WHAT THE CHURCH NEEDS TO DO TO SAVE NIGERIA

It is no news that our nation Nigeria is in a deep economic crisis. Prices of commodities have skyrocketed to high heavens and no one seems to have a clue on what to do in a bid to alleviate the sufferings of the people. Economic experts are oblivious of the solutions to the crisis which is actually a life threatening one. How did we get to this point? Someone have asked.

Prov. 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Another version says; “Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable.” Douay Rheims Bible.

When you look around, you will not find it hard to see the miserable state of the people. The other day, I heard how a woman left her child as a collateral in the market just to be able to get food for the rest children. Is this not pathetic? Many more are doing all sorts of things to survive. I’d this God’s plan for such a blessed and great country like Nigeria? Of course not! How did we really get here?

It all started when men purposed in their hearts to shed innocent blood. Our politicians have sold their souls to the devil in exchange for power and wealth. When Achan stole the accursed things in the camp of Israel, the whole nation suffered. Many of our nation’s politicians killed to get to where they are today. The blood of the children, women and men murdered for ritual purposes are crying against the nation.

Joshua 7:1, “:But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled”

The Islamic terrorists in northern Nigeria are ravaging the land and spilling human blood like it’s that of rams. These killings are also sacrifices to their altars and the quest to dominate others.In all these, what did the Church of Christ do? Sleeping, quarrelling amongst her self, and competing for who had this or that.

“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” Mathew 13:25.

To sleep is to be off guard, to be unaware of the goings around, to be carried away by worldly affairs etc. The church stopped praying, stopped loving, stopped evangelizing, and so on.

God depends on the Church in bringing sanity in the society where she is.

The Church is the people of God, called by His name to represent His intents. The Bible says; “we should make intercession…”

“Mind you, a divided Church can never win a common war.”

The unity of the Church at this time is most paramount to rescue this nation from the hands of the enemies of God.

2Chr. 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

What does this text entails? It speaks of the unpleasant situation of the land and the remedy. This also reveals that it is in God’s heart to turn around the condition of the land.

Firstly, it says; “if my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray…”

God expects the church to deal with pride. We stop priding our different denominations as the best, the largest in membership and face realities. “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6

Prayer is s more than just communication with God, but puts us in deep fellowship with him. When we pray continually, we have access to His power and grace, and much more, His mind.

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:” Joel 2:15

“Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” Joel 2:17.

The truth is that, the true change we expect can only come from God, not man. Ordinary men cannot up turn spiritual matters.

I remember in early 2015, when God revealed to me what will become of Nigeria. This was before the elections. The Lord said that; the emergence of this present government in Nigeria will cast a dark cloud over the nation and there shall be sufferings. The devil at that time succeeded in creating division in the Church. We didn’t have a common stand, while the enemy was very united.  But the solution lies in the Church by going back the Lord.

The united is lifeline of the nation, therefore, it is important for the Church to gather in one accord and subdue the incursion of the enemy and his cohorts.

A GREAT AND EFFECTUAL DOOR

"For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."1Cor.16:9

In considering this scripture for this short study, let us first of all define some of the terms used in it. For example, what is the meaning of following words: great, effectual and adversaries.

Great: Extraordinary, considerable, substantial, etc

Effectual: effective, successful, efficacious, productive, constructive, fruitful, potent, powerful, etc.

Adversary: opponent, rival, foe, combatant, etc.

Now permit me to rewrite the Scripture in my own version; “ for a substantial and fruitful opportunity (entry) is before me, but there are many enemies opposing me.”

Many people have had, and still has great doors opened before them, but has a lot of foes to contend with. These enemies ranges from physical and spiritual contenders.

It is not enough for you to see the door, it is much more important to enter. It is good enough for you to have a vision, but much more to fulfill it. The enemy may not stop you from dreaming or having a vision, but will do all that is in power to stop you from reaching it.

“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” 1Th. 2:18

Every vision  a child of God has,  must be opposed by the devil(Satan). 

A man who is being resisted will only struggle. He puts in a lot of strength, but has little or no progress.

Let’s look at this scenario, two men in a race of the same distance, even possessing the same strength , but one has a man in front of him and opposing him. No matter how serious he is, he must first of all defeat his opposition before moving forward. 

Be careful to know the tricks of the enemy. He may not come dressed in black clad and appearing with horns on his head, and a trident in his hand, but be wise enough to identify him. 

“And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”2Cor. 11:14 (ISV).

In Mathew 16:23, Jesus rebuked Peter and addressed him as the devil. Why? Peter became a tool for Satan to oppose the purpose of Jesus. “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

Satan can use good friends, family members and other conditions to oppose people from entering the purpose of God for their lives.

Zech. 3:1 “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.”

Satan is always in rebellion against all that is God’. Resisting every door opened for the children of God is one of his major itineraries. Joshua was standing before the angel of the LORD, but Satan appeared with a mission to resist him from the opportunity.

There are many whose their sins have become a source of adversaries unto, and so on. It is therefore necessary for people to do a proper check to know the causes of resistance in their lives and how to subdue everyone of them.

We will have to stop here today to continue next time. God bless you!