God's Glory Departed from the Temple.

Hello My Friend; Good day.

The reading for today's Devotional is from Ezekiel chapter 10. Ezekiel is here in a privileged position in these series of visions to observe the glory of the Lord as it shines through the sanctuary. He sees the operations of divine Providence in the government of the lower world. He observes the angels at work operating and directing the affairs of this world. Angels moving in all directions at will are guided by the Mighty Holy Spirit of God. Ezekiel observed how he that sits on the throne calls calls to the man in the linen to go in between the wheels, and fill his hand with coals of fire and scatter them over the city. This shows the burning of the city and the Temple by the Chaldeans.

Please pay attention to verse 18: "Then the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim." Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord removing out of the temple, the place where God's honor had long dwelt. He saw the glory departing. My Friend this was a depressing sight for Ezekiel. Think about this now that your body is the doweling place of the Holy Spirit. When you defile and profane your body as Israel defiled and profaned the temple, the Spirit and Glory of God departed. It happens so with us if we fail to keep our bodies clean and holy. Paul says it very eloquently in Romans 12 thus: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." There you are my Friend. God will not dwell in dirt or filth. He will not be in a place where His name is not honored. In His wrath, He will order and permit the angels of destruction to scatter fiery coals to burn all evil. He will still be on His throne in heaven. God demands holiness from His creatures, especially from those He made in His own image and likeness. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today: as adapted from Psalm 51: 10-11: Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

The vision of the Slaying angels in Jerusalem

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 9. The vision which began in chapter 8 now enters the phase of the slaying of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The summons given to the destroyers of Jerusalem was given to God's angels whose job was to lay the city waste. Six men appeared with their instruments of destruction. In Genesis we saw that God's angels were stationed to guard the tree of life so that Adam and Even would not venture to eat and live forever. Also in Exodus, the death angel was dispatched to destroy all those whose house were not marked with blood. Here in Jerusalem, the foreheads of the remnants who feared God were marked for survival of the destruction. So will it be at the end times as recorded in Revelation 7:3 when God's Seal will be placed upon the foreheads of His servants before earth will be destroyed. Note the six men who appeared each came from one of the principal gates of Jerusalem. The armies of the king of Babylon had six commanders each coming through from one of the gates of the city.

Note that in the midst of the destruction there was a man who wore linen clothing and carried a writer's case strapped to his side was like the ancient attorney. The honor of his pen exceeded that of the destroying sword and weapons. He represented Christ as the Mediator saving those that were His from the flaming sword of God's justice. As a high Priest He wears fine linen as in Revelation 19:8. As a prophet he carries the writer's ink box to record the names of the saved into the Lamb's Book of life. Ezekiel was privileged to see the vision in order to know about God's economy of justice. As we walk around everyday, remember that God knows those who are His own to place a mark of identification on their foreheads. Do you have a mark on your forehead? Listen to the warnings of the prophets, priests, preachers, pastors, and THIS BOOK OF THE LAW. You are to read it and meditate on it. That is one of the Principal reasons God gave this Book to you and gives the knowledge for you to read and understand. If you have any questions, write to us and we will do our best to assist you.

Prayer for today: Let us join the Prophet in this prayer as found in verse 8: "Ah, Lord God ! Will you destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out your fury on Jerusalem?". Have mercy Lord and save your people according as the man clothed with linen said: " I have done as You commanded me." Hallelujah. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

The Vision of the Abomination at the Temple

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 8. Ezekiel is now in captivity, but God is showing him the vision of how the elders, men, and women corrupted and defiled the Temple of the Lord. Here in the vision God brings him back to Jerusalem to show him the sins that were committed there (verses 1-4). The elders of Israel were worshipping all manners of images in a secret chambers; the women were weeping for Tammuz; and the men were worshipping the sun right in the Temple of the Almighty God ! We do not mean to be redundant here, but imagine sins of the leaders even at the very presence of God. Same things are happening in our day and time when Church leaders belong to secret cults, yet they are the ones leading members in worship. They themselves know that they worship Satan, yet they come and deceive themselves in the midst of innocent followers of Christ.

