More details has emerged as to why the Director General

Chief Dokpesi was arrested, following a revealing Short Message Service (SMS) text message sent to the phone of one of the suspects in police custody, asking “if Dokpesi has paid the balance”, and another SMS “inviting another suspect to a meeting at IBB Campaign office”..

Raymond Dokpesi a source revealed brings to seven the number suspects so far
arrested out of the nine on the wanted list of the police.

According to top security sources, Dokpesi was being detained for
questioning by the security agencies, following “a text message found in
the phone of one of the arrested suspects. The text message reads:“have you collected the balance from Dokpesi?”

The source said, “this was said to have sent alarm signals across the
nation’s security apparatus, since the suspect concerned is considered to be
neck deep in the bombing plot.

“It became more dramatic when another text sent to another suspect in our
custody reads: ‘lets meet at IBB campaign office’, this led to what is
called security circles as ‘a high tech sting operation’ which in a matter
of hours, has netted a wider ring of suspects”.

It was also gathered that a suspect who never knew he was already under
surveillance confided in a friend via a text that “na we do am…..meet me make I brief u”, is currently confessing more details to the security agencies.

According to our source, another suspect allegedly confessed that “in the last two weeks he bought a brand new Nissan Murano SUV from funds received from Dopkesi”.

The confession, according to the source, includes a directive from
Mr. Henry Okah that they should destabilize the government since Jonathan
“was not ready to put serious money on the table”.

Nigeria's secret service detained an aide to one of President Goodluck Jonathan's election rivals on

Monday over bomb attacks in the capital Abuja, raising the political temperature in the run-up to next year's polls.

The head of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida's campaign team, Raymond Dokpesi, was called in for questioning in the wake of Friday's car bombs near a parade to mark Nigeria's 50th anniversary of independence.

Responsibility for the bombs, which killed at least 10 people, was claimed by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), the main militant group in the southern oil region, which has rarely staged attacks outside its home area.

State television said Dokpesi, who is managing Babangida's campaign for 2011 presidential elections, had been held for questioning over text messages found on the phone of a main suspect in the bombings which referred to a monetary payment.

Babangida's campaign team said Dokpesi had complied with an invitation for questioning from the State Security Service (SSS) early on Monday but had since been denied access to his lawyers and family. It said no reason had been given for his detention.

"The campaign organisation hereby condemns in the strongest terms the detention of its director general and calls for his immediate release," it said in a statement.

Prosecutors in Johannesburg earlier charged Henry Okah, a senior figure in MEND who now lives in South Africa, with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and the detonation of explosive devices in Abuja. His lawyer denied his involvement.

President Jonathan has said a "small terrorist group that resides outside Nigeria" - an apparent reference to Okah - carried out the attacks but that it was sponsored by "unpatriotic elements within the country".

Nigeria's secret service said it had detained nine suspects with direct links to Okah.

The security services have admitted there were intelligence lapses in the run-up to Friday's car bombings but Jonathan has vowed to hunt down the perpetrators.

He named a new national security adviser on Monday, former chief of defence staff Andrew Azazi, a fellow member of the Ijaw ethnic group, the largest in the southern Niger Delta.

Azazi's appointment follows the resignation last month of Aliyu Gusau, a northerner who stepped aside to challenge Jonathan at the ruling party primaries..

Larger plot

MEND's claim of responsibility was an embarrassment for Jonathan, one of the main architects of an amnesty agreed last year with rebels in the Niger Delta and who is the first Nigerian leader to come from the vast wetlands region.

He has said the perpetrators "used the name of MEND to camouflage criminality and terrorism" and that the attacks had nothing to do with the Niger Delta.

The secret service said it had foiled a larger plot to detonate at least six car bombs in the "three-arm zone" in Abuja made up of the presidential villa, parliament and the Supreme Court just days before last Friday's attacks.

