O DEATH WHERE IS THY STING?………….

As we prepare for the remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I was thinking of the best gift to give to the whole world. Suddenly, I remembered years ago, in 2002, when I was sick and the doctor confirmed that I would die. I also saw my coffin in the spirit realm and I was scared of death because I had just accepted the life of Christ about 6 years before then. Sincerely speaking, no one wants to die. But at times we just pretend that we want to die when we get tired of the situations and circumstances surrounding us. If most of us are allowed to commit suicide, most of us won’t want to try it. I pray that none of us will be a victim of untimely death in Jesus's name. (Amen) I was scared of death. How old was I then that I would die? So I ran to God and He assured me I wasn’t close to my grave at all. That’s why I'm still alive today. Have you ever asked yourself why you are afraid of death? Below are the things that ran through my mind when I was told I was going to die: 1. My parents and sister would cry and be sorrowful because I am the only son. 2. My friends and loved ones, especially in school, will miss me. 3. I will not have the opportunity to propagate the gospel as I promised. 4. Thank God I don't owe people. But at a point, I tried to remember if there was anyone I owed. 5. How can I give the things I have (property) including the little pocket money left with me to people I love dearly? (What property did I have at my age then?) 6. Will I make it to heaven? And will God give me another chance to return to the world to achieve my dreams, go to the university, do my master's, start my company, get married, and have good children? Etc Thank God that even after those thoughts, Jesus gave me victory over death. Jesus didn't die and resurrect for us to be scared of death, demons, witches, or wizards. Why are we scared of death, if we are truly sure of our eternity? The things we do makes most of us scared of death. If death comes, what next? Check yourself! Jesus did not die for cheap or small things, His death brought us healing, deliverance, salvation, freedom from being slaves to sin, and the privilege of being His child. He took away our shame and reproach, paid for our sins with His precious blood, and assured us of a home in heaven and the grace to carry on in difficult circumstances. And His resurrection gave us total victory over death which is why the tomb was not even enough to hold Him down. The grave could not hold him back. Revelations 1:18 says Jesus has the keys of death and hell, that’s why He lives forever more. Being a Christian is not a title. Christian means "Christ-like”, which means we represent Christ here on earth (Psalm 82:6; ye are gods). Whatever could not overcome Jesus will not have power over us, that is why He even said we shall do greater works (John 14:12). If Jesus who saved us lives forever and has the keys of death, why should we be afraid of death? Most of us already die before the real death comes, due to fear of the unknown. When the Bible wrote FEAR NOT more than 365 times, it wasn’t a joke. You need to be strong and bold (2 Timothy 1:7) by believing in that word. There is at least 1 FEAR NOT to serve you for each day in a whole year. I need to share a song we all need to sing and meditate on this season. In Christ Alone by Natalie Grant In Christ alone, my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled when strivings cease My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ, I stand. In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin, on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ, I live There in the ground, His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth, in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me For I am His, and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns, or calls me home Here in the power of Christ, I'll stand Whenever I sing this song, tears always run through my eyes. It makes me remember the death and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let me stop being emotional, but I need to make emphasis on the last verse. I encourage you to listen to the song and meditate on the lyrics. No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns, or calls me home Here in the power of Christ, I'll stand. No power of hell means if we are in Christ Jesus, no plans of the devil, demons, witches, wizards, spells, enchantment, jinx or evil incantation can kill us until He calls us home. No scheme of man means if we are in Christ Jesus, no hired assassins, armed robbers or poison can kill us until He calls us home. Neither the power of hell nor the scheme of man is capable of plucking you from the hand of Christ if you are sincerely His own. Till we are called home, continually standing in the power of Christ, nothing is capable of plucking us away from the hand of Christ. If you have been suffering from the spirit of fear (fear of death or the unknown), all you need is to be a genuine Christian and you are secure. In 2002, a medical report said I would die. 13 years later, I am still alive by His Grace and not by works, standing in the power of Christ. Please read the entire book of Romans and Revelations prayerfully. Jesus already gave us victory over death 2,000 years ago. So I ask; O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55) Death and grave do not have power over you if you are in Christ Jesus. Jesus died and was resurrected, so we could have victory over death, sicknesses, diseases, fear, power of darkness, grave, challenges, and scheme of men. As you celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, please share this on your Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, WhatsApp, Viber, PalmChat, Instagram, Skype, Line, LinkedIn, 2Go, Hangout, and every other social media platform you are on. Also, remember to drop your comments as it blesses you. Happy Easter! Celebrate Jesus, celebrate His victory! Your brother and friend, AYODEJI ANIFOWOSE Twitter: @gfatherghusband Instagram: @gfather_ghusband, @ayodeji.anifowose Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatfathergreathusband, www.facebook.com/ayodeji.anifowose E-mail: ayollc.company@gmail.com www.ayodejianifowose.com