₦airaland Forum

Abujabir24: Nairalanders or should I say Nigerians. I don't you people's problem. please tell me which do you prefer? a girl between 13 and 18 constantly committing fornication with countless men, throwing away her dignity or that same girl getting married to just one man keeping her dignity? some of you here would love to sleep with underage girls courtesy of the sex threads by our corners or those who have served already. It's better for a girl to get married at an early age than her to get deflowered by some bunch of bastards.

I would've been surprised if you reasoned differently.
What dignity does a 14year old, poor, uneducated, kunu-selling, vvf-infested, married and divorced girl have? Can't you see that it is just a viciuos circle of poverty, illiteracy and disease that is being recycled?
Why do I share the same country with people who reason like you? What is the Northern man's obsession with the woman? Don't they think of any other thing?

slimyem: There are associations mostly of friends around the same age group,sex and class. They hold meetings either forthnightly,monthly or quaterly and the hosting is usually rotated around members. They are called clubs and their aim is to foster unity , strenghten friendship,and support one another too at all times.

So much for fostering unity and strengthening friendship! Now they are quarrelling over chicken
I will never belong to such a group!

Iruolycious: I do not know. I cannot claim to know all and i am not trying to convince anybody about this. There are some doctrines we hear and just because they are really strict we think that is what will guarantee our making heaven. Take for instance, there is no harm whatsoever in teaching people not to marry so as to remain pure and focussed on God and prohibiting them from eating certain (Unclean) things yet The apostle called such doctrines false. What is my point? These days, so many people just think up something and call it sin just because they don't like it personally. Our ways are not the ways of God. Our wisdom is not his wisdom. The fact that smbdy doesn't like something doesnt just make it sin. God cares about our body because it is his temple but is it a sin to beautify God's temple? Does he hate beauty? Even our churches are decorated how come that isn't also sin? Paul said a Womans beauty should not MERELY be outward. 1 corin. 3 ( Read from different versions for more insight) this passage in my own understanding does not condemn d outward beauty but only emphasises on it's worthlesness. I don't thnk make up was ever condemned in the Bible. I don't know, but i don't thnk wearing of make up for instance is a sin. It's not about what i think right? True. Romans 10... I would be glad if you could refer me to scriptures that teaches us that people who wear make up, fail to pay tithe, and (perm their hair) for instance, will go to hell bearing in mind that even the wicked Jazeebel was not punished because of her make up but for her wickedness. Please, help me..

I am not aware of scripture passages just as none condemns cigarette smoking etc. Jezebel wasn't punished for painting her face but for institutionalizing idolatry. Many times, our outward appearance is a reflection of inner attitude. A true child of God will want to glorify God, not in the way the world defines beauty but by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit is faithful: He condemns whatever He has convicted in us. The spirit of the world is antagonistic to the spirit of true godliness. God wants garments unspotted by the world. Narrow is the way and straight is the gate and few they be that find it. If making heaven was so easy, Jesus wouldn't have said they are few.
We who have set for ourselves the goal of making heaven would rather play safe than sorry: maintain such a high standard of godliness in body, soul and spirit than risk sinking with the world

Iruolycious: Heaven is real and so is Hell but the reasons they give for people going to Hell like Not paying Tithe, going late to church, Wearing make-up, plaiting hair extensions are unBiblical. Jesus didn't teach that. However, let us search our hearts an put our ways straight with God. Salvation is not by works but by grace. So many christians do not even know what the righteousness on God is about. They think it's by being hard on the body and by being self righteous. Obey the 10 commandments, Show love, give to the poor, forgive and above all, read and pray for the grace to understand the Bible. This is end time, so many people will come and say they have seen Jesus, do not be decieved. Test all spirits. Remember, hell is real but rather than live with the fear of Hell, live life with the consciousness of pleasing God. Read the Bible and pray 4 Understanding.

Agreed.
Just to add that God requires purity of BODY. It is His temple which you must not corrupt by just putting anything on it but only what will please Him. He is interested in the smallest detail of our lives and wants us to yield our bodies as living sacrifices.
He is either Lord of All(body, soul and spirit) or not Lord at all

minute: The people that say that are usually pumped full of drugs or in severe pain(and hallucinating).

Near death experiences are what happens to the brain when it's shutting down. Lack of oxygen

among other things. And people tend to have experiences colored by their beliefs. Christians

often see Jesus. Mormons often see Joseph Smith or dead loved ones. Hindus see one supernatural

being or another, etc.

If the experiences were uniform, they might have some validity. But they are not. People usually

see what they expect to see of are afraid is there. Exceptions to that generalization abound.

Your experiences with Near Death Experience have been different from those I read. In fact there is a striking similarity in all the ones I have read about heaven and hell no matter the race of the narrator. And they all agree with what I read in the Bible

bishoppapi: Your understanding of the scripture is very poor. You are one of the reasons why people like this woman come out to say rubbish. There is nobody in hell now, just as there is nobody in heaven. People dont go to heaven when they die, neither do people go to hell when they die. This contradicts the message of 'resurrection'. If people go to heaven when they die, why do they need to resurrect again on the last day?. When people die, they fall asleep, their memory is forgotten.

Christ resurrected on the 3rd day, and our faith and hope are based on this resurrection, that in the last day, the dead in Christ will rise first. So, why do they need to rise when they are already in heaven? Does it make sense? Pay no attention to people like this woman that come with the doctrine of the devil. Her vision or dream is unbiblical.

The saints fall asleep, until that day when mortality shall become immortality. The scripture says some people will resurrect into eternal life, while some people will resurrect to eternal condemnation/damnation.