"The despicable act of terrorism which eventually took place on Oct. 1 was planned for Wednesday Sept. 29 but was foiled as soon as information was received during the early hours of Sept. 28," SSS spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar told a news conference.

"The over-riding objective of the group was to scare foreign visitors from attending the 50th anniversary celebrations."

A MEND statement signed Jomo Gbomo - the pseudonym used by the group to claim responsibility for previous attacks on Nigeria's oil industry - was emailed to media warning the area should be evacuated, an hour before the Abuja bombs went off.

Although MEND has used car bombs in the past, its targets have been almost exclusively oil facilities and it has struck outside the Niger Delta only twice, once on an offshore oil platform, and once at an oil dock in the commercial hub Lagos.

Jonathan's assertion that the attacks had nothing to do with the Niger Delta has drawn criticism from his opponents.

"For whatever purpose it serves to fulfil, it is unpresidential for Mr President to quickly exonerate MEND, which had earlier claimed responsibility," Babangida's spokesman said in a statement issued before Dokpesi's detention.

"Issues of security of individuals and of the nation require more than just a passing glance," the statement said.

Jonathan's detractors have started to use MEND's claim of responsibility to undermine his credentials for the elections.

"If his own people can disown him and disgrace him how can you trust him? Reject GEJ, he can't be trusted," said one text message circulated to mobile phones.

REUTER

Huhuonline.com understands that the State Security Service has arrested Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the Director General of Ibrahim Babangida campaign organisation and Chairman of Daar Communication. He is currently undergoing interrogation at the

SSS office in Asokoro.Our checks reveals that Mr. Dokepsi`s arrest is linked to the bomb blast that rocked Abuja last week.

The state security service has kept a tight-lip about Chief Dokpesi arrest, but a statement from Senator Mahmud Kanti Bello, deputy director general of IBB 2011 campaign organisation confirmed his arrest.

Hear him:

“The Director General of the IBB 2011 Presidential Campaign Organization, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi was invited Sunday, 3rd October, 2010 by the State Security Services [SSS] to report to their headquarters by 11am Monday, 4th October, 2010

“Between 11am and 5pm this evening Monday 4^th October, 2010, all telephone calls placed to him were unanswered. The Campaign Organization dispatched a high powered delegation comprising four directors of the Campaign Organization and his personal Lawyer to enquire as to his whereabouts. The delegation was denied access to High Chief Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and had to return to the Campaign office at about 6.50pm. No reason has been given whatsoever by the State Security Services for his invitation, and detention, neither is his whereabouts known”.

“High Chief Raymond Dokpesi is a well-respected and patriotic Nigerian who has continued to contribute selflessly to the growth, development and stability of the Nigerian nation”.

"The IBB 2011 CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION hereby condemns in the strongest terms the detention of its Director General and calls for his immediate release. We wish to draw the attention of local and international communities to the growing politics of intolerance, intimidation, coercion, persecution and harassment in spite of the avowed commitment to the rule of law by the present administration”. “We call on the security agencies of the country not to allow themselves to be used as tools to settle political scores particularly on simple intra-party conflict.

A statement by Ima Niboro, Special Adviser to the President on media, said the new national security adviser joined the Jonathan administration from a rich and illustrious career in the military. "Commissioned into the army as a military intelligence officer, he rose to the position of Director of Military Intelligence [DMI]".

"He was thereafter appointed as General Officer Commanding 1 Infantry Division, from where he was further appointed as Chief of Army Staff. Gen. Owoye Azazi rose to become the Chief of Defence Staff and retired meritoriously on the 28 of August, 2008,".

A few days after regaining freedom, a pupil of Abayi International Secondary School, who was among those abducted by kidnappers in Aba, Abia State, has said that he saw their captors, bury a large quantity of arms and ammunition in the forest.



The pupil, who spoke with PUNCH METRO, explained that the kidnappers buried over 60 containers of bullets in the bush close to where they were kept.



“The people (kidnappers) buried 60 gallons (containers) of arms and ammunition in the forest before they ran away. They were afraid of the soldiers. So, they ran away,” he said.



