Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 85

How to Burn without Burning out.

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Many believers are exhausted, tired and feel burnt out but know that the fire of faith must keep burning.  I found this article by Gbile Akanni most useful to help understand Bible perspective on how to keep aglow – very different from other views which can relax our guard.

What does the Bible say on perpetual burning for God?

Lev 6:13 "The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar;

it shall never go out."

1Peter 4:7 "But the end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

Leviticus 6:8-13 details the law of burnt offering unto the Lord, the procedure for keeping the altar aglow even through the dampness and coldness of night. These contain gleans of principles for my heart as I seek to keep the altar of my own heart aglow! These are the protocols of perpetual burning. Lord may you grant me peace of mind to keep strictly to these protocols of hosting the fire of heaven perpetually within my soul.

Four things stand out there for me to keep my light burning. Four things there are that I must do, if indeed I desire a perpetual burning! I must . . . .

1. Pack Out My Ashes!

First, the ashes of past burning must be packed out, else it will only serve to dampen my fresh burning. I must leave the past in the past, if I will ever keep my fire burning; past success, past achievement . . .  yet past failures and past weaknesses. That which is past is past. Focusing on the past will only stop me from fresh prospects in God.

Father, may I see no reason to be pre-occupied with the ashes of my past burning. Even if I've had exploits, it was by You. The elder, Paul chose to forget the things which are past, so as to press on to what lies ahead. I might have given You some fat offerings, or serious consecrations but those have already been burnt up. I need to face my current state. Only old men dream mere dreams, I will offer you something fresh while I am young. Memories of past wonderful encounters with You will only form idols in my mind now, and dampen my present quest for You. Oh teach me Lord, to pack my ashes aside!

2. Feed My Fire!

Next, some fire wood must be fed into fire chambers for the fire to be sustained. Fresh wood, daily set in order, to keep the flames ever fresh, ever current. Fresh logs of truth and twigs of understanding gained from spiritual insight into the word is the age long fuel that keeps God's Candle burning. Oh that I may befriend my Bible and cherish the truths and principles hidden therein. It was the sweet psalmist of Israel that cried "O that my ways were directed to keep Thy law. Father, this I pray!

On the other side, the blowing and fanning of prayer and intercession has been known of old to spread the fire all over the heart and keep it warm and sizzling. Prayer, in spirit and in truth, blazing through my spirit in known and unknown tongues and cutting through the every debris and blanket cast by living in this evil and apostate twenty-first century is what my soul must have to keep a burning!

Father, I need help to watch unto prayer . . . In thanksgiving, worship, praises; the burning fuel from tons of supplications, petitions, intercessions and advocacy I must now be enabled to supply generously and consistently at your altar. So Lord, draw me nearer. For happy is the man whom Thou causeth to approach unto Your throne. Lord, hear my cry! Let the deep call to the deep and my soul be energised by tongs of fire from off Thine altar!

3. A fresh Sacrifice On My Altar!

Thirdly, the object of sacrifice – the burnt offering itself should be laid in order on top of the altar, to be consumed by the fire of sacrifice; thus yielding a sweet smell unto the Lord. Next, Lord, I see the need to present a new sacrifice upon Your altar. Every day demands fresh consecration and offering of myself, my time, my body, talents, money, my love; as a burning sacrifice upon your altar. I cannot appear at your altar empty – handed, with no sacrifice at all. What object will the fire consume then? Even some lusty idols I hold to in prayer, I must now release, in the faith that your will for me is better. Even at this junction, may my perpetual cry agree with the Hymn writer of old . . .

If Thou wouldst call me to resign

What most price I, it never was mine

I only yield Thee what is Thine

Thy will be done!

4. Be Sober And Be Watchful

Finally and most importantly, the fire upon the altar must never go out; night or day.

I must now be sober – clear-minded and self-controlled. Never permitting clouds upon my mind, nor ever allow myself be double-minded in the place of prayer. Earthly passions, anxiety and lack of focus will normally weigh a man down even where he seeks to please God. May my loins be girded and may my light forever burn! Amen!

Should I be enabled to follow these Your clear injunctions, should I fulfil these spiritual protocols for perpetual burning, then surely my fire will never go out.  Help me therefore to keep Thy law.

[image error]Originally Published as Protocols for Perpetual Burning by Gbile Akanni. Gbile Akanni posts articles regularly on living seed.org.

