Abiathar's curse Week 7, 2013

His family had been cursed and he was running for his life. Abiathar’s great grandfather Phinehas and his brother had committed abominations before God whilst serving as priests: they were even sleeping with the women who worked at the entrance to the Tent of the LORD's presence 1Sam 2:22 (GNB). They also despised God’s offerings and treated it with contempt, forcing themselves prematurely repeatedly on the choice portion of the sacrifices. Ultimately God would have it no more and cursed their line. Behold, the days are coming when … in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men 1Sam2: 31-33(ESV) . Forever! In fulfilment of this curse the 3rd generation priest Ahimelech was murdered by Saul’s henchman, Doeg the Edomite 1Sam2:18-19. He wickedly wiped out the entire priestly village and Abiathar of the 4th generation now fled to David (who is the type of Jesus Christ the King). He said to Abiathar “Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.”1Sam 22:23(ESV). Would to God that all fleeing from curses and mortal enemies run to Jesus Christ. In Him shall you find safety! Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"-- so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come… Gal 3:13-14(ESV) For a long time nothing more is heard about the curse. Abiathar came to David and for as long as he remained with him, doing that which is good nothing came upon him. He served as priest and advanced in age. The curse to die by the sword and never reach old age was broken by staying close to David who is a type of Christ the king! But much later in life Adonijah invited him to rebel against David’s wish to make Solomon king, and Abiathar consented! 1Kg1:24-27. By this iniquity the curse activated: So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh 1Kg 2:27(ESV). In so far you remain close to Jesus and never turn against Him you need never fear the power of curses, he ends that cycle. Abiathar’s son served as priest both in David’s and Solomon’s reign 1Chron8:16.

From curse to blessing Week6, 2013

Without doubt sin brings with it terrible consequences. Some sins can be seen to affect family lines for generations. One such example is the family of Levi. I refer to the patriarch Levi, son of Jacob, not the New Testament Levi son of Alphaeus. Do you recall what wrong he did? I’ll show you. Three days later, when the men were still sore from their circumcision, two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, the brothers of Dinah, took their swords, went into the city without arousing suspicion, and killed all the men Gen 34:25(GNB). They did this to avenge their sister’s rape. Jacob lamented their actions and nothing more was heard of this until his dying day when he pronounced blessings on his sons. Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel Gen 49:5, 7(ESV). This consequence as a result of their father’s pronouncement definitely would seem a great disadvantage. Just like many of us believe we have inherited disadvantages from our ancestors; curses we can do nothing but succumb to. If you think that way consider what happened to the tribe of Levi at the foot of the Mount Sinai when the Israelites worshiped the golden calf. Upon Moses’ return he stood at the gate of the camp and shouted, "Everyone who is on the LORD's side come over here!" So all the Levites gathered around him Ex 32:26(GNB). They obeyed his instructions and by that consecrated themselves to the Lord. God had chosen them as priests and temple workers. Tithes were to be paid to them and their scattering in Israel now was to enable them teach their brothers the laws of God. At the time of death Moses blessed them. And of Levi he said, "Give to Levi your Thummim, and your Urim to your godly one… For they observed your word and kept your covenant. They shall teach Jacob your rules and Israel your law; they shall put incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar. Bless, O LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; crush the loins of his adversaries, of those who hate him, that they rise not again Dt 33:8-11(ESV). What was a curse now became a blessing and tool for service. The point is this: what stronger curse than that of a patriarch, a father at the point of death do you know? Yet consecration and obedience to the Lord saw that curse turn into a blessing years after the object of cursing and the pronouncer of the curse had passed on. Do you feel your family is cursed? Consecrate yourself to the Lord, for even that will be turned to blessings in Jesus’ name.

