“The Lord is my Shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake” (Ps 23:1-3)

This is the song of the sheep. It is never the song of a goat, or of a wolf. It is always the sheep. Jesus is my Shepherd. I am His Sheep. This is just a little glimpse from our hearts bonded together.

The sheep needs her shepherd. The sheep cannot find green grass to eat, clean water to drink or a good place in the shadow to rest. The shepherd goes ahead to find the trusted path of life, peace and prosperity. The sheep needs to be reminded of a good rest, lying down in ‘green pastures’. If not she will run and run in circles or sleep standing on her feet. The shepherd makes the sheep ‘to lie down in green pastures’. This is the picture of a beautiful home where she can settle down. A hotel is beautiful but you can only settle in your own home. Green pastures are signs of springtime, of a new beginning, the birth of a new season. The shepherd leads on, tests and proves the right path. The waters are still and quiet, a settled spot of a happy relationship, a happy marriage.

I feel comfortable in my own skin; I desire nothing else than what it is offered to me by my Good Shepherd.  My soul is restored by Him, for I am fed with the best seeds. I produce fruits. The field is beautiful because I am in bloom. I know that I am safe. I have no guilt to just be me. My hidden desires, the remembrance of my special dreams of long ago, things I could not tell men on earth, come to the surface, easily, flowing like oil on my head…

I look at Him… The shepherd nodes His head and says: ‘You can have those, the desires of your heart are yours now…’ ‘Mine Lord?’ ‘Yes, yours…’ I am afraid to ask but still I do: ‘All of them Lord?’ ‘Yes, all of them…’

I now receive… I joyfully accept my portion… I believe it is mine… No need to explain or preach about it…

It feels so good…

Now I know that forever and ever I shall not want, fail, go lower, decrease, demote or die. My path goes upwards, closer to the House of the Lord where I shall dwell forever.

I FEAR NOT! I AM NOT DISMAYED!

FOR GOD IS WITH ME!

FOREVER!

“Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (Ps 3:2, 3)

This is a Psalm of David, written at the lowest time on his life. His son Absalom rebels against him and takes over the kingdom. To protect Jerusalem from bloodshed, David makes the hasty decision to abandon the city and the palace. He runs away with some few faithful people. This is an unexpected time of pain, when his enemies have ‘increased’. A man prepares himself for battle from outside enemies, but when betrayal happens from inside, it is always unexpected and most painful.

This is the story: Absalom has ‘stolen the hearts of the people of Israel’ (1 Sam 15:6). Almost everybody followed the handsome, young and flashy Absalom. Most people decamped and joined the rebellion. It was now fashionable to be rebellious. Faithfulness became a thing of the past. Who needed David on the throne, an old grey haired king, bent over and with rheumatic pains? Two generations now claim the crown? Who shall win? Who knows the future? It is only God who knows it and He is yet to reveal the winner.

The enemy is confident that ‘there is no help for Him in God’. The word translated ‘help’ is ‘Joshua’. The devil says that Jesus has abandoned David. Ca that be possible? Can Jesus help a loser? Can Jesus help old King David? The answer is yes, He can and He will! For God is the covenant-keeping God, the faithful God! Please observe what a true worshiper does. Lear from David! Selah! In the midst of this terrible trial, David draws closer to God. He remembers that God is his God! He knows that God is the Best he has, the Glory, the Shield and the Lifter of his head. God has promoted him from shepherd to king. That same God is able to keep him on the throne until he dies. No man can demote him. Outside his beautiful palace, David now sleeps now outside, on the rocky ground. But God sustains him and he sleeps well. Supernaturally, he is free from all fears. He does not know the end of the story, but one thing he knows: he is not alone! God is with him in all circumstances of life.

At last, Absalom’s rebellion is quenched. The evil prince is dead. The teeth of the ungodly, of the wicked and evil men are broken. The viper has no more teeth and no more poison. It is crushed unto the feet of the winner. God always destroys rebellion!  Someone gave this good advice: ‘Do not use your trials as a microscope, to look closer at yourself. But use your trials as a telescope, to gaze at God’. This is the conclusion of the matter: God can never lose any battle. If you are a child of God, you too can never lose! Let me make it more personal: I really pity my enemies. They can never win against me! For God is with me! If this is the only thing I know from my Bible, then I know my Bible well!

