A PASTOR LEADS BEST WHEN HIS PEOPLE GET BEHIND HIM

After a powerful prayer line where people were disconnected from any demonic influence in their lives, Prophet T.B. Joshua entered the teeming cathedral and gave an enlightening sermon titled, ‘A True Prophet’. Asking how one will tell who is a true prophet or a false prophet and using the book of 1 John 4:1, he said the one having a divine spirit that comes from above is meek, peaceable and humble, and refrains from all impurities of this world. He said that the spirit speaks only when God wishes it to speak whereas others are always ready to pray. He added people generally have the wrong impression that healing, miracles, the spirit of prophecy and all of God’s blessings are wrought at the will of the person concerned. This is why people easily feel a prophet should be able to pray anytime, not minding whether it is the right time or not. A true prophet however will not pray without spirit intimation. He explained that without direction from the Spirit, if they give, they give of themselves; they prophesy of themselves; that is why there are prophecies without accomplishment; healings without results.

In a tribute to his late mother, Prophet T.B. Joshua said that she had advised him that when he did not seem to receive from God, he should look into his love walk as the Bible in Mark 12:31 says we should love our neighbour as ourselves. He explained that when the hour of her departure came, he had sent for her and she was with him for a day and they discussed. He said he did not know how to relate to her the message that he had received from God because it was news that no one wants to hear. However, he had learned from reading the Bible that the issue of departure can be delayed by prayer or by waiting in faith (Isaiah 38:4; Luke 7:2). He told his mother that no matter how upright we are, we still need to rededicate ourselves. He explained how he told her, “Everyone has been tempted; I have been tempted; you have been tempted and we will continue to be challenged by issues that violate our conscience. We all face the temptation to do the wrong thing but there is a way – Jesus is the Way”. He said that when we give our lives to Jesus and make Him our boss, CEO and Director in all we do, we are under His supervision to do all.

He added that although his brothers and sisters had wanted to help their dear mother medically, her departure could not be delayed by human sympathy; he told her to be in an attitude of prayer. He said that, “When it is time for man’s departure, nothing can delay it except waiting in faith or through prayer”. The man of God added that we have read about many Biblical characters whose departure was delayed. Hezekiah was rich and favoured and when he cried out to God, God answered him in Isaiah 38:4 “I have heard your prayer and I have seen your tears, surely I will add to your days, 15 years.” The prophet explained that unchangeable means, what will happen will still happen.

He referred to the late President of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, saying that, “My dear father President Atta Mills – if there is anyone that would want the late president to spend 200 years on this earth, I am number one.”

He recalled a phone call he had made to the late president a month and a week ago in which he described a vision that he had seen of cloud covering his apartment. He told him that he should be prayerful because he had seen his body being transfigured to a celestial realm. He had also advised the president who was planning to travel to the USA to be prayerful because of the vision. Speaking to the congregation, the man of God said, “When clouds come down to pick you up, it is a hero’s welcome.”

The man of God had also told the president that his coming 68^th birthday should be dedicated to God through fasting and prayer. He explained that the birthday was not celebrated on Emmanuel TV because there was no way you could wish Happy Birthday without saying, “Long life’.

Speaking on why he had not travelled to Ghana for the last three years, the prophet said that he could not go anywhere without first hearing from God. He added that he would love to be there anytime he heard from God, especially because, according to him, Ghana was his second home.  Still speaking on the departure of the late Ghanaian President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, he said that he knew where he was going, adding “Let your soul admire where he is and pray to be there one day.” He emphasised, “It is a wonderful grace to know where you are going. You need not fear where you are going when you know Jesus is going with you.”

He ended his message saying that a pastor leads best when his people get behind him.

NATIVE ENERGY CRUSHED BY GOD’S POWER

When Mr Oba Yabrifa Ebiundu (a witch doctor) was encountered by the prophet during the previous Monday service, his true identity was revealed through a word of prophecy. The man of God told him that he was a witch doctor with powers and energy that he used even to cause and stop rain. He immediately confirmed the prophet’s words and his wife added that the small demons appeared to her and attacked her when they were coming to The SCOAN. After the video of the prophecy, footage of Yabrifa in his community shrine as a Chief Priest and villagers worshipping him was played.

Mr Yabrifa accompanied by his wife and son then came into the service to tell his story. He introduced himself as a witch doctor and chief priest who was the father of every colour who served the ‘god of justice’. He explained that he was the custodian of the deity which was an inheritance from his grandfather. He said that from when he was a small child, he would go to the river to catch fish for his mother and preferred spending time in the river than going to school or staying at home. Initially wanting to reject the inheritance of the chief priest, he tried to do a security job but the deity appeared to his employers in the form of his father and warned them to release him because he was a royal chief priest.

Then, on one fateful day during a local festival, Mr Yabrifa physically felt a force enter him, eventually leading him to a river where he stayed in the depths of the water for several hours. The next moment Mr Yabrifa realised that he was in the centre of the diabolic shrine, being crowned as chief priest.

He was taught how to make charms for people but despite his ‘native energy’, he knew that something was disturbing him. Although people flocked from far and wide to pay homage to him and partake in the native ceremonies where hard liquor was poured and animals sacrificed, Mr Yabrifa remained in poverty while the demons regularly attacked his family members. He explained how when pastors came and held crusades next to his shrine, praying against the idols he worshipped, he would be provoked and invoke rain to come and stop their crusade. He further said that the deity never allowed him to shake anyone’s hand as his hand was reserved for feeding the deity alone. He also never bowed for anyone or removed his cap or shoes as the deity always told him that he was to be worshipped and was above everyone else.   Referring to his son, he said that he also had native powers and was his second in command.

Mr Yabrifa explained that he kept warning his wife to stop watching Emmanuel TV because of the deliverances God used T.B. Joshua and the wise men to do were beyond his own native power. Eventually forced to come to The SCOAN because of his poverty and wretched life as a smoker, drunkard and womanizer, Mr Yabrifa never thought that he would be discovered. After the prophecy, he explained that he had had a dream in which Prophet T.B. Joshua followed him to his village and helped him set the idols ablaze and deliver the community. Upon listening to Mr Yabrifa, Prophet T.B. Joshua spoke on the need of his followers also coming to The SCOAN for their own deliverance.

THE ARENA OF LIBERTY!

The prophet led the congregation and viewers in a powerful time of prayer, saying, “I can see you being delivered, healed. You yoke, bondage, I command you to be loosed in Jesus’ name”. Truly, the people were disconnected from every demonic activity as they agreed with T.B. Joshua and prayed along in faith. After the prayer, the man of God moved through the entire auditorium giving words of prophecy and counselling to the people as intimated by the Spirit of God. In the second service, the auditorium was full to the brim with more people awaiting their freedom and the wise men using the authority in the name of Jesus continued to command any evil spirit to leave the people. We thank God for setting his people free in the arena of liberty.