 

 

 

Goliaths, Pharaohs and a New Dawn for a Great Nation

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President Goodluck Jonathan, the President of Nigeria – as the world's most populous black nation today celebrates her 51st independence anniversary, says the future is bright and assures that the many challenges facing the nation will be eventually overcome.

The President, who gave the assurance in a televised address declared that his administration would spare no effort in tackling crime and building peace and likens the blockers of great nationhood to Goliaths and Pharaohs that will just not fade off as easily as many Nigerians will wish.

Many citizens observe that things are far from perfect and strain their imagination to observe or appreciate the new dawn that is breaking as an environment of improved governance and accountability, economic and fiscal discipline, a more professional and committed leadership team is slowly but surely emerging to transition an impatient citizenry with huge but yet to be realised potential.

Joseph Chamberlain once said "Great men are like mountains; we do not appreciate their magnitude while we are still close to them "even as Jonathan insists that there is much to celebrate declaring… "We must also take pride in our scientists. This week, Nigeria released 8 new high yielding cocoa varieties. This will help to transform cocoa production, across the 14 cocoa producing states in the nation," he added.

The Bible records that the emergence of Jesus Christ and dawning of God's very greatest revolution was received with even far less appreciation.

Luke 9 [9] And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Every new dawn comes with three vital elements. First, the element of Herod … the Goliaths, Jezebels and Pharaohs that represent spiritual battles that must be won to permit waning of powerful influences. Elijah and Elisha combined to anoint and empower Jehu to destroy the apparently invincible influence of Baal by a massacre of Ahab, Jezebel, seventy sons and many evil priests. It seems every great civilisation has had its political and socioeconomic revolutions – be it the Industrial Revolution in Britain, the storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789 during the French Revolution or George Washington, leading the American Revolution.  The element of Herod is neutralised or vanquished.

The second element of new greatness is successful Transition. John the Baptist represented the transition that must identify, introduce and make way for Christ although he was not the Lamb of God, only a friend of the heavenly bridegroom. Transition elements must be tough, determined, selfless, impatient and perhaps even bold and courageous to be sacrificed as divine decoys to permit the concealed and fledgling revolution to eventually mature. Herod, after beheading John the Baptist, was surprised that someone even greater than John could be alive and thriving. Even Christ needed this element to prepare the way for Him. John the Baptist – the transition who prepared the way was perhaps disappointed, offended and beheaded, Herod was unable to stop Christ … and the new revolution that is Christianity still breaks out.

The third element is the New Dawn, the desire of all. I envision a new dawn breaking in a nation challenged with fighting many battles never been fought for fairness, justice, economic growth and new order of truth. New dawns do not just happen … For illustration, the American Revolution was the result of a series of new social, political, and intellectual transformations in early American society and government, collectively referred to as the American Enlightenment. Americans rejected the oligarchies common in aristocratic Europe at the time, championing instead the development of new enlightened paradigms of fairness.

Remember Nigeria in your prayers as she goes through unique transitions. Indeed Goliaths and Pharaoh will not be permitted to stop her …

Feed my Sheep, Feed my Lamb and Feed Yourself

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Much has been written about a recent trend of "successful" and perhaps more entrepreneurial pastors expanding their reach to bless a wider group through books, talking tours and nationwide conferences. Many say it may not be God asking them to separate for as long as they do from the assembly in the local church and, as seen in some scenarios, even resigning thriving pastorates to respond to the call through other ventures.

Christianity Today wrote recently in an article of many like Francis Chan, Jim Belcher, N. T. Wright and, now Rob Bell, leaving local church pastorates, some of which were churches they themselves had planted for what seems like more lucrative full-time conference and book ministry.  It would appear that the local pastorate can provide an excellent platform that paves way for a broader more exciting and financially rewarding foray that does not require the tough ethical and doctrinal accountabilities (hassles) shepherding demands of the weary pastor whether in a small church or as part of a larger denomination. The sheep need a pastor to see Christ in and mentoring to maturity.  As pastors leave, what happens to the sheep of Christ.  Who will visit the unlovable in an era of do-it-yourself Christianity … and who will watch day and night in prayer over the careless?

The sheep may appear to have found new online savvy but they cannot see Christ as well on a podium or on a TV screen or on a blog as when they can feel the life of their pastor in his marriage, home and in how he masters challenges and defeats demons resisting him. In reality, the sheep want to be visited, heard and encouraged sometimes when the shepherd is exhausted and close to a nervous wreck battling his own challenges.

