PHILIP IKEJI or LINDA AKPOVETA... she doesn't even know me!

Its been 4yrs+ I graduated from the University. I go there once in a while for programmes and the likes... But something really surprises me, Somebody somewhere seems to recognise me. Well, this day I was at the students affairs and on sighting me, these two students screamed... "WOW! We were just talking about you... some told us of some things you did then... I told them I knew you VERY WELL!
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I've been writing on Linda Ikeji, some haven't been too happy, and they didn't hide it... some think I'm hyping her success beyond measure... If having friends on Facebook were to be an achievement, my writing referencing her just gave me loads of friend requests.
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Come to think of it, I wasn't even writing about her... she was only a leverage I used in passing a message. The message was far more important than her name, but her name drew attention to the message.
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Which would ring a bell if you heard the name... Philip IKEJI or Linda AKPOVETA?
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I guess it would be the first. You would probably ask if that person were a relation to Linda. The second might not ring as much to you as the first, except that you know about some EXCEPTIONAL guys on facebook with that name... and maybe send Linda Akpoveta a friend request to see what she carries.
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When growing, we tend to hide under the names of influential persons to showcase our impact... We behave like a Sam ADEYEMI, Leke ALDER, TD JAKES, Paula WHITE etc... that's good. it is a step in your formation.
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But you can't always and forever hide under the name of someone to pass your message in life... YOUR MESSAGE SHOULD GIVE YOUR NAME RELEVANCE.
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Aren't you surprised that after all set and dawn, sufferings and sacrifices, the reward given to Jesus was a NAME that is greater than all other names?
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Why would I draw a tattoo a Davido on my skin to attract relevance? Why would I sing like a frank EDWARDS to feed my ego... and they say, "Wow! you preach like TD JAKES", and I smile as if it were an accomplishment.
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This isn't wrong though, but that isn't your BEST.
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Rather than pursue wealth, pursue a NAME. There are so many wealthy and world billonaires who their names,far more than half the population of the earth aren't aware of... maybe I should ask WHAT IS YOUR NAME.
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Until you have a REAL MESSAGE, you don't have a NAME. It isn't about being in a hurry to publish a book, say on FAITH, and its sitting side by side with Bishop OYEDEPO'S book on faith... You know who men will go for.
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When your message carries REAL CONTENT distinct and significant, separate from the rest, then you've begun to emerge.
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Don't hide under the covering of who may not know you, don't derive your uniqueness by WHO YOU KNOW... Be known for who you are.
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I am PHILIP A. AKPOVETA

I rise to give relevance to the AKPOVETA clan in my way... Who are YOU?
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TheEND.
PA™

LINDA IKEJI... What's the noise of the house about? who e help?

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Seriously, I didn't want to write anything on Linda Ikeji any longer. I've had some attacks from the previous article shared by some... but for the necessity of this message, I will.
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This woman came to my office with a baby on her back and began to run her mouth... "Thank God say I meet you self... abeg I nor get anytin for house, my bab y food don finish I even by one on credit... my husband nor dey did town, e dey hussle for village... anytin you fit do to help me, na beg I dey... on Sunday you go fit gather the women for church make dem bring wrapper and cloths for me... na so e be.
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Now the above is just a 'caricature' of what she really said. All the while she spoke, I said nothing... she kept on ranting... yes, RANTING!
Worst of all, I have NEVER seen this woman in my life.
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I bought into her tales at noon day, and scratched everything I had on me then... N700. all in change. I gave her N600 and told her to return the following day.
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Her reply was killing! "Thank you sir,. you know say I tell you say I buy my baby food on credit... I go use this money wey you give me tey pay for that one... the N100 wet dey your hand, bring am come ma use am for transport!
Haaaaa!!!!
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For my money again... she was giving orders. I told her point blank... "You are an UNGRATEFUL woman". I'll stop here.
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So what's the big deal about Linda getting a house of 800Million? Does it change the price of Garri in the Market... How many has she helped with her money? bla bla bla...
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It is no different hearing those who criticise men of God who buy Private Jets... I'm still yet to know if these same people have seen it in their Bibles that "ye shall lend to nations and not borrow" Deut28.
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Remember Mary Magdalen who wept at the feet of Christ and used her EXPENSIVE OIL from the Alabaster box to wash his feet... what was the reply from a disciple? "This is wastage! we can sell it and give the money to the Poor!". The answer of Jesus was Classic... "No matter how you help, the poor will still be among you!".
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Friends, its high time you learnt to use your oil on yourself too... You worked for it, use it!
Many will hate you for enjoying your labour... Proud, Stingy etc would be some of those words. it is just the Psychology of the poor.
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Those who criticize what is good never attain that level... Is a Private Jet really a luxury if I need comfort in flying? In truth, the more you become successful, your taste changes... not that it changes as such, but the part of you that love good things become activated.
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That woman was a 'poor' woman needing my assistance... I gave, but the mentality of the poor to grab as much as possible while it lasts, was alive in her... giving her more will keep her there.
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Help those you can, within your capacity... and NEVER feel guilty reaping your bountiful harvest. It doesn't have to change the price of Garri in the market, but it helps you afford what you want.
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As it were, Life is Good!
Work hard and Enjoy it!
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PA.

