Gregory Nnaji revives the spirit of the early twentieth century Christian writers. Unlike the vast majority of authors today that focus on how-tos and building a better me, Gregory places his emphasis on the supremacy of Christ and His work within the believer. His books are birthed out of personal prayer, struggle, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Gregory’s latest work is no exception. Fresh Spring is, as the title implies, a fresh perspective on the power of God working within the believer. Ranging from subjects such as the near insanity of rebellion against God, to the blessedness of unity, Fresh Spring takes the reader on a spiritual journey that challenges the heart and satiates the soul. The focus is on the believer who wants more, who is searching for depth in his or her Christian experience. The reader will especially find the personal stories of struggle and victory, born out of Gregory’s recent past, to bring life to the chapters as well as offer practical application to the topics studied. Thanks to the transparent words of Fresh Spring, you may very well feel that you have known Gregory for a long time! I have been blessed to be Gregory’s pastor and have witnessed firsthand his deep commitment to Christ and loving expression of the Christian faith. He and his family have made great sacrifices to serve God wholeheartedly. I trust that you will find his spiritual memoirs of Fresh Spring as a catalyst for a deeper, fresher relationship with Christ.

Fresh Spring

By Gregory Chigozie Nnaji

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Gregory Chigozie Nnaji
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4634-3662-9

Contents

Abbreviations..............................................................................viiDedication.................................................................................ixForeword...................................................................................xiPreface....................................................................................xiiiChapter One Mad Fellows of a Sort..........................................................1Chapter Two Loyalty to the Devil: Gains and Losses.........................................9Chapter Three When God's Mercy Comes to an End.............................................26Chapter Four The Folly of Pride............................................................35Chapter Five Run to Win....................................................................47Chapter Six Victory Through Praise.........................................................63Chapter Seven God Knows When and How to Announce a Man.....................................75Chapter Eight Your Heavenly Father Knows You Have Need of These Things.....................85Chapter Nine Be Doers Also.................................................................102Chapter Ten No Reason for Strife...........................................................117Decision Guide.............................................................................129References.................................................................................131

Chapter One

Mad Fellows of a Sort

The simplest definition of a mad fellow is someone out of his senses—someone who is insane. The most common manifestations of madness are consistently foolish or irrational behavior and incoherent speech.

Jesus gave an instructive account of "insanity" of a sort in Luke 15:11-24. Hear the story:

11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 "When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 "The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

From the story, a few days after the younger son received his own share of his father's possessions, he packed all his belongings and left for a far country. Why did he choose a far country? He wanted a place where his father would not see him to caution or advise him. He wanted freedom from all forms of control. In the distant country, he found such freedom and the consequence was wild living. When a young man who has some wealth is said to live wild, what picture do we see? We see a picture of a young man who lives in luxury; one who drives big and expensive cars, moves with hordes of women and friends, indulges in excessive drinking, attends wild parties, lives in hotels and embarks on lavish spending. The young man in the story obviously lived like that. He did not make any investments with his money but wasted it. He did not remember tomorrow.

Of course, we know that when he was "on," he was the "happening guy" in town—the toast of society. He was the envy of many a young man. Fans trooped after him, and many people wanted to be his friend. He was indeed the center of attraction. He was "the lord."

For a guy in that state, he was high in spirit—no time to think, no time to plan, no moments of silence. It was all action, all fun—enjoyment galore! He had no time to remember that his money could someday run out. He simply felt okay with himself. He had no time to notice that his money was running out until it was gone.

His money ran out about the time there was great famine in the country. Because he had made neither savings nor investments, he soon began to starve. So he hired himself to a local farmer who sent him into his pig farm to feed pigs. There, he felt so hungry that he desired to feed on the pods with which he fed the pigs, "but no one gave him anything." Pity! From grace to grass.

One day, however, something startling happened. Verses 17-18 of the text says, "he came to his senses...."

What does this imply? It implies that until now, he was out of his senses. What does it mean to be out of one's senses? It means to be crazy. It means to be mad. Instructively, this is "madness" of a sort—an unusual type describing a child's rebellion from godly parental control. That means that right from the time he conceived the idea of leaving home for a distant country with his possessions for lavish lifestyle, he was out of his senses. All the while he was in the country living in exquisite comfort and luxury and hailed by young men and ladies, he was "mad." All the time he was the toast of all, he was "crazy." Even when he exhausted his wealth and hired himself out to a pig farmer to feed pigs, he was out of his senses. He remained out of his senses until that day and that very hour when he came to his senses. He then regained his sanity.

When he came to his senses, he realized he was in the wrong place and doing the wrong things. He remembered his roots. He remembered his father and said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go to my father ..." (vs. 17-18). He realized his folly and decided to retrace his steps. He decided to go back to his father.

From the story, we see that anybody who lives unto himself is out of his senses. Anyone who lives freely and without regard to God's instructions is in a distant country far away from God. Such a person is out of his senses. So is anyone who merely lives for pleasure and has no plan for tomorrow (tomorrow in this case meaning life hereafter). Anyone who indulges in wild living is out of his senses. In fact, to put it straight, every sinner (i.e., anyone who lives in sin) is out of his senses. Note the word "anyone" or "anybody." That means whosoever without exceptions. Hence, irrespective of...