A Nice Trip

I was privileged to be part of the team that recently travelled to a mission field in Dukawa Land (a remote area of Niger State, Nigeria) for the commissioning of the classrooms Christ Lifeline built for the missionary school in the village. I will forever be grateful to God for that trip because it opened my eyes to see and my mind to understand why many Christians live an ordinary life and die as one; why many keep pursuing worldly things and never attain or find fulfilment in them.

It’s the kind of trip I sincerely wish you would undergo next week or sometime soon because it will definitely have a lasting positive impact on your life. For instance, do you know that there are many remote areas where the gospel has not reached? Do you know there are some tribes in Nigeria that doesn’t wear clothes till today? May be I also have to let you know that there are missionaries (very few though) who search out and locate some of these ‘unreached’ areas and commit their lives to preaching the gospel to them. They have to live among them, learn their language and culture, eat their food, drink their water, etc. No electricity, no treated water or any social amenity. They chose to deny themselves of the pleasures of this world for their love for the Master. Some went along with their families; some were rejected by their immediate family because of their decision to work for the Lord. Some refused/could not get married because of their commitment to the work. All these are what my eyes saw at the trip. Oh! I almost forgot to tell you that these missionaries do not receive salaries like some of our pastors in the city do. They depend on the faithful God to supply all their needs!

I also saw people who are living in abject poverty, idolatry, sufferings and without Christ (to live without Christ is to live without hope). I saw children looking malnourished, women being treated like slaves and men living miserable lives. They all need salvation, love, and health care. In fact, I am advising you use your next vacation to go to a mission field, visit a rural area and I can assure you that life will make a new meaning to you.

We have a collective responsibility to reach out to unbelievers around us and also support those reaching the ‘unreached’ areas. We should support the missionaries on the fields spiritually and financially (Colossians 4:3). Always remember them in your prayers. Always support them with your money and other resources. If we do not take these things into cognisance, our lives may not be far from the ordinary.

The primary reason you are here is not to make money, build business empires, get married, raise children, do whatever you like and eventually die. Life is far more than all of that. Life is all about God, you are living for Him because He gave you that life in the first instance. When you realise that the reason you are still alive is to do the work of God, then you will be able and willing to do it with joy and will never again give excuses about your work, family, or business. You will then begin to experience steady peace, overflowing joy and a fulfilled life.

Spend your life on what really counts at the end of the day. Partner with the Lord in His work.

- segun eshorun

A different approach to ministry

Have you ever sent your child, servant or subordinate on an errand to perform a task who shows unwillingness to do so? Imagine such a child, servant or subordinate murmuring or frowning his face and reluctantly left to perform the task. He came back after a while with the job well done but not without his frowning face, murmuring lips and dragging feet. How will you feel towards him though he performed the task well?

On the other hand, you might have found yourself in a situation where your boss, parent or pastor asked you to do something at a time when you are not willing or in a mood to do such, though you wished to do it. Since you couldn’t disobey him, you eventually went ahead to do the job against your will, having a feeling of being forced to do it. Can you really do it with excitement, and derive fulfilment and satisfaction? I guess the whole time you spent on the job will be miserable just because it was done with lack of interest.

In my years of service to God, I’ve seen and heard Christians times without number complain about their work for God. It is obvious from their words, actions and lifestyle that they are not doing the work willingly. They murmur about the time they spend for church service, meetings, choir practice, and others. They complain that the church/ministry work is affecting their work, business, family, leisure and social life. The truth is that this attitude is harmful to their progress and will not benefit them at all. A careful look at their life will show you how stagnant and unproductive they are. It is high time such attitude is dropped.

God’s commandment is this “Do all things without murmurings and disputing”. Philippians 2:14. When you murmur or complain, you disobey God; and He is not pleased with anyone who does so! Any labour that is done with such attitude is wasted and has no reward.

Dearly beloved, do not be carried away with so many church activities that are not beneficial to your spiritual growth, be diligent to do the work with a perfect heart. Graduate from the class of those who complain about anything they do in church, so that your labour will not be in vain. The next time your pastor or leader ask you to do something, endeavour to do it heartily, cheerfully, willingly, as unto the Lord. Are you a pastor, Sunday school teacher, children minister, chorister, usher, missionary, church member? Whoever you are and whatever you do for the Lord, do it with understanding. Do not murmur. Do not complain; for God loves a cheerful giver. He will surely reward your labour of love.

