₦airaland Forum

I don't think it's necessarily about a Christian participating in politics and wining. It is about participating as a Christian. Christians should flood the political arena but guided by the life of Christ. They should continue to do so not minding, failing, etc until without our knowledge Nigeria's political arena would be ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit which would drive away and dispel all forces of darkness. Either by driving them away or converting them.

Christians should anticipate to fall/ fail but have firm faith in GOD's steadfastness. They say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christianity. So also our trying and failing would change Nigeria's political arena. It's time to conquer this fear of failure. After-all, the most important thing to every Christian is Glorifying GOD, advancing HIS Kingdom and making Heaven

nice one. @OP

Especially don't allow previous failings (if any) make despair or become despondent. It is not hopeless. remember it is to Glorify HIM and your own good

In the above circumstance, miss A failed to realize that GOD would not give HIS own stone/ scorpion when he asks for bread.

The key consideration are the following (from miss A’s perspective as she’s facing the dilemma):

Miss A standing with GOD
Her trust and Faith in HIM
Her purpose for marriage – it must be for God’s glory first not to give vent to any sexual fantasies playing out in her mind
Her readiness to face marital/ family challenges
All other family checks, incl cultural affinity, etc

IF she is in affirmative in all the above, she should say yes having firm faith that if Master B is the wrong person for her then the marriage proposal would come to naught. The Holy Spirit would “blow” him out of her “sight”, this is the extend of HIS steadfastness with us if we walk with HIM.

To me this is lack of faith in action

Miss A would prefer that GOD tell her from the heaven, assure her and show how her life started and would play out with Master B. (within the idea that she can attribute any challenges in challenge that may arise in the marriage to GOD’s choice for her and blame HIM – like our guy Adam)

But does and would GOD do that? Even if HE did for Miss A do you think she will believe HIM? Of course NO!!! Why? We don’t trust GOD !! We only trust what we conceive within ourselves

Remember what Abraham told the rich (in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus), that even if someone is went from Heaven to warn/ tell his brothers what await them if they don’t change, that they won’t believe.

It is very difficult for her to accept that as she has lived a good life, prayed, etc that she should consider the Christian character merits of the guy and say yes or no. If yes and they prayerfully continue in righteous living till wedding then whatever challenge that arise already has solution in GOD!!

These challenges would always arise.
Master B is developing doubt due to reactions of Miss A. He would forget that he should continue asking in prayer. Doubts arise because in his mind he is already married to Miss A and could envision what their life together would be like.
The mere thought of approaching another girl is out of his mind as he is already married in his mind. He has come to conclusion and awaiting for GOD to sanction it.

Take a very practical everyday scenario as an example:

Miss A and Master B are praying and waiting for the right marriage partner
Both are good practicing Christians living out the faith
Both have kept their body from defilement and lived righteous lives
Both believe in GOD with all their heart
Both have not met or aware of each other’s existence

One day someone introduced Master B to Miss A and without wasting time, master B proposed to miss A – there and there at the first meeting !!!
What do you think miss A did? She literally ran away. Master B kept following up with to say yes or no!!
Miss A kept praying, but never said yes or no to master B

After much persistence, Master B started consulting prophets, pastors, seers, etc to confirm if miss A is indeed his God assigned life partner.
Meanwhile Miss A is in decision land agony. Consulting all the above and even waiting for GOD to speak out to her loud from heaven

Let’s analyse what has played out / playing out:
Master B was convinced the first time
Miss A was scared – of what? The unknown?
Miss A is scared she cannot predict her future with master B
This later affected master B who expected it to be “easy” and straight with his GOD “assigned” life partner.
Even the prophets, etc cannot assuage miss A’s fear of an uncertain future
Doubt would crawl gradually into master’s B’s mind

In this situation, what went wrong and suggest possible solutions.

A lot of the so called Atheists remain as they are because they cannot fathom GOD. They cannot understand HIS ways, predict HIM and analyse HIM. This inability to apply logic to the Almighty GOD is frustrating to someone that one wants to be sure of the outcome of any of his actions/ decision

I think that what we call fear of the unknown is frustration at not being able to predict the future with certainty. So because we don’t know what lies ahead we tend to fear to venture.

