JESUS WILL DO YOU GOOD

"You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after the baptism that John preached--how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how  he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him" (Acts 10: 37, 38 NIV) 

Reading my Bible recently this portion of Scripture forcefully caught my attention: A cardinal aspect of Jesus' messianic work was to go around doing good. 
   

One of the ways by which God shows us His goodness is surrounding us with good friends and colleagues. Many people have visited and commiserated with us. Here, Apostle Martin Seth Appiah, former COP National Head of Britain, paid Martha and I a visit before leaving for Berekum, Ghana, as Area Head

 Then I paused to re-examine the meaning of the word "good." It is one of those simple, everyday words whose meanings we often take for granted. The Free Online Dictionary has 58 meanings or usages for the word. That shows how difficult it is to define it. As used in this passage, the word means  that which is pleasing, useful or valuable; something that aids or promotes well-being. It refers to that which is beneficial or 'healthful'"

Pastor Vincent Anane Denteh, National Head of Madagascar, and his wife Martha, in a pose wife me when they visited us recently in Hamburg

The goodness of God was the centerpiece of Jewish thought. They conversed about it, sang about it and admonished people to do the same. "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever" is the theme of many songs Israel sang to God to praise Him and acknowledge His benevolence.

When God came down in human form through Jesus, His intrinsic attribute of Goodness must manifest itself. In other words, the goodness of the God of Israel, must show through Him. From the announcement of His Messianic Mission, in what is often called the Manifesto of the Kingdom (Lk. 4:18, 19) to the Cross, we find Jesus engaged in doing good. Wherever He went, He met people at their respective points of need. He fed their hungry souls with the word of God, fed their human bodies with physical food, saved people from embarrassing situations (shortage of wine at the Wedding in Cana), forgave sins, healed the sick among them, delivered the oppressed from satanic bondage, raised the dead, and changed the eternal destiny of a hardened criminal. At a point, onlookers were so amazed that they declared, "He has done everything well"(Mk. 7:37)

Pastor Isaac Nii Kotei-Djani, National Head of Botswana, and his wife posed this with me when they visited us recently

The surpassing good, the good par excellence, that Jesus did for all humanity is the salvation of our souls from eternal damnation, the regeneration of our spirits, tasting the life of heaven even while on earth and the promise of an eternity with God in Heaven!

This aspect of goodness that Jesus does for us, however, is not news to most Christians. We know it and appropriately rejoice in it, often declaring "God is good; All the time". The difficulty for many people, however, is the understanding of God's goodness in our daily lives, in the "Here-And-Now". Surely His ways are not our ways neither can our thoughts be compared to His. 
 Our difficulty is what we consider to be good. Sometimes our definition of good colors our perception to the extent that we do not distinguish between what is good for us and what is for our good. In His goodness, He still provides us with both. When He graciously provides what we consider to be good for us, we rejoice and give testimonies to His glory. Those that are for our good are mostly not palatable to us. We often whine and wonder why they happened to us. Usually it is at a much later time that we understand why they happened. At that time we are able to exclaim, "O yes, God is good"

Elder James Owusu Sarfo, Leader of COP Prayer Center, Tanoso-Kumasi, paid us a short visit during his recent tour of Europe.

Let us trust Him for every good thing we need. He still "richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Tim. 6:17); with "everything we need for life and godliness..." (2 Pt. 1 :3).
On the other hand if the good comes to us in a form we do not like, we must simply keep trusting Him, knowing that it is for our good. 

Listening to the sermon with rapt attention last Sunday. By my side and ready to give me a helping hand is Bro. Samuel Asaye of Hamburg Central Assembly

"A BOOK THAT BLESSES, CHALLENGES, AND CAUSES YOU TO PRAISE OUR GREAT GOD..."

In this edition of my blog publication, I  publish a letter  received from Pastor Robert Lionel Currie, Senior Pastor of Bridge Street Pentecostal Church, Leeds, U. K.  Pastor Currie was my Bible College Principal in Accra, Ghana in 1984. Thereafter, I have always considered him one of my spiritual fathers and mentors. I affectionately call his wife "Mama Ruth"

Pastor Robert Lionel Currie

I publish it not because I consider it complimentary, but principally because there is much to be learnt from it.
Now read on and discover for yourself.