But how can you really work for the Lord your God with understanding? How can you take up responsibilities in ministry without complaining? How will you spend several hours in leaders’ meetings that affect your business time without murmuring? The answer is right there in the word of God and we will discuss this together in the second part of this message. I love you.

- segun eshorun

The Portfolio We Share

Recently, there was a political violence in between the government and its opposition. It led to the destruction of lives and properties. After many days of turbulence with which none of the parties were willing to give in to the other, the former Secretary General of The United Nations, Kofi Annan was sent to the region to make peace and bring about reconciliation. And by his visit, he was able to bring the two parties to an agreement to put an end to the fight.

In the same way, we have been chosen and sent by God to be the peacemaker between Him and mankind. We are the one to bring an end to the enmity between God and man which came as a result of the sin of Adam, by reconciling men to God. ‘All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Christ Jesus, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation’ 2 Corinthians 5:18. There has to be someone to come in-between and settle the rift, so God first of all sent Christ to reconcile us to Himself, and now sent us to go and reconcile the whole world of men to Him.

What an honour to be a peacemaker between God and man! Hear what Jesus Christ said about the peacemakers; ‘Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God’ Matthew 5:9. So when you go about preaching Christ and telling men about the love of God and His power to save, you are called a child of God, You will be identified with your father!

Now it gets more interesting to know that we are not doing it alone or by our ability. It is by the power of God at work in us; ‘To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself’ 2 Corinthians 5:19a. If God was in Christ, and now we know that Christ is in us, then it means that God is in us. So it becomes easy because He is the one that wants reconciliation. He knows how to convince men, all we have to do is to yield ourselves as a vessel.

At this point, it is expedient we know the kind of message that brings about reconciliation. Taking the Kenya case as an example, if Kofi Annan had gone there to condemn or judge those people, the story wouldn’t have been the same. He must have gone there with the message of love and forgiveness. Likewise we ministers of reconciliation have a message that God sent us to the world. One message; a message of God’s love; a message of justification and not condemnation. ‘That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES UNTO THEM, AND HAS COMMITTED UNTO US THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION’ 2 Corinthians 5:19. We are not sent to the world to condemn the world because Jesus Christ did not come to condemn the world but to save. We are carrying the Gospel, which means good news, glad tidings. It is a message that makes people rejoices when they hear it. Such messages as: the love of God (Romans 5:8); forgiveness of sin (Colossians 1:14); faith (Ephesians 2:8); gift of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 2:12); gift of eternal life (1 John 5:11-12); deliverance from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13); victory (1 John 5:4-5); divine health (3 John 2); divine protection (Psalm 91); success and prosperity (Psalm 1:3). In fact, the list is inexhaustible. Those great things God has done for us as revealed in the Epistles of the Apostles, and the glorious life he has brought to us. This is the kind of message Apostle Paul preached (Acts 13:32-48; 16:31-34). This same message was what Peter preached (Acts 10:34-48).

The same with Philip and other Apostles (Acts 8: 35-39). Our Lord Jesus, who is also our role model, preached only this message in His entire life. No one will hear such message and remain the same. It is a life-giving message.

You know what? He has made us able ministers of the new testament (2 Corinthians 3:6).

So you are able to reconcile men to God!

- segun eshorun

Both to Do and to Teach ...

Usually, disciples (followers) act in the same manner as their masters. They talk like their master and do the things they see him do. This explains why the disciples of Jesus spoke and taught with authority after His death just as their master used to do while He was with them. (Acts 4:13). In our contemporary society, one can easily know the denomination a Christian belongs to either by the way he/she dresses or the way or things he/she says. In most cases, for example, the women in a church emulate the pastor’s wife in dressing and fashion. This means that a minister’s lifestyle go a long way to affect other people’s lives. If so, it then follows that a minister of God must live the kind of life that God wants his followers to live. The only way to achieve this is to be a doer of the Word yourself.

