Stdeniscbiu

19/09/2016

ILL GOTTEN WEALTH
Better a little with fear of the Lord, than a great fortune with anxiety. Proverb 15:16
Rejoice not at a proud man's success, remember he'll not reach death unpunished. Envy not a sinner's fame, for you do not know what disaster awaits him.
God's words never fails, generations to the next.
What is ill gotten wealth ?
Some will say wealth gotten dubiously.
How?
Some will give examples like the politicians that embezzles public fund, the ritualist, robbers, the civil servants involved in contract inflations and so on. These may be true, but not the whole truth.
Ill gotten wealth is wealth gotten when one sacrifice ones values to get wealth. Infact, what drives one to commit such act is the drive of the love of money. The scriptures states, "Those who want to be rich are FALLING into temptation and into a trap and into MANY foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into RUIN AND DESTRUCTION. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their DESIRE for it have strayed from the faith and have caused themselves so many pains." 1Timothy 6:9-10.
Many will say I don't like money, but watch their actions and you'll notice their hypocrisy.
When we sacrifice on the alter of making money, our values, we make ourselves slave to money, a thing created by man, and inadvertently or intentionally make money god. For we cannot serve God and money see Luke 16:13. Don't you know that the love of money is greed and greed is a form of idolatry, that is idol worshipping. See Colossians 3:5-6
There is the 'man of God', who sacrifices the truth/gospel on the alter of money. He acknowledges, receive gifts and even bless men n women of dubious means. Another will spread false gospel in order to be rich, and people will notice the pastor/CEO has suddenly become very rich, even richer than most members of his 'church'. Who told you that religion makes one rich! See 1Timothy 6:5
Another strange one I see in our land are ladies asking men (or vice versa) for unmerited favour (usually men or women they know little or nothing of), like recharge cards, monies, etc, turning themselves into beggers, because of greed sacrificing their dignity, prestige. Where is your patience and perseverance needed to overcome your lack, see James 5:7-11, don't you know that such unmerited favour don't last and surely brings sorrow at the end.
There are the prostitutes (male and female) willing to sacrifice their bodies because of money. They are on the same level with ritualist, that do same for money.
Some will sacrifice love, children, spouse, friends, truth, and other values on the alter of money, and all these will claim they are sharp, fast people, and some will even brag of their astuteness.
Shame! You all are just like beautiful tombs inside is dead, decayed bodies, you're just fattening yourself like the cow, being fattened for slaughter, on that day God will not spare you, you'll have enough meat to cut!
"The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing you have done!" see Amos 8:7
Repent! Make amends! Turn a new leaf! And be saved!
To all others who toil day and night, and not wanting to sacrifice their values and be slave of money. Those who choose to serve God, and not money
The Lord says
"He raises the needy from the dust, lifts the poor from the ash heap, to set them among princes, the princes of His people." see psalm 113:7-8
And these are your portion as God lives.
Amen!

13/07/2016

CHRISTIAN FAITH SHOWN THROUGH LOVE AND CHARITY
Love and charity are usually taught in all the religions of the world. From judaism, islam, confucianism, buddhism, african religion, even cult groups and sects, all profess in one way or the other that it's good to show love to your neighbor, that is to do unto others as you want others to do to you. Even the devil do good to it's like, or followers.
Yes the command to love has been there in human since creation, no wonder the scriptures states, "For this command which I enjoined on you today is not mysterious and remote for you...... No, it is something very near to you ALREADY in your mouths and in your hearts, you have only to carry it out." see Deuteronomy 30:11-14. God is love, He created man in love, with love and for love, that is why man will always have that tendency to show love, even the most wicked of men. The major problem with us, is not knowing it, but it's in the expression of love which is charity. Now charity here is not limited to money or what it can buy, as most think, but it includes time and talent.
A scholar of the law asked Jesus this question to justify himself, 'Who is my neighbor?' Jesus answered with the Parable of the Good Samaritan (see luke 10:25-37). It states of a jewish man robbed and beaten to near death, a priest and a levit (seemingly model of the jewish faith to this man) ignored him and took the opposite road, though legally these 2 men may be right, cos a priest is not allowed to touch a dead body, because they don't want to be ritually unclean, see Leviticus 21:11. Perhaps if they had gone near, they would have realised that this jew was still alive. Ironically, a Samaritan, an enemy to this jew, took that same road, moved by love and compassion, helped this jew to recovery, to the extent of suspending his journey till he is sure this jew is in the right hands. Jesus now told the scholar to replicate this. While Jesus was on earth, His teachings were majored on love, knowing lack of love is the foundation of all evil in this world. He brought us a complete understanding of this law and command that is inscribed in all humans heart and mouth. Other religions teach love, but limits the perspective or view of who our neighbor is, and who should get our love, but Jesus insists that all humankind is a big neighborhood, and our love and charity should cut across all barriers of culture, tongues and religions, and to even those that don't deserve them, and will readily pay us back with evil. No wonder He told His disciples on the night he was to be arrested "I give you a NEW COMMANDMENT, LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU." see John 13:34. And we all know Jesus love was not selfish but rather a SACRIFICIAL and COMPASSIONATE one. This is the Christian love and charity. In expressing love to others through charity, we should not be moved by compulsion but rather moved by compassion, bearing in mind that it is more blessed to give than to receive (see acts 20:35) and don't be deceived he who gives is always ontop.
Finally, he who abides by love is merciful and compassionate, but he that abides by the law can never be merciful nor compassionate. Love does no evil to a neighbor and hence it is the fulfillment of the law (romans 13:8-10), whether jewish law or anyother cultural law.
Glory be to Jesus.