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The Power Above You

The early morning sermon was delivered by Wise Man Harry who spoke on people’s choices, meaninglessness of life, God’s power, place of assignment and problems of focusing on wealth instead of God. He said when God created you and I, He gave us the right to life, and within that right was the discretion to choose between right and wrong, God and satan etc. Without the discretion, he said, “Life is meaningless”. “You have to make the right choices if you have to make a difference in life”, he said, claiming that “he who wants to be great must first respect great men”. The theme of his sermon was “The Power Above You”. He made reference to 1st Kings 19:19-21 and verse 16, too.
Elijah, he said, “was a farmer at his place of assignment.” He noted that “your assignment is always to a place or to a people”. When you think about what Elisha did, you will begin to wonder how somebody could leave their assignment and begin to follow Elijah. He said if Elijah was not a man of vision…he would have remained a farmer throughout his life. “Where there is no vision, the people perish”, he said. He said our objectives must be clear for our lives to have meaning. “A large slice of life will pass you by if you focus on wealth”, he said.
A beautiful life does not just happen, it is built. To build a beautiful life, you must recognise the power above you or submit to the power above you” he assured. How do we experience the beautiful life, he asked. To experience that, you have to first experience the power above you (God) And unless you do that, there will be dissatisfaction.

The Truth Sustains God’s Prophets
Prophet T.B. Joshua emerged to preach by 10am, speaking on diverse subjects to the expectant congregation, He referred to the previous weeks predictions and prophecies especially the one which had generated much controversy – the prophecy on the death of the Malawian President.

Speaking generally he had said; “God has all men’s heart in His hand and turns them as he pleases. The day will declare who is in the right, and who is in the wrong. One lying spirit can make 400 lying prophets and make use of them to deceive us”. He has added that “If I say ‘God says’ and it does not come to pass, it means I have not spoken of God because God put His words in the mouths of true prophets and the words are genuine,” and that “The truth sustains God’s prophets”.
On the genuine prophets, he said “a prophet of God is all about time and preparation. God talks in parables, and he has, to prepare his messages properly, built on God’s parables through vision, “in order not to be called a prophet of doom”. According to him, “The Bible is full of parables; you must examine everything in the light of the Holy ghost; if not, it can be sheer literature”, adding that reading literature cannot give one true knowledge of the Gospel; “every sentence must be examined in the light of the Holy ghost. The Bible is an instrument, a tool, in the hands of Holy Ghost. If not, it cannot work. If it is a tool, it will heal, deliver and bless.

Delivered From Disgusting Act Of Eating Faces & Sperm & Drinking Urine

What appeared to be the greatest act of deliverance happened in the church when a man was called out before the congregation; he had been eating his own faeces and those of others, as well as his sperm and urine, all mixed together, for a period of sixteen years. He had enjoyed the odious delicacy on a regular, daily basis, as commanded by some evil spirit.
Mr. Mukaila Oyedeji Malomo used to be in Germany for sixteen years, married to a half German, half Hungarian, and was working in the midst of good , serious – minded people. Because of a problem, he was jailed in Germany, between 1993 and 1994. In prison, he suddenly woke up some night to behold a wicked demon who instructed him to start mixing his faeces, sperm and urine mixed together with his own hands and drink. It was at about 1:00am, and there were four other sleeping Nigerians there. After swallowing the filthy content, some weird power descended on him, and he saw himself as the most powerful man around, and ready for war. In the morning, he had engaged wardens in a brawl. The more he ate the unusual combination every day, the more he become physically powerful and “nobody can arrest me”, He stabbed many people in Germany streets, and became very dangerous to the community. Yet, he had houses in Germany, Hungary and Nigeria (he was not poor). He moved into public toilets in Germany and Nigeria to eat people’s faeces and urine.
He saw nothing wrong with eating such. Photographs with his wife and fellow workers were shown to the congregation, and the spirit warned him never to inform people what he was eating. He said he had a son with his very loving wife, who he has never seen; (due to his prison sentence) they could not see him when he was in jail. The Germans asked him to go for treatment as no orthodox medicine worked for him.
He was prayed for and delivered through the Holy spirit in The Synagogue Church, and the man confessed to “feel somehow light and fresh” and saw the consumption of faeces, urine and sperm as “disgusting, something useless; waste products from the body”.
He said further; “I feel like vomiting (he actually did). I believe I have been delivered. I thank God I am completely free. The smell is bad. I feel ashamed; I had been to many churches in Nigeria…The power of God has manifested.’’ He has added: I feel fine. I am okay. My reaction is that I hate it; it is a dirty thing; it’s rubbish. I enjoyed it in the past, but as from this moment, I have been delivered. It is not pleasant; it irritates my system. I can’t wait to see my wife’’.
To these, entire prophet Joshua glorified the name of the Lord, and that the wife will be rejoicing now because she will be watching. People in Germany will also rejoice’’. He called it “mother of all miracles’’ and what you have never seen in life, when you see it will influence your life’’.

TESTIMONIES
MR AND MRS ETIBET EKUOMADU—Delivered from Poverty and Economic setback through Anointing Water.
The couple had come to the service to glorify the name of the Lord for retrieving them from the pangs of poverty and economic setback. Both had stayed in Italy for 15 years and in Florida, USA for three (3) years, before returning in 2008. Abroad, they had recorded failures in all they did, except paying bills and rents. In Nigeria, they had rented a place in Oke-Afa, and had prayed fervently against frustration and disappointments.
In November 2011, they got the Anointing water which they ministered. Inspired on the second day of ministration, the couple had started a mini fish pond at the rented compound, and made a plywood and tarpaulin erection around the pond, and made the vat. By December 2011, Prophet Joshua had prophesied that farmers would enter the season of success. The Anointing water has worked wonders for the family because they first made between 800 and 1000 fishes after hatching; later the fish 30,000 in eight weeks. What should be realized in 10 months was realized in 8 weeks an attestation to unusual breakthrough in one male and one female which have produced 30,000 fish.
The couple advised people that, in every situation of life, they should trust that God will visit them in Jesus’ name.

AMAKA ABOH: Delivered from pelvic pain through Anointing water    
As at September 2011, this Anambra State-born Nigerian was suffering from severe pelvic pain. She was diagnosed in hospital as suffering from kidney stones, and upon admission, was treated unsuccessfully with drugs and antibiotics.
Though discharged, she was to be taking 480 cl. Of water every day. This never worked for her. To bend her body was a problem; she had to sit and bathe. When she got hold of the Anointing Water, she had to call her husband, who had to administer it, with faith. Immediately, she felt a cold sensation at the back, and her blood pressure which used to rise at night, became calm. She started shaking involuntarily when she finished using the water, the pain disappeared. She started doing what she couldn’t do. She went for the scan, and in the hospital, the doctors were shocked. She said her deliverance is permanent in the name of Jesus Christ.

Gloria (Namibian) – Delivered From Eating Anthill Soil and Chalk)
A video was shown of a woman – Gloria from Namibia, and 36 years old – who was eating anthill soil and chalk. She had been on it for 14 years, and as a teacher, she ate it everywhere. She couldn’t obtain functional medical attention from the hospital; she collected more of the anthill soil from the forest, which she kept in a plastic and ate, until it finished. She found it difficult to visit the toilet, and blood used to accompany her faeces.
She said her problem had started in 1997, but she had seen those eating cement and charcoal and chalk delivered at The SCOAN on the Emmanuel TV. She received her deliverance through Wise Man John Chi. She advised people never to take to chalk or anthill soil eating, and they should always pray to God and have faith in Jesus Christ for their deliverance, in a similar dilemma.

