JESUS WILL NOT ALLOW THE ENEMY OF YOUR SOUL TO OVERTAKE YOU

YOU NEED TO EXPERIENCE GOD

The service on Sunday, June 3, 2012 began with Wise Man John Chi speaking on the need to experience God. “Most people would believe that it is a great tragedy to be separated from their possessions and social relations,” he began. “However, very few people understand that the greatest tragedy in the world today is to be separated from God. Satisfaction in life is not all about having children, money or other worldly possessions – you need to experience God. Until you experience God, there will be dissatisfaction in your life – a sense of hunger to know what life is all about, a desire to know what happens after life is over,” he said in his introduction.

Continuing, he stated that many Christians only choose certain areas of Scripture to focus on, stressing that we need the whole counsel of God to develop spiritually. “Those people who choose to pick out a few words from the Bible and live by them are not eager about such other areas as holiness, consecration, judgement, evangelism and the love of God,” he added.

Talking on the futility of merely pursuing worldly fame and possessions, he explained, “Treasures on earth have their habit of disappointing their owners as they don’t offer permanent security. Only treasures stored up in Heaven are permanent and secure. They retain their value because they are under God’s own security.” He used James 1:10-11 for further illustration.

Concluding, Wise Man John Chi referred the congregation and viewers worldwide on Emmanuel TV to Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7 – Scriptures that enjoin us to ‘cast our burden upon the Lord’. He said, “The best remedy against anxiety is to cast our burden upon God believing His divine will to calm our spirit. To cast our burden upon God is to rest our trust in His providence and promise. If we commit our ways and works to Him, He promised to carry us in the arms of His power, as a nurse carries a child and will strengthen our spirit by His Spirit. Why don’t we trust Him and let Him prove Himself? After all, He is the Governor of our future. I mean, He owns our future.”

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AT 49!

Following Wise Man John Chi’s message, a glorious time in God’s presence in praise and worship ensued, before Prophet T.B. Joshua came out. “If you rely on the strength that comes from our Lord, Jesus Christ, He will not allow the enemy of your soul to overtake you,” he said, encouraging the congregation.

Using the opportunity to address his upcoming 49^th birthday on June 12^th, Prophet T.B. Joshua thanked the people for their prayers. Explaining the way and manner God wanted him to celebrate this year, he stated, “My birthday shall be dedicated to prayer for the Church of God, for its unity. It is also an occasion that calls for persistent giving, especially to the needy,” he continued, stressing that people should give every good thing the Lord had given to them.

EVERYONE NEEDS DELIVERANCE

A video was replayed in which Mr Gideon Ibitoye was remarkably delivered after prayer from Wise Man Christopher during last week’s Monday Service. The evil spirit had spoken through him, saying that it was a warrior who had come to cause suffering and poverty in the family.

Addressing the importance of deliverance, Prophet T.B. Joshua said that it was necessary for everyone to pass through deliverance. Referring the congregation to 1 Corinthians 10:13, he explained that even after deliverance, a Christian would still face challenges and trials but that they would lead to his improvement. “When you are delivered, strength will come from above so that the enemy of your soul will not overtake you,” he said.

In his explanation, Mr Ibitoye narrated that he is a youth pastor in his church and never had any inclination that he would be the one to be delivered when they came to The SCOAN. On the contrary, he believed his wife was the one responsible for the problems and expected her to be the one to manifest when the Wise Men prayed. This belief came as a result of a number of pastors who had pointed out that his wife was the architect of their downfall, telling him to beg her for forgiveness and adorn her with gifts of clothes so she would release him from the cage he was in.

Confused, his wife explained that she too ended up suspecting that she might be possessed, after all the pastors had pointed her out to her husband. Mr Ibitoye explained that during the Sunday Service, his entire focus was on his wife during the Wise Men’s prayer, expecting her to react and manifest. Disappointed after nothing seemingly happened, he resolved to return home. His wife, however, insisted that they return for the Monday Service. During the Monday Service, Mr Ibitoye said, after listening to a message from Prophet T.B. Joshua, he began to ask God for a touch from Heaven. As Wise Man Christopher prayed for him during that service, he explained that he just saw light and became very afraid, losing all consciousness and control. “I am not the type of person who believes in that type of thing,” he confessed, adding that he was astonished at the deliverance he received.

