Life on earth is a temporary assignment (ii)

Compared with other centuries, life has never been easier for much of the world. we are constantly entertained, amused, and catered to. With all the fascinating attractions, mesmerizing media, and enjoyable experiences available today, it’s easy to forget that the pursuit of happiness is not what life is about! Only as we realize that life is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment in preparation for eternity will the appeal of these good, but secondary things lose their grip on our lives.

We are preparing for something even better! “The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” (Msg) 2 Corinthians 4: 18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”

The fact that earth is not our ultimate home explains why we experience difficulty, sorrow, and rejection in this world. it also explains why some of God’s promises seem unfulfilled, some prayers seem unanswered, and some circumstances seem unfair. This is not the end of the story.

In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life - longings that will never but fulfilled on this side of eternity. We’re not completely happy here because we’re not supposed to be! It’s not our final home; we were created for something much more wonderful.

A fish would never be happy living on land because it was made for water. An eagle could never feel satisfied if it wasn’t allowed to fly. You will never feel completely satisfied on earth because you were made for more than just here and now. You will have many happy moments on earth, but it’s nothing compared with what God has planned for you.

Realizing that life on earth is just a temporary assignment should radically alter your values. Eternal values, not temporal ones, should become the deciding factors for your decisions. As C.S. Lewis observed, “All that is not eternal is eternally useless.” The Bible says, “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (NIV) 2 Corinthians 4: 18 “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”

It is a fatal mistake to assume that God’s goal for your life is material prosperity or popular success, as the world defines it. The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. He’s more interested in what you are becoming than in making this life easy for you. Remember, life is a test.

(To be continued)

All correspondence to the editor, The Living Word, Ibadan Anglican Diocese, P. O. Box 3075 Mapo, Ibadan. For your prayer and counselling needs, visit or call these lines. Archbishop’s Palace, 3 Arigidi Street, Old Bodija Ibadan. Tel: 02- 8101400 or 8102298, GSM: 08039135983, 08060947795. E-mail mess-iah@Skannet.com.

Dealing with ancestral altars

BY REV G.F. OYOR

An altar also refers to a raised place; platform or table on which gifts, offerings or sacrifices are offered to a god. Therefore ancestral altar is a place designated by a particular generation or family line to offer sacrifice to their family idol. In every family or compound where there is a central idol worshipped, there is always an ancestral altar. Ancestral altar is a negative altar where ancestral familiar demons are empowered to execute demonic decisions and actions against members of a particular ancestry or family line.

For any altar to be functional there must be a priest. Anytime the family priest or chief priest as the case may be, goes to offer sacrifice by shedding of blood or otherwise, he or she is demonstrating the families’ loyalty to the gods/goddesses of their ancestry.
Many Christians out of ignorance who send items or money for sacrifice to the family idol or shrine have created demonic gate into their lives. Normally, a demonic gate is created when there is a worship of false god, family idol or compound shrine.

The family priest can also offer sacrifice on an ancestral altar to bring evil against any member of the family line who has refused to follow their instructions. If the person is not born again and spirit filled the evil will work against him or her.

Moreover, when an ancestral altar has suffered neglect, satanic revival happens. This operation of demons can cause evil occurrences like being pursued by a serpent and attacks in the dream; marital problems, business failure, sickness, untimely death, delays, etc. The priest will inform the family members that the gods are angry and they need to make peace with the gods. This is to ensure the continuous relevance of the ancestral gods.

How to destroy ancestral altars
•Salvation.

•Educate other family members and get them involved.

•Search for old records.

•Locate the spot where the altar is/was erected.

•Command the demonic gate to collapse, then bind and cast the demons out. Also decree against their return.

•Pull down the altar, which is the point of attachment spiritually. Then cover the place with the blood of Jesus in prayers.

•Nullify, reverse the curses and break every linkage, then prophesy against the ancestral altar - II kings 2:22; Jer. 22:29-30.

•Take spiritual dominion over the place. Influence the environment by the family members becoming more prayerful - Ps 2:8; Ps 24:1.

•You can organize family deliverance.

•If there is a need for follow up, organize it.

(To be continued)

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