Building A. Congregation of. Professionals, One. Member At A Time. In Atlanta. Georgia, USA. Interview by Ugera Yesuf. C
Issue 22, Volume 4, April/May/June/, 2018
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Commitment To The Cross By Pastor Niran Fafowora
Pastor Kunle David Akindoju: Building A Congregation of Professionals, One Member At A Time In Atlanta Georgia, USA Interview by Ugera Yesuf
Published by Ekklesia Publications, Inc. A magazine published by Christians for everyone
PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Ugera M. Yesuf ASSISTANT PUBLISHER/GENERAL MANAGER Juliet E. Yesuf
CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Mitchell Janice S Ramkissoon Maxwell Ogaga Debbie Crawford Gloria Davis COLUMNISTS Dr. Tonya Lewis Pastor Francis K. Oladele Pastor (Dr.) Niran Fafowora Evangelist Glorious Pastor Felicia Lyons Yusuf Fatimah Aderohunmu EDITORIAL BOARD Mr. Ugera Yesuf Pastor Niran Fafowora Mrs. Juliet Yesuf COVER DESIGNER Ugera M. Yesuf WEBMASTER Anthony Pasqual WHO WE ARE EKKLESIA PUBLICATIONS, publisher of Ekklesia Christian Magazine, is a nondenominational and an International publication that provides refreshing, scripturally based articles and stories for the United States readers and beyond. Our editors and columnists’ works are Christ-centered and reflect the core beliefs of the body of Christ
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Table Of Contents
Prayer Points By Pastor Segun Alabi
God Always Has A Plan
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By Dr. Tonya Lewis
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Armor Of God, What Is It?
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Gospel According To Brother Gbile Akanni
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The Three Wise Men And The Symbolism Of Their Gifts To Christ Jesus By Ugera Yesuf
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Paid In Full Posted by Fatimah Yesuf Aderohunmu
Questioning Your God Given Purpose
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By Minister Tamara Doss
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Give Me The Old Time Religion
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Pastor Kunle David Akindoju: Building A Congregation of Professionals, One Member At A Time In Atlanta Georgia, USA Interview by Ugera Yesuf
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A Prayer For A Discerning Spirit By John Jed Dedman
International Women’s Day Part I Advantages and Disadvantages of Onions
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Posted by David
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Characteristics of True and Matured Christian
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Editorial
THE TOMB IS EMPTY – Power of Resurrection By Pastor Niran Fafowora
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riends, I tell you, the tomb is empty. Every tomb prepared for you by the enemy shall remain empty in Jesus name. In Luke 24:1, the bible says, “Now on the first day of the week, (which represents the third day, Jesus was buried), very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.” Thank God for the individuals mentioned in the above scripture. Who were these people? Matthew 28:1 identifies them as, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joses. Mark 16:1, identifies them as, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and, Salome. These women had followed Jesus, their lives had been touched by Him and in gratitude, they ministered to Him during His earthly ministry (Mark 15:4041). After He had been crucified, they were bringing spices to prepare His body for burial. But the bible tells us that these women, with all their good intentions, “...found the stone rolled away from the tomb” because “...an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it” (Luke 24:2; Matthew 28:2). What a wonderful occurrence! From this interesting story, we see that man’s ‘resurrection’ – deliverance, healing, preservation, protection, freedom from sin, decay, and the sting of death, will only come by divine intervention. Just like there was an earthquake, and the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door of the grave where the body of the Son of God was laid, so, also will God send His Spirit with great power to roll away every hindrance that has withstood your progress in life. The bible says, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” Says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). It is by the power of God that the Tomb is Empty. In Micah 7:8, the scripture gives the believer an
assurance of overcoming difficult situations; it says, “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.” Put your confidence in God. He will revive and sustain you in your trying moments. 5“Do not trust in a friend: Do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom. 6For son dishonors father, daughter rises against her mother, daughter- in- law against her mother- inlaw; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household. 7“Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: My God will hear me.” (Micah 7:5-7) Jesus Christ is our burden bearer, and that is why He says, “Come unto me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). Are you looking for prosperity and you are looking up to man? Look unto God instead and what He has spoken in His word concerning you; “Therefore your gates shall be open continually; They shall not be shut day or night, That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles, And their kings in procession.” (Isaiah 60:11) When the power of resurrection touches your life, whatever was dead (that ought not to have died) will be resurrected. There will be a restoration of ‘dead’ lives, marriages, families, businesses, ideas, projects, etc. Buried and forgotten ventures, uncompleted and abandoned projects will all be resuscitated, and the tomb will be empty. If you have been struggling with your walk with God, you need to first of all die to the flesh, and then the power of God can resurrect a newness of life within your spiritman to help you live like a child of God. Are you dead to sin? Are you dead to flesh? Are you dead to the trappings of the world? The power of resurrection is available for you today. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) This is the power of resurrection in Christ Jesus, amen.
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Elizabeth Benson’s Daily Devotional By Elizabeth Benson Singing through the Darkness Good Morning, Today's message is incredibly powerful. It really makes you think and take note of how "we Christians may be the only bible that unbelievers ever read". I hope this message blesses you. Have a great day! Singing through the Darkness: But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. —Acts 16:25 The world watches with great interest when a Christian faces adversity. Every one of us faces hardship. Every one of us loses loved ones. Every one of us faces sickness. Every one of us encounters difficulties and hardships in life. But when it happens to Christians, nonbelievers watch to see if our faith is genuine. That is the time to show them what Christ can do, even in hard times. Acts 16 tells the story of Paul and Silas, who were thrown into prison for preaching the gospel. Their backs had been ripped open with a whip, and at midnight, in the most unsanitary of conditions, in a filthy environment, with their legs stretched apart in shackles causing excruciating pain, Paul and Silas held a worship service. The Bible tells us that “at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God” (verse 25). Suddenly an earthquake shook the prison, their shackles fell off, the walls came down, and they were free to go. Elizabeth Benson The Philippian jailer, assuming they were free, knew he would be tortured and then put to death. He took out his own sword and was ready to kill himself. But Paul said, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here” (verse 28). Then the jailer said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (verse 30). Paul and Silas made impact on him. In the same way, there are people watching you right now. They’re developing an opinion about God on the basis of your life. It has been said that a Christian is an epistle, written by God and read by man. You are the only Bible that some people ever will read. They will be looking at you, and that may determine the course their lives will take. Divine confirmation Good Morning! I have a great message to share with you today. I actually got this message in two different ways this morning... I first saw this video on Facebook, and then opened my e-mail and got the same message via my daily devotional. Usually when that happens it means God really wants to make sure we get the message. I call that divine confirmation. I hope the message blesses you. Have a great day! “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”– Philippians 4:8 Fostering beautiful thoughts will foster a beautiful life. Fostering noble thoughts will create a noble life. Fostering wise thoughts will create a fruitful and successful life. Harbor wisdom and beauty, and cast out every thought that is not from heaven. Let go of everything that would drag you down into negativity or despair, seeing the worst in others, or
seeing the worst in yourself, or seeing the worst in your future. Don’t let them take root in your heart and in your mind. Instead, foster the kind of thoughts that foster hope and joy, love, compassion, purpose, and courage. And then your life will be very different. Prayer Thank you, Lord, for the beauty you have put in this world. Enable to me focus on such things, and to let go of the negative things in my life. Reflection. What beautiful thoughts would you have today? The Heart of the Matter Good Morning! After reading today's message what do you think Jesus wrote in the sand? The bible doesn't say what he wrote, but I have a pretty good idea that it was one word that starts with H and ends in S. I wonder if you agree? Have a bless day. :) The Heart of the Matter "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."—Matthew 9:13 When Jesus walked this earth, He reserved His most scathing words for self-righteous, religious hypocrites. When a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus, the religious elite said to Him, “Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” (John 8:5). Jesus stooped down and began writing something in the sand. Whatever He wrote must have been very revealing, because one by one, they all left, from the oldest to the youngest. Then Jesus turned to the woman and said, “Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” (verse 10). “I have none Lord,” she said. “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (verse 11). He could have said, “Haven’t you heard what the Bible says? Why are you breaking the commandments of God?” But Jesus didn’t give her a lecture. In fact, He got rid of the religious hypocrites and dealt with her graciously. I think Jesus knew she already had realized the enormity of her sin and was willing to turn from it. Thus, He pardoned her. Does that mean Jesus approved of the way she lived? Far from it. God is very clear about how He wants us to live. I think we spend too much time boycotting what nonbelievers do and not enough time giving them the answer to their problems. There is a place to say what we’re against. But the bottom line is that people are empty. They need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s expend our energy there. Let’s expend our energy in proclaiming the gospel, because the heart of the matter is that people are lost. They need Christ, and we need to take that message to them. Mrs. Elizabeth Benson is an active member of High Desert Church in Victorville, California and also a very active member of one the High Desert Church Bible Study Groups . If you would like to receive Mrs. Elizabeth Benson’s Daily Devotional, send your email address or phone number to Ekklesia Publication through one of the contact information listed
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Commitment to the Cross. By T
the almighty creator. Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is optional, even though it is the will of God that all men and women receive salvation. he Easter season brings to memory the story of the The choice to take an advantage of the price paid by Christ is betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord, Master and that of the individual. Salvation has been made free. Some Saviour, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Jesus committed his life people will still not be satisfied until they make their own totally to the cross. The pain was humanly unbearable but He payment, which sometimes may be very costly. withstood it. The shame was indescribable, but He embraced The statement made by Jesus is saying, ‘in case you it. The betrayal was unparalleled in the history of a one-man want to follow Jesus’, ‘per adventure you want to follow mutiny, yet He forgave all men. “For the grace of God that him’. Why is it a conditional statement? It is because Jesus brings salvation has appeared to all men.” (Titus 2:11). Christ himself recognises the fact that man has several other The book of Hebrews encourages us to look unto Jesus the options of whom or what to follow, and he is capable of makauthor and finisher of our ing the choice and can also be held accountable for the faith; who for the joy that was set before endured the cross, choice. Man for example can despising the shame, and is set choose to follow Belial, the down at the right hand of the biblical god of the pagans. He can follow Ogun, one of the throne. Since Christ endured the cross, the least man do is to make several inanimate gods worThere are different kinds of a total commitment to the cross. shipped in Africa. He can folThere is a powerful scriplow other spiritualists long dead men and women. Some are and buried. He can follow polititure that Jesus spoke soon after the rich, some are poor. Some are miracle of feeding five thousand cal or economic power. He can ugly, some are beautiful. Some people with two pieces of fish and follow soothsayers and false five loaves of bread. The word came prophets. He can even choose to are healthy, some are sick. follow the moon, the sun or wait for eight days before the transfiguration Some are knowledgeable, of our Lord Jesus on a mountain. The the few occasions the rainbow is statement was made consequence upon sighted and follow it. some are stack illiterates. Peter’s confession of faith, that “Jesus is The testimony was once given by a Some are sinful, some are man who became a wizard because he the Christ of God.” The statement is recorded in Luke 9 v 23. “And he said to wanted power. He was a successful faithful……….. then all, If any man will come after me, let man, quite enlightened, a top executive in a successful financial institution and a him deny himself, and take up his cross highly charismatic individual. He got the daily and follow me.” There are a number of interesting revelations in the statement power quite alright, but it was a power that will bless the children of God. At the that he could only use to destroy himself. He made several attempts to kill his borntime, this statement was made by Jesus, only his disciples were with him. The statement again wife but never succeeded. According still nevertheless covers everybody, ‘any man’, regardless of to his own testimony, he did not have any peace, not even foe a single day, until he gave his life to Christ. His wife was who the person may be. “If any man.” is an interesting phrase present at the testimony. which should be dwelt on briefly. The phrase starting with the word ‘if’, means you have a choice of following or not fol‘If any man.’ Any man means whoever the man is; whatever lowing Christ. It is not compulsory for a man to be born the situation of the man; whatever his condition could be. All men are given the opportunity and the chance to follow again, if he or she does not desire it. It is not compulsory for Christ. Titus 2 v 11, states that “...the grace of God that one to receive a gift, if he does not want it. Some people are comfortable with curses, some others feel very much at home brings salvation has appeared to all men.” with iniquities, shortages and barrenness. There are yet unThere are different kinds of men and women. Some are rich, some are poor. Some are ugly, some are beautiful. countable others who prefer their power to Holy Ghost powSome are healthy, some are sick. Some are knowledgeable, er, their knowledge to Holy Ghost counsel, the doctrines of man in science, psychology and philosophy, to the counsel of some are stack illiterates. Some are sinful, some are faithful.
