A TRIBUTE TO AN ICON, CHRISTIANA ISIOMA

A TRIBUTE TO AN ICON

She was a born beautiful in face and appearance
She was born a teacher
She was born a disciplinarian
She never disappointed

She grew up to become a teacher
She was well known in her chosen profession
She excelled above her peers
And impacted on so many lives

She grew up to know God
She was a great Chorister
She loved God so much
That she sacrificed her live for God.

I saw the great quality in you.
A quality of a virtuous woman
You gave your all to your family
Because you became beautiful in heart

Your love for God made me to choose you
As a the first woman Pastor's warden in Asaba Diocese
Your commitment and dedication were unparalleled
Because you knew God early.

You went ahead to empower yourself
To study and become more useful to God and humanity
Devil came to attack which we battled together
And won that battle because God was on our side

You were never deterred by problems of life
You went ahead to complete your study
You became a certified Evangelist of the Diocese
Because you love your God

Your love for God was noticed by the Diocese
Your daily attendance to morning prayers
Your preaching and exemplary life were unique
It attracted honours to you

You were chosen as Mother of Faith by the Diocese
You rightly deserved such honour
Because you showed that you were a Mother of Faith
And accolades were poured on you that day

You rose high in your chosen career and retired meritoriously
You rose higher in the service of God and was recognised
Your love for God made you to hide it from me
That you desired to be with the Lord so soon

We went to Abuja together for 2015 DIVCCON
You were full of life and in your usual manner,
Used the opportunity to worship your God.
I never knew that was your last.

How can I forget you motherly love?
How can I forget the food you gave me?
How can I forget the plantain you named as my own?
Right there in your compound

How can I forget the way you harvest it and send to me?
How can I forget the prayers we said together?
How can I forget your tears when I was battling for life?
How can I forget the way you mobilised to assist me?

Oh how I wish I can tell the world about you!
Unfortunately, time and space will fail me.
There will  not be enough space to accommodate
All your good deeds if they were to be recorded.

My eyes are wet, I don't know for how long I can bear this.
My heart is heavy since I heard the news I never wished for
Can I ever forget your counsels which helped me to succeed
Oh God, grant me the fortitude.

Adieu Great One, Adieu Great mother
I know we are imperfect as human beings
However, I can say, you were without guile
Rest from your labours, O Great Evangelist and Mother of Faith.

All Saints Anglican Church Obior will mourn you
Obior Community will mourn and will find it hard to forget you
Ubulu Uku your home of birth will mourn you
Asaba Diocese will mourn you.

I won't ask God why He allowed your death in such circumstance
You have chosen the right part; jusy to be with God
And you did it in a unique way, right in His presence
Oh, what a glorious death to die in the Lord

God be with you till we meet again
Death where is your sting? You have done your worse
But she has overcome because she had gone
To be with the Lord God forever.

God night EZINNE (EVANGELIST) CHRISTIANA ISIOMA ANIEGBUNEM

PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU DEAD??? A GREAT LESSON FOR ALL

ABUBAKAR AUDU DEAD??? A GREAT LESSON FOR ALL
When I got the news about his death before it was broadcasted and it went viral online, the thought that came to my mind was WHY DID APC INSISTED ON USING HIM? Most time the voice of men seems to be the voice of God but because we don't understand most times, we ignore those voice.

I wish our politicians who has taken the position of God and indeed every human being will learn a lesson from this man's death.  WHO IS HE THAT SPEAKS AND IT COMES TO PASS WHEN THE LORD GOD HAS NOT ORDERED IT?
May his soul rest in peace.

Monday Food for Thought - ARTIFICIAL RIGHTEOUSNESS

Monday Food for Thought - ARTIFICIAL RIGHTEOUSNESS
I am worried about the kind of righteousness people display these days. I am very concerned about the 'wrong' emphasis people make as what constitutes righteousness. If righteousness is the result of our efforts, then grace of God is meaningless. For proper understanding of what I am saying, let me give you some instances.
1. A well known sister who doesn't paint, ties her hair, goes to church programmes regularly, speaks in tongues, etc suddenly became pregnant before wedding. What will you call that after she had severally condemned such?
2. What can we say of a public preacher that condom fell off his bible while preaching in the public?
3. A born again Christian who is not in good terms with his neighbours but appears outside as a saint in the public and the church.
4. The list is endless.
Now these sets of people condemn others who don't dress as they do; who don't go to their church, who don't pray as they do, etc. Are these not acts of self righteousness or artificial righteousness when you bear grudges, hold resentments, look down on others, etc? It is by grace that we are Christians today. It is very possible that we can fall off faith tomorrow if the grace is withdrawn. Why then do you think you are better than others? On the day you repented, did God insists that you should do this or that before He forgives you? If I repent and accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, and there are things I do that are not pleasing to Him, He will tell me. If I continue doing it, it means I am a deceit.
The ultimate thing in all is that the life of Christ should be seen in us whether in the secret or in the open. We should appear as saints in the public while our secret lives are filled with lies, cheats, hatred, grudges, etc. GOD HATES PRETENCE.

