The influence of women Week 13, 2017

So does it mean only men influence their households spiritually? Most certainly not! The clearest line of enduring spiritual influence I find in the New Testament; that spanning 3 generations was through the influence of a mother on her child and grandchild.  I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first existed in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that this faith also exists in you2Tm 1:5(ISV). The sustained influence resulted in the young bishop Timothy. Women influence their households, the male and female members alike. At Philippi it was Lydia who first received the word of the Lord, and she believed with her household. This was quite similar to the jailer. One of those who heard us was Lydia from Thyatira, who was a dealer in purple cloth. She was a woman who worshiped God, and the Lord opened her mind to pay attention to what Paul was saying.  After she and the people of her house had been baptized, she invited us Act 16:14, 15(GNB).  As with men in the household, so with women.

What if the woman isn’t the head of the household as Lydia appears to be? Do you remember the little maid in Naaman’s household? In one of their raids against Israel, the Syrians had carried off a little Israelite girl, who became a servant of Naaman's wife. One day she said to her mistress, "I wish that my master could go to the prophet who lives in Samaria! He would cure him of his disease." 2Kgs5:2, 3(GNB). It was through her influence the general got to believe in and worship Jehovah. So Naaman said, "If you won't accept my gift, then let me have two mule-loads of earth to take home with me, because from now on I will not offer sacrifices or burnt offerings to any god except the LORD2Kgs5:17(GNB)  . You don’t have to be termed the head for you to exert spiritual influence and leadership. Even the maid in the household exerts influence! Like that maid we need to know why God has placed us wherever we are at any point in time.

What of Rahab? So they went and brought Rahab out, along with her father and mother, her brothers, and the rest of her family. They took them all, family and slaves, to safety near the Israelite camp Jos 6:23 (GNB).  Have you seen such spiritual influence as hers in the Old Testament? Every member of the family including slaves saved. It equals that of Abraham in my assessment. Mark you she raised Boaz - that man of faith and ancestor of David. Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse Mat 1:5(ESV). Clearly when scripture says women are co heirs of the grace of life in 1Pt3: 7 it means every word of it: giving honour to the woman who is the feebler vessel, but who has an equal part in the heritage of the grace of life... 1Pt 3:7(BBE)

Ladies... exert your influence!

The spiritual zone of influence Week 12, 2017

When Zacchaeus met Jesus and turned from sin Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham” Lk 19:9(ESV). Take note Jesus said “this house” not just “this man”. Am we trying to teach that once a man is saved automatically every member of his household is saved whether they believe or not, whether they accept Christ or not? No; not by any means. However there is sufficient word of scripture to indicate that when a man gets saved it is expected his entire house will follow suit. Follow suit in the same example of repentance and faith.

Do you remember Noah? Then the LORD said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation” Gen 7:1(ESV).  It is from this place we begin to see salvation’s effect on the household. His wife, sons and daughters in law were included in the call. The patriarch Abraham was chosen by God and expected to impact his household as well. For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him Gen 18:19(ESV). Ever wondered why God chose you, ever doubted His assignment and target for your prayers and effort? Here’s a certain one.

Have you considered the demand of the angels in Gen 19:12(ESV) when they came to bid Lot escape from Sodom? "Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place”.  Notice it was the same set of individuals: sons or daughters, and sons in law that they requested - as with Noah. I believe this is the minimum zone of influence God expects. It should not therefore surprise us when Paul and Silas said similar words to the repentant Phillipian jailer. And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Act 16:31(ESV).  God has placed you within a household to influence them for Him, to influence them for the purpose of salvation. Many a miracle was performed by Jesus on a child in response to the faith of a parent, and on a member of a household for the master. Was not the parable of the friend at midnight not on behalf of someone just coming into a man’s household? A friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him Lk 11:6(ESV).  You have a locus standi in the spirit over members of your household. When Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, Levi who was yet to be born through Abraham was deemed as having paid tithes too. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him Heb 7:9, 10(ESV).  So exert your spiritual influence today. Lay claim on it and in the spirit bid everyone under that influence to begin to bow.

