The boiling ring week 23, 2012

I had come into the conference ground at camp of faith in Okigwe to seek God’s face. In the course of the programme I had a dream on one of the nights. It was not one of those dreams that were from too much business. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words Eccl 5:3(ESV). It is true I could not remember every detail in the dream, but clearly at the end of the dream I could see that my house in Enugu had burnt down. The fire had started as a result of the boiling ring. For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword Job 33:14-18(ESV). I prayed and cancelled the dream after I woke up, and after the programme ended I went home. Thereafter I became very careful in the house and gave strict instructions about housekeeping and the use of the boiling ring. You know absolutely nothing happened for a while.
On a given Sunday we were preparing for morning worship and the girl I live with was using the ring to boil water when suddenly there was a power outage. We all went to the service without the electricity returning and settled into the service.
During the service power returned. Whilst the worship went on I suddenly lost my peace and had a burden to pray. I was not certain of what the matter was but as I prayed found myself praying against any networking of darkness designed to rob me of peace. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God Rom 8:26-27(ESV). After a while I felt peace within me and continued in the service. My girl was restless; the boiling ring kept coming to her mind and she began wondering if she had put it off. Her discomfort increased to such a time that before the offerings she slipped out and went back to the house. Smoke had already started coming from within when she entered and went to the socket. There was the boiling ring; red hot and having damaged the container! If she had waited for the service to end the house would no doubt have burned down. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth Ps 124:7, 8(ESV).
Hope lives in Enugu with her family

Who is Jesus week 22, 2012

“A man came here and taught us Jesus was created by God. I’m confused; is Jesus God or an angel?” Don’t be confused my dear. Ever before coming into this world the one we call Jesus Christ has always been: He himself existed before all things, and by him all things hold together Col 1:17(ISV). “Was he the first of God’s creation? He quoted from Prov 8:22(GNB) "The LORD created me first of all, the first of his works, long ago…” How could He be the first of God’s creation? The one through whom all things were created certainly was not created. For by him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether they are kings, lords, rulers, or powers. All things have been created through him and for him Col 1:16 (ESV). If all things were made through him he could not have been made. Through him all things were made, and apart from him nothing was made that has been made Jn 1:3(ISV). “Is he God then?” Of course yes.
“Now you have me confused. Are there three Gods? I know that’s wrong...” There is one God. Do you want to know God? Look at Jesus. Your words express your personality. From eternity he is the word of God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Jn 1:1(ESV). It is through God’s word the worlds were made. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God… Heb 11:3(ESV). That exact representation of the invisible God, the very expression of God -the word- took on flesh and manifested to us having been born. Then He began to be called Jesus. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us Jn 1:14(KJV).
You know something is glorious because of the brightness: Christ is the brightness of His glory. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person Heb 1:3(KJV). God who cannot be seen is made visible and clear by Jesus. Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God Col 1:15 (GNB). He is God in the flesh. That’s Jesus; God incarnate. “Is he a most obedient angel, perhaps Michael?” By no means: God never said to any of his angels, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father."Heb 1:5(GW).
“Wow I thought he was a nice man.” Hmm! These people who distort the Good News are devoted to you, but not in a good way. They don't want you to associate with me so that you will be devoted only to them Gal 4:17(GW). He attacks your faith, trying to exclude you to bring you into error.
Have nothing to do with people who continue to teach false doctrine after you have warned them once or twice Tit 3:10