The pupil, one of the oldest among those abducted on September 27, 2010, said they were fed with noddles throughout their captivity.



According to him, some women were always around to prepare their meals.



Although he said those who held them captive for about four days did not torture them, they all missed their parents, friends and teachers.



The pupil, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of concern for his safety, said, “The kidnappers thought the soldiers were coming to the bush. They (kidnappers) were afraid of the soldiers. They showed us a road in the bush and when we followed the road, we met the soldiers.



“They (kidnappers) were always moving from one place to the other with guns. We were all scared when we saw them always holding guns. We thought they were going to kill us. We all cried and prayed to God to save us.”



One of the teachers in the school told our correspondent in a telephone interview that some of the schoolchildren had recounted their experience in the hands of the kidnappers.



The teacher said the kidnappers told the schoolchildren that they had gone into kidnapping and armed robbery because government had refused to provide employment for them.



Some of the parents expressed gratitude to God for their children’s freedom.



One of the parents, Mr. Afonne Israel, said life became meaningless when he got wind of the kidnap of his four children.



“We prayed for many hours and called on God to free our children. We are happy that our prayers were answered,” Isreal said.

Also, another parent, Mr. Aroyehun Joseph, said he was elated when he was told that the his children had been released hale and hearty.

“The God we serve will not disappoint you if you serve him. We thank Him for wading into the situation,” Joseph, who whose two children among those kidnapped, added.

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Like in the movie Catch me if you can with Leonardo di Caprio

A Nigerian drug smuggler who duped authorities to get a job in New Zealand as a hospital psychiatrist came across as friendly and plausible, but secretive, acquaintances say.

Chidozie Emmanuel Onovo, 40, lived in Christchurch - next door to a
senior policeman - and worked for the Canterbury District Health Board
from January 2009 until August this year, after failing to disclose he
had been jailed in Britain in 1999 for importing 4.5kg of cannabis.

He has been a member of the Christchurch Skeptics in the Pub group,
which among its core activities studies "mechanisms of deception". Onovo
said the group offered "excellent opportunity to meet like-minded
people".

He had spoken of his desire to bring his wife and children over from
Ireland to live with him, but on Wednesday was jailed for 16 months for
failing to disclose his criminal past.

He obtained a visa to enter New Zealand in January 2009, then a work permit to get the job as a psychiatrist. It was not until August this year, after Onovo applied
for residency, that immigration checks found him out.

He had supplied forged reference letters saying he was working in the medical field in Nigeria over a period in which he was in jail in Britain.

Dawn Catherwood, whose daughter rents a townhouse to Onovo, had him over
for meals and found him to be plausible and a "really nice guy". He
paid his rent on time, but had recently terminated his lease and was
planning to go overseas..

Earlier this year he visited his wife and children in Ireland.

"He had lost a lot of weight since he had been in New Zealand - we
noticed that. And he was hoping to bring his family out here."

Often he was not at home when arranged meetings were meant to take
place, she said. "He's very secretive. He doesn't let anybody into his
flat."

Inspector Kieren Kortegast was a neighbour of Onovo, but said he only spoke to him a couple of times and rarely saw him.

He was surprised to hear of Onovo's deception.

Immigration New Zealand said it was their inquiries that revealed
Onovo's criminal past, while the health board said it went through the
required processes and routine checks before employing him and there
were no concerns about his competence.

The Medical Council said Onovo met all the registration requirements to
work in New Zealand and had references showing he was a good doctor.

"Toni and I are separated and a divorce is already in the pipeline. We can never come together again. If people are being fed by wrong sources about the possibility of reconciling, they are hearing from me now that it is not possible. We can't come back." 9ice said in a recent interview.

He went further to reveal that he will never get married again, though he plans to have two or three more children. He already has one son, Zion, with his ex, Toni Payne.

