₦airaland Forum

SAMBARRY:
Has it gotten to this level?


I thought it was women that rush and distribute themselves to men like pamphlet. Orisirisi. Anyway nothing to say.


Next

The women are accused of being gold diggers. Looks like the men are trying to beat them in the game.
The hustle is real

-          A real situation played out at the Freedom FM radio station Kano on Wednesday the 17th when over a hundred male listeners of the station rushed to besiege the premises of the organization. The men flooded to the station, after a lady on a radio show called 'Inda Ranka', a lifestyle programme, had jokingly announced that she would give any man who marries her a car and a house!...  Soon after, the men rushed down to the station, hoping to meet the lady and express their intention of marrying her. Some men even wrote down their names on a sheet of paper to be presented to the lady so that she can interview them on a first come, first served basis. Even after management officials of the station told them the statement was a joke, the men refused to leave until they had to be dispersed by the police…

Have you applied?
Did you get it?

So sad!
What will be the quality of his own life after this?

THE KING DETHRONED AND HIS PRIDE ABASED

[Daniel:4:1-37 ].
Lesson No.: 421
Class: Senior
Memory Verse: “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Daniel 4:17).


Cross References:

I The King’s Dream
1. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God’s eternal dominion, [Daniel:4:1-3 ].
2. The king dreams of a great tree hewn down, [Daniel:4:4-17 ]; [Psalms:37:35-36 ].

II The Interpretation and Warning
1. The wise men of Babylon could not interpret the king’s dream, [Daniel:4:18], [Daniel:4:6-7 ]; [Daniel:2:2-13 ].
2. Daniel interprets the dream, [Daniel:4:19-26 ], [Daniel:2:36-45 ].
3. Daniel counsels the king to heed the warning of the dream and turn from his sin, [Daniel:4:27]; [Isaiah:58:1]; [Jeremiah:26:3]; [Ezekiel:3:18]; [Matthew:27:19]; [Hebrews:12:25].

III The Fulfilment
1. After 12 months of pride and rejection of God’s mercy, Nebuchadnezzar was dethroned, [Daniel:4:28-32 ]; [Daniel:5:20]; [2 Chronicles:26:16]; [2 Chronicles:32:25]; [Isaiah:14:12-15 ].
2. Driven from his palace, the king lived in the fields as an animal, [Daniel:4:33]; [Daniel:5:21]; [Psalms:32:9].
3. After seven seasons Nebuchadnezzar turned to God and his understanding returned to him, [Daniel:4:34]; [Acts:8:22].
4. The kingdom was restored to Nebuchadnezzar when he acknowledged that God rules in Heaven and in earth. [Daniel:4:35], [Daniel:4:36], [Daniel:4:17], [Daniel:4:25], [Daniel:4:32].
5. King Nebuchadnezzar gives his testimony and warning on pride, [Daniel:4:37], [Daniel:4:1-3 ]; [Proverbs:16:18]; [Proverbs:29:23]; [1 John:2:16]; [Revelation:3:17].

Notes:

In a former lesson we studied the second chapter of Daniel and found that through a dream God revealed to Nebuchadnezzar that he was the very head of gold of the image that depicted world empires. The God of Heaven gave him the kingdom of Babylon and all the power, strength, and glory of that kingdom, and called him a king of kings. But what unconverted man is there whom God has blessed, promoted, and prospered, who will not take all the honour unto himself and forget that it is God who giveth these things? Nebuchadnezzar had yet to learn and acknowledge that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.”

The King’s Prophetic Forewarning
Nebuchadnezzar had been successful in his wars and all his administration. His enemies had all been effectively subdued and everything was quiet and prosperous in his empire. He had succeeded in making Babylon one of the wonders of the world. Everything to which he had laid his hand had turned out favourably. There remained nothing more to be desired to satisfy his ambition as a man, or to add to his glory as a great king. And while he was thus at rest in his house and flourishing in his palace a dream came to him. This dream, so vividly described in our text, the king remembered and recounted in minute detail. But the king was utterly at a loss to understand the meaning of this dream. It should have been plain from the very terms of the dream that it was meant to give the king a serious admonition against pride and self-glorification, and that God would send speedy humiliation to those who give themselves the glory for what they have achieved or enjoy. Needless to say, the king was very much disturbed by this dream and the implications thereof.

