<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:blogger='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424</id><updated>2026-03-31T14:25:59.832+01:00</updated><category term="Jesus"/><category term="faith"/><category term="God"/><category term="abiding in"/><category term="abuse"/><category term="choices"/><category term="compromise"/><category term="death"/><category term="familiar"/><category term="grace"/><category term="participation"/><category term="posterity"/><category term="society"/><category term="temptation"/><category term="waiting for God"/><category term="walking with God"/><category term="2012"/><category term="30 pieces 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term="setting hearts on god"/><category term="sodom"/><category term="something for the miracle"/><category term="something for use"/><category term="spirit"/><category term="spirit of death"/><category term="spiritual DIY"/><category term="standards"/><category term="standing"/><category term="staying"/><category term="staying on course"/><category term="strife"/><category term="success"/><category term="superstition"/><category term="suspicion"/><category term="teach your child to read"/><category term="teens"/><category term="the heart of love"/><category term="the written"/><category term="trend"/><category term="triumphal entry"/><category term="trust"/><category term="twist"/><category term="unfailing"/><category term="unity"/><category term="vengeance"/><category term="vogue"/><category term="wages"/><category term="wait on God"/><category term="walk with God"/><category term="weary"/><category term="wisdom"/><category term="work of God"/><category term="world changes"/><category term="worldliness"/><category term="yokes"/><category term="young people"/><category term="youth"/><category term="youth center"/><title type='text'>If I Can Help Somebody....</title><subtitle type='html'>Sharing my private conversation with God to help, to inspire, to exhort and to guide</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default?redirect=false'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><link rel='next' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default?start-index=26&amp;max-results=25&amp;redirect=false'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>78</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-8768814343034984704</id><published>2025-12-28T15:49:00.001+01:00</published><updated>2025-12-28T15:49:47.133+01:00</updated><title type='text'>God and Jesus Christ: Clarifying the Biblical Distinction Without Confusion</title><content type='html'>
Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters

For many sincere believers, prayer, worship, and spiritual clarity depend on knowing exactly who God is. Confusion about the identity of God can quietly damage prayer life, intimacy, and confidence before Him. One of the most persistent theological tensions in modern Christianity is the teaching that Jesus is God Himself, rather than the Son of God sent by Him.

This article is not written to attack faith, denominations, or traditions. It is written to call believers back to Scripture, careful reasoning, and spiritual clarity—so worship is directed rightly, prayer is confident, and faith is grounded.

The Biblical Starting Point: Jesus’ Own Words

Any honest theology must begin with what Jesus Himself said.
1. Jesus Clearly Distinguished Himself From God
Jesus did not blur identities. He spoke plainly:
“This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
Here, Jesus:
Calls the Father the only true God
Identifies Himself as the one sent
A sender and the one sent are not the same being.

2. Jesus Taught Prayer to the Father — Not to Himself

Jesus instructed His disciples:
“When you pray, say: Our Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9)
He further clarified:
“Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.” (John 16:23)
If Jesus were God Himself:
Praying to the Father would be unnecessary
Asking in Jesus’ name would be redundant
Instead, Scripture shows a clear divine order:
God is the Source
Jesus is the Mediator

Jesus’ Dependence Reveals Distinction

3. Jesus Received Knowledge, Authority, and Power
Jesus openly acknowledged limitation and dependence:
“The Son can do nothing of Himself, but only what He sees the Father do.” (John 5:19)
“The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority.” (John 14:10)
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18)
God does not receive authority. Jesus did.

4. Jesus Prayed — God Does Not Pray
Throughout His earthly life, Jesus prayed:
In Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39)
Before choosing disciples (Luke 6:12)
At Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:41–42)
Most revealing:
“Not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Two wills cannot belong to one identical being. Prayer proves relationship, not identity.

The Title “Son of God” Actually Means Something

5. God Called Jesus His Son — Not Himself
At Jesus’ baptism:
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
God did not say:
“This is Me”
“This is God incarnate”
He said Son — relational, distinct, subordinate in authority.

6. Believers Become Sons of God — Not Gods

Scripture states:
“To all who believed Him, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
Jesus is God’s Son by origin. Believers are God’s sons by adoption.
If Jesus were literally God Himself, this comparison would collapse.

Addressing Isaiah 9:6 — The Most Cited Objection

“His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Understanding Hebrew Titles
In Hebrew thought:
Names describe function, not identity
Kings often carried throne titles reflecting God’s authority, not equality
Examples:
Moses was called “god” to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:1)
Judges were called elohim (Psalm 82:6)
“Everlasting Father” Does Not Mean He Is God the Father
The phrase means:
Father of eternity (originator of eternal life)
Protector and source, not God Himself
Jesus gives eternal life — He is not the eternal God who grants it independently.

Apostolic Teaching Preserved the Distinction

7. Paul Was Unambiguous
“For us there is one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 8:6)
Paul did not merge identities.
8. After Resurrection, the Order Remained
“The head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3)
“Then the Son Himself will be subject to Him who put all things under Him.” (1 Corinthians 15:28)
Eternity does not erase hierarchy.

How Did the Confusion Enter Christianity?

Historical Factors
Greek philosophical influence
Roman imperial theology
Post-apostolic councils debating metaphysics
Gradual shift from biblical simplicity to theological complexity
Jesus never taught metaphysical identity. He taught obedience, faith, and relationship with the Father.

The Spiritual Danger of Identity Confusion

When God and Jesus are blended without clarity:
Prayer becomes uncertain
Worship becomes misdirected
Authority structures in Scripture collapse
Believers struggle to know who hears prayer
Jesus Himself warned:
“The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23)

A Biblically Grounded Conclusion

Scripture presents a consistent message:
God is one — the Father, the Almighty
Jesus is His Son — sent, empowered, exalted
Salvation flows from God through Christ
Prayer is directed to the Father in Jesus’ name
This understanding restores:
Confidence in prayer
Clarity in worship
Depth in faith
Alignment with Jesus’ own teaching

Final Reflection

Jesus never asked to replace God. He came to reveal Him, obey Him, and bring us back to Him.
“I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” (John 20:17)
Those words settle the matter.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/8768814343034984704/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/8768814343034984704?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8768814343034984704'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8768814343034984704'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/12/god-and-jesus-christ-clarifying.html' title='God and Jesus Christ: Clarifying the Biblical Distinction Without Confusion'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-6544235507081100788</id><published>2025-12-03T15:27:00.001+01:00</published><updated>2025-12-03T15:27:27.908+01:00</updated><title type='text'>A Legacy of Love and Faith </title><content type='html'>TRIBUTE TO PHILIP OKEOWO Today, my heart remembers Philip Okeowo, aged 59 — a
husband, father, teacher in the Lagos State service, and one of the most
selfless Christians I have ever known. Philip was the kind of believer you
usually only see in films — gentle, sincere, and sacrificial in ways that words
hardly capture. He lived his faith quietly but powerfully. Even when life
pressed him, he carried himself with humility and grace. While I was struggling
with my own health challenge, he was silently fighting a much heavier battle.
Yet he still encouraged me. He sent me strength while his own strength was
fading. He comforted me while walking through pain. That is not ordinary; that
is the kind of love Christ spoke about — the love that gives even when it hurts.
His passing has reminded me of something deeply human:  Many people around us
fight hidden battles.  Some endure sickness in silence.  Some choose not to burden
others.  Some carry their cross with dignity so their loved ones can walk
lighter.  Philip was one of them — a quiet warrior of faith. He has left behind a
loving wife and young children, and I pray that the God he served faithfully
will surround them with strength, provision, and peace. May the seeds he planted
in lives, classrooms, and hearts continue to bear fruit long after him. I will
remember him not for the illness, but for the life he lived — the gentleness,
the kindness, the courage, the quiet Christianity that shines brighter than many
sermons. Rest in the peace of Christ, Philip Okeowo.  Your legacy of love and
faith will never be forgotten. #
&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjppQpnNVeBMLO_WPvdFxTaXuKh0GhhyQZjCXFl1Wk3dWkdlZByBlQ1TWNNpyXcl1qnVSn-PhFziKZe7TB9CB_vAomjJeAxcqBr0oalnsqknSWzx4ha9rC7i9jnuth666vishIgPgPSpzyyEkv2f99pX4shEpFFR4OhO5VeyckH4vOd1yArl8VGQ5bgVa/s1126/Screenshot_20251203-140917~2.jpg&quot; style=&quot;display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; &quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; height=&quot;320&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1126&quot; data-original-width=&quot;710&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjppQpnNVeBMLO_WPvdFxTaXuKh0GhhyQZjCXFl1Wk3dWkdlZByBlQ1TWNNpyXcl1qnVSn-PhFziKZe7TB9CB_vAomjJeAxcqBr0oalnsqknSWzx4ha9rC7i9jnuth666vishIgPgPSpzyyEkv2f99pX4shEpFFR4OhO5VeyckH4vOd1yArl8VGQ5bgVa/s320/Screenshot_20251203-140917~2.jpg&quot;/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/6544235507081100788/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/6544235507081100788?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/6544235507081100788'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/6544235507081100788'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/12/a-legacy-of-love-and-faith.html' title='A Legacy of Love and Faith '/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjppQpnNVeBMLO_WPvdFxTaXuKh0GhhyQZjCXFl1Wk3dWkdlZByBlQ1TWNNpyXcl1qnVSn-PhFziKZe7TB9CB_vAomjJeAxcqBr0oalnsqknSWzx4ha9rC7i9jnuth666vishIgPgPSpzyyEkv2f99pX4shEpFFR4OhO5VeyckH4vOd1yArl8VGQ5bgVa/s72-c/Screenshot_20251203-140917~2.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-8295876731780375432</id><published>2025-10-12T17:01:00.001+01:00</published><updated>2025-10-12T17:01:44.753+01:00</updated><title type='text'>When Delay Turned Out to Be God’s Mercy</title><content type='html'>For years, I lived with a small pimple on my chest — one I thought was harmless.  
When it finally flared up, it became painful, swollen, and began to smell. At one point, it opened up, and I thought it was the end of the problem. But it wasn’t.

