CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE CELEBRANT (CHRIST)!

CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE CELEBRANT (CHRIST)!

There is no doubt that for every celebration there is a reason for such celebration. Also, for every celebration there is a celebrant behind such celebration. It will make no sense if I attend or partake in a celebration without having a clear-cut knowledge for such celebration. It will make no sense if I attend a celebration party without knowing the reason why such party was organized. It will make no meaning if I partake in a celebration without knowing who the celebrant is. Owing to the above realities, Christmas will make no sense if I celebrate it without having a clear-cut encounter with the celebrant (Jesus Christ).  Christmas will also make no meaning if I celebrate it without a clear-cut understanding of the ‘reason’ why Christmas should be celebrated. We live in generation where many celebrate Christmas flamboyantly without having been purged from their sins by the celebrant (Jesus Christ). To celebrate Christmas with Christ, I must first be purged from sin by Him (Christ). To celebrate Christmas meaningfully, we must understand it from God’s perspective and way. Anything celebrated different from how God wants us to celebrate will be less meaningfully celebrated if not meaninglessly celebrated.   

 As a child many years ago, I was meant to personally believe that Charismas is a time to get new clothing; eat and drink; visit places like zoo’s, wild life parks, museums, PRTV, NTA among several other recreational activities. I was meant to believe that the season of Christmas is a time to say ‘happy Christmas’ to somebody and expect money in return, if need be, go from houses to houses ‘aiming at money’ in the name of happy Christmas. Though, it may not be bad as at then, but is that the true celebration of Christmas! I guess it should be a celebration without an encounter.  It was a period of celebration without having a clear-cut understanding of Christmas. Though now I realized that Christmas is a moment of celebration, it must also be celebrated with meaning, and this meaning can only be well understood when we give positive answers to some certain germane questions as to whom this new born King is; a reason for commemorating Christmas.

             In our today’s world, Christmas is coined to be something different. It is a time when evil and frivolous activities are on the increase. It is a time when many people visit their local churches for the first time in a year. It is a time when many people have to travel to their villages for the first time in a year. It is a time when people wash their carpets for the first time in a year. It is a time when people eat and drink to satisfy their bellies. It is a time when the Church is filled to capacity. It is a time when people visit places like zoo’s, people’s houses, wild life parks, amusement parks or even museums. It is a time when people will say ‘happy Christmas’ to expect money in return. It is a time when people compete on who will first finish plenty bottles of alcoholic drinks in a bear parlour. It is a time when people make gorgeous hairstyles. It is a time when people opt for new shoes, dresses and do all sort of make-ups. If all these are they thoughts of many about Christmas, is it truly The Christmas? If no, what then is Christmas?

            Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday celebrated generally on the 25th of December, yearly. It’s a red-letter-day that remains indelible in our lives as Christians. The Gregorian calendar is not complete if 25th December is not given due recognition, hence, the birth of Christ must be highly recognized in our lives. Of a truth, ‘Christmas celebration will never make meaning if we have not received and recognized Jesus Christ into our lives’. About 60% and above of people who celebrate Christmas celebrate it without understanding its meaning. They celebrate it blindly because people around them are equally celebrating. They eat because people are eating. They party because their friends party. They practice lust instead of love and later get lost, and at the end of the day, they call it the spirit of Christmas. To celebrate Christmas with Christ, we must understand what Christmas really mean. To understand what Christmas really mean, we will answer some very momentous questions below.

How was Jesus Christ Conceived and Born? Several people today were given birth in the best hospitals in town while for others arrangements were made for them to travel abroad to be born. But for Jesus Christ, that was not the case. Even after he was conceived through the Holy Spirit to a virgin called Mary, he was born in the manger and was very much targeted to be killed by a human king. The bible introduced us in Matthew 1:18 that “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit”. How can the Doctors of today explain how a child will be conceived through the Holy Spirit? What a mystery! a mystery that even the specialized Doctors cannot have factual answers to. ‘And she gave birth to him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn’ (Luke 2:7 KJV). The NIV version says, ‘….because there was no guest room available for them’. Jesus birth took place in a stable, surrounded by farm animals. That is, in a manger (a feeding trough). The reason why he was born in the manger was because there was no room for them in the inn. The inability of the inn-keeper at that time to provide a good place for Mary and Joseph in the inn led to Jesus’ birth to take place in the manger. In this season of Christmas, I perceive God asking you this personal and pertinent questions like: do you have place for Jesus Christ in your heart?, have you created room for Jesus in your heart?, have you opened your heart for Jesus Christ even while He stands at the door knocking for you to open? Christmas will never make meaning if you have not opened up your heart to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. The birth of Jesus Christ has not only brought us good news to spread around but it is in itself good news. That is to say that the birth of Christ is good news. In order for us to enjoy this season of Christmas, we must accept the good news of Christ birth and create room for him in our lives. It is true that Jesus was born in the manger because there was no room for them in the inn, but for you reading through this write-up now have you created room for Jesus to completely abide in your heart?, a question that must not be left unanswered this season of Christmas.