After Ezekiel had seen all these abominations, God asked him in verse 17: "Hast thou not seen these o son of man! and could thou have thought ever to see such things done in the temple of the lord? Here God makes the Prophet the judge. God is appealing to the prophet's good sense of judgment. There is a saying in Ibibioland in Nigeria like this: "okop etop idiok owo ibupke ntak". This means that when people here about the anger or bad things that that person did, they should inquire about the reason. The people who went to steal "ekom" sat at the root of ekom to eat it so that when the owner of "ekom" comes to meet them there, what will he do? In this vision God showed His prophet the height of the abuse and insult the leaders indulged in to bring the Lord to the level of unrepentant anger. Matthew Henry quotes Dr. Lightfoot commenting on this situation as saying: "They put the branch to their wrath, or to his wrath, which means they are still bring more fuel to the fire of Divine wrath which they had already kindled." God in His fury said, "though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them; for their sins cry more loudly for vengeance than their prayers cry for mercy."(Matthew Henry's Commentary page 1043).

Prayer for today: Dear Lord, we sing in the hymn: "what can wash away my sin?" The answer is "nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O! precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus." Remember that Lord and forgive the sins of your people in the Name of Him whose blood can make us whole again. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

God's Judgment on Israel for Idolatry

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapters 6 and 7. Ezekiel like many other prophets of his day warned the people of the coming destruction if they refuse to repent of the sin of idolatry. At least 43 times the prophet attached to his prophetic warnings this expression: "Then they will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel was not the Lord, it was the Lord God Almighty, the Father of Israel who spoke through His prophet. Ezekiel did not hesitate to announce the warnings especially after the Lord had told him that the blood of the people will be upon him if he failed to warn them. Ezekiel made sure that Israel remembered that whatever came down the pipe in terms of devastation was not chance game, not fate, not luck, or poor military planning or strategy, but the hand of God was there empowering the enemies to pound them and grind them as powder. God spoke with awesome solemnity when He forbade the Israelites from worshiping anyone or anything other than Him (Exodus 20:3). God requires that we have no other gods before or beside Him. Anyone who breaks this law or treats it with contempt will not escape punishment. Not then, and not now. God says in His Word: "Thus I will spend my fury upon them." (6:12b). Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when their slain are among their idols all around their alters, on every high hill, on all the mountain tops, under every green tree, and under every thick oak, where ever they offered sweet incense to all their idols. So I will stretch my hand against them and make the land desolate, yes more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I am the Lord." (6:13-14). Chapter 7 follows the same train. We do not wish to be redundant here but we urge you to read through the chapter. It also ends with the same statement: "I will do to them according to their way, And according to what they deserve I will judge them; Then they shall know that I am the Lord!'

My Friend, these warnings which were for Israel then are for you now. What are your idols? Are you putting them before and beside your God? Remember no one, I say no one who treats the Lord or His Word with contempt will go unpunished. See we are so lucky that God has demonstrated His love that when we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That is the escape route when you trust Him and yield your life to the One who died for your sins. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today: Thank you Lord for loving the world so much so that you gave your Son , so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life (John 3:16). Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Shaving as an enactment of disgrace

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 5. This story which God directed Ezekiel to demonstrate symbolizes a dramatic enactment of the fate of Judah and Jerusalem. The shaving off of the hair from the head and beard and dividing them into three parts bore some serious significance. The head and the hair constitute the crown of the body. By shaving and dividing the hair symbolized God's utter rejection of the people as a worthless generation and bringing an end to her honor and liberty. One third that was burnt in the middle of the city denotes those who would perish by famine in the city; the other third would perish by sword; the other third would be carried away into captivity; and the other remnant would be would signify a small remnant that would be left under the government of Gedaliah who would maintain the land.

From verses 5-17, we see that God had set Jerusalem in the center of the surrounding powerful nations to be a beacon of light to them, but Jerusalem turned out to be more rebellious and sinful than those nations. God said that they had become more unruly than the nations around them and had not followed God's decrees nor kept His laws. God said the He Himself was against them. Their suffering would increase to the point that parents will eat their children and children will eat their parents because of starvation. Even those who escaped to the wilderness would be eaten by wild animals. In verse 13, we see that God's anger will come to an end and His wrath satisfied after so much sufferings and public disgrace. It is unbelievable that God would make such pronouncements against His people and actually carried them out! These prophetic pronouncements were made way before they happened so that the critics should know and believe that though the heaven and earth will pass away, the Words of God will stand for ever. The people though Jeremiah and Ezekiel said these things out of their "delusional impulses", but we now see that they were inspired by the Lord Almighty.