PERSONAL OPINION ON THE WAY WE SPEAK ABOUT OTHERS

PERSONAL OPINION
I was shocked when I read some posts and comments on Deziani Alison-Madueke yesterday. Some said she was only deceiving Nigerians to avoid arrest. Some said she is not sick. Many others abused her and a very negligible few gave her benefit of doubt.
It is only someone who has never been to hospital or someone who has never been sick that will see such picture and still doubt her. I have lived in hospital in Nigeria and India. I have seen people with different kinds of ailments and I don't think it is wise to make mockery of people who are sick. I don't think Deziani Alison-Madueke will degenerate to the extent of being unkempt to avoid arrest. If I upload the pictures I took during the battle for life, you won't believe I am the one.
IF WE CAN'T SHOW SYMPATHY TO SOMEONE WHO IS SICK, IT WILL BE BETTER WE KEEP QUIET AND ALLOW EVENTS TO UNFOLD WITH TIME. I don't actually believe that Deziani Alison-Madueke is the worst sinner in Nigeria. We should be mindful of what we say about the sick or the dead bearing in mind that we shall give account of whatever we say. REMEMBER THAT NO ONE HAS EVER ASKED FOR SICKNESS OR TO BE SICK. JUST LIKE DEATH, IT COULD BE YOU, IT COULD BE ME.
I was shocked when I read some posts and comments on Deziani Alison-Madueke yesterday. Some said she was only deceiving Nigerians to avoid arrest. Some said she is not sick. Many others abused her and a very negligible few gave her benefit of doubt.
It is only someone who has never been to hospital or someone who has never been sick that will see such picture and still doubt her. I have lived in hospital in Nigeria and India. I have seen people with different kinds of ailments and I don't think it is wise to make mockery of people who are sick. I don't think Deziani Alison-Madueke will degenerate to the extent of being unkempt to avoid arrest. If I upload the pictures I took during the battle for life, you won't believe I am the one.
IF WE CAN'T SHOW SYMPATHY TO SOMEONE WHO IS SICK, IT WILL BE BETTER WE KEEP QUIET AND ALLOW EVENTS TO UNFOLD WITH TIME. I don't actually believe that Deziani Alison-Madueke is the worst sinner in Nigeria. We should be mindful of what we say about the sick or the dead bearing in mind that we shall give account of whatever we say. REMEMBER THAT NO ONE HAS EVER ASKED FOR SICKNESS OR TO BE SICK. JUST LIKE DEATH, IT COULD BE YOU, IT COULD BE ME.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAPA, MOST REV NICHOLAS OKOH

Happy birthday our father, Rt Rev Nicholas Dikeriehi Okoh. The story of my life CAN NEVER be written or told without mentioning your name. How can I forget all my troubles you took as yours? How can I forget the encouragement you gave me to go to UBTH Benin City, Nnewi where I later went to NAUTH.

How can I forget numerous meetings you summoned to discuss about my health? How can I forget the numerous phone calls and text messages my wife sent to you from Lagos and India? How can I forget several occasions my wife's phone call disturbed your sleep? However, you bore all the inconveniences we gave you.

How can I forget the delegations you sent to Delta State Government because of Tabugbo Morgan Uzoma? The list is endless.

How I wish on this your birthday, I can celebrate a little to appreciate what you have done for me. As I have nothing to give in appreciation, it is my prayer and that of my wife that God will grant you good health, grant you more grace to fulfill your ministry, bless your family and make Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion grow spiritually under your watch.

Happy birthday Papa, Nicholas Okoh.

FRIDAY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: PLAN TOWARD OLD AGE

FRIDAY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: PLAN TOWARD OLD AGE

Majority of the problems we face in life stem from lack of planning. Currently, I am doing a project on HOW TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS OF OLD AGE. As a Chaplain and Coordinator of programmes for Anglican Diocese of Asaba Elderly Care Ministry in the past 4 years, I have come across some many elderly people. Majority of them are suffering just because they failed to plan towards their old age. This is one thing I have discovered that they failed to plan towards their old age. Not many a people plan towards the period they will be old. They usually feel that things will remain the same. This is a very wrong orientation.

Majority of the ailments and sickness associated with old age mistakes from the lifestyles. Some of these problems are Diabetes, Hypertension, liver problem, Cardiac arrest/Heart failure, kidney failure, etc. Except on spiritual matters, some these sicknesses could be avoided or the risk reduced if we live a moderate lifestyle. At a certain age, it is expected that you will moderate what you eat. Recently, I read an article that at birth, there is no bacteria in our bodies but as adults, we have millions of them, These shows that they come into us through what we eat.            
If really you love life and want to live well, you have to plan towards your old age because by then your children would have grown and leave your house. You will need someone to live with you. Your income will not come in as it used to (except for those who have planned something) because you are now a pensioner. Therefore, do something now before you will begin to cry at your old age.
I wish you all a very long life to experience old age in Jesus name.
Happy weekend!

WHY ALL THESE CONTROVERSIES?

WHY CONTROVERSIES?

Why do people raise controversial issues of Christian faith?

1. Is it to gain popularity?

2. Is it that devil is using them or what can we say?

Of recent, I have read controversial issues like New International Version (NIV) of the Bible is satanic because of the publishing company, verses were removed and it is not good for Christians to use it. Again, a pastor posted on his Facebook page that Old Testament is outdated and doesn't offer salvation. Most people believe all these stories. If you don't know, why not ask questions?

The issue of verses of the scripture was a letter development for easy and systematic reading. It was not so initially. Another issue in that matter is the question of publishers. But let me ask them: Who built that rented apartment you live in? Who bought that taxi or bus you traveled on? The foodstuffs you buy in the market, who produced them? Did they fall from heaven? Are the producers and marketers holy men and women? Why do we emphasize against one thing and approve a similar one? Are we now placing our salvation on law?

Where are reasoning, commonsense and wisdom in Christianity today? Why can't we study to show ourselves approved as Paul told Timothy? Why are we easily tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and teachings? Why do we believe everything because pastor said or they mentioned God/Jesus? The funny aspect of these things is that even trained pastors join in spreading the story about New International Version of the Bible. Most people who propagated that will be the first to give me a pat at the back for this.

Please ask questions. Make researches and find out if what I am saying is true. These days, we have the descendants of Marcion who are twisting the truth of the gospel to suit them. They are here in the social media parading themselves as agents of light when they are darkness personified.

