Devotional Details

THE CHILDREN’S BREAD

– MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL –

1^st. March 2024

SCRIPTURE

“Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breath out violence.”

Psalm 27:12, NASB 1995.

Child of God, a beautiful new month to you, and I pray that you enjoy this month as the favor of God Almighty falls on you, amen! In this month’s devotional, I would love to continue with the discussion centered around the topic: ACCUSATION and how to deal with ACCUSATIONS.

Sister Susan, you are not a leader, therefore, you are not allowed to keep giving advise as you do not know a thing about leadership! Well, child of God, I have come to understand, that a leader is whom God has anointed and made to be one, and as a result, such one-sided understanding of leadership should be revisited. You see child of God, if God has permitted you to have a certain level of influence, be it all too minimal, you are still a leader. The question which we should seek to answer with regards to your leadership should then be: Who are you leading, how, for what purpose and where are you leading them to? What actually matters is, that in your little way, you are leading them towards the right path, and not anywhere and everywhere for the purpose of fleecing, or mis-leading them because I have come to understand as well, that with influence comes responsibility, and with that also comes accountability.

If you are aware of it or not, if people are willing to openly communicate this to you or not, the truth still remains, that the more you increase in your sphere of influence, the more responsibility you would have to take up, and the more responsible you must have to become. For instance, even with the minimal influence I might seem to have, I have come to experiment, learn, experience, and understand, that I can’t be talking anyhow anymore, which saddens me a lot as I love to express myself exactly how I feel (which includes telling my visions to everyone, exactly how I received them), but since leadership is responsibility and also demands, that I understand, that there are people who are literally hanging on to every word I say, or the things which l write, thus, every now and again, it calls for me to self-reflect on how I talk, write and act. Let us ponder on this for just a second; before he became king David, he was not in the ranks of men’s leadership, yet, he had a lot to say when he got into the battlefield where those, who were positioned as leaders had long taken their places. Therefore, it is only a fool, who would not understand, that God’s election is not by him who wills, but rather, whom God decides to elect through HIS mercy, unmerited favor and grace. Besides, sometimes, it is those who are observing from outside, that are able to see where those who are within have lost track of things, and as a result, a gentle reminder to help us to keep on our Godly course, should always be welcome.

I once knew a wonderful Muslim husband and father when I was a little girl, growing up in Nigeria. Whenever he came to visit my family, and right before he stepped into our home, this is what he would always whisper to our hearing, “Peace, be to this house” and as a child, it never made sense to me that without fail, he would always waste so much time saying this same phrase each time, as one had to wait at the door, till he was done before he would come in. Child of God, I must confess to you, that those days, besides my dad, that particular Muslim man was one of the few men, whom I looked up to as an example of a morally good man. Besides, this might shock most of you; He was a husband to a wife till he died, and he was a wonderful father to his children too. He was such a hard-working man and was also one of the few truly peaceful men, that I have come across till date. Having said that, I never got to see the state of his spirit those days, but this was a man who we were close with, as a result, I am able to tell his behavior from a close range as we were next door neighbors. In contrast, I would hear some other men yelling, insulting and even battering their wives, so much so, that I witnessed my dad, on multiple occasions, although, tired from work, yet, would rush out to intervene in a domestic abuse situation as to save a woman from the hands of her raging husband. Why did I mention the Muslim neighbor? In the Bible, it is written, that by their fruits you shall know them, thus, this particular Muslim man whom I knew was an example of a true leader of his home, as well as to those around him because studying how he behaved to his family and to others; Christians, Muslims, and other tribes, made me believe, that though we may not have been of the same faith, that notwithstanding, he was a very good man. Consequently, would the same be said of you as a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist, or a believer in the traditions of the elders, that though we may not want your religion, or agree with one another when it come to religion, but on the level of humanity, that you are a good person? Can we at least agree on that? Is it even possible?

Coming back to our main topic, which is accusation, and how to deal with it – If for instance you are a leader of a nation, and you are being accused for not having the best interest of that nation at heart, then, this is what I would want you to sit down in your free time, in order to ponder on:

• Given the complexity of the nation which I am overseeing, have I truly given my very best within the time frame, that I have been in the office?

• Have I, within my capacity and the jurisdiction of my office, shown, that I am a father to all, and not just to the few, and those who are my gender, my religion, my ethnicity, my tribe, and my friends?

• Have I done that which is necessary, in order to initiate and see to it, that an olive branch is extended to those who did not vote for me, or are my rather a very vindictive and unforgiving leader?

• Am I someone, who by happenstance, or even who wittily has come to a position of power, although, I am a racist, tribalist, sexist, or a religious bigot, but now in a leader’s clothing?

• Out of the many things I am being accused of, where am I found wanting, and how can I make amends?

• Should this be the end of my tenure, would I pat myself on the shoulder and say to myself, “Even if people do not appreciate me for what I have done for them, nonetheless, I am convinced, that I gave my utmost best, as a result, I am very happy that God Almighty, would be the ultimate Judge?”

