JmsOkpe

UNDER YOUR VERY NOSE

Many great tragedies do not begin in distant places; they begin quietly under our very nose. This was the painful story of Eli, the priest of God. Though he served faithfully in the temple, his own household was in ruins. The Bible records that “the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:12). These young men desecrated the sacrifices and committed grievous sins at the entrance of the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:22–25). All these happened under the nose of Eli.

Eli heard of their evil deeds, yet he dealt with them too lightly. He warned them with words but restrained them, not with authority. Because of this failure, God declared judgment on his house, saying that Eli honoured his sons above God and failed in his parental responsibility (1 Samuel 3:13). This teaches us a sobering lesson: spiritual position can never replace parental responsibility.

Today, many families are suffering the same fate. Under the nose of parents, children grow wild and ungoverned. Under their nose, marriages fall apart as wives and husbands lose moral control. Under their nose, families are lost to the devil, societal values are devalued, and God is dishonoured by those entrusted with leadership. God gives children and families as sacred trusts, and to neglect them is to choke the grace and responsibility He has given.
Scripture commands, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Training requires time, discipline, correction, and godly example. It does not happen by chance.
It is even more dangerous when the man of the house goes astray. When the head is lost, the whole family is endangered, except by God’s grace. However, if it is the wife or children that go astray, a responsible and godly man can draw them back through firm leadership and loving correction.

In handling the family, one must be strict, firm, and simple. Love must be evident, discipline must be consistent, and godliness must be modelled daily. Every family member should know they are loved, yet also accountable. Let us not lose our families under our very nose. Let us rise to our God-given responsibility, lest what happened in the house of Eli be repeated in our own homes.

*MAN AND HIS ROYAL RESPONSIBILITY*

Man and His Royal Responsibility
Man was created by God with a royal responsibility—to lead, guide, and preserve his family in a way that honours God. This responsibility is not based on power or domination but on divine authority, love, discipline, and godly example. From the beginning, God placed the man as the head of the family, making him accountable for the spiritual, moral, and physical well-being of everyone under his care.

One of the major aspects of this royal responsibility is the duty of raising a family in a godly way. The home is the first place of learning, and the man is the chief teacher by his lifestyle. When the Bible teaches that a wife should be submissive to her husband in all things, it is not a call to slavery or abuse. Rather, it is a divine order meant to bring harmony, direction, and spiritual covering to the family. The man’s authority is given so that he can guide his wife and children in righteousness, helping them to please and serve God.

If a woman is to be subject to her husband, it therefore means that the destiny of the woman and the children is largely anchored on the man. His decisions, values, and character shape the future of his household. This is why a man must lead with wisdom, love, and fear of God. True masculinity is not expressed through oppression or control but through responsibility, sacrifice, and godly leadership.

Sadly, many men do not seem to understand this royal responsibility. If they truly did, there would not be rampant cases of infidelity, promiscuity, and irresponsible living. Many men live carelessly, behaving like children instead of leaders, forgetting that eyes are watching them daily. A man who lacks discipline can not raise a disciplined family.
A man who understands his royal responsibility knows that he must be a role model. His life should be a living Bible read daily by his wife and children. Through his words, actions, and decisions, Christ should be seen. Only then can he truly fulfil his God-given role as a royal leader in his home.🙏🙏🙏🙏

I am your brother in Christ
Okpe J. James

I CALLED ON CAN AND PFN PRESIDENTS TO ACT
I called on the Presidents of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to rise to their God-given responsibility and save the name of the Body of Christ in our nation. The church of Jesus Christ is not a private enterprise; it is a sacred institution entrusted with the gospel, moral authority, and spiritual leadership. When that sacred trust is threatened, silence becomes complicity.
In recent times, various allegations have been raised against Pastor Christ Okafor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, Lagos. Whether proven or not, the weight and persistence of such accusations have once again exposed a painful reality: the church in Nigeria is increasingly being mocked and ridiculed because of the scandalous activities associated with some who parade themselves as “men of God.” The concern here is not about personal hatred or witch-hunting; it is about protecting the integrity of Christ’s name and the credibility of His church.
I sincerely appreciate what social critics like VeryDarkMan are doing in drawing public attention to these issues. However, it should never be the responsibility of bloggers, activists, or unbelievers to correct the church. That duty squarely belongs to CAN and PFN, the bodies that regulate, guide, and discipline churches and Christian leaders in Nigeria. When outsiders speak louder than the church on matters of holiness and accountability, then something is fundamentally wrong.
The name of Jesus has been repeatedly ridiculed among unbelievers because many have turned the church into a marketplace. The merchandising of the gospel, the love of fame and money, and the blatant moral failures of some leaders have become a serious and recurring concern. One scandal ends, another begins, yet the pulpits remain occupied as if nothing happened. It is a shameful contradiction that with so much on the ground, some pastors still appear in public celebrations and even join themselves openly with other women, without any visible discipline.
In Nigeria, no school operates openly without approval and regulation by the government. Why then should churches, which claim moral superiority, operate without accountability? Are leaders ever queried? Are investigations conducted? Or are these associations merely ceremonial?
When some raise these concerns, others quickly shout, “Do not judge!” This is a dangerous misinterpretation of Scripture. The Bible does not forbid righteous judgment within the church. Apostle Paul judged a grievous case in the Corinthian church and commanded that the offender be handed over “to Satan for the destruction of the flesh” (1 Corinthians 5). Furthermore, the Scripture says clearly, “Do you not know that we shall judge angels?” (1 Corinthians 6:3). If believers will judge angels, can we not set things right within the household of faith?
I cannot do this alone; that is why you are there. CAN and PFN must act decisively, transparently, and courageously. Let us set things right, restore discipline, and protect the honour of Christ. The world is watching, and history will judge our silence.

