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Jide, Please Don’t Go, Episode 1

May 6, 2021 14 Comments
Jide, Please Don’t Go
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I eyed him from head to toe and wished he was the same thirteen year old boy who clung to his mini keyboard.  You could hear him always humming to a tune or the other.

The slap I would have given him, for two days he might still be nursing his face.

“Jide, Olajide Victor”,

How many times did I call you and how many ears do you have? I called sternly.

Frustrated that he’s not being reasonable.

“Sister mi, relax, it’s not as bad as you think”

“For crying out loud, Jide, you were brought up in the ways of the Lord and….

“Taught the precepts of the bible,  he completed.

“Do you know how many times you have said that?”

He smiled,  tickling my ear.

“Relax, I’m a young man with fresh blood. Besides,  I only go to the club to be with my friends.  I don’t mess around.
Cynthia is my only babe, we’re engaged already. I don’t have eyes for another lady”.

“Jide, but a life outside Jesus is like a chick playing in an open field. The hawks can descend at anytime to pick it up”.

“Say that to your fake Pastor Obinkwo.  The very man that taught me the Bible yet he stabbed me at the back. Or to your mommy Gladys assistant women leader. How she connived to make my life miserable.  Hope they’re like chickens too in an open field?

I opened my mouth to shut him up, then heard a throat clearing.

We both turned to see my husband.
He walked up to Jide and they shook hands.

“Good evening sir,  I didn’t know you were in”.  Jide greeted.

“Jide the bobo!,  how will you know when you didn’t ask”

They both laughed.

They made small talks here and there and left for the living room.

I knew the tactics was to get Jide from me.

I texted my husband.  ” but we’re not done talking “.

“I know, you will continue later”. Came his response.

Turning on the blender I drifted to the past. I knew what Jide said was true,  but how do I make him let go of those memories.  They were too hurtful to remember.

Dad and mom were strong Christians, eager to do anything and go anywhere. For us kids it was an adventure when dad announced one day that he has joined the evangelism/ missions outreach. We knew what that meant; more travel time.

What we didn’t know was that few months after this dad will go the extra mile.

” I don’t understand what you are saying again, what do you mean quit?.

It was my mom. Her voice was angry. She was supposed to come pick us up from school but after an hour of waiting all three of us walked home.

I meant, I would like to go with the missions team to Kubwa, to join others in planning churches.  And if necessary I would quit my job.

Rara o!

I say ‘mba’

Missions yes, quit your job , a big fat ‘No’.

Since when did this leading come?

What will happen to us?
How will we survive?

Mom asked before storming out of the bedroom.

We have never seen them quarrel before. But whatever will make mom forget her kids at school was quite intense.

She was shocked to see us.

” how did you get home?
Oh no, I totally forgot.
I’m so sorry.

Dad came out with a strained face.
He had forgotten us too.

The trip to Kubwa did hold, but dad didn’t quit his job.

I didn’t know the details but he came home a month after being away.

He was so lean but happy.

Mom cried and hugged him.

But Jide wasn’t home that day. He had gone for choir practice. And he came back home with the story of a new girl in the choir; Ayomikun.

Jide focus on your 200l exams and forget Ayomikun.

I scolded that day. We only came home to see dad.

At dinner we laughed and talked, Jide humming to Jay Mikee new song “Heaven”, me, asking dad for more stories from the mission field. And Mosun, leaning on dad, and asking if she can go next time too.
Maybe,  but that would be during your holidays.

Mosun at 16 was thrilled.  I looked at her and laughed.  I have never met a teenager like Mosun. Who wants to spend her summer holiday in Kubwa,  no good water, good roads, no stable electricity.  What about the mosquitoes? I asked her

Humph! “My blood is bitter for the mosquitoes.”

We are laughed,  “you mean this your skinny arms and legs that they can’t even find any flesh to bite”?

Mommy!,  hear what she’s saying, Mosun whined.

