JOY IN PERSECUTION Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:10   In the year 2020 during a prayer walk in our community, we were attacked by some politicians using the might of paramilitarians while on our knees praying for the good of the land. I was manhandled, shirt torn, neck choked while been hit with a 2 by 3 hard wood. I ended up needing medical attention and it was all for God’s glory. Several human right organisations and religious leaders suggested that I push for legal action against the perpetuators but as I considered it this was the scripture that gave me the strength and courage to let go and forgive. While Jesus promised the blessed who are meek the inheritance of the earth in Matthew 5:5, he promises that the blessed who are persecuted will inherit the heavens. Wouldn’t you want to be a shareholder of heaven? To have ownership of a city whose maker is God. I recall (my Pastor) Pastor Peter Alao’s teaching in 1985 which showed me that Jesus disciples were excited in the face of persecution. They didn’t complain or murmur. They on the contrary joyfully rejoiced. You can retain your joy in the face of persecution. This helped me as a young believer and I was able to stay in faith even when my parents weren’t born again then. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. Acts 5:40-41 (KJV)   1 Peter 4:14 in the Amplified version encourages us with the blessings awaiting the persecuted. If you are censured and suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you–happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:14 (Amp).   Do NOT fret and do not cringe in the face of persecution. It is not pleasant, but if well approached, the rewards will be enormous. Stay strong. Keep the faith no matter what the enemy makes people throw at you. Reflection: – Have I ever faced opposition for doing what’s right? – How do I respond when my faith is tried, challenged or mocked? – What does it mean to rejoice in suffering for Christ? Prayer: Father. I trust in You. I know you have great plans and rewards for me. Help me to keep faith while going through persecution that my reward be not lost. “Persecution is one of the surest signs that we are living for Christ. If we never experience it, we might ask ourselves whether we are truly standing for Him.”— Billy Graham   Great grace!

PEACEMAKERS AS CHILDREN OF GOD Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God. Matthew 5:9 Wouldn’t you rather be a son of peace than a warrior of pride? Jesus came as The Prince of Peace and His goal was to reconcile men to God and broker peace between these eternal enemies (God and His creation). We had so wandered away from the heavenly Father and His ways that God practically left humanity to our apostate depravity however, Jesus (the Love of God in human form) did all it will require to bridge the gap. He was and will always be the Son of Peace. He said that those who will tread His path of peace will be privileged to be called the Children of God. Are we truly Children of God? Our thoughts, words and actions – do they pursue peace or ignite war. We curse people and things God created whenever we feel they are not acting favourable to our cause. We curse in our hearts, in our words and actions. Worse still, we curse in our prayers! Prayers to whom? To God? How can He who said we should rather bless than curse – even our enemies be pleased with this kind of prayers. We curse diseases, we curse the weather, we curse the brethren and we curse the atheist and the religious. Where did we learn that from. We have been called to make, create, maintain and pursue peace.    If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 The above verse clearly asserts that sometimes conflict is not avoidable but then it still commands as far as we are able to, we MUST live at peace with ALL men. Here’s a short story that gently encourages peacemaking through empathy and understanding: The Bridge of Stones In a quiet village nestled between two hills, there lived two families—The Olus and The Bakos—who hadn’t spoken in years. Their feud began over a patch of land, but over time, no one remembered the reason. Only the silence remained. One day, a boy named Tunde from the Olus and a girl named Kauna from the Bakos met by the river that divided their homes. They were both gathering smooth stones for a school project. At first, they ignored each other. But when Kauna slipped and fell into the shallow water, Tunde rushed to help her. “Thank you,” she said, surprised. “You’re welcome,” he replied, just as surprised. They sat on the riverbank, drying off and talking. They discovered they both loved drawing, mangoes, and stories about the stars. Before leaving, they made a pact: every day, they’d each place a stone in the river to build a bridge—not just of stones, but of peace. Days turned into weeks. Villagers began to notice the growing bridge and the laughter of two children playing nearby. Curiosity softened old grudges. One by one, others joined—placing stones, sharing stories, and slowly rebuilding trust. By the time the bridge was complete, the feud had faded. The Olus and Bakos stood together, watching their children cross the bridge hand in hand. And from that day on, the river no longer divided them — rather, it connected them. Please quit throwing stones to hurt people, rather use them to build bridges to help reconnect them. We are called to be peacemakers – making peace via empathy, humility, wisdom and sacrifice not peacekeepers. While the peace keepers try to enforce a false peace without dealing with the root of the conflict, the peacemaker confronts issues and brings about lasting peace.  Reflection: – Am I a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? Do I confront issues or just avoid conflict. – Where in my relationship is God calling me to bring lasting peace? – How does being a child of God empower me to reconcile others?  Prayer: 🎶 Lord, make us instruments of Your peace  Where there is hatred, let Your love increase  Lord, make us instruments of Your peace  Walls of pride and prejudice … release  We will be His instruments of peace    Where there is blindness, we will pray for sight  Where there is darkness, we will shine His light  Where there is sadness, we will bear their grief  To the millions crying for relief  We will be His instruments of peace.   “A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd,” Max Lucado This quote reminds us that peacemakers often take the quiet, courageous path— choosing harmony over applause   Shalom!