I once heard a preacher telling his listeners to do what they hear him say and not what they see him do. This is ridiculous and does not conform to what our Lord Jesus taught us. In the book of Acts Chapter 1 Verse 1, we saw what the life of Jesus was and how that of a minister of God should be. “...of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach”. Note the Scripture above didn’t say he began both to teach and to do, rather He started by doing it, then He taught others to do the same thing. That is a minister. “...but whosoever shall DO AND TEACH them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven”. (Matthew 5:19). Apostle Paul is another example of a typical minister of God, and he is always bold to tell the churches to do the things they see him do. “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me; those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard and seeing in me, do” (I Corinthians 4:16, Phil. 4:9).

As a minister of God, you ought to do the word of God, and teach others to do the same. That is where the progress and maturity come from (I Timothy 4:15, 16). Do you preach godliness? Then live a godly life. Do you preach healing and miracles?  Do it first. Do you preach prosperity? Live a prosperous life first. Do you preach faith? First put your faith to work.

Whatever you are teaching others, make sure they are what you are doing.

- segun eshorun

On your marks … get set ... Go!

Whao! They are all fully ready for the race! The field is clear and the tracks are set! Indeed: the field is surrounded by many lovers of the game! What are they there for? To watch the race of course! Everyone is interested in knowing who comes first! Even though none of the competitors hope to come last! Yes! They’ve all under gone strict trainings….

Those that needed medical attention did not fail to seek it! The muscle is set and prepare for the game-it’s a race! Everyone on his track, waiting for the whistle to blow. Of course, they know the rules and they know what disqualifies, so they must not cross the border…! Each following his lane! Now! Everything is set: On your marks…. Get Set…. Go!..... The race has begun … the crowd is hailing, clapping and shouting .Hmm….nh… Will they be carried away with these praises of men? Will they try to look beside them to see who just mentioned their name in hails…? No they concentrate on the race! For the crowd will only be interested in whoever comes first! So all of them are being hailed but only one gets the prize! Ten are on the marks now but only one will come first! Just one gets the prize! Indeed, none of them is playing on the field; none of them is walking; they’re running with all their might! But only one, just one gets the prize! All of them have spent time in strict trainings…. But the first comer gets the prize! What a waste of strength, waste of time it is for the rest runners? The hails they received at the start of the game soon turn to shame and pity - for only one comes first!  Though tired and worn-out…. yet without prize! Though strictly trained and very ambitious…. Yet without prize of course! Not the runner but the winner..!

Yes! Even though we all run daily our Christian race… But only the winners get the prize, not the runners. People of real faith who are blessing many souls; people of hard and sacrificial labours of love; people of sleepless nights interceding for souls; people of evangelism tours into villages and rural areas. God loves them …but remember: in a race, all runner runs, but only one gets the prize…! Just one gets the crown! Very well… the father is ready to reward all our labours of love. But the crown is actually for the winner, not the runner.  Run therefore to win and not just to participate!

“So daily, I beat under my body, bringing it to subjection, that after I might have preach to others I myself may not be cast-away”. Here is the rule that guides the race of the kingdom! That we may not fail to daily work upon ourselves… that we may not concentrate on building other “houses” while ours lies in ruin…!

That the word we preach and teach may have a solid foundation in us that we may not dispel in trials of life …. Let’s therefore watch our ways and doctrines closely. Denying the flesh daily of its lustful desires… Let not keep moving up and down for the prosperity of ministries at the expense of our personal relationship with God.

Remember; our Father will reward - but not the runners, but only the winners…!

GET SET … AND GO …. FOR THE PRIZE IS YOURS!

- raphael aworinde

A Letter to God’s Ministers

Dear Minister,

Grace is yours in Jesus Christ. I write to remind you that the church of Jesus Christ was not designed to be a competition ground. The goal of your local assembly should not be to outplay the other. Your focus should never be shifted from saving unbelievers to snatching the available believers from other assemblies.  Do not let your messages be packaged to tell people how a particular personality and interpretation of doctrine is better than that of the next neighbour. For God has not called us to compete with one another but to complement each other.