God is looking for men and women in this generation that will stand out for Him. He wants people who will stand for the truth no matter the level of syncretism, apostasy and evil in His church. People should study or ask relevant persons questions to know. Don't accept everything you hear whole and entire until you have confirmed the truth, EVEN WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN HERE. PLEASE CONFIRM IT AND THAT IS HOW YOU WILL GROW IN KNOWLEDGE AND TRUTH IN EVERYTHING YOU DO NOT JUST IN CHRISTIANITY.

Have a great week.

Meditation for Sunday, October 25, 2015: IMPLICATION OF LIVING BY FAITH

IMPLICATION OF LIVING BY FAITH

The word ‘live’ has varieties of meanings, depending upon its context. In this context, it can be employed in the sense of one’s manner of life or his behaviour (Romans 6:2; 2 Corinthians 1:12). Faith can convey the idea of an objective body of truth, in which one must place confidence and to which he must submit to (Acts 6:7; Jude 3). The term also may suggest one’s personal conviction and his mode of life relative to objective truth. We should understand that God specifically appointed Jesus Christ as the object of our faith (John 3:16). We can know if we are living by faith when we conform to the following.

When we live by the word of God: God told Joshua and the people of Israel to walk round the city of Jericho once for 6 days and 7 times on the 7th day by faith, not by their logic or reasoning. Many would have asked God what He meant by that instruction. He had to live by the Word from God, not his perception of how illogical the command might have been for him and his troops. The Bible says that obedience is better than sacrifice. So, live by the Word and obey His Word no matter what the perception is, that might not be logical. We should remember that living by faith is a product of word of God we hear (Romans 10:7 compare Ezekiel 36:27).

When we put all our trust in God and not man or personal reasoning: Psalm 118:8 says “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” This shows that living by faith means that we should trust God in all things no matter how small it may be. We should understand that God always entrust us with small responsibilities first before He entrusts us with the larger ones. Abraham was told simply to go, without knowing where he was going to. He had to trust God with the outcome of that decision and God didn’t fail. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Heb 11:8. So faith is voluntarily confiding in and trusting in God.

When we please God (Hebrews 11:6): That passage says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV). When God told Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, he didn’t object to that. He chose to please God even when it wasn’t convenient for him. This is what living by faith means. Your situations and circumstances may not be convenient but you will keep pleasing and believing God. It is on that premise that God will arise for you

When our lives are not controlled by what we see or feel. It was for this reason Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7 saying “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” You may be seeing the opposite but such situation shouldn’t deter you from believing God (Roman 4:19 – 21).

Beloved, are you living by faith or by sight. Our call as Christians is to live by faith just like Abraham and other men and women of faith did. Anything less in not acceptable to God and you can’t please Him.

Tabugbo Morgan Uzoma

WHAT LIVING BY FAITH MEANS: Meditation for Sunday October 25, 2015

WHAT LIVING BY FAITH MEANS

The word ‘live’ has varieties of meanings, depending upon its context. In this context, it can be employed in the sense of one’s manner of life or his behaviour (Romans 6:2; 2 Corinthians 1:12). Faith can convey the idea of an objective body of truth, in which one must place confidence and to which he must submit to (Acts 6:7; Jude 3). The term also may suggest one’s personal conviction and his mode of life relative to objective truth. We should understand that God specifically appointed Jesus Christ as the object of our faith (John 3:16). We can know if we are living by faith when we conform to the following.

When we live by the word of God: God told Joshua and the people of Israel to walk round the city of Jericho once for 6 days and 7 times on the 7th day by faith, not by their logic or reasoning. Many would have asked God what He meant by that instruction. He had to live by the Word from God, not his perception of how illogical the command might have been for him and his troops. The Bible says that obedience being better than sacrifice. So, live by the Word and obey His Word no matter what the perception is, that might not be logical. We should remember that living by faith is a product of word of God we hear (Romans 10:7 compare Ezekiel 36:27).

                                    

When we put all our trust in God and not man or personal reasoning: Psalm 118:8 says “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” This shows that living by faith means that we should trust God in all things no matter how small it may be. We should understand that God always entrust us with small responsibilities first before He entrusts us with the larger ones. Abraham was told simply to go, without knowing where he was going to. He had to trust God with the outcome of that decision and God didn’t fail. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Heb 11:8. So faith is voluntarily confiding in and trusting in God.

When we please God (Hebrews 11:6): That passage says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV). When God told Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, he didn’t object to that. He chose to please God even when it wasn’t convenient for him. This is what living by faith means. Your situations and circumstances may not be convenient but you will keep pleasing and believing God. It is on that premise that God will arise for you     

When our lives are not controlled by what we see or feel. It was for this reason Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7 saying “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” You may be seeing the opposite but such situation can’t deter you from believing God (Roman 4:19 – 21).

Beloved, are you living by faith or by sight. Our call as Christians is to live by faith just like Abraham and other men and women of faith did. Anything less in not acceptable to God and you can’t please Him.

Tabugbo Morgan Uzoma

Cathedral Priest

Thought for this Week – STRIVE FOR TRUE HONOUR

Thought for this Week – STRIVE FOR TRUE HONOUR

It was Albert Barnes who sagely said that “True honour consists not in splendid endowments, or great wealth and office. It consists in rightly discharging the duties which God requires of us in our appropriate sphere. If all men held their talents as the gift of God; if all would find and occupy in society the place for which God designed them, it would prevent no small part of the uneasiness, the restlessness, the ambition, and misery of the world.” These words of Albert Barnes fitly describe the ideal understanding of honour by most Nigerians. Regrettably, this is the teaching of ‘some pastors’ that Christ has liberated us from poverty. They assert that poverty is a curse and a Christian ought not to be poor. Do they really understand what poverty means?

