BE STRONG IN THE LORD Volume 2 A Teaching ON Sunday 18th April 2021 @ The Bridal Lodge, Nsugbe Anambra State, Nigeria BY Apostle Peter Odoemena THE SON OF MAN
1
MEMBERSHIP OF THE FAMILY OF GOD HAS QUALIFICATION
Now, I go back to My seat as we go to the Teaching proper. I will take the topic from
the Scriptures. Remember where I took off from the Book of Psalms chapter 24, from verse 1 through 10.
2. I have introduced this Family and the nature of the people that are found here. So, if by the nature of your life, you are a misfit, I am not the one dismissing you. You are the one declaring yourself unqualified.
3. Membership of this Family has strict qualification. So, if you meet the qualification, you will stay. If you do not meet the qualification, you will leave so that whenever you go, people will ask you, “My friend, why are you back? Why are you with us again? Are you no longer with THE SON OF MAN’s Family?”
4. You will tell them clearly, “I have found myself unqualified. I have found myself unqualified. And I do not want to be a disturbance to that Family, for I have seen their standard. I have tried to meet it, but no way. May be I am not qualified to be with them in that mount Zion.”
5. But I believe everybody can attain it. It is a matter of determination.
6. ONCE YOU ARE DETERMINED TO SUCCEED, GOD SAID HE WILL GIVE YOU A HELPING HAND.
7. 3AND THAT ALLAH MAY HELP YOU WITH STRONG HELP. 4He it is Who sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquility) into the hearts of the believers, that they may grow more in Faith along with their (present) Faith. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise. [Surah 48:3 – 4 Hilali-Khan]
8. BUT WHEN YOU ARE NOT DETERMINED TO SUCCEED, YOU WILL NEVER SUCCEED. SUCCESS BEGINS WITH DESIRE. THEN DETERMINATION. DESIRE, DETERMINATION AND THEN DEXTERITY.
9. Dexterity means industry; hard work. DESIRE, DETERMINATION AND DEXTERITY [INDUSTRY]. THIS IS BECAUSE WE ARE AN INDUSTRIOUS PRIESTHOOD. WE ARE NOT THE SLEEPING EYE WITNESSES. WE CANNOT BE SLEEPING EYE WITNESSES WHO WILL BE SLEEPING WHEN THE BATTLE IS STILL ON.
10. ANYBODY WHO IS SLEEPING WHEN THE BATTLE IS RAGING ON, HAS HE NOT LOST CONCENTRATION FROM THE BATTLE? HIS ENEMY WILL TAKE HIM TO CAPTIVITY.
11. HE WILL BE THE NUMBER ONE CAPTIVE, FOR HE LOST CONCENTRATION, LOST HIS ZEAL WHEN THE BATTLE IS STILL RAGING ON. AMEN!
12. So, God Who said we should be watchful, for our enemy; our adversary; the devil is roaring about us, seeking to devour us. Do not think that when you escape that your enemy will allow you to continue like that.
13. When they left Egypt and the day broke, they could not see them in Goshen, what happened? Pharaoh marshaled out his army and went after them.
14. You saw what God did. God opened the Red Sea. Immediately they crossed the Red Sea closed against them. And nobody could come from Egypt to pursue them in the Wilderness for there was no way the armies could cross the Red Sea again. Did you get the Message?
15. 13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. 14The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. [Exodus 14:13 – 14 KJV]
16. Did you get the Message? When you break the bridge, break the relationship, break the communication, break the desire, turn your back against them, hate them with perfect hatred and with all malice, because they have caused great havoc and will wreak more. They will wreak more if you do not check it.
17. Even if you leave My Family, will you hang in the air? Is there anywhere the person can go to without meeting the devil there? Is there any particular place where the devil said, “I will not be found there or God is not there?”
18. If you cannot worship God in My Family, there is nowhere you will go and worship God. If you cannot worship God in your school, you cannot worship God elsewhere, for God is there in your school. And the devil is also there. Did you get the Message?
19. WHEREVER GOD IS, THE DEVIL IS ALSO THERE, BUT YOU WILL TAKE SIDES WITH THE ONE YOU BELONG TO. IF I BELONG TO GOD, I WILL TAKE SIDES WITH GOD.
20. It is just like you have societies in the school. Any society; any association that runs contrary to your belief, do you subscribe to it? Never! But you will only subscribe to one that is in agreement with your belief.
21. THIS IS BECAUSE IN EVERYTHING, YOUR FAITH COMES FIRST, WHICH IS GOD. GOD FIRST! IF GOD IS NOT FIRST IN YOUR LIFE, THE DEVIL IS FIRST.
22. AND WHEN THE DEVIL IS FIRST, HOW DO YOU KNOW IT. YOU WILL BE THE MOST SELFISH HUMAN BEING ON EARTH. ONCE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO FAVOURS YOU, TO HELL WITH GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. AND THAT IS THE DEVIL IN HUMAN FORM.
23. Now, I go to My topic. I want all of you to quit like men right now. All of you should have your Bibles ready; microphones ready.
24. The hour has come. You hold one version. Do not hold two versions. One version at a time. And be fast in turning the pages of the Scriptures.
25. I am about to give it a title, which I will take from the passage we are going to read right now.
26. Second Epistle of saint John verse 4 through 5. The second Epistle. It has no chapter. Amplified version.
27. 4I was greatly delighted to find some of your children walking (living) in [the] Truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father [Himself].
28. Who would not like to delight himself in children like that? If David could see His descendants today, living in the fear of God, would His spirit not be delighted in them?
29. But if you are godless, and you have godless children, you will never like your children to follow the ways of God. You will only be pointing them to the ways of the world, for that is where you belong to. And that is where you raise them. That is where their desires are. Amen.
30. David never pointed His children to the things of the world. He never pointed them to the affairs of the world. David pointed them to the same God He believed.
31. Do you know that the same God Abraham believed, he pointed to Isaac? Isaac pointed to Jacob. The same way Isaac pointed to all His descendants. It is a relay race.
32. 5And now I beg you, lady (Cyria), not as if I were issuing a new charge (injunction or command), but [simply recalling to your mind] the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
33. 2 John 4 – 5, Living Bible Translation. [4]How happy I am to find some of your children here and to see that THEY ARE LIVING AS THEY SHOULD, following the Truth, obeying God’s command.
34. They are living as they should, obeying the truth. Saint John was referring to a woman; a godly woman in the fellowship.
35. [5]And now I want to urgently remind you, dear friends, of the old rule God gave us right from the beginning, that Christians should love one another.
36. Good News Translation. 4How happy I was to find out that some of your children live in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
37. 5And so I ask you dear Lady: let us all love one another. This is no new command I am writing you; it is the command which we have had from the beginning.
38. Amen! Take note of it. Take note of it that the Elect Lady; the name that was mentioned there is a family; it is a family. It is a Church. Am I making sense?
39. 2 John 4 – 5, King James Version. 4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
40. 5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
41. New International Version.4It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
42. 5And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. Amen.
43. You see the type of Family God delights Himself in. It is a Family where everybody is desirous of one thing: LIVING A LIFE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE TRUTH AS IS REVEALED TO US AND AS DEMANDED BY GOD; LOVING AND APPRECIATING EACH OTHER.
44. So there is no way you can live your life in truth and hate your Brother. Did you get the Message? So, we have a common enemy.
45. Anybody who is not living in the truth, is he not a disturbance to those who are living in the truth? Can we regard that person as one of us? His life is marking him out. Nobody rejected him. And nobody is rejecting him. He is the one that is turning his back against the truth.
46. So he has decided not to obey the command given to us from the very beginning by God by obeying the truth and living the life of the truth, watching his footsteps; watching his behaviours; watching his utterances; watching his actions; watching his reactions and counter-reactions.
47. SO, YOU CANNOT LIVE IN THE TRUTH WITHOUT WATCHING OVER YOURSELF AND WATCHING OVER WHAT YOU ARE MANIFESTING. TRUE OR FALSE?
2
LOVE FOR GOD MANIFESTS AS OBEDIENCE TO HIS WORD
I. am coming to something. Let us go ahead. 1 John chapter 5 from verse 1 through 5. [1]If you believe that Jesus is the Christ—that he is God’s Son and your Saviour—then you are a child of God. And all who love the Father love his children too.
2. [2]So you can find out how much you love God’s children—your brothers and sisters in the Lord—by how much you love and obey God.
3. By how much you love and obey God and his children, that will show you whether you love God and His children or not. Did you get the Message?
4. On Saturday, we heard it here that YOUR CHARACTER IS A REFLECTION OF THE LEVEL OF CONVERSION; THE LEVEL OF WORK WHICH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST YOU HAVE BELIEVED HAS WROUGHT IN YOUR LIFE. Am I making sense?