You may never get to a point in your lifetime where all Christians say and believe the same things because they all have different rate of growth even as they try to measure up to the full stature of Christ. If Matthew and John who were eyewitnesses to the events in the life of Jesus, did not write about them in the same way, then what about your followers who are trying to understand what has been written. Do you expect that they say all things the same way?

Differences may always exist between us, but we should focus more on our origin – God, our mission – evangelism, our destination - heaven, and join hands together to fight the enemy - devil. “When we focus on personalities, preferences, interpretations, styles or methods, division always happen. But if we concentrate on loving each other and fulfilling God’s purposes, harmony results” (Rick Warren).

Our differences do not necessarily need to result in negativity. Just as different notes on a piano keyboard are necessary to compose a good music; our differences will result in a beautiful success if we have the right focus. Let us be more passionate about the ultimate goal rather than our individual roles.  Let’s work together to win many more souls into God’s kingdom.

Some of us are saying we belong to Paul, others are saying we are protestant, but God is saying - you are a Christian, with a global mission that is bigger than the project and constitution of your local assembly.

You know so well that the boundary of God’s family, which is the body of Christ, is beyond your local assembly. Therefore, everyone that has been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ should be treated as your brother/sister. See them as partners in ministry and not opponents. Share bible knowledge with them. Rejoice with those accomplishing great feats for the Master, rather than maligning them in envy. Pray with them and for them. Let’s turn off the local mentality … and appreciate the global reality.

Best Regards,

tope aladenusi

Jesus on our streets

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with [you].  1 Corinthians 9:20-23

Jesus is not coming to walk the face of the earth again. But praise God, He is still here - in you. People need not look for Him anymore for He is evidently displayed in you.

Is he?

The brevity of the question bellies the utmost importance it connotes. Is Christ seen in your everyday life? Is he heard in your private conversations/is he perceived in your presence? Is he felt in your touch? Is he tasted in your attitude? Is Christ the reason for your living? Are you ready to say "not the I but the You in me"? Are folks readily introduced to the overwhelming grace of God? Are you forward to let known the reason of the hope in you?

You may likely be anxious about how your message will be received. But let these words of the apostle Paul be to you an encouragement.

 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:23-24

- gideon gbeja

Not my Will!

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sit sown at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. II Timothy 2:4

Truth is if you have nothing worth dying for, you really have nothing worth living for.

The life of a soldier is such a one that perfectly exemplifies that; it requires total commitment till the point of death. Indeed, if you desire a thing so desperately, your passion must exceed the price you may need to pay to acquire it. Now wonder the death and resurrection of Christ is so aptly described as ‘the passion of Christ’.

Furthermore, a man enlisted indicates he has bought into the vision and substance of his master. He is no longer his own. He has been bought.

Let these words of Jesus – “nevertheless not my will but thine will be done” (Luke 22:42) be our stay and comfort as we deploy ourselves to the master’s work.

- gideon gbeja

Middlemen

And all things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. II Cor. 15:18

It is humbling to observe the fundamental importance of our placement in God’s scheme. Imagine the absence of the wholesaler and retailer in a chain of supply. It would spell frustration, both for the producer and the consumer and could eventually lead to the death of such a business.

Such a basic idea, yet so profound – God depends on us to be the herald of his product – salvation for the world. He reconciled us to himself and then made us agents of that same reconciliation. You may wish to ask where your area of coverage is. Well, look no further than your sphere of contact, your workplace, neighborhood, etc.

Everywhere and anywhere you are, display your wares – God’s love so unique, His redemption so total, His grace so free, His salvation so full.

Remember you are God’s middleman.

- gideon gbeja

A willing mind

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 2 Cor. 9:12

In the eighth and ninth chapters of 2 Corinthians, Paul teaches about giving as it should be done in the New Testament. Verse 12 of Chpater 9 is particularly insightful.

When we give, the first requirement is a willing mind. It is meaningless to give anything when the motivation is not love.

Equally important is the fact that our giving is accepted according to that which we have. Too many times we make statements like, "I wish I had a million Dollars. I would give it all to support the ministry." Or others like, "If I had my life to live all over again, I would spend more time serving God."

