Here in my own town Week 47, 2012

I met Jesus today and I really must tell you He didn’t look at all like the pictures It wasn’t even Sunday and it wasn’t in the church but it was Him just as sure He was a hungry child A sick friend of mine A stranger who needed a home He was a lonely old man who needed a friend, A prisoner who needed a coat And suddenly I knew that I had seen Him before So many times before And that I’d let Him down not knowing it was Jesus Here in my own town Here in my own town I met Jesus today and I really must tell you There was no dazzling lights or angel choir And though I’d read His book it surprised me to find Him in the streets among the weak and the poor He was a hungry child A sick friend of mine A stranger who needed a home He was a lonely old man who needed a friend, A prisoner who needed a coat And suddenly I knew that I had seen Him before So many times before And that I’d let Him down not knowing it was Jesus Here in my own town Here in my own town (These words are the lyrics of a song by Mary Mckee and the Genesis) Mat 25:34-40(CEV) Then the king will say to those on his right, "My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me." Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?" The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."

Can Jesus fall ill Week 46, 2012

Not exactly; He never was sick, but 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). He bore all our sins. It is us Christians that fall ill. “That’s the point I have been making to you. And no inhabitant will say, "I am sick"; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity Isa 33:24(ESV). A true Christian cannot be sick.” So what do you make of Epaphroditus, he has been longing for all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick Phil 2:26(ISV), Trophimus (2Tm4:20) and Timothy (1Tm5:23)? “Epaphroditus was in need of deliverance. Don’t you know his name means “Devoted to Venus”? Maybe the others were under attack, or lacked faith. Stop making Christians accept ill health Jesus suffered for them to be free from. We are saved from sin, sickness and Satan. It’s part of the salvation package!” I believe very much in divine health and divine healing. Indeed I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth 3Jn 1:2(KJV). I am sure Jesus provided for our healing and God wants all of us well. However true believers sometimes fall ill, just as true believers sometimes fall into sin if you wish to use that comparison. For whatever reasons known or unknown to us, genuine Christians have fallen ill and I’m sure Jesus knew this would happen. That is why He said: When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me Mat 25:36(CEV). Now if you refuse to care for the sick you are not caring for Jesus. “I visit them and pray for their healing...” Remember “taking care of” is different from visiting. It implies doing what the Samaritan did for the wounded man. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him Lk 10:34(ISV). In addition to praying for the sick- which we are commanded- do the practical care. “But I am not a trained health worker; I would hate to mismanage anyone.” That’s exactly the point. The Samaritan did what he knew to do on the spot then handed over to a better trained person. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If you spend more than that, I'll repay you when I come back.' Lk 10:35 (ISV). He appreciates even cold water given to disciples; what do you do for the sick?

The 2 week miracle week 45, 2012

He was encouraging us to give in the chapel in Enugu and said: “In two weeks God would have doubled it!” “Now, where in the scriptures is that said?” I wondered. He went on to share the testimony of a young boy who had done the giving and received almost exactly two fold in less than two weeks. He made the balance of double for the boy, bringing that word to pass. He is my very good friend. Indeed this minister is someone I have looked up to since I met him years ago, but I didn’t quite take his statement with assurance. Forgive me but the thought crossed my mind that my beloved brother and father in the Lord had missed it. Now I don’t look at God as a money doubler, and I prefer to avoid giving time limits for God’s reward, but since it is good to give into God’s cause (yes you are right) I gave a good amount. I told absolutely no one what I gave. Being a civil servant without private practice it would be interesting to see how the two week issue would happen. But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."Mat 19:26(ESV). Frankly I was not looking forward to it: that was not the reason I gave the money. Well the following week I got a memo to represent my institution in Lagos for an important meeting. The Ministry of Health asked for representatives of the federal health institutions to attend a one day meeting on a Thursday for the Standard Treatment Guidelines being proposed for national use. Heads of clinical services and medical directors were expected in attendance. For some reason my Head of Clinical Services minuted on the document that I represent our hospital and I was paid the per diem ahead of time. I decided to go by flight and return by flight since I had a preaching engagement in Enugu that Thursday evening. When all expenses were done, it didn’t add up to double what I gave, but what did it matter? It was remarkable to get a refund within 2 weeks. I am God, and there is none like me… 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' Isa 46:9, 10(ESV). When we got there for the meeting an unusual thing (at least for me) happened. The ministry officials announced they were going to refund the travel expenses of all participants, and pay for their accommodation. This was despite our sponsorship from our institutions. So I gave them my flight ticket, but since I made it clear I was leaving that Thursday back to Enugu I got slightly less money. I didn’t need to calculate: I had received double what I had sowed into the chapel in less than two weeks! So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it Isa 55: 11(ESV). I have been to several official meetings thereafter, and more than five years have elapsed, but at none have I been given such double funding. Maybe there is something after all in the pronouncements of an ordained minister.

