“Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” (2 Pet 2:22).

I was a sinner for 32 years, a confirmed unbeliever. I did not believe in God at all. I mocked those who did. On the 14th of March 1986, in Warri, Nigeria, I prayed my first prayer to God Almighty and in the name of Jesus. Almost a month later, I was gloriously saved and instantly filled with the Holy Spirit on the 12th of April 1986. The experience is as fresh in my spirit. Time does not have the power to make it less powerful than it was that happy day. The old Lia died. The new Lia became a totally new creation. I became the friend of the God I rejected for so long. Since then, during all these years of trials and temptations, even when I was weak and ignorant, I NEVER had a desire to go back to my unbelief vomit or my mocking mud. The new heart hated what I used to love before. The new heart started loving God’s Word. The new spirit in me had a life of its own. From my inward being I desired to love, to serve the God who saved my soul, and never go back to the world again. Left on my own, maybe I could have fallen, for no man, on his own, is stronger than the devil. But the new spirit in me will just not let me go back. God’s Grace sustained me in my walk with Jesus!

Often, I prayed, especially when I was a baby Christian: “Father in heaven, keep me tight to Your heart. If You see me going back to the world and try to take Your wonderful name in the shameful mud, please stop me before it is too late. Please, take me to heaven. It is better for me to die and go to You, than to disgrace Your name on earth. In Jesus’ name!” This prayer worked for me. Past vomits and muds are gone forever from my spiritual radar. It should be so with ever true child of God.

Lastly, if you are reading these words from the unholy ‘comfort’ of worldly mud, feeding on past foolishness vomited long ago, then stand up now! and run… run… run to Jesus… even if you are dirty and sick, no matter how… run to Jesus who alone has to key of life eternal!!! There is hope for any sinner or backslider who humbles himself and comes to the Lord! He will not cast you away! For there is no other hope! There is no other place to receive mercy and grace in time of need! Come to the Cross! Come to see that Jesus died to pay for your sins! You should be free indeed! God loves you! You can do it! Sinner, brother, sister, come home! I shall pray for you today! In Jesus’ name! Amen!

Love from Malia!