A word of caution is necessary to the Church. The Church has proudly called "itself as the "New Israel" and it is rightly so. The Church has been made the center of attraction and the light to the world. We see the Church going in the way of the ancient Israel and Judah. There is more sin in the Church now than in the wicked world, why? Jesus said to the inquires about the ruins of the Temple that they would likewise perish if they failed to repent. God is watching you my friend and if He did not spare His Chosen people, what do you think about yourself after the Prince of Glory came down and died for your sins. The verdict is Repent or you will likewise perish.

Prayer for today: Dear God, we all have sinned and come short of your glory. We all like sheep have turned to our wicked ways. By the merits of your dear Son, have mercy on us, forgive our sins and bring us to life everlasting through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

The siege of Jerusalem to be acted out by Ezekiel

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 4. The siege of Jerusalem was prophesied by many of the prophets of the time. God warned the Israelites through many of his messengers, but it did not seem to work. In the year, 587 B.C., God told Ezekiel to "act out" the coming capture of Jerusalem. In this chapter, we see 4 symbolic actions: mimic the siege by drawing the city on a pan of clay; lay a siege to it; place an iron pan in between him and the city; turn his face toward it. Then take a posture of lying on one side for 390 days and on the other side for 40 days. All this signified the number of years of captivity in Babylon. The food cooked over cow dung signified the defilement of Israel during the period of captivity. Ezekiel learned the horrors of the impending siege before it actually happened through these visions.

By this demonstrations, God justified Himself that He gave proper and adequate warnings to the people. So it is in out day and time. There are sufficient warnings and sermons. Those who have ears will hear but those who refuse to listen are doomed to perish and their blood will be on them. We trust that you are paying great attention to reading the handwriting on the walls of history my friend.

Prayer for today: Dear Lord, in the days past you spoke to our fathers through the prophets but now you speak to us through the Gospel of your Son. Thank you for you do not desire that anyone should perish. Grant us the grace to run to hide in the shelter you have provided through the Laws, the prophets and the gospel message. Hallelujah. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Ezekiel is commissioned as a Watchman for Israel.

Hello My Friend; Good day and Happy Valentine.

The reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 3. God said to Ezekiel "eat the scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel." The scroll tasted as sweet as honey in his mouth. David said come and taste and see that the Lord is good. This is the same scroll i am asking you to taste every day. The Word of the Lord is sweet my friend. As a watchman for Israel, Ezekiel had a tough job. Jesus knew it and said only in his own household, city and community that a prophet has no honor. No honor! But nevertheless you MUST GO SPEAK TO THEM. If you warn them, you are free of their blood, but if you fail to warn and they die in their sin, their blood is on you. That is a very heavy task. Ezekiel was to warn both the righteous and the wicked alike. The wicked is warned to repent of sin while the righteous is warned to hold unto his righteousness. In verses 22-24 we see how the Spirit took him to the valley to show him again the glory of the Lord. And how about the physical restraint so that he would not prophesy in verse 25? The enemies of the Gospel will do everything within their limited power to stop God's people from preaching, but set your face like a flint on your duty. The elders of Judah visited Ezekiel and sat with him in his house to witness his spiritual ecstasies; but God shut his mouth and would not allow His servant go for a reprover.

Are you willing to become a watchman in the Lord's house? A watchman's job is to warn the city or a place of the impending intruder. In Isaiah 62:6, God posted watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem to pray for the peace and restoration of Jerusalem. God posted Ezekiel as watchman over the captive Israelites in Babylon. You can be a watchman over the lost and captive people of your household and community. Do not say you are free while in captivity by Satan and dead in sin. Spiritual enslavement is worse than physical enslavement. Eat this scroll and digest it and you will see the difference my Friend.

