LifeWay July - August Edition by Ideaworks

VOL 9 NO 3 JULY - AUGUST 2009

How to AffairProof Your Marriage plus: Eight things to look out for if you suspect your spouse is having an affair p32 WINNING IN LIFE

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do p42 MINISTERS' MANNA

Discerning Ditches in the Last Days p44

ISSN 1595-5400

N500 GHC5.00 £3.00 US $5.00

THE CHRISTIAN VOICE

THE

MIRACLE OF

HALLELUJAH DIET

How this Diet Revolution is Changing Lives Wordlwide p20

T. B. Joshua Unveiled p16

THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHRISTIAN LIFE

Views/Opinions by our columnists and contributors are not necessarily those of the magazine. Advertising in LifeWay does not necessarily imply editorial endorsement. How to Reach Us: Letters to LifeWay should be typed doublespaced and kept short and precise. They should be addressed to: Mail Matters, LifeWay P. O. Box 5541 Surulere or mail@lifewaymag.com Letters may be edited to fit into available space or conform to our editorial style. Publication of readers’ letters does not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or its staff. The Vision: LifeWay is a general consumer magazine set up to proclaim the knowledge of Jesus Christ through the power of the printed word in a professional, uncomplicated and readerfriendly format that will appeal to both the believer and unbeliever. The Mission: LifeWay is founded under the Divine inspiration and mandate to provide through the medium of mass communication, quality spiritual food that will empower Christians in their daily walk and service, reflect God at work in our lives and society and reach out to the non believer through evangelical articles presented in a context familiar to the reader.

2009 VOL 9 NO 3 JuLy - auguSt

ISSN 1595-5400

uS $5.00

LifeWay Media International Limited Corporate Office 21, Ladipo Oluwole Street, off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja. P. O. Box 5541, Surulere, Lagos Website: www.lifewaymag.com E-mail: mail@lifewaymage.com. Phone: +234 1 8523729, 0802 3265116 Ghana: +233 248 824431, 249 175629 LifeWay is a publication of of LifeWay Media International Limited.

in this issue... N500 ghC5.00 £3.00

Publisher and Editor Jackson Ekwugum Associate Publisher Yinka Jackson (Mrs) Correspondent Leonard Ackon (Ghana) Columnists Sam Adeyemi, Anselm Madubuko, Dag Heward-Mills, Deola Ojo, Jane Pela, Imo-Abasi Jacob Art Direction Ogbenyi Egbe Advisory Board Elder Segun Olusanya (Chair), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Chiadi Ndu, James Okwara, Ebele Nduka-Irabor, Violet Onyemenam, Austen Ukachi, Richard Olubameru Editorial Committee Rev. David Ahove (Chair), Rev. Yinka Ojo, Evang. Elishamma Ideh, Pastor Imo-Abasi Jacob, Pastor Godman Akinlabi, Chido Nwakanma

VOICE THE CHRISTIAN

f e A T u r e S L e A d S T o r y

20 the Diet reVoLution How to AffairProof Your Marriage plus: Eight things ifto look out for your you suspect ing spouse is hav an affair p32 US tHE VICt ORIO

LIfE

n What to Do Whe You Don’t Know What to Do p42

tHE

E MIRACLOf

How to improve your lifestyle and eat healthily

Discerning Ditches in the Last Days p46

What to do when you don’t know what to do By Yinka Ojo

How this Revolution is Changing Lives p20

44 ministers’ manna

d p22 t. B. Joshua Unveile

C o L u m n S

38 singles Platform

4 First Word

With Deola Ojo

8 success Power

With Imo Abasi-Jacob

10 Apples of Gold

By Yinka Jackson

By Jackson Ekwugum With Sam Adeyemi With Jane Pela

12 Classic Christianity With Dag Heward-Mills

How to affair-proof your marriage By Soji Oyawoye

42 Winning in Life

HALLELUJAH DIEDiett

nA MInI StER S' MAn

32 marital Affairs

Discerning Ditches in the last days By Tunde Bolanta

40 Faith @ Work 50 Last Word

p e o p L e & e V e n T S 14 PFN Squares up with Occult healer 16 T.B. Joshua unveiled

36 the revival

With Anselm Madubuko

our ContriButors • mr. soJi oyAWoye is an experienced marriage counsellor and heads Family Forum Ministries in Lagos. He is the author of “Marriage Made In Heaven: How To Stay Happily Married.” He is also the Managing Director of Resource Intermediary, an outsourcing company based in Victoria Island, Lagos. He brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to bear on the subject of extra marital affairs and how to prevent them from happening. You can reach him on

p.32

soji@yahoo.com • reV. yinkA oJo is the Senior Pastor of Grace Family Church in Alausa, Lagos. A Geologist by training, he has been preaching the gospel for over 20 years. A teacher and author, he shares his thoughts on how we can navigate our way through difficult times. You can reach him on yinkadeolaojo@yahoo.com • reV. tunDe BoLAntA, our Guest Writer in our Ministers’ Manna section, is

p.42

an apostle to the nations and apostolic church planter. His article on “Every Wind of Doctrine” brings some deep and refreshing insights on how we can stay balanced and stable even as strange doctrines threaten to shake the foundation of New Testament Christianity. Rev. Bolanta is the General Overseer of Shekinah Restoration Bible Church and Ministries in Kaduna, Nigeria. You can reach him on minister@restoration-tbmi.org

p.46

first word by jackson ekwugum Please send comments to jackson@lifewaymag.com

regaining our lost conscience

he world has been fascinated by the explosive growth of the church in this country, and the Nigerian “revival” has been hailed severally in the global media, secular and Christian. In the same manner, we have read heartwarming stories of Nigerian preachers doing great works all over the world. These stories have no doubt made me proud to be a Nigerian, and testify to God’s grace and blessing on our country. In recent times, however, I find myself drawing a parallel between the church in Nigeria and the church in Sardis to whom Jesus declared: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. (Rev 3:1b). To be alive in this instance means to be popular, vibrant and kicking, yet there is every indication that much of that is plain religion or at best counterfeit spirituality. The proliferation of false teachings, the rise of syncretism (mixing together of various religious ideas, beliefs and practices), the deceptions of false teachers and the wildfire of sexual immorality have combined to weaken the foundations of our faith. Jesus’ prescription to the church in Sardis and to us is: “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard: hold fast and repent” (Rev. 3:2, 3). One of the things we need to quickly recover or strengthen is the joy of a good conscience. The conscience is that inward part of the human mind that judges moral issues; it is God’s

gift to man to help him know right from wrong. Every person born into this world has a conscience whether born again or not. Even unbelievers know when they do something wrong. The problem is when you keep sinning, and therefore keep violating your conscience, you get to a point where your mind becomes reprobate; you no longer have a sense of right and wrong. That is why we refer to certain people who have a track record of evil and wickedness as having no conscience. The Bible lists different types of consciences such as good (Acts 23:1), pure (1 Tim 3:9), evil (Heb 10:22), defiled (1Cor 8: 7), and seared (I Tim 4:2). God’s expectation for every Bible believing person who has confessed Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord is to have “a conscience without offence toward God and man” (Acts 24:16). Unfortunately this has not always been so with the people of God. There was a time in history when Israel as a nation lost its conscience. “For they do not know to do right, says the Lord” (Amos 3:10). Much like the situation in our country today, Israel had lost its conscience as corruption, injustice, violence and unrighteousness swept through the land. In our case, our plight is worsened by the fact that the church, which is supposed to be the moral conscience of the nation, is plagued by the same malady. Many of us have our consciences seared through years of church intrigues, compromise, hypocrisy and selfish ambition; as a result we wind up playing politics with the truth. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim 4:1,2). When Christians or church leaders sin and still carry on as if nothing happened, it is proof that they have a seared conscience. The fact that they appear to be handling everything just fine is a clear sign that they may have “departed from the faith.” I find it difficult to believe that these people could do what they are doing and still have a relationship with God. For me the worse sin is not even the actual sin itself; it is the attempt to cover it up. It is a seared conscience that makes it easy for us as a church to try to explain sin away or make excuses for those involved, especially when they are leaders or family members. As I was writing this article I came across a Bible commentary that perfectly captures the point I am trying to make here. Titled “CoverUps Deceive Everybody,” the writer said: “Evil can never be remedied by ignorance or hiding it. In fact, covering it up is the worst that can happen, for like yeast, evil does its terrible work from within. The same is true of believers who are habitually disobedient to God’s expressed will. Their behavior will badly infect the larger groups of which they are a part. It can even lead to a distorted perception of sin, in which the group tolerates or even approves of disobedience amongst its members, yet condemns outsiders for the very same activity” (emphasis mine). Our conscience is our greatest ally in our walk with God. Hence Paul exhorts us to have “faith and a good conscience” without which we are doomed (I Tim 1:19, 20). In fact, Paul names two leaders, Hymanaeus and Alexander, whose ministries crashed as a result. The lack of a good conscience is often the difference between public success and private failure. Jesus did not say you shall know them by their cars, buildings, fat bank accounts and achievements; He said, you shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:20).

The lack of a good conscience is often the difference between public success and private failure. 4

poems Finish Strong

I am not just a starter I am a finisher I shall complete the work I started I shall finish the work I have been assigned I shall labour not for the perishable meat I shall labour for the meat that leads to eternal life My food is to do the will of the Father… And to complete HIS work My eyes are fixed on Jesus My focus is on the work of the Lord I shall not be distracted by the affairs of this world I shall not only run – I shall run to obtain I shall not meddle in civilian affairs I shall be temperate in all things that I may obtain the crown My heart is set on the kingdom My heart is filled with the knowledge of His will I shall not die unfulfilled I shall complete the work which God has assigned me I shall finish my assignment… I shall finish strong!