5. THE MESSAGE IS SAYING THAT YOUR CHARACTER SHOWS THE LEVEL OF TRANSFORMATION; THE LEVEL OR OUTCOME OF WHAT THE TRAINING FROM GOD HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE, FOR YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE IN TIME PAST. AND YOU EQUALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TODAY.
6. Then, if you are obeying the truth as handed over to all of us, for the truth is the Word of God which is coming to us, God said, “Whether you like it or not, you have fulfilled the whole thing.”
7. This is because that truth is already embedded in love. You now love the Brethren because you love God. It is the love of God that leads us to obedience to His Word.
8. When you hate God, you hate His Word and you hate His people. All the children of God MUST be your enemies. You will be feeling that everybody is on your throat, simply because you are living a life of disobedience to God. You have become God’s enemy.
9. For that reason, you now take a standpoint. Your standpoint is: God is your enemy. And all that are obeying God are your enemies. Then, marking yourself out.
10. That is why God said, “I AM NOT GOING TO DESTROY ANY OF YOU, BUT YOU ARE GOING TO DESTROY YOURSELVES. BY SAYING NO AND TURNING YOUR BACK AGAINST THE TRUTH, YOU HAVE INDIRECTLY APPORTIONED YOURSELF TO ETERNAL DESTRUCTION.”
11. [3]Loving God means doing what he tells us to do,… Loving God means what?…doing what he tells us to do,… Loving God means doing what he tells us to do,…
12. Hating God means what? Rejecting! Disobeying! If loving God means doing that which he wants us to do; doing that which He commands us to do, and that means loving God, disobeying God, what does it mean?
13. Disobeying means the opposite. Disobeying means hating God. If loving means obedience to the truth, hating means disobedience to the truth.
14. HOW CAN YOU HATE ME AND MY FAMILY, AND SOJOURN THERE EXPECTING TO HAVE PEACE? CAN IT HAPPEN? AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT READY TO OBEY MY WORD BECAUSE I AM YOUR ENEMY, YOU ARE NOT FIT TO ABIDE IN MY PRESENCE; ABIDE IN MY HOUSE, FOR WHATEVER I AM TO YOU IS WHAT YOU ARE TO ME. SO THE TWO CANNOT LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE EXCEPT THEY AGREE.
15. So it is in every family called by the Name of the LORD so that you will know where the problem is coming from. It is coming from the lack of love of God.
16. Many claim they love God, when they are living the life of disobedience to the Word of God. Even both the written and Spoken Word, they are guilty of all.
17. It is not that they do not have the power to obey. The power to obey and to disobey are in the hands of men. It is in our hand to choose the God we will worship.
18. That was why Joshua told them, “Choose for yourselves this day the God you will worship; whether you will worship the Living God or the devil.”
19. Then when you choose the God you will want to worship, you have chosen the type of life you will want to live. If you choose to worship the Living God; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, you have made the right choice.
20. It then means that the character and the lifestyle of the sons and daughters of Abraham shall be made manifest in your daily life, or else, you are an impersonator.
21. Then when you say no, you choose the gods of other nations. It will be reflective in your daily character that you hate the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
22. Now you hate Him why do you want to stay in His presence? Why do you need His salvation? Why do you seek eternal life from Him? Why do you seek His help?
23. Somebody said that he does not have the fear of God in him and that he does not honour God, but when he falls sick he will say, “Call God to pray for me. Call Pastor to pray for me.” He will demand the reverend father comes to say mass for him.
24. But when he was healthy, it was not used for the worship of God. But when he is at the point of death he will demand that a priest should be invited to pray for him; “Please put me in prayers. Please pray for me for I am in trouble.”
25. But when he was healthy, he turned his back on God. Yet, when calamity befalls him, he will send for God. Then he will know that God exists.
26. [3]Loving God means doing what he tells us to do,… But the contrary means that we hate God. Is it not Scripture? We are still talking from the Scriptures. Pay Attention!
27. Mary the mother of Jesus Christ told the people who gathered at the marriage feast at Cana, “WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU TO DO, DO IT.”
28. 5His mother saith unto the servants, WHATSOEVER HE SAITH UNTO YOU, DO IT. [John 2:5 KJV]
29. 5His mother said to the servants, WHATEVER HE SAYS TO YOU, DO IT. [John 2:5 AMP]
30. [5]But his mother told the servants, “DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU TO.” [John 2:5 LB]
31. God Himself vindicated it on the mount of Transfiguration. The Voice spoke from excellent Glory saying, “This is My well-beloved and chosen Son, in Whom I am well pleased. HEAR YE HIM. I have no other mouth piece than this.”
32. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM. [Matthew 17:5 KJV]
33. [5]But even as he said it, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him. OBEY HIM.” [Matthew 17:5 LB]
34. Do we have any excuse? As saint Paul said, “If rejecting the words of Moses who was an earthly Messenger attracted death penalty, how sorer punishment awaits anybody who will reject the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ Who came down from heaven in human form and He is speaking to us this day..”
35. 28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? [Hebrews 10:28 – 29 KJV]
36. [28]A man who refused to obey the laws given by Moses was killed without mercy if there were two or three witnesses to his sin.
37. [29]Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled underfoot the Son of God and treated his cleansing blood as though it were common and unhallowed, and insulted and outraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people. [Hebrews 10:28-29 LB]
38. What sorer punishment awaits somebody who will reject the Words of This Man Who is the LORD God Almighty; not will be; no like, but Who is The LORD God Almighty.
39. So there is a sorer punishment that is greater than public execution. You see, fear not the person that will kill the flesh alone, but fear He Who has the power to destroy this your flesh and put your soul in hell fire under torment throughout eternity of all eternities;
40. 28And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna). [Matthew 10:28 AMP]
41. He will revive you, call your name and you will begin to feel pains and He will bundle you there. You pay the penalty for your rejection of the truth. Amen!
42. You see why God said, “Whosoever that comes unto Me, I will in no wise cast away.”
43. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; AND HIM THAT COMETH TO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT. [John 6:37 KJV]
44. GOD DOES NOT REJECT ANYBODY, BUT PEOPLE REJECT THEMSELVES. WHEN YOU REJECT THE WAYS OF GOD AND REFUSE TO WALK ACCORDING TO HIS PRECEPTS, CAN YOU SAY THAT GOD REJECTED YOU.
45. CAN YOU SAY THAT GOD DROPPED YOU? YOU, FIRST OF ALL, DROPPED YOURSELF BY HARDENING YOUR HEART AGAINST THE TRUTH AND DECIDING TO GO CONTRARY.
46. WHAT A MISERABLE CONDITION SOMEBODY CAN DELIBERATELY PUT HIMSELF BECAUSE OF ORDINARY YAM POTTAGE? I SAY, BECAUSE OF ORDINARY YAM POTTAGE.
47. How many years will the yam pottage last? Misery pittance! Mere carrot that is dangled. It is a worthless thing that always leads to the death of a thief.
48. A worthless thing will always put a thief in trouble. A worthless thing ensnares a desperate person. One who lacks self-control.
49. AND THEREFORE, EZRA, FOR THE EMPTY ARE EMPTY THINGS, AND FOR THE FULL ARE THE FULL THINGS.[2nd Book of Prophet Ezra chapter 7 verse 25]
50. YOU HAVE NO SELF CONTROL UNTIL YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR SPIRIT, FOR THE SPIRIT OF A MAN IS UNDER HIS CONTROL. THE SPIRIT THAT IS IN ME IS UNDER MY CONTROL. SO IT IS WITH YOUR OWN. IS IT NOT TRUE?
51. So do not carry your disobedience too far. Your disobedience is willful, in the sense that you know the right thing. You have heard the truth, and you know the right thing to do; you know what a condemnable act is in the sight of God, but you, for reasons best known to you, decided to go that way.
52. And then, God will give you a place where people like you are given their own places, for you will never be given a place where you do not merit.
53. ANYWHERE YOU MERIT IS WHERE YOU WILL GET. YOUR CHARACTER WILL MERIT, GIVE YOU A PLACE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD, EITHER TO HELL OR TO PARADISE.
54. Nobody is coming again to talk to you. All of you are here in the presence of the Elohim. The entire world that is rallying under destruction right now is here with the destroyer.
55. THE DESTROYER IS HERE. THE SAVIOUR IS ALSO HERE. THE TWO ARE HERE. AND THE TWO ARE ONE. THE TWO ARE ONE, JUST LIKE HUSBAND AND WIFE. AMEN!
56. The devil will not destroy the world. He that created the world will destroy the world because of the works of the devil which they have allowed; Which they have allowed.
