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SIN: A Debt with A High Interest

For the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a). Sin is an enticement to enjoy a massive loan with an astronomically high interest rate and stiff penalties. The loan is only for projects that are adjudged morally inappropriate from the Bible’s point of view. Those loans are invested in lustful ventures that crash, leaving the people without lasting benefits and debts a thousand times more than borrowed initially. You are penniless and far worse than when you did not get that loan (sin). Why would any sane person do that? Sin entices and promises immediate gratification to be enjoyed for a short time. However, it conceals the long-term consequences, which, if you knew, you would not have engaged in that sin. Satan is the Loan Officer and does not cancel or forgive debts. Jesus Christ alone has the resources to pay off your debt and has paid it in full. You must call Him up to activate your payment. Are you still in debt because of a sin? What are you waiting for? Call Jesus up today and tell Him about it. But do not take loans from Satan anymore.

 
 
Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing.

Spiritual Giants

If you think you are a spiritual giant because you have been a Christian for many years, or degrees earned from seminaries, a position in the church, a spiritual gift being exercised, financial contribution, and holy life that you live, think again. You are a spiritual giant only in your eyes because you are comparing yourself with fellow humans. You will feel so small when you compare yourself with Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. It is those who have stopped growing spiritually who consider themselves to be giants. A true believer will continue to walk and stumble in this life with an endless war between the flesh and the spirit. While this struggle continues, he is perfected from one stage of glory to another. Finally, when the flesh is put away, he will stand perfect in the presence of our Lord and Savior. That is when he will be crowned a spiritual giant. Until then, like Paul, our heart cry is: I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Phi. 3:10).

Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing.

Erecting Your Memorial

When God stopped the flow of the Jordan and the children of Israel crossed over the river on dry ground, they were commanded to pick up stones from the riverbed and set them up as a memorial (Jos. 3 and 4). No one, including the unborn generation, was to forget what God did for Israel. God is still doing great things for us, but we are setting up memorials for what we are doing for ourselves and not what God is doing in and through and for us. Since the deeds and memorials we set up for ourselves are not perfect, our children do not like them and walk away from them. Sadly, it ultimately leads to some of them walking away from fellowship with God. Your memorials are the legacy you left behind. It is not what you want people to know, but it is what people observe as the passion and priorities of your life. Testimonies last Saturday during my brother’s funeral service were consistent regarding his humility, passionate service, and faithful walk with the Lord. May our memorials stand tall also. Amen!

Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing.

PASTORAL LETTER: Introducing Spiritual Formation

Rev Joseph P Ezeigbo

2016 ECWA USA Calendar

 

Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have found favor with Me.’ If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so that I may know You and continue to find favor with You…The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. “Then Moses said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless You go with us?…And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” Exod.33:12-18.

I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Phil.3:10.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if these possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 2 Pet.1:5-9.

This pastoral letter is a temporary break-off from the on-going series on the Exposition of ECWA Doctrines and Articles of Faith. The chief reason being to acquaint those who for various reasons are not able to participate in the special teaching series. Spiritual Formation Summit which runs from January 31st-March 20.

INTRODUCTION
There is no doubt that Spiritual Formation is not a common term in the vocabulary of contemporary religious community, and this includes those who identify as evangelicals. Many church-going people are familiar with such terms as “repentance, conversion, discipleship, missions, evangelism, prayer and fasting, but not Spiritual Formation. So this naturally raises the question,”What is Spiritual Formation?” A simple question with a complex answer. The answer could be said to have many faces, but one identification. Different people have defined Spiritual Formation in various but similar ways.

One author writes,” Spiritual Formation speaks of a shaping process with reference to the spiritual dimension of a person’s life.” Many others have defined it in the following ways:

  1. Spiritual Formation is the practice by which one progresses in a spiritual or religious life.
  2. Spiritual Formation is the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and others.
  3. Spiritual Formation is the on-going process of the Triune God transforming the believer’s life and character towards the life and character of Jesus Christ.
  4. Spiritual formation is the process of transformation of the inner dimension of the human being, the heart, which is the same as the spirit or within.
  5. Spiritual Formation is the process of forming or growing the spiritual self.

