WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE GOSPEL? JUST PUBLISH IT!

According to:

Psalms 68:11: “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that          published it.”; and Mark 13:10: “And the Gospel must first be published among all nations.”

So, you are called to publish the gospel – “the good news or glad tidings from God to man” in any of the following ways:

1.        Propagate it

2.        Spread it

3.        Extend it

4.        Make it known

5.        Announce it

6.        Proclaim it

7.        Teach it

8.        Advertise it

9.        Talk it

10.      Preach it

11.      Sing it

12.      Shout it

13.      Purvey it

14.      Write it

15.      Broadcast it

16.      Counsel with it

17.      Exhort with it

18.      Draw it

19.      Sketch it

20.      Paint it

21.      Film it

22.      Act it

23.      Live it

24.      Believe it

25.      Cartoon it

Just “Do it” – do the gospel in whatever altruistic way you can.  The world must not be ignorant or in the dark about the gospel.

Maran'atha

Ambassador R A Y

The Siege of A Nation: Fundamentalists reign of Terror on Christians

Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah Lidda Awati Wal Jihad is their official name, but they are better known to Nigerians and the International Community as “Boko Haram”, which in Hausa language means “Western Education is anathema or sinful.”

Boko Haram is a group that has used terror to propagate and advance its ideals or philosophy. The group’s demand amongst others is an outright Islamization and adoption of Sharia Law for Northern Nigeria. Their demand is not in consonance with the constitution and nature of Nigeria. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and religious country and her constitution protects and guarantees her secular status. No religion is given a dominant or official status. Even Northern Nigeria is not an entirely homogenous region; it is multi-ethnic with divers’ language comprising adherents of Christianity, Islam and traditional believers.

In trying to achieve its objectives, Boko Haram has taken to bombing and shooting Nigerians particularly Christians either in churches, their residences or anywhere they gather. Catalogue of woes have been visited upon the church as it has recorded a high casualty of deaths and maiming as a result of the groups continuous and incessant attacks on Christians in Northern Nigeria. There has been at least 1 attack in most states in the north of Nigeria with the exception of a few states.

Boko Haram’s activities and existence can be traced to 2002 which was then limited in scope but not devoid of its fundamentalist tendencies until 2009 when after a series of skirmishes, its brush with Law Enforcement Agents and the subsequent killing of its leader Mallam Muhammed Yusuf in controversial circumstances while in custody.

Since 2009, Boko Haram has become bolder, daring and more sophisticated. There are also reports and or proofs of its linkage with the global terror group Al-Qaeda, which claims defense of Muslims and perpetrates its activities in the name of Islam. They have proved a handful to government security and intelligence agencies. It appears the government has lost grip of the situation and is clueless on how to contain or wipe out the terrorist group who have seriously threatened the corporate existence of Nigeria and has violently infringed on the well-being and safety of Nigerians.

While Nigerians were still mourning the suicide bombing of a Catholic church in Madalla, Niger State on Christmas day in December 2011, an action which Boko Haram took responsibility for; the group struck again on Friday, 20th January in Kano in multiple locations killing almost 200 people including children, policemen and a journalist with Channels Television. Few days after the Kano incidence, the group struck again in Bauchi attacking and killing mostly Christians. Now, Nigerians cannot give count of the groups’ attacks and bombings.

All of these attacks have put pressure on President Jonathan and his security agencies, which resulted in the sacking of the Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim who was accused of gross incompetence and ineffectiveness owing to the manner he handled the whole crisis and the escape of a prime Boko Haram suspect Kabir Sokoto who was under investigation for the Madalla Christmas day bombing. The attacks, bombings and shootings have not abated as a matter of fact they now kidnap locals and foreigners alike. Every day we hear reports of their deadly uprising in one state or the other. Boko Haram is on rampage. Who will bail Nigerians, our unity, the polity and the nation?