The Vineyard In the vineyard of Jesus There is a crowd

Multitudes are hovering around God’s farm Many are volunteers Many are called Many have responded and many are in the field But how many are truly labouring? Few – very few –

P R AY E R

You know a man’s priority through his prayer points. Bishop Francis Wale Oke

“You can draw near to God even though you cannot say a word. A prayer may be crystallised in a tear. A tear is enough water to float a desire to God.”

Few dare to discover the Master’s plan Few ever understand the purpose of the harvest Few care; Few prepare Few, few, few, so few Few out of the many are really chosen

- Charles H. Spurgeon

“Nothing is too great and nothing is too small to commit into the Hands of the Lord.” - A. W. Pink (1886-1952)

“A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian”

Some have forgotten the purpose of their calling Some are lost in the web of distraction Some are occupied with other ‘good’ things – Though they are still in the vineyard

- Charles H. Spurgeon

“Prayer is so simple. It is like quietly opening a door and slippinginto the very presence of God. There, in the stillness, to listen to His voice, perhaps in petition or only to listen. It matters not. Just to be there in His presence is prayer.”

God’s cry is for labourers Spirits who are eager to harvest the souls of men and women Labourers who create opportunities to reconcile men back to God Those who are vigilant for avenues to persuade men… To compel more into God’s kingdom

- Author unknown

“I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this: that I may die to self, and live wholly to him.”

Indeed the harvest is truly plenteous but the labourers are few Are you one of the relevant few? Many are called; but few are chosen Choose to be chosen

- Charles H. Spurgeon

“Prayer is the power of the church... Patriachs, prophets, apostles, matyrs, reformers were mighty in prayer”

TA L K

- Dr N. Murray

success power with sam adeyemi Please send comments to successpowerng@hotmail.com

the Power of faith

here is tremendous power in faith. Faith draws on the resources of the invisible realm to give man control in the physical realm. Faith believes in what we cannot see but which our conscience tells us exists. Faith is accepting those things which we cannot yet see as the reality of our lives. The foundation of faith is belief in God. Although we cannot see God, it would take only a prejudiced mind to believe He does not exist. God is an invisible fact. When we believe in God, it becomes easier to believe in ourselves. We are created in His image, and it is the invisible part of us that really moves things in this world. Two blind men once came to Jesus to be healed. He asked them a question, ‘Do you believe that I can do this?’ They said, ‘Yes, we believe’. They were healed instantly. Do you believe that God can help you through your current predicament? Do you believe that He can help you get a job? Do you believe He can help you succeed in business notwithstanding the global economic meltdown? Do you believe He can bless you with a baby? Do you believe that He can heal you? “He can who thinks he can, and he can’t who thinks he can’t. This is an inexorable, indisputable law,” says Orison Swett Marden. The principle is simple: what you believe is what you become. If you believe you are inferior to others, you will turn out inferior. If you believe you are outclassed, you are. If you believe that

things are exceptionally difficult for you they will be. You see, it is all about what you believe. If you can look at your circumstances and still believe in God and in your destiny, if you believe that you will succeed, you will ultimately succeed. You must believe in God. Also, you must believe in yourself. You are created in the image of God. He has invested His best in you. Once you catch a glimpse of yourself the way God created you to be, and you begin to develop the latent abilities that God has invested in you, nothing except yourself will be able to stop you from achieving your dreams. Believe in yourself. Don’t fall into the trap of believing that unless someone helps you, you cannot succeed. It is too risky. Nobody should take God’s place in your life. Come to think of it, all of us are the same. We are similar in abilities. Whatever you have seen anyone achieve is proof of your own latent abilities. You can do it too. Remember, all things are possible to him that believes. According to Elbert Hubbard, “one machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.” Please permit me to say that you are that extraordinary man, that extraordinary woman. You have the God-given ability to achieve powerful things in this world. You can rise above your current challenges. “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith” (I John 5:4). You see, the key to your victory in this life is your

faith. Once you allow your faith in your ability to succeed to leave you, your success is gone. God is on your side. It is up to you to put a price on yourself. You are the one who will put a value on yourself. If you devalue your dreams no one will raise the price for you. Your value is not in your circumstances. It is not even in your physical body, in case you are handicapped. It is in your mind and in your heart. You are not what you have done. You are who God says you are. You are a child of God. You resemble your father. You are too much for poverty or failure to dominate. Something inside you is bigger than the challenge on your outside. There is no one and no circumstance that is powerful enough to stop you from fulfilling your destiny. You are the only one who can stop yourself, when you stop believing that you can make it. God is not far from you. He lives in your heart. If sin makes you to feel guilty before Him, ask Him to forgive you. Let Him be real in your heart. What lies before you is a tiny matter compared to what lies within you. It is a basic law of success that what you are on the inside is what you will become on the outside. Success is ‘first within and then without’. Most of us can succeed. The problem is that we do not believe that we can succeed. Now even if we cannot succeed, if we believe that we can, wherever our ability ends God’s ability will take over and we will experience miracles. For example, President John F. Kennedy led the United States to believe that they could send men to the moon. This was in 1960. At that time they did not know exactly how, but America eventually achieved the feat in 1969. Rev. Sam Adeyemi, the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre in Lagos, is also the President, Success Power International.

It is a basic law of success that what you are on the inside is what you will become on the outside. 8

apples of gold with jane Pela Please send comments to pj.applesofgold@gmail.com

living free of adultery

ook into the eyes of a young couple in love, eyes blazing with passion and tenderness. You ask them, “Any signs of incompatibility?” “NO”, they chorus in unison. “We understand each other perfectly.” What happens when feelings begin to wane? What happens when a spouse begins to get attracted to someone else? Do these things happen in Christian marriages? Sometimes they do. Is there a way out? Does God have an answer to this anomaly? Yes, yes and yes! Solomon had his fair share of the vain lifestyle; seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines! But at the latter end of his life, he knew better. He instructed us in proverbs 5:15: “drink water from your own cistern and running water from your own well, should your fountains be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets?” When “weaknesses” becomes a lifestyle and a habit, it turns into a monster ready to devour any conscience of godliness. What you overlook in courtship - lustful glances at other men or women, an occasional fling with pornography and the like - turns into an overnight harrowing and painful experience. In the rush to be married, you brush it over and you console yourself with “oh I will change him or I will change her when we get married.” Adultery is a sin that is just as deadly as any other sin; it’s a breach of trust, and it is a break of covenant. Two hearts as one divided in distrust and uncertainty. Solomon asks “why should you, my son

be entrapped by an immoral woman and be embraced in the arms of a seductress? “Proverbs 5:20. Adultery stalled David’s successes. A man after God’s heart tainted his family line with sexual immorality because of one uncontrolled and unbridled wrong desire. Paul the apostle does not say “Oh try to understand or make excuses for sexual sin.” Rather, he says to FLEE sexual immorality. The devil does not know anything about ‘long or short spoon’. Even if he did, he does not keep promises anyway. Rather than taking responsibility and making a total turn around by retracing your steps in the word of God, we heap blames on the devil. “The devil made me do it,” we plead hopelessly. John the beloved says it more clearly, “we know that whoever is born of God does not sin, but he who has been born of God Keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18). The phrase “does not sin” also means “does not make a practice of sinning.” It does not become his lifestyle. How do you keep yourself? It is by protecting your heart and your body from “alien and outside” influences. You know if you stay long enough reading that romantic novel, or watching that movie, your mind will begin to wander and travel. So why read it or watch it at all in the first place? Our heart is vital to all of our increase. Our heart is God’s scoring point. Our heart is the picture of who we really are. Proverbs 4:23 says we are to keep or guard our hearts diligently for it is life’s spring point. Control your actions by controlling your body,

control your body by controlling what you see, what you hear, what you think on, what you say and how you feel. If you say the right things, you will achieve the right result. The secret of victory over the flesh is by walking and living in the spirit. To walk in the spirit means to live by the principles of the word of God. It’s not a judgmental life –it’s a free life. Paul calls it the law for free men. If you have ever been entangled with this sin, don’t keep it, don’t cover it up or try to “protect” yourself. God saw you while all this was going on. He did not kill you. Does this not tell you something? He does not want you to destroy yourself and your destiny. He wants to protect you. He is your defender and shield even when you are most vulnerable. Let God restore your heart of love and trust for Him again. Talk to your mentor, or someone you deeply respect. Seek immediate counsel. Discuss also with your spouse and watch God heal your marriage and renew your love for each other. Streams of water in the streets? It is a pure waste of love, a pure waste of energies and affection; a pure waste of emotions. Streams of water will better be appreciated in a desert land where a thirsty soul can be satisfied. It is better appreciated in two hearts that become one. Marriage is a covenant relationship and the devil knows this. He gets upset every time two people who love each other succeed in their marriage. –it just shows him how much of a covenant breaker he is. Let God heal you today. He is a God of many chances; He is full of new and newer opportunities. You and Him are covenant partners, a team that is unbeatable, a more than conquering team. Trust Him and be set free in your mind, in your body and in your soul. Amen. Love ya! Pastor Jane, a renowned worship leader, is co-pastor of House of Grace Church by Navy Town Gate, Satellite Town, Lagos.

When “weaknesses” becomes a lifestyle and a habit, it turns into a monster ready to devour any conscience of godliness. 10

calvary

classic christianity with dag heward-Mills Please send comments to evangelist@daghewardmills.org

Benefits of the anointing

saiah prophesied of the coming of the Spirit of the Lord upon him. In one of the most beautiful chapters of the Bible, he outlines the powerful effects that the coming of the Sprit of God would accomplish. Let us look at some powerful effects of Isaiah’s anointing. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek...” (Isaiah 61:1). The anointing will enable you to preach to the poor. It is the anointing that will release the finances that enable you to preach to people who cannot pay for the gospel. “…he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...” (Isaiah 61:1). The anointing on your life will cause your preaching and ministry to heal broken-hearted and disappointed people. Even though you may have no practical solutions for their problems, the anointing will heal their broken and disappointed hearts. “...to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). The anointing on your life will cause people that are bound to be set free. Many people are bound through the presence of evil spirits. Logical teaching and systematic lectures cannot open prison doors. It is by the anointing that freedom will come to those you minister to. “...to comfort all that mourn” (Isaiah 61:2). Comforting people that are mourning is part of the ministry of the Spirit. When you are anointed, people will be encouraged by just seeing you! They will be encouraged when they hear you! They will be encouraged when you lay hands on them! The fact that someone is encouraged does not mean he is healed. This comforting effect is very different from the healing anointing!