After the wise men of Babylon had been unable to interpret the dream, Daniel came before the king. The king gave a wonderful testimony to the faithfulness of Daniel, the prophet of God, then told him his dream. For one hour Daniel did not speak in the king’s presence. Daniel was troubled in his thoughts, very probably because the interpretation of this dream was much different from the former dream. To stand before a world monarch and tell him his faults was altogether different from standing before him and telling him he was a great king, a head of gold in the scheme of world empires. But at the king’s encouragement, Daniel said that the tree that had grown and become strong was the king, “for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.” But as the dream foretold, he was to be driven from men and have his dwelling among the beasts of the field and eat grass as an ox, and the dew of heaven was to be upon him until seven times passed over him. Then Daniel, true to his God, at the risk of his own life, gave counsel to the king and advised him to break off his sin by righteousness, and his iniquity by showing mercy unto the poor. What a different story the outcome of this dream would have been if King Nebuchadnezzar had heeded the warning!

The King’s Offence
We would suppose that such an impressive forewarning and admonition could not fail of the desired effect, but there is nothing more treacherous and deceitful than poor, depraved human nature. Nebuchadnezzar doubtless intended to profit to the full from the counsel he had received. He had the utmost confidence in the wisdom and inspiration of the prophet. He had every reason to accept the whole presentation as a veritable message from God, nor was it in the composition of this monarch’s character to make light of so evident a communication from the Deity whose signs and wonders he had beheld. But it is hard for rich and powerful men in the midst of their glory and flatteries to be true and faithful to all they know and feel as their duty in regard to what is right and proper. The Saviour and His Apostles have remarked upon the great difficulty of such to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and Nebuchadnezzar was not an exception. Where is the unsaved man in public office who could be entrusted with such power and glory without having his head completely turned and his self-esteem lifted higher than the stars?

The king possibly pondered long the meaning of this dream, and no doubt for a while walked carefully as a result of it. Finally a whole year had passed and he was walking upon the high places of his palace, in all its grandeur, ornamented with battlements and towers. All around and beneath him lay the city with its grand avenues and its gigantic wall with one hundred mighty gates. Nebuchadnezzar, taking a survey of his magnificent achievements, refers them exultingly to himself, to his own genius, but leaves out that eternal Providence without which he was no more than the meanest beggar. He looked and admired, but forgot about the dream, and said: “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?”

He had heard the heavenly “watcher” say, and Daniel repeat, that it was his duty, as that of all men, to know and realise that it is the Most High that ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will; but in the moment of transport over what he had accomplished he forgot all this and set everything down to his own credit. Thus he lent his soul and speech to a miserable pride, which seems to have been this man’s besetting sin -- the besetting sin of all human greatness and success -- which reached its culmination as he thus walked and spoke amid the towers and battlements of his glorious palace.

The King’s Punishment
Twelve months of grace had been given to the king, ample time for consideration and repentance from his pride and vainglory. Punishment came quickly when the Lord’s time arrived. While the words were still in the king’s mouth there was a voice from Heaven, saying, “The kingdom is departed from thee.” That which the king had seen in a dream, and which had been interpreted by the faithful prophet, finally came to pass. It is thought that the king was seized with a form of insanity in which his human understanding was taken from him and he thought himself to be an animal. This well may be the case, because in reference to his recovery he said, “Mine understanding returned unto me.” Yet we cannot think of this as altogether a natural affliction, for it was sent from God as a direct result of his sin and pride. He had unduly glorified his own genius and God turned that genius into the lowest instinct of an ox that eateth grass, as helpless and as base as if he had never been a man at all. The description throughout exhibits one of the most horrible afflictions that could come upon a human being, to say nothing of such a mighty potentate as Nebuchadnezzar. Verily, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Almighty God.

The King’s Recovery and Restoration
Seven times or seasons, very possibly meaning seven years, passed over the king’s head in this condition, but “at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven.” That look unto Heaven was coming from a grievous sufferer who looked imploringly for mercy and help from whence only they could come. It was a look of reverence for the God of Heaven and a look of prayer for pity; and it was an availing look. The king states: “Mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”

He had endured a most awful judgment, but it had upon him the intended effect. It humbled his pride. It brought him to the most devout personal recognition of the true God. It set him to work to do all in his power to honour and glorify Jehovah. It took away from his heart all shame or hesitation in confessing his sin, and the justice of the punishment he had suffered on account of it. It made him a penitent adorer and royal missionary of the true God. He had learned that the heavens do rule, and now his royal desire was that all people and nations and languages that dwell in all the earth might learn the same without coming to it through such sorrows as he had experienced.

The fact that after such total disability he found his kingly authority reserved for him must likewise refer to the special providence and merciful goodness of God. It could have been that Daniel and the three other Hebrews who held high places in government were used of God in holding this position for their king. They knew that this affliction was for a definite time and that he would recover. Accordingly, the king had this testimony to give that when the days of his affliction were accomplished his counsellors and lords sought unto him and he was established in his kingdom and excellent majesty was added unto him.God’s discipline acknowledged and accepted is always God’s favour secured.