Bob (From Rivers State Nigeria): Delivered From Spiritual Wife and Crocodile Spirit
Mr Bob, as shown in the video, had come to The SCOAN for deliverance. He had been permanently destroyed. Though he was supposed to be a star, he could not because this Queen of the sea had also destroyed his marital life; his children disregarded him, though he is a good orator and an engineer. His children had also stopped watching the Emmanuel TV. He was also turned into a chain smoker, but by placing his hands on Emmanuel TV screen when Prophet T.B. Joshua was doing mass prayer for the viewers, he was delivered. He had vomited.

In his testimony during the service, Mr Bob said he was possessed by the spirit of spiritual wife and crocodile because he had joined a secret cult in his secondary school days, and had charms for the protection against knives and bottles. He used to find himself at the Bermuda Triangle, where he experienced a lot of strange things. In 1985 or 1986, he was physically initiated by the spiritual wife – a white lady who was naked.
He received three powers – in his eyes, private part and mouth. With his eyes, he could
seduce beautiful girls, whether they liked him or not. He was always searching for girls
in the church because of the spirit of seduction in him. Through space communication
(in which he encountered photographs of the girls with whom he slept), he became
used to many ladies (he had an aura which attracted them). These ladies eventually did
not have settled homes, or had no husbands. They also began to lust after other men, even after marriage. He slept with many ladies who could not even leave him; and his own daughters also got infected with the spirit of lust (after his marriage).
His heart used to be very heavy. He was lucky to have encountered Emmanuel TV earlier, through which he was delivered from smoking recklessly. He had smoked for 40 years (since he was 9 years old; but abandoned the habit since November 6, 2011).

Delivered by Wise Man Christopher, he advised parents that they should know what their kids do, so that in the near future, they would know how to behave. He also advised his friends to stop drinking; that they need deliverance, and those in cults should surrender to God, through a touch from the Holy Spirit.

Mr & Mrs Mellitus Ovia (Enugu State): Delivered From Infertility and Staphylococcus Through Anointing Water
Mr Ovia had suffered from low sperm count and inferility as well as staphylococcus. He had gone to different hospitals and churches without getting solution for 12 years. His first wife ran away because of the problems. He had started watching Emmanuel TV in his brother’s house, and became encouraged by the kinds of miracles he saw, and he decided to go the The SCOAN. He married the second wife, and with her, they prayed with the Anointing Water, and the woman is now pregnant. The wife also testified in church.
Both advised people that, when faced by any difficulty, they should believe God to solve same, and provide for their needs, especially because The SCOAN “is a home of miracles”.

Mrs Benedicta Matthias (From Rivers State, Nigeria): Her Baby Was Delivered From Immature Death By Anointing Sticker)

In March 2012, after Prophet Joshua shared out the Anointing Sticker to the congregation, Mrs Matthias’ child was sleeping beside her father, while the mother was eating. The girls, about a year old, passed on. The mother had to rush to the door to remove the sticker to place on her, which refused to be easily retrieved. The back of the sticker was pressed on the child, and life returned to her. She had died for about one hour, and the mother has faith because according to her, “I know where I belong”, and she said that people should believe in God because “The God of T.B. Joshua never fails”.

Mrs Gladys (From Accra Ghana): Delivered From Ice cubes Consumption for 12 years
Mrs Gladys, a 48 year old Ghanaian had visited the church for deliverance from ice cubes consumption for 12 years, which was an affliction to her. She also had fibroid, pains in the stomach and ear, and was always bleeding. She had to eat ice cubes everywhere, every time, which she saw as biscuits. She was delivered by Wise Man Daniel.

Another woman, a Zimbabwean was delivered from ice cubes consumption too, because she had done so for 8 years, and the hospitals had diagnosed that she lacked iron in her system. She used to experience chest pain. She was delivered.

Prophet Joshua arrived the church to exposed a young man, who had been an armed robber and was one of the gang members who killed a woman, after stealing N3 million from the family. The charms – the brandishing young man was identified by the prophet, said his charms were to prevent gunshots from affecting him.

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WHO IS THIS MAN TB JOSHUA…

Check out this article that we found on nairobiwire.com. A Kenya News website. It gives you a special insight into the story of Prophet T.B Joshua, perhaps what you never knew before.

TB Joshua’s Michael Jackson, Mutharika Prophesy, And His Prophesied Life.

Who Is This Man TB Joshua..

“The most surprising part of TB Joshua is that his life had been prophesied by another great man of God…” 

When the Africa heard of Malawi’s president cardiac arrest , and his death a day later, one word came haunting, TB Joshua. Less than two months ago, the Nigerian prophet told his congregation that God had showed him the death of an old African president. Since he had already built a reputation by accurately prophesying the death of pop icon Michael Jackson, the world did not take those words lightly. Immediately, social networking sites were on fire as to who, TB Joshua was referring to. High on the list of possible candidates was, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Kenya’s Mwai Kibaki, Malawi’s Bingu wa Mutharika and Senegal’s Abdoulaye Wade, who has since lost the election. This was going by the words of TB Joshua that the president is old.

This weekend, just one week before the death of Bingu wa Mutharika, TB Joshua repeated his calls that Africa prays for its leaders as the death of one of its president was very close. Social networks were reignited again.

Temitope Balogun Joshua was born in 1963 in Nigeria and is the leader and founder of the organization, The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), which runs its own TV station, Emmanuel TV. As with many successful church ministers, TB Joshua as been a target of controversies. Some pastors have even accused him of using other powers other than God’s.

June 2009 will be remembered as the year when Michael Jackson died.What many people don’t know is that his death had been prophesied by TB Jackson 5 months earlier. On a live broadcast on Emmanuel TV, the prophet said,

“I’m seeing a great star whom the world is shouting, “Hey, hey, hey!” In his own area, he’s famous – he’s known everywhere. He is great – too great… I see something will begin to happen to that star and that may likely end in him packing his load and going on the journey of no return…

Some have dismissed the prophesy as too general to be associated with Michael Jackson, but later events proved that TB Joshua actually had Michael Jackson in mind. On live TV, former President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Tee Mac, told a congragation,

“The man of God (TB Joshua) called me to his office and said to me, ‘Please, tell your friend Marlon to bring Michael here to Nigeria. Michael needs healing; he needs deliverance.’ I told the man of God that Michael Jackson just went for a medical check up because he is going to have about 50 concerts soon. But the man of God said to me, ‘Send Michael here – he needs healing.’ ”

When the tragic news broke, “what immediately came to my mind was that the man of God told me something’s going to happen,”

That statement immediately solidified TB Joshua’s prophesying credentials. That was however not the only TB Joshua’s prophesy that has come to pass. He is said to have predicted several football match outcomes, including the final of AFCON, where Zambia’s Chipolopolo carried the day.