Now you get the idea. Notice the one word, process, that is repeated in all these definitions. The repetition of that word right off the bat indicates that the pursuit of spiritual formation has no graduation date nor Diploma. It is an endeavor in which a believer is engaged throughout his life. An old saint of a past generation expressed it in these undying words,”The making of a saint is a miracle of but a moment, but the making of a man of God is a life-long process.” Alan Redpath

Spiritual formation goes beyond the casual,”I have Jesus in my heart forevermore.”of the beginning of the christian life. Spiritual formation is the act of the believer in seeking daily to be conformed into the image of Christ. A key passage of scripture in spiritual formation is Romans 8:29.” God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity restored. ”( The Message). This passage shows that conformity to the image of Christ,a.k.a spiritual formation was in God’s plan of salvation in eternity. A Christian life that is short of this goal is a compromised version and living within the realm of mediocrity. Writing to the bewitched Galatian believers, Paul reminded them how he yearns and strives for Christ to be formed in them. Gal.4:19.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION MOVEMENT
Although many church historians date the beginning of spiritual formation with the Desert Fathers of the early church such as Simon Stylite, Anthony of Egypt, or founders of cenobitic communities such as St. Pachomius and Basil of Caesarea, others begin with the later development within the medieval Catholic church which was associated with divines such as Benedict of Nursia, Teresa of Avila, Bernard of Cluny, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Catherine of Siena. All these sought for a personal devoted life to God in the face of perceived spiritual decay, debauchery, and growing moral corruption in the early church and later intensified in the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages. Their inner quest for holiness and spiritual discipline led to the founding of the monastic movement. There are even those who date the origin as recently as the latter half of the 20th century, with the 1978 publication of Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline.

However, if one goes by the many and related definitions of spiritual formation as shown above, it could be argued that the thirst and hunger for spiritual formation outdated the above historical periods by several millennia. The quest for deep experiential knowledge and relationship with God is as old as Biblical history. As shown in the opening Scripture passages, Moses, after his glorious forty days mountain experience with God ,no sooner pleaded, “Show me Your glory.” Exod.33:7-11,12-18. The apostle Paul after his celestial vision and many years as a missionary still yearned, “that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” 2 Cor.12:1-6;Phil.3:10. Besides the high priestly prayer of Christ at Gethsemane, John 17, the two greatest prayers in the New Testament are for a deep, intimate, and experiential knowledge of God.Eph.1:15-20;3:14-21.

While the term “spiritual formation” may be relatively modern, its purpose and goal are the same that were sought by the Bible characters, Desert Fathers and the medieval saints- a deep experiential knowledge of God.

HIS PART AND OURS
As in sanctification, spiritual formation has two sides, God’s part and the believer’s part.” For it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.” Phil.2:13. In sanctification, God begins the work,1 Pet.1:2, but it is the believer’s responsibility to desire and extend the work begun inwardly by the Holy Spirit. Rom.6:12-14;2 Cor.6:14-7:1;1 Thess.4:1-8;2 Pet.1:3-11. The renowned missionary statesman and Biblical scholar, J. Oswald Sanders, contends in his book, “Enjoying Intimacy With God,” It is we, not God, who determine the degree of intimacy with God that we enjoy. We are at this moment as close to God as we really choose to be.”

Someone has written that “Spiritual formation is a synergy of the divine initiative and human response.” Brother Lawrence, the mystic who lived “the practice of the presence of God” while doing menial chores in the monastery states that effective communication with God could be carried on in the normal duties of life. He believed that it was a mistaken concept to compartmentalize prayer time from the normal walk of life. “ Our actions should unite us with God when we are involved in daily activities, just as our prayer unites us with Him in our quiet time,” he writes.

Fanny Crosby in her inspiring poetical style expresses a yearning that rhymes with spiritual formation in these words.

I am Thine O, Lord, I have heard Thy voice
And it told Thy love to me
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee

Consecrate me now to Thy service Lord
By the power of grace divine
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope
And my will be lost in Thine

O, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend.

