Ted Haggard on Larry King Live

I was in my office two years ago when I walked into the ladies and found a colleague of mine with a long face leaning against one of the wash hand basins. I rushed to her and asked what was wrong.

“I can’t believe this.” She moaned as she shook her head slowly

“What happened? What can’t you believe?” I asked. I waited and watched with concern as she tried to pull herself together.

“It’s Ted Haggard, one of my favourite preachers, I just heard that he has been involved in some sexual sins and drug use.” At the time I had never heard of Ted Haggard even though I got to know later that he had been labelled as one of the 25 most influential preachers in the world.

“How could something like this ever happen?” She moaned again. And then she launched into a review of the many ways that his ministry had touched her life positively. I tried to console her as much as I could and as I pondered on the events in my heart.

I didn’t hear much about him again until yesterday, when I saw him being interviewed on Larry King Live. After his first sentence, I dropped what I had at hand and paid attention.

He spoke about how he had struggled with the inner pressure and thoughts of homosexuality since he was in high school. The struggle was real but he didn’t know how to deal with it, so he kept it tucked away and continued with his life… until one day after many years of marriage and four grown up children, he gave in and began to live a lie.

He confessed that when the news broke, he lied initially because he wanted to keep his home and his wife. But then after a lot of pressure, he spoke the truth.

Things got so bad that he asked his wife to divorce him; she refused and stood by him. At a point he contemplated suicide but in his lowest moment he heard the voice of Jesus again. Jesus reminded him of the fact that even if he had 99 sheep with him, he will always go looking for the missing one. Ted then sought counselling and after two years, believed that he was on the path to recovery.

His wife joined the interview and confessed that the reason she stayed with him was because in spite of everything, …“I love this man”. She also decided to take a conscious decision to act on Jesus commandment for us to forgive.

As I watched them both, I began to respect again, this man that has fallen so low but who I now believe by the special grace of God, is on the way to recovery. It takes uncommon guts for a person to come clean in public in a continued attempt to heal the wounds he had created. As I meditated afterwards, I must confess that the interview was full of lessons for me. I will share some of them here. ..

Sin starts from the heart and the mind and if not checked, it festers because it is secret and no one else can see.

Persistent temptation in the heart is like a time bomb; if you don’t deal with it, it will explode one day. A wound that is covered up cannot heal; it has to be exposed to a doctor, treated, rested before it can heal.

A lot of sins thrive on secrecy. The day it becomes exposed, the attraction wanes some.

God starts to deal with sin by convicting us in our heart. If we will not repent, He will expose the sin. His main purpose is to create a further avenue for repentance and change.

There are some temptations that are too hard for us to handle alone. In cases like this there is a need for external help and counselling

If you have a good spouse, then that is the best person to share the issues with. He /she has a stake in your life and will realise that they have no choice but to help you through inspite of the pain they may feel.

There is nothing hidden under the sun; one day it will come out. I remember the story of a man in Abuja who had a second wife tucked away in another town. He thought his secret was safe forever but suddenly died in a plane crash. The secret wife stepped forward and his family had to deal with the double tragedy of the loss of their bread winner and the other wife who came forward to contest for her share in his inheritance.

There are probably many more Ted Haggards out there, presenting a front with a holy smile and living a false life. They have their own struggles. The church needs to stop treating our leaders like super heroes and consciously create an opportunity for those who have hidden issues to come forward and deal with them

Church leaders are a gift to the church, to help us build our relationship with Jesus; they are never to take the place of Jesus in our hearts.

Whatever it is, no matter how bad the sin, God will forgive a repentant heart. He promised the repentant thief on the cross a place in paradise. Nobody’s sin is too hot for the blood of Jesus to handle.

Sometimes God will allow us to be shaken to the core and stripped of all we have so that the foundation of our lives can be repaired and the true building can begin.

I pray that Ted Haggard can find the absolute deliverance that is available by the finished work of Jesus Christ; and that all that have been wounded by this will find healing by His stripes. Amen!!

Kike Adesina - A Powerful new voice

God gave us our talents for a reason and when we use them to touch our family, neighbourhood and the world at large; everyone takes note.

I have always known that my dear friend Kike Adesina, has such a powerful God given voice. The few times I have heard her lead praise worship, the strength of her voice commands a total focus on the lyrics of the song and creates and awareness of the very presence of God.

Kike Adesina took her first trip to the studio recently and came out with this proclamation of God's love. I hope it captivates you as much as it did me and let me know what you think...

