I remember telling her  how I would give her rest days while I do all the housework. I remember telling her how I would make sure I am always at home for her and the children any free time away from work. There were so many other things I looked forward to doing which I have forgotten – but my wife never forgot.

Not too long after our wedding, we began to have quarrels. I began to ask myself why I could be upset with someone I loved so much that I sometimes found it difficult to sleep just thinking about her?   I knew I didn’t make a mistake marrying the woman I loved, so why could we not agree on some issues?

We finally got talking. I was amazed when Maris (my wife) began telling me how I never lived up to the ideals I glowingly talked about before we got married. She began to point out things she expected from me that I wasn’t doing. I was stunned! I felt like she was talking about someone else and not me. My feelings were at an overdrive.

I was initially shocked and could not believe what I was hearing my wife say about me. Then came anger and I wanted to get back at her. I said a few unintelligible things and kept quiet because they were not even making sense to my ears. A sense of shame washed over me because I realized that she was telling me the truth.

I have learnt from these things and have striven to be a better husband.  I have since realized that some of the ideals I had then were rather far-fetched, but I also got to understand that my wife knew that I could not in reality do all of those things I sincerely believed I would do. She just wanted to see some effort on my part. She wanted to know that I loved her enough to want to do the dishes even after having a long day at work; she wanted to see me try doing the baby’s diapers even if it falls off her after a few minutes. She would have loved me to insist that I would cook even if all I do is to put the pot on the stove and she completes the cooking.

This experience reminds me of our relationship with Christ. As young Christians, we wanted to do everything we thought was right as a Christian to do. We wanted everyone to know that we had given our lives to Christ and would gladly welcome any opportunity to share our faith. We would gladly serve in any group or committee in Church and would attend all meetings. Along the way, we began to fail in these ideals. The more we struggled to keep up with them, the more we failed.

Christ said, “ If you love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15 . From this, I learnt that the ‘doing’ part is what shows that we love the other person. If I was doing or at least showing an inclination to do what my wife expected, I showed her that I love her. It doesn’t have anything to do with feelings. The way we feel is quite subjective but the things we do, send messages of what we feel. Christ could have said, “If you love me, make sure you feel love towards me” but He knew that we don’t always have the feelings of love towards others; neither do we feel loved all the time.

However the expression of love can be seen in the things you do. The things we do, even when it is not convenient, show how much love we have for Christ. When faced with a choice to do things God’s way or our own way, which one do we choose?

Let us begin to act the love we have, for others in line with Jesus’ command. The best place to start is from the little things and then we begin by faith, to reach out and do the greater and mightier things.

May the Lord give us grace to act in love towards God and towards men.

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the owner of Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in London where he works as an IT professional. He serves in the ministerial team of his local church as well as in the music ministry. He is the Moderator/Editor of Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address, steve@biblepraise.org

 I heard his tortured attempt to speak. “Hep nee, peesss!” (Help me, please!) He struggled with every word. I was grabbing my purse to take a much needed break, but I was caught by his struggle to make himself understood. I could hear the irritation in the sergeant’s voice, as she demanded that he “speak up!”

I paused, as he began again, “I-nee-to-change-ny-tickek!” I understood every painful word he said. He needed to change his ticket. What was wrong with my NCO? “I CAN’T understand you!” She said, irritated. “Speak up!” How rude! I thought. I turned, putting down my purse, and I looked at him, again beginning his struggle to speak. And, no wonder. There stood a tall, strong Marine Officer, perfect in his pristine uniform, missing half his jaw! My God, I thought! What is she thinking?!

“Excuse me, Sir. I can help you.” Without thinking, I shoved my Sergeant aside and maneuvered my way in front of her. I could see the man’s teeth through the wire that held his face together. I was of no importance, a lowly seaman apprentice, but I knew what this man needed. Someone, who cared enough to listen. I studied his eyes. I saw the pain, and I felt his humiliation. Soul to soul, I knew what to do. I smiled. A big, welcoming smile.

“Yes Sir! How can I help you?” Painfully.slowly.words, tortured and slurred, escaped from his wired mouth. I listened with all my heart, and I watched his eyes. Dear God, help me to understand! I prayed. And I did understand him, more than I can express. I gave him the directions he needed, and his eyes smiled his thanks. When he walked away, I called a friend at United Airlines, who adopted him immediately, taking great care with his situation.