LINDA IKEJI... Are you married?

She had called and I told her when I would be available. Finally she came and began her 'woe tales'... she ended it up by saying she's seriously praying for her life partner.
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This really would have been nothing except for the fact that she's a few weeks old graduate, full of potentials but seeking for a man whose head is big and wide enough to carry her load... but as a brother, I decided to give her my candid advice.
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"My dear, there's so much you need to put in place as a single before thinking of getting married... look as Diezani Alison Madueke[DAM]... I guess you know her". Her reply was surprising... "NO".
"Okay..." I proceeded... "But you know Okonjo Iweala". "Who is she?" was her reply... at this moment, every intelligence cell in my grey matter had shut down. There was no need continuing. A prayer was just enough to discharge her.
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Whenever you see a successful man, rather than gaze on his success, ASK questions that enabled him get there... this is what I was taught. I was also made to understand that the questions a man asks reveal his WISDOM.
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But to my surprise the most intelligent of questions the average Nigerian could ask because a SINGLE lady bought a house is "...IS SHE MARRIED?".
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In one of the branches of the Church I worship, a SINGLE lady bought a car, and the brethren accused her that she wasn't WISE! Haaaa!
okay, the excuse here was that now she has gotten a car, Men will find it difficult to approach her... I wish I could correct that word from MEN to BOYS. Boys will find it difficult.
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Its quite unfortunate that most MEN find ambitious ladies INTIMIDATING... I guess they need someone they can control with their 'chinko' money. Most women aren't helping matters, they think MARRIAGE brings relevance to WOMANHOOD.
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Listen dear ladies, the MAN DOESN'T DEFINE THE WOMAN. Being MARRIED is not, and NEVER will be a symbol of honour to WOMANHOOD.
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Dear Men, if you are better than your wife in ALL aspects... financially, Spiritually, Intelligence Wise, Managerially, etc... sorry, you are single carrying a human cargo along with you in your journey of life.
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My wife should be able to 'intimidate' me in some areas... That's what we call a JEWEL. You know you paid a Bride PRICE, and didn't pick up a COMMODITY to be used.
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Ladies, if any man or boy as it were, accuses you of being TOO AMBITIOUS, you shouldn't answer a 'fool' in his own words says the bible... You've known the kind of husband he'll be. A HUNTER!
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A man who eventually becomes a Husband to Linda I. will NEVER be poor... Not because she is rich, but because she is WEALTHY in ideas, information etc... This is what the Bible calls 'a HELP suitable' for the man. and come the think of it, a HELP is 'greater' than the HELPED!
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Give meaning to your SINGLEHOOD.
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PA.