Prayer for today: Dear Lord, send your Spirit to us and cause us to get up. Left in our flesh, we cannot get up. Then open our eyes to see your glory as Ezekiel saw at the Kebar River so we can fall on our faces to worship you as he did. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Ezekiel is called and commissioned by God.

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading today for meditation is from Ezekiel chapter 2. In the previous chapter Ezekiel was lying down, face downward when he heard God's voice saying to me, "Stand up, son of man, and I will talk to you." It is a sign of reference when we prostrate before God, but it is also a sign of readiness when we stand on our feet before Him. God's immortal Spirit entered into Ezekiel and enabled him to stand. Jesus said to His disciples, without me you can do nothing. Without God's Spirit, Ezekiel would not be able to stand. The commission came in verse 3. Ezekiel is sent to a rebellious nation: a stiff-necked nation of Israel. Look at verse 4: "For they are a hardhearted, stiff-necked people." Whether they listen or not give them the message anyway and do not be afraid or be frightened by them. God demanded of Ezekiel obedience. Do not worry about whether they listen or not, just obey me. Don't be a rebel too. Instructed to open his mouth, a hand holding out to him brought a scroll on which were written on both sides. He unrolled it and Ezekiel saw warnings of woe, lamentations and mourning.

Ezekiel ate God's message. This is the same message we are urging you to eat now. This is your spiritual food. Eat it my friend and live. Refusal will starve your soul and you do not want to be fleshly fat and spiritually lean. If you digest God's Word, it will make you spiritually stronger and it will soften your hard core of resistance against obedience to the laws of the Almighty God. You will begin to experience relief and refreshing new life. Just as God told Ezekiel not to give up, we are telling you now not to give up. You may be sitting with scorpions, venomous and malignant devilish beings. Wicked men are like briers and thorns which hinder the prosperity of God's vine yard, but press on my friend. Ezekiel was conversing with the angels in the vision, but he had to come down to deal with the scorpions. Jesus with Peter, James and John had to come down from the mountain top to deal with the problem of unbelief and lack of faith of the rest of the disciples. But keep on going my friend. Many will oppose and critic your sermons and prayers and the way you dress, but keep on going my friend. The one who commissioned you is the one to judge your performance. Stand up, son/daughter of man. Stand up for Jesus, soldier of the cross. Stand up and be counted; stand up. Be encouraged and keep on going. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today: Lord send down your glory from the crystal skies above; from the firmament over the skies, send down your Spirit and cause us to stand up. Only your Spirit can cause the muscles in our legs to be strong to stand. Feed us with your Word till we want no more. As we repent of our sins, turn our mourning into dancing, our woes into gladness, and our lamentations into joyful testimonies. Hallelujah. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

The Book Ezekiel wrote chapter 1: his call and commission

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today, February 12, 2009 is from Ezekiel chapter 1. Ezekiel was one we regard among the Major prophets of ancient Israel. His name means "God is strong", or "God makes strong". He had to be strong given all the things he went through at his young age. He was a young contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel. He was called to be a prophet at the time Judah went into captivity in Babylon and his ministry of over 22 years was among the captives in the streets of Babylon. God was very kind and faithful to Israel for sending a prophet among the captives to preach, warn and motivate them to yield their lives back to God. God called Ezekiel when he just made 30, ready to enter into priesthood. His career was changed.

Verses 4-26 describe the strange vision which the Lord showed to Ezekiel. Please read up. The four living creatures had four faces; lion for strength, the ox for for diligent service, the man for intelligence, and the eagle for divinity and majesty. The four creatures can be said to symbolize the four Gospels and the early Church Fathers interpreted each to represent as follows: Matthew represents lion as he spoke of Christ as the Lion of Judah; Mark represents the Ox and spoke of the suffering Servant hood of Christ; Luke represents man and spoke of Christ as the perfect Man; John represents Christ as eagle, portraying Christ as the Divine Son of God full of Grace and majesty. In Revelation 4, we see a parallel of the vision of Ezekiel. The four living creatures are powerful symbols of God's judgment and the rainbow over the throne symbolizes God's compromising faithfulness. Remember in Genesis when god showed a rainbow in the sky to give Noah the assurance that He will never again destroy the earth with the rain and flood(see Genesis 9:8-17). In verse 28 Ezekiel saw God's Glory and fell down on his face. Think about this: in Isaiah 6:1-6, Isaiah saw the Lord in the year King Josiah died and that was when he was commissioned as prophet; in Exodus 3:1-12 Moses saw the burning bush and was commissioned to lead the Hebrew children out of Egypt; Peter, James and John saw the transfiguration of the Lord and were affirmed as the insiders of the Apostleship; Saul saw the light of the Christ he persecuted and was commissioned to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. Do you remember anything spectacular in your life that signified God's presence? How about a dream like Jacob had on the road, and wrestling with the angel? It was then that he knew the Lord was in that place and he did not even know it.

