No one individual has been able to solve all the problems he/she has met or encountered in life. You win some and lose some but life must continue.

Every phase of life has its own peculiar problem or challenge. When an individual is going through a state of struggle to make changes or good things happen, he/she talks of hard times.

Struggle is part of life’s essential make up. Individuals, families, communities and countries come to a time of difficult and unpleasant conditions at different times in life. You were born to meet challenges or problems either in your immediate family, in your community, town or country.

How privileged are you to have solved and overcome some! But assuredly, by the time you’re exiting this world, there will still be challenges. No one individual has been able to solve all the problems.

As you solve one, another is created. Life is in phases, as you prevail over one phase of life, you enter a new phase with its peculiar challenges, and that is how we sail through in life.

Hard times bring out the best in you. They help you to redirect your life where necessary, pursue and then come out looking better. If you are able to manage things right, a time will come in your life when you will not see them as challenges, but rather as a time to show what you were made of. This is also known as the maturity phase of your life; when you handle situations with ease because you have taken time to learn from obstacles or unpleasant situations. Those who murmur or complain about hard times hardly see the right and permanent solutions to problems. And that explains why most times, such people are tied to others apron for existence; for they could not endure to win.

Oil subsidy removal is today’s test for most Nigerian families. Tomorrow, it may be your children, next your business. From time to time, there will always be something to agitate about either in your country or state. Seeing times like this: as distraction meant to cause you fear and change your focus in the pursuit of your life will help you better to win in the race of life.

If you focus on what could be the effect of hard times, you may be frustrated out of your dream. If you fail to persistently look for a way to reach your own goal, very soon, you will see no one to blame but yourself.

Very early in our publishing business, my husband and I used to handle the distribution of our product, ‘Sports Souvenir’ in the night between the hours of 2am and 5am around Lagos, since we could not hire circulation staff. At this time, incidents of different types of attacks on people were rampant. The stop and search by security officers, corking of guns, and the usual tough voices used by the officers caused us no fear. We think less of any harm coming to us.

Our goal of achieving success has made us to be bold and courageous. When you are sold out to your pursuit, fear dies inside of you, and you become unstoppable.

Supposing we were afraid to do what our business and life demanded at that time, by today we would have been among those who tried and failed. Removal of oil subsidy has presented you with another opportunity to re-fire your life.

The desire to enjoy financial pleasure is a high desire in most people, while very few are ready to plant the right seed  commensurate to their thirst, water the seed, weed and patiently wait for God to show mercy. The truth is that life is a process and you must follow diligently if you want peace of mind to come with progressive life.

Hard times come to wipe out businesses and create new ones. It calls for creativity. It is not the time to go back to your village. Cutting on your budget to the marrow for sustenance will not take you far. Rather, think on how to earn more. Re-train if necessary.

You can decide to start your own business. At least, you will know you are working towards building your financial freedom.

Recognize God as the greatest source of lasting and fulfilling wealth. Establish a good relationship with God so that His promise for year 2012 shall come to be in your home and family. Year 2012 is still very young for you to conclude it’s a tough year. The end of a thing is usually better than the beginning. Therefore, though the early part of 2012 is rough, a little you shall become a thousand. And that small family of yours shall become a strong nation this year says the Lord of hosts. Trust, seek and call on God, you will testify by December 2012 to God’s glory. Oil subsidy is for your blessings to come alive in the name of Jesus.

We shall celebrate!

Money is a powerful tool in the hands of those who have it. Haven’t you seen a fool that wise men bow to simply because he has financial control.

I have discovered that having much does not guarantee immunity against hard times.  Having much money today, which you are not sure of having access to getting more of  means you will soon face hard times. Riches in the hands of people with terminal diseases, sickness or affliction indicate hard times. If you have money and your movement is restricted, then you are facing a hard time. A typical example is what Nigeria Labour Congress put the citizens through from 9th to 16th January, 2012.

Wealthy parents with irresponsible children or those who  had no control over their desires will definitely face hard times before they die.  Or if death comes suddenly, the family would face hard times.

With forgoing explanations, I want to believe that hard times are part of life.

What you experience at this period will bring out the best in you, if only you take it as part of what you are meant to go through for the best of you to come. If only you can take it as a test of life for your progress, then, you will enjoy the good fruits therein.

Without a test, there is no promotion. Difficult and unpleasant occasions occur when an individual, couple or a nation is working to bring about a desired change.

Change is mostly to bring out something better.