Well, you probably do not have a million Dollars anywhere, and you definitely do not have your life to live all over again. What you have right now is what you are expected to give. What you can do right now is what you are expected to do.

Don't wait until you have billions before you give. Don't wait until you are behind a pulpit before you preach. Don't wait until you have resigned from your job before you start labouring in the ministry.

"If a man have first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that which a man hath..."  

- jide lawal

The right propeller

“Whatever we do, it is because the love of Christ controls us” II Corinthians 5:14

In ministry, we are faced constantly by challenges and choices. It is easy to do the right things for the wrong motives if we do not constantly check our motivation. Many people are involved in God’s work because of so many things; a longing for the praise of men, self glory and ego, amassing wealth, societal recognition, freedom from a guilty conscience etc. Most believers are not concerned about their motives because they have taken sides with the world which says ‘the end justifies the means’.

With respect to God, whatsoever we do, His desire is that we do it for the right reason – because of His love.

“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love”. I Corinthians 13:3 (MSG)

In our service to humanity and devotion to God, he expects us to do so because of his love. So let’s check our hearts and let’s do things because His love propels us to do so.

-busola oshinubi

For the sake of the poor ...

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, THAT HE MAY HAVE TO GIVE TO HIM THAT NEEDETH. - Ephesians 4:28

I have shewed you all things, how THAT SO LABOURING YE OUGHT TO SUPPORT THE WEAK, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. - Acts 20:35

What an interesting injunction! This is certainly a revolutionary reason for recommending hard work.

Paul says, "I want you to work, so that you may have funds with which to support the poor." Many times we have heard believers talk about how they don't really want to be rich, they just want to be comfortable.

Well, no where are we told to be rich, or comfortable either. Instead, we are told to work hard and earn money so that we may be able to give to those who need it. You may have various financial goals and targets in life. Today I would like to ask you to add the support of the poor and needy around you to the list.

Work hard. For the sake of the poor.

-jide lawal

Service

Indeed, the Christian walk is all about service, a life long commitment to the cause of Jesus. Scriptures reveal a resultant effect of the ultimate price paid by Jesus

“He died for all that they that live should not henceforth, live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again”2 Cor 5:15

The singular purpose of Christ’s presence on earth was to bring unto himself, a people with an electrifying zeal for divine initiatives. In other words, God’s utmost desire was to populate the earth with men who are totally sold out to selfless service. You might be wont to say “hey he didn’t have to die to get me committed”. Well, his death was not supposed to whip out some emotional sentiments in you to serve him but rather impact upon you His very life, nature and divine abilities. The Christian has been qualified to offer up to God quality service. Not as of His natural endowments but rather as enabled by God.

No doubt there are benefits for doing your part in service. But the Lord spoke of a satisfaction which is derived in just doing service-“my meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work” John 4:34.

Let your service unto him be your desire all day long.

Lots of love.

-gideon gbeja

The investment with steady returns

"Before you invest, investigate". This has been the major rule of most investors. The human mind was originally & naturally configured by God to be a success, so it is not surprising to see much investigation before an investment is made. People want to know how lucrative a business is before they venture into it. Companies & organizations are critically analyzed before their shares are bought. No one wants to invest in a company that will soon experience a decline in profit margin or asset base, not to talk of liquidation.

Not too long ago, a popular bank folded up. I also know of a company whose profit dropped drastically because a doctor claimed that their product was harmful to human health. Such things cause some investors to weep. One major characteristic of almost all investments is Uncertainty – no one knows what could come up tomorrow. Some people in an attempt to solve this problem have concluded that the only investment you can have a high degree of certainty about is when you invest in your children. Their belief is that, in future, they get to pay back in many ways. This is true, but in some cases, the children becomes prodigal and in some other cases, the parents die even before their children are equipped enough to yield returns.

Amidst all these, there is only one investment in which you can be 100% sure that you will have a steady return. Jesus revealed it in Matt 6:19-20 … "Don’t store up treasure here on earth, where they can be eaten by moth and get rusty, and where thieves can break in and steal. Store up treasure in heaven where they will never be moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves".