A 42-year old man beat his wife to death following a disagreement. TOYOSI OGUNSEYE spoke with the suspect who says he cannot justify his action



The marriage of 10 years ended in just 10 minutes. Olushola Ojaelatan and his wife, Basirat Oluwatoyin, had been married for 10 years. They had three children out of which two are surviving.

The marriage was not Ojaelatan‘s first. The 42-year-old man was married for 10 years to another woman who left him after the union did not produce any child. Then he met Basirat who married him just after the first woman had left. Basirat‘s first child died a few months after birth, but she had two other children ages four and one respectively.

Neighbours at their No. 18/20, Laidi Street, Ofin, Ikorodu, Lagos, testified that the Ojaelatans‘ marriage had not been blissful. The landlord who pleaded anonymity said that he always had cause to settle the couple‘s differences. He said, ”I was always in their room settling one fight or the other. If the wife was not screaming, the husband would be shouting. I always told Basirat‘s husband that it was not everything his wife did that he should react to; but he never listened to me. Hardly did any week pass by that I did not have to placate either of them. Their trouble was just too much.”

One of the Ojaelatans‘ troubles that the landlord referred to occurred last Saturday. It was the last scuffle the husband would ever have with his wife. Ojaelatan, a carpenter, said that he returned from a night vigil in his church when his wife picked a quarrel with him. According to him, the woman was angry with him because he did not wait for her or the children when he was leaving the church. He said, ”She started shouting on top of her voice that I left her to bring our children home alone. Her grouse was that while she put one of the children on her back and held one, I did not bother to assist or wait for her after the service.”

Ojaelatan however said that Basirat, 32, had been nagging him for two days before then because he did not give her sufficient money, ”She started her trouble two days before that Saturday. I gave her the little money I had, but she kept complaining that it was not enough. I knew that she was preparing for another fight, so I decided to avoid her.”

The native of Ondo State however did not keep to his resolve to avoid his wife that Saturday. He said, ”I got home before her and our children and was lying down on the bed. She said that I would not sleep for leaving our children with her. Initially, I pleaded with her to let me sleep because we had another church service in the evening; but she did not listen. The next thing my wife did was to jump on the bed. She pulled my cloth and tore it into shreds. I can‘t lie against her.”

The father of two said that he couldn‘t bear it any longer at this stage, so he decided to beat her with his brown leather belt. As if dealing with an unruly child, he turned her face down and started to beat her on her bare back.

Ojaelatan said, ”Before she tore my shirt, she locked the door. I was very angry after she tore my shirt. So, I picked up my belt and started to beat her.”

Basirat‘s screams woke up the neighbours in the compound, including the landlord who ran to the couple‘s apartment. According to the landlord, he begged the couple to open the door and he met Basirat crying on top of her voice. He said, ”Basirat said that she was not going to leave her husband until he killed her. I managed to separate them and told my other tenants to take her out of the room while I admonished the husband.”

The landlord was still reprimanding Ojaelatan for beating his wife when someone shouted that Basirat, an auxiliary nurse, had fainted. Both the landlord and the lady‘s husband hurriedly went to the spot. When all efforts to resuscitate her failed, they rushed her to a nearby hospital but she died on the way.

Immediately, the neighbours reported the matter to the police. Then the reality of Ojaelatan‘s action dawned on him. He said, ”I still cannot believe that my wife is dead. I‘m shocked that she died over nothing. If you ask me what the cause of our quarrel was, I can‘t even say what exactly happened.”

That was not, however, the first time he would be beating her, “Even though we were always exchanging words, the last time I beat her was six years ago and I told myself that it will never happen again. I don‘t know what came over me.”

The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident and said, ”Basirat‘s cry for help was said to have alerted other tenants who reportedly discovered that the door was locked from inside, thereby preventing them from quickly saving her. Moments later, she became unconscious. She was rushed to the hospital where, unfortunately, she was confirmed dead. We have started our investigations and an autopsy will be carried out for us to know the cause of her death.”