In the school of success, which is the desire of many, I have learnt there is no free launch. You pay the price before you can enjoy. More so, change is constant. Therefore, one can say that hard times and change move together. I can also say that there are no changes without being hard-up, when money, clothing or shelter is your problem.

For instance, a politician who wants to win more votes in the next election, will not be talking of money; all he needs to do is to meet more people, put up a strategy to defeat his/her opponent. The efforts he/she will put in will task his health, concentration, patience and endurance. What more hard time can someone put up with?

I want to say that people without focus in life will complain and want to resist hard times. They want things to continue the way they are; that is, no rocking of the boat.

The No Future Ambitions, (N.F.As) of this world will resist change. They will resist it out of ignorance. People who are short sighted fight change most of the time.

It is time for every couple to go back to the drawing board in Nigeria. Living in the past will bring you to frustration and backwardness. It is a fact that when you slip or fall in the race of life, people pass you by, facing their goals and destiny. Nobody will look back to check on you. They make new friends at their new destination.

This brings me to the conclusion that what is seen as a hard time is strictly dependent on an individual’s perception or experience. The moment you are generalizing, you are yet to face the reality of life. Nations can come into the phase of hard times just as individuals, even in business. Whichever one you are confronting, the outcome depends on you.

Life is in phases while men are in sizes. What phase of growth is your life, marriage, business or your country? What level of life are you? You have to truthfully answer these questions.

People at the peak of life have nothing to do with hard times. Such individuals only need to be innovative in their business or career. Experiences they have gathered will show them what to do and you will see them flying higher.

Analyse your phase of life, set a goal and pursue it. This will help you not to feel you are backward in life, for the reward of your chosen goal will put spring on your feet and move you forward, just as you become blind to oppositions.

I will like to add here that God must be your topmost ally. Let him know you are relying on HIM to embark on this glorious journey to a life of fulfillment in HIS grace. For unless the LORD builds the house, those who try to build it labour in vain. Financial buoyancy in pleasure is your portion.

Removal of oil subsidy is an equation too difficult to balance, except it is approached by divine insight and revelation.

Humanly, thought of inflation, which will affect the purchasing power of many, filled my mind.

My business

The question to ask is: Is my product essential or a luxury? A luxury of course! Supposing the strength of our products get reduced in the market place, it means some workers will lose their jobs? What will happen to such people’s means of livelihood?

Our Business

Why now as every family will have to bear more than 100% increase, coupled with inflation, in running their homes and life? People had just finished celebrating Xmas, and gave out gifts. Ah! This is killing. I had to quickly bring myself back when I remembered the implication and complication of high blood pressure to me.

If you are healthy, you can face and overcome any life’s challenges. The moment good health is out of the equation, you will be vulnerable and exposed to every other assault.

The Word says, “ be still and know that I am God,”  my peace returns. I am sure the initial reaction of many may not be the same as mine, but I know some would.

Though, there had been talks on the removal of subsidy, but I think our leaders will find a way out, for cushioning, which will not hurt the citizens.

Nigerians are God’s own People. We must surely find a way to come over and not be under any challenges. We are divinely smart… 1 Cor. 10:13

Reading through the Dailies a few days ago, I saw that  as usual, the Labour Congress and Human Right Groups were out promising to bring the nation to her knees unless the fuel pump price is reversed. As I was reading, the picture of what happened during the struggle for June 12, 1993 realization came to mind.  The nation was run to a halt. The man in charge of labour as at then, Comrade Kokori, stopped the lifting of fuel to every part of the country. Citizens and businesses suffered.

Many people came to limelight, some gained access to wealth. On the other hand, many lost their position; many were kept in jail while some families never recovered from that struggle, because lives were lost. Also, the country never remained the same.

For every of these agitations, just  as they leave us with ‘benefits’, there is always a sad taste to endure. One of the bad tastes of June 12 struggle is the development of militant groups in the Niger Delta region. Before then, there were agitations for the region to have full benefits of their natural endowment, ‘Oil’; but no one was thinking of the aggressiveness its acquisition, turned out to be.

One of the gains of democracy is that the Military are more cautious in not considering coming in to take over the government. Which means the country is growing. Experience is helping us to manage our affairs better. Dialogue without ego or force will win any day.

Back to our present test, “Oil Subsidy Removal.”

The reasons our government gave for subsidy removal were not strong enough to convince Labour to agree with the President and citizens were asked to sit at ‘Home’ while they (Labour etc) fought it out with the government on our behalf.