What would Jesus do Week 5, 2013

Each got a copy of the suspension letter dated 10/08/2004. Their professional association organised an industrial action in the hospital lasting 4 days in July 2004. Two of the three had served in the leadership of the association that suspended them, one at a national level. All had participated in such industrial actions before; indeed one had been a national leader during a particularly celebrated and prolonged industrial action. This time around they chose not to participate, convinced that Jesus would not have downed tools were he working in their shoes, and made clear their faith was the basis of the deed. Indeed the former national leader when praying during the national strike kept receiving from God to go back and submit to the government authority. So for the 4 days they quietly went about their duties, not calling media attention to their position. What was the strike all about? What had been the response or lack of it from the management? That was not what mattered to them; just “what would Jesus do?” This is, in fact, what you were called to do, because Christ also suffered for you and left an example for you to follow in his steps 1Pt 2:21(ISV). The suspension letter barred them from the association’s programmes (academic inclusive), institution-bequeathed lounge, and any service by the secretariat. They were to be expelled from the association if an apology letter did not come within 6months. The decisions had been ratified by the congress and the letter signed by the relevant officials. Copies were sent to parent and associate organisations. Their records of service were to be expunged from the association records. Prayers went up nationally and otherwise for them, part of the prayers being to love the persecutors and have their persecutors repent. We sometimes believe persecution is limited to places where people are not church- goers or claim to be Christians; not so. This happened in igboland. According to Joshua project website there are over 24 million Igbos, 98% of who are adherents of the Christian religion. This makes igbos the most evangelised of the major Nigerian ethnicities. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted2Ti 3:12(ISV). What has happened since? No apology letter was written. At the time of the letter 2 of them had been facing child bearing challenges. Within a year one had started having children, now has twins (and I suspect has had to tell God it’s enough). The other has male and female children and currently heads a tertiary health facility and is employing and fighting for the welfare of the cadre of those who brought persecution. Bless those who persecute you. Keep on blessing them, and never curse them Rom 12:14(ISV). The third also is settled. Of the executive that did this, 2 could not complete the training programme; happily at least 2 know the Lord. Don’t look for persecution; just love and cling to Jesus. It’ll find you someday.

Lovers of pleasure week 4, 2013

Ik: Nna I didn’t see you at the fellowship yesterday. Where were you? Ib: Fellowship? Oh dear, I must have forgotten. I got carried away with the football match. Ik: Which football match? Did you exchange fellowship for mere entertainment? Ib: Take it easy bros. I didn’t say I won’t come to fellowship again. Ik: What do you gain from the matches that you could afford to leave God aside? Ib: Football is not godless now. There is some profit in exercise: bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things1Tm 4:8(KJV). Ik: Of course I know, I work out regularly, but that doesn’t make me abandon fellowship. You weren’t playing, anyway, just watching. Ib: Oh so this is about you, to show how much more spiritual than I you are. Ik: Please pardon my choice of words. I do not mean to exalt myself. Ib: But you just did. Ik: See: Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven Eccl 3:1(GW), the point I am making is that there is a time for everything. Soccer has its relaxing properties alright but when it is time to worship God we leave things like that aside. Ib: Nna I can’t concentrate in church during such matches. My coming would not have been much use. Ik: You are talking like a man addicted. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. 1Cor 6:12(ESV). Please you need to watch it. Ib: I am not enslaved. Didn’t Jesus say: You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me. Mat 26:11(GNB)? The fellowship is there always, but this match is special. It doesn’t come all the time. Ik: How dare you compare Jesus with soccer! That woman poured out precious ointment on Jesus, while you take Jesus’ time and give it to temporal things of no eternal value. Then you use Jesus’ very words to justify your behaviour. How dare you! Ib: Take it easy bros, take it easy. I didn’t sin now. It’s not like I stole or something. Ik: What is your idea of sin? What makes it wrong to collect another man’s property, another man’s money, but makes it alright to take God’s time? What do you think the scripture means by: You must realize, however, that in the last days difficult times will come. People will be,,,traitors, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God 2Ti 3:1,2,4(ISV)? Ib: You are taking things too far bros, take it easy. Ik: I don’t think so. I think you should repent.

Are you a righteous man week 3, 2013

Ib: How can you ask me that? I am here protesting the homosexuals’ plans of marriage and child adoption. Not content with evil among themselves they also want to corrupt young minds from the womb to accept perversion as normal. Av: Why are you particularly offended with the issue? Ib: How can you a clergyman ask such a question? I know it is it is completely against our culture. Indeed it both despicable and unnatural. Does not even your Bible say homosexual offenders will go to hellfire? Av: It is good you have raised the issue of the Bible. My number one reason for opposing anything is that the Bible condemns it, and not merely culture. Have you read that passage? Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God 1Cor 6:9, 10(ESV). Ib: I don’t read the Bible much but that place clearly condemns the act. Av: That it does. But I would have you note it also condemns greed and drunkenness. Since you hate homosexuality, hate greed theft and excess of wine. I asked if you are a righteous man. Ib: Come on! Some things are worse than others. You cannot put simple liars on the same scale as these perverts. Av: It is you who is categorising the sins. Where we read lumps all of them as unrighteousness and warns no such will get into the kingdom. And as for so called simple liars: But outside the city are the perverts and those who practice magic, the immoral and the murderers, those who worship idols and those who are liars both in words and deeds. Rev 22:15(GNB). Are you a righteous man sir? Ib: Have I done wrong in speaking against evil, should I have kept quiet? Av: You should first repent of sin in your life then you can help the homosexual. Ib: I am strong in some points and weak in others, I can’t say I’m perfect... and I am sure neither can you. I magnify my strengths and diminish my weak points. Av: Do you know if you keep all God’s law and offend in one it’s as good as breaking them all? If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all. The same God who told us to be faithful in marriage also told us not to murder Jas 2:10, 11(CEV). Realise that God hates all sin. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men Rom 1:18(ESV). He who condemns homosexuality likewise condemns lust and will judge both. Call on Jesus now to free you from sin.