My understanding of the Scripture is far from perfect too. But Jesus told a parable of a rich man, who still had living relatives, lifting up his eyes in hell and being in torment. Lazarus was in Abraham's bosom where he was being consoled.
In my understanding, there are several resurrections:
1. Christ resurrection which is the first fruit
2. the first resurrection when the dead in Christ shall rise first (meanwhile the righteous dead are in paradise. Where Jesus is, is heaven)
3. the general resurrection at the white throne judgment where the rest of humanity will be judged; some to everlasting contempt and some to joy.
Bible prophecy can actually have several layers of understanding and interpretation but I want to be in the first resurrection, don't you?

greatgod2012: My God is a merciful God!!!
I believe in Jesus, He is the way, the truth and the life, but, i dont believe in all these type of rubbish preaching that portray my God as a wicked God.

God is a loving God but He's not an indulgent father. He is of purer eyes than to behold sin. He is angry with the wicked every day. The wicked will be turned to hell and all nations that forget God.
Just a little explanation:
the earth we are is corrupted by sin and God has decided to destroy this earth and make new heaven and new earth. Instead of creating new creatures to inhabit that beautiful, sinless place He's making, He offers an opportunity for earth-dwellers to move over there on one condition: they don't bring in the sin which is the reason for destroying this present world. [b]A few will humbly take up His offer, confess committed sins and stop doing them, cleanse themselves in BODY, soul and spirit and accept the leadership of the Holy Spirit. [/b]Such will qualify to enter His presence when they die. The rest of God-rejecters and scoffers will go where the person they followed on earth (Satan) is.
How's that?

I won't validate what she's said because the Bible is the surest word of prophecy.
Nevertheless, what if hell is real? What if it's eternal? What if there is heaven? What if she's right after all and Jesus is THE way, the truth and the life?

Mathew joseph: Amaechi will come out victorious,4get all the antics against him,when ojb jeezreel needed funds 4 his operation (kidney transplant)nobody came 2 his recue untill gov amaechi doled out $100thousand to pay 4 d operation,abeg make dem allow amaechi drink water drop cup jare!

How does donating funds (state funds not his personal money, or is it?)Ensure his political victory?
Amaechi needs tact, diplomacy. Qualities which he doesn't seem to have much!

I wonder how many battles Amaechi can fight at a time. Sack 13 LGA chairmen. War with the President. The distraction with NGF is already destroying his legacy infrastructural projects due to neglect.
This always happens with second terms. The governors lose steam!

At times there is no easy way to have a forgiving heart.



The only route is through prayer. Some people have found it necessary to pray earnestly over a period of time for a spirit of forgiveness. Then sometimes more prayers must be prayed to retain that spirit. How quickly the enemy gets back inside! No, forgiveness is not easy. But what is the result if we don't pray until we can forgive? The Bible says that we should watch diligently "lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled" (Hebrews 12:15). Without forgiveness, bitterness grows in the heart. At some point that resentment will spill out. It may come tagged onto an unrelated disagreement, and that may result in a hard attitude toward someone. Whatever form it takes, the bitterness will grow. If unresolved, it will result in a person's standing before God unforgiven. What a price to pay! An unforgiving spirit will also hinder our prayers. Jesus warned: "When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses" (Mark 11:25). Although forgiving does not instantly solve the complications of every situation, it frees us to work on those situations with God's help and wisdom. It helps us lay down the defense of ourselves and endeavor to find solutions" Jesus himself is the best example of a forgiving heart. Sinless and holy, He was falsely accused, beaten, and nailed to the cross. In His dying agony He cried, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). If we want to follow Him, we must seek to follow His example.

One time Peter asked the Lord how often he should forgive his brother. He suggested seven times, as though that would be a bountiful number. Jesus answered, "I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:22). Four hundred ninety times!
Someone may come and ask our forgiveness, and we may reply, "I will forgive you, but ..." God does not want any exceptions in forgiveness. If we forgive our enemies, those who despite-fully use and persecute us, we will have a reward from our Father in Heaven. If we love and befriend only those who love and befriend us, we are no better than sinners, for they do that. If we have done some wrong to someone else, it is necessary to seek forgiveness. "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matthew 5:23, 24). Some have made restitution but never received forgiveness. If we have done all in our power to make things right, obeying instructions, then there is nothing more we can do. If we cannot achieve reconciliation after we have humbled ourselves and made confession, we can leave the situation in God's hands. He will handle it from there.

The Bible does not tell us to question who is right and who is wrong. The all-important issue is getting wrongs made right, if possible. It takes the love of God in the heart to do that. Our personalities are not all alike, and some people are difficult to get along with. We need to overlook others' mistakes and shortcomings. We all have something that others must tolerate in us. God will honor us if we have a spirit of forbearance, love, and forgiveness. An unforgiving spirit is a tool of the enemy of our souls. He uses it effectively to drive people from God. Let's defeat Satan rather than allow him to defeat us. Choose to seek God for a forgiving heart.

Forgiveness: A vital necessity




All of us encounter situations where forgiveness is needed. Offenses may range from minor irritations in marriage to infidelity, from hasty words spoken by parents to years of child abuse. They may occur on the playground, in the classroom, on the job, in the church. Whether it's an apparent slight of a friend or deliberate mistreatment, everyone faces circumstances which demand forgiveness. And each new situation requires a new decision to do so. Many people carry grudges for years. They may have been wronged, falsely accused, or mistreated. They may think they have good grounds for the feelings that are down in their hearts. However, the Bible gives no excuse for resentment, ill will, or lack of forgiveness, no matter what the provocation may be. Jesus said, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14, 15).