 

Author

Rev Joseph P Ezeigbo

attended Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana where he graduated in 1984 with a BA in History and Biblical Studies (Double major). Rev. Ezeigbo began his graduate studies at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake and later transferred to Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, Maryland where he graduated with an M.Div. and Th.M. degrees in 1988 and 1989 respectively. He pursued post-graduate education at Liberty University and Liberty Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia. Rev. Ezeigbo previously served as secretary and chairman of ECWA USA and currently serving as the vice chairman and prayer coordinator. As a hobby, he is a researcher in Theology and Church history. He help to raise prayer awareness for the worldwide Persecuted church and prayer for the Muslim world.

Irresistible Heaven

Heaven, as described in Revelation 21:1-22:6, is irresistible, and the price is right – absolutely free – free to us but paid for by Christ’s death on the cross. The current earth and heaven with all the hang-ups will pass away, and God will usher us into a new heaven and earth. The best thing about heaven is that God will dwell with His people, and we will see His face. Nothing of the ills we face on earth, like death, mourning, crying, sickness, pain, hunger, vile and wicked people, will be there. The city is made of precious stones that nothing here on earth can compare. Even the streets are made of pure gold. Those who will enter this city are people who have trusted in Jesus Christ, whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Into this beautiful place and in the presence of our Lord and Savior was my younger brother, Alfred Bwanhot, ushered in on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. We celebrate God’s redeeming work in his life and how he walked and successfully completed his journey of sixty-five years of pilgrimage on earth. “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21b).

Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing.

Givers of Love Are the Biggest Winners!

Valentine’s Day is today, and perhaps you are sitting on the sidelines waiting to be shown love by your spouse or best friend. You will likely be upset if they fail to express love to you in a tangible way or come short of your expectations. You have just set yourself up to be disappointed. To save yourself from such heartache and embarrassment, do what God commands: Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law (Rom. 13:8). God is love, and love gives out sacrificially. The giver is full of joy more than the recipient. Such is the unconditional love Christ poured on us. As recipients of God’s love, we became debtors, and the only way to pay our debt is to love others. Do not incur more debt of love by waiting to be loved. You will be happy only when you start repaying your debt of love by showing love to others. So, reach out first this Valentine’s to show love instead of waiting to be loved. You will be happy and not disappointed.

HAPPY VALENTINE to you, our fan!❤️

Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing

Can You Die for The Truth?

During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ did so much good, including healing and feeding thousands, raising the dead, teaching, counseling, and encouraging thousands without charging a penny. The people even wanted to make Him their king, but He declined. So, why did they kill a man who did a lot of good and never did a wrong? The TRUTH He spoke! They liked His good works but hated the TRUTH He proclaimed. This scenario has not changed since then. Christians in every nation, culture, and generation bring much good to their communities but are hated because we proclaim the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only Savior of the world. Different religions proclaim their own ‘truths’ and make exclusive claims and are welcomed or tolerated, but Christians are labeled as obnoxious, intolerant, judgmental, and should be rid of. The world would rather do away with Christians and their good deeds than accommodate the TRUTH they proclaim. Are we going to tone down or shut up because of the opposition, or are we going to keep on proclaiming the Truth and risk persecution as Jesus did?

Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing

Conference 2024

ECWA USA JULY 2024 CONFERENCE UPDATES

ECWA Church

 

ECWA USA 2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE JULY 25 – 28, 2024

“For the Vision is yet for an Appointed Time” Habakkuk. 2:3

AT

Baptist Church Image

BEECHMONT BAPTIST CHURCH
4574 S 3RD ST., LOUISVILLE, KY 40214

CONFERENCE FEATURES:
Motivational Messages; Inspiring Praise Worship sessions; Prayer Clinics; Bible Study Workshops for Adult & Youth; Symposium; Talks & Discussion; Lunch and Dinner at Conference Venue; Youth Bible Quiz & Other Events; Games & City Tour; Medical, Legal & Financial Consultations; and Installation of District Church Council Executives.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS:
BY CATEGORY (*EARLY BIRD*REGULAR*AT THE DOOR*)
                                                                                     Jan 1 – April 30     May 1 – Jul 24      Jul 25 – 28
Single Adult                                                                 $140.00                  $160.00               $180:00
Couple (Husband & Wife)                                           $260.00                 $280.00               $300.00
Children Ages 4-12 years                                           $80.00                   $90.00                 $100.00
Youth/Young Adult: 13 – 17 years old                         $90.00                   $120.00               $120.00
Student Ages 18-24 with part or full-time job           $120.00                 $130.00               $140.00
Student Ages 18-24 without job                                 $90.00                  $110.00                $130.00

Registration cancellation by April 30, 2024 will be refunded 100%; May 1 – May 31 – 75%; June 1-June 30 – 50%, No refund from July 1. For any question send email to conference@ecwausa.org
*International attendee rates will be charged at early bird rate.