Ezekiel was called to be with the Israelite captives in Babylon to help them develop a sense of repentance and to be assured that though it would be longer than expected, the Lord will finally come through to restore them to their original homeland. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today: God is our refuge and strength, our very present help in time of trouble. Be still and know that God is able, faithful, and willing to help. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Jeremiah's Prayer for restoration.

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Lamentations chapter 5. This is the end of Jeremiah's literary poetic lament. He lived an entire life absorbed in the well fare of his nation: preaching, prophesying, warning, pleading and praying for the nation of Judah and Israel. In this last prayer he pleads to God not to forget all the things that have befallen them; the sorrows and insults they had borne. He lets God know that most of the sins were committed by their fathers who had long died. The glory of Jerusalem was gone, and the Temple of the Lord was deserted by all but wild animals lurking in the ruins. Jeremiah acknowledges the Lord as an everlasting the same and His throne continues from everlasting to everlasting. Then he pleads for forgiveness and mercy. And finally he begs the questions:"Have you utterly rejected us? Are you angry with us still?

Sin separates us from God. Jeremiah knew it and he would like us to remember that too. God's compassion never ends and so my friend if you are suffering, cry out to God for your God is one cry away as He listens to the cry of His children to forgive, comfort and nurture.

Prayer for today as adapted from verses 19-21: "O Lord, forever you remain the same! Your throne continues from generation to generation. Why do you forget us forever? Why do you forsake us for so long? Turn us around and bring us back to you again! That is our our only hope! Give us back the joys we used to have! Hallelujah. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

The Lament of Jeremiah about God's anger satisfied .

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Lamentations chapter 4. In this lamentation poem, Jeremiah recounts all the horrible sufferings of the rich and poor of Jerusalem during the two year siege on Jerusalem. He recalls how food ran out till people even ate their own children; and some dead bodies were left on the streets to rot. He compares the siege on Jerusalem to the destruction of Sodom when the fire from heaven burnt it down (see Genesis 18 and 19) and yet the sin of Jerusalem was greater than the sin of Sodom. He laments the foolishness of the King of Judah who sought protection from Egypt against the counsel of the true prophet of God. King Zedekiah chose the counsel of false prophets. He ends the poem with condemnation of Edom who chose to actively aid Babylon in the siege of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar rewarded Edom by giving the outlying lands of Judah to Edom. We cannot fully understand the core reasons behind the fights and enmity around the Middle East territories. Edom will be judged for treachery against her brother, Israel. Hatred from families hurt the most, yet it is real even in our lifetime. Let us repent of selfishness and wickedness towards our relatives and family members, and friends too.

Prayer for today: Dear Lord, your just anger was poured out on your holy land and your holy temple because of the sins of the kings, prophets and priests. Through the mercy and sacrifice of your Son, have mercy and heal your land and comfort your people. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Hope in the midst of affliction form Lamentations chapter 3

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Lamentations chapter 3. It is a long and interesting reading comprising 66 verses like the 66 books of the Bible. It reads like an acrostic poem. In this chapter, Jeremiah shows us that even in the darkest moment there is hope and assurance in God; that God is faithful and you can call Him Faithful for a name. No wonder some people name their children "Faith" for God! Jeremiah was excited beyond his wildest dreams when he found out that those who were exiled to Babylon were not killed and that they were safe. He wrote about God's mercy and unfailing love in verses 21-26 thus:"Yet there is a ray of hope: his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord's mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his loving kindness begins afresh each day. My soul claims the Lord as my inheritance for I will hope in him."

