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I was at a programme recently where a “prophet” stood and led a series of prayers of which “Terah must die!” was one. The supposed reason Terah had to die was that he had been sitting on Abraham’s progress; so until he dies, Abraham may not progress or succeed in life and Ministry. The air was super-charged with the energy of prayer – Kai! Nigerians can pray! And you could hear the reverberation of thunderous “amens” at the end of it. Most Christians are so gullible, accepting just about anything and everything they hear; whether as message or prayer points.
I believe this stems from the fact that many do not study the Bible on their own to see if what they have heard or received is so written in the holy book. Or is it something peculiar to Africans? The African man is known to hardly read, and that is why someone said if you want to hide a thing from the African, put it in a book!
One example is the last two verses of Genesis 11 and the first few verses of Genesis 12.
“And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.” – Genesis 11:31-32 (KJV)
“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.” – Genesis 12:1-4 (KJV)
Going by these two scriptures, it would seem that Abraham only progressed in life after the death of his father Terah, and would indeed call for a “Terah must die!” prayer. But no it is not so! A careful study of these would disprove that thought and show that Terah gave every possible encouragement to ensuring Abraham’s success, making unscriptural and baseless, such a prayer.
Why should we look at this?
Let me point out here that this is not a swipe at anyone or Assembly but of the “practice”, of the message that is damaging, with the hope that it would be corrected for the common good of believers.
There is a spirit behind every word. Consequently, the spirit that dwells or resides in such prayers is the spirit of lie and deception; sown in the hearts of men weakens, and if not checked, would completely destroy their Faith, and draw them further from God and His will.
When the foundation, the knowledge of these people is destroyed (Psalm 11:3), there is nothing the Righteous God would do in their lives. God desires us to come to the knowledge of the Truth and to be rooted in it.
“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:7 (KJV)
Every unscriptural message or prayer does more damage than good; rather than build up, it breaks their faith, without which they can’t please God!
Breakdown.
(1) Terah had Abraham when he was 70years.
“And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.” – Genesis 11:26 (KJV)
(2) Abraham left Terah when he was 75years.
“So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.” – Genesis 12:4 (KJV)
At this time Terah was 145years old. (70years when he gave birth to Abraham + 75years of Abraham.)
(3) At 100 years (25years later) Abraham had Isaac.
“And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.” – Genesis 21:5 (KJV)
Add 25years to Terah’s 145 years, and you’ll have 170years! At this time Abraham had
(a) entered Canaan, (b) prospered and become wealthy and(3) had Isaac (if you do not want to add Ishmael), and Terah was still alive and never “delayed” Abraham in any way!
(3) Terah died 35years later at the age of 205!
“And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.” – Genesis 11:32 (KJV)
Abraham was a fulfilled man before Terah died! I still can’t fathom where the prayer point “Terah must die before Abraham would succeed” came from!
God used Terah to help Abraham.
According to Scripture, “God HAD said to Abraham.”
“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” – Genesis 12:1 (KJV)
But he did not move! Was it fear, doubt, uncertainty? The answer is best known to Abraham. God had to move Terah toward Canaan, but not to take him there; hence his decision to settle in Haran, just like God sent a whale to move Jonah to the shores of Nineveh but not enter it. God wanted Abraham alone to enter the place he would afterwards inherit; not with his father or siblings, and informs the reason God did not show him the place till Lot had departed from him.
This move to Harran stirred the mind of and greatly encouraged Abraham to move to Canaan.
Terah trusted Abraham.
It is not often that we see a father whose son had died easily let go of the grandchild as they keep the grandchildren in loving memory of their dead. Terah’s son Haran was the father of lot, whom Terah not only cherished, but took with him to Haran. While still alive, and letting go of Abraham, he allowed him to take Lot with him. This must have cost him emotionally, yet he let go because of trust! He believed in Abraham.
Let us be careful how we interpret and receive the Scripture, one misinterpretation can send multitudes away from God and His will
The Life of God is not what we pray to receive as every one child of God has a deposit of God’s Spirit.