When the infection worsened, I learned that what I thought was “just a skin problem” was sitting right above my heart, dangerously close to vital vessels.  

The doctor ordered scans and lab tests before touching it. His words stayed with me:
“We have to be careful not to cut through a vein that could bleed you out.”

It was a sobering reminder — sometimes what looks simple could be far deeper and riskier than we think.

At a point, I almost gave up on the hospital procedure because of the cost. 
I considered a cheaper alternative. 
But mercy said “wait.”  That delay — which felt painful at the time — turned out to be God’s protection.

The surgery was done safely, the infection cleared, and I’m healing well.  
Today, I look back with gratitude — not just for the doctors, 
but for the wisdom and restraint that only grace could have given.

If you ever face a similar situation, please:  🔹 Don’t take shortcuts with your health.  🔹 Don’t let desperation lead you to risk your life.  
🔹 Trust God’s timing — sometimes, His delays are deliverance in disguise.

#LessonsFromLife #FaithAndHealing #Gratitude #GodsMercy #HealthAwareness
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/8295876731780375432/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/8295876731780375432?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8295876731780375432'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8295876731780375432'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/10/when-delay-turned-out-to-be-gods-mercy.html' title='When Delay Turned Out to Be God’s Mercy'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-4760144792433679900</id><published>2025-09-30T09:53:00.001+01:00</published><updated>2025-09-30T09:53:32.204+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Acts 20 and the Question of Continuity: Why God Chooses People Over Systems How This Principle Also Applies Personally   </title><content type='html'>

Today in this post we bring it home personally.
The same way God preserves His Church through history, He preserves me in my journey with Him. We see how He ensures continuity in our faith, even when we stumble.
Continuity of faith is not secured by my own failsafe system of habits or rules (though they help), but by His living presence in me.
Here’s how it plays out:

1. We have a divine guarantee of continuity

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

Just as God never abandoned His people in history, He won’t abandon us. What He starts, He finishes.

2. Our role: daily choosing faithfulness

God doesn’t remove our free will, but He gives us strength to stand.

Like Israel or the early Church, I can drift if I neglect Him — but I also find He keeps tugging my heart back. That tug is proof He cares about our continuity.

3. The Spirit is our inner “failsafe”

Jesus promised the Spirit would “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
Systems (like routines, church programs, even personal discipline) can break down, but the Spirit doesn’t. 
He convicts, comforts, warns, and redirects us.

4. God raises “reformers” in our life

Just as He raised reformers in church history, He sends voices and moments to restore us personally.

A Scripture we read at the right time.
A word from a brother/sister in Christ.
Even trials that wake us up spiritually.

These are God’s way of keeping us from total collapse.

5. The pattern of falling and rising

Like the Church through centuries, I sometimes stumble, grow cold, or feel weak.
But every time I repent and rise again, i am living proof of God’s preserving power.

That cycle isn’t failure — it’s evidence that He won’t let me go.

In summary:  
God doesn’t guarantee our continuity through rigid systems, but through His Spirit, His Word, and His relentless love. 
If you stay responsive, He keeps you on course. Even if you stumble, He restores you, ensuring that your faith will reach the finish line.

 All these came from me feeling sad at Moses and Paul&#39;s exit from ministry, and recalling what followed, I thought God wasn&#39;t big on how His Work went.
But, I found again that God is always right
He knows what He is doing..


 #FaithReflections #Acts20 #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #GodsPlan #SpiritualGrowth #TrustInGod #ChurchHistory #ContinuityInFaith #WalkingWithGod #MenAboveSystems #GodsEnduringGrace</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/4760144792433679900/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/4760144792433679900?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/4760144792433679900'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/4760144792433679900'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/09/acts-20-and-question-of-continuity-why_30.html' title='Acts 20 and the Question of Continuity: Why God Chooses People Over Systems How This Principle Also Applies Personally   '/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-4891052242071851367</id><published>2025-09-28T17:53:00.002+01:00</published><updated>2025-09-28T17:53:55.832+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Acts 20 and the Question of Continuity: Why God Chooses People Over Systems Church History After Acts 20 To date</title><content type='html'>Paul’s words in Acts 20:29–30 are striking:  &quot;After my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.&quot;

History shows he was right. But it also shows how God preserved His Church despite corruption. Here’s the pattern:

1. Post-apostolic era (1st–2nd century)

As Paul feared, false teachers arose: Gnostics, Judaizers, and those twisting the gospel.
Yet God raised strong voices — Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Irenaeus — men trained by the apostles or their disciples, who defended the true faith.

Continuity came through the Spirit guiding them to guard apostolic teaching.

2. Imperial Christianity (4th–5th century)

With Constantine, Christianity became tolerated and then state-supported. This brought growth but also compromise. Many leaders sought power, wealth, and political influence.
But God raised reformers inside the church: Athanasius (defending Christ’s divinity against Arianism), Augustine (clarifying grace and truth).

Even when systems bent toward error, God preserved truth through faithful men and women.

3. Middle Ages (6th–15th century)

The church often strayed into superstition, corruption, and oppression — indulgences, political control, spiritual abuses.

Yet God kept a remnant: monastic movements, Bible translators like Wycliffe, voices like Jan Hus. They prepared the ground for renewal.

The gospel light never went out completely — just as Jesus promised.

4. Reformation &amp; Beyond (16th century onward)

When error hardened, God raised Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Tyndale, etc.
The Reformation wasn’t perfect, but it re-centered the church on
 “Scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone.”

Again, God didn’t prevent decline mechanically, but He restored His people dynamically.

5. Modern times

Even now, churches wrestle with division, false teachings, and worldliness.

But God keeps raising reformers, missionaries, and ordinary faithful believers who call the Church back to Christ.

Despite the “wolves,” the gospel has spread farther than Paul could have imagined — fulfilling continuity not through flawless human systems, but through God’s Spirit.

Big picture lesson:  Paul’s fear came true — corruption came. But God’s larger promise also came true: His Church was never destroyed. The visible church stumbled, but the living Body of Christ has endured.
So, the answer to the first question is clear in history:  God didn’t install a failsafe system, but He did guarantee a faithful remnant and a victorious gospel.

Systems fail. Leaders fade. But God’s Spirit ensures His work continues — just as Jesus said, 
“Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Next we will see  how this principle also applies personally — in our own walk — so you see how God ensures continuity in our faith, even when we stumble?

 #FaithReflections #Acts20 #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #GodsPlan #SpiritualGrowth #TrustInGod #ChurchHistory #ContinuityInFaith #WalkingWithGod #MenAboveSystems #GodsEnduringGrace
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/4891052242071851367/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/4891052242071851367?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/4891052242071851367'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/4891052242071851367'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/09/acts-20-and-question-of-continuity-why_28.html' title='Acts 20 and the Question of Continuity: Why God Chooses People Over Systems Church History After Acts 20 To date'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-7738925848392866345</id><published>2025-09-27T07:12:00.004+01:00</published><updated>2025-09-27T07:13:37.475+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Acts 20 and the Question of Continuity: Why God Chooses People Over Systems</title><content type='html'>
Doesn&#39;t it seem like Acts 20 (Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders)  echoes Moses’ farewell in Deuteronomy?
Both leaders poured out their lives in service, warned about dangers to come, and trusted God with the people once they were gone.
They are my saddest moment in the Bible.

