© Ayo Omolayo
I entered the classroom and found it completely empty. That’s strange! I wasn’t super early today. I mean I was early but on a normal day, I usually met people already in the class before my arrival. Why was today looking different?
I shrugged and sat down. I took off my back pack and bowed my head to pray.
“Father, I thank you for today. I am very grateful for everything you have taught me. But more importantly, I am grateful to you for your mercy. Thank you for showing me mercy this morning.
Thank you for not treating me based in what I deserved. If not, I don’t deserve to be alive right now.
Lord, I’m where you want me to be. Surrounded by hostile personalities. But you have said in your word that you would protect me. Lord! Protect me from the arrows that fly by day and tye terror of the night. Cause me to abide under your shadow and cover me with your wings.
Let every plan of the enemy be destroyed concerning my life in the name of Jesus.”
Soon, I heard the sound of someone clapping.
I opened my eyes and saw Mr Clifford standing before me. Fear gripped me immediately. On a normal day, Mr Clifford was one of the teachers I admired most. He was friendly, playful and social. But ever since I found out his true identity, the fondness I felt for my teacher had turned to fear.
I quickly exhaled and placed my hand over my chest.
“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me,” I quoted.
“So! You came back? After all the warning I gave you, yet you came back, right?”
I smiled and looked him straight in the eyes.
“This is my school. I’m in SS2. I just arrived here two weeks ago. My Dad sees this school as one if the best schools in town,” I said grinning.
He gave me a confused expression and then shook his head.
“So you would prefer this place to all other schools, right?”
“”Of course! Broadway academy in an international school. It’s classic and one of the best schools here in Lagos.”
My God! I was so enjoying this conversation.
Soon, a couple of students walked into the class and greeted the teacher. Mr Clifford responded warmly and turned to me.
“You are absolutely correct. Broadway academy is top notch. I believe you will find your stay in this place comfortable and of course, enjoyable,” he said with a mischievous grin.
“Oh yes! I love enjoying my school so much! How will I be in a school and not enjoy myself?”
He looked at me with this expression that showed he was surprised by the way I was responding.
I was just laughing within myself.
“I guess I’ll see you later,” he said and walked out.
“Thank you Jesus! I can’t believe I was able to answer him so calmly and cheerfully,” I said immediately he was gone.
I checked my wrist watch and discovered we had 15 minutes before the school assembly time. So I decided to use that few minutes to study my bible.
I opened my bag and brought out my bible.
“Where do I study Holy Ghost?” I asked as I flipped through the pages of the scripture.
“Holy Spirit, give me where to read!” I said as I paused at the book of Proverbs chapter 14.
I started reading whatever I could find in the scripture.
I read verse one and verse two, then went ahead to read verse 3.
Proverbs 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
I proceeded to verse 4.
Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
“God! I’m not understanding anything ooo!”
I got to verse 14.
Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
I also read verse 20 and got more confused.
Proverbs 14:20. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
There was not revelation, no Rhema. All I was reading was simply a book. I have as just reading from verse to verse without understanding.
This is not how bible study should look like. Who would explain this bible for me now? Ella and Susan are not around. Who do I turn to for explanation?
They used to tell us in children church while we were little that the Holy Ghost is the best teacher. Let him come and teach me ooo. I’m reading a novel here. I don’t understand what I am reading.
“JULIET! TAKE IT SLOWLY. JUST PICK ANY VERSE OF YOUR CHOICE AND ASK ME WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THAT VERSE,” Came the gentle whisper.
“Is that how it works,? I read a scripture and ask the Holy Ghost what it means, right?”
“WHO ELSE WOULD YOU ASK?”
I decided to search for the most confusing verse of them all and found one that seemed very interesting.
“Proverbs 14:34. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
So what’s the meaning of this scripture? Who is any people? What what is the meaning of the nation God is referring to in that scripture? Is it referring to Nigeria. Or is it talking to me? How am I a nation? So that scripture is not for me. It’s not blessing me. It’s for Nigeria, not me.
Daddy? Can you please explain the meaning of this scripture to me?”
“NOW, TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IT SAYS. RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION. WHO IS A NATION?
