Who do you say Jesus is Week 51, 2012

Who do you say Jesus is He was a great teacher, a unifying figure among many religions yet a point of significant division in the perception of different religious adherents. Let us not focus on other people’s perceptions now. I actually want to know who he is to you. Then Jesus asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Mat 16:15(CEV). What do you believe about him personally? I think he was the most morally upright man in all history. What a shame he died because of our sins. How do you mean he died because of our sins? Oh the leaders of the Jews were jealous of him and trumped up charges against him. He was too meek a man to allow violence to be used to rescue him from their hands and sadly Pilate was too weak in morals and scruples to uphold his cause; so he was unjustly put to death. Scripture tells me he died for our sins it’s not the same as dying because of our sins. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures 1Cor 15:3(ISV). If you believe he died because of our sins and not for our sins you are not a Christian. What’s the difference? The things you said before are all correct but you haven’t tied up the reason all of this happened. You said he was the most morally upright man; even his enemies could not find any sin in him Jn 8:46. He was more than the most morally upright man. He is God incarnate. And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God Lk 1:34-35(ESV) Someone suggested he was a man the spirit of the messiah came upon at baptism. No, he always knew who he is. From everlasting God is a spirit. Human beings have flesh as well as a spirit. The eternal God put on flesh and was born and named Jesus. So he is fully human also. In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. The Word became a human being and lived here with us.Jn1:1, 14(CEV) Since he was God how could he have died? Ah, his death was that of a substitute. He did not deserve to die, but died in our place. He died for our sins to be cleansed, removed, lose its grip on our souls and will. He died to pay the consequence of our sins that we may be set free Rev1:5. Do you believe this? By the way; Jesus is still alive today.

Why did Jesus come week 50, 2012

I like Christmas season a lot Why is that so? Oh lots of eating and drinking, buying of presents, visits to relatives... Is that all? Ah, the holidays. Clear two days and New Year right close by. Christmas is an expensive time you know Yea, you need lots of money for it I was not referring to money really: For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors. It was not something that can be destroyed, such as silver or gold; it was the costly sacrifice of Christ, who was like a lamb without defect or flaw1Pt1:18, 19(GNB) ... tell me, what is Christmas all about? A time of joy. Of remembering when the saviour came to earth. Very good. So why did the saviour come? Ah, ah! Is this a catechism class? Why so many questions? Well I feel your focus on Christmas is off the course... Of course I know why Jesus came. He came to show us the way, loving one another, and his humble birth is a lesson against materialism. Good but not quite. Read 1Tim 1:15(GNB) This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them. Do you see he came to save sinners? Have you been saved? Well I think if anyone emulates the life of Christ he is saved Wow. Ok, what present did you get last year’s Christmas? How much did you pay for it? I didn’t pay for it, silly. It was a present, I got lots of presents and am looking forward to more this year. Are you going to give me one? I’m doing just that. Can’t you see that just as you never paid for any Christmas presents from people you also cannot by emulating Jesus pay for His salvation? But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed, he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us. God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior Tit 3:4-6(GNB). Jesus is God’s Christmas gift to us. God is offering this gift to you now. Why not talk to Him and let Him know you are ready to receive it?

Mercy said No

The anaesthetic nurse noted an unusual noise in the chest of the child we were about to work on, but I encouraged him to go ahead. I was eager to have the surgery done, and was sure we would come out just fine. So he put the baby to sleep, and I scrubbed up and prepped the child. Our monitor indicated the oxygen saturation was dropping a bit. “It must be alright” I thought, “I haven’t started doing anything yet”. With the first incision the monitor went really low. This was no fluke; something was going terribly wrong with our baby. He was less than a month old, and such children are particularly sensitive to airway problems and oxygen deprivation. “Oxygen!” I called out. The anaesthetist turned on the machine and brought the mask to the baby, but absolutely nothing came out. He looked at me in sadness; he had checked before surgery started and had felt sure oxygen was available. Baby was fast dying on the table before us. I believe the opportunity to do free surgery is also the mandate to share the gospel with the parents, and this one’s mother had been particularly receptive to the word. I had prayed with her to receive Jesus moments before the surgery; we had prayed for safe surgery also. What was I going to say to her now? For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? Isa 48:11(KJV). The baby’s limbs started stretching before me, and the monitor went flat. There was nothing else to do. I began mouth to mouth resuscitation, then chest compressions. Someone went to get another oxygen cylinder urgently. The monitor came on, the heartbeats were low, and the saturation far lower than tolerable. With a bit more resuscitation the indices improved and I thought we were fine. Suddenly the oxygen saturation plummeted again and the limbs stretched. I saw baby’s face: he was expiring. The monitor went flat a second time. “God have mercy!” I prayed. By now the mother must have noticed the flurry of movements in and out of theatre, the people running about. What was I going to say, how would I explain this? Again mouth to mouth resuscitation was done and chest compressions. We had been resuscitating now for over twenty minutes. The baby came back again, and another worker rolled in an oxygen cylinder. Hurriedly we connected oxygen to the baby. His colour improved, the oxygen saturation climbed. Soon the monitor read 100%. That was close. Inwardly I was shaken a bit and wondered if I dared continue with the surgery or if we simply should escape with life intact. The surgery continued quickly and uneventfully. At the end I carried the baby back to his mother. She was calm; “You know he’s quite small; he gave us some problems” was all I said. I sent for the administrator to report the incident and we all prayed for the baby again. I had doubtless been careless, but God showed me mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment Jas 2:13(ISV). At check up over 6 weeks later he had not dropped in milestone at all.

co habitation not marriage week 48, 2012

How long have you been married? Oh, for three years now. Thank you for coming sir. Three years now? My, you are mature in marriage. Where exactly did you wed? We do not seem to have the record in our register. Each of you should know that finding a husband or wife for yourself is to be done in a holy and honorable way, not in the passionate, lustful way of people who don't know God 1Th 4:4, 5 (GW). I did it on my own sir; we didn’t go to church, she just moved in with me three years ago and we have been living faithfully together since. We’re as good as married; in short we are married. I didn’t want to bother you preachers. I see. Well the B part of the ABC seems in place, and I guess it can be commended, but why if I may ask do you assume you are married? Well sir it’s not like I kidnapped her, she came of her own will. Actually I wasn’t all that keen on settling down yet but it’s good to have a woman in the house. Yes indeed, a woman in the house... what of you people’s parents, do they know of your relationship? You mean our marriage. Hers are in Lagos, and my folks live in Abuja. Well sir they know we are adults and initially we had a few quarrels but everyone understands each other now and we communicate with each other. So they consent in a way. But what about God? The woman that had been married 5 times before and then living with another man was clearly told by Jesus she was not married to him. You have been married to five men, and the man you live with now is not really your husband. You have told me the truth Jn 4:18(GNB). What is my offense? I never maltreat her, she is happy; in fact God has blessed us with the fruit of the womb. Her parents also understand and have accepted it. Like I told you I have never slept with any other woman since she came into my home. I never beat her. What else does God want? What else makes a marriage? Young man who joins a man and a woman in marriage? 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." Mk 10:7-9(ESV). Is it the parents that join them? But the parents got them from God. May I say that it is the minister of the gospel that represents God in matters of this sort, so you must come before the minister of God and let God join you properly. Faithful cohabitation is no marriage.

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.