Mba, a Superintendent of Police, added that the deceased had a caesarian operation less than a year ago. ”She gave birth via a caesarian section barely a year ago, and it is possible that she was yet to recover, health wise. But the autopsy will tell us what went wrong.”

The PPRO advised couples to shun domestic violence.

Ex-beauty queen and popular Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima, who made headline last year after she was sentenced to five years imprisonment for manslaughter, following the death of a medical doctor, Mr. Suraj Giwa, is a changed woman.

Ibinabo Fiberesima

She has completely turned her life around, bidding farewell to alcohol, cigarettes and partying. The single mother of three is now a born again Christian and spreads the word of God at every opportunity.

Confirming her new faith to HVP on telephone, the actress-turned-preacher said she gave her life to Christ while she was serving her jail term at Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

Ibinabo, who was a former night club owner, said she took the bold step after she realised that the promises of man is fake and also given the need to build eternal peace within herself.

“I got born again when I was in prison. I discovered that the promises of man is fake. Yes, I’m spreading the word of God at every given opportunity. I visit schools in Port-Harcourt to talk to children about Christ. Each time I’m praying, I always ask God that whenever people see me, let them see the glory of God in me,” she muted.

The embattled actress allayed the fear that she would abandon her acting career for the work of God. “I will still be acting. Doing the work of God will not stop me from acting,” she said.

She advised other celebrities to learn to embrace Christ as the only way to find permanent peace in life.

Ibinabo Fiberesima was convicted of murder manslaughter and sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Igbosere division of the Lagos Magistrate Court last year..

She was alleged to have killed a male medical doctor identified as Suraju Giwa while driving carelessly and under the influence of alcohol along Lekki/Epe Expressway in Lagos.

Ibinabo was said to have been seriously drunk while driving the vehicle ( a jeep) belonging to her erstwhile lover, Daniel Wilson, in which she was with some other girls.

Though the actress pleaded not guilty, the prosecution called five witnesses during the trial to prove its case, and all the five who, included two eye witnesses, gave detailed account of how the offence was committed, to the court.

The presiding magistrate, Mr. A.O. Isaac, thus held he was totally convinced that the actress committed the offence, having looked at the circumstances surrounding the matter as well as the account of the prosecution witnesses. He found her guilty as charged and convicted her accordingly.

Abuja Bomb Blast: Ben Jessy (wanted)

Huhuonline.com can disclose that barely 72

hours after Abuja bomb explosions, the NigeriaPolice has confirmed the arrest of a suspect.But the identity of the arrested suspect was not disclosed for security reasons.

.

“Their motive was to cut short the joy of men and women of goodwill and to pour shame and contempt on our President and indeed the entire nation, in the very presence of dignitaries and eminent persons from around the world. “Certainly, these operators of an evil enterprise had targeted to commit mass murder of innocent children, young and old men and women, and members of the international community who had gathered to partake in our nation’s glorious moment.

Abuja Bomb Blast: Chima Orlu (Wanted)

“To the glory of God, their act of wickedness was frustrated by the tight security put in place at the Eagle Square .

President Goodluck Jonathan has said those behind the twin bomb attacks in Abuja which claimed about 16 lives during the 50th anniversary celebrations were terrorists sponsored from outside the country. He vowed that government would name and shame those involved.

The president said at a dinner held to commemorate the country's golden jubilee at Marina State House annex Lagos, over the weekend that the government was already on the trail of the perpetrators, and they will not go free.

Mr. Jonathan said, "a small terrorist group that resides outside Nigeria was sponsored to carry out the evil act. We are on their trail and will ensure that until they are arrested and brought to book, we will not rest. Government will no longer condone impunity and any culprit no matter how highly placed or connected will not go scot free."

It's a terrorist plot

The President who called for a minute's silence for those who lost their lives, again absolved the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) of any connection with the blast. He said the act was perpetrated by a terrorist group hiding under the umbrella of the movement.

