An encouragement for the one looking up to Jehovah (Psalm 145:18)

When God comes through for us, we should act like the man at the Beautiful Gate and cling on (Acts 3:11)

Entering into eternal life and receiving the crown that awaits us requires self-discipline (1 Cor. 9:25)

Searching the scripture means that we will do what God wants us to do in its entirety (John 5:39-40)

Blessed be the name of the Lord who has forgiven us, and gives us the hope of heaven (Isaiah 53:5)

HE CARES FOR YOU
Luke 12.7

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Beloved, there is a quiet question that echoes in the hearts of many today: “Does God really care about me?” Not in theory… not in doctrine… but in the reality of daily struggles, silent tears, and unseen battles. And into that question, our Lord speaks with tender authority in Luke 12.7:

“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”


You see, Jesus uses the sparrow to teach us something profound. Sparrows were among the cheapest birds sold in the market; almost worthless in human estimation. Yet not one of them falls to the ground without God’s awareness. If God pays attention to something so seemingly insignificant, how much more are you my friend that He created in His own image?

Sometimes life has a way of making us feel forgotten. Our prayers seem unanswered. And the weight/pressure of responsibility grows heavier. And then, anxiety creeps in like a thief in the night. But here is a consolation: your situation has never escaped God’s notice. Because your pain is not proof of His absence. He is still working things out for you so, be of good cheer.

I need you to think about Hagar in the wilderness; she was alone, frustrated, and broken. Yet the Bible recorded her expression of hope restored when she exclaimed “El-Roi!” THE GOD WHO SEES. Also think about David who marveled at the height of The Father’s care when he said; “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” These passages of the Bible should leave us with no better comfort knowing that God is mindful of us.

Despite all of these, many of us still find ourselves grappling with the reality of God’s promises concerning our lives. We perhaps, think that these promises are just too big for God to fulfill in our lives. In essence, we are not worthy of them. But Luke 12.7 corrects that thinking as he reveals a God who is sovereign and sensitive about our well-being.

Why then should you be anxious about your life?
Did He take care of you in January? What about February, March? In April, why do you think He has abandoned you? If God can feed, shelter, and care for the sparrows, how much more you who is more than valuable to Him?

Dear friends, you cannot trust in God and still be worried concerning the things you cannot help yourself with. Why not release your anxieties to Him and rest on His breast (Matthew 11.28-30) and as the Bible says in 1 Peter 5.7, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you”. I need you to know that this is more than a promise, it is a command.

Let me close with this: If God knows the number of hairs on your head, then there is nothing about your life that is beyond His concern. Nothing is too broken, too small, or too complicated for Him. As the song says, “Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior still our refuge, take it to the LORD in prayer”. Amen!

STANDING IN THE GAP

“So, I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one”. Ezekiel 22.30

Oghenevwede A. Ubiuku, Minister
@COC Gura-Topp Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State

WELCOME: We live in a society today where immorality is applauded and morality disdained. It is no longer surprising that our days can now be likened to the sinful days of Sodom and Gomorrah. The wickedness has risen above the heavens.
Historical background of the text: during the days of the prophet Ezekiel, God’s judgment was against the nation because the corruption cut across every facet of their lives; from the priest to the prophets who tell lies, the leaders who are corrupt and hands stained with blood, the people were completely immoral beyond recognition.
So God's next action was to bring this nation to ruin, but He needed to see if someone would stand in the gap to intercede for the people, but He found none at that time.
Definition: for there to be a gap, it means there is something lacking. There is a breach, or crack, or loophole. Standing in the gap means stepping into a task no one would want to take up. It could also mean interceding. Like taking the position of an intercessor or a watchman.
Our days are not different from that of Ezekiel. We see religious corruption, political dishonesty, and moral decline in our society. God searches for someone to breach the gap shows God’s interest in saving the soul of man (2 Peter 3.9).
How are gaps created?
1. By broken trust.
2. By unfaithfulness (23).
3. By the hardening of the heart (Deuteronomy 30.19; Joshua 24.15). Hardening of hearts are self-inflicted and accountable.
4. Disobedience (1 Samuel 15.1-29; Isaiah 48.12-13).
How can we breach these gaps?
1. By prayers (James 5.14-18).
2. By intercession (1 Timothy 2.1-4).
3. By warning humanity of God’s impending wrath against all unrighteousness (Isaiah 21.6-8; Ezekiel 3.17; 33.7; Acts 20.31; 1 Thessalonians 5.14).
4. By sound teaching and correction in love (1 Timothy 1.10; 2 Timothy 3.15; Titus 1.9; Ephesians 4.15).
Who are we to stand in the gap for?
1. The weak brethren – Galatians 6.1; 1 Thessalonians 5.14
2. The married, unmarried, and divorced
3. Our children, youth, and elderly ones. Even our unsaved friends.
4. Religious and political leaders
Why do we need to stand in the gap?
Because God desires all men to be saved, not willing that any should perish – 1 Timothy 2.4; Titus 2.11-12; 2 Peter 3.9
Because God desires all men to live a holy life – 1 Peter 1.16
Because God desires all men to live in peace – 1 Timothy 2.3
Conclusion: while the world is derailing into more chaos of unrighteousness, God has not given up on Man’s salvation. To this end, Christ died that any who believe shall be saved (John 19.37; Mark 16.15-16). God is still searching for an intercessor like Ezekiel, will you rise up this moment and say like Isaiah:
“Also, I heard the voice of the LORD, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me”. Isaiah 6.8
May the LORD help us to be ready for His use at all times in Christ name, amen.

