Another chance

Good or evil happens to all men. Every day is a blessing; each day comes with its own opportunities and challenges, with its own good and, sometimes, bad experiences. One gift God has given man is the gift of death; the gift of death is imposed upon man without argument. When people present you with gifts you have a choice to either accept it or reject it, but that is different when it comes to death; the moment it is offered, you do not have a choice neither do your loved ones. It is offered to both young and old;the rich and the poor. The timing and condition are not pre-determined.

In life when good or bad happens, people tend to build different opinions and concepts around them. The story of the fig tree is a lesson for all of us today:
• The owner planted it, watered it and expected fruits from it; the same way God created us, endowed us with several abilities, talents, opportunities and goods and he expects us to use our time well to serve Him. He expects us to be a blessing to those around us. In Genesis 12: 2, God said to Abraham: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” No man is blessed who is not a blessing to those around them.
•The owner came to the fig tree to harvest fruits, but was disappointed. Today many people are a disappointment to their family, friends and, even God, who created them; they misuse time, talents, personnel, among others. They take for granted their loved ones and abuse good wills and privileges.
• The owner ordered that it be cut down immediately since it was of no benefit. Ask yourself, are you of any benefit to God or to your environment? Or are you a disgrace? Do you know what has been decided against you?
Sometime decisions are taken by the keepers of life without us knowing; that is why no one knows when he will die, where he will die and how he will do.
Don’t Be Deceived

The man who receives ‘good’ may claim he is righteous and worthy of it and the man who receives ‘bad’ may be seen as weak, careless and sinful. The Bible says: “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy,” (Romans 9:16).
What The Word Of God Is Teaching Us Today
• Evil does happens.
• Evil can befall anyone irrespective of sex, colour, status, spiritual height or physical connection.
• Good does not happen to us because we are better than others.
• Anything can happen to anyone at anytime.
• God permitsanything that happens. He may not be responsible, but it cannot happen without his permission, therefore, be on the Lord’s side.
•Learn from the harm and hurt of others
• If one fails to learn from the good or bad, success or failure of others, such person is bound to be a victim to similar fate.
God Is Giving You Another Chance Through

This Life Experiences
The owner decided to cut down the tree, but the tree knew it not; do you know the decision in the spirit concerning you? Thank God for the dresser; He pleaded — do not cut it down yet, give it another chance; let me till around it; the Bible said:
• Romans 8:34: “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
• Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
• 1John 2:1-2: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

What do you wish to do about this; accept Jesus into your life and let Him play this role of salvation in your life and household.
Acts 16:31-34: “And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32: And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33: And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptised, he and all his, straightway. 34: And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”
The tree had just one more chance, how many chances do you think you have more? We wake every morning not knowing what will become of the evening. Today, as you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.
• Ven. Stephen Wolemonwu is Rector, Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State