I thanked God for this opportunity to help a real hero. However, I also knew I was in trouble. I looked at my Sergeant, feeling anger rise in me, at her rudeness and total lack of sensitivity. She stared at me, and she said, “I could put you on report.” Her eyes narrowed. Without thinking, I blurted out, “…and, I could put YOU on report, Sergeant, for insubordination to an officer!” My eyes spit fire, as I hurtled the stack of report chits towards her. “Be my guest!” I said, as I grabbed my purse. “I’ll be on break.” And I left.

I went on to supper, as I knew it would be a long night. I was troubled, however, now that my “dander” was down, at the thought of going to Captain’s Mast, for my insubordination to an NCO. I was certain it would be very unpleasant.

As I neared the United Airlines counter, I saw him again. His luggage was being checked, and his back was towards me. Then, as though someone had told him where I was, he turned, and he looked at me. Our eyes met, for an eternity. Then I smiled.

This soldier and hero, in the United States Marine Corps, pulled himself up to his full height, and with all the military perfection in his being, he gave me a sharp, military salute! I was thrilled! WAVES did not salute indoors, especially, when they were not wearing their cover (hat), but I pulled myself to attention and returned that salute.

Moving on to the cafeteria, I walked a little taller, and I felt more like a lady than I ever had before, in my whole life! And…just a little bit…I felt like a hero.

Jaye Lewis
jayelewis@comcast.net

Jaye Lewis is the author of the online blog, Entertaining Angels, Encouraging Words. Jaye Lewis work has been published around the world, on the web and in printed publications and in several languages, including Hebrew, Japanese and Spanish.

The job was hers for the taking just as the HR Manager had told her a few days ago. There was however a snag. “I like you very much” said the man, who stood between her and a job she had spent many months pursuing. “How about we go out next weekend to celebrate your new job?” he said, eyes twinkling with a devilish wink.

“I am sorry, I can’t do that. I am a Christian!” Jennifer blurted out. Still smiling, he replied “Oh, don’t give me that crap. I’ve met a lot of your type before. You can leave now, when you are ready, you can give me a call. Have a nice day”.

“You can’t let this offer slip through your fingers!” exclaimed Jennifer’s friend, Teni. “There has to be a way out somehow. Why don’t you just go out with him with the understanding that nothing would happen between you two?” This sounded reasonable and quite tempting but Jennifer was still not sure. She could not forget the cunning look in the eyes of the HR manager when he asked her out.

Thankfully, Jennifer refused to take the bait. She lost the job offer but got another job a few weeks later. This job was not as lucrative as the one she missed out on but she had rest of mind. She shuddered to think of what could have happened if she had compromised her faith for the job.

Apart from the guilt she would be carrying around, she would also have to live with the consequences of the act; unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and of course deeper consequences of abortion and infertility.

The devil is still using the same old bag of tricks against God’s people. We need to have an understanding of God’s word in order to fight against these tricks and overcome.

Imagine what he told Eve, “Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden?”  (Gen 3:1) God had not said Adam and Eve could not eat of any tree in the garden, he was specific about which tree they could not eat from and Satan knew this. However for him to accomplish his aim, he had to start by twisting the truth. You and I know the consequences of that action till this day.

Today, we are faced with so many opportunities laced with compromise. The enemy knows that he cannot come headlong to try and coax you like he did Adam and Eve, so what he does is to use people we love and respect. They tell us that “it does not matter”. We realize that it does matter when it is too late.

What is therefore is the antidote to compromise? The answer is simply, “doing it Jesus’ way”.  Jesus’ way is using God’s word, straight, precise and unequivocal. “It is written…..”  (Like 4: 1 – 13)

The power in the word which made the devil retreat from his offensive against Jesus, is very much alive and potent today.  No matter how much color the enemy wraps around what he offers us, the word will always strip off the deceitful wrappings and reveal what is inside the package to us.

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the owner of Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in London where he works as an IT professional. He serves in the ministerial team of his local church as well as in the music ministry. He is the Moderator/Editor of Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address,steve@biblepraise.org

As Christians, we face giants as we fight the good fight of faith. We encounter them everywhere. At work, in school, in our neighbourhood and wait for it…….sometimes in church!

What are giants? They are people, things or circumstances standing in our way, trying to prevent us from achieving our God-given purpose.

Giants are capable of stopping us in our tracks, forcing us to make a U-turn or switch paths.  They intimidate with their sheer size and stature and walk with an air of superiority.

