“The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians” (Ex 9:11)
Your enemies who fight against you and your ministry shall fall. They will not be able ‘to stand’ before you because of the ‘boils’ on them. They shall be in pain and the only thing they will think about is how to stop their frustration. Panadol will not work. Their prayer will not work. They will have no more strength to fight you. Except they repent and confess their sins to God and to you, they shall have no peace! Wickedness cannot make progress forever! Trust God! He knows His job!
As for you little flock, have peace! God is fighting your battles! Your victory is sure! Jesus is Lord!

 
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (PV 13:12)

This is a wonderful Cinderella type of story. Misty Copeland is an African American girl who is now a famous ballerina. She was born in a poor home to a single mother. When she was 13, a lady, who was a ballet teacher,’discovered’ that her body is very flexible and balanced. The lady helped her. She introduced her to the world of classical ballet. She was discriminated because of her color. She was rejected by many schools because of her body type. But against all odds she persevered. She was given full scholarship to the best ballet school in New York. She is now famous and rich, She is the only ‘black prima ballerina’ in America. She is an inspiration for many colored girls that they can achieve their dreams. I am happy for her that she rejected the rejection. I pray that she will know Jesus Christ one day. Then she will understand her life better!

“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,

And saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Ps 34:18)

All the promises of God are in Christ ‘yes and amen’! There are many promises in the Bible. Each one you read, just believe it because God is faithful to His Word.  Here we are told that God is ‘nearer’ to some people than to others. These are the ones with a broken heart and contrite spirit. These are the wounded and the oppressed. These are the sinners who truly repent of their sins.  In Hebrew, the word ‘near’ it means ‘to approach and join the other’. God draws closer to embrace and heal His broken hearted people. These are the humble ones who weep for their sins. The tears flow freely when the Holy Spirit touches, softens or turns the heart to Himself.

Tears are good. Jesus collects them in a special bottle. I am not saying that you need to dramatize your prayers and weep like an actor. What I am saying is to pray to God for the gift of tears. The tears will help wash your eyes and your soul. Recently I did an eye test and the optician said that my eyes are too dry and I should add artificial tears, some medicated eye drops from a little bottle. I am not saying this is the solution to your problem. Many Christians are too hard.  Sin has deceived them and now their hearts are hard like a stone. Their eyes are too dry…

Pray for the gift of tears… When they come, it is not because of anything in the natural. I am not saying that you shall experience any tragedy so that you can weep. I am saying that after you pray, the water storage of the eyes will ‘burst’ suddenly. You may be in the market or at home. Suddenly you feel a strong urge to weep for your sins or intercede for the nation. Our country needs our prayers and also our tears.  ‘Them who sow in tears shall reap with joy’. We all expect a harvest of good things and happiness. But without the planting of the Word and tears wetting the plantation, our ministries will remain unfruitful and unsatisfied.

King Hezekiah was sick. God sent the prophet Isiah with a terrible message. He shall die soon!  The King prayed like a baby. He prayed and wept before the Lord who suddenly changes the prophecy saying: ‘I have heard your prayers and I have seen your tears. You shall live another fifteen years from now on’. Hannah prayed to be a mother and God gave her children. The prophets wept as they interceded for Israel.  Jesus, who is the Man amongst men, wept when His friend Lazarus died and he wept for Jerusalem.

The Lord is far from any soul who is proud and self-righteous. The prayer for tears is not only for the women. It is also for the men. These are not emotional tears of frustration. These are spiritual tears that God sees and He will have mercy on you.  You do not justify or explain your sins away. You pray for honest godly sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation. Like Mary, break your alabaster box at the feet of Jesus. Weep and worship there. It is the highest place on this planet. They who mourn shall be comforted. You have no right to rejoice in the church, dancing with the music, if you have not wept for your sins. Let the hardness of heart, the stubbornness, the hypocrisy, the selfishness and the religious pride be broken! Come to the Cross!

