Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Praise & Worship 33
Sunday August 19, 2012
Walking in perilous times
Shepherd Life with Bishop Kingsley
I
Enakirerhi
n 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the scripture gives us an insight into what will happen in these last days. In Verse 1 in particular, it states “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come”. The Bible describes these times as perilous.
Perilous times can be described as difficult times, hard times, dangerous or fearful times or times when it will be difficult to practise Christianity. All around us, we see the evidence of these times. There is no doubt that we are indeed in perilous times. It is important that we look at some of the characteristics of these times. In verse 2 to 4 of our text, the Bible says, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” From the above scripture, one of the characteristics of these perilous times is that men will behave like animals. Today, we see an increase in violent crimes and
behaviours. Suicide bombings and senseless killings of fellow human beings is on the rise. The incidence of militancy and kidnapping is on the increase. We read of rape always in the newspapers. What about killing for ritual purposes? Recently, a young boy tied his girlfriend and set her ablaze together with the girl’s father’s house. What inhuman behaviour! A man recently cut in pieces his stepchild. Another woman admitted stabbing her own child. A look at the foreign scene will reveal acts of wickedness. All the acts of genocide and senseless ethnic killings are demonstration of animalistic behaviour. May God help us! Another characteristic of these times is that men will be greedy and very covetous. Recently, some public officers were investigated for stealing billions of naira belonging to the pension fund. This is money that he cannot even spend in his lifetime. Many want to own choice properties all over the world in places that they may never even visit till they die. Politicians are seriously looting the nation’s treasury to enrich themselves while the citizenry is wallowing in abject poverty. The incidence of fraud or ‘419’ is on the increase also. Because of the desire to be rich, caution is thrown into the wind and gullible people fall prey to fraudsters who deprive them of their hard earned money. All these are manifestations of these perilous times.
Because of this animalistic behaviour of men, insecurity is on the rise. People are living in great fear. Today, almost all the rich men are moving with pick-up van-load of mobile policemen simply because of fear. The wall of our fence is so high that the beauty of the building is hidden. We are prisoners in our own homes. What a terrible state of affairs. No wonder in Luke 21:25-26 the Bible states, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men hearts failing them for fear…”. Another characteristic of these times is that many Christians will become lukewarm and even backslide from the faith. In some places, church halls and buildings are being sold and changed to warehouses. The level of commitment of believers today is gradually declining. No wonder, Jesus asked if He would find faith on the earth when He returns. In times like this, there is the need for believers to be cautious. Because death can occur at any time, every believer must be sure of his or her relationship with Christ. If you are not sure of your salvation, then you are in trouble should death catches you unawares. You must be prepared to meet the Lord at any time. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the Bible states, “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
We must also walk in wisdom. In Ecclesiastes 7:12, we are told “For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the Excellency of knowledge is that wisdom giveth life to them that have it”. We need wisdom to live with our fellow men. We need wisdom to do business with others so that we will not be taken in by their lies. We need wisdom to run this Christian race. Let us ask God for wisdom. In times like this, we must also watch and pray. To watch means to be vigilant. We must be on the alert and observe the happenings around us. Then we must pray. We cannot do without prayer. That is why 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we should pray without ceasing. When we pray, we tap into the inexhaustible power of God for help. We must also preach the gospel and warn the wicked to change their ways. When evil men repent, the society will have reprieve. When Paul was converted, the Bible records in Acts Chapter 9 that the church had rest. We must also have faith in God; for without faith in God, we cannot overcome in these evil days. The trials will be so strong that only faith in God will make us victorious (1 John 5:4). In the face of insecurity in the nation, especially when believers are now the target of evil-minded people, we must be prepared to equip ourselves legally in order to defend ourselves. Be bold and be courageous for God is on our side and victory is sure.
Is suspicion killing your relationship? Christian Relationship with Taiwo
Odubiyi
E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk
D
oes your partner suspect your every move and keep accusing you of being unfaithful without proof ? You have probably talked to him or her, assured and even argued that the suspicion is baseless but there hasn’t been any change. The person believes you are having an affair, sleeping around with one of your colleagues, a neighbour or friend when there is no such thing? If that is so, then you need to get help, go for counselling.