In spite of all these however, there have been people who have defeated giants and we can learn from them, the strategies they used to kill their giants.

After the children of Israel left Egypt, God told them to send men to explore the land of Jericho with a bid to take the land. Then men went but two sets of reports were given to the people. The one given by the majority was that the land was inhabited by giants. According to ten out of the twelve who went, ‘we were like grasshoppers in our own eyes and we looked the same to them’. The remaining two gave their report, ‘The land we explored is good and we are confident that the Lord will give it to us. We know for certain that their protection is gone! – Numbers 14 (.paraphrase mine)

Twice a day for 40 days, a giant intimidated the army of Israel, taunting and daring them to come and face him.  This account is written in 1 Samuel  17. I can just imagine the men in the army of Israel quaking in their tunics while Goliath raged and ranted. After each session, they must have huddled in groups discussing. ‘Did you see his shield? I bet you can’t carry it. It must weigh a ton!’.  ‘Did you see how long and heavy that sword is? One swing would kill four men at once! These and more would have been the talk among then men as they awaited the next taunting session.

One day however, someone came into the camp.  He was not a soldier, in fact, he was on an errand to his brothers who were in the army. He came just in time to hear one of Goliath’s taunts. His reaction was different. Instead of fear, it was anger, instead of running away in fear, he went into the midst of the soldiers to enquire more about this man who dare lift up his voice against the God of Israel.

Shortly after, David not only killed Goliath, he took his spear and cut off  the giant’s head. Notice that even at this time, none of the soldiers of Israel dared some forward. It was when they saw the head of Goliath in David’s hands that it occurred to them that the giant is indeed fallen!

Who are giant killers and what do they have in common.  The first thing I see about giant killers is that they fear no one but God.  David showed no fear at all because he knew the God He served. As far as he was concerned, Goliath was a tiny ant in the sight of God.  He must have been surprised that for 40 days, the army of Israel allowed this man to lift up his voice against the God of Israel and they could not do anything because they were paralyzed by fair.

This is the first lesson to learn about giants. They feed on fear. The more you fear them, the more power you give to them. Have you noticed that they more you are scared of afraid about a situation, the more it seems to loom large and there seem to be no way out of it? The minute you decide to face it headlong, pushing your fears away, you find yourself wondering why you had allowed yourself to be paralyzed by fear all this time! Don’t feed your giants with your fear, you will only empower them more!

Another lesson we learn from giant killers is that they know their God. The Bible says, ‘but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God] (Daniel 11:32b. Amplified Bible)

Most of the time we are afraid of people, circumstances and situations because we lack knowledge of who God is. We are afraid when we fall sick because we do not know that we have a God who heals. We are afraid when the human agents of the devil fight against us because we do not know that ‘Greater is He that is us than He that is in the world (1 John 4:4)

We are afraid when faced with financial trouble because we do not know that, ‘He gives us power to get wealth (Duet 8:18)

Be a giant killer today. Remember, the bigger they are, the harder they fall!

(c) Biblepraise Fellowship Online

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the owner of Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in London where he works as an IT professional. He serves in the ministerial team of his local church as well as in the music ministry. He is the Moderator/Editor of Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address,steve@biblepraise.org

I did a last minute check to ensure that I did not leave anything I needed behind. Having done that, we got into the vehicle heading for the airport.

Thoughts and questions  ran through my mind as we set out on the journey.  There were many questions but few answers. There was however one conclusion, God would take care of everything.

It was not the first time I would be leaving my family for  a period of time but it was the first time I would be leaving them for an unspecified period of time. My wife asked me the question time and time again, ‘How long would it take for us to come and join you?’ I had no answer but once again I relied on my faith in God and told her, ‘Within a year from now, you should be with me, God willing’.

We got to the airport and after the hugs and exchanging goodbyes, I walked into a future unknown, relying on nothing but God. As the plane took off, I looked out of the window and watched the Lagos landscaped below, wondering when next I would see it. The full force of the decision I made hit me there and then and I began wondering if I had made a mistake.

Two years before this time, I had travelled to the United Kingdom on invitation from a God-sent friend who had been an instrument of encouragement at a time when I had given up on my British Citizenship. I had gone through almost two decades of being denied due to some required documents that were missing. She kept mounting pressure on me not to give up and we would have hours of conversation reminding each other of God’s ability to turn a hopeless situation around. She is one encourager that I will always remember and cherish because she allowed God to use her as a friend who stuck closer than a brother.

