There has been series of bomb blasts in the northern part of the country within the past few days. The latest bombings occurred at the eve of the new year celebrations. However, the intriguing part of the whole bombing story is that the perpetrators of this dastardly act have obviously been targeting churches.
There are strong indications that the Islamic fundamentalist group, Jama’atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda’Awati Wal Jihad, which claimed responsibility for the Christmas Eve multiple bomb blasts in Jos, Plateau State who are also touted to have a link to the terrorist group, Al-Qaeda might be responsible for these serial bombings.
I however want to seize this medium to make a passionate plea to all my Christian brethren to endure these persecution. This is not the time to hate our Muslim brethren or attempt to retaliate. I can say authoritatively that this is not a general orchestration by the Muslim faithfuls, but the handiwork of a handful of extremists and their actions might not be unpolitical... Their intentions are clear, to plunge this nation into a state of anarchy so that they can perfect their evil enterprise. But God will definitely frustrate their token and bring their counsel to naught.
My condolence goes to all those who have lost family and friends as a result of these serial bombings, I pray that the Almighty God Himself will console you on every side.
I leave you All with these scriptural quotes to strengthen your faith in face of these persecution:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
— Matthew 5:10-12
"But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten."
—Jeremiah 20:11
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."
—John 15:18-20
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
—Romans 8:35-39
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."
—2 Corinthians 4:8-11
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name."
—1 Peter 4:12-14, 16
Now I commend you to our God and the word of His grace that is able to keep you, build you and give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified.
God bless you!
God bless Nigeria!
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