My Friend, it does not get any better! Jeremiah's poem sings like music and tastes like fresh wine. No wonder David exclaims in the Psalms, "O taste and see that the Lord is good". Jeremiah remembers how the Lord came to his rescue when they threw him into a cistern and covered it and the water covered his head. He cried to the Lord and the Lord sent help for him through Ebed-melech the Ethiopian( see Jeremiah 38:1-13). Jeremiah used that experience to illustrate the picture of his nation sinking into sin and the power of God to rescue them if they repent. What is your experience of God's redemptive power? If you have experienced it, praise His name, but if not, place your hope in Him and it will surprice you what the Lord can do. It is better than money in the bank.

Prayer for today as adapted from verses 55-66: "O Lord, you are my layer! Plead my case!For you have redeemed my life. You have seen the wrong they do to me; be my Judge, to prove me right. You have seen the plots my foes have laid against me.....O Lord, repay them well for all the evil they have done. Harden their hearts and and curse them, Lord. Go after them in fierce pursuit and wipe them off the earth,beneath the heavens of the Lord." Amen.

Devotional reading on Lamentations chapter 2.

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Please disregard the error on the date on today's message. It is February 8, 2009 an today's Blog.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

God's anger at sin in Lamentations chapter 2.February 7, 2009.

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Lamentations chapter 2. Chapter 1 described Jerusalem's desolation, but chapter 2 calls God's people to repentance. If sin had brought all this desolation, should the people continue in sin so that grace may abound? Though sins of the leaders brought these tragic consequences on the innocent was it God's fault and must God be the one to repent?That God allowed the Temple to be demolished meant that God no longer dwelt among His people (verse 6). We must remember that our place of worship is not more important than our pattern of worship. A church may have stain glass windows with images of Jesus and the angels, but if the worshipers inside it are not sincere to God, it decays from within. False worship amounts to a mockery of God but the Scripture has clearly declared that God is not mocked and whatsoever a man/woman sows, that must he/she also reap. The reaping will cause sadness and sorrows. A bad harvest yields anger and frustration, but whose fault? Jeremiah had tears of genuine sorrow; tears of compassion. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and he also wept over the death of His dear friend, Lazarus (John 11:35). What kind of tears do you shed today my Friend? Do you weep over the sins that freely flow on the city streets? Do you weep over children killing other children and their teachers on the school grounds? What do you weep for?. A Godly sorrow expresses the mind of God. Weep for forgiveness, weep my friend. Jeremiah's tears will never be forgotten. That is why we read of him today. There were thousands of false prophets in Jerusalem who told the people that everything was okay and that Jerusalem was fine. We do not hear about them today. Stand in the gap, pray and weep for our children, family, friends, church, community, and country today my friend and your tears will never be lost. Do not sit around and be complaisant. Do not be in the crowd and be lost with them. Stand out, speak up, pray and act. That was what Jeremiah taught us to do. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today as adapted from verses 18-21: "O walls of Jerusalem, let tears fall down upon you like a river; give yourselves no rest from weeping day or night and cry to your God. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord; lift up your hands to him; plead for your children as they faint with hunger in the streets. O Lord, think! These are your own people to whom you are doing this. ....See them lying in the streets-old and young, boys and girls, killed by the enemies' swords. You have killed them Lord in your anger; you have killed them without mercy." Now Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer and heal our land through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Lamentations chapter 1

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Lamentations chapter 1. Jeremiah has been known as the "Weeping Prophet". He consistently wept because of the broken heart, for the destruction and pillage of his beloved nation and city, the city of God. He wept because of the foolishness, madness of his people, their refusal to repent and obey the God of Israel. He wept because of the suffering of the innocent children, women and the poor of the land. He wept because God rejected His people and would not look back. These were real tears, not like those of actors in Hollywood, or some preachers who weep for money that should be donated. These were real tears and Jeremiah could also be called a man who knew the heart of God. Tears are drops of salty fluid from the eyes caused by irritation, laughter or emotional excitement. Tears are associated with anguish, or grief, sometimes joy. Jeremiah's cheeks knew no joy. They knew tears of Godly sorrow.