When my friend invited me and I applied for a visiting visa, it was swiftly issued, this was for me a sign that God had not given up even if I had. That same year when I returned, I re-applied for my Right of Abode to live and work in the UK. When I made the decision, some documents long lost, began to surface. One crucial one was my baptismal certificate which my dad found hidden somewhere. He was looking for something else when he found it.

Once again, I summoned courage and put in my application. I completely left it in God’s hands and continued doing other things. Nine months later, I had my passport handed over to me with a certificate in it confirming that I now had the right to live and work in Britain. Although I was expecting it, I felt numb inside. As friends and family heard the news, I was amused at different displays of joy and praise. I felt removed from everything and just did not know how to express what I felt inside.

Now I was heading to the United Kingdom, no longer as a visitor but now with a right to settle. I was not going there when things were rosy and the economy was doing well. In fact, I was going at a time when the country was going through a time of economic recession.

I remembered a colleague of mind at work, taking me aside one day and told me in very serious tone, ‘I think you may be making a mistake leaving Nigeria for the UK at this time. You have a fairly good job here and living well compared to many others. You can always visit the UK with your family anytime but just leaving everything and relocating at your age is not the best. I will advise you to stay’. I thanked him for his concern but told him that his advice had come too late as I had already tendered my resignation at work and had already booked my flight to London.

That scene kept playing on my mind as I sat in flight. I began to draw strength from Hebrews 11, focusing on Abraham, telling myself that my situation was better because I knew my destination but Abraham didn’t.  All He knew was that God told him to leave his family and everything he held dear,  for a place God would show him. The Bible says, ‘For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations’ (Hebrews 11:10)

The first few weeks were spent setting up required documents and accounts. I kept trusting God for a job. During this time, I had encouragement from my wife and the very few circle of friends God gave me. There were times of doubts and fear but they were temporary.  I held on to God’s word like my life depended on it and truly my life depended on it.

By the second month I arrived in the UK, God gave me confirmation of  a job, in fact  I had the luxury of choice between two jobs.  I have come to realize through my experience that God never fails. There are seasons of quick responses to prayer and there are the periods of waiting. I waited for almost two decades to finally hold my British passport  in my hand but I took me just four months to process the UK passports for my children and just about 6 weeks to apply for my wife’s visa.

I do not know what you have been waiting for all these weeks, months or years. I can assure you that God is never too late. He does not choose who to answer and who to deny. He simply said, ‘Ask and it shall be given’ (Matthew 7:7) But that is just the first step! The same verse also says, ‘Seek and you shall find’. To seek something is a process, it takes time. It may be minutes, days, months or years but the second part of that phrase says, ‘you shall find’. That is an absolute statement. Finally we are instructed, ‘Knock and It shall be opened’. Except someone is actually at a door when you knock, you may need to wait a while before the door is opened. The fact that the door is not opened immediately does not mean it will never be opened!

I can confirm that all I have asked from God has been given, I sought the Lord for many years concerning my rights as a British citizen and he showed me the way, I knocked in heaven’s door when it seemed all was lost and the door was opened for me.

Looking back, I am proud to say I serve a living God. I thank Him for holding on to me and not letting me go even when I wanted to.

Initially, my wife could not understand when I always convert our needs into prayer no matter  how little and trivial the problems were. Afterwards when the needs were met in unusual ways, she would remember that we actually did pray for it.

One of those incidents happened when we had a need for a car. I was not happy with the fact that we had to travel several miles to church, often combining foot and bus travels. By the time we get to church, we would most times be late and tired. The return journey was another experience entirely. This was not made easy by the fact that we had two young children, who most times would be asleep in our arms as we make our way home.

One day, taking a cue from a teaching from the life of  Jabez,  I got intrigued by the short but powerful request he made to God.

“Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that Thou would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast [territory], and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!’ And God granted him that which he requested.” 1 Chron 4:1

I thought to myself,  “If God could grant Jabez’s request and He is the same today, yesterday and forever, surely I can make my own request to God and expect Him to answer”.

Thus began the consistent and fervent prayer for a car. Initially my wife could not understand why I would be praying for a car at a time when we could barely have enough to eat. However, she went along with me. One year later, God granted that prayer in a most unusual way.

It was the beginning of a new year and as I prayed for the needs, including a car, I felt hollowness in my spirit and I could not understand why. I wondered and searched inwards for any sin I had not confessed to but found nothing.  I later felt a quiet voice asking, ‘Why pray for something that has already been given to you?’ I began to praise God immediately, although  there was no physical indication that it could happen anytime soon.