How did Jesus Christ Grew? Jesus grew to understand the business of His Master. At the age of twelve, he knew what it meant to be busy doing God’s business. ‘And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my father’s business?’ (Luke 2:49).Christmas is not a time to gossip, it’s a time to do God’s work. It is not a time to waste our strengths in party/disco-halls; it’s a time to tell people about the essence of Christmas. It’s a time to tell people about the birth of Christ and how he grew in wisdom and stature. ‘And Jesus increase in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man’ (Luke 2:52). If truly we knew how Jesus grew, we would grow to become like Him, and this Christmas will be meaningfully celebrated. Who do you boast to become like; Jesus or other people outside Jesus?, a question that must not be left unanswered this season of Christmas.

Why was Jesus Christ Born? Jesus was born for a purpose. As Jesus was born for a purpose, so are we. Every one of us was born for a purpose and with a purpose.  “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the REDEMPTION of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). Some bible version like NLT says ‘…..been waiting expectantly for God to RESCUE Jerusalem’. Jesus Christ was born to save us from sin. He is our savior. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOUR, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Adding to this, the bible says, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). If not until you know why Jesus Christ was born you will not be able to celebrate this Christmas merrily. In short, you will celebrate it meaninglessly. We can see clearly from the above scriptures that Jesus came to save us from our sins. But permit me to ask you this; have you been genuinely saved from sin? If your answer is no, it will interest you to know that it is of no meaning spending much money, energy and time in the name of celebrating a flamboyant Christmas without been purged from your sins by the celebrant (Jesus Christ). It is abnormal to celebrate Christmas flamboyantly whereas you have not been saved from sin. If not until the why of Jesus’ birth becomes a reality in your life, you will continuously be spending a meaningless Christmas. For as there is a ‘why’ to the birth of Jesus so is there a ‘why’ to your birth. It is not enough to know who you are, find out why you are. Have you known why you are born?, a question that must not be left unanswered this season of Christmas.

How much love will you show others this year’s Christmas? It was love that made it possible for our Almighty God to send His only begotten son (Jesus) to save us from our sins. We must love as Christ loves. Love entails giving and sharing. So therefore, we must share that which we have with others this Christmas. We must learn to love other people this Christmas from a sincere heart. Let our expenses for the preparations of Christmas include that of those who cannot afford anything for themselves. When we practice true love this Christmas, we would make many people happy. We should meet a need this Christmas. Therefore, we should find a need and meet it. Youths of today have devised ways to practice lust instead of love, a lust that leads to their lost. If we must enjoy this Christmas, we must love with good motive and not with wrong motive. Love is of the essence. This Christmas will be lovely if we love genuinely. How have you decided to show love this year’s Christmas? a question that must not be left unanswered this season of Christmas..

Where are you leading yourself this Christmas Day? Everybody is entitled to lead himself where he wishes, but if where he wishes to lead himself is not approved by God; he will lead himself somewhere unimportant. When Jesus was born, there was a quest to visit and worship him by the wise men from the east. They followed Jesus’ star even when they do not know where it will lead them until it stops at where he was born. “..the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy”. (Matthew 2:9b-10). Christmas will make sense this season if only you have seen the celebrant’s star by a reason of a clear-cut encounter with him. Nobody sees Jesus star and remain the same. You cannot claim to see Jesus while you are still treading on the path of iniquity and evil. You cannot claim to have seen Jesus while you jump from one party hall to another. You cannot claim to have seen Jesus while you keep going from one bear parlor joints to another. Where will you lead yourself this Christmas? To be led correctly, you have to yield to Jesus. He does not only know the way but he is the way. You can be rest assured that he will lead you correctly this season and beyond if only you submit to his leadership. Where have you opted to go this Christmas? a question that must not be left unanswered this season of Christmas.