“It’s true na”.

“Leave my baby alone for me, my mom cautioned.  Mosun stuck her tongue out while picking the chicken from dad’s plate.

Then she turned my dad’s face to hers.
Daddy,  I’m having that headache again.

“Sorry my baby girl”.  My dad whispered.

We prayed and went to bed.
But our sleep was interrupted by a scream.

A scream that would change our lives forever.

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Reading time: 4 min
Written by: Fortune
Articles Christian Living

…Right Back at the Devil

May 28, 2020 23 Comments
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Every time you hear the preacher talk about sins that you have committed in the past, your shoulder slumps and you wish you never did that.

 

“Lord, forgive me please.” You cry

 

How could I have been so blind?

 

The answer is clear – sin. Sin was the cause.

 

You go back repenting of all your sins again and crying to God to forgive you.

 

He looks down at you and says “My child, I have, I truly have but you need to forgive yourself.”

 

Yes. When you genuinely confess your sins, the bible says God is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. But one of the strategies the devil uses to hold us back is guilt.

 

He replays the scenario back again, he holds you accountable for a sin which has been hung on the cross. And unconsciously you fall on your face again crying and begging God.

 

Dear child of God, God has forgiven you so why let the devil hold you back
The bible says

 

“ …but ye are washed, but you are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God”.

 

Oh! what great assurance. That our sins have been taken from us and nailed to the cross. So why then do you hang your head in shame?

Do you not know your right in Christ Jesus?.

 

“For as many as believe him to them gave He power to become the sons of God…”

 

See, you are infused with power, you are charged with power, why then do you walk defeated when Christ has made you free.

 

Ask for faith. Because the one reason why you keep holding onto the sins of the past is unbelief.

Do you truly believe that Jesus has taken your place, died a gruesome death for you, and given you a clean slate to start over? If Yes, then ask God to forgive your unbelieving heart, and ask for faith to believe, then jump to your feet, grab your bible and declare these affirmations from your heavenly father.

 

That’s right, shoot them right back into the devil’s face. That’s the Spirit. Let’s go:

 

 

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace – Ephesians 1: 7

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  Colossians 1: 12-14

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.     2 Corinthians. 5:21.

 

The reason we are choosing the affirmations from God’s word is that the devil trembles at the word of God in the mouth of a child of God who has been set free from sin. No other affirmation holds much weight than God’s word. So shoot back at the devil with the word of God and renew your mind.

 

Sing songs of your freedom and deliverance in Christ. Introduce your self to the devil with the lyrics of the song from Jay Mikee – I AM FREE.

 

In case the devil has forgotten, you haven’t.

 

I was running away from the truth

 

Because they say that the truth isn’t sweet

 

I was living a lie in the dark
Because I was afraid of what my eyes could see

 

You see until that fateful day
When the power took over me

 

And it opened up my eyes
now I’m a different entity
you see there’s no more running
and there is no more hiding
because those days are gone

 

Chorus
Allow me to introduce myself
I’m not the one you used to know
I am a brand new man, I am a brand new man
Look at me from head to toe
And see the power that is shining

 

From the inside out, from the inside out
I am sanctified, I am purified,
And He is glorified, by His hand of salvation
I am justified, and I am in the light
Just to testify, I am Free

 

You can never comprehend the thought
How I was taken from the darkness into light
You can never comprehend the feeling
How I was wandering around and I was found
That’s why I’m never going back

 

Instead, I’m moving forward,
Because the yolk is broken
And the chains are destroyed
Because I am on fire,
And I’m burning on high
that old me is no more

 

So when your head is bowed down in guilt, and the devil reminds you of what your past was, instead of couching down to him, shoot back the affirmations from God’s words.

 

Do you know what they are?

 

Do you know what your identity in Christ is?

 

Do you believe that you are really forgiven?

Then speak back to the devil!

 

Photo Credit : Pinterest

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Reading time: 4 min
Written by: Fortune

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