20/06/2016

Who are you?
Some when asked this common question, thoughts goes to their qualifications, social status, jobs as who they are. They regard who they are as what they do, but, if all these jobs, qualifications and social status are removed they cease to be who they are, they become dejected, frustrated and some may go way ahead to do anything possible to keep to status quo, and if not working, may take su***de as an option.
No! Who you are is not what you do, if what you do is taken from you, you still remain who you are. What you are can be easily changed and taken away from you but who you are can't be easily taken nor changed by others unless you allow it.
Looking at the scriptures, it states we are made in the IMAGE and LIKENESS of God (see Genesis 1:26-27) and in another place, Jesus said, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, 'you are gods" (see John 10:34-35 & Psalm 82:6). That is we are gods, and therefore we can cause to come about what does not exist, take a look around you, and you see this is true. Humans have the God given power to create.
Alas! Most of us don't know who we are, our uniqueness, we have this IDENTITY CRISIS, trying to copy what we are not, and neglecting our own gifts, we copy people, how they look, dress, talk and/or behave, and in doing this we only are an inferior, apeing others. Luke 9:18-21, here Jesus asked His disciples who people say he is, and they replied, "some call you John the Baptist, others Elijah, others one of the ancient prophets. Then Jesus asked them, "who do you say I am." It was Peter that stood up to say, "you are the Messiah of God" Here you see Jesus trying to show His disciples, His uniqueness, He is The Promised Messiah and not like any other prophet. No wonder, those who took Jesus as any other less than the Messiah, His uniqueness did not recognize Him. Yes, just as each prophet was unique, so is all of us. We are all wonderfully and uniquely made for a particular purpose, If we exploit this, we will surely not have enough time to look at another's. The knowledge of who you are will not hurt you, rather will make you develope and add to who you are, knowing you are called for a particular purpose. You'll work at your talent and God will increase you (for to everyone who has, more will be added, see the Parable of the Talent, Matthew 25:14-30). IDENTITY CRISIS, is what is the root cause of the envy, bitterness, cheating, killing to acquire what should not be yours in this world. Think how beautiful our world will be if everyone is working at his/her God given talents.
Therefore it says, "He ascended on high and took prisoners captive, He gave gifts to men,".. Ephesians 4:8. One thing I know is this, you may ask God for wealth, children, qualifications or/and status, He may not grant you instantly, especially if He sees you are not ready or it will lead you astray, but ask God to reveal that talent He deposited in you, and this He would not hesitate to do for you, so that you get busy doing good.
Amen.