Questions:

1. Describe in your own words the dream, which Nebuchadnezzar had.
2. What words of commendation did the king have in regard to Daniel’s ability?
3. Why should the king have so much confidence in Daniel’s ability?
4. After Daniel interpreted the dream, what more did he have to say to the king?
5. Under what conditions would it have been possible that this dream would never be fulfilled?
6. What was the king in the process of saying when the Lord let that which the dream had prophesied happen?
7. What effect did the fulfilling of the dream have on the king in the end?
© 2011. Apostolic Faith, West & Central Africa - All rights reserved.

Somebody had informed NL of the commencement of the PH-Enugu train service and I showed it to my son. He was so excited about it that he rushed down to Enugu over the wicked to join the train to PH.

He just made the trip today.
On the positive side: the cabins were neat. Cheap cost-wise and he found it exciting passing from one remote village to another and watching children and adults who had not seen trains rush out to wave at them.

The negative side: it took a very long time! They left Enugu at about 7am and got to Elelenwo in the afternoon. Looks like they are stations every 15 minutes. So if you're in a hurry, just don't try it.
Another observation is that people are not used to it so they do unsafe things. Imagine a driver parking his 911 lorry on the rail line.

I think Mountain of Fire has some hand in the emergence of die die die and all these hatred taught in Nigerian churches.
They popularised the pursuit and death of enemies.
Now see the result as it is bastardized by illiterate and semi-literate idle opportunists.

I know their members would attack me but truth must be told: love your enemies, do good to those that despitefully use you and persecute you so that you will be called children of your Father who is in heaven. I am yet to see where Jesus taught point and kill enemies.
I don't find the posters funny. I find them worrisome

Maximillian1:
NL members una wicked ooo..despite everytin this dude wrote,nobody hit d like button..chai!! SMH

It wasn't written; it was copied and pasted.
And the intention wasn't to attract likes but for record purposes.
Aliyu Gwarzo said they are behind BH and will remain so until the presidency returns to the North

Is this how they will achieve getting back the presidency? Will we be bombed into submission?



Read what one of their thinkers wrote:

When I say that the Presidency must come to the north next year I am referring to the Hausa-Fulani core north and not any northern christian or muslim minority tribe.

The Christians in the north such as the Berom, the Tiv, the Kataf, the Jaba, the Zuru, the Sayyawa, the Bachama, the Jukun, the Idoma and all the others are nothing and the muslim minorities in the north, including the Kanuri, the Nupe, the Igbira, the Babur, the Shuwa Arabs, the Marghur and all the others know that when we are talking about leadership in the north and in Nigeria, Allah has given it to us, the Hausa-Fulani.

They can grumble, moan and groan as much as they want but each time they go into their bedrooms to meet their wives and each time they get on their prayer mats to begin their prayers, it is we the Fulani that they think of, that they fear, that they bow to and that they pray for.

Some of them are even ready to give us their wives and daughters for one nights sport and pleasure. They owe us everything. This is because we gave them Islam through the great Jihad waged by Sheik Usman Dan Fodio.

We also captured Ilorin, killed their local King and installed our Fulani Emir. We took that ancient town away from the barbarian yoruba and their filthy pagan gods. We liberated all these places and all these people by imposing islam on them by force.

It was either the Koran or the sword and most of them chose the Koran. In return for the good works of our forefathers Allah, through the British, gave us Nigeria to rule and to do with as we please. Since 1960 we have been doing that and we intend to continue.

No Goodluck or anyone else will stop us from taking back our power next year. We will kill, maim, destroy and turn this country into Africa's biggest war zone and refugee camp if they try it.[i][/i]

Many say we are behind Boko Haram. My answer is what do you expect? We do not have economic power or intellectual power. All we have is political power and they want to take even that from us.

We must fight and we will fight back in order to keep it. They have brought in the infidels from America and the pigs from Israel to help them but they will fail. The war has just begun, the Mujahadeen are more than ready and by Allah we shall win.

If they don't want an ISIS in Nigeria then they must give us back the Presidency and our political power. Their soldiers are killing our warriors and our people every day but mark this: even if it takes one hundred years we will have our revenge.