And, I wondered — does God not care about continuity in His work? — and it touches something important. Let’s break it down to have a deep look:

God does care about continuity, but His method is relational, not mechanical.  

He doesn’t set up a “failsafe system” that makes faith automatic, because His kingdom is built on love, trust, and free will.

 A rigid system might prevent failure, but it would also strip away responsibility and relationship. Instead, He entrusts His work to people who must choose obedience daily.
 
Leaders are stewards, not replacements for God.  

Moses and Paul both warned their people, but they also handed them back to God. Paul says in Acts 20:32: “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace…” 
God’s way is not to lock His people into safety by force, but to give them the Word, the Spirit, and shepherds — then call them to walk faithfully. 

The apparent “failures” are also part of God’s larger story.
 
 Israel did drift after Moses, and wolves did come into the Church after Paul. Yet, God always raises voices — prophets, reformers, witnesses — to call His people back. 
The history of God’s people is one of falling and being restored. This ongoing cycle highlights His mercy and His sovereignty, not just human weakness.
 
God promotes men because He delights in partnership. 
 
The Bible shows that God takes joy in working through flawed people, not because He “needs” them, but because He loves to involve them. Continuity is secured not by systems but by the living Spirit of God. Jesus Himself promised: “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
 
So, i conclude my thought this way:  
God does care about continuity, but He entrusts it to living faith, not an unbreakable system. He ensures His ultimate purposes never fail, even if the human side stumbles. In the end, His continuity is guaranteed not by human strength, but by His Spirit that never leaves the Church.

👉 It’s almost like God is saying: “My work is safe, because I am with you. But your faith must stay alive — not just your structures.”

In the follow up post I would like to show  how this principle plays out in church history after Acts 20, where Paul’s warning sadly came true, yet God still preserved His testimony.

#ContinuityOfGodsWork #GodPartnersWirhFallenMan #GodsEnduringGrace #ManAboveSystems #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/7738925848392866345/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/7738925848392866345?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/7738925848392866345'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/7738925848392866345'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/09/acts-20-and-question-of-continuity-why.html' title='Acts 20 and the Question of Continuity: Why God Chooses People Over Systems'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-718724054521234410</id><published>2025-09-25T09:08:00.011+01:00</published><updated>2025-09-25T09:17:11.516+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Why You Must Discover God for Yourself: Faith Is Not Inherited but Personal</title><content type='html'>Introduction

Many people believe that being born into a Christian family or raised in a religious environment makes them automatically godly. But the truth is simple and unshakable: faith cannot be inherited. Every soul must make a personal discovery of God. Your parent’s or mentor’s encounter with God can guide and inspire you, but it can never replace your own personal relationship with God.

The Danger of Ignorance

Without knowing God for yourself, it is easy to misunderstand His ways. For example, many think it is acceptable to rejoice when an enemy stumbles. Yet God’s word teaches otherwise:
Proverbs 24:17–18 (ESV):  &quot;Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.&quot;
This shows that God’s heart is filled with mercy, not malice. But unless you are personally walking with Him, you will miss this truth. That is why discovering God personally is essential.

Inherited Faith Is Not Enough

Being born into a peaceful, godly home is a blessing, but it does not equal salvation. The Bible makes it clear:
Ezekiel 18:20: &quot;The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son.&quot;
John 3:7: &quot;You must be born again.&quot;
Every person is accountable to God individually. A godly background may give you direction, but it will never substitute for knowing God for yourself.

Biblical Examples of Personal Discovery

The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who had to encounter God personally:
Samuel: Though raised in the temple, “Samuel did not yet know the Lord” until God called him directly (1 Samuel 3:7–10).
Timothy: He inherited the faith of his mother and grandmother, but Paul emphasized that Timothy had to embrace his own faith (2 Timothy 1:5).
Paul: Raised in strict religion, yet only a direct encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road transformed him (Acts 9:3–6).
These examples prove that faith is personal. Each one had to make their own personal discovery of God.

How to Personally Discover God

Through the Word of God 
&quot;Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.&quot; (Romans 10:17)  Immersing yourself in Scripture opens the way for God’s truth.
Through Repentance and Faith 
&quot;Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.&quot; (Acts 3:19)
Through Obedience and Relationship 
&quot;Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.&quot; (John 14:21)  True knowledge of God shows itself in transformed living.

The Evangelical Call

God’s invitation is deeply personal. Your family’s testimony cannot save you. Religion cannot stand in place of relationship.
John 17:3: &quot;This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.&quot;
Jesus is calling you to more than tradition—He is calling you to Himself.

Conclusion &amp; Invitation

Your parent’s discovery of God can instruct you, but it cannot substitute for your own encounter. Don’t settle for inherited religion. Seek the truth, and you will find that the truth is a Person—Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:20: &quot;Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.&quot;

Today, Christ is knocking at your heart. Will you open the door and discover Him for yourself?


&quot;Faith cannot be inherited. Every person must personally discover God through Jesus Christ. Learn why knowing Him for yourself is essential for salvation.&quot;

#PersonalDiscoveryOfGod #FaithIsPersonal #KnowingGodForYourself #FaithCannotBeInherited #BornAgain #PersonalRelationshipWithGod #DiscoverJesus #ChristianFaithAndSalvation #TrueChristianLiving #EternalLifeThroughJesus
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/718724054521234410/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/718724054521234410?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/718724054521234410'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/718724054521234410'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/09/why-you-must-discover-god-for-yourself.html' title='Why You Must Discover God for Yourself: Faith Is Not Inherited but Personal'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-5817739630342522924</id><published>2025-09-24T07:56:00.005+01:00</published><updated>2025-09-24T07:56:59.796+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Love Your Brother: And Your Neighbors Too.</title><content type='html'>Psalm 133 is a poetic gem—brief but brimming with depth. Here&#39;s a contemplative walk through its verses and imagery:

🌿 Psalm 133: A Song of Unity and Blessing

Verse 1:  
&quot;Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!&quot;  

- This is more than a statement—it&#39;s a divine exclamation. “Behold” invites us to pause and truly see.  

- “Good” speaks to moral excellence;
-  “pleasant” to emotional delight.  

- Unity isn’t just tolerable—it’s beautiful. It’s the kind of peace that nourishes the soul and reflects heaven’s harmony.

Verse 2:  
&quot;It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron&#39;s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.&quot;  

- The anointing oil on Aaron, the high priest, was sacred and fragrant.  
- It symbolized consecration, abundance, and divine favor.  

- Unity, like that oil, flows generously—it doesn’t stay confined. It blesses everything it touches.

Verse 3:  
&quot;As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.&quot; 
 
- Dew is gentle, life-giving, and essential in dry lands.  

- Hermon’s dew was legendary for its richness, and here it’s imagined descending on Zion—a metaphor for unity bringing vitality to the spiritual heart of the people
.  
- Where unity dwells, God commands blessing—not just favor, but “life forevermore”.

🔍 Why This Matters Today

In my reflection this morning I saw that: resentment and hate fracture relationships. Psalm 133 doesn’t just idealize unity—it anchors it in sacred ritual and divine promise. It tells us that unity is not only achievable, but it’s also the very place where God chooses to pour out His blessing.

In a world of tribalism and division—whether in families, churches, or nations—this psalm is a call to intentional reconciliation. Not passive peace, but active unity.

 #GlobalReconciliation #PeaceInTheWorld
#BrotherhoodOfNations #ChristLikeLiving</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/5817739630342522924/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/5817739630342522924?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/5817739630342522924'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/5817739630342522924'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/09/love-your-brother-and-your-neighbors-too.html' title='Love Your Brother: And Your Neighbors Too.'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-8614468697304809312</id><published>2025-09-23T09:15:00.004+01:00</published><updated>2025-09-23T09:15:55.046+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Show A Little Kindness </title><content type='html'>
Job 6:14 (RSV):  &quot;He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.&quot;

Context: Job and His Friends
The book of Job is a deep journey through suffering, faith, and human response. Job, once prosperous and respected, suddenly loses everything—his wealth, children, and health. Covered in sores and crushed in spirit, he sits in grief. 
Three friends come to visit him. At first they sit silently in empathy, but soon their silence breaks into speeches.
Instead of comfort, Job receives arguments, judgments, and theories about why he is suffering. They suggest he may have sinned, that his trials must be punishment. 
In response, Job utters these piercing words in 6:14. For him, the cruelty of their speeches cuts almost as deep as his physical pain.