End of an era(2) week 21, 2012

“So what you are saying is that people used to be saved in the past by law, but now there is another way?” Never! For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight Rom 3:20(ESV). You see the law was an interim measure, a shadow of the real thing. What is the use of the Law? It was given later to show that we sin. But it was only supposed to last until the coming of that descendant who was given the promise Gal 3:19(CEV). Jesus Christ is the real thing Col 2:17. The very reason Jesus died was that there was no other way any human being could be saved. His death would have been completely unnecessary if anyone could have been saved by trying to keep the law. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose Gal 2:21(ESV). In fact those who tried to be saved through keeping the law were under God’s curse! Gal 3:10(GNB): Those who depend on obeying the Law live under a curse. For the scripture says, "Whoever does not always obey everything that is written in the book of the Law is under God's curse!"
“If what you are saying is real then we need no longer obey the Ten Commandments or even read the Old Testament at all.” No: we must read the Old Testament, but with the light and insight Jesus only gives. Jesus then explained everything written about himself in the Scriptures, beginning with the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets Lk 24:27(CEV). As for the commandments, we obey God not so as to earn salvation, but because we have received it. The one who believes in the Lord Jesus is freed from sin’s dominating power to walk in love. Whoever walks in love fulfills the whole command of God: For the whole law is summarized in a single statement: "You must love your neighbor as yourself."Gal 5:14 (ISV). We could never be able to obey God fully if Jesus never died for us. What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature, to do away with sin. God did this so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us …Rom 8:3-4(GNB). God always intended that we obey Him from a willing heart; only in those who are saved really do that. Unto this purpose are we born again. For we are his masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared long ago to be our way of life Eph 2:10(ISV).

End of an era week 20,2012

When Jesus declared “it is finished” that also signified the law as a route for righteousness is ended: For Christ has brought the Law to an end, so that everyone who believes is put right with God Rom 10:4(ESV). “Be careful what you say! Jesus Himself said "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them Mat 5:17(ESV).” Of course He came to fulfill the law. In the law was the promise of salvation. I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me Jer 33:8(ESV). When a promise is fulfilled what happens to it? “It ceases.” Exactly: a new way to come to God was inaugurated by Jesus dying on the cross. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh Heb 10:19-20(ESV).
“Why did it have to end?” The law prescribed repetitive sacrifices to take away sins but that could never wash any sin away: For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins Heb 10:4(ESV). These numerous sacrifices were simply pointing the way to Jesus. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! Jn 1:29(ESV). There is no need to make blood sacrifices any more to be acceptable before God. In fact after Jesus such sacrifices are wrong. In this passage he says, "You never wanted or took delight in sacrifices, offerings, burnt offerings, and sin offerings," which are offered according to the law Heb 10:8(ESV). That era is over; it is finished.
“What about the priests?” Under the law there were high priests who were after the order of Aaron, imperfect priests who could not continue because they died and, by the way, were sinners too. But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, because he always lives to intercede for them, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him Heb 7:24-25(ISV). The Aaronic priesthood is over. It is finished. Now there is only one high priest: Jesus Christ who is perfect and who lives forever.
Have you been trying to come to God through the old way of sacrifices and offerings? Do you depend on the law of what to eat or not to be righteous? Your sin has been fully and permanently paid for: It is finished.

A dream come true Week 19,2012

We faced family tension 2 months after our arrival in the U.S.A that necessitated our separating from the family member we stayed with to live by ourselves. Five months into the country, my wife sat for her board exam (California Board of Registered Nursing) and passed at a sitting – something everyone told us was not possible. We began looking for a job for her. Soon, God answered our prayer and provided a job for my wife, and so we took off. He soon followed it up by giving me a job as an adjunct instructor (lecturer) in a university. All these were happening at a time people were losing their jobs following the severe economic recession in the country. Isn’t that amazing? He had said to me: “It is a small thing for me to bless you in Nigeria. I will take you to United States, the number one country in the world, and bless you there that you may know that I am God of all the earth. “Halleluiah!” "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?”Jer 32:27(ESV) As the extended family tension intensified despite our apologies for no wrong doing (indeed, we apologized despite being wronged) in keeping with the injunction to live in peace with all men (Romans 12:18), we felt it was time to leave the city, also in the interest of peace. In the process of buying a house, we were shown many properties in a number of cities. Eventually, we were taken to the city of Patterson and to the very house we now live in. It was the best house we had seen in all – having everything we desired and more, but the city was the farthest of the cities we had visited. We agreed to make an offer the next day, anyway. That night, I cried out unto God about the whole thing to know whether it was God’s will for us to move to such a distant city and whether we should go ahead and make an offer on the house the next day as we agreed. We were willing and ready to obey God. That same night, the merciful God clearly revealed to me in a dream that it was that city and that house he wanted us to live in. We then went ahead and made the offer as planned. After we made the offer we learnt it was not accepted and that the house had gone to a higher bidder. Though we continued our hunt, I tenaciously held God to His word to me. Strangely, exactly three months after we lost the house, the same house came back to the market and my wife saw it online. As soon as she told me that the house was back in the market, I began to dance because I knew without a shadow of doubt that God had brought it back to deliver it to us. We later learnt how God used elimination method to eliminate all other bidders (thirty in number) and left us the only man standing. Thus, one year after God took us to America, he blessed us with a magnificent house of our own – the American dream realized in a record time, so to speak. God used the extended family crises we faced to work out his glorious will for us. Praise God for His faithfulness and sovereignty. To Him be all glory forever. Greg and his family live in Patterson California, serving the Lord

