JESUS HAD SAID IT - Part I

 JESUS HAD SAID IT – Part I

Praise and honour and glory be to God both now and forever. The things which the Lord our God is doing are more than what we can number. The Psalmist said this in his song that, “Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” The record is true about God because He is living up to it every time and everyday without fail. Indeed, who is like unto God, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? The strength of God is become our joy and in Him it is never dangerous to be happy and glad always. When people see us smiling and rejoicing all the time, they fond of asking, “what’s wrong, why are you laughing always, everyday is not Christmas?” In God, everyday is more than Christmas for as many that abide in Him. Therefore, our response is that, in the Lord our God we will rejoice always – not in money, or circumstances surrounding us; but in God alone. Hallelujah!

AND HE SAID, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, NO PROPHET IS ACCEPTED IN HIS OWN COUNTRY – Luke 4:24

It is a painful thing which brings an ill feeling when we are rejected and become unwanted even unto  and among our people, relatives and friends. We all find it hard and difficult to cope with rejection, especially when it is done to us by close relatives. Most times we are always taken aback when such things befall us of men, and we are more surprised than they ignorant themselves that they are happening. “Oh, my God, I can’t believe this is happening to me!” We shouldn’t be surprised, Jesus already said it and He told us all that would ever happen to us. Lest we forget, He also said that, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” I hope you have not forgotten that too? Many great men of valour and mighty women in things pertaining to God in this world were at one point or the other rejected and disdained by their own people. Joseph was sold into slavery not by strangers but by his brethren. As mighty a man Samson was, he didn’t fear the philistines but his own people lest they kill him.

And ever since the prophecy came forth from the mouth of Micah that, “For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house;” we all have had to deal with great deal of perplexity and trials from our own country men. Paul the apostle recorded it in one of his epistles that, “…in perils by mine own countrymen…” That was a man so popular among the churches of the ancient cities, yet he was often found in perils of his countrymen. Don’t be surprised that most of those people who were his antagonists were the Jews – his own people, the Jew of the Jews. We shouldn’t be surprised though, in as much as they did it to Jesus for He said to the people of Jerusalem that, “For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” the Lord of Glory Himself was tortured wrongfully in those things – haba! We should expect more for ourselves.

NOW THE BROTHER SHALL BETRAY THE BROTHER TO DEATH, AND THE FATHER THE SON; AND CHILDREN SHALL RISE UP AGAINST THEIR PARENTS, AND SHALL CAUSE THEM TO BE PUT TO DEATH – Mark 13:12

Is it not common among the children of men that death and diseases are more of inflictions made by men and not God? The book of Ecclesiastes says that, “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men.” Most of the diseases and sicknesses of the world are man-inflicted. Most and not all are man-made. When these things are beginning to happen on a large scale we shouldn’t be amazed, “behold, Jesus told us over two thousand years ago.” All we need to do is to take heed and remind ourselves His words lest we forget. There is an adage which goes thus, “to before warned is to before harmed.” It does not change anything neither does it take the reality of the event away from us, it only gives us advantage by knowing what is coming in advance. Please, don’t let us drift into a lackadaisical attitude of  “it is not happening to me now, so I’m less concerned.” That shouldn’t be our attitude and approach to this matter. It is happening to many around the world and if it is not happening to us, it does not mean it is not happening. We can bear the reproach and stigma of these people in prayers and watching for them with sobriety knowing fully well that, “…the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 

There are men around the globe who are and have hazarded their lives for a good course – the Gospel – “Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. In your little way, what have you been doing? They are doing so much because they have been told by our Lord Jesus Christ before. And you know Jesus said, 8-“Behold, I have told you before – Matthew 24:25.” Please, don’t forget.

To be continued…

INFALLIBILITY GREETINGS TO YOU ALL