And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us,( and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth. John I : 14.

" I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly".
John 10:10.

Jesus is The Son of God.

Jesus said unto him , " Dost thou believe on the Son of God ?"
He answered and said, "Who is he , Lord, that I might believe on him?"
And Jesus said unto him, "Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee." John 9: 35-37

"I am come...."

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might , the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
And righteousness shall be the girdle of of his loins , and faithfulness the girdle of his reins". Isaiah 11: 1-5.

And Jesus said , For judgement I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. John 9:39.

A White Christmas ?

Woke up this morning to see snow falling!
It was the first snow of winter in London and more snow is expected, says the weather forecast. These are pictures of sections of my front and back gardens after today's snow.
Some of us have been praying for a White Christmas in London.
My son called today's snowfall "an apology of a snow; baby snow"."Mom I know what you wanna see is the mother of all snow storms at Christmas! "
There is hope for that this year. So keep praying!
Every Christmas, I get gorgeous photos of a perfect White Christmas from friends and family in Leicester and Nottingham in North England.
The nearest we've got to a White Christmas in London in recent times was a near-miss ; heavy snow fell on Boxing day, 2000. Since then nothing at Christmas.
I know lots of people who would like a pretty scene like this below, at Christmas.
So let it snow!

Bringing in the Sheaves

"When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen ,
The Lord hath done great things for them." Psalm 126:1-3.

Today was the end-of-year Thanksgiving Sunday in our church.
For everyone present, it was a day for rapturous praise and of worship .
We brought in our sheaves, our "harvest" for being partakers of his goodness and faithfulness, through 2009.
For me and my family, it was a special occasion indeed!
We had a lot to thank God for this year, for it was our year of the Seven -Fold increase, as promised us by the Lord Jesus at the beginning of the year.
Words alone are not enough to express our gratitude to our dear Father, for all he has done for us!
The Lord is Faithful and he is good indeed!
Blessed be his holy name.

Tiger Woods - Getting On With It.

Tiger Woods' decision to take an indefinite break from golf and spend more time with his wife and children is the one wise decision he has made in recent weeks.
Relocating from the "Crime Scene" for an extended period of time is just what Tiger, his aggrieved wife and their two children need , right now.
A change of scene; going to a distant location, on holiday with his family, away from prying eyes would , definitely, go a long away in healing their frayed nerves.
I pray God would grant them the grace to receive Christ's peace and love into their lives so that they would be healed and they would recover every lost ground!

So far, Tiger has not managed this crisis very well.
Immediately after his car crash , he could have clammed up or come clean; instead of making ambiguous statements about "transgressions".
Then, two days ago , he got a court order , gagging the British press from reporting on his affairs. Wrong move , again!
When you gag news hounds, especially the British Press, they smell blood and then they begin to gig deeper into the story you are trying to keep the press from.

I have this gut feeling about this Tiger Wood's sad story, that there are more revelations to be uncovered and more termites to emerge from the woodwork!
Now that all sorts of " waitresses, models and escorts" , who had never seen or held even $3,000 in their hands in their entire lives; know that there is at least $300,000 to be made from selling their stories to newspapers and magazines , from TV appearances and from writing books about "My Sizzling Romp With Tiger Woods!"; this unfortunate story would snowball and get bigger and juicer. These women would milk the situation to the last drop!
Until the public tires of the story or when another celebrity sex scandal erupts.
It is very funny that one of Tiger's mistresses has said she was sorry for the hurt she has caused Tiger's wife. Sorry? Oh yeah!
But not "sorry" for the TV interviews and magazines cover shoots which she has been gaining from , gleefully?

As for Tiger Woods , what on earth was he thinking ; knowing that such behaviour is unacceptable to God and unacceptable in the society Tiger lives in?
It is not as if Tiger thought he was living in a society where men could do anything they wanted ; societies where women's feelings and opinions count for nothing and where it is acceptable for women to be trampled upon , used and discarded , anyhow and any time, by men.
In certain areas of the world ,celebrities' extramarital frolics are not newsworthy.
In fact people would laugh and dismiss such stories with a " so what?" and a wave of hand !
In such societies, successful and affluent men eat, drink and swim in adultery, with impunity!
So, in such lawless societies, their men , even the poor ones , are encouraged to do as they please; while their women folk are admonished to accept their positions as "good women", that is, they are " home -builders who should patiently and prayerfully bear all grievances against their men , stoically".

