Monthly Archives: January 2023

Mgbeke Sunday Sermon

January 29, 2023

Don’t “Inherit” Enemies That Could Have Saved Your Lineage – Remember Jonathan?

My beautiful people, how’re you doing today? Do you, by any chance, realize that the enemies you make in life are equally as crucial to your destiny as the friends you choose to make and keep?

Yes, it absolutely is, and I want to explain this to you briefly as it was laid upon my spirit today. See, there are many people worldwide who are presently enemies with the person that has been destined to preserve both them and even their generations unborn.

What makes this even worse and terribly sadder is that this enmity was even a result of a direct conflict with the object of their hostility – it’s an enemy they inherited to their utmost detriment and destruction.

Believe it or not, what you can do and know in life does not matter as much as who you know. Many times, your gifts will remain fallow and yield no fruits until someone inspired and ordained by the Creator comes to pave the way for you.

This is why no man is an island, as we all need each other to flourish and survive here on earth. So, what now becomes of a person who has ignorantly chosen to be enemies with someone else based on another person’s ill reports, malicious slander, and evil gossip?

Such a person is grossly unwise, and they are done for, sadly. And, if there is no other great example to see and learn from, I firmly believe that the story of the young David and King Saul’s heir, Jonathan, should be more than enough for anyone to glean great wisdom.

By all intents and purposes, Jonathan should have had zero reasons to ever smile at David, talk more, be best, and covenant friends with him. I mean, how are you the supposed heir-apparent to your father’s throne, but then choose to align and covenant with a much younger man who the whole nation knew had been anointed by God to replace your father?

Many in this generation would have joined Saul’s conspiracy against David if they were in Jonathan’s shoes and inherited the enmity between the two kings. However, the story of one of the most incredible friendships in the history of humanity, as documented from the book of 1 Samuel Chapter 18, reveals some fascinating and vital lessons for us all today.

“And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:” – ‭1 Samuel 19:1-2.‬

Jonathan wisely refused to inherit his father’s enmity for David but instead made a covenant of eternal friendship and love with him. Some years later, after the entire lineage of Saul had almost been wiped off the surface of the earth, David never forgot his covenant with his late friend, and he acted true to it.

How? Move forward to 2 Samuel Chapter 9, and you will see the wisdom in being like Jonathan here. The scriptures say: “Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence.

And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” – 2 Samuel ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭8‬.

The greatest lesson in this story is simple: Never inherit and become enemies with people that could have saved and preserved your lineage. Be like Jonathan! Don’t ever start hating someone because you heard terrible reports and malicious gossip about them.

Instead, be wise enough to carefully do your investigations about that person and wisely prove what the truth is about them. Then you can make your decisions.

Do you remember what the great Apostle Paul said? “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” – 1 Thessalonians ‭5‬:‭21‬.

I believe that I have said more than enough on this matter already. May God help and grant you wisdom.

Ana eji uche eme ihe!

Remain richly blessed always.

_____________________________________________

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An Attitude Of Gratitude Guarantees Restoration – God Bless You, Eedris Abdulkareem!

For many reasons that I may not be able to recount here right now fully, this draft about the iconic Afro-hip-hop artist and ever-dogged social crusader, Eedris Abdulkareem, is a very emotional post for me. How and why so? Well, please read on and let me explain as briefly as possible.

On January 25, 2023, the multiple award-winning rapper, singer, producer, and activist released a smashing single titled “Thank You” to express his profound gratitude and appreciation for the love and support that he received from his wife, Sekinat Yetunde Abdulkareem, and everyone else during the trying and life-threatening period he went through a couple of months ago.

This song is specially dedicated to his amiable wife, who had not only stood by and not abandoned him but went further to selflessly donate the vital organ that he needed to survive and remain alive. You may recall that earlier in 2022, the famous CEO of Lakreem Entertainment Inc was diagnosed with kidney failure and had to undergo months of dialysis. He eventually underwent a successful kidney transplant surgery at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.