You can complete your registration in multiple ways:

  • Click here for direct link to the form
  • Text  KENTUCKY2024 to 678-922-4222 on your Mobile
  • Through MinistryOne Mobile App – Tap on Events or Discover icon. Tap the conference form.
  • Scan QR Code from your Mobile devices:

       

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

ECWA 7.25.2024 -Conf Hotel Accommodation

ECWA July 25-27, 2024 Conference Hotel Accommodation

LOCATION: Home2 Suites Louisville Airport Expo. 3000 Crittenden drive, Louisville, KY 40209 ($129/room/night plus tax rate of 17.54%)
To make a reservation call Paula Wathen, Director of Sales at 502-916-3800 or Email her at Paula.wathen@hilton.com. Mention name of event : ECWA July 25-27, 2024 Conference
CUT OFF DATE: 7.4.2024 after that any rooms not reserved will be released back into inventory.
PET FEE: $75.00 for the duration of the stay up to TBD days
CANCELLATION: 72 Hour Cancel or will be charged one night’s room and tax
AGREEMENT WEB SITE: http://hiltondistribution.com/usa-sleepingroomsonly/addlterms.htm.

 

HOTEL AMENITIES

Queen and King rooms with sleeper sofas and Kitchens
No Attrition
24 hour Market for purchase of snacks, beverages, etc.
Indoor swimming pool and workout room with combined laundry area
Complimentary Breakfast Buffet each morning

Committee Secretary
Elizabeth Garba

ECWA Theme 2024

ECWA Theme 2024

PASTORAL LETTER: The Meaning of ECWA 2024 Theme – For the Vision Is Yet for An Appointed Time Hab 2:3

2016 ECWA USA Calendar

 

FOR THE VISION IS YET FOR AN APPOINTED TIME; BUT AT THE END IT WILL SPEAK, AND IT WILL NOT LIE, THOUGH IT TARRIES, WAIT FOR IT; BECAUSE IT WILL SURELY COME, IT WILL NOT TARRY.” HAB.2:3.

It was hardly “luck” or coincidence. Such was not in my mind when I was thinking of a Scripture that would be the focus of our First Tuesday Prayer for Revival for October 2023. Later, it turned out that Habakkuk 2:3, the promise chosen to plead before God, was the same chosen by ECWA Executive as ECWA 2024 Theme. It was neither “luck” or coincidence, but perhaps, providential.

When I chose Habakkuk 2:3 as a devotional passage and prayer focus, I was trying to encourage persistent prayer and faith towards revival. I had a feeling that some of us might have begun to doubt or become skeptical about the revival that ECWA as a denomination began praying for about three years (October 2020). I felt that Habakkuk 2:3 is an appropriate passage to encourage us to continue to pray, trusting that a faithful God will do what He said He would do in His own time. There is a mystery about prayer that is beyond all human comprehension. While promises abound about answer to prayers, only God in His Sovereign will determine when and how each prayer is answered. Ps.115:3. This applies to prayer for Revival.

THE BACKGROUND
It was a time of vying for power supremacy in the Middle East. The new Babylonian Empire had just crushed the Assyrian empire in 612 BC. Egypt under Pharaoh Neco preempted an attack to stop Babylon from being the dominant power, marched North passing through Palestine. King Josiah, perhaps, in league with Babylon confronted Neco in a battle at Megiddo and got killed. Neco, on his part trying to regain lost power marched on to engage in a battle with Babylon at Carchemish and was defeated. Having become the new world power, the Babylonians naturally acquired Judah which was a vassal state of the humiliated Egyptian empire. Upon extending its authority to Judah, the Babylonians deposed Jehoiakim, the eldest son of King Josiah, whom Pharaoh Neco had enthroned in preference to his younger brother, Jehoahaz. 2 Kgs. 23:36-24:7. But Jehoiakim was a rascal of his own making. Unlike his godly father, King Josiah, who revered the word of God, Jehoiakim was the exact opposite. He was the” poster boy” who was imbued by hubris, cut in pieces the scroll from Jeremiah being read to him and threw it into fire and watched it burn to ashes.Jer.36:1-26. As the idiom says, “like the ruler, like his subjects.” The despicable attitude towards God’s law and the moral degradation in Judah appears to reflect its ruler’s disregard for God’s commandment.