John 21[15]  … Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. [16]  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [17]  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus spoke to Simon Peter and asked if he loved Him more than "these". "These" would be fame, money, acclaim, ease, comforts, lofty personal aspirations and agenda.  If the answer is yes, then go and carry and feed the young silly sheep (lambs) and also their older sometimes unpredictable prickly parents. Christ needs those who love Him to pastor the sheep where He sends them – and remain there.

Pastoring as Christ ordained cannot be as thrilling as many would want it to be otherwise Christ will not repeat himself in three different sentences that the evidence of love for Him will be the patient duty of carrying the weak and rescuing the undeserving perishing. Feeding sheep includes staying awake to protect them from wolves, running to the cliffs to rescue some from falling headlong, helping to free the young unheeding lamb caught in a rough thicket, bringing out one that has fallen into a ditch, finding good pasture – leading and helping the thirsty to the quiet streams for a refreshing drink.  This will require both the rod and staff as teaching tools – not just power-point and jazzy multimedia.

The elegant and sophisticated Egyptians despised Shepherds and looked down at them, considering them to be the inferior of men … they typically earned the lowest wages and stayed outdoors and were smelly.

Genesis 46[34]   … for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.

The modern day shepherd has fared much better, and the pastor will have found many other pastimes on the internet, writing, touring, doing nationwide seminars – earning millions of dollars from a gift that a wider audience will pay for.  Is this not part of the call and is God  against rich and famous pastors?  Surely not.

Sheep in recent times have also become more risky to handle, and many wolves in sheep clothing have devoured not just other sheep but less discerning shepherds … and some may ask in their low moments – am I called to this.  Christ does not ask everyone to feed His sheep, only those who have been given the rare grace to love Him more than "these".

Or perhaps Christ should have said  "Feed my lamb, feed  my sheep…and feed yourself"

( Published in The Christian Post )

THE COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIAN by Onuzo

The first question you ask yourself is this: Is there any such thing as a counterfeit Christian in church and in the world? Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said there is, and right there in church. Here is the story He told His disciples:

It is not for me to go round looking for the counterfeit Christians in church but to look inwardly and ask myself: "Am I a counterfeit Christian? Have I truly experienced Christ? Is He alive in me at home, at work and in church? It is not my neighbours that make me a true Christian. They are there to test whether I am really what I profess to be. My life as a Christian is to reveal the life of Christ to my world beginning with the people I live with at home each day from my spouse to the rest of my family and moving outwards to the place where I work and then to the church where I visit less frequently each week.

We must recognize that a lot of good can come from religious observance, without the knowledge of the true God and His Christ. Take the life journey of a fake currency. A fake $500 note may be used to buy bread to feed the hungry. The bread seller may then pass it to the rice seller and then to the meat seller and after a journey of twelve years it would finally arrive at the bank to be lodged by a car dealer. Then the bank subjects it to scrutiny and detects that it is a fake currency. Now the fact that it was and had always been a fake currency did not stop it from doing some good along the way. It might even have visited churches and done some good there too. But all that good could not change the fact that it is a fake currency posing to be what it is not. This is why supposed Christians could go far but never far enough to prove the reality of Christ. Only the grace of God in Christ Jesus driven by the Spirit of God can empower us to stand up to the pressures of compromise with evil.  Counterfeit Christians may be hard to detect in church. We say here in Nigeria that every toad is squatting so it is difficult to say the one that has diarrhoea. In church we all put on our very best behaviours and try to say the nicest things to the most difficult people.  At work, we lose some of the constraints of church. At home where we may be king and queen, we tend to lose even more restraint. How often do very nice people at church and at work turn monsters at home? How often do very nice people at church turn monsters at work? Monsters are generally uncommon in church but not altogether rare.