What does it mean to forgive?
It means ceasing to feel resentment against an offender. Or, in other words, letting go of our right to hurt back. All of us need forgiveness. We were born sinners and have no chance of entering Heaven without it. Even after we are saved and delivered from sin, we find it necessary to be forgiven for unwise decisions, inappropriate words, and errors. Jesus was telling us that if we want to be forgiven, we must forgive. Yet does knowing we must forgive make it easy? We may think it is our right at least to let the other person know he has hurt us. Perhaps the hurt is so deep that forgiveness seems impossibility. Jesus said in Matthew 18:35 that we must forgive from our hearts. How is that possible when the heart rebels against it?

Step 3: Baptism of the Holy Ghost


God's Word is definite about tile importance of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This is a different work from salvation or sanctification, and it is given for a different reason. Salvation is to justify. Sanctification is to cleanse. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is to empower, and the outward witness of this experience is that of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. Jesus' last recorded words to His disciples were a command that they should wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. His followers obeyed. We read in Acts 2: 1, "When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." Read that verse carefully in the King James Version of the Bible. Note especially the words, "one accord/' Jesus had prayed that His disciples would be sanctified, and here we find that they were all in one accord in one place. In other words, they had been sanctified. The Spirit of God came down, because those' who were praying had prepared their hearts to receive. "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled ail the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" {Acts 2:2-4). Some people teach that the baptism of the Holy Ghost was given only for the establishment of the Early Church. However, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter told the thousands who heard him preach that the promise was to them, and to their children, and to all who were afar off, "even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39). That includes believers of our day. God's Word teaches us that the Holy Spirit is given to comfort and to counsel us. He will guide us into all truth and give us power and ability to be effective witnesses for Christ He will bring to our memory the things that Jesus taught. He will direct our steps, give us hope and spiritual protection, help our infirmities, and bear us up in our weaknesses. Are you saved? Are you sanctified? Have you received the baptism of the Holy Ghost? If not, seek God for these experiences.

Step 2: Sanctification


When we believe on Jesus Christ and become born-again Christians, the sins that we have committed are forgiven. That is the experience of salvation. However, the carnal nature inherited from Adam and Eve still needs to be cleansed. Because they transgressed God's commandment, Adam and Eve became sinners possessing a depraved nature, and that nature of sin was passed on to the whole human race. This can only be removed through sanctification. Sanctification makes us pure - holy of heart – by removing the inherited inward tendency to sin. We are saved because Jesus Christ died on Calvary. Our sanctification, as well as our salvation, is available because Jesus, "that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate" (Hebrews 13:12). Holiness of heart comes about because God, through Christ's sacrifice on a hill outside of Jerusalem, made a way that we can be freed from the depravity of human nature. We must not disregard or minimize this doctrine of sanctification, because it is essential in our Christian lives. We do not claim that sanctification makes us humanly perfect. We do not say everything we do is exactly right from that point on. No, we are still human and thus subject to human error. We forget. We make mistakes in judgment. However, God gives us a holy purpose and purity of motive. One meaning of the root word translated sanctify is "to set apart or dedicate to a holy cause." When our church building was dedicated, we had a dedication service, praying that God might bless the building. That's what might be called sanctifying the place, dedicating it for a holy purpose. In the same manner, we, as individuals must dedicate ourselves for a holy purpose. We humbly ask God to accept the offering of our lives and our service. We separate ourselves from the world, determining to shun every appearance of evil. This is the role we play in preparing for our heart's purification. Then, when we have made all the necessary consecrations, God cleanses our inner man. This experience of sanctification is an instantaneous work of grace whereby the inbred nature of sin is purged from our lives. The result is that our inner tendencies toward sin are no longer present the glory of God fills our soul when we are sanctified, causing us to know that the work is done. Paul referred to this part of sanctification when he wrote to the Thessalonians, "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (lThessalonlans5:23). The doctrine of holiness is vital. We want to be sure that we are saved and sure that we are sanctified.

The 3 steps: SALVATION


The Bible clearly teaches that we are all born in sin. We read in Romans 3:23, "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We face the penalty of death because of our sins, for the Bible also says that the soul that sinneth shall die. Each of us needs to be saved-granted pardon from that death sentence and delivered from the power of Satan. Salvation is not accomplished by joining a church, accepting Christ, or simply turning over a new leaf and deciding to do better. To be born again is to be saved from our sins, forgiven, and made a new creature in Christ Jesus When this happens, we are changed in a moment of time. This definite transformation is likened in the Bible to a new birth. In John 3 we read an account of Jesus' conversation with a man named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Christ told him, "Ye must be born again." Nicodemus asked. "How can a man be born when he is old?" He didn't understand what Jesus was talking about, but Jesus explained that He was not referring to physical birth. He meant that man, because of the sin in his heart, needs to have a spiritual rebirth. "Spiritual rebirth" and "born again" are other phrases that mean salvation. This salvation is possible for us because of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on Calvary. He took the death penalty for our sins and died so that we might be free. We receive the pardon He purchased for us when we repent and turn away from our sins. We come before a holy God and say, "Have mercy on me. Forgive me for the wrongs I have done. I turn my back on them." God forgives those who wholeheartedly desire to turn away from any actions that would displease Him and who are willing to submit to His direction and will for their lives. God is not a respecter of persons. He says. "Him that cometh to me I will in 110 wise cast out" (John 6:37). It doesn't matter what your background has been, what church you have been in, or what kind of life you have lived, salvation is available to everyone. How will you know you are saved? The Bible tells us, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). God's Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, letting us know that we have been converted. We have a desire and purpose to live differently. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new" (2Corinthians5:17). If you are a child of God, you have been freed from the clutches of the devil. You have power to go and sin no more. Thank God for His forgiveness and for the salvation He has made available!