Members of the congregation spoke out on the lessons learned from the couples experience and Prophet T.B. Joshua commended Mrs. Ibitoye for standing by her husband despite the accusation and insisting on his return to the church on Monday.

DELIVERED FROM THE SPIRIT OF PROSTITUTION

Miss Pauline, a 5^th year Student of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Benin returned to The SCOAN with three friends following her confession in the church last week. After her deliverance from the spirit that had pushed her into prostitution, Prophet T.B. Joshua called on her to bring some of her colleagues who were also involved in the same lifestyle and desired deliverance.

Her three friends, all schooling in university, somberly told The SCOAN congregation that they were involved in prostitution and this was how they paid their tuition. Prophet T.B. Joshua promised that the church would assist them financially with scholarships to carry on their education without continuing their past lifestyle. The young friends were moved to tears at the announcement, Pauline thanking God on their behalf for rescuing them and providing for their needs.

HEALED FROM PROSTATE CANCER

In his faith building testimony, Mr Alex Okodua said he visited The SCOAN in October 2011 suffering from prostate cancer. At that stage, his condition was critical as he had lost a lot of weight, saw blood in his urine and experienced swelling in his groin. He explained that at this stage he would be going to the toilet 5-6 times in a night alone. The medical doctors advised him to go to India for an operation and even then, the chances of recovery were 50-50.

However, in the midst of his deteriorating condition, one of Mr Okodua’s sons advised him to visit The SCOAN and use the Anointing Water. After receiving and ministering it, he explained that he immediately began sleeping well. Soon, the blood-filled urine had normalized and he was regaining weight again. Amazed at the miraculous work of God in his life, Mr Okodua returned to the hospital for another check. Marveling at the miracle, the doctors confirmed he was free from prostate cancer. To God be the glory!

As Mr Okodua testified, Professor Robinson, the Chief Medical Director of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, attested to what he was saying. He explained that, as a medical doctor, he had referred many of his patients to The SCOAN for healing and had even ministered the Anointing Water in the hospital. He cited the case of a woman whose arm was to be amputated because of a large open wound that had refused to heal. However, after ministering the Anointing Water, the wound closed up and the woman was completely restored.

BARRENNESS OVER AND BREAKTHROUGH RESTORED

Engr. Ugwu and his wife came to The SCOAN with many testimonies to share to God’s glory! Firstly, he explained that he had initially come to The SCOAN with the problem of bedwetting for a long and painful 34 years. At this stage, he and his wife were childless and he was also experiencing setback and disappointment in his business. However, after coming to The SCOAN and ministering the Anointing Water, the Ugwu’s lives were completely transformed!

His bedwetting ceased and shortly afterwards his wife became pregnant, later safely delivering a baby girl named Mary. Employed in a petroleum company, abundant blessing started coming for Engr. Ugwu and he was able to buy a new car and move into a new house. To cap it all, his wife is now pregnant for a second time!

Following the testimonies, Prophet T.B. Joshua led the congregation in a powerful time of mass prayer.  “Your appointment with God is Divine. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, everyone was healed. God has sent me to you to give you something,” he told the excited congregation. He then moved in the midst of the congregation, giving words of prophecy to hundreds of individuals present. We thank God Almighty for what He is doing every week in The SCOAN. Indeed, a million thanks are not enough for what Jesus Christ has done!

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LET THERE BE LIGHT!

THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD
Sunday, May 6, 2012 was another wonderful day in God’s presence at The SCOAN. Wise Man Christopher preached a message in the morning titled, ‘The Whole Counsel Of God’ in which he emphasised that people should not pick and choose only certain Scriptures, using 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as a proof text.

