Gbagede Otito

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 Jn 3:1&2)

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us." Consider who we were, and what we feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is powerful in us, and you will wonder at our adoption.
Yet we are called "the sons of God." What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings!
What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son!
But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ.
As for the temporary drawback of suffering with the elder brother, this we accept as an honour: "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
We are content to be unknown with Him in His humiliation, for we are to be exalted with Him.
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God." That is easy to read, but it is not so easy to feel.
How is it with your heart this morning? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot?
Does your faith almost fail you?
Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on Christ.
With all these things against us, now-in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be-now, as much in the valley as on the mountain, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God."
“Ah, but," you say, "see how I am arrayed! my graces are not bright; my righteousness does not shine with apparent glory."
But read the next: "It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like Him.
“The Holy Spirit shall purify our minds, and divine power shall refine our bodies, then shall we see Him as He is.
Happy Sunday
Shalom........

WHAT LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME..

I have visited my 120years old grandmother and given her some money when I was leaving and she told me she doesn't need money again. That she can no longer buy nor sell at her age, so I should give the money to the younger ones who need it.

I also have a former governor friend whom I worked with as a green horn journalist. He was governor from 1999-2007. Not too long ago, I saw him. After check in, he was left seated by the corner of the Murtala Mohammed international airport awaiting his flight. No one even recognized him again, not even passengers from his State where he was governor, and as I walked up to him and greeted him, then asked if he wanted any assistance, he stretched forth his trembling hands to hold me and simply said, "Thank you for even recognizing me again. I just want your attention briefly my son. Sit down let me ask you something. How is Governor Ayade doing Agba?"

I also have a retired Major General friend whom I served as a golf caddy at the NDA golf course in Kurmi Mashi, Kaduna. He was so rich he built a beautiful house he was so proud of. I visited him too not long ago and wanted us to climb to our favorite spot at his balcony upstairs. He stared at me with a broad smile and said, "Jally, I can't remember the year I went up there. It is lizards and cob webs and the likes that live there now. Even the kids, when they come, they don't enjoy my company in the house anymore than a few hours and they are gone. I don't have the limbs to climb up there again and the cost of cleaning keeps getting higher."

I have seen a lot more things. How yesterday became the day before, and how today became yesterday, and how tomorrow became today. How the past became history, and how the present became the past, and how the future became the present. Nothing ever remains where it is. Your strength, your muscles, your beauty, your wealth, your guts, your worth, your courage, your talent, your YOU, will progressively diminish until it returns to source. The richest man in the world in the 1960s will be on the payroll of the richest man in the world today.

Even the strongest lion in the jungle will someday become weak, frail and be eaten by the same predators it once terrorized.

Keep that in mind always and know that no matter how appealing and tempting that thing may seem, our interest in it will diminish with time. Our strength to consume or own it will vanish with time, until everything is surely taken away from us or we are surely taken away from everything.

Written by Agba Jalingo

Do have a blessed Sunday

*DO NOT SOLVE LAZINESS WITH PRAYER.*

*IF YOU DON'T WORK HARD YOU WILL SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN CHURCH SHOUTING*

*"I RECEIVE"*

“Ani bi emi ti ri rí pe: awọn ti nṣe itulẹ ẹ̀ṣẹ, ti nwọn si fọ́n irugbin ìwa buburu, nwọn a si ká eso rẹ̀ na.
Nipa ifẹsi Ọlọrun nwọn a ṣegbe, nipa ẽmi ibinu rẹ̀ nwọn a parun” (Job 4:8&9)

Ohunkohun ti o ba gbin ni iwo yio ka.
Eni ti o furugbin ibi, eso ibi ni yio ka.
Kosi eniti o se rere ti ire re ko ni wa ba.
Loju eniyan, o le pe, sugbon Olorun yio san fun onikaluku gegebi ise owo re.
“Kiyesi i, emi mbọ̀ kánkán; ère mi si mbẹ pẹlu mi, lati san an fun olukuluku gẹgẹ bi iṣẹ rẹ̀ yio ti ri”(ÌFIHÀN 22 : 12)
Amokun sika, ere re nbe.
Woli eke, ere tire naa nbe.
Apanilekun jaye, ere re nbe.
Opuro oloselu, iwo naa a jere ise owo re.
Oju Oluwa mi wo ise re, awon angeli mimo nko..........
Ojumo ire o.