As good as it is for Labour and Human Right Groups to have ordered sit at home, has it occurred to them that many husbands and wives have no home to stay?

Many marriages are at the verge of collapse. The wife is about to pack out of her husband’s house because she has met a money bag who has promised her heaven on earth. But this sit at home has made her to rethink. Or it could be a husband who is already in the arms of Delilah but sit at home has intervened in the process.

Also, do you consider somebody who has planned to come and cause unrest in people’s homes or marriages? The strike has kept that evil off such a family.

Most pending issues shall surely be resolved amicably. Since the Oil Subsidy matter affects most middle and lower class citizens, most ears are very attentive now. Children are able to interact with both parents. At least, couples can plan the year, and prepare for the take-off of the year in unity.

Thanks to Government, that decided to remove the subsidy on the first day of the year. No matter how rich you are, if you are going to spend more on any aspects of your life, you will calm down. Even if you are drunk, you want to come out of mirage to face the reality of the issue. Since everyone is challenged in this test, spouses will listen to the voice of reason.

Thanks to organized labour for asking us to sit at home while the issue is being resolved. But labour should please add to this list of request to the government ,“The importance of healthcare for pregnant women and their children, when they eventually arrive from October 2012.

Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan should please, not only help us out of the Oil Subsidy Test, he should make good his position as our good father to make allocation for “Oil Subsidy Removal Babies” who are on their way. Or what does my reader think?

Man must be man under his roof, no matter the heat on the streets. We are coming out as a nation more formidable, much stronger and wealthier. 2012 is the best year Nigerians are going to have. We shall enjoy the year to the fullest.

Cheers!

By the close of the year 1998, our publishing company was in the red. The debt burden was huge and growing because we also owed banks. Our main products were not selling. It was one of our test times. Personally, the burden was on me so much that I could not gather myself to praise God heartily that December. It was as if the whole world was against us.

I was surprised after my husband’s first quiet time in the year 1999, he said: “I want to work on my relationship with God. My focus will be on how to love and obey Him more and to Re-discover my love for Jesus Christ my savior and Lord.” Inside of me, I was like if you focus your attention on your relationship with God, what happens to the business and the outstanding debt against us? One thing you cannot take away from Dr. Sunny Ojeagbase is that he is a doer.

He immediately took to following his plans through. After our usual prayer in the early hour of the day, he would read one of Kenneth Hagins books, observe his quiet time before any other activity. At times he would share the word he found with me, if time permitted. As he kept doing that, I discovered our fears were reducing. Words that were coming were helping our faith to grow, and peace of mind was being restored gradually. Our hope to continue and make success of our ailing business was rekindled. God was there for us daily, just as with the Israelites in the wilderness. We were favoured by our creditors; and gradually there was calmness in and around us. Troublesome creditors were miraculously settled. God settled our debts. God says he daily loads us with benefits; that was the word for us. And we surely enjoyed and are still enjoying it.

February 3rd that year, we travelled to Abuja for a programme. After the programme, we ate lunch and that was the beginning of yet another test of life. My husband complained of dizziness after taking the launch in the hotel’s restaurant. The next thing was vomiting. He vomited for about two hours, the hotel doctor came, but little could be done to help us. I prayed for God’s intervention, decreeing that I shall go back to Lagos with my husband alive, no death, no loss…etc. My husband whispered, “let us be calling the name of Jesus, that is the instruction,” I quickly obeyed.

Within five minutes of calling the name of Jesus, the frequency of his vomiting subsided and by fifteen minutes, he was regaining his strength. On the third day, he was on his feet and we returned to Lagos together; halleluyah!

The Mother of Jesus said to her people: whatever He (Jesus) asks you to do, do it. Our Lord and Saviour is saying return to me, obey me, serve me and then the least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. It is not your business to ask “How?” The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox…, they will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain. He becomes your family covering. Evil may happen to others but you are covered. Thank God Dr. Ojeagbase followed the instruction to rededicate his life and fellowship with God and His son Jesus Christ. That storm would have swept him away. Only those who are alive and healthy do business or pay debt.

Your returning to God does not mean, attending every of your church programmes. Every activity of your church is not meant for you. It is good to belong to a bible believing church anyway. (Heb. 10:25). Unless you are a Pastor or an Evangelist in the church, then you have to attend all the programmes. You just focus on the leading which you have been given.

