WHY DISILLUSIONED? WHY TROUBLED?

WHY DISILLUSIONED? WHY TROUBLED? YOU HAVE THE MAN, JESUS CHRIST

The case of the man at the Pool of Bethesda who said, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me" was the centre of discussion at the just concluded 7th edition of Divine Commonwealth Conference (DIVCCON) held in National Christian Centre Abuja from 13th – 16th November. This man was sick for 38 years. Though it was not stated if he had spent all the 38 years at the Pool but from the story and the man’s submission, it was obvious that he had spent so many years there. The sickness had affected this man so severely that he couldn’t answer simple question.

Looking at the man, according to Bishop Sunday Adewole, “He was an old man, 38 years of living with infirmity clearly shows that he was not a young man. He totally depended on others for everything. This was made obvious by his statement ‘I have no man …’ He had submitted all his dependency on another human. The sickness had affected his mentality to the extent that he finds it difficult to answer the question Jesus asked him correctly, he rather complained. He was a blame shifter, a sinner, disloyal and ingrate.”

Despite all these weaknesses in that man, who didn’t deserve what he received Jesus chose him for healing. It was the work of grace which God has offered to humanity through Jesus Christ. He demonstrated this grace towards this man. That grace is sufficient for you if only you can come to the full knowledge of God and believe that He is the Saviour.

Today, many of us, despite our long years in the church are still disillusioned, troubled and living in anxiety because of the challenges of life. Some people find it hard to believe that in Christianity, we can stay without food, with sickness, jobless, childless, no prospective spouse coming to ask for your hand in marriage at over 40 years and many more. The present economic stress in the country has worsened the matter. These problems and challenges have so much affected the spiritual life of some people that today, they can hardly pray. A young lady of about 37 years came to me and said, “Daddy, I am tired. I can no longer pray because I have prayed and nothing seems to happen.” When I asked why, she said, “I am now 37 years and no man is asking for my hand in marriage.” This is a sister that is committed and dedicated but things are not working out well for her. This is one in million cases we have today.

However, I bring you the assurance that you have the man Jesus. There is no situation beyond his ability. If you have Jesus, the following are available for you. a) He can give you hope (1 Peter 1:13; Hebrews 10:23). b) He can give you joy amidst all the challenges of life (John 16:24). c) He can provide for you (Matthew 6:25 – 27). d) He can give you salvation (Luke 19:10; 1 Thess. 5:9). e) He can forgive you (Ephesians 1:7 – 8). f) He can comfort you (2 Corinthians 1:3 – 4). g) He can take away your worries, care and anxiety (Psalm 55:22; Matt. 11:28). h) He can give you eternal life (John 10:27 – 28; John 3:16, 36). i) He can help you (Hebrews 4:15 – 16) j) He can heal you (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

Beloved, you should understand the God you serve; His abilities and all He can do. If you know and have Jesus, you will never be troubled or disillusioned by situations and circumstances. Cheer up because you are not like that man at the Pool of Bethesda (House of Mercy) who claimed that he had no man but you have the man Jesus Christ who is abundantly able to save, heal, deliver and help. Hallelujah!

Tabugbo Morgan Uzoma

Assisting Priest

St. Philip's Anglican Church

AGGS Compound

West End, Asaba

When Human Help is not Necessary

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday July 4, 2017

Topic: When Human Help is not Necessary

This man’s sickness had become his way of life because it has lasted for 38 years. No one had ever helped him. He had no hope of ever being healed and no way to help himself. The man’s situation was hopeless. He was trapped there at the side of the Pool. There was no hope of healing in his home if he goes back and even at the pool; there was no help until He who is greater than all human help combined came into the scene. This man didn’t invite Jesus. Heaven smiled at him when Jesus came his way. We should understand that Jesus came to him because He had seen the desires of his heart. He had heard his cry for help and was moved with compassion. He came to him to prove to us that when He comes into any problem whether protracted or not, human help we had hoped on will no longer be necessary.

Beloved, you may have been trapped in that infirmity, debt, prison sentence, protracted sickness, unemployed in the labour market, etc., and you feel that here is no one to help. God can minister to your deepest needs in that situation. Don’t let that problem or hardship cause you to lose hope. God may have special work He is preparing you to do in spite of your condition, or even because of it. People have ministered effectively to hurting people because they triumphed over their own hurt. Again, why not invite Jesus into that hopeless situation you are trapped in? When He comes into that troubled situation you are into, your cry of no one to help will end as it ended for this man. Call on Him today and certainly He will answer you.

Food for Thought: Jesus’ question shows us that He will not force himself upon anyone. He seeks permission before intervening in that person’s life except on special cases.

Memory verse: John 5 verse 6 – “When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?"

Prayer: Almighty God, I invite you into my life to solve all physical and spiritual problems where I have been trapped in without help in Jesus name. 

