SHAKE THE DUST OFF YOUR FEET – Matthew 10:11-15

Biblical evangelism is a tough act because you deeply believe you have got the truth and nothing but the whole truth. In a world with diverse and often contradictory religious claims, the follower of Jesus has a huge challenge because Jesus claims that He is the way, the truth, and the life: no-one comes to the Father except by Him (John 14:6). From the practice of Jesus and His apostles, these claims do not necessarily have to be argued or debated. They can just be stated as prescribed. And if a city or someone was unwilling to accept them – you have a choice – leave or leave them alone.

 

Whilst I am certain the Lord does not intend that we admit failure at every first hurdle, He decisively encourages us not to see “our” failure in such a case but a future outworking of God’s sovereign purposes as a result of our failure. This lesson is instructive, perhaps, also in many areas of life where we might give our best and still fail: we can fail but God can never fail. We should trust God to work things out according to His sovereign purposes. Then peace comes. Have you tried your best and failed? Be courageous, admit it, shake the dust off your feet and move on. Move on to something new.

 

Remember, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). May God turn your sorrow into joy, your mourning into dancing, and your weeping into laughter. May God grant you a testimony where you are currently going through a test. Amen.

THE HORRIBLE MURDERS IN FRANCE!

Yesterday, Wednesday 7th January, 2015 in Paris the New Year came to an abrupt and brutal end for 12 innocent people who were simply carrying out their lawful quotidian jobs as journalists, cartoonists and policemen at the offices of Charlie Hebdo. The terrorist killings were carried out by a terrible gang of Islamists, proclaiming the Islamic tenet, "God is great!" and that their gruesome act was to revenge the satirical depictions of their Prophet by the controversial news magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

The whole world is shocked and outraged by these murders, they fit into the bizarre and terrifying patterns of beheadings, crucifixions, and mass murders of Al-Qaeda and its affiliates, especially, the so-called Islamic State, Boko Haram, Al-shabbab and other violent jihadist organisations. We mourn the loss of innocent lives by hoodlums, hijacking Islam to crush democratic values, enslave people and entrench a religious political system bathed in the worst forms of barbarity and rapacity, in the name of Allah.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with the overwhelming majority of Muslims and people of other faiths, people of no faith - well-meaning, decent, civilised human beings for whom Islamism is a scourge that must be defeated, an ideology that must be driven into the ground, and a warped form of religion that must be destroyed. Let's get out there with counter arguments, with acts of love and mercy, with daring bravery in the sight of brutal threats - proclaiming our collective humanity, our cherished democratic values and our belief and determination that Islamism is dead wrong, dead futile, and will never achieve any of its goals through mindless violence. Support Charlie Hebdo, support France: we need one another in these sad and tragic times!

WHEN YOU ARE DISCOURAGED

WHEN YOU ARE DISCOURAGED – PART 2

“Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.” (Numbers 21:4)

The journey from Mount Hor would have been an easy journey, if the people were given help by the people of Edom. However, as we read in the story, the Edomites refused Israel to pass through their territory. Therefore, they needed to go round the land of Edom which made the journey longer.

Before this event, they had already had tough times concerning lack of drinking water, and basic provision such as food and meat. They had fought the Amalekites, and had heard the disturbing news about giants waiting to swallow them up in the Promised Land. The last thing they wanted was a long, rough journey round the land of Edom!

Notice this: discouragement doesn’t always come at once – it usually develops from negative experiences which continue to pile up until we feel overwhelmed and helpless.

David knew God very intimately and had experienced great favours from God. Yet, in many Psalms, he continued to plead for God’s help in so many overwhelming situations! In a particular Psalm, David cried out: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:5)

Elijah felt so discouraged in the face of bitter and unrelenting opposition that he asked God to take his life! “And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" (1Kings 19:4)

Is there a remedy for discouragement? Yes, there is!

When you are discouraged remember God’s previous acts of mercy in your life. David prayed: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits…” (Psalm 103:2)

When you are discouraged, keep repeating an applicable verse from the Bible to encourage yourself in the Lord. There is always a promise of God for every problem that we will face in life. “Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David's two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” (1Samuel 30:4-6)

When you are discouraged, try your best to attend all Church meetings because the Lord will find a suitable occasion to speak to your situation and change things for you! “They shall come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” (Jeremiah 31:9)

When you are discouraged, do not bottle up your feelings. Speak to your Pastors. God has given them a charge to be concerned for your welfare, to pray for you, to advise you and to support you through the situation: “So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper." (2Chronicles 20:20)

David said: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:5). May God restore to you the joy of salvation and strengthen you with His unfailing love. Amen.

WOLE SOYINKA & OTHER POEMS

Wole Soyinka and Other Poems is the much-awaited collection of poems from Dr Kemi Atanda Ilori. 

 

 

Ilori studied at the University of Ife in Nigeria (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) and then in the United Kingdom at Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford, where he gained degrees in Drama, Literature and Housing.  