Be encouraged child of God! God is greater than your trials, pains, disappointments, sickness, barrenness, poverty, rejection and all!  The number of the enemies is not important. ‘One with God is in majority’- said Mary Slessor, a missionary to Nigeria. God will not always prevent trials, but He will deliver you from them all! Have faith! God has the last say in all human affairs. God will help you at the break of the day! The story is not over! No man can demote the one who God promotes! If God has opened a door for you, no man or devil can shut it! Put all your trust in God, for there is still hope! May the Lifter of your head speak at this hour on your behalf! For His glory and honor! In Jesus name, amen!

The Bible teaches us to do good, to relate well and love others, especially the brethren in Christ. The combination of words “One to another” appears 8 times in the New Testament. We are commanded to: Love, Receive, Encourage, Serve, Be Kind and Compassionate, Forgive, Bear, Submit and Offer Hospitality to one another. This is the language of sacrificial love. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our example! May the Holy Spirit convict us of sin if we ignore these commands! For obedience is better than sacrifice! Singing: “Bind us together Lord, Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken…Bind us together in love!”

“A new commandment I give to you, that you LOVE one another; as I have loved you, that you also LOVE one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have LOVE for one another.” (Jn 13:34, 35)

“Therefore RECEIVE (accept) one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Rom 15:7)

“Therefore ENCOURAGE one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1Thess 5:11)

“SERVE one another humbly in love” (Gal 5:13)

“BE KIND and COMPASSIONATE to one another, FORGIVING each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph 4:32)

“BEAR with each other and FORGIVE one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col 3:13)

“SUBMITTING yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:22)

“Offer HOSPITALITY to one another without grumbling” (1Pet 4:9)

“And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that… Ruth the Moabites… I have acquired as my wife… You are witnesses this day… And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses”… So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son” (Ru 4:9, 10, 13)

Many young men and women pray for a happy marriage. They are believers but many make mistakes and imitate the world. They dream of that day when they are able to announce to the public that they are engaged and plan to marry. They dream of their wedding day. For them, that day marks the height of their happiness…Or so they think…

But in the Bible we see that all good visible things, all public rewards start with a hidden root in Christ. That holy invisible root has been growing in the ground of the Spirit for many years. In the first three Chapters of the Book of Ruth, we see her life story as a faithful, kind, submissive, obedient and hard working woman. She suffered much but kept her new found faith in Jehovah. In Chapter four her quiet testimony becomes public. The proposal for the marriage is done by Boaz at the City Gate. This is a peculiar place. It is the most public place in the city. It is the gate where the elders gather to discuss all important events in the community. It is the Gate of Judgment and revelation of Grace. Ruth’s life story is now displayed before all men in Bethlehem. Boaz pleads her case knowing that she has a good testimony with all the people.

How many times has Ruth passed thru this gate! Each day in the morning and evening she passed thru this gate to go outside the city and work in the fields, for her daily bread. The Gate is a witness to her pains, labors and faithfulness. Jesus also said that all good deeds done in private shall be rewarded openly in the presence of all the people (Mt 6:4).

Do you want to marry well? True and lasting romance starts long before the engagement day. It begins in the hidden place of prayer, commitment and humble service to God and men. The road to happy marriage is soaked in prayer. That narrow holy road will end at the Gate! Jesus said ‘I am the Gate of the Sheep’ (Jn 10:7). The Gate shall speak for you at last!

“Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him” (1Sam 1:17)

Hannah is a sorrowful woman. She has a good husband who loves her. She has ‘a good life’. But without children, she is not complete. We are created to be fruitful, to give glory to God. Bareness is painful and shameful.

Her enemies are many. Her mate provokes her daily. She is called ‘an adversary’. In Hebrew the word means to provoke, to push to the wall, to oppress or to shut up someone in a cage. That is what Peninah did to Hannah with her words and attitude. The reaction was anger, frustration and depression. The second enemy was her husband. Though a good man, he misunderstands his wife. He does not get it why his wife insists to have a son to please God. Lastly, God is her ‘enemy’. God ‘shuts up’ her womb. It seems that Hannah wants to please God by giving Him a boy, a man of God to serve Him. But God does not accept her offering.