57. SO, ANYTHING YOU DISALLOW CANNOT WORK IN YOU. THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BEARING FRUIT IN YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE DISALLOWING IT.
58. FOR THAT REASON, GOD WILL ALSO DISALLOW YOU. HE WILL REJECT YOU, THE KINGDOM WILL NOT ACCOMMODATE YOU.
59. A song writer said, “God, do not allow Heaven to reject me even as the world has rejected me. If the world rejects me, do not allow heaven to reject me.”
60. DO YOU KNOW MY GREATEST JOY? THOSE WHO ARE CLAMOURING FOR THE MATERIAL POSSESSIONS OF THE EARTH DO NOT GET IT BEFORE THEY DIE. THEY DO NOT GET IT BEFORE THEY DIE.
61. They remain paying debts to banks every time until they will die. They make a hell of noise as if they have arrived, but not even one arrived before he died.
62. When you watch the way My former master was bragging and boasting, you might be thinking that being, Eze Ego [King of Money] he was feeding the whole of his community.
63. But when he died, it became clear that his property could not even pay one-tenth of the debts he owed to banks. Hence they sold off both the industries, houses and everything. Yet, they are still owing. Amen!
64. EVERY HUMAN BEING IS A DEBTOR TO THIS LIFE.
3
CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER, EXCEPT THEY BE AGREED?
Let us continue. 1 John 5:1 – 5, Living Bible Translation. [1]If you believe that Jesus is the Christ—that he is God’s Son and your Saviour—then you are a child of God. And all who love the Father love his children too.
2. [2]So you can find out how much you love God’s children—… Note how much you love God and God’s children …your brothers and sisters in the Lord—by how much you love and obey God.
3. [3]LOVING GOD MEANS DOING WHAT HE TELLS US TO DO, AND REALLY, THAT ISN’T HARD AT ALL;… If God said, “It is not hard”, the devil will tell you, “Do not believe. It is very hard.” How do we find what God tells us to do very hard, when God is saying it is not hard at all?
4. Obedience to My father and My mother, is it a hard thing? Is there any other way I could have come into existence if not through them?
5. WHY DO YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT TO OBEY MY WORD? THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SAYING? WHY IS OBEDIENCE TO MY WORD; MY INSTRUCTION HARD. IT GOES TO SHOW THAT FROM THE BEGINNING, I AM NOT YOUR FATHER. YOU HAVE ANOTHER FATHER AND NOT ME.
6. AND THE EARLIER YOU GO TO YOUR FATHER WHOSE WILL YOU ARE OBEYING READILY THE BETTER FOR YOU. THIS IS BECAUSE WHOSOEVER YOU OBEY READILY, THE SAME IS THE ONE HAVING CONTROL OVER YOU. SURE!!! WHETHER IT BE THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST OR THE SPIRIT OF THE DEVIL.
7. IF YOU KNOW THE PERSON YOU OBEY READILY, AND OBEDIENCE TO HIM GIVES YOU ABUNDANT JOY, THAT IS WHERE YOU BELONG TO.
8. IF IT DOES NOT HARMONIZE WITH THE FAMILY WHERE YOU ARE, IT THEN MEANS THAT THE TWO OF YOU CAME FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. IF WE ARE FRUITS FROM ONE TREE, WE MUST TASTE ALIKE.
9. OUR SIZES MAY DIFFER, BUT OUR TASTE MUST BE ONE. OUR NATURE MUST BE ONE, BUT OUR SIZES MAY DIFFER.
10. If you go to this Guava tree out there in the compound, check all the fruits it produced, both the big and the small, whenever you bite at it, the inside of the fruit is red. Is it a lie?
11. The taste of the big Guava fruits is the same with the taste of the small ones. Why? They were produced from the same tree. None of the fruits was attached unto the tree from elsewhere. Did you get the Message?
12. If we are members of God’s own Family, eating from God’s own hand; one pot, one plate and everything one, whether we be small or big, we must have the same texture.
13. Our character must be one, although we may be in different sizes. We may be in different sizes and in different ages.
14. Are all the fruits on a tree borne on the same day? Some must be older than others. Some were borne before others. The first fruit to be borne will also be the first to ripe. Is it a lie Brethren?
15. Then the one which is older is much more mature than the fresh one, and should exhibit maturity in everything he does more than the younger one that is still coming up, for that young one will also come to maturity with time. Am I making sense?
16. Whether small or big, they have the same nature, the same texture and everything the same.
17. WHY DO WE RECEIVE THE SAME WORD OF GOD AS FOOD, HAVE THE SAME GOD AS FATHER, BUT HAVE DIFFERENT TEXTURES? WHO IS DECEIVING WHO?
18. HOW COME GOD IS OUR FATHER, FEEDING US WITH HIS WORD, GIVING IT TO US AS OUR FOOD;
19. WE ARE FEEDING FROM THE FRESH MANNA; CHRIST, THE LVING BREAD THAT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN WHICH ENDURETH TO EVERLASTING LIFE TO WHOSOEVER THAT WILL EAT IT;
20. WE ARE DRINKING THE SAME WATER OF LIFE, WHICH IF ONE DRINKS, HE WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY FOR LIFE;
21. WE ARE FEEDING FROM THE FOOD WHICH THE SON OF MAN IS OFFERING, WHICH ENDURETH TO EVERLASTING LIFE, FOR HIM ALONE HAS THE FATHER SEALED AND SENT;
22. WHY CAN WE NOT HAVE THE SAME TEXTURE? WHY CAN WE NOT HAVE THE SAME MIND, THE SAME SPIRIT AND THE SAME CHARACTER. WHY DO WE DIFFER ONE FROM THE OTHER?
23. We should only differ in our stature. We should differ in our colour, because while some may be yellow, some may be green, but if you open it, all of them are red inside. Mature or immature, they are red inside, for they are of the same specie.
24. There is no genetic modification of anything there. No hybrid! Am I making sense?
25. You see, upon this backdrop, I can identify all My children no matter where they are, whether they be in New York or Canada or Russia or Israel or Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirate, South Africa, Czechoslovakia and in all the islands in the world.
26. No matter where I find them, I must identify with them because their DNA will show nothing but red. Their DNA will show nothing but red. That is the blood of Christ.
27. I am typing something. Their DNA can never give Me white. I know we have white specie, but My own is red.
28. So, I do not care wherever I am meeting you. I do not also care wherever you are meeting Me. Deep calleth Deep. Nobody is introduced to his sibling. You do not point a person to his sibling, for when you see your sibling, you must know.
29. That is why the Bible said, “We should love everybody, but we should show greater love to the Brethren who are in the same Household of Faith with us.”
30. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, ESPECIALLY UNTO THEM WHO ARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH. [Galatians 6:10 KJV]
31. 10So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. BE MINDFUL TO BE A BLESSING, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH [THOSE WHO BELONG TO GOD’S FAMILY WITH YOU, THE BELIEVERS]. [Galatians 6:10 AMP]
32. So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, AND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO BELONG TO OUR FAMILY IN THE FAITH. [Galatians 6:10 GNB]
33. These are the people that are our real Brethren, for we are with them in life and we are with them in death. We are with them in resurrection and we are with them in eternity, inseparable.
34. That is why I keep on telling you, “If I am discomforted with you here, I cannot be comfortable with you there.” The secret of living with Me is having My nature so that when I am with you, you feel comfortable having Me, and I will feel comfortable having you.
35. And when we come together, according to William Branham, we will find it difficult to part. Did you get the Message?
36. If I am in the same lineage, having the same the same DNA with Chika, hear Me very well. He is from Nsukka and that is where the root extended to, and produced a shoot. And that “A Shoot” came from Onah’s family and became Chika. His misbehaviour will not last long because he is like a growing shoot.
37. And I have become a mature branch. Once I talk to him on a matter, he will understand Me, for we are from the same root. He will not make one mistake continually. He will not overstretch Me, and I will not overstretch him. Did you get what I am saying?
38. If, out of provocation, I send him out of My gate and throw away his bag, the moment I do it, something in Me will smite Me; My spirit will smite Me and say, “Why? Bring him back. He is your brother.”
39. I may not even close the gate before I will tell him, “Come back! Silly! Will you get inside the house?” I may hit his buttocks with My leg.
40. The same way you do to your biological child. In anger, you may send him away. But you do not allow him to cross the gate, for once he crosses the gate and turns back to look at you, you will order him back to the house and slam the gate again.
41. But if that person is a stranger, the moment the gate is opened it is opened. “Leave this Gate”, and he leaves.
42. Everybody will be rejoicing. He will be like a burden that is lifted. There will be a gentle breeze overflowing. Peace will now reign. A sure sign that a canker, an evil one and a disturbance has been taken away.