Chapter 1 is written like a song or a poem. It is filled with powerful emotions. I urge you to read through. Try to see if there can be any Godly sorrow in your heart regarding the plight of sin in our generation. Is there a prophet in Chicago, New Orleans, or New York city that can weep for the sins of our towns and cities? Are we living in the time when all are complaisant with evil? Remember that the Eternal God of the universe has not lowered His standards. He is the same God who allowed the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jerusalem. Let us cry for our cities and nations for God's judgment is certainly coming. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today adapted from verses 20 and 21: "O Lord my anguish : my heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have terribly rebelled....all my enemies have heard my troubles and they are glad to see what you have done. And yet, O Lord, the time will surely come-for you have promised it-when you will do to them as you have done to me."

Daily Devotion and Meditation on the Word of God on February 6, 2009.

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Jeremiah chapter 52. This is the end of this very interesting book. It summarise the final stages of the capture and destruction of Jerusalem and the fate of Zedekiah the king of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar was such a wicked king and a match for the wickedness of Zedekiah. Read up on the sad fate of Zedekiah in verses 8-11. After Zedekiah was made to watch all his sons and prices and nobles killed, his eyes were gouged out and he was taken to Babylon in chains and put in prison for the rest of his miserable life. Altogether 4600 citizens of Jerusalem were taken into exile in Babylon.

Jesus said, what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and looses his soul? Zedekiah thought in his heart that he was successful for a minute and he forgot his God and engaged in doing wicked things until the anger of the God of Israel caused him and the people of Israel to be ejected from God's presence(verse 3). Success must not be measured in popularity, fame, or fortune. God measures success with the yardstick of obedience , faithfulness and righteousness. Be faithful in doing the work God gives to you my friend. Never, never give up no matter how rocky the road is. Remember that no glory comes through the easy road. Moses suffered in the wilderness for 40 years and Jesus hung naked on the cruel cross. Jeremiah was flogged and put in the cisten to die, and you will not be spared the troubles unless you are not called by God. Remember that my friend and be of good courage.

Jeremiah the hero of our story in the world's eyes was regarded as a failure. He had no money, no family, no friends. He prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem his beloved city which was very unpopular, but it came to pass in their very eyes. The mark of a true prophet is to bring God's message to the people of God truthful and in boldness. Jeremiah did this and we thank God for his gifts. How do you see yourself in God's vineyard my friend? Go back and re-read Jeremiah 48:10. Are you lax in doing god's work? Repent and do the right things and God will bless you as he did Jeremiah. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today: Dear Lord, thank you for showing us your mind through the visions and prophecies of Jeremiah. Teach us to obey your laws and be faithful in our walk with you. We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Daily Devotion and Meditation on the Word of God on February 5, 2009.

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Jeremiah chapter 51. Since Jeremiah could not go to Babylon with the exiles, he sent his message through Seralah, who was an officer who cared for the army. Jeremiah instructed him to read everything to the people, tie it to rock and throw it into the Euphrates River, and say, 'So shall Babylon sink, never to rise, because of the evil I am bringing upon her.'(64).

This prophecy of Jeremiah against Babylon has a dual meaning. For the first meaning, it signified what would happen to Babylon through the hands of Cyrus, the king of Persia who defeated Babylon and demolished the Babylonian Empire. Second significance represents what would happen to the kingdom of Satan at the end times when Babylon, the great beast will be stripped of his power and punished by the Prince of Peace. Look at verse 36. In response to the cries and prayers of the people of Israel, God said, "I will be your lawyer; I will plead your case; I will avenge you." This is a powerful message of comfort for all those who are oppressed and mistreated. God is your Lawyer. He will plead your case and will avenge you. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today: O Lord, you are a our Refuge and Strength. Comfort your people during the hard and trying times. People are hurting badly and fiercely oppressed by the agents of the old Babylon. Help us to flee from Babylon and from all that it holds and promises. Our hopeand home is Jerusalem and the comfort of the Son of David who will rule eternally in His Kingdom. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Daily Devotion and Meditation on the Word of God on February 4, 2009.