A flurry of events happened within the next couple of weeks after that prayer experience and one Saturday, we had the car delivered to us.

On that Sunday, as we drove to church, I glanced at my wife in the passenger seat, her eyes were closed in contentment, no doubt thankful to God for giving us our own means of transportation to church.

Since then, we have trusted God for many things and He has never failed to answer. He has met our needs in ways we could never have imagined. As each prayer is answered, our experience in Him grows and we are able to trust Him for more.

I dare say that all that God did for me was not a function of how good I am. It is a function of how faithful He is. One thing I have noticed is that He not only answers our prayers but also changes us with each experience we have. Oftentimes, when people praise my conduct, I tell them, ‘You would not have come to within 7 feet of me without God’s influence in my life’.

If you have any doubts about God’s ability to answer your prayers, let my life’s testimony be a confirmation to you that God is still in the business of answering prayers. He knows what you need even before you ask Him.

Sometimes it may look as if nothing is happening and you are about to give up; I have been there before and I can categorically tell you that as long as you do not give up, God will not give up!

(c) Biblepraise Fellowship Online

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the owner of Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in London where he works as an IT professional. He serves in the ministerial team of his local church as well as in the music ministry. He is the Moderator/Editor of Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address,steve@biblepraise.org

Most of the time, the people God sends our way to assist us are not the ones we focus on. They are most often than not, the people we least expect, so much so that when they come into the space of the undiscerning, they often view the intrusion with suspicion and mistrust. I have learnt to discern and to appreciate the people God thrusts into my life to provide support and assistance in various ways.

On the morning of our wedding, two things happened that I would always remember. The first was that due to some last minute communication breakdown, my best man could not make it to the wedding. Maria was upset about it but I told her, ‘Do not be upset, the most important people at the wedding are the two of us. As long as we are both there, everything is fine’.

I got to the church early that morning to see the youth of the church decorating and cleaning the church. By the way, we were getting married in a church where we were not known but accepted since our local church had given us references. Despite not knowing us, the young people trooped out in numbers and ensured that the hall was cleaned and ready.

I thanked them and just as I stood by watching the activity, I saw a young man who appeared to be the one coordinating as well as being part of the cleaning crew. I walked up to him and asked him, ‘Do you have a navy blue coat?’ Puzzled, he replied, ‘Yes I  do’.  I dipped my hand in the bag I was carrying with me and gave him a replica of the shirt and tie I was wearing and I told him, ‘You are my Best Man’. I walked away leaving him with his mouth agape in surprise. I dare say he played the role well and my wife could not hide her surprise when she came to church to find that I had a Best Man standing with me.

The second memorable event was that on the wedding morning, I had no means of transportation to church. That however, was not a problem for me, I was ready to walk to church if need be. As I went to see how Maria’s preparations were going, two luxury cars were driven into the residence and I was informed by my sister-in-law’s husband that both cars were for our use for the day. This came from a totally unexpected source.

Joseph was an unlikely candidate for the position of Prime Minister of Egypt, having been sold into slavery and convicted for a crime he did not commit.  When God raised Moses to lead the children of Israel out of bondage, he was a rather unlikely candidate for that position. Forty years earlier, he had run away from Egypt with a murder charge hanging over his head.

The disciples of Jesus were according to scriptures, ‘unlearned men’. They were fisherman, tax collectors and labourers. Yet they made such a tremendous impact through their teachings that the religious leaders were amazed, knowing from the way they spoke, that they did not have any formal education.

After our wedding, we moved to the small flat that I rented. It was empty except for a single mattress in the room. For the first time in many years, I finally had a place I could call home. My wife and I were not bothered that the flat was devoid of furniture, we were just happy to be together and to have a place of our own.

We prayed and trusted God for provision and I testify that He came through for us. One year later, had to hire a truck to move our property to a bigger flat. By this time, he had blessed us with our son, Praise.

( To be concluded next week)

(c) Biblepraise Fellowship Online

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the owner of Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in London where he works as an IT professional. He serves in the ministerial team of his local church as well as in the music ministry. He is the Moderator/Editor of Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address, steve@biblepraise.org

Saturday 18^th February 2012. I got into my car and drove out of my driveway. My destination was Heathrow International Airport, London.   I was going to welcome my family to the UK after being away from them for almost 2 years, the longest time we have ever spent apart.