What are you expecting Week 2, 2013

Why are you weeping and crying? What’s the matter? It’s my husband. He suddenly has been having attacks of strange illness. He has always been the strong and healthy one. And my son has lost his job for over a year now. It seems my whole family keeps having one problem or the other. Someone has said life is all about solving problems. The Lord is your strength... why are you shaking your head? Did I say something wrong? Look I have served the Lord faithfully. I fast and pray. I spend time immersing myself in messages and keep confessing the word. Why all this manifesting? Please, sir, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us..? Jdg 6:13(ESV). What has really been your expectation in serving God faithfully and believing in Him? I should live a trouble –free life.... at least His protection from all harassment and danger. I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. Then I thought, 'I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand, Job 29:16, 18(ESV). Ah! Are you more dedicated, committed and obedient than Joseph Mary’s husband? Joseph was a man who always did what was right Mat 1:19(GNB) Why are you drawing attention to him? Consider a man found worthy to be the foster-father of the Lord. Was he not compelled to flee from Israel? A man who had to relocate to Bethlehem under difficult conditions by reason of Mary’s pregnancy now had to relocate to a different country entirely, traveling at night. God did not prevent Herod from seeking to kill the child. In fact I would have thought the Divine would have just said to Herod, “Dare it and I will deal with you!” but no: Herod does seek to kill the Christ-child and all God says is “Run away and hide”, until Herod dies. Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left during the night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod died Mat 2:1415(GNB) But did it not happen simply to fulfil scripture? This was done to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet, "I called my Son out of Egypt. Mat 2:15(GNB) Is that the normal thing in Christian living? Ah, how apt the comparison. It is for your training that you undergo these things; God is acting to you as a father does to his sons Heb 12:7(BBE) Our love and dedication will not on this side of eternity prevent challenges and difficulties from coming our way. But in all of them we can be sure of His presence and grace. No height of spirituality makes a believer face no challenge on earth.

Wasted on Jesus Week 1, 2013

About 7pm, there was shouts and banging at the gate of the base. People were shouting and forcing their way into the compound. He knew they were fundamentalists threatening Christians. Mark just has a brief prayer with the Cameroonian with him in the house and they tried escaping for their life by climbing the roof. Mark- Obisike Ojunta was a reserved brother yet full of life; a graduate of Project Management from the Federal University of Technology Owerri. He worked with Nal Merchant bank and resigned because he was restless with the burden in his heart for the unreached. Being an only son from a family of four had its own struggle but he had braced all odds to be where he is just to fulfil the calling of the master. A friend and brother whom I met first at the school of missions in 2003; one day he came up to me and asked how I was finding training with all the challenges of adjusting to many things like eating of the tuwo and miyakuka. I could see his struggle yet he wanted any tips to go through the training since reaching the unreached tribes required us to have a near life exposure such that contextualization could be easy. We prayed for grace and shared a few tips on being open to God and the trainers as keys to go through. Shortly after the training, Mark spent some few years learning Hausa language as a means of communication in Katsina from where he went to Zamfara to tell the lost about a saviour who died for them. A year later, when there was a call to reach the Kotoko people group who had no believer amongst them on the Nigeria side, he took up this challenge and went. He endured their rejection and all until the environment became tense due to the insurgency of the fundamentalist group in Maiduguri. People were being killed almost on a daily basis so the place he was living became unsafe and the leadership of the ministry asked that they pull out for safety but Mark felt the Lord would have him change location to a less tense area. On Saturday the 27th of August 2011, he moved his wife and two daughters out to Gombe and stayed back. Later that day, he had a speaking engagement with some believers (non indigenes) in the town after which he got home to rest and eat. Then came the attackers! On sighting them, their attackers open fire. Mark jumped in to the next building while the other brother ran into an open field to the Cameroun borders for safety. The next morning, somebody rushed to the house and met him almost dead and took him to a nearby hospital but reported to the police where he later died. I remember his four years among that tribe, I say he lavished or wasted his life on Jesus for the lost. He has left me and others an example to do same. Stop being afraid of those who kill the body but can't kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Mat 10:28(ISV) Would you join those who will waste their lives on Jesus for these tribes? Jude is a missionary with CAPRO