In a statement released via his record label, the iconic artist said: “For your undiluted prayers, intercessions, calls, and support for the artiste during my travails, I am dropping this song for you and you and you; and it is coming straight from a deeply grateful heart.

For those mentioned in the song and those, I couldn’t mention here, my family and I sincerely ‘THANK YOU’ all for everything!

The single drops today on all relevant online music platforms. God Bless Us All, and Thank You All once again!”

King Eedris and his wife, Mrs.Yetunde Abdulkarim

Eedris’s remarkable gesture to record and release this song evokes so many emotions in me because it is indicative and also reminds me of two crucial things:

(1) A heart and attitude of gratitude will always lead you to complete restoration, and this ordinance of God is no respecter of persons, age, religion, social status, or creed! How am I so sure of this? Let’s take a look at this scripture together below.

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” – Luke ‭17‬:‭14‬-‭19‬.

For better context, you may start reading verse 11 of this chapter. Ten lepers accosted and cried to the Master for healing, and HE granted their request. However, it was only the foreigner (a Samaritan) amongst them who came back to show his gratitude for the miracle he received, and only he was made whole.

No matter who or what you are, when you have this same spirit of gratitude that this Samaritan man and now Eedris have displayed, your restoration and longevity are assured because our Creator adores such!

(2) Dear young men, in all your pursuits in life, please ensure that you do all you can to marry a good woman.

Your wife’s alluring charm and sexy figure will not save you in the day of trouble o! It is only a good, compassionate, loyal, merciful, and kind heart that will come to your aid, just like this beautiful woman, Sekinat Yetunde Abdulkareem, did for her husband in his dire time of need.

She could have chosen not to donate her kidney for him to survive, and nobody will be able to fault or blame her in any way. However, she remembered her vows to God and her man to stand by and with him for better, for worse, in sickness and health, and she chose to honor it. This is a greatly laudable thing she has done, and I choose to celebrate and extol her incredible virtues greatly!

May the good Lord of all lords continue to be with and watch over this family. May HE rebuke the hand of Satan and evil against them and cause the good work of healing and restoration HE has done to be firmly established and permanent in their lives now and always, in the name of Jesus Christ; Amen!

Remain richly blessed always, my dear brother and wife Eedris and Sekinat Abdulkareem.

Mgbeke Sunday Sermon: January 15, 2023

What A Man Can Do…A Woman Must Not Always Do Better!

My blessed brothers and sisters, how are you all going today? I hope this last week was great for you and that you’re excited about the new one that’s started today.

I had an exciting experience with a matter that I had the privilege of hearing about last week, and I am not surprised when, while asking HIM what HE would have me share with you all today, this popped up firmly in my spirit.

The message today is simple, and I will cut right to it before we take a look at God’s Word concerning it, and then I’ll leave you to choose your path, as always. Hopefully, though, you will all choose life by abiding by HIS will and Word.

We’re all familiar with the old saying: “What a man can do, a woman can do better.” Sadly, I’ve seen this saying which was initially meant to be an inspiration and motivation for women also to aspire to be excellent in whatever they’re gifted at and not relegate themselves because of their gender, turn into an enabling excuse for many women to become uncontrolled and shameless daughters of Jezebel!

So, my dear sisters, what a man can do, a ‘good’ woman must not always do better, especially when it comes to immorality, infidelity, stealing, and polygamy. You are a “Good| Virtuous Woman” created to support, strengthen, nurture, and help the man…not to compete with him in the home! Or join him in going astray or making an identical mistake because he purposefully or ignorantly did or misstepped.

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman and brought her unto the man.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man.” – Genesis ‭2‬:‭21‬-‭23‬.

This was after the Creator had said: “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet|mate for him.” – Genesis ‭2‬:‭18‬. And this further emphasizes and buttresses my point to you sisters today: You were not formed to outdo that man at all in the first place, so why would you even want to go toe-to-toe with him if he is not loyal to his vows to you, or if he decides to take many wives?

According to the great Apostle Paul: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord.

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their husbands in everything.” – Ephesians ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭24‬.