It is only an inconsiderate citizen, that would expect a complex nation, which has too many problems accumulated long before a new leader takes over, to be completely turned around overnight, once the new leader takes office – No, child of God, it doesn’t happen! Thus, every leader needs to be given the benefit of a doubt, in order to give him the grace of time needed to study the problems of the nation with those, who are competent enough to help him do so, regardless of their gender, religion, race, and tribe. That notwithstanding, so far as humanly possible, it must be seen and felt very soon where it matters the most, that those who are in leadership are doing something to alleviate the suffering of the masses – Their good works, and willingness to pursue better governance must be seen and felt soon enough, at least, to some degree, while we are patient with them to take hold of the more complex aspects of the nation’s problems over the course of time.

Those in leadership who have not lost their ability to touch base with their humble beginnings, should be in the right minds to sympathize with the suffering masses, and to understand them when they “still” decide to protest as a means to make you, who are in leadership to feel, hear, and see their pain. Therefore, it is a call for you to react appropriately with regards to what they are calling your attentions to. Consequently, should they decide to take to the streets to protest their predicaments, you are to permit them to do so. That being said, protesting to bring the attention of those in authority, should be done PEACEFULLY, which I would urge and exhort those who feel the urgency or the need to protest, to keep to, reminding them, that violence (Vawulence) is not the way to gain freedom in certain regions, or traditions of the world, if at all. Therefore:

• Destroying, or looting is not how you teach leadership, dignity.

• Setting your own properties, businesses, or those of your fellow hard-working citizens, whom, in some cases, you have been envying for being prosperous, or setting government facilities ablaze, is neither how to gain victory, nor even understanding for your course from the authority because it rather undermines the whole process, and even becomes the means for those who are already looting the nation’s funds to loot much more, as they would again, and on your behalf, have to ask for more funds to restore to order, what you have burnt down. Therefore, child of God, think about it, whose loss is it? Yours, and not theirs, thus, don’t self-sabotage; don’t set facilities ablaze, don’t kill your fellow human beings, don’t attack the law enforcement, and don’t kill civilians!

Talking about leadership, regardless of their shortcomings, I would not conclude this devotional without mentioning the leadership of Egyptian military during the Egypt revolution about a decade ago as it relates to the situation, where they had the options on their table, either to shoot and kill their people who were protesting their regime, or to show them, that although they have the power and law on their side, yet, they decided to prove to the people that they are one people, siblings, and one nation. Thus, they made the people see and feel, that they understood their pain, by not applying the negative side and power of the law, which would have been to shoot and kill their own people for protesting for a change or in some cases, even use them as human shields to garner sympathy – With that gesture, and this is regardless of their shortcomings, to me, the military of Egypt deserves an award for how they professionally handled the situation back then, as not to shed the blood of their own people, unnecessarily.

Furthermore, I believe, that EGYPT as an African country, has shown us that African nations and military are able to rise up to the occasion of love, compassion, impartial mediators, and true leadership if they are willing and when needed. As a result, we just have to learn from what they did because it would have gone the other way, and no one would have stopped them. Having said that, I am by no means suggesting to anyone or peoples to overthrow their leadership, because I personally believe, that if you have democratically appointed a president or leader, then, you also should democratically vote them out, should you believe that they are not equal to the task for which you elected them, and not by means of a coup or blood-bath! Child of God, when I use the words: Democratically electing a leader, in my lay man’s language as not to be misquoted by those who love to use any little error to bring me before a panel, that had already been hand-picked, and as a result, waiting to pronounce me guilty, the moment they hear my name on it – Selah. Therefore, for the sake of the children of God, who are able to see my error as such, that is not meant to mislead, steal, kill or destroy them, what I am trying to say with that is, if the majority of the people have willingly decided for whom they want to lead them, then, that is what they want! Let us remember a time long gone, when Israel, told God Almighty that they no longer wanted judges who were elected by God and not men to speak on behalf of God to them, but rather, like their neighboring nations, that they wanted kings to rule over them. As a result of their collective decision, or as the saying goes, “the majority carries the vote” God Almighty, gave them what they were seeking, yearning for, or lusting after, which is the kind of king they were asking HIM for – They got Saul as their king. The problem with that is this, when God decides to give people the very thing they keep asking or pressing HIM for, as opposed to what HE gave them, or desires to give to them, since He should know exactly what is best for them, it doesn’t always end up being HIS perfect will for them. Thus, whatever it is that they eventually received due to their persistent demand, would always have to run its course, till its time expires, which would also be due to the change of the hearts of majority of the people, or at least, those amongst them, whose fervent prayers God Almighty sees and accepts as coming from truly righteous hearts – Sister Susan, do such people (righteous ones) still exist amongst us in our time? Yes child of God, they still do, but it takes a lot to get them involved in the affairs of a world, filled with people who have become deeply wicked, thus, they only focus their prayers on that which is most important to them; whatever God Almighty tells them is important to HIM, alone.