Part of our self-examination as Christians must hinge on the word conversion or change. The truth of our faith is that God put on human nature so that through faith the nature of God can be experienced by man. It is not just that we become children of God by faith. It is that through faith we begin to reveal the nature and character of God in our dealings with others in the world. Faith draws down the spiritual inner strength that drives the change. And this is the change that must be for us to be sure that we are no counterfeits.  A young Christian asked me the other day how one could change his way of life. My response was straight forward: The first step is a very strong desire to change. The Holy Spirit always works effectively where He can see very strong desire. When we study the Word of God with this quality desire, the life of Christ will stare us in the face as we study and the Spirit of God will empower us to effect the necessary changes like – unyielding love, humility, integrity, kindness, compassion, willingness to forgive others as well as ourselves, self-control, self-denial in the pursuit of righteousness, consistent rejection of compromises with evil, seasoned speech that edify the hearers at home, at work and in church, suffering for what is right and much more. Nobody can work these works of righteousness in their own strength. We all need daily, nay moment by moment inner strengthening by the Spirit of God to stand up for Christ in this world.  The truth we must grasp is that Almighty God gave us eternal life in the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through the knowledge of Christ, this eternal life is expressed in this world through our lives. This is that eternal life which our Lord Jesus Christ described in these words:

John 17 [3]  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

It is when my life reveals that I know God: when my dealings with others show forth the character of Christ, then I can be assured that I am no counterfeit.   It is for this reason that we must make a difference wherever we are as Christians because we are expected to reveal the character of Christ no matter the cost.  This is a daily challenge and that is why those who had gone before us admonished us in this way:

Genuine Christians know the daily struggle to keep on the straight and narrow road at home, at work and in church. Counterfeits tend to struggle in church to stay godly but lose all restraint at work and at home.  If a nation that boasts that 50% of her population are Christians is not being transformed, then the churches in that nation must be full of counterfeits. This calls for deep self-examination. It poses a challenge to each Christian. We must know that God has called us into Christ so that the world around us can see Christ in us and through us. Every nation will change when a good percentage of its people are changed. I cannot control change outside of myself. My greatest challenge as a Christian is to be a changed person so that the world can see the nature of Christ in me and through me. If the world around me is not full of light, then it is either that I bear no light at all or that the light I carry is weak and faint and so cannot dispel the darkness around me. As Children of Light, let us rise and shine ever so brightly in every corner of our world – church, work or home, to the glory of our God. He who has called is very faithful and is a true and consistent rewarder of all those who love and serve Him. Our labours can never be in vain either in this world or in the world to come.

May the Holy Spirit empower you to take your place in the frontline of the struggle for righteousness in the very place where you are now, to the glory of God and His Christ, Amen.

Here is the true test of counterfeit Christianity for each and every professing Christian, myself included…

Dr. Onuzo is an acknowledged conference and seminar speaker in different parts of the world. He continues to be available for the work of the ministry despite his busy clinical work. He is also the Associate Pastor of the National Headquarter's Church of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. He is married to Mariam, a medical doctor and they have four children: Dilichi, Chinaza, Dinachi and Chibundu

Remembering Martyrs and 9/11 again

Late Brother Mark Ojunta - Calvary Ministries

About this time last year, I wrote an article "Recession proof love – Remembering 911" which focused on the impact on incidents as this on our hearts and difficulties in loving the unlovable.  Still finding it relevant – I have republished the thoughts in that article.  Please read on  - and also find my other related articles - as you spare some thoughts also for many other nations, peoples and families in other geographies that have been devastated by terrorism …. I also received the letter in my mail – I have republished below

Dearly Beloved Colleagues,                                                                      

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is to inform you that the burial for our late bro. Mark Ojunta who was shot by the Boko Haram on the night of August 27th, 2011 has been fixed for September 30th , 2011 by his parent. This burial will take place in his village in Abia state.

Our late brother died at the age of 36 years as a martyr on his field among the Kotokos, first martyr in CAPRO in our 36 years of existence as a ministry. All our staff in Shuwa Arab, Kotoko and Kanuri were on the list of this sect to be killed. The National office immediately evacuated our missionaries when this was known.  Bro. Mark took his family out on Friday but he went back to the field because he had convert class with some believers on Saturday. It was in the night that the sect came to where they were staying, knock at the door and he tried to escape but could not get away.

"Look, he said, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Acts 7: 56. Jesus the Lord stood up from His throne for Stephen as he was being ushered into His presence as the first martyr. What a glorious way to be translated into the presence of the Lord. Bro. Mark died among the people whom the Lord sent to reach with the love of Christ. Wednesday of that week brother Kola Kehinde, our National Coordinator in UK spoke with him about the possibility of him coming to join the UK team. His response was, he wants to invest more years into the work among the Kotokos and hand it over to believers before he can consider leaving. What a passion and commitment! Four days later he was translated into the presence of His Master. "Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? …. "Death has been swallowed up in victory." Hallelujah!!!