In the words of Albert Barnes here, the true honour of anybody; be you a Christian, Muslim, someone who practices traditional religion or even Atheist is to first and foremost understand that your talent, wealth or office you occupy is a gift. Secondly, we should use these talents, wealth and offices rightly as we discharge our duties wherever we may find ourselves in any given time. These understanding will help us a lot is maintaining easy life void of unnecessary ambition and miseries of life. Having such wealth or talent and being in any office/position is shouldn’t be an opportunity to victimise or abuse people. It shouldn’t be an opportunity to embezzle money entrusted unto your watch for the good of the masses.        

Today, many people think that true honour lies in wealth they have acquired, their talents or the position they occupy in the society. Instead of using these talents and wealth for the good of humanity, they stockpile them as if they are weapons of mass destruction. They forget that the places where they keep their wealth can be burgled into or be easily destroyed by termites. This informs the reason Jesus admonished us to keep our treasures where termite or robbers can’t destroy or take them away easily.

The best way to use our talents is to apply them rightly as God requires us to do. This involves helping the poor, remembering the needy; the widows, the orphans, the destitute, the indigent people especially the elderly among them, prisoners, and as many as are ‘genuine priests’ in the service of God. In the advanced societies, people who are blessed with wealth, channel them toward charity organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NG0s). That is why in Western world, some pay their tithes to charity and NGOs when they don’t even go to church. This is so because they have good orientation of how to use their wealth very well.

In my devotional, My Daily Covenant with God, the topic I treated today was USE YOUR GIFTS WELL. In the conclusion, I noted that “As God has given us diverse gifts, and appointed us into one office or another; we should faithfully use them and keep within the limits of our calling so that we do not neglect our duties or invade into that of others.” How are you striving for true honour according to Albert Barnes? Are you being selfish with your wealth, office and talent? Do you use these blessings to the glory of God? Remember that you have limited time here on earth.

We should note that right use of your wealth, talent or office is the best way to appreciate God who gave them to us. Therefore, don’t become ungrateful to your benefactor who gave you freely and expects you to give freely too. Be a motivator or a helper to somebody this week. Let your acts for this week, put your name in the biography of that your neighbour, colleague, friend, well wishers, parishioner, fellow church member, etc. I wish you a great week of touching lives and restoring joy to your friends.

Tabugbo Morgan Uzoma

A GREAT LIFE LESSON FROM A WOMAN IN LABOUR

A GREAT LIFE LESSON FROM A WOMAN IN LABOUR

Any woman who is in labour, is under intense, excruciating pains and anguish. At that moment, she can curse the husband for even putting her in a family way. She can curse and regret her choice of getting pregnant at all. All these are the effect of the pain of labour. In the normal sense, she will never say such things. However, the moment the child comes out, there is a kind of joy that fills her heart. She feels a kind of serene atmosphere surrounding her. She feels relaxed and proud of her effort. She fills a sense of fulfillment.

In the same manner, if we want joy in our heart, peace around us and have a sense of fulfillment in life, we should not be deterred by the pains, anguish, labour, oppositions, attacks and struggles on our way to success in life. If a woman considers the pains of labour she will never dare get pregnant and there will not be any sense of fulfillment to her as a woman. Likewise, if we consider what it will take us to become great, the sacrifices, the self denials, the commitments, the dedications, the abandonment, the name tagging, the gossips, etc, we will never make progress in life. Nevertheless, the fulfillment that follow or the end product is what matters. If you think that finding fulfillment in life has nothing in comparison, then you have to pursue that fulfillment. 

Have you ever asked the likes of Mark Zuckerberg who is the CEO of Facebook, Tim Berner Lee who invented the internet, Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia, Evans Williams of Blogger, Nikolas Zennstrom and co of Skype, Shiva Ayyadural of email, David Filo and Jerry Yang of Yahoo, Jack Dorsey and Dick Costello of Twitter, etc what they passed through to become great inventors and notable names today? Do you know the kind of discouragement they went through? The you know the kind of pain of failure they experienced? Ask our Aliko Dangote? Ask Bill Gates? They had one or more bitter experiences in life that would have deterred them from being successful in life.

Be courageous! You can make it. That you are experiencing pains like a woman in labour, discouragement, oppositions, etc doesn't  mean it is all over with you. Pick up yourself and move forward. You are near success and fulfillment. Good luck!

  

     

BE THE CHANGE YOU DESIRE IN NIGERIA

Excerpt of my message on 1st October, 2015

TOPIC: BE THE CHANGE YOU DESIRE IN NIGERIA

TEXT: 2 KINGS 7:1 – 10

PREAMBLE/INTRODUCTION: Happy Independence and happy month of October to you all in Jesus name. Today is our 55th Independence anniversary. We thank God for what He has done for us as a nation. It is my prayer that the spirit of freedom we have received in our independence will help us grow from strength to strength in Jesus name.     

DEVELOPMENT

We all desire a country that is peaceful, united, a country with good government, good roads, potable drinking water, good housing, high standard of living, good and qualitative health care, etc.

Who amongst us care to ask why has these things eluded us in the past 55 years? Some of us believe that we have a faulty foundation; some are of the opinion that we are cursed as a nation. Some blame it on our founding fathers, etc.

We make laws in this country but hardly keep any. The result of these laws is that it has opened our eyes to more evil.

The societies we envy today, how did they come to that level of development? They made self sacrifices, commitments to their nationhood, dedication, etc. They upheld justice and equity.