LINDA IKEJI.... Determine your class

Eating in roadside eateries is not what I do. If hunger persists, I go with snacks... and believe me, I love snacks. Lacasera and Gala was my favourite then...
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I got tired of gala and 'graduated' to eating meat pies. But I was a bit choosy here... series of changes in 'diet' have occurred overtime, but I seem to go with Hollandia Yoghurt and Burgers whenever I'm on the move and hunger comes calling...
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While talking with a group of youths last Friday, I asked them a question... to the guys: "If Genevieve comes walking by, can you in your right senses ask her for her hand in marriage?"... youths could be really funny, and I got a reply that sent us all into bouts of laughter... someone in the audience spoke up and said "BY FAITH!".
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Faith is usually brought into play whenever there is an IMPOSSIBILITY, so I guess we went with his point because it was 'impossible' for any of those guys.
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In truth, the impossibility doesnt lie in being impossible, but in the STARK difference in class.
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Linda isn't married yet, and she would eventually get married when she deems it right. If she hasn't got a fiancée before now, what kind of man would you expect to ask her out?
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It is obvious quite a lot of men have had their ego grossly embarrassed by her 'success', at least on this plane... even if they had an eye on her, they can only wish. Their level of success isn't in the same scale as hers on the financial and fame plane. There's no puzzle to match here. Known or unknown to her, she just DEFINED HER CLASS.
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If God had instructed you to take her as a wife, God is indirectly telling you to be EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL cos either she won't think twice your direction, or your own conscience will tell you 'aba!... you nor get sense?".
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Such is life bro. You will always flow in the dimension of your 'CLASS'. Those who approach you for marriage as young ladies, reveals the 'class' you fall into. Those you relate with as men, tells so much about you.
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If you aren't happy with the results you see, change your class, better still DEFINE YOUR CLASS. Some will call it pride, like they say... 'issorite'. People who often sing the song of pride are those often intimidated!
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Would I mind anyone telling me I'm wasting money on Holladia and Burgers? Not at all. Come to think of it, that isn't the best for a refreshment... those who can't have it would see it as something big... If some are BILLIONAIRES in dollars why then the intimidation by someone who got a house in the million dimension?
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You know what you want... Go for it... DEFINE YOUR AUDIENCE by your success.
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It's Tuesday... make it count!

PA.

LINDA IKEJI... MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL

...I had just purchased a polo shirt from a clothing outfit and this was my first time wearing it.
At the popular Enerhen junction in Warri, posed in a 'clean' Toyota model vehicle, I saw the driver wearing that same shirt!
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I felt good... 'Big Men wear that shirt... and I'm on it!
Moving towards the Enerhen Motel, I saw another person wearing that same shirt! I really hadn't seen that shirt before I got it, and I wasn't too happy 'everyone' seem to have it, but that wasn't the issue...
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The shirt on that young man was 'dead', I mean really DEAD!... Moving close to his direction, I felt embarrassed wearing that shirt. The said person was one of those street boys... I certainly didn't feel good about that.
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But on a second thought, the issue wasn't with the shirt, it was with the man IN the shirt.
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Isn't it funny when someone starts something that becomes successful, others join in doing that thing?
Many things people do, they do because a successful man does it... I bet you, the number of blogs would dramatically increase now that a blogger bought a house of almost a BILLION NAIRA!
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It would please you to know that before she started, there were bloggers... and most are no where near a millionaire... and they still blog till date!
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She took what she had, and MADE IT BEAUTIFUL.
Every business that looks so successful have been ran by someone who failed and probably neglected it... the problem wasn't with the business, it was with the 'somebody' behind that business.
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Back to my shirt... I owe that shirt a responsibility to MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL that others would see it on me and desire to buy it... I hope my PERSONALITY gives value to what I put on and others proud having it.
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The day's about closing up, hope you made your day BEAUTIFUL!

PA.

The DISCOVERED and The REVEALED

MAN as a created being is POWERFUL. Under his progressive strength, the elements of the earth have been tamed and his conquests seem to extend beyond the earth territory. Science didn’t make man powerful. His potentials place him on the power pedestal.

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Put into a proper perspective and intelligent debate, the intelligence of man cannot be explained effectively by the Darwinian evolution theory which is fast losing ground in the science world. With the earth subject to man’s knowledge, man who now seem to appear grand in the midst of his achievements would only be put in his rightful place in relation to God when in HIS WISDOM he realises there are TESTIMONIES mere men carry with UNDENIABLE EVIDENCES whose explanations transcends the logic of the world.

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These testimonies might be IGNORED, tagging it SUPERSTITIOUS but its attendant RESULTS cannot be DENIED. Would this baffle us? It’s man’s nature to fight what they don’t understand.

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One major life’s principle that has ensured man’s outstanding successes on earth is the PRINCIPLE OF COMBINED EFFORT. Simply put SYNERGY. In brief it states that “the effort of two working together produces results far greater than two working individually”. This principle is highly accepted by man, and taught in success programs yet MAN as a RACE have rejected it in the deeper areas of life. We SYNERGISE with fellow man to create outstanding achievements within the EARTH-REALM, but we forget that we ignore this rule standing alone as the MAN-RACE. One beauty in synergy is that each individual player possesses STRENGHTS the other lacks. These combined strength brings up an uncommon result.