He did not say to be subject or submissive to him in “some things” but “in everything!” You cannot get to choose or decide which ones you would abide by or obey with your husband. God’s Word says, “in everything!” Hence, I always advise young people, especially my dear unmarried sisters, to be careful and prayerful when choosing a man to accept as their husband because wherever he leads, you must follow. I am not telling you to stay in domestic violence or toxic relationship, please.

The problem with today’s society and the church is that we’ve become and continue to be so alarmingly carnal in all we do. Ladies now have criteria by which they select their spouses that have ZERO eternal consequences and values, and this is the root cause of all the madness in the name of marriages out in the world today!

Stop focusing on mundane and ephemeral things that can change in the twinkle of an eye, and pray that God reveals your intentions to you thoroughly so that you can know if he will be your peace or shred you into pieces if you marry him.

There never has and will never be any grounds for you to go out and sleep around or marry two husbands because he has or is doing the same thing. Even our culture, as Africans strongly forbid this, talks more about God’s Word. A man is hugely blessed when he finds a good woman to wife, but even more so is a woman blessed who ends up with a man after God’s heart – none of these present-day troubles and marital travails will be heard in your camp.

So, the bottom line for you, my dear sister, is to please prayerfully choose well before committing to any man. And, if you’re married already, please know this today and know peace: Yes, what a man can do, a woman can do better, but not in this case!

May the Lord continue to strengthen you and yours and cause that HIS peace, love, grace, abundance, blessings, and mercies continually abound towards you in all your ways, in the name of Jesus Christ; Amen!

Dishonor Immediately After Demise – What Entitlements Do Chieftaincies Give Again In Our Beloved Nigeria?

The scripture indeed says one thing about every living mortal: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” – Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭27‬.

However, even with this realization that we will all depart this realm one day, it still behooves us as individuals, families, and society to ensure that we live honestly and right as though we would live forever. This is because, frankly, although a man may die and move on to the “great beyond,” as the saying goes, our works, achievements, and deeds become the legacies that we leave behind, and they live on after us for centuries to come.

This realization and knowledge are why I have and will always speak the truth at all times and without fear or favor, no matter whose ox is gored. No matter how influential or powerful we may feel or think we are, none of all that can ever transit beyond this life, and it all ends at our graves. So, the “watchman” in me has seen another atrocious anomaly and travesty being committed in our lands again. And, as is my nature, I will not hesitate to sound the alarm of truth to all concerned and even beyond!

Chief Lady Edith Chioma Ezeala, Osodieme 1 Of Osuama & Ezumoha, Isiala Mbano, Imo State, Nigeria 🇳🇬

To begin, I have this nagging question in my heart that begs an answer: Are there any true and lasting benefits that a chieftaincy title bestows on anyone it is conferred on again in this nation called Nigeria? What is the advantage of being a titled chief to a person who attains that supposed honor and to the children and family they leave behind upon their demise?

I ask these questions today, not as a complete novice to how chieftaincies work, but as a concerned and disturbed crusader for truth, equity, justice, and fairness to all regardless of their age, sex, social status, religion, family background, or any other factor.

It would behoove you to know that I have over 30 chieftaincy titles in my native Imo State, Lagos State, and several other States in Nigeria, but there are no entitlements! So, I reiterate that these questions are not uninformed babblings but are born out of deep sadness and yearning to know: Why is there no truth anywhere again?

Late Chief Lady Edith’s burial at her husband’s compound in Ezumoha, Isiala Mbano, Imo State, Nigeria 🇳🇬

As you may rightly be wondering, my case is the matter of the former “Osodieme” in Osu-ama and Ezumoha, Isiala Mbano, Imo State, Nigeria, the late Chief Mrs. Chioma Edith Ezeala Nee Chiji. As many may already be aware, the late Chief Ezeala passed away on November 7, 2022, and was finally laid to rest in a befitting ceremony recently January 6, 2023.

However, what many do not know is that, while the late Osodieme was yet interring at the morgue, the “wise” ruler and elders of Ezumoha had already looked around at their next “chieftaincy victim” and conferred the Osodieme title on her even before the children of the late one got to lay their mother’s remains to rest.

