Böcker av Davidson Okpala

Today, not much goes for follow-up in Christendom. Yet, it is the heart of the matter or better still, it is the heart beat of God. Year in, year out, there have been familiar patterns of crusades, conventions, seminars, revival meetings, meal functions etc. All these efforts are aimed at bringing into the fold the lost souls i.e those yet to embrace the faith. But where are the fruits to show for all the resources so committed for these efforts, both in terms of time and finances? In John 15:16 Jesus puts it succinctly thus: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." Let us consider a few hypothetical situations that will be relevant to us. A typical example of this situation is a couple who have cried to God for the blessing of the fruit of the womb for over 11 years of marriage. On the twelveth year, the Lord gives them a child and three others as the years go by. This should have brought the river of overflowing joy into the family, but something else goes wrong. From the first to the last of the kids, not one can walk i.e they are all crippled. So unhappiness still engulfs them and you can understand why. In like manner the host of heaven rejoices when a soul is won into the king- dom of God but unhappy when he never matures to the level of a saint. Again, a mother who keeps having babies year to year with none surviving is indeed not a happy mother. If anything, she is full of agony and pains. These will not be your portion. But it goes to show that just as in the physical realm, God is concerned about bearing profitable fruits in the spirit realm. The Lord concluded the earlier verse ( John 15:16) with great promise that if we establish these converts, our prayers shall receive answers from the Father in His name. What else can be more rewarding or promising? In line with that promise John 15:7 says: "If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you".

The place of counselling in the church and fellowship groups, subtitled, Peo- ples'-Helper or one that cares. The church and fellowship groups must accept the responsibility for helping people with problems. By this, we allow the love of Christ to flow out of us to others. This demonstrates practical, sacrificial concern as the bible teaches in (1Thess.5:14), we read: "Dear brothers, warn those who are lazy: comfort those who are frightened, take tender care of those who are weak; and be patient with every one". (T.L.B) in Rom. 12:15; Paul said we should rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep with them that weep. In counselling, we are called to be sensitive to each other's need and wherever it is necessary, reach out to help. Many times when we talk about help, our mind goes to financial help and we become scared, but there are timely advices or counselling that is worth more than money. "Where there is no counsel, the people will fall: but in the multitude of counsel- lors, there is safety". (Prov. 11:14); Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. (Prov. 15:22) Every one enjoys giving God advice, and how wonderful it is to be able to say the right thing at the right time (Prov. 15:23) TLB. Timely advice is as lovely as Gold apples in a silver basket. (Prov. 25:11.TLB) People have been saved from committing suicide through counselling. Today in the church and fellowships, many are very self-centered, that many come to fellowship with us with their burdens (heavy hearts) and go back home with dis- appointments. In every true worship center, the needs of people are supposed to be met. If the church creates room for such people in counselling, so many sick mar- riages and broken hearts will receive their healings A good counsellor does not just sympathize with his counselee but em- pathizes with them.