“...to give unto them beauty for ashes...” (Isaiah 61:3). The anointing will restore your beauty and attractiveness. When that anointing is upon a pastor, many people are attracted to his church without knowing why. When the anointing is upon an evangelist many people are attracted to his crusades without knowing why. Anointed people are beautiful. Non-anointed people have to spend a lot of money to make themselves look good. The anointing will make you fresh, beautiful, and attractive. “...the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...” (Isaiah 61:3). The anointing will make you joyful. This is a reality. The spirit of heaviness is the spirit of depression. The feelings of depression (worthlessness, hopelessness and guilt) are not inspired by the Holy Spirit. They are often demonic affectations. When the anointing is on your life, you will have joy, praise and thankfulness in your heart. “And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed” (Isaiah 61:9). The anointing will cause your children and descendants to be blessed. Throughout the Bible, it is clear that God’s power affects the descendants of the anointed. Make a demand on the anointing and expect your children to be helped because of the anointing on your life. “...that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:3). The anointing will cause you to be a righteous person. Righteousness and holiness are not things that are easy to practise. Most human beings are unable to gain control over their passions and human weaknesses. There are many ministers

who boast of their moral uprightness. They secretly think it is their principles and respectable lifestyle that guarantee righteousness. It takes a depth of spiritual insight to realise that it is actually the anointing that makes you a tree of righteousness. “And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations” (Isaiah 61:4). The anointing will enable you to build and to restore things. Because of the anointing, you will take lives that are shattered and hopeless and make something out of them. Years ago, I appointed someone as a pastor. When another minister heard about this fellow becoming a pastor, he was amazed and said, “Dag is doing wonders.” He could not believe that such a person could be lifted by the anointing into the ministry. “And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers” (Isaiah 61:5). The anointing will cause you to reach beyond your own country, your own tribe and nation. It takes the anointing to reach beyond your borders and affect foreigners. In the natural, people do not respond much to people who do not have their colour or accent. It takes the anointing to break these barriers. “…for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation…” (Isaiah 61:10). The anointing will clothe you with garments of salvation. An anointed person is greatly concerned about salvation. He understands salvation. He marvels at salvation. He speaks about salvation. He preaches salvation and he ministers for people to be saved. When the anointing is departed, the garment of salvation is removed and salvation is no longer a priority in the ministry. In the book of Acts, the sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit was that the disciples would be empowered to be witnesses of Christ and His salvation.

Bishop Dag Heward-Mills is a healing evangelist, best selling author and international conference speaker. He founded Lighthouse Chapel International in Accra, Ghana, a fast growing denomination with over 800 churches in five continents.

Logical teaching and systematic lectures cannot open prison doors. It is by the anointing that freedom will come to those you minister to. 12

PeoPLe AnD e V e n ts

War of the Videos

• Mixed feelings as the church squares up with occult healer, T.B. Joshua

ixed reactions have continued to trail the release of a video documentary titled “Deception of the Age: The rise of a Nigerian anti-Christ’’ documenting the alleged atrocities of controversial founder of Synagogue Church for All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua (also known as Fatai Balogun), and a counter documentary, ‘’Beware of Blasphemers,’’ sponsored by Joshua dismissing the allegations. While some hailed the attempt by some concerned pastors to expose Joshua as a fake prophet, others felt the church still felt short of nailing him with any concrete evidence. The first documentary, which is being sold in Nigeria and other African countries, was produced and narrated by popular Nollywood actor, Paul Adams with Lagos Pastor Ladi Thompson listed as executive producer. It featured Bisola Johnson and Godwill Agomoh Paul, two former close associates of Joshua believed to have been part of the inner circle of “Joshua’s deceptions.” In her video confession, Ms. Johnson alleged that, among other things, Joshua was a fake prophet, sex offender and blackmailer. She claimed she accompanied her father to the synagogue church some fourteen years ago after the family had been through a traumatic house fire and her father was battling with a “malignant disease.” Muslims by that time, they were introduced to the Synagogue Church by her father’s friends. According to her, they were taken to an unnamed mountain by one of Joshua’s protégés on arrival. “We were given this kind of yellowish coloured water. You know, coming from a Muslim background our experience was really strange and bizarre. But we thought, well, we are crossing over to a new religion, that probably that is the way they do their thing. So we drank the water and we had a bath and were taken back to the church. We were in the church for a few more days until one day very close to midnight we were invited to T.B. Joshua’s office. He gave us oil and he also gave us his picture…. Nothing changed actually. All I realised was that I started seeing T.B. Joshua in my dreams, and seeing myself in his church.

Sometimes I even heard his voice audibly.” During their second appointment with Joshua, Ms. Johnson narrated that Joshua asked her to stay in the church because “God wants me to work for Him. Well, I had been seeing myself in his church; I had been seeing him in my dreams so it was like nothing lost.” She soon became a favoured devotee of the so-called Prophet and was placed in charge of “the most sensitive apparatus of the deception, the studio.” Ms. Johnson narrated how one day while they were preparing for a Wednesday service she was invited into Joshua’s room. “When I entered, it was something else,” she recalled. “I saw him sitting down half naked, then he said that I should come nearer, and I was taken aback because of the position he was in. He told me not to be afraid, that he was not going to hurt me, that the first time he saw me he liked me. So I drew close to him. At this point I was a bit calm, but something got me troubled again when he said I should hug him. Well, I did. And he suddenly brought out his manhood and asked me to touch it. So I did. He now told me to suck it, that he is doing all these so I can be free with him. So I did.” That was how she allegedly got sucked into the deception and became one of the many girls in Joshua’s harem. However, five months ago, she broke away from the synagogue and decided to blow the whistle on the controversial Prophet and the Synagogue Church of All Nations. In his confession, Paul, the first ordained indigenous junior prophet by T.B Joshua, said God delivered “me from the valley of the shadow of death which is the Synagogue Church.” He disclosed that his former boss ran a “concentration camp” for his “disciples” where they were brainwashed not to eat fish or meat. Paul, who was the pastor of the Ghana church until 2005, alleged that members were subjected to torture and debasing conditions, citing the case of a lady who had ground pepper publicly inserted into her private part for alleged fornication. Paul claimed that he was the mastermind of the much televised miracles purportedly done by Joshua. “I bought four wheel chairs for Joshua,” Paul claimed referring specifically to one Maxwell Ijeh L

• Ayo Oritsejafor, PFN President

who he said was never paralysed but was made to believe so through manipulation. “Maxwell Ijeh fell from his house and had some problems with his back. When he came to us we now brainwashed him to believe that unless he sits on the wheel chair he would not gain access to see the man of God. We even brainwashed the whole family to believe that... That wheel chair that Maxwell used was one of the four wheelchairs I bought. I also bought the wheel chairs for Mama Jaiye Jaiye and Hycinth. These four wheel chairs were being recycled for different cases. When they bring you we brainwash you sit to on the wheel chair.” Paul narrated that his primary mission to Ghana in 2004 was to bring back to Nigeria, one Kayode Peters who was the then pastor of the church in Ghana but had defected and started his own church, carrying most members of the church with him. According to him, Joshua mandated him to bring Peters “dead or alive.” However, “when I arrived in Ghana I found out that Kayode had started an NGO that was recognised by the Government. He had married a Ghanaian, had two children and naturalised. And he had some strong men in his church that provided him protection. Everything I tried failed.” According to Paul, he later discovered to his “surprise” that Lola, Peter’s Nigerian wife had been impregnated by the socalled prophet. The turning point for Paul came

when Joshua denied him permission to marry a certain Nana, a journalist with Ghana Television whom he had met after he replaced Peters as the Ghana pastor. After much recrimination, Nana was eventually invited to Nigeria by Joshua but died mysteriously two weeks after returning to Ghana. “I was depressed and felt like I should die,” he lamented. “I knew something had happened. I came to Lagos and told him Nana had died. I was angry and returned to Accra.” Shortly after, Paul left the Synagogue. Paul has followed up his video confession with a petition to Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police to investigate Joshua. “I am writing to inform you of the constant attempts over my life and the life of my wife by Prophet T.B. Joshua of the Synagogue Church For all Nations,” he wrote. “T.B. Joshua had caused the deaths of so many people both here in Nigeria and all over the world. People with HIV and other terminal diseases are compelled by Joshua not to take medical treatments any more but should depend on his blessed water which he calls “Blood of Jesus” and these people obeyed him and dropped their medications. This led to the death of patients who would have continued to live their

normal lives with their medications. Apparently rattled by the damning revelations contained in the video, Joshua countered with his own video where he essentially sought to assail the character of his former associates and accused them of being financially motivated. In his video titled ‘’Beware of Blasphemers,’’ which was distributed free, Ms. Johnson’s comments as to why she came to the Synagogue apparently contradicted what