What can Hannah do? Her name means the Grace of God. Hannah goes to God! She weeps and she refuses to be comforted by men. One day, while still at Shiloh, she arises from the pool or tears and goes alone before the God of Israel, the same God who shut her womb and her future. She prays, she worships and she makes a vow. The high priest Eli pronounces blessings upon her in the name of Lord. This is the grace of God! Hannah gets up from that place a different woman. She knows that she has prayed through! She touched the grace of God! Her problems, her pain became a prayer and her prayer will become her praise. This is the secret: Her burden of sorrow is lifted as she spends time in prayer. In the presence of God there is fullness of joy! The sorrow became supplication and supplication became her song!

Our problems, if they come from the devil or even from God, are not supposed to destroy us. These come to drive us to God, to the place of prayer, intimacy, worship and communion. Saints all over the world testify to the Grace of God, to the light shining in the darkness, to strength perfected in weakness, to healing, to sudden refreshing, to revival, to a great inspiration coming in the middle of boredom, to miracles and breakthrough. Remember that we do not merit miracles! It is the Grace of God revealing Christ Crucified and Resurrected! Be encouraged! May the story and the testimony of Hannah, the Grace of God, be your portion today!

In Christ I declare:

I am encouraged!

I have peace!

God has granted my petition!

My miracle has come!

I shall testify to the Grace of God upon my life!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Give honor to marriage” (Heb 13:4).

This is a comment I received from a young sister who read the previous letter. She is also a young beautiful woman of God, in university right now. I confirm that she is a committed born again believer; she chose sexual abstinence until her wedding day. She is involved in her school fellowship. Her parents attend our church. We chat quite often so I am able to confirm that she is a child of God. I believe that her response will encourage many young singles like her!

“Good evening Malia.
I read your post today about your conversation with a girl about praying for a godly marriage. I was encouraged as well. My mom always told me and my siblings to pray for our future spouse, but honestly there were times I didn’t want to pray I felt like there wasn’t any need ,and that I had better things to do and think about than praying to get married. But now I see differently, I no longer see marriage as something that will tie me down from being all God created me to be. If anything I desire to marry a godly man who I will partner with in serving God. I also realize young women like myself need mentors to teach them how to be godly women and am glad I have you in my life, you are a good example of a godly wife and mother ,and I have learnt so much from you”

My answer to her:
Dear …
This is the Word of God: “Give honor to marriage” (Heb 13:4). In Greek, the word ‘honor’ means to evaluate something as very costly, something that is dear to your body and soul, something that will increase your reputation. This command is to all people, male and female, young and old, singles and married. To refuse to pray about your future marriage means to disobey the Command of God and to refuse to give the proper value to something so expensive. That means by not praying for your marriage, you cheat yourself. That is what the devil wants you to do.

Your idea that you have ‘better things to do than to pray for marriage’ is taken from the world. In particular it is the influence of the feminists who serve the Jezebel seducing spirit. You need to pray, first of all, that God will open your eyes to see any connection with such spirit and the need for possible deliverance. Then you shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, with peace and joy as a proof. After you do all these, then you start praying for your future husband. God will answer your prayer in His own time and His own way. Please remember that next to your relationship with God is the relationship you have with yourself. Next to that, on the third place, as priorities in life, is marriage. Now you see that you need to invest in your future with specific prayers.
Lastly let me say this: I know that you are a committed believer, a young woman of God and I declare that you shall be a happily married wife and mother one day! Keep in touch. I wish you well.
Love in Christ alone,
Malia

JOY OVERFLOW
“Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy]” (Rom 12:15; AMP)

This note is from a sister in our church. She and her husband started a very simple life some years ago. She did not found a good job so she decided to use her ‘hobby’ to earn a living. She started very small but now she is a ‘professional’ hair dresser. Their marriage was difficult at the beginning, probably because of finances. But they decided to be committed believers and never miss church activities. They are now an example of a happily married couple. After many years of struggling, the husband got a good paying job off shore. They have two beautiful children. She has been praying for a breakthrough, spiritually and financially. God is answering her prayers.
This is a good letter. I rejoice with her.

“Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” (Jn 20:18)

This morning we had a wonderful Resurrection service in the church. The anointing of the Holy Spirit was so strong that we almost could touch Jesus, feel His breath on our cheeks. I read long ago that Jesus was one of three Ls. He could be a Liar, a Lunatic or He is indeed the Lord! What do you believe?