My thoughts went beyond the two years to twenty years ago.  I had gone to the British High Commission to apply for my British passport and had been refused on the basis that I did not have enough documentation to prove my identity.  I had prayed, fasted and trusted that God would make a way for me but the letter in my hands told me otherwise.

My emotions raged within me as I considered my present circumstance which was an unenviable one. My parents were separated, I was practically homeless, I could not afford to further my education like my mates whose parents ensured that they got into the best schools and even the option that would have given me the opportunity to benefit from my British citizenship had now been shut in my face.

I wondered why God would allow this to happen to me. After all didn’t He say that if I have faith,  could ask anything and He would do it for me? I became upset, angry and bitter.  I Didn’t feel the need to serve God anymore because  I thought He had abandoned me like everyone else had.  I became withdrawn and even at one point, I started having suicidal thoughts.

God however would not let me go. Even in my temporary rebellion, I could sense Him close to me. I tried to ignore Him, I really tried! He just would not let me go. One day,  I  had enough and I rededicated my life to Him. Things did not change overnight but I started seeing with the eye of faith. I began to believe in myself but much more in God’s ability to make me what He wants me to be.

Gradually  I started taking one step at a time. I started appreciating God for every little step forward. There were setbacks along the way but they did not deter me.  I noticed that there were no giant leaping steps but the little steps forward were definite and once I moved forward, there was no backtracking.

When  I met my beloved wife, the last thing I was thinking was marriage. We met by what looked like mere coincidence but I have learnt that with God, there are no coincidences.  She came to my office one day to see a friend and I just happened to be the only one at my desk at this time while others went for lunch. I did not go for lunch, not because I was not hungry but because I did not have anything to eat and whatever money I had with me was reserved for dinner.

She asked for her friend and I told her she was away on holiday. She thanked me and was about leaving when she turned back and enquired why I was in the office while others were out for lunch. I think I must have given her a lame excuse because she finally got me to go for lunch that same day. Thus began our friendship. Little did we know we worshipped in the same church but attended different branches.  She had many questions about the bible which she asked me and I shared with her my insights from scripture. Thus started the pattern of daily lunch breaks. She soon found out why I never went frequently for lunch and ensured that her lunch pack was enough for two. At this time neither of us knew that we would end up as husband and wife.

Our friendship continued until after a couple of months when I realized I felt something deeper than friendship. I fought it, oh! I fought it real hard! Marriage was the last thing on my agenda. How would I take care of a family when I had my own plans? I had forgotten about travelling to the UK, in fact I now hated anything British! I used to love listening to BBC on my small transistor radio but now I only listened to Voice of America for foreign news.  I was now focused on developing myself in Nigeria and getting myself a University degree.

When I could not fight it anymore, I told the Lord, ‘Fine, let’s get this over with!’.  On the next lunch break, I told my friend how I felt. Her immediate reaction was a triumph for me. I felt like, ‘Well Lord, I hope you are happy now,  I knew she could never accept to marry me. Now I have lost her friendship too!’

Two years later, God got the last laugh as Maria and I stood  before the minister who declared us, ‘man and wife’.

(to be continued)

Diane and I live within an hour of one another.  We are both often housebound due to health issues.  Our friendship began over the internet, due to an odd twist of events.  Her brother is my pastor.  We both had health issues, and we began to share and pray together.  Also, it is through Diane, that I first was introduced to the world of ezines.

I will never forget one particularly difficult period, when my health issues and the weather were cooperating to make me housebound.  I emailed a short note to Diane telling her how much I wished we lived closer, so that I could just give her a hug.  Then I got as busy as was possible, and felt better just letting her know how I felt.  Next thing I knew, there was a knock at my door…no doubt a vacuum cleaner salesman.  I went to the door, ready for my “we don’t want any” speech, and there stood Diane, holding a balloon and wearing a big smile.  “Someone told me that you needed a hug!”  She said, holding out her arms and the balloon.  That’s Diane.

A little more than a year ago, my daughter, Jenny, was about to undergo brain surgery.  My God, it was so sudden!  There was no time to prepare.  My health would not permit me to go to the University of Virginia and be there for Jenny’s surgery. 

The prognosis was scary.  So much could go wrong.  My husband and daughter, Helen, went to be with Jenny, while I stayed home keeping prayerful watch, and emailing everyone I knew who believed in the power of prayer. 