1. Plain Meaning in RSV
The RSV puts it plainly: “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”
A suffering friend is owed kindness.
Refusing to show compassion is not merely a social failure—it is a spiritual failure.
In withholding mercy, one is not only hurting a friend but also dishonoring God Himself.
The verse directly connects kindness to the fear of God. Reverence for the Almighty is not measured by ritual or knowledge but by how we treat those in distress.

2. Comparison with KJV
KJV: “To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend…” → Focuses on the need of the afflicted.
RSV: “He who withholds kindness from a friend…” → Focuses on the responsibility of the friend.
The difference is subtle but significant. The KJV highlights the plight of the sufferer. The RSV highlights the accountability of the companion. Together they show two sides of one coin: suffering cries out for compassion, and withholding it dishonors God.

3. Why Versions Differ
The original Hebrew text is compact. The key word here is chesed—a rich word that means loyal love, mercy, covenant faithfulness. Translators must decide whether to stress the recipient’s need (pity to the afflicted) or the giver’s duty (withholding kindness).
Neither is wrong. Both emphasize facets of truth. The beauty is that scripture allows us to see the diamond from different angles.

4. The Core Message
At its heart, Job 6:14 teaches that:
God expects mercy and faithfulness in friendship.
Harshness toward the suffering dishonors God.
True reverence for the Almighty is revealed not in words but in how we treat the weak and hurting.

💡 Interpretation for Christian Living
For us today, this verse carries a sharp edge. It tells us that kindness is not optional. Compassion is not merely a personality trait—it is a spiritual duty, an outworking of fearing God.
When we withhold kindness in a moment of need, we are not simply failing a friend; we are forsaking the fear of God. The fear of the Almighty here is not terror but reverence: living in awe, respect, and obedience. God is compassionate (Ps. 103:13). To misrepresent Him by withholding mercy is to misstep spiritually.

🪞 Application to Daily Life

Be a channel of God’s kindness.  When others hurt, our first call is not to analyze but to comfort. Sometimes God’s love flows through us in the simplest forms—a listening ear, a helping hand, or even quiet presence.
 
Measure spirituality by love, not just devotion.  A person may pray loudly, attend every service, or quote scripture fluently. Yet if kindness is withheld from a suffering friend, Job declares that such a person forsakes the fear of God. Real spirituality shows in the quality of our relationships.
 
Understand kindness as covenant loyalty.  The Hebrew chesed is not just being “nice.” It is steadfast, loyal love. As Christians, we live under a covenant of grace. Showing kindness is part of our covenant response, because God has shown it to us first (Eph. 4:32). 
Guard against hard-heartedness.  Job’s friends allowed their theology to override their compassion. They became more interested in being right than being kind. This verse warns us not to fall into the same trap. In trials—whether our own or others’—we must keep hearts soft. 

🌱 How to Walk This Out

Check your response: When I see someone struggling, do I rush to analyze, or do I first offer comfort?

Pray to be a vessel of God’s heart: Ask the Spirit for sensitivity to those who need encouragement, not just correction.

Live mercy as worship: Treat compassion as an act of reverence to God. Every time you show kindness, you reflect His nature.

✨ Closing Reflection

Job 6:14 (RSV) confronts us with this truth: to fear God truly is to show His kindness to the suffering. Failing to do so is not only unkind—it is unspiritual.

This verse pushes us to evaluate: Am I a friend who reflects God’s heart, or one who adds weight to someone’s burden? 
Do my actions in moments of others’ pain reveal reverence for God, or indifference?

💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts:
How have you experienced kindness from a friend in a hard season?
In the workplace, do you believe compassion is a true measure of spirituality today?

Good morning 🌅

#kindness #Job614 #ChristianLiving #FearingGod #Friendship #WorshipAndFellowship

📝 </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/8614468697304809312/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/8614468697304809312?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8614468697304809312'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8614468697304809312'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/09/show-little-kindness.html' title='Show A Little Kindness '/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-3977853491180377441</id><published>2025-09-20T18:09:00.002+01:00</published><updated>2025-09-20T18:09:35.445+01:00</updated><title type='text'>The Lord’s Promise in Acts 18: “I Have Many People in This City” — What It Means for Us</title><content type='html'>Discover why Acts 18:9–10 reassures Paul — and us — that God’s presence matters more than numbers, yet delights to work through His people.


The Lord’s Assurance: “I Have Many People in This City”

In Acts 18:9–10 (RSV) we read:

&gt; “And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city.’”



At first glance, this word of encouragement to Paul might sound as though the Lord depended on numbers—on the plentifulness of people—to protect His servant. But is that what God meant?


---

God’s Presence Comes First

The heart of the promise is not the crowd but the Lord Himself: “I am with you.”
This has always been God’s greatest assurance to His servants. Joshua heard the same in Joshua 1:9, and the disciples heard it in Matthew 28:20: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

The power to stand, speak, and endure does not come from the size of our support system, but from the unshakable presence of God.


---

“I Have Many People in This City”

What, then, did the Lord mean?

1. Providentially – God foresaw a great harvest in Corinth. “Many people” referred both to those who already believed and to those who would yet believe through Paul’s preaching. God was essentially saying: “Don’t be discouraged. Your work here has purpose and fruit.”


2. Practically – The believers in Corinth would form a community of support around Paul. God often uses His people as instruments of His protection and encouragement, though His power never depends on them.




---

Would It Have Mattered If There Were Few or None?

No, in terms of God’s power. The Lord can deliver “with many or with few” (1 Samuel 14:6). Paul’s life was secure because of God’s sovereignty, not because of headcount.

Yes, in terms of encouragement. God knew Paul felt weary and often isolated. The promise of “many people” was not a limitation but a comfort: “You are not alone in this city, nor in your calling.”



---

The Link to Paul’s Later Reflection

In 2 Corinthians 1:8–11, Paul recounts a desperate season when he “despaired of life itself.” Yet he testifies:

God delivered him.

He relied on God, “who raises the dead.”

And the many joined in prayer, becoming instruments of God’s deliverance and thanksgiving.


Notice the thread:

In Acts 18, the many people strengthened Paul’s courage.

In 2 Corinthians 1, the many prayers strengthened Paul’s deliverance.


Both point to the same truth: God alone is the Deliverer, but He delights to involve His people in His work.


---

What This Means for Us Today

God’s presence is enough. He never needs numbers to save us.

God often reveals that we are not alone. Even when we feel isolated, He has placed “many people” or “many prayers” around us, often unseen.

God works through community. The Church is both a shield and a testimony of His grace.


So, when you feel abandoned in your calling, remember: the Lord is with you—and He often has “many people” you do not yet see, standing with you in prayer, support, or future fellowship.


---

Conclusion

The Lord does not rely on numbers. He is all-sufficient. Yet, in His wisdom, He comforts us with the knowledge that we are part of a larger plan and family. The many are not His necessity—they are His gift to us.


---

Hashtags

#Acts18 #FaithInGod #ChristianEncouragement #BibleStudy #GodsPresence #ChristianLiving #Encouragement #Devotional #HopeInGod #PrayerSupport #GodsFamily


---

Would you like me to also shorten this into a LinkedIn-ready series (4 parts, under 1000 words each) like we did last time, so you can point people from your post to the full blog?