Child of God, the Lord is near you… May the Lord draw closer to you today… May the Lord approach and join your spirit! Be one with Jesus! That is all that matters…

“Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1Cor 6:9, 10)

There are 104 million alcoholics in this world. Recently, I had to counsel some women who are married to alcoholics. Their once ‘sweet’ husbands became monsters, abusive and violent. A wife told me that in 20 years of marriage the husband often attacked her with his fists and feet, the kitchen knife, the hammer and the mortar used to make pounded yam. This happened each time the husband was drunk. When he was sober he will apologies and buy gifts for her. But then, he will drink again and the bitter circle continues. She wanted to be faithful to the marriage vows but the violence was too much. She wept and wept… Sadly, for the sake of her life and children, I had to tell her to separate from her husband. It is painful to say that these are ‘Christian’ people.

Read this sad letter: “My addiction to alcohol built steadily and, before I realized it, I had become a morning as well as an afternoon drinker. I decided to stop drinking. I was awake most of that night. By noon the next day every bone in my body ached because I needed another drink. I tried to resist it but I could not. I will run to the place I kept the bottles. In a blind panic, I nervously poured a glass full of gin, my hands shaking so violently that I spilled half the bottle. As I gulped it down, I could feel the agony gradually lessening. Then I finally knew the terrible truth: I was hooked. I couldn’t quit. I became a slave to the bottle…”

I never drank alcohol in my life but as a medical doctor I know and I have seen the ravages of this ‘slow poison’. Alcohol affects the body, the mind, the emotions, the relationships and the social behavior. Most marriages break down because of alcohol. The children suffer immensely.

Why do people drink? Most of them it is to escape the stress of life. Like a child wanting to play with a new toy, they want to try a new pleasure. But the Bible says that you should not use your body to experiment with sin, with alcohol or sex. This is because your body is not your own. It belongs to God!!! Sin leads to sickness, poverty, shame and untimely death! We are commanded to glorify God with our bodies!  (1Cor 6:18-20)

The Bible has two types of messages about drinking alcohol. Some seem to encourage some drinking. ‘Wine gladdens the heart…’ (Ps 104:15). But there are others that condemn it. In Proverbs 23 you see that alcohol is responsible for much unnecessary sorrow, broken hearts, scattered dreams and lifelong shame. The drunkard will come to poverty. He will see strange things and will not be able to separate reality from imagination. That is a crazy troubled man. The drunkard needs Jesus, if not he will go to hell. Sad but true!

This is the counsel I give to you, especially to you, the young people? The best thing you can do is never drink at all! Do not be curious about alcohol, drugs or premarital sex! There is nothing good in sin!  Alcohol is a wicked master, addicting and controlling. No man plans to become an addict with the first bottle of beer. But the truth is that most people who take a sip end up as addicts. For sure: you will regret your first sip. But you will never regret abstinence. Remember that drinking alcohol is a choice! Do your choices bring glory to God? Do your choices are helpful to you and others (to your spouse, children)? Do my choices make me a slave?

Finally, with a trembling heart and praying, I say: you who are already a drunkard, you who are already on the road of destruction, I beg you to listen…Stop now and think!  Please remember God, your Maker!!!! God loves you! Please pray to God! Pray to Jesus!!! I am not speaking as a doctor now! I am speaking as a servant of God, as a mother, grandmother, pastor and friend! If the devil in the bottle tells you that your case is hopeless, that you will die an addict… that is a lie! The devil is a liar! Come to Jesus! There is still hope for you! Jesus Christ is Lord!!!

Today, my husband and I, we celebrate 42 years of happy, blessed and fruitful marriage! To God be all the glory!

“No soldier in active service ENTANGLES himself in the affairs of everyday life (“civilian pursuits”), so that he may please the One Who enlisted him as a soldier“(2Timothy 2:4)

What is the meaning of ENTANGLED? It means to be interwoven, wrapped or twisted together in such a manner as not to be easily extricated. An entangled man is difficult to be freed from what binds or hinders him.

This is a good illustration: In Brazil there grows a creeping plant which forest-dwellers call ‘the matador’ or ‘the murderer’. It attacks strong trees and kills them. Its slender stem creeps along the ground, but no sooner does it meet a vigorous tree, than it sends out an entangling tentacle, which cleaves and climbs up the tree, at intervals sending out arm-like branches that further entangle the tree. As the “murderer” ascends, these ligatures grow larger and their clasp becomes tighter, suffocating the tree.  Up and up the rogue vine climbs until the top of the tree is conquered. Then, as if in triumph, the parasite shoots a huge, flowery head above the strangled tree. From the dead tree’s crown, it scatters its seed to the ground, to begin its deadly work again.