In our text is the story of 4 leprous men at the city gate of Samaria. They eat by begging. Unfortunately, there was famine and no one has food to spare. They wanted food seriously and decided that waiting for people to give them will amount to death before their time and thus they decided to fend for themselves. The steps they took resulted to their deliverance and that of the city. They desired food and went for it.

If Nigeria as a nation will become what we desire her to be, we must act out that which we desire.

Do you have the desire for a corrupt free Nigeria? Then don’t be corrupt.

Do you desire clean environment? Then tidy your environment and don’t liter places

Do you desire good, dedicated and competent civil service? Then be dutiful and dedicated to your civil or public service work

Do you desire good military? Then show commitment in your duty.

Do you desire to have politicians who are just and godly? Then don’t join them in rigging elections.

Do you desire to have genuine Christians in Nigeria? Then become one in your corner.

The list is endless.

As a nation, we thank God that we are still intact but we are too fragile and can break up because we are too divided along religion and ethnicity. This is so because our present and past leaders didn’t uphold justice and equity in their governance.

However, despite all these differences and problems confronting us, as Christians, we have the duty to build bridges and not walls, and to pray for the unity of this nation, Nigeria.

On personal terms, what are the changes you desire in your life, your career and family? Be that change. Act on it and the change will come. Don’t wait for manna to fall from heaven.

We have wrong notion about believe it and claim it. Most of us will rise up, raise our hands and shout Amen to prophecies. That will be the end. When God called Abraham, he believed God and went as instructed. Isaac did same and God blessed him until he became prosperous that the Philistines started envying him. The Apostles believed and stayed put in Jerusalem.

 CONCLUSION: What are the changes you need in your life, career and family in this new month and what can you do about it? What are the changes you want to see in your spiritual life in this new month or do you just want to remain stagnant? Think about it.

Let us pray.

FRIDAY OPINION

FRIDAY OPINION
Many Nigerians are shouting that Buhari has done so much; he has restored sanity in governance, etc. They are now singing his praise. I am yet to join that wagon. One major problem we have in Nigeria is SYCOPHANCY AND PRAISE SINGERS. We sing praises of people in a bid to gain favour. We can see this clearly in the actions of our POLITICIANS who are defecting and civil servants who recently staged a protest in support of anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.

Who would have believed that Nigeria would deteriorate to this level after the WAR AGAINST INDISCIPLINE of Buhari and Idiagbon? It shows we didn't learn anything from their administration.

Buhari's 'achievements' can only mean something when we internalize his ideologies and principles, and live with them long after he leaves office. We should be the change we need in our society. We shouldn't wait for someone to tell us or make law that we should stop throwing refuse into gutters. LET US DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND STOP PRAISE SINGING AND SYCHOPHANCY.

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI CALL BEDC TO ORDER

BUHARI, PLEASE CALL BENIN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY (BEDC) TO ORDER

Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) is the most wicked Electricity Distribution Company in Nigeria.
In Asaba, some areas enjoy light regularly while some areas are in darkness. It has been like this for a long time now even before the commissioning of the step down in Asaba. For example, places like Okwe, Bonsac, Akwuebulu, Federal College of Education Technical temporal site enjoy regular power supply more than us in between Akwuebulu , Okwe and Federal College of Education Technical.
We have a personal transformer serving Bishopscourt alone. BEDC took the light early hours of Thursday and didn't restore it till around 7pm Friday night. During the day on Friday, I went to Federal College of Education temporal site to make photocopy, there was light and they didn't restore ours in Bishopscourt till 7pm. The boundary between Bishopscourt and Federal College is the College road. They took the light they restored on Friday night in the early hours of Saturday morning before day break. Around 12 noon, I went back to do more photocopy in Federal College and met light there and our light came back 8:20pm Saturday night. As if someone queried why we should have light they took in by 8:30pm. That 10 minutes light was enough for us for the day. We will not see the light till tomorrow evening or tomorrow midnight.
This evening, I met my generator repairer. I told him I will bring my generator for repairs. He asked if our light hasn't improved. I answered in the negative and he confirmed that it is not so in his area Akwuebulu. BEDC what is our wrong? If there is anyone who can communicate President Muhammadu Buuhari, kindly tell him to send his men to Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). They are more than wicked. They are unwilling to do anything than get people to appease them before they can connect them.
Here they have dedicated lines for special people. We don't belong to that group. For eight years now, we have not used Public power to hold our services but we pay over N60, 000:00 every month for light we don't use.
Let someone tell them (BEDC) that God is watching them.

PLEASANT ARE THY COURTS ABOVE

PLEASANT ARE THY COURTS ABOVE is a hymn written by H. F. Lyte. The favourite tune for singing this hymn is MAIDSTONE written by W. B. Gilbert (1829 - 1910). This hymn is my pick for this weekend with special emphasis on stanza 4. Please join me in singing to the Lord.

Pleasant are Thy courts above,
In the land of light and love;
Pleasant are Thy courts below
In this land of sin and woe;
O, my spirit longs and faints
For the converse of Thy saints,
For the brightness of Thy face,
For Thy fullness, God of grace.

Happy birds that sing and fly
Round Thy altars, O most High;
Happier souls that find a rest
In a heavenly Father's breast;
Like the wandering dove that found
No repose on earth around,
They can to their ark repair,
And enjoy it ever there.

Happy souls, their praises flow
Even in this vale of woe;
Waters in the desert rise,
Manna feeds them from the skies;
On they go from strength to strength,
Till they reach Thy throne at length,
At Thy feet adoring fall,
Who hast led them safe through all.

Lord, be mine this prize to win,
Guide me through a world of sin,
Keep me by Thy saving grace,
Give me at Thy side a place;
Sun and shield alike Thou art,
Guide and guard my erring heart.
Grace and glory flow from Thee;
Shower, O shower them, Lord, on me.