Do you have anything to offer to Jesus Christ this Christmas? The bible says, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.(Matthew 2:11). What do you have to offer to Jesus Christ this Christmas celebration? That is why I said that, ‘If you don’t have GOLD to offer to Jesus Christ, offer GOOD WORSHIP, if you don’t have FRANKINCENSE, offer FERVENT FELLOWSHIP AND LOVE to one another, if you don’t have MYRRH to offer, then you can offer your MELLIFLUOUS (SWEET-SOUNDING) BODY for Gods work’. Also note that if you don’t have anything at all to offer you can give yourself to Jesus (surrender your life). Offer yourself to the service of God can be the best way to celebrate your Christmas this year. The only way to bring meaning to this year’s Christmas is to offer ourselves to God Almighty. What have you prepared to offer to this new born King this year? a question that must not be left unanswered this season of Christmas.

            After looking painstakingly at the above germane questions, we must have by this time derived an essence for Christmas and why it must be celebrated with the celebrant (Jesus Christ). What have you already thought of Christmas? Have you thought of another routine Christmas? Have you thought of doing ungodly things this year’s Christmas again? If yes, please pause, check and amend your ways very properly before celebrating this year’s Christmas. This write-up was written to help us celebrate a meaningful Christmas. Therefore, we must realize that Christmas is a moment of true love and sharing. It is a moment of encounter that should be contagious. It is a moment to find the star of Jesus that should lead us to where God only designed for us to go. It is a moment of renewal of the heart. It is a moment to open up our hearts to receive Jesus into our lives. It is a moment of taking the good news of the new born King to the world. It is a moment of joy and happiness. It is a moment of celebration. It is a moment to grow to find favour with man and God. Christmas is a moment of reaching the unreached; like the poor, widows etc. Christmas is a moment to care for those who are sick, a visit to the hospital can make a lot of difference. I can boldly say that ‘Christmas celebration without Christ is a waste of time’, ‘Christmas celebration without Christ is crises”, and ‘Christmas celebration without Christ is catastrophe’ Christmas has come again, and we should celebrate it well. Don’t celebrate this year’s Christmas without Christ. This write up has come to stir our hearts on how to find meaning to this year’s Christmas before celebrating. You must first know the new born king (Jesus) before you can celebrate this Christmas very meaningfully. What you know is not enough, get more meaning to what you have already known. Christmas without Christ is Christmas without a cause.

“God is here. This truth should fill our lives, and every Christmas should be for us a new and special meeting with God, when we allow his light and grace to enter deep into our soul”. (Josemaría Escrivá )                   

Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!!!

SIN, TRANSGRESSION AND INIQUITY!

SIN, TRANSGRESSION AND INIQUITY!!!

This write-up intends to explicate sin, transgression and iniquity for clarity and simplicity, and to show that they are different despite the fact that they have the same price if one dies in any of them without given his or her life to Christ. It is very pertinent for us to know the differences between these three key words and examine our present position and stand in the journey towards the celestial city. There are several bible passages that gave a clear distinction between sin, transgression and iniquity. The book of Daniel 9:24 reveals that “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the TRANSGRESSION, and to make an end of SINS, and to make reconciliation for INIQUITY, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” This indicates that sin, transgression and iniquity are different in some way. In fact, they represent increasing levels of falling “short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The book of Leviticus 16:21 also says that “And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the INIQUITIES of the children of Israel, and all their TRANSGRESSIONS, even all their SINS; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a man that is in readiness into the wilderness:” From these two bible passages, it is evident that these terms are different.

Sin as defined biblically is “Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). Adding to this, the bible also says in James 4:17 that “To him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” Biblically, sin can be committed willfully or ignorantly. Transgression is “The act of passing over or beyond any law or rule of moral duty; the violation of a law or known principal of rectitude; breach of command” It is connected to trespass, which is a willful violation of the law. The bible says that “If thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:11). Lastly, Iniquities are second nature sins, which drive us to repeatedly, continually commit sin. Iniquity revolves more about the underlying attitudes: Idolatry, Racism, Gluttony, Covetousness, Unrighteousness, wickedness, lawlessness. The bible says that “The vile person… his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy…” (HYPOCRISY) - Isaiah 32:6. In Ezekiel 33:13 the bible clarifies that “If he trusts to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity.” (SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS).

