Jesus Christ is a true and good shepherd

It can be said that the shepherd in Israel represented faithfulness, compassion, guidance and protection. In the scripture, Jesus did not only display the characteristics of a good shepherd, He demonstrated the power of the messiah who would shepherd the people of Israel. A true and faithful shepherd cares for the needs of those he leads by providing all necessary requirements.
Many came to the Jewish people, professing to be their spiritual leaders or rulers and guides. They were self-appointed messiahs for the nation. But they did not come by the way which the Old Testament predicted the messiah would come. They climbed up some other way. They presented themselves to Israel in a manner of their own choosing. These men were not true shepherds, but thieves and robbers. Thieves are those that take what does not belong to them, and robbers are those who use violence in doing so. The Pharisees were considered thieves and robbers.

He stopped for a genuine heart that cries out

One would have thought that a blind man crying out for Jesus for help would have at lest drawn sympathy from those who “see” and are following Jesus. This can be said not to be so in what was obtainable. As this blind man cried, those who went before warned him that he should be quiet. The world system has not changed. Even today, the world wants to silence anyone who is desperately crying out for my Saviour. You can easily be shown other believers – even preachers - who are not doing so well. Some rich people have not been allowed to address the issues of their lives as we praise and celebrate their coming to Christ. This gives them a false sense of arrival.

Great in God’s Kingdom

I don’t know why the Sermon on the Mount seemed so strange and new to the hearers that they imagined in their hearts, that a revolution that will change and upturn the status quo has come. But Jesus knows the thought of their heart, that He quickly cancels the thinking by insisting that they should not think that He had come to destroy the law, or the prophets but to fulfill it. It is Christ’s desire that the spiritual requirement of the law be fulfilled in the lives of His followers

God avenges His people over their enemies

Many men and women who commit acts of wickedness and oppression against the weak and vulnerable seem to be waxing stronger in their evil deeds. In many cases, they boast about them, presumably thinking that they can “pocket” those who are in a position to bring them to book. Such “mighty-men” boast especially about their exploits over the righteous and God fearing people and mockingly ask them: where is your God?

Giving for God

Real love and compassion that makes us give, is stirred in our hearts by the hand of God. Giving for love’s sake, is giving for God. But God has a condition for all who must give in His behalf –These must be no vain-glory. All the glory must be given to God Almighty. The praise of the receiver must be pointed upwards secret giving is the fulfillment of God’s ideal of giving. When giving is done publicly, it is the flesh serving its own purpose by seeking self-glory.

Give us this day our daily bread

When we say, “Give us this day our daily bread”, it can be said that it teaches us sobriety and temperance: and we ask only for bread, not for what we do not need. We ask for our bread; that teaches us honesty and industry: we do not ask for the bread of others, nor the bread of deceit

Fellowship with the Lord

Being at the Lord’s Table to eat and dine with Him is always a loving and wonderful experience. It is really good and loving to dig deep into the word of God to know more about God’s purpose. Jesus appeared to the ten disciples on an occasion and Thomas was absent. Christians can miss a lot by not being where they should be particularly the fellowship of God’s people. Jesus Christ showed them His hands and His feet - a proof of His bodily resurrection. He opened their understanding that they might understand the scriptures. He gave them the great commission – the Christian Power Attorney – and promised their endowment with Power for service by saying “….Behold I send the promise of my Father upon you…”
Jesus not only commissioned them as witness but also promised them the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to carry out the task. Peter in the Bible stated in the scripture that this promise is for all who believe in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:39).
It is in this light I will say that Jesus assures us of His presence when we gather in His name.  Does He find us missing in Fellowship? When we fellowship with Him, do we remain the same? We should receive greater conviction; define task and the unction to function.
-    By Jokpeme Joseph Omode

Faith and humility rewarded

Jesus Christ did not perform miracles just for the fun of it. Neither did He do them in order to draw undue attention to Himself. All His miracles were born out of deep love and compassion for suffering mankind. Every miracle had a spiritual import or message to convey.  In the healing of the man with leprosy, two factors combine to bring about the miracle.

Unfailing love of God

God’s eyes are for ever washing over His own even when they stray. He calls them to repentance. It is indeed an unfailing and unshakable love. It is a love predicated on His firm commitment regardless of how you feel. God promised that you will not be ashamed; you will not be disgraced; you will forget the shame of your youth and reproach of your widowhood. What a nice promise! It does not matter the desertion, rejection and grief that we have suffered; or how long it has been, God will gather us together with great mercies, and this shall be with everlasting kindness.