In a similar way the everyday affairs of this world can subtly entangle the soldiers of Christ. The love of the world neutralizes their effectiveness in the ongoing spiritual war with the flesh and the devil. The active warfare mind becomes dull, in a false comfort of a fake peace. The backsliding Christians become weak and confused as their falling begins. They are not aware of it until too late. King David, fell to adultery and murder when he stayed behind at the time kings go to war. The lust of his eyes entangled him until he sinned against God and men.    Another tragic example is Samson who became entangled by his lust for Delilah. Both these great men paid dearly for their sins.

Many of God’s children have suffered a spiritual stroke. They are entangled, anxious, surrounded by imaginary troubles. They fight battles they should not fight. They ignore battles they should go and fight. It is a sad story of failure in the midst of plenty.

What is the solution? The only solution is to desire to please Jesus Christ, your Lord and Commander. He called you to Himself and He enlisted you as a soldier in His army. He did not call you to play around. He did not call you to enjoy sin! He called you to do His work. You need to endure hardship as a form of discipline. Do not make friends with the ‘civilians’, with the religious unbelievers. The battle field is not Disneyland. You need to study, know and obey His Word. You need to pray for the strength to stay faithful! This is the sure promise of the Holy Spirit: if you stay close to your Savior, no devil, no creepy murderer shall be able to surround you, to kill you. No poisonous arrow shall puncture your heart! There is safety in obedience! There is hope in humility and wisdom! Be faithful to Jesus Christ! This is a warning of love!

“So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Ac 9:6)

This month my husband and I, we celebrate 16 years of full time ministry as founders and pastors of Father’s House Bible Church. I still remember the power of God’s call upon my life. It will never leave me for as long as I live. This is our testimony: My husband and I we worked as medical doctors in Nigeria since 1980. We had a successful practice that brought us wealth and fame. In 1998, my husband and I decided to go to America. We were in the US for more than a year. We left behind our successful private hospital in Warri called ‘Lily Clinic’. We went over there with our children not knowing what God has in mind for us as a family.  Because many said that working in America as doctors will bring more money than in Nigeria (and our common sense convinced us that this is a good idea) we decided to enroll and pass the exams so that we can practice there. We bought the necessary text books and paid the fees for the first exam. We started reading the books with all the seriousness of medical students.  But God had a different plan. Some months passed…

Suddenly, the Holy Spirit spoke: ‘I did not bring you here to America so that you work as doctors. That season of your life is finished. I want to use you in My kingdom and for My glory. Go back to Nigeria and do ministry. From now on you shall work for Me! I place on you the apostolic-prophetic mantle of true missionaries. Go back to Warri and sell your hospital. Use the building as a church. Call it Father’s House Bible Church. I will be with you and teach you all you need to be pastors and spiritual leaders. Leave the children behind and I will take care of them better than if you were here with them.  Obey My command and you shall never regret it.  The best part of your life starts now. You shall be leaders of revival in Nigeria. Obey Me and see what I will do. But be sure to give Me alone all the glory for the success that will come…’

Both my husband and I received these same words separately. When we talked to each other about what God has said, we were shocked to discover that He said the same thing to each of us. God wanted each one of us to obey His call separately and together as a couple. In this way, no one needs to explain the vision to the other. Each one of us will be directly responsible to God for the words we speak and the things we do. In this way there is no need to ‘carry one another on the back’. No one will be a liability to the other. Each one will freely move in the Spirit, manifesting his own peculiar gifts without over-depending on another and still keeping the unity of the Spirit intact.

Looking back, I thank God that my husband and I said ‘yes’ to the call of God. We did so independently and together as a team.  We came back to Nigeria in November 1999. We started Father’s House Bible Church in March 2000. It is 16 years since then. God has been faithful. God is good. God’s promise to be with us, to teach us how to be pastors and leaders is fulfilled. It is true that since we chose to obey God’s call and start this church our life is the happiest. God has been faithful in taking care of our children and grandchildren. He has done much more than words can tell.