Excuses Week 44, 2012

Are you going for ward evangelism? “No.” Why not? “I have an urgent task to perform after service...” Is it so urgent that you cannot spare ten to fifteen minutes to share with those in the ward? You know that is why we are primarily set up: to minister to those in this environment. “And we are ministering to them now. Are they not free to come to church, don’t we pray for them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord? Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord Jas 5:14(ESV). Do we not get testimonies of their healing? And I think we may even help some of them occasionally materially. We reach out to them.” It is true we are involved in these things, but that is not the primary focus. “What do you mean?” God expects us to cater for their spiritual needs, specifically for their need to be born again. They need to hear the gospel by their bedside. “Listen: you cannot force the gospel down anyone’s’ throat, after all the bible says: The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price Rev 22:17(ESV), so let as many of them come and they will be ministered to. All are free to come; I have never driven anyone away from church.” Look brother: the same Bible which says to them come asks us specifically to go to them: Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: Mat 28:19 (GNB). When the bible says they should come it is not actually the church building it is referring to but to Jesus... “And is Jesus not here?” He is, but we are commanded by Christ to go to them with the message again and again. "Go and stand in the temple and keep on telling the people the whole message about this life." Act 5:20(ISV). “Well I don’t need to be there for the message; you people just go ahead without me. There are more than enough people to go round the wards and minister. If I went with you I may not even get to speak to one person at all.” Haba now, don’t you realise your coming along alone makes you a partner. David said: For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike 1Sa 30:24(ESV). “In that case I really need not come.” What do you mean? “These David’s men did not go along but got equally rewarded, so I will just stay back, look after your stuff and be praying for you.” Stop giving excuses man!

Who are you working for Week 43, 2012

It is this federal medical centre in town. Is that so? How come? My former employers were private people. Very unappreciative human beings like this! They wanted to milk everything out from me and give me peanuts. How do you mean? My conditions of service were just bad. What was torn by wild beasts I did not bring to you. I bore the loss of it myself. From my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. There I was: by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes… and you have changed my wages ten times Gen 31:39- 41(ESV). I dumped them fast. It is like you don’t want any sacrifices for this work. Why should I? Is it my father’s work? Whoa, what of your new employer? The pay is better, but the demands on me are too much I beg. No free time. This olu-oyibo sef! You know what I mean; you work for government too. No, I have never worked for the government. What are you saying? Have you changed jobs or what? Are you not working at the teaching hospital? I work at the teaching hospital all right, but I am working for my father. Ah-ah, is your father the minister of health? No. The chairman of the board? No. So what are you saying then? Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people. You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you are serving! Col 3:23-24(ISV) It is a mistake when you term your work olu-oyibo (white man’s service); there is no white man there. We should not work for men... Are you saying we should all set up private practice? Even those in private practice must be careful. The location of your job does not dictate your employer. What do you mean? Some people in government employment are working for their bellies just like some in private practice. For I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on worldly things Phil 3:18, 19(ISV). What you say is giving room for people to exploit labor, be careful. You are a Christian. I want you to realize that it is impossible to cheat the uncompromisingly righteous who walk by faith. Serve willingly, as if you were serving the Lord and not merely people…everyone will receive a reward from the Lord for whatever good he has done, whether he is a slave or free Eph 6:7-8(ISV). Take your mind beyond the director and see this service for what it really is: an opportunity to serve Jesus Christ. Who will you work for henceforth?