From the above analysis, we can see that SIN and TRANSGRESSION are Verbs and things we do: INIQUITY is a Noun and is the bent condition of what we are. That is to say that sin and transgression deal primarily with tangible violations, iniquity on the other hand leans toward the intangible.

UNDERSTANDING WHERE YOU BELONG: The serpent deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden using this same analogy. The bible says in Genesis 3:6 that “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food (SIN) and pleasing to the eye (TRANSGRESSION) and also desirable for gaining wisdom (INIQUITY) she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” Adding to this scripture, the bibles says that “For everything in the world, the cravings of sinful man (SIN), the lust of his eyes (TRANSGRESSION) and the boastful pride of life (INIQUITY) comes not from the Father but from the world. Sin, when repeated against the knowledge of God becomes transgression which, if it continues long enough, eventually becomes iniquity which perverts the flesh. This perversion changes the DNA/RNA structure of the “flesh” and “beliefs” or “attitudes” resulting in genetic changes that are passed on from generation to generation. This is the way high blood pressure, alcoholism, sexual perversions, jealousy, anger, fear , etc. are passed down from generation to generation. Racism, Greed, Idolatry run in families. Sinners and transgressors have deep sorrow and anguish for their sin and will experience forgiveness when they repent, but those that practice iniquity justify their sin and may even become habitual in their sin, experiencing no forgiveness while they practice iniquity. No wonder the bible says that “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not PROPHESIED in thy name? and in thy name have CAST OUT DEVILS? and in thy name DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY.” (Matt 7:22-23). As you are reading through this write-up now, dear friend; where do you belong? But wait a minute! What has the sacrifice of Jesus done for us in regard to the matter of sin, transgression and iniquity, corresponding to our soul, body and spirit?

THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS:  In Isaiah 53: 5, 10 “He was wounded for our TRANSGRESSIONS, he was bruised for our INIQUITIES: ……thou shall make his SOUL an offering for sin…” It is evident that the offering of Jesus’ soul (HIS SOUL) paid for the forgiveness of our Sin, His wounds (HIS BODY) blot out our transgression, and His Bruises (HIS SPIRIT) was made a pardon for our Iniquity. Jesus saved us from sin, transgression and iniquity when He died on the CROSS. It happened all in one day i.e. over 2000 years ago, and not on different occasions. In Isaiah 53: 10, God the Father made JESUS’ SOUL AN OFFERING FOR SIN. Our Soul is the Battle ground between the Spirit and the Flesh where our emotions and desires are born. Isaiah 53: 5 says that he was WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS. A wound, by definition, is a break in the skin. A transgression, by definition, is a break in the law (James 2:11). This is visible to all. In Isaiah 53:5 the bibles says that The LORD WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES. A bruise is not a break in the skin but rather a general area of discoloration under the skin. It is not seen as are our attitudes. This fits the term iniquity as a general attitude or spirit of a collective people (Psalms 32:2; Leviticus 10:17).Having brought us to this understanding; you will realize that sin relates to our soul, transgression relates to our body, and iniquity relates to our spirit. The Sacrifice of Jesus was complete, and a complete package for our SALVATION/FREEDOM.

After looking at the above clarifications, the question is that have you been brought to this full and complete salvation package? The bible says that “For in Christ all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ YOU have been brought to FULNESS…” (Col. 2:9-10b). A total dealing with our sins, iniquities and transgressions was made complete when JESUS SACRIFICED HIMSELF for us. All three (Sin, transgression and Iniquity) had to be accounted for, for our salvation to be complete. The Lord Jesus Christ will “Finish the TRANSGRESSION, and… make an end of SINS, and… make reconciliation for INIQUITY, and… bring in everlasting righteousness” as stated in Daniel 9:24 to your life if and only if you will genuinely receive Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOUR. He bids you come! Don’t postpone today, for you don’t know what awaits you the next minute…!                                                                                                                                                                                       God Bless You.

  

GO IN THE STRENGTH OF THE SENDER

GO IN THE STRENGTH OF THE SENDER

It is not news anymore that every year, students keep graduating from the Department of Accounting, University of Jos. But the question is: in what strength are they been sent out to the wider society; is it in their own strength and confidence or in the strength of the Lord? This is a question you must unearth for yourself. 