Not surprised that people are calling for Tiger's head because of his "transgression" and unacceptable behaviour.
In recent news, celebrities and even members of the public, have expressed "surprise and disgust" that Tiger Woods "could do a thing like that".
Ironically, the most vocal condemnation have come from men.
These men are alarmed because they know that it is sheer foolhardiness and insanity for any man in Tiger's income bracket to allow himself to be caught in adultery!
Of course , it is obvious that demands for " action against Tiger Woods" have also, come from those who, for various reasons ,were unhappy about his success.
In life, when you tear down the hedge around you , don't blame your enemies for moving in and attacking you. Ecclesiastes 10:8.
As for Tiger's critics, they should let Tiger be!
People can condemn others because they have not been caught , yet.
Tiger is not the first to be caught in a sex scandal. Who is next ?
But for the grace of God , they would have been in Tiger Wood's messy position today.
Tiger sinned against God by breaking his marital vows.
God is merciful and eager to forgive when we confess and forsake our sins.
Therefore he should be left in peace to make amend with his God and to put his life and his home in order.

What is the furore about all these revelations ? Is Tiger, the only married man or the only celebrity who is involved in extra-marital affairs , even as we speak?
No , he is not.
The shocking aspect in this case is Tiger Wood's incredible NAIVETY.
It is common knowledge that men and women who cheat on their spouses or partners , usually go the extra mile to cover their tracks.
Some of them have succeeded in playing the perfect wives and husbands; so well so that the truth about their secret lives was not known until after their funerals!
The one law which most philandering men(and women!) keep religiously is; their very own Eleventh Commandment :
"Thou shall not be caught!"
But celebrities don't live in the real world . So Tiger and other celebrities like him , who have been caught, are not street-wise enough to see through people or to know how "commoners" navigate the murky waters of relationships with the opposite sex.
Tiger's well paid aides could have counselled or shielded him from committing these serious blunders which are now threatening to destroy every thing he has ever worked for. This media circus will continue for sometime because the story of how careless Tiger has been , even to the extent of been caught red-handed , does sell newspapers.

Everyone knows that there are girls, boys, men and women , out there who would give their eyeballs to get their hands on ANY celebrity .
They would want this because they know they would get INSTANT fame and a mint of cash by offering for sale to the highest bidder, their "kiss and tell" story.
So , it is indeed, the height of naivety, for Tiger to have engaged in such affairs ,openly ,so close to his home and with voice messages as evidence!
Also , it is suicidal to give any body evidence to use against you in future!
Especially , non-achieving people who have nothing to lose by "kissing and telling".
For goodness sake , Tiger! Everybody knows that spouses and partners keep a tab on each other by , regularly checking out their other half's phone records and text messages .
Checking and monitoring for all it is worth!
Veterans in the game of infidelity would laugh up their sleeves, at these futile checks and counter- checks! .
Love cheats would always ensure that their other halves see only those stuff which they want them to see.
This entails not keeping phone records and any other incriminating documents lying around for spouses and partners to see!
To escape detection , what these cheats do is to keep a secret mobile phone which they use to conduct their affairs. These mobile phones are NEVER brought into the couple's home or left carelessly lying around!

Tiger's wife has decided to keep their marriage "for the sake of our children".
Recently , some other wronged celebrity wives , have decided to stand by their men and get on with their marital lives, despite everything.
But would Tiger Woods or any man forgive an adulterous wife who has slept with several men?
Even for the sakes of their children?

This decision to "get on with it", to make an effort to repair their marriages, despite being hurt and humiliated, is a new and welcome trend among celebrities .
Being public figures, when their marriages or relationships break down, their pain and humiliation becomes public and well reported.
Recently, there have been numerous such cases of unfaithful husbands and wives; star footballers, actors, actresses, politicians and other star figures getting unusual forgiveness and second chances from their aggrieved spouses.
Some people have sneered at decisions not to seek divorce as self-serving decisions by wronged spouses who stand to gain more by remaining married to their guilty spouses.
Indeed, decisions to overlook wrongs become easier if the erring partner, like Tiger Woods earns a basic income of $100,000,000, per annum ; apart from incomes from adverts and endorsements.

