The Power of a Woman

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well – Psalm 139:14

The Book of the Beginning acknowledged with documentation the fact that a woman is the mother of all living. There wouldn’t have been other men aside from Adam, without women. God could afford to keep creating Adam in multiples, but He chose to hand over that responsibility to women (and men). So, women are significant in the Kingdom of Christ and mean much to the Creator. No wonder God embellished women with all kinds of unique features so that His purposes might be fulfilled and sustained.

So, from the foundation of the world, God has endowed women with power. Even when the enemy came with his subtle deception and distraction, Jesus was given to bring us back to the lost glory.

The Challenges of Women

Research has consistently shown that women are more prone to mental health issues than men. That makes sense as they got so much on their shoulders. They must carry their baby in the womb for several months, become an organic food factory for their babies, manage their home with diligence, and think about their husband, children, career, work, health, family, etc., in all ramifications. The Bible says of them that “strength and honor are her(their) clothing”.

How can one person do all these without really breaking down? That is where the Power of God in women comes to play.  “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”.- Isaiah 40:31. To survive our world in good shape, we need the power of God working in us and through us. Women need:

–           the power that overcomes the world and circumstances,
–           the power that makes us stand tall in any situation and keeps our heads above the water.
–           the power that keeps us healthy physically, spiritually, and mentally in our family life.
–           the power that keeps us and our loved ones going through thick and thin
–           the power that keeps us fighting until the battle is won.

That power of God is, however, available for the people of God. How? A pastor was preaching recently and said “Most of us want the right and the freedom to accept or reject God… Do you believe or think that God should have the right to accept or reject you?” If we feel we can do whatever we want without any consideration for God and ‘God rejects us, does that make God cruel?’ That is why the power of God is meant for the Children of God, those who have yielded to the call of God to salvation.

Connecting to God is not a complicated process. First, God is waiting for us to come home. His hands are wide open waiting for us to jump into it. We all make mistakes and at one point or the other, we have probably gone astray. Instead of finding excuses for our struggles or justifying our crooked ways, we can humble ourselves before God by repenting of those sins. God is a Father; He will pardon every confessed sin. Once God has forgiven us, we must forgive ourselves as well. God said in the Old Testament and reemphasized in the New Testament that He will not remember our sins again once we confess and forsake them. “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” – Hebrew 10:17[Isaiah 43:25].

The power of God is available to all who come to God and seek Him sincerely with their heart, for “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17.

•          Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. As many as received Christ and believed in Him, to them Jesus gave the power to become children of God – (John 1:12).

In our present world resides over 4 billion women, many of whom have done great things. However, the Bible said of some women: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all” – Proverbs 31:29. What group of women was this verse referring to? They are the virtuous women, the God-fearing women.

The King’s Mother’s Advice

King Lemuel’s mother had warned her son in the early verse of Proverbs 31, not to give his strength to women. For emphasis, she plunged deep into the historical revelation behind his life before giving him that advice: “Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.” –  Proverbs 31:2,3 (NIV). In the later part of the chapter, Lemuel’s mother devoted 22 verses to describing the characteristics of a virtuous woman. Proverbs 31:10-31.

God-conscious women are unique women of faith, wisdom, dignity, principle, and purpose, full of grace and glory. No wonder the book of Proverbs says: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD shall be praised” – Proverbs 31:30.

The Attributes of a Godly Woman

A godly woman derives strength from the Lord. She is an emblem of love and a bag of grace. Her resilience is outstanding, and within her is a well of knowledge. She understands the object of her quest in this world and consistently leaves a footprint of kindness, hospitality, and godliness on her paths.

She opens her mouth with wisdom and picks her words with grace. She is strong, positively fierce, godly, dedicated, intelligent, beautiful, gracious, and full of compassion and radiance. She is a warrior, a keeper, and a manager. “She looks well to the way of her household” and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Maybe we are not that perfect, acknowledging our weaknesses and knowing what we need is a step closer to improving on them.

Systemic Woman in God

Where is the woman in the template of God’s Systemic Plan?

  • – Woman as God’s Creation; she is “beautifully and fearfully made”.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! Psalm 139:14

  • – Woman as God’s Girl; she is a royal priesthood, peculiar, teachable, displaying the praises of God.

            “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1Peter 2:9.

  • –           Woman as God’s Daughter; a dignified daughter of Zion, not ashamed to be called a child of God. A songwriter wrote:

I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian
I’m not ashamed His name to bear
I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian
I’ll take Him with me anywhere
I’ll tell the world how Jesus saved me
And how He gave me a life brand new
And I know that if you trust Him
That all He gave me He’ll give to you
I’ll tell the world that He’s my Savior
No other one could love me so
My life my all is His forever
And where He leads me I will go

  • – Woman as God’s Servant; is the mouthpiece of the Almighty God, she gets the light in Christ and shines it on the world around her.

            Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward Him. John 4:28-30

  • – Woman as God’s Icon of beauty; she is clothed with humility, decked with ornaments of a quiet spirit, reflects God’s glory in godliness in her world.

             Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: – 1Peter 3:3-5(KJV)

  • – Woman as God’s warrior; she is a kneeling Christian, a great intercessor, a prayer warrior who changes her world in her closet and influences the kingdom of God quietly but significantly

            Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so, will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish – Esther 4:16

  • – Woman as God’s Vessel of Procreation, Fulfilment, and Sustenance; she is the mother of the living, a reflection of the love, tenderness, intuition, and courage, a mother indeed who trains her children in the way of the Lord.

“So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” – Genesis 1:27,28

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table – Psalm 128:3

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (NKJV)- Psalm 127:3

Let’s Beware

The system of the world is fighting so hard to permanently snatch the roles of motherhood from mothers by taking over the minds of their children. The world wants to be an authority in the life of the youth and children of this generation. They know that whosoever controls the mind of the children, controls the future generation. This is not the purpose of God and mothers can not afford to fail.

Mothers are mothers for a reason! That responsibility must not be allowed to slip away. We must not allow the world we are meant to shape for good to steal from us the power and authority God has instilled in us.

We must rise to that divinely assigned responsibility and take our place as wise builders and blessed Mothers.

The power to do this successfully is available in Christ. Our Identity in Christ is our power: The Power of knowing who we are and who we are in Christ. The power of a godly woman is derived from the power of God through Christ and His words. And according to the words of God, the eternal God will be our refuge, and underneath us shall be an everlasting arm. [Deuteronomy 33:27].

Love, Death, Destiny, & the Crown

“GOD save the king” was the chorus of the coronation day as King Charles III was crowned the king of England. Although the powerful and eventful day was filled with mixed feelings and reactions, the fact remains that a king and a queen were crowned.

Learning from the past histories is one of the best ways to prepare for the future. Few things to ruminate upon.

Love History

An heir to the throne had fallen in love with an unacceptable lady. As responsibility is important in the royal family, things were rerouted strategically to prevent the relationship and save the future crown.

Then came a new damsel of a good countenance and notable features. Whether it was an emotional, sentimental, or arranged relationship, a marriage was established, and the royal family seemed happy to have secured the future of the crown. But that union bred pain, frustration, sorrow, death, and bitterness that are still in discussion to these days.
It was a house built on a weak foundation, struggling with the windy and stormy test of time.

Genuine love is a major building block of any relationship. Love must come from the heart and must be from both sides.

Love can be so powerful. Manipulating affection, relationships, marriages, and destiny is often dangerous. Yes, maybe a handful of such marriages have worked or are still working without love, but the fact that a dead clock will be right twice in 24 hours does not make it a standard clock.

It is essential to treat a loving relationship between two people with carefulness. Sometimes, worries and anxieties take hold of parents, but we can always trust God with the future of anybody or anything, including our children to rid unforseen complications.

Today, either in a right or crooked way, the head that was once rejected, now wears the crown. Could that be destiny? It seems that there are many things we will never comprehend in this world. It is also clear that there is no sin that God cannot pardon if the accused is sincerely repentant. People might continue to live in bitterness and enlist in revenge races, but that might not matter in the long run.

Concerned Parents

Should the Queen have allowed Prince Charles to go ahead with his relationship with his first choice? Most parents desire good marriages for their children and often do whatever it takes to ensure the best choice for them. The question is:
To what extent should parents dictate or influence their children in choosing a spouse for marriage? Should they influence it at all?

As parents, you have dedicated your lives to bringing up your children in a decent, responsible, and godly way. You have let go of many things to give them the best you can offer. Continuing on that path is very important to make the effort worthwhile. You want your children to be happy in their marriage because their happiness and fulfillment in life will also bring you peace of mind and happiness. You also do not want to be an in-law to your core enemy.

Marriage could make or mar, marriage could kill potential or enhance success. Marriage could cut life short or could extend it in good health. That is why many parents would dare anything to ensure a better home for their children.

But then, we do not know what the future holds for anyone or what tomorrow may bring. Only God knows tomorrow. Curiosity and skepticism are great traits to utilize before handing your child over to a stranger, but prayer is an unfailing weapon in helping your children with their choice of partner. This would be easier when those children have been brought up in the fear of the Lord! The Bible says to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. After giving our children the best gift of the gospel, our follow-up prayers will not fail in their life. This is the best we can do for them, rather than insisting on our perspective over theirs.

Check the Red Flag

No doubt Diana was such a beautiful lady with great character, full of life, kindness, and hospitality. It was not difficult for her to gain the attentions of the world with her heart-warming and charming life. But marriage is not solely about beauty or handsomeness. Appearance, beauty, affluence, power, and authority do not determine a happy home. One thing is to be in love with someone, another thing is that the person loves you without any reservation.