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The Man Race is so self-reliant that they think the fullness of their exploits lies in their standing alone. There’s got to be a PARTNERSHIP. I think suggesting a GOD-MAN partnership would do.

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Now let’s knit the above information together.

The exploits of man have always been in the PLANE OF DISCOVERIES. One man without help can make a discovery... TIME and DILIGENCE in search is what is required. What is hidden doesn’t connote inaccessibility. Most great discoveries by man were made by just one man. Only one man can set himself on a course and return with what others haven’t gotten. This is the beauty and bane of discovery. It is ONE man based... ONE team based... ONE race based. Do you understand?

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There exists another plane... a HIGHER PLANE. This is the DIMENSION OF REVELATION. No REVELATION can occur/be gotten by one. It takes two for the validity of a revelation to be sealed... The REVEALER and the RECEIVER. This isn’t a one man’s journey, there must be a REVEALER, and else whatever is searched for will never be found. This is the glory of the GOD-MAN partnership. Understand this... whatever is said to be REVEALED stays in the hand of the REVEALER until he pleases. Whatever is gotten on a personal search is DISCOVERED, whatever is UNVEILED is a REVELATION.

If you can unveil it yourself, it’s not a revelation to you because it is within your reach. The Receiver must be in dependence to the revealer or else the treasures expected remains hidden. If he chooses not to unveil it, it remains LOCKED. A diligent search can’t grant you access. A REVELATION lies in the hands of the REVEALER.

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CAN WE GET BACK TO THE BIBLE?

The Bible, when studied critically by MAN without synergizing with the GOD part of the partnership equation (The Holy Spirit), can expose the learner to the deep truths about life. We can learn life’s lessons and be morally good as a believer... one this realm springs forth DOCTRINES/MAN MADE rules of Holiness with Biblical back-up. (The article:  DOCTRINES AND DEVILS to be released soon...). on this realm we have the EDUCATED and probably the POWERLESS Believers who know the word, live the word but the word really isn’t alive in them. The lessons gotten from the dimension of truth can be used in LEADERSHIP SEMINARS, COACHING PROGRAMS, CONFERENCES etc that’s why we find the ordinary professional who wouldn’t pay much attention to God, yet when he explains success he uses biblical principles using the Bible as an authority.

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Heaven will be fine with that, but that’s a dimension of TRUTH in the DISCOVERY ZONE. A diligent study, void of God’s assistance can enable one DISCOVER it... even the unbeliever. But I must say it now... THAT’S NOT THE GOSPEL!

Ever seen this in your bible? ‘The SECRET of the Lord is with them that fear him, and He will SHOW them his covenant’ Ps25:14

With the God part of this partnership, something’s going to be revealed. Can you recall Jesus asking his disciple... ‘Who do men say I am?’ what was their reply? Then he went further... ‘Who do you say I am...’ Peter spoke up. ‘You are the SON OF THE LIVING GOD’. Jesus gave a remarkable commendation here... ‘FLESH AND BLOOD HAS NOT REVEALED THIS TO YOU, BUT MY FATHER IN HEAVEN’Matt16:14. This is the POWER of the GOSPEL... REVELATION!

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The Bible is a book of secrets not found in the pages of the Bible, but in the hand of the ‘author’ of the Bible.

Men live in the dimension of DISCOVERIES, God sits in the dimension of REVELATIONS. The things you truly KNOW OF God and not ABOUT God where things unveiled to you by God himself. Unfortunately, we’ve discovered so much and we can say what we know ABOUT GOD, but we truly don’t KNOW him.

By revelation I’m not talking about dreams or the popular ‘Rhema! Rhema!!’ most persons chant... I’m talking about a REALITY you are conscious of, that is opened up unto you that makes you CONFIDENTLY sow in time of famine and then reap a hundred fold...a reality that doesn’t permit sickness, because you KNOW that your body has become a living temple. This is not about those confessions you make trying to believe the word.

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REVELATIONS are DOORWAYS opening one to another reality- A HIGHER REALITY.

Hence a revelation without a significant difference in one’s lifestyle and life results should be questioned! In truth, any aspect of one’s life in sharp contrast to biblical reality hasn’t contacted a true revelation... be it in health, finances, marriage etc. This is the beauty of the SYNERGY between the MAN RACE and the GOD HEAD.

