An Evening To Remember

I was in a meeting yesterday and the Engineer that convened the meeting made an impression on me. One of the many things that stood out for me was his boldness and sheer determination to make a difference. He mentioned how many people make the mistake of thinking success meant having an edge over a colleague or former classmate; not true. He defined success as finding out your purpose and fulfilling/completing it. He has started several businesses and is vigorously involved with youths especially drug addicts and prostitutes. He spoke of how he would confront them some times and ask them bluntly “how bad are you?” before giving them his own “resume”. In most cases, none of them had done as much drugs, porn, slept with or killed as many people as he had. On hearing his story, most of them said “ha? Me I be saint be that o (wow, I must be a saint then)”

One day, he was recounting how he had personally killed about nine people before it dawned on him that the number wasn’t accurate. Thing is, when he was being initiated into the cult he had belonged to, all members cut themselves and bled into a bowl which they all drank from afterwards. Thus, when one person kills, all killed. In essence, he had killed too many people to recount. A week or so before his life took a different turn, he told someone “I think I must be a god because on about four occasions, people in my vicinity are either killed just before I arrive or just after I left” – he said this based on the fact that he did rituals he believed averted his death several times.

When God arrested him like the biblical Paul, he questioned why he did not die after taking so many lives. God told him “I marked you when you were ten years old…” and he remembered accepting the altar call at Bishop Benson Idahosa’s crusade in TBS, Lagos. Those words, spoken in acceptance of Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, set him apart. God made him to understand that the wrong environment and negative influence caused him to go off course.

After his encounter with God, he was angry at his campus fellowships because no one had preached to him. One of those he challenged said “We were afraid of you. You threatened lecturers and often moved around armed…”. It was obvious that he wanted to do now, what he wished someone did to him then - tell him the truth. Amidst his talk, he paused and said “by the way, is there anyone here who has not given his life to Christ?”...when no one indicated, he pointed at someone among the about 20-30 people in attendance and said “have you received Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour?” He then continued when the person answered in the affirmative. The talk centered around the King, His Kingdom and The Royal Family. He couldn’t say too much for want of time but made sure to emphasize the need to study the King, his Kingdom and the privileges of being the King’s Child.

Seems to me, the decisions we make because we feel we are now adults should not be unbecoming of us as children of God. Children are accountable to fathers and He is our Heavenly Father. I may be wrong but I don't think any pastor or spiritual leader will stand on behalf of any church member before God on the day of judgement; this informs me that the race of life is personal; very personal. Our choices on this side of eternity will matter for all of eternity. Whilst we have been deputized to dominate this earth, it behoves us to bear in mind that life itself is transient. That said, if you’re reading this and you are very sure that you don’t need to accept Jesus into your life or don’t believe He is THE Way, Truth and Life; I wish you would have seen how upset the brother I just spoke about was with those around him that knew the truth and never told him. So, if you change your mind and would want to be sure about your eternal salvation, please say the confession below with all sincerity and confidence along with those reading this who know deep down that they need Him as their Lord and personal Saviour:

Heavenly Father, I come to you today in the name of Jesus. I am a sinner and cannot help myself. I believe with all my heart, that Jesus died for me, that He was buried for me and that He rose triumphantly for me! Forgive me all my sins. Cleanse me with the precious blood of your son, Jesus. Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve you, the true and living God. Today, I accept Jesus as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank you for saving me! I am born again. I believe that I’m now your true child, in Jesus mighty name. 1

If you prayed the above prayer sincerely, welcome to a life of victory as a child of the living God. Like the brother I spoke about above, you have been set apart by God. If you need further instruction on this pathway of life, please locate a Bible believing church around you or online. We could also connect on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Thanks for reading; God bless you.

'Bayor

1 - Prayer adapted from "Established in the Word of God" by Pastor GoodHeart Ekwueme 

@bayormartins