His promises were so great that He could have been a Liar; in fact, the biggest Liar in the world. He gave men hopes beyond their imagination. Can you imagine telling them He is going to heaven, not to America or Japan, but to heaven!!! He also said that going there He will prepare mansions for them to stay with Him forever. That could be called a ‘heavenly’ lie, the greatest of all inflated stories. Is Jesus a Liar? Or Jesus could be a Lunatic, a crazy man. He sees things that are not real and confuses imagination with reality. That makes Him a very dangerous man you should avoid. Many think this way…I use to think like that for many years. That is why I ran away from the Bible or anything religious. But if Jesus is not a Liar and is not a Lunatic, then He is the Lord! For only God could promise peace, joy, forgiveness of sins, eternal life and resurrection power and keep His Word to deliver them!

We see Mary weeping at the Tomb. The heavy stone was rolled away and the body of her Lord was missing. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Mary thought that it was a bad thing. That is how we think when miracles happen… Jesus appeared to her and she thought he was the Gardener. Then He called her by name: ‘Mary…’ She fell at His feet worshiping thru tears. He sends her to His disciples, to tell them what her eyes saw and what her hands have touched. Jesus is Lord indeed! She runs to Peter and breathing heavily says… ”I have seen the Lord…” This is a wonderful miracle. A former prostitute is now in the same class with the great Prophet Isaiah. That is the grace of God! That is the light people have seen walking in darkness. That is the power of the Gospel we preach!

Dear Child of God, fear not! Your Father in Heaven is the only Living God! Christ is raised from the dead! The Holy Spirit is given to testify to this miracle! Jesus is alive! Jesus is Lord!

“He arose, He arose,

Hallelujah, Christ arose!

He proved to be my Victory!

There rose a Lamb in Jerusalem”

“He brought me to the banqueting house and his banner over me was love” (SS 2:4)

There is not much I can say than this: God’s presence was in our midst. There is none like Him!

At the beginning of the prayer meeting we sensed that our praises were ‘chained’. We felt tired and heavy. Led by the Holy Spirit we did warfare and rejected any contrary evil spirit that tried to creep in our midst.  In particular: the evil spirits of religion, fear, doubt, untimely death, ‘home-trouble’, chronic diseases… We then destroyed any evil spell placed on us and on our families. At the end of the warfare we praised God once more. The same songs, but this time it was much stronger. This time the praise ‘worked’. It was so much better. Then we went into the Holy of Holies. We sought God in worship. We stood in glory. We called God by His names. We beheld the Lamb of God, Christ Crucified. We touched the Cross, stained by the Blood of Jesus. We proclaimed our eternal love to the Lord. We said “I love You Lord Jesus…” a thousand times. It was indeed a wonderful time with the Lord.

If you do not understand what I am saying, if my words are foolishness to you, I am sorry…I cannot help you…You need to be filled with the Holy Spirit…

But if you understand my words, even a little… blessed are you, come…let’s walk together…be my friend, my brother, my sister… Let’s worship the Lord Jesus Christ! Let’s crown Him with many crowns! Jesus who died is now glorified; He is King of all kings!  Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

MOVE TOWARDS THE LIGHT
This is a prophetic Word given during our women fellowship this evening:
“There is a cloud of thick darkness blocking your way, hindering your progress! It seems that nothing is happening… Fear not! Pass through this darkness, to the other side, where the light shines! Over there, light waits for you! Light will not come to you but you have to walk towards it! Seek the light and you shall find it! This is not the time to doubt, to be lazy…Walk on! Put on foot in front of the other! Go on! Do not rest, do not stop! Move on! Are you not seeing it? Surely, there is light at the end of your tunnel! There you shall find your blessing, your healing, your deliverance, your reward! In Jesus name, amen!”

‘The wise woman builds her house” (PV 14:1).
We have just ended our women’ fellowship in the church. It was very good. We praised God and prayed. We shared testimonies of God’s power and goodness. I preached from Proverbs 31, what it means to be a virtuous woman of God. We then prayed for God to help us fulfill destiny.