43. HEAR ME VERY WELL. IF ANYWHERE YOU FIND YOURSELF AND THE PEOPLE ARE DISCOMFORTED, BUT WHEN THEY SEND YOU AWAY, THERE IS REJOICING, YOU ARE AN EVIL MAN.
44. If you are not evil, by the time you carry your bag, everybody will fall flat on the ground, pleading on your behalf.
45. But if you are evil and I say, “Pack away!” all Tom, Dick and Harry will obey Me. Then, they will join hands and pack your property to make sure you leave the house.
46. A sign that you are not a material for that house, for you have declared yourself unfit. The same way, you are unfit for heaven.
47. IF YOU ARE UNFIT TO SOJOURN WITH CHRIST IN HUMAN FORM IN HIS HOUSE, WILL YOU BE FIT TO SOJOURN WITH HIM EVEN IN THE THEOPHANY BODY? IMPOSSIBLE!
48. THAT IS WHY, WHATEVER WE ARE DOING HERE, WE ARE PAVING A WAY FOR ETERNITY. GO TO THE MESSAGE, WHERE WILL YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR ETERNITY? IT BEGINS HERE. WHATEVER WE ARE DOING HERE IS PREPARATION FOR ETERNITY EITHER IN HELL OR IN HEAVEN.
49. IT DEPENDS ON THE ONE YOU HAVE CHOSEN. IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN HELL, YOU PREPARE YOURSELF FOR HELL, BUT YOU CANNOT STAY WHERE THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE AND MAKE ADEQUATE PREPARATION FOR HELL.
50. NEITHER WILL YOU STAY IN HELL AND PREPARE FOR HEAVEN. NO!
51. THERE MUST BE A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO. MY FAMILY IS A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DESIROUS OF GOING TO HEAVEN; WHO ARE DESIROUS OF ETERNAL LIFE. MY FAMILY OFFERS THEM ASYLUM. ASYLUM OF PEACE.
52. BUT WHOSOEVER THAT IS NOT HAVING THAT MIND; THAT SPIRIT, MY FAMILY IS HELL ON EARTH; HELLFIRE ON EARTH; A DISTURBANCE YOU CANNOT TOLERATE.
53. THE SAME WAY HE IS A DISTURBANCE THE SON OF MAN CANNOT TOLERATE.
54. I am highlighting these things for all of us, not only in this Family here in Nsugbe [Anambra State, Nigeria], but in My families scattered all over the world, for My eyes runneth to and fro all over the earth.
55. I am seeing everybody. I am seeing your families. I know those I posted in every family to oversee their activities. If they are being overstretched by members of their families, I know.
56. If they are being helped, I know, if they are co-operating, I know. If they are disobedient and despondent, giving those overseers headache, I know.
57. One called Me yesterday, while discussing with the Elders, and I was enquiring from him how he managed to get My number. I reminded him all that I told him when he was reading the Messages for us at GTC in Onitsha.
58. He acknowledged all that I said and I judged him fully. Finally, when he could not give Me reason why his father refused to accompany him to see Me, but rather pointed him to go to Me, he felt ashamed of himself.
59. I pointed him back to his father, “Go and reconcile with your father, for that is the only way you can see My face, for without your father, you will never see My face. And expect more troubles from now. Expect more troubles.”
60. This is because he now remembered Me when he has rolled himself into a grievous problem; greater than the ones he rolled himself in there. If you see him, he is alive, but he is dead.
61. I told him plainly, “You are telling Me how much you lost and this and that. You lost nothing. The greatest loss you incurred is not the money you lost in the bank. No! The greatest loss you have incurred is the loss of your salvation.”
62. THE GREATEST LOSS ANY MAN COULD INCUR IN THIS LIFE IS THE LOSS OF ETERNAL LIFE.
63. That is why Christ asked us the question, “What shall it profit a man if he will gain the whole world and lose his soul.”
64. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? [Mark 8:36 KJV]
65. SONG: [What shall be My profit, if I gain all the world; gain all the world; What shall be My profit, if I gain all the world and lose my soul?]
66. SONG: [Now the LORD has come to take His Saints away, on that glorious day, as He has promised. “Will you go with Him?” is a life question for you. Answer My dear Brethren.]
4
CHILDREN OF GOD HAVE THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS
To what extent have we obeyed God’s Word since we first believed? To what extent have we obeyed God’s instructions, both written and Spoken Words?
2. Since our loyalty and our love for God is measured by the level of our obedience to His Word, to what extent do we love God?
3. We say we love Him because He first loved us, and purchased our salvation on Calvary’s tree. Do we really mean it? If we say we love Him, but we disobey Him, we are liars.
4. You see why the judgment is finished. Only the Verdict is left. And the Verdict is a one-day Verdict. One-day Verdict. One-second Verdict. One-second Verdict, and then the survivors will now know who they are.
5. There will be shouts of joy everywhere, while the rest will face Supreme shame and Supreme humiliation when they see the Saints marching with theophany bodies and they are there under torment, watching the people they called their fellow Brethren.
6. They heard the Message together. They listened to THE SON OF MAN. They jubilated and jumped up about that they witnessed what happened. They carried the Message everywhere, but on that glorious morning, they did not get transformed. They failed.
7. THE GREATEST LOSS IS NOT THE LOSS OF MONEY, FOR WHEN MONEY IS LOST, NOTHING IS LOST. WHEN LIFE IS LOST, SOMETHING IS LOST. BUT WHEN CHARACTER IS LOST, OH NO! EVERYTHING A HUMAN BEING IS MADE UP OF IS LOST.
8. AND CHRIST IS THE ORIGIN OF GOOD CHARACTER. TAKE AWAY CHRIST, THERE IS NO GOOD CHARACTER, FOR NO MAN CAN BE GOOD EXCEPT CHRIST.
9. AND IF YOU ARE NOT REFLECTING CHRIST, YOU ARE REFLECTNG THE DEVIL. DO NOT ALLOW ANYBODY TO DECEIVE YOU WITH PARADISE. THERE IS NOBODY WHOSE CHARACTER IS NOT LIKE THAT OF CHRIST WHO WILL SMELL PARADISE.
10. Do you know that all snakes have the same characteristics? Do you believe that? All dogs, the same characteristics. All sheep, the same characteristics. All animal.
11. So, children of God have the same characteristics. They are identified by their characteristics. What marks us out or in is already visible.
12. 1 John 5:3 – 5, Living Bible Translation. [3]LOVING GOD MEANS DOING WHAT HE TELLS US TO DO, AND REALLY, THAT ISN’T HARD AT ALL;… For you are a child of God.
13. [4]FOR EVERY CHILD OF GOD CAN OBEY HIM,… For every child of God can do what? Why not put your hands together Brethren? If I cannot obey God, do I need any interpreter? Do I need a Prophet to tell me why I cannot obey?
14. That is why I said that for a very long time now, it is like I am quiet. I am quiet after a godly sort. Though I have been talking, ministering, but I have outlined Teachings. Not one. And not two.
15. If I do not have teachings now to deliver, I have more than fifteen Teachings to deliver.
16. Why is Teaching needed? Teaching helps us to trace our sources very well, and to trace where our problems are coming from, and to know whether we are the people responsible for our problems or they are accidental; whether they are inborn or natural or by influence or by contact.
17. IF SOMEBODY IS ACTING BY INFLUENCE, HE CAN DROP IT. IF IT IS BY CONTACT, HE CAN DROP IT. IF IT IS INBORN, WHICH IS NATURAL AND INHERENT, YOU CANNOT DROP IT.
18. It is like forcing a snake to stop crawling on the ground or stopping a snake from being long. A snake must be long and must crawl, although the colours differ and the lengths differ. Is it not true? But in all, it is called a snake. Amen!
19. There is no way a snake can walk with two feet or fly with wings. Amen! So, I am coming nearer.
20. [4]FOR EVERY CHILD OF GOD CAN OBEY HIM, DEFEATING SIN AND EVIL PLEASURE… Defeating sin and sinful pleasures. Is there anything that is truer than the truth? If I am a child of God, the Scripture said, “Every child of God”, not minus.
21. And this is documented for us to use to trace ourselves to where we are coming from, why we are what we are and why we find it difficult to do or act otherwise. Did you get what I am saying?
22. So, whatever I am manifesting is already in Me. Whatever you are manifesting is already in you. Whatever Solomon was to manifest was already in him, before he was chosen to be on the throne. He has a special quality.
23. [4]FOR EVERY CHILD OF GOD CAN OBEY HIM, DEFEATING SIN AND EVIL PLEASURE BY TRUSTING CHRIST TO HELP HIM. Thank you!
24. [5]BUT WHO COULD POSSIBLY FIGHT AND WIN THIS BATTLE… Is it a fight? Is it a battle? YOU MUST QUIT LIKE MEN!