It is finished (part 2) Week 18, 2012

“Since Jesus said it is finished everyone is automatically saved now. We shall all get to heaven.” No! It doesn’t work that way though I wish it did. “You told me we became sinners automatically because our first parents sinned. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to everyone, because all have sinned Rom 5:12(ISV). Why are we not saved automatically since Jesus has died?” When Adam sinned whether we liked it or not, all of us who come from him become sinners like him, but to benefit from Jesus’ salvation we must make a conscious choice. But God's free gift is not like Adam's offense. For if many people died as the result of one man's offense, how much more have God's grace and the free gift given through the kindness of one man, Jesus Christ, been showered on many people! Rom 5:15(ISV). In everything God has for man there is a part for God and a part for man.
“So it is not finished then?” Remember “it is finished” refers to what Jesus was expected to do. The work of Jesus is a provision. If your mother has provided food for you does it mean you have fed? Would you not still have to put it into your mouth and swallow it? “I would of course.” Very good; God has through Jesus provided eternal salvation. After he had provided a cleansing from sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Highest Majesty Heb 1:3(ISV).
Have you not participated in free medical treatments before? Who pays for the treatment? Is it the man to be treated? “No the organisers come with free drugs.” Fine, is it the day the drugs were bought that the sicknesses were cured? “Not so. It is from the day we heard of the free treatment and took the drugs that we got well.” Very good: the gospel, which has come to you… is bearing fruit and growing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth Col 1:5, 6(ISV). Jesus has finished the payment. You now need to hear and understand and believe for it to work in you. In fact for a surgical operation the person has to sign the consent before the operation is done. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead Col 2:11, 12(KJV). Now that you have heard and understood, will you sign over your life to Jesus? “How do I do that?” With all your heart ask Jesus to forgive you and give you his salvation; He’ll do the rest.

It is finished Week 17, 2012

“What did Jesus mean by that?” He certainly did not mean “I am finished” as some would say when things become unexpectedly difficult. This was a cry of victory. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do Jn 17:4(ESV). “So all things are accomplished?” We-ell He was not also saying all things are accomplished. This cry was specific: it is finished. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit Jn 19:30(ESV). That which God planned for Him to do on this earth was accomplished.
“You still haven’t said what he meant.” Do you remember John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Jn 1:29(ISV)? God had been promising a saviour who would take upon Himself the sin of the whole world. This saviour would by His sacrificial death purchase forgiveness and eternal life for those who come to Him. “Where is that written?” Isa 53:4-6(ESV) Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
“Are you certain this refers to Jesus and not another person?” That is exactly what the Ethiopian eunuch asked Phillip when reading the same passage Act 8:28-35. He confirms it refers to Jesus. In saying it is finished Jesus indicates sin has finally been carried by Him for mankind; personally. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to those sins and live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed 1Pt 2:24(ESV).
Have you sinned against God? “All have.” Jesus Christ has become the sacrifice that brings peace between us and God. The price for our rebellion has been fully paid by the spotless substitute: “It is finished.”
There had been restricted access to the very presence of God before now. This was symbolised in a curtain separating the Most Holy place in the temple from other sections. About the time He said it the curtain of the temple was torn in two Lk 23:45(ESV) signifying the very presence of God is made accessible to anyone who believes. Nobody needs to continue with the weight of sin. It’s also impossible to get relief elsewhere: it is finished.