Christ’s Ambassador

In gracious ways, our God in humility invites man to partner with him in some of his miraculous works to answer prayers. But at times how he wants things done may not be very clear and the expected end may seem impossible. Yet if we would just trust him, the miracle will happen and our joy will be full.

One occasion that I have never quite understood is found in 1Kgs17:13 Go and live in Zarepath near Sidon, I have commanded a widow there to feed you and Elijah promptly departed. But at the outskirts of Zarepath, the person Elijah found was a very poor widow gathering sticks to cook the last meal for her and a child, and then she would give up to the raging famine. Didn’t God say He commanded a widow? Maybe Elijah had better look for the right widow? Have you ever been in situations where God’s word seems as if He made a mistake? Have you ever ignored people you should have helped simply because they were not members of your church or fellowship group and you thought God could not have sent you to them?

What made the miracle to happen on that day? Elijah died to self. He forgot about his own needs and he ignored his Jewish status. Compassion rose in his heart for this poor and dying family. He spoke the word of God to the situation in the widow’s hearing. “For God says that jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry…”.1Kgs17:14  I never quite understand, did he hear the voice of God at that instance or did he just use the cart-blanche? But I am convinced that his heart worked same way as God’s on that issue. The miracle was undeniable evidence.

What made the miracle happen on that day? God enabled the widow to belief. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. And more the widow acted immediately on what was spoken that she heard and believed. This is the complete chain of miracle. Though not an Israelite, this widow seemed to know about God and she belief what she had heard. I guess from Jesus’ words that there was no widow in the whole of
Israel that time who had such faith else the children’s food would not have been thrown to the dogs. Luke4:25-26. Right?

God commanded the widow to feed Elijah, not in audible tones but in the spirit of appreciation that came over the lady as she witnessed the miracle. Who would not want to play host to such a prophet? God speaks in various ways. Can you recall how he had spoken to you in recent times without the use of words? Heb1:2. Eventually the help Elijah wanted was given him but he also was a willing participant in bringing the help first to others, then to him as well. Consider the joy he must have in his heart when the widow’s family had food to last them through the crisis period and he was their guest! How often we push away the helping hand of God because we couldn’t discern his moves and then rob ourselves of fruitfulness and joy. Do you realize the danger posed by laziness,  selfishness, discrimination, lack of compassion, fear, pride, unbelief, ignorance of the word of God and lack of endurance in your ministry or church?

How may we be partners with God today in bringing his blessings in answer to our prayers? One clue to all this is in James’s testimony about Elijah written in Jas 5:16-17 Prayer. It is through constant prayer that our hearts will get knitted to the heart of God such that we begin to think alike and share same burdens. Do two walk together except they agree?. May we pray “Burden us with your burden, Oh Lord?”

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May 27 is celebrated as children day all over the world. In Nigeria alone 42.2% of the 164million national population (2002 estimate) are between 0-14years mark and this means 69.2 million children are supposed to be celebrating today. But we know it is not so. Greater than half of this population are not even aware there is a children day. As I thank God and rejoice for parents and children globally, my mind goes to the millions of children all over the world who must starve and die because of civil war, poverty, disease, legalised abortion, lack of good drinking water, natural disasters and misrule. Others are condemned to lives of illiteracy and ignorance for lack of facilities to educate them.

What causes all these sufferings and deprivations? Man has departed from the directions given by his Maker. Man manufactures all manner of equipment to make life easier and also writes instructions for safe and efficient use of these equipment. So has the Author of life written HIS instructions for a safe and purposeful living on earth. And this is The Bible. However, man has refused to follow the instructions of God. The same Bible says that Man dominates man to his injury. Eccl 8:9

The children the nation fails to train today with the national resources and assets will end up destroying the nation the more when they grow, and the cycle continues. However, does it end at that? We would give account to God who gave these children as GIFS to us. Ps 127:3 What has been your own contribution to the training and development of children in your house? What about those in your neighbourhood, church, school, business area and in the Nation?