This morning I want to say “Thank You Father! Thank You Son! Thank You Holy Ghost! For the success of our ministry, for the harvest of souls, for the happiness in our marriage, for the prosperity of our children, natural and spiritual, for the opportunity to preach the truth, to pray and worship freely, for these are so many other blessings, we say Thank You Lord Jesus! All glory goes to You alone!”

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (Jn 10:27-30)

One of the most important Bible doctrines is called ‘The assurance of salvation’. It says that as a believer it is possible to be sure that you are saved and that you are going to heaven. Many argue for or against this doctrine. But no matter what men say, it is true that you can have this assurance while you live in earth. It is God’s promise!

Once you give your life to Christ you become born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. That moment heaven becomes your eternal home. Jesus Christ gives you not just life, but eternal life. This eternal life is not just an unending life, but a special life, the life of God in you. Now you are a child of God. But you discover that you still struggle with doubts about your salvation. You need to receive the grace gift called ‘the assurance of your salvation’. The truth is that very few Christians have this assurance. Most of them live their lives tormented by doubts. They live in a space between earth and heaven, hanging there between fears and hope. They are like a boat on the waves, always up and down. When things are good, they have hope that they are saved. When trials come, they doubt it.

Most pastors do not emphasize this doctrine. The believers are ignorant of their blessings. For example, the Roman Catholic Church declares that it is possible to have the assurance of salvation. But they say that this gift is given only to some few special holy men called saints. But in Christ the promise of eternal life and the assurance of salvation is promised and given to all the born again believers who desire to have it. Even in the evangelical churches things are not much better. The preachers tell their congregation that you can lose your salvation on your way to heaven. The Christians are always in doubt if they can ‘make heaven’ or not. If you tell them that you are sure of your salvation they take it as arrogance and they reject the doctrine. The truth is that salvation is of God. We did not contribute anything to the salvation of our souls. Jesus died on the Cross and paid the price for our sin that we may have eternal life. Jesus said that no one can snatch a child of God from His hand and from His Father’s hand. He says that God the Father is ‘greater than all’ gods and demons. Do you believe that?

This assurance of salvation does not come automatically to the believer. It does not come thru external proofs. For example, a sick man can be healed miraculously by God. But even after the healing he still struggles with doubts about his identity as a Christian. The assurance of salvation comes only from faith in the Word of God. This is not a easy way. It comes thru the diligent study of the Word of God. It takes a long time to come to it. The assurance of salvation means to have the victory against the sin of doubt. Salvation is free for us because Jesus paid it all on the Cross. But to obtain the assurance of salvation, there is a price to pay. It takes years of diligent study of the Word of God, prayer and faithful obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit before God grants it to you. What a gift that is!!! You become free of doubts concerning your identity as a child of God. That is the mind of Christ. Prayer becomes easier than breathing. Worship becomes ‘natural’. You become bold in your faith like never before. From that time on that you begin to enjoy your Christianity.

If any has ears to hear, let him do so!

 
“There is no holiness without a warfare”
(J. C. Ryle 1816-1900)

if you want to be like Jesus, then you need to defeat the flesh and the prince of this world. You need to put on the whole armor of God, fight the devil and win before you can rest, take your flute and sing! You fight so that you can worship The Lord! You take your soldier’ boots before you put on the dancing shoes! Praise is a sacrifice!

“The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children. You are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth” (Ps 115:14, 15)

This is the promise of God: if you are born again, God will make sure that your children (natural and spiritual) shall multiply in numbers and that their present blessings shall increase! Their faith, peace, joy, strength, wisdom, love for God, hunger for righteousness, desire to please God, anointing for ministry and living in the hope of glory shall increase day by day! The curse of barrenness, poverty, loneliness and lack is destroyed!

 
“The anger of a fool becomes readily apparent, but the prudent person overlooks an insult” (PV 12:16)

We just arrived at Istanbul airport. There was a turkish family: a man, his wife and two little children. The man blocked the door of the airport bus with a lot of luggage. An old man and his wife ( they looked like foreigners, maybe Americans) wanted to enter. He kindly asked the younger man to make some space for him to enter in. That was all he said…

‘I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’ (Eph 4:1-3)

Paul wrote this letter from a cold dirty cell in the prison in Rome. He was isolated from other people. He longs for the fellowship of the brethren. He tells us about the power of the unity of the Spirit that make relationships to last forever. This advice applies to all friendships in general, and to marriages in particular.