HABAKKUK’S VISION V.1-4.
It is with this background in view that Habakkuk, a prophet of obscure background, became burdened by the moral and spiritual decay in the nation that he cried to God for intervention and perhaps for judgment. It was a period of prevailing violence, lawlessness, suppression of the powerless, injustice, and seeming anarchy.1:1-4.

GOD’S RESPONSE V.5-11
God’s reply to Habakkuk’s complaint was as unexpected and stunning as it was disappointing. God said that He was preparing a new superpower, Babylon, to punish the kingdom of Judah. God did not need any informant or information from any source about the new superpower which He has just elevated. He knew the potential and the future demise of the new Babylonian empire. But He wants to exercise His Sovereignty over all His creation regardless of their devotion to Him. Proverbs 21:1 does not exclude anyone.

HABAKKUK’S REACTION 1:12-2:1.
Habakkuk was flabbergasted. He was utterly disappointed by what he considered a strange divine response. It was difficult for him to imagine (in his mind) such an unreasonable means of punishment. To him, the people of Judah were sinful, but the Babylonians were more cruelly sinful and idolatrous. He could not reconcile how a holy God would use cruel and idolatrous Babylonians to punish people more “righteous” than they. He nevertheless resolved to wait and see how this paradox would pan out.

GOD’S REPLY 2:2-3.
Just like when Job demanded answers from God regarding his suffering, Habakkuk got none. Although neither Job’s questions nor Habakkuk’s bewilderment were ignored, God demonstrated that He does not have an obligation to answer every question that is demanded of Him. Rather than explaining His plan to Habakkuk, God instructed him to clearly write and display the response that he was given for all to see. The vision was to be written on a durable material and displayed in a public place for all to read. Not only to read, but that whoever reads might quickly run with it and announce it to others. No specific time of fulfillment was given, that is concealed in God’s own timing and Sovereign plan. Deut.29:29. Although the fulfillment may seem delayed, it will surely come to pass. Babylon’s ascendancy to power reached its climax in 604 BC after victory over Egypt. But as God promised, Babylonian Empire succumbed to a new rising Eastern empire under King Cyrus, the Persians, in 539 BC.

THE LESSON
The book of Habakkuk is one of the shortest books in the Bible written by an obscure prophet of unknown pedigree. Its message, especially the promise in 2:3, is relevant for our time. God’s instruction to Habakkuk is a reminder that God’s word, often at first, may be contrary to our human reasoning. It also instructs us not to judge the ways of the Lord by our limited human knowledge alone. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa 55:9. William Cowper reflects this truth in his classic hymn.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face

For us as believers, we need to learn to trust what God says. The old Scripture Union Chorus says, “He cannot fail for He is God” “He cannot fail, He pledged His word.” It is similar as when God promised Abraham a descendant that will multiply as the stars in the sky. Gen.15:1-5. Years later, when God repeated this promise, He swore by His name. Gen22:15-18. It is upon this premise that the author of Hebrews urges his recipients to have hope and confidence.Heb.6:13-18. And so should we.

Going back to what originally prompted me to use Habakkuk 2:3 for our First Tuesday Prayer for revival. There is the temptation for some people to begin to lose hope or become skeptical. God, in His time, fulfilled His word about Babylon. The defeat and destruction of the Babylonian empire by the Persians is only a partial judgment. In eschatology, there will be the final judgment and destruction of Babylon the Great. Rev. 17-18.

Therefore, as we continue to pray for revival and other needs, let us focus on God’s word. Depend on God and His faithfulness, for He who called us is faithful and He will do what He has promised 1Thess.5:24. Jesus taught us to pray with perseverance Lu.18:1-8. Borrowing again from the inspiring wisdom of William Cowper:

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain
For God is His own interpreter
And He will make it plain
In His own time
In His own way

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time. But at the end, it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come. It will not tarry.” Hab.2:2-3.