WHERE IS NIGERIA S BARACK OBAMA

Today I recall a day early in January when I was in a discussion with some of my colleagues in the office. Everyone was unilateral and emphatic in their agreement that Obama could never win the presidential ticket he was seeking. It is not possible they said. He is a black man with an African father; a minority! It can never happen. Mine was a lone voice. Do not underestimate the power of possibilities, I said.

In my whole life I have never followed a campaign like I followed this one. I watched him, I listened to every speech and I was not surprised when he won the democratic ticket over Hillary Clinton.

And today I am not surprised that he is America' s 44th President with a landslide victory at the polls. He needed 270 electoral votes and he got 338. The crowds continued to swell at his acceptance speech. Tears flowed ;cheers soared. A defining moment indeed!

In all this, I see the power of vision and inspiration. Martin Luther King saw it 60 years ago. He had a dream, that one day in America, colour would no longer matter. Even though Africans were brought to the United States, bleeding, naked and chained together like animals; today an African American has taken the charge to lead that country.

More than 2000 years ago, a young 17 year old boy was also taken in chains from his fatherland to Egypt, the most powerful country in the world then. With the hand of God and within the space of some time, that slave, called Joseph, became the ruler of Egypt.

How did Obama do it? First he too, like Martin Luther saw it. He has a sincere heart for the people and he gave them his heart. I have not yet seen a leader rejected, who gives the people his heart.

He was rewarded with their growing trust. Obama planned and he pursued his vision. The people needed a change and their heart embraced what he offered. He laid the foundation with his heart and the people joined hands to build the house of this miracle we are witnessing today.

There were threats to his life and attacks on his person but he relentlessly pursued his vision.

I am happy for the American people.

But then my heart goes to Nigeria.

Where, O where is our own Obama. Where is that man who will stand up and lead the charge for change in this great country, Nigeria. A man who will be ready to serve rather than rule. I can see a change, I can see a new Nigeria.

But that man needs to take a cue from what Obama has done and needs to step forward. There may be threats to his life and attacks on his person, but if his heart is right, and he trusts in God, Nigeria will also find the change that we so much desire. I pray he steps forward soon.

Toothy Truths

I would like to share this truthy mail forwarded by a friend but written by Maureen D. Eha

"I am not a particularly domestic type. If I have to work hard, I don't want to waste my energy dusting off tables that will look just as bad the day after I dust them as they did the day before. I want to work on words—positioning them, rearranging them, making them sing out the message God has laid on my, or someone else's heart. That kind of work makes a difference for eternity.

But there's one job around my home that, believe it or not, I enjoy doing—cleaning out the refrigerator. I just love pulling out all the jars and containers of leftovers, organizing what's still edible and throwing the rest away. There's something in me that likes to get rid of whatever's rotten to make room for what's fresh and good.

Recently the Lord showed me how essential it is for us to do this on a regular basis in our spiritual and emotional lives. So often we hang onto something that has long since gone bad, either because we have grown accustomed to it or because we think we cannot live without it.

But often that rotten thing—whether it be a doctrine we cling to, a relationship that is not good for us, an emotion that controls us, a job that stifles our walk with the Lord, or a secret shame or wound from the past—prevents us from making room for the new, life-giving thing God has for us. As it spoils, it becomes like a poison, slowly invading our system and hindering our growth in God.

I'll give you a good example in the natural. Several years ago my daughter, Caitlin, reached the age when children begin to lose their baby teeth, and one of her large, upper front teeth became loose. At first, it followed the usual course—just a slight wiggle when she pushed on it with her tongue. Soon, it moved back and forth more freely. Before long it was hanging, as the saying goes, by merely a thread.

At this point, the loose tooth had passed the point of inconvenience. It was clearly in the way, making it difficult for her to bite and speak. So you can understand why I was shocked by the protest she put up when I offered to pull it for her.

"No way!" she screamed, horrified. "It'll hurt! It'll bleed! I'll NEVER let you do that!" And she covered her mouth with both hands.

During the next few days, the tooth became progressively looser, but it didn't come out. I kept watching Caitlin trying to compensate for the disturbance it was causing in her life. She went through 10 napkins each meal because of the mess she got on her face while eating on only one side of her mouth. She avoided brushing anywhere near it. She lisped when she talked.

Finally, I became concerned about her swallowing it and decided to lay down the law. "No family movie tonight if you don't let me pull it," I told her. She hollered. She whimpered. She almost bit off my finger (by accident, of course). But when she reluctantly kept her mouth open for a single split second, I reached in and gently snatched the tooth out.

"Got it," I said. The look on her face was inimitable. She went ashen, opened her eyes wide and said incredulously, "What?!!!"

