HEAVENLY MESSAGES

God is with us through difficult times

The Rev. Catrina Hawkins Boles

Guest Columnist

One of my favorite Christmas hymns is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel." The name Emmanuel literally means God is with us. I was reminded of this meaning as we entered the season of Lent. The first Sunday in Lent focused on Jesus’ experience in the wilderness after his baptism. Jesus spent 40 days without food and water. This story is also called the temptation of Jesus, because Jesus was tempted by Satan in this wilderness.

We have all gone through some difficulties in life that seem isolating, and we feel alone in our pain. Most of us, through shame and guilt, never let others know when we are traversing a wilderness. We suffer in silence, mentally marooned on an island. Medical diagnoses, financial woes, and marital issues all feel like roads we travel by ourselves.

What is poignant to me is the reality that God is present with us in the midst of our wilderness experiences. Jesus wasn’t alone with Satan, because God was with Jesus. This becomes our solace through our trials and temptations. God is really with us all the time. No matter where we are in this world, or how scared we may be, we are never separated from God.

We sing a Christmas song, but that song is our strength in those times in which we may feel alone. That song becomes our strength when it feels like all hope is lost. That song becomes our strength when we are stuck in our own wilderness. That song becomes our strength when we are weak and vulnerable. That song becomes our strength when the world has abandoned us.

We praised God when he gave us Jesus as a baby. We praise God now as we prepare to celebrate Jesus giving us the Holy Spirit as a parting gift. That same Holy Spirit is God with us, living and creating within us. That Holy Spirit becomes our companion, instructor, and guide for the every easy and hard paths we travel. Our own 40 days through Lent is a time of listening to the God that is truly always with us. So that we are empowered and emboldened to be all that God commands us to be.

Catrina Hawkins-Bowles is the Reverend at Christ’s Lutheran Church

LINK:  https://www.daily-jeff.com/story/news/local/2023/03/03/god-is-with-us-through-difficult-times/69954838007/

THE DAILY JEFF

 

NIGERIA: THE PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN

Politics

March 2, 2023

Tinubu’s victory is will of God – Aisha Buhari 

Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Thursday described the victory of APC’s Bola Tinubu in the just concluded presidential election as the will of God.

Mrs Buhari said this when she received the wife of the President-elect, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and the wife of the Vice President-elect, Hajiya Nana Shettima, on a thank-you visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She said: “Regardless of our interests and diversity, we should all accept it as a will of Almighty God; we wouldn’t have done it without his grace.

“It is a victory for all Nigerians. I am optimistic that the President-Elect will not betray the trust and confidence that Nigerians reposed in him. It is now time to move on and focus on the path of `a renewed hope’ for Nigerian women and youths.

“So, my sister we count on your experience and interest in promoting the cause of women, youths and girl-child education,” she said.

She however reminded the wife of the president-elect of the challenges ahead and prayed for God`s guidance and direction as she prepare to take over the affairs of the Office of First Lady of Nigeria.

“The task is arduous but with your determination I believe is surmountable.  I pray that come May 29, your position as first lady will be marked with joy and continued success.

“We look forward to the advancement of Nigerian women and their inclusion in the affairs of our nation`s development,” Mrs Buhari said.

Sen. Oluremi Tinubu had earlier informed the gathering that they were at the Presidential Villa on a thank you visit to appreciate the support and wise counselling of the first lady towards the success of APC at the presidential election.

“We want to thank you sincerely for how you’ve been able to bring us together as a campaign team for the APC, especially the women presidential campaign team. You really showed a lot of wisdom, dexterity and courage in the way you put us together.

“I remember coming here to ask for your permission and also to solicit for support when we are about to begin campaign,” she said.

While acknowledging the motherly role of the first lady, Mrs Tinubu prayed for good health and divine intervention in the affairs of the outgoing predecessor.

“As you’ve come here safely, you will live to your home in good health, divine health and whatever you decide to do; God will be there with you, thank you so much for the love you have shown to us,” Mrs Tinubu prayed.

The meeting was attended by the wives of some APC governors and associates of the first lady. 

(NAN) 

LINK: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/03/tinubus-victory-is-will-of-god-aisha-buhari/

VANGUARD

NIGERIAN ELECTION OUTCOME

God against Tinubu’s victory, prepare for hardship, his govt’ll fail – Primate Ayodele to Nigerians

Published on March 3, 2023

By Seun Opejobi

The leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Friday reacted to the victory of Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Tinubu at the just concluded presidential election.

Primate Ayodele revealed that God is against Tinubu’s victory, adding that the incoming government will be filled with sorrow, hardship, failure and economic disappointment.

In a statement by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, he made it known that the incoming government will not be any better than the outgoing one because the will of the people was stolen.

He explained that it is not part of God’s plans that Christians will not be part of leadership in Nigeria and that the APC wants to stir a confusion in the religious sector.

According to Ayodele: ‘’I am seeing a new government of sorrow, hardship, failure, economic disappointment, there will be more hardship because God never approved another APC government for Nigerians.

“Under this new government, Nigeria will not be regarded internationally, this government will not make it better than what we experienced in the outgoing government.

“This is not the government God approved for us. God has not approved Nigeria to be an Islamic republic, he has not said Christians will not be part of the government but these people have berated God, they want to stir confusion in the religious sector but God has rejected them.’’

LINK:  https://dailypost.ng/2023/03/03/god-against-tinubus-victory-prepare-for-hardship-his-govtll-fail-primate-ayodele-to-nigerians/

 DAILY POST