25. You MUST be strong in the LORD and in the power of his might. You must be numbered among the people whom the LORD has decided to make strong for His course.
26. Who is adequate to fight and win this battle? A battle of survival. Battle of survival, for both men and women. It is for both men and women. Amen!
27. [5]BUT WHO COULD POSSIBLY FIGHT AND WIN THIS BATTLE EXCEPT BY BELIEVING THAT JESUS IS TRULY THE SON OF GOD? Sure!!!
28. This Man! This Man! How God appointed this Man, Christ Jesus; How God chose this Man.
29. how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. [Acts 10:38 KJV]
30. Another one said, “This Man is not only God but Life eternal.”
31. [20]And we know that Christ, God’s Son, has come to help us understand and find the true God. And now we are in God because WE ARE IN JESUS CHRIST HIS SON, WHO IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD; AND HE IS ETERNAL LIFE. [1 John 5:20]
32. THIS MAN IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. YOU MUST TRUST AND OBEY HIM. BUT WHERE THE TRUST IS NOT THERE AND OBEDIENCE IS NOT THERE, CAN YOU WIN THE BATTLE?
33. WHO CAN TRUST AND OBEY? ONLY THOSE THAT CAME FROM HIS LOINS. ONLY THOSE THAT ARE BORN OF HIS SPIRIT. ONLY THOSE THAT ARE BORN OF GOD ARE REAL BONA FIDE CHILDREN OF GOD.
34. 5As you know not what is the way of the wind, or how the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a pregnant woman, even so you know not the work of God, Who does all. [Ecclesiastes 11:5 AMP]
35. THESE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN TRUST GOD. THEY ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WILL OBEY GOD.
36. This is because when you trust in your father, you do not believe He will do you any harm. You believe you are safe and secured. As long as He is alive, you must be in His heart.
37. By the time you say, “Daddy, I am hungry, He has already told you, “Do you not have yam there? Do you not have rice?” ”This is because a true father provides for the Family.
38. Your mother is there also. He will point you to your mother, “Go to your mother. Go and tell her that you are hungry.” She will point you to the fridge, “Go and carry your soup and the make Garri. What do you want to eat? Food is there.”
39. But it is not so with strangers. Did you get the Message?
40. IF YOU LOVE GOD AND GOD IS YOUR FATHER, YOU WILL HAVE BOLDNESS OF SPEECH BEFORE HIM. YOU CAN EXPRESS YOURSELF BEFORE HIM. YOU DO NOT EVEN NEED TO GO TO HIM BEGGING. YOU ONLY GO TO HIM TO MAKE A REQUEST.
41. BEGGING IS NOT REQUEST. REQUEST DIFFERS FROM BEGGING. “Daddy, look at what I need o. Daddy, I have run shot of money. Daddy, I want to buy this. Daddy, I want to buy this.” Period!
42. He will tell you, “Ok. Go and put all of them in writing, and let Me know. How much will it take? I cannot give all, but you will buy some for now. Next time, you complete it.” Finish! Amen!
43. Once you are a true child born in a family, you have only but one mediator between you and your father. Who is that your mediator? Your mother! Is it not true? She is the only mediator you have.
44. And when the mediator is disrespected; when the mediator is abused, ridiculed and set aside, who then speaks for you? Who then?
45. If the Holy Spirit who speaks for us is being grieved; is being made sad, who then marks us present when salvation is made complete? Who then are we expecting to be our saviour? Who then pleads with the Father Whom we have not seen?
46. But have you seen the body where the Father is dwelling? If not that I showcased the Father before you, will you know that the Father is like that all these years?
47. But you know what I am saying that every liquid takes the shape of its container. Since you want to know whether the Father is in Me or I am in the Father. I say, every liquid takes the shape of its container.
48. THE INVISIBLE GOD IS DWELLING IN A VISIBLE VESSEL. IN WHAT WAY DOES HE DWELL? IN THE SPIRIT FORM. IN WHAT FORM? THE SHAPE IS THERE.
49. If you want to know the shape of the water in the bottle, look at the bottle. If you want to know the shape of the air in the football, look at the football. Air takes the shape of its container.
50. HEAR ME VERY WELL. THERE IS NO WAY THE LIQUID CAN BE GREATER THAN THE CONTAINER. AS LONG AS THE CONTAINER IS SEALED, THE LIQUID IS ACCOMMODATED WITHIN THE CONTAINER.
51. IF THE CONTAINER HAS SEVEN BRANCHES, THE LIQUID MUST HAVE SEVEN BRANCHES. IF THE CONTAINER HAS LEGS, THE LIQUID HAS LEGS, FOR WHEREVER ANY PART OF THE CONTAINER IS FIXED, THE LIQUID MUST OVERFLOW THERE.
52. Did you get the Message? So, if you can draw THE SON OF MAN Who you are seeing now, I am the container. Whatever that is in Me, anywhere My hand is, there His hand is. My height is His height. My stomach is his stomach. My leg, His leg. My eye, His eye.
53. YOU SEE WHY YOU ARE ALL APPLES OF GOD’S EYES. WHOEVER THAT IS TOUCHING YOUR EYES IS TRYING TO PIERCE THE EYES OF GOD.
54. That is why once you have this Spirit of Christ, you will know all things. You judge all things. And you, no man can judge, for the spirit that is in you can never lead you into error.
55. 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
56. 15BUT HE THAT IS SPIRITUAL JUDGETH ALL THINGS, YET HE HIMSELF IS JUDGED OF NO MAN. [1 Corinthians 2:14 – 15 KJV]
57. 14But the natural, non spiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.
58. 15But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. [1 Corinthians 2:14 – 15 AMP]
59. You are walking erroneously because you are operating with the spirit of error that is working upon the children of disobedience, who are disobedient after knowing the truth. They set it aside and begin to do those things they are forbidden from doing because they lack the fear of God.
60. 21They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness.
61. 22They say they are wise, but they are fools; 23instead of worshiping the immortal God, they worship images made to look like mortals or birds or animals or reptiles.
62. 24And so God has given those people over to do the filthy things their hearts desire, and they do shameful things with each other. [Roman 1:21 – 24 GNB]
63. 1 John 5:1 – 5, King James Version.1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
64. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
65. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
66. 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
67. 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
68. 1 John 5:1 – 5, Amplified version. 1EVERYONE WHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).
69. 2By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God and obey His commands (orders, charges)–[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching].
70. 3For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. AND THESE ORDERS OF HIS ARE NOT IRKSOME (BURDENSOME, OPPRESSIVE, OR GRIEVOUS).
71. 4For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
72. 5Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?
73. 1 John 5:1 – 5, New International Version.
74. 1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and EVERYONE WHO LOVES THE FATHER LOVES HIS CHILD AS WELL.
75. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
76. 3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
77. 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
78. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
79. 1 John 5:1 – 5, Good News Translation
80. 1Whoever believes that Jesus is the Messiah is a child of God; and whoever loves a father loves his child also.
81. 2This is how we know that we love God’s children: it is by loving God and obeying his commands. 3For our love for God means that we obey his commands. And his commands are not too hard for us,
82. 4because every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith.
83. 5Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
5
YOUR SALVATION CALLS FOR DEFENSE
I go further Brethren. I have not given it a title o. 1 John 2:12 – 17. I am about to name it. Continue with you living Bible. Living Bible, other translations, notwithstanding.
2. [12]I am writing these things to all of you, my little children, because your sins have been forgiven in the name of Jesus our Saviour.
3. [13]I am saying these things to you older men because you really know Christ, the one who has been alive from the beginning. And you young men, I am talking to you because you have won your battle with Satan. ….
4. 1 John 5:13, King James Version. I write to you young men because you are strong and you have overcome the evil one.
5. 13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I WRITE UNTO YOU, YOUNG MEN, BECAUSE YE HAVE OVERCOME THE WICKED ONE. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
6. 1 John 5:13, Living Bible. [13]I am saying these things to you older men because you really know Christ, the one who has been alive from the beginning.
7. Bro Eli, do you know Christ? the One that has been alive from the very beginning?[Bro Eli answered, “Yes sir”]
8. AND YOU YOUNG MEN, I AM TALKING TO YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE WON YOUR BATTLE WITH SATAN.
9. Have you won your battle with the devil all you young men here? Have you won the battle? Have you won the fight? This is because it is a battle. It is a fight. Have you fought it out of your life?[All the young men chorused, “Yes sir!”]
10. When? When did it happen? I asked When? Remember the Scripture where we read before said, “It is a battle. It is a fight.”