Every Fulani man that they kill is a debt that will be repaid even if it takes 100 years. The Fulani have very long memories.''- ALIYU GWARZO

redcliff:
I do not blame you Nigerians..its because you have suffered so much that any singular act of kindness from your masters is seen as a world wonder. Jonathan fixes a few rail system in the country and everubody sings halelluyah and forget the highlevel of corruption, looting and siphoning of funds been done by a single man and his cohorts..although i like this development however, i do not support jonathan because he is a thief. Quote me anytime.. Mr Goodluck Jonathan is a thief.. he is busy milking you dry while giving you peanuts. Is that the definition of a leader to Nigerians? I would not be suprised if he is relected in 2015 all these rail projects would fall apart

And is thiS a better option? Hear what they think


''When I say that the Presidency must come to the north next year I am referring to the Hausa-Fulani core north and not any northern christian or muslim minority tribe.

The Christians in the north such as the Berom, the Tiv, the Kataf, the Jaba, the Zuru, the Sayyawa, the Bachama, the Jukun, the Idoma and all the others are nothing and the muslim minorities in the north, including the Kanuri, the Nupe, the Igbira, the Babur, the Shuwa Arabs, the Marghur and all the others know that when we are talking about leadership in the north and in Nigeria, Allah has given it to us, the Hausa-Fulani.

They can grumble, moan and groan as much as they want but each time they go into their bedrooms to meet their wives and each time they get on their prayer mats to begin their prayers, it is we the Fulani that they think of, that they fear, that they bow to and that they pray for.

Some of them are even ready to give us their wives and daughters for one nights sport and pleasure. They owe us everything. This is because we gave them Islam through the great Jihad waged by Sheik Usman Dan Fodio.

We also captured Ilorin, killed their local King and installed our Fulani Emir. We took that ancient town away from the barbarian yoruba and their filthy pagan gods. We liberated all these places and all these people by imposing islam on them by force.

It was either the Koran or the sword and most of them chose the Koran. In return for the good works of our forefathers Allah, through the British, gave us Nigeria to rule and to do with as we please. Since 1960 we have been doing that and we intend to continue.

No Goodluck or anyone else will stop us from taking back our power next year. We will kill, maim, destroy and turn this country into Africa's biggest war zone and refugee camp if they try it.

Many say we are behind Boko Haram. My answer is what do you expect? We do not have economic power or intellectual power. All we have is political power and they want to take even that from us.

We must fight and we will fight back in order to keep it. They have brought in the infidels from America and the pigs from Israel to help them but they will fail. The war has just begun, the Mujahadeen are more than ready and by Allah we shall win.

If they don't want an ISIS in Nigeria then they must give us back the Presidency and our political power. Their soldiers are killing our warriors and our people every day but mark this: even if it takes one hundred years we will have our revenge.

Every Fulani man that they kill is a debt that will be repaid even if it takes 100 years. The Fulani have very long memories.''- ALIYU GWARZO

ajebuter:
I strongly agree with you on that point, but I don't think a single lady can be coerced into an affair with a married man.
Agreed some men don't respect their marital vows and are worse than dogs, yes, but stuill, a decent single lady should be wise and careful enough to reject such advances bcs I believe once a single lady starts dating a married man, no matter the horrible state of his matrimony, she is adding to the wrecking of that home.
So my point is men will always be dogs especially married men, but a decent girl should always say no and not fall into the snare of stealing another woman's husband.
She should search for her own among single men and I'm sure that's fair. That is my own view and that's what I will do given the chance

Men will always be dogs you say? Especially married men?
Please I beg you in the name of whatever you hold dear, not to teach your sons or brothers this!

ajebuter:
Seriously!
I'm a woman and there is still something I like about men. The percentage of men snatching other men's wife is so low compared to that of us woemn snatching each other's husband.
But why? Are we so desperate and insecured or just plain greedy for other women's husbands?
Why can't we just find and search for ours instead of stealing other people's husbands and wrecking a family?
Honestly, its very sickening and pathetic running after other people's leftovers when there are other and better ones around.
Anyway, if a woamn snatches someone's husband, its a matter of time before another woman snatches him from u, its not a curse but karma. Ask ini Edo and co.

This your blame trade is also very annoying!
You talk about the husbands as if they are lifeless pieces of property that two women will fight over and acquire. A very pathetic image of men!
Why don't you blame the husbands who are not man enough to respect their vows? Who are not man enough to respect their children's feelings? Who are not man enough to do the right thing?
A flimsy Stanley Duru walks out on his wife and children, for any reason whatsoever
And rather than blame him, you blame a single girl who has not promised fidelity to anyone!
Very pathetic fathers and husbands, if you ask me!

Whobedatte:
Born&bred, fed with the #AFM doctrine
Though I no longer attend except campmeeting? The bible words I've been fed with has being my shinning light!