The most surprising part of TB Joshua is that his life had been prophesied by another great man of God, the late prophet Adewole. In 1995, Adewole was confronted by a group of three journalist who wanted his comments on this new young prophet. In his own words, Prophet Adewole said,

“I was attending to people in my office one day when three journalists entered; the three of them came from three different media houses. They asked, “Prophet Sir, we see and know you to be one of foremost Prophets of God in Africa today. Millions of people are looking forward to your comments because you are the only prophet who has never commented on the subject?” At this point, before they mentioned what they really wanted and the man in question, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to me from the Altar in my office on a golden, very beautiful and mighty chair. He commanded me not to join fake, jealous and envious prophets to say blasphemy against a fellow messenger of God.

‘The Man in the Synagogue is mine. He is your spiritual colleague. He is not fake. His power is not mixed. I do as I please. You are all working for my glory on earth. Do never disown or desert him. Truly he is young in age, but my spirit in him is pure and great. His grace is special. Many will fall through him, while others will rise through him also. Advise him always like a son, friend and colleague and do not judge him at all because God is the only judge. I reveal this to you because you fear, adore and do my wish always. I love you’ – and He disappeared.

I then turned and faced the three men again. And I started telling them all God told me about the man, Temitope Joshua, in the Synagogue, Egbe, Lagos. They were marvelled and become embarrassed. Then one of them said, “Daddy, we believe you, but we want you to see him conjure with his hand. He is using mixed powers. Two other top prophets and the head of witches have promised to test and punish him.” I told them that all the witches and prophets on earth cannot even face an anointed man of God. I even warned them not to join the unbelievers that are fighting God through his prophets. After that they left”.

He later went on to tell his people,

“a young man from Nigeria would be highly anointed, such that all the nations of the world would embrace the mighty God through him.” He said a time would come that the Synagogue Church of All Nations will become a Jerusalem in Nigeria, such that the number of foreigners would outnumber the Nigerians attending the church.

Source: http://www.nairobiwire.com/2012/04/tb-joshuas-michael-jackson-mutharika.html

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Paid To Blaspheme Prophet T.B. Joshua!

Many have heard varying rumors and startling reports concerning the ministry of Prophet T.B. Joshua, which seem a total contradiction to what they are watching on Emmanuel TV day-in and day-out. But for the spiritually minded, such division and contention only serves as a sign of God’s divine calling in his life. The Scripture clearly tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12-13 – “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Anything close to Jesus receives attack – but when God is on your side, you will stand the test of time and persecution will be a tonic to your anointing.

The following story is from The SCOAN’s latest publication of Read Us will be a shock to many. However, it only shows us that the devil is using every trick in his book to try and paint The SCOAN in a bad light in order to stop people from coming to receive their freedom, deliverance and healing. The devil wants you to take all you hear without questioning, but as true Christians, we must be careful to make sure of all things in order to hold fast to that which is true (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Well did Gameliel advise the Pharisees in Acts 5:35-39 – “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

FROM militancy through to blasphemy to discovery, the tale of James is intriguing and intrepid, revealing both the jealousy of men and the justice of God…

Life was difficult for James. Growing up in the squalor of a remote village in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, it seemed he was set to follow his peers into a life of poverty and obscurity. But the zeal to make something out of life, to break free from the jinx of failure burned within James from a young age. He found that opportunity as a rebellious teenager when he joined a group of notorious militants with a promise of an exciting lifestyle and good money. But there was a price. “Because of the nature of the job I was doing, I went to so many places for charms for protection with the result that if you cut me, it won’t penetrate. If you shoot me, the bullets won’t enter.” The charms soon started back-firing for although protection was seemingly given, spiritual attacks and terrible nightmares became the norm. Realising he needed deliverance, James set off to look for a church where he could be set free from the satanic chains he had inadvertently locked himself in.

Prophet TB Joshua - Man's rejection provokes God's direction. When man rejects you, God will begin to direct you.

The church he eventually attended however had other motives – ulterior motives. “The pastor prayed for me, and then asked me to wait behind afterwards, that he wanted to see me. After some time, he asked me if I wanted to work with them.” From militancy to the work of God? James was shocked, but decided to accept, believing this could be the key to a new life. “After all, there’s nothing wrong in working in the house of God,” he surmised.

The assignment for James however, was not the one normally associated with a church or God’s work. It was a dark assignment with dangerous intent. “I did not know that he was asking me to blaspheme against the man of God, Prophet T.B. Joshua. I had never met T.B. Joshua in my life. I’d never even seen him. I’d never even heard the name before. So I accepted the offer as they would pay me a huge amount of money to testify against Prophet T.B. Joshua in any of their crusades.” Naïvely, James agreed. Little did he know that such acceptance was to entangle his life further into a mesh of chaos and confusion, misleading and deceiving tens of thousands in the process.

“What I was required to say is: ‘T.B. Joshua is a satanic agent from the kingdom of darkness; we belong to the same kingdom of darkness. I am on level seven and he is on level five. He never mentions the name Jesus Christ in his church, he only mentions Emmanuel!’ I danced to their tune because of the money involved. They took me around many states in Nigeria and beyond to testify against the man of God. Every crusade, a lot of people usually gathered to listen and hear me out.”

Rumours spread like wildfire as the web of deception weaved its wicked way further throughout the country and beyond, painting Prophet T.B. Joshua black in the eyes of people. However, the intent of the perpetrators did not materialise as his ministry waxed stronger despite the hail of persecution and false accusation. In the midst of this, James decided to travel abroad to South Africa in search of greener pastures, the money he received in the course of blasphemy never amounting to or accounting for anything meaningful. “Getting to my new location, I found myself doing rubbish. My life was somehow useless. What I didn’t like, that’s what I saw myself doing. And all this while the pastor never stopped inviting me back to Nigeria for the same purpose of blackmailing Prophet T.B. Joshua each time they staged crusades and I always obliged because of the money involved”.

Life continued in a downward spiral with various attempts at business all ending in failure and frustration. James seemed stuck in a vicious cycle of life, with no apparent end. “I received a lot of attacks and lost almost everything I acquired.” Marital problems loomed and his spiritual life was practically non-existent. “I used to go to church to play music, sing and do everything in the church – but to give my life to Christ was something I never contemplated because of what had happened to me in the past. I only saw church as a game.”

But an incredible discovery was around the corner, set to transform and reform his life and future. “After some time, my wife demanded I install a satellite dish in our apartment to enable her and my son to access Christian channels. I succumbed after a lot of pressure but any time I was in the house, I preferred watching movies instead of Christian channels. One fateful day I tuned to channel 33 where I saw Emmanuel TV and not quite two seconds later, I saw the name, Synagogue Church. I was interested. Not quite five minutes on, I saw the name ‘Prophet TB Joshua’ on the screen and realised immediately that this must be the man I had been blaspheming.”

For the first time in his life, James saw the man he had witnessed publicly against on countless occasions. Remorse began welling within him as he heard the name of Jesus Christ mentioned frequently. Regret pierced his heart as he saw the remarkable healing testimonies, accurate prophetic messages, touching charitable activities and challenging biblical sermons on Emmanuel TV – all in the name of Jesus Christ. He had been deceived to deceive. “I saw and heard him mentioning “In the name of Jesus Christ” times without number. I said, ‘Ah! But the people that asked me to testify against this man said he doesn’t mention the name Jesus Christ but only Emmanuel. No! I can’t remain here. I must come down to Nigeria, confess my sins and free myself so that my family and I can have a bright future.”