Dear Michael,

Greetings in the precious Name of Jesus to you, Martha and all the family!

We were away last weekend celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary, and on our return found your new book waiting for us.

Pastor R. L Currie and his wife, Ruth.

We really appreciate you sending a copy to us.

As the current Chairman said in his foreword - "once started, you will be compelled to read right through".

That is exactly what I did yesterday and now Ruth has started reading it.

Knowing the author of a book always makes a difference when reading it.

It is a vivid reflection of that man that you are in God.

It is a book that blesses, challenges, and above all, causes you to praise our great God who has sustained you, strengthened you and kept you for His further purposes.

I found it deeply moving to read all you have been through, and through it all your faith has grown stronger.

I also believe that it will help many "theorists" who have written about healing because it comes from one who is writing from personal experience.

It brings a much needed balance to so much teaching that is out there in the Church today.

It will not only serve as a correction, but give much hope to those who are still waiting on God for their healing.

I found myself saying "Amen" over and over again as I read it.

And what can one say about your dear "Lady" Martha!

She is a spiritual heroine par excellence.

Mrs Martha Ntumy, cool and collected, in a part of our living room

You both need your names inserting in Hebrews 11.

When God brought you together He alone knew how much you would need such a woman of faith for such a time as this.

It's 29 years now since the LORD brought us together in marriage. Much has been accomplished through the grace of God; much more remains to be done.

There must be such a sense of anticipation as to what the Lord has in store for you.

We continue to stand with you in prayer believing, as we so often saw on the mammy lorries in Ghana, that "God's time is the best".

This comes to you with much love and our gratitude to God for bringing you into our lives.

Please convey our love to Martha and the children.

May the fulness of heaven's blessings be yours in Christ Jesus,

Lionel and Ruth

APOSTLE AND MRS YIADOM ASSUME DUTY IN GERMANY

To the glory and praise of God, the newly-appointed National Head of The Church of Pentecost, Germany, APOSTLE SAMPSON OFORI YIADOM, and his wife Millicent, arrived on Friday 23rd September, 2011. Their welcome service was held in Hamburg on 25th September, 2011. They were accompanied by a high-powered eleven-member delegation from USA led by Evangelist Omane Yeboah.

Apostle Samuel Lord Agyin (with microphone), introducing Apostle and Mrs Yiadom

Apostle Agyin (left) preaching the sermon

Apostle and Mrs Yiadom listening to the sermon with rapt attention

The Welcome Service was officiated by Apostle Samuel Lord Agyin, National Head of COP, Holland. Preaching the sermon from Gen. 17: 8-15, Apostle Agyin urged Ministers, Officers and members to hold the hands of Apostle and Mrs Yiadom until total victory is won.

Mrs Agyin, left and Mrs Ntumy, also deeply absorbing the message

Apostle Yiadom is a special gift to the church. He was called into the pastoral ministry of COP in 1999 in the United States of America. The grace of God on him has been so great that after only nine years in the ministry he was called to the office of Apostle. Until his transfer to Ge;rmany he was the Western Regional Head based in Houston, TX

Apostle Agyin, flanked by Evangelists Twumasi Appiah Bonna (National Head, Switzerland) and Omane Yeboah (USA). prays for Apostle and Mrs Yiadom

Ev. Omane Yeboah, left, hands over Apostle Yiadom to Pastor Ebenezer Quaye (right), National Secretary of COP, Germany

The National Leader of the Women's Movement of USA hands over Mrs Millicent Yiadom to Mrs Grace Sander, Deputy National Leader of Germany

Mrs Grace Sander presents flowers to Apostle and Mrs Yiadom

Mrs Martha Ntumy (right) welcomes Mrs Yiadom on behalf of the women in the church

Let us all join hearts and hands and minds with those of Apostle and Mrs Yiadom to advance the business of the Kingdom of God in Germany.

It was one of the happiest days of my life. To your right behind me is Pastor Johnny Ansah, Finance and Administration Manager of COP, USA and a section of the US delegation