Strength Perfected In Weakness

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday February 27, 2017          

Topic: Strength Perfected In Weakness                

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:1 – 10

This bible passage shows that God can use us not minding our weaknesses. I have read of so many servants of God that died of one ailment or another. One of such men greatly used by God died few days ago, prompting me to wonder about the ways of God which is very much different from our ways. Some of the servants of God healed so many people with similar ailment that took their lives but they were never healed.

With all the exploits of Paul in the missionary works, who would have believed he did them with a burden of illness. When he even sought for healing, God told him that His grace is sufficient for him. Using weaknesses or ailment as an excuse in not serving God is not acceptable to Him. The grace was to enable Paul to bear the infirmities with patience. Christ’s gracious favour is what empowered Paul’s ministry, despite his own inadequacies and failures.

Although His request was not granted, Jesus assured him that he would continue to work through him in his weakness. Paul accepted that Jesus, in His divine wisdom, knew what was best for him. Paul would not boast in being healed, but he would boast about his weaknesses, for it was through his weaknesses that Christ could powerfully work through him.

One great lesson here for us is that God is the one who decides what we become in life and the best way to use us. Brethren, we should not be moved by our weaknesses, our not having job, infirmities, no child, no spouse, etc, as excuses because God can still use us even when we have our problems. He asked Abraham to pray for Abimelech to have a child when he had not gotten a child of his own. He did as God commanded him and God answered that prayer (Genesis 20:14–18). His grace is sufficient for us; let us keep trusting Him to use us as He wishes.

Food for Thought: 2 Corinthians 11:30

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 12 verse 9b - Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Prayer: Lord God, grant that my boosting will only be on my infirmities for by your grace I am what I am today in Jesus name. Amen

WHEN GOD STEPS INTO OUR PROBLEM: Devotion for Sunday November 27, 2016

WHEN GOD STEPS INTO OUR PROBLEM: Devotion for Sunday November 27, 2016

Text: John 5:1 – 9                           Memory verse: John 5 verse 6

When God steps into our problems; all the things that were hitherto impossible will become possible. When He steps into our lives, we see visible change and turnaround. When He steps into our problem, all protocols and laws of nature will give way for Him to fulfill his purpose in our lives. This was the case of this man in our scriptural reading for the day.

This man at Pool of Bethesda whose name was not mentioned didn’t invite Jesus into his problem. Jesus stepped into it because of His compassionate disposition towards us as we read on Wednesday November 23. After 38 years, this man’s problem had become his way of life. No one had ever helped him. He had no hope of ever being healed and no desire to help himself. The man’s situation looked hopeless in the eyes of men but God who knows our needs knew that he needed help even though he couldn’t help himself.

The arrival of Jesus turned things around for a man who has no help. Jesus didn’t put him into the pool to be healed as others were healed in that place rather, He proved that He is far greater than the Pool and powers therein. The man received a supernatural healing from Jesus Christ. You can imagine the joy that will be in his heart as he was leaving that Pool. Those who gave up on him were disappointed. How will those who had wished him death see him coming back home? This is how God will disappoint and put to shame all your enemies who are wishing you death, failure, etc.  

Beloved in Christ, no matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs. Don’t let a problem or hardship cause you to lose hope. God may have special work for you to do in spite of your condition, or even because of it. Many have ministered effectively to hurting people because they have triumphed over their own hurts. All you need to do is to pray that God will locate you as He steps into that your sickness, trials, prison, marriage, business, studies and examination, etc. When He steps in, your level will definitely change for good.

Food for Thought: Jesus Christ is a game changer we need to make our lives more meaningful.

Prayer: My God, step into problems confronting me that there will be a change in Jesus name.

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU    Monday June 29, 2015

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:1 – 10              Memory verse: v 9a

2 Corinthians 12:9 shows that God can use us not minding our weaknesses. With all the exploits of Paul in the missionary works, who would have believed he was doing so with a burden of illness. Using weaknesses or ailment as excuse in serving God is not and will never be acceptable to Him. The grace being sufficient is to enable Paul with patience to bear the infirmities, support and comfort him under it, and make him happier and useful than he would be without it. Christ’s gracious favour is what empowered Paul’s ministry, despite his own inadequacies and failures. 

Although Paul’s request wasn’t granted, Jesus assured him that He would continue to work through Paul in his weakness. In response, Paul accepted that Jesus, in His divine wisdom, knew what was best for him. Paul would not boast in being healed, but he would boast about his weaknesses, for it was through his weaknesses that Christ could powerfully work through him.

One great lesson here for us is that God is the one who decides what we become in life and the best way to use us. So my dearly beloved ones in Christ, we should not be moved by our weaknesses, our not having job, infirmities, no child, no spouse, etc, as excuses because God can still use us even when we still have our problems. He asked Abraham to pray for Abimelech to have a child when he doesn’t have one. He did and God answered (Genesis 20:14 – 18). Let us leave other things to Him for His grace is sufficient for us.

Food for Thought: 2 Corinthians 11:30

Prayer: Lord, grant that my boasting will only be on my infirmities for by your grace I am what I am today.