Your personal fellowship with God

How often do you pray to Him? Let Him know you rely on Him in your choice and decision- making. Reading His word, taking delight in His instructions as they come via His word as you read. Thirty minutes daily in His word gives you light for your day. The level of your faith is determined by how much of His word is stored in your heart which you work with. It is the word that will transform your life inside out. I am a living testimony.

What is God showing you to do? It may not make natural sense but follow and He will show up in the affairs of your life. “If they will obey and serve Him, He will bless their days in prosperity and their years in pleasure.” ( Job 36:11, Isaiah 60:22, Ps. 32:8) Have a refreshing 2012.

Greed and not giving God priority in the family causes prolonged storm to ravage families. Life is delicate; it takes wisdom to tread different terrains. This is not to cause you to fear but for you to acquire knowledge and skills for good success.

By your character, anger and jealousy of others’ success, you could push yourself into the valley of life, where you see nothing good about yourself and future. And this is worse still, if people respect you not because you are financially fine, or good but to avoid your trouble. Ah! You are the poorest in life as an “Area Father.” Men and women who are relived of their post unjustly keep the anger and bitterness in their minds to feast on daily. Until you forgive that officer or friend who has offended you, it becomes impossible for you to see the way out of the desert, where children of men have placed you.

The Common Enemy

The common enemy is government. I was born here more than fifty years ago. There was never a government in Nigeria that shared money or help people plan their life or future. Probably, I was not opportune to have access to such government. But not even in the open free education. Free education? Yes!  Classroom knowledge will lead you on but not far in this 21st century. I also know that there has never been a government in Nigeria that is suitable to all citizens. It means you have to create your own government under the government of your day, and live in peace with all men. When people are not ready to face reality, they blame government, weather, parents and relations. People in this category are putting themselves under man. The word of God says “woe unto him/her who put his trust in a man …” Jeremiah 17: 5-6

The Way Out

Let all Nigerian families return to God. Let us make the commitment to obey and serve Him in truth. Invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in you as to carry divine presence always.

The Spirit of God in you will enable you to forgive people who have offended you, transform your character for His beautiful decoration to come upon your life. If you do not want to walk like a blind man in the midst of surplus; if you will not like to plant  vineyards but drink not the wine; if you shall build houses and live in them with peace and joy, then God is saying to you: “Return unto me and I will return to you.” He will show you the way out of the valley.

He will lead you to a cool water in the desert. The more prosperous families we have in Nigeria, the cooler the environment becomes, and the less the amount to be budgeted for security. And we will think less of government. I have discovered that some people condemn government’s opinion and activities to get attention so as to be drawn into the corridor of power. As soon as they get in there, only few keep to their promises of helping in making life better for the citizen. Leaders like Governor Fashola, Governor Oshiomole, Governor Amosu who are coming up with something more special in different parts of the nation, are men of their words.

God is in Nigeria to bring about benefits to her citizens. The west wind is blowing away the pain, sorrow, shame, poverty and every power and strategy that will not allow for good governance in Nigeria.

The waves of glory are here by His might and wisdom to restore Nigeria’s fortune. In every land where you and your family had been ridiculed, God is here to give honour, glory and fame. If you will accept His correction and fear Him, If you will obey and serve God, not with your head but with your heart, your days in 2012 shall be in prosperity. The word says, “If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up.” You will remove iniquity far from your tents…. Yes, the Almighty will be your gold and precious silver.

The cure for your poverty, stagnation, frustration and unemployment is in your returning to God through Jesus Christ. Apostle Peter’s testimony is our today’s reality. Salvation is in no other person, and no name has been given by which your frustration could be terminated except Jesus Christ. Return to Him and see your hardship turn to abundant life in honour and pleasure.

Many countries in the world invest in tourism because they want people to visit their countries so as to spend money and leave within two weeks at most. Why? The government of such countries is managing their resources for more profit without over stretching their amenities. It is all a strategy to put poverty at bay.

Despite whatever excuses, other countries in the world want Nigerians to come and do business with them for they believe we are a wealthy nation. But most of our citizens are poor. Each time I read daily papers, my conclusion is that Nigeria’s problem is multidimensional. It will take the presence of God, His wisdom, grace and favour for Nigeria’s Glory to be restored; for the problems are both spiritual and physical. Cultural, ethnic, character, environmental flaws are some of the confrontations; it is  not exactly the government as people are saying or made to believe.