#TeamApo

Thanks for stopping by this thread to read.
I am still in Apo. If you don't mind sharing, what made you leave?

babasanti:
LEAVE THAT TALK . GMB2015

So you hope to achieve that by insulting everybody?
Or to adopt Shekau style of "your vote or your life?"

erayo2GCA:
GEJ is finished

On this thread, you mean?

If it's 2015, then you can't be so sure

sawdust:
.
Salt, I go pour you water oo

Try it na....

The insults on this thread are nauseating!

In fact it makes some of us who are not partisan to hate Buhari's supporters. Can't you convince without being abusive?
I am sure you will be surprised come 2015.
Throwing insults in an anonymous forum is a very different issue from winning elections

So is this a better option?



Read what a Northern elder wrote

''When I say that the Presidency must come to the north next year I am referring to the Hausa-Fulani core north and not any northern christian or muslim minority tribe.

The Christians in the north such as the Berom, the Tiv, the Kataf, the Jaba, the Zuru, the Sayyawa, the Bachama, the Jukun, the Idoma and all the others are nothing and the muslim minorities in the north, including the Kanuri, the Nupe, the Igbira, the Babur, the Shuwa Arabs, the Marghur and all the others know that when we are talking about leadership in the north and in Nigeria, Allah has given it to us, the Hausa-Fulani.

They can grumble, moan and groan as much as they want but each time they go into their bedrooms to meet their wives and each time they get on their prayer mats to begin their prayers, it is we the Fulani that they think of, that they fear, that they bow to and that they pray for.

Some of them are even ready to give us their wives and daughters for one nights sport and pleasure. They owe us everything. This is because we gave them Islam through the great Jihad waged by Sheik Usman Dan Fodio.

We also captured Ilorin, killed their local King and installed our Fulani Emir. We took that ancient town away from the barbarian yoruba and their filthy pagan gods. We liberated all these places and all these people by imposing islam on them by force.

It was either the Koran or the sword and most of them chose the Koran. In return for the good works of our forefathers Allah, through the British, gave us Nigeria to rule and to do with as we please. Since 1960 we have been doing that and we intend to continue.

No Goodluck or anyone else will stop us from taking back our power next year. We will kill, maim, destroy and turn this country into Africa's biggest war zone and refugee camp if they try it.

Many say we are behind Boko Haram. My answer is what do you expect? We do not have economic power or intellectual power. All we have is political power and they want to take even that from us.

We must fight and we will fight back in order to keep it. They have brought in the infidels from America and the pigs from Israel to help them but they will fail. The war has just begun, the Mujahadeen are more than ready and by Allah we shall win.

If they don't want an ISIS in Nigeria then they must give us back the Presidency and our political power. Their soldiers are killing our warriors and our people every day but mark this: even if it takes one hundred years we will have our revenge.

Every Fulani man that they kill is a debt that will be repaid even if it takes 100 years. The Fulani have very long memories.''- ALIYU GWARZO

From another Northern elder- ALIYU GWARZO

''When I say that the Presidency must come to the north next year I am referring to the Hausa-Fulani core north and not any northern christian or muslim minority tribe.

The Christians in the north such as the Berom, the Tiv, the Kataf, the Jaba, the Zuru, the Sayyawa, the Bachama, the Jukun, the Idoma and all the others are nothing and the muslim minorities in the north, including the Kanuri, the Nupe, the Igbira, the Babur, the Shuwa Arabs, the Marghur and all the others know that when we are talking about leadership in the north and in Nigeria, Allah has given it to us, the Hausa-Fulani.

They can grumble, moan and groan as much as they want but each time they go into their bedrooms to meet their wives and each time they get on their prayer mats to begin their prayers, it is we the Fulani that they think of, that they fear, that they bow to and that they pray for.

Some of them are even ready to give us their wives and daughters for one nights sport and pleasure. They owe us everything. This is because we gave them Islam through the great Jihad waged by Sheik Usman Dan Fodio.

We also captured Ilorin, killed their local King and installed our Fulani Emir. We took that ancient town away from the barbarian yoruba and their filthy pagan gods. We liberated all these places and all these people by imposing islam on them by force.

It was either the Koran or the sword and most of them chose the Koran. In return for the good works of our forefathers Allah, through the British, gave us Nigeria to rule and to do with as we please. Since 1960 we have been doing that and we intend to continue.

No Goodluck or anyone else will stop us from taking back our power next year. We will kill, maim, destroy and turn this country into Africa's biggest war zone and refugee camp if they try it.

Many say we are behind Boko Haram. My answer is what do you expect? We do not have economic power or intellectual power. All we have is political power and they want to take even that from us.

We must fight and we will fight back in order to keep it. They have brought in the infidels from America and the pigs from Israel to help them but they will fail. The war has just begun, the Mujahadeen are more than ready and by Allah we shall win.