I also remember the Hannahs, Sarahs and Elizabeths who still look up to God for the fruit of the womb. How do we relate to them today and everyday as others celebrate? Do you mock them in the manner of Penninah? 1Sam1:6 Do you chide them as Jacob did Rachel? Wait a minute. Did Jacob not say “Am I in the position of God who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?Gen30:2  Were there not enough examples of God’s faithfulness in the ancestry of Jacob? Sarah had Isaac at ninety years of age. Rebecca, Isaac’s wife had Jacob and Esau after sixteen years of barrenness. We did not so read that Abraham or Isaac scolded their wives. But Jacob had no encouraging words to comfort his beloved wife Rachel just the way Elkannah comforted Hannah. What manner of love? How do you relate to such people today? How do you think of them? What is your relationship with the widows and widowers? How do you contribute to help orphans? Do you offer yourself for God to use as HE used Boaz for Ruth?

May God himself give peace to those who are still looking up to HIM for the fruits of the womb and answer their prayers. To those who have given up because of medical conditions, bereavement and very advanced age, may God fill the void and comfort them HIS own way.

Anyway, we all are children of God irrespective of age, so happy celebrations to us all!

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The whispers died down as the Committee chairman entered the room and took his seat at the head of the long conference table where twelve distinguished state officials were already seated. “Without wasting much time,” He said after the pleasantries, “may we have the reports on the assignments handed over to you last meeting? You may start Carl.” Carl was the Commissioner of Police. “There is nothing to pin on the man sir. He is as clean as a whistle” replied Carl.

“Over to you Head of Internal Revenue Board.” “Gentlemen, as far back as we can dig up, the guy is up-to-date in his tax payments”.

“Drug Law Enforcement Agency” The Chairman signalled. “Sir, we have nothing on this guy. He’s clean”

“Next, Head of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission” “The man has no case with us sir. There is nothing to hang on him”

“Conduct and Ethics Bureau?” The Chairman was getting impatient now. “He is a good citizen sir. His asset declaration data are quite correct even to the last cent”.

“Now head of Secret Service, surely you should have one thing to hang this guy”. A tall sad-looking man gently shook his head. “My agents have been on his trail for the past six months. We’ve covered all areas of his life. Now we know him better than his mother. There is no evidence to hang him. We even got his boss to put him in very desperate situations, yet no results. We set women as baits, we used money, we exhausted all our craftiness on this guy. I am afaraid we can’t get any dirt on him”

“This is incredible!” Roared the Chairman. “Do you guys mean there is nothing we can do to nail this man?”

Then the head of secret service spoke again “Well gentlemen, I did something else, I planted an agent in his church. His report frightened me though but it seems that’s the only option we have” He paused as he brought out his cell phone. “Here is the sms he sent to me just as the meeting was underway“ He read it out to their hearing…. ”We shall not find any occasion against this guy, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God”.

Readers, that sounded like the Devils’ court, doesn’t it? And they might have been discussing Daniel. Read Daniel6:1-5 In the court of the Devil, a good testimony came out for Daniel. There was nothing bad they could pin on Daniel to hang him except if they tried to get him to deny his God. I like that. Could the Devil be so concerened and confused about you to set up a tribunal? Could the truth testify for you as it did for Daniel and for Peter and John Acts4:1-19 and for Stephen and for Demetrius 3Jn12 and for Jesus? Would you be judged guilty by Satan?

Does the Devil pay attention to those who have not done enough for Jesus? How may we draw Satan’s attention? 

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What would you say of Judas Iscariot’s office as Treasurer of Jesus’ ministry? Was it a disadvantage to him? I would have to assume here that he did not get that position by democracy; he was appointed for a purpose. Now what purpose was that? Did Jesus know he had smart fingers before he appointed Judas? Definitely YES. God knows all things. Then by man’s wisdom, was Jesus not to be held responsible for the missing funds? NO. The wisdom of man is foolishness with God. Again, His ways are not man’s ways Isaiah 55:9

God is love, and everything he does is good. Then how could Judas’s box have been an advantage, a saving grace for him? James warned that “No one who is tempted should ever say that God is tempting me. God is never tempted to do wrong and he never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of his own desires”. James 1:13, 14. It could then very well mean that the treasury box was a training package, graciously made available to him, that from the box, he might hear the voice of God as HE warned: “Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it” Genesis 4:7c

Judas was a pathological thief who needed God’s help. He actually wanted to play a fast one on the enemies of Jesus because he thought Jesus would disappear as he had always done (when his time had not come). I strongly believe that if he applied all he heard Jesus teach, which he himself must have preached to others, and used the box as a control measure, he would have been able to subdue the sin of greed, theft and selfishness. Then he would have found the voice to tell the Jewish leaders “Get behind me Satan” Sadly, the teachings of Jesus fell on the pathways in his heart and the birds picked them up. Mathew 13:17-19. Isn’t this a good warning for us to live the word?