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Some are dying softly, some are living gloriously. Some are hungry, some are overfed. There are those who are prospering, there are others whose business are collapsing. Some are completely lost, probably sold out to the enemy. For as long as you are a man or a woman, you have the chance to follow Christ. “If any man will come after me.” ‘…will come after me’ is a phrase that completely encompasses the focus of attaining the so much desired Christ-like image. There are several interpretations to what the phrase can mean. The interpretations lead to a number of revelations that are worthy of consideration. If any man will follow my footsteps! To come after Jesus is to follow his footsteps. To follow his footsteps is talking about doing the work he did while on earth. This should not be difficult because he said by himself that greater woks he did, we will also do when we receive the Holy Ghost. He had the power to order the paralytic to arise, take his bed and go home. I remember also an incidence at a night vigil when a lady gave a powerful testimony of receiving a miraculous healing from a disease of cancer of the breast which has been earmarked for surgery. The surgery never took place. There was no need for it. If any man will be revealed after me! ‘To come after Jesus’, can have one of its meanings as, ‘to be revealed after Jesus.’ For you to be revealed after Christ means you have not perished in the race of life. It means you will be present with him in his kingdom. To be revealed after Christ means his nature will be present in you. According to Paul in Galatians 1 v 16, the purpose of Christ revelation in us is to preach him among the unbelievers. If you are not preaching him among the unbelievers, it means you are not being revealed after him. The bible says that the entire world awaits the manifestation of the children of God. Unless you are not a child of God, you must manifest. So many people are waiting to hear the good news. It is my prayer that you will be revealed after him as you begin to preach the gospel. If any man will pursue me! ‘If any man will come after me,’ may also mean, ‘if any man will pursue me.’ To pursue after Jesus means to set your goals after his goals. It means to use him as your role model, nay your hero. The priority Jesus had on earth was to establish his father’s will. Jesus did not joke with the things of the kingdom. He even demonstrated a holy anger by driving out of the synagogue those who came to trade and batter there. The bible tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and every other thing shall be added. Pursuing after Christ is the surest way to seek the kingdom of God. If any man will persist after me! ‘If any man will come after me’, can be translated to mean, ‘if any man will persist after me.’ Persisting after Christ can be very rewarding. We remember the story of the Canaanite woman told in Matthew 15 v 21-28. The woman cried unto Jesus for her daughter to be healed. She was rebuffed three times, but she persisted until Jesus Christ obliged her and our Lord himself gave a great testimony of the woman, “… Oh woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” There was also the story of a housemaid who was wrongly accused of stealing her master’s money. The circumstance surrounding the missing money pointed at the poor girl as the only obvious suspect. She knew where the money was kept. It was only in her presence that the money was kept at the particular place, and to make matters worse, she was the only one left in the
house while everybody either went to school or to work. The housemaid who happened to be a serious-minded Christian knew she did not steal the money. What did she do? She persisted after Christ in prayer and fasting for an indefinite period. She did not have to wait for longer than three days before the money was discovered in the school bag of a child whose family came visiting the weekend the money was discovered to be missing. Jesus Christ will always honour whoever persists after him. One of the great demonstration of faith one can exhibit is to persist after Jesus Christ. If any man will succeed me! ‘If any man will come after me’, may also mean ‘if any man will succeed me’. The focus of Christian living is for us all to be little Jesuses all over the surface of the earth, doing greater work than he did. So many of us find difficult to believe that it is possible for somebody to do greater works than Jesus did. The fact of the case is that Christians have been appointed ‘kings and priests’, consequence upon our adoption as sons of the almighty God through the work Jesus did on the cross. The freedom is so large to the extent that we are allowed to get married and bear children. Greater works! Jesus Christ never got married, not to talk of bearing children. He was nevertheless so kind as to leave behind a legacy of power, after the baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereupon we will all be witnesses unto him in the uttermost part of the world. (Acts 1 v 8) If you cannot reach the uttermost part of the world, you can at least begin in your immediate neighbourhood. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself.” Anyone who will deny himself will forgo and forsake certain things like food when fasting is declared; sleep when night vigil is necessary or decreed by the pastor; luxuries of life when serving the Lord, particularly as missionaries. The things to forgo will also include pain when injured by someone and, bitterness when hurt or disappointed by somebody. As it will be expected, forsaking iniquities and sinfulness despite their sweetness, is a permanent feature of denying oneself. To deny yourself,’ most importantly can mean a lot of other things. For example, it may mean ‘to disclaim yourself’, ‘to refuse to recognise yourself but Christ in you’, ‘to disown yourself’, ‘to dispossess of yourself of whatever intellect you have and yield yourself completely to the Holy Ghost. To deny yourself is to lose consciousness of your dignity in the presence of the Lord. It involves repudiating any claim you may have over yourself, your children and anything that belongs to you. Your achievements have been possible only by His grace, so it is necessary to return the glory to him. John 1 v 3 tutors that, “all things were made by him, and without him was not anything made.” “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily.” Everybody has a cross to be picked up daily. The Lord Jesus in Matthew 10 v 38 said, “And he that takes not his cross, and follow after me, is not worthy of me.” Jesus is admonishing us to take up our cross daily and follow after him. Some people wake up daily to take up other people’s
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cross. They are given the name, “telltale.” The spiritual implication of telling tales, or gossiping is serious. It is synonymous to being an undertaker. An undertaker is a person whose trade is to manage funerals and burials for other people. The scriptures say, ‘let the dead bury the dead.’ A gossip himself is the dead, trying to bury the dead. There is a revelation about crosses which one is compelled to share at this point. Nobody can carry two crosses at the same time. If it were possible for anybody to carry more than one cross, the people who crucified Jesus would have ensured that he carried more than one cross, (three were needed) because of their resolve to inflict maximum pain on him. You cannot carry your cross and at the same time carry someone else’s cross. If however you are carrying a cross that is not your own, it means yours is lying down somewhere to be carried. Another interesting revelation about crosses is that your cross is proportional to your strength. This is why the scripture says where sin abides, grace abides much more abundantly. There is also the promise of God that he will not allow any temptation that you have not got sufficient grace to overcome, come your way. The only problem is that most people take the grace for granted. Crosses have varied weights and they come in different sizes. The only cross you have adequate stamina to carry is your own. For example, if you wear a wrong shoe size, you may be asking for pains in your toes or inability to walk properly. I remember a personal experience I had when I was in the University. My roommate was double dating two girls. One as a serious fiancée and the other as a spare girlfriend, for what we used to call ‘boys outing’ in those days. One day, the girlfriend came visiting and I had to leave the room so that they could have some privacy. The moment I got to the courtyard of our then famous hall of residence, I sighted the original fiancée signing the visitors register at the porter’s lodge. Their visits coincided that faithful morning. They were not to meet each other. Immediately I felt I should save the situation for my roommate. I thought I should run back to the room and alert him. I was desperately so much in a rush that I hit my head against the edge of the beam supporting the stairs to our room. I did not stop to assess the injury. I got to the room quite all right and
frantically knocked at the door. The moment the door was opened, I collapsed with blood streaming out of somewhere in my head. A few minutes later, I was revived by a combined team of the ‘lunatic’ of a roommate, his original fiancée, the other girlfriend and one other student. The parties that were not supposed to meet, met and there was no problem. It was much later that I learnt that what could have resulted in a big problem was averted at the shedding of my blood. My roommate escorted one of the girls back to the porter’s lodge and requested the other to assist him take me to the clinic. His story to both of the girls as I learnt later was that one of them was my own girlfriend. I would never know which one till tomorrow, as I was too young on the campus to contemplate a girlfriend on the campus at that time. His cross was definitely too heavy for me to carry. It almost killed me. What therefore is a cross. The Webster Dictionary has a number of fascinating definitions for a cross. It is symbolically a figure or mark made by placing one line across the other. It is an upright wooden stake with a horizontal crossbar to which criminals were tied or nailed, especially the one on which Jesus Christ was crucified. It has also been defined as the chief emblem Christianity. It is also defined as the suffering and tribulation a Christian has to bear consequence upon the confession of the faith. The cross was initially a wooden stake upon which criminals were nailed. It could therefore have been an emblem of shame or a symbol of judgement like the electric chair. That was before it bore Jesus. The moment the blood of Jesus was shed on it, it became transformed from an emblem shame to the chief emblem of Christianity. Such is the great transformation power of the blood of Jesus. The same blood is available to transform a life of iniquities, a life of shortage, a life of inadequacies, a life of suffering and persecution to a life of fulfilment. It is also significant to point out that Jesus bore the cross before the cross lifted him up. This is saying that you will have to carry your cross before it can carry you. You have to accept the ordeal, you have to face the challenges posed by the problem because the same problem will eventually lead to your promotion. You must recognise your weaknesses before they can be turned to strength. You must acknowledge your iniquities and inadequacies before you can overcome them. We see yet another powerful revelation about the cross, in Philippians 2 v 8, in a letter written by Paul to the Philippians. Among other things, Paul made a profound statement concerning Jesus and his
attitude towards the cross he carried. “… And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross…” From this scripture, we see the cross as a humbling factor. Apostle Paul had a thorn (an infirmity) in his flesh that was his own cross. He called it a messenger of death that was allowed to buffet him less he exalts himself above measure because of the avalanche of revelations that the Lord has granted him. Thrice he beseeched the Lord for the removal of the thorn. The Lord did not grant his request for His grace was more than sufficient for Paul, to the extent that he was made strong in weakness. (2Cor. 12 v 7-10) In Hebrews 12 v 2, we see yet another powerful revelation about the cross. “… Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame. And is set down at the right hand throne of God.” We are able to learn from this passage that the cross can also be a window of vision. You have to look and see through the cross and behold your vision. Whatever you want to become in life, go ahead and set about accomplishing it without allowing your shortcomings to distract nor discourage you. You cannot run away from your cross. The best you can do is to come to terms with it and then forge ahead. The bible in Philippians 3 v 17-19 said a few things about the enemies of the cross from the abundance of Paul’s revelation. For the enemies of the cross, their end is destruction their god is their belly their glory is their shame they live after the flesh .Some of the enemies of the cross of Christ include professed believers who corrupt the gospel by immoral living. They also engage in false teachings and profane the good name of the Lord. In conclusion, one can ask the extent to which one must bear the cross. The answer is found in John 19 v 17 where the bible talks again about Jesus. “…And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of the skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.” You must carry your cross as far as to Golgotha, the place of the skull, the place of death. Death to the flesh, death to self, death to ego, death to materialism, death to arrogance, death to pride and death to the wisdom of the world. Before a seed can bear fruit, it must die and it must be buried. You must be fully committed to the cross.
