On behalf of His Grace the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos (Anglican Communion), and the entire clergy of the Diocese of Lagos, I wish to thank you all profusely for your response and show of love at the just concluded ‘Clergy Appreciation’.
For the scripture tells us in Mark 9: 41 that whoever gives a cup of water to the servants of God to drink because they belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. You gave more than a cup of water, you gave hope to many, smile to many more. The entire Clergy of the Diocese entreat the face of the Lord for you, and decree that you will not lose your reward in Jesus name.
The appreciation of the Clergy to you– ‘We have hitherto not found any appropriate words that can adequately convey our profound gratitude to you and your family for your annual demonstration of sacrificial love through your uncommon generosity to the Clergy Family, both within and outside our diocese. We are very grateful and God who is the rewarder of those who diligently seek and serve Him, will appreciate you specially for us.’
His Grace is happy to inform you like Apostle Paul in 2nd Cor. 9: 12 – 15 that…12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The Clergy is not unmindful of the seeming challenges of the times, but be rest assured that God is not a debtor, and will not renege on His word and promises for you.
In 1st Kings 17 verse 8 following, when He was going to take care of Elijah during the drought, God didn’t send Elijah to the money bags or the banks, He sent him to a poor widow, and all she had was barely enough for her and her family. But as she gave first to the man of God before preparing for herself and her child! s type of first fruit you may say. For Rom. 11: 16 – For if the first-fruit is holy, the lump is also holy… By that action her entire flour became holy and she never lacked. Our collective prayer for you is that lack will never be your portion.
The story of Mary Magdalene anointing Jesus with oil appeared in all the Gospels, to show its importance. Not all stories appear in all Gospels. Concerning the event, our Lord Jesus Christ said…wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” That is what you get when you give to the Lord.
Our prayer for you is as recorded in Psalm 20: 3 – May God remember all the gifts you have offered. May he accept all your sacrifices.
Once again, a very big thank you to you all.
Your Vicar and friend
The Revd. Canon Kiri Wakama