Wise Man Christopher

In the course of his message, he said, “Faith is of man’s spirit and heart, not of his mind and flesh. Acting on the Word of God builds faith in the believer.” Stressing the fact that faith does not work alone, he said that love, patience, prayer and faith must all work together in order to accomplish the purpose of God in one’s life. Speaking on the need for faith to work by love, Wise Man Christopher said, “A failure to walk in love shuts one down spiritually.” Referring to 1 Corinthians 13, he continued, “If I speak in the tongues of men and angels without loving others, I am merely talking to the air. Without love, I have accomplished nothing in life”.

He maintained that as Christians, we should love our neighbours as ourselves, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity. “Whether you are a friend or enemy, I am commanded by God to bless you. You are blessed!” He concluded by saying that our hearts must be rooted and grounded in God’s Word and in love, adding that there are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity.

 

CURSED TO BEDWET!

Daniel showing the pads he had to use before his deliverance from bedwetting

Mr Momodu Daniel shared a powerful testimony of how God delivered him from a curse of bedwetting after receiving a prophecy in the course of last week’s service from Prophet T.B. Joshua. Sharing his experience, Daniel said the affliction actually began in India where he was living a wayward life – going to clubs, womanising and doing fraudulent business. His girlfriend, whom he met in a club, became pregnant but he was not prepared to take up responsibility for his actions. He gave her money to abort the pregnancy but she cursed him for rejecting the pregnancy, saying that he would bedwet until the day he died. Although he did not take it seriously initially, just one month later the curse kicked into effect. “Since that moment, I wet my bed every single night for the past eight years,” he explained to the shocked congregation.

He said the ugly situation had damaged his reputation, as business colleagues refused to work with him because of the offensive odour around him. The situation was so severe that Daniel would have to wear pads and padded underwear whenever he went out and especially when going to sleep at night. “Without those pads, there was no way I could sleep. I couldn’t even wear light or white clothes; I would always put on black.” Because of the shame, Daniel had behaved like a recluse, unable to keep friends or stay in other people’s houses. He recounted an experience when, after bedwetting in a friend’s house, he was forcibly asked to leave the house at 1am and had to spend the night on the streets. “Just as T.B. Joshua prophesied, when I was caught bedwetting at a colleague’s house, I would blame it on the small boy who lived there,” he explained.

T.B. Joshua

 

However, Daniel’s story changed following his encounter with Prophet T.B. Joshua last week as the word of prophecy was followed by an immediate miracle! As Daniel stood before the congregation in immaculate white clothes, he testified, “Since last week when I received the prophecy, I have not experienced this bedwetting anymore!”

 Using the opportunity to talk on the power in God’s Word, Prophet T.B. Joshua said, “The Word of God is more sure and lasting than Heaven and earth.” He then added, “I shall say that which I shall live to see accomplished.”

 

 

 

HOW THE SPIRIT OF A RITUALIST ENTERED A PASTOR
A video was replayed to the congregation about the prophecy given to a Ghanaian pastor called Stephen during the course of last week’s Monday Prophetic service about his involvement with rituals. In his narration, he explained that shortly after his training at Bible School, he had a strange experience while praying for a man on the street. The man, who had complained to Pastor Stephen of being tormented spiritually following a money ritual, proceeded to physically beat him in the course of the prayer. At that moment, Stephen felt something enter him and left the scene visibly shaken.

“After that encounter, I began to see myself with people partaking in rituals in my dreams,” he explained, saying that the spirit of rituals had entered him from that point. “Whenever I lacked money, my mind would always tell me to go and do a ritual,” he explained. It came to the point where Stephen, without his wife’s knowledge, went to a ritualist who demanded that he bring five human fingers and an embryo in order to carry out the devilish act. Unable to find such items, he could not go further with his plan. He continued to experience setback, disappointment and financial hardship. Despite doing his pastoral work, Stephen was even advising friends in financial straits to visit ritualists.