In any relationship , there could be low points like this Tiger story.
What to do? Storm out of the marriage or relationship in anger; shoot someone or head for the divorce courts?
That would be playing into the hands of intruders, "strange women or men" who set out, deliberately, to break up couples by seducing one of them.
In the long run, one would realise that there is no perfect husband or wife on earth. And no perfect marriage exists, either.
Getting on with it is the better option to divorce,especially in a Christian marriage, when it becomes easier for the couple to make the Word of God their guide , in resolving irritating issues.
Forgiving and forgetting wrongs become easier to do , especially in cases where the erring partner has shown remorse, has confessed his or her sin to the other half and asked for forgiveness as Tiger Woods has done.
This is the basis of the couples' resolve to pick up the pieces of their broken relationship and get on with it on a clean slate.
Forgiving one another even as God has forgiven us is the best solution to infidelity.
But this is easier said than done. It does entail a lot of payer and resolve by both parties, to succeed in keeping their union intact.
It takes the resolve of two persons to build any relationship.
What if the erring partner is not sorry, refuses to apologise or to give up his/her affairs and does not support or desire a reconciliation?
Well! That is another topic entirely.

Happy Birthday , Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, General Overseer of Believers' Loveworld and God's Precious Gift to all nations , is a year older today.
As Pastor Chris would say, man is ageless in the spirit.
Quite true , sir! May you remain ageless .
We wish you many more years of your glorious service to our God and to all men.
We give thanks today and always for the diverse ways God has been using you, beloved Pastor Chris , to touch our lives and millions of lives worldwide.
Here is our song for you:
Words are not enough to express how valuable you are to us
A city set upon the hill, that's who you are; you cannot hide!
If God were to make a choice one thousand times over ;
He'll choose you over and over, again and again.
Happy Birthday to you , our dear Pastor Chris!
Many Blessed Returns of the day !

Having Done All , Stand ! ( 2 )

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word ;
That they all may be one; as thou ,Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:20-21.
In this 17th chapter of the gospel of John, the Lord Jesus Christ blessed and prayed for his disciples and gave them his recognition as the fore-runners of his Church , which was birthed on the day of Pentecost by the Holy Spirit.
The Husband of the Church made a clear statement as to who will be members of His Church ; and what and how the Church will be like.
The Lord's desire was and is that :
His Church will be one. This meant that Christ knew that there will be diverse expressions and ministrations of the message of the same Gospel by different sections of His Church.
Christ prayed that even as the Trinity is made of three distinct personalities who are one ; so also, the Church with all its diversity would be one Church , sanctified by the Word.
United in the same mission and in the unity of purpose that is found in Christ alone.
Now there is the Church and there is the church.
The Church is the True Vine and consists of the true Believers, who gather in various groups (churches) to worship God and to carry out the mandate in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Believers are the Branches of the Vine and are found in the different churches which make up the Church.
Each Believer is a cell and is a replica of the Church .
They can be likened to the millions of cells which make up the human body; in this case , cells in the Body of Christ.
Just as an individual cell cannot exist outside the body , so the Believer cannot survive outside the Body of Christ.
Therein is the Life-Source of the Christian.
In the Church is the Word which cleanses and sanctifies the Believer. John 15:3.
The Church , not the individual bears the mandate from Christ.
Like the arms or legs cannot exist or move outside the body ; so also a Believer , however gifted or talented , cannot operate without the Church.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
As thou hast sent me into the world , even so have I also sent them into the world.
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. John 17:17-19.

The Church is universal; made up of peoples from different nations on earth.
Though in different nations , tribes and tongues, the Church is united by one Lord, Jesus Christ, one faith and one baptism . Ephesians 4: 1-6
Wherever and whenever the church gathers, the Lord Jesus is there in their midst because the church gathers in his name and because His Church is inside the church.(Matthew 18:20)

Therefore , the church is a mixed multitude ; made up of Believers and others. Others , such as church-goers, spectators and all sorts of people who come into the church with their own unique and different reasons and agenda for coming to church.
The Church is united by Faith and sanctified by the Word of God.
It is made of people who bear the Seal of Membership, not of any church; but of the universal Church of the Body the Lamb of God that was slain and who is alive forever more.
While all churches are congregations of mixed multitudes , the Church cannot be of a mixed multitude.
The Church must remain "without spot or wrinkle"; glorious and presentable to the Lord. Ephesians 5: 26-27.
Rarely would one find any church wherein EVERYONE is a Believer or any church where you find the "others" only.
Just as there are little foxes which spoil and disturb the Vine so there are "strangers" in any church; mingling with the True Believers.
"The Lord knoweth them that are his...
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver , but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour and some to dishonour. 2 Timothy 2:19 and 20.

