The Online Cathedral.Com

30/12/2024

A LONG NIGHT OF NOTHING
Good morning dear friends;
Mercy to you, peace and love be multiplied.

John 21:3
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing."

The last chapter of John opens on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were all in a boat, and Jesus was on the beach, watching them fish.

They weren’t in Jerusalem anymore. They were about seventy miles away. They have utterly deserted the faith.

Peter had relapsed to the very location he first accepted Christ, at the Sea of Galilee, fishing!

But it was A LONG NIGHT OF NOTHING

When you fall out with Jesus, it opens a door for the Enemy to blast you into smithereens. The next thing you know, you've relapsed to your old filty state:

Going back to drinking again.
The increasing stresses force
you to mask the pain with
drunkenness.

Going back to this bad
relationship, thinking it may
afford you some financial
stability.

Going back to that poor,
wretched location where Jesus
first found you.

Peter and others went back to fishing, but it was A LONG NIGHT OF NOTHING!

Jesus said:

“..without Me you can do
nothing."
John 15:5

Jesus being sarcastic, asked the question;

“Do you have any fish?”
John 21:5

Jesus already knew they hadn’t caught any fish. That returning to their old ways was fruitless.

Jesus stands before you, and His message is, “I know where the fish are.” Meaning, “I know exactly what you’re looking for, and I know exactly where you can get it.”

Jesus says, if you’re looking for marriage, I know where your spouse is.

Jesus says, if you’re looking for financial breakthrough, I know where the pearls are located.

Jesus says, if you’re looking for meaning in life, I came that you may have life.

Jesus says, if you’re looking for healing, I am your healer.

Jesus says, if you’re looking for significance, He assures; "I brings one down and exalts another".

Jesus says, if you’re looking for security, I am your Shepherd.

Jesus says, if you’re looking for satisfaction, I am the Bread of Life.

Jesus says, “I know exactly what you’re looking for, and I know exactly where you can get it.

"Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your
requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

Don’t stress yourself up, trying to do it yourself will lead you to failure and frustration!

Continue to remain in Him, He knows where your long night search will end.

Jesus is the only way to your success in 2025.

Afehyiapa

Papa Charles

17/08/2024

10/07/2024

MY BEAUTIFUL FEET
Good morning dear friends;
Mercy unto you, peace and love be multiplied.

Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭15‬ ‭
“…How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of
peace, and bring glad tidings of
good things!”

In Biblical theology, the feet symbolizes power, dominion and ownership. It is a position of influence.

“Every place where you set
your foot will be yours”
‭‭ Deut‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬ ‭

The feet also signify ownership, possession and dominion over a geographical space.

“Go, walk through the length
and breadth of the land, for I
am giving it to you.”
‭‭. Gen 13‬:‭17‬
‭‭
Also in the cultural context, placing footstools under the feet of ruling authority is a symbol of power and dominion.

In the same vein, the act of trampling enemies underfoot was a metaphorical depiction of victory and domination.

“The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand until I
make your enemies a footstool
for your feet.”
‭‭. Psalms‬ ‭110‬:‭1‬ ‭

The act of 'stamping the foot' is also an emblematic action in the Biblical text.

“This is what the Sovereign
Lord says: Strike your hands
together and stamp your feet
and cry out “Alas!..”
‭‭ Ezekiel‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭

The use of 'stamping the foot' mainly represents frustration, disgust, rage, or the assertion of power.

Conversely however, in proper context, ‘feet’ is also a Theological representation of humility, service and servitude.

The role of the tradition of washing feet in ancient Biblical history was usually assigned to the lowest of servants, demonstrating humility and servitude.

When Jesus washed the feet of His Disciples, it was a teachable moment; a call to humility of service to the poor, by the powerful, the leader and the influencer.

