all these things, go to Jesus! Run towards Jesus! Do not look back, left or right! It does not matter what men or devils say about your situation! Believe the report of The Lord! Run to Jesus! There is power in the name of Jesus! Dwell inside His name and you shall be saved!

Singing: ‘No other name like the name of Jesus… no other name like the name of my Lord… No other name like the name of Jesus.. Is worthy of glory, is worthy of honor, is worthy of power and of praise!’ Hallelujah!

“Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Israel:
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
And my just claim is passed over by my God”?
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint” (Is 40:27-31)

Tomorrow shall be four weeks since I fell and broke my ankle. I have to stay on bed rest because of the cast. There are so many lessons I am learning from this time of slowing down. During that fall, my flesh was weakened and my bone was broken. But surprisingly, my spirit became stronger and more alert than ever. It is like I suddenly became wide awake from a deep sleep! Right now, the power of resurrection bubbles in me like an engine fueled from heaven! This revelation is a great mystery but such a blessing to me!

If I ever have to chose between flesh being strong or spirit being strong, I will always chose the latter! I wrote ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ on my cast so that I remind myself that in whatever situation of life, in poverty or riches, in sickness or in health, the covenant of God stands forever! The name of Jesus shall be the standard by which all things shall be judged! At His name all knees shall bow and all tongues confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!

My flesh is slower than before because I am not supposed to apply weight on my left leg. Standing on only the right leg, even with the help of the crutches, it is not easy. I feel unbalanced and insecure. In the past, I will just look ahead and move, talking my feet for granted, that they will cooperate without grumbling. But now I have to look well, study the path ahead of me, and calculate my steps. The ground should not be wet and slippery… Things should not be scattered on the floor to hinder my steps… I am thinking like a baby now… But there is progress… I have discovered that I am now faster and more confident on my crutches… Of course I could have desired to walk without them but until then, I am grateful for this little improvement… I have also discovered that my right (good) leg is getting stronger to compensate for the weakness of his twin ‘brother’ that is hurt… I can now stand longer on the right leg without shaking or getting tired… ‘Right leg, well done!’

All these little gains remind me that God has created me and not myself. My 62 years old body, even with a broken bone, is clearly ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ by God. That is why I have hope that I will walk again without the help of crutches! As I am waiting for God to do His work in me I have faith that He will not abandon my body in this cage of infirmity! His promise stands that I shall rise up with wings like an eagle! My new wings are getting ready! I am not a chicken! I am an eagle with a broken leg but still an eagle! The coward chickens on the ground should still fear me! I shall fly like an eagle! I shall hunt like an eagle! This is what the Holy Spirit tells me and I am ready to believe every word He says!

You too my children, please be encouraged! Our God knows the future because He is the One who creates the future! His plan shall prosper in our lives! Imitate me as I imitate Christ! I am not saying that you should fall like me… But from whatever cage of limitations you find yourself in, put all your trust in the Living God! He is the God of miracles and wonders! He is the God who changes the impossible into the possible! He is the God who heals you! He is the God who fulfills the words of the prophets! He is the God who created the eagles! He renews our strength! God is not afraid of your problems! Let’s arise and shine, for the glory of The Lord is risen upon us! In Jesus name, amen!

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Tske My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30)

My dear children, I have received a word of wisdom for you… For you who are over- worked and under- payed: I believe that you carry more load than you are supposed to carry. This is a spiritual problem. God gives us burdens to carry, responsibilities to fulfill. He tells us to pray for some people… He also gives us the wisdom and the strength to carry those. Then the devil comes and adds his own, secretly trying to deceive us that it is God’s burden. But the devil’s load comes with anxiety and depression. He is merciless and wicked. His intent is to frustrate you and blame God for your failure in life. The devil will not help you carry these fake burdens. He will deceive you to waste time and energy in prayers God cannot answer!

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jam 4:7)
It is almost 4 weeks since I fell and broke my ankle. As I am forced to stay indoors I have been praying more than ever before. Thank God for the gift of prayer!

There are many things to learn. One important lesson is this: if you like it or not, if you believe or not, there is a spiritual warfare going on. The devil is real and the battle is strong. He hates God and he hates the children of God! That means, if you are a born again believer, the devil hates you! We have a tendency to read these words like they are fiction or fairy tales. But the truth is that spiritual warfare is real and the best thing you should do is to prepare for it! Selah!

