Month: May 2020

Charles Wesley on Ascension: Hope in Pandemic

An African proverb says “Birds sing not because they have answers but because they have songs.” Charles Wesley wrote hymns not for writing sake but ‘written to feed the faith, steel the nerve, and fire the soul.’ Born at Epworth, December 18, 1707 and died March 19, 1788, Charles Wesley has been assigned the appellation of the “Bard of Methodism.” On his experience and assurance of his salvation, Charles Wesley wrote in his journal, “The Day of Pentecost. Sun., May 21st, 1738. I waked in hope and expectation of His coming. At nine my brother and some friends came,...

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IN TROUBLE BUT NOT TROUBLED: A Choice?

Trouble is real. The spiritual reality is that Jesus never promised us trouble-free lives but would provide the means, a choice to rise above the trouble. The COVID-19 pandemic and other troubles in the world are not evidence for the non-existence of God rather shows that we are fragile, vulnerable and ‘increasingly incapable of running this planet ourselves,’ without God (Gen 1). Indeed, the world is in trouble of a serious global health crisis as COVID-19, Malaria, Lassa fever and others poses existential threat to the human race. The reflection is how do we make a choice or react...

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Sir Justice Adebiyi: Imitable Methodist Knight and First Nigerian to take a Harvard Law Degree.

“All I’ve ever done is Methodist” – Sir Justice Adebiyi It is an honour and joy for the opportunity to write about Sir Hon Justice Samuel Durojaiye Adebiyi. He was an imitable Methodist Knight of John Wesley and one of Nigeria’s finest jurists who died on 5th March and buried on 1st May, 2020 at the age of 93. I first met Papa Sir Justice Duro Adebiyi in 1994 at the Lagos residence of Rev J. Abimbola Odunlami, a former Conference Public Relation Officer, Methodist Church Nigeria. I went through some mentoring under Rev Odunlami when I resumed work...

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JESUS, THE ‘SHEEPGATE’: EXCLUSIVE CLAIM BEYOND PANDEMIC.

“I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved …” – Jesus The Bible calls us sheep with attendant needs – to be cared for, need to be healed and led, need for protection and provision, hence the need for a shepherd. In the Bible, “shepherd” was often used as a political title to stress a king’s obligation to provide for his subjects.’ A “shepherd” as a title ‘connoted concern for and dedication to others. The image of the shepherd … expressed great authority.’ To care, to led, and to protect means the shepherd must protect the...

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The Mountain of COVID 19 shall move.

By Rev Justice Elizabeth Osinuga Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it Zechariah 4:7 ESV The text of this brief message is Word declared by the Angel is the word from the Almighty God assuring Zerubbabel one of the two anointed that he does not need Might or strength but by the Spirit of God. A mountain is often used to speak of the obstacles that man faces in life Our Lord Jesus Christ also taught us in Mark 13:11 to speak to mountains...

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