We are on a short visit in the US. Many are confused about marriage. They want to be independent and married in the same time. This is more so here in America. They worship the idol of independence until they become isolated, lonely, confused and sad. To be independent it means to be free from the control, authority or influence of another. It means to be free from the help or resources of another person. This may sound good to some but this attitude is spiritual poison in marriage.

The wives fear submission thinking that they lose their ‘personalities’ as single independent and successful women. The husbands fear to love their wives ‘too much’. This fear keeps all of them on parallel lines never merging into one. Houston is a very busy city. I have seen how the husbands and the wives, each driving their own cars, they roll down the windows and greet in the traffic. They text one another or talk on the phone from the ‘privacy’ of their own cars. Each one laughs or weeps alone. The cars are very many and very beautiful. But there are so few human beings on the streets, talking face to face or hugging each other. This division and separation between people makes them vulnerable and foolish. The devil keeps them ‘independent’ and happy. But this happiness is not deep and does not last.

Marriage is a blessing because it is designed by God who created us. That alone must be the reason why marriage must be happy and fulfilled. It is my opinion that many men and women desire a happy marriage but are confused about the way to achieve that. They are not willing to pay the price for the joy of fulfillment as husbands and wives. Time does not improve matters. Older men and women accept the idea that mid life crisis means adultery and divorce. They say it is normal to abuse and cheat. This is a sad story I see…

This is our testimony… When my heart is overwhelmed with the cares of life and the anxiety of success, when the burden of men and women around me is too much for me to help, I abandon everything and I run… I hide in the everlasting arms of my God. This is the secret of my joy in this world. This is the key of my peace in my marriage. I submit to my husband not only when I feel like or when things are ‘sweet’. I submit to him even when he is tired or angry. Life is generally stressful but both of us have learned to keep the unity of the Spirit no matter the pressure from outside or the frustration from inside. We enter the tunnel of trial together and come out at the other side still one, even closer and stronger. The darkness tries to separate us but we have learned to stay together if we understand the attack or not.

The unity of the Spirit is the most important treasure we have in the marriage. If that is broken, we cannot be happy even if we have children, money or success. That is why we treasure this spiritual unity and are very jealous to protect it. We are directly responsible to God to keep it intact and fruitful. We have to answer to the One who put us together as husband and wife! We have learned to understand one another, to respect and protect each other. We have learned to be patient and gentle, strong and humble with each other. We eagerly and seriously try to keep and maintain this unity in the bond of peace! We do not want to be ‘independent’ and married. We want to be one! We want to be happily married and give glory to God in all we say or do! This is not just our wish for the future but our present living and holy testimony! To a God be all the glory! And that is all that matters!

Dear child, Sometimes you are too hard on yourself. That gives the tone to others to attack you with more judgment. Accept yourself the way you are and pray to be better. It is not by your power that you change. Give God alone the credit and the glory for every change you see in your character and circumstances, big or small. For your heart belongs to God and not to yourself. Yes, relax and enjoy today. It is already a beautiful morning, designed by God.
As for me, I do not allow others, and not even myself to spoil my day. I rejoice always, as I am commanded by the Lover of my soul. I always want to please Him who died that I might live. I want to make my Jesus happy. That is why you see me giving God thanks always. It is not just a formula, but my life style.
A merry heart is like medicine (PV 17:22). Don’t forget to take your daily dose of merriment. Not just because today is more special than others. But because you serve a ‘Special’ God.
‘Arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of The Lord rises upon you’ (Is 60:1). It has reached your ankles. Soon it will be at your knees, then up to your chest, and finally, all over you. This is the Word of God for you this morning.
I love you in Christ alone,
Your mother.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (PV 15:1)

We just arrived at our hotel late in the evening. We were both tired at the end of a long flight. But we are always ready to serve God, prepared for any opportunity to give Him the glory. The lady at the reception told my husband to write the name of his wife on the form. This is unusual. But we felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to say something at this point. We told her that we have been married for 42 years. She said ‘wow…this must be a serious commitment to stay together for better and for worse…I could have liked to tell others the same but I can’t… This is so great…what is your secret, guys?’ We told her that the open secret is God in the centre of our marriage. We said that when we promised to stay married to the end, we meant every word for God is a God of covenant, who keeps His promises. He is the faithful God who blesses His faithful children. We owe to God to have the testimony of a successful marriage. It will give Him the glory!