Try as one may, revelations can’t be taught effectively... they are only SEEN and EXPERIENCED. What has been taught of a revelation can end up becoming stale knowledge somewhere in the brain to many. It is a life to live.

Are you ready for a PARTNERSHIP?

AKPOVETA, Philip A.

THE SPEAKING VOICE

It worries the heart to find faithful believers who, over their really bad situation, they searched out scriptures, CONFESSED them, PRAYED with them, STOOD upon scriptural promises and eventually got DROWNED in that situation. Haven’t we seen Christian friends who lay weak in their sick beds, putting a high and contagious hope in the word ‘I SHALL NOT DIE’ in faith, but they eventually DIED in that sickness.

Preachers are at a loss to the reasons why certain things happen even with a great dimension of faith applied. Our only consolation always is ‘GOD KNOWS WHY’. God has been put into the equation, so we dare not ask why... even if we do out of frustration, we return at his foot pleading for His mercy. This has become the reality of the present day believer, but deep down we know this isn’t the gospel that divided the red sea as our preachers have taught.

Shying away from this reality doesn’t solve the mocking reality.

Believers have devised a more appealing way to soothe their pain... using scriptures to excuse inabilities. Among this is the popular “And we know, that ALL things work together to them that LOVE God and are called according to PURPOSE”. Rom8:28. In truth, many have sung this song but they died without anything really working out.

This has been a thing of burden, and I’ve realised some hard truths. First, you can’t just yank out a scripture from the BIBLE and enforce it into your situation and get a result. No, not at all. Christianity isn’t voodoo. Sincerely doing it doesn’t alter the lack of result. Secondly, there are some REALITIES and UNDERSTANDING one must attain before some WORDS will eventually WORK, even if it’s God that said so (This has it’s exceptions though).

I got a LIVING SOLUTION to these challenges... simple though, but they serve the bedrock of our Christian faith.

JOSHUA took over the mantle of leadership to take the small nation of Isreal into their land of promise. Seeing the herculean task ahead, GOD HIMSELF, and not a prophet, had to speak to Joshua. “THERE SHALL NO MAN BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE YOU ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE. AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO WILL I BE WITH YOU...” Josh1:5

Series of battles won, and then fast forward... Josh7.

They came against a small nation, AI, and they fled before them!

Joshua LOVED God, was Called according to PURPOSE and also WALKED according to purpose, yet he failed. If he were to be of this stock of Christians, Rom8:28 become valid. Besides, He had HEARD CLEARLY from GOD, ‘NO MAN WILL BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST YOU...’

Since God has SPOKEN... he believes it... that settles it... LIE!

Joshua had the SPOKEN word, his realities was in stark contrast to what was SPOKEN, though he loved God and walked according to purpose he wasn’t content, he had to go for the SPEAKING VOICE... On enquiry, it became evident that GOD WAS NO MORE WITH HIM. Note: He wasn’t at fault.

You cannot entirely stake your future on what God HAD said... what is God saying?

The power of the WRITTEN WORD lies in the SPEAKING VOICE. I shall be the head and not the tail is what is written about YOU, But has God said it about YOU and still says it TO YOU as an individual, not as a Christian?

The BIBLE won’t help you if God isn’t SPEAKING... This not the Rhema! Rhema!! we hear everyday... if it is indeed rhema, it will PRODUCE!

Rather that ask for progress, ENQUIRE what is STOPPING your progress... it is in the Prayer of Enquiry you understand the reasons why God’s word looks stale and dormant in your life.

Understand this; the fulfilment of a promise is in stages... each stage requires an INFORMATION. A promise can be challenged based on your lack of currency. Hence jesus compared the word to food... man shall not live by bread alone. We eat everyday for life, we must be alive to his SPEAKING VOICE everyday to make progress.

Do you see why your Confessions and Biblical Prayers overtime is powerless? What is God saying NOW?

AKPOVETA, Philip A.

IS THE BIBLE THE WORD OF GOD?

There’s so much that goes around in Christendom that have generated questions, yet in truth, a consensus answer agreed upon by all denominations springing up from the root of Christianity haven’t been found. They only thing that seem to unite our faith in all denomination is the NEW BIRTH experience, without which salvation is impossible. Even at that there’re contradictions in what the new birth really is. It is at this very point, down the long walk in our Christian ‘journey’ that we’ve had varying ideologies, interpretations, doctrines and what have you.