she said in the first video. Contrary to her claims in the first documentary that she came to the church following her father’s sickness and a fireoutbreak in their home, she is shown in Joshua’s footage saying she actually set the house on fire because she was mentally deranged. ‘’Sometimes, I do things I cannot explain,’’ she blurted out. The video then showed her on two different occasions begging for forgiveness from Joshua after she had left the Synagogue but later returned. “Is this the kind of person you want to believe?” the narrator asked rhetorically. The Joshua video attempted to portray Paul as a philanderer who forsook his primary mission in Ghana to run after female church members. He tried to punch a hole in Paul’s story that the wheel chairs were bought and the miracles stagemanaged. Mr. Ijeh and his wife were shown giving their testimony after the first video was released. Ijeh, a former UTC staff, affirmed that he came to the Synagogue on a wheel chair paralysed, adding that he neither knew Paul nor had anything to do with him. With his wife confirmimg his every word, Mr. Ijeh further referred the audience to confirm his story from his place of work. Vincent Ighalo, a stock broker, told LifeWay his impression about Joshua as a fake prophet had been reinforced after seeing both documentaries. He said Joshua’s attempt to clear his name failed because he did not respond to the real issues. ‘’The real issues are that he is a con, a sexual pervert, a schemer and fake prophet,” he argued. “In the first video, his ex-associates accused him of these charges, which he did not respond to. Rather, he is busy telling us in his own VCD that they are not reliable. The crux of the matter is, did he do these things or not?” But Kolade Ige, a law student disagreed. ‘’I have seen both videos and must say they are interesting,” he said. “But you see, you cannot investigate based on just words of mouth. You must prove that it is true and provide concrete evidence that the man did what you said he did. Until you do this, it remains your words against his. The man (Joshua) is clever and has serious brains working for him. In the people’s court of law, he is leading because they came to say he did something and he replied you can’t trust these people because of their antecedents. Tomorrow, these people can return L

to beg him again like they did before. So he has won a major plus there.” Admitting that “there is something fishy about Joshua,” he maintained that the documentary “has not succeeded in showing us what this is about him.” Bolarinwa Joseph, a journalist, commended the attempt to expose Joshua, but conceded that the allegations have not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. ‘’Believe me, it is a fair attempt. That some people are saying watch out for this man is commendable but that is not enough. They said he killed, where are the evidences? He slept with women, where are the videos? He practised occultism, how? You see the onus is on us to prove that. Until we do that, this man will continue the evil we believe he is doing.’’ Kunle Ojedele, a medical student, said both documentaries have left him confused as to what to believe. “These people said he did this and he said these people cannot be relied on. So who do I believe? Who is lying? I think I am more confused than before.’’ National coordinator of Journalists for Christ, Lekan Otufodunrin, however, praised the attempt to expose Joshua. According to him, ‘’it is a big plus for us that some people have taken it upon themselves to confront this man for once. There is no true Christian who does not know that Joshua is fake, but we have not been able to prove this. So this effort is a big deal for us.’’ On whether the documentary succeeded in proving Joshua is fake, he said that remained for the public to decide. ‘’They have said what he is doing wrong and it is now in the public domain. People are free to make whatever they want out of it but the fact is that somebody has warned them to watch out for the man.’’ Otufodunrin was of the opinion that Joshua had become desperate insisting that the counter documentary “cannot really confuse the wise and discerning ones among us.” Bishop Abraham Olaleye reiterated that Joshua’s documentary further exposed his antics. ‘’You discover that the lady said he keeps a file on everyone there. He has proven this by showing clips of them when they were misled there. If you saw his video, you will notice the lady’s confession were read out to her. At one point, he told her to come again so that they could capture her well and she repeated exactly the same thing. So that means they were reading the confession to her or she was reading it from somewhere. The truth is Joshua is a witch doctor that should be exposed and I believe the documentary did more than enough justice to that.” By Sunday Oguntola in Lagos

PeoPLe AnD e V e n ts

‘I’m Not on a Revenge Mission’ - Godwill Agomoh Paul

Up until 2005, Godwill Agomoh Paul was the pastor of the Ghana Branch of The Synagogue Church of All Nations headed by the controversial T.B Joshua. He recently blew the whistle on his former boss along with other ex-devotees in a video documentary where they accused their former boss of grand deception, manipulation and voodoo acts. He shares in this interview why he is speaking out now.

come in the wheelchair and begin to shout ‘man of God help me! help me!’as soon as the prophet appeared. The wife was sent for and she came with her son. Again Laitan and Yinka told the wife she had to exaggerate how bad and difficult it had been carrying Maxwell up and down in the wheelchair because he could not walk or use the toilet on his own. They agreed. Then they told them to go home with the wheelchair and come back on the appointed day in the wheelchair. There are hidden cameras everywhere in the church so once he came in the wheelchair everything was recorded. Anybody watching that could never dispute the man was not a paralytic. That was our modus operandi for most of the cases. There was no way any onlooker could imagine that these wheelchairs were given to these people to take home. The only people privy to this arrangement was the emergency group, the brainwash team and prophet Joshua. Maxwell Ijeh is a liar if he says he does not know me. He is a member of the Synagogue church. After a man’s problem has supposedly been solved he becomes a member automatically. That is one of the conditions there. By the way Maxwell was not the only one I mentioned in the video. I mentioned Hyacinth and Mama Jaiye Jaiye from Benin. They all had the same problems. Why didn’t Joshua bring back all the others that I mentioned?

Maxwell Ijeh came on TV after your video was released to say that you were lying, that he was actually on a wheel chair but got healed at The Synagogue. What is your response to that? Joshua has a firm hold of Maxwell Ijeh. Whatever he tells him to say is what he would say. If you watch the video of Maxwell Ijeh’s case, you will see “paralysis of the whole body” written on the placard he was wearing. But a closer look will show you where Maxwell was moving his hands. Maxwell never came to the synagogue on a wheelchair. He was brought in a beetle car. The ‘emergency group’ is the first to meet with sick You left The Synagogue some four people when they come. They met and examined years ago. Why are you speaking out now? I cou ld not shake off the him while he was crying. He told them he fell from Actually, when I left I started all over with my life. I was comfortable fact tha t many people were the staircase. He went to have a drink and on his way up the staircase he missed and I did not intend to go after Joshua. But inside me I could not shake off still bei ng deceived and his steps and fell. He had serious waist pain no doubt but it was not a spinal this pain that overwhelmed me each time I saw them carrying on with all the num ber continued to cord injury. When the emergency group finished with their examination, they these tricks I mentioned earlier on television. I could not shake off the fact that incr eas e. I became restless. sent for me. In Synagogue only the junior prophets and Joshua himself are many people were still being deceived and the number continued to increase. My spir it continued to convict allowed to pray for people. So I went, observed our normal prayer pattern I became restless. My spirit continued to convict me to do something about it. me to do something about it. which is to massage his back and waist. When I was done I asked him to walk I was part of this deception and I know a lot! Come to think of it, I left four years and he walked with me. ago. I am married and have settled down to my own calling. This for me is not He moved round the car park and we observed that his case was not that a revenge mission neither is it a personal vendetta. serious. Thereafter Yinka and Laitan the head of the “brainwash” team came; they sat him down Four years are enough to put this past behind me and move on! I am only obeying the voice of and began the brainwash. They told him that although the junior prophet had prayed for him,“the the spirit of God. When the pressure to do something became too much to bear, I began to pray. It grace is not enough.” That he needs the confirmation of Prophet T. B. Joshua himself, otherwise was in the place of prayer that God gave me direction on what to do. I feel that I am duty bound to his testimony would be short lived. They told him that within one week he risked being totally do what I am doing now and if I fail to God will not forgive me and I will never have rest of mind. I paralysed. He agreed. Then the question came up “how do we see the prophet?”They told them know what it meant. I know the implication. I am aware Joshua will not leave any stone unturned there were people on the waiting list for the past six months and if they really wanted to see the to try and eliminate me. Those who have dared him, I know what he did to them. So I knew the prophet they had to go the extra mile. risk before I plunged in but I cannot compare the risk with eternal life. The Bible says we should They told them that the list could not be altered but if they were willing to attract his attention not be afraid of those who kill only the flesh and cannot touch the spirit but we should be afraid of by all means then Maxwell had to come in a wheelchair. The next problem for the family now was God who kills both the flesh and the spirit. So I dare to obey God. Even if he succeeds in killing me how to get the wheelchair. The family was advised on several options including buying, renting, today, I know that I have the full forgiveness of God. Part of the standards for forgiveness with God and borrowing. Then Olaitan offered to help them get a wheelchair from among the ones left is confessing your sin. Since I embarked on this I have been free. I sleep well, I eat well, I think well behind by those who were ostensibly healed from paralysis. Of course the family was happy and and I am in union with the Spirit. too relieved to accept the wheelchair. They coached them on how to go about it. Maxwell had to