</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/3977853491180377441/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/3977853491180377441?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/3977853491180377441'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/3977853491180377441'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-lords-promise-in-acts-18-i-have.html' title='The Lord’s Promise in Acts 18: “I Have Many People in This City” — What It Means for Us'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-4709737960916620681</id><published>2025-08-25T10:59:00.001+01:00</published><updated>2025-08-25T11:01:22.462+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Escaping the Trap of Hypocrisy: God Sees Beyond the Show </title><content type='html'>
Many believers stumble not because they outright deny God, but because they unknowingly perform for Him instead of walking with Him. Like Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, hypocrisy often looks small to men — a little exaggeration, a little appearance, a little pretending. But before God, it is a serious matter, because it turns worship into a lie.
The heart of hypocrisy is this: appearing surrendered without actually surrendering. God does not demand perfection all at once, but He demands honesty. To say “Lord, I struggle here, help me” is safer than to put on a mask of holiness while hiding compromise.
Jesus warned against praying to be seen, giving to be praised, and fasting to be admired (Matthew 6). What He wanted was not polished performance but secret reality. God treasures truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6).
So how do you escape the trap?
Be real with God: Tell Him your weakness instead of pretending strength.
Seek purity of motive: Do what you do for His eyes, even if no one applauds.
Guard your private life: Let your secret walk be stronger than your public display.
Welcome conviction: When the Spirit points at hidden sin, respond with humility, not defense.
Hypocrisy robs the believer of power. But honesty, even in weakness, draws God close. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Let this be your prayer:  “Lord, strip away the masks I wear. Teach me to be true before You, even when I falter. May my hidden life be as bright as my public witness. Amen.”</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/4709737960916620681/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/4709737960916620681?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/4709737960916620681'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/4709737960916620681'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/08/escaping-trap-of-hypocrisygod-sees.html' title='Escaping the Trap of Hypocrisy: God Sees Beyond the Show '/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-7632461793852985767</id><published>2025-08-03T12:34:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2025-08-03T12:34:22.678+01:00</updated><title type='text'>WHO&#39;S AFRAID OF NIGERIA&#39;S BRAVE WOMEN IN UNIFORM?</title><content type='html'>

‎Something foul stalks the ranks of our armed forces—and it&#39;s not just the enemy outside the gates.
‎
‎Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, was hailed as brilliant, gallant, and rising. Yet, in July 2020, she died—*just days after returning from a course—*in what was labeled a “freak accident.” Till today, the details remain suspicious and deeply unsatisfying. No real accountability. No military inquiry worthy of her sacrifice.
‎
‎Then came Captain Tamuno Ebiye, a Nigerian Army officer killed under disturbing and murky circumstances. Once again—no answers. Just silence.
‎
‎So we ask:
‎🎖️ Does the Nigerian military truly want its women to fight beside its men?
‎🎖️ Or are these brave warriors simply used as trophies—until they shine too brightly?
‎
‎🇳🇬 We salute our uniformed sisters—officers who swore to defend this nation. But we must also ask:
‎🔍 Who’s eliminating Nigeria’s brightest female officers?
‎🕳️ How deep does the rot go?
‎👤 Has the Nigerian military been infiltrated not just by terrorists from outside, but by collaborators and cowards within?
‎
‎We call on high-ranking honourable officers across the Army, Air Force, and Navy:
‎🫡 How long will you keep quiet?
‎🫡 Is this the institution you swore to serve, or has it been hijacked by unseen, unpatriotic hands?
‎
‎There must be a full investigation into the deaths of Officer Arotile and Captain Ebiye. Not just cold press statements, but full public overhauls. Swept cases must be reopened. Let justice speak—loudly.
‎
‎If you’re one of the bad eggs hiding in these uniforms, your days of comfort are over. The country sees you. The blood of our bravest will cry out until justice is done</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/7632461793852985767/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/7632461793852985767?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/7632461793852985767'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/7632461793852985767'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/08/whos-afraid-of-nigerias-brave-women-in.html' title='WHO&#39;S AFRAID OF NIGERIA&#39;S BRAVE WOMEN IN UNIFORM?'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-6783664173697885603</id><published>2025-08-01T01:32:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2025-08-01T01:32:12.469+01:00</updated><title type='text'>When God&#39;s Soul Hates.</title><content type='html'>

Psalm 11:5 is deep and weighty. Here&#39;s the verse:
&quot;The Lord tests the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.&quot; — Psalm 11:5 (ESV)

This verse shows us that both the righteous and the wicked go through testing, but what draws God&#39;s hatred is the love of violence —

 a deliberate delight in harm, oppression, cruelty, or injustice.

Let’s explore what “loving violence” really includes, so we can truly stay clear of it:

🔥 What &quot;Loving Violence&quot; Can Look Like

Enjoying others&#39; pain or downfall 

Laughing at people’s suffering, humiliation, or failure
Delighting in gossip or exposing others to shame
Finding satisfaction in revenge or punishment

Supporting or cheering cruelty 

Being entertained by cruelty (in movies, fights, games, or real life)
Justifying police brutality, war crimes, or mob justice
Promoting abuse of power or harsh leadership styles

Engaging in or promoting abuse 

Emotional, verbal, physical abuse of family or subordinates
Bullying or manipulation in any form
Domestic violence, whether hidden or normalized

Sowing discord or division 

Stirring up quarrels or provoking others to fight
Turning people against each other for personal gain
Rejoicing in conflict instead of seeking peace

Delighting in violent ideologies or injustice
 
Following or endorsing ideologies that thrive on hatred, racism, oppression, or terrorism
Seeing people as enemies to crush rather than souls to redeem
Approving injustice when it benefits us or our group

✅ How to Keep Away From It

Examine your heart — What do you celebrate or enjoy in media or real life?

Guard your speech — Words can wound and spark strife.

Be a peacemaker — Actively pursue reconciliation, not retaliation.

Resist revenge — Leave justice in God&#39;s hands (Romans 12:19).

Choose compassion — Love mercy, walk humbly, do justly (Micah 6:8).

🌿 Summary
Even the righteous are tested — but those who love violence, who take pleasure in harm or cruelty, awaken God’s holy hatred. Loving peace, justice, and mercy is the way to stay aligned with God’s heart.

</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/6783664173697885603/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/6783664173697885603?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/6783664173697885603'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/6783664173697885603'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/08/when-gods-soul-hates.html' title='When God&#39;s Soul Hates.'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-8059217106475858138</id><published>2025-07-21T14:12:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2025-07-21T14:12:09.234+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Winning Without Fighting </title><content type='html'>


‎&quot;Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy&#39;s resistance without fighting.&quot; - The Art of War.
‎
‎ Let&#39;s explore this powerful idea in a way little kids can understand—and then look at brilliant, peaceful ways to win without fighting.
‎
‎💡 What It Means 
‎
‎
‎Imagine you&#39;re playing a game or having a disagreement with someone.
‎
‎You could:
‎
‎Yell, argue, or try to win by force.
‎
‎Or you could use your brain, your kindness, and your smart ideas to stop the fight before it even starts.
‎
‎That’s what this quote means:
‎
‎&quot;The best winners are not the ones who always fight and win—but the ones who stop the fight from ever happening in the first place.&quot;
‎
‎It’s like being a superhero who saves the day without throwing a single punch!
‎
‎
‎🧠 Ingenious Ways to Win Without Fighting
‎
‎
‎Use Words Wisely – Not Weapons
‎
‎Speak calmly and respectfully. A kind word can make someone drop their anger and listen.
‎
‎Surprise with Kindness
‎
‎If someone is mean to you, try doing something unexpectedly nice. It can confuse their anger and melt their heart.
‎
‎Understand Their Side
‎
‎Ask: “Why are they upset?” Once you understand their reasons, it’s easier to find peace.
‎
‎Be the Bigger Person
‎
‎Sometimes, walking away is smarter than fighting. It shows strength, not weakness.
‎
‎Use Humor
‎
‎A good laugh can break tension. Jokes can disarm people better than swords.
‎
‎Find a Win-Win
‎
‎Say: “Let’s find a way we both can win.” That way, no one feels defeated.
‎
‎Offer Help, Not Hate
‎
‎Helping someone who’s upset can change their mood and stop a fight before it begins.
‎
‎✨ A Mini Story Example:
‎
‎Two kids both want the same toy. One says, “Let’s take turns. You go first for 5 minutes, then I do.”
‎Boom! No yelling. No fight. Just smart sharing.
‎That’supreme excellence.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/8059217106475858138/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/8059217106475858138?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8059217106475858138'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8059217106475858138'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/07/winning-without-fighting.html' title='Winning Without Fighting '/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-3604581965743017579</id><published>2025-07-19T11:08:00.003+01:00</published><updated>2025-07-19T11:32:59.438+01:00</updated><title type='text'>The Inescapable Reality of Hades: A Meditation on Luke 16:23–24</title><content type='html'>
‎The existence of Hades is not up for human debate when Scripture, the words of Christ Himself, affirm its reality. 
‎What we do have control over is whether our lives direct us toward it or away from it. 
‎Let’s go deep as my thoughts unfold. 
‎Here&#39;s my expanded meditation, reaching into both the spiritual and philosophical implications of Luke 16:23–24:

‎
‎The Inescapable Reality of Hades: A Meditation on Luke 16:23–24

‎
‎“In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’”
‎— Luke 16:23–24 (NIV)

‎
‎In a world where many consider themselves intellectually elevated beyond faith, it has become fashionable to mock the idea of a place like Hades—a realm of torment, a conscious afterlife for the unrighteous. “It’s myth,” they say. “It’s medieval fear-mongering.” But such declarations are the cries of the blind arguing against the sun at noon.