From the pictures, videos, articles, accounts, and documentaries available everywhere, it is obvious that the heart of Charles has always been with Camilla rather than Dianna or any other ladies.

However, should any relationship be worth the blood of anyone? Should we be so desperate about our passion at the expense of the life and home of another person? The Bible says this world will pass away with its lust and we shall be remembered for what we have done. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36,37.

Truly, God is a compassionate God who is not willing that ANY should perish. He will forgive the ‘vilest offender who truly believes’. However, we can not continue in sins and expect grace to abide. We must be wise.

Know When to Let Go

Sometimes, it is necessary to close our eyes and let go of those things we are holding on to so badly. A man of God once prophesied in his message, “sometime God take away the good thing you are holding on to, to give you His best”.

Many time we deprive ourselves of the best God would have given to us by insisting on the toys on our hands. Pastor WF Kumuyi prophetically explained in one of his sermons on blissfulness of marriage that “the stop of the righteous could also be ordered by the Lord”. Sometimes, the stop is not always the bad thing.

We must understand that success and fuflfiment in life is beyond what is being displayed outwardly or the appraisal of some men, the package also comes with peace of mind, good name, true freedom, and strength of characters.

The Perfect Matchmaker

For the unmarried, there is no better Matchmaker than God. He is an omniscience God. He made you and knows the best man or woman for you. Remember, ‘Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain…’. If we allow God, He will guide every step, and when He leads you in the choice of a partner, He will be right there standing with you.

So, before you say yes to anyone, ensure the yes is worth it. Check with God. Don’t be in a haste for the matter of life and destiny. We must let God take the lead in every aspect of our life for He never fails.

Sincerely, What is the Essence of Life?

Why am I here?

What is the purpose of life? Why do we exist? Are we fulfilling the purpose of our creation? Are we mindful of our existence?

The Source
Regardless of who we are here on earth, we can screw up with life and stumble at the essence of life. We all need the Giver of Life, the Brain behind our existence to get our purpose in life straight. Life will be more meaningful and fulfilling with GOD in our boat. Please, stay a bit with me on this topic.

The Purpose
According to the revelations in His Word, God created us in His Image (not in terms of physical, as God is Spirit), so we can love Him, worship Him in the beauty of His holiness, and serve Him.

The Fellowship
From the beginning of life, God has loved fellowshipping with His own. He would come down in the cool of the day to have fellowship with Adam. Peace, joy, hope, fulfillment, health, and blessings of all kinds are to characterize our abiding life in Christ. But when sin interfered, our relationship and fellowship with God were marred.

The Religion
This is not about religion. Religion cannot replace true worship nor is it a sign of true worship. That is why as people and religion increase and all kinds of pastors and churches multiply, evil and corruption continue to grow. Why? It only true relationship with Christ that significantly changes life.

The Ease
A natural man is more comfortable with motivational, positive-affirmation, emotional preaching than the life-transforming words that will drag us to our knees as we confront our sins and deliberate ignorance. We continue in sins of bitterness, lack of forgiveness, indirect retaliation, hidden hatred, favoritism, disobedience, pollution, stubbornness, strife, carnality, systemic partiality, and arrogance, and expect grace to increase. We trample on the Nature of Christ and make for ourselves different versions of convenient Jesus.

The Convenience
Jesus gave us the secret to a fulfilling life: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” Matthew 6:33. To find the reason for our existence, we must find the kingdom of Christ first. This discovery opens the portal for the subsequent blessings if we get it right.

The Busyness
Something will continue to keep us busy until our last breath. The poor will continue to try and get better, and the rich will continue the race of getting richer and adjusting to the ever-changing standards of life will continue. Science will continue with its discovery, and geniuses, and presidents will continue to come and go with no permanent solution to the problems of the world. The unending rat race will continue until the last of the last. So, what is worth living for?

The Way
The way of the Kingdom of Christ is simple. It is the way of peace, simplicity, grace, love, prosperity, health, hope, insurance, and blessings. It does not rule out challenges and pains at some points in life too. However, we grow through pain and mature through the challenges of life. Daniel may still be framed and end up in the Lions’ den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego might still be thrown into the fire. Esther and her people might still be in danger of extermination. The children of Israel might still be stranded in Egypt. The red sea might still be standing between the people of God and their deliverance. The valley of the dead bones might still be holding back the potential army of the Lord. Some children of God might still need to go through the valley of the shadow of death. Paul and Silas might still be beaten and imprisoned. John the Beloved might still be condemned to the island of Patmos. The little Jesuses might still face crucifixion. Nevertheless, “many are the afflictions of the righteous: But the LORD delivers him out of them all” – Psalm 34:19.