The scripture above is so simple that you may ignore it. But this is the Word of God! It reveals the key to your personal deliverance! The first thing you notice is the command to ‘submit to God’. To submit it means to totally surrender and to stop resisting. Remember that we are born sinners and enemies to God. For many years we have lived in rebellion to God, practicing doubt and indulging in foolish fears. We resisted God’s will for our lives. We resisted God’s Spirit and His Word! We loved the world with its superficial glamour and empty promises. We were addicted to a life of foolishness, oppression and greed.

Once you became saved, you need to completely change direction. You need a new vision and a new purpose in life! You even need to change camps in the battlefield. You need to leave the devil’s army and go to the side of God. You become a soldier for Christ. Then, putting on the whole armor of God, you turn back and face the devil. You abandon and betray the devil! You start fighting him! You need to actively resist, oppose and stand against the devil! It is an experience! You need to learn how to stand strong in the faith against the accuser of the brethren! You say NO to fear, doubt, confusion, complication, pride, lust, greed, selfish ambitions, wickedness, slander, oppression, lies and intimidation! You cannot do it in your strength! You need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to resist the Tempter! Like Jesus, you need to declare the Word of God over your situation saying: ‘It is written…’ The devil will attack mostly with intimidation saying: ‘if you resist me I will kill you…’ But this is a lie! Resist the devil and he will flee (run, scatter, vanish) from you! Not from your neighbor or you pastor! From YOU! I say ‘FROM YOU!’

I pray that these words will strengthen you to stand and fight for you life, for your marriage, for your children, for your ministry and for your destiny! God is with you! Obey the Word of God! Confess and repent from all known sins! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! You overcome the devil by the Blood of the Lamb and by the words of your testimony! Do it! Be free! Be strong! There is victory in Jesus! Your situation shall change! Just like that! In Jesus name! Amen!

“Get up; go away! For this is not your resting place yet…” (Micah 2:10)

These are notes from my traveling diary:
One of the most difficult things to do is to keep walking until you reach your destination. We easily find excuses to slow and sit down. Every nice bench will do for tired bones. Even the floor looks inviting…
This hotel room looks better than my own back home. The bathroom is marble and the door is made of mirror. So why leave them and go? This is the answer: Because it is not mine. I have not yet reached my resting place.

 
“Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” ( Ecc 4:9-12)

Today is the 23rd day since I fell and broke my ankle. I have to stay indoors with a cast on my leg. Like I said, God’s paths are often strange to bring us to a place of humility and power. In all things I chose to obey His commands and to give Him thanks. I am grateful to God not only that He ‘broke my fall’, for it could have been worst. But I actively thank God for His presence with me and for the great lessons He is teaching me thru this journey. Faith in God must be tried to be proven true! I am excited and happy, for I know that my faith shall shine like gold purified in the fire. I have prayed for this purification so now I have it! Pain or no pain, the end of this trial will bring fresh anointing from heaven! That is another reason why I give God thanks! You too my children, you should give thanks to God with me!

A great lesson I am learning right now is the power and the reward of a true laborer in Christ! The blessings that come to a worker who works in a team! Look at the scripture above: it is said that ‘two are better than one’. This can be applied to marriage or godly relationships. But here it is applied in particular to workers who work together. The benefits are great: when one worker falls under stress or under attack, the other workers will lift him up! This is God’s promise! For workers love and appreciate one another , for they need one another. This help is not promised to sinners who waste their lives together in empty pleasures. When that sinner falls, the other ‘fair weather friends’ will abandon him and run away! But not so in the Body of Christ, among the co-laborers with God! We are together ‘thru thick and thin’! Praise The Lord!

This is my testimony: My husband and I are married for more than 42 years. We help and encourage one another thru the many challenges of life. If you want a successful and happy marriage, then you should be ready for hard work. Lazy people end up in divorce. Now that I need my husband’s help more than ever, I discover that he is strengthen by God to help me more. I am so grateful for his patient help!!! Culturally speaking, it is not easy for a man to go to the kitchen, cook and bring food to his wife. But this is what he is doing, happily so. We are husband and wife and friends. We are also co- laborers with God in His vineyard. This is a great lesson: if I was a selfish wife, a careless friend or a lazy worker, I could have suffered now when I am in need… But by the grace of God, I say like the Apostle Paul ‘I have worked hard’ in the past so now God’s insurance and promises are working on my behalf. The help I receive now is more than I could have imagined!