‎
‎The prerogative of whether Hades exists does not lie with man. It is God’s decision, God’s structure, God’s justice. Our human philosophies, no matter how progressive or enlightened, cannot vote God out of His courtroom.

‎
‎Christ, the very embodiment of truth, spoke clearly of Hades—not in a parable to be brushed aside as symbolic, but in a narrative where names were named, roles were clear, and agony was unending. This is no poetic device. This is an alarm bell.

‎
‎Hades is Not a Matter of Opinion

‎
‎Whether a person believes in gravity or not does not change its pull. Whether one accepts the existence of Hades does not pause its fires. The rich man in Luke 16 was not asked for his opinion—he was simply there, in agony, fully conscious, with memory intact and remorse aflame.

‎
‎If Jesus—who rose from the dead, who cannot lie—says Hades is real, then every doubt becomes arrogance. Unbelief doesn&#39;t cancel consequence.

‎
‎Our Duty is Not to Debate, But to Flee
‎

‎It is not our role to intellectualize Hades into non-existence. Our duty is to live in such a way that Hades will never be our address.

‎
‎To live with humility, to help Lazarus at the gate, to see the invisible, to respond to the cries of the poor, to store treasure in heaven and not in barns, to walk with God when no one is watching—these are the choices that seal eternal destinies.

‎
‎It’s not fear-mongering. It’s love-warning.

‎
‎We don’t have to end up where the rich man did. But we could. That’s the warning embedded in Christ’s words.

‎
‎A Word to the Proud

‎
‎To the sophisticated and educated who call such talk ignorant: you may stand now, scoffing, with air in your lungs and a roof over your head. But once breath ends and eternity opens, all sophistication will dissolve like wax before flame.

‎
‎The rich man, perhaps once wise and well-fed, became the desperate beggar in the afterlife. Meanwhile, Lazarus, who begged on earth, now reclines in eternal comfort. 
Earthly conditions don’t reflect eternal status—
God’s justice does.
‎</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/3604581965743017579/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/3604581965743017579?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/3604581965743017579'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/3604581965743017579'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-inescapable-reality-of-hades.html' title='The Inescapable Reality of Hades: A Meditation on Luke 16:23–24'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-829021432469615412</id><published>2025-07-06T09:57:00.005+01:00</published><updated>2025-07-06T09:57:39.067+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Why You Should Be Baptized.</title><content type='html'>
Happy Sunday to you! Here&#39;s a clear, heart-touching, and youth-friendly message to teenagers and young people about why and how to get baptized — 

🕊️ WHY SHOULD YOU GET BAPTIZED?

1. Jesus did it — and told us to do the same.
In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus Himself was baptized — not because He had sins, but to fulfill all righteousness. Then in Matthew 28:19, He told us:
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…”
So when you get baptized, you&#39;re walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

2. It&#39;s a public declaration of your faith.
Baptism is like putting on a jersey that says, “I belong to Jesus!”
It shows the world that you&#39;ve accepted Him as your Saviour and are ready to live for Him — boldly and unashamed.

3. It&#39;s symbolic of a new life.
Romans 6:4 says:
“We were buried with Him through baptism into death… so that we too may live a new life.”
When you&#39;re baptized, it&#39;s like burying your old self and rising again as a brand-new person — forgiven, loved, and transformed.

💧 HOW DO YOU GET BAPTIZED?

1. First, believe in Jesus and accept Him as your Lord.
Acts 2:38 says:
“Repent and be baptized…”
That means you make a decision to turn from sin and trust Jesus with your life.

2. Talk to a pastor or church leader.
Let someone who teaches the Bible guide you. They’ll help you understand baptism and prepare you — whether it’s a class, conversation, or just sharing your heart.

3. Get baptized in water — fully immersed.
Most biblical baptisms happened in rivers or large pools. It’s a full-body experience symbolizing total cleansing, like starting fresh.

4. Keep growing in your faith.
Baptism is a beginning, not an end. Afterward, stay close to God by praying, reading the Bible, and surrounding yourself with godly friends.

❤️ A Final Word to You

If you’re young and wondering if it’s your time — let me say this:
Yes, it is.
You don’t have to wait until you&#39;re &quot;perfect.&quot; Baptism is not about being ready to impress God — it&#39;s about responding to His love and saying:
“Lord, I’m Yours now and forever.”

Don’t delay.
Don’t be shy.
Be bold for Jesus.
The world is watching for real light. Be that light. 🌟
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/829021432469615412/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/829021432469615412?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/829021432469615412'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/829021432469615412'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/07/why-you-should-be-baptized.html' title='Why You Should Be Baptized.'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-9009065251140546341</id><published>2025-07-02T09:04:00.003+01:00</published><updated>2025-07-02T09:04:57.902+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Humble Yourself.</title><content type='html'>

Luke 14:7–11 is indeed a basic, almost “kindergarten” principle—humility. Yet, sadly, it&#39;s one of the most ignored in today&#39;s world. Here&#39;s the passage for context:

“When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable… For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
— Luke 14:7–11 (NIV)

What We See Today

Today, many people are obsessed with:

Status: Rushing to be seen, celebrated, and followed.

Recognition: Wanting to be called “boss,” “papa,” “CEO,” “apostle,” etc.

Platforms: Fighting for stage time, mic time, or attention online.

Positioning: Even in churches, events, weddings, and funerals, people scramble for front seats and titles.

Yet Jesus said: Don&#39;t pick the high seat for yourself. Let God and others honor you when the time is right.

Why This Message Is Still Relevant

We live in a culture of self-promotion. Humility seems weak. 
But in God&#39;s kingdom, humility is the true pathway to elevation.

In a world full of people shouting, &quot;See me! Notice me! Promote me!&quot;
—Jesus whispers: “Humble yourself.”

 #Luke14 #Humility #KingdomMindset #JesusSaidIt
#SimpleTruth #BeHumble #GodExaltsTheLowly #ChristlikeLiving</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/9009065251140546341/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/9009065251140546341?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/9009065251140546341'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/9009065251140546341'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/07/humble-yourself.html' title='Humble Yourself.'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-6296322245576190859</id><published>2025-06-27T10:04:00.003+01:00</published><updated>2025-06-27T10:04:56.868+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Family Healer</title><content type='html'>
Greetings, my readers.
We&#39;re raising a deep and timely concern on this topic. Let’s explore Luke 12:51–53 together in light of the current disunity in families and the world.

🔹 The Passage (Luke 12:51-53, NKJV)

&quot;Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother...&quot;

At first glance, this seems shocking—Jesus, the Prince of Peace, saying He brings division? But let’s look closer.

🔸 What Did Jesus Really Mean?

Jesus wasn’t promoting conflict but foretelling it. He knew that His presence, His truth, and His call to radical obedience would naturally create division, even among families.

✝️ The Real Cause of Division:

Truth challenges comfort — His message separates those who choose light from those who cling to darkness.

Loyalty to Christ often puts people at odds with cultural norms or family expectations.

Even love for family must not replace love for God (Luke 14:26).

So yes, Jesus meant this spiritually—division as a byproduct of people responding differently to Him.

🔸 What About Today’s Divisions?

We can all rightly say:

“It’s not all because of standing for or against God’s Word.”

And we&#39;re absolutely correct.

🌍 Today’s Divisions Also Come From:

Selfishness and greed

Political and economic interests

Broken moral foundations

Social media-fueled disinformation

Identity confusion and individualism

Jesus foresaw that the world would resist truth, and in that resistance, division would multiply—
not just over theology, 
but over truth itself in all areas.

🔹 The Heart of the Matter

Even in homes where all members claim to follow Christ, division persists because:

Hearts are not fully surrendered.

Love is conditional.

Forgiveness is absent.

Pride reigns over humility.

🔸 Our Observation Is Prophetic

Let&#39;s remember:

“We celebrated mother’s day, children’s day and father’s day. But there’s no peace nor unity…”

These celebrations feel symbolic now, not substantial. 
It’s almost as if we’re clinging to the shell of family while ignoring its soul.

🔹 So, Did Jesus Mean It Like This?

✅ Yes — He meant that standing for truth would cause spiritual division, 
and that would spill into practical relationships.

❌ No — He didn’t desire chaos, hatred, or lovelessness. 
That is the fruit of people rejecting Him—not His will, but the result of free will.