“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” – John 14:17-18 (KJV)
This deposit became possible from the day of Pentecost after Jesus shed his blood in death, resurrected and ascended to the Father.
However, the challenge is how to grow His presence in us. This takes a process well described in https://jimout2002a.wordpress.com/2018/07/23/fellowship-2
Furthermore, we need to:
- Enrol in School. What school, and where? Not the School that has a geographic location, but a School that is located wherever you are at! Life itself is a school. Wherever you are, the teacher, the Holy Spirit, is there! This is the School of sensitivity – the School of the Spirit! Enrolling in His School means submitting your all to Him, being ready to obey all He asks you to do.
“His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” – John 2:5-11 (KJV)
Miracles are borne out of obedience!
- Get the book. Every school has its set of books or recommendation of books to acquire. Very serious students get their books and study them! It is disappointing when children are sent to school without books. Not only would they perform poorly, feel inferior when depending on others for books, they would not be able to confirm a sudden flash of illumination or understanding that come periodically to confirm what the teachers have taught; such a student might even fail!
In the School of the Spirit, there is one key book, The Holy Bible, which contain 66 books. The Teacher would not teach outside the syllabus; the Bible is the syllabus used in this School. However, having the Bible would not grow the student, he needs to study it!
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Approval – growth – can only come after study! Peter adds his voice to this; he calls it desire!
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” – 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)
Spiritual growth is a function of study: the study of the word of God. Unfortunately, many are so busy they do not study. They only swallow hook, line and sinker, whatever their pastor says. It should not be so; they are humans too and have weaknesses and limitations. The true Teacher, the Holy Spirit, comes when we are alone, and filled with desire for the knowledge of the Truth. Let us go to Him in study.
- Discipline. Every student must be enrolled for a specific subject or discipline. What course is to be studied to develop this Life of God in the believer? QUIETNESS!
This is the only means of minimizing us that He may increase. When we keep quiet, hear him, and carry out what He says, it would no longer be us living but He “working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13 (KJV)
As simple as this may sound, it is one of the most difficult things to learn and do because of pride and ego! Hear what God says about this.
“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” – Isaiah 30:15 (KJV)
“Ye would not!” All because of pride; the self-spirit!
Quietness is a serious subject to study!
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (KJV)
The devil wants us to be noisy so that we would not hear the Teacher! We cannot hear the teacher if we are busy or noisy. When students come into class and are before their teacher they keep quiet to hear him, if not, he has all the power to discipline them for “noise-making.”
The Bible enjoins us to be quiet when we come into the presence of our teacher.
“Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.” – Isaiah 41:1 (KJV)
The classroom teacher loves quiet and attentive students. In the same way, the Holy Spirit values and treasures observant and quiet students of His. Silence, quietness is an attribute or character trait that is precious in the sight of God.
“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” – 1 Peter 3:4 (KJV)
Peter not condemning the wearing of ornaments, counsel women to pay greater attention to beautifying the inner man, with two things that are precious and of great price in the sight of God: meekness and a quiet spirit! They are of great worth in the sight of God!
It is in quietness that we hear His voice. He would not compete with the noise of our environment or the clanging noise generated in our hearts. Let’s pull down every other voice, and quietly listen to what He shall say to us in response to the challenges of our everyday life, and the life of the Spirit shall be enthroned.
….continued from “The Core” https://jimout2002a.wordpress.com/2018/04/22/the-core
What were the children of Israel doing when Aaron was work on the image? Excitedly preparing to receive “their god”! They gave life to the image through their collective thought energy.
That is how a spiritual house is built. The collective agreement of a people, “what two or more shall agree…” Whether it is divine or cultic that principle is potent!
The direction of your thought, of your mind, determines what deity you contact; God or the dog! That is why Paul would encourage us to think pure thoughts.
Now satan, prince of the power of the air, influenced God’s people to build him a house.