If they don't want an ISIS in Nigeria then they must give us back the Presidency and our political power. Their soldiers are killing our warriors and our people every day but mark this: even if it takes one hundred years we will have our revenge.

Every Fulani man that they kill is a debt that will be repaid even if it takes 100 years. The Fulani have very long memories.''- ALIYU GWARZO

ChristyG:
abeg,u have dem mistaken for d ugly female dogs in ur family.look around u dumbo.ugly baboon.omo aja,olopolo dudu.at least dey look like women unlike d hairy manly looking things u call women.eranko

Is it part of Yoruba women's beauty to use abusive words? I think they also have that as a defining characteristic. They abuse you in Yoruba, which is very funny because if the person doesn't understand the language, how is he to feel angry?
Quite immature , if you ask me

The title self....
Just for marketing!

I am an Evangelical and my church never taught me any of these.
On getting unnecessarily physical: I was encouraged to abstain from all appearance of evil. The church is a watchman not a watch dog.
On sex in marriage: a marriage counsellor told me of a period of adjustment
I don't know who told the writer all these

I hope this isn't true because the amount sounds pathetic.
How will he run a whole presidential campaign with such amount?

What is so African with fake eyelashes, mascara and purple lipstick?


No hating!

Published on Apostolic Faith, West & Central Africa (http://www.apostolicfaithweca.org)


THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

[Matthew:2:1-23 ]; [Luke:2:1-20 ].
Lesson No.: 417
Class: Senior
Memory Verse: “Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Cross References:

I The Birth of Christ
1. Jesus was born at Bethlehem, the City of David, [Matthew:2:1], [Matthew:2:5-6 ]; [Luke:2:1-7 ]; [John:7:42]; [Micah:5:2].
2. Jesus’ earthly heritage was humble and poor, His birthplace was a manger, [Luke:2:7], [Luke:2:12]; [Psalms:2:7]; [Isaiah:9:6-7 ].

II The Visit of the Shepherds
1. The glory of the Lord appeared, and the angel brought good tidings to the shepherds, [Luke:2:8-12 ]; [Acts:5:31]; [Isaiah:52:7].
2. A multitude of the heavenly Host joined in praising God, [Luke:2:13-14 ]; [Revelation:19:6].
3. When the angels had returned to Heaven, the shepherds went to Bethlehem, [Luke:2:15].
4. They found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger, [Luke:2:16].
5. The shepherds spread abroad the wonderful things that they had seen and heard, [Luke:2:17-20 ].

III The Wise Men and the Star
1. The wise men, following Jesus’ star, came to Jerusalem from the East, [Matthew:2:1-7 ]; [Numbers:24:17].
2. When the wise men found that Bethlehem was Jesus’ birthplace, they started for that city and once again saw His star, [Matthew:2:8-10 ].
3. Jesus the Saviour was the object of adoration of the wise men, [Matthew:2:11]; [Matthew:14:33]; [Psalms:95:6].
4. Being warned of God, the wise men returned home another way, and Joseph took Mary and the infant Jesus into Egypt, [Matthew:2:12-15 ]; [Hosea:11:1].
5. Herod sent forth and slew all the children in the coasts of Bethlehem, two years old and under, [Matthew:2:16-18 ]; [Jeremiah:31:15].
6. The Holy Family returned to the land of Israel and Nazareth after Herod’s death, [Matthew:2:19-23 ]; [John:1:45-46 ].
Notes:

The Promised Messiah
As this cheerful Christmas season is observed, may we direct our thoughts to the events that make Christmas possible. Think of the incomparable Gift that God gave to men. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” [John:3:16]).

For centuries the promised Messiah had been the cherished hope of God’s people. Now on this first Christmas night, the promise became reality; and with a glorious display that was worthy of the Son of God, Jesus came to earth in the likeness of man, to dwell among men. Yes, Jesus was God’s Gift to the world, but He came willingly to pay the price of man’s redemption. Jesus knew that the Cross lay at the end of His earthly pilgrimage, but His only desire was to do the will of His Father. God desires only one thing of us in return for the love that He has manifested: He asks that we love and serve Him. Jesus gave His life for us. Should not we give our lives to Him in gratitude?

Good Tidings
So momentous was the event when the Saviour was born, that God sent an angel from Heaven to proclaim the good news. The angel was not sent to the crowded cities of the Jews; He was sent to the simple shepherds on the Judean hills. Without question, these openhearted people had had a love for God and a yearning to see His Word fulfilled. Suddenly the night watches of their eastern sky were illuminated by the glory of the Lord. The shepherds feared as they beheld this glorious sight, but the angel was there to reassure and comfort them. The tidings that the angel brought were not tidings of fear; they were tidings of great joy: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” [Luke:2:11]). Though addressed to the shepherds, the tidings were intended for the whole world for all people. Thus has God ordained. He tells the few, then commissions them to go and tell what they have seen and heard[b].

