In my recent meditations about my country Nigeria, I realized the darkness had gotten darker than when I was much younger. This is perplexing because there are more churches now than when I was a child. So how is it that that hasn't translated into light chasing away the darkness in this great country?
Setting the Scene Just before his ascension, Jesus’ final command to his disciples was to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19). By extension, this command applies to us Christians this day to preach the gospel and make disciples wherever we find ourselves. Today, I will be sharing what I have learned about myself...
A few years ago, I was caught stealing. The electricity utility company that served my home at that time correctly alleged that my three neighbors and I, for many years, had been bypassing the installed electricity meter and using free electricity to operate our water pumping machine. They cut off our electricity supply and slammed us with a large bill for arrears that we had to quickly settle...
Hello dear reader, welcome to the year 2022. The beginning of a new year is always a good time to look back over the course of the previous twelve months and measure metrics we had resolved to track in the year. For some of us, it is how much we have grown our knowledge of God or how we have grown in stature. In any case, having a year to look back in a reflective mood is always a blessing. In...
Why did Jesus weep? Actually, the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus recount different times when Jesus was moved to tears. For example, he was moved to tears over the hardness of the heart of the people of Jerusalem, despite his ministry to them (Luke 19:41). Jesus also wept at the garden of Gethsemane (Hebrews 5:7-9). However, for most people, when they hear about Jesus weeping, their minds...
Happy New Year! Or should I rather have said, “New Year, New You”? It is a New Year and that means for many of us, it is a time when we are forced to review our lives and try to change things that we know aren’t working, or start to do new things that we know will improve our lives. This is especially important for us Christians who live in light of eternity and know that our time is short, and...
It is a new year, and as is usually the case, there is a surge of optimism in us that all will be well. Somehow, our minds seem to be conditioned to switch from despair, hopelessness, and pessimism once the clock chimes 12 o’clock on January 1. Even the irreligious will say to themselves, “old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” We all like fresh starts and nothing stirs...
Suffering is a common thread of humanity. But our heavenly father sovereignly uses these same sufferings and trials for His glorious purpose in the lives of His children.
Rejoice in the Lord (Phil 3:1); Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4); Rejoice always (1 Thess 5:16). This is the will of God for all His children. But, like we acknowledged last time, we all suffer. Some great, some small, but we all suffer. And the pervasiveness of suffering and trials can give us the impression that the command and encouragement to rejoice always, is only possible when all is...
People suffer! That is a fact. Especially if you live in Lagos State, Nigeria, and have to work outside your home. Some big, some small, but suffering exists, and it’s pervasive. It was Elizabeth Elliot who famously said: …suffering is anything from a burnt toast to losing a loved one (paraphrased). Her point is that suffering is in various degrees. And that I am not suffering to your...