18/06/2016

IS CHRIST PRESENT IN THE EUCHARIST?
The Eucharist is a ceremony in the church were christians eat the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the form of bread & wine.
In the bible the answer can be preconfigured i.e. found in the old testament and also manifested in the new testament.
In Genesis 14:17-19,here Melchizedek a priest of the Most High God brought bread & wine to Abraham & blessed him,before Abraham gave him a tenth of all the loot he had recovered. Is it coincidence that a priest of the Most High God gave Abraham bread & wine? Looking at another test, Psalm 110:4 states; The Lord made a solemn promise & will not take it back; "You will be a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek. Also, in Hebrew 7:1-28, St Paul tries to explain that Jesus Christ our High Priest is in the priestly order of Melchizedek.
Now, in Matthew 26:26-30; Our High Priest, Jesus Christ on the night he was to be betrayed, He took a piece bread, gave a prayer of thanks broke it and gave it to His disciples,"Take and eat it," He said,"This is my body." Then, He took a cup,gave thanks to God & gave it to them "Drink it all of you," He said"This is my blood, which seals God's covenant, my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (see Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:14-20). Also, in 1Corinthians 11:17-26, St Paul tells the people of Corinthians, for I received from the Lord the teaching that, I passed on to you,the Lord Jesus on the night He was betrayed, He took a piece of bread,gave thanks and broke it and said; "This is my body, which is for you,do this in memory of me."...... Brethren, from Jesus words anytime we are eating & drinking bread & wine in the church, we are eating and drinking the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
In John 6:47-59, Jesus taught in the synagogue in Capernaum,that He is the bread of life,if anyone eats this bread,he will live forever,the bread He gives is His flesh. Later, He went on saying, "I am telling you the truth; if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man & drink His blood,you'll not have eternal life."... For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
Therefore the bread & wine christians eat when they gather is the body & blood of Jesus Christ Himself. Our High Priest in the priestly order of Melchizedek has offered us this special gift, the Eucharist (His body & blood) let's embrace this teaching. This is one mark of the true Church of Christ, the main reason the Apostles of old gather, to commune and share the Eucharist. If this communion is not practised in your church frequently,please the earlier you leave that gathering the better(Acts 2:46). Let's not make excuses not to feast at our Lord's table(Luke 14:15-24), for Christ is the Eucharist.
We adore you O Lord and worship you,for through your word you have redeemed the world.

07/02/2016

St Valentine's Day, is it a sin day?
First, I wish to state that there is nothing like sin day, no matter the misconceptions of people. The days of the weeks or time and everything inbetween were created by God. The scriptures state, "God looked at everything He has made, and He was pleased,.." genesis 1:31 And so it is ignorance and also sinful to curse that which God made holy or good.
Why should a Christian celebrate a day in honour of something or someone?
The bible itself does not condemn these practice like some protestants do, rather it encourages it. Feast and remembrance days started from the jews of old. It started from the day of passover, Sabbath, new years day, day of atonement,jubilee year, etc see leviticus chapter 24 to 26. Also, later additions were made by the israelite like the feast of Purims(see esther 9:18-23), and other feast and remembrances. Just like the scriptures state and the intensions of these days, are for the jews to remember that special event or persons and their children, who do not know too may come to hear it, and learn it. See Deuteronomy 31:10-13.
Who is St. Valentine?
In the 3rd century after Christ, during the time of emperor Claudius Gothicus (Claudius 2). The roman emperor was in a bloody and unpopular war, he needed men to join the army. He believed that the reasons why he was finding this difficult was because the men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result he forbade marriage and engagement in rome. Valentine was a catholic priest in rome. He and St. Marius disobeyed this official order, vehemently. They performed secret marriages. He was later caught. A relationship ensued between him and claudius. Which Valentine wanted to exploit by converting the emperor to christianity. This threw the emperor to rage, commanding Valentine to renounce his faith or be beaten with clubs and beheaded. Valentine refused, and was executed at the flaminian gate on February 14. On the day before his death, he left a letter for the jailer's daughter signed, "YOUR VALENTINE." The christians in rome remembered this great man for his steadfastness to his faith and remembered that day. Pope Julius 1 (337-352A.D.) built a church near Porte Mole in his memory. Ever since St. Valentine has been the patron saint for affianced couples, engaged couples, happy marriages, lovers and young people, just as so many saints the church celebrates. The church like the jews has so many remembrance and feast days due to their rich and well documented histories. And this writter knew about this hero because he was celebrated on February 14. These heroes are there for the church to learn and imitate just as the scriptures command.
St. Paul in his letters states: "Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and observe those who conduct themselves according to the model you have in us." see Philippians 3:17. And in another place, "Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." see 1Corinthians 11:1.
"Remember your leaders who spoke God's message to you. THINK BACK ON HOW THEY LIVED THEIR LIVES AND DIED (remembrance days), and imitate their faith." hebrew 13:7.
Therefore, it is in the bible that Christians should remember their heroes of faith, and just as it is practiced by the jews, things done then can be replicated.
Doing otherwise and encouraging others to join you is a disobedience to God's word and a SIN.
As for as it was practiced by the romans custom, the romans dedicated the month of February to Juno, a goddess, the feast was called Lupercalia and not Valentine's day. It was a festival that lasted for days unlike Valentine's which is only a day. It starts with a variety of pagan ceremonies unlike that of the church, no official ceremony.
Also note this, the romans also dedicated the days of the week to their gods. Monday to the god of the moon, Saturday to the god of saturn, sunday to the god of the sun, etc. Yet these protesting Christians and some non-Christians accept these days hook, line and sinker. They have the calenders of these days in their houses. Hypocrisy
Finally, no day is of the devil (he created none), all days belong to God and His kingdom and are dedicated to Him. If you say otherwise, you are giving the devil the power he merits not, and that is left for you and God on the last day.
Do people because the computer and phones are used to propagate evil like po*******hy and it's like throw these gadgets?
No!
If this was done. How then will the kingdom of God be propagated using these gadgets?
Criticisers and protestants should stop condemning a day because of evil practiced on days such as these because the kingdom of God is also propagated on days such as these.