The Conclusion
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

– Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

The Exaltation

Dear friends, when we intentionally allow God to work in us, the purpose for our existence will be easy to identify and realize. Then, we will renew our strength in the Lord regularly; soar on wings like eagles; run and not grow weary; walk and not faint – Isaiah 40:31. Even when we seem tired and fainting, the Eternal God shall be our refuge and underneath us shall be the His everlasting arms – Deuteronomy 33:27.

3-YEAR POST COVID 19 PANDEMICS

On the 11th of March 2020, Covid 19 pandemic was declared by WHO. It looked like the whole world was crashing. The virus spread like wildfire. Many lives were lost, jobs lost, global economy broke down. The health industry was bombarded everywhere, and countries of the world and their leadership were thrown into confusion. It was a perilous time in the history of the world.

Nation after nation started shutting their airports and movements were restricted globally. I remember rushing back to my home to beat the airport shutdown and recounting my experiences in an article: https://livingwordsoflife.com/2020/04/18/my-airport-experience-amid-covid-19-pandemic/.

A new world gradually emerged, bringing along all kinds of trial-and-error approaches to human predicaments. The internet became rife with all kinds of theories, speculations, opinions, and fake/real news. It was so surprising to see how gullible we could be in our way of processing information.

As the only hope left with men was God, various facts about God also surfaced. While some people believed the end of the world has come, some believed the vaccine was the mark of the beast or its forerunner. Divided opinions and confusion ravaged the world. We all saw how fragile and small our world is; a pointer to the fact that when God decides to visit the iniquity of His people, there would be no place of escape.

As a Christian and a medical professional, it was impressed upon my heart to share some views on the Covid-19 vaccine, on the mark of the beast, and where God stands in all these according to the revelations of His Word:

  1. https://livingwordsoflife.com/2021/03/12/the-burden-of-covid-19-and-its-vaccine/
  2. https://livingwordsoflife.com/2021/03/20/is-covid-19-vaccine-the-mark-of-the-beast/

While Covid continued to rage, the health industry became overwhelmed. Getting help from other places became a challenge as every place must deal with their own headache. It was like the period of the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12).

Since respiratory tract infection is an area of my professional interest, I considered it unfair to shy away from the battlefield of the Covid-19 pandemic at this time. All the world leaders, health workers, and scientists all over stood up at their own risk to face the giant. They put their life in their hands to rescue our world from the devastating plague. The believers in Christ spent hours praying for mercy and forgiveness.

Many soldiers were quietly wounded and barely complain. From my little corner, I also had my share of the virus and became really sick. The love and care shown by my family, friends, and professional colleagues (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, our family clinic, family doctor, workplace, etc.) were massive and deeply appreciated. They all made coming out of it alive easy. Love and compassion, watching after one another, became more powerful than grumbling.

I remember speaking with a pastor’s wife, whom I love and respect so much, LaDonna. During the conversation, she got to know that I was in isolation. She right away found her husband to let him know that I got Covid. Before I could catch some breath, a call came in, and behold it was Pastor Mel right there: “Margaret, what is happening?”, he exclaimed. He took his time talking to me and really prayed for me. Coincidentally, Global Crusade with Pastor W. F. Kumuyi was also ongoing and transmitted all over the world, to which I connected. So, I knew that I would survive it.

This is just one story of the thousands of others out there, but to the glory of our dear merciful Father who does not keep His anger forever, our world survived the virus.

It’s been three years now and our world is still standing. Things will happen, and unsolicited circumstances will appear at one point or the other in our lives or in the world around us, but we must know that they too shall pass.

Fear, panic attack, and anxiety kill faster than sickness; thus, the reason God told us to put our faith and our trust in Him – for those who know their God shall be strong. God gave His promise: “When thou pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” ~ Isaiah 43:2.

Although we were given the knowledge to make our world better, it doesn’t rule out the fact that there is a power behind every creation, and that power that gives can also take away anytime. However, God is not willing that any should perish but that we all come to repentance and make peace with Him. That was the reason He sent Jesus His only begotten Son to pay for our sins by sacrificing Himself. And Jesus said: ANYONE who comes to Him will not be turned back – John 6:37.

Our world is beyond what we see or feel. It has its deep root in the Creator of heaven and earth, whose many have put off for so long. We all need a right way to get to our destination. That Way is Jesus Christ. He is alive. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – John 14:6. He is the way to our salvation, deliverance, peace of mind, destiny, and eternity. It is not a religion. It is a fact.

OUTREACHES: The Hem of His Garment

The Eyes and Heart of Faith

Many of us started attending church from an early age. Have we started practicing what we have been learning from our pastors? If not, why not? We have taken so much from God and We need to give back to Heaven too – our life, talent, and time. Going to church is one thing, being the doers of the words is another thing.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

– James 1:22-25.

There is something amazing about Christ and His way, it is the fellowship of love and truth. The love of God brings hearts together in the name of the Lord and encourage true fellowship. Sharing that love from person to person, house to house, village to town to the city is what some of us are trying to do.