His eyes opened to the truth, James sought to right his wrongs and embarked on a journey to The SCOAN in Lagos, Nigeria. Knowing his public blasphemy had influenced many negatively, James believed his public confession could influence many more positively. On December 20th 2009, standing in the arena of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations and speaking live on Emmanuel TV, James shared his experience to a rapt audience. Prophet T.B. Joshua publicly forgave him, prayed for him and delivered him in the name of Jesus and 16 years of false testimony and profanity finally came to an end.

SOURCE: Read Us Edition 3

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Mystery Lion Prophecy – The Truth!

Wonders, they say, shall never end! A strange rumor regarding a purported prophecy of TB Joshua about a mysterious lion has been circulating around certain areas of Nigeria of late. To enlighten the confused public, The SCOAN has made an official announcement on their website regarding the issue, also being shown on Emmanuel TV. It reads thus:

“Please take note: Emmanuel TV is our means of communicating a message. We were surprised to receive hundreds of phone calls and emails asking us to confirm whether certain prophetic messages were spoken by Prophet TB Joshua or not, that we were forced to come out and address this issue. Two rumors are currently in circulation: one concerning a lion and the other, an earthquake in Delta State. The news has spread so far that even two popular Nigerian newspapers covered the story.

“The rumours now circulating around Delta State, Nigeria concerning prophecies by Prophet TB Joshua are not true. Do not listen to satanic lies. John 8:44 says that satan is the father of lies. Satan has children, he has sons, he has daughters. He has wives, He has uncles, He has aunties, he has nephews, he has nieces, he has nephews, he has cousins he has grandmothers, he has grandfathers. Do not listen to them. Do not let the father of lies deceive you.

“People of Delta State, Nigeria, we love you. God bless you. We are praying for you. Be advised: All messages of prophecy revealed by God through Prophet T.B. Joshua will be broadcast on Emmanuel TV and subsequently posted on our official websites: http://www.emmanuel.tv and http://www.scoan.org.

“Please, do not sit somewhere, hear this or that and come to a hasty conclusion. God requires that we find out the truth from Him first and hold fast to that which is true, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:21. ”

Mystery lion In Delta???

The bizarre and fake rumour had really spread far, as reflected in the numerous newspaper articles referred to above:

Schools shut in Effurun over ‘mystery’ lion prophecy

By Emma Amaize
WARRI—The panic in Effurun, Delta State, over an alleged prophecy by a Lagos-based prophet that a lion would go haywire, killing its owner and a number of persons between Tuesday and tomorrow, went to a ridiculous dimension with some private school owners and traders in the affected area shutting down their schools and businesses.

The rumour had also spread to Ughelli, where the prophet was purported to have said that there would be an earthquake, as some residents were said to be packing away.

The proprietor of Christ the King School on Jakpa Road, Effurun, was said to have declared Tuesday and Wednesday as holiday for the pupils on the grounds that a lion was going to be on the loose.

The news is actually everywhere in Warri and Effurun and some people have said they would stay indoors tomorrow for fear of the lion.

Nobody could categorically say that the prophet mentioned any person as the owner of the lion, but the news is that a particular business man and popular politician in Jakpa area is the one that has the resources to train a lion.

Yesterday, the politician, who was rumoured to have fled to India with his children, trekked a long distance from his house to Jakpa road for people to see him and know that it was all a lie.

Some people claimed that the lion was used for money-making ritual for the man and that it was going to escape and kill the man to stop his source of money or kill other people for the man to continue to enjoy his wealth.

SOURCE: The Vanguard

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Mysterious’ lion causes panic in Delta community

Residents of Effurun, headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, are living in fear, following a report that a killer lion was on the loose.

It was gathered that the panic was sparked off by a prophecy allegedly made by a popular Lagos preacher, Pastor TB Joshua, that the lion would unleash mayhem in the area at the weekend and in the new week.

Although the veracity of the prediction could not be ascertained, the rumour quickly spread, leading to panic and concern among residents, particularly those living around the Praise Centre, Spring Garden Hotel and PB Djebah Estate, among others.

Our correspondent who visited the area at the weekend reported that some residents have already abandoned their homes.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the rumour started last week, following the alleged prophecy that a lion would kill several people.

Some residents, who spoke with our reporter, said a prominent politician in the neighbourhood keeps wild animals, including a lion, as pets. They fear that it was the animal that was being referred to in the prediction.

Mr. Chuks Okeke said he was being inundated with calls from family members and friends about the report.

Okeke also confirmed that the rumour was started by a pastor’s prophecy but it was now a major cause of concern for residents.

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ekpan Police Station, Mr. Mu’azu Mohammed, said he was not aware of the report.

SOURCE: The Nation

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Residents flee as ‘mystery’ lion causes panic

Residents yesterday continued to flee Aya and other streets around the Praise Centre Area of Effurun, Delta State over fears of a rampaging lion predicted by Lagos preacher, Pastor Temitope Joshua.

No fewer than 50 families have abandoned their homes over concerns that the lion, reportedly being kept by a prominent Urhobo chief in the area, would break loose by 12:00 midnight yesterday.

A visit to some schools, including the Word of Faith Group of Schools, revealed that pupils’ turnout was unusually low.

Also, the issue was a subject of debate at the morning assembly at the New Era Schools, where the authority resolved to monitor the situation closely and advise parents on whether the school would be opened today or not.

Residents have been living in fear over the prophecy allegedly made by Pastor Joshua that the lion would break loose and harm residents.

SOURCE: The Nation

We thank God the truth has been unveiled and the tension in the affected areas is steadily reducing.

To stop hearing rumours, start praying

Church debunks ‘mystery’ lion prophecy

WARRI—THE purported prophecy by a Lagos-based pastor, Temitope Joshua, that a lion would run amok, kill its owner and many other persons in Warri, Delta State, between yesterday and today, has been debunked by a member of the Synagogue Church, Chief Vincent Okudolor.

Many private school owners shut down their schools yesterday in anticipation of the lion but there was none.
Okudolor told Vanguard: “I am surprised that people will believe such rumour and close down their businesses without verifying its authenticity. I called my church headquarters and they told me our pastor, T. B. Joshua, never made any such prophecy.

“The highest authorities in the church said it is not true that there was such a prophecy, and if there was any, it would be relayed on Emmanuel TV and the details would be put on the church’s website. So where are people getting this fake information from?”

Up till yesterday, there was still tension in Warri and Effurun over the mystery lion. As at 10.00 am, some people claimed that security agents have been deployed to Jakpa area of Effurun to shoot dead the lion, which was sighted in the residence of a businessman.

However, Chief Okudulor said, “It’s all lies, there was no prophesy like that by Prophet Joshua, people should stop peddling rumour and maligning the character of other people”.

SOURCE: Vanguard

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Fears over Effurun ‘mystery’ lion allayed

The controversy over the ‘mysterious lion’ in Effurun, Delta State, was laid to rest yesterday when Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi allowed his home to be searched to prove he had no lion or other wild animals.