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”- Eph 2:2 (KJV)
“In which you were living in the past, after the ways of this present world, doing the pleasure of the lord of the power of the air, the spirit who is now working in those who go against the purpose of God.” – Eph 2:2 (BBE)
“….doing the pleasure of the lord of the power of the air.” Many are still under his influence, doing his will.
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” – John 8:44 (KJV)
We are of the priestly – the Core.
This satanic life was what Aaron saw; something beyond natural eyes!
This was the reason Moses blamed him; it’s like saying “you saw this thing and invited it upon the children of God?”
Moses never said Aaron lied because he also saw something in spirit; something no other saw, not even Aaron.
“And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)” – Ex 32:25 (KJV)
They were not stripped of clothing but of the presence, power and protection of the Lord. Like Samson after his hair was cut, they thought God was still with them. But no, they had been rejected.
Why were Adam and Eve driven from the Garden of Eden? They became naked spiritually, stripped of the presence and glory of God and consequently rejected. What about King Saul who was also rejected?
Why were they all rejected? They had crossed the line to another deity! How?
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” – Romans 6:16 (KJV)
Our God is a jealous God. He will not share His glory and honour with any being; human or spirit. Whenever any being is brought into His realm He withdraws.
“Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry. 6 He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.” – Ezek 8:5-6 (KJV)
“That I should go far off from my sanctuary”. God wants to leave because some other being was brought in.
Why wouldn’t He resist? Is He not God?
He respects our free-will.
“See what they do?” (Eze. 8:6)
To what do we apply your free will?
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” – Romans 6:16 (KJV)
However the consequences of our choice, good or bad, still await us.
STRANGERS IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
A stranger is someone not known, he may be from your community, State or Country; yet a stranger: unknown. A foreigner is someone that is not just unknown but from a completely different country.
“We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’S house.” – Jer 51:51 (KJV)
“The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.” – Lam 1:10 (KJV)
Some translations use “strangers”, some, “foreigner”. But whatever the translation, one thing stands out: the person does not belong there! He is not justified to be there; does not possess the right to be there! Like the image of jealousy in the Temple of God that eventually made God leave His house – The Temple.
“Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry. 6 He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.” – Ezek 8:5-6 (KJV)
Whatever is not consistent with the nature of God or His word drives Him away from the place; decreasing the manifestation of His power and glory upon that place. When God withdraws His presence dryness and draught would set in bearing various afflictions and diseases; a lack of revival!
If God is the God of all flesh what makes people strangers in the house of God?
“On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever.” – Neh 13:1 (KJV)
God made them strangers! Why? They are not His covenant people. No covenant people were allowed to enter the congregation! The presence of any who is not a covenant person of God threatens the manifestation of the full glory of God at that place. This is the reason revival seem far even in Church today.
Even those of the covenant that did not go with God but followed the strangers were cast out as strangers.
“Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” – Heb 3:8-12 (KJV)
God has a nature: Spirit (John 4:23-24). When one does not worship in and through this nature he becomes a stranger in the house of God; a vessel of dishonour.
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.” – 2 Tim 2:19-20 (KJV)
How did the strangers come in?
They were brought in by the children of God against the will of God!
“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.” – Gal 2:4 (KJV)
“In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.” – Ezek 44:7 (KJV)
The strangers were brought in! We the children of God are responsible for the presence of strangers in Gods house! We brought them in against the will of God! We are “adding” to the Church which is the exclusive responsibility of the Holy Spirit!
What is the consequence or effect? Dryness; a lack of glory!
“Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” – Jude 1:11-12 (KJV)
They defy, pollute and carry away the blessings made for us!
“The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.” – Lam 1:10 (KJV)
The provision given us is shared with the stranger, and now we don’t have enough!
“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.” – Gal 2:4 (KJV)
THEY POLLUTE US!
Because of them we are gradually loosing our liberty, our provision, our health; we are not manifesting His glory as we should! Again, this is because they are gradually polluting us. They are stiring in us lust for the things of this world. They make us believe they are true brethren and as Christians there is nothing wrong with lusting after these things.