11. YOU CANNOT BE ASLEEP AND FIGHT. WE CANNOT BE DOZING AND FIGHTING. YOU CANNOT DECEIVE YOURSELF INTO BELIEVING WHEN YOU ARE NOT BELIEVING.
12. GOD NEVER GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU JUST COLLECT IT, AND THEN YOU JUST FOLD YOUR ARMS. YOU MUST DEFEND WHAT YOU HAVE COLLECTED. YOUR SALVATION CALLS FOR DEFENSE.
13. IF YOU DO NOT DEFEND YOUR FAITH, YOUR FAITH WILL NOT PROTECT YOU. DID YOU GET THE MESSAGE? WHEN YOU PROTECT YOUR FAITH, YOUR FAITH WILL PROTECT YOU. SINCE FAITH IS PROTECTED, FAITH MUST BE DEFENDED.
14. YOU MUST BE READY AT ALL TIMES TO ANSWER ANY MAN THAT WILL ASK YOU WHY YOU ARE BEHAVING THE WAY YOU ARE BEHAVING WITH THE SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY.
15. Why have you refused this offer? “Please it runs contrary to My belief.”
16. That reminds Me. in those days, When our former king who was in charge of Oke Uvuru, His Royal Highness Eze R. U. Mbalewe, Ezeoha 1 Of Uvuru Ike di na Iri.
17. He invited Me for chieftaincy title. He invited Honourable Kelvin Ujoatuonwu for chieftaincy title in our own communities.
18. I called him and I said, “His Royal Highness sir, with due respect to your office, I wish to appreciate your kingship. It is true you helped Me while I was in Lagos by giving Me a place in your Quarters when I started work newly. You helped Me in many ways and you have been helping. You will remain helping. Please sir, inasmuch as I cherish the honour because it came from your throne, I wish to tell you with all my heart that I will not in this life nor in the life to come subscribe to taking anything chieftaincy title from your throne or any other throne, not only in My community but elsewhere.”
19. He was surprised and said, “Boniface! What is wrong with you? I received a letter now from Onitsha from Honourable Kelvin Ujoatuonwu, saying almost what you are saying. Did you agree to turning it down?”
20. I said, “Sir, I never knew you wrote to Kelvin. And I do not believe Kelvin knew that you wrote to Me. Sir, if I reject because of My Faith, what did Kelvin say? Kelvin is a Roman Catholic, but I belong to Deeper Life. I am saying no because Christ was called to come and take such a public position, but he said No! I am not taking it sir. So, give it to some other people.”
21. 15When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. [John 6:15 KJV]
22. 36Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” [John 18:36 NIV]
23. He turned again and said, “Boniface, do you know how many people living abroad, who are very rich, intelligent and educated that have been pleading with me to crown them chiefs?”
24. I said, “Sir, thank God that I have never applied. And I will never apply. It runs contrary to My belief. I will not take it. Give it to others.” And we closed that chapter.
25. After a little while, a new autonomous community was created and we have one, “Ama Asa” of which My own relation is the king. How many times has he offered Me with it, until I had to boldly go to him, “Sir, let Me tell you the basic truth. Now and in the life to come, count Me out.”
26. He said, “Almost all your mates and those you are much more senior to have been crowned. Look at Anthony. Look at Sunday and even you brother Ben. Does it conflict with your Faith?”
27. I said, “Too much! Too much!”
28. Then he said, “What is there? You just buy one red cap and one black cap.”
29. And I said, “Both red and black, I do not want. I am an Apostle of Christ. I can never be an Apostle of Ama Asa community.”
30. He said, “Ok. But you will be admitting us.” I said, “Why not? I love all of you. I will even obey you, but not in taking that title. But let Me ask you this question. How will it look like if you call the meeting of chiefs and I, being an Apostle of Christ, will come and sit down there in the midst of heathens? Do you not know that I will be a misfit?”
31. He said, “Do you want Me to tell them this?” And I said, “Go and tell the chieftaincy committee. Tell them I said no.”
32. You see! Anything you do not defend with your Faith; hear Me very well. Anything you cannot use your Faith as a defense, you will accept it anyhow because of the misery pittance, carrot, enticement, base gain, base popularity, that will be attached to it.
33. CAN YOU IMAGINE. YOU CAN NEVER TELL ME THAT A HEATHEN IS IMPOSING A POSITION ON YOU. NO POSITION HAS EVER BEEN IMPOSED ON ANYBODY. RATHER, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR CHOICE.
34. I remember how many times I was nominated while I was in the office and I told them clearly, “I do not contest. I do not vie for and I do not accept such positions”
35. THIS IS BECAUSE I CANNOT BE A RULER OVER THE HEATHENS WITHOUT COMPROMISING. I WILL NEVER! IT CAN NEVER SINK WELL WITH ME. I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
36. THAT IS WHY A TRUE CHILD OF GOD DOES NOT ACCEPT ALL RESPONSIBILITIES. HIS WORK STAYS IN LINE WITH HIS BELIEF. BUT WHEN YOU BELIEF PERMITS YOU TO TAKE EVERYTHING, YOU ARE A CROW. YOU ARE A CROW. C-R-O-W. THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE. A PIG IS BETTER THAN YOU.
37. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING PROTECTING YOU, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DEFEND. WHATEVER YOU MUST PROTECT IS WHAT WILL DEFEND YOUR INTEREST. DID YOU GET THE MESSAGE?
38. Watch what you are defending. And find out whether it is just selfish interest or self-ego or self-popularity or Christ. IT IS A BATTLE!
39. 1 John 2:12 – 17, Living Bible. [12]I am writing these things to all of you, my little children, because your sins have been forgiven in the name of Jesus our Saviour.
40. That is for those who are walking right; who are walking according to the truth.
41. [13]I am saying these things to you older men because you really know Christ, the one who has been alive from the beginning. And you young men, I am talking to you because you have won your battle with Satan.
42. Have you won your battle with Satan or are you just saying Amen because the Bible said so? If you have won your battle with Satan, where is the evidence?
43. You can boldly say, “I have won my battel with the devil; Satan. It is evidenced in my lifestyle. I have hated whatever the devil has offered me with perfect hatred.”
44. The devil can never say, “I am the devil. Take this.” Whatever offer the devil will bring to a child of God, he will pass it through his own agents who are human beings like you.
45. And because they do not know what you believe; you have not announced it; you have never told them, they will take you to be one of them. Is it not true?
46. If you do not declare your position and status to them, and the reason why you will not accept such offer, will they know? You will just rush and take it immediately.
47. They will vote for you and you will be on the same side with the heathen as they are voting for you.
48. I was here when they were doing the election at the mall; this shopping mall. I called My wife and the brethren; I called Bro Stephen, “You see that day; they say it is compulsory. We are going. They are going to nominate Me as one of the officials that will govern the market. And then, they will know My real colour.”
49. It is a step in the right direction. Let us go. We went there. When we got there, nominations and voting continued.
50. Somebody was the one that nominated Me and then they lined up. Almost all lifted their hands. And they all clapped their hands.
51. They said that I have become the line chairman. I said, “Look at Me!” I said, “Look at Me to be the chairman of traders.” Bro Stephen looked at Me and we laughed.
52. I said it is needless to go to the owner to begin to argue unnecessarily. Does someone get drowned in a river where he has not stepped into?
53. They said that all that were nominated should come out, but I sat down. They said that all that won should come out, but I sat down.
54. They summoned a meeting at O’Connor Street to meet with the owners so that they will take photographs with everybody. I sat down. I did not go.
55. When they got there, the second day, they nominated another person in My place. They said, “Mike, you have fear of God; you go to Grace of God.” He said, “No! Chosen.” They said, “Ok. Replace that Oga [Master] He has already told us that he is not coming, for it is against His Faith.”
56. Nothing happened. Does someone get drowned in a river where he has not stepped into? Did they impose it on Me? Is the market not functioning? See what is happening there now. The man is using them because they are ignorant.
57. A FOOL DOES NOT KNOW WHEN HE IS BEING USED TO FULFILL THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL. A FOOL DOES NOT KNOW WHEN HE IS AIDING SOMEBODY IN INJUSTICE AND IN EVIL.
58. THE DEVIL CANNOT WORK ON YOU WITHOUT USING YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. IN THE SAME WAY, GOD WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT USING HUMAN BEINGS.
59. But look at how I surprised them. On the day of the opening of our own shops, you saw what happened. I now invited the owner, and he invited his officials. All of them bowed down before the LORD.
60. When I opened the Scriptures, we sang praises and we prayed. We began to preach. From that day, our belief was noised abroad. The whole market was set agog. What if I closed My mouth?
61. That is why, wherever I go, you see them bowing down, “The Apostle sir. The Apostle sir. Sir please, just touch my head. Sir, touch my hand. Sir please step your feet into my shop.”