This fear can never be eliminated via any other way except by trusting in GOD. HIS steadfastness, love, provision, etc.

Fear of the unknown

Is there really anything like fear of the unknown?
Every fear we have has an object, source. We always know what we are afraid of, for what and over what.
That we chose not to confront our object of fear, etc and hide behind the cloak of unknown stems from the fact that we want to mask/ mystify our object of fear to avoid being mocked.
If a child is afraid of going into a dark place, do we call it fear of the unknown?
I don’t think so as the child can list to you so many things he’s afraid would happen to him.
If we chose not to go to the village for an occasion due to hindsight of prophetic warning about possible negative consequences, is this fear of the unknown?
When I am afraid to take on greater challenges for fear of failure and being laughed at, is this fear of the unknown?

I would welcome someone giving me a typical example of fear of the unknown.

Unless what we mean by the unknown is our inability to determine the result of any of our action. Since we cannot be sure of result of our actions/ decisions, etc we tend to fear.

Is this not akin to pride? Fear of failure? Fear of being wrong?

So the fundamental question is what is the source of any fear we have?

Answer to this would reveal the type of fear we have. Good or Bad Fear. Use of Good or Bad is to distinguish btwn the types of fears as above

Bad Fear
"Bad" fear is as a result of weakness in faith (whenever i use faith, i mean Christian faith in GOD)
doubt about GOD’s love and steadfastness in our lives.
doubt of HIS sufficiency
doubt about HIS Provision
doubt about his faithfulness to HIS word
believe that we are incharge
believe in oneself over GOD
believe in the created instead of the Creator
inability to explain GOD and HIS mysterious ways which leads to doubt

We would now use practical everyday life experiences to discuss these and how to overcome this type of fear

Fear:

Fear can be general or specific. General fear of all things is fundamental but fear for/ over specific things stems from experience. Fear also can be GOOD or BAD !! Example Fear of GOD is very good !!! It is normally qualified as reverent fear!!! Under this includes fear of offending him ignorantly, willingly by act, words, thoughts or omission. This fear should flows from LOVE of GOD. We are afraid to offend GOD that loves you so much and we are striving in our own little way to Love HIM- though we can never love him as much as HE loved and loves us. This makes us develop fear of sin/ sinning!! This is because we don't have perfect love !!!

There are many verses in the bible that states need to fear GOD but all are based on the fact that we don't have perfect love of GOD. Perfect love of GOD drives away fear and all that is left is LOVE and REVERENCE of HIM !!!

We all know ourselves and our inherent weaknesses and inconstancy hence we should have reverent fear of GOD!! It makes us realise that without HIM we can do nothing !!!

We sometimes encounter this type of fear also in our everyday lives and with the people around us.

A child that normally sees his Dad as his all in all would be afraid of offending him and making him sad. He would want always to do things that the Dad would be happy with

A husband that loves his wife and sees/ believes her to be a gift from GOD would be afraid of offending GOD by being unfaithful to her, etc

A Parent would be afraid offending GOD by being negligent with the children he/ she believes are gifts from GOD
An unmarried girl/ boy would be afraid of offending GOD by defiling her body that she holds to be temple of the HOLY SPIRIT
An unmarried pregnant girl would be afraid of aborting her pregnancy though out of wedlock because she believes that though she sinned, aborting adds to her offences against GOD
A prophet would be afraid of not delivering any prophet message GOD revealed to him to the intended beneficiary and hence displease GOD by this act of obedience

So what crisis or challenge are you facing now?
What is that challenge that is threatening your faith in GOD?
making you question HIS love, mercy,blessings, steadfastness, promises?
Is it marital challenges? family wahala? career? peer pressure?

Remember whatever you are facing now is not original. people faced such and overcame it. And you are much more endowed to overcome than they were. How do we submit and let/allow GOD to lead us and not us lead HIM?

Adopt a faith model from the bible and let’s continue. It is well

Most crisis we go through in life has faith crisis as underlying cause. We seem to inherently cling to the believe that we are right. That GOD should do what we want. That we know what is best for us.

