Every man has a story. Our stories are what makes us human. The stories that interest me the most are those in which the Holy Spirit changes the course of one’s life.
I recall his story.
A new party had finally taken over the political sphere of the country.
There was so much jubilation but with it came a witch-hunt on those who were enjoying the dividends of the previous administration.
EFCC didn’t waste time. His accounts were frozen and he was invited and grilled.
His passport was seized.
Things took a downward spiral and life became difficult.
His wife had to get several loans to assist where necessary and that took a toll on her.
An assistant branch manager who still took Tricycle to work daily. The children had to change schools.
One day, we got talking after church and he told me his story. Even with everything he was going through, his faith was unshaken.
There are people whose faith is worthy of note and emulation - He is one of those.
I told him about the Pneuma.
I told him about a wind that could change all things and set a ship on course whilst granting it speed to recover the wasted years.
I told him of the author of new beginnings and the restorer of lost time.
I showed him through scriptures what happens to a man...
When he receives the Holy Spirit. I told him of the Apostle with emphasis on Peter who spoke with so much boldness that 3000 gave their lives to Christ and got filled.
He listened with rapt attention and then I posed the question: Would you like to receive this Holy Spirit?
Yes! He said.
I held hands with him, prayed and instantly he began speaking in tongues.
The more he spoke, the more his utterances evolved.
I knew instantly he wasn’t one of those who struggled with the Holy Spirit but rather one who wanted to drink and drink.
I left him alone until he was sated. By the help of the Holy Spirit, I expanded scriptures to him and then we prayed again.
The heavens opened and God assured us that in 3 months, everything would become better than what he had.
Did it? Yes it did!
When we needed a place for the Men’s Pray and Grill, he willingly made his house available and even provided financial assistance despite all he was going through.
That was the largest number of men in attendance for any of the Pray and Grill.
I recall the rain.
It was very hot day and no one imagined it would rain that day.
I was in one corner doing some “Shambala” on a low key when I heard the Holy Spirit say “Many of my sons are living in Arid lands spiritually and this rain is to saturate and cause pastures to grow...
... leave the rain alone.
We gather in his compound, held hands, sang our hearts and started praying in tongues.
The more we prayed, the heavier the rain until everyone was soaked yet filled with joy.
It was that day things started changing for many men in the parish.
As the word of the Lord came, so did it find performance in his life and many others.
His accounts were unfrozen, international doors opened to him and he spent time with his family in Scotland.
There are many men out there who are still wallowing in the desert.
You have refused to come home but rather you have left God in rebellion.
I’ve been there so I can tell you first hand, there’s nothing of benefit to you or your family.
Many of you have left your families without cover allowing them to be attacked on all sides.
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,”
Luke 18:1 NKJV
Brothers, let us pray. For too long have we left the altar of prayer to grow cold.
For too long have we left our wives without cover.
Even children without cover.
I’m inviting you to THE HEARTH.
A nondenominational fellowship of husbands - married, separated, divorced and widowed.
Let us come into sonship by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Let us be the beacon of hope and strength for the youths.
It is time.
Since yesterday, we’ve had 38 men who have joined us.
I’ll drop a story of such for as many of you that are interested. No matter how far you think you have gone, the sheep knows the voice of the Shepherd.
P.S • This fellowship of men is opened to anyone across the world. If there are no boundaries with the Holy Spirit, why should there be boundaries amongst sons.
Everyone in church knew him. He was a difficult man and would make boast of this.
“Even Pastor sef know say I stubborn”. He once boasted.
“Sir, you can’t reason with my husband! Many have tried including Pastor and he hasn’t changed”. His wife said.
He had a drinking problem; that much was evident. His eyes always looking beady.
Even with the AC in church, he would sweat like someone who was running a marathon.
He had an easy smile but at the edge of that smile was a man with a fierce temper.
He would beat his wife and send her out of the home. His teenage sons never wanted to be around him and he knew this so he made life difficult for them.
Several times have the Pastor, a wonderful and kind hearted man, done to entreat him speaking love to him.
It was some days to Christmas and as a TEAM, they had just finished an intervention for a brother. He was still mulling over certain revelations from the prayers when his wife got a call.
It was from a colleague who was in distress and was crying over the phone in confusion.
"They just chased me out of the house I was staying...again".
The young lady had a history of rejection wherever she went to and even when she got a job, she was so surprised because she was rejected everywhere.
It was in her place of employment she met his wife.
His wife quickly gave him a breakdown and he told her "Let her come to the house in the morning".
By 7:30AM, she was in the house.
Immediately he saw her, he asked her "How old are you?"
"26" she responded.
She actually looked 40. Her responses didn't alarm him.
There's this young couple I have known for a while. I see the way they dote on each other.
It is very rare you see the husband without the wife and even if the wife appeared first, the husband was never far behind.
During church service you would see them eyeing each other.
I recall during a Sunday Service in which his wife was to take the Bible Reading, I could remember him blowing her a phantom kiss as she climbed the pulpit.
It was her blush and smile that made me look at him only to see him making faces at her.
It was beautiful.
As Men's fellowship leader back then, I teased him a lot and told him in all honesty how many men are learning how to treat their wives.
He sighed and said "Bro., it was not always like that initially. Our first year as a married couple was a disaster".