A Wonderful Night[/b]
Surely it was a wonderful night for the world, that first Christmas night when Jesus was born! God’s angels must have realised the import of that night; for as soon as the good tidings were made known, a whole multitude of the heavenly Host joined in the exultation. Their praises rang out in one accord with what the angel had already declared: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” [Luke:2:14]).

The shepherds did not doubt the wondrous declaration, for they saw the attendant glory. After the angels returned to Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” They came to the city with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger, just as the angel of the Lord had said. This humble scene did not daunt their faith in the least degree: “When they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” Oh, that men would be as willing to see Jesus today, as were these shepherds, and then would go out into the world to declare the vision they have beheld!

The City of David
Jesus was born in the City of Bethlehem, as the prophet had declared nearly 700 years previous to the event. Bethlehem was the birthplace of King David, too, and later became known as the City of David. It was here that David lived and tended his father’s sheep before he was advanced to the kingship of Israel. How fitting that Jesus, the Son of David according to lineage, should be born in this same city to become the Great Shepherd of all God’s sheep, and the coming King of all the redeemed. The name Bethlehem signifies “The house of bread.” Does not this seem the proper place for Him to be born -– who is the “living bread which came down from heaven” [John:6:51])?

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a woman of Nazareth, a city of Galilee far to the north of Bethlehem. How could it be, then, that Jesus was born at Bethlehem? It seems that God put the whole world into motion to bring His prophecy to fulfilment. A decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed, every one in his own city. Joseph and Mary left Nazareth to go to Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), “to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife.” The Lord thus proved beyond a chance of question that Jesus was of the house and lineage of David, as the Scripture said that He would be.

Simeon and Anna
The shepherds were the first to hear and see the glorious things concerning Christ. Forty days later in the Temple, Simeon and Anna spoke by the Spirit, to all who would heed, of the salvation and redemption of God that was manifest in this Child. One would think that these declarations would have aroused at least some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem to a perception of what was before them; but apparently nothing could stir these people, for when the wise men arrived, none of the people seemed to be aware of Jesus’ birth.

The Wise Men’s Visit
Some time had elapsed after Jesus’ birth, before the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem seeking for the King. They saw the Star of Bethlehem the same night that Jesus was born, and without doubt they started on their journey to Him as soon as they could. They seemed to know what the star meant, possibly as the result of Balaam’s prophecy to the king of Moab more than 1,400 years before, “There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel” [Numbers:24:17]).

That the wise men were Gentiles and not of the commonwealth of Israel appears to be sure. They lived a great distance from the scene of the nativity and could have said, “If such a Prince and Saviour be born, we shall hear of Him shortly in our own country, and it will be time enough then to pay homage to Him.” But the wise men had no thought of waiting to see Jesus, for they were so eager to honour Him that they took the long journey to the land of Israel to see the King and present their gifts to Him.

Following the Star
Well may these men be counted wise. They saw Jesus’ star, and they arose and followed it to its source. Those who really desire to find Jesus and know Him, will not idly wait until Jesus passes by, but will arise and seek for Him. Those who earnestly seek for the King of Glory will find the Light to lead them to their destination.

No doubt the wise men expected to find all Jerusalem worshiping their newborn King, but the question they asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” caused Herod to be troubled and all Jerusalem with him. Herod called the chief priests and scribes to demand of them where Christ should be born. The chief priests and scribes were quick to furnish the answer, for they knew the prophecy of Micah: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” [Micah:5:2]).

The chief priests and scribes had studied God’s Word all their lives and perhaps had memorised a great portion of it; still they failed to recognise their day of Christ’s visitation; therefore all their efforts and hopes toward heavenly things were lost. “The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” [2 Corinthians:3:6]). A mental knowledge of God’s Word will never save anyone. The Word must be written in the heart as well, and that is what Christ came to do.

Going to Bethlehem
Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” The star, which they saw in the East reappeared, and they followed it to the place where the young Child lay. “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]).

The wise men did not return to Jerusalem as Herod had directed them to do, for God warned them in a dream to return to their country another way. When the men had departed, the Lord appeared to Joseph in another dream and said: “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him” [Matthew:2:13]). Herod had no thought of worshiping Jesus; he thought only of slaying the Son of God because the wise men had declared that He was the King of the Jews.