THIS IS TABUGBO UZOMA. WHAT ABOUT YOU?

THIS IS ME. WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Deltans are among the most talented people in this country. I am and will always be proud to write, and to say I am a Deltan. I weep in my spirit when I read what people say about their places of origin in Social media. A young man wanted to join a page I opened for my home town, Ubulu Okiti. The name was not familiar so I went to his profile page. He wrote that he is from Benin and lives in Benin. I asked myself, what is your concern with Ubulu Okiti. Why do you want to join Ubulu Okiti page? I later discovered that he is a full blood of Ubulu Okiti.

Yesterday, I read about Helen Mukoro, a Nigerian born Spanish Lawyer who wants to contest Presidential election in Spain. Her credentials are intimidating. I was filled with pride reading that she is a Deltan. Think of sports? You will remember Delta State. Think of Economics? You will remember Delta State. Think of Administration? Delta comes to mind. Deltans are brains in these three areas in Nigeria. Why then should I claim that I am from Otuoke, Daura or Otta? Just because they have produced Presidents of this country?

I am proud to be born in Ubulu Okiti. If my home town is not known by the world, it is my duty to promote my town by my singular act. Goodluck Jonathan made us to know that there is a place called Otuoke. I am looking forward to a time when my name will be ringing bell in places. Then people will begin to ask, where is he from? The response will be, Ubulu Okiti in Delta State. The the questionnaire will add, NO WONDER. This is my dream. I don't know about you but I am proud to be born with the blood of UBULU OKITI, ANIOMA and DELTAN.
#GodblessTabugboUzoma
#GodblessUbuluOkiti
#GodblessDeltaState
#GodblessNigeria

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON LEADERSHIP

A Leader who has subordinates doesn't need to do everything under his schedule to prove he is a leader. Trying to do everything to show that you are a leader will amount to failure because in trying to do all things, you will fail in many others. Such is a way of seeking personal glory. A true leader should be wise enough to harness the abilities, knowledge, skills and strength of his subordinate to achieve maximum results. This is what leadership is all about.

You are not known as a true leader by the name of your portfolio (President, Secretary, Minister, Commissioner, Pastor, Bishop, etc) but by the result you deliver. A leader is not perturbed by who did more work to ensure success rather his concern is that success is achieved. All he does is to ensure his subordinates are up and doing to ensure corporate success not personal glory. Seeking for personal glory kills leaders. Leadership should focus on corporate success.

MY HYMN FOR SEPTEMBER

THIS HYMN  'BE GLAD IN THE LORD, AND REJOICE' COMPOSED BY MARY SERVOSS (1849-1906) IS MY THEME HYMN FOR THE MONTH SEPTEMBER.
IN THIS MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, I HAVE CHOSEN TO BE GLAD IN THE LORD AND UNDERMINE ALL DISTRACTIONS OF THE ENEMIES. I KNOW THAT GOD IS BY MY SIDE AND HE WILL FIGHT ALL MY BATTLES. I PRAY THAT AS MANY AS WILL KEY INTO THE FAITH BEHIND THIS HYMN WILL BE VICTORIOUS IN THIS MONTH IN JESUS NAME.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice,
All ye that are upright in heart;
And ye that have made Him your choice,
Bid sadness and sorrow depart.

Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice,
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice;
Rejoice, rejoice,
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice

Be joyful, for He is the Lord,
On earth and in Heaven supreme;
He fashions and rules by His word"
The ‘Mighty' and ‘Strong' to redeem.

What though in the conflict for right
Your enemies almost prevail?
God's armies, just hid from your sight,
Are more than the foes which assail.

Though darkness surround you by day,
Your sky by the night be o'ercast,
Let nothing your spirit dismay,
But trust till the danger is past.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice,
His praises proclaiming in song;
With harp and with organ and voice
The loud hallelujahs prolong!

Author: Mary Servoss (1849-1906)

PARTY PROSTITUTION

PARTY PROSTITUTION

Maturity has many facets. One of the most immature sets of people in this country is the political class. Thank God I am not a politician and can't be one. I have not ceased to imagine the level of childishness among our political class. How come people can't develop idea of what they want to do in governance and stand by it no matter where they started? Why do we have this level of decamping from one party to another (party prostituting) just to belong? Why are people dumping their parties for another simply because they failed in election? Failing in election shows that you didn't plan well or you didn't perform well in governance.

To me, I feel that  
1. It shows the level of ignorance and to some extend poverty
2. It shows the level of greed among our political class
3. It shows that most of our leaders don't have any idea of their own on what to do to make Nigeria better.
4. It makes the winner takes it all
5. It gives room to weak or no opposition.
6. It shows that their ambition is their personal welfare and not that of the masses.

Our Politician should stop deceiving themselves thinking they are deceiving us. Thank God for the class I belong. It will not give me room to dream of being a politician. People should counsel them. They should stop this madness of party prostitution. The party in government should also know what they want and stand by it. The party in government should not accept everything that wants to join them because their ideologies may not be the same. We should opt for the good of Nigeria over personal and selfish interests.

God bless Nigeria!

SERVING CHRIST IN OTHERS

SERVING CHRIST IN OTHERS

Why choose to hide your ‪talent where the world is waiting to benefit from it. Make uses of it fast or you will lose it to another person.” These were the words of Chiedu Williams Osewezina-Dumbili. These words aptly describe what Christ requires of us in serving others. It was Robin Sharma that succinctly stated that “The worst thing that can happen to a man is to regret at his deathbed the action he couldn’t take while he had the opportunity.” Our inaction will certainly hurt us here on earth and when we are gone. This was the reason Jesus told the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19 – 31).