This material can be used anywhere for the edification of the saints so long as proper reference is made to the rightful owner of this material. Remember, plagiarism is theft.

The Truth About Christians and Self Defense

Matthew 10.16

Dear friends, one of the most sensitive, yet neglected conversations in our generation is the position of the Christian when it comes to self-defense.

For a long time, this subject has been avoided, from the pulpit to the pew. And because of that silence, many believers have been left confused, vulnerable, and in some cases, unprepared for the harsh realities of life.

In many parts of our world today, including our very own environment, we hear of killings, abductions, destruction of properties, and lives being cut short without warning. These are not distant stories, they are real, present, and painful.

And so the question arises:

What does Christ expect of us in moments like this?

In Matthew 10.16, Jesus said: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

That statement alone captures the tension of the Christian life:

* We are sheep - gentle, harmless, not violent.
* Yet we are sent among wolves - dangerous, hostile, unpredictable.

So how do we live in that tension?

Let us begin by understanding what self-defense means.

Self-defense is the justified use of reasonable force to protect oneself from imminent harm or unlawful attack. It is not revenge. It is not aggression. It is a response; measured, necessary, and often urgent.

Even in Scripture, we see that God’s people were not always passive in the face of danger.

In Exodus 22.2-3, provision was made for defending one’s home.
In Nehemiah 4.17, the builders worked with one hand and held weapons with the other.
David, in 1 Samuel 17, did not fold his hands before Goliath, he acted, trusting God while using what was in his hand.

So clearly, the Bible does not promote foolish exposure to danger.

But we must be careful here. Because while Scripture acknowledges the reality of defense, it also places a strong emphasis on restraint, wisdom, and the condition of the heart.

Jesus did tell His disciples in Luke 22.36 to acquire a sword. But when that same sword was used in haste during His arrest, He said:

“Put your sword back in its place… for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

That tells us something important: “The presence of a means of defense is not a license for reckless action.”

Now, as Christians, we must hold two truths together.

First, we are called to be wise. Not careless. Not naive. Not ignorant of the dangers around us.

Second, we are called to be harmless. Not driven by hatred. Not quick to destroy. Not eager for violence.

This balance is where maturity lies.

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 5:8, speaks about providing for one’s household. And truly, provision is not only about food, clothing, and shelter but also about safety and protection.

A man who watches harm come upon his family without any sense of responsibility has misunderstood stewardship. At the same time, our confidence is never in weapons, strength, or strategy but in God.

As the Scripture says:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God…” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

And again:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…” (Ephesians 6:12)

So even when we speak of defense, we must never forget: Our greatest battle is spiritual.

So what then should a Christian do in the face of danger?

First, be vigilant.
Awareness can prevent many tragedies.

Second, pursue peace where possible.
Words, wisdom, and calmness can de-escalate situations.

Third, make use of lawful means.
Report threats. Seek help. Do not isolate yourself in crisis.

And where life is directly threatened, there may be moments that require immediate and proportionate action but even then, guided by wisdom, not rage.