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Pastor Segun Alabi
1. Exodus 15:19: Pharaoh’s horses rushed into the sea, the Lord brought the water crashing down on them. The Lord shall drown your evil pursuers in Jesus name 2.
Mark 9:18: I asked your disciples to cast out d evil spirit, but they could not. The Spirit of God shall intervene & cast out any stubborn problem near u In Jesus name
3. Isaiah 17:10: You turned from God who can save u, the rock that can hide you. You shall not lose sight of your priorities and God shall stand behind u always in Jesus name 4. Psalm 9:15: Nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others. Whoever laughs at you or has evil heart towards you shall receive the worse fate in Jesus name 5. Jeremiah 23:23: “I am a God at hand & not a God far off.” The Lord shall be close to you and to hear and answer you when you call, in Jesus name 6. Numbers 9:13: “They must offer the Passover sacrifice one month later.” You shall recover all the grounds you lost to others and be lifted to where you should be ,in Jesus name 7. Job 30:26: “I waited for the light, but darkness fell.” The sun will shine over the dark days of your life, in Jesus name
return to sender in Jesus name 11. Mark 1:38: “We must go on to other towns as well.” You shall disappoint those who want you to remain in one position, but you shall move to greater heights in Jesus name 12. Mark 1:38: “We must go on to other towns as well.” You shall disappoint those who want you to remain in one position, but you shall move to greater heights in Jesus name 13. 1 Peter 5:1: “I too will share in His glory when He is revealed.” Your share of God’s glory shall manifest and everyone shall see it soon in Jesus name .
14. Psalms 125:1: “They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed.” For your continual trust in the Lord, things will get better for you in Jesus name 15. 1Chronicles 7:40: “Each descendant of Asher were mighty warriors and outstanding leaders.” You shall be a GO-TO person in your family and generation in Jesus name 16. Proverbs 27:6: “Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy.” The Lord shall expose those pretending to be friends that you trust in Jesus name .
17. Ezekiel 32:32: “Pharaoh will lie there among those who were slaughtered.” The Lord shall 8. Isaiah 42:6: The Lord said, “You will be a treat powers against you to suffer same fate as light to guide the nations.” Your light shall rise Pharaoh In Jesus name. out of darkness & the people shall see it and 18. Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp to guide follow u in Jesus name my feet and a light for my path. The light of God
9. Psalm 67:1-2: “God be merciful to us that your ways may be known throughout the earth.” The grace of God be upon you and announce you to the world in Jesus name 10. Proverbs 26:2: “An undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.” Every satanic, demonic, or witchcraft agenda against you shall
shall make U not to fail, fall, stumble or defeated in Jesus name . 19. Exodus 14:28: “The Egyptians who chased the Israelites into the sea, no single one survived.” The same fate shall fall on those who will raise an objection to your progress in Jesus name .
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God Always Has A Plan!
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By Dr. Tonya Lewis
iel, Hananiah, Michael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. God would position them so that He would always have a voice to the people even of the Babylonian community. V 20. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. God gave them favor with the foreign king and the king’s officers.
or so long, Almighty God had His prophets forewarn the Israelites of impending punishment. 2 Kings 20:16-18-Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. …who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.” Judgement would come on the entire nation, even though there were some people who were obeying the will of God. Such godly young men included God distinguished them before the king. But, with Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego. Their their courage and faithfulness to His commands, they love and honor for God could have changed to also distinguished themselves before God. Then the anger and rebelliousness in light of being taken king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave into exile, but it did not. Even there in a strange him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over land, they stayed true to their the whole province of Babylon, as commitment to the True and well as chief over all his wise men. Living God. (2:48). At Daniel's request, the king What they did not know and appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and probably in a million years nevAbednego to be in charge of all the He made Daniel er could have imagined that even affairs of the province of Babylon… ruler over the in the midst of captivity, God yet Daniel 2:49. Yes, even in that very forwhole province of had an awesome plan of reward eign land God had a WONDERFUL Babylon, as well for them. No, the plan did not manplan for them. as chief over all ifest right away and would take three years to come to pass. Howevhis wise men. No matter what strange situations you er, each day moved them toward the (2:48). experience, God will always have a masunfolding of it. This is when we must ter plan. Everything that happens to us in stand firm in faith of God’s love for life will not be fair or directly caused by us. Even when we do not understand our actions. However other times, we will what’s going on, or see the powerful be the ones directly responsible for what we hand of God holding us, He is yet right there. At experience. At all times, we can thank God that we no point, did God forsake nor forget them. He are never out of His sight and plan. God bless. was allowing maturity, wisdom and other needed qualities to settle in their spirit. Join us for our 1st Saturday Fellowships, 1:15 p.m. at Dan: 1:17-…God gave them knowledge and skill the U S Bank Community Bldg., Crenshaw and Slauson, in all learning and wisdom. And Daniel had unLos Angeles, CA. Contact : Inderstanding in all visions and dreams. 18-When fo:
[email protected] , One Faith Fellowship, the training period ordered by the king was comP. O. Box 56641, pleted; the chief of staff brought all the young Los Ang 90056, www.onefaithfellowship.org , men to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king thought (323) 481-6724. he was “in charge”, as many in our lives think they control the outcome of our lives. But he and they are just really tools in the hand of Daniel’s and our faithful God, who controls the ultimate outcome of our lives. V19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Dan-
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am sure you have seen this picture somewhere, probably in the church, and you wonder why this picture of ancient Roman soldier is in the church? I have had to search my soul and researched the scripture for an answer. Then as I left my house at 4:30 am and turned on a Christian radio station, “bam” here it is, a pastor talking about Full Armor of God. Now, the phrase “Full Armor of God” comes from Ephesians 6:13-17, and it says “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The dictionary defines Armor as a “Defensive covering for the body; especially : covering (as of metal) used in combat The phrase "Armor of God" as it is used in Ephesians 6:11 says, "Put on the whole Armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. " (KJV). As a Biblical reference, the comparison may refer to physical armor worn by God in figurative battles, or it may refer to vigilant righteousness in general as given by the grace of God (Romans 13:12, KJV): "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." Ephesians 6:12 shows that the fight with Satan is spiritual, and therefore no tangible and physical weapons can be effectively employed against him and his followers. We do not know and neither are we given a list of specific tactics Satan will use and sometimes uses. But, Ephesians is quite clear about following all of the instructions faithfully, to be able to stand, and proclaim victory regardless of Satan’s strategy. The first point of call in obedience of the above instructions of our Armor, is Truth as it is stated in verse 14 of Ephesians 6. This is so since Satan is said to be the “father of lies” in John 8:44.. Deception is high on the list of things God considers to be an abomination. A “lying tongue” is one of the things God describes as “detestable to Him” in Proverbs 6:16-17. We are therefore encouraged to speak the truth for our own sanctification and deliverance, as well as for the benefit of those to whom we witness. In verse 14 of Ephesians 6, we are also told to put on the breastplate of righteousness. A breastplate shielded a warrior’s vital organs from blows that would otherwise be
fatal. This righteousness is not works done by men. Rather, it is the righteousness of Christ, assigned by God and received by faith, which guards our hearts against the accusations and charges of Satan and secures our innermost being from his attacks. Verse 15 talks about preparation of the feet for spiritual conflict. In warfare, an enemy places dangerous obstacles in the path of advancing soldiers. The idea of the preparation of the gospel of peace as footwear suggests what we need to advance into Satan's territory, aware that there will be traps, with the message of grace so essential to winning souls for Christ. Satan has many obstacles placed on our path to halt the propagation of the gospel. The shield of faith spoken of in verse 16 makes Satan's sowing of doubt about the faithfulness of God and His word ineffective. Our faith, of which Christ is “the author and perfecter” in Hebrews 12:2, is like a golden shield, precious, solid, and substantial. The helmet of salvation in verse 17 is protection for the head, keeping viable critical part of the body. We could say that our way of thinking needs preservation. The head is the seat of the mind, which, when it has laid hold of the sure gospel hope of eternal life, will not receive false doctrine or give way to Satan’s temptations. The unsaved person has no hope of warding off the blows of false doctrine because he is without the helmet of salvation and his mind is incapable of discerning between spiritual truth and spiritual deception. Verse 17 also explains the meaning of the sword of the Spirit, it is the word of God. While all the other pieces of spiritual armor are defensive in nature, the sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the Armor of God. It speaks of the Holiness and power of the Word of God. A greater spiritual weapon is not conceivable. When Jesus was tempted in the desert, the Word of God was always His overpowering response to Satan. What a blessing that the same Word is available to us today In verse 18, we are told to pray in the Spirit, that is, with the mind of Christ, with His heart and His priorities, in addition to wear the full Armor of God. We cannot neglect prayer, as it is the means by which we draw spiritual strength from God. Without prayer, our reliance on God, and our efforts at spiritual warfare are empty and futile. The full Armor of God, truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer are the tools God has given to us, through which we can be spiritually victorious, overcoming Satan’s attacks and temptations.
Full Armor Of God. What Is It?
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GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BROTHER GBILE AKANNI
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was to connect a flight to Manchester from an airport but while waiting for my flight to be called I saw a brother I knew back in Nigeria and he was glad to see me. We discussed nearly everything until our flight was called. The brother got his papers and passport ready to board the plan, but as for me I could not find my passport. I searched frantically without success. After
some time, the brother left and commended me to the grace of God to help me find my passport. I ran to the ticket counter to explained what happened and asked if they could delay the flight a little while I search for my passport because the thought of missing my preaching appointment was frightening. They declined my request. I watched my friend board the flight and I watched the plane took off and left. Even though my friend was my disciple, he boarded the flight, but I could not. My friend and many associates of mine respect and see me as a great man of God and yet there was little they could do to help my situation. I have so many other important papers intact but without the passport the authorities would not let me board the flight.