As Nigerians mourn their lost loved ones and ponder on how the country has come under the siege of Boko Haram unrelentlessly and unchecked, they look with trepidation, not knowing who or where the next attack will occur to the government for safety, protection and an end to the menace. Mr. President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to defeat and wipe out Boko Haram completely; inspite of this promise many have chosen to place their fate and deliverance in the Almighty God. The world is not only watching, it is waiting.

 Maran'atha,
Ambassador R A Y

WILL RAPTURE DAY COME SUDDEN TO GOD’S PEOPLE?

With the benefit of the Bible and the words of Jesus Christ, it is certain that “Rapture day” is unknown to Christians. That is, the day Jesus returns for His saints, His bride – the Church, with trumpet sound and the voice of an Arch Angel. This particular day or hour is not generally known to Jesus’ representatives or God’s people on earth.

But after studying the scriptures diligently, examining Jesus words closely and taking cognizant of contemporary revelations as given by the Holy Spirit, I am convinced and I can say that “true” Christians will not be taken unawares on Rapture Day. I believe somehow we (individually and as a body) will be pre-informed either by revelation or through the agency of the Holy Spirit; and so by this “act of mercy” (the bible says, it is by His mercy we are not consumed and His compassion faileth not) the church, the people of God will be or make herself “completely ready” or make herself “ready without encumbrance for take-off” to heaven, the city not made with hands or bricks (Luke 17:21).

In many scriptures of the Bible, Jesus warns Christians of His sudden return or unexpected appearance and as such there is the need of having the attitude of being constantly ready or prepared. I believe, it is, the complacent Christian or those who ignored or never paid attention to Jesus words that will be hardest hit or stunned at His return and of course the outright sinner, heathen or unbeliever who never believed, recognized or took Jesus Christ seriously as the only way to God, heaven or eternal life (John 14:6-7).

Here is, to my mind one of Jesus’ profound and scary warning to Christians or the church and mankind: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” Luke 21:34-36.

Let’s examine the following words of Jesus; the statement He made while answering His disciples’ curiosity on His return to earth and the fate of Christians or the world. “And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together” Luke 17:37.

The same statement is found in Matthew 24:28 “For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.” This statement is heavily pregnant and we need to decode it. It speaks volumes and may as well have answers to our questions.

In addition to the above, I believe the following scriptures penned down by men full of the Spirit of God are other good proofs that explain or let us know that “Rapture Day” will not take us, God’s children (John 1:12-13) unawares:

1.        “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” Heb 10:25.

2.        “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness” 1 Thess 5:4-5.

3.        By Jesus himself in Luke 21:28: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” and Revelations 3:10-11: “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”

So, if you ask me, I will tell you that the most striking, stimulating and thought provoking proof is the one earlier quoted, that is, “And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together” Luke 17:37. And the one found in Revelations 19:7: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made herself ready.”

Didn’t Jesus say or imply (as in above) that He was coming for a READY (or PREPARED) bride. Is not also implied that the wife (i.e. the church) on purpose makes herself ready? The key word is ‘‘hath made’’ and ‘‘ready’’.

So, it is a ready church or bride that will attend or witness or participate in the marriage super of the Lamb of God and have the privilege of wearing dazzling pure linen. Well dear reader, I leave you to draw your own conclusions or arrive at your own summations. One thing is certain as the existence of the heavenly Father, and it is that Jesus is coming back soon and you had better be ready and prepared to meet your God (Rev. 22:7; Amos 4:12). Hear what the Spirit is saying and be wise.

Maran’atha,

Ambassador RAY

NB. Bold and underlined scriptures are for emphasis sake by author.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO SCHOOL LATELY?

‘‘When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you’’. – John 16: 13-15.