There is no doubt that where you (Financial Paragons) are going to is bedevilled with different challenges, but the Lord is sending you in His strength as a change agent. The economy of Nigeria might seem unfavourable today, but God seems to send you as a saviour of this messed up economy. The world system and the evil practice of men might have occupied everywhere to the point that it now seems visible to the blind, but God desires to use you as a vessel unto honour to turn things around. There may seems to be hardship and complains all around, but God longs to use you as an instrument of change in this generation. The state of our country may seem to be as if nothing good can come out of it, but God is looking for someone who will go in His might to change things for good. This was the scenario of the Children Israel many years ago when they did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years. They were been molested by the midianites for years. The economy of Israel was in an impoverished state. But as long as the children of Israel could not cry to the Lord because of the Midianites, their situation remained unchanged.

Who are these categories of people that God desire to send to the wider society to be an agent of change?

·        These people are those who are uncomfortable with their present state of life, and desire help from God wholeheartedly. The bible says “and Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the Children of Isreal cried unto the LORD.” (Judges 6:6). The issue of emphasis I must lay at this point to you (financial paragons) is that; if you must see a change in any named area you desire, the first person you must report and cry unto is to God. As you cry unto God and he responds, be ready to heed to His instructions. It is God’s instruction that can keep you moving in the wider society. If we must come to see revival sweep over Nigeria and to be salvaged from this economic mess, we must first cry out to God with all sincerity over the present state we are in today, trusting that He will intervene. If a man is comfortable with his present condition of life, he will never put in more strength and effort to tap into the desired comfort that God offers. Nobody who is comfortable with sin will see the need to cry for help for a changed of life. Could it be at this point as fresh graduates of UNIJOS 2014/2015 session, you are still troubled and molested by “Midianites” and you are comfortable with it? You must personally cry out this hour. Your Midianite could be the secret sin that you do engage in day after day. Yours could be that lifestyle of cheating and exam malpractice. Yours could be that relationship of lust. Yours could be that lifestyle of drunkenness, wild partying, sexual immorality, lies, falsehood, and masturbation, among several others. The Lord expects you at this point to cry for help. He will never fail in sending deliverance to those who passionately and sincerely cry unto him.

·        These people are those who must be salvaged from sin. The bible says that: “And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites, That the LORD sent a prophet unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of Bondage…” (Judges 6:7-8) The issue to draw out here is the matter of been brought out from bondage into freedom. Every sinner is a prisoner of sin and under the bondage of the devil. Anyone who engages in sin either publicly or privately is in the prison of sin. The children of Israel were at a point comfortable in Egypt, but “…in process of time, that the King of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by the reason of bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.” (Exodus 2:23). Egypt is a symbol of bondage and suffering. For as long as a man is not salvaged from sin and bondage, he is not fit to be sent as an agent of change to this perverse, untoward, crooked and corrupt generation. It is an aberration from the truth to claim to be salvaged from sin and yet you love the things of this world with passion. It is an aberration to claim to be free from sin and yet you engage in falsehood of age to go for NYSC or to secure a Job. It is an aberration to claim to be free from sin and yet you make your ways to serve in a state that you long desired. It is an aberration from the truth to claim to know Jesus and yet you don’t hate iniquity and love righteousness like Jesus did as stated in Hebrew 1:9. If you don’t have a clear testimony of your salvation, it is pointer that you have not been salvaged from the bondage of Egypt. God’s call to you is to beg Him for forgiveness now and He will come to your help. A contrite heart and a broken spirit, God does not overlook. God demands your response NOW.