"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation he fell asleep…" Acts 13:36a. May the Lord help us all to serve God's purpose for our lives. Please pray for Sis. Ema, his wife, Kambe (3yrs) and Akira (9mths) their children for grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. For his father, mother and his sisters. Pray for wisdom and provision as we prepare for the burial. Blessings.

Amos Aderonmu, International Director,Calvary Ministries (CAPRO) www.capromissions.org …reaching the nations since 1975

In the times of abundant iniquity, the love of many – Jesus Christ said would grow cold. In the bid to survive even as media networks fan the fiery embers of fear for fiendish gain …as increased competitiveness for scarce resources and harsh economic climate persists – many must find themselves vulnerable to a hardening that always comes surreptitiously to the unguarded.

Matthew 24[12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

I ask myself – how can I make the love of God in my life that manifests in practical acts of charity for others especially those I perceive as unlovable … recession proof? I also ask myself some questions…

Would I still love God if suddenly sent to the back of a lonesome desert? Or suddenly denied of a much desired breakthrough? How warm would my love be if suddenly exposed to very different cultures and peoples?
When faced with opposition and strong resistance that cause me to buckle – can I still be thankful? Am I happier when I have my way and miserable and fretful when I can not?
Do I (in subtle ways) take credit for the good things God is doing – forgetting to thank Him? Do I despise His chastening not thanking Him for the things I do not understand or like?

What separates children of God in the Bible, with recession proof love for God and His creation, from the others who struggle?

I discern three principal things worth noting …

They trusted completely in the work of God in their life and others and in all the events impacting them…knowing that all things must work out for their good as they obeyed Him.
They relied more on spiritual weapons – principally prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit, leaning always on the mercy of God.
They never saw themselves in any way disadvantaged or at a loss – when events appeared contrary to their expectations – knowing God has limitless avenues to work out and fulfil destiny.

I recall a scene in a Christian film I watched of a blind man offered his eyesight but only if he accepted to serve the devil and bear his mark forever… He received sight for a few minutes and was asked to make a decision…would he rather remain blind and be saved?

If riches, enlightenment and great influence would cost me my salvation would I agree to let these go? Would I turn my back to Jesus If I risked losing all the comforts, social safety nets and wealth as a result of obeying Him completely…

A.M. Royden said "Learn to hold loosely all that is not eternal". Jesus once met a rich man who would not follow Him.

Luke 18[23] And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. [24] And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Jesus – the best preacher ever – the living word … could not convince this rich man. How come we have so easily convinced Him? Perhaps we have presented to him a more practical perspective.

As we remember 911…and the painful lingering memories… let us also remember what the Bible says about love…

I John 4[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. [19] We love him, because he first loved us. [20] If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? [21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

I John 3 [10] In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

The real plan of September 11 to defeat a nation may have worked far more effectively than many would think if it has lured many out of dwelling in love…even love for the unlovable.  Lord, help me – that in these unusual times my love may be found recession proof…never waxing cold.

Amen

Redefining Indecency

The Chinese have recently decided that the music of Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Katy Perry and Britney Spears are too toxic for Chinese cultural safety and banned them from websites stemming from their country. Also, recently Kevin De Young, Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, gave a sobering report on the debauched lifestyle in American campuses.

"We need apologetics.  I'm 100 percent for taking every thought captive to Christ.  But for most 17-22-year-olds the most common temptations to sin are alcohol and sex.  Even when there are intellectual objections to Christianity, these are often just cover for a debauched lifestyle. " says Kevin DeYoung on Campus decadence.

My pastor speaking more by inspiration  of the Holy Spirit than by lucid arguments would teach very plainly that a Christian does not listen to bad music, will not indulge in alcohol and will dress always moderately and decently – avoiding any inappropriate exposure.  These very simple maxims were part of what sustained the faith of millions of saints and helped in passing to the next generation a tradition of decency.  Today, many challenge the biblical authenticity of these admonitions labelling them as legalistic religion and outrightly offensive to the sensitivities of a free modern society. Well, the Chinese have now concluded they have enough junk of their own and will not expose their own culture to importation of more garbage masquerading as art, fashion or music.