GOD SAID, I BELIEVE IT. AND THAT SETTLES IT FOR ME“ is a creed worthy of our faith.

Author

Rev. Joseph Ezeigbo attended Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana where he graduated in 1984 with a BA in History and Biblical Studies (Double major). Rev. Ezeigbo began his graduate studies at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake and later transferred to Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, Maryland where he graduated with an M.Div. and Th.M. degrees in 1988 and 1989 respectively. He pursued post-graduate education at Liberty University and Liberty Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia. Rev. Ezeigbo previously served as secretary and chairman of ECWA USA and currently serving as the vice chairman and prayer coordinator. As a hobby, he is a researcher in Theology and Church history. He help to raise prayer awareness for the worldwide Persecuted church and prayer for the Muslim world.

What Might God Be Displaying in Your Life?

This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3). Everything God created and all He allows or does not allow are to display His works and glory. For example, the mountains reveal His steadfastness and unchangeable nature; the sun reveals His glory, holiness, and righteousness; the storm, thunder, and lightning reveal His power and commanding authority; death reveals His justice; etc. The man born blind was God’s design to display His works. What might you be experiencing right now that God wants to use to display His power, grace, mercy, love, justice, and sovereignty in and through you? We grumble and complain when going through some experiences because we do not know what God is doing in our lives for His glory. What about other works displayed in our lives that are our choice and are not God-like? Those works bring shame instead of glory to God’s Name. Oh, that everything about us will display God’s glory and attract others to Him! Amen!

Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing.

Are You Still Waiting in Line for Your Turn With God?

Are You Still Waiting in Line for Your Turn with God?

Do you sometimes think that God is too busy and unable to get to your case as quickly as you want him to? You are not angry because you understand He is busy, and others are in line ahead of you or may even have more critical issues than yours. But the question remains: when will it be my turn? You are in good company with David: My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer me, by night, and I find no rest (Ps. 22:2). Our needs often distort our perspectives of God, resulting in His good promises evaporating into thin air. Well, for the umpteenth time, God will remind us that He is not too busy or distracted from His love and care for us. His heart and arms are wrapped around us, and it is so true that He has never broken a single promise He made. God’s capacity enables Him to attend to you as if you were the only being in all creation. He cares for everyone personally and even knows when a strand of hair falls off your head. My friend, you are not in line waiting for God. God is at work in you right now.

 
 
Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing.

Vote To Die In 2024 So That You Can Live

Wheat

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds (John 12:24).

We all say ‘Amen’ to this parable because of the truth it conveys. The fact, though, is that Jesus was addressing people who loved their lives and did everything to preserve and micromanage them. We are glad to be among the living to start the New Year 2024, and we all have plans for the year. We want to be alive and execute our plans. Some might have even declared that death is not their portion in 2024. But Jesus taught us to die to self, die to our ego, ambition, and plans as the way to live. He then invites us in Luke 9:23 to deny ourselves (dying to self), take up our crosses (a willingness to die), and follow Him. It is no secret that Jesus came into the world to die for our sins, and it is not surprising then that He is inviting us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices who have died to self, sin, and selfish ambitions. We must die now so that we can live in 2024.

 
 
Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing.

Congratulations! Happy New Year! Welcome To The 2024 Journey!

Past, Present, Future

God is awesome and very wise. He gave us only three time periods, Past, Present, and Future, and taught us how to live. The past, like 2023, has come and gone, and only memories and lessons learned are what we have left. The future is from the next second to eternity; it is beyond our control. We can only plan and hope but must wait for the future. We cannot borrow from it nor delay it. The present is very brief. It is a split second, and we must use it wisely before it passes into the past. Yet, the decisions we make at that moment have eternal implications. So then, how should we live? Paul’s example is good for us. “I want to know Christ … becoming like him … attaining to the resurrection from the dead. I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me … Forgetting what is behind and straining toward the goal …” (Phi. 3:10-14). Past: Forget it. Present: Know Jesus and live for Him. Future: Look forward to the resurrection. Let us live well in 2024.

 
 
Rev. Sunday BwanhotAuthor:
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing.

Doxa Magazine is at https://doxamagazine.org/