62. What if I had gone there to compromise? Without identifying My God with them, will they know that I am serving a God Who cannot tolerate such nonsenses? Amen.
63. Some even hide their identities, especially students so that they will have girlfriends; so that the girls will flock around them. I am telling you the truth.
64. Even among us, they go there to their schools and colleges, especially the higher institutions. They do not want to answer born-again.
65. When they go there, they join them to jest and blaspheme the Faith. There, they will tell their girlfriends, “Do not listen to them. I am just there. The moment I graduate, they will not see My back again.”
66. Some will even be alluring them, “What are you doing there? Why not come out? In this modern age? That your Daddy that is too strict is still controlling you.”
67. You will join! Only God knows the extent all of you are blaspheming Christ by your words and your actions, both secretly and openly.
68. And whatever you are doing the LORD is waiting for you somewhere. You MUST pay for it, by and by. Your reward begins from here. My reward begins from here.
69. IF I AM ASHAMED OF ANNOUNCING CHRIST BEFORE THE PEOPLE, WILL HE HAVE THE BOLDNESS TO ANNOUNCE ME BEFORE THE FATHER IN HEAVEN? IF I DENY HIM, HE WILL DENY ME.
70. SO, YOU ARE CORRUPT BECAUSE YOU HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE YOURSELF CORRUPT FOR BASE GAIN; SO THAT EVERYBODY WILL LOVE YOU.
71. I write to you young men because you have overcome the evil one. Have you overcome the evil one? When the evil one is working in you constantly, using you as a tool to upset everybody that comes into contact with you.
72. When you cannot open your mouth as a young man to propagate the Gospel of Christ. You have no boldness because the life of Christ is not yet in you. when you have the life of Christ, the boldness is there.
6
BE STRONG IN THE THINGS OF GOD
1 John 2:13 – 17, Living Bible. 13….And you young men, I am talking to you because you have won your battle with Satan. And I am writing to you younger boys and girls because you, too, have learned to know God our Father.
2. [14]And so I say to you fathers who know the eternal God, and to you young men who are strong with God’s Word in your hearts, and have won your struggle against Satan:
3. Have you ever won it? It is believed that you use your strength in your youth to win the battle. You are strong and you have won your battle with the devil. You are no longer struggling. You are now an overcomer.
4. Where is Chika? If I get you there, you will remain outside till we finish Fellowship. Do not think you are not involved.
5. 1 John 2:13 – 14, King James Version.13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
6. 14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I HAVE WRITTEN UNTO YOU, YOUNG MEN, BECAUSE YE ARE STRONG,…
7. YOU ARE STRONG AND NOT BECAUSE YOU ARE ALWAYS ASLEEP OR BECAUSE YOU ARE LAZY. HOW STRONG ARE YOU IN THE THINGS OF GOD?
8. IF YOUR STRENGTH IS NOT SHOWCASING IN THE THINGS OF GOD, IT IS SHOWCASING IN THE THINGS OF THE DEVIL, WHICH IS THE WORLD.
9. It is your strength! The strength of My youth. I thank God Who made Me strong from infancy. And from My childhood till now, I have never for one day, bent down.
10. You remember My testimonies, even in the denominations. I have never shunned from declaring the Gospel of Christ wherever I went.
11. Where is your strength measured? Is it measured in the things of God or in the affairs of the world? Worldly passions. Worldly pleasures. And you become a tiger.
12. Where is your strength measured? Where is your intelligence measured? When it comes to the affairs of God, you sleep. You will be lazing about.
13. But when it comes to carnal things, material possessions, material benefits, you see yourself becoming stronger than ever. You see your sense coming on. You know how you can get your things very easily, because they are material and sensual.
14. Where is your passion? Young men are strong. Are they strong in evil or strong in doing good? The Bible said that you should be strong in the things of God and weak in the affair of the world.
15. WHEN YOU ARE STRONG IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD, YOU MUST BE WEAK IN THE AFFAIRS OF CHRIST. ONE IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE OTHER. ONE IS OPPOSING THE OTHER.
16. AND WATCH! EXPERIENCE HAS PROVED TO ME THAT THOSE THAT ARE VIBRANT AND GALLANT IN THE WORLDLY AFFAIRS ARE VERY VERY WEAK IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. AND THEY ARE EXTREMELY SELFISH.
17. THEY KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING WHAT THEY WANT, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING THAT HAS ENDURING QUALITY, YOU SEE THEM SLUMBER. THEY SLACK.
18. THOSE THAT FEEL THEY ARE STRONG. ARE THEY STRONG IN WHAT? ARE YOU STRONG IN FOSTERING THE GOALS OF THE DEVIL?
19. 14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
20. 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
21. 1 John 2:14 – 17, Living Bible. [14]And so I say to you fathers who know the eternal God,… They know the eternal God like Father David….and to you young men who are strong with God’s Word in your hearts,…
22. And to you young men who are strong with the Word of God where? IN YOUR HEARTS. But what if you are strong in the affairs of the world? Your heart MUST be empty.
23. You will never have the Word of God in your heart. There will never be a time the Word of God will be in your heart. If you are one that is gallant in the things of this world; things that have no value, the Word of God can never be in your heart.
24. When mention is made of God, you will be greatly discomforted. If you do not know what else to do, you will start sleeping or be moving about. Your mind will wander away.
25. [14]And so I say to you fathers who know the eternal God, and to you young men who are strong with God’s Word in your hearts, and have won your struggle against Satan:
26. [15] STOP LOVING THIS EVIL WORLD AND ALL THAT IT OFFERS YOU, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God;.. At all!!!
27. [16] FOR ALL THESE WORLDLY THINGS, THESE EVIL DESIRES—… All these evil things! Worldly desires that war against your soul and do not allow the Word of God to be effective in your life, they are not from God, for God cannot be against God.
28. FOR ALL THESE WORLDLY THINGS, THESE EVIL DESIRES—[1] THE CRAZE FOR SEX, [2] THE AMBITION TO BUY EVERYTHING THAT APPEALS TO YOU, and [3] THE PRIDE THAT COMES FROM WEALTH AND IMPORTANCE—THESE ARE NOT FROM GOD. THEY ARE FROM THIS EVIL WORLD ITSELF.
29. [17] And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it,… Sure!!!…but WHOEVER KEEPS DOING THE WILL OF GOD WILL LIVE FOREVER.
30. 1 John 2:12 – 17, Amplified Version. 12I am writing to you, little children, because for His name’s sake your sins are forgiven [pardoned through His name AND ON ACCOUNT OF CONFESSING HIS NAME].
31. Which is the Name you believe in for the salvation of your soul. As long as we are alive, salvation is in no other name in our generation than in the Name of THE SON OF MAN, Whom the LORD has chosen, vindicated and confirmed before our eyes to be The LORD God Almighty.
32. 13I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be aware of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning. Yes sir!
33. I am writing to you, young men, because you have been victorious over the wicked [one]. I write to you, boys (lads), because you have come to know (recognize and be aware) of the Father.
34. 14I write to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be conscious of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning. I WRITE TO YOU, YOUNG MEN, BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG AND VIGOROUS, AND THE WORD OF GOD IS [ALWAYS] ABIDING IN YOU (IN YOUR HEARTS), AND YOU HAVE BEEN VICTORIOUS OVER THE WICKED ONE.
35. 15DO NOT LOVE OR CHERISH THE WORLD OR THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, LOVE FOR THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.
36. 16For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
37. 17And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD AND CARRIES OUT HIS PURPOSES IN HIS LIFE ABIDES (REMAINS) FOREVER. Amen!!!
38. A word is enough for the wise. Nothing can be truer than the truth. If you feel you know more than God, and the Scriptures are now stories of the ancient, continue that way. I say, continue that way
39. One day you will create your own world where the inhabitants of your own world will do as you wish. Be sure that you do not call God when calamity befalls you.
40. But will it befall you? Yes! It is a matter of time from here, to all that are hearing My Word from today. Those who are spiritual will know that THE SON OF MAN is arriving at something that will make ears to tingle.
41. 1 John 2:12 – 17, New International Version.
42. 12I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
43. 13I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I WRITE TO YOU, YOUNG MEN, BECAUSE YOU HAVE OVERCOME THE EVIL ONE. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.
44. 14I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I WRITE TO YOU, YOUNG MEN, BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG, AND THE WORD OF GOD LIVES IN YOU, AND YOU HAVE OVERCOME THE EVIL ONE.
45. 15DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD OR ANYTHING IN THE WORLD. IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.
46. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world.
47. 17The world and its desires pass away, BUT THE MAN WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD LIVES FOREVER.
48. 1 John 2:12 – 17, Good News Bible.
