June 3

Everlasting Father, Everlasting Son Immortal Holy Ghost be Thou glorified 2x// Lord You are so good, blessed be Thy Name, in heaven You the Lord, on earth You reigneth forever, O Lord I praise Your Name, blessed be Thy Name.

Blessed be Thy Name O Lord! Who on earth is like unto Thee. How wonderful, how precious You are Father. Thank You for watching over us all through the week and bring us to this blessed day You have made and said we should rejoice and be glad in it.

Beloveth, how are doing? Great, I supposed. Thank be to God. Our super Friday is here and I believse you know what today entails for us- “Practical Christian Living”

Today’s teaching is a very exciting one, “As the life—so the fruit.” This month theme I tell you should form every Christian foundation. Where patience is lacking, a lot of things will be a mess. You will not showcase Christ of whom you are His ambassador very well.

That is why there were so much emphases from Christ, Paul, Peter and James. Are you a born-again child of God? Your life must be a mirror for others to see Christ. (Matt 5:43-48; Phil 2:27a, 2 Cor 2:15, 1Pet 1:14-16, 19; Jas 1:2-4).

Beloved, I learnt earlier in my walk with God that my life might the only bible someone who is desiring to follow Christ might read, I therefore daily make a conscious effort to live right. It is not easy but for Christ sake, yes you have to. Am not perfect, but I strive towards perfection. I miss it sometimes, I repent and apologize if it involves a third person. Hard work I tell, but the Holy Spirit is always there to help if you keep Him in-charge.

Are willing to hand over the Holy Spirit from today to manage your affairs? To position you as a ‘Good Ambassador’ of Christ? Come with me as He is the only counselor that is right all the time, let’s follow Him:

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2Peter 1:8

If we desire to glorify our Lord by fruitfulness we must have certain things within us; for nothing can come out of us which is not first of all within us. We must begin with faith, which is the groundwork of all the virtues; and then diligently add to it virtue, knowledge, temperance, and patience. With these we must have godliness and brotherly love.

All these put together will most assuredly cause us to produce, as our life fruit, the clusters of usefulness, and we shall not be mere idle knowers, but real doers of the Word. These holy things must not only be in us, but abound, or we shall be barren. Fruit is the overflow of life, and we must be full before we can flow over.

We have noticed men of considerable parts and opportunities who have never succeeded in doing real good in the conversion of souls; and after close observation we have concluded that they lacked certain graces which are absolutely essential to fruit-bearing.

 For real usefulness, graces are better than gifts. As the man is, so is his work. If we would do better we must be better. Let the text be a gentle hint to unfruitful professors, and to myself also.

When You are abound in fruit bearing such we are considering this month, You will never lose hope. You will be hopeful and full of life. remember it is then and then alone You will bear fruits, Your live will be exemplary for others to emulate, look up to and You will disciple others for Christ. Praise God!

On Not Loosing Hope

The tragedy of man is not that he dies, but what dies within him while he still lives.” – Albert Schweitzer

Some years ago, the wife of a close friend walked out on the marriage, leaving the husband with their four children, all under 10 years of age. When this catastrophe struck, he had just completed his Ph.D., and was embarking upon a promising teaching career at a prestigious university. Desperate now for help in raising his children, he found it necessary to relinquish his position and return to the city of his parents to enlist their assistance.

Early one morning before driving his U-Haul truck of household goods the 1400 miles north, he stopped by to say good-bye. It was painfully obvious that he was deeply crushed by the desertion of his wife, and the uncertain future awaiting him. So we talked, wept, and prayed… and finally bid farewell.

And as he climbed into the cab of the truck with his four small children he looked down, eked out a smile, and said, Well Dwight, I still have HOPE.” As his vehicle disappeared from sight I was reminded of the words penned by St. Paul:

Werejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, HOPE. And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 2:2b-5)

Today, eight years later, my friend and his clan are doing beautifully. The children give every evidence of maturing spiritually and socially into responsible adults. Recently he was appointed the head of his department in a respected institution of higher learning.

With the sparkle back in his eyes, it is apparent that he is experiencing God’s promise that “HOPE does not disappoint us… “

So what do you do when the bottom falls out of your life?

  • Allow that which lies within you to die while you are still alive? Or
  • Choose to place your HOPE in the character and promises of God?

Why are you downcast, O my soul?Put your HOPE in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God… ‘For I know the plans I have for youplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future.'” (Psalm 43:5; Jeremiah 29:11) (Adapted from FOTM).

Beloved, patience involves a lot of waiting, grooming, and hoping, are you willing to allow God to do just that in your life, or you run your race and invite God to bless your endeavours. Either way, there is way pleasing to man but the end thereof is death but the gift of God is eternal life.

Which way do you rather go? Patience worketh out perfection that is in Christ Jesus. Aim at it dearly beloved. Your dominion is assured but you must allow the Holy Spirit to do the required pruning. See you next week by God’s grace and remain ever blessed.

Remain blessed in the Lord.

Evang. Ifeoma Ohondu

 

the nation newspaper 
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IFEOMA OHONDU is the founder of the MattersoftheHeart foundation, a platform where issues affecting our everyday life are discussed and where necessary proffer solution. She is part of the end time army, who will not break their rank to fulfill the urgent call of God upon her life by declaring His word to the helpless, the doubting, the comfortless and the dying world. The world will experience great restoration and healing in the Word of God through her ministration. She is a voice to emphasize key spiritual truth about Faith, Healing and Encouragement.