 

He lectured from 1983 to 1990 at the University of Ife, where most of his early poems were published in Sokoti, Ijala and ISALA. The University published his Voices of The Hurricane in its monograph series in 1983. The Association of Nigerian Authors published his Amnesty in 1988. 

 

Ilori's poetry combines the lyricism of oral performance with the elegance of postmodern diction. He focuses relentlessly on the postcolonial challenges facing Nigeria - the raw politics, the rough justice and the rueful military and civilian administrations. In-between the harsh imagery of corruption and injustice, Ilori finds quality space for hope and redemption, love and laughter, often in a tender self-critical manner. This collection shows Ilori as an adept craftsman whose words sculpt Nigeria's postcolonial humdrum blues into something both vivid and engrossing. Several of the poems are either tributes to Wole Soyinka for his fearless activism, or intuitive commentaries on Soyinka's themes. 

 

Ilori moved to the United Kingdom in 1990 and found a new career in Housing in 1993. He rose through the ranks and became the Director of Housing Services with Manningham Housing Association in Bradford in 2002, a post he held until 2011. He has been the Pastor of Living Hope Church since its inception, first in Nigeria and, latterly, in the UK. 

 

In addition to poetry, Ilori has published essays on Nigerian drama and theatre. He is currently developing research towards a book on the theatre of Wole Soyinka. 

 

Wole Soyinka and Other Poems is published by Universal Books UK and out at retail outlets and online from Friday 4^th July, 2014 in celebration of Wole Soyinka’s 80^th birthday on 13^th July, 2014. For this and future titles from Universal Books UK, visit www.universalbooksuk.org. If you wish to publish with Universal Books UK, please visit www.universalbooksuk.co.uk.

 

Here is an excerpt from the collection:

FOR WOLE SOYINKA

(Our own WS) 

In vain, so far, the quill’s quintessence

Your mount of scrolls on the stools of state

Your wanton tools whet on their marked pumice

At once the sentinel of their conscience 

Men armoured in carapace of Night

Yet dance upon caryatids, foil dusk in funeral parlours

Sculpt your earth into maidens of rust, spread their skirts

In charnel rooms as refugees from light 

In vain you invade their clandestine catacombs

Their eyes have long disappeared into the holes in the road

Their sceptic ears loaned to mourners abroad

Return in aid-boats loaded with septic honeycombs... 

(To read more, visit www.universalbooksuk.org.)

 

GOD CAN HURT US... (FOR OUR OWN GOOD)

GOD CAN HURT US… (FOR OUR OWN GOOD)

Aiden Wilson Tozer (April 21, 1897 - May 12, 1963), a revered Christian pastor and theologian once stated that: “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” This kind of insight into the mysterious workings of God’s love and providence is significantly missing in today’s popular Christianity.

Many of the celebrated pastors and Church leaders today, particularly, those with mega-Churches and mega-followers are mostly ardent preachers of instantaneous healing and prosperity. Their honey-laden voice, fine sartorial elegance, and convincing aura of material success lead crowds of vulnerable, desperate and gullible people into believing that God will deliver “on demand” according to their expectation. By skilled manipulative use of verses from the Bible, they raise the expectations of their hearers, give phoney prophecies and make astounding promises on behalf of God.

When your understanding of God is shallow and your relationship with Him is merely skin-deep, it affects both your reasoning and your faith. Your reasoning will be shallow, and your faith will be merely skin-deep. Such people get easily carried away by popular frauds for whom the gospel is purely to make money from both the poor and the rich alike.

Tozer’s insight is apt and biblical. The devil may be the arch-enemy of believers, but God is also in the business of permitting, and sometimes even directly causing pain.

As God says: “I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things.” (Isaiah 45:7 – New Living Translation). In another place, God says: “Look now; I myself am he! There is no other god but me! I am the one who kills and gives life; I am the one who wounds and heals; no one can be rescued from my powerful hand!” (Deuteronomy 32:39 - New Living Translation)

The tendency to constantly blame the devil for every affliction is a sign of a very shallow understanding of the mysterious workings of the providence of God. God wants all of us to have a growing personal relationship with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ. He wants us to be confident of His care and love at all times, even when there is pain and disappointment. Life is tough and can be very rough, even for those who trust in God. Our understanding of God’s love must be robust enough to cover both good times and bad times; to cover the pain of crucifixion and the joy of resurrection!

We all want to see evidence that God is answering our prayers and we want to be re-assured that God is interested in our material comfort and well-being. God certainly is! It is very challenging and very puzzling when God is not behaving to form. But, listen, “Any faith that must be supported by the evidence of the senses is not real faith.” At the end of the day, “True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie.” Guess who said this: Aiden Wilson Tozer. More importantly, this is also the teaching of the Bible that some people are probably hiding from you, and fleecing you!

God sometimes hurts us for our own good…

WHEN GOD IS LATE

Ecclesiastes 3:1: "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven..."

