The Resident Pastor of NKST (Universal Reformed Christian Church) Iortyer in Iortyer-classis and former Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Benue state chapter, Rev. Dr. Akpen Leva has called on Christians to reflect on the grace and mercies of the Lord upon their lives and return glory to Him.
Rev. Leva who is also the Synod Executive Committee Member One made this call recently during a worship service that also witnessed the thanksgivings of five members of the Church at the Church Auditorium on the theme: “What shall I render to the Lord for all His goodness to me?”.
Reading from the book of Psalms 116:12-14 where the psalmist recounted how God has given him so much; recalling how God rescued him from death and distressing circumstances, the cleric equally tasked Christians to count their blessings and be thankful to God.
“What shall I give to the Lord for all that He has done for me? Anybody who asked this question is a person that has thought deeply on his or her life and wish to give thanks to the Lord like David. It is similar to what we have witnessed here today. These five families have seen different reasons to return to God with gratitude and I challenged everyone at the reach of my voice to also find a reason to thank God.
“Anybody who does not ask this question has not seen the goodness of God upon his life. If you wish to thank God, do not look at people who are more fortunate than yourself instead look at those who you are more privileged than them. Every breath you take is a gift of life from the living God. What about the sunshine and rain that God sends on both the rich and the poor for free. Imagine if all these were to be bought, will you afford them?. You should thank God that He has control over all the basic things of life alone.
“Today, we have witnessed God-fearing women who voluntarily come together under the aegis of the late Rev. A.A Ninga’s children returning thanks to God and that is very remarkable. We have seen the children of late Rev. and Atese Utenan who thanked God for a befiting burial given to their mother. We also witnessed the thanksgiving of Terkuma Dzungwe for the award of PhD, Mr and Mrs Mhambe for a successful marriage and Mrs Grace Alam for electoral victory at her place of work; and I pray they should get more reasons to thank God even as I challenged others to do same.
“Think of a reason to thank God because everyone has one reason or the other. Everything that God has done in your life is worth returning thanks to Him because Jesus Christ who is God Himself was in the habit of rejoicing, praying and giving thanks to God in all circumstances”.