If this is not cynical, insensitive, callous, disrespectful, selfish, corrupt, and morally bankrupt to anyone else, then I do not mind standing alone on and by this truth! This act reeks of disrespect and dishonor to the late chief, her family, her children, her friends, her associates, and everything she stood for in that community! And, it is even more sinister when you consider that all these greedy, belly-led, and selfish so-called elders and ruler wants is just another pawn they can readily use to gain an audience with the Imo State governor.

The body of Chief Lady Edith Ezeala arrived at her husband’s compound.

Another question is that all through the life of the late Osodieme that erstwhile availed them this connection and more, what remarkable good and development did they use to impart the community and better the lives of the average person living there? Of course, the only beneficiaries of this connection they so greedily covet have always been themselves alone. Hence they had zero regards for “common sense,” morality, or even tradition as they scrambled to secure another “government house pawn” to continue aiding their devious agendas.

This is a huge shame and a disgrace to everything we should stand for as Africans and a people supposedly with a rich cultural heritage and pride. And, I keep wondering, if the Igwe (king) had lost his moral compass or was already complicit by way of whatever was influencing him, why can’t any of his chiefs and elders call him to order and let him know that this is a travesty that should never be done?

Is there no voice of truth again in our courts and high places? Even God condemns this immorality: “The king by judgment establisheth the land: But he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.” – Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭4‬.

Service held for Lady Edith Ezeala in the United States 🇺🇸 in her church.

And in another scripture, it is also written: “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in the running to mischief,” – Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬, ‭18‬.

These two passages make it pretty evident that God is only pleased with a ruler who is fair and equitable at all times and not one who is easily corrupted and subverted by gifts or promises of such vanities. Such is a heart that devises wickedness and feet that are swift to organize mischief like immediately conferring a chieftaincy title on someone else while the late owner of such yet remains unburied. It is inappropriate and highly ridiculous!

Yes, we know that “dead men tell no tales,” and whoever is dead is gone and has no need or use for human titles. However, doesn’t it look so inept and grossly insensitive of so-called elders to dishonor and disrespect the departed’s loved ones, family, legacy, and even the dead’s memory with such a despicable action as this?

Chief Lady Edith Ezeala’s Beautiful Children

As much as there are differences between “title chiefs” and “ceremonial chiefs,” nothing on this planet could ever justify this brazen act of impunity by this community ruler and elders! I mean, this decision has nothing to do with the development and sound of the land but only to lace their greedy pockets. However, must they now make it so apparent and be rubbing it in the people’s faces?

Many have also observed these recent events but have kept quiet about them for reasons best known to them. God forbid I ever see the truth and not speak out for it anywhere, anytime, and no matter who is involved!

I have nothing I seek or lobby from any man because all I’ve ever and will ever need comes from God. Hence, I will always speak the truth and never be silenced or intimidated. I need nothing from no one, for God is my source and light! And I am BLESSED.

Again I ask this pertinent question: What exactly does being a chief offer again in this generation and country? Once a thing of great pride and reverence, it has now become a trophy awarded to the highest bidder or most valuable pawns.

May the good Lord of all creation be merciful to us all…Amen!

The New Osodieme of Ezumoha, Mrs. Akano from Umuakam, Ezumoha, Isiala Mbano, Imo State, Nigeria 🇳🇬

Continue to rest in peace, my beautiful and charming wife, friend, associate, and lioness, Lady Edith Chioma Ezeala. You were the bedrock of your families, both in your father’s house and in your husband’s place, and you raised champions, Dozie, Tochi, and Dr. Nene. You raised a banker, entrepreneur, economist, lawyer, and brilliant medical doctor. You came, you lived, fought, and conquered!

Achalugo Nwayinoma! Osodieme 1 Of Ezumoha & OsuAma, Isiala Mbano, Imo State, Nigeria 🇳🇬 

We love ❤️ you so dearly, our beautiful wife, Chief Lady Chioma Edith Ezeala, Osodieme!

Rest in peace, my beautiful wife.

Dr. Sandra Duru (Prof. Mgbeke)