Marriage is not easy. In fact, it is a lot of work to make it successful. From the many lessons learned along the way, this is one: ‘be angry but sin not!’ (Eph 4:26, 27). There is a great difference between a gentle and a harsh word. The same conversation in the morning, can turn into peace or into war before midnight. The storm may quench or may become a hurricane before the close of the day. The boat of marriage may open the sails to enjoy the evening breeze or it may crash on the rocks of regret that same day.

The devil is real. He wants to ‘kill, steal and destroy’. When the devil attacks with anger, he will advise you to cooperate and increase it the more. He will provide free fuel to the arguments so that you alone will take the blame for the damage. Greedy and lazy people love free things and they end up being cheated. This is a very common strategy of the enemy. He starts the trouble and he will tell you how to continue it. Little disagreements turn to ugly battles where only the devil is a winner. This is a lesson you must learn and practice always if your desire is to keep your relationship and enjoy it to the end.

The first thing you see is that wrath and anger are common emotions with all men. To some, these emotions manifest higher than to others. But these are common to all. When you admire a so called wise and cool headed man or woman, just know that this is not the all story. In the privacy of home, anger, jealousy, bitterness and hurtful words are spoken and exchanged. No man is perfect except our Lord. He is the eternal fountain of wisdom and the teacher of them who are willing to be His disciples. It is not enough to say ‘I will never be angry, no matter what any man does to me…I will always avoid trouble… ‘ These words sound good but are not practical in ‘the marathon race’ of an intimate relationship like marriage.

Please observe that when the evil spirit of division enters uninvited thru the door of testing, when the passion of harsh words comes into your home, when quarrels seem useful, you should recognize it as an evil attack! The earlier you do that the better. Words spoken in anger are designed to hurt. Later, even after forgiveness, the wounds of bitter anger are difficult to heal. The best is to speak less and speak calmly. You can see that keeping a quiet grudge is not the solution! It is a ‘gentle answer’ that The Holy Spirit uses as a standard against the flood of evil high temper. You need to say something! Quietness is not always the best! What you say and how you say it determines the end of that crisis. This is spiritual warfare and you need to be prepared to give a gentle and humble answer of wisdom based on the Word of God. That is why you store the Word in your heart!

Both examples of negative and positive influence are found in the story of Abigail and her husband Nabal. The harsh words of Nabal (which means a fool) provoked anger in David who was now ready to kill him. But Abigail stopped that flood of evil and death thru her gentle answer of wisdom, humility and peace. Do not imitate hot headed fools! Do not attend their parties! Do not give the devil space thru anger, ignorance or foolishness! Be like Abigail! This is how you shall enjoy your marriage until Jesus comes! This is the secret of success in any relationship that God has blessed you with.

Pay the price for a godly enduring testimony, to the glory of God! You may have many regrets in life, but you shall never regret being wise and gentle under provocation, patient, loving, kind and humble. For these are the fruits of the Holy Spirit and against such, there is no law to condemn! Be like Jesus! Let your light shine in that darkness where God, in His sovereign will, has planted you! Be an ambassador for Christ thru gentle answers spoken in His name and for His glory! Take this challenge! The reward is greater than what you can imagine! In Jesus name, amen!

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you… Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev2:10)

Unfortunately, adultery and divorce are very common sins, even among the Christians. The devil is not original. The same ‘basic’ sins are the reasons for the fall of many believes. But I want to encourage all believers that it is possible to remain faithful to The Lord, even to the end! Backsliding may seem fashionable! So many backsliders still go on with their ministries like nothing happened. Many see backsliding as just ‘a normal phase’ in the Christian race. They think that a backslider can come back to Jesus just by wishing it or by a little prayer of repentance. The truth is not so easy…

You may chose to sin any time you wish but you cannot come back to the fullness of Christ any time you wish. Crucifying Christ the second time is not a small sin. The process of restoration is under the direction and control of the Holy Spirit. The Cross must speak on your behalf! It is a hard and difficult road… It is possible to come back. The prodigal son came back. But much pain can be avoided if we remain faithful to Jesus, to the One who died that we may live for Him!