Ladies Interactive Talks

We are a group of women from different denominations who delight in sharing our faith with others. When you value what you have, you are not ashamed to make it known.

Ermineskin Meeting

Last week we headed to the beautiful Town of Lacombe. Although the day started with snow, as we hit the road, our path became clearer. A family had opened their home to us for fellowshipping and sharing Christ with the invited friends and neighbors.

As the February edition was on ‘Touching the Hem of His Garment,” we read from the Book of Luke 8:41-56. Before this period, we had shared who God is to us and reviewed our encounters with Him.

We talked about the unique faith of that woman with the issue of blood. She knew what she wanted in the midst of the crowd. She would not allow the multitude to stand between her and Jesus who holds her miracle. How has the Word of God been influencing us? Things happen each time we go to the presence of God. The words of God are meant to reform us, shaping us into the image of Christ. Someone said: “if you are not riding the wave of change, you’ll find yourself beneath it”.

Interactive Discussion Time

When that woman touched the garment of Jesus, she drew power and virtue from Him in a special way that Jesus had to stop and ask who touched Him. The question is: How have we been touching Jesus?

Always a friendship loving caring fellowship

Noise and multitude are not barriers to Jesus hearing our cry. It is a matter of heart and faith. The blind man during the earthly ministry of Jesus cried out to Him for mercy but people around Him asked him to keep quiet. They were probably thinking that Jesus was too high for a low man like him. The more people tried shutting him up, the more “he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me” – Luke 18:38.

Lacombe; kitchen Corner

Previous Meetings:

Outdoor Meeting – Edmonton
Garden time

We can begin to touch the hem of Christ’s garment today for various things. He is faithful and caring Saviour. Join us in our outreaches to strengthen your faith. Invite people struggling with faith in Christ, and let’s interactively fellowship together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer of dedication for the youths

Do you want one in your home, neighborhood, or community? Please, contact us: Ambassadors of Faith Foundation; https://theaffglobal.org/contact/

Contact us for more details on the outreaches. We are willing to bring Jesus to any home, any city any town.

Thank you, may God bless! Don’t forget to touch Jesus daily!

Worship time
Interaction and feeding
On the move

The Highway Angel Encounter

I think I have interacted with an Angel. Whether it was a human angel or a heavenly one, I am not that sure, but there was something unique about that encounter.

It was during a late-night drive on a highway. I was on a time- and life-sensitive assignment. Submerged in the inspirational music coming out of the car player, I was flowing in the joy of the Lord, not worried about the thick darkness around me on a lonely two-way highway that cuts through farmland and moderate forest. I was just one of the few cars on the road at that hour of the night. That night was so dark that you could barely see anything except the car headlight guiding the driving. Suddenly, I heard a loud confusing sound which took me a while to decipher its source. This consistent sound was now coupled with the shaking of the car. It was then I realized that the sound was from my car. I had no choice but to look for a safe place to park on that dark and deserted highway.

I came down from the car and discovered that I just had a flat tire. How could this have happened? My husband just replaced all the four tires on it with a set of brand new. For some minutes, I had no idea what to do. Then I remembered the spare tire and that people change tires: this I had never done before. Secondly, I had no idea how to get the extra tire out of the car because of the way it was stylishly hooked up to the car, and that was one of the things I loved about the car then. Thirdly, I have been driving the car for years, and I never had reason to look for where the flat tire accessories were kept in the car. So, I was unsure where to look for the accessories.

I was simply stuck that night, all alone by myself. On both sides of the road were trees and bushes. The nearest residential area to that location was several kilometers away. Then I thought of seeking help, but who would stop in that area at that time of the night? Well, I had no choice but to step aside from the car and wave down all the passing cars.  Of course, no one was stopping. I could understand their reason not to. The car broke down in a very suspicious place where there was no light or building – a sketchy little forest area. To perfect the miracle, my dark skin blended well with the night and the color of the car wasn’t that helpful either. Before anybody could see me or notice the car, they would have driven some meters away.

After I had tried several times with no help in sight, I decided to risk the car’s rim; thank God it got an alloy rim. So, I went back in the car and started driving so slowly beside the road. I knew there was a little town some kilometers away. As I crawled on the rim, I suddenly noticed a vehicle driving at my back slowing, for a second, I was glad thinking it was a police car. What I didn’t realize was that it got no police flashing light. I parked and stayed inside the car as expected. Then, I noticed a huge guy come down from the vehicle and started walking toward me. He came to the car window and asked me if I needed help. That was when I noticed he wasn’t a cop. I had no concern or fear about this total stranger approaching me and asking if I needed help but I was just at peace with him. I said yes, I needed help. I told him I had a flat tire and had no idea how to change it. He said to me, I can help you. So, I stepped out of the car and he started checking the car.