 The prayer circle, literally, went around the world…Africa, Australia, Canada, Asia, and the Middle East.  Every kindred, tongue and people continued this circle of prayer, and through that prayer circle I met my dear friend, Steve Popoola.  And who was holding my hand through it all?  Diane.

 Diane epitomizes that woman “of noble character” in Proverbs 31.  Diane is “worth far more than rubies….   She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy,” even if the “needy” have more than Diane.

 I’m quite certain that Diane and I will be in heaven together, having all the time in eternity to do the things we love to do together, worshiping God, praying, and having all those long talks that we’ve missed during our many crises on earth.

I will look forward to resting in the eternal landscape of God’s true beauty.  I think I’ll need the rest, occasionally.  For I hope that I will receive the honor of helping to carry around that great crown, which I’m quite certain, God will be giving to Diane. 

 Jaye Lewis
jlewis@smyth.net

Jaye’s daughter Jenny is alive and well, after receiving two “groundbreaking” brain surgeries at the University of Virginia.  Thanks to all the prayer warriors of many faiths, throughout the world, for your support and prayers.  Diane lives in Bristol Tennessee USA, and she daily stretches her heart, and her prayer list to everyone in need.  Jaye Lewis is a Christian writer and poet.  Jaye lives with her family and writes in the beautiful southern highlands of southwestern Virginia, USA.

 The natural man is innately selfish and full of greed. The spiritual man on the other hand knows that He is a beneficiary of divine grace. He knows that the very life he has, is not even his own but is given by the one who can within seconds, withdraw the breath of his nostrils.

Christ never minced words when he spoke about giving, especially to others. They were clear and direct words, needing no further interpretation. “Give to everyone who asks you for something. Don’t turn anyone away who wants to borrow something from you” Matt 5:42 (God’s Word Bible).

To the natural man, this sounds unreasonable and unwise. How and why would you give to everyone who asks you for something? It is not economically feasible to do such a thing, is it? Yet Christ commands it. Christ did not only command it, He exemplified it. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him” Acts 10:38. (emphasis mine).
We are told that Christ did good; this relates to good works, helping others, meeting needs.

I believe not everyone will come to us for help but God will bring people our way that we might be a blessing to them. They might be individuals or a ministry or a charitable cause. I have also discovered that when an opportunity to give comes up, it is usually because God wants to bless us. Giving is like a key that unlocks further blessings to us. How do I know this? We are told in Luke 6:38 that when we give, it shall be given unto us full measure, shaken together and running over shall men give unto your bossom.

 Let us examine the integral parts of this promise. When you give, you will get back what you gave. Added to this, room must be created for other blessings to be added, this is why there has to be a shaking together.

God isn’t satisfied with what you’ve got there, so he says, “keep pouring until it becomes obvious” So the blessing keeps pouring until there is no more room and it begins to spill over. The spilling over, is actually you being blessed and becoming a blessing to people around you.

Sometimes people do not come to us to ask for help but God shows us the need we can meet in their lives. He shows you that brother who has been wearing one pair of shoe every day since you have known him. Meanwhile you have over 10 pairs of shoes, some of which you haven’t worn in the last six months. He shows you that sister who has been struggling to feed her children without any support and you are able to put a little smile on her face. He brings your attention to that ministry needing funds to operate, knowing that you have enough to send a little financial help their way.

 Away from the money aspect. What some people need from us is a little of our time. They want a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or a word of encouragement. Are you able to give this time? Remember what time you give would be given back to you full measure, shaking today and running over by other men.

Biblepraise Fellowship as an online ministry, was started as a means of blessing God’s people and encouraging those who are discouraged, going through difficult times and need a word or two to lift their spirits. I testify that God’s word is being fulfilled in my life as I bless others.

It works! God has moved men at different times, people I have never seen before, to bail me out of difficult situations. Sometimes I spend hours writing mails or talking to people on the phone; somewhere down the line; there is always someone to encourage me. Whatever I have spent in keeping this ministry online somehow comes back through people God leads to be a blessing to us.

 Finally, let us remember the words of the writer to the Hebrews, “So then as often as we have the chance (opportunity) we should do good to everyone and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith” Gal 6:10.

 (c) Biblepraise Fellowship Online

 Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the owner of Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in London where he works as an IT professional. He serves in the ministerial team of his local church as well as in the music ministry. He is the Moderator/Editor of Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address, steve@biblepraise.org