Nigerians are a blessed race, intellectually and creatively too. We are a people who do not give in under oppression. We always surely come over, adjust perfectly to situations and move on as if things are normal. The reality is that this nation is in the valley, moving through to come out to the mountain top where she is meant to be.

And this is why families are in disarray, facing diverse challenges. Not until homes, families, communities face the reality, we may not access our glorious inheritance. Look inward and see how your home or family is cooperating with the devil to frustrate every effort to come out of the wilderness to the country’s Canaan land. It is an individual’s exercise. This exercise is of the heart, not of the brain or head.

1. Let every home return their family to God. Invite God and then handover the affairs of your family today and tomorrow to Him. Call a family meeting not only to eat and drink this season but make a Passover celebration where you can reconcile your family to God. If every family can do this, we can together take the nation Nigeria to our desired Canaan land. There are many who find it difficult to seek and trust God. They feel their freedom will be tampered with. This is the lie of the devil. Satan is keeping many lives  in bondage with its deception.  As the word of God came through Prophet Zephaniah, so it is coming likewise to Nigerians saying, “ And it shall come to pas at that time. I will search Jerusalem/Nigeria with lamps and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, the Lord will not do good nor will He do evil.

Looking For A Way: God’s word says “by strength shall no man prevail.”

Glory be to God, not all our teenagers are dubious, wayward, lazy and indolent. Not many of them are without future ambition. There are smart, intelligent, positively creative teenagers and youths in Nigeria who are seriously thinking on how to make good things happen for them legitimately or legally. There are youths who register with events managers around Lagos, who give them jobs on part time basis, with which such youths take care of their financial needs.

More youths organize lessons for younger ones in their neighborhoods. Others go from home to home coaching students or adults to pass GCE. Or they engage them for personal lifestyle improvements. The entertainment Industry is really helping our youths who are so talented to earn good money as ‘Stand Up Artistes, Singers and Dancers’. This is an innovative way to get our teenagers and youths engaged.

Most of these youngsters are graduates who could not get white collar jobs but keep life and soul together in creating something legitimate for themselves. I also learnt that there are communities who give farmland to their children as soon as they finish secondary education. Such children, through an organized community effort, will farm the land and make money to further their education. Even after their higher education, such children do not give away their experience as farmers. Also, there area smart parents, especially in Lagos area, who enroll their children into learning handwork after school hours. These include handwork like Electrician, Shoe Making and Repairs, Fashion Designing, Handset Repairs and Selling, Computer Lessons, the Act of Buying and Selling of diverse items etc.

This is a creative way of making our teenagers to find delight in handwork through diligence and then grow to be responsible youths. All these efforts will yield good results if parents can add showing their children how to serve and obey God. Let them know the importance of having enduring relationship with God who can give and sustain success. Return to God and find your way into your own Goshen. Let the People Return to God.

Why Poverty In Homes? To be continued Next Week.

serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord  – Isaiah 65:25.

Does this word of God look familiar? Is the Holy Spirit giving you an interpretation?

My understanding of the word is that  all creatures, have their right for existence. We are created for a purpose with unique peculiarities.  Wolves, Lion etc are flesh-eating animals; scorpion, serpent and the like go with poisonous sting. Usurpers causing pain, discomfort, death  and losses as reasons for their existence. They are weapons of destruction in the hands of evil workers but God did not promise to wipe them out of existence.

Seduction, manipulation and all forms of oppression of the devil are real.  And God knew that the heavenly bodies could misbehave; He knew the children of darkness could alter the course of nature. The elements of the earth; sun, moon, stars, the ground, water and the wind are to be a blessing to mankind but demons also use them to work against humanity. Every creature has been given a measure of power to be in command. The element of the earth could be used against you by somebody who knows he/she has the power and the skill to exercise it.

Devil Comes Through Dream

Your dream could be corrupted, that is why people experience nightmares. Demons can use what you love to trap or hurt you as I have experienced.

In one of my nightmares back then, I was invited for a prayer meeting to intercede for a community. In that dream, I was told evil forces were tormenting the people in the community. I recognized only an elder from my church was leading the men and women that came to invite me. They were about six. I followed them to the community. I was shown the house where the community idol was being hosted. Suddenly I found myself leading others in prayer.