Do you have the key to the car tire? said the man. I went blank for some seconds wondering about the “key to the tire”. Then I remembered my husband giving me a bunch of bolts in a pack as he told me those were the keys to the tires. I didn’t take him that seriously then but put the bag where he asked me to put them. The memory came back to me immediately and I got the keys out for the man. This stranger opened the car boot and got all the accessories out. He looked at them and said to me, I got better tools in my truck, I will be right back. I watched him go to his vehicle which looked like a 4×4 red/orange truck, the visibility was greatly low. He came back with a massive piece of equipment that I had never seen before.

Right away he got into changing the tire while I stood by the road using my phone light to flash off the vehicles on the move. The man who was not talking much seemed worried about the spare tire when he saw it. It has been laid in the car for years and has not been used before. All the same, he finished up with the change that seemed super easy for him. The car got raised like a feather and he could maneuver around it easily. He then asked me to get in the car and start driving. He said to me to drive slowly because of the uncertainty around the spare tire. I thanked him so much and asked if I could get his number. I just wanted my husband to reach out to him when he returns from his trip, but the man said I should not worry about it. So, I got into the car and started driving so slowly, focusing on where I was going. I drove several kilometers, passed through a town, and drove some kilometers from there into another junction where I turned to another city, then for the first time, I noticed a vehicle driving behind me slowly and maintaining the same speed that I was on. I was expecting the vehicle to overtake me and go its way but no. Because it was so dark, I couldn’t see the vehicle very well. The vehicle kept driving behind me until I turned into my destination entrance, then it zoomed off. That was when I noticed the same truck that stopped to help me change my tire and get back on the road. That stranger did not only help me change the tire but ensured my safe arrival at my destination.

While I was stuck on the road, there was no network to pass the message across to people waiting for me. I thought of calling a family friend, but then I realized they would be in bed by that time; besides, I was far away from home. Not even AMA would come to get me in that place, and at that time. But then, this highway Angel showed up from nowhere, not only to help but to ensure my safety. Every time I remember this encounter, tears rush into my eyes. Could this man have been a God-sent Angel or a Human Angel? So many thoughts in my head to justify that it was a human Angel, but things were not just adding up.

How did he get to my back unnoticed? Because it was dark and quiet, every passing vehicle was obvious from afar as I was conscious of safety. I had driven past the location I was waving all cars down. It was on the highway and the speed limit was 100km/hour so, he wouldn’t have just stopped abruptly and started following me slowly. Had he seen me before and decided to turn back and help me? Then he would have turned back to continue his trip. Even when he drove after me for several kilometers and eventually saw me reach a safe place, he zoomed on straight into the direction of another town entirely instead of turning back. He quietly followed me afar off maintaining my 40/50km/hr on a 100km/hr road. He was not talking much but giving direct instructions and won’t share his contact.

One thing I am certain of is that God cares for His own and is ever faithful to His promises. I also know that: “the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; Psalm 33:18

There is an established covenant between God and those who have accepted Him as their personal Lord and Savior. And since God is a covenant-keeping God, such people got nothing to worry about. The words of the Lord say:

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

– Deuteronomy 31:8

The Psalmist said in Psalm 23:1: “…Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…”

– Psalm 23:1

What does the Bible say about the possibility of encountering Angels?

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

– Hebrews 13:2

Those who have God got nothing to worry about. We just need to trust Him and His wisdom. The awesome part is that even when our faith gets smaller than that of a mustard seed, God helps our unbelief in His mercy.

Having a relationship with God is no evil thing, but the best thing that could ever happen to a man. God is not evil but good. We can always trust Him with every aspect of our life.

A songwriter wrote:

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh, for grace to trust Him more

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

– Psalms 34:8

The Journey of Love

Love is a mysterious feeling that cannot be fully comprehended. When it possesses its victim, it takes over many activities and directs its courses. Love is real and powerful. There are 2 major classifications of things in biology; living and non-living things, but biology missed classifying Love under the category of living things. Love is a living thing that can also die if badly nurtured. As a living thing, when Love is born, it brings forth joy and gladness. On its arrival it feels so healthy, great, fulfilling, and radiant.

Good or Bad Love

There are different types of love, yet they all seem to have something in common; “feeling” or “passion”. However, that passion could be so real, powerful, and sincere. It could also be ingenuine, temporary, sensual, or momentariness. If that is so, maybe we can categorize love as bad love and good love. So, love is not always love as it seems. We must diagnose the good one from the bad one.

Love is the bedrock of any relationship and marriage. It is characterized by deep affection between a man and a woman to the extent that they decide to live together for the rest of their lives.

But does love fade over time, or die with time? It is possible, depending on many things, such as the genesis of that love and the factors around it. A relationship built on a shaky questionable love might sink with time. Relationships erected on erotic feelings mostly end in disappointment. So, when you go about searching as unmarried man or woman, be careful that you don’t fall into a trap of bad love. Some people will fake love until they have what they want, then they discard their victim in search of another victim.