We are affected by the passage of time. Time is critical in everything we do. This is perhaps far more obvious when we are praying to God and He seems to be unaware of the pressure that we face as He takes His time in dealing with our prayer.

Surely, Abraham and several other examples in the Bible will come in handy here. Abraham waited for 25 years before Sarah gave birth to the promised seed. Isaac waited 20 years before he and Rebecca had their twins. Joseph waited 13 years before he became the Prime Minister of Egypt. David waited several years before he became king over the whole of Israel. The most dramatic example would no doubt be Lazarus who eventually died whilst waiting for the Lord to heal him.

Faith suffers when it is tied merely to human time. Divine time is everything. God does not and will not work to human time: if there is a coincidence of our time and God's time when we receive answer to prayer, it is not that God has abandoned the divine timing that attends all His actions; it is simply that our time has "caught up" with His time!

Therein lies the irony: we are finite; God is infinite. Our faith is subjectively experienced in bounded time; our reality is subject to the "artificial" clock we have created to make meaning of our life; our rationality hangs completely on the logic of the preciseness of a 24-hour-a-day calendar. In this time frame, God will often be late, as divine time is often offline with human time.

We have to pray and hope always, petitioning God to grant us the grace to endure until His word is manifested in our life, in real time! Job had a real panic when God was running late on him: "Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me!" (Job 14:13)

Anyone who truly waits upon God for an answer to their prayer would have been in a similar predicament. God doesn't turn up on demand! His miracles are not on tap that you can switch on and off at will. The most that prayer can do at any time is help us gain insight into the mysterious workings of divine timing. Prayer can never force God off His own agenda or set time. Rather, prayer helps us to remember that God is in charge and He will answer us according to His faithfulness in His own time!

Surely, this idea of our understanding of divine timing is what is being expressed by the Psalmist as follows: "You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come." (Psalm 102:13 ) God has a set time, the time of His favour which happens to be the same time that the patient in faith is always eagerly waiting for!

Again, the Psalmist: "But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation." (Psalm 69:13) Clearly, we must pray always without fainting, or becoming weary. However, the key here is knowing that the answer is coming on the wings of something labelled "the acceptable time". The acceptable time is divine time, it has nothing to do with the urgency of our prayer or the desperation of our situation in our own eyes.

Our prayer should be fervent and urgent, passionate and demanding. That's us, that's the response we have subjectively engaged as a result of our anguish and pain. However, it does not in any sense put a forceful pressure on God to act offline or offside to His divine purposes and timing. God, mysteriously and carefully, through His precious Holy Spirit, orchestrates and calibrates our prayer to provoke His own response. However, only those who understand that He does not act out of panic or pressure will know that His response is timed to meet divine purposes solely.

As the Prophet Isaiah found out: "Thus says the LORD: "In an acceptable time I have heard You, And in the day of salvation I have helped You..." (Isaiah 49:8) Until the acceptable time, we have to keep praying, stacking up our prayers before the mercy seat of God. When the stack reaches the set time, the acceptable time, something mysterious begins - God moves!

As you read this article, may the LORD bring about your own "acceptable time" and grant you an amazing answer to prayer!

LET US BUILD

“And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the LORD had given him rest.” (2Chronicles 14:6)

Some people wait for opportunities to come their way, some look for them. However, best of all, some people actually create opportunities for themselves. In part, the story of King Asa teaches us how we can create opportunities for ourselves through our relationship with God.

In 2Chronicles 14:2, we read that “Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.” In verse 3, we read that “he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images.”

In verse 4, we read that “He commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment.” In verse 5, we read that “He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was quiet under him.”

King Asa’s actions are a recipe for success at any time. He did four things: (1) he committed himself to a life of obedience to God by faith, and (2) he backed it up by relevant actions - pulling down strongholds which are an offence to God in his life; (3) he devoted himself to serving God, seeking His face in prayer and worship; and (4) he went the extra mile to please God by even removing the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah.

As a result, God created opportunities for him to build and to prosper. When you do what God is pleased with, He will create opportunities for you to build and prosper.

In verse 7, King Asa said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered." (2Chronicles 14:7)

There is no shortcut to godly success. If anyone wants to prosper in the way God approves, the recipe is there in the Word of God. Everyone you can think of in the Bible that built and prospered through their relationship with God followed the same path.

God is a faithful God. When you follow the path that He approves, you are sure to end up in victory and prosperity. The problem is that people want short cuts. People can’t stick to God for long – they find the reason and the season to wander away. People can’t wait the time – for them God is slow, God is late and God is never on time. People can’t stay where they are planted – they uproot themselves and shove off. People can’t accept that God knows best and His plans are best for them.

Worse of all, people are not willing to play their part! Faith requires correspondent actions, such as submission, humility, faithfulness, obedience, patience, generosity, persistence and serving the Lord in your local Church. This is too much for some people. Unfortunately, no Christian can build and prosper without these correspondent actions of faith.

When you are ready to walk with God, you are ready to build and prosper! May the Lord bless you as you journey with Him. Amen.