Apart from my husband, there are other brethren who come and help us at this time of need. They do not help because we are beautiful or rich. They help us because we are family in Christ and laborers together for God! ‘The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me’ ( Ps 118:7; NKJ). We shall share in the reward and we shall rejoice together. The devil has failed to scatter us, to divide us! The worship must continue! The work of God must continue!

So you see that you should not be ‘sorry’ for me! I too am free from self pity! I declare that in Christ, I am blessed! My team of holy laborers is blessed! Pity him or her who separates from the Body, who is alone in her labor, who wants to eat alone and be happy alone! Pity that one!

But as for me and my household we shall serve The Lord all the days of our lives! We shall work and rejoice together in the Lord! The Holy Spirit makes us to be ‘a three fold cord not quickly broken’! I fell an broke my ankle but the cord of the eternal love in Christ can never be broken! Be sure of that! Be encouraged today! Glory to God in the highest! Jesus is Lord!

 
“Keep silent and let me speak;
then let come to me what may.
Why do I put myself in jeopardy
and take my life in my hands?
Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him!
I will surely defend my ways to His face.
Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
for no godless person would dare come before Him!
Listen carefully to what I say;
let my words ring in your ears.
Now that I have prepared my case,
I know I will be vindicated” (Job 13:13-18)

Today is three weeks since I fell and broke my foot. I never knew that God planned for me such a wonderful time with Him alone, for me to rest my soul and feed my spirit in His presence… Apart from the first hour of pain the rest part of this journey is filled with light, peace and joy.

Like I said, there are so many good lessons for me to learn… With my foot arrested in the cast, I am forced to slow down my physical activities. But my spirit is not in prison for it is bound with the Word of life that knows no limitations.

What are some of these lessons? The first one that comes to my mind is that God often leads His children thru strange paths but He remains the same! In the natural, we do not see any good coming from a time of sickness, for example. We ask ourselves ‘what good can come out of this situation as I lie down on this hospital bed… Or having no money… Or abandoned by friends?’ We try to think of a gain in the pain but we find none. But not so with God. He leads us thru dark ravines, stormy seas and valleys of shadows so that we discover that His Word, His grace and His presence is sufficient to live!

God alone can shine His light in the midst if darkness! He alone can squeeze the grapes of my soul to produce the sweet wine of mature faith! He alone is able to disappoint the hopes of my enemies when they see me down like a fallen sparrow with a broken wing…’can she ever fly again?’ They say to one another…Yes, for with God there is always the supernatural strength for a new beginning!

Like Job, me too I say that no matter what happens to me in this life I will always hope in my Savior! If God is my friend or my ‘enemy’ I will still trust in Him! Jesus died to save my soul? Why will I then be so ungrateful and wicked to doubt His love for me now? No devil can destroy this my hope for it us not him who gave hope to me! I boldly declare that I am God’s child. In His will, He gave me the right of inheritance. He shed His Blood that I may inherit His Spirit, His peace, His joy, His faith and His personal hope. No enemy can take these promises away! These blessings are mine forever! My sickness or my trial cannot go so deep that I will find myself lost and without hope. That can never happen! God will never allow it to happen! I know it!

Jesus commanded us: ‘Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life!’ (Rev 2:10). This is my desire! I want to be found faithful to the end! In good times and in bad times I want to hold on the hand of my Jesus! It is my prayer and my choice! Fever or no fever, fracture or no fracture, I refuse to doubt God’s goodness in my life! He is my everlasting Father and my God forever! The path God chose for me may look strange for now, but in the end I shall be vindicated and rewarded for my faithfulness!

My children, be encouraged today! Be faithful to God! Our enemies shall regret their attack! They shall fall for our sake! In the end, we shall be rewarded for our faithfulness! Do not fear boasting! Not all boasting is bad! I boast in knowing my God! You my children should do the same! Welcome to the family of royal holy boasters! Rejoice! And I say again: rejoice! Jesus is Lord!!!

PRAYER REQUEST
“For His anger is only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” ( Ps 30:5)

I received a letter from a woman who is broken hearted. Her loving daughter suddenly became rebellious and left the house because of a man she says she loves. Both mother and daughter are born again Christians. The man is not. The daughter is an adult and she has the right to do what she wants to do. But the pain of rejection and betrayal is tearing the mother’s heart. ‘I have cried all my tears… I have no one left…’ – she told me… Please pray for her that she will become better and not bitter; that God will glorify Himself in her life; that God will strengthen her to serve Him more! In Jesus name, amen! Thank you for your prayers!

 
“Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.