Each time I meditate on Judas’ story, I look deeper inwards and at times I get scared. What is contained in my own Box? Could it be my position in the family? My finances? Career? Skills? Status in the society? Duty in the church? Authority or responsibility at work? My whole life time? My trials? Yes! even my trials. All these among other gifts and calling are the contents of the Box. They are gifts and responsibilities for service, meant to train and attract blessings to me. God’s blessings make rich and he adds no sorrow to it. Everybody has their own Box. Have you identified yours? Another question is “What do you do with the box which the Lord kept in your care?” Do you often take some of the contents for your own use? How do you use the position, influence, wealth, beauty, connections and skills God endowed you with?

One may want to ask: “If Judas didn’t betray Jesus, who else could have”? My thoughts could be put in this way “Was the dirty job not the Devils’ business? What do you do with the free-will God bless you with? Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 2Tim2:20–21 may be instructive here. How may we avail ourselves for the Master’s use rather than being a vessel for ignoble use?

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“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it”1 Cor 12:18.

I like Paul’s analogy on church organisation in his letter to the Corinthinan believers. You could read more about this in 1Cor12 down to chapter 14. This letter is a bomb timed to detonate in the faces of the ‘Pharisees‘ among us today. V27 of chapter 12 says “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a necessary part of it” My punchline in this piece is “Do we have the right to condemn the ministry of others? Who is the judge and rewarder of our activites in God’s vineyard?

James’s warning in Jas4:11,12 is very important. A careful look at the ministry of Jesus here on earth reveals to us that some participants worked behind the scene. Yet their contributions were no less valued than those who preached openly. Some showed up briefly and as soon faded to oblivion in the vision of men, but remain in the memory of God. Some were not even named at all, yet all worked together in harmony, showing up at the right time and location the Master need them.

To start with, whose manger was it where Mary finally got a space to deliver her baby? In whose house did the family stay at when they flew to Egypt? What was the name of the boy whose lunch was used to feed the multitude? Who owned the donkey Jesus rode on triumphantly to Jerusalem? In whose house did the group take the last supper? Who planted the tree, who constructed the cross on which Jesus said “It is finished” as he nailed the world’s sins on it? Can anyone tell us the name of the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob who later brought a great crowd to Jesus by her testimony? Who was the man born blind? Enough of the unamed Saints.

How was Jesus ministry funded? Ordinary women folks like Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna among others provided from their resources Luke8:1-3. Mary and Martha made their house available at Bethany. Lazarus their brother even saw death for the glory of God John11:4. Time and sapce would not permit us to enumerate the contributions of the demoniac who became evangelist in the decapolis, Simon of Cyrene who helped carry the cross to Goglgotha. Nichodemus took time off his council meetings to give Jesus a decent burial. Joseph of Arimathea lent out his grave for Christ to resurrect from. What a wonderful grave where angels stood on guard to announce “He is risen”Luke 24:6

All these among numerous others played roles no others could have played. They did what they were given the grace to do. Just as Joshua did what Moses could not do, Moses had done what Joshua couldn’t have done. We are the chosen ones today, but we must recognise that each has their unique roles to play. Some people’s ministries may not be as visible and loud as others’ but does that mean they are not doing as much as they should do for the Lord? Who has the right to judge or evaluate peoples’ activities in the vineyard?

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Lot appears briefly as an appendage to Abraham in the scriptures but there are good lessons to learn from his life and family. Lot found himself in Sodom, a city of very wicked people because he walked by sight. He selfishly chose the fertile lands leaving the rocky areas for Abraham his benefactor, in spite of the latter’s humility in allowing him to make the first choice. Gen 13:1-13

It is very commendable that he still retained some lessons about God he had learnt when following Abraham. He trained his daughters well. The bible recorded that his two daughters were still virgins though they lived in a morally decadent area like Sodom. It’s more commendable when one considers the fact that they had fiancés.Gen 19:14 Do the white wedding gowns today always indicate that the brides are chaste? God forbids sex outside marriage . 