06/02/2016

10/01/2016

Infant baptism is it right?
Does the bible condemn it just as some preachers do?
John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4
He said,"How were you baptised?" They replied, "with the baptism of John" Paul then said,"John baptised with the BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE ...they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:4-5
Here, Paul told the 12 men that the baptism of john d baptist was 4 repentance only. Then the men were rebaptised
Now, what is the difference between the baptisms of John the baptist and that of Jesus?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations; baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and the the Holy Spirit.. Matthew 28:19. See also Ezekiel 36:25-28.
Here we understand that both baptism cleanses sins, but the baptism of Christ makes us DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, PEOPLE OF GOD(Ezekiel 36:28). St. Peter states, "that we are a CHOSEN RACE,a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a HOLY NATION, a PEOPLE OF HIS OWN. 1 Peter 2:9. And for us to belong to these nation, everyone of us must be baptized, n in a nation children and babies are part of the citizen.
Therefore, baptism of Christ does not only cleanses but makes us members of Christ's family.
This is the reason why the early apostles baptizes devout man/women and their families; Cornelius acts 10:47, the prison guard acts 16:33, Lydia acts 16:14-15, Crispus, the synagogue official acts 18:8. These devout people were baptised with their household. This happened because, they the early apostles knew the importance of baptizing one and his household, the repentance of one was enough to subject they and their household to baptism.
Jesus said said, "LET ALL CHILDREN COME TO ME, AND DO NOT HINDER THEM," Matthew 19:14. Those who are hindering these children are those who refuse their baptism, and HINDERING THEM FROM being CHILDREN AND DISCIPLES OF GOD.
For the scriptures states "ALL HAVE SINNED" Romans 3:23. And in another place it states "TRUE, I WAS BORN GUILTY, A SINNER, EVEN. AS MY MOTHER CONCIEVED ME. Psalm 51:5
Brethren, the baptism of infants is not condemned by the bible, so we should desist from condemning. Rather we are told to repent and be baptized...and you'll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and your children..acts 2:38-39
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS AND YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD WILL BE SAVED!!
Glory be to God.

07/01/2016

Music in the church
Some people say to make music and dance in the church is a sin, someothers say Jesus did not dance while should they. Some others say show me in the scriptures were Jesus or the early disciples dance to music?
Nobody needs to bring out any quotations. The scriptures r mean't to teach n not to state d obvious.
The jews of Jesus time, played cymbals,harps n other musical instruments, both in there synagogue at wedding ceremonies and at feasts. Jesus was a jew n he observed all jewish laws from his presentation at d temple by his parents to his visit to d temple at 12 years, he also attended wedding ceremonies, n in all dese gatherings n feast dere were dancin, clapping, beatin of cymbals n playin of harps. Jesus never complained. He only complained wen d jews were doing business in d temple were He said "Take these out of here and stop making my Father's house a marketplace" see John 2:13-25.
For Jesus to keep quiet of d jews dancin shows he accepted dem.
Come to think of it dancing,drumming or clapping r not sin, dey r emotions created into man by God, man never created dose emotions. And d scriptures says after God created d whole world includin man n his emotions, He was happy cos dey were good.
Jesus danced,
God can dance cos we humans are created in d image of God.
So 1Corinthians 10:31 states "whether you eat or drink, or WHATEVER YOU DO, DO EVERYTHING FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
Which means no matter wat will do, as long as it is not sin we should do it to glorify God. So brethren I'll dance, sing, clap to glorify God, and please don't criticize me for that.
Finally, those that criticize you for using these to glorify God, dance to music at their homes and parties, if this is not hypocrisy then tell me what it is?