“Now that I, your Lord and
Teacher, have washed your
feet, you also should wash
one another’s feet.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬

Lord, as you wash this MY BEAUTIFUL FEET to do exploits in Your service, cause them to tread on a space of dominion and influence and to inspire service in others, in a spirit of humility.

Let people feel your presence and experience release from any oppression, wherever I find this MY BEAUTIFUL FEET.

Amen.

Papa Charles.

17/06/2024

Good morning dear friends;
Mercy to you, peace and love be multiplied.

John 8:32
"Ye shall know the truth, and
the truth shall make you free"

Truth is a wonderful promise that can be taken seriously, especially when you feel the need for some sort of relief or healing.

Even if your difficulty is physical or emotional injury, illness, financial hardship, a troubled relationship, and or sin, “the truth shall set you free”.

“And what is truth?”Pilate asked..”
‭‭John‬ ‭18‬:‭38‬

“Jesus answered him, “I am
the way, THE TRUTH, and the
life..”
John 14:6

The nature of God is Truth. When Moses was commissioned to go back to redeem Israel, God revealed His name as ‘I am’. Jesus, says “I am the Truth”, meaning God the Truth.

As children of God, we must speak the truth always, even in the face of death. When the soldiers had sought for him and inquired to arrest Jesus of Nazareth, he said “I am He”.

“Instead, speaking the truth in
love, we will grow to become in
every respect the mature body
of him who is the head, that is,
Christ.”
‭‭. Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬

A prominent ethicist, Immanuel Kant in his work on morality as virtue of common good, said:

“If the truth shall kill them, let
them die”.
Immanuel Kant

Kant advocates for the importance of truth and the willingness to embrace its consequences, even if they are unfavorable or harmful to others.

Truth is defined as reality, the state of being the case: simply put, the fact.

At what time you’re confronted with the Truth, it sets you free from deception, malice and misconception. It is through the powerful encounter with the truth that fear and anxiety are dispelled and replaced with peace and confidence.

“It is better to be divided by
truth than to be united in error. It
is better to speak the truth that
hurts and then heals, than
falsehood that comforts and
then kills.”
Adrian Rogers

Truth is the way out of our struggles, the truth that dispels our doubts, and the life that fills our hearts with joy and peace.

Speak the truth and be free.

Papa Charles.

16/06/2024

“The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23‬:‭24‬

05/06/2024

WHY DO YOU PURSUE ME?
Good morning dear friends;
Mercy to you, peace and love be multiplied.

Job‬ ‭19‬:‭22‬
“Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh?”
‭‭
‭‭This is Job speaking. He described how his own wife loathed him, his intimate friends detest him and even children looked at him with scorn for something he had no idea about.

At what time he was falsely accused by people around him, he continued to believe God and at the end God reinforced His Word in his life. His properties were not only restored but doubled, his businesses flourished and his relationships increased.

“He will make your innocence
radiate like the dawn, and your
vindication shine like the
noonday sun.”
‭‭. Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭6‬

A story is told of a loyal dog in the city of Lima in Peru. It was so loyal that its owner, a medical practitioner and a nursing mother, could entrust her baby to its care.

This has been her regular routine and she always returned to find the child in safety with the dog faithfully watching over him.

One day something nasty happened. Upon her return from her short errands, the baby's cot was totally dismantled, his nappies and clothes torn to shreds with blood stains all over the bedroom where she left the child and the dog.

Shocked at the scene, she wailed as she began looking for the baby.
Suddenly, she saw the dog emerging from under the bed. It was covered with blood and licking its mouth as it had just finished a delicious meal.

Its owner went berserk and assumed the dog had devoured her baby. Without hesitation, she smashed the dog with a wooden stick to death.

A search for her baby’s remains revealed yet another horrific scene. Beneath the bed was her baby, although lying bare floor, was alive hearty and kicking in safety and beside it was a body of a snake torn to pieces in what must have been a fierce battle between it and her faithful dog.