It was obvious she hadn't felt a thing. And oh, how much easier her life became! She could eat and talk and smile without interference. And in the place where the dead, rotten tooth had been, a new one was beginning to appear.

I got a secret delight out of having surprised her so thoroughly—causing all her negative expectations to come to naught. Until the Holy Spirit arrested me.

"How many times have you put your hands over your heart when I offered to remove something rotten that was spoiling there?" He asked me. "How many times have you been afraid to let me touch something that was a part of you—no matter how uncomfortable it was--for fear that My removing it would hurt worse? Or because the new thing I was offering somehow didn't seem as good?"

The Lord showed me that, just as I painlessly removed my daughter's tooth, making it possible for her to appreciate the new growth that was taking its place, He can take away the rotten things that are hindering us and provide life-giving replacements. And what He has to offer will make our lives so much better! The Bible tells us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17, NKJV).

Everything the Father has to offer us is good. Jesus made this clear when He told His followers, "'If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!'" (Matt. 7:11).

Knowing this is true, why do we protest so vehemently when the Holy Spirit offers to take away the bad? Let's give it to Him freely! Purpose today to relinquish everything that's rotten in your life so He can replace it with something good. Open your mind, heart and spirit willingly—no hands over your "mouth"—and watch how gingerly He performs the operation.

SNATCHED FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH

I remember the story of a man who lived a riotous life, with excess drinking, partying and womanizing. One day as he left his club at 2 a.m., barely sober, he got into his car and started the engine. Suddenly a dark demonic being appeared in the seat beside him and said, “I have come to take you, it’s time.” The man’s heart thumped erratically at the deep fear that filled him. But somehow he had the presence of mind to resist – “Noooooooo…..” he shouted and the demon suddenly disappeared.

The fear in his heart didn’t ease up and he knew that he had just seen death face to face. In the past he had jeered at his friends who shared the gospel of Christ with him; but suddenly he had an inkling that only Jesus could save him now. He drove to a nearby church and knelt in the empty hall where he gave his life to Jesus. He became a member of the Full Gospel Fellowship, where one day he shared this testimony.

As I heard his testimony, I wonder what would have happened to him, if he had kept silent.

Proverbs 18: 21 says “The Power of life and death is in the tongue. Life itself teaches that those who speak out get results.

I once had an experience which proved to me again that there is power in God’s word when we believe and speak it loud.

A young girl who lives with me fell sick at about 12midnight on a particular day. She vomited heavily and then collapsed on the floor. We panicked as we rushed her into the car and went in search of a hospital. My husband took the wheels and I sat in the back seat with her. Soon she became unconscious. I called her name and shook her but there was no response. A question crossed my mind… was she dying?

Then I knew what I had to do. I opened my mouth wide and spoke all the scriptures and promises of God I knew into her face.

“God’s word says, you will live and you will not die. You will live to declare God’s glory with your lips…..”

“No weapon of the enemy fashioned against you shall prosper….”

“The bible says I should resist the devil and he will flee. Every satanic presence or any spirit of death hovering around this girl; I command you to let her go in Jesus name and I command you to flee away.”

“God is a wall of fire round about you and the glory within you.

“By the stripes of Jesus Christ you are healed. Jesus took the stripes upon his back so that you can walk in health…”

On and on I went until we found a decent hospital that was accessible. I forced myself into the emergency room with the doctors. I watched the doctor as he used his stethoscope on her heart and I noticed that his expression became worried. He turned to me and asked again. “Are you sure she just fell ill this evening?”

I looked at her still body on the table and I placed my lips close to her right ear..I called her name and continued to speak as the doctors also worked on her.

“I say, according to God’s word that you will not die….”
“God’s word says that you are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Receive strength to live.
“You’ve always wanted to be a lawyer and you will become a lawyer in Jesus Name …
“ The Lord is right beside you now… he said, he will never leave you nor forsake you. …

Suddenly, from her unconscious state I heard her shout, “Yes!!! I believe!!!!”

I lifted up my head, looked into her face as her eyelids fluttered and heaved a sigh of relief. I gave glory to God. Later I heard the doctor who attended to her give a report to his Chief medical Officer, “We almost lost her heart beat….

She recovered and by the next afternoon she was discharged and we headed back home.

The word of God is strong and powerful. He created the world by His word and Hebrews 1:3 confirms that “His word contains his power.” If we could only believe and speak it out in faith…

Do you also have an experienced where God's word has worked for you powerefully, maybe you can share it here.

Stay blessed!!!

GODLESS PASSIONS

There is the fable about a village where the men decided they had no choice but to destroy a stealthy fox that was wreaking havoc on them, killing their children and maiming their hunters.