The prayer continued for about ten minutes and there was a gunshot with blasting sound. I couldn’t see  anyone around me after the gunshot. I would not know what happened to them but not long afterwards, a bullet landed on my head. The pain was severe. I was calling the blood of Jesus when I woke up. I became conscious of pepperish pain in my entire head, and I was sweating. It was around 1.30am. I drank and anointed myself with oil after prayer and I slept off. By  the noon of that day the peppering pain on my head returned, accompanied with sneezing. When the pain stopped , It was a struggle to get my mind back but the authority of God prevailed over satanic power and I was delivered. I remember the word of God that says, He created the blacksmith who produces instruments and He also created the spoiler to destroy but the blacksmith and the destroyer shall not prosper in my life! said the word.

God says He has thwarted the plans of the wicked; their hands shall never perform their enterprise against me. For he is with me. These are the authority that swallows the power of Satan. Your sleep could be disturbed, thinking pattern distorted, and you find it difficult to think through a process. That is an attack on your person to slow you down in life.

At another time, I remember having a dream of strange hands coming to take money or keys from me at a particular day of the week for about two years; this was happening not only in the night, even during a nap this hand will come. I prayed, fasted for deliverance from this devourer.

At this time I noticed that I could not put money together to do anything of value. I knew I was empty of what to do as to add value to myself. I was a routine person, that is, going nowhere but I knew I should embark on a project but I could not gather my thought together to do what I should do. One blessed morning, the Holy Spirit came to my rescue. He gave me a prayer point according to the book of Isaiah 41:10-12 and victory came.

No doubt, the word of God works. In the second heaven, evil spirits do not repent of their wicked activities, they compete for the work of destruction. Another school of thought says our prayer in the name of Jesus, paralyses demons and put them in bondage – Jude vs 6. They become nothing to our goodness and blessings.

The reason why the opening reading says they shall not hurt on my holy mountains. But DUST shall be food for Serpent.

What is Dust? Dust is a fine powder of dirt that forms on furniture, floors and even buildings. Dust is valueless. You get rid of dust at will. It is an enemy of clean, and good environment. It is an unwanted guest.

Dust is bad news any day anywhere .

What about serpent? It represents the devil, demons, evil perpetrators and their agents.

Whoever is not under divine covering, is a dust. And serpent feeds on them at will; like chicken.

Where is the Holy mountain where the serpent cannot harm or destroy? This is under the banner of Jesus Christ. He is the truth, the way and the life. He came to destroy the works of the devil.

The only name that can paralyse the serpent and its agent is Jesus. The only blood that demons cannot go near, touch and stand against is the blood of Jesus.

When Jesus Christ is your savior and Lord, you enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit insulate your life and property against satanic assaults.

Do you want to live your purpose? Do you desire to enjoy your inheritance? Come under the banner of life through Jesus Christ so as not to be the dust. Oppression of the devil is real but more real is our victory gained through Jesus Christ.

Wishing you a delightful Xmas preparation.

And she says, she was nineteen going to twenty, working in one of the government establishments in Lagos. But this man, about fifteen years older, had children, living with his wife. When she was eventually delivered, the man confessed he got her by the help of his mother who, by diabolical means, joined them together. We are looking at about twenty years in trance for this woman, just like that daughter of Zion that bowed down for 18 years. (Luke 13:11)

Many marriages are a shadow of what they are meant to be because the husband has been translated into the realm of demons; but to him, he is on the right path. It is the people around that know he has become a shadow of himself, using any available excuses, like abandoning their marriage to put up with another lady, woman or mistress.

Under such a spell, a man can be there as long as the woman desires him. Such a man has been handed over to wicked spirits in secret place. At times the wife is being influenced to be against her husband’s life and progress. It will be wrong to think it is the woman; you have to look beyond her for in the beginning, it was not like this.

A manger of a corporate setting got attracted to his personal secretary and the man packed out of his matrimonial home. His wife begged, involved the pastors and the elders in their church, but this man will not change his mind. Initially, the wife did not know that her husband was living with his secretary. As soon as the wife discovered where her husband was staying, she faced the reality and continued her life with three children, all girls which was the man’s excuse to abandon his marriage. The new wife gave birth to a baby girl within two years of the second marriage.

Not long, the man lost his job and the secretary threw him out. She played a fast one on the man before he could play on her (based on his excuse for abandoning the first marriage) only for the man to start begging the wife and the church for forgiveness. He pleaded not to have been in his right mind to do whatever he did.

All these forms and shapes of manipulation have caused many untimely deaths, backwardness, stagnation, and loss of dignity; some have left their true wives and husbands, to start living with strangers, while everything about their lives are fallen apart. So many happy families are now in disarray by the reason of such evil and manipulations.