It is alleged you left the church because of the death of Nana, the lady you wanted but he was not pleased and he told me to find any means of bringing him back. I tried to make to marry. contact in the military but they told me they could not do anything. Even if he committed a crime Nana’s death did not precipitate my leaving. It was just one of the things that happened as I he could not be repatriated. He would be charged and prosecuted as a citizen, I was told. I decided was planning to leave. Everything came to a head and I knew I had to leave when I discovered that to try the ‘Niima boys’. This is like their equivalent of Ajegunle ghetto. I was hoping to find T. B. Joshua was a liar, an adulterer, and a wicked man. I never knew he was all these when I was a some thugs who could do a dirty job. I met a Chief Nene who was to be a contact between me disciple. He operated by divide and rule. In Synagogue we had two levels of messages; one for the and the Niima boys. Coincidentally, that day Kayode sent texts to the remaining few members of disciples and one for the congregation. What he gave the congregation differed from the message Synagogue on why Joshua was persecuting him. He disclosed that he remarried because he knew he gave us. His dealings with each disciple must remain exclusive to each one of them. They must Joshua was sleeping with his wife. That text shocked me so much. I took a member’s handset and not tell each one another. All the disciples had personal relationship with him that no other person brought it to Lagos to show him (Joshua). He just dismissed it casually. His action not only shocked is privy to. It was a big crime for any two disciples to stand together and discuss for two minutes. but also snapped me out of my stupor. I know Joshua; if that allegation had no truth he would not If they were found, they would be sent to face panel and explain what they were discussing. I was have taken it lightly. He would go on the offensive with everything he had. It was at this point I the head of that panel. You could be there for ten years and all you would know is what he used began to think. you for; you would not know what he used others I still had the assignment to resuscitate the Synagogue in Ghana so I came up with a plan for. Everyone kept his dealings with Joshua secret. that we needed to hold a crusade in Ghana in order to grow back In all those ten years, I did not know T. B. Joshua the church. I was in Lagos in his office putting slept with those girls. I got to know when I was finishing touches to the crusade plan when Lola, contemplating leaving. That revelation made me Kayode’s wife, came into his office. I noticed the resolute to leave. I could not continue to stay in lady was pregnant and I couldn’t help but point the devil’s den when all the while I thought I was out to him that the lady was pregnant. Again worshipping God. he dismissed me and commanded that I face So why did you leave? the task on hand. After that, I felt very bad. It The real reason I decided to leave had to do began to dawn on me that things were not what with Pastor Kayode Peters who was the pastor it seemed. If you watched the video he released in charge of Ghana’s branch. He recalled me you would see the part where I was telling the from an assignment in Benin and told me that church in Ghana T. B. Joshua was coming for the pastor Kayode in Ghana had rebelled and gone crusade. With those announcements both on the with members to start his own church called T.V and the radio, people began to flock back to Awakener’s Chapel in Kotobabi, Accra. We synagogue. I gave about four different dates on went to Ghana in 1997 to hold a crusade. At which he would come but all that was a fluke. We did that to see the clout his name will bring. A lot of the end of the crusade, Kayode was left behind to start a fellowship; from there the church was established. From 1997 to people came back. My own assignment 2004, Kayode’s wife was in Lagos with Joshua in the Synagogue church. She Part of the plan was also to prepare some a and bring miracles on ground for him. One of them was Elizabeth Gardner, a lady who was never allowed to visit her husband. In 2004, he sent Kayode’s wife to was to go to Ghan ad or alive. I had some spinal cord problem. She was already undergoing treatments. She go and visit her husband in Ghana. When she got there, the husband refused Pastor Kayode de him back had a physiotherapist who attended to her and she could still move. We to sleep with her. Kayode was suspicious of the move because Joshua had knew I could bring alive but I did not know how convinced her to lie on a bed as if she was bedridden. During the crusade the separated him and his wife for over six years. dead. In the interim, Kayode had secretly married a Ghanaian lady with whom to bring him back woman came on a stretcher and she got up walking. However she walked he had two children. Kayode also claimed that he knew Joshua was sleeping the same way she had been walking before we met her. No miracle took with his wife, and that was why he kept her in Lagos for those years. When place. It was a fluke. But her case brought a lot of popularity to Joshua. Before Joshua heard about Kayode’s refusal to sleep with his wife, he invited both o f the day of the crusade, I went to meet with him in Lagos to brief him on the final arrangements for them to Lagos. Then he instructed Kayode to go and bring his stuff from Ghana and stay in Lagos the crusade including the arranged miracles. As I was briefing him, one of the girls ran to his office for a while until the differences between them were resolved. But when Kayode returned to Ghana to tell him Lola was having miscarriage. It was as if an alarm went off in my head. I knew Kayode he refused to come back to Lagos. Instead, he went to start his own church and many members did not sleep with his wife when she visited. I also knew that nobody would dare sleep with any followed him. From a membership of about 2,000 only about 20 members remained in the church. female disciple. So who impregnated Lola? As I returned to Ghana, I was deeply troubled indeed. This infuriated Joshua. He sent a junior prophet Ben to Ghana; he could not do anything. That was I realised Kayode’s text was a fact. For days I was miserable. Finally I made a decision to leave when I came in. I don’t know what instruction he gave Ben till today. Whatever he told you nobody Synagogue. But I had many hurdles to cross. The first thing you must do when you join the Synagogue is that you renounce your family. I must know. It was an order. Once you defied it you were a rebel and that meant trouble. My own assignment was to go to Ghana and bring Pastor Kayode dead or alive. I knew I could bring him refused to see my elder brother who came to visit me once. In fact he was lifted bodily and thrown out of the premises. Another close friend of mine visited and I refused to see him. So I had no family, back alive but I did not know how to bring him back dead. This was in 2004. I got some of the elders to get me Kayode’s file from the immigration office. That was when I no friends. I had severed contact with everybody. At that time, I was 42 years old and single. I began discovered he had married a Ghanaian lady and fathered two children from her. He had naturalised to pray for a wife. Then I met Nana; I proposed to her and she agreed. I had to inform T. B. Joshua so and established an NGO that the government recognised and even gave awards to for the work he I came to Lagos and told him. All hell was let loose. No other disciple had the gut to do that. As a was doing. I also discovered that Kayode had established Awakeners Chapel two years back. Every disciple you dared not talk about marriage. And if you came married you would be separated from legal means of bringing him back was futile. I returned. I made my findings known to Joshua your wife as soon as you became a disciple. The disciples who were married before coming in were L

PeoPLe AnD e V e n ts very few. Even then they could only be given a pass to visit their wives once or twice a year. He was him to anoint me as his first prophet. He said he had tested me and found me faithful and loyal. And very angry with me over Nana. He incarcerated me in church for over four months. He sent people that I should tell him my life story. So I told him my story. My father was a missionary teacher as far to go and bring my things from Ghana. I was not allowed to go back myself. This was about late back as 1931. I had my primary and secondary education in my hometown. Then I went to Obareki September. No disciple was permitted to greet or talk to me. Management Institute in Lagos here. I finished and started work as Accounts Supervisor with Trek Joshua sent a number of people to convince me to change my mind on marriage. He sent them Engineering. Then along the line, some friends told me trading was more profitable. I put together to tell me I would be posted to South Africa if I complied but I still refused. After all that, he told me he N180,000.00 with two other friends; we went to Paiko, in Niger State and bought a trailer full of yams, has agreed to my decision and that I could bring Nana for his approval. Nana came on December 31st which we brought to Mile 12 market and sold. It was a profitable business. When I finished, he told 2004 and stayed in the church for two weeks. Every day, he (Joshua) would go out with her on a tour me my story would not inspire anyone from a very poor background. He said as his number one of the church as well as the old site. I did not think anything was wrong with that after all he was my prophet, I had to have had a very lowly and humble story that would encourage people to see that leader. Nana went back to Ghana and we arranged to meet her family. Shortly before we could visit, God does not pick his servants from the high and mighty but from lowliest of the low, from the dustthe girl fell sick, was taken to the hospital where she died. I went to him and told him I was leaving. I bin. By the way he was offering me a position that thousands were jostling and waiting for. For me, took my bag and left. Nobody could stop me because as the number two prophet I also commanded it was a dream come true and telling some blown up story was not a big deal at the time. He told me a measure of respect and I was ready to kill whoever tried to stop me. what to say, how to say it and what to wear. Before It is diﬃcult to believe that all this that day, I was the coordinator of all the departments while you never knew Joshua was a in the church. He coached me to make sure I looked liar, deceiver or adulterer as you claim. timid and pathetic. So what you saw in his video Afterall, you also participated in the fake was a script that I was acting. miracles. How can you say you did not What led you to the Synagogue? I had been in some churches before I joined know he was a liar? Synagogue. There is this Uncle of mine whose You need to understand that deception does wife was an officer with the ministry of external not happen in one day. It takes years. He used to affairs. She had a condition of the heart. One day tell us that there are generations, and that he is of the Jesse generation. And the Jesse generations I visited and she told us that a colleague took her are never guilty of sin. If he did anything wrong, to a church and she was healed of the condition. he would be acquitted of his sin while any other That was in 1994. I became curious and asked person who tried it would be held responsible. that we go to this church together. Prior to that Whatever we did on his behalf was not a sin, he told time, I had never heard of the Synagogue. We us. As for the arranged miracles he told us it was to went and I also went with my pet project. I used help the faith of others in the congregation to rise. to write poems, songs, scripts for movies and We believed we were helping people to reach the was thinking of business in the entertainment industry. As for the arranged point where they could believe what God could do. I thought may be the man of God could pray for my breakthrough and the mir acle s he told us it was I really wanted to leave after the first week because I saw a lot of things that business would take off. When I saw the man, he was very simple in looks to help the faith of others in did not add up. For example, you had to obtain a pass before you could sleep and dressing. He was very humble. He told us how he was being persecuted the congregation to rise. We and you sleep for the number of hours written on your pass. If you exceeded by people; how they were saying he was demonic and devilish. At the end believed we were helping of the service they showed us video clips of where he healed late Adeniran the hours you would be chained and beaten with horsewhips. Other times a people to reach the point Ogunsanya, Sonny Okosun and some other prominent Nigerians. Prior to this bucket of paint would be poured on you while chained. The implication was wh ere they could believe what day, I had not heard of him. I really believed he was a genuine man of God who that you needed kerosene to wash off the paint. But he (Joshua) showed me God could do. was being misunderstood for some reasons. extra love and care. I was never treated or grouped with these other disciples. I That was how I started coming to the church. After about a month I decided was housed in a room that contained only four people. By that time the hostel to join them. I enrolled in their evangelical class. Within a short time I became had not been built. People used to sleep in makeshift, tent-like structures. He had an agenda where I was concerned and he warned everybody to treat me with extra care. I found an evangelical teacher. As evangelical teacher, we were sent to hold crusades. In 1997 I was sent a lot of favour with him. That favouritism deadened my conscience. I remember a young girl that to Ghana to hold a crusade. In 1997, I moved into Synagogue as a ‘disciple’. I soon discovered that was accused of having a boyfriend. It was a lie in the first place; he just wanted to make an example the place was a concentration camp. I saw that the people did not eat well. Fish, meat, and palm oil of someone as a deterrent to others. The girl was brought in to our disciples meeting; stripped were not permitted in the meal. At one of the meetings I questioned it and his reply was that eating naked and ground pepper mixed with water was inserted into her vagina. We were so deadened animal proteins and fish limited our power to deliver people with mermaid spirits. Eating beef, he in our conscience that we enjoyed watching the girl suffer like that. At this point I had become so said, also limited our power to deliver those with witchcraft spirit. As for palm oil, he said possessed deadened in my conscience and insensitive to people’s suffering. Please make no mistake; we had people mixed blood with palm oil and that eating it also limited our ability to subdue the spirit in been brainwashed and hypnotised into his system! The day I came to my senses, it was like something operation. It made sense. When I left the synagogue, the first thing I did was to go home and beg my family. They forgave hit me on the head. You were shown in his video on the first day you came to the Synagogue telling how me. They told me they knew I was under deception. My best friend Paul who visited the synagogue thrice to see me but was refused entrance also forgave me. He told me that the day he finally saw pathetic your life was. What he showed in the video was false. That was not my first time. I had been there for five me face to face in the Synagogue and he stretched out his hand for a handshake and I refused, he left years. That was the day I was anointed a prophet, June 12, 1999. A week to that date he called me, knowing that I was no longer myself. The woman who took me there regretted her action until her gave me a Bible to hold, gesticulated with his hands and asked me to kneel down. He said God told death. The husband is still alive and he is also full of sorrow and regret. He said that he used to think

