Too Good, yet so True!: Part 1

By Abi Solebo

The vision for Too Good, Yet So True! was given to me by the Lord Jesus Christ. It showed the Lords faithfulness during my time of persecution, tribulations and trials after my conversion to Christianity. When it came to making a choice, as painful as it was to be rejected by loved ones, after so many failed attempts to stand up for Jesus for fear of persecution, it became evident to me that it was either now or never. I had no other choice but to choose Jesus and face rejection. Through it all, Gods grace kept me as I held fast, and I am still holding on to my faith in Christ.

The author does not pretend to be a sophisticated writer; rather, she has used personal experiences to unveil timeless truths from the Scriptures. Her personal trials and triumphs will encourage anyone whose faith in God is under threat. She does not make assumptions, no; this book outgrows such pettiness. She presents the case as it is, a rare ability in an age where the autobiographical text is often embellished for artistic purposes. This book, Too Good, Yet So True!, is Gods simple way of bringing dynamic transformation across your way. Your walk with God is not complete without reading this book.
Funso Orimoloye, Research in Culture and Human Development, USA

This is a must-read for all. It is a rare gift to the whole world!
Pastor Oluwayomi Obadimeji

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490824659

Abi Solebo

Born in Nigeria to a devout Muslim family, Abi was a practicing Muslim until her encounter with the Lord. The vision for Too Good, Yet so True! showed the Lord’s faithfulness during her time of persecution, tribulations, and trials after her conversion to Christianity. She has a passion for God. Abi obtained B.Sc. Hon in Chemistry from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She later obtained professional qualification in England and currently lives in the United Kingdom. She is married to Dr Oluyemisi Solebo and both have three wonderful children.

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Copyright © 2014 Abi Solebo.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-2466-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2467-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2465-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014901844

WestBow Press rev. date: 3/10/2014

Contents

Acknowledgement

Foreword

Appreciation

Dedication

Preface The Vision

Chapter 1 God Knows You

Chapter 2 Journey of Life

Chapter 3 Another Dimension of the Journey

Chapter 4 Not a Coincidence

Chapter 5 Fulfilling All Righteousness

Chapter 6 The Encounter

Chapter 7 The Burning Bush Experience

Chapter 8 The Appointed Time

Chapter 9 The Battle

Chapter 10 The Battle is Still Fierce

Chapter 11 Spouse Encounter

Chapter 12 God the Master Planner

Chapter 13 The Wit’s End

Chapter 14 The Still Small Voice

Chapter 15 The Pursuit of Purpose

About the Author

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ and thank Him for the people He has brought into my life. God has divinely orchestrated events in my life to bring so many people my way who have had such a powerful impact on me. Thank You, Lord.

My story would not be complete if I failed to mention my niece, Oluwabunmi Ali, whom God prepared to receive me on my journey to discover the Lord and who introduced me to Dupe Oluwayemi and her husband, Pastor Ademola Oluwayemi, who prayed for me and led me to Christ as I lay on a hospital bed.

Thank you to all my spiritual parents who have been a great blessing in teaching and nurturing me in the way of the Lord. To mention but a few: Daddy Adeboye, your life is an epitome of humility; Pastor P. K. Olawale, your ministry was a great blessing while I was at RCCG Solid Rock Parish Lagos; Pastor Wunmi Oladunjoye, RCCG, Holy Ghost Zone, many blessings; and my Molebi, Mrs. Tolulope Amon, you opened your home and welcomed me.

Busola Ladipo, you paved the way for my stay in Manchester and also welcomed my family and me into your home. I want to say a big Thank You to Pastor Wellington Oluwayomi Obadimeji and his dear wife, Pastor Mofe Obadimeji: The nearly ten years I spent under your leadership at RCCG Strong Tower Parish, Manchester, had a powerful impact on me. Thanks to all my brethren who were with me under your leadership.

Thanks and blessings to the Bamgboses, the Tiyamiyus, the Alberts, the Adenirans, Biola, Pastor Paul, Pastor Julius, and so many brothers and sisters, too numerous to name, who have impacted my life, some directly and some indirectly, through your sermons or books.

Thanks to David Morgan whom God used to orchestrate my way to the Shetland Islands, where the appointed time for the vision for this book came to pass. Pastor Jamie Tonge and his wife, Christine; Pastor Iain Morrison and his wife, Janette, thanks for making me feel at home in Shetland. I also want to acknowledge and thank all my prayer buddies in Shetland: Esther, Lauris, Jean, Val, and Clarice. Indeed, iron sharpens iron; thanks for sharpening me with the word of God and prayer.