No one could face up to the animal directly so they decided to set a trap to make it self-destruct.

The next evening, the fox came out of its hiding place in search for blood. As it crept across the snowy street, looking for a prey, it picked up the scent of blood and soon found the exact spot. With its pulse racing with excitement, the fox frantically dug beneath the snow with its paws.

Without pausing to think that there could be any danger associated with its discovery of a shiny metal covered in fresh blood, the fox began to lick at the blood. The fox couldn’t get enough and soon the razor sharp knife left deep lacerations on its tongue. The ice numbed its tongue and numbed the pain. Even though Mr. Fox was by now swallowing its own blood, it was too late to stop. As the fox got weaker and weaker it lay down in seeming ecstasy, not realizing that it was submitting to death.

A gory story no doubt, but full of lessons.

There is a tendency for people to loose their common sense in the face of godless passions, especially when they think no one can see.

Godless passion – Something a person craves, loves and enjoys but which can destroy the person (according to nuggets of gold dictionary)

The truth is that godless passions are a weakness and a trap for a future fall. They should be treated in the same way that one treats the weakness that comes from sickness and disease. For example, the sense of sickness drives even the strongest person to God in prayer or scrambling to the doctor for an examination.

Why is spiritual sickness, - adultery, prostitution, drug use, uncontrolled anger, etc., treated differently?

Things could have turned out differently for The Governor of New York - Spitzer. He could have seen a counselor about his strange desires; he could have discussed his secret passions with his wife, it seems she does care for him, the way she has stood solidly beside him through the trauma of the last few days. He could have cried to God for help, but he didn’t, because he craved and enjoyed his peculiar godless passion.

But then a big question - How could a person condemn so publicly and with such vigor; but then also habour similar vices in the corner of his heart.

That is the question many are throwing at the New York Governor, but then I wonder how many of those throwing these stones are doing so with a free conscience.

I wonder what secret godless passions we also enjoy, that have a stronghold on our will, which could make us loose those things that are dear to us – family, respect, careers.

Maybe it’s time to deal with them now….

2nd Samuel
5: So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die. …

7: Then Nathan said to David, - “You are the man,…

I LOVE MY PHONE… So What?

Last week I got a mail on my desk top, with a questioner attached that could help determine a man’s true treasure. I was meditating on the content of the mail when my younger brother walked in. He is a commited Christian; born again and also loves the Lord. I decided to test the mail on him.

As he sat across the table I fired a couple of questions at him.

“Do you love God?”

“Of Course! Why do you ask?”

“Don’t ask questions, just answer me. Now, do you agree that the bible is God’s word?”

“Yes I do!!”

“Do you have a bible and if you do, is your bible a treasure?”

“Yes and Yes.”

“Okay, that’s great now just a few more questions... Do you have a phone?”

He looked at me curiously wondering what I was getting at. “You know I have a phone,” he answered cautiously. “I spent a fortune on it.” For proof he tapped the phone strapped to his belt.

“Which is more important to you – Your bible or your phone?”

“Sister, what kind of a question is that? My bible is certainly more important to me!!”

“Okay. I see your phone attached to your belt. Do you also carry your bible around?”

“No.”

“Do you flip through your phone several times a day?”

“Yeah.”

“… Your bible”

He shook his head.

“If you leave home in the morning and realize you have forgotten your phone what will you do.”

“I’ll go back and get it.”

“Would you do the same if you realize you forgot your bible.”

He squeezed his face … “Probably not.”

“How many times a day do you check your phone for messages?”

“Several times.”

“Do you check your bible for messages regularly?”

“Naaah…”

“When you think of a gift which comes to your mind first – a phone or a bible…?”

He smiled

“What would you use in case of emergency? Your bible or your phone?”

“To be honest, I will use my phone. But then now that you ask, I realize that God’s word can get me out of trouble any day. Any more questions?”

I smiled.

Tough questions but it makes one think - 'What are my priorities?’

Matt 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also….

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

Here is another song with powerful lyrics.

It's -- I can Only Imagine by MercyMe

1)

I can only imagine

What it will be like

When I walk By Your side

I can only imagine

What my eyes will see

When Your face Is before me

I can only imagine

{Chorus}:

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel

Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still

Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

2)

I can only imagine

When that day comes

And I find myself

Standing in the Son

I can only imagine

When all I will do

Is Forever Forever worship You

I can only imagine

*******

Can You Imagine????

Rev 1:12

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

13

and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

14

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;

15

His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;

16

He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

17

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

18

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.