I Corinthians 6[12]  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. … [18]  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. … [19]  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20]  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The Apostle Paul reminds the saints that even if they do not sin by partaking in certain liberties, these habits are potentially harmful, unprofitable and dangerously addictive. If the saint is the bride of Christ for which a precious price has been paid, is it too much to ask that this body be preserved from potential pollutions in anticipation of a wonderful glorification in the future?  Christian liberty used to mean freedom from the bondage of sin and addictions …now strangely it has been distorted to suggest freedom to partake in everything as we have a God of grace…and the blood to cleanse after.

Thoughts on decency in dressing, music and consumption are now passé … only for radical moslems and perhaps Christians in the third world with limited opportunities to binge.

I Corinthians 14 [40]  Let all things be done decently and in order…. Philippians 4[5]  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

This does not mean we should return to the middle-ages but challenges me to consider what is decent and orderly and what is not. I thank God we must still have elders somewhere that care about fashions and will inspect wedding dresses for decency …who will not permit smoking and drinking and excess of any kind that does not glorify God.  I thank God we still have those that will not permit certain kinds of music for worship and who will caution youths to model their lives and ways after Christ. These elders will be called judgmental…no doubt.

Thank God for the Chinese for the boldness to remind us that we have a choice to decide not to be defiled or just continue unperturbed living with filth even when we know we hurt our very own bodies and minds.

Luke 16.[8] … for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Originally published in The Christian Post

The Greatest and Wealthiest place ever – Heaven.

There is a place of greatest wealth and unimaginable luxury and abundance with beautiful mansions that are yours forever.  I speak of mansions built of precious stones that never depreciate or need repairs. I do pray to see you there – someday.

John 14 [1] "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. [2] "In My Father's house are many mansions;  if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

For Paul, to live was to abide in Christ, knowing Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering – but to die was great gain, for through death – crowns, mansions and glory in Heaven will settle all reproach and accounts in His favour, even as he enters to unsurpassable beauty and wealth.  Perhaps you imagine, you are already a good Church going man, living in wealth with trillions and will live till 150years, having managed every crisis and come up even stronger, healthier – the Bible has a different perspective. Your long period of bliss on earth is described as just a few days full of trouble compared to His eternal wealthy place.

Job 14[1]  "Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. [2] He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.

Indeed, not all will die, but the dead will rise first – and the early saints believed so much in this superior resurrection that many of faith refused deliverance.

Hebrews 11 [35] Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

There is no space ship that will take anyone in this body to this place of greatest wealth.  Even if there were, a body suited for eternity is needed to enjoy the wealth forever. A second in God's wealthiest place will cause all who enter to wish they had given Him even more, loved Him even more, trusted and believed Him more, sacrificed even more, and been more obedient.  They would all wish they had been martyred and wish they had dedicated their careers, time and talents – for how could we possibly have doubted a God so good and faithful?

All these are for those with salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ and who live a life surrendered to and controlled by Him – not just Church goers. If you have all wealth, assets, health, success, acclaim, happiness, greatness and other things this world offers and Jesus is not Lord and Saviour in your life, then you will be as a fool who conquered most things but got the most important wrong.

Luke 12 [16] Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. [17] "And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' [18] "So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. [19] 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' [20] "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' [21] "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

You did not heed to a most important teaching of Jesus who said;

Luke 12[29] "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. [30] "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. [31] "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Can you not see that the natural life, the corruptible body and the best this world offers is already destined to ashes - for all one day perish and the earth will be "burnt up"?

2Peter 3[7] But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. [8]  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. [10]  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Hebrews 9[27]  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Will this final crisis be only a chariot to usher you into the greatest wealthiest place of all where pain is completely conquered? It could be something to look forward to with earnest expectation…a place of no tensions.

Revelation 21[4] "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

However, without a life surrendered to Jesus Christ, you cannot see the wealthiest place and death begins the greatest negative crisis that continues forever.  If you find you can ignore the invitation Christ gives to you, consider again how this other great crisis was described and the journey down the bottomless valley of hopelessness never to come up again. Is this where you are destined to end up? You do not believe all this of course. But supposing you are wrong…is it worth the risk?

"Heaven is a fairy story for people who are afraid of the dark"  says Stephen Hawking but whose report will you believe?

Isaiah 53 [1]  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? [2]  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. [3]  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Come to Jesus, today….article largely culled from the book Wealth Out of Ashes by Bode Ososami