The theme Brother Gbile Akanni was going to preach on at the convention of Methodist church in Nigeria as the main speaker is taken from Heb.12:14, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (ESV). The passport issue came about while Brother. Gbile was explaining the words 'without which'. The passport to entering heaven is Holiness. Your status, wealth, position, degree or what have you does not count. Some pastors would be left behind while people that came to know God through them would enter the kingdom of God. Some people are paying too much attention to little things, while leaving important ones unattended to. You can be an A student, but if you do not pass English and Mathematics with at least a C in Nigerian, admission to any major and reputable university will be a difficult task. The airport authorities have rules that cannot be bend or compromised for anybody. If you are not in compliance, you are on your own. You still have opportunity now to get ready for the ultimate flight, once you die or the trumpet sounds, no matter how frantic your efforts are, you will have to face the consequence of your actions. I wonder what else would be important to an international traveler other than the passport. Your passport to heaven is Holiness and you better do all you can now to locate it and if you have misplaced it you will regret ever coming to the world. I was able to locate the passport where I dropped it when packing other things. The booking lady rebuked me sharply for being so careless and I deserve it. Anyway, I asked them to help me check if there would be another flight going my route and I was lucky there was. But what if there was no other flight or what if the next flight was fully booked? After the incidence, Brother Gbile learnt to treasure his passport and to hold it close to his heart. Had I known would not be your portion in Jesus name. Please locate your passport now and treasure it dearly. Your flight may be announced any moment.
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The Three Wise Men (Magi): Significance of Their Gifts To Christ Jesus
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By Ugera Yesuf
n the New Testament, there is the introduction of the THREE WISE MEN from the East directed by a bright Star to pay homage to Christ Jesus in Matthew 2:2-12. Not much is known about them, except if you are a Bible scholar or a Theologian who has taken the time to research the history of the three wise men and the significance of their gifts. Just the same way the elder brother of the prodigal son was lost in biblical history. However. Mr. Brent Landau, a Lecturer, University of Texas at Austin, in his article titled “The Magi”, guides us through a brief history of the Magi. He told us in his article that the word Magi usually means “astrologers” or “magicians.” It can also refer, more specifically, to priests of the Zoroastrian religion, an Iranian tradition that has influenced both Judaism and Christianity. Zoroastrian magi were famous in the ancient world for their skills in interpreting the nighttime sky, so Matthew’s enigmatic figures may have been priests who hailed from Iran.” The article said though the book of Matthew said nothing more than the magi hailed from “the East” in Matthew 2:1, but most early Christians thought the magi came from Iran. The montage shows “the magi wearing Phrygian caps, traditional Iranian headpieces that later became the inspiration for the pointed hats worn by magicians”. However, there were different theories about where in the East the magi came from. Some say Babylon, which had a reputation as the birthplace of astrology, or Arabia, since the exotic spices brought by the magi came from that region. One ancient Christian text, the Revelation of the Magi, even portrays the magi as coming from China. After Jesus was born, three wise Men came to look for Him, probably from an area mentioned above. Although the Bible does not say how many there were, or that they were kings. One suggestion by Theologians is that they might have been Kings of the Yemen, as during this time the Kings of Yemen were Jews. Three, is only a guess because they brought with them three gifts: but however, they probably would have had many more servants with them. They were men of great knowledge. The word Magi comes from the Greek word 'magos' (where the English word 'magic' comes from). Magos itself comes from the old
Persian word 'Magupati' according some Bible scholars. Today we'd called them astrologers. Back then astronomy and astrology were part of the same overall studies (and 'science') and went hand in hand with each other. The magi would have followed the patterns of the stars religiously. They would have also probably been very rich and held high esteem in their own society and by people who weren't from their country or religion. They had seen an unusual new star in the sky, and knew that it told of the birth of a special king. No one really knows what the new star in the sky was, and there are many theories including comets, supernovas, a conjunction of planets or something supernatural Stories are told about the three wise men and the significance of their gifts they brought with them. This is how they are often described: Gold is a precious metal and as such was a very valuable commodity. The Bible does not tell us any other significance to these three gifts; however, tradition has it that there is a deeper meaning for each of the three. Gold is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. Pagan idols were often made from gold and the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:1017). The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity—God in flesh. Frankincense is said to be a white resin or gum, obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. It is also said to be of highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34). Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, equivalent to a burnt offering. Myrrh was also said to be a product of Arabia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. It was a spice and was used in embalming. It was also sometimes mingled with wine to form an article of drink. Such a drink was given to our Savior when He was about to be crucified, as a staggering potion (Mark 15:23). Matthew 27:34 refers to it as “gall.” Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer for us greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him.
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Paid In Full Posted by Fatimah Yesuf Aderohunmu
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away, and willed all his possessions to him. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived young man was getting ready to at his father's house, sadness and regret filled graduate from college. For many months he his heart. He began to search through his fahad admired a beautiful sports car in a deal- ther's important documents and saw the Bible, er’s showroom, and knowing his father new, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, could well afford it, he told him that was all he opened the Bible and began to turn the paghe wanted. As Graduation Day approached, es. His father had carefully underlined a verse, the young man awaited signs that his faMatt 7:11, "And if ye, being evil, ther had purchased the car. Finalknow how to give good gifts to ly, on the morning of his graduyour children, how much ation, his father called him more shall your Heavenly "And if ye, being evil, into his private study, told Father which is in Heavknow how to give good him how proud he was to en, given to those who gifts to your children, have such a fine son, and ask Him?" As he read how much more shall how much he loved him. those words, a car key He handed him a beautidropped from the your Heavenly Father fully wrapped gift box. back of the Bible. It which is in Heaven, Curious, but somewhat had a tag with the given to those who ask disappointed, the young dealer’s name, the Him?" Matthew 7:11 man opened the box and same dealer who had found a lovely, leatherthe sports car he had debound Bible, with his name sired. On the tag was the embossed in gold. Angrily, he date of his graduation, and raised his voice to his father and the words... PAID IN FULL. said, “With all your money you give me a How many times do we miss God's Bible?" He stormed out of the house, leaving blessings because they are not packaged as we the Bible behind. Many years passed, and expected? If this touched your heart, please the young man was very successful in busipass it on!! Please read b4 u go home or u are ness. He had a beautiful home and wonder- at home already, read this to the end. You ful family, but realized his father was very hardly have time for God. He loves you and alold. He thought perhaps he should go to him. ways bless u. He is always with you. He needs He had not seen him since that graduation you to spend your time with him all the time. day. But before he could decide, he received Not just to pray but to praise him. a telegram telling him his father had passed
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QUESTIONING YOUR GOD GIVEN PURPOSE? By Tamara Doss
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He is not there, but more that you have not surrendered your control and humbled yourself to His reality. He is real and He is present. Commit to seeking His Spirit in ave you ever wondered if you are living the plan your heart and don’t be afraid to experience the Fire of the God designed for your life? Are you walking in His will and Holy Ghost and let the Spirit lead and guide you. Once fully engaged in your life’s calling? Well, if you are congratyou surrender, the fire will baptize you in His presence like ulations to you! I know you must be grateful and excited to you have never experienced and you will never be the share it with others around you. I too am living His amazing same. Jesus said in Acts 1:5 ‘You heard from me, for John plans for my life and want to share with those still seeking my baptized with water, but before many days you shall be 6 steps that have led me to experience His plan for my life baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” and encourage them to embrace their amazing plan. When you begin spending more time with Him, you will First, you have to recognize and believe that God does have learn how to develop the skill of conversation with an amazing plan for your life. I Him. We tend to learn how to speak to mean not just read that and say Him easier than we do listening to “yeah, I’ll buy that”, but say Him. Listening to His voice and know“YES I truly know that without a ing His voice from the others of this shadow of doubt” and you recogworld requires practice and time to nize the truth about your Heavdevelop the fine tuning of His precious enly Father. He created you in voice. In John 10:27 “My sheep listen His image and with great purto my voice; I know them, and they pose. He didn’t accidently make follow me.” He knows every detail of you and forget to give you purour lives even before we speak them or pose with the talents and giftings pray about them. He is waiting for us to achieve them. He is the Masto begin listening to Him so we can be ter Builder of the masterdivinely directed to living His amazing piece! For me personally the plans. When I’m in prayer, my desire reality of this truth became imis to listen more and talk less…..it is a bedded in my heart and soul with good formula to live your life by when Tamara Doss the promises found in Jeremiah your desire is to learn to walk on His 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the path and not your own. Lord. Plans not to harm you but to give you hope and a fuAs you begin to discover a conversation with your Father, ture.” Also the promise in Romans 8:28 “All things work for the next step is to learn to be bold and courageous just like good for those that love and are called according to His purJoshua and Moses. Obedience can be the ultimate characposes.” I encourage you to spend time in prayer and worteristic that separates those that are living God’s plans for ship with the Lord daily and ask Him to show you the promtheir lives and those that are lost, confused, hurt and expeises He has specifically for you and your unique plan and rience life long pain. Obedience can be simple once we truthen embrace them tightly everyday with a grateful heart! ly embrace the desire to be like Jesus and follow Jesus. If Spend time daily developing a relationship with Him. Get we truly believe that God is good and He has a good plan into His presence by inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell in the for our life, then we should be obedient to His directions prayer, worship, praise, healing, meditation and your everyand be confident that even if we cannot see the results, we day existence. In Philippians 4:6 It says “Do not be anxious KNOW they are good! No whining, no doubting, no guessabout anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petiing and definitely no saying “NO” to your Heavenly Fation, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Go ther. before the Lord and fellowship with Him. He is waiting for However, one important factor is that you must wait on us to delight in the Him. “Take delight in the LORD, and he your Father’s timing. When He tells you to do something, will give you the desires of your heart” Psalms 37:4. He may be giving you a vision of the future, so the next If you have never experienced His presence, it’s not because step is learning to listen for when he says “Go” or Continue on next page
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“Now”. When the timing is right for me, He always speaks in one word commands. Remember, this takes time to develop and He will provide affirmations and confirmations along the way as you chose to step forward in obedience. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 Soon your confidence will become stronger and stronger and your will grow to have unshakeable faith under all circumstances. This is how Jesus was because He knew his Father so well. He would always spend time alone with his Father and would do nothing but what the Father asked of Him. In John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” This is the faith that people can see clearly in you when you are facing storms of this life and yet the wind of the world does not sink your boat. You stay steady and unshakeable because you know who holds your hand. This faith requires knowing your Father well just like Jesus. Keep your eyes up and your knees down because this is where you will find truth and life. If you take your eyes off of Jesus, the lies of the world seem so real and painful. Can you imagine what Mary felt when she watched her precious son’s last day on earth? We all experience sadness through our own suffering, and have witnessed the suffering of those close to us. In The Passion we see how Mary witnessed the terrible ordeals of her own son being humiliated before the church elders, dragged before Pilate for judgment, scourged nearly unto death, and finally nailed to a cross to die. The ordeal of Jesus’ perse-
cution and death are so horrific that nearly all of his followers abandoned him, yet Mary remained. What enabled Mary to remain with Jesus and persevere through this suffering? Mary’s love for Jesus as his mother, and her faith and hope in his divinity enabled her to endure the path to his death. We must always keep our eyes up and our knees down and spend time with Jesus to know the truth which will keep our faith unconditional and unshakeable just like Mary’s. If you practice these principles daily and in all circumstances, good or bad, easy or challenging, you will experience the greatness of His good plan for your life…..living in JOY! You will experience living in the fruit of the spirit as in Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” You can and will, even in the darkest moments and most difficult circumstances of life, experience these gifts. I have experienced death, divorce, infertility and betrayal but where I found joy was in the truth. Through God’s personal encounter and words with me I kept my feet firmly planted in faith and knowing that He was still in control and that I was to “live by faith, not by sight” as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:7. Walk in joy even with a tear in your eye. Walk in peace even when your heart is broken. Walk in courage even when you are afraid. Walk in wholeness even when you are broken into a hundred pieces. God is faithful! These 6 steps will lead you to the path of living in God’s will and not your own. When you desire God’s will for your life, you will experience His will and truly be living GOD’S AMAZING PLANS in your own life. If you are interested in learning more about these steps in detail, I am launching a 30 day challenge on my website
Through God’s personal encounter and words with me I kept my feet firmly planted in faith and knowing that He was still in control and that I was to “live by faith, not by sight” as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:7.