I am your brother in Christ,
OKPE J. James

The Consolation of the Faithful
Text: Psalm 73

Introduction
Psalm 73 is a sincere and deeply personal reflection of a believer who struggled with a troubling question: Why do the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer? Asaph, the writer, openly admits his inner conflict, envy, and confusion when he observed the apparent success of ungodly people. This psalm is a great consolation to faithful believers because it reveals that God understands our struggles, corrects our perspective, and assures us of the final outcome. It teaches us that prosperity without God is temporary, but faithfulness to God leads to eternal glory.
This message comforts believers by exposing the false success of the wicked and reaffirming the sure hope of the righteous.

1. Our Envy of the Wicked
Psalm 73:1–5
Asaph begins by affirming a vital truth: “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart” (Psalm 73:1). Yet, despite this truth, he confesses his weakness—his feet almost slipped because he envied the prosperity of the wicked.
The faithful sometimes struggle when they see unbelievers enjoying ease, health, and success while living without reverence for God. The wicked appear free from the troubles that plague others, and they seem strong even in old age.
Related Bible Verses:
Jeremiah 12:1 – “Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper?”
Job 21:7 – “Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?”
Ecclesiastes 8:14 – The righteous sometimes suffer what the wicked deserve.
Proverbs 24:19–20 – “Fret not thyself because of evil men… for there shall be no reward to the evil man.”
1 Corinthians 10:12 – A warning to those who think they stand firm.
This envy is dangerous because it can weaken faith and cause believers to question God’s justice. However, the psalm reminds us that God’s goodness to the faithful is not measured by outward prosperity.

2. The Pride of the Wicked
Psalm 73:6–12
The prosperity of the wicked often produces pride rather than gratitude. Asaph describes pride as their necklace—something they proudly wear. Violence, arrogance, and blasphemy flow from their hearts. They speak against heaven and boast as if God does not see or care.
Their success makes them feel untouchable, leading many people to follow their ways. They mock righteousness and question the knowledge and judgment of God.
Related Bible Verses:
Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goeth before destruction.”
Psalm 10:4 – “The wicked… will not seek after God.”
Malachi 3:15 – The proud are called happy, and those who tempt God seem to escape.
James 4:6 – “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Luke 12:15 – A warning against covetousness and false security.
Though the wicked seem confident and influential, their pride blinds them to the danger ahead. Their apparent strength is actually a spiritual weakness.

3. The End of the Wicked
Psalm 73:13–21
Asaph’s perspective changes when he enters the sanctuary of God. There, he gains divine understanding and realizes the true end of the wicked. Their prosperity is temporary; they stand on slippery ground and will be suddenly destroyed.
What looked like gain is revealed as loss. Their success is like a dream that vanishes when one wakes up. This revelation humbles Asaph and corrects his earlier bitterness and doubt.
Related Bible Verses:
Psalm 37:1–2, 20 – The wicked will soon wither like grass.
Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way which seemeth right… but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Luke 16:25 – The rich man enjoyed earthly comfort but eternal torment followed.
2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 – Everlasting destruction awaits those who do not obey the gospel.
Revelation 20:12–15 – Final judgment before the throne of God.
The consolation of the faithful is this: God has not forgotten justice. Faithfulness may appear unrewarded now, but eternity will reveal the wisdom of trusting God.

Conclusion
Psalm 73 assures believers that temporary struggles do not cancel eternal promises. Envy fades when understanding grows, pride collapses under judgment, and the end of the wicked confirms God’s righteousness. The faithful are comforted by knowing that God Himself is their portion forever (Psalm 73:26).

VERY DIRTY CHRISTMAS

Many people think that Christmas is a time to drink excessively, commit fornication and adultery, and engage in all kinds of dirty activities that offend God. As the season approaches, some forget themselves and turn the celebration into a period of noise, immorality, and reckless living. Instead of peace and love, there is fighting, drunkenness, and shameful behaviour. This makes Christmas look “very dirty” because the true meaning of the season is ignored.

Christmas is not meant for sinful pleasure or careless enjoyment. It is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save mankind from sin. He preached love, humility, forgiveness, and holiness. Therefore, Christmas should be a time to reflect on His life and teachings. It is a period to show kindness to others, help the poor, forgive one another, and live in a way that pleases God.

In conclusion, Christmas becomes “very dirty” when people forget its true purpose. Instead of offending God with bad behaviour, we should honour Him by living rightly. A clean Christmas is one filled with love, prayer, good morals, and joyful remembrance of the birth of our Saviour.

Even You Will Blame Yourself on the Last Day

There was a man who heard the word of God many times, yet he treated it lightly. Every Sunday, he sat in church, listened to sermons about repentance, love, and holiness, but he always said to himself, “I still have time.” When the call to give his life to Christ was made, he remained seated, blaming work, friends, and worldly pleasures for his delay. He believed tomorrow would always come.

As the years passed, his heart grew harder. He blamed his parents for not training him well, blamed the church for not praying enough, and blamed society for his failures. Whenever he sinned, he justified himself instead of seeking forgiveness. God’s warnings came through sickness, disappointments, and even the death of loved ones, but he refused to change.

Then the last day came. Standing before God, he had no excuse. The books were opened, and his life was revealed. He saw every opportunity he ignored, every warning he mocked, and every chance to repent that he wasted. No one else was to blame. Not his friends, not the devil, not his background. Even he blamed himself.

But this story is also a warning filled with hope. Today is not the last day. Jesus Christ still calls sinners to repentance. He died on the cross to save all who believe in Him. If you hear His voice today, do not harden your heart. Repent, accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, and you will not blame yourself on the last day, but rejoice in eternal life.