Jesus of Nazareth
After the death of Herod, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, in Egypt, to say that it was safe for the Holy Family to return to Israel. Joseph feared to go into Judæa, however, for Archelaus, the son of Herod, reigned there. Being further directed of God, they made their way into Galilee, and came to the City of Nazareth.

Jesus of Nazareth became the stumbling stone of the Jewish people, for they said, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” [John:1:46]). The answer is, “Come and see.” You must see Jesus to appreciate Him; you must know Jesus to love Him. Those who know and love Him have the greatest treasures in the world, and they have the promise of the life that is to come.

“When the lowly Nazarene
To my rescue quickly came,
Filled my heart with sweetest peace,
Day had broken, night was gone.”
Questions:

1. Who was the first to declare the good tidings of Jesus’ birth? Who were the first to hear the tidings?
2. Where was the Son of God lying when the shepherds came to Him? Could not a better place be found for Jesus?
3. In what city was Jesus born? Tell how this came about.
4. What does the name “Bethlehem” signify?
5. Who were the wise men? Were they of the Children of Israel?
6. How did they happen to come to Jerusalem?
7. Why did Joseph take the Holy Family into Egypt?
8. To what city in Israel did they go after they returned from Egypt?
9. What is the greatest Christmas gift that has ever been given?
© 2011. Apostolic Faith, West & Central Africa - All rights reserved.
Source URL: http://www.apostolicfaithweca.org/content/first-christmas

menesheh:
Talk about igbos, discover the places they score highest :

-entrepreneurial spirit
-high standard of living (highest gdp per capital income in Nigeria)
-high level of literacy
-scared self made millionaires
-adventurous
-DEMOCRACTIC in nature
-low death rate
-high political awareness
Etc

I agree with everything except the high political awareness. Truth be told Igbos are politically naive. They are learners when compared with Yorubas the grand schemers and the Hausa oligarchy. It is the political naivety of the Igbos that is still keeping Nigeria together

scobaba:
Solomon akiyesi's luv for wowo women

He seems to be fascinated by ugly Igbo women.
Or is he on a vengeance mission? From Ezinne to Uloma

Edusouls:
yeah as i said those days you get women that make men live long and happy. The man has conffesed it. These days as he said is end time, so now adays you get just the women of the present times,endtime women, destroying and wrecking lives of as many men they can., how many present time married men can come out and boast that their wife has not given them trouble for just 2 nights, talkless of 38years..you see the big difference between endtime women and lifetime women?

End time men deserve end time women, don't you think? It takes two to tango and birds of the same feather flock together.
Quit your super good posturing! Roll up your sleeves and go to work

FrancisTony:
Lmao! Are you done detecting.
For your mind, you're feeling like Sherlock Holmes shey?

Why not beg FG to employ you as Gay detectives.
They don't care about your abhorence laced by hypocrisy.

Well, you can wish to believe that I'm gay. That's your business. How I wish I'm fùcking a man arsee, but hell NO.

Like I rightly commented on this thread, "justice should be done and the gay guy would be thrown to cell".

You shouldn't have mentioned my moniker, you know?.
Have a nice day.

My apologies then if you're not gay. But how come you wish you are? That part of your utterance makes no sense.
The gays care about my abhorrence of them which is why they throw their status in my face and" beg"me to accept their being different. I am straight and I don't go announcing it as gays announce being gays. Smacks of inferiority complex, I tell you.
And no! I am not a hypocrite. I have strong principles which I live by.

simiolu1:
Will U be my marriage mentor

With all pleasure, young man!
At what stage are you? Married or about to marry?

Two gays already identified here: FrancisTony and BornSad!

There is nothing you people can do about our abhorrence for gays. What is bad is bad!
And unfortunately for this murderer, it is his intimate orientation that led to his partner's death. Deal with it

It's not just husbands. What of wives? Women express their emotions far more angrily than men.
But angry bouts don't necessarily mean that anything is wrong with the marriage. If anything it shows the couple are still very much in love to care how they are treated. After the show comes the resolution phase and the celebration of making up which is sweet.
A greater threat to marriage is indifference. When you are past caring what the other person does.
When couples are too quiet, somebody may be pretending and pretext is unhealthy.
Sometimes women do that for years and by the time they blow their top everybody is shocked. But she's tired of playing the perfect wife.
Healthy confliCts and truthfulness help in bonding.
I've been married for a long time and we have our moments. In resolving, we developed our ground rules for fighting fair: don't do it before the children, don't raise voice even in the bedroom, walk out when you feel physical, don't use curse words but concentrate on the annoying issue, don't go to sleep in a different bedroom as that will prolong the make up time etc.
My marriage isn't perfect but it's beautiful