HUMILITY IS PRICELESS

Two Case studies briefly:

One day, I attended a church convention, where some guest ministers have been invited. Just before the sermon delivery on this particular day, there was a Music ministration by one of the prominent gospel artists in the country. It was such a powerful ministration that the atmosphere of the church was well charged, and we felt the presence of God no doubt. Personally, I felt that the meeting of that day had reached its zenith and that we should just close the meeting in prayers. But remember, I was not in charge. The Church pastor invited the guest speaker to mount the pulpit in order to deliver God’s word to the people. The preacher in question did not consider the fact that he came from another city so as to preach in that convention, he recognized the move of God among His people. In a few words, he acknowledged that indeed God has blessed His people that night, and he led the congregation in a closing prayer. You may want to ask, “What happened to the sermon already prepared by him for the occasion?” In my own understanding, he handed it over to God in all humility. I can imagine what went on in his mind that day. Could it be something like this? “God, you have done your work here tonight. I worship you, Lord!”

The second case study: I was invited to minister at a church in Lagos, and we had a discussion on “Cross-cultural principles to marital success.” I was given about 30 minutes to do that, after which the general overseer was to come up to preach his Sunday sermon. That’s ok. I tried to keep to time as my usual practice, but when the leader assessed the level of interaction of the church members he extended the time. After I completed my God-given assignment, I stepped down from the pulpit, for the general overseer. To my surprise, the man of God told the members that it was obvious that the Lord has spoken to all of us already, and there was no need for any other sermon. He then prayed, after which he intimated the members with the announcements.

These case studies are to draw our attention to the height of humility that was displayed by the two servants of God that were affected. My question is this? If you happen to find yourself in the shoes of any of those Church leaders, will you respond the same way or will you insist that you must still preach your own sermon for the day? Well, if God leads you to go ahead to preach after such powerful presence of His, it is not a sin, but be sure He is the one leading you to do it, and not your flesh. May the Lord clothe us with His humility, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A CALL TO HOLINESS: KEEP YOURSELF PURE - PART II (for married men and women)

“A woman confessed to her husband one day that all the four children in the family actually belong to another man...” She claimed to have become a born again Christian and she couldn’t continue with the feelings of guilt.” Ah! Adultery! Woman! Very sad story, but true!

Mr. Man, how will you feel if your wife finds out that you are having “an affair” with another woman?

Madam, will your husband shake your hand and congratulate you if he finds out that you are in an intimate relationship with another man?

I believe your guess is as good as mine. You will be full of rage (a fit of intense anger); disappointment, confusion, a lot of unanswered questions. Well, the list is endless. This may degenerate into verbal abuse, fighting and injuring your partner, and in an extreme case it can lead to divorce.

Yet, we hear and read ugly stories about married men and women who are having “affairs” Let’s address it the Bible way, they are living in adultery. It doesn’t matter whether you are into a physical sexual affair, an emotional affair, or a virtual one (social media stuff). As far as God is concerned, Adultery is SIN. No excuses. It is clearly written in God’s word, “You shall not commit adultery.”(Exodus. 20:14). It is explained further in the gospel of Matthew, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (5: 27-28). Ah! Is it that serious? Yes, it is a very serious matter. Maybe you need to read what Jesus said in the gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 11 and 12, “So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”  

 People of God, let us fear God. Some people are afraid of sexually transmitted diseases, but they do not fear God, and that informed their sinful lifestyles. The infections can be treated no doubt, but sin will send you to hellfire. FLEE! Let’s conclude by reminding ourselves that “The fear of LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” (Psalms 111:10)

A CALL TO HOLINESS : KEEP YOURSELF PURE - PART I (for spinsters and bachelors)

In present times, it is sad to note that many of our youth no longer consider pre-marital sex as SIN. To some, it is a normal practice and to show that one is enjoying life. Unfortunately, that is deception from the pit of hell. Any youth that embraces an immoral lifestyle is destroying both his present and future life. Some years ago, a spinster asked me a question, “Antie, do you think a lady can get a man to marry without allowing him to have sex with her before marriage?” My simple reply was, “Yes.” But if he insists, then “Such a man is not your husband, if he is, he will wait until you both are wedded.” The word of God makes it clear that Fornication is a sin. “Now the body is not for fornication (sexual immorality) but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” (I Cor. 6: 13b). These are the struggles the young ones are grappling with in our days. Has God changed His standard of holiness? Not at all! Youths are admonished to, “Flee fornication (sexual immorality). Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (I Cor. 6:18).

As part of the divine task given to Joyful Callers Counselling Ministry, we visit Secondary Schools to challenge students about their studies and we also give moral instruction. On an occasion I was warning the female students against unwanted pregnancies as a result of careless living, but to my surprise, the principal sought permission to share a story with us which shook me as a person. I learned that present-day girls who commit fornication are now smarter and they rarely get pregnant, but that they can never be successful in life however hard they try. This is because the boys that they had slept with had removed some vital things from them spiritually so as to enhance their own lives, but the girls had been completely destroyed without their knowledge. Another fellow shared with me that some girls get into some boys’ lives and their destinies get altered negatively while the girls make ‘gains.’ Which other warning are you waiting for?

 Ephesians 5: 3 states, “But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints...”). Read this scripture also and shudder, “...Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell...” (I Cor. 10:8)  

God demands holy living from all of us. In Hebrews 13:4, it is written, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Wait until the right time! I mean enjoy sex within Marriage! May we not be found wanting at His judgment Seat. AMEN.

For further enlightenment on this subject, please visit my blog on “Dangers of pre-marital sex” on Esy’s blogs reading4joy@blogspot.com