The Subject of the Quest; Love

These days, many people are on the quest for true love, which is ok because love is great. It fills a vacuum in the life of anyone. Finding the right person that touches your heart deeply and in a special way is awesome. But the issue is that some are searching sincerely while some are just playing games. Someone said, you don’t have to kiss all the frogs while searching for your Prince. You need to be patient. While the frogs hop back to their ponds, your Prince will stay back and stand out to hold your hand.

The Perfect Love???

I was once having a conversation with a friend on relationship, and she told me all she was looking for in the man of her dreams; the guy must be handsome, tall, no debt of any kind except for a mortgage, not the type that I would be nursing like a baby, not a demanding man, not the one that is interested in my money, and on and on. I simply and sincerely asked her if she had considered staying single for the rest of her life. Some people are just ok without marriage, and I don’t think they will go to hell for that. But if a relationship is being considered there are many things attached to it.

Marriage without a sense of sacrifice can never stand strong. Both parties will simply face their agenda, and this will open doors for many things including finding satisfaction somewhere else and looking for someone willing to listen to them and understand their predicaments. The day we say yes in marriage all our personal agendas begin to go through reformation. And that is why the period of courtship or dating is not only about Romeo and Juliet kind of things but also planning and learning time, as the love continue to grow.

Sustainability

While a dead clock can only be right twice a day, a lasting relationship rooted in Christ is bound to succeed better. It will stand the test of time and dwell in the blessings of the Lord. Like the three Hebrew boys, the fire of Nebuchadnezzar cannot cut short the plans of God for that home for its inhabitants no longer walk alone but with the Prince of peace. When we bring God into our plans and prayerfully ask His guidance on our choice, we will never be disappointed. Even when our boat seems to get stuck in a storm of life, the Master of the storm will be right there calming the storm.

When we allow the Word of God guides our actions and plans and allow no sin or defilement in our courtship, but honor God in our relationship with our fiancé or fiancée, we will always have the confidence to go to God during any marital challenge. We would be able to look straight to God in the humility of our heart, and ‘produce our cause before Him, bringing forth our strong reasons’ on why He must honor our marriage and save it.

But I screwed up before…

What if we had screwed up in the past? God is ever merciful: when He forgives, He forgets. So, we must not allow the devil to build a castle of shame, regret, defeat, or self-pity in our hearts. Mary Magdalene became a virgin in the eyes of the Lord when she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour. Rahab of Jericho, a popular harlot in history, received mercy from God and became part of the genealogy of Christ. Christianity is not about yokes and burdens, but blessings embedded in the ministry of mercy.

Knowing God’s Will in Marriage

God still leads in relationships and marriage. He still guides if allowed. We can’t see into the future, but God can. He also has the manual of our lives in His hands. We don’t assemble a new product with the manual in the garbage, we would struggle a lot and might not get it right. We must let God be part of that decision. We must give our hearts sincerely to Him and be guided by His Word not only in marriage but in every area of life.

The Best Match-Maker

If you are unmarried and found someone attracted to you or someone has asked your hand in marriage, tell God about it and wait for His counsel. Feeling can change anytime, but the true love stay through thick and thin. A daughter of God was once praying about her marital life at one of the annual conferences of her church. God then opened her eyes to see some heavenly bodies in a panel setting taking the requests of people one after the other in that meeting and settling their cases as they were lifting their hearts to God in prayers. She was allowed to hear the decision about her own heart cry on marriage. They clearly mentioned who she would end up with in marriage. Immediately after her case was taken, she was cut off from that vision. Years after, it was consummated as said by God.

God is interested in your love life

God is real, His Words are perfect, and His Love is everlasting. Take a moment with God as you read this article and let Him take over your love life, your marriage, your family, and everything you are. You will never regret handing everything over to God. It is a great wisdom to make God the centre of our life. You will live to share the goodness of God.

A Golden Year’s Thanksgiving

For the past few months, I have carefully thought about how to mark a milestone in my life this year 2023. The past few years afforded me the opportunity of meeting many people who have positively influenced my family, including myself. They have contributed to our growth and progress. I desired to spend a day with such a group of friends.

It is challenging to get friends and family together for interaction and fellowship in a good and enabling atmosphere. Different things bring people together and different things keep them apart. With just one life to live here on earth, how we live and share it determines our impact here on earth and in eternity. Our world is so full of walls and personal spaces that sometimes keep us ignorant of many things. Yet the human in us craves love and companionship. We are so busy with routines of life that we forget what humanity is about.