According to him, "We have contacted other members of MEND and they say they know nothing about it. Anybody that hides under the umbrella of MEND to carry out those acts will soon be exposed."

However, MEND had in an earlier statement claimed responsibility and blamed security agents for the loss of lives. In the statement, it said, "The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives. They were given five days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday in South Africa." Mr. Okah's house in South Africa was first ransacked by INTERPOL on Thursday and South African security officials arrested him after the bombing, on Saturday.

At another event on Sunday at the National Christian Centre Abuja, Mr. Jonathan regretted that those who carried out the bombings did so at a time many were offering prayers for the nation. "It is the work of the devil, but the people will not die in vain. They have paid the supreme sacrifice to reveal the demons with beautiful names amongst us. We will unearth them," he promised.

He also thanked Nigerians for their orderliness and calm despite the explosions adding that it shows a new Nigeria.

"Nigerians have unanimously declared liberty on our land to move our nation forward. In this year, with the help of God we shall be liberated".

Transformation is coming

He restated his determination to drive the process of transformation by working at all levels and arms of government to reposition the economy.

The Senate President, David Mark, assured the federal government of the support of the National Assembly to ensure the prompt arrest of the perpetrators and ensure they get maximum punishment.

"Whatever may be the reason behind this, it is not acceptable. This is not time to forgive anybody behind this evil, we urge the federal government and we will assist them that the evil doers must get maximum sanction", he said..

Speaking on behalf of the 36 state governors, the Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio,

said they were prepared to support the leadership of Mr. Jonathan. He urged the president not to despair or get distracted by the "blackmail".

The representative of the business community and Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Kola Jamodu, also noted that there has been a significant improvement in the economy because of the positive steps taken by the government. He appealed for more transparency and consistency in economic policies to move the nation forward.

He further asked for tax incentives for private investors who are setting up businesses in the villages and remote parts of the country to stem rural urban migration as well as develop the areas and create more employment.

Earlier, the Minister of Information and Communication, Dora Akunyili said the dinner was the final stage of the Nigeria@50 anniversary celebration and government decided to go ahead and hold it in honour of those killed in the blast rather than be cowed by the attacks.

The Aso villa chaplain Obioma Onwuzurumba condemned the attacks saying, "The enemy meant evil, but I know that God will turn what the enemy intended to be evil for the good of Nigeria. We are not daunted, we are not intimidated, we simply give thanks to God that the damages were curtailed."

GOVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has commended the pace at which the Federal Government non-violence transformation training for ex-militants in Obubra is progressing.

Imoke, who gave the commendation at the passing out ceremony of the fifth batch of ex-militants at the Obubra camp, described the programme as "wonderful and worthwhile".

The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on State Security, Mr Bassey Okim, said the government would always support the amnesty programme.

The governor said that the programme was beneficial to the state because, as host of amnesty camp, it shared the collective interest in the enduring peace and security in Nigeria.

He said: "You will also realise that since the commencement of this programme peace is reigning in the country and in the Niger Delta Region specifically.

"So if we are hosting some of the elements that were responsible for the hostility, it shows that we are ready to sacrifice for the collective benefit of the country.

"If we did not provide this camp and no other state was willing to provide this, it means that the amnesty programme would not have come to full cycle.

"The peace that we are enjoying in the state and in other parts of the South-South and the Niger Delta is one of the direct and perhaps the best benefit from this programme.’’

According to Imoke, the ex-militants, who embraced the programme, are contributing their quota to the country’s 50th Independence anniversary.

"The boys have already contributed their quota by surrendering to the sovereignty of this country. I think they have done enough already.

"What we will always demand of them is that they should live in accordance with the terms of the amnesty programme. And I am sure that if you look at the faces you are seeing here, they are more anxious than some of us to be reintegrated into the Nigerian nation,’’ the governor said.

Imoke also commended the introduction of cultural displays by representatives from different states in the Niger Delta at the Obubra camp.