all miracles are of God but now he knows that the devil can also do miracles. as the leader and supervisor. Immediately after Oyakhilome’s visit Pentecostal Pastors began to come What is this noise about Joshua and Oyakhilome? to the Synagogue. It is very necessary because Chris Oyahkhilome validated Joshua. Before he came to the Tell us about the hand and leg movements you do during so-called healing sessions. Synagogue, we were battling with how to win the affirmation of other Pentecostal ministers. The That is the spiritual aspect. The main power flow has nothing to do with the hand movement. ministers coming then were those from spiritual churches like the Celestial church. No genuine What you see on the telecast is hypnotism at its best. When you are filled with that power, if you open Pentecostal/Charismatic minister came. When T. D. Jakes was visiting Nigeria he sent a letter to your eyes and fixed your gaze on the recipient of healings or whatever, you can see when the person’s the PFN that they should explain to him who Joshua was otherwise he would visit him as he had spirit will leave the body. At that point, whatever you think in your mind as you fix your gaze on that heard a lot about him. PFN replied that Joshua was not a Christian, and therefore not a member of person is what the person would do. If you want the person to confess that he killed his mother, it the association. That pained Joshua and he decided that the way out was to punch a hole in their shall be so under that influence. And when the spirit returned they could not remember anything. rank. In synagogue we don’t watch other television stations, or read newspapers; we only watch our We used those hand and leg movements with deep penetrating gaze to control the human body. church programmes. Sometimes when a person was falling and we observed he could injure himself we could move the He sent for me one evening to come and watch Oyakhilome who was on air. He ridiculed person either from falling or away from any dangerous object with our mind. It’s pure hypnotism. him and ran him down saying he was an amateur I can say that I was personally initiated but I cannot speak for others because I cannot substantiate who wanted to perform miracles. At the end of with evidence. But Oyakhilome and Joshua drove alone to the old site where the programme, he asked one of the disciples his shrine is on top of the pond or swamp. What to call the number on the screen. The call transpired there I cannot say since I was not there. went through and he requested to speak with But the much that I was privy to I have divulged. Oyakhilome. He flattered him, told him how I was initiated in that shrine. We call it mountain. impressed he was with his programme and Everyone of the junior prophet has a personal hut the healings and miracles. At the end of the in that shrine. We don’t call it shrines; we call it conversation, Oyakhilome promised to visit the mountains, just like every other church consecrates Synagogue. Immediately, he told us to get all a particular place as their prayer mountain. There the journalists on our pay roll and instructed is a general place where other members can camp the visitor’s coordinating zone to fix cameras but there is also a special place where only Joshua everywhere even outside the gate so that if could go. Next to Joshua were late Prophet Benson Oyakhilome gets only as far as the gate the visit and myself. Only the two of us were initiated and would be captured. That was what we did. given access to the first level of spiritual operation. The journalists were briefed. And they were He told us he had ten levels, but we only got as far told what they would write and release to as the first level. Could you substantiate your allegations of Nigerians. The day was a fun fare; Joshua took Oyakhilome to every part of the Synagogue. Afterwards Oyakhilome mysterious deaths in the Synagogue? Now er There are cases of mysterious deaths which drove Joshua to the old site. What happened there I was not privy to. By nsf tra when Joshua wanted to uld put I witnessed. There was the case of aseveral lady, one of the in-house tailors sewing the way, we gave different conflicting stories to the journalists so that wo power to his disciples he at was the furniture fabrics. She came out of the bathroom one day, collapsed and there will be confusion in the minds of the readers. Every story you read Th his hands on their back. ilome. died. Unknown to us she had a friend among the tailors who quickly placed about that incident was given to the journalists by us. The strategy was akh exactly what he did to Oy power a call to her family to inform them she had collapsed and died. The girl’s to complicate and confuse the matter. We had about six different versions of So if you watch the video that of of the story? How did the journalists get to know about the visit? We body was mysteriously dumped in front of a hotel in Egbe. church d an transfer to the disciples erence. It officially informed the father that his daughter’s body was foundThein front orchestrated it. The question we wanted to raise in the minds of the people of diff Oyakhilome there is no is “If T. B. Joshua is not of God why did Pastor Chris go there? That means the hotel; she was dead and they had deposited her in a mortuary. was deliberate. Naturally, the man cried foul. Joshua called us together to strategise. Oyakhilome also is not of God. We looked into the archives and found the tape where the girl alleged that After that visit, Oyakhilome came again on a Wednesday during a Blood of Jesus Service. By the way Oyakhilome visited at various times after the first visit and he and Joshua her father raped her when she was young. And the father later came to confirm the story. Joshua used to drive alone to the old site (where the shrine was). The relationship had blossomed before briefed us to get all the Igbo community together and show them the video after a Sunday service. Pastor Chris was invited to the Blood Service. That was the day they both prayed for the purportedly He told me to tell them how he saved the girl by bringing her in. By the time I finished briefing the crippled man. In reality the man only had multiple sclerosis that sometimes made him fall at any Igbo community and showing the confession video, they were very angry with the girl’s father. The time. That was why he went around in wheelchair to prevent accidents that could cost him his life. father had no choice but to prostrate and beg Joshua and everybody. That was the end of the matter. There was also the case of a carpenter from Arigidi near Joshua’s home town in Ondo State. While The man was reported to be crippled and Joshua invited Pastor Chris to pray for him. Now when Joshua wanted to transfer power to his disciples he would put his hands on their back. That was they were roofing the new site he fell directly on the altar. The altar is built like a pond, dug and fitted exactly what he did to Oyakhilome. So if you watch the video of power transfer to the disciples and with rock and water falls. At this time, it was not yet completed, and there was no water yet. The boy that of Oyakhilome there is no difference. It was deliberate. By the way the man walked the same fell and died. Instead of reporting the accident to the appropriate quarters, again the church registered way he would normally walk. The distance we recorded in the testimony was not more than what him as a victim of hit and run driver. They sent the message to his wife who came, identified the body he would do in his house. When it was time to pray for the long emergency line, Joshua invited and was given N10, 000 for the burial. My concern is that the man died in active service. His funeral Oyakhilome to go inside the ring and join the rest of us junior prophets while he stood by. It was responsibilities should have been taken over by the church. Besides I did not see the need for cover up. deliberate; that automatically put Oyakhilome in the ranks of the junior prophets while he stood by It was an accident and accidents do happen at construction sites, so why the cover-up? L

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JAwS of

deATh The story of a pastor’s miraculous deliverance from over 30 ailments

ometime in 1999, Tony Akinyemi, a pastor and author, thought his life was coming to an abrupt end. For some two years, he had been waging a protracted battle for his life after he was diagnosed with over 30 ailments including acute duodenal ulcer, second degree hemorrhoids, high blood pressure and partial stroke. He was even screened for HIV four times but tested negative on each occasion. Despite all the treatments he received his situation rather grew worse. Not even fasting and prayer could turn the situation around. Convinced that death was knocking on the door, the reverend gentleman began to prepare his wife for widowhood.

“I enrolled her for an MBA programme to prepare her for a better job so that she could cater for herself and our three children after my anticipated demise,” Akinyemi recalls. “She was a civil servant at the time and her

salary was nothing to write home about. She did not realise why I was suddenly putting pressure on her to acquire another degree and beef up her CV. She already had her Higher National Diploma (HND Upper Credit) L

in Accountancy and had been a Chartered Accountant since 1989, but I arranged for her to go for her MBA and also take some Computer I.T. and Accounting Software courses. I did not want my exit to impact her and the children too much – at least as far as standard of living was concerned. “One thing I kept assuring myself of was that, at least, I knew where I was going. If I dropped dead, I knew exactly where I was going. My name is in the book of life. Jesus, my Saviour and Lord, already paid the price for my redemption. Praise God, I am born again. I am not afraid to depart from this body and go to be with the Lord, which is far better.” As it turned out, Rev. Akinyemi did not die. Divine intervention came for him in the way of Hallelujah Diet, a diet and lifestyle revolution that is currently making waves in