In the bible some Prophets, patriarchs, Priests etc suffered Faith crisis/ doubts although they never remained down nor despondent. HIS mercy makes sure we don’t remain down trodden so far we are willing – even just a little bit.
Observe one thing common to my faith models: They never suffered a faith crisis. Why?
They had “foolish” faith in GOD and aimed for HIS glory first before their own good.
They never commanded or demanded from GOD
They never requested that HE change rather they changed to fit with HIS will
They believe that HE knew what is best for them and abandoned themselves to HIS will
But we have much more going for us – The sacrifice of the cross hence we are more that the Prophets, etc – more than conquerors

Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (Schedrach, Meshach and Abednego)
This their statement to King Nebuchadnezzar says it all: “King Nebuchadnezzar, we need not defend ourselves before you on this matter. If you order us to be thrown into the furnace, the GOD we serve will rescue us. But even if he won't, we would like you to know, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up." Dan 3:16 - 19
This demonstrate:
Conviction in GOD, HIS power, HIS love, mercy and HIS sovereignty, HIS exclusive reserve to do whatever HE chose but firm believe that all is to HIS glory. Which is the underlying principle of FAITH – Glory of GOD first not good of man. It is in HIS glory that man benefits
They were convinced of their decision to obey GOD not because HE MUST or WILL or HAVE TO rescue them to save HIS name but because they love HIM and were not willing to offend HIM to please man
These three young men said such even before the benefit of having the precious blood of JESUS shed for them !!

You may have noted one phrase I used :"allow GOD to be GOD”
How does it work? Examples from my faith models:

Mary
The life of your son that the Angel told you is the Son of GOD and you are quite sure was conceived by the HOLY SPIRIT is filled with experiences that contradict human dictates (no wonder Peter told Jesus to stop saying HE will be killed) such as
The flight during pregnancy
No place to give birth
The prophecy of Simeon at HIS presentation
HIS staying back at the temple after feast of Passover
HIS upbringing in a carpenter’s family
Death of Joseph without GOD stopping it
Death of nephew (John the Baptist) without Jesus or Father in Heaven intervening
Telling the servants to do whatever He tells them when HE just sort of disagreed with you – miracle at Cana
HIS submission to human authority to carry the cross when you know and have witnessed HIS miraculous powers at work
HIS passion: crucifixion and death

How come she never despaired? Can any of us today accept such?

It continues:
Then you return and continue life as a carpenter to provide for your wife (Mary), your Son (Jesus also Son of GOD). And God allowed it so.
How come he did not ask:
what kind of GOD is this?
Or go to consult some seers?
Have you ever wondered if he desired to see Jesus perform miracles?

He did none of these ‘cos he had faith and faith in GOD has contentment with divine providence attached to it.
No wonder the disciples said “Lord increase our faith”
But first step is to, ask the Holy Spirit to illumine your life that you may know your faults, repent, have perfect contrition, purge ourselves of fleshy desires, submit to the leading of the holy Spirit, ask for HIS mercy. All these aim to improve our standing with GOD. We are not perfect but we are meant to aspire for it.

This was after the wahala of moving the pregnant mother to Bethlehem due to the census order. I imagine he had to trek alongside their wife’s camel/ donkey
But Joseph had “foolish” faith in GOD and did as told. Funny thing was that if I were to be Joseph at this instruction in the dream to flee, when I wake up I will:
a) ask GOD for instant confirmation of Mary as a Godly woman not one marine spirit
b) ask the GOD to show me real tangible proof about the baby and the mother
c) ask GOD to prove HIMSELF as capable and take care of the person pursuing us
d) and so on and so forth incl that I see that HOLY SPIRT physically
All these and more I would DEMAND without even checking my standing with GOD
But he did none of these – faith is marvelous !! Faith lets us allow GOD to be GOD and not command HIM to do our will or submit to us
What about you? Have you been is such situations?

How does this our Life journey using faith models apply to life situations?
Take Joseph as an example. “Then Joseph her husband made plans to divorce her in all secrecy, he was an upright man and in no way did he want to discredit her (Mary)”. Mat 1:19

First He was on right standing with GOD. He was kind hearted and not vengeful

An Angel told him in the dream and told him not to reject Mary as it by the Holy Spirit that she is pregnant. And he believed !! How could he believe what has never happened before – Faith!!
Even at that, they could not even afford a good place for the Child GOD to be born. Imagine you as a Father or Father to be not being able to provide for your family? How do you handle it? Do you give up? Command GOD? Pray and hope? Take the situation “wholly’ into your hands and do whatever you fill is necessary?
But Joseph just had faith. Imagine being told to flee from a mere mortal. That he the man GOD chose would call father on earth should take the Child Jesus (Son of GOD) and flee from a mere mortal?