“These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” – 2 Peter 2:17-19 (KJV)
“They boast with words that mean nothing. They lead people into the trap of sin. They find people who have just escaped from a wrong way of life and lead them back into sin. They do this by using the evil things people want to do in their human weakness.” – (ERV)
“When they speak……words of vanity…..they allure”, their words are powerfully potent, yet pungent, especially to the undiscerning Christian who gets carried away through lusts: through “much wantonness”, the weakness of the human flesh!
THEY WEAKEN OUR HEART!
Faith and trust are products of the heart. The words of these strangers weaken our heart, consequently, our faith and trust in God.
“Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life.” – Ezek 13:22 (KJV)
THEY MAKE US LEARN THEIR WAY!
“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” – Jer 10:2 (KJV)
Because of the strangers in our midst we have learnt the way of the heathen!
But what would God want us to do?
Flush them out; separate from them!
In the days of Nehemiah, when they discovered strangers were not to be in the congregation, they separated from them.
“Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.” – Neh 13:3 (KJV)
Old Testament you say?
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” – Rev 2:20 (KJV)
Jesus tells His displeasure over the tolerating of a stranger in the congreation and allowed to even teach!
What about 2 Corinthians?
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” – 2 Cor 6:14-18 (KJV)
The word of God is clear and has explained itself.
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying.
continued from
Judith was at work! This time she and her group suspecting that a teacher has entered our premises, would go wait for them at the entry of the community (the community has only one entry point as it is hedged by water, and the teachers came from outside the community). Their minds would be poisoned causing them to not come back! What were they up to? What have we done to them that they act this way? Apart from Judith that we sacked, we have no negative dealings with anyone; even others in her group. In fact as the bible enjoins we live peaceably with everyone in the community; young and old. So why did they do what they did? Why did they set themselves up against us? Just wickedness! The heart of man is deceitful above all things and indeed, desperately wicked!
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
God made us know what was going on through a teacher whom we would call Meg. Meg was the very first to join us; she laboured with us under the rain and under the sun, even when still breastfeeding her baby!
She would strap the baby at her back while obediently carrying out her work in helping to set up the school; she was appointed the head teacher. Judith hadn’t joined us then.
When she did, she refused to acknowledge Meg’s position. Rather, she went telling parents she would not allow Meg be her head. All these came out after she was asked to go.
With baby strapped at her back, Meg laboured.
Meg was her first victim. Believing they were friends, they had an agreement to have carried out together but Judith betrayed her making us terminate her appointment with us. Consequently the position of head teacher became vacant.
Judith, an ambitious woman with the spirit of “Diotrephes”, who loves to be first (3rd John1:9-10), continued to claim head teacher! Several times my wife warned her to stop, especially as she was not a qualified teacher.
Judith, unknown to us, went to the parents, lied to them that children were not being taught in the school, but rather play! She claimed that was the reason she withdrew her children! She encouraged them to do the same! Till now, it beats my imagination how she was able to sway the parents that gave heed to her suggestion. Couldn’t they think? Children are not taught, they only play? And her children were there for about three years, the senior daughter who struggled with reading got polished and learnt to read? The younger daughter also improved tremendously, and all unnoticed by those parents? Perhaps I concluded, she uses some means – “African-jazz”?
Anyhow, only her kind would believe her.
Her activities nevertheless, made most parents hold back school fees. It was tough going! But God is ever faithful!
Judith covered her activities so well it took the Lord to expose her! After Meg came to know Judith as a back-stabbing liar, she regretted her action and renewed friendship with us. Through her, many would discover the scheming nature of Judith. Though she had taken up employment as the head teacher in another school, she sent us a teacher: a female teacher. Judith happened to her and like others before her, did not resume. She sent another, a male teacher, who like others did not resume.. Living close to this male teacher, she visited him to know how it all went; if he has been given the job.. While there, Judith’s group member approached the young man again, called him aside to give him more lies, not knowing who Meg was. Coming back to Meg, he narrated what he was told to the chagrin of Meg who debunked the lie.