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many parts of the world, particularly in the USA. His story: My health challenge started on a mild note in 1997. I just discovered that I was always fatigued and tired. My energy level really nose-dived. I would sleep for several hours and still not be refreshed. At some point, sleeplessness even set in. Then, I began to feel terrible pain in my chest that radiated to my back and through my ribs. One symptom after the other kept coming on board. I almost fainted while preaching as a guest minister at a church in 1998. I had to hold on to the pulpit to stabilise myself while asking the congregation to stand up and pray. Of course, I didn’t ask them to pray for me. I did not want anyone to know that the preacher was fainting. I simply asked them to pray for themselves about an issue I had raised in the course of my message. While the congregation prayed, I asked for some water to drink and rested a while. I was able to gain some strength and stability to hurriedly finish up my sermon and leave the stage. Of course, the first thought that occurred to me was that it must be a spiritual attack. (Today, however, I believe differently.) On my way home I stopped by at my family clinic. The doctor on duty examined me and prescribed some medications that didn’t help me any bit. I kept on looking for answers. I explored spiritual options (fasting, praying, prayer vigils, confessions of faith, etc). My condition remained the same. For three consecutive years (1998-2000), I was privileged to serve as the chairman of the Planning Committee for the Minister’s Conference of the denomination in which I used to be a pastor. In 1999, during one of the Ministers’ Conferences I planned, I included a session tagged “THE MINISTER AND HIS/HER HEALTH,” and invited two medical doctors, who were also pastors in the denomination to handle the session. The session was included primarily because of my own personal health challenge. I desperately wanted to be helped, and I also wanted the over 2,500 fellow ministers and church leaders we were expecting at the conference to learn one or two things about preventing and dealing with disease. After the conference, I scheduled an appointment with one of the two doctors

Chronic Backache Dizziness & Occasional loss of balance Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Infections (Parasites & Fungal) Frequent severe Malaria Attacks (a minimum of 4 times a year) 20. Mild Depression 21. Anxiety Disorder 22. Panic attacks 23. Insomnia (sleeplessness) 24. Overweight (I weighed 90 kg {198 lbs} for a height of 1.76m) 25. High serum cholesterol (as revealed by my blood test) 26. Elevated diastolic blood pressure (130/100 for about 3 years) 27. Severe cramps in my right thigh 28. Very mild tremors in my hands 29. A mildly painful swelling (like a long tube) on the right side of my abdomen 30. CHRONIC DUODENAL ULCER (diagnosed by a Consultant Gastroenterologist, after a comprehensive medical check-up and tests) 31. Another Consultant Gastroenterologist suspected cancer might be growing in my stomach and sent me for endoscopy and biopsy in July 2001 (I refused to do it) 32. Another doctor suspected I could be having brain lesions. He sent me for a CAT scan (I also refused to do it). 33. A Consultant Neurologist diagnosed acute stress. A Consultant I almost fainted while preaching as a guest Psychiatrist also minister at a church in 1998. I had to hold on to confirmed the the pulpit to stabilise myself while asking the diagnosis of Acute congregation to stand up and pray. Of course, Stress. I didn’t ask them to pray for me. I did not want I was even anyone to know that the preacher was fainting. screened for HIV four times. I tested negative Frequent stiff-neck episodes each time. I was also screened, and tested Mouth Sores negatives for Hepatitis. Meanwhile, all Recurrent ear aches medical remedies applied only gave me Catarrh and sinus problems A breakout of acne and pimples on my temporary relief but didn’t help in the long run. The prescription drugs I took added face Numbness on the whole left side of my their own various side effects to the long list of symptoms I already had. The medications body Severely bleeding 2nd degree Hemorrhoid added nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness (a couple of times I almost collapsed while (diagnosed by a Consultant) preaching). The drugs knocked me silly. They Light-headedness made me to sleep and sleep and I was gaining Constant Headache weight unnecessarily. For the next couple of Pressure in my head

who spoke at the conference. The conference was held during the last week of April 1999 and he gave me an appointment to see him at his clinic early May 1999. He ran a comprehensive medical checkup on me, and diagnosed chronic duodenal ulcer. He also found out that I had an elevated diastolic blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. Treatment with medication commenced and lasted for over 16 weeks! By 2001, my situation had gone really bad. A doctor friend of mine was kind enough to invite me to the teaching hospital where he was working at the time to see some specialists. I did, and got scared even further by one of the specialists I saw. He suspected I could be having cancer growing somewhere in my upper GI tract. He sent me for upper GI endoscopy and biopsy to confirm this. After seeking a second opinion, I refused to go in for the procedure. Meanwhile, I was still very much unwell, feeling tired and dizzy in the months that followed. The Symptoms I had over 30 symptoms during my ordeal: 1. Severe Chest Pain 2. Recurrent sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis 3. Mild cough and a lot of mucus in the throat 4. Constantly Bleeding Throat (blood in my sputum)

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

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years, I was deteriorating fast and losing my health rapidly. My energy level nose-dived even further and mild depression set in. I had been a very healthy, agile, active, and dynamic person prior to that time. The only ailments I experienced once in a while, like most other folks who live in Nigeria, were malaria, catarrh, cough and cold. Suddenly, I found myself dying in

have completely disappeared. diVine inTerVenTion I continued to pray and ask for God’s mercy to show me where I went wrong. He pointed out to me that my schedule was too heavy, that I was living a stressful life and destroying my health. God also showed me that my diet, even though that was the general practice, was not the best way to eat. So diet and lifestyle became the real issues. He said if I could address I had prayed, confessed the scriptures, fasted, these areas my and done several personal prayer vigils to health will no avail. I even invited six of my campus improve. He fellowship friends, who are now ministers of directed me the gospel, to come and pray with me. specifically to go to Just Bibles installments. What I needed so desperately bookshop and buy books on Healing (which I did not realise at the time) was more and Health and He will begin to train me education, NOT more medication. I had and teach me on how to come out of the prayed, confessed the scriptures, fasted, and woods. I went and bought several books done several personal prayer vigils to no avail. worth over N 25,000.00 at that time. N25,000.00 I even invited six of my campus fellowship This was in around 2003. The bookshop friends, who are now ministers of the gospel, manager recommended a particular book to come and pray with me. Seven of us started for me to read first. The title of the book is prayer vigils in my house once a month just “Why Christians Get Sick” by Rev. George to pray for my healing. This prayer vigil Malkmus, a Baptist preacher in the U.S. He went on for 48 months! I experienced some drew his principles from the Holy Bible improvement but was still sick. Meanwhile, yet he tended more towards a in my desperation for healing, I also went to pragmatic approach to see great men of God to pray for me. They healing and health. He laid hands on me and ministered to me. I still emphasised diet and didn’t get any better – not because God no lifestyle just as God longer answers prayers. I believe that God had revealed simply wanted me to learn one or two things to me. That about caring for my body before He would got me very heal me. All this while, I was not completely interested. down. I was still keeping a very busy schedule This was as a pastor and still going about doing things another as if nothing was wrong with me; but I knew that I was dying inside. By 2003, I consulted another doctor in the USA who also suspected I might have brain lesions. He wanted me to do a CAT scan, which I also refused. Meanwhile, almost throughout 2003, I suffered severe sore throat that refused to go away. In fact, by February 2004, I lost my voice completely for a whole week! My good friends joined me again for prayer vigils to overcome this challenge. Thankfully, God restored my voice. As at the time of this writing, to the glory of God, almost all the over 30 symptoms listed above L

dimension apart from praying and making confessions. At the end of the day I came up with a 10-point agenda that I must comply with to recover. As I began to implement the 10-point agenda, I found out that out of the over thirty symptoms I was experiencing in my body, one after the other the symptom began to varnish. The one that remained longest was the

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numbness at the left side of my face and the upper and lower bleeding-at the throat and the anus. They continued for about three years. The bleeding in my throat actually stopped in 2008. Following the Halleluyah diet recommended by Dr. Malkmus was very difficult for me. I had followed a particular dietary pattern for over forty years for goodness sake. Anyway I tried my best to comply with the Halleluyah diet but not one hundred percent. And I saw significant changes except for the bleeding which did not stop. But the numbness was the first to go, followed by the rectal bleeding. However whenever I violated the dietary patterns, it came back. The throatal bleeding continued until 2007. It even got bad. In December 2006 I went back to the U.S. They could not diagnose the problem. They gave me some antibiotics which made me feel worse. I also spoke to an Associate professor of ocularlaryngologist in Canada in the e-mail. He recommended that I see a local E.N.T Doctor. He suspected there might be a tumor in that region that is ear, nose and throat region. I became worried at the suggestion that I could have throat cancer. Anyway I refused to do the tests. By March 2007, I was back in the U.S. after I sent an e-mail to Dr. Malkmus. I told him about my experiences and how I had been following the Halleluyah diet since 2004, but that my throat condition persisted. He encouraged me, prayed for me and told me that the easiest of the symptoms were usually the first to go while the more serious ones remain for much longer. He assured me that since twenty seven symptoms out of over thirty had disappeared, it showed that I was on the right track. He encouraged me to continue to do the right thing and with time I would be totally healed. He then suggested a Doctor in the U.S., his own personal doctor, who has three degrees in health related fields. He is a medical doctor (MD) he is a naturopathic doctor – Herbal doctor. He is also a chiropractic doctor. He has a clinic in North-Carolina. The clinic is called “The Holistic Medical Clinic of the Carolinas.” He also carried out a very comprehensive medical check-up one, as a medical doctor, as a chiropractor and as a herbal medical practitioner. His conclusion was there was a serious inflammation in my throat region; which could at best be