This is what the Bible teaches: salvation is eternal! A true born again child of God cannot lose his salvation!!! He cannot become a child of the devil even if he falls into sin. He cannot go to hell. There are many who argue this but the doctrine is true. Now this is the question: if a believer does not lose his salvation, what does he lose?

A backsliding believer loses fellowship with God, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost! He loses sense of direction making too many mistakes. He loses his good and fruitful testimony. In fact he now has a negative ‘testimony’. He loses his spiritual sight, becomes blind and bound like Samson. He loses his assurance of salvation. He loses his godly wisdom and becomes foolish. Even if he still goes to church, he becomes timid about his faith. He loses his spiritual balance and falls easily into sin. He loses his faith in miracles and his rewards in heaven. He grieves and quenches the Spirit of God.

The foundation of a believer is very important. Why do you say that you are saved? What are the motives that you still remain loyal to Christ? Why do you stay faithful to your Lord? What is the secret to a long time faithful and fruitful testimony as a servant of God? Some believers stay faithful only for as long as they ‘gain something’ from Jesus. Others stay faithful because they fear going to hell. But the truth is that visible gains and emotions change with time. If your faithfulness depends on things, gifts, blessings or feelings, when the devil strikes (and he will strike) you shall backslide. Some backsliders stop going to church. Some continue to attend services at some worldly church but internally they backslide; their heart and mind is the same as of any unbeliever. They habitually lust sexually, covet material things, lie, become over ambitious and proud.

What the is the solution? The secret is to start with Jesus, continue with Jesus and end up with Jesus! Come to Jesus, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus! Fight the good fight of faith! Be jealous over your testimony as a faithful child and servant of God! There is a crown at the end! Guard your heart because it is the spring of the water of life to many! Rejoice always that you are a child of God! Boast about it! Hate sin and ever appearance of sin! Stay pure! Stay holy! Stay hot! Pray! Let the fire of passion for Jesus consume any other idol in your heart! Be true to God, to the Word of God and to yourself! Hate deception and hypocrisy! Aggressively engage in spiritual warfare and do exploits for the King of kings! Be among the best ‘in the class’! Do not stay behind, in the shadow of the world! Worship The Lord! Be filled and stay filled with the Holy Spirit! You can do it! Let all men be liars, God is forever true! To God be all the glory!

‘I have decided to follow Jesus! I have decided to follow Jesus!
No turning back, no turning back!
The world behind me, the Cross before me
No turning back, no turning back!’

“Let your fountain be blessed and enjoy the wife of your youth…Enjoy life with the wife you love…” (PV 5:18; Ecc 9:9)

A relationship is defined as a state of connection between people; an emotional attachment between individuals. An interpersonal relationship is a strong and deep friendly connection between two or more people.  It may range in duration from brief to enduring. It is based on love, family or social commitment, association at the place of work or fellowship in the church. These may be regulated by tradition, specific laws, mutual agreement, prayers or promises made to each other.

We shall now discuss the relationship between Christians and specifically in the marriage. God invented the institution of marriage. God alone has the key to a successful marriage. He gives that secret key to them who are born again and who want to know His ways in all things, including their married life. Because we are born sinners, it is very easy to take love or marriage for granted. To take for granted it means to accept or to use something or someone in a careless manner. In marriage, it means to live together, have children but without true love for one another and without giving glory to God. This is a sad but very common reality even in the Christian homes.

Human beings are created to love God and to love others. God invented marriage so that love can have a place to grow so that He can bless it. True love means to intimately know each other. This intimacy requires mature spiritual and emotional stability. Each partner needs to know himself and the other. Marriage is a deep full time work of love. A lazy man will make a bad husband. A selfish woman will make a bad wife. The fear of intimacy is poison to satisfaction in marriage.  It leads to loneliness and depression even while married. In this way marriage has lost its godly purpose.