DON’T CLOSE THAT PASSAGE. PLEASE OPEN TO 1 PETER 2:9.
I placed a finger at the book of Proverbs and opened the passage.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
“WHO IS A CHOSEN GENERATION?”
“Me!”
“WHO IS A HOLY NATION?”
“Me!”
“THAT’S BEAUTIFUL! SO RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION. AM I CORRECT?”
“Yes sir!” I answered.
“CAN YOU NOW SEE THE REVELATION COMING OUT OF THAT SCRIPTURE YOU READ LIKE A NEWSPAPER?”
“Yes Daddy! But I have a question.”
“GO ON.”
“How can righteousness exalt a nation? I know that when you sin and your sin is discovered, it brings shame to you. But righteousness can sometimes get someone into trouble. Standing up for what is right can make you fall into trouble. So please tell me, how can righteousness exalt a nation?”
“GOOD QUESTION. NOW READ THE NEXT VERSE,” Came the instruction.
“Proverbs 14:35. The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.”
“CAN YOU SEE THE REASON WHY? CAN YOU ALSO SEE HOW RIGHTEOUSNESS VAN EXALT A NATION?
“Yes sir!”
“TELL ME! HOW?”
“Because the King, which is you, will favour a wise servant. And the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. So when we fear God and abstain from sin, we attract your favour to our lives.
“CAN YOU POINT ANY EXAMPLE OF SUCH A PERSON IN THE BIBLE?”
“Yes Daddy! This scripture reminds me of a young man who decided to live a righteous life. He was a 28 years old boy. He was ve y handsome and because a that a woman started lusting after him and offered her body for free.
But he decided to make God proud and stood for righteousness. The lady was unrelenting and tried to seduced him several times, but he always avoided her.
At a point, the lady decided to grab him by force. He took off his clothes and ran away from her. This righteous act was what led to his imprisonment. Just like I said earlier, sometimes righteousness can lead you into trouble. But just as Proverbs 14:35 says that, the king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
The young man landed in prison and the prison became a palace for him. Even the keeper of the the prison fell in love with him and made him one of the prison officials.
But the Lord was with Joseph and made him to find favour in the sight of everyone that looked upon him. And soon, when God was ready to reward his faithful servant. He did it publicly.
He brought him out of the prison and in a single day made him a ruler and a governor over Egypt.
He was given an official ride, the second chariot of the Pharoah and official guard. Official house and that same day, Pharoah gave him a wife. A beautiful woman, Asenath, the daughter of Portiphera.
“EXCELLENT! THAT’S WONDERFUL JULIET!”
I smiled. This was a wonderful quiet time bible study. I was seriously enjoying myself here.
“JULIET, SOMETIMES, YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT? WHAY DO WE HAVE TO MISS OUT ON THE PLEASURES OF MAKING LOVE TO WOMAN? WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT TILL WE ARE MARRIED? WHY DO WE HAVE TO ABSTAIN WHEN OUR BODIES CRAVE FOR IT EVERYDAY?
JOSEPH HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE LOVE TO HIS MASTER’S WIFE FREE OF CHARGE. YET HE CHOOSED TO HONOUR GOD WITH HIS BODY. IN RETURN, GOD GAVE HIM A BEAUTIFUL WIFE AND TWO SONS. DO YOU THINK GOD DOESN’T REWARD SEXUAL PURITY? DO YOU THINK YOU’RE A FOOL WHEN YOU SAID NO TO THOSE URGES AND REFUSED TO MASTURBATE? OR DO YOU THINK YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON HAVING FUN, WHEN YOU SAW THAT PORN VIDEO AND LOOKED AWAY?
GOD SAW YOU AND HE’S GOING TO REWARD YOU FOR IT. JUST WAIT FOR HIM. HE’LL GIVE YOU THE BEST HUSBAND UN THE WORLD. WHEN YOU’RE MARRIED, YOU’LL NE THE ONE TIRED OF MAKING LOVE! YOU WOULD BE THE ONE TELLING GOD I DON BELLE FULL!”
I burst into laughter.
“WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?”
“Daddy you are spoiling me! I’m still a small girl!”
“SEE YOUR MOUTH LIKE SMALL GIRL!
I laughed harder.