How do you know week 42, 2012

How do I know what? That he’s a highly rated man of God; you seem very excited about his ministrations. Ah the signs are there. What signs? His prophecies are very accurate. Are you sure he hasn’t inside information? With technology now, and a little bit of psychology, I could tell you a lot about yourself which would surprise you. Uncle this one is for real. Is that? He had prophesied increase for me this year, and guess what? My long delayed promotion has come through. You don’t say! Ah wait now. He had prophetic unction about babies to be born to people in our congregation and a childless couple is getting ready to dedicate their new baby. This is for real uncle! Well the details are impressive but accuracy of prophecies is no proof he is a man highly rated by God. You have started again! Is it not written in Act 2:22(ESV) "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst ? What is the sign you need? Do you remember Balaam? Were not his prophesies accurate about Israel, and did he not clearly prophecy about Jesus? Indeed it is written the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak." in Num 23:5(ESV). Yet he was given to divination and sorcery (Num 24:1). Balaam was a prophet of God gone astray. None who never knew God could speak from Him. Perhaps you do not know of Caiaphas. The High Priest who arranged to kill Jesus? Did he prophesy? Haven’t you read Jn 11:51(CEV)? Caiaphas did not say this on his own. As high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation. These two accurately prophesied about Jesus yet were disqualified. So how do we tell if not by these? Jesus clearly told us how we know a man is from God: "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheeps' clothing but inwardly are savage wolves. By their fruit you will know them Mat 7:15, 16(ISV). Check out the fruit of his life first. What is happening in his relationships with fellow workers? By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Jn13:35(ESV). This is the way God rates people: not by the measure of unction they display, or the miracles that flow from them, but the measure of Christ- the measure of love- manifesting. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing 1Cor 13:2(ESV). How do you rate in heaven's guage?

48 hours to the exit week 41, 2012

It was towards the last week of August that I went to see a friend’s sick mother at Ntasiobi ndi no nafufu hospital in Trans Ekulu Enugu; precisely on Monday the 20th evening. After seeing her I was led to minister to other patients around. The LORD guides us in the way we should go and protects those who please him Ps 37:23(GNB). In doing so I saw this lady lying on her bed. She was young looking but quite ill. I feel she was from a good back ground for she was well painted, and looked psychedelic. A young man was with her whom I thought to be the husband or brother, but on inquiry he smiled and let me know she was his mother. He was the first son and was really taking care of her for in my presence she was coughing out and foaming whilst he cleaned her up. I decided to minister to her. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good Eccl 11:6(ESV). I took time with her and read scriptures of healing to her. I told her life isn’t permanent, that even if one were not to continue in this life there is a higher one above. I shared with her the gospel benefits; that if she gave her life to Jesus her eternity would be assured and that Jesus would also heal her. I took time with her and asked her to pray along with me to receive Jesus; she did because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Rom 10:9(ESV). Her son claimed to be born again so I asked him to continue praying for her, covering her in the blood of Jesus. I assured them that within two days she would be whole and took their telephone number. I prayed with her over the phone the first night, but by the second night being Wednesday 22 I could not reach her. To my shock first son told me she died that second day. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints Ps 116:15(ESV). I had told her in two days she would be healed, little knowing in two days she was meant to die. What would have happened if I failed to reach her, to preach the word to her and lead her to Jesus? She was buried by the penultimate weekend in September. In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly appeal to you to proclaim the message. Be ready to do this whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach 2Ti 4:1-2(ISV). Monique is an evangelist with the AG