Worried, my wife went to Meg to tell her that both teachers did not resume. She opened up and told my wife what happened. That was how we knew!
…….to be continued.
.….. continued from “A JOURNEY THROUGH HELL 2”
She claimed to have heard. On the children’s education, she admitted her husband asked her to bring them back to school. Yet she kept them away through out the term.
The women of the Church had their programme. Prior to that they met, planned and rehearsed as all activities of the day would be handled by them. But, here came Judith’s daughter wanting to lead praise and worship! My wife stopped her, she was just a girl of twelve, meanwhile three women were scheduled to take it.
Because of this the girl refused to lead praise on the next service day when called; even when the brother told her I called her to lead; she shook her head. This happened in Church, just after the opening prayer! We later found out it was her mother’s advice she acted upon.
I felt a churning in my stomach; God was grieved.
“And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.” – Rev. 10:10.
Rebellion is one spirit I know God does not tolerate. Before going into the Word I told her that God was grieved by her action, which was an open and glaring rebellion. She has been barred for a while from coming up the altar.
Meanwhile, her brother who also had been cautioned severally before, kept walking up and down, from the drums at the altar to the pew, out of the hall of service, and back again. What was he doing? He was attending his phone!
I could be very patient: even to a fault. But I could not contain it anymore. I barred him from the drums after reminding him of previous warnings. There has to be orderliness in the house of God. Though we trust God for souls into His house, certain practices should not be encouraged. Moreover, warnings had been given.
God is no respecter of persons. The same God that sent Moses ambushed him to kill him.
“And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.” – Exodus 4:24
His standards must not be compromised.
Judith and her family stopped coming to Church . This was when her real nature surfaced!
She gathered a little group of people in the small community and they went round sowing seeds of hatred in the hearts of the members of the community; all based on lies!
Those that made up her little group were parents that had brought her report to us earlier. She went to them claiming we were responsible for what she did! They went further to teachers, said some untrue and unkind things about us, making some disrespectful to my wife and leaving eventually!
We began to understand how an Angel could sow evil seed, and pollute one-third of Angels in heaven!
Sowing seeds of discord
Sowing seeds of discord is another thing that God hates; it is even an abomination!
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” – Proverbs 6:16-19
We became short of teachers, and consequently forced to combine classes. We made contacts for teachers. They will come, attend interview, given appointment but will fail to resume! Judith was at work!
“ For the wicked have strung their bows, drawn their arrows tight against the bowstrings, and aimed from ambush at the people of God” – Psalm 11:2 TLB
This time she and her group suspecting anyone entering our premises to be a teacher, would go wait for them at the entry of the community (the teachers came from outside the community). Their minds would be poisoned making them not to come back!
…… continued in https://jimout2002a.wordpress.com/2017/11/13/a-journey-through-hell-4/
I struggled whether or not to publish this article. After one year I finally made up my mind to have it published. Be blessed as you thank the Lord with us.
The time was 10:15pm on the 9th day of October, 2016, and I was speechless.
Meanwhile, my wife laughed until we got home. We were both uncomfortable after the “okada” (motorcycle) rider miscalculated in the flood and like a tipper would tip sand off its bucket or tray, the okada’s front wheel lifted off the ground. Thankfully to God, our feet were firmly on the ground before we could be “tipped” in the muddy water. There we were, standing in the pool of water that reached just below the knee.
That was what made me speechless. I couldn’t curse, scream, laugh or cry; I think I was simply dumbfounded!
But, you may wonder, where we were coming from at that time?
We were returning home to Magbon, close to Badagry, from Dansol High School Agidingbi, Ikeja for a fund-raising concert, jointly organized by Church Music Network (CMN) and Dansol Christian Mission; and hosted by Daddy and Mummy Akinyemiju.