RESTITUTION: A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I was born and raised in Kumasi, Ghana. In, 1981 I applied to the University of Benin in Nigeria for employment. Unfortunately, I did not get the job, so, through the effort of a friend of mine, I secured an appointment with the Ondo State Schools' Board to teach in a secondary school at Idanre. My wife also got a job and joined me in Nigeria in 1982. “My wife came across the Association of Visiting Secretaries (AVS) in her school and discovered that they played violin. She became so excited by that instrument that she wanted to play it too. Later on, she realised that two of her colleagues were members of The Apostolic Faith Church. She contacted them and they started coming to our house to have fellowship with us. In May 1983, they invited us to the Church at Akure because there was no branch church at Idanre at that time. By the grace of God, I got saved at Idanre on May 15, 1983, in a prayer meeting. Eventually, we received all our Christian experiences in Nigeria. I went back to Ghana in June 1985. “I could have gone back to Ghana when I did not obtain the first appointment, but the hand of God moved me from Ghana to Nigeria, just to save me. “I was a terrible person, but I thank God that He is able to change a bad person. Though, outwardly, people did not see me commit outbroken sins, I knew the things I was doing which were wrong. I was a quiet person, but if I told you one thing, I meant a different thing. “My relationship with my wife was about to break up when God stepped in. We would be in the same room for two weeks without talking to each other. If we had to talk to each other, I wrote her a note and she also replied with a note. I cooked my own meals and she cooked hers. She washed her clothes, and I washed mine. So, I decided that if we went back to Ghana during the holidays, I would separate from her and take the kids. Then, God stepped in and I realised how wonderful my wife was. I really thank God that He intervened at the right time in my life. When I got saved, there was peace in our home. However, I had a lot of restitutions to make but God helped me through them all. “One of the restitutions was with the tax office in Nigeria. When I filled my tax form at that time, I had only one child who was just two years old but I had fake birth certificates to confirm that I had four children so that I could be given more tax rebate. When God saved me, He pointed it out to me that I should go to the tax office and let them remove the fake certificates from my file. I remembered that there is a provision that anyone who tells lies in the tax form, will be liable to go to jail. I discussed this with my pastor and he told me that since God had told me to make restitution, what he could do was to pray with me and God would go with me. I told my wife about the restitution but the very day I was going to make the restitution I did not inform her, for I would not want her to get disturbed since I might not come back from where I was going. “When I got to the tax office, the devil told me that I was a fool and that I would not return home. I said, “I have decided to follow Jesus. Whether I go back home or not, I know that God would help me”. I met the tax officer and requested her to bring out my file. When she opened it, I told her that the four children did not exist. I told her that I had only one child and showed her the genuine certificate. I also told her that I was saved and that I wanted to have peace in my life. She was surprised and asked for the church I attended. I said, “The Apostolic Faith”, she said, “No wonder!” “She then went to call her boss. The devil told me she was going to call the police and that I should run away. I said “No. I am going through with it”. When the boss came, he calculated all the money I had stolen from the government and allowed me to pay it back in instalments. Then, to my greatest surprise, he said I could go. Oh, the joy that flooded my soul that day! I cannot forget it. On my way home, I was singing. “God also helped me to return the plates I stole from my hall of residence in the university, where I was the Soccer Manager. When I handed the plates back to the Hall Matron, she started to weep. She then called everyone to come and see something she had never seen. “In the school where I was teaching, I was the Head of the Department of Agriculture. I contributed a lot to the development of the school. I built a fish pond, poultry and a piggery for the school. But all along, I was pilfering. I colluded with the bursar to inflate the prices of the items bought. “When God saved me, He reminded me of the fraud. He wonderfully made me to know the amount of money I had stolen from the school. I went to the bursar and told him I had become a child of God and was ready to pay back the money we had defrauded the school of. I asked him to give me the school’s account number but he initially refused. After much prayer and pleading, he finally gave me the account number. I was set to pay the money and God surprised me with a promotion that made the payment very easy for me. “Before I left Nigeria in 1985, by the grace of God, I cleared every restitution I had to make. God did many great things in my life”. Akwasi Badu-Debra is the Overseer of The Apostolic Faith Churches in Ghana.

Steps to Salvation
Acknowledge: Admit that you have sinned and need God’s help. (Romans 3:23).
Confess and Repent: Be genuinely sorry for the sins you have committed and ask God to forgive you. (Acts 3:19).
Forsake: Determine with God’s help to turn away from all the sins in your life. (Isaiah 55:7).
Believe: When you have honestly and sincerely taken the steps above, believe that God will save you. (John 3:16).
Receive: God will let you know that the work is done. (Romans 8:16).