“THAT’S HOW TO READ AND UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE JULIET. DON’T READ AS IF GOD IS TALKING TO MOSES. READ IT AS IF YOU’RE THE MOSES GOD IS TALKING TO.
THE BIBLE IS A MIRROR. IT SEARCHES THE SOUL. IT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT YOURSELF AND SEE WHO YOU TRULY ARE. CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?
“Yes sir!”
“WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MIRROR, WHO DO YOU SEE?”
“Myself!”
“DO YOU SEE MOSES OR ABRAHAM?”
“No, I see myself.”
“SO WHEN YOU’RE READING THE BIBLE, REMOVE THE ABRAHAM FROM THE PLACE YOU FIND ABRAHAM THERE AND PUT YOUR NAME THERE.
THAT WAY, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE WHEN YOU READ IT.”
“Wow!” I exclaimed grinning.
“SO CAN WE GIVE IT A TRY?”
“Sure! Where do you want me to read?”
“OPEN TO GENESIS 17:1.”
I quickly opened to the passage and read.
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”
“NOW PUT YOUR NAME THERE.”
“And when Juliet Anderson was ninety years old and nine…..”
“HOW OLD ARE YOU?”
“I’m 17.”
“PUT YOUR AGE THERE.”
“And when Juliet Anderson was 17 years old , the LORD appeared to Juliet, and said unto her, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”
“DO YOU SEE THAT SCRIPTURE IS BLESSING YOU? THAT IS MY MESSAGE FOR YOU. I WANT YOU TO BE PERFECT WITH YOUR QUIET TIME. I WANT YOU TO MASTER THE ART OF PRAYER. BY NOW, YOU SHOULD HAVE PERFECTED CONSISTENCY IN QUIET TIME.
I DON’T WANT YOU TO CONTINUE STRUGGLING WITH SLEEP BY NOW. SO I WANT YOU TO PUT ON YOUR GARMENT OF DISCIPLINE AND DEAL WITH YOUR BODY VERY WELL SO IT STOPS PREVENTING OUR FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER.
IS THAT OKAY?”
“Yes Daddy!” I replied grinning.
“Why are you smiling as if you are thinking about last night. How you spent it in your boyfriend’s arms.” A girl tapped me.
I quickly remembered I was in a classroom when I opened my bible and daddy took me out of this world.
I looked around and saw the whole class staring at me.
“Jesus! I don enter one chance!”
To be continued…….
I have been receiving questions from people who tried to study their bibles during their quiet time and complained they couldn’t understand what the bible had to say.
This is the key to reading the bible. Remove the names you find there and put your own name there.
This way, you’ll really understand it had been talking about you all these while.
JULIET, SOMETIMES, YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT? WHAY DO WE HAVE TO MISS OUT ON THE PLEASURES OF MAKING LOVE TO WOMAN? WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT TILL WE ARE MARRIED? WE DO WE HAVE TO ABSTAIN WHEN OUR BODIES CRAVE FOR IT EVERYDAY?
JOSEPH HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE LOVE TO HIS MASTER’S WIFE FREE OF CHARGE. YET HE CHOOSED TO HONOUR GOD WITH HIS BODY. IN RETURN, GOD GAVE HIM A BEAUTIFUL WIFE AND TWO SONS. DO YOU THINK GOD DOESN’T REWARD SEXUAL PURITY? DO YOU THINK YOU’RE A FOOL WHEN YOU SAID NO TO THOSE URGES AND REFUSED TO MASTURBATE? OR DO YOU THINK YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON HAVING FUN, WHEN YOU SAW THAT PORN VIDEO AND LOOKED AWAY?
GOD SAW YOU AND HE’S GOING TO REWARD YOU FOR IT. JUST WAIT FOR HIM. HE’LL GIVE YOU THE BEST HUSBAND UN THE WORLD. WHEN YOU’RE MARRIED, YOU’LL NE THE ONE TIRED OF MAKING LOVE! YOU WOULD BE THE ONE TELLING GOD I DON BELLE FULL!”
I know it’s late, but I want to say, HAPPY WORLD SEXUAL PURITY DAY!
Best Author ever💗💗💗 God bless you sir