Oppression is real; the existence of demons and their agents are also real. God says, when you pass through waters, or pass through fire; you will not be affected or hindered by them. This saying is the evidence of the existence of evil and demons.

There is more to the sky above your head than you think or perceive. The atmosphere is the demarcation, so to say, between the earth and the second heaven. Then, there is the third heaven: the third heaven and the second heaven are both above the earth where man, woman and other creatures live, different from the host of heaven and Holy Angels. Evil spirits cannot penetrate the Third Heaven. In the second heaven, evil spirits in their activities compete for highest degree of wickedness. Here, repentance from evil works is not their agenda; they work against man’s goodness which God had planned. It is possible for devil to enter into a man? Yes; John 13:27.

For Example

The demon called Asmodee entered into King David to desire Uriah’s wife as to kill him. This was caused by the demon for sexual perversion in conjunction with Abaddon, the demon known for immorality; pollution. The devil entered into Judas to betray his master for money. The demon behind this is MAMMON. What About Jezebel? She planned to kill Naboth. Until the deed was done, the wicked spirit did not repent. King Solomon in all his wisdom fell into the lap of Queen Sheba; an evil attraction. Devil/Demon has no respect for whomever. Jesus Christ our lord and saviour was tempted too.

Seduction is a demon that moves its victim to act against his/her will without knowing. It comes with persuasive reasoning to get its victim to do its bidding. Can anyone escape from these wicked incarnate spirits? Many glorious marriages, destinies of men and women are being transferred into the second heaven, while such marriages of men and women are wasting away, languishing in pain and poverty.

Yes! There is a way out. Coming out of trance which is the true situation is a task you must do before 2011 passes away. We are to work out our salvation by trembling. Take your destiny by force from the manipulators; nobody will do it for you! If you want to come out, take the decision and make the move. See you next week.

Happy Preparation for Xmas.

He has been trying at his level, so I know when God blesses him, he will do more.” Somebody even told me; “it is because your husband is a God fearing person, that is why you are rating Nigerian men as better.” If you see what women are going through; if you are made to experience a quarter of what many wives are living with, I am sure you will curse them.

A story was told of a man who has a good job. People perceive him as comfortable, but he will not pay his children’s school fees; neither will he provide feeding allowance, not to talk of clothing his wife and children. The sin of the wife? She is working and earning good salary. So the husband just decided to become a “sperm donor.” There are men who are not supposed to be sharing responsibilities of house running with their wives but are doing so. Why? Some men will say that is what most men are doing now. Some men’s thinking is: if I didn’t do that, my wife would become more financially buoyant than I; so let her spend her money too. This is hatred not love. It is manipulation. If you stand against your wife’s blessings and progress, you truncate yours too.

Hear the story of Mrs. Akinlabi, a mother of four. As at the time this happened, she was fifteen years in marriage. Her husband, Mr. Akinlabi does not know how to appreciate her. Rather he complains and passes insulting words at her at will. She says; “I search within if I am in any way offending him and I didn’t find anything that is too bad. Thank God for a good shelter over our heads; the house came about ten years into our marriage. He pays our children’s school fees. But he cares little about my appearance, or what me and my children wear. He does not know how to surprise me with gifts, and I have tried to demonstrate this but he doesn’t think it is necessary for a husband and wife to exchange gifts.

The house up-keep allowance is below average.” So, Mrs. Akinlabi adds to whatever she is given just to keep things moving and to make the house conducive for everybody. And she says, “My parents are dead; it is not as if my relations are a burden to him. I am doing my best but my best is not good for him. I am under pressure all the time. I have become fearful asking him for anything; it is like living in fear. What could be my offence? I would often think within me that this is not the husband I got married to. I decided to seek God for His intervention, since things were not going the way I preferred. For me not to develop high blood pressure and die before my time, I decided to change my approach to things,” she concluded.

She sought God’s face for more financial blessing for three days. She told God that she would look up to Him for her needs henceforth and that was it. What has led to this you may ask? This sister asked the husband to increase the house up-keep allowance because food items had gone up and it was becoming difficult for her to meet up. Her husband’s response was, as usual, with anger and insulting words which put her down.

Something in her rose to reject her husband’s attitude that day and that was it, as she explains: “Not long after, I was led to buy household items on my free days from Lagos and sell in my community and to my colleagues in my work place. I usually have prompt confirmation on what to buy as soon as I see them. God helped me to go through with love and joy. I have peace of mind handling the situation without murmuring. After a while, my husband noticed that I had stopped asking him for house up-keep money. I received when and whatever he gave with appreciation. By God’s grace, people paid promptly for my items as soon as month ended. I was making extra income with ease.