·     These people are those who are not fearful because God is with them: The bible says: “and the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, They LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of Valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us…” (Judges 6:12-13). The issue to draw out is the matter of whether God is with you. A man who doubts and has fears whenever a question of “are you born again?” is thrown to him is not fit for this commissioning unto been an agent of transformation. If you don’t have a clear definition of your PRESSING IN into the Kingdom, you may never be able to PRESS ON toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. If you are not hidden in Christ, you are likely to miss it in the wider world. Gideon never knew he was a mighty man of valour even when he truly was. For you, could it be you are still assuming to be a carrier of Jesus all these four (4) years you have spent in accounting department; the Lord is calling you now to settle the matter. Let your coming to Jesus not be on the basis of what he will give you or on the basis that you will not pass through turbulent times outside campus, but let it be a resoluteness to follow Him till the end. God with you does not exonerate/exempt you from suffering or challenges, but His Grace will give you the elasticity to withstand every challenge that will come your way. Is God actually with you dear brother? Is God actually with you dear sister? I must not fail to quote the words of Dr. Yohanna G. Jugu (H.O.D of Actuarial Science Dept. Unijos) on our send-forth day which says, “As a child of God, you must not be limited by fear, but go out in faith” In reality, God in you is actually the hope of glory.

·        These people are those who God choose to use in Mercy as vessels of Change: The bible says, “And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have I not sent thee?”(Judges 6:14).The issue to draw out from here is the matter of having a clear and defined assignment as you go out from the department of Accounting. God is sending you as an agent of change to save those who are held captive and bound by the devil in the accounting profession or any named area He will be placing you after now. He is calling and sending you unto been answers and solutions to the perplexing questions and challenges of our time. He is sending you to go in His might and not in your strength. He who is sending you is saying to you “Be strong, courageous and firm; fear not nor be terror before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). As God desires to use us, please note that your family background is never a hindrance. As God desires to use you, the present state of our economy should never a hindrance. Just put your confidence in God and He will lead you to the end. Just put your confidence in God and He will lead and sustain you through life outside the four walls of Unijos.     

v You cannot go in the strength of the sender if you have not encountered the sender. The sender in this context is God Almighty. I must emphasise at this point that no one can do exploit for God if he has no clear encounter of Him. You cannot PRESS ON in the wider world in Christ if you have not PRESS IN into the kingdom. The pressing in I am driving at is to have clear-cut encounter with the sender-Master Jesus. As FINANCIAL PARAGONS, God is ready to use you in this field of Accounting if only you are born again. Do you remember the encounter of Saul on his way to Damascus which led to his journey being interrupted? His name later became Paul and he did very great exploit for God. Also, hear what Prophet Isaiah said, “Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:7). This is a man who has been in ministry for many years, but when it came to a point God desires a man who shall go in His strength to declare his counsel, he needed a man who has a clean hands and a pure heart, a man who has an encounter with the Him. Isaiah having his sin purged did not waste time to answer the call of been sent. He quickly responded by saying send me Lord. The bible says, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8). God is calling the Accounting Department 2014/2015 session (The Financial Paragons) to go in His strength. But as good as God desires this session to go, He still desire everyone to answer the call for himself. You must answer the call for yourself; this is because only you will stand to give account of your life on the judgement day. What is that unclean thing in your life that will hinder you from responding to God’s voice and invitation? Could it be secret sin? Could it be because you are preparing to change your age to go for Youth Service (NYSC)? Could it be because you still engage in masturbation, uncleanliness, sexual immorality, rage, wrong relationship, bribery and corruption, cheating and deceit? Could it be because you are still crouching between two burdens –to serve the world and to serve God? Could it be because you have no genuine relationship with God? Lay all these weights aside and come to Jesus now. I must tell you that if your confidence is in your B.sc certificate or in your connection, you are on your way to missing it. This is because, “…Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departed from the LORD.” (Jer. 17:5). As you go to the wider society, just trust in the Lord with all your heart and never lean on your own understanding. As you go to the wider society, acknowledge God in all your ways and he will direct your path.

Lastly, it is only when you come to Jesus Christ that you can go out and face the challenges that awaits you in the wider world. “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Dear FINANCIAL PARAGONS, do you want rest from sin and sickness, do you want rest from deliberate rising and falling life, do you want rest from pride, cheating, masturbation, addiction, sexual immorality, lust, anger, drunkenness, ungodly relationship, pornography, jealousy, filthy and indecent actions, disobedience. The answer is found in Jesus Christ. “You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.” (Prov. 28:13). Confess your sin today and forsake them and God will show you mercy, and grant you the enabling grace to go in His strength to face the challenges that awaits you in the wider society. God bless you.

God Bless Accounting Department!

God Bless CAMSF Fellowship

God Bless the Financial paragons

(Accounting Department 2014/2015 session)

From:

Daniel Okpanachi Samson

(The President of CAMSF Fellowship 2014/2015 session Unijos)