It baffles me that of these varying interpretations and doctrines, we all draw strength from the BIBLE. Denominations now glory in their new found revelations and have unknowingly swallowed the intoxicating pill of SUPERIORITY COMPLEX. The Bible is our authority, yet we know that God is not an author of confusion.

Majority of believers are kept in the dark as to what to believe even though they profess to have a ‘BIBLICAL BACK UP’ for some of their beliefs, but in the real sense, what they believe is what they’ve been taught with results to show for it... but don’t forget, other denominations still have results to show for their beliefs!

Before I proceed, a few questions to you would be necessary for an evaluation and an honest reply:

1.       What is God’s stand on females worshiping with their heads uncovered?

2.       Is ORAL SEX permitted for Christians?

3.       Once saved... forever saved... how true?

4.       MASTURBATION! Who told you its wrong?

5.       Watching of PORN by MARRIED COUPLES... Is that permitted?

Some of the answers to these questions could be gotten by deducing, but some keeps one at a loss. There are many issues in like form that we ask; we know that the answers should either be a GOOD or BAD, YES or NO, RIGHT or WRONG on them, yet the Bible is silent on these issues. I’ve met believers who feel ORAL SEX is wrong, and there are those who think otherwise... but God has a perfect stand point on such issues. But what does the BIBLE say?

Most who say such is wrong infer from natural processes of nature or on culture and tradition, but we know God’s word isn’t culture based or people opinionated.

There are certain truths every believer MUST know;

1.       The Bible isn’t just a book. It is a ‘LIBRARY’ containing 66 books.

2.       The books of the Bible were written over a period of 600 years

3.       The authors of these books didn’t set out to write a RELIGIOUS book. They recorded the events of their time and their dealings with God... some were letters of encouragement.

4.       The writings of these men were not restricted to only 66 books. Others included: 1&2 Edras, 1&2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith,  The Wisdom of Solomon, Barauch, Addition to Esther, Addition to Daniel, The prayer of Mannaseh, Bel and the Dragon etc

5.       What the people of the time of Jesus knew as the scriptures were mainly the laws of Moses and some of the writings of the Prophets.

6.       Years after the ascension of Jesus, Jewish rabbis in a bid to bring up a standard book and authority for the Judeo-Christian religion, subjected all these writings to thorough debate... the 66 books were eventually agreed upon to be the Scriptures for Believers. (This was simply a matter of God convincing his human followers which book was accepted). This is the canonization of the Bible.

7.       The Bible is our recognized authority, and we know its writings are inspired of God.

There are so many questions the average believer, spiritual leaders inclusive, have not been able to stand up to authoritatively when challenged using the scriptures by the non-believer. When asked, where is so and so written in the Bible about this issue you are condemning, we know we can’t point any place therein. It becomes worse when the non believer points out an error of a ‘godly character’ in the Bible as an excuse to their error but the Believer really Cant prove or disprove that ideology. Is God in error? Certainly NO!

We can find a rat hole out of that situation by telling them they aren’t spiritual enough or they are tend to misunderstand the content... true though, But how do you explain discrepancies is records given by MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE and JOHN as it has to do with the description tagged on Jesus’ cross saying ‘THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS’? This isn’t about being spiritual, or lacking in understanding. It’s something deeper that our ignorance of God’s word can’t stand up to.

We’ve been taught to be content with what we’ve heard, and not to probe further. Why question the authority of God? We may enter into error... error ahead might be in view, but it isn’t a CERTAINTY except probing is done with an ulterior motive. Adam was CONTENT with the commandment God gave him, he dared not ask the Almighty a question... but then the Devil came along doing the EXPLANATION. We know the rest.

Believers are trained like soldiers to take instructions, but are nurtured as sons. For this reason, we like His DISCIPLES, after we’ve heard from him go back and ask, WHY LORD? Would the father refuse us an answer?

WHAT BROUGHT ME TO THIS POINT...

To be controversial? Just to do something Different? None of the earlier stated. I won’t tow this line, not for the pride of being logical(for in working with God, your reasoning/intelligence on most occasions would be embarrassed, still IGNORANCE won’t help). This is something deeply spiritual and deals with sacredness, hence one must tow carefully.

And again, what led me to this point?