God spared Lot and his family at the time of destruction of Soddom through the intercession of Abraham. As he still hesitated to go, the angels sent to destroy the city urged him along. “Hurry escape to the mountains….” What did Lot say? “No let me go to Zoar…” Now this baffles me. Surely those angels knew where God had prepared for Lot’s safety but the man argued with them and chose Zoar, a small village nearby. His excuse? “Danger will overtake me“ Is this not the same attitude he exhibited in choosing the fertile plains of Soddom? Walking by sight.

Gen19:30 recorded that “Afterward Lot left Zoar because he was afraid of the people there, and he went to live in a cave in the mountains with his two daughters.” Why? The people were wicked. He should have detected that earlier and in fact Zoar was spared because of him.  Gen19:21 Well, we may congratulate him that he eventually got to where God wanted him to go but was his initial disobedience without consequences? I don’t think so. One consequence I could readily think of is that his once chaste daughters learnt bad habits from the inhabitants of Zoar. Bad company spoils good morals. They got Lot drunk and had sex with him, not one day mistake but two days of deliberate planning and implementation. Lot himself became a drunkard. You can imagine the decay that had come upon the family that lived lives of holiness at Sodom!

How careful are you in raising your family? Do you prayerfully consider the environment you live and the peers your children and wards hang out with? Do you allow God to make your choices for you? Are choices of career, place of work, spouse, place of settlement, school and even where to worship among the things we should place before God?

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Separated by 28 generations, Ahithophel and Judas had the privilege of serving Kings who had the everlasting covenant of God. Ahithophel served King David as an adviser and Judas Jesus the King of Kings as a disciple, treasurer and friend. Each knew the word of God very well and enjoyed the goodness of the Lord. In the book of 2 Sam 16:23 we read that “every word Ahithophel spoke seems as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God.” Judas was among the twelve who learnt directly from Jesus for over three years. He went on evangelism and cast out demons and performed healing in the name of Jesus. He had Jesus say “……rejoice your names are written in heaven” Lk10:20  With all these, each still had a grudge against the Master.

What was Ahithophel’s grudge? David seduced his grand-daughter and killed his grand-son-in-law. Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam” (2Sam 11:3) and Eliam was son of Ahithophel of Giloh. (2Sam 23:34) Judas’ grudge against Jesus may be that he was not allowed to go and sell the expensive perfume Mary used to anoint Jesus (in preparation for his burial). Judas voiced it out but he was overruled. If he had his way, he would have had some perk for himself out of the proceeds, for he had been stealing from the treasury box (John 12:4-8) He kept the finances but was not free to use the money as he liked, hence the stealing, and good motive for the grudge.  Each had time enough to repent. The time span between David’s affair with Bathsheba and the revolt of Absalom was over two years. Yet Ahithophel was still in David’s court counselling him, but not with a blameless heart. Do we have a lesson there? How often do we serve God but not with a blameless heart? How often do we suppress anger but keep it warm enough to affect our actions? Judas continued to hear Jesus teach about covetousness and its dangers to spiritual life. He heard Jesus warned that “One of you will betray me”. He heard Jesus preach against stealing all the time, yet he could not keep his hands off the till.  Each rebelled and chose another master afterwards. Ahithophel joined in the rebellion of Absalom, David’s estranged son. Judas took sides with a spirit being, created Lucifer, an estranged son of God who rebelled and became Satan the Devil. Then each of them committed suicide when disgrace came their way. Ahithophel killed himself because his advice was considered foolish for the first time in his career. Judas, who probably thought Jesus would just disappear as usual, was shocked when Jesus gave himself up for arrest. He realized he had foolishly “betrayed an innocent blood” He couldn’t face life any longer. Is it then right to conclude that, one, the two of them took their eyes off the word of God and concentrated on their selfish ego? This book of the law should not depart from your mouth, in it you should meditate day and night…….”(Josh 1:8)  Ahithophel probably didn’t realise he was drifting because the head knowledge of the word and past successes were still making him to feel good. Judas also was still enjoying the ill-gotten money and the trick he wanted to play on the Jewish Elders Council. Could we also have our faith derailed if we do not walk our talk? Two, they had unforgiving attitude. God forgave David and restored him when he repented genuinely but Ahithophel, a mortal man refused to forgive. His grudges were actually against God who forgave David. Judas’s grudges too were against God who would rather take care of the poor than allow Judas to spend HIS resources on mundane things. Are we really not nursing grudges against God if we kick against his law of love? Is unforgiveness a sin unto death? (1Jn 4:16)