Having watched Emmanuel TV, Stephen and his wife decided to visit The SCOAN in Nigeria. But even in Nigeria, he still visited a witch doctor, pushed by the spirit to do a ritual at all costs and at whatever price. Before going further, the witch doctor demanded N10,000, a sum which he was unable to afford. The following week he attended The SCOAN where his problem was exposed and he was delivered in Jesus’ name. Ever since his deliverance, Pastor Stephen testified that all thoughts and desires to do rituals vanished and he is now sleeping normally.

Calling on the congregation to pray for the church, Prophet T.B. Joshua said, “We need to pray for the church around the world. Pray for your pastor and ask God to redeem the church around the world”.

AN INSTANT DELIVERY!

A new life welcomed into the world!

Prophet T.B. Joshua, during the testimonies, prophesied that very shortly a baby boy would join the congregation, calling on them to pray. The prophecy was fulfilled when in the course of the service, Mrs Uche Patience who was booked for an operation because her baby was unusually large and positioned wrongly in her womb, delivered her baby boy safely and successfully!

Believing God for Divine intervention, she came to The SCOAN, which she called ‘her last bus stop’. After coming to The SCOAN that Sunday morning, she fell into labour and delivered without an operation, buoyed by the prayers of the whole congregation following Prophet T.B. Joshua’s prophetic declaration.

 

 

DELEGATION FROM FORMER IVORY COAST PRESIDENT LAURENT GBAGBO

Family of former Ivory Coast President, Laurent Gbagbo

 

In the course of the second service, a delegation from Ivory Coast, including the daughter and cousin of the country’s former President Laurent Gbagbo, came with a message for Prophet T.B. Joshua. Mr Guede Zadi Michael, Mr Gbagbo’s cousin, explained the reason for their attendance, stating that they came to correct the mistake that was made when the former president failed to honour the prophet’s invitation during the crisis in Ivory Coast. “We believe in Christ and the words of a prophet are to be honoured,” he said. Prophet T.B. Joshua thanked the delegation for their visit and prayed for the former President, his family and the nation of Ivory Coast.

 

 

AN INSTANT CONFIRMATION

A new president for France

During the service, Prophet T.B. Joshua prophesied that he saw a new person in the presidency of a French speaking nation, mentioning the numbers 2 and 3 and emphasising on 3. Just hours later, exit polls in France revealed that French President Nicolas Sarkozy had lost to Socialist leader Francoise Hollande in the elections by approximately 3 points. God is still saying something!

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‘MY INVISIBLE CHAIN’ – TB JOSHUA

Prophet Temitope Joshua of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, explains the source of his strength and vision, and his care for the aged and needy, to The Week team of Clement Okitikpi (MD), Oluwasegun Abifarin (Editor) and Emeka Ngwei.

 How did the ministry start?

Well, I want to start by saying that no one in the world is born with great knowledge. You become what you are; you discover what you know. But if I begin to tell you the genesis of the ministry, we won’t leave here today. Discovery is for forward lookers. So, no one is born with great knowledge.

TB Joshua

I was in a trance for three consecutive days, then I saw a hand that pointed a Bible to my heart and the Bible entered my heart and my former heart seemed to immerse with the Bible immediately. Then the awareness came and I saw the apostles and prophets of old with someone whose head I could not see because He was tall to the heaven and suspended, which I believe was our Lord Jesus Christ sitting in their midst. I also saw myself in their midst. After a while, I saw a hand of the same tall man, I could not behold His face, which was glittering with an unimaginable light, tall to the high heavens and suspended in the air. But other apostles I could see their faces, particularly Apostles Peter and Paul, Prophets Moses, Elijah and others. Their names were boldly written on their chests.

I heard a voice saying, “I am your God; I am giving you a divine commission to go and carry out the work of the Heavenly Father”. At the same time, the same hand of the tall man gave me a small cross and a big Bible, bigger than the one that entered my heart with a promise that as I keep pressing in His time and name, I would be given a bigger cross but if I fail the opposite would occur. I also heard a voice of the same tall man, I could not see His head, saying, I am the Lord your God who was and who is – Jesus Christ, giving orders to all the apostles and prophets. The same voice said to me, “I would show you the wonderful ways I would reveal myself through you, in teaching, preaching, miracles, signs and wonders for the salvation of souls”.