“But the Lord is faithful; he will
strengthen you and guard you
from the evil one.”
‭‭. 2 Thess. 3‬:‭3‬

Then she suddenly came to her senses. She had allowed an innocent dog die a cruel death. A dog who jealously guarded her home in her absence had been brutally and awfully killed.

“For He died that we may have
life in him”
1 Cor. 5:15

Her faithful dog, fought to protect her baby from attack by this venomous snake.

Now it was too late for her to redeem. In haste, she allowed her faithful, loyal companion to die a nasty painful death.

“But he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised
for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was
upon him; and with his stripes
we are healed.”
‭‭ Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭5‬

How often have we misjudged people, torn them to shreds with harsh words and deeds, tarnish their reputation, destroy their relationships and careers before we have had time to evaluate the situation?

I have been there before!! And together with Job I say:

“Though he slay me, yet will I
trust him; I will surely defend
my ways to his face. Indeed, this
will turn out for my deliverance!”
‭‭ Job‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬-‭16‬

When being pursued, take confidence in this;

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
‭‭. Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭13‬-‭14‬

Have a wonderful day and stay blessed.

Papa Charles

01/06/2024

IT'S NOW YOUR TURN
Good morning dear friends;
Mercy to you, peace and love be multiplied.

Luke 1:36
"Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month."

Today is the first day of the SIX MONTH of the year of our LORD, Two Thousand and Twenty Four.

IT'S NOW YOUR TURN to experience God's hand in your situation.

God told a virgin she was already pregnant with a child!

An incredible message.

When Mary doubted, the Angel directed her to her cousin Elizabeth.

The Hebrew nouns 'Elizabeth' and 'Zechariah' together means "God remembers His oath".

Elizabeth (God of oath) Zechariah (Jah has remembered)

Elizabeth, a barren, aged, married, menopausal woman is already in her SIXTH MONTH pregnancy!!

"God remembered His oath."

“I am the Lord, the God of
all mankind. Is anything too
hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27

This first day of the SIXTH MONTH, God has remembered His oath regarding your issue.

"For with God nothing shall
be impossible."
Luke 1:37

Your long standing childlessness is over. Your life partner is at the door. The chain of poverty is broken and your employment letter is already at post.

IT'S NOW YOUR TURN!

For this SIXTH MONTH, sin, sickness and death is defeated.

If in doubt, behold Elizabeth, she was sorted in the SIXTH MONTH.

"she who was said to be
unable to conceive is in her
sixth month."
Luke 1:36b

IT'S NOW YOUR TURN, RISE UP AND SHINE.

"As soon as the sound of your
greeting reached my ears, the
baby in my womb leaped for joy."
Luke 1:44

May you leap for joy today and beyond.

Enjoy the rest of the week with me in the knowledge that you're pregnant with good deeds and goodies.

Papa Charles.

31/05/2024

FROM A DISTANCE
Good Morning dear friends;
Mercy unto you, peace and love be multiplied.

Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭CEB‬‬
“the LORD appeared to them from a distance: I have loved you with a love that lasts forever…Again, I will build you up, and you will be rebuilt,…Again, you will play your tambourines and dance with joy.”

In what time we’re overwhelmed by life’s turbulence, the Lord appears ‘from a distance’, calms the storm and offer comfort to our soul.
‭‭
Matthew 14:25-27 presents Jesus coming ‘From a distance’. He saw His disciples struggling in the storm.

He saw their fear, their doubt, and their desperation. And from a distance, He came to them, walking on the water, speaking peace into their chaos.

Sometimes, you feel like you’re alone in our struggles, that you are drowning, that no one sees your pain or understands your fears. But from a distance, God sees you!

“It is the Lord who goes before
you. He will be with you; he will
not leave you or forsake you. Do
not fear or be dismayed.”
Deut. 31:8

He sees your tears, your doubts, and your desperation. And from a distance, He comes to you, walking on the turbulent waters of your life, speaking peace into your chaos.