I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a pastor. I counsel many women who have different problems. I pray with them. I rejoice when they rejoice and I feel sad when they weep. But to all I say this: trust God and not man! Trust God and not yourself, not your intelligence or beauty. Examine your faith! Be sure that you are born again and Spirit filled! That is the sure foundation for true eternal success, if you are single or married. If you are just religious, you shall be disappointed in God, for He will not give you the same attention as He gives to His children. The hope and joy of your marriage depends on your spiritual standing. Lust is a sandy foundation and the building will surely collapse one day. No prayer can save such a house. But true love never fails. Future trials, sickness, health, riches, poverty or the test of time, all these and more shall not be able to destroy true love and true faith. Be a wise woman! Be a virtuous woman! Be a woman of God indeed! Let men see only Christ in you!

“Now it happened, the day after that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region” (Lk 7:11-17)

“All the nations You have made will come and worship before You, Lord; they will bring glory to Your name” (Ps 86:9)

We came back to Nigeria yesterday evening. The country was still counting the votes for the election of the president. At the international airport things went smoothly. Less begging, greetings for money, manipulation or oppression. From the airport to the hotel we did not see any car or human being. The streets were deserted. It was quiet everywhere. in the past, men will fight on the streets causing confusion. We have a driver friend who comes to help us each time we need him. He told us that “if it is not for you oga, I could not have come”. He said that all people in Lagos feared violence that is why they stayed indoors. The fear of God was strong in the land. The next day at the domestic airport things went well too. No more pushing, jumping the line, quarreling or talking loudly. The plane to Warri was supposed to leave at 8 am. It was raining. I thought that we shall wait there for hours. That it is how it was in the past. Any excuse is good to break the law. But it left 8:15 without any incidents. In conclusion, coming back to Nigeria was much better, easier and better than in the past.

“And so train the young women to love their husbands and children” (Tit 2:4)

Yesterday was our last day in Houston (for now). I chose to spend it in our daughter’s kitchen. We went to buy groceries to cook Nigerian beef stew. Her husband asked her why are we not doing more ‘fun stuff’? I told him that reminding Jemine of the classical recipe for Nigerian stew is fun enough for me. The best way to teach cooking is to be practical: how many ‘tatashi’ pepper (American style) combined with hot pepper and tomatoes… how to fry them, not too much and not too little… If you are a Nigerian, you know what I mean…

“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail”(PV 19:21)

We are almost at the end of our journey, for now… It is interesting for me to look back and analyze the trip in totality. We have prayed at the beginning that God should lead, provide, protect and be in charge. We had some needs and many wants. We needed to buy the ACs for our new sanctuary. That was a great project. We had some anxiety about the way we shall fulfill it in less than two weeks.

“Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for He comes! He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness” (Ps 96:13)

Today Nigeria votes! A new head of state shall be chosen by the people!
I am a foreigner living in Nigeria. God sent me there to do His work! I am not a politician. I do not vote. But I can pray! And I shall rejoice! God is in control of Nigeria! Let God’s will be done, in Jesus name!

“One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment…An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment” (PV 18:1)

I just heard this sad story on the TV. A pilot deliberately crashed himself and the plane, killing more than 150 passengers. He was a young man of 27, training to become a professional pilot. Flying in the air he waited for his boss, the senior pilot, to go out of the cabin, possibly to the rest room. Then he locked himself in the cockpit and reprogrammed the plane to crash. His boss came back after few minutes and he was heard banging at the door to enter. But the co-pilot locked himself in and no one could open the door. They said he was suffering from depression but he hid his medical report from the airline company, for fear that he may be fired. He killed himself and all the passengers. So, so sad…

“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides” (Mt 6:33;AMP)

Yesterday we went to the shipper. I saw a Nigerian lady there. She was dressed in the nursing uniform. She was waiting to send some foodstuffs to her mum in Nigeria. She looked tired and sad. I just took the opportunity and went to her. I introduced myself, telling her I live in Warri. She was very surprised. I then asked her what is her prayer request, what does she want God to do for her. She told me she has been in the US for the part twenty years. She did not go home for a long time. Her dad died last year. She felt guilty for not being around. Her mum is old. But now, she has made up her mind to finally go back to Nigeria this year. Her husband is already there, trying to finish their house in Owerri.

“Do not fear what they fear and do not dread it.
The Lord Almighty is the One you are to regard as holy,
He is the one you are to fear,
He is the one you are to dread” (Is 8:12, 13)