Denominational Doctrines... Unanswered questions the Church and world ask but have no bible backup... an inactive gospel contrary to what was practiced in the days of the prophets and Apostles who had NO BIBLE... Now there’s something wrong with the gospel we to preach!

It might interest you to know that the realities of TODAY differ greatly from that of YESTERDAY. The dimension of evil isn’t only alarming, but there seem to be a thin line between evil and good. We can LIE and call it WISDOM. We can harbour UNFORGIVENESS and claim we are being COURTEOUS. We can GOSSIP and think we are DISCUSSING generally. We can use the an edge of the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT to cut our neighbours who fall into sin and claim we are telling him the blunt TRUTH... Besides, the nature of what we call sin has greatly changed... if we drank alcohol and it is termed sin, how about those to which it is given as a cure for an ailment? Is that sin too? I’ve decided not to have sex until I get married, so resorting to masturbating should do... Have I wronged God?

Interestingly, there is no clear cut answer on some and totally NO ANSWER on others in the BIBLE WHICH IS GOD’S WORD... since there isn’t, many have resorted to error SINCERELY.

As It were, UNDERSTANDING what the Bible really is, its content and it’s purposes we would realise that it is not an end to itself, but THE means to a glorious end.

(It would do you well to note that I wrote ‘THE’ means, and not ‘A’ means... there’s great difference in both. A means, gives options of other means, but THE means shows certainty, and no other means exist).

Certain answers can be gotten authoritatively, not drawn from the Bible directly, but from GOD with the guidance of the Bible. In the Begining was THE WORD... and not THE BIBLE. The word TRANCENDS the Bible, the BIBLE is the authentic carrier to the STANDARDS of the WORD. The word was GOD... not a BOOK. It says again, FAITH comes by HEARING... not just reading. Hence, God’s word is continuous, it’s everywhere... his words created the world, since those words are alive, God speakes to us through everything in the world, but to know if it’s from God, we measure it against His APPROVED standard. The Bible.

While writing this script, I came across a book by a foremost Spiritual leader who worked with the renowned DL MOODY... RA. TORREY(1856-1928). In his book, POWER-FILLED LIVING, he exposed some ‘Errors’ of the Bible and how a GOOD UNDERSTANDING makes these ‘errors’ altogether ‘non-errors’. Hear Him:

“Many think that when you say the Bible is the Word of God, of divine origin and authority you mean that God is the speaker in every utterance it contains (The statement ‘Bible is the word of God’ is FIGURATIVE). But this is not at all what it means... the Bible records what GOD said, what GOOD MEN said, what INSPIRED MEN said, what BAD men said, what ANGELS said and what the DEVIL said... the record of what God said is ABSOLUTELY TRUE, but what others said may or may not be true... many careless readers of the Bible do not notice who is talking- be it God, Good Men, Angels, Bad Men etc they’ll tear a verse right out of context, regardless of the speaker and say... God said that... but in truth, God said nothing(and probably has nothing to do with such statements... it was only recorded).

Studying the three friends of Job, and their advices to Job you would attest to the fact that most of what they told Job was ‘TRUE’. But this is what God has to say about it in Job42:7 “...you have not spoken of me what is right”. Job also lamented, the lord giveth and the Lord has taken away... we console our loved ones with that word as ‘THE WORD OF GOD’ yet, it was Job who made that statement. Yes he was a righteous man, but thank God for moses who received the insight behind the heavenly parliament organized to discuss the issue of Job. As it were, God didn’t take away, the DEVIL did, for the blessings of the Lord makes RICH and added NO SORROW.

The DEEP believer would see the Bible as a book of Records compiled by men, authenticated by God, containing the events, wars, trade, sermons of God and the Devil, advises from good men, bad men, uninspired and inspired men. A book of the cry of vengeance by good men(which is not always justified), stories of love, prophecies, good prophecies by prophets, but not inspired of God eg Isaiah. It’s indeed a LIBRARY of RECORDS with a spiritual seal.

Hence when God speaks, either through his ministers or unbelievers or circumstances or dreams, He refers you to THE BOOK that carries his seal which is his standard to authenticate the validity of such message. When the devil, as an angel of light speaks, you reference THE BOOK of spiritual standards for it’s validity.

When studying, if God was the speaker... BELIEVE IT. If inspired men... BELIEVE IT. If Good Men... JUDGE it... If it was the Devil... we know he was a liar from the Begining.

AKPOVETA, Philip A.