What the Bible says on RESTITUTION

Restitution is straightening up the Past. God forgives, but He requires man to make amends for wrongs done. The primary definition of the word restitution is the “act of restoring; specifically, restoration of anything to its rightful owner; act of giving an equivalent for loss or damage.” Throughout the Bible, we find the principle of restitution tied in with the act of man's turning from his sinful way to serve God. Often, when a man sins against God, other people suffer as a result of that sin. God forgives the sins committed against Him when they are repented of, but He requires man to make amends to any person he has injured or wronged by his sinning. Being willing to do this is an absolutely essential part of true repentance. Restitution was a strict requirement of the Old Testament Law. Grace covers no wrongs that can be made right . The transgressor's “trespass offering” was accepted only on the condition of his making restitution (Leviticus 6: 2- 5). If the wronged individual could not be located, restitution was to be made to a kinsman (Numbers 5:6-. What was commanded in the Law was also preached and enforced by the prophets. The Prophet Ezekiel once, urged the Children of Israel to turn from their wickedness, and indicated that restitution was necessary for reconciliation with God (Ezekiel 33:14,15). To show the sincerity of their repentance, they were required to “restore the pledge, give again that (which was) robbed”. This requirement was not set aside or abridged with the passing away of the Law. Grace covers no wrongs that can be made right. Jesus expressed Himself unmistakably on the subject of restitution in His Sermon on the Mount. He taught that it is necessary for one to pause in one’s devotions to God in order to be reconciled to a brother, rather than try to worship with guilt upon the heart. This requirement was not set aside or abridged with the passing away of the law. The teaching of the Word of God is clear: “To have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16). Every effort must be made to straighten up wrongs of the past and be right with our fellowman. There are people who made right the wrongs they committed in the Bible. One example is Zacchaeus. In St. Luke Chapter 19, we are made to understand that Zacchaeus was despised of his countrymen. Some of the sins he committed were fraud and extortion. He collected far more money than required by the Roman Government. Zacchaeus, realising his sinful state, desired to see Jesus. But he could not because of his small stature, so he climbed a sycamore tree. Jesus knows when we are ready to accept Him. He stopped under the tree and commanded Zacchaeus to come down. With heavy conviction in his heart, Zacchaeus stood in front of Jesus and promised to make restitution to the people he had wronged. He was going to return fourfold of whatever he stole. Even though Jesus did not talk to Zacchaeus about restitution, the Spirit of God was faithful to his heart. God may not require the return of stolen things fourfold, but He does expect the return of the substance at face value. Difficult restitutions require prayer and guidance of experienced ministers of God. Restitutions involving others also need prayer and guidance, so as not to implicate others or bring injury or harm to them. Restitution includes not only making right matters of money, such as theft, dishonest gains, and unpaid bills; but also confessing lies, slanderous reports, unjust criticisms, hatred, malice, and those things in which one may have injured others in word or deed. You may say, “My brother does not know that I talked evil of him”. But what about the person to whom you talked? Undoubtedly, you harmed him, and perhaps he repeated it to others. You should go to the one to whom you talked and the one you have injured and confess it. Wrongs will either be made right in this world or man will face them in the world to come. We had better face them here while the Great Advocate, Who has never lost a case, can go before us and soften the heart of those whom we have wronged. “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after” (1 Timothy 5: 24). A far-reaching benefit in God's plan regarding restitution is that an undeniable testimony is left with the one to whom the restitution is made. This testimony is often directed to people who otherwise might never have heard the story of the Gospel. A religion that compels a man to pay his just debts, give back the things he has stolen, confess his lies, and uncover his crimes, commands the confidence of the men of the world. There is joy in making restitution. The peace of God floods the heart every time a man straightens out a misdeed. Many Christians have testified that they were so happy when their last restitution was made that they almost wished for more restitutions, so that they might experience that joy and supreme happiness again.

The new birth contd


You will know that you have been pardoned. The peace, joy, and love of God will fill your heart, and you will feel a sacred fellowship with Him. As you keep living in the will of God, your life will be a testimony that you are a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many were defeated, the picture of despair, when they came to God. Some were hopelessly bound by crime, immorality, drugs, or alcohol. But God delivered them instantly. Even their countenance was changed when they repented with an honest heart. Others were so self-righteous, proud, moral, and kind that they didn't see their need for salvation. Yet when these self righteous ones saw their need and repented, God made just as great a change in their lives. While most people are saved in church, you can be saved anywhere. People have been saved in their homes, alone in the woods, or walking among the crowd. Others have knelt in a prison cell. God requires only an honest heart. "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). Do not think you have strayed too far in sin to receive this salvation. Whatever your condition, Jesus is able and eager to save you. He says, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17). In place of the word "whosoever" you can write your own name. If you desire to be saved, God will never turn you away. Jesus said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). All you need to do is meet the conditions God has laid down in His Word. Pray with an honest heart, "Lord, 1 am a sinner and I need forgiveness. Have mercy upon me and I will serve You the rest of my life." A sincere prayer like that will receive an answer. When you receive that born- again experience your name will be written in Heaven, and you will have the hope of eternal life. Will you call upon God now? "To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart" (Psalm 95:7.. Invite Him into your heart and find pardon.