Beloved, this is not a call to violence.
This is a call to responsibility.
A call to wisdom.
A call to live with both faith and understanding. Because it is possible to defend your life and still preserve your soul.

As we reflect on the realities around us today, especially in places where lives have been lost and communities shaken, we must not respond with fear alone.

We must respond with clarity. Faith. Wisdom.

May God grant us discernment to know what to do in every situation.
May He preserve our lives and the lives of our loved ones. And may we never lose the spirit of Christ even in the face of danger. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Oghenevwede A. Ubiuku
Minister

Title: Though the World May Fail Me
Text: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1
There comes a time in life when the things we once depended on begin to give way beneath us. What once felt stable suddenly becomes uncertain. Friends may disappoint, carefully laid plans may collapse, and doors we expected to open may remain shut. At such moments, it can feel as though the ground itself is shifting, leaving us unsettled and vulnerable. The painful truth is that the world, with all its promises, is not designed to carry the full weight of our trust.
Yet, in the midst of this instability, the word of God gives us a steady and reassuring reminder: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This is not just a comforting phrase; it is a declaration of God’s nature. He is not merely a helper from a distance, but one who is present, involved, and reliable even in our darkest moments. When everything else seems to fail, God remains.
One of the greatest struggles we face is misplaced confidence. It is easy to anchor our hopes in things we can see and control—our careers, relationships, finances, and even our own abilities. But life has a way of revealing the limits of these things. When they fail, we often feel lost, not because there is no hope, but because our hope was placed in the wrong foundation. God, in His wisdom, sometimes allows these failures to redirect our hearts back to Him—the only One who is unchanging.
Throughout Scripture, we see examples of individuals who faced deep disappointment and hardship. Yet, they found strength not in their circumstances but in their relationship with God. Their situations did not always change immediately, but their perspective did. They learned that God’s presence was enough to sustain them, even when the world around them was falling apart.
When the world fails you, it is not the end of your story, it is an opportunity to rediscover where true security lies. Instead of allowing disappointment to harden your heart, let it draw you closer to God. Spend time in His word, speak to Him in prayer, and remind yourself of His promises. God’s faithfulness is not affected by the instability of the world. What fails around you does not determine what stands within you when your life is rooted in Him.
What Should You Do When the World Fails You?
In moments like this, there are clear and practical steps that can steady your heart:
First, turn to God in sincere prayer. Do not hold back your fears, disappointments, or confusion. Pour them out honestly before Him. God is not moved by perfect words, but by a sincere heart seeking Him.
Second, anchor yourself in the word of God. When emotions are unstable, the word of God remains steady. Reading and meditating on Scripture will help realign your thoughts and remind you of truths that circumstances may try to hide.
Third, examine where your trust has been placed. Difficult times often reveal misplaced priorities. Use such moments to shift your dependence away from the world and fully onto God.
Fourth, remain faithful in obedience. It is easy to drift away when discouraged, but this is the time to hold even more firmly to God—continuing in worship, service, and righteous living.
Finally, stay connected to the body of Christ. God did not design us to walk alone. Fellowship with other believers provides encouragement, correction, and strength during difficult seasons.
These steps do not remove the situation instantly, but they position you where God can sustain and guide you through it.
There is a peace that comes from knowing that no matter what happens, God is still in control. This peace does not mean the absence of trouble, but the assurance that trouble will not overcome you. When God is your refuge, you are not defined by your losses, but by His sustaining grace.
Call to Salvation
If you have not yet obeyed the gospel, it is important to understand that a life built outside of Christ will always remain uncertain. The world may offer temporary satisfaction, but it cannot provide lasting security. That is found only in Christ.
God, in His love, has made a way for you to come into that security. You must hear the word of God (Romans 10:17) and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24). This belief must lead you to repentance—a genuine turning away from sin (Luke 13:3). You are then to confess your faith in Christ (Romans 10:9–10) and be baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38). It is through this obedience that you enter into Christ, where all spiritual blessings are found.
Do not delay. The same world that fails others will fail you too, if you place your trust in it. But in Christ, you will find a foundation that cannot be shaken, a refuge that never fails, and a hope that endures beyond this life. Come to Him today.

In the midst of a world of trial and difficulty, there is a SURE HAND we can rely on to see us through (Isaiah 41:10)