Serving Christ in others was well exposed by Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 25:31 – 46. He made it clear that we should serve Him by serving other which is one condition upon which we shall be rewarded in heaven. Some of the acts mentioned there do not even require money. They are things we can easily do or afford. To serve God actually starts by serving others. Jesus Christ gave us a new commandment in (John 13:34). Loving and serving others is best way to show people that we love God. This was the reason behind John’s word in 1 John 4:19 & 20.

These are some of the ways we can serve Christ by serving others.

1. Serve God through your family. Charity begins at home. On daily basis we should work, clean, support, listen to, teach, and endlessly give of ourselves to the members of our family.

2. Support the needy as Deuteronomy 26:12 – 15 says.

3. Volunteer for and join community Service in your neighbourhood.

4. Visitation to homes of the needy, Prison and hospitals to assist and pray for them

5. Donate clothes, beverages, foodstuffs, etc to prisoners, orphans, motherless babies, indigent elderly people, etc.

6. Be hospitable especially to strangers

7. Be a friend of others and be accessible

8. We can serve Christ by serving children; bringing them to Christ Luke 18:16) and by supporting them in the things lawful as they are holding their harvest today.

9. We should mourn with those who mourn

10. Share your talent and wealth with others especially those who can’t pay back. Use your creativity too.

11. Simple acts of service in public places, homes of elderly people, etc, like sweeping, clearing of bushes around, helping someone to carry a load, giving your seat in a public place to elderly person, etc.

12. Fulfil your calling as a Christian – A Pastor, Church warden, Helper, Children Ministry worker, Chorister, etc.

13. Give yourself up for missionary work and evangelism.

Doing these things are the simplest and best ways to serve God through serving others. How much are you doing them? Remember we shall all give account of how we use all the gifts, talents, time, wisdom, etc that God deposited on us. Do the things that will not lead you into regretting at your deathbed or when you die like the rich man did. Rather take a decision today because tomorrow may be too late as it was for the rich man.

Tabugbo Uzoma

Cathedral Priest

http://mydailycovenantwithgod.org  

I DISTURB PEOPLE BECAUSE IT PAYS

I DISTURB PEOPLE BECAUSE IT PAYS

I have a habit of disturbing people with text messages every week. People that I have access to their phone numbers read from me every week. The text messages I send are usually goodwill; to pray for them, wish them well, encourage and motivate them for the new week. I usually send them on Sundays or Monday mornings. To me I see it as disturbing people but to some of the recipients it is not so. It benefits them as it motivates them as they start their working week.  

Last week, I didn’t send the text message and on Monday morning that was on July 27, 2015, I received a call from one of my regular recipients. She said “I didn’t receive your text message this week and I just called to know if all is well with you.” I laughed and responded that I am fine but couldn’t send the messages because I didn’t subscribe to airtime. She said no wonder. It was quite unlike me not to send messages to start the week. Thereafter, she acted accordingly. I hope you what I meant by acting accordingly?

The airtime I use in most cases in sending these messages come from the bonus the Network Service Providers give to me when I subscribe. I don’t allow it to waste away especially the ones that I can use for different networks. This act has endeared me to so many people that the result is usually more airtime for me. My greatest gain in it is the prayer people say for me. I don’t send anything less than 150 text messages every week. In a situation where 150 people respond by saying that God should bless me, I know that out of the lot, there are many that God will hear their prayers for me. That has been my greatest source of joy because people are praying for me every week. I remember a woman saying that she will ever remember me for the text messages of encouragement I send to people. I thank God for that.

I can’t recount here some of the benefits I have received from people concerning this. Some of them have taken it up to send airtime to me on monthly basis while some do it randomly, at times twice or thrice a month. Some have copied that act from me and have started sending the messages to me. Yesterday, I send this message: “FEAR STOPS YOU FROM ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS WHILE COURAGE KEEPS YOU GOING. MAY GOD GRANT YOU THE COURAGE TO OVERCOME YOUR FEARS AND TO ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS THIS WEEK IN JESUS NAME.” I received so many responses asking God to bless me.

Just this evening, I met a lady who is one of my parishioners and a usual recipient of my text messages and who sends recharge cards to me always. She started sharing her testimony with me about the text message I sent yesterday, how she prayed about it, acted on it and there was a result. I praised God for that and told her how I came about the message. Actually when the message came, God told me that the message is for someone but didn’t mention the name. Later, she dropped her bag with me and went to buy something. I never knew that what she went to buy was for me. As she was delaying, I left the bag with one of our security men who later brought another bag to meet me where I went to buy fruits that the Lady gave him the bag for me. When I opened it, it was fruits and nuts. That was exactly what I needed after a hectic weekend.

My joy is not necessarily what people give to me because of the messages of goodwill, prayers, motivation and encouragement, but the benefits people derive from them. Of recent, some of the great words of wisdom used by Delta Broadcasting Service Asaba in the Thought Section of their News are from the text messages I always send to one of their General Managers. When I hear it over the radio, it gives me joy that people appreciate what I do. Recently, one of my aunties wrote in response to one of my numerous messages: “How are you my dear MM? I have missed your goodwill message. However, I am very happy to have received one today ...” This kind of response have kept me on my toes because in our present day society, many people are losing hope and faith due to economic stress.

The economic situation is biting very had on people and they need encouraging words that will enable them continue their life‘s struggle no fake assurances of prosperity messages. Thus I challenge as many as have messages of encouragement to use it in a time like this. There are many that need just words of encouragement to survive the day. Find ways to restore joy and happiness into the lives of people around you. You can do it. If they chose to call it disturbance, let it be. However, be rest assured that there are people who will benefit from them.  