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As a soldier of Christ, you are called to be a purposeful watchman not an idle watcher. You should be on red alert to blow the whistle at the slightest sight of enemy approach. In the race for the kingdom of God there is no room for spectators. No Supporters club. Spectators will be crushed by those who must take the kingdom violently. As a tree planted you must bear good fruits else the Gardener will order that you be uprooted – the axe has been ready since the days of John the Baptist. The Commander-In-Chief’s order is “GO“. (Matt 28:19) Why are you still meddling in civilian affairs? That order neither gives preference to a group of elites called Clergy nor spare a group called Lay from responsibility. All hands must be on deck. Go-Easy, Sunday-Sunday Christianity is the creation of ignorance, disobedience, hypocrisy and laziness. It is not recognized by the Lord who says “Work when there is yet light…” Jesus suffered and died that you may have life abundantly; dare you fold your arms and waste the life He gave to you at such a great cost? Be sure you would not be in the category who would beg the mountains to hide them from the fiery countenance of the King of Kings when judgment comes.  John wrote in his first epistle, 1Jn3:16 that “This is how we know love, Jesus gave his life on behalf of many and we also are obligatory to give our lives for the brethren”, It is a responsibility. There are too many options involved in “giving our lives” and every person born has been given the grace to do something. If you want to know how serious the call is, turn with me to Romans 12:1,2. The Message translation of the Bible renders it this way: “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.“ So how dare we stay idle? His Grace abounds but the time is urgent. John says “This is the last hour”  

Moroeover, HE has called us to Occupy till HE comes. Will HE find you doing that? Again he says “Behold I am coming soon and my reward is with me to repay everyone according to their deeds” Rev 22:12  Are you still folding your arms in idleness? A little sleep, a little slumber and poverty come upon you suddenly. If you can’t cross the ocean to reach the heathen you can find one near you. If you cannot preach like Paul surely your funds can be useful in printing tracts. Ten minutes intercession in your closet may save a soul. Must you go to meet your Savior empty-handed? Are you still sleeping and resting? Look the hour is near. Matt26:45 NIV

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This post is a comment on “Ball Field” written by Howard Butt, Jr and categorised under Leadership in the www.theHighCalling.org website.

The audio cast discusses the pains of not being recognised and the succor found in Christ and knowing who we are in Christ. To me, it was enough that the apostles were seen as being Christlike. The Sanhedrin marvelled at the boldness and wisdom of Peter and John. In Acts 4:13,we read that When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. At Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians – Christlike- and that’s who they were.

We are the disciples of today. This is our testimony and it is suffiecient for us because it is the Grace of God. The problem is that at times, we walk away from who we should be and pretend to be what the world think we should be. If we do what the Apostles did, people must know who we are. Jesus said “Let your light shine” but most of us shine in the church and hide the lamp under the drawers in our workplaces. If you shine people must see your light and know who you are in Christ. Isn’t it always true that  friendliness with the world is enemity with God?.  

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Apostle John wrote about certain travelling teachers of the gospel  Although they were often poor and otherwise unemployed, they still depended solely on the provisions of the church given to them willingly and cheerfully. Why? John wrote:” “For they are travelling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. 3Jn7. What could have been the reason for this determination?

They knew who called them and they were contented with HIS supplies. Paul wrote that “Godliness with contentment has great gains” (1Tim 6:6)

They knew God will never leave them nor forsake them

They were guarding their hearts diligently (Prov 4:23) so as not to be beguiled by the devil. Love of money is the root of evil.

David prayed against evil sources of profits and helps. In Psalm 141:5 he wrote: Let not the oil of the wicked anoint my head, for my prayers are against their evil; deeds” RSV Abram also refused the King of Sodom’s gifts after he (Abram) had helped them win a battle. In Genesis 14: 22,23 he said “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ Abram knew he was already blessed of God.

Have you determined to make this your attitude also? How often believers fail today when they approach the heathen to contribute to a building fund or harvest fund? Whose oil anoints your head? How did you get your current job or promotion? Whose favours do you seek? We do well to bear this in mind for there is no accord between Christ and Belial.

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