Since then, I have been receiving in my vision, every year according to my faithfulness to God, a bigger cross that means to me more responsibilities.

What was on your mind when you started the ministry?

That is one important area. For instance, I have been alone here (in the prayer mountain) for the last five hours. I dreamt of a place like this – a swampy area, neglected, where people or government will not dream of coming. I come here, sit here, read and meditate. Above all, I know that I am a product of grace, not the works of righteousness which I have done. I am weak; I am nobody, without formal education. What I want to say is that God has manifested His strength in my weakness. It can also be explained that I am like a dog without teeth. When you have a house and you keep without teeth as a guard, each time the enemy comes, it will bark and then the owner will come out to do the work.

Sometimes, your miracles look like magic…

When it comes to power, God Himself is the power. God often uses foolish things to confound the wise. That is why people like me will ever be grateful to God. In terms of knowledge, education and name, I am nowhere – a neglected stone. I think that is why the persecution was too much. Everything about me is nothing, nothing. But I think no man should boast.

When you were young, did you have any idea that you will one day go into pastoral work?

Then, when I was very young, one thing I knew then and that still happens to me now, is that there is an invisible chain, invisible padlock. What I want to touch, I can’t touch; what I want to say is not what I am saying. Where I want to go is not where I am going. What I want to wear is not what I am wearing. It is like there is a restriction. That has been my experience right form when I was young. That is why you will never find or see me accusing or condemning somebody. I have always restored anyone who has done any wrong in a gentle way, instead of condemning the fellow, because I know it is not by my power that I am doing the right thing.

An invisible padlock

So, I will say the work of righteousness is not my work; it is my faith in His work. The work of healing is not my work, but by faith, healing is done. The work of deliverance, great and mighty deliverance is not my work, but is my faith in Him. It is not the works of righteousness which I have done, but according to His grace. I am a product of His grace.

What’s the difference between Joshua as a person and Joshua as a prophet?

You have two natures in one person – the human and divine nature. Take our Lord Jesus for instance, for his human nature – he was a descendant of David, and for His divine nature – he was raised from the dead by the power of God.

As for TB Joshua, I am a descendant of my family in Arigidi-Akoko in Ondo State, Nigeria – but as for the divine nature, the power of God affects my life to give peace to people, deliverance to people and healing to people. Apart from the power of God, nobody would have noticed me or known where I am. So, it is the power of God that brings the difference, the challenges and an uncommon persecution. Uncommon blessing attracts uncommon persecution. Common blessing attracts common persecution. Uncommon progress attracts uncommon attacks.

Is the Ikotun Headquarters the only branch in Nigeria?

No, we have branches in Akure, Port Harcourt, Jos, Kogi and outside the country also. When you get to the church there, you will see at least 30 different countries represented. There are here to take the ministry back to their countries.

You are on satellite with Emmanuel TV, which is quite expensive. Where is the funding coming from?

Money. Something unbelievers can have should not be a problem to a child of God. Dubious and unrighteous people, they have money. How much more a man of God? So, what are you talking about? Unbelievers, they have money and throw it about. So, let’s talk about something unique. Money is not a unique thing. It is common. You see, everybody talking about money, money, money. Anybody can have money – but let’s talk of what anybody or everybody cannot have. Even the cathedral, anybody can have it. Even satan can build a big mansion; it is a question of money.

It is like you are a prophet without honour at home and among your people.

Even Jesus Christ was not popular among His people. Even till today among some Jews. We thank God for that, because if Jesus had been restricted to only His people in Palestine and Jersualem, how will people like you and me know about Christ and the Kingdom of God today, not to talk of preaching the gospel and becoming a pastor or prophet.

And even here in Nigeria, most of the popular pastors at home anchor their popularity at home on their fame abroad.

Are you also planning to go to the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road to establish a camp ground, as it is the fashion today?