These days loneliness, depression, and hurt are becoming the norm, maybe because we fight our battles alone and enjoy our successes alone. We know we need one another to succeed in various ways. We need information that would help shape our life, our destiny, and eternity. Sometimes our mental health is revived by breaking out of our self-made prison to interact with others and feel accepted. Although we know we need this, we seem to keep lacking the motivation and initiative to take the first step. We often need to step aside from our routine way of life and do something different.

Occasionally, to achieve a new thing we would need a different approach. A new approach is not always an easy task. There are things to consider. Will this pass? What would people think? What if it fails? How about resources? How will this come across to some people? The list continues. But then, we pause to check our intentions and choose the best approach to the goal we are aiming for.

Inspirational Music

As I had benefitted so much from inspirational music, one of my birthday wishes this year was to fill a day with heart-warming inspirational songs. And being fortunate to have a good number of godly friends that sing well, we formed a friendship choir and prepared ourselves for a mini-concert. Songs were presented as solo, duet, and friends’ choir. We were glad to sing the songs of Zion in an atmosphere of peace, love, and godliness.

It was a great privilege to have Arlene present “His Eye is on the Sparrow”, Stella and Kunle sang “Along the Road”, and Sharon shared her testimonies with tears and backed it up with the song that God gave her when she was going through a very difficult time titled “Be not Afraid”. The friendship choir sang: “What a beautiful name”, “There is power in the name of Jesus”, “Amazing Grace/My Sins are gone”, and “What a Friend we have in Jesus”. Amanda and Olivia drove several kilometers and stormed the place with their piano, guitar, and violin. Obinna opened the floor of the Thanksgiving reception with his assorted music played from the clarinet. We could feel the presence of our dear Heavenly Father in our midst. 

 

The Tale of a Birth. 

Another desire was to briefly share about my journey in life thus far. Life would never have been life without people in it. So the presentation started with funny stories and funny pictures of some of the guests. As it was unexpected, it caught them by surprise and rent the atmosphere with laughter. It was such an incredible moment. I talked about the first family that invited my family to their home for Canadian Thanksgiving, several friends that have taken me out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. and I quickly added that I wasn’t soliciting a dinner invitation, and we all laughed about it. But then, I received three invitations after the event.

Having said all, we gradually dug into the aspect that was very dear to my heart: the place of God in every aspect of human life. Displaying my childhood picture alongside the older one tells a lot of stories scientifically and spiritually. Fortunately, we had a dynamic group that consists of many Medical Doctors, world-class Professors, Seasoned Nurses, Pharmacists, Lawyer, Pilots, Scientists, Accountants, and politicians; the UCP Candidate for Edmonton South was in attendance with his Queen. We also had an audience of passionate men and women of God, like the MC who is giving up his career to minister love and Christ to the homeless and needy, etc. The meeting comprises many ethnic groups of various beliefs. 

Approximately 8 Weeks: “This was taken with a Nikon D200 and a 105 mm miro Nikkor with 3 SB-800’s off camera, fired with an SB-900 on camera, commander mode, TTL”. Credit to: Lunar Caustic (Flickr).

At a point during the presentation, we delved into the science of conception and the beginning of life. We reviewed the principle of procreation picking it up from the point of spermatogenesis and oocyte activities as the pediatric Doctor watched in assertation. Looking at the featured 8-week-old fetus picture that was on display and being reminded that we were all once in that innocent and helpless state at one time, we paused to reflect on the mystery around life. What is life? Who was the original designer of conception, uterus, and fetus, the complexity of the human system, and why are we here? What is the purpose of life? Can science explain life really without a reference to what was made already? Why should people question the existence of Superior power in the creation of life? We knew we can diagnose many things in the laboratory but, not God. I don’t think we need a high level of intelligence to know that whoever designed a human being could never have been a human. We shared the word of wisdom as quoted: 

“Man, who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.  He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.” (Job 14:1, 2).

Expatiating on these verses; our age on earth, no matter how old, is but a few days in eternity. Every day comes with its challenges. We were born one day, so fresh, flowery, and radiating. We gradually grow old and one day we will leave our body behind as the spirit and soul go back to their Maker. So, nobody is continuing here forever. That is the mystery around life. There is an invisible Power of the Almighty God behind every life. If we give God a chance in our hearts, we will find Him and feel Him. At the end of the presentation, we had a period of reflection and rounded the section up with prayers asking God to help us know Him and understand His love for us.

Moment of Prayers

Announcement!!! 

Postgraduate Grant Opportunity

Before the meeting was over, I put Greg Goss, a seasoned Professor from the department of Biological Science at the University of Alberta, on the spot to address the people on his active grant for First Nation and Black graduates (for Permanent Residents and Canadian Citizens). There is functioning funding available in Greg’s Lab for training and mentoring the people in that category. This is to encourage the graduates in that group to advance in their careers. The funding could be executed at any Canadian University, starting from the University of Alberta. If anyone is interested in applying, feel free to contact Greg. You can also contact us for more information.