"A programme of this nature should not just be regimented or militarised. Cultural displays should go with it. Remember that these are ex-militants and we are trying to rehabilitate them into a larger society, into normal lives.

"Two years ago, no one could imagine that those boys will be dancing to their traditional tunes. It is an indication that they have finally been reintegrated into society. This shows that they have finally embraced peace, amnesty and have returned to normal lives,’’ Imoke said.

With the passing out of the 1,053 trainees in batch five, more than 6,000 out of the 20,192 ex-militants slated for the exercise have so far graduated from the Obubra camp.

Awards were given to the best graduating trainees; best leaders; best behaved; trainees who demonstrated high degree of honesty and integrity; parade commander and the group that won the tug-of war competition.

According to the Camp Administrator, Mr Ekpein Appah, the sixth batch is expected within the week.

By Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Suffering for the right reasons

1Peter 2:19-20; 19 For this finds God’s favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly. 2:20 For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.

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As we have read 1Peter 2:19-20, we see that to suffer or to be treated wrongly for the cause of the LORD is a rewarding thing, and is favorable in the sight of the LORD. God is pleased, when we do not compromise our beliefs or convictions, even if it means harsh treatment or persecution that will come from others. Our Father is honored when we are willing to suffer wrong for His name! In Acts the 5th Chapter we see that Peter and the Apostles rejoiced greatly because they were counted worthy to be reproached and to suffer wrongfully for preaching in the Name of Jesus!

But some would say, "why would God allow is children to suffer, aren't we the head and not the tail"? Well, brothers and sisters, I am afraid that many have misrepresented the ways and purposes of God in the life of the believer; and have misquoted scriptures to the point that their doctrines have become flawed! You see, the problem is, is that no one wants to, or is willing to suffer any amount of persecution for the LORD Jesus! Not many or willing to endure anything at all, because personal comfort and luxurious living are too important. Yes, the LORD can and does bless His children, and many have been fortunate to live a very lavish lifestyle; but when the LORD blesses you with much, He expects you to be a blessing to others and not to horde it all upon yourself (read Luke 12:13-21).

God does not save us so that our sole purpose in life is to live high on the hog!! He did not save us so that we could live in ease, comfort and pleasure either. We were saved so that we would become witnesses for Him, so that others could partake of the true riches that is found only in Jesus Christ! But what we are mainly talking about here is when we suffer or when we are rebuked for doing something that was wrong, and we feel as though we have been treated unfairly and we want to rebuke the devil, bind evil spirits and start calling things forth….how foolish can we be? How religious can we be?

When we have done that which is worthy of chastisement, we ought to be willing to suffer the reward. If you run a red light, stop sign or assault someone without cause….you should not expect the officer or the judge to be so understanding; and you get off scott- free!

Listen to what verse 20 says; For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.

Some would say, "yea I ran that light, and I have a big fine to pay, but the devil is a lie…God is going to get me out of this"! What?? You did something wrong!! Don't bring God or the devil into it, that was completely your doing! So just suck it up and take your punishment. Or some would step out in faith as we say, and purchase a home, car, boat or what have you and knowing full well that they cannot afford it. And before the repo man comes to take it….we will get some oil and sling it all over the thing and start marching around it and making proclamations….Hey... wait a minute! You know that you didn't have the extra funds for this thing, so why involve the Father in your foolishness? What did Jesus say in Luke 14:28-32; For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t sit down first and compute the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 14:29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish the tower, all who see it will begin to make fun of him. 14:30 They will say, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’ 14:31 Or what king, going out to confront another king in battle, will not sit down first and determine whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 14:32 If he cannot succeed, he will send a representative while the other is still a long way off and ask for terms of peace.

So what is the bottom line here…well simply this. Take full responsibility for your actions and decisions. Don't obligate God to rescue you from something that was completely your own doing; although He is plenteous in mercy. Just understand that when we do wrong and are punished for the wrong, remember to praise the LORD, ask for forgiveness and try earnestly not to repeat the same error. And when you are punished for the cause of Christ and for preaching the Gospel…rejoice and be exceedingly glad! Endure it patiently because there is a reward that soon will follow!