Marriage, love, friendship is not easy. There are many snares to avoid, many tests to pass. In the process of knowing one another, we fall into many temptations. Sacrificial love is risky because sin still dwells in the flesh. We dream big but we invest too little for our dreams to come true. Most lovers get disappointed in life. A relationship can be wounded superficially or very deeply. Hurts received in marriage are very painful. The wounds of betrayal, even with prayers and patience, are slow to heal. It is easy to give up and decided to be ‘on your own’. Many married couples have divorced spiritually or emotionally but they still live together. They sleep in the same bed and take care of their children. But their love got sick and died.  You should know that the devil hates Christian marriages. He will fight with all his strength to destroy your home. Pray for yourself and for your spouse. Pray also for the marriage itself, for that invisible cord of the Holy Spirit between the two of you. Marriage is to be enjoyed in the presence of God. Like wine, marriage should mature with time, in the presence of God.

OUR TESTIMONY

My husband and I we are very different in the natural. He is ‘black’ and I am ‘white’. We are from different continents and cultures. We like different types of food and different styles of fashion. We have different natural and spiritual gifts. We have different strategies of solving the challenges of life. But the unity of the Spirit is established between us! In Christ, we are one! We are married for 42 years. Not just married, but happily so. Our marriage is a challenge, an inspiration and a blessing to many. It is also a ministry that gives glory to God. Both of us have learned over the years to be spiritual, humble, grateful, hardworking, wise, strong, faithful, gentle and loving with one another. These are the fruits of the Holy Spirit working in us. We have learned to allow the Holy Spirit to be free in our lives, to change us into the image of Jesus. The secret of the success of our marriage and ministry is the Person of God the Holy Spirit. That is our secret!!! To God be all the glory!

“An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars” (PV 18:19)
In Hebrew it means that if your true friend betrays you, the friendship is mortally wounded. Love becomes like a beggar, a fugitive on the streets of unfulfilled dreams. The broken heart will look for the home where it grew up but now, the gate is closed, the password forgotten. The split, the divorce will grow to become a monster, bold and loud, rude and wicked, too hard for mercy to conquer. A once close friend, when injured or deceived, becomes a potent and irreconcilable enemy. These are some sayings from wise men of old: ‘bitter are the quarrels of friends; those who love beyond measure will also hate beyond measure; deep friendship once injured is forever lost’. Jesus said this: ‘Woe to the world because of offences! For offences must come but woe to that man by whom the offense comes’ He said that it is better to cut off hand or foot and even pluck your eye than to offend, to injure, to betray ‘a little’ child of God (Mt 18:6-9).

Do not take your marriage for granted. Be very careful to avoid quarrels which cause division. Be sensitive when you sense that ‘the devil is in the room and the quarrel is coming’. The Holy Spirit will prepare your heart to sense that you need to keep quiet and still. Communication is like playing table tennis. Each partner feels like responding to the words of the other. Be careful: if the tone of voice becomes too high, the tendency to argue increases. Show self-restrain. Both love and self-control are fruits of the Holy Spirit. Talking is like driving a car. It is exciting to drive it full speed. It is fun to defend your opinions. But look at the Holy Ghost ‘traffic signs’. Keep below the speed limit. Learn to use your breaks. From time to time check your spiritual brakes, if the pads of patience are still functioning well and the oil of wisdom still intact. Quarrels between close friends, between husband and wife can end in disaster. You can wreck your marriage and it may not be possible to repair it on earth. Behave and speak in such a way that tomorrow, you do not need to apologize for your actions and words of today.

Child of God, when things are hard, when tears freely flow and nothing is able to stop them, when you make mistakes, when you are misunderstood, when friends fail and family withdraws… then remember that God is always faithful! “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!” (Heb 13: 8). He was betrayed by sinners but loved to the end. Crawl into His loving arms and find peace. You may not need to know all the answers. You may not need to have all the deep revelations of conflict because God knows them all. He knows your heart. He knows that you love Him. He knows your weakness and strength. He knows each word even before it comes on your tongue. He loves you with an everlasting love. You are secure in knowing Jesus, your Savior, King and Best Friend. He died for you. He forgives you. He is still with you. Inside your heart, no matter what, you can rejoice always! Love is not easy. But love is still the best gift of God. Be jealous over it! Cherish it! Give thanks!