A man in this world may not be good as a faith model due to man’s inconstancy. That is why it is said you can only be a Saint after your death because that is your birthday in Heaven but it is the result of your life on here that determines your destination afterwards.

My Biblical faith models in most situations are:
Mary, mother of our LORD Jesus Christ
Joseph, the husband
Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (Schedrach, Meshach and Abednego)

Are you surprised that Abraham (our Father in faith) is not included?
I’ll state my reasons for the people I adopted as we journey along.
As we journey along, try and adopt your own faith models so we can jointly navigate life challenges that come our way

The foundation of every Christian in Christ is built on FAITH in HIM that never fails.
Life challenges keep throwing at moments of faith crisis. We experience this almost all facets of our daily life: Sorrow, Love, Giving, Marriage, giving, worshipping, work/ career, family life, etc

Our persistence in striving after HIS promises depends on the type of faith we have in HIM.

But what is faith?

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen” – Heb 11:1. Faith is believing in what GOD has revealed and holding onto it to be true without doubt or questioning.
Christian Faith may sound abstract but for the Holy Bible that is our guide for living a Christian life. Any situation we are going through is not original as somebody passed through such and emerged victorious in the LORD. It helps to go through the bible and chose a Faith model for any situation.

Christian Counselling is giving Christian advice. This is what this thread is all about.
"Lack of guidance leads to a nation's decline whereas numerous counsellors bring success” – Prov 11:14

Advice is a recommendation/ suggestion that you reserve the right to accept or reject.
Why do we need advice? Because we are forewarned of the challenges that life is filled with.
"Many are the troubles of the just but the LORD delivers them from it all” – Ps 34:20.
Every day in this world has it’s challenges. The Almighty GOD never promised us easy passage rather safe passage and arrival if we walk with HIM.
The solution of solidly walking with HIM is FAITH.

“Yet without faith it is impossible to please him: no one draws near to God without first believing that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him earnestly”. Heb 11:6

ebankole:
@Tranglatar
Remember u asked how to go about the gift/calling upon u?
Well,seems God won't let me rest because of you,u must email me or call or just get in touch with me anyways.
As i must deliver this,have a msg for you concernin ur calling.
Godbless us all-Amen.

@ ebankole
Good morning, thank you and God's continued blessings and guidance
have emailed and will call also.

TESTIMONY !!

from ebankole to Tranglatar:
Its the devil trick to make u feel ur efforts and prayers result to nothing(u must cancel these manipulative dream &[b]tell God u don't wnt to see them no more-its as simple as that)
Secondly,The devil is usin this to bring u to let go of ur prayer life or curse God or to doubt God capabilties.
What a silly DEVIL.


@ ebankole.
And i did as you said in bold above and lo and behold, i don't have those yeye dreams again OO!! - "its as simple as that"
Do i need to say more. Paraphrasing what St Paul said, faith cometh by hearing the word of GOD and how can they hear if they are not told. Thank you so much for telling us. He who has ear/ eye let him hear/ read. ebankole, may GOD continue to bless you and yours abundantly and may the Almighty GOD be ever praised, blessed and glorified for ever

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ebankole:
Tranglatar
Pray against spiritual wife waitin to find her way into ur life.
Pray against,past mistakes,errors huntin ur back.
Both dreams are the same:The lord said tru ur gift,doin gud,servin God,Prime(Its close)The temptation wil be high so much that u'll fall if u dnt destroy dat nw
Temptations/marine wife is waitin to enter

@ ebankole
Thank you so much. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. i am married and not dreaming of being unfaithful to my marital vow.
Pls what is the solution to destroy, erase, annul any "entry point" in a way that it would be as if it never existed. That it to shut and seal that "entrance door" for eternity !!! Any dream like this leaves so depressed. i always pray not to loose/ be separated from GOD. What do i need to do or what should i stop doing.

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