Empty religion

Have you ever wonder why there is an increasing number of religious people who perform rituals and countless numbers of observances and yet there is very little evidence of godliness and righteousness in their lives? Fasting, all-night prayers, deliverance, etc., are very good spiritual exercises. But to what extent do we allow such practices to positively affect our lives?

Do not worry

It is so unfortunate that this world is full of all sorts of troubles and challenges. Jesus Christ in the Bible spoke to a multitude or crowd with different needs. Jesus identified two major things we tend to worry about in life. They are what we will eat and what we will drink. We can simply put it this way that we are always concern about our stomach and body; what we will wear to cover our nakedness or to be acceptable in the society. We also worry about our health. We worry about money, we worry about our economy, we worry about our security, and we also worry about work and so much more other things which we worry about. We just worry, worry, worry, worry and worry!!! God does not tell us to stop worrying over these things because we don’t really need them because He knows we need them. We can stop worrying because He has promised to take care of the essentials. Our soul is more important than food and our body more important than clothing to God. What is more important to you right now, your soul or your enjoyment of this life? What are you passing through now? Could you stop worrying and start trusting God? He surely cares for you. He is faithful, kind, generous and He will never abandon you. - By Jokpeme Joseph Omode

They shall surely gather

God is entrapped in His love for His people, His mercies and loving kindness are conferred on His children under an umbrella and an unbreakable oath and He is irrevocably committed to their wellbeing. However, God did not mince words when He declared to them that “…they shall surely gather…” God was not referring to the gathering of angels, but of enemies who are forces against progress. His banner over them, His love over them, and their fervent prayers notwithstanding, it was a sure gathering. It was a conspiracy and gang up that was sure to come.

Sin always results in punishment

One should know vividly that Zachariah in the Bible like Haggai, was one of the first captives who returned to their homeland from Babylon. He combined the function of a prophet with that of a priest. In this capacity, he encouraged the people who had become despondent and apathetic, to continue with the reconstruction of the temple. Many of the people had been born in exile and had very little idea on how the sins of their fathers had been responsible for the devastation of the old temple and the exile, in the first place. As a result, Zachariah therefore warned them that if they kept repeating the sins of their fathers, they should not expect anything less than their consequences.

Jesus Christ is greater than angels

Jesus Christ is the son of God that is seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly realms as the creator and sustainer of the universe. It was through Him that God created the universe. He is the heir of all things, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact Image of God. He is our saviour and redeemer. Jesus Christ is superior to the angels. Angels are ministering spirits and serve God daily in His heavenly court. Angels ministered to Jesus while He was here on earth and they will accompany Him at His second advent. Angels are also created to serve and attend to Christians and they are not to be worshipped. They are only servants!

Divine privilege

God continues to reveal His plans and purposes to His people through visions - even today. But these visions must necessarily accord with His word. It is absolutely true that God is full of Love and mercy; He is also a Holy God who is angry with sin and is sure to punish it. This important aspect of God’s righteous character should be noted. Anyone who seeks divine fellowship and favour should hate sin. The best option is for the person to confess and forsake the sins committed. I will want to narrow your mind to the vision about the Messiah of the world. This vision has to do with the Messiah who would be both king and priest- functions hitherto perform by two distinct persons. Whereas the King ruled in the political life of the people, the priest presided over their spiritual life. History and experience have shown that a great number of kings and priests in Israel were not men of integrity. But the Messiah would not only combine both the position of the king and that of a priest, but would also reign with perfect harmony and peace. This Messiah is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God. He is the Great Reconciler through whom alone we can be in harmony with God the Father by His atoning blood. He thus gives us His peace which “passes all understanding”. If you have made Jesus Christ your personal Saviour and Lord, then there is the guarantee that you are part of that “temple’ the Church, which He is building and against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. - By Jokpeme Joseph Omode