🔸 Final Word: A Call to Us

Let’s not just mourn the disunity, but:

Be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), not peace-keepers.

Speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

Live surrendered, so the world sees the unity that Christ prayed for in John 17.

#Luke1251 #PeaceThroughTruth #JesusSaves #FamilyHealer #SpiritualReality #KingdomValues #ChristianLiving #DivineTruth
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/6296322245576190859/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/6296322245576190859?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/6296322245576190859'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/6296322245576190859'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/06/family-healer.html' title='Family Healer'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-937333062102118039</id><published>2025-06-26T08:06:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2025-06-26T08:06:41.726+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Are We Actually Trusting in Wealth and Forgetting Eternity?!</title><content type='html'>The message of Luke 12:15–21 is a sobering, timeless word from Jesus that strikes right into our modern context — especially today, when many trust in their bank balance more than their God.

Let’s walk through it with exhortation.

🔥 Luke 12:15–21: A Parable for the Bank-Balance Generation

&quot;Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.&quot; – Luke 12:15

Jesus tells the story of a rich man whose land yielded abundantly. The man didn&#39;t thank God or think of how to use the surplus for others. 
Instead, he planned bigger barns — a bigger vault — saying to himself, “You have plenty… take life easy, eat, drink and be merry.”

But God said: “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.”

💔 Today&#39;s Version?

&quot;My savings are intact. I have fixed deposits, crypto holdings, a pension plan. I&#39;m secure.&quot;

But are we? What if eternity knocks tonight?
What if the true bankruptcy is not financial, but spiritual?

The man&#39;s sin was not wealth — it was his false security and self-centeredness. 
He planned for many years ahead but not for one moment of standing before God.

📉 Bank Faith Is a Failing Currency

In today&#39;s world:

We measure people by their net worth.

We feel safe only when we see a certain amount in the account.

We call it “planning” — but many times it’s just fear wearing a suit.

Yet Jesus says:

&quot;This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.&quot; (v.21)

We may be rich in data, dollars, or dividends, but are we rich toward God?
Have we invested in eternity?

✨ EXHORTATION TO THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD

Let us rise and declare boldly:

Life is not defined by your account balance.

God is not impressed with your vaults.

No bank holds your soul.

No currency can pay for your peace.

No savings can extend your life by one breath.

Today, if your trust is in money — repent.
If your identity is in wealth — return to the Cross.
If your hope is in tomorrow’s returns — shift your gaze to Jesus, who alone holds eternity.

#Luke12 #FaithOverFinance #EternalPerspective #JesusSaves #KingdomPriorities #RichTowardGod #ChristianFinance #EndTimeWarning
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/937333062102118039/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/937333062102118039?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/937333062102118039'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/937333062102118039'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/06/are-we-actually-trusting-in-wealth-and.html' title='Are We Actually Trusting in Wealth and Forgetting Eternity?!'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-477513348259997387</id><published>2025-06-21T12:04:00.002+01:00</published><updated>2025-06-21T12:04:18.351+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Not Complicated – The Best Life Starts with God</title><content type='html'>

To all our readers — whether you’ve been following closely or just glanced our way — happy weekend! 🌞

As you pause to rest, we want to share one simple, life-giving truth:

Relating with God isn’t complicated.

You don’t need a perfect past, a long prayer, or a religious résumé. You only need a willing heart.

God didn’t design salvation to be hard. He made it so clear, so close, so reachable:

&quot;Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.&quot; – Matthew 11:28

&quot;The Lord is near to all who call on him…&quot; – Psalm 145:18

&quot;Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.&quot; – Romans 10:13

That’s it. Call on Him. Come honestly. Let Him lead.

The best good you&#39;re looking for — peace, meaning, joy, direction — starts with God.

So this weekend, in between your break and busyness, whisper a real word to Him. He’s listening. And He’s closer than you think.

#FaithMadeSimple #GodIsNear #WeekendPeace #JesusIsTheWay #RelationshipNotReligion #EternalLife #SearchNoMore</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/477513348259997387/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/477513348259997387?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/477513348259997387'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/477513348259997387'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/06/not-complicated-best-life-starts-with.html' title='Not Complicated – The Best Life Starts with God'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-2425595053676470102</id><published>2025-06-20T10:48:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2025-06-20T10:48:02.282+01:00</updated><title type='text'>The Silent Collapse of Divided Homes – A Call Back to Unity (Luke 11:17)</title><content type='html'>&quot;Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.&quot; – Luke 11:17 (NKJV)


In an age where progress is measured by independence and individual expression, many homes silently fall apart under the weight of division. Marriages that began in joy now end in quiet courtroom farewells. Families, once bound by love, splinter into sides, bitterness, and pain.


But Jesus&#39; words echo louder today than ever: 
&quot;A house divided against itself falls.&quot;
 He wasn’t just speaking about governments or empires—
He was pointing to our homes, our families, our hearts.


Division starts subtly—with unresolved arguments, selfish ambitions, misaligned priorities. But it grows quickly when love stops being the foundation. 
The result? 
Desolation. Emotional, spiritual, and relational collapse.


This is not just a warning—it’s a call. 
A call to return to God’s blueprint for unity. 

Christ must be at the center for any house to stand.

 When we build on Him, we forgive quickly, serve selflessly, and love deeply.


If your home feels like it&#39;s cracking at the seams, come to Jesus. 
He still heals. He still restores. He still brings unity where the enemy has sown division.


Your house doesn’t have to fall. But it must be founded on the Rock.

MarriageRestoration #FamilyUnity #Luke11v17 #FaithOverDivision #JesusHeals #HomesRestored</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/2425595053676470102/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/2425595053676470102?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/2425595053676470102'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/2425595053676470102'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-silent-collapse-of-divided-homes.html' title='The Silent Collapse of Divided Homes – A Call Back to Unity (Luke 11:17)'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-8035899161143707869</id><published>2025-06-15T15:39:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2025-06-15T15:39:08.858+01:00</updated><title type='text'>For All Seek Their Own</title><content type='html'>
Good morning, and happy Father’s Day to you!
I desire to reflect on Philippians 2:21 for it feels so timely and necessary—especially in today’s world and even more so within the Church.

📖 Philippians 2:21 (KJV)

&quot;For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ&#39;s.&quot;

This short verse is packed with a sobering observation from Apostle Paul, written while he was imprisoned. He was speaking about how few people (at that time) genuinely cared for the interests of Jesus Christ—putting others above themselves, like Timothy did.

🔍 Then vs. Now: A Deepening Trend

Paul’s complaint was specific to his time, but prophetically, it reflects a growing human condition that we still witness—perhaps even more severely today.

Then (Paul&#39;s Era):

Scarcity of true co-laborers: Even among church leaders and workers, few genuinely pursued Christ’s mission above personal interests.

Self-interest in ministry: Many sought personal safety, influence, or recognition instead of the self-sacrificing path that Christ laid out.

Now:

Today, that same spirit of self-interest is magnified by:

Modern consumerism blending with Christianity (prosperity-driven gospels).

Branding and fame replacing servanthood and humility.

Church leadership competition, rather than kingdom collaboration.

Celebrity culture in ministry, where pastors become influencers more than shepherds.

Transactional faith, where people serve God only as long as He serves them materially.

🚨 Even acts of “service” have become strategic steps toward personal goals, not spiritual surrender.

🔎 Signs of Philippians 2:21 Today in the Church

Church Work Today &amp; How Self-Interest Shows Up

Leading worship  - Seeking admiration, not true worship.
Preaching. -  Crafting messages to go viral, not to convict.
Giving or sowing seed  -  Expecting a &quot;return&quot; like a business deal.
Evangelism. -  Posting for attention or views, not genuinely reaching lost souls.
Serving in ministries. -  Climbing leadership ladders instead of lowering oneself to serve .

📚 Supporting Scriptures

This theme echoes throughout Scripture:

2 Timothy 3:1–5 – &quot;Men shall be lovers of themselves... having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.&quot;

Matthew 6:1 – &quot;Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them...&quot;

Isaiah 29:13 – &quot;These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.&quot;

John 5:44 – &quot;How can you believe when you seek honor from one another and not the honor that comes from God?&quot;

🛐 What Should We Do?

Self-examination – Is my walk with Christ more about Him or about what I gain?

Return to the cross – Reconnect to Jesus’ model of dying to self, daily.

Celebrate unknown faithfulness – Encourage the unseen, uncelebrated workers in the Kingdom.