The evening started with an opening prayer followed by a session of soft gospel songs by Church Music Network (CMN) musicians. All the songs ministered were theirs: original compositions; awesome songs! No doubt the group under the leadership of amiable Pastor Lanre Oyeneye, is set to change the face of gospel music, not only in Nigeria but beyond.
The gala night was to raise funds for the Magbon charity school building project.
A brief history about the building project was given by the President of Dansol Christian Mission, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju.
She narrated how three years ago (now four), Dansol Schools visited our mission station at Magbon, where the Lord sent us to work for Him. My wife and I pastor an Assembly of Christian believers, STONES OF FIRE BIBLE CHURCH, and run a purely Christian school, MAVIZZION SCHOOLS, which caught the attention of Mrs Akinyemiju, a God-fearing woman with a passion both for missions and the provision of high quality education to the poor and less privileged.
Okoagbonla, precisely where the Lord sent us, is a small river Rhine community off Magbon Town in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The town as a whole, as at the time of this write-up, does not have a Government School: Primary or Secondary. To fill this gap and meet the need for quality education, Private schools were established.
However, at Okoagbonla community, now a CDA, there was no school; Government or Private.
At the bushy end of this community, close to the lagoon is where the mission field is cited.
Some Dansol students at the foundation laying.
As missionaries, we were sent to give to the children of this community, the opportunity for a qualitative education whilst pointing them to the Lord Jesus Christ.
This was certainly beyond us! We knew we could not do it all by ourselves; like Jonah we fled from Okoagbonla and went back to the city, with the accompanying comfort. We did not want to be in the bush! Away from the city and civilization? And what more, a water-locked bush with reptiles and wild animals?
Nevertheless, the Lord’s will shall be done, not ours, so after over three months, we came back to Okoagbonla. It has not been easy, especially with the absence of good water, drainage and good road.
The first time the students and staff of Dansol Schools (Dansol Missions) visited three years ago (now four) and saw the school in the bush; the classrooms, and the joy with which the children learn despite the harsh environment, they promised to help. That day they came with clothes, school bags, exercise books, shoes and water bottles as charity to our pupils.
Dansol Missions took up erecting an “n” shaped building (pardon my description I’m not a builder). They tasked themselves, gave sacrificially, brought in an Engineer, Pastor Adebayo, a Missionary that offered his service free as his contribution to the work of God.
One night the community was roused awake with the sound of trailers bringing in materials for the work as some items could not be brought in the day because of the “omoniles” – land owners (?), who charge money on every truck bringing in building material. The earth shook with the sound of the vehicles.
Dansol charity project Magbon. The work so far.
Tons and tons of granite, tippers of filling and sharp sands, hundreds of bags of cement, tons and tons of iron rods, sheets upon sheets of various planks, etc, and three years later, the difference is clearly visible. A three-plank deep foundation was cast, a thick layer of German-floor was made after the matting, before thousands of nine-inch blocks were brought in and laid on the foundation.
No language could adequately describe the excitement of the children who do not fail to pray for the students, staff, parents and management of Dansol Schools.
The building project was at Iintel level as at the time of the concert and the writing of this article.
We, my wife and I, have tasted and seen that indeed God is good and true to His word that He would raise helpers if we are willing and obedient to forget about ourselves, our comfort and do His will.
Our heart-felt and sincere prayer for Dansol students remain that God would uphold and keep them as Living Stones wherever they may find themselves.
For the good heart of Pastor Oyeneye and the entire CMN that thought up the concert, may God cause men to remember them for good and take them to higher heights.
For Daddy and Mummy Akinyemiju, God has made them pillars in His house, may they continue to enjoy the strength and joy of the Lord. I believe sincerely that they would finish this race strong. On behalf of Mavizzion Schools, we say thank you Sir; thank you Ma.
For the entire members of Dansol Mission, we may not know you all by name; but God knows you. He will raise helpers for you and establish your going out and your coming in. In the Name of Jesus.
May the joy of the Lord fill the hearts of every partner in this project.
In the matchless Name of Jesus. Amen.
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