The crux of this matter of church and Church , is that many people in and outside the Church do not not know the significance of the Church.
Church attendance and church membership are not enough proof that a person is a born again Christian.
Bearing Christian names like Mary , Martha, James or John and wearing a crucifix do not transform one into a Christian.
A person could be an active member or leader of a church ; preaching , singing , giving their time and money, generously; speaking Christianese, speaking in tongues , praying long and loud prayers , disturbing the neighbours with loud prayers and praise-singing and doing all other "churchy" stuff; but yet he or she has ceased to abide in Christ, long ago!
Outwards signs of piety from lives devoid of love for God and for man, according to Christ's words, are signs from empty vessels ; lives already severed from His Body. John 15:4-10.
Such people, though they are members of a church, have ceased to be members of the Church .

Like many Christians have, when doing the work of an evangelist; I have met people who say:
" Yes, I believe what you have said , I love Jesus Christ, I believe in Him and I accept Him as my Lord and Saviour. But I am sorry, I don't go to church because I was there for some time and I left. I know I don't like what happens in church.
I will not attend any church because of people's attitudes and I don't want to have anything to do with "church people" ,ever again!
I would rather watch Christian channels or listen to preachers on the Internet and then send my tithes and offerings to whichever man of God whose ministrations I like.
Over the years,I have heard of and read series of complaints and accusations ,levied against the leadership and the laity (congregation) of some churches.
These condemnation about what goes on in churches today, come from not only people outside the church, but also , from Christians within the Church.
Some of these accusations are true while some are malicious rumours meant to discredit the Church , some church leaders and their ministries.
Events in the Church and in the lives of Christians are not for discussion here.
For me, personally, such topics are " My Family Discussion"; not for public airing.
And so, on this blog , my stand is :" Tell it not in Gath , publish it not in the streets of Askelon .... ;lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph !" 2 Samuel 1:20.

The will of God for our lives is that we abide in the Vine; so that we be made clean by the word which he has spoken to us. John 15: 1-5.
His will shall surely come to pass in His Church.
We shall bear more fruit and our fruit shall remain.
However , one could choose to go outside God's will and cease to bear fruit; by quiting the Church.
If you are grieved by what someone has done or said in any church to the extent of quitting the Faith , then you have not believed and accepted that the Church IS NOT about any man or group of men .
The Church is the place of expression of the fullness of the Holy Spirit through the Believer . It is the place of strength and power for the Christian .
The Church is all about who Jesus Christ is and what He has done , is doing today and about what He will do.

Are you fed up and thinking " I can't do this , can't bear this anymore " and you are about to give up and quit?
May be you have not really quit ; but you are still attending church regularly , for appearances sake.
But you have decided to keep to yourself because you are disgusted with everyone and everything in church?
That means you have thrown away or you are about to throw away the baby with the dirty bath water!
The Bible cautions Believers about this weapon of Satan against the Church .
When certain unpleasant attitudes are prevalent in any group or church, we should be aware of the devices of the enemy against that group!
" Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learnt and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ,but their own belly;
and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple". Romans 16:17,18.

We could avoid persons who peddle non-Christian attitudes in a church by either IGNORING such attitudes or by leaving that church for another church .
It is better to do this than to quit the Faith and the Church because of anyone or for any reason.
Maybe , you are reading this and you don't care two hoots about who comes in or leaves the church. After all , you reason, there will always be others, hundreds of them, coming in to replace those who leave.
You say, "If "rebels , sinners and rolling stones" depart , let them depart!"
More grease to your elbow. Be prepared . Soon, you will give an account to the God who died for those "rebels and sinners" and called them into His Church.
You will receive your full reward from God , for polluting the church with your disgusting attitude .

You , the Believer, are God's child; precious in his sight.
Decide to remain on God's side because you are not an enemy of God!
You CAN DO this and you will not quit because Faithful is he that has called you.
The Church including you ,has been equipped and given power and gifts to carry out the purpose of Christ for all mankind. The Church is marching on and cannot be stopped in her march towards achieving the goals and the mandate she has received from her Lord and Master.
At the end of the march, there is a crown , a warm embrace and a commendation waiting for us from Christ at the finishing line.
Let no man or devil derail us from finishing the race and claiming our crown. Amen.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course , I have kept the faith;
Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge , shall give me at that day: and not to me only , but unto all them also that love his appearing".
2 Timothy 4:7,8.
Amen.