Right from my youth, I have learnt not to go with the crowd. If we are in the same business of selling shoes for instance, if you are selling in Tejuosho (Yaba) market, I won’t go there. I will find another market to sell my own. That way, we are spreading. This swamp, which is our prayer mountain, is our camp.

When you also look at the missionary works outside the country, you will see all the men of God going to Europe and America. I have decided to face the Asian continent. That way, we are fulfilling the mandate of our Lord Jesus Christ to take the gospel to the end of the earth and make disciples of all nations.

What is the motivation for your help to the old and the aged?

My help is not only to the old people, but to the lonely, the weak and the poor in society. The Bible says charity and faith in Jesus Christ go together. When you say you have Jesus by faith, without the work of charity, it is nothing. This does not mean however that charity alone is enough to bring us to salvation, but it forms the basis for judging our level of kindness – because looking the other way when your brother is in trouble is equal to rejecting Christ Himself.

Supporting the aged ones

Then, going to the issue of aged people, in this part of our world, it seems it has become a crime to be old and aged. Even many of those who are well to do in our society, the will build a house and put their old and aged in the backyard, as if they are no more useful. But we want to tell the world that it is not a crime to be old and aged. It is time to show appreciation to God for using them to bring us into this world.

The time they cannot work again is the time we should take it upon ourselves to take care for them, like babies. The life they gave us when we were newly born, it is time to give them back now they are old. It is not the time we should isolate them, put them in isolation.

Rejection and isolation are also deadly and incurable diseases like AIDs. We are even praying for God to give us the grace to build a beautiful resort where we can bring them together and properly take care of them, give them medical attention and those who have not travelled before, we fly them outside the country for them to enjoy the best of pleasure, before they die.

For how long have you been planning this?

We have been on this for the past 10 years. It is not just now. These people have been lonely and isolated for a long time, and that has killed many of them. It is not just now that we jump into it, we have been showing that love that Christ gave to us.

I want to tell you that our position in Christ Jesus is enhanced each time we help our fellow brothers.

What has been the reaction of these people and their relations to the program?

Some of them – in fact, many of them, don’t even know me. They only see me on the television screen.

Apart from the aged, do you have programmes for other categories of the needy?

Yes, not only the aged – the Lord is also using us to cater for other categories of people. We have a program for the dwarfs and the destitute. We have also given scholarships to many university students. I don’t know any of these people, and we are not doing it to receive ‘thank-you’ from them.

How did you locate these people?

I believe many of them are not in Lagos. You people live in Lagos, and put your old people in the village.

People say you appear to them in their dream. Can you clarify this?

When I am not God… God can also use you. Don’t be surprised that people can dream and see you.  If God can use the pool of Bethesda, He can use anyone. He uses horses and camels. God can use anything. And I want to tell you that everyone is created with a gift, and each gift is meant to meet a need. It is your gift that God will use to bless others through you. So tomorrow, God can use you to appear to other people, and to pray for them.

How much is the church investing in this care of the aged project?

For the past nine years, we started the whole thing with about 1.5million but it has gradually gone up to N6million per month. But I must tell you, my brothers, that I don’t have enough to live a flamboyant life because of all these.  I even have some students that I gave scholarship to in Ghana, and many other universities in Nigeria.

A privilege to give

It is a rare privilege to do this. We may think we are helping them. No, we are not helping them. Our position in Christ Jesus is enhanced each time we help our fellow brothers. It is a real privilege to be in a position to give. This is what Jesus meant in Matthew 25:45, that whatsoever you do or fail to do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me. In other words, Jesus has no farm where He expects you to help Him or an office where he expects you to carry files. He said my farm and office are your fellow brothers.

A lot of churches are getting into the business of establishing universities. Are you thinking along that line?

What God has commissioned me to do here is to care for these people – the destitute, the needy and the poor. So that church here can have a theology school. That is all. I should not dabble into the issue of university. Theology, from primary school to university – that is my calling. I should not dabble into science or law. Anyone that wants to study law or science should go to University of Lagos!

SOURCE: The Week Magazine – Vol. 26 No. 26

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