Rededication: Christians urged to be free from bitterness of any type
The Vicar in charge of Immanuel Church Parish, Enugwu-Ukwu, Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, Venerable Chris Ogbodo, has charged the faithful to eschew bitterness in all they do.
Ogbodo said this during a sermon, titled “healing Touch of Jesus”, on Sunday in Enugwu-Ukwu Community, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra.
He spoke at the rededication service of Immanuel Church Parish, Women’s wing.
He said that any form of bitterness will hinder good health and create many illnesses that will take away happiness and progress of the people.
He urged women as pillars of the home and society at large to ensure that they live a worthy life that will guarantee free mind.
“As we hold the rededication service for the women guild, I pray that God’s will takes greater part of your life as a Christian mother.
“I pray that sickness of bitterness, malice and envy will not be found amongst you as women who profess Christ,” he said.
Ogbodo picked a Bible passage, Mark 1vs 40, which says, “And there came a leper to him and saying unto him ‘if thou wilt, thou can’t make me clean’.”
And verse 41 says “And Jesus moved with compassion, put forth his hand and touched him, said unto him, I will, be thou clean.”
He said that Isaiah 53 verse 1, says ‘who shall believe our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed.’
According to him, if people accept Christ Jesus and live in His form, they would be healed of any diseases because Faith will grant it all.
He urged the women to have a behavioural change in all they are doing so as to attract God’s healing in all they do.
He charged them to be of good behaviour as Christians always and engage in activities that promote peace and unity.
Ogbodo said the word of God attracts healing to the sick when they live in line with the word of God.
“If you live as women of God, you will perform optimally in all areas of life and enjoy the goodness of God.
“You need to be healed of bitterness of mind, pain, struggle, infirmity amongst others so that you can have power to work in righteousness.
“If you have a medical condition that troubles your life, trust in God, live in holiness, you will enjoy good health,” he said.
He charged the women not to be far from the teaching of God after their rededicated. Rather, they should have their light shine brighter both at home and work places.
Mrs Uju Ekwoanya, one of the women, said that it is an annual service for the women to rededicate their lives to God and thank God for the new year.
She said that the rededication service also reminds the women that church activities for the year have started and encouraged them to be part of the diocesan activities.
“We are going to start our mothering Sunday practice now that rededication service is done. This year 2023 mothering Sunday will be on March 19, so the church is set for the ceremony,” she said.
Ekwoanya also said that the gain of the service will constantly put women in check in their behaviour in the society and their duties at home as mothers and wives.
Mr Christian Beluchukwu, a parishioner, said that the Anglican Communion has a good church programme that keeps women in check and described the special service for the women as a good step.
Beluchukwu commended the church, especially the Awka Diocese, Anglican Communion, for upholding activities that would be reforming the women. (NAN)