THE NEW BIRTH

Are you a Christian? It is vitally important to know. Church membership is honorable, and doing good deeds is worthy of praise. But the soul-searching question still remains: Are you really a born-again Christian? Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). A born-again Christian is one who yields himself completely to Christ. This is necessary to inherit eternal life. When Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again, Nicodemus did not understand. Then Jesus used the illustration of the wind. Even though we don't fully comprehend how it blows or why, we know it blows, and we can see its effect. So it is when a person is born again. We cannot understand how it happens, but we see and feel the results. Many people who claim to be Christians are ignorant of this new birth, while others try to receive it in their own way. It cannot be obtained by good works, joining a religious organization, or merely turning over a new leaf. It takes a repentant heart, a godly sorrow for the sins one has committed, and a turning away from all sin. Then by faith one must reach out to God for mercy and forgiveness, and claim His promise of pardon. One can know personally what it means to be born again. Because of Christ's death, every person has the opportunity to be born again. A prayer such as the publican prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner," will bring the Lord's forgiveness. The Bible says the publican was justified (Luke 18:13, 14). Some may feel they have committed only little sins and do not need to be justified. Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden, the entire human family became sinners by birth and need to repent. However, God provided the plan so that all can be saved. Jesus, God's Son, died in our place that we might have forgiveness for our sins through His Blood (Colossians 1:14). Because of Christ's death, every person has the opportunity to be pardoned. No one is held under the bondage of sin and condemnation without a chance of becoming a child of God. No one is serving Satan because he does not have the power of choice. Jesus shed His Blood that all might be redeemed. The gap between the sinner and the Savior must be spanned by faith in God. Faith believes what God says. In Hebrews 11:6 we read, "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Jesus said, "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). Faith reaches out so a person can experience saving grace through the redeeming power of Christ. The first step toward forgiveness is realizing the need for it. The Bible says that all have sinned. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:8,9). Many feel they are too weak to overcome sin. In their own power they are, but when one is born again, his life is changed. God gives him the power to have victory over sin. Then he can say like Paul the Apostle, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). When you repent and ask God to forgive you. His Spirit will witness with your spirit that you are a child of God (Romans 8:16).

Contd



Almost a month later he had the opportunity to converse with the stranger. One night, the man asked him to read the Bible to him. Forty-five read to him the story of the Prodigal Son. While talking, the man put his arm around the ex-convict and said, "Can you forgive me for the wrong I have done you?" The ex-convict replied, "You have done me no wrong. Can you tell me about my mother?" The man answered, "I know nothing about your people, but I am the man who committed the crime for which you were sent to the penitentiary." He said, "I want you to forgive me for all those years that you spent behind the prison walls." Here was the real murderer for whose crime Forty-five had spent twenty-one long years in the prison! And he was asking Forty-five to forgive him! The thoughts of the ex-convict went back to the long years he had spent in the prison. He thought of the ball and chain he had carried He thought of the thirty lashes he had received at the whipping post, and of the time he was shot in the leg, and of the weeks spent in the dungeon. He felt he was not prepared to forgive from his heart. He left the sick man and went into a little room alone. Kneeling down on the concrete floor, he prayed. For nearly three hours he wrestled with God for a real spirit of forgiveness. At last a Voice said, “Forgive him for My sake.” He went back and took the man in his arms and said, "I forgive you all the injuries you have done me, but you will also have to ask God to forgive you.” The man began to say, over and over, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." And God had mercy and saved him.

Three days later the man died. That criminal's hands were stained with blood, but God had forgiven him. And Fortyfive, whom he had caused to suffer so terribly, also had forgiven the wrong, from the bottom of his heart. Many years have passed since then. Fortyfive, too, has gone on to be with the Lord. In eternity, with a new name - and no longer just a number - he is walking the streets of gold. There he and the man in whose stead he suffered those many long years are praising God that their sins were washed away by the Blood of the Lamb. The Lord Jesus, who taught us to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," gives every man power to forgive.

For Another's Crime: Christian Forgiveness

"The power of the Gospel to change the human heart and plant in it the spirit of forgiveness is wonderfully exemplified in the life story of an ex-convict known for many years as "Forty-five." Few, perhaps, have had to forgive the degree of injury that this man did. But Jesus said, "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. At the age of sixteen, Forty-five left his home in Rhode Island and drifted west. One night he came into the city of Tacoma, Washington, in a boxcar, reaching there just when a murder had been committed. He was arrested, tried, and sentenced to twenty-five years at hard labor in the penitentiary. For eighteen years of that time he suffered all the severity of punishment that is meted out to a desperate criminal. Once, for talking in line, he was placed in a dungeon twenty feet below the ground. The third day that he was there, as he was hanging chained by the wrists, he prayed to God.

There had been one bright spot in his prison life, and that was his friendship with the little daughter of the warden. He had once saved the child from being struck by a revengeful prisoner. From that time on she was always kind to him. There in the dungeon he prayed that if God would let him see this little girl again he would serve Him, and would read the Bible to the prisoners the rest of his life. That very night when the deputy warden came with his allowance of bread and water, there stood the child. She held out her hand and said, "Come out, Forty-five. I have come for you. Papa says you shall work in the hospital." He worked for three years in the hospital, where he kept his promise to read the Bible to the prisoners. At the end of that time he was discharged from the prison nearly wrecked in body and mind-homeless, friendless, and nameless. He took the train for Portland. For four days he wandered about looking for work, with nothing to eat nor a place to sleep except the lumber piles. At last he started down to the Burnside Bridge to throw himself into the river.


The bridge keeper pulled him down from the railing and said, "You cannot do that." As he walked away he saw the large lighted sign of the Apostolic Faith church. An unseen power seemed to compel him to attend a Gospel service there. At the close of the meeting Forty-five went to the altar, prayed, and God saved him. About two years later, as he was testifying during a service of his life and conversion, a man sat listening in the back of the church with tears flowing down his cheeks. He left his seat and ran down the stairs. A few days later someone who had talked with the stranger told Forty-five that this stranger knew something about him. Eager to learn something about his people, he obtained a description of the man and found he had gone to San Francisco, California. Forty-five followed the stranger there, and learned that he was in a hospital, dying of tuberculosis. So great was his desire to talk to the man that Forty-five went to the hospital superintendent and asked for work. When asked where he had been employed previously, he breathed a prayer to God and told his story. The superintendent wept as he listened, and told him to report for duty that night.

