The gift, the anointing, the grace

Ten years ago this date. The last Sunday in October, 1997, my church family in Tottenham stretched forth their hands towards me. The leadership team circled me. After the prayer, apostle/pastor Mark (I call him papa mark and his wife, mama Mary) prophesized to me.

I was leaving for Nigeria later that week. I had spent a little over a year in London. I left Nigeria thinking I was going for a career training, however God had bigger plans for me. I went through a lot of spiritual training. When I was sent forth, I was leaving in a better shape than when I came.

The prophecy was edifying, comforting, inspiring. I still remember some exact words. I wish I had recorded them. Ten years later, I see how far I've come. I stir up the gift that was deposited in me. I can testify to the anointing upon my life and ministry. I am honored that the Lord Jesus Christ chose me to declare His love to all. I appreciate His grace upon my life.

What was that apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:12?

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry."

That fits the way I'm feel right now.

October is Pastor appreciation month, I appreciate every minister, particularly pastors that have blessed me. Because you gave, I can give to others.

- Derbrah

By Grace Alone

Grace, the amazing grace of God is so unsearchable. This week has been awe inspiring. Despite every sneaky and blatant attack of the adversary, God's grace is still more powerful and more sustaining in my life. Becoming a true single parent has made me appreciate in a deeper, enriching way, the grace of God.

Thank you Elohim, Adonai, Elshaddai, Ehe-Ashe-Ehe, Yud-Hay-Vud-Hay for your grace.

Baba mi, ẹşe fun oju-rere, ọla, alafia, anu, at’ore –ọfẹ yin.

Thanks Mr Coleman for the shots.

Twenty-eight years

Soji,

Twenty eight years ago,
You left me and this world.
I will always miss you,
I'm grateful for who you were to me
I'm thankful that you cared
I'm joyful that you were there.

Toyin

TWENTY EIGHT YEARS AGO - A POEM

Twenty eight years ago
You disappeared from my life
Death stole you from us
The grave ensured
That we could not have communion

It’s been twenty eight years
You would have been 46
But the sting of death
Destroyed the possibility
Of you marrying and leaving a seed
Of me, being cared for by you
The short victory of the grave
Left me without a biological brother
Deprived me of the only physical father
I could emulate and desire

Twenty eight years
Seems so long
Twenty eight years
I was bound
Twenty eight years
Satan’s deception
Twenty eight years
Till I gained freedom

I was too young then
Naïve, untaught, ignorant
Lacking information
Plunged in the wrong direction

The Devil saw the innocence
And doing what he does best
Sowed condemnation
My grief watered his deceit
Lack of knowledge
Was the soil for his whims
The seed of error
Germinated and grew
Bearing the fruit
Of dissatisfaction
Self-doubt and limitation

Twenty eight years
Yes it took that long
For me to break free
For me to confidently proclaim
Soji, you’re physically dead
But you’re still loved
Soji, you’re in heaven
But also in my heart

Twenty eight years
Is not too long
To shed a tear
To say thank you
To sing a song
To tell of you

No twenty eight years
Is just the beginning
Of my testimony
Of what God did for me
Of how Christ made me free

Twenty eight years
Doesn’t come close
To the time we’ll share in eternity
With the Bride of the Lamb

Twenty eight years
And many more
I’ll rejoice in the truth
That absent from the body
We are present with the Lord
For you believed that Jesus Christ
Paid the price for your sin

Yes it’s been twenty eight years
Satan, I’m still standing
What you did to crush me
Only served to prod me

Weeping endured for the night of twenty eight years
God’s joy has dawned
His light has shone
His mercy preserved
Even these twenty eight years

I have a brother in heaven
Sitted at the right hand of God in Christ
He’s been there for twenty eight years