Conversion of St. Paul the apostle and three life’s pictures to use

Saint Paul the apostle was once called Saul and was an avowed persecutor of Christians until he had a personal encounter with Jesus as the risen Lord. Paul recalled his conversion experience, capturing it for us with three pictures. Firstly, there is the picture of himself before his conversion; how he lived his life in Judaism, and intensely persecuted the church. It was a life lived in opposition to God’s will. Secondly, there is the picture of his encounter with Christ; how he had a persona encounter with Jesus Christ from whom he received by revelation the gospel he preached. Thirdly, he gives us the picture of himself after God called him. A man, who once was a terror to the Church, suddenly becomes a blessing to God’s people as people gave glory to God because of him. These three pictures above are needed by every Christian to determine whether he or she is growing in the faith or not. Anyone who cannot differentiate between a past life outside Christ and a new life in Him is not born again. A personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot but be a source of blessing to all that come our way. I will admonish you to these three pictures painted supra to examine your life today. - By Jokpeme Joseph Omode

Christian relationship and suffering

The book of Peter in the Bible changes Christians to live Godly lives, even in the midst of trials, suffering or persecution. Circumstances do not affect Godly principles for living, whether you are being love or hated, you are bless, whether you are being embraced or persecuted, your life and testimony are to witness to the hope of salvation in Christ. Consistency in Christian Living in spite of circumstances is the true test of Christian growth. There are some several points to be highlighted on Christian relationships and suffering and these are Christian relationship of servants to masters (1 Peter 2:18-20) of which servants are admonished to be subject to their masters with all fear and diligent. Again, Christian example of suffering wrongfully – because Christ suffered for us, living us an example that you should follow His steps and it is in this light that it is expected of Christians to let their lives witness for Christ regardless of circumstances around us. Christians should understand that suffering for Jesus Christ is part of the Christian life and therefore, we should study Jesus responses to suffering and follow His example. (Philippians 3:10-11). When Christians are sick physically, Jesus is always there to heal all diseases and infirmities just by the faith of the Christian and remember what 1 Peter 2:24 says about healing. It is simply saying about what Jesus Christ can do and that by His stripes we are healed and know for sure that physical healing is part of the redemptive work of Christ. - By Jokpeme Joseph Omode

Can you forgive and forget?

“I can forgive, but I cannot forget,’ is only another way of saying, “I cannot forgive.” The issue of forgiveness is so serious and essential that the Lord had to return it again after giving His disciples the pattern to follow while praying. There is no special condition given on whom to forgive and whom not to forgive. We are expected to forgive everybody, and unconditionally too. Again in Matthew 19:21, when Peter asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” he received a reply that makes it point clear that there is no limit to which we can forgive. Furthermore, when we pray, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”, we are holding ourselves bound if we fail to forgive. We are actually saying that God should book our own debts against us if we fail to forgive. Hence, praying without forgiving is pronouncing judgment against ourselves. Are you counting any wrong against any person now, kindly forgive and free yourself. - By Jokpeme Joseph Omode

Blessed for being poor in spirit

The Sermon on the Mount is known among Christians as the Beatitudes (“Be-attitudes”). In it, Jesus tells of the attitudes His followers should adopt so as to be perfect as His father. God blesses those who live out these traits, who live by the code of conduct given. Jesus started with words that seem to contradict each other such as “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. The poor in spirit here does not mean those who have low self-esteem or low interest in spiritual things but those who recognize their spiritual poverty, their need for God and seek His grace. They know they have needs and they know they need God and do not imagine that by serving Him, they are doing Him a favour. Such humble people who realize their need for God to make them rich spiritually will be given the Kingdom of God. My dear friend, realize your spiritual poverty today and trust the Lord to make you rich. Do not be puffed up in your spirit and think you have arrived. Like Paul the Apostle in the Bible, press on to receive more from God, for there is blessedness for being poor in spirit. - By Jokpeme Joseph omode

Behold your mother

In this discuss we are going to say that John and Mary mother of Jesus Christ share some things in common. Both are endeared to Jesus – Mary is because she gave birth to Jesus and John on the other hand, beloved apostle who leaned on Christ during meals. Both played important roles in Jesus ministry. Mary as mother called Jesus to turn water into wine, although it was not yet time for such duty. John was so loved by Jesus that through Him, the disciples knew some deep mysteries even His betrayer – Judas Iscariot. Consequently, on the cross, Jesus knew that Mary and John will miss Him deeply and He cared for them deeply and He cared for their deep emotional need. Jesus had extraordinary love for His mother and John. Jesus cared for His mother, how about you? Do you communicate, help and encourage her? Mother deserves to be cherished, loved and adored with affections. Will you remember your mother today and always as Jesus did? The joy of it will make her live longer. - Jokpeme Joseph Omode