This doesn’t mean you should not trade or have earthly investments. Rather, it means that you should not see earthly investments as the best and most valuable. Don’t confide in them for futurity and security because they are liable to loss, rust & corruption. Moreover, they yield returns infinitely lower than kingdom investment.

Kingdom investment has unparallel advantages: it is the only way to make perishable goods/money eternal, because it yields steady returns in this life and in the life to come. It cannot experience liquidation or distress because God manages it. It has no iota of uncertainty because you can be dead sure that God cannot play games with you. It is a treasure that brings steady pleasure without any pressure. The good news is that you can participate in kingdom investment wherever you are and at any time you want. Contribute your time, money & life to God’s work. Support the church and missionaries. Give to other believers. Help the poor always. Whenever you receive your pay cheque or pay envelope, before you venture into earthly investments, go for the bigger one ---KINGDOM INVESTMENT!

- tope aladenusi

You Speak!

“And let us consider one another for provoking to love and good works;

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom is with some; but encouraging one another, and by so much the more as ye see the day drawing near”. – Hebrews 10:14-15

One of the greatest oddities of Christianity in our times is that most believers only hear the Word preached in a church service. For the vast majority, a sermon from their clergyman on Sundays just about does it.

That deviates considerably from the original plan. Thank God for pastors and other preachers in church services, but the intention of God is that all of us would admonish one another. What a world it would be if everyone of us would make the most of every opportunity to preach the Word!  

We don't need too much of eloquence. We don't need too much oratory, too. We don't need people with a lot of education. No! Every believer exhorting those around him and pointing them again and again to God and His Word...

You are ABLE to admonish others. Go ahead and do it!

- jide lawal

Give a helping hand

The story of the Good Samaritan will ever be a source of inspiration to me. It was spoken by the Master and the Lord, the king of glory. It was a story in response to a very pertinent question at the heart of man’s existence. The discreet lawyer enquired “And who is my neighbour? [Luke 10:29]”

To begin with it was a ‘certain man’, Luke 10:30, pointing to the fact that it could be anybody. He was on a journey and was waylaid by thieves; he was robbed, injured, beaten and left half dead; then the moment of truth and the unfolding of the true character of man. This true character is what the Lord wanted to expose by the parable.

Then the Lord begins in his wonderful teaching style to list the groups of people who found this dying man by the road side. The Priest and the Levite who were the so to say religious men whom people will call ‘Rabbi’. The Levite – those involved in the writing of the commandment, those who appeared to know the law inside out. It is ironical that they who seemed to know the commandment most are those who did not keep it. ‘They both passed on by the other side’, Luke 10:31, 32.

So many things could have run through their minds. “He is not my relation”, “This must have been a reward for his sins”, “Those who robbed him might still be lurking around, they might pounce on me too”, “What if he dies in my hands?”, “I can recognize him, he has offended me in the past and this is the time to repay him in his own coin”. Whatever their excuse, it was not a justification for abandoning the man on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho.

Surprisingly it was the so called sinner that showed love. He cared and was genuinely interested in the plight of the injured, battered, wounded and half dead. The word says “He had compassion on him, he bound up his wounds, and he poured oil and wine. . . . He also told the owner of the inn ‘Take care of him, whatsoever thou spendest more I will repay’”, Luke 10:34-35. Oh how great and wonderful when there is true love, the world would have been a better place.

How many times have we met the half dead man between Jericho and Jerusalem but passed on the other side. How many times have we met those with injured emotions, injured feelings, broken dreams, and weird experiences, tortured souls, weighed down spirits? Those whom have been through the rough side of life, those who feel life has been very unfair to them, those in despair, those rattled with conflict within and without. Those who have known war all their lives, those whom have known poverty all their lives, those who have known hostility all their lives, those who lived in the slums all through their lives, those who lived in the Ghettos all through their lives.

Oh, how often are we not willing to identify with the brokenhearted, the poor, the needy, and the afflicted? We are more concerned about what we can make out of life. We are not willing to give a helping hand or a lending hand. Therefore the ‘Certain’ man who was wounded between Jericho and Jerusalem dies for lack of help. He is lost because man has passed to the other side for whatever reason.

My neighbour is anyone that needs help and I can help if even that help means a sacrifice

- lekan adekoya