Almost a month later he had the opportunity to converse with the stranger. One night, the man asked him to read the Bible to him. Forty-five read to him the story of the Prodigal Son. While talking, the man put his arm around the ex-convict and said, "Can you forgive me for the wrong I have done you?" The ex-convict replied, "You have done me no wrong. Can you tell me about my mother?" The man answered, "I know nothing about your people, but I am the man who committed the crime for which you were sent to the penitentiary." He said, "I want you to forgive me for all those years that you spent behind the prison walls." Here was the real murderer for whose crime Forty-five had spent twenty-one long years in the prison! And he was asking Forty-five to forgive him!

The thoughts of the ex-convict went back to the long years he had spent in the prison. He thought of the ball and chain he had carried He thought of the thirty lashes he had received at the whipping post, and of the time he was shot in the leg, and of the weeks spent in the dungeon. He felt he was not prepared to forgive from his heart. He left the sick man and went into a little room alone. Kneeling down on the concrete floor, he prayed. For nearly three hours he wrestled with God for a real spirit of forgiveness. At last a Voice said, “Forgive him for My sake.” He went back and took the man in his arms and said, "I forgive you all the injuries you have done me, but you will also have to ask God to forgive you.” The man began to say, over and over, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." And God had mercy and saved him. Three days later the man died. That criminal's hands were stained with blood, but God had forgiven him. And Fortyfive, whom he had caused to suffer so terribly, also had forgiven the wrong, from the bottom of his heart. Many years have passed since then. Fortyfive, too, has gone on to be with the Lord. In eternity, with a new name - and no longer just a number - he is walking the streets of gold. There he and the man in whose stead he suffered those many long years are praising God that their sins were washed away by the Blood of the Lamb. The Lord Jesus, who taught us to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," gives every man power to forgive.

AnanseK: Another chance to treck accross the Sahara and eventually smuggled into italy to sell you know what - not so? Another chance indeed!

I don't support prostitution but is death by VVF and illiteracy the best option? Are there no prostitutes among those who were married off at age 9?

chei: Interesting to see how teenage pregnancies are now being frowned upon by society. Years ago, a sixteen year old girl would no be longer considered a teen and should be ready for childbirth anytime soon, talkless of a nineteen year old.
Maybe in the future, it will no longer be appropriate for a woman to give birth under 35.

What of 13year old? That's teenage too, you know

jarmooh: And whats that concern them,? they got the pregnancy in thier matrimonial homes while the teenagers in the south are now a profrssional street hookers and run girls who partake in aborting the babies. Pls next time take an abortion and adultery survey and lets see which part will lead

It concerns us! Which matrimonial home? A harem where 4 women are sharing the poverty and disease of one ancient man is what you call matrimonial home?

Now listen. When a girl marries at 13, she loses
1. Education and all the possibilities of living a decent life
2. Opportunity of fending for herself and her offspring. Employment opportunities for an illiterate 15year old mother of 3 are not that many
3. Health. Her reproductive system cannot cope with labour and delivery and instead of expanding, it tears. Think VVF!
4. Good prospects for her offsprings

In the South, we rehabilitate a teenage girl that made a mistake and give her another chance.

Buying photocopiers can give you heart attack! I've tried it and it's a depressing business. The machines always break down after few months of use courtesy of the erratic power supply.
Try food-related business. At least you won't go hungry

frosbel: We are not talking about SIN here, so don't try to derail the initial comment.

The point was on false demonic visions of hell and heaven which you unwittingly encouraged God's children to read and rely on for truth. You should not do this because thought it may be unintentional , it is all the same deception.

https://www.nairaland.com/1350718/false-visits-heaven-hell

And what does the last sentence mean?

The Bible is the sure word of prophecy but God still leads people. If it's of God, it will tally with the Bible and confirm the Scripture