The former governorship aspirant, who was reported to be keeping the wild cat, and Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Peter Abugewa, dispelled the rumour and advised residents to go about their businesses.

Effurun and other parts of Warri had been paralysed with fear, following reports that a lion allegedly being kept by Gbagi would be let loose.

The rumour, which started late last week, was reportedly as a result of an alleged prophecy by Lagos preacher, Pastor TB Joshua, that the lion would kill several persons, including its owner.

Pastor Joshua denied making such a prophecy.

Gbagi, who with his wife hosted reporters to breakfast at his home yesterday, blamed the rumour on joblessness and advised the state to create jobs for the teeming populace.

He shrugged off the negative publicity occasioned by the rumour, adding that he was unperturbed by the ‘childish’ rumour, which could have been spread by either his political or business enemies, ostensibly to disrupt his progress.

Abugewa condemned the development in its entirety, stressing the report was circulated “to embarrass some persons and to cause instability and disrupt the prevailing peace in the community.”

SOURCE: The Nation

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‘Mystery’ lion: Gbagi dismisses insinuations

WARRI—The man in the centre of the mystery lion rumour that rocked Warri, Delta State, earlier in the week, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has dismissed insinuations of ownership of the lion.

Prophet of the Church of All Nations, Temitope Joshua, was alleged to have prophesied that a lion would run amok in Warri and attack people, and this forced many private school proprietors at Effurun, near Warri, to shut down their schools.

But reacting to the development yesterday, Gbagi, who conducted newsmen round his house, said he had no underground cage where he trained lions, as speculated.

Gbagi, an hotelier in Effurun, said workers of an oil company who had one or two things to do with his hotel panicked also.

“I believe the rumour was borne out of the joblessness of many people,” he said, adding that anybody who had a job to do would not find time to peddle such rumour.”

Though he said he was not training a lion in his house, Gbagi noted that there was no law prohibiting anyone from doing so and wondered why people were not talking about religious inclination, given the fact that he has a church in his compound.

He said he was not interested in joining issues with anybody on the wicked rumour but for the fact that some closed persons called and asked him to “do something about it” because of the negative image it was bringing to him.

The industrialist, who owns the biggest shopping plaza in Delta State, said he was not perturbed, even if it was a strategy by his business competitors to rub mud on his name.

He said if the rumour was the handiwork of politicians, it had only succeeded in making him more popular and told those behind it to hold their gunpowder, saying he would declare him political interest when the time was ripe.

Gbagi called on the government to provide jobs for people, so they could be engaged and do something useful for themselves, rather than engage in rumour peddling, as an idle mind is the Devil’s workshop.

Olorogun Gbagi said his wife and children who were speculated to have been flown to India were with him in Warri. Vanguard saw the wife and children, last Sunday, at the politician’s Woodridge Hotel in Effurun when this reporter went to speak with Gbagi on the raging rumour.

Chairman of Uvwie local government council, Mr. Abugewa, who also spoke to newsmen, said it was a bad, baseless and unfounded rumour, saying he had been trying to trace the source, but to no avail.

Abugewa confirmed that there was confusion in Effurun over the rumour but said the council took steps to douse the ensuing tension , as he went on air to tell the people that there was no iota of truth in it.

SOURCE: Vanguard

The lesson learned from these events is clear: everything we hear and read must be subject to confirmation in the light of God’s Word, because the Bible says that everyone lies to his neighbor (Psalm 12:2).

Love everyone, trust only God!

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THRIVING IN THE MIDST OF THORNS

When a man is subjected to persistent barrage of attacks instigated by his foes and detractors, the very simple question to be asked is: What is/are his sin(s)?

The world has seen and heard of the stories of individuals who dared to change the world by involving themselves in peculiar acts and activities; those which are rare and hard to comprehend and understand by the customary reasoning of human. These individuals eventually succeeded in their quest, by being persistent and sustaining their unique ideas, proposition and principles.

Think of a world conquering individual and you will sure see traces of the acts of propaganda, name-calling, smear campaign, slanderous campaign, and the likes, thrown at them by their opposition and detractors.

Jesus Christ

Nelson Mandela

Michelangelo

Thomas Alva Edison

Neil Armstrong

The list above, amongst many others which cannot be mentioned, comprises great men who impacted positively on the lives of their generation and generation yet unborn. Yet, they were criticized, chastised, humiliated, imprisoned and jettisoned, all because of their ideas and unique contributions to their communities.

Certain qualities are common about the lives of these people; they remained persistent and courageous, and paid any price to protect their purpose in life. The lesson to be learnt is clear; for a person to be in the centre of his world, he must be willing to accept criticism of the detractors when they come.

TB Joshua

One man who has consistently thrived in the midst of his detractors is Prophet TB Joshua, the founder of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, Lagos-Nigeria. This man of God with the gift of accurate prophetic declaration, healing, deliverance and preaching of the Gospel, has stunned the world at large with series of prophetic messages that have turned out to be true and confirmed by the recipients.

The very fact that the popularity of this prophet has soared thanks to much criticism he has received from home and abroad, attests to his many trials. In the past decade, he has been bombarded by claims that he is a false prophet of God. In the midst of these, his continued calm and silence has endeared him to many.

So the question is: What is/are the sin(s) of TB Joshua?

1. The fact that he cannot boast of a mentor?

2. The fact that he performs miracles and deliverance?

3. The fact that he issues prophetic statements that turn out to be true?

4. The fact that he is a humble man?

5. The fact that he cannot boast of the best educational qualification?

6. The fact that he prefers to be involved in charitable causes?

7. The fact that he is friend to the needy, beggars, widows, widowers, leaders, presidents, renowned personalities and indeed, friend to all?

8. The fact that he pastors a congregation of citizens of the world?

Whatever his sin(s), let us all be aware that great men attract great rejection. That is what makes them thick. That is the tonic that strengthens them. Imagine the kind of opposition that Jesus Christ and the likes faced in their time.

Would you have believed them then?

SOURCE: World Sentinel

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Prophet TB Joshua And Constant Criticisms

An opinion article published in the Nigerian Compass concerning the ministry of Prophet T.B. Joshua…

Many Nigerians are gainfully employed and many are not,in fact cannot even brag of a regular source of monthly income. But both the employed and the unemployed share same status;that of the liberty to express themselves,set agenda and contribute to public opinion. Opinion translates into an issue when it is an informed opinion, but alas even when it is not, like a wild fire, it burns and it becomes inextinguishable until it achieves its desired effect which is likely to glorify or detract one’s fame.

Opinion translates into an issue when it is an informed opinion,but alas even when it is not, like a wild fire, it burns and it becomes inextinguishable until it achieves its desired effect which is likely to glorify or detract one’s fame.

Prophet T.B. Joshua is a phenomenon both locally and internationally,if not for anything but for his somewhat prophetic accuracies and charity. With respect to his calling as a prophet, he has distinguished himself as a humble,wealthy and miraculous worker just like some of his colleagues and contemporary pastors.

The grouse against him therefore may not be unconnected to his style of ministry;that of instantaneous and unprecedented healing and cardinally that of giving hope to the needy,which obviously is lacking in other religious ministries. This feat instead of earning him grace and accolades had by way of reverse made him a victim of constant and untamed criticisms. The most interesting aspect of these religious leaders is that they have become a brand.