Raise true Timothys – Disciple others into a life of genuine concern for Christ’s kingdom.

Expose the trend with love – Don’t be afraid to challenge vanity cloaked in church work.

🔄 Closing Thought

&quot;Philippians 2:21 is not just an observation—it is a warning and a mirror.
The question is not who around us is guilty—but are we?&quot;

It looks right to sound the alarm today. 

#Philippians221 #ChurchReset #JesusOverSelf #KingdomFirst #Repentance #ChurchReform
#SelflessMen</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/8035899161143707869/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/8035899161143707869?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8035899161143707869'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/8035899161143707869'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/06/for-all-seek-their-own.html' title='For All Seek Their Own'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-6549490953651236991</id><published>2025-06-12T09:00:00.001+01:00</published><updated>2025-06-12T09:00:55.011+01:00</updated><title type='text'>God Holds The Ultimate Timeline For Everyone </title><content type='html'>
Acts 1:7 reminds us that God holds the ultimate timeline, and we’re not to live by guessing it. But He has told us how to live while we wait.
Here’s a simple, powerful framework for aligning your life with God’s will and avoiding being caught off guard:

✅ 1. Live Watchfully

“Be alert... for you do not know when the time will come.” — Mark 13:33
Stay spiritually awake. Don’t let comfort, routine, or worldly pursuits dull your sensitivity to God&#39;s voice.

✅ 2. Live Responsibly

“Occupy till I come.” — Luke 19:13
Do your work diligently — whether that’s career, family, ministry, or daily service — knowing it’s all part of your stewardship.

✅ 3. Live Surrendered

“In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:6
Make daily decisions in prayer and with Scripture. Keep asking: “Lord, is this your will or just my preference?”

✅ 4. Live in Love and Truth

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:39
“Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth.” — John 17:17
Build your life around God&#39;s Word, not trends or fear. And always let love be your motive.

✅ 5. Live Ready

“Let your lamps be burning…” — Luke 12:35
Live as though Jesus could return today — because He might. But also plan wisely as if you’ll live a long life of service, because that’s how faith and wisdom walk together.

So, how does a Christian plan?
By submitting every plan to God, staying flexible, listening to the Spirit, and keeping eternity in view every day.

💬 “Not my will, but Yours be done” — this should be the heart behind every plan.


#LiveReady #FaithWalk #Micah6v8 #JesusIsComing #PurposeDriven</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/6549490953651236991/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/6549490953651236991?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/6549490953651236991'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/6549490953651236991'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/06/god-holds-ultimate-timeline-for-everyone.html' title='God Holds The Ultimate Timeline For Everyone '/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-3874692705166884849</id><published>2025-06-08T10:04:00.002+01:00</published><updated>2025-06-08T10:04:22.253+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Walking by the Spirit </title><content type='html'>
Happy Pentecost Sunday! 

Today we celebrate the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit as described in Acts 2 — a pivotal moment that birthed the Church and empowered believers for life, mission and holiness.

🔥 Walking by the Spirit vs. Gratifying the Flesh

Galatians 5:16 (NIV) says: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

1. What It Means to Walk by the Spirit:
To walk by the Spirit means to live in daily, conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit — being guided, taught, and empowered by Him. It is surrendered living, choosing God’s way over our natural impulses.
✅ It is a lifestyle, not just a moment of spiritual experience. ✅ It means obeying God&#39;s Word, listening to His promptings, and submitting to His will.

2. What the Flesh Desires:

The &quot;flesh&quot; refers to our sinful human nature — self-centered desires, pride, lust, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, etc.
Paul lists them in Galatians 5:19–21 — sexual immorality, hatred, discord, drunkenness, and more. These are natural outcomes of a life not under the Spirit’s control.
🔄 The flesh and the Spirit are always in conflict. Walking in the Spirit doesn&#39;t mean the absence of temptation, but it means you choose a higher way empowered by grace.

3. How to Practically Walk by the Spirit:

Daily fellowship: Spend time in prayer and the Word, seeking God’s presence.
Stay surrendered: Ask the Holy Spirit to lead your decisions, responses, and desires.
Crucify the flesh (Gal. 5:24): Say no to what opposes God, even if it’s hard.
Bear fruit: The result of walking by the Spirit is the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23).

🤲 Relationship with the Holy Spirit vs. Operating in the Gifts

This is where many get confused.

🔹 1. Relationship with the Holy Spirit:

This is personal intimacy — walking with Him, hearing His voice, obeying Him, being transformed into Christ’s image.
Relationship is about being — being with Him, becoming like Him.
Key evidence of relationship:
Conviction of sin
Joy in God&#39;s presence
Inner transformation
Obedience to God
Peace, fruit, and character development

🔹 2. Operating in the Gifts of the Spirit:

The gifts (1 Cor. 12:8–10) — prophecy, tongues, healing, miracles, etc. — are tools to serve the body of Christ and confirm the Gospel.

Gifts are about function — doing things by His power for His purposes.
Important truth: Gifts can operate without deep relationship — this is why Jesus warned in Matthew 7:22–23:

“Many will say to me… ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy… drive out demons… perform miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.’”
So:

Gifts can be present, but relationship is what God values.
You can use a gift and still miss God if your heart is not surrendered.

🎯 Final Word for Pentecost Sunday:

Let this day not just be about fire, tongues, or spiritual experiences. Let it mark a deeper yielding to the Holy Spirit — in your daily life, thoughts, relationships, and mission.

🔥 Ask not just to operate in power, but to be conformed to Christ. 
Let His voice be louder than your flesh. 
Let His fruit be visible even when no one is watching.

#pentecost #walkingbythespirit #holyspirit #relationshipwithholyspirit #operatingingiftsofholyspirit #revival
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/3874692705166884849/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/3874692705166884849?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/3874692705166884849'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/3874692705166884849'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/06/walking-by-spirit.html' title='Walking by the Spirit '/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209471949423180424.post-7126754423239675579</id><published>2025-06-06T16:20:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2025-06-06T16:20:22.938+01:00</updated><title type='text'>Authority, Glory, and the Illusion of Power: A Kingdom Reflection Luke 4:6:</title><content type='html'>“To you I will give all this authority and their glory…”

This was Satan’s offer to Jesus. Not money. Not pleasures. But authority and glory—because those are what men crave. The need to be seen, obeyed, remembered. But what was being offered was a false glory—one that Jesus rejected.

Because true glory isn’t in controlling men. It’s in serving God.
Man’s Glory Is Measured by Applause
Today, whether in politics, business, or religion, the same temptation remains: glorify yourself under the banner of service. A preacher builds a billion-dollar auditorium while children nearby sleep on empty stomachs. A “man of God” acquires jets, yet his people can’t afford medicine.

Yes, buildings wear out. Jets become scrap. But love, sacrifice, and obedience echo in eternity.
“Heaven is my throne, the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?” —Isaiah 66:1

God’s Glory Is Measured by Love
Jesus never built a cathedral, but He built people. He didn’t conquer cities—He conquered sin. His throne was a cross, not a stage.

We’ve allowed a dangerous shift. We celebrate ministers for what they accumulate, not for whom they lift. We measure revival by crowd size, not heart change. And we call pride, &quot;blessing.&quot;

The Tragedy of Misused Authority
Religious authority becomes dangerous when it mirrors worldly power. Jesus said:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them... Not so with you. Whoever wants to become great must be your servant.” —Matthew 20:25–26
When authority forgets the towel and grabs the crown, it loses the Kingdom.

The Vanity of It All
Everything man calls glorious—titles, jets, empires, cathedrals—will rot. But what you did for the hungry, the prisoner, the stranger?

“You did for Me.” —Matthew 25:40

Let’s reclaim glory, not as position, but as posture. Let’s stop chasing golden stages and start walking humble roads. Let’s be like Christ.

#Luke4 #GloryOfGod #ServantLeadership #ChurchReform #VanityVsGlory 
#TrueAuthority #JesusWay #ChristianReflection #ModernChurch #FaithAwakening 
#SpiritualDiscernment #KingdomValues #ObedienceOverShow #ChristianBlog
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/feeds/7126754423239675579/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment/fullpage/post/1209471949423180424/7126754423239675579?isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/7126754423239675579'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1209471949423180424/posts/default/7126754423239675579'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ificanhelpsomebody.blogspot.com/2025/06/authority-glory-and-illusion-of-power.html' title='Authority, Glory, and the Illusion of Power: A Kingdom Reflection Luke 4:6:'/><author><name>Richard Okwudili-chukwu</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/13683020025405617925</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>