28/08/2023
Let me tell you a story...
If you look closely at this picture, you most likely can only recognize one person and that's Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke. I'm sure he needs no introduction to the average Christian, especially in Africa and Nigeria to be precise, but the second person, you probably have never heard of him. Here's the focus of my story:
The second person in that picture is Evangelist Richard Ngidi, born on 6th January 1921 in Natal, the then province of South Africa.
Evang. Richard used to be a right hand man to Evang. Reinhard Bonnke in his crusades. Whenever Evang Reinhard Bonnke finish preaching, he steps down for Evang Richard Ngidi to pray for the sick and conduct the miracle and healing services.
He was like the Don of the moment. He had it, God gave it to him, he moved powerfully in miracles, signs and wonders. But at some point, he possibly began to feel he had arrived. He perhaps began to feel without Him, Reinhard Bonnke will do nothing and be nothing.
He once said to Evang. Reinhard Bonnke's Assistant, that if he pulls out, that will be the end of Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke and his ministry.
He was so offended, he felt he was the main man of the match with the miracles, signs and wonders, yet it was Evang Reinhard Bonnke who was taking all the glory, worse still, the ministry was in his name.
One day, a crusade was to hold as usual, everything was set and all efforts to reach Evang Richard Ngidi proved abortive even till the day of the crusade, he wasn't going to show up, perhaps according to him, Evang Reinhard Bonnke needed to know who the real Don was.
Frustrated Evang Reinhard Bonnke didn't know what to do, at that point all his reliance was on the Holy Spirit not to put him to shame. He climbed the podium to preach while still hoping Evang Richard Ngidi will show up, but he didn't.
After preaching it dawned on him that he was left alone to finish what he started, then he decided to pray, who knows perhaps out of the mindset of "let me just pray" and that was it. Suddenly, miracles, signs, wonders, healings broke out, crusade ground went agog, Evang Reinhard Bonnke was shocked and of course glorified God, but that marked the end of the ministry of Evang Richard Ngidi ministering alongside Evang Reinhard Bonnke.
One day after that event, Evang Richard Ngidi went to one of the crusade grounds of Evang Reinhard Bonnke and with tears in his eyes, he said "I missed it, I missed it..." And walked away in regret and tears. He went to be with the Lord shortly after that on Friday 4th of May 1985 at about 1:00pm..
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Definitely the moral lessons here are numerous. But listen beloved, stay where God has put you. Never become too familiar with what God has sent you to do that you become so dignified and think without you, the work of God will fail.
Stop acting like you're doing your spiritual oversight, your pastor, your spiritual leader a favour, stop it. Serve without offences and purity of heart.
God has sons, He has daughters, plenty of them.
God still has thousands of Prophets who haven't bowed down to idols!
Pride will always lead to the end of the man who patronizes her merchandise!
May God give you wisdom and grant you understanding.
Written by: FaithFire Ubong
Nigeria,
23rd August, 2023.