Your Pastor and Friend

Tabugbo Uzoma

WE ALL HAVE FAILED

FOOD FOR Thought (Please don't ignore)

During the campaign for the last general elections, I complained about what people post on Facebook. I prayed that the elections should come and go for me to see meaningful posts but unfortunately it is even worse now. Why do we hate ourselves so much? Why can't we refrain from these falsehood, bitterness, hatred and sycophancy we display here? How can we grow when we run down one another? How can we grow when we don't have regard for constituted authorities? How can our nation develop when we are no longer accommodating one another? How can we make progress when we can't appreciate the good qualities in one another simply because the person is not in your political clique or from your tribe?
As a nation, we have failed in our responsibilities both the led and the leaders. Now everybody is crying foul. Who takes responsibility of the indiscipline, corruption, injustice, bribery, blocked gutters, dirty environment, infrastructural decay, incessant kidnapping, Boko Haram menace, examination malpractices, separation and a divorce in marriages, falsehood of Pastors, sexual abuses in our society, etc? Are we not all responsible for these rot in our society?
Where is respect for elders? Where is regard for our environment? Where is the brotherly love Africans are known for? Where is equity and justice? Who is speaking for the poor in our societies? Why can't the poor get justice in our time? Why do we set fire on the house only to come out and raise false alarm? Why can't we become our brother's keepers?
It is time to reevaluate our lives to ascertain how we have contributed to the problems of Nigeria. As a teacher, doctor, engineer, politician, pastor, business man/woman, student, banker, nurse, civil/public servant, etc, have you actually done what is expected of you to make Nigeria better? Have you failed in your responsibilities and still accuse the government? You that dump refuse into the gutters, and now cry about flooding, are you just in your cry? You that connived with the politicians to loot and now no salary for you, are you just in your cry about unpaid salaries? There are many other examples.
We  should sit down and tell ourselves the truth. Our greatest problem as a people is SELF. We easily see the peck in other people's eyes without noticing the log in our eyes we carry about. We should crucify self. We should remove bias and be objective. We shouldn't encourage evil in our society by voluntary or involuntary connivance. Let us learn discipline, refrain, moderation and self control.
Money is not everything. Today, all we run after is money thus leaving our responsibilities and encouraging evil in many areas of our societal lives. We can only be better when we adapt personal discipline, self control, rule of law, justice and fairness in dealing with one another. Let us know that what makes us real Africans is the brotherhood that prevails amongst us.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE

TO GOD BE THE GLORY
Today made it exactly 7 years I went under the knives of Doctors in Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Bangalore India for a replacement of one of the valves of my heart. It was a painful experience but God saw me through.
After the heart operation, two hoses were placed on my armpit each to drain fluid in my body because I wasn't urinating due to Kidney failure. I was made to lie on my back, face up without changing position for 21 days (3 weeks). Despite the back pain and all inconveniences, God saw me through.
I am very grateful to God for all he has done for me and for all the human efforts he used. I appreciate my Cardiologist, Dr Mukundan of Columbia Asia Referral Hospital for his love for us (my wife and I). I appreciate my wife for her consistent effort in raising money for the operation. I thank my junior sister, Uchechukwu Molokwu who was there with us.
Finally, I thank the Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, the Bishop of Asaba Diocese then, now Primate of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, the clergy and laity of the Diocese for their support and prayers. Thank you all. The prayer shouldn't cease. God bless you

To God be the glory, great things He has done;

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the earth hear His voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,

And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,

To every believer the promise of God;

The vilest offender who truly believes,

That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,

And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;

But purer, and higher, and greater will be

Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

HE GAVE US ALL THINGS FOR A PURPOSE

HE GAVE US ALL THINGS FOR A PURPOSE

After Creation, God gave all other creatures to man for his use either as food or to help him in one way or the other (Gen. 1:28 – 30). God’s intention was for man to enjoy all other creatures without toiling and sweating for it. Unfortunately, the first man abused the privilege. However, God in his mercies didn’t give up on man as he sought for ways to restore him to his glory. He gave us life and the power to make wealth (Deut. 8:18). Above all, He gave us his son through whom he has given us every other thing we need including eternal life.

Why did God freely gave these things to man? What motivated him to do so? God gave these things to us out of love because he wants us to use them to glorify his name. He did not give us these life’s goodies for selfish purposes, rather they should be used according to his will. First and foremost, we should appreciate what he has given to us by the standard set out for us in the scriptures in terms of first fruit and tithe (Deut. 26:1 – 11). God’s desire is not only in the quantity but the heart with which such appreciation is made. Some bring their first fruit and tithe saying, God take and leave me alone; I have given you what you demanded from me. That was the reason God rejected the offering of Cain.

Again, God gave us those gifts and blessings of different kinds so that we can use them to help people in need and other less privileged ones in the society (Deut. 26:12 – 15). We shouldn’t eat up everything God has provided without remembering these set of people. Moreover, what God gave us should also be channeled into building and maintaining of his house (see Haggai 1:1 – 11), and for the upkeep of his Priests.

Unfortunately, most of the gifts God gave us are stucked into our pockets and bank accounts not asking God, to know why he gave us those blessings. Beloved, have you ever sat and asked yourself, why did God made me rich? Does it mean you worked harder than other people? Did it come out of your righteousness? We should know that riches, good health and all other blessings are from God and he gives them to whomever he desires. He doesn’t consider our righteousness or else unbelievers would be the poorest. However, he gives them freely. For this reason we need to first know the source and giver of all blessings. It is only when we have such knowledge that we can rightly use those gifts.

As we enter harvest season, we should reflect on the blessings God has bestowed on our lives especially this year. How much goodness and mercies have you received from God? What you have purposed to give to him is it well-matched with the blessings you have received? Think about this before you come to the altar of God and “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).