Or are you the doubting person, and you are suspicious of your partner? Well, the truth of the matter is that suspicion is not a good spirit and it can kill your relationship. If you find it difficult to trust your partner, you should talk to someone for counselling before things get out of hand. In ‘My First Love’, one of my novels, Tofe, a 24-year-old female graduate told Lisa, “I don’t know how to handle Jude anymore.” As she talked, her lower lip trembled a little and tears gathered in her eyes. She went on. “He is very jealous. He doesn’t want me to talk to any male. If I greet or look at a man, he gets very angry. If he catches me talking or smiling with a man, I’m in trouble but when he has calmed down, he will apologise. I initially thought it must be that he loves me deeply but now I’m getting concerned.” Her voice was shaking.
“Did he slap you again?” Lisa asked. Tofe nodded and tears began to run down her face. “He s-slapped me … and pushed me.” “How many times has he hit you?” Lisa asked. “He hits me whenever he’s very angry, and he calls me names,” Tofe answered. She added, “I don’t talk to men again because of him. To get a job has been a challenge because he will ask if I met any man. I’ve had to lie to him a number of times even though I know it is wrong to lie as a Christian but telling him the truth will get me into trouble with him. I try to avoid things that could get him angry. I try to please him; I keep quiet for the sake of peace. I’m changing myself, giving up some things that make me ‘me’ but it’s like I’m not doing enough.” Jealousy and a bad experience usually lead to a suspicious mind which in turn leads to troubles. A suspicious mind jumps to conclusions about matters and is filled with negative thoughts, words and doubts. The person also does things that are not right such as eavesdropping and checking the phones for messages. With time, the person becomes very difficult and controlling which eventually will get the partner upset and angry as well. Not only can suspicion lead to the death of a relationship, it can lead to the death of a person if it is not handled properly and on time. Almost every week, there are reports in newspapers and on TV about people who were killed by enraged lovers or spouses. Suspicion walks and works hand in hand with rage and makes
the person upset and furious. The person imagines all kinds of things going on between the partner and other people in the worst way possible, which will make him or her want to put an end to whatever he or she feels is going on behind his or her back, one way or the other, and most of the time, the ways are wrong and destructive. The Bible has a lot to say about jealousy and why it should be avoided. Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple. (Job 5:2) For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. (Proverbs 6:34) Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? (Proverbs 27:4) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:16) There is always a better way to handle issues. Every relationship needs love, respect and trust to survive and thrive. Lack of trust breeds strife and weakens a relationship. Where there is no trust, and a person begins to suspect the partner’s moves, the relationship will begin to struggle and may eventually die. If there are reasons to doubt a partner or suspect an affair, what should be done is to call the partner for a conversation, confront him or her with the evidences, point out what has been seen or noticed and sort things out with an open mind. Communication is important to having a healthy relationship. The person should be calm when having this talk so that they can get to the root of the matter, get things settled
and make the right decision. The choice of words and timing are important as well. If, indeed, your partner has been cheating on you, then the choice is yours. For a happy and healthy relationship, there must be commitment. If a person loves you, the person will not cheat on you. What is commitment? 12 relationship tips on commitment • Commitment is focusing on the one you have chosen to be with, and ignoring others. • Love works and the works can be seen by everyone. • Commitment gets involved, it doesn’t stay on the fence neither is it nonchalant. • Love is active, not passive. • Commitment does not disappoint, it does not pull away but stays through thick and thin. • When you are committed, you don’t complain. You discuss and think of solutions or ways to make things get better. • Don’t throw your relationship away, go for marriage counselling. • Commitment in marriage means to give your energy and resources to the one you are married to. • Don’t waste your time on a person who is not willing to waste his or her time on you. • Commitment means devotion or dedication, to be there always. • Always remember that you have a choice. • Commitment is being loyal and trustworthy with a sense of fidelity.