Foreword

The author, who is my friend and daughter in the ministry, Sister Bolaji, as she is fondly called, served with me in the ministry for 10 years. [Her middle name is Abolaji, shortened to Bolaji.] She was one of those rare true Christians that the Lord sent into my ministry. Bolaji was a practicing Muslim, who converted from Islam to Christianity in 1998. Despite attacks, trials, and challenges beyond human endurance, including hatred, severe persecutions from friends, relatives and disownment by her biological mother, she maintained her trust and faith in the Lord. Now an ordained Minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Deaconess Bolaji has been loyal and consistent in her daily walk with God. Bolaji is an embodiment of Godly character. A true woman of God, an ardent giver, she will give her last penny to be a blessing to someone else.

This book you are holding in your hand, Too Good, Yet So True is an amazing inspiration from the Holy Spirit. What a book! If you need a book to encourage you concerning whatever situation you are going through in life—particularly if you are a Muslim who has been receiving inspirations and revelations to convert to Christianity, or an unbeliever who does not accept the existence of God, or you are a Christian who needs refreshing, encouragement on hope and faith building—then you are holding the right book.

Deaconess Bolaji’s experience as a young Muslim reared in a polygamous home where partiality, favoritism, injustice, and lack of love reigned, is enough for someone to develop acute mental problems. Coming from a Muslim background, I can understand and imagine the tribulations the author faced. As a young boy, the tenacity and determination with which I studied the Quran came from fear of being beaten. I remembered, as a young boy, if you forgot your memory verses you were in big trouble. It was basically an abuse and a forceful religion, too. Coming out of Islam is, I must admit, a difficult task, if not arduous. Yet, the word of God says, If God be for you, who can be against you.

Deaconess Bolaji emphasised the importance of understanding your purpose in life, and knowing the enemy of your purpose who has an ambition to destroy you. Note the excerpt from the book:

There is a price to pay for success in every stage of life, even for achieving mundane titles, degrees, or excelling in a career. Much more is expected of us to overcome the enemy and gain eternal life.

This book has been a tremendous blessing to my life and ministry. From the book, I discovered that God has an amazing sense of humor. Right inside the mosque in Medina (Muslims’ Holy Ground), the Holy Spirit visited the author. Let me share something quite important from the book with you:

As I was in the mosque in Medina I found myself in a trance-like state, oblivious of my environment. While I had no control over myself, I was speaking in tongues and calling on the name of Jesus. I had what can be referred to as the baptism of the Holy Ghost inside a mosque. The sister who was with me jolted me back to life and to a realization of where I was. She minced no words in telling me what could happen to me if I was found calling on Jesus. Non-Muslims are forbidden from going to Medina at all, much less entering the mosque. The penalty could range from imprisonment, at best, to death, at worst.

This is a must read for all. It is a rare gift to the whole world!

- Pastor Oluwayomi Obadimeji

- Oluwayomi Obadimeji is a Zonal Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Strong Tower Church), Manchester, United Kingdom. With twenty years of experience in the ministry, God’s call upon his life is with signs and wonders of God and salvations of souls.

Appreciation

My darling husband, Oluyemisi: Words cannot express my gratitude to you for trusting and allowing me to be what God created me to be. I love you, darling. My wonderful children—Olumayowa, Ayooluwatunde, Oluwafikayo: Thank God for His hands upon your lives and for making you treasures in earthly vessels. I love you, treasures. Ayooluwatunde: I appreciate your passionate support at the early stages of this book. I am thankful and indebted to for the typing and initial editing of this book.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, the Immortal, the Invisible, the only Wise One, the soon and coming King, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is the divine Author of Too Good, Yet So True! As this vision could not have been a reality without Him.

To God alone be all the Glory, great things He has done!

PREFACE

The Vision

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end, it will speak and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

Habakkuk 2:3

I converted to Christianity from Islam in 1998, and what a great journey it has been. In 2002, four years after my conversion, God instructed me to write this book Too Good, Yet So True! At that time, I was at university studying nursing and had to juggle studying and working and looking after the family. I wrote the first two or three chapters of the book, but to be honest: I was overwhelmed with jobs and looking after the family, and writing the book became a struggle. As important as it was, it became an insurmountable mountain, too difficult to climb, and I had to abandon this project.

I thank God for the Holy Spirit because, at just the right time, I had this strong urge to revisit this book and complete it by the grace of God. This fresh impression on my spirit made me realize that just as Ecclesiastes tells us, there truly is a time for everything—even the visions that God gives us.

When the Spirit prompted me to revisit this book, I searched