Free from the law of sin and death Week 11, 2017

Have you experienced it? Once the craving comes upon you there is no release until you do it even though your conscience tells you it is wrong. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing Rom 7:19. You have asked yourself why it must be so with you and now you rationalise it. “I’m not hurting anyone”. On the inside you admire goodness and purity but that is not your life. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out Rom 7:18.  It is true with you that once a set of conditions happen you do evil. “Everyone does that now, na condition make crayfish bend” you say.

Have you felt it? Once the provocation comes you react and retaliate. Immediately if you can or later but you will do for sure. You just can’t let go when insulted. It is said of you “That one? Don’t go near. Revenge will surely take place”. Extorting money when people are at your mercy is sure. Unless, until you are settled nobody goes anywhere. It is a law with you. This law of sin and death holds you like a vice and won’t let go. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand Rom 7:21. Now you claim “It is my nature. That’s how I was born.” But you are a slave to these things. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved 2Pt 2:19. The more you struggle the more you see bondage. You can be set free.

You must be set free; otherwise a sure death awaits all held by this law, a death that lasts forever. This law of sin and death which holds you captive and makes sure that you sin again and again has been overcome. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death Rom 8:2. Jesus Christ overcame it by dying on the cross for you now He offers you freedom. Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” Jn 8:34, 36. God has also promised I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Eze 36:26, 27  This promise is yours through Jesus Christ.

Welcome Jesus into your heart. When Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus he was free from enslavement And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." Lk 19:8.  It was the power Jesus freely gives that did that. Paul the apostle experienced that too. He then began working no longer with his own power and energy but the one that comes from Jesus Christ. To get this done I toil and struggle, using the mighty strength which Christ supplies and which is at work in me Col 1:29  . Ask Jesus Christ to set you free now and give you that power. I know He will never refuse you. O come to Jesus Christ today and be free from the law of sin and death! Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me Jn 6:37

When God says no (the job interview) Week 10, 2017

He was the best resident among his set in Plastic surgery and a Christian too. Consistently he had earned the commendations of the consultants in all the units he had worked in and as a result had been given a letter of commendation by the residency training committee for consistent hard work. He was both skilful and easily knowledgeable, and had represented the hospital in presenting her work in Europe. In the exit examinations (in the words of a senior examiner) he shone like a million stars. Not surprisingly when my opinion was sought as to which resident to retain as a consultant I pointed to him even though I requested for all the two that passed the exit examinations from our centre.

Eventually after more than 6 months later we advertised for the post of consultant Plastic surgeon amongst others; and I gave him a good recommendation along with others. When the mandatory six weeks of advert was about rounding up I was invited for the short listing of candidates to present for the interview. I was deflated when for a technicality he wasn’t so much as shortlisted to present for the interview. Uncharacteristically I pleaded specifically for him and was roundly rebuked. Leaving the employment of the hospital suddenly became very desirable.

He didn’t take the news kindly. I got called by a former medical director and state medical association chair on the matter which didn’t change a thing. The interview held without him. He told me “I am still terribly aggrieved by how I was treated by the management. I may not be able to leave the matter like that. I will go all the way to press home the fact that I was unjustly excluded from the interview. All I seek is justice.” To which the reply was “Eye hath not seen... ear has not heard... neither has it entered into the heart of Orthopaedic (or other) what God has planned for you who love Him. It is IMPOSSIBLE  for man’s injustice to thwart God’s plan for you. Think over these. Understanding is yours.” But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him1Cor 2:9(KJV).

Well 18 days later he sent me a text “Join me in thanking God I have been appointed at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi. God is always faithful.” Not only had he been appointed, but he was place on a grade level higher than we were offering. That’s not all. His wife lectures at Okoh which makes Nnewi a better choice for the home than Enugu where he had felt so humiliated at the exclusion. He has since started work. When God says “no” He certainly has a much better package in waiting. That’s not all; it has been over 2 months the Enugu interview took place. None of those interviewed has got an appointment letter, started work or earned any pay from us just yet. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Rom 11:33(ESV)