chuksvoice: I have been a member of this church(DLCM) since birth(am in my late 20s now) and have witnessed series of happenings in the church. This recent development took alot of people by surprise(especially the core members of the church, those who have been in the church for donkey years and have been with Pastor W.F Kumuyi and General Supritendent of DLCM and have shared his passion, vision and lifestyle in ways that would beat your imaginations)
The reason am writing this is not to make critical analysis or trade blames, but just to state the obvious changes dlcm has experienced over the years since its inception and probably pose a rhetorical question for intelligent minds to ponder upon.
When dlcm started in the mid-70s with a member of 15, the emphasis was purely on holiness and evangelism, but before then pastor(WF Kumuyi) was a member in a church were evangelism was unacceptable and prohibited that he was expelled from the church for praticing evangelism after reading a book by John Wesley that affirmed evangelism as a core of the christian life. He tried to pass message to the leadership of the church he attended then but they shunned him and thereafter excommunicated him for failing to comply with their rules. Pastor went on with his new found convinction and even referred his new converts then to the church that expelled him, because then according to him the church preached sound teachings but doesnt pratice evangelism because it was against their tradition. When recalling this experience, pastor made a statement that he swore to himself that none of his church brethren would suffer the same fate as he did all because of church tradition.
So, when dlcm started then, it was never in the mind of the Pastor to establish a denominational church, according to him, they only gather then just to share the world of God together and then go back to their various churches to practise and teach others what they've learnt from God's word. Pastor led a very simplistic and sacrificial life that the brethren then misunderstood some of his actions then to extent that when he was trying to save and raise some money to buy the pastor of the church he was attending a car, that he had to wear the pair of clothes he had then consistently just to achieve this target, the brethren thought he was trying to set a good example of a true christian life and followed suit, but when pastor discovered that he quickly corrected that making them to understand that although we are expected to dress modestly as christians but that doesnt mean we shouldnt have change of clothing.
As time wears on and its became clear to pastor that he had the call establish a denomination thereafter Deeper life bible church was established and he had to resign from his job as a lecturer. The church frowned at worldliness to the smallest trace of it, you are only allowed to wear a simple shirt and trouser and probably a tie,but you dare not add a clip to your tie and you dare not put on a suit, even on your wedding day, and no camera or photos on your wedding day. All these were praticed then to show a distinction between the world and a true christian, the favourite bible quote then is 1john 2v15-16.
Later on the church has to relax their stance on some these outward dispositions. For example, when the Pastor discovered that the church membership was expanding even beyond Africa, he discovered the need to change his mode of dressing which was then just plain shirt and trousers to suit and tie, this change didnt go down well with some of the church member then, who were of the notion that the pastor has backsliden and some even decided to leave the church. But the man is still an ardent preacher of holiness no doubt. Also in time past you are not allowed to hold any post or join the church work force if you are in possession of a t.v box, but now nobody cares. When the pastor started using a tranparent glass pulpit, some members were complaining that the pastor has allowed worldliness into the church, but the pastor gave them answer by asking them a question. He asked them that 'when i was preaching on a wooden pulpit and now on glass pulpit, can you spot a difference in my any of teachings?' and none could give an answer.
I know most of these standards and practices laid down by the church are for a purpose and from a sincere and harmless heart, but with all these adjustments on the church practices and standards, should we say the church has backsliden?
I know where the pastor is coming from, this is a man that on his wedding day, he skipped his wedding reception because he had to attend a programme where he wanted to preach a message and according to him souls were perishing that he couldnt afford to stay in his wedding reception. He has sacrificed so much into the church and likewise his admirers and men within his ranks who also have given up a lot to keep the church doctrines and traditions alive. Therefore, to witness the pastor son flout the very standards and teachings on wedding comportment and dressing which they have been upholding for a long time is what must have taken the leadership by surprise. But the question am still pondering on which am yet to find a satisfactory answer to is this, did John Kumuyi disobey an explicit commandnent from the God word or the church traditions and pratices. Its almost like a circle repeating itself, but this time around it happened between a father and the son.
This is a question for skilled men in God's word to ponder

Thanks Chuks for this analysis. The only incorrect info you gave, I think, was his reason for leaving Apostolic Faith where he was a sunday school teacher. I don't think he was excommunicated because he still maintains good relationship with the church. But he differed with the church leadership on HOW evangelism should be conducted. His stand on dressing was also a bit extreme for a church that preaches moderation. He was blessed and encouraGed to moVe on with whatever vision he had instead of feeling clogged.
Other than this, your story makes an interesting reading

frosbel: God's love is not the love of fear, it is the fear of reverence, in other words the respect and honour given to GOD by not wanting to break his commandments.

God does not operate in the realm of fear, only SATAN does.

2 Timothy 1:7
King James Version (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Strangely enough , these false visions are not directed to sinners but to believers, I wonder why , hmm. Even more strange is that most of those in this HELL place are God's children who were purchased with the blood of his SON but now find themselves in this place of torment because of wedding gown styles, rings , cosmetics etc. No one seems to be in this place for greed, not showing mercy or justice etc.

Let me tell you , these visions are false imaginations from the father of LIEs SATAN.

I didn't set out to convince you, Frosbel, but to help others who may give credence to you.
Sin is sin whether it's committed by those who claim to know Christ or not. And God hates ALL sin no matter how insignificant we see it.

frosbel: ^^^

It does not encourage godly living , these false visions pomote fear and hypocrisy. In other words , people start to dress like saudis , not because they love God but due to the fear of a place of torture.

Remember , even Satan appears as an angel of light.

Anything that is not done out of love is worthless.

Wrong, Frosbel. Very wrong! Love and fear go together. But it is filial, reverential fear. My children love me so much that they fear hurting me by their actions. I love God so much but I know that, as I am not an indulgent parent, He's not an indulgent Father either. He expects me to represent Him before the rest of humanity by my words, dressing(o yes I care about how my kids dress because they represent me and my values), actions etc.

Fear, filial fear, isn't negative. "And deliver them who thro fear of death were all their lifetime subject in bondage":Heb 2:15

LHappy is the man that feareth alway" Prov 28:14

frosbel: God does not do deeperlife or apostolic faith , he does only the body of Christ.

Stop teaching the commandments and traditions of men.

Did I say Go to Apostolic Faith and you'll make heaven automatically? Incidentally the true church, the church within the church, observes the same principles of godliness of body, soul and spirit, no matter the denomination

tete7000: You said dress anyhow. Can you point to what was 'ANYHOW' in what the lady wore. That's the bane of the argument. Nobody condones indecent dressing but the dressing in question is not indecent and anyhow.

Sorry I wasn't just addressing the wedding but the dress issue among Christians. Our bodies, God's temples, must be presented blameless to the owner

frosbel: Do not fall for these out of body witchcraft false visions.

God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness in his word.

Be careful of these demonic manifestations in these last days.

You're right that we do have a more sure word of prophecy which is the Bible. Since the Bible is the standard, we gauge every revelation or vision from the contents of the Bible
Witchcraft and false manifestation? Yet encouraging people to live holier, godly lives? It doesn't tally. God is going to judge all wordliness and ungodliness. He is sending warnings which we can choose to heed or ignore.