L I S T E N O R WAT C H TA M A R A D O S S ON GOD'S AMAZING PLANS RADIO SHOW h t t p : / / w w w. g o d s a m a z i n g p l a n s . c o m
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Give Me The Old Time Religion
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ive me the old time religion where the love for God brought us to church and not the needs at home Give me the old time religion where Christians were living saints and not hypocrites I want the old time religion where purity was celebrated and sin detested. I want the old path where neither text messages nor voice call is used to remind the saints about service. Give me the old path where persecution was a testimony and not a reason for back sliding Give me the old path where saints were more heavenly conscious and not the world base Christianity of today. The old path The pews and benches The crosses The tears The love built on trust Where sisters married as virgins and not as single parents. The old path where Christ was all Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive; and children were polite. Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen; and children looked decent. People loved the truth, and hated a lie. Rejoicing sounded normal; and crying sounded sincere. Cursing was wicked; Drinking was evil; and divorce was unthinkable. Not where we are now. Divorce today preach tomorrow We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school; And preached from house to house. To be called a Christian was worth living for;
Sex was a personal word. Homosexual was an unheard of word, And abortion was an illegal word. Preachers preached because they had a message; and Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY! Preachers preached from the Bible; Singers sang from the heart; Sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED! A new birth meant a new life; Salvation meant a changed life; Following Christ led to eternal life. We have turned church to theatre Alter to stage The Gospel to motivations Faith to management. Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God; Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord; Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus; And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you! Laws were based on the Bible; Homes read the Bible; And churches taught the Bible. Preachers were more interested in new converts than new clothes and new cars. Church was where you found Christians on the Lord's day, rather than in the park, on the creek bank, on the golf course, or being entertained somewhere else. Give me that old time religion 'It is good enough for me! Am tired of the new Am tired of hypocrisy Am tired of betrayals I want the old I still like the "Old Paths" Jeremiah 6:16
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“I’m not interested in a building, I have to build the people first and then together we will build their church”.
Pastor Kunle David Akindoju
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or people who don’t know you, how will you describe Pastor Kunle Akindoju?
My personality can be a little bit confusing to some people. I am someone that set goals and ensure that I accomplish them at a cost, and this may be perceived by some people as being too aggressive and un-emotional, which is not the case. I have the tendency to think too much which is good sometimes and not so good at other times. I am very passionate about what I do. Sometimes I may come across as being too intense, but to those who know me very well, it’s all a facade. I am sort of a gentle giant. I am committed to excellence and sometimes that could rub some people wrongly. I know that whatever we see and enjoy in life happen because someone made it happen. You see, I rather have someone else describe me as they see as opposed to me doing it, especially as it relates to my human relationship and the profession that I am in.
try was life itself. Prior to giving my life to Jesus, I lived a full life, experienced everything, and tried everything possible. I was truly experienced in the act of living in the world. Incidentally, that worldly life experience gave me a remarkable perspective about life which directly impact the way I counsel my congregation. My many experiences in life made it possible for me to see things from an empathic perspective. I understand how people think and people operate. I believe there are four major areas we need to teach people about God: Ourselves, Others, and Life. These basic areas are the essence of my ministry. Also, I like to read, learn from other people’s experiences and study autobiographies. I look at people’s lives, in terms of how they succeeded, how they failed, what they did wrong, and what to avoid, particularly in ministry. Of course, I had few trainings that were precised bible college trainings. But for me, it was more of the Holy Spirit and my life experience that prepared me for ministry work.
4. What are some of the sacrifices you must make or had to make to keep the church focused on obeying the great commission? 2. When Some of and how did the sacriyou receive fices were the calling personal. to become a To start Pastor? with, the That is a whole eslong story. sence of In 1995, I becoming relocated Interview by Ugera Yesuf a Pastor my family was a sacto the Unitrifice and ed States, specifically Atlanta, Georgia and my Pastor that was why for many years I was slow to accept it and I then was Pastor Doll Segun. He insisted that we start a only accepted it because I knew that was what God wanted branch of RCCG parish in Atlanta. In principle I agreed, me to do precisely. I remember when I started this present so when we got into the city my wife and I began to look parish in 2003, It was very difficult. I had about 135 workfor the possibility of setting up a parish. We were introers in my company in Lagos, Nigeria, and within a span of 1 duced to two men of God who were also motivated to start year it dropped to about 25 or 30 staff members, because I a parish at the time and we talked regularly and extenhad to spend more time in the US Mrs. Akindoju sively on this idea. In June 1996, just before the Olympics than in Nigeria, and that affected the we started a parish in my small apartment in Stone business but there was no regret at all Mountain and three months later, we handed the parish over to an ordained Pastor. My wife and I respectively remained in the parish as one of the ministers. I had a business to run back in Nigeria, so I was going back and forth, and needed to have a precise calling from God as to how to handle both the parish and my business. In 2002 the Lord gave me the formula on how to rundle both of them at the same time. The Lord gave me a precise way to Pastor and at the same time run a business in Nigeria.
Pastor Kunle David Akindoju: Building A Congregation of Professionals, One Member At A Time In Atlanta Georgia, USA
3. What are some of the training or experiences that prepared you for the job of a Pastor? I believe the greatest training that prepared me for minis-
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“My wife and I make sure that we hang out together, we do movies or dinners as often as we can. I must care more, and I that makes me a good husband.”
because I knew the Lord will build it back in course of time. I made some sacrifice to the family as well. My congregation is made up of very educated and professional people. Therefore, you had to make sense to them for you to be able to keep their attention. To do this you have to spend a lot of time in studying and preparation to be able to remain relevant to the congregation and that took away time with my family. I always find time to compensate for that and I am good at balancing my responsibilities.
Now, to keep the church focused on the great commission, you must live by example. You really cannot tell people to do the things that you do not or cannot do. My family and I threw ourselves completely into doing the work of God. My wife and I, being professionals, made sure we were ready to do as much as we ask people to do by constantly being in the fore front of the battle, and this made it obvious to everybody that we had Pastor and Mrs. Akindoju a purpose and a direction. This also made it easier for them to follow and we knew with God’s guidance and direction knew where we were going and where we want to take the church. I want to be a part of how those good things happen. So, it’s believe the Lord is still making that possible now even when a contradicting culture. We come into a place and we enjoy the church has grown a bit larger. the environment, we like the look of a place and the orderliness, but we do not want to be the one that makes it hap5. As a Pastor of ONE of the largest congregations in Atlanta, pen. Sometimes I do come into conflict with people based what are the challenges you on that. People come and say King’s Court is a very orderface daily? ly church. But then if you want to be a part of it, you have That is not true, we are not the got to continue the orderliness and that to me has been part largest of the RCCGs. Atlanta of the challenges of our people. But we have made a lot of being one of the most churched progress and we have set a standard that we are not going cities in the world, we are very to compromise on with God helping us. small compared to the large churches that exist in the city. 6. In what ways have your pastoral responsibilities impactBut I give gory to God, the ed your family? congregation has grown, trePeople always say it does not. It is impossible generally for mendously from the time we what you do in life not to affect other people around you started and is still growing. especially your immediate family members. As a Pastor The greatest of the challenges your work affects a lot of people in your church and the we face daily, as I have always community at large. Therefore my responsibilities invariasaid is being a pastor of an bly and undoubtedly impact my household in so many African in a Western world. ways. My wife does not see me as much as she would have Let me say that my people love to because I stay awake all night doing my studies. (Africans) are some of the best One of the abilities that I have is being able to balance my and wonderful people you can activities doing everything possible, traveling to see my kids find anywhere. Culture and when they are not around. We make sure that we hang nature make us a unique set of people. Another challenge that together, going to movies or dinner as often as we can. HavI face is that we love beautiful things, like orderliness, and ing said that, there is no way you can have a lot of people in things that work. Orderliness is one of the greatest selling your life that you love deeply that will not affect your impoints of King’s Court Chapel. We are a very progressive mediate family. The impact has been positive because I modern church and people love this, but the truth is, to make now have a bigger heart and I share my life with a lot of things orderly, there must be rules and things must be done people. I must care more, because I realized that makes me with precise rules to enforce them. As a people we do not do a better person. My kids are grown now, my daughter lives well with rules, we like good things, but we do not necessarily in Virginia, my son is an adult. He works and spends a lot of time with my wife too. I have been able to cope very well.
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7. We are aware you are a successful engineer and an entrepreneur, how are you able to balance your secular responsibilities with your ministry work? Glory be to God. Frankly speaking, I probably would have been more successful as an engineer and entrepreneur if I did not take up the responsibility of a Pastor or to be called to be a Pastor. I love the opportunity and the platform that God had given me to lead, and to pastor and to shepherd people. I would not have changed that for anything. I mentioned at the beginning of the ministry that the Lord gave me a precise formula to balance the ministry and my secular work. One of the ways the Lord instructed me to do this, is to finish a service on a Sunday evening, get on a plane going to Lagos and run the business for a few days and come back to the U.S This I have done for the past seventeen to eighteen years now. I do not miss more than one Sunday service in a month out of my church. I try as much as possible to be there and because of that I turn down a lot of invitations from other churches to minister. I do accept some but often I turn them down. So how do I balance both? I separate them. Sometimes I must wake up at 3 am or 4am to do business in Lagos and I shut Lagos down at 910am in the morning and resume my work here in Atlanta. I have been able to balance it because God gave me that formula and in as much as I am aware that for whatever you do there is a price and the price I had to pay was to be less of an entrepreneur and be more of a pastor. That is the sacrifice I chose to make and I’m enjoying it. I am not as much of an engineer as I could have been but I am excited for who I am, what I have become, and I have been able to keep my staff employed, some of who have been working with me for 28/30 years and I’ve been able to keep up and manage ministry. I am so grateful to God that is the bottom line.