In June 2008, I was back in the U.S. I did what they call heavy metal challenge analysis. They give you some tonating agents to drink that will stimulate heavy metals and chemicals in your body to be released into your blood. It will bring them out of the muscles wherever they are hiding and then your kidney will excrete them and it will be found in your urine. They now collect your sample urine over a three-day period, which they take to the laboratory for analysis. They look out for the amount of virgin metals, mercury, aluminum present. I had very high levels of mercury and lead in my body. It probably was coming from those terrible chemicals we were inhaling in the environment where we lived. I had to do heavy metal chelation to remove all of the heavy metal in my system to bring it down to normalcy. Chelation is done either orally or intravenously. It was after the minimal chelation that the inflammation in my throat disappeared, the bleeding also stopped and all the accompanying pain in my ears and throat were gone. If I had not done the chelation the dietary pattern could not have cured it. The renal bleeding was a matter of hemorrhoid. So I avoided anything that could cause hard stool or diarrhea and I also injected a lot of fiber rich food in my diet with some fiber supplements as well. The hemorrhoid began to shrink as well. A Ministry Is Born When I came up with my 10-point agenda I The numbness was the first to go, followed saw improvement. by the rectal bleeding. However whenever I With further violated the dietary patterns, it came back. knowledge and experience I made it a 21-point agenda, which I have now leaves. She explained that the chemical pollution is largely responsible for why the expanded to 30 (Please read the 30-Day throatal condition persisted in spite of my Challenge on page 28). In 2004, I applied healthy dietary lifestyle. That alerted me and I and attended a Health Ministers Training began to put two and two together. I observed conducted by Rev. Malkmus in the USA. that my son Tony was also having some eye That makes me a certified health minister allergies. The eyes were watery and red all the under the ministry of Rev. Malkmus. It’s time. For five years we saw an ophthalmologist called the Hallelujah Acres. I also went for a who placed him on eye drops. When the certification training programme under this drugs were applied it cleared only to re-occur lady that conducted the ‘Voice-Bio’ on me. So within twelve hours. Some of the eye-drops I am also a sound therapist. we applied four times a day. I decided to do a Rev. Akinyemi was speaking to LifeWay chemical analysis of my body. described as a pre-cancerous condition not a full-blown cancer. He commenced the treatment using high B-nutrition which is high mega doses of vitamins minerals. He also recommended some supplements to be taken along with the diet I was following. With that there was an improvement but the condition did not disappear. There was also an alternative medical practitioner Cayley Thompson – a lady who invented ‘VoiceBio’ often referred to as energy medicine. It’s a technology that utilises principles of quantum physics to devise a device that is hooked up to a computer software that can use the signals coming out from your voice as you speak to diagnose conditions in your system. It could tell if your liver or your kidney was malfunctioning or if any part of your body was malfunctioning through your voice. I met the lady in 2006 in Maryland and she used the voice-Bio technology to screen me. She told me that I had a lot of toxic chemicals in my system. She asked if I lived very close to factories, that the environment where I was living was really highly chemically polluted. That was true. I was living in the WEMPCO Industrial area of Ogba, Lagos where there were several factories and everyday black smoke emanated from the factories. Sometimes the smoke would settle on the plants like black powder on the green

testiMonies

ayode Adeboye, an oil company worker was admitted thrice in 2004 for various health problems ranging from high cholesterol, severe hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and poor eye sight and kidney condition. At a point, he said, he was hospitalised for three weeks at a stretch. “When I met Rev. Akinyemi, he first of all allayed my fear about death,” he recalled.“He said these diseases were caused by either toxins or deficiencies.” After their meeting, Mr. Adeboye said he “stopped taking milk completely and cut down on meat, fish etc.” Subsequently, from seeing the consultant doctor every four days for check up, he was asked to be coming weekly and then forth nightly as he (the consultant) saw the improvements in his medical condition. From a weight of 110kg, Mr Adeboye came down to 78kg “but now stabilised between 82 kg-84kg.” According to him,“I have not complained again about my eye sight. I am fit enough to play football and my heart is very sound. I think the Hallelujah Diet is a way of life that should be adopted.”Another testifier, Mrs. Monisola Olagbiyan told of how she was healed of arthritis and came down from 113kg to 90kg after adopting the diet. Mrs Olagbiyan said she suffered from severe arthritis and could barely stand on one of her legs. “It was so bad that each time I woke up from sleep, I had to first sit on the bed, and settle myself before moving”she said. But after a month of dietary instructions (September 23 – October 23, 2005),”the arthritis left. The programme is so easy and cheap you don’t believe it would work. The Hallelujah Diet is working.”

• Moni Olagbi yan

Without Lipitor or any other medication, I thank God that by following your dietary recommendations my cholesterol results are now good. I am encouraged sir and feel very well. -Mrs. T.A, Lagos (Testimony received by sms, April 2009)

Hello Rev Tony. It is working. Without using my starting drug, I have successfully lowered my cholesterol into the normal range using dietary means and the supplements you recommended. Thank you so much. -Dr. M.O., PhD, Lagos (testimony received by sms)

I want to testify to the effectiveness of the Hallelujah Diet. To the glory of God, my health has improved tremendously. I was battling Arthritis and I chose to follow strictly all you taught us during the January 2009 Health Seminar at Olaogun, Ibadan. I went to my doctor yesterday (Monday March 23, 2009) to do a check-up. My doctor was so impressed that he asked me about the ‘magic wand’ that I had been using. I told him that I attended a Healthy Living Seminar facilitated by Rev. Tony Akinyemi from Lagos, and I have been practicing everything that I learnt. My weight has dropped from 110kg to 90kg (in a little less than 3 months)! My fasting blood sugar level went from 105 to 87, and my BP is now okay. The pains I was having as a result of the arthritis has reduced to zero level.

I want to testify to the fact that a change in diet with nutritional supplements has helped me to lower my cholesterol to normal levels within such a short period of time. I have not even opened the cholesterol-lowering drug that my doctor prescribed for me. -Mrs. AO, Lagos (testimony given during Health Seminar on March 14, 2009)

I am testifying to the unfailing faithfulness of the Most High God in my marriage. We got married 13th of March, 1999 but between that time and May 2008, my wife never experienced any sign of pregnancy. In February 2008, we were encouraged to go for a test, which we did and my wife was treated for some infection. When we visited Rev. Akinyemi we informed him that my wife had had an operation of thyroid gland. However, he was of the opinion that the delay in conception could be as a result of deficiency of iodine. He gave us some iodine tablets and other supplements. By the grace of God, in May that same year my wife became pregnant and on Feb 4th, 2009 she gave birth to a beautiful girl. She became our 10th year anniversary gift from the Lord.

-Elder (Mrs.) A. A. O. (Christ Life Church, Ibadan). Testimony received by e-mail on March 24, 2009).

I have experienced the melting away of asthma. This ailment has been with me from childhood. I feel particularly stronger than what I used to be. I am confident that all other ailments that plague me will soon melt away just as you beautifully put it. You have opened my eyes of knowledge. -Engr. JG, Abeokuta (testimony received by e-mail on May 13, 2009)

-Pastor Bernard Ighede, Anointed Ambassadors International Church, Lagos.

diet & lifestyle

The 30-Day Challenge By Tony Akinyemi (Note: This is not a substitute for professional medical care)

lease take this challenge for 30 days and see if changes in diet and lifestyle actually lead to changes in health status. I have known people who have been able to reverse arthritis and migraines, lose excess weight, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, normalise their blood sugar, and stop heart palpitations, etc, by simply taking this 30-day challenge. The things to do are as follows:

A) Before You Begin: Go to your doctor or a medical laboratory and do the following: Check and record your: • Blood pressure • Resting pulse • Fasting Blood Sugar • Serum Cholesterol • Body weights • Height • Body Mass Index • Kidney functions test • Liver function test • Urine analysis, and • Stool test Keep your results. Also note (in writing) any symptoms you might be experiencing. B) Begin the 30-Day Challenge (Please do not cheat on this programme for maximum benefits) 1. Eliminate the following things from your diet and lifestyle for 30 days: • Cow milk and all dairy products • Sugar, soft drinks, and packaged fruit juices • Ice cream • White flour products (such as white bread, cake, doughnut, meat-pie, chin-chin, noodles, pasta, biscuits, etc) • Mono-sodium Glutamate (MSG), artificial flavours, colourings, preservatives • Highly processed and refined foods • Artificial sweeteners (such as

aspartame, saccharin, etc) Caffeine-containing substances Saturated animal fat, Margarine, and fried foods (Trans-fats) • Common or table salt (use unrefined sea salt moderately for your cooking) • Junk foods/fast foods • Hormonal contraceptive pills (use other methods of family planning) • Tobacco and Hard Drugs • Self-medication, and • Other health-destroying foods and habits. 2. Eat only fresh fruits for breakfast for 30 days. You do not have to eat all the fruits at once. Keep eating the fruits throughout the morning period. For example, eat some pawpaw or pineapple or watermelon in the morning before you leave home for work; then take some banana, apple, guava, pear, oranges, tangerine, green or red grapes, etc, with you to eat at work whenever you feel hungry before lunch time. If you are diabetic, substitute fresh fruits with freshly extracted vegetable juices (e.g. 50% carrot juice + 50% bitter leaf juice OR 50% carrot juice + 30% celery juice + 20% parsley juice). Drink a 240ml glass of these juices at, say 7am, another at 9am, and yet another at 11am. Then eat an avocado or coconut at about 10am. 3. Eat some raw vegetable salad before your lunch for 30 days. For lunch, you may eat any of your favourite cooked foods apart from the forbidden ones listed in Number 1 above. You may eat Brown Rice, • •

Yams, Whole Grain Bread, Beans, Pounded Yam, Eba, Amala, Ofada Rice (NOT polished rice) and Beans, Potatoes, etc. 4. Eat only a large bowl of raw vegetable salad for supper for 30 days. Your vegetable salad must be a vegetable salad indeed. No pasta, sliced eggs, corned-beef, sardine, roasted chicken, creamy salad cream, etc. Make your own salad dressing at home or simply use VEGENAISE (a vegetable mayonnaise) for your dressing. 5. Eat only one cooked meal per day during lunch for 30 days. You may swap your lunch with your supper. The rule is that you must only eat a cooked meal once a day. 6. You may eat more fresh fruits, raw nuts, and vegetable such as garden eggs, avocado, carrots, guava, raw almonds, walnuts, etc, for snacks if you feel hungry between meals. Avoid peanuts, though. Cashew nuts are okay to eat moderately. 7. Don’t eat anything cooked before 12 noon or after 7pm for 30 days. This rule is very important. Do your best to observe it. 8. Exercise for 30 minutes a day for 30 days Brisk walking is good enough if you cannot go to the gym. Just make sure you