49. 12I write to you, my children, because your sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ. 13I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I WRITE TO YOU, YOUNG PEOPLE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE DEFEATED THE EVIL ONE.
50. 14I write to you, my children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I WRITE TO YOU, YOUNG PEOPLE, BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG; THE WORD OF GOD LIVES IN YOU, AND YOU HAVE DEFEATED THE EVIL ONE.
51. 15DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD OR ANYTHING THAT BELONGS TO THE WORLD. IF YOU LOVE THE WORLD, YOU DO NOT LOVE THE FATHER.
52. 16Everything that belongs to the world—what the sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of—none of this comes from the Father; it all comes from the world.
53. 17The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; BUT THOSE WHO DO THE WILL OF GOD LIVE FOREVER.
54. But warning goes before destruction.
7
TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD
Let us go ahead. Titus chapter 1 from verse 1 through 3, Living Bible. [1–2]From: Paul, the slave of God and the messenger of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know God’s truth—THE KIND OF TRUTH THAT CHANGES LIVES—so that they can have eternal life, which God promised them before the world began—and he cannot lie.
2. [3]And now in his own good time he has revealed this Good News and permits me to tell it to everyone. By command of God our Saviour, I have been trusted to do this work for him.
3. King James version. 1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the Faith of God’s Elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
4. 2in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
5. 3but hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; Amen!
6. Titus 1:1 – 3, Amplified version. 1PAUL, A bond servant of God and an apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) to stimulate and promote the faith of God’s chosen ones and to lead them on to accurate discernment and recognition of and acquaintance with the Truth which belongs to and harmonizes with and tends to godliness,
7. 2[Resting] in the hope of eternal life, [life] which the ever truthful God Who cannot deceive promised before the world or the ages of time began.
8. 3And [now] in His own appointed time He has made manifest (made known) His Word and revealed it as His
9. Titus 1:1 – 3, New International version. 1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s Elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness–
10. 2a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
11. 3and at his appointed season he brought His Word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Saviour,
12. Titus 1:1 – 3 Good News Bible. 1From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I was chosen and sent to help the faith of God’s chosen people and to lead them to the truth taught by our religion,
13. 2which is based on the hope for eternal life. God, who does not lie, promised us this life before the beginning of time,
14. 3and at the right time he revealed it in his message. This was entrusted to me, and I proclaim it by order of God our Saviour.
15. Titus chapter 2 from verse 1 through 8, Amplified version. 1BUT [as for] you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine [the character and right living that identify true Christians].
16. THE CHARACTER AND RIGHT LIVING THAT IDENTIFIES TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD. TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE IDENTIFIED BY WHAT? CHARACTER AND RIGHT LIVING.
17. DID YOU GET THE MESSAGE? TRUE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL ARE IDENTIFIED BY CHARACTER AND WRONG LIVING
18. 2Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible, self-controlled, and sound in the faith, in the love, and in the steadfastness and patience [of Christ].
19. 3Bid the older women similarly to be reverent and devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble,
20. 4So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children,
21. 5To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting and subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited).
22. 6In a similar way, URGE THE YOUNGER MEN TO BE SELF-RESTRAINED… Urge the youth [the younger men] to be what? Self-restrained….AND TO BEHAVE PRUDENTLY… Wisely!…[TAKING LIFE SERIOUSLY].
23. 7AND SHOW YOUR OWN SELF IN ALL RESPECTS TO BE A PATTERN AND A MODEL OF GOOD DEEDS AND WORKS,…Sure!!!…TEACHING WHAT IS UNADULTERATED, SHOWING GRAVITY [HAVING THE STRICTEST REGARD FOR TRUTH AND PURITY OF MOTIVE], WITH DIGNITY AND SERIOUSNESS. Amen!!!
24. Dictionary meaning of PRUDENCE: www.coursehero.com: [1] the ability to govern and discipline by the use of reason. [2] sagacity and shrewdness in the management of affairs. [3] skill and good judgment in the use of resources. Amen! [4] caution or circumspection as to danger or risk.
25. Caution and circumspection as to danger or risk in whatever you want to embark on or in whatever step you want to take.
26. You MUST be circumspect, REDEMEEING THE TIME FOR THE DAYS ARE EVIL. Danger is lurking everywhere.
27. A wise fellow sees danger ahead of time and runs back. But the blind and foolish will see danger and walk to it because he does not reason. He is not prudent. He cannot discipline himself.
28. www.meriam-webster.com Synonyms for Prudence: [1] Common Sense. So, if you are not prudent, you lack common sense. There are so many ways common sense will teach you to take life seriously.
29. [2] Discreetness, [3] Discretion, [4] gumption, [5] horse sense, [6] Levelheadedness, [7] Policy, [8] sense, [9] Sensibleness, [10] wisdom, [11] wit.
30. www.vocabulary.com: PRUDENCE means Careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment. Is it not contained in the Message, MAINTAINING A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP IN THE BRIDE OF CHRIST MINISTRY WORLDWIDE?
31. The Message said that you MUST have a sensible judgment of whatever you do. A GOOD SENSE OF JUDGMENT MUST BE ATTACHED TO WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING AND IN WHATEVER YOU WANT TO EMBARK ON. THINK BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING.
32. The Bible said, “Do not act thoughtlessly.” Amen.
33. 17Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. [Ephesians 5:17 AMP]
34. Titus 2:6 – 8, Amplified version.6In a similar way, URGE THE YOUNGER MEN TO BE SELF-RESTRAINED AND TO BEHAVE PRUDENTLY TAKING LIFE SERIOUSLY].
35. 7AND SHOW YOUR OWN SELF IN ALL RESPECTS TO BE A PATTERN AND A MODEL OF GOOD DEEDS AND WORKS, TEACHING WHAT IS UNADULTERATED, SHOWING GRAVITY [HAVING THE STRICTEST REGARD FOR TRUTH AND PURITY OF MOTIVE], WITH DIGNITY AND SERIOUSNESS.
36. 8And let your instruction be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and irrefutable and above censure, so that the opponent may be put to shame, finding nothing discrediting or evil to say about us. Amen!
37. Who is adequate to fulfill it? One that is prudent. One that has overcome the devil and his works. He is no longer yielding to the devil and his antics.
38. Titus 2:1 – 8, Living Bible. [1]But as for you, speak up for the right living that goes along with true Christianity.
39. [2]Teach the older men to be serious and unruffled; THEY MUST BE SENSIBLE, knowing and believing the truth and doing everything with love and patience. Yes!!!
40. [3]Teach the older women to be quiet and respectful in everything they do. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers, but they should be teachers of goodness.
41. [4]These older women must train the younger women to live quietly, to love their husbands and their children,
42. [5]and to be sensible and clean minded, spending their time in their own homes, being kind and obedient to their husbands so that the Christian faith can’t be spoken against by those who know them.
43. [6]In the same way, urge the young men to behave carefully, taking life seriously.
44. [7]And here you yourself must be an example to them of good deeds of every kind. LET EVERYTHING YOU DO REFLECT YOUR LOVE OF THE TRUTH and the fact that you are in dead earnest about it.
45. [8]Your conversation should be so sensible and logical that anyone who wants to argue will be ashamed of himself because there won’t be anything to criticize in anything you say! Amen!
46. Titus 1:1 – 8, King James version.1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
47. 3The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
48. 4that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
49. 5TO BE DISCREET, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
50. 7In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
51. 8sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
52. Titus 1:1 – 8, New International version.1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
53. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, WORTHY OF RESPECT, SELF-CONTROLLED, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
54. 3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
55. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to BE SELF-CONTROLLED AND PURE, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
56. 6Similarly, ENCOURAGE THE YOUNG MEN TO BE SELF-CONTROLLED. 7IN EVERYTHING SET THEM AN EXAMPLE BY DOING WHAT IS GOOD. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
57. 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
58. Titus 1:1 – 8, Good News Bible.1But you must teach what agrees with sound doctrine. 2Instruct the older men to be sober, SENSIBLE, AND SELF-CONTROLLED; to be sound in their faith, love, and endurance.
59. 3In the same way instruct the older women to behave as women should who live a holy life. They must not be slanderers or slaves to wine. They must teach what is good,
60. 4in order to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to BE SELF-CONTROLLED AND PURE, and to be good housewives who submit themselves to their husbands, so that no one will speak evil of the message that comes from God.
61. 6IN THE SAME WAY URGE THE YOUNG MEN TO BE SELF-CONTROLLED. 7IN ALL THINGS YOU YOURSELF MUST BE AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD BEHAVIOR. BE SINCERE AND SERIOUS IN YOUR TEACHING.
62. 8Use sound words that cannot be criticized, so that your enemies may be put to shame by not having anything bad to say about us