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Jeremiah chapter 50. Babylon the Great world power used its power to subdue all the nations in the then known world. After it serves God's purpose in bringing God's judgment on Judah, Babylon had to wait its own turn of judgment. Babylon itself was an evil empire. The modern name for Babylon is Iraq. We are told that Saddam Hussein had the ambition of regaining the ancient glories of Babylon , thereby acting like the Nebuchadnezzar of old. No wonder the former President Bush described Iraq among the "axis of evil". Babylon was destroyed by the Medo-Persia empire in 539 B.C. We shall see this in our next reading. In verses 17-20, we note that God would not allow Babylon to escape punishment for her own sins: "Therefore the Lord God of Israel says, Now I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria."(verse 18). Again in 34b God says, "As for the people of Babylon, there is no rest for them." The city shall become home for the ostriches and jackals; wild animals of the desert. Babylon shall be destroyed as Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns. Look at verse 45, the plan of the Lord for the wicked empire of Babylon: "For even little children shall be dragged away as slaves; oh, the horror; oh the horror."

My Friend, no sin or sinner can escape God's scrutinizing eyes. What goes around comes around. When Israel and Judah had their judgment and punishment from God, other nations rejoiced, not realizing that their turn was coming. Instead of repentance, they indulged in more sin. We are here to tell you nations and individuals to repent and have your sins wiped out by the blood of the Son of God. This is true proposal and no fairy tell. God is real and does punish sin. He also is magnanimous and compassionate. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today: God of mercy, God of love. Take your eyes off our sins and look on our Blessed Redeemer on the cross and pardon our sins for His sake. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Daily Devotion and Meditation on the Word of God on February 3, 2009

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Jeremiah chapter 49. The prophecy of Jeremiah covered all the nations surrounding Israel namely: the Ammonites (descendants of Lot from the incestuous relationship with his second daughter); the Edomites (descendants of Esau); Damascus; Kedar and Hazor; and Elam. All these were great nations who boasted of their wisdom and strength and self-sufficiency. The Edomites were in constant conflict with Israel due to the birth-right situation between Jacob and Esau. They rejoiced greatly at the fall of Jerusalem not knowing that their downfall was coming. One of Job's friends, Eliphaz was from Teman, a town which was reputed for wisdom (see Job 2:11). When Nebuchadnezzar's army arrived, their wisdom was thrashed and could not save them from God's anger. O man, why should you boast of wisdom and ignore God? "Flee for your lives, says the Lord. Go deep into the deserts, O people of Hazor, for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has plotted against you and is preparing to destroy you."(verse 30). My friend, let this warning come alive to you today. The enemy of your soul is around the corner and is ready to destroy you. RUN !!! Hide in the shadow of God's wings. Pray to the Lord your God. Repent of your sins of jealousy and pride. Run for your life. God's mercy is abundant and secured. Look at verse 39: "But in the latter days I will bring the people back, says the Lord." The same thing He said in chapter 48:47; "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the days to com". He will restore yours too my friend. In the Millennium Kingdom, Christ will reign as the King of all the earth. He will welcome everyone and will have the power to rule them in love, peace and submission. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer for today: Let us all say, Amen. Come Lord, come.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.

Daily Devotion and Meditatiobn on the Word of God on February 2, 2009

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Jeremiah chapter 48. The entire prophecy is about God's judgment on the Moabites. Moabites are descendants of Lot through the incestuous relationship with his first daughter. According to the Biblical account, Lot did not do it, his daughter planned it. Lot's only problem was that he was drunk with wine. How about that? Stay off the bottles men so you are made no victim to anybody or anything!

We wish to bring your attention to the following: 1. in verse 10 there is a curse on anyone who does not do the Lord's work with all his heart! 2. In verse 27, we are reminded of how Moab made fun of the people of Israel when they were suffering. It is not good to rejoice at any body's misfortune. 3. Moabites' god is Chemosh could not help them. 4. In verse 47, God will remember Moab again during the Millennial Kingdom and make them prosperous again.

Prayer for today: Dear Lord, help us to serve you with all our heart. Forgive us for rejoicing when misfortune befalls our neighbors. Take our love away from the idols of this world so we can focus on worshiping you, the only True God of the universe. We pray through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.