B-blessed my brothers and sisters in Christ;

Michael

Reaching Up!

Foundational Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14; Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, 14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

King James:

To understand the idea being conveyed here, we have to understand that in the Hebrew, or Greek, the words carry a much deeper meaning than does the English language. For instance, the word in this verse: “apprehended”; to us it brings to mind the idea of someone being caught, arrested or taken into custody. Or the idea of an animal being caught in a trap, and we see it as being used to express an outward action, somewhat disconnected from us; the action being applied to something else outside of us. But in the Greek, the understanding means:kä-tä-läm-bä'-nō

It expresses the idea of an inward seizing....bringing it into ones self! Making it your own personal responsibility. Apprehending or seizing ones self! You see, it is very common among human-kind to place blame onto someone else. To say that someone else is responsible for me getting into this mess!

Such as the case of Adam after he fell along with Eve his wife; He answered to God when questioned and said; “The woman that you gave me....”. And the woman of course responded by saying; “the serpent tricked me...and I...”. So it is easier to pass the buck, rather then taking full responsibility for our own actions.

The Psalms are filled with scriptural descriptions of reaching up; ex; Psalms 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance.

Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.

All these gives us the visual of reaching up! When we think of “reaching up”, we seem to relate it to being in trouble or distress and needing the LORD to save us and to deliver us. Although that my be true and is a good thing, but here, I believe that the Apostle is speaking to us of something more personal.

In the 13^th verse of the 3^rd chapter of Philippians, we read; (from the KJ's) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Reaching forth; Reaching up....! In the Greek, the phrase is: ep-ek-tā'-no-mī which means; to stretch out to or towards/ to stretch (one's self) forward to.

You see, the LORD doesn't just want us reaching up to him in our times of troubles! But He wants and expects us to be Reaching up, Reaching forth, growing up in our personal walk with Him! Stretching ourselves forward towards Him; becoming more Christ like!

Hear what Paul is saying....”reaching forth unto those things which are before...”. The LORD Jesus expects more from us! He exhorts us all to become perfect as He is perfect!

Not that we would become sinless..no, not at all; but that we would become more mature, that we would grow up into the Head...which is Christ Jesus as says Eph. 4:15.

If we are to “Reach Up” for anything; it should be, to become more like Christ and to leave all of the junk and baggage that keeps us from reaching forth unto those things which are before; that keeps us from stretching out to, or towards Him in holiness and righteous living. In speaking to the Galatians, Paul said; Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? Who, are what will you allow to hinder you? To stump your growth, to keep you from “reaching up”!

All of this implies work on our part. We have to get involved with the LORD in working out our own salvation. Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

(Reach Up!)

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (Reach Up!)

No we are not saved by good works, nor of our own righteousness, the blood of Jesus was the only pleasing sacrifice that the Father has accepted; but we are commanded to kill our flesh, to mortify the deeds of our bodies. So let's summarize what Paul is saying in verses 13 and 14 of Philippians 3. He says; “I count not myself”. Meaning, I put no trust nor confidence in me, nor my flesh; for I know in me (my flesh) dwells nothing good. I am not so arrogant as to think that I have come to the point in this walk that I have nothing further to improve upon!

“But this one thing I do”. I realize that there is more that I can do. I am not the super saint that others see me to be! I admit that there are problem areas that need immediate attention.

“I press”. The only alternative I have is to press, to “reach up”. Because there is more that the LORD wants to do in me and through me. And he can't use me as I am now! So how do I press...by “reaching up” for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, through getting the sin out, by not continuing to do those things that will grieve the Holy Spirit of God!

So I admonish you Saints, to reach up, reach up...not in the sense of “God help me”, “remove this trouble”. But in the sense of coming into maturity, and growing in the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.