Some are known for their grandiloquence, some are famous for miracles, sheep-like humility and generosity, some for their good looks and high sense of style, while others are known for their hard stance and criticisms of the government. Alas,among all these niches that they have carved for themselves, no one had made headlines more than Prophet T.B. Joshua. What about him? He is a very humble person,he may not be an eloquent speaker,yet he passes his message so succinctly to the comprehension of his congregation. He is the only pastor that is non-discriminatorily caring for the needy especially the widows and orphans. He is miraculous. He is unlike other great pastors that cannot even be reached by ordinary members of their congregation,let alone listening to their plights. He is unlike other pastors who are quite wealthy but all they do is to build institutions of higher learning and charge their students millions of naira and even pay in dollars. Could that be a way of giving back to the society?Far from it.

Jesus Is All The World To Me

His ministry now revolves around prophecies,charity and healing. His prophecies are accurate. I am not a member of his congregation but I have attended twice which informed my opinion of him. I make bold to say that there is nothing strange or mysterious about him and his ministry.

If his critics claim that he is occultic and evil and that his authority does not spring from God,then they should also be occultic,solve people’s problems and help the needy. Even the scripture attest to it that the greatest good is looking after widows and orphans in their tribulations. Does anyone really know what others are doing in their privacies?Why should we continue to question what we do not have answers to? Why are we usurping the role of the creator who is the ultimate judge? As for me, i have concluded that constant criticism is the strength of the prophet. It makes his grace to abound,it increases his life span.

SOURCE: 01 January 2010 – Nigerian Compass

By Jonathan Eze
ezejustice88@yahoo.com

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PETALS OF GOD’S LOVE

An intriguing opinion piece published in the Guardian newspapers of Nigeria…

God is one. God is love (1 John 4:8, John 15:13). Love can never thrive in an atmosphere of rancor – political, economic, religious etc. To acknowledge the love and goodness of God whenever and wherever they are found is the duty of any and every being loyal to the Creator God, who Himself is absolute goodness. God’s love, like the petals of a full blown flower, points in all directions – the epitome of God’s boundless love for His creation.

A recent happening at The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN)’s Friday Healing service is indeed food for thought for all and sundry. On this particular occasion, an elderly man who from every indication was not a Christian had his rubber water bottle slung over his shoulder as he stood on the prayer line waiting for the anointed servant of God and expecting to receive through him a touch from heaven in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Not long after the man of God, Prophet TB Joshua stood before him and then without warning or any obvious preparation, spontaneously took the rubber water bottle, opened it and copiously drank from it. All this to the amazement of all gathered. The water could have been from a brook! Why did he do it? Many people must have asked themselves.

For the spiritually enlightened, this was no popularity stunt by the anointed man of God who by all standards is world acclaimed. Was he trying to convert him to Christianity? Those who listen to the Holy Spirit inspired sermons of Prophet TB Joshua would have heard him say often that it is the Holy Spirit that converts.

Prophet TB Joshua - We should let love be uppermost in our hearts, because if we have all the gifts without love, we are nothing.

The servants of God only point the way by showing Christ’s unending power of salvation, healing, deliverance, forgiveness, restoration and comfort – since “Jesus lives, He never said goodbye”. Certainly most people shown these qualities of Jesus would willingly recognise, respect, love and embrace Him.

Prophet TB Joshua’s action here was a spontaneous display of the selfless love of God that knows no bounds – ethnic, racial, social class, religious affiliation and the like. We all need to thank God for the life and ministry of Prophet TB Joshua. Honest men and woman of all nations and races would wholeheartedly declare that humanity has not had it so good since the apostolic times. We give God all the glory, adoration, honour, power, majesty and praise for this spectacular favour on mankind in our time.

Scoffers – many led astray by undue allegiance to man rather than God – should retrace their steps and acknowledge the goodness of God in the life and ministry of Prophet TB Joshua. Youths and others should shun any inducement or sponsorship to drop vile, mindless and blasphemous comments in the internet against the servant of the Most High God.

They must be mindful of the warning in Matthew 16:26 – “…for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul, what shall a man give in exchange of his soul”.

The frantic attempts to stop members of other organisations/ ministries from coming to SCOAN apparently have failed as eloquently depicted each Sunday and during the Friday healing service when literally the whole world turns to The SCOAN.

Many from the world over, who had wondered if anything good could ever come out of Nigeria, have through the ministry of Prophet TB Joshua changed their mind. They gladly troop to The Synagogue happily, displaying their flags and thanking God Almighty for making them part of the history of God’s tremendous move in our time.

It is not, however, a case of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ at all! It is rather the case of humbling ourselves before God to make Him open our eyes of faith to what He is doing in our midst today through Prophet TB Joshua.

We must relegate the hunger for material things completely to the background to join the ranks of spiritual achievers who are assured of eternal peace and comfort after our sojourn in a world of sin and sorrow.

It is never late to turn to God and acknowledge His love and goodness. We thank God for the life and ministry of Prophet TB Joshua and pray that He continues to sustain and increase him even in the face of underserved aggression.

Professor Clara Ikekonwu
Director, Institute of Nigerian Languages
University of Nigeria, Aba Campus, Abia State.

SOURCE: The Guardian – Vol. 27, No. 11,261

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‘How Many People Are Praying For You…’ – TB Joshua

An article in the popular Daily Champion detailing the stunning events of Sunday 13th September, including an array of inspirational words of wisdom…

General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua has said persecution brought him tremendous blessing. He said as he was being hounded by a few individuals in the society, thousands, especially the less privileged across the world, were praying for his wellbeing. Joshua said during a special Sunday Service at the Ikotun Lagos Headquarters of the church that many lives had been touched around the world through his ministry, who are also praying for increase of God’s blessings on him.

The service also witnessed the reconciliation of some ostracized children from Abiakelibi Village in Akwa-Ibom State with their family members. The children, who were accused of killing their mother through witchcraft, were also given a cash donation by Prophet Joshua during the service.

He told the worshippers that God’s blessings have increased in his life as a result of persecution he received while fulfilling his assignment on earth. “The more they persecute me, the more the favour of God upon my life. The more they persecute me, the more God will increase my blessing. Many people are praying that God should bless TB Joshua. There are thousands all over the world who are praying for Joshua, how many people are praying for you,” he said.

He said the open display of his donations to the less privileged people in the society was to encourage his members to do likewise to the needy in their midst saying that his intention was not to show off or attract praise. He urged the congregation to make giving part of their lives, noting that givers would always receive breakthrough from God.

“What we are doing is not to show off, but to teach the people to do what we are doing by helping the poor in the society. Giving is part of my life. The only problem is that people don’t give out what they cherish. It is when you don’t have that you can give what your life depends on.”

“You need prayers from orphans, widows, widowers, the fatherless and poor in the society. If widows and orphans pray for you, you will receive your breakthrough immediately. Life is all about giving and someone somewhere is in need of what you have. It could be your strength or your love – but in any direction you look, you will see those who are in need of your love,” he said.