8. Operating your business in Nigeria can have peculiar challenges, how are you able to navigate your way through what people describe as “the Nigeria factor”? Again, I go back to the fact that “I had the formula to do both.” Not as successful as it could have been but functional enough to keep the staff and the process going. One of the things the Lord told me to do was to share my profit with the staff back in Lagos. When I knew I was going to spend most of my time in the United States than in Lagos, I called a staff meeting and told my staff I really do not have a company in Nigeria without them, but we can keep it going, do it as a team which means if they allow the Nigerian factor overwhelms the company and it dies, then they are out of a job but if we keep it alive, and both of us are profiting then the doors of the company will remain open for a very long
“I’m not interested in a building, I have to build the people first and then together we will build their church”.
and to look forward to at the end of the day. Having said all that, all glory be to God. There is no way this would all have been possible if God had not kept His promise to me that He will take care of my business if I take care of His, and he has done that in such a wonderful way. Glory be to God 9. What do you see as some of your strengths and weaknesses? That is a good question. I believe my mind is my strength and that is because I think a lot, I believe I process things very deeply and I can project and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I tend to imagine all the things that could happen in any given situation. I also believe the same mind that is a strength is also a weakness. I analyze and process things a lot, and because I look at things from a perspective that others may not. It sometimes makes me worry. I am working on that, but I believe it does me more good than harm.
10. What are the challenges you have or continue to experience with the setup of a church in the USA whose international headquarters is in Lagos, Nigeria? I would not call them challenges because time. Today, I am proud to say that the the Nigerian headquarters understands company is a profit sharing company the process. They know that there are where the staffs gets a percentage of legal requirements that makes thing difthe profit made by the company. Of ferent than they are back home in Nigecourse, there may still be the Nigerian ria. The laws of the land affect our operafactor, but the Nigerian factor has not tions and the head church has allowed been so overwhelming at least not for it and gives us the freedom to do enough to kill the business. And bethose things, to give unto Caesar what is cause people have a stake in the compa- Caesar’s. The main challenge comes ny, they keep it alive. Alive enough to from the members, especially new memgive me some pennies on the dollar and bers who are new in the country. They that is enough to keep my humble self- come with expectation of what they want going and give me something to retire the church to do for them like that of the
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side looking in, and because there is orderliness there is never a need for people to form cliques and groups that can antagonize the leadership. That is glory to God and is not any man’s doing. 13. Pastor, what drives and encourages you, and does it bother you when people question your motives? I strongly believe in the greatness of God and people’s ability to do great things. I believe in humanity. I believe in the possibility that no matter how people start out in life they can do great things. I believe there is goodness in everyone and if you can tap into that you can use it to make lives better. It is one of the reasons I became a Pastor, the belief that I could make lives better. I remember when I was going to start the church home church. Here in the United States, we are catering and I had the opportunity to speak at a meeting of Pastors in for a different society. They say it does not feel like a Retown and I told them that my motivation was to start a Nigerian deemed church because we do not the same things. I had church and fill it with professionals who would not typically go to take care of those segments of the congregation personto church, people who feel they have everything going for them ally because I knew it was a challenge that must be taken and may not listen to a Pastor. The response was it would be care of . In the past I would allow people who just came better to do that in Nigeria and some even sniggered at the into the country to join the leadership, but I do not do that thought, but I was called to do that in Atlanta and I envisioned a anymore. Now you must go through a training (detox) peri- church that would be filled with those types of people would be od, to be retrained so you know how things work before joined by every race and culture of people. That is what I have you join leadership. The fact that you were in leadership been able to do. To gather a bunch of professionals who would position back in Nigeria does not automatically give you a not typically be in church on a Sunday and serve them with serposition of leadership at King’s Court Chapel and that has mons and my type of leadership that will stay within the conto a large extent, solve that problem. fines of the church. I have seen an increase in the number of 11. How do you handle some of these challenges of cultural those types of people coming to church. For the first ten years of diversity in your church? the church we did not have a building and people would ask why The training aspect I mentioned earlier answers this queswe were not buying one? My response was always “I’m not intion. I tend to do things differently than most people. We terested in a building, I have to build the people first and then have a very intricate training program consisting of four together we will build their church”. So, we invested the first stages, the last being a sit down conversation with me few years in training, different classes SAP, Oracle and other which we call SHAPE and there I am able to re-asses if you training that we paid for and were able to increase people’s earnhave been properly orientated to serve in the church in ing power and in turn they built the church. We went from a America because the influence in the church comes from 6500 square feet church to a 28000 square feet church almost the leaders and the workers and that is where I control the overnight because we invested in the people who in turn built influence we allow in the ministry. the church. So that’s my motivation to make people better, it is what I preach and when I see it happening it makes me feel 12. Some Pastors experience antagonism from their congregood. gation? Have you experienced such things and if yes, how did you handle the situation? 14. Do you have any regrets or unfulfilled dreams right now? Yes, they do. I have been really blessed not to have had expeOne of my regrets is the fact that I feel I spent too much time in rienced of this nature and I thank God. I also believe that a lot the world before coming to know Jesus. I wish I knew Him of times the reason people experience antagonism is because much earlier. I believe I could have done much more if I knew people do not see them having a precise knowledge of where Him earlier, but I also believe all things work together for good. they are going. I do not do well with committees and do not My balanced approach to life and teaching is because I have have an environment where everybody tends to suggest what experienced many things in life and sometimes those experithey think is right. I believe God has given me the wisdom to ences come to play in the way I process things, share the Word, lead and I get a lot of support and counsel from members bethe way I understand and can process the things people go fore I make a decision. The decision making process ends at through and the reality of life. Though I regret for not giving my table. I think most times it’s because there is a level of my life to Christ Jesus much earlier, it is part of my story and familiarity with Pastors and they believe they have the right to who I have become in Christ and I thank God for it. I just wish I say whatever they want, it’s also an African thing . It is only could have given my life sooner. God though that has kept us as a family and kept us in order. One of the greatest asset of our church is orderliness, it is the 15. How does the gift of leadership work for you? primary feedback we get from visitors and people on the outMy wife and I make sure that we hang together, we do movies
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or dinners as often as we can. I must care more, and that makes me a better person. I study a lot and read a lot, a lot of people’s stories, autobiographies, to see what they did, what made them fail, what made them succeed and try to avoid the pitfalls of people in the past. I believe you get out of life what you put into it and I have this tendency to be very observant of how things change for people and they change quickly. I lead with caution because I know nothing is permanent and you are only as relevant as your last circumstance so I try as much as possible to stay out of the limelight so there is less of a focus on me. I also believe for you to lead you must have something that you are impacting in people’s lives, so I try to improve myself constantly for my congregation, to be ahead of them so that I always have something to offer. The more I know and improve myself the better I am for the people I am leading. I am still a work in progress and God is helping me.
the middle of the night. Be yourself and use whatever gifting you must preach. I have seen people who attempt to be someone else, but you can only do that for a short while. I’ve seen people who believe there is a path in ministry but there is no one path. If your gifting is wisdom, then impart wisdom and surround yourself with people who will help in areas where you are not that gifted. If your gifting is prayer, then pray until the mountains fall, if your gifting is caring then care until people cannot do without you. The problem of Pastoring 16. What is the one thing you think you is that it is the only prohave not achieved? fession that requires This makes me chuckle because there you to have an unare loads of things I have not derstanding of eveachieved. One thing I want to bery aspect of life “One of my regrets is the come is a better influence. As a because people fact that I feel I spent too leader, the measure of your will come to much time in the world bequality is the number of peoyou and ask fore coming to know Jesus. ple you can influence, how you mediI wish I knew Him much you make people change cal quesearlier.” their mind, how you can tions, make someone who is they’ll going south change ask and go northward. you I’m aware that my recongregation, my people are very strong willed, very strong lationship questions, engineering questions, minded and to convince them and change family questions and while you cannot be a their mind you must be knowledgeable and master of everything you must know somevery consistent in your teaching and your thing about everything. But you must also be ability to influence. I believe I am doing ok a master of something and be known to be a in this area, but I wish I could be more of master in that area. Do what you know how an influence, to change many more peoto do best and try as much as possible to ple’s minds, to be consistent in that type of have a clue or idea about everything. It influence. I believe I can do much more in helps! this area and that is what I want to achieve as a leader. 18. Where would you like to see your ministry in 5-10 years? 17. If you could give advice to young pas- I’m not a very young man so my hope is that tors, what would it be? the younger ones would have taken over. I Be yourself. Be yourself because that is told my congregation a few months ago that who you can be when you are woken up in
starting now I’m probably not going to have anyone over 40-45 be part of the leadership. I need young people to join because the bible says that they will see the visions and the older ones will dream the dreams. If we are going to have the kind of vision to take us into the next 10 years and beyond then you need the input of the younger generation. So that is what I’m doing, taking input from people who can think for the next generation. I crack a joke every time that if God has a vision for my church for 20 years from now he probably won’t tell me because I’ll be almost 80, so He will give it to a 35-year -old who can see the vision through and that’s why I’m trying to bring them into the system now. Leaders can become very great by taking counsel from the younger generation to set a path for their future. The best leaders are not necessarily the ones that make the decisions, but they own the decision. They get input and wisdom from the young and the own the execution
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A Prayer For A Discerning Spirit
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By John Jed Dedman
ather, I pray for a discerning spirit to help me recognize truth from falsehood. Help me to know when others are lying to me, and help me also to recognize and acknowledge the lies I tell myself. Father, You always speak the truth and You determine that which is right from that which is wrong. When the world describes a lifestyles or belief system to be good and You declare it to be evil, help me to stand firm upon your holy Word as I faithfully read it in the scriptures. Give me bold conviction to stand firm for truth even when it seems as though no one stands with me. The “Truths”, as purported by this world shift like the changing winds, but Your Truth stands for all eternity! Amen. John and Colette Dedman
John and Colette Dedman are active members of High Desert Church Small Bible Study Group led and moderated by Jackeline and Isidro Cibrian somewhere in Victorville, California.
