A boy wanted a new pair of shoes. His mother told him to ask his father for the money. So he approached him cagily. “Daddy, I need a new pair of shoes,” he said. “Could you please give me the money to get them?”

Are you joyful? What is the basis of your joy? Is it based on something you have? Is it based on something exciting that happened to you? Is it because your grain and wine increased? (Psalm 4:7). If so, beware, because that is building a house on the sand. When the storm comes and the wind blows great will be the fall of your house and your joy.

In Nigeria, “Men of God” come by the dozen. You see them regularly on television. They are fixtures in newspapers and magazines. They always have something noble to say on the radio. They sit on the high table at every major social gathering or event. They are the counselors and prayer gurus of presidents, governors and other public officials. There is only one problem with “Men of God:” they don’t inherit the kingdom of God.

Jesus took three of his disciples up on a mountain to pray and, suddenly, he was transfigured before them. They saw him covered in glory, talking to Moses and Elijah. Peter became so excited; he did not want to leave. He asked if they could make tabernacles on the mountain and stay there permanently.

David counsels that when God speaks once, we should hear him twice. (Psalm 62:11). That does not mean twice literally, but several times. Similarly, Jesus maintains we must forgive our brothers seventy times seven times. (Matthew 18:22). That does not mean four hundred and ninety times, but indefinitely. Therefore, when God speaks, we should review what he says again and again.

When I wrote my first Christian book, I sent free copies to many pastors in Lagos. One of those to whom I sent a copy sent it back with “return to sender” written on the package, even though it was addressed to his church office. I thought this was strange until Lucky Polete asked to see the package. When I showed it to him, he said: “No wonder. That is a wrong address.”

Most of us never bother to determine precisely why we believe what we believe or do what we do. Why, for instance, do we celebrate Christmas? As far as Christians are concerned, we do so because we delight in Christ and rejoice in him. Christmas is a Christian tradition celebrated for centuries the world over. Surely, billions of people cannot be wrong.

Christians are supposed to be disciples of Jesus. We call him Lord and Saviour; “the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus gives us this charge: “Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus was not born on December 25. That is the date of a pagan festival of the sun god Tammuz merged with Christianity under Constantine. However, the evidence is overwhelming that Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles.

A messianic prophecy came from Micah: “Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2). Who exactly, or what, is Bethlehem Ephratah?

If we were to value our salvation, we would also value the forgiveness of our sins. If we are overwhelmed by the abundant mercies of God, it must be because we recognise that we are sinners who received forgiveness from God.

God made a promise to Abraham: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2).

The Lord often asks seemingly difficult questions with answers that turn out to be simple. So let me ask you one question that is not likely to come up in the average bible class. What is the greatest thing Adam can give Eve?

A man was employed to produce pens. His employer set him a target: he had to produce ten pens a day. He also had three regulations: He must be punctual to work. His lunch-breaks must not exceed one hour. He was to entertain no visitors while on the job.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, a supercilious lawyer asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus answers his question with a question: “What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?”