Destined to Die & Uche's Memorial
Dear Saints:
My younger cousin Uche Nduagu died last week in Lagos Nigeria. We had been praying earnestly for him and ministering Christ to him. Three days before he died, he called for his older brother who is an evangelist to come. Uche wanted to be sure and asked Jesus into his heart. They were both together as they sang chorus in the hospital and then he closed his eyes.
What a way to go! We mourn for you Uche; you had only turned fifty, but we are comforted that though you are absent from us; you are now present with Jesus. Your name is Uchenna (God’s Will). We accept God’s will for you and for all of us. Amen.
In concluding our study of John 11, we see Jesus as prophesied to die for Israel and for all of us including Uche, my cousin.
The Holy Spirit inspired apostle John to include this very important information in the midst of the miracles of Jesus:
“49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.” John 11:49-52.
I thank God that this was written for us. When truth comes from the mouth of your enemy, it's God’s revelation. The high priest, who was bent on killing Jesus was used to speak the truth about Jesus.
Yes, Jesus was destined to die not just for the nation of Israel but for all people who are to be gathered and reconciled to God.
That is why I can grieve with assurance and hope for my cousin Uche. Jesus took away his sins. Like all of us, Uche did not live right but walked in his passions and desires of his flesh. In his deadness to sin, God made him and us alive again (Ephesians 2:1-3). Though it may have been on his last days on earth, Uche is in God's presence.
Many do not get such chances to turn back and turn to God. Many die instantly in accidents or other sudden deaths. We don't know when our time will come. We must be sure of our relationship with Christ. Hear Jesus:
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:21-23.
May we cease to be the unsaved Christians in the church. May we be doers of his word not just hearers as James 1:22 instructs us.
We live in an age of information and knowledge. Just because we know so much about Jesus and the bible and the church does not make us God's children. Do we have a form of godliness but deny the transforming power to live and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit? Please see 2 Timothy 3:5-7.
To many, Jesus will say, "I never knew you." Does Jesus know you? See John John 1:12-13.
Thank you Uche for the chance to reflect on my own life. I will not forget your last texts to me few days before you died. You said "come and rescue me not to die." I prayed and committed you to the mercy of God; and God has answered and saved you. This is my greatest joy as I remember you. Adieu Uche!
Where are you the reader? We are appointed to die once, and then come judgment (Hebrew 9:27). Will you live for God now? It is too late to live and be reconciled to God after death. Now is the accepted time and now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Remember in this John 11, though Lazarus was raised from the dead, he still eventually died later (we don’t know when).
Jesus, I believe you died for my sins. I believe and trust in you and now repent of my past sins and ask for your forgiveness and for your Holy Spirit to come and live in me to do right in obedience to your word and daily nudging and whispers of your voice. Amen.
Could you pass this to someone and share Christ with them before it is too late? May God bless you. Please pray for Uche's wife and daughter and for our extended family. Thank you!
My younger cousin Uche Nduagu died last week in Lagos Nigeria. We had been praying earnestly for him and ministering Christ to him. Three days before he died, he called for his older brother who is an evangelist to come. Uche wanted to be sure and asked Jesus into his heart. They were both together as they sang chorus in the hospital and then he closed his eyes.
What a way to go! We mourn for you Uche; you had only turned fifty, but we are comforted that though you are absent from us; you are now present with Jesus. Your name is Uchenna (God’s Will). We accept God’s will for you and for all of us. Amen.
In concluding our study of John 11, we see Jesus as prophesied to die for Israel and for all of us including Uche, my cousin.
The Holy Spirit inspired apostle John to include this very important information in the midst of the miracles of Jesus:
“49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.” John 11:49-52.
I thank God that this was written for us. When truth comes from the mouth of your enemy, it's God’s revelation. The high priest, who was bent on killing Jesus was used to speak the truth about Jesus.
Yes, Jesus was destined to die not just for the nation of Israel but for all people who are to be gathered and reconciled to God.
That is why I can grieve with assurance and hope for my cousin Uche. Jesus took away his sins. Like all of us, Uche did not live right but walked in his passions and desires of his flesh. In his deadness to sin, God made him and us alive again (Ephesians 2:1-3). Though it may have been on his last days on earth, Uche is in God's presence.
Many do not get such chances to turn back and turn to God. Many die instantly in accidents or other sudden deaths. We don't know when our time will come. We must be sure of our relationship with Christ. Hear Jesus:
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:21-23.
May we cease to be the unsaved Christians in the church. May we be doers of his word not just hearers as James 1:22 instructs us.
We live in an age of information and knowledge. Just because we know so much about Jesus and the bible and the church does not make us God's children. Do we have a form of godliness but deny the transforming power to live and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit? Please see 2 Timothy 3:5-7.
To many, Jesus will say, "I never knew you." Does Jesus know you? See John John 1:12-13.
Thank you Uche for the chance to reflect on my own life. I will not forget your last texts to me few days before you died. You said "come and rescue me not to die." I prayed and committed you to the mercy of God; and God has answered and saved you. This is my greatest joy as I remember you. Adieu Uche!
Where are you the reader? We are appointed to die once, and then come judgment (Hebrew 9:27). Will you live for God now? It is too late to live and be reconciled to God after death. Now is the accepted time and now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Remember in this John 11, though Lazarus was raised from the dead, he still eventually died later (we don’t know when).
Jesus, I believe you died for my sins. I believe and trust in you and now repent of my past sins and ask for your forgiveness and for your Holy Spirit to come and live in me to do right in obedience to your word and daily nudging and whispers of your voice. Amen.
Could you pass this to someone and share Christ with them before it is too late? May God bless you. Please pray for Uche's wife and daughter and for our extended family. Thank you!
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