By two and half years of lifting my eyes to the hills, my husband bought me a new car – a Toyota Camry. He bought more office wears for me and suggested to me the best hairstyle that fits my face, which he had not been doing. I was so happy. I did not dream of such goodies, God’s word works. Submission is the key to peace and progress. Around this time, my husband’s dying business was revived and good contracts started coming for him. When you are devoted in brotherly love, you come under open heaven where favour and honour answer for you cheaply.

God shall cause the boundary line to fall for you in pleasant places. You will see your spouse’s goodness and progress as yours. For wives, Abigail did not seek her husband, Nabal’s downfall. Though Nabal was a wicked and stingy husband, she worked to protect her home. Apostle Peter writes, “If any of your husbands do not believe the word of God by the behavior of their wives, they may be won over without words when the husbands see the purity and reverence of your lives.

Wives be submissive, God is faithful to His word and He is a rewarder.

MOTHER OF NATIONS INTERCESSORY GROUP

We focus on what we have been led to do; “Pray for Nigeria”. Join us to enjoy divine blessings of obedience every third

Saturday of the month. Time: 10.am, Venue: 36, Esuola Street, Off  Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

The word of God for wives has commanded them to submit to their own husbands Ephesian 5:22, 1 Peter 3:1: “Wives likewise, be submissive to your husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.”

The issue of submission by the wives, when observed closely is the same as the commandment given to children with regards to their parents.

Ephesians 6:2 :”Honour your father and mother… no condition was attached to it. And you and I know that there are different types of fathers and mothers.

To obey God’s voice is a gain and that is why wives must find a way to be in obedience to God’s word. Submission is the key to peace and promotion for every wife. God does not waste His words. He has all it takes to vindicate you, if you are being taken advantage of in your submission.

Taking our example from the Bible, women who were submissive never lost out in the end.

Hagar’s example of submission

Ishmael came as a result of Hagar’s submission to her mistress Sarai. Hagar was submissive to her mistress as to bear a son to Abram who was as old as her father. That Hagar became pregnant shows the wonders of procreation. As long as a man is strong, he has the grace to put a very young lady into a family way; his age notwithstanding. Abram was eighty-six year when Ishmael was born. (Genesis 16:16). One must appreciate Hagar’s submission.

Though the Bible did not say what her age was but naturally she would be very  junior to Sarai her mistress, who was ten years younger than Abram. Hagar childishly thought because she bore a child to Abram, she could take that to mean she was equal to her mistress. Her naivety caused her punishment that made her to run away from her mistress into the wilderness where an Angel appeared to her and instructed her to go and submit to her mistress, Sarai. She obediently, returned to Abram’s house. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. After a while, Isaac was born to Abraham by Sarah. There was frequent quarrel in the house between Ishmael and Isaac, then the mothers.

God instructed Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away from his house. And when Abraham made the choice to follow God’s instruction though, it was displeasing to him, Hagar obediently left the house without question or argument. God showed up when the boy, Ishmael was to die of thirst. He provided water for Hagar in the wilderness, which she gave to her son. Not only was Ishmael revived to life, he received God’s blessings that the manifestation is on till today.

The mercy of God was with Hagar and her son in the wilderness. God says, “I will make him a great nation” (Genesis 21:17-18). God had earlier promised Abraham: “yet I will also make a nation out of the son of the bond woman, because he is your seed.” Genesis 21:12-13).

Let a woman learn in silence with all submission (1 Timothy 2:11) Hagar learnt the lessons of her life in silence, and when God saw her submission to be total, He decorated her son and made Him a great nation as He had promised.

A woman’s submission brings unending blessings not only to her but also to her children.

By Hagar’s obedience to submit to her mistress Sarai, despite her affliction, the angel of the Lord blessed her unborn child.

Abraham was also able to get God’s blessing on Ishmael. “And as for Ishmael…I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly…) (Genesis 17:20).

To break the yoke of submission, hear what Jesus Christ says: “come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden. Come and trade your heavy yoke for His yoke that is easy and secures permanent rest for your soul.” (Matthew 11:28).

Today is the day when the yoke of submission shall be destroyed from your neck if only you can ask Him to give you a new heart. If you have the mind of Christ, submission will become easy for you.