Have you been to school lately? I know you are wondering and probably asking “what is this buddy up to’’, ‘what does he mean by, “have you been to school lately’’? I know you do not just have a Bachelor of Science degree, but you came out tops in your Masters Degree class. I know that in pursuit of excellence in education you were not satisfied with your Master degree, you also have a PhD in your kitty and you are presently gunning for a “Doctor of Letters’’.
I know your array of qualifications will make even a university Vice-Chancellor green with envy. I must confess, I find your array of qualifications quite intimidating and impressive. But, please permit me to ask your one more time. Have you been to school lately?
I know a school; it is far more exclusive than Harvard or Oxford, yet, without any preference it admits more people than any school in the world. It has the most robust curriculum ever, offering the best of knowledge and wisdom. It traverses and transcends all known borders; and it is not bound by time and space.
Ladies and gentlemen, that school is “School of the Holy Spirit”. The greatest deity and man that walked the face of this earth; in very clear speech, devoid of figure and idiom first intimated mankind of whom is behind this school ‘‘...He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” - John 14:26.
To even depict the Excellency of His teachings and nature, He is called ‘‘...wonderful counselor…” - Isaiah 9:6, John 15:26. Brethren, in a world buffeted by all sorts of aches and troubles; where there no is iota of justice, peace and equity (John 17:14; 16:33), where outright lies have been packaged and presented as truths, and half truths and errors masqueraded as genuine information (John 8:43-44, 2 Corinthians 4:4).
In order to carry on and avoid being swallowed by the deluge that has become of planet earth (2 Corinthians 2:11), It has become more expedient that you join yourself (1 Corinthians 6:17) to the one called “The Spirit of Truth”; for only He can give you the truth that can set you free (John 8:32; 14:6).
Brethren, the truth is that “Truth” has become so scarce and not just that, but the most contested “commodity” on earth (John 8:38, 40, 43, 47). Believe it, you can only get or access the truth by enrolling in the school of all schools, that is ‘School of the Holy Spirit” (John 16:13-15, Isaiah 45:19).
Now consider the schools’ profile below and then see if indeed it is not the most intelligent decision of your life to make by enrolling now (Hebrew 3:7-11).

School: School of the Holy Spirit
Proprietor: The Holy Spirit
Head Teacher: The Godhead
Mode of Teaching: Revelation, Illumination, Inspiration, Impartation, Intuition.
Medium of Teaching:   Study of the Word; Meditation of the Word; Preaching of the Word;
                                      Teaching of the Word; Prophetic Utterance of the Word; Demonstration
                                      of the Word.
Teaching Aids:  The Holy Bible, Written Matter (especially those authored by His vessels),
                           Nature of the works of His hands e.g. the lily in the valley, the soul, the human body,  
                           metabolism or physiology e.t.c
Other Teachers: Anointed Vessels of God
(Qualification)
First Point of Entry: Washed of water and spirit. You must be “Born Again”.
(Qualification)
Second Point of Entry: Poured on and filled with the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost Baptism).
(Promotion & Progression)
Qualifications Obtainable:   Child of God, Royal Priesthood, Peculiar Prophet (Person), Chosen
                                               Generation, Christ Ambassador, Excellent King (who is master of
                                               situations and circumstances).
Perks of Qualifications:        Gifts of the Spirit and Fruits of the Spirit (spiritual blessings);  
                                                Finest of wheat and honey (material blessings).
Course Duration:                  All of your life time.
Courses: The love of God; the severity of God, The mysteries of God, The Judgment of God,
                Things to come or happen; Hard questions of life; Secrets of Men; Secrets of demonic
                activities; Solutions to human problems, Deliverance from: Ignorance, self, men, sin,
                Satan and wicked forces; Salvation of soul from spiritual death; Salvation from    lack,
                want or bareness; Sanctification and Consecration; How to be faithful and make your
                fruits abide; How to abide in Him; How to enter into His (physical and spiritual) rest
                and many more.
Syllabus: All that is of the God head and what Jesus taught and did.
In conclusion brethren, the irony of it all, are that, the truth gotten and taught at the School of the Holy Spirit cannot be negotiated, disregarded or wished away. Someday mankind and the world will keep a date with the “Almighty Truth”. Depending on your reaction, the truth will either make or mar you (2 Corinthians 13:8). Buy Knowledge (the truth) for free and keep it.
Maran’atha

Ambassador R A Y