Protests in such situations, should be for the purpose of reminding the leaders or those in authority, that you are watching them closely, and going to hold them accountable for your suffering as they did nothing to earn your votes, yet, have done their utmost best to make sure, that you regret ever casting your vote for them. Having said that, I am not telling anyone to protest, but rather, it is the level of your suffering and genuine dissatisfaction with your leadership, that would be the determining factor if there is a genuine reason for people to protest their leadership and the state of their nation, or not. Therefore child of God, please, hear me well:

• Protests, should not be born from a place of discontentment for losing an election which has been ruled to the favor of your opponent by the highest court of the law.

• Protests, should not be done because your party or man lost, and you want the new leader ousted, no, there must be a genuine reason, which is biting the most vulnerable within the society.

• NOTE: Ousting a leader who has been democratically elected by the country with the use of force, should only be so, should he become “a monster” to a particular group of people, or to the whole country, with nobody, not even the highest court of the law in the position to bring him to order, as he would have polluted them all, or brought them under evil submission to himself. Consequently, only in such a scenario, should every necessary action be taken, to overthrow or oust him from the seat, which in the first place, doesn’t belong to him, but rather, belongs to the people, in order to save the soul of the nation, as well as to save the souls her people.

RELIGION SHOULD NOT BE WEAPONIZED

In Nigeria, Christians and Muslims have always lived together as neighbors and this we have done so well, and for many years. Therefore, those who have always instigated problems have always been the religious extremists, who have no tolerance for anyone who doesn’t have the same ideologies as them. I would remember growing up in Nigeria during Christmas and Easter celebrations, after cooking, we would take a chunky size of the delicious food we had prepared, as well as drinks, to give to our Muslim neighbors, and they would be over-joyed about the food and drinks, and this in not because they lacked food or drinks, not at all, as they were wealthy family, but rather, it was the custom at home whenever there was any religious celebration, to share food with your neighbors, especially those who are not of the same faith as you. Similarly, whenever they celebrated their Ramadan, and Sallah, they would come to us with the same gesture – This is one of the many ways we have always shown love and respect to each other, and not hate. Although we do not share the same faith, yet, we love the things we have in common; God Almighty, dignity and the good things of life, as well as the country we all share together, and that has kept Nigeria going, even though we have our up’s and down’s, yet, we have always managed it – Till the emergence of the extremists, who began to threaten the peace we have been enjoying as a nation with regards to being of different religious beliefs, but still respecting each-others rights to exist in the same country and under one GOD ALMIGHTY.

Child of God, you see, I attended schools with Muslims, and we were friends and never had any problems each other, as we did not see religion as that which should divide us, although, we all held unto our respective religions. Therefore, in as much as we may have different beliefs, and lifestyles due to our faith, that notwithstanding, I have never and will never hate people based on their religious affiliations, but what I do hate and condemn, is when one, uses religion as a weapon to steal, kill, destroy, deceive and enslave people. I love my faith, as a result, I believe it is the best thing that has happened to humanity long before sliced bread, even Nigerian jollof rice, and Kilishi, yet, I will neither force you to become a Christian, nor hate you for it, if you decide not to become one.

PRAYER

• I pray for unity in Nigeria, which prevails over any plan of the enemy to cause destruction to the children of God within her, in the most faithful and merciful name of Jesus Christ, amen.

• I pray for the peace of God in the lives of those who had come to visit us for the purpose of seeking for genuine peace, therefore, “as long as” they came with “genuine peace,” then, may the peace of God Almighty also visit them and have mercy on them, as well.

• By the holy blood of the lamb of God Almighty, and by the testimonies of our mouths, having not loved our lives to death, we overcome Satan, and his evil spirits of unjust shedding of blood, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

• I plead the blood of the Holy Lamb of God on us who are the children of God Almighty, for the remission of our sins, for our divine protection and for victory over the “spirit of vawulence,” in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, amen!

• I command the plans of the spirit of destruction for our lives to be frustrated, and let every tongue that rises against us in judgment which is contrary to the plans of God Almighty for our lives, be condemned in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

• Child of God, by the blood of the Lamb of God Almighty, I refute and frustrate every plan and device of the spirit of ungodly retaliation against our lives, in the faithful name of Jesus, the CHRIST, amen.

• Surely, they shall gather, saith the LORD GOD Almighty, but as long as their gathering is not from ME and for the good and protection of those who take refuge in ME, then, that gathering shall be frustrated, and they, that gathered for evil against My children, shall surely fall for their sake.

• May God Almighty protect His children in Nigeria from suicide bombers and their evil plans in the most merciful name of Jesus Christ, amen.

• In the name of Jesus Christ – Amen and Amen!!!

NOTE: I will be uploading something else this weekend, which would be a follow up to this particular topic, therefore, till tomorrow, or next – PEACE!

Child of God, as it relates to MONTHLY DEVOTIONALS, till the first of next month, be happy and stay blessed.

Jesus loves you.

Yours Sister – Susan.