Prophet TB Joshua Talks to Asuquo Etim Okon and his two siblings falsely accused of witchcraft

Joshua, who gave N1.6 million for the rehabilitation of the children and the burial of their mother, also promised scholarships to them. Some members of the Abiakelibi community including Etim Okon Edem, the children’s father who attended the service could not hide their excitement as they received their cash gift.

Narrating their ordeal to newsmen, 23 year old Asuquo Etim Okon, whose siblings were accused of witchcraft said the villagers abandoned their mother’s corpse for six months before the intervention of The Synagogue Church. He said he decided to take his siblings aged 11 and 12 years respectively to the church to seek God’s intervention and confirm if they were witch and wizard as alleged by the members of the community. He said not only did Joshua assure that the children were innocent, but that his visit to the church has opened a new chapter in the life of the family.

Innocent Okonkwo

SOURCE: Daily Champion – Tuesday September 15 2009 – Vol. 22 No. 184

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Is TB Joshua a prophet among us?

The head of Foursquare Churches in Zambia, Boniface Mwanza, wrote this intriguing article in the ‘Times of Zambia’ concerning the authenticity of Pastor TB Joshua’s ministry…

THERE has been so much controversy surrounding Nigerian prophet TB Joshua, a man renowned world over yet most vilified for his miracle healing services and predictions. The controversies have been raging ever since TB Joshua’s ministry stormed into the public domain bringing into question the legitimacy of his works. In talking about legitimacy, I am referring to the standards as set forth in the Scriptures, which would help us identify a genuine prophet. Who then is TB Joshua?

T.B. Joshua whose full names are Temitope Balogun Joshua was born on June 12, 1963, in a village called Arigidi, in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State of Nigeria. He is married to Evelyn and has four children. TB Joshua, the founder and pastor of the Synagogue Church of All Nations is said to have sparked controversy starting with his mysterious birth. He allegedly remained in his mother’s womb for 15 months before he was born. He attended primary school at St Steven Anglican school from 1971-1977, but failed to complete one year of secondary school. But as he was growing up, he was known as a “small pastor” because of his love for the Bible and ability to predict things to come in his community. He further gained reputation for spiritual prowess after confronting and disarming a madman who was wielding a machete in the school premises. While in school he was the leader of a scripture union.

When Joshua started the Synagogue Church of All Nations in 1987, he just had a handful of members but since then the church has grown far beyond the shores of Nigeria. More than 15,000 members attend the weekly Sunday service. Numerous videos have been produced documenting the healing of incurable sickness, cancer, paralysis, AIDS, showing people’s conditions before, during and after prayer. Medical doctors have examined the patients before and after and have testified to a supernatural activity beyond medical science. TB Joshua does not even claim to be healer but says, “I am just God’s servant”.

TB Joshua has made phenomenal predictions in full view of a global audience on the satellite Christian Television, Emmanuel TV and all of them have come to pass. He predicted the death of president Levy Mwanawasa a month before it happened, the disastrous cyclone in Myanmar, the attempted assassination of the prime minister of Lesotho Pakalitha Mosisili, resignation of Pakistan president Pervez Musharaf, the comet slam into planet Jupiter which caused quite a fray in the scientific community and more recently the death of American pop star Michael Jackson.

TB Joshua

On Michael Jackson’s death, the prophet was seen by a global audience via his television network saying, “I see a star being rushed to the hospital but he wont come back home, the whole world will be shocked. He is a great star in his world”. To add mystery to this prediction, TB Joshua sent a message through the pop star’s associates to let Michael come for prayer and deliverance in Nigeria. The associates thought the message a bit misplaced, because Michael was declared medically fit by his doctors and he was billed for a world concert tour beginning July 13. But alas! That was not to be, he died on June 25 before seeing Prophet TB Joshua.

Despite all these happenings Prophet TB Joshua has come under heavy attack from many, some of whom have labelled him a false prophet. And the debate about the authenticity of his ministry unfortunately has been orchestrated by a section of the clergy within the charismatic Pentecostal brand of Christendom. This has left many lay people unfamiliar with scriptures, let alone issues of Christian theology confused, as reverends or bishops are keener to criticise prophet TB Joshua than providing Biblical counsel.

Since the beaming of Emmanuel TV on free channel stations in most parts of Zambia, we have witnessed an unprecedented following of TB Joshua’s programmes. As a result, emotive debates have emerged from the pulpits to the pews, between clergy and lay people. The man has arrived on the scene, should we dismiss him or his utterances as the ravings of a madman? How do we know for sure that we have a prophet among us?

This article is written on the assumption that the readers hold to the sacredness of the Bible as the inspired scriptures from whence we would draw our authority in judging a matter as heresy or sound doctrine. It is against this background that we seek to examine the ministry of this man, in the light of scriptures. There are fundamental rules in the scriptures, which must be used to judge whether something is of God, or not. In the absence of this knowledge, one would easily find themselves opposing God or abetting apostasy. To begin with, if one does not subscribe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, they will have nothing to do with this subject at hand because there would be no basis by which any meaningful discourse can rest upon.

But if we want to find out if he is a fraud as some are claiming, or a true servant of the Lord, we can only do so with the aid of scriptures. Let’s examine for example the standards used in the scriptures to test a prophet. Deuteronomy 18:20; “But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death. You may say to yourselves, ‘how can we when a message has been spoken by the Lord? If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, do not be afraid of him”.(New International Version)

The precise knowledge of the future according to this scripture, is a preserve of the Most High God, and only God can reveal detailed events to happen in the future to His servants. Therefore, if a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord and the events take place, then you need to pay heed lest you find yourself opposing the Holy Spirit.

In the book of 1 John 4:2 :“This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God; every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the anti-christ which you head is coming and even now is already in the world”. The authenticity of any ministry is tested by how they profess about who Jesus Christ is. From all accounts, TB Joshua proclaims Jesus Christ to have come in the flesh hence his motto “Emmanuel” which translates God with us. His messages and sermons lift Jesus as the Christ! And what more?

Signs and wonders are daily phenomena in his ministry, just the way it was as recorded in the book of Mark16:20: “then the disciples went and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by signs that accompanied it”. It is amazing that some of the most fearsome critics of TB Joshua have no signs and wonders in their ministry and they want to take it upon themselves to persecute this great man of God. Is it not surprising, that even Jesus in his earthly ministry was accused of casting evil spirits by the powers of Beelzebub? Can these same critics who call themselves bishops, reverends, pastors and all manner of description show us one thing they are doing in their ministries that can fit into God’s compassion for humanity?

TB Joshua’s humanitarian effort touches the needs of widows. The physically challenged and orphans have benefited in his educational support projects. Recently the federal President of Nigeria, Musa Yar’Adua, a Muslim himself awarded him with “Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic” in recognition of his humanitarian efforts. Most people who persecute Joshua, particularly clergymen are moved by jealous and envy as he seems to expose fake ministries by his tremendous charities without begging for money. Anyone who is a true seeker of truth can know in the light of scriptures that for sure there is a prophet among us.

By BONIFACE MWANZA

SOURCE: The Times of Zambia, Modern Ghana, Ghana Nation

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