Just as Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the water, may you also step out onto the uncertain waters of faith.

May you trust that from a distance, God sees you and is coming to you, bringing peace and calm to your storms.

Fix your eyes on Him ‘from a distance’ and trust that He is always with you, even in the midst of turmoil.

Stay blessed and have a wonderful weekend.

Papa Charles

31/05/2024

THE STORY OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB IN A GLANCE.
( Bible Study )

“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

Questions:
1. What is the major significance of the selection of Abraham?

The selection of Abraham is a pivotal event in the Bible, marking the beginning of God's covenant with his people. Here are some significant points for your Bible study:

- God's promise (Genesis 12:1-3): God chooses Abraham and promises to make him the father of a great nation, blessing all nations through him.

- Faith and obedience (Genesis 12:4; Romans 4:3): Abraham's willingness to leave his home and family demonstrates his faith and obedience to God's call.

- Covenant and circumcision (Genesis 17): God establishes a covenant with Abraham, signified by circumcision, promising to be his God and the God of his descendants.

- Father of many nations (Genesis 17:5): God renames Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of many), indicating his role as a father to many nations.

- Model of faith and righteousness (Romans 4:1-25; Hebrews 11:8-19): Abraham's faith and righteousness serve as an example for believers, demonstrating trust in God's promises.

Remember, Abraham's selection is a significant event in God's plan of redemption, showing His desire for a personal relationship with humanity. How would you like to explore this topic further?

Question
2. Why did God choose Israel and not any other nation?

The Bible provides several reasons why God chose Israel as His special nation:

1. Unconditional love and sovereign choice (Deuteronomy 7:7-8): God chose Israel simply because He loved them and wanted to demonstrate His grace and mercy.

2. Abraham's faith and obedience (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:6): God's promise to Abraham was based on his faith and willingness to obey, making his descendants a natural choice.

3. Redemption and salvation (Exodus 6:6-8; Isaiah 43:1-7): God chose Israel to be the people He would redeem and save, demonstrating His power and love.

4. Witness to the nations (Isaiah 43:10; 44:8): Israel was chosen to be a light to the nations, showcasing God's character and plan of redemption.

5. Messiah and salvation for all nations (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8): Through Israel, God would bring forth the Messiah, Jesus, who would bring salvation to all nations.

Remember, God's choice of Israel wasn't based on their size, strength, or goodness (Deuteronomy 7:7-8; 9:4-6), but rather His sovereign love and purpose.

Question
3. Why was the clan of Judah favored with regard to the story of the Jesus Christ the Messiah?

The reasons why the clan of Judah was favored are:

- Judah was the fourth son of Jacob:
The position of leadership of the family clan was usually passed on to the eldest son. However, the tribe of Judah became prominent instead of the tribe of Reuben, the eldest son.

- Jacob’s blessing:
Jacob proclaimed, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” This prophecy revealed that Jesus the Messiah, the King of kings, would be born of Judah’s line.

- God’s goodness and grace: God’s goodness toward Judah shows us the unsurpassable grace He has granted us. Judah’s privilege in Jesus’ line shouldn’t anger us but rather comfort us, knowing God blesses us far beyond what we deserve. And our greatest blessings were bought by Judah’s descendant, Jesus, who purchased our redemption to save us from our sins.

- Judah’s redemption:
When Joseph held authority in Egypt, he met the brothers who had betrayed him many years earlier but did not recognize him then. Joseph tested them and arranged to separate his younger brother, Benjamin, from his older brothers. Judah believed the pain of losing Benjamin would kill his father, so he offered to trade himself as a sacrifice and bear Joseph’s wrath.

Question
4. Through the lesson so far, what have you learnt about the exercise of the disciplines of OBEDIENCE and SACRIFICE?

26/05/2024

Psalm 119:105
The word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.”

25/05/2024

“Pray without ceasing.”
‭‭1 Thess. 5‬:‭17‬