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bride linda kay Becoming The Bride of Christ
International Women’s Day Part 1 By Linda K Mayer
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few years ago, I took my daughter to see a movie – or at least I thought it was a movie. It turned out to be a documentary by CNN called “Girls Rising”. It was a fantastically told news-movie that told about the lack of education for girls around the world. I had never heard about how if there’s a boy and a girl in the home and there’s only enough money to send one to school – you guessed it – it’s going to be the boy for sure. And in some countries, girls are forbidden to go to school or even be taught at home. Kind of backwards and I was amazed at how in this late stage of civilization this could still be happening. This year, it’s moved on to economics. And how poverty is sexist. Really? How far a leap is that! And in the last year we’ve seen the #MeToo movement start with great intentions and really just get out of hand. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m a me too, too. But when lies start to creep in and families are getting torn apart and kids are losing their dads, I really don’t think it’s a good thing. Not only that, the so-called spokes-women are certainly not ladies and certainly not using language that I would hope a lady wouldn’t use. Even in this day and age. I flinch when I hear some of it and read some of their signs. All this hatred does not appropriately represent me as a woman. And it’s getting more and more vulgar and out of hand. Our world has gone completely upside down But here’s the thing, short and sweet; Jesus was born of a woman who God decided to use for a miracle. Jesus was sponsored and supported by women in His entourage. The first three home churches were started in women’s homes. There was the wom-
an at the well, my personal favorite, and Mary Magdalene, and even in the old testament, there was Esther and Ruth and Rachel and Miriam and Rahab. And the list goes on and on. My point is that women played significant roles in the Bible. And in this day and age, we find women being raised up all over the place. Powerful women, educated and uneducated. Because we all know God will anoint who God will anoint. And that trumps education every day of the week. Many women are being raised up again; Christine Caine, Lisa Bevere, Jo Ramos, Patsy Clairemont, Alex Seeley, Patricia Shrier, Jenni Allen, just to name a few. Wow, can those women preach it! And it’s time for us to rise up and be counted for God as well. For me, I want to bring as many people with me to heaven as possible. Bring them to God, teach them about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Walk with them through their stuff, mentor them, make disciples, just like we are commanded. It’s my heart’s desire. What is yours? So for this part one (there’s only going to be two parts), this is my point. Women are an important part of God’s plan. He has used us in the past and He still will. We are meant to be everything that a Proverbs 31 woman is, over the course of our lifetime. We have beautiful differences from men, which we can use for the good of the church. We will explore this in part two. We can have a great day celebrating women because we matter to God. Because we are loved by God. Because we are God’s daughters.
Minister Esther Exploits Asomugha In Her Own Word On Day Of Her Birthday Celebration “What shall I render to you o my Lord for all
your benefits, (Psalm 116:12) mercies, Love, faithfulness, protection, supernatural provision. O Lord my father, the father of fatherless, the husband of the widow, the king of kings, the lion tribe of Judah. I call you the glory and lifter of my head, my story changer, Jehovah overdue, the God that uses the basket to fetch water to disgrace the bucket, Okamuoo!!!! (Great Spirit), the Alpha and Omega of my life, Almighty God that does what You only can do. I now understand why my late grand father gave me a native name Chinweolu (God's Project), while my late biological father name me Chigozirim (I am blessed of God). Eternity will not be enough to proclaim your blessing over my life. I cannot forget your ever abiding sweet, gentle, life transforming, presence all around me. I salute your majesty my God for this glamorous, splendor, gorgeous, awesome, glorious, year. I pledge my convent of continuity with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, all the days of my life, in Jesus name.” - Minister Esther Exploits
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was born into a Christian family, members of Assemblies of God Church. I gave my life to Christ on September 9th, 1991 as a teenager. It has been quite an awesome walk with my Master the Lord Jesus. I had also enjoyed his restoration after an episode of backsliding. I would describe myself as a dedicated, hardworking, organized, and reliable person. I studied marketing and worked as a field supervisor with Nestle PLC before joining the healthcare sector. I had been in the healthcare professional for over 17 years; I climbed the healthcare ladder from the base as a Homecare provider then Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). I worked as providers’ supervisor in a home health setting. I went back to school to acquire more knowledge and got my License Vocational
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Nurse (LVN) certificate. I had worked as an LVN for over 13 years, with some experience in Medical Surgical unit, Psychiatric Nurse for over 6 years, homecare Pediatric Nurse for over 10 years, had worked as a charge nurse in the Skilled Nurse Facility (SNF), to name a few. To the glory of God I went on to obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Arts with concentration in Healthcare Management. I am still climbing my career ladder as I am taking classes for my dual MBA in Business and Ministry.
Birthday Wishes Minister Esther
I know your birthday is drawing closer. Where are you going to celebrate that of 2018? I remember that 2017 you celebrated it with the mentally challenged kids in African. Where you fed over 30 of those mentally challenged people. I want to use this opportunity to wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY in advance sweet daughter. God will prosper you with As a teenage Christian I was involved with a lot of spirgood health, long life and divine connection in Jesus itual activity such as been a Christian Leader at a very name. You will always be the head and not the tail. young age. My dedication to the service of God gave The double door God had opened for you shall nevme an opportunity to teach in Sunday school, be in evangelism team on campus, leader in church depart- er be shut by anyone in Jesus name Amen. ment. I led student during my college days on some spiritual summer camp programs, many gave their lives to Christ. My Christian journey led to my ordaination as a deaconess in my church Winners Chapel International. I was appointed as the deacon Board Chairperson which gave me an opportunity to oversee all “Deacon Assembly”, and six other departments in the church. In addition, I became a member of Sister Fellowship international, I was appointed a vice President, and within one year I became the President of a local chapter.
Mrs. Joy Nkem Ogazi JP MOTHER.
My Elegant, Adorable, amicable, precious wife and mother of my children. God sent you my lovely, well cherished sweetheart my way from heaven giving both of us the same middle name Chigo at birth. You are more than a pearl to me, I lack words to express your personality. Is real
Proverbs 18:22 (KJV) “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord". We started this journey as brother Obinna and Deaconess Esther. The favor that came with you to my life had lifted I had in the past years been a director of Vocational me faster towards the plan of God for my Life. Precious, Bible School (VBS), with over 100 students.. Finally, the Lord confirmed his word with more ministry doors you had been a great resource to my life both in ministry being opened in the States and international. for the and in secular. I really appreciate and celebrate the work of my Master Jesus Christ. grace of God upon you. I had known what real love is by your unavoidable, charming love you lavished to me I took my strength from Matthew 19:29 (KJV) “And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sis- over the years. Your caring heart had been so helpful in ters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, my new career the ministry and it had been enjoyed by all that comes across you. My evergreen I arise and for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life”. I added more responsibili- praise you according to Proverb 31:28. ties after the ordination of my husband as a Pastor of My "epitome of beauty" you are beautiful all round, RuWinners Chapel alongside with my stewardship to the mi states "The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the kingdom of God. Being a Pastor’s wife came with its heart". You had over the years shown me what it is to be own unique experience, especially when you are being consistent with your walk with your master Jesus Christ. transferred from one state to another with with school I pray that God will perfect all that concerns you and age children. God had kept us safe, lifted our head above every storm of the devil, as he promised in Psalm give you a global blessing in your pursuit of him in Jesus 92:10 (KJV) "But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn name. My evergreen Precious Jewel, I love and will always love you. May the God of our father Bishop David of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil". O, Oyedepo reward all your labor of love in my life, In conclusion, The Lord had over the years brought ministry, to the people of God in His vineyard in Jesus souls to himself, and restores the broken hearted by the name Amen. grace He bestowed upon my life as a privilege of serPastor Obinna C. Asomugha vice. The best thing so far is the presence of the Holy Husband Spirit with his fresh anointing all over me. GOD IS TOO FAITHFUL TO FAIL
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It is not often that one recapitulates, runs down memory lanes and recount exploits, trials, and tribulations that beset us in our life's journey. Yours, dear sister has been an onward march towards a promising end. Birthdays are for soul searching, reminiscing, sober reflections and more so a time to say Thank you God for making me see another one year of the life you have given us roll by. Dear sister, you are one in a million and as the birthday jingles ring, so the good Lord will continue to churn out more celestial blessings along your path. You are a victor my dear. I will always celebrate you as you have persistently celebrated our Almighty Father who has made it possible for me to wish you a happy and resounding birthday. Da Chinwo! I can't stop thanking the Lord for making me your ever loving brother, and surrogate father. Many happy returns as we await the big bash and package of mouthwatering edibles to wish you many more happy years ahead. Happy Birthday From your dearest brother, Pastor/Barrister Samuel J.Ogazi Abuja, Nigeria. We rejoice with you today on this occasion of your birthday celebration and thank God for His wonderful hand upon your life. This birthday, offers us the rare opportunity, to celebrate the gift of you to our world and place on record our heartfelt gratitude to you, for what you represent to us and countless other you touch consistently. Over the years, since we have been privileged to know you, yours has been a life of amazing love unfeigned, aptly demonstrated over and over again by your heart that yearns to give without expecting a return; a sacrificing life that is incapable of being paid for; a sunshine that arrives and everyone’s mood and spirit is lifted; a charming, funny and simply amazing person and all of these with an unfeigned humility that is unexplainable. The impact of your love and care run deeper than we could ever articulate in words. Today, as always, we celebrate you and thank God for the privilege of knowing you. May your days be long and full of peace, progress, good health and abundance of all good things. May God’s hand remain strong upon your life; may your oil never run dry and may the Lord keep you and your wonderful family perpetually by His grace. Wishing you a day that is as special in every way as you are. With much love and blessings from us, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AN AMAZING ESTHER Pastor Steve and Maria Abraham Port Harcourt, Nigeria The Mathematician refers to Age as a number. But its attainment at any point in life marks a realization that life is a transitory process. That is why we say that birthdays are not for dying, but rather inform elaborate moments of fervent prayers and Thanksgiving. My dear sister, I thank God for your life as you add on a year to your age today. Life is a journey, a process of growth and maturity, an opportunity to express love for one another, and bask in that euphoria of great joy and happiness which the Almighty has bestowed on all those who believe and trust in Him. Dear Sister! Happy Birthday to you and many more happy returns follow in enviable successions. You have been a great influence in my life, a family bridge builder, a worthy mediator, an astute arbiter and more still a strict, yet smiling patient of God. Your organizational tendencies and supportive skills in the affairs of men, which I have watched with curiosity and pride, speak volumes of your irresistible charm and dogged disposition in pursuit of the designs and ambitions of a champi-
on. You make me rejoice and say "Lord! You are awesome for providing me with this wonderful gift in the person of Sister Chigozirim, “who today celebrates another year of God's fulfilment in a life giving process. Happy Birthday once again to a WONDERFUL WOMAN OF VIRTUE, A HARBINGER OF PEACE, A ROLE MODEL AND SWEET MOTHER. From your Darling Big Brother. Prof Chika. C. Onu. Port Harcourt, Nigeria My very anointed woman of God. Your life and ministry has blessed me and others. All over the world, we celebrate you in a big way. Happy birthday ma'am. Greater heights in Jesus Name
Kate Igodo Houston, Texas Happy birthday to my sweetest, beloved, intelligent, my mentor Exploit. Birthdays are like a new beginning and a time to explore new ventures with new goals. Psalms 20:4 “May he give you the desire of your heart and all your plans succeed” move on with confident and courage, you are a very special and wonderful person; I count myself lucky to have you as a friend. Everything you do is with style and grace. May you be blessed with all the good things you deserve in Jesus na mangiest me. Happy birthday for a new life of success happiness favors and greatness. Love you President Jane Onyemachi -for SFI Philadelphia. We wish to celebrate you today as God almighty add another year to your life. May all of your heart desire come true speedily in this New Dawn Year? We wish you woman of God, more grace in Jesus name. From Ese, Anita, Esohe and Efeosa with love on behalf of the House of Osaikhuiwuomwan Delaware Happy! Happy!! Happy Birthday Mommy Esther!!! On this Special Occasion in this New Dawn Year, my Family and I would like to wish you a lifetime Joy, Peace, Success, Prosperity and Longevity. May the Hand of the Almighty GOD be upon you afresh as you embark on this New Dawn Year of Your Life! I know how passionate you are for the Kingdom of GOD: May HE cause your Kingdom Advancement Personal Dreams to come true, in Jesus Mighty Name! Happy Birthday, Mommy! Prof. Kossi Makpayo Mrs. Esther I have come to leave and see that there are people God sent to us. You came into my life and became a bunch of blessing to me and my family. you are exquisite. You exude love, Hope and Faith in all you do. You are beautiful inside and outside. May God continue to use you to change life. Thank you for been the best and whom I can look up to. Thank you and God bless... Sincerely. Uchechi Orji To someone who touches each life she enters, spreading joy to everyone she meet: The one in a million! Today is the day you were brought into this world to be a blessing and inspiration to the people around you! You are a wonderful and interesting being. Life is truly beautiful when you believe the promises of a new day and a new adventure every day. From the drink in your cup, to the icing on your cake, to the company that surrounds you, May your birthday be the sweet celebration you deserve!
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Today, I will let you believe that you are the center of the universe and I am so glad you were born, because you brighten my life and fill it with joy. Wishing you a day filled with love and cheer. Hoping your day will be as special as you are. May the Love and happiness you share with others returns to you tenfold. Today God has given you more birthdays to fulfil all of your dreams halleluiah! Therefore. It is a turning point in your life, and you should be feeling proud of yourself and may this birthday turn out to be as amazing as you are and so shall it be in Jesus name. Amen! Love Ify Ezeasor I could name a thousand reasons why l love you, but time will not permit me. However, it’s my prayer that you always find a shoulder to lean on as you help others every day, God will remove every bad people in your life so you can have a testimony galore. Thanks for consuming yourself to light our ways in the children’s church. I admire your strength and tenacity. Keep being you. Happy birthday, Dearest First Lady of WCI LA Ajiroghene Eche HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FIRST LADY. The lady with the Heart of Gold. You shall live to eat the fruit of your labor. Isaiah 65:21-24. Your seeds shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. You shall not build, and another inhabit; You shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands, says the Lord. Happy Birthday Ma. More blessings....We cherish you.. Michael Ogunleye & Family
You have indeed blessed so our lives through your faithful teachings, prayers, motherly presence and giving. May God increase you in every sides, cause you to have a birthday filled with wondrous joy, happiness and special moments that will become cherished memories. Ma, be blessed greatly in return on this special day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR PASTOR'S WIFE!, Deaconess ESTHER. We love you ma! Ify Nwankpa and family. To a wonderful woman of God, here is wishing you a blessed day as you celebrate another year of God's faithfulness. We wish you God's blessings, prosperity, more anointing and God's favor, good health all the days of your life. May you celebrate many joyous years and may you see your children's children in Jesus mighty name, Amen. Love Mr. and Mrs. John Aguebor We are writing to wish you a happy birthday in this month of March. As you grow in the Lord and in age, may God’s wisdom in you continue to increase. May His favor shine upon you as you continue to do exploits for the Lord. May your blessings be that which eyes have not seen nor ears heard in Jesus name Amen. Vincent & Constance Obichi Beloved Deaconess Esther, You are a precious gift to the Body of Christ. Your commitment to, and passion for the affairs of God's kingdom is exemplary. On your birthday, may the God you serve so generously reward you ever so abundantly. Happy Birthday to you beloved Woman of God. Kind regards, Chika Esiobu
To my DCNS, Our 1st lady and my mentor sent by God. You are called to mentor women and I personally bless God for sending you my way. Happiest birthday, thank you for always bringing the best in me or at least seeing the best in me. May every prayers said for you on your birthday be answered by God, and may every desire of yours that is yet to materialized be fulfilled. Ketty Natacha Nsabimana
Happy birthday to an astonishing woman, our dear Pastor's wife, Deaconess Esther Exploits Asomugha. Here comes a perfect time to celebrate God in your life for the impactful virtues He has loaded you with: Tireless zeal, a Passion for the things of God. Strong support for the work of the ministry, A versatile and dynamic virtue that makes you relevant in diverse departments, Kind-hearted, a ready and timely helper...Have a year filled with a New Dawn order of greater glory in Jesus Name Amen! Bro. Moses & Sister Grace Adegbo
15. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR PASTOR'S WIFE!, Deaconess ESTHER. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift of life "--2 Corinthians 9:15. A bouquet of love for a special person ( Queen Esther of our time) who has brought so much love and joy to our congregation.
It is with joy and excitement that we are wishing you a happy birthday day anniversary. You are one of a kind in billions. As you celebrate this day your joy shall grow great each day. A big happy birthday to a wonderful mother in the Lord Deaconess Esther.
Paul, Maureen, and Lawrence Oppici Happy Birthday to a great and a good woman of God. A woman that will carry your challenge like hers a woman that will wake up in the midnight and start interceding for people. You are a rare gem and i thank God for sending you and your husband to Los Angeles at a time like this. You are indeed Esther of our time. As u mark your birthday today Bigger and greater you shall emerge. The lines are falling in pleasant places for you. You will never know a better last year in Jesus name. We celebrate with you today and always.. Nmah George and Sandra Happy birthday to you our Mommy General. It's that time of the year to celebrate a prudent and a virtuous woman, Gods masterpiece, a woman of great impact. I pray that heaven will honor you this day Amen. Wishing you a fabulous birthday filled with meaningful chapters, great achievement and above all you shall experience total health and vitality Amen. From Bro Blessed/Edith Ekezie. It is rare that one find people outside their family that will love, pray, support and cheer them on. To me you are not just my mum but a friend, no 1 fan, food bank, prayer warrior, discussion partner and comfort zone. Knowing you has been an amazing experience and I am grateful that God gave us an angel in the form of human. Wishing you a happy birthday will be so cliché so I will go ahead and say I love you mum beyond words can express and I pray that as we celebrate you that God continue to strengthen, provide, and sustain you in Jesus name, Amen. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY AMAZING MUM!!!!!!!!!! TUZA QUEEN LOVES YOU XOXOXOX Chioma Emmanuel
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Onions Posted by David
I
n 1919, flu killed 40 million people. A doctor visited the many farmers who had the attack to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers & their family had contracted the flu and many died. However, the doctor came upon one farmer whose family was healthy and nobody in the house contracted the flu. The doctor asked the farmer what he was doing that was different from the others. The farmer's wife replied that she put an unpeeled onion in a dish and placed them in all the rooms in their house. The doctor thought that could have been the cure so he asked for one of those onions. As he placed it under the microscope, he found the flu virus in the onion. The onions obviously absorbed all the bacteria and thereby kept the family healthy. Now, I sent this story to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:
She said ' Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story but, I do know that I myself got pneumonia and became very ill. From my previous knowledge about onions, I cut both ends off an onion put it into an empty jar, and place the jar next to myself over night. By the morning, I began to feel better while the onion became black.' Lots of times when we have stomach problems we don't know what to blame. Maybe the onions that we ate earlier are to blame. Onions ABSORB BACTERIA and that is the reason why they are so good at preventing us from getting “colds & flu” And for that very reason we should NOT eat an onion that has been sitting for a time after it has been cut open. Left over onions are poisonous When food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is whether the 'victim' ate *ONIONS* and where those onions came from. Most probably the ONIONS, are the cause. Onions are huge
magnets for bacteria, especially uncooked ones. Never ever keep a portion of sliced onion over a period of time and thereafter use it to prepare food. It's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and placed it in your refrigerator. It is still poisonous. Also, do not give onions to dogs. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions. Please remember it is dangerous to cut an onion and try to save it to cook the next day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night - as it creates toxic bacteria which causes adverse stomach infections because of excess bile ecretions and even food poisoning.
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Characteristics Of A True And Matured Christian Would you describe yourself as a mature Christian? How would you even know? Honestly, that term feels sort of subjective. What one person considers mature, another might not. So, should we even worry about it? The quick answer is “yes.” First, the Bible makes it clear God wants us to be spiritually mature: “…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Eph 4:13, NIV
trying to play roles or pretend to be godly. 17. A mature Christian expresses the Lord through his or her human virtues and love toward others. 18. A mature Christian loves, cares and acts for others’ spiritual growth.
19. A mature Christian is forbearing and accommodating to all people and conditions.
1.
A mature Christian recognizes that it is of God who shows mercy and grace, and he or she is always grateful for whatever is provided and arranged.
20. A mature Christian doesn’t poise him or herself as authority, or demand in a religious or doctrinal way but in the way of life.
2.
A mature Christian walks by faith, by trusting the inner leadings in spirit rather than the reasoning of the mind or outward signs.
21. A mature Christian genuinely feel happy for and satisfied with others’ successes and progresses, not feeling envy of them.
3.
A mature Christian constantly finds the Lord’s presence in his or her spirit, the hiding place of the most High. (The tabernacle tour)
22. A mature Christian is empathetic and merciful toward others’ sufferings, able to touch and mourn with the suffering ones.
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A mature Christian stretches his or her root deep, directly drawing joy and supply from the Lord Himself.
23. A mature Christian is quite ordinary, not appearing to be outstanding or special.
5.
A mature Christian keeps a clean conscience toward God and men by frequent confession.
6.
A mature Christian has a pure heart only toward the Lord, desiring nothing other than Himself.
24. A mature Christian is not cynical and is one who manages his or her mouth well, never complaining or murmuring.
7.
A mature Christian vigilantly and faithfully waits for the Lord’s return.
8.
A mature Christian does not seek glory for himself or herself, or expect praise from other people.
9.
A mature Christian doesn’t love or protect the soul life, self, or natural man.
10. A mature Christian continues to empty his or her prejudice or knowledge gained from prior experiences. 11. A mature Christian is one without respect of persons, not judging people by their background, race, or social status. 12. A mature Christian never judges or condemn his or her brothers and sisters, always forgiving and never stumbling. 13. A mature Christian interprets the Lord’s leading in situations while not being effected by them. 14. A mature Christian always rejoices, not easily provoked by external factors or stirred up emotionally. 15. A mature Christian knows that the single most effective way to get things accomplished is prayer.
25. A mature Christian can properly probe and weight others’ spiritual condition and health by his or her own spirit. 26. A mature Christian knows the difference between service by natural effort and by the Lord’s grace and provision. 27. A mature Christian preaches the gospel by his or her living, and bears many fruits organically. 28. A mature Christian fellowships, builds up, and coordinates with various people, especially with his or her peers, able to both lead or submit properly within his or her measure in the body. 29. A mature Christian practices one accord or even one soul, knowing how to think the same thing and have the same mind. 30. Lastly, a mature Christian follows the greatest and first commandment, a commandment to love the Lord with the whole heart and with the whole soul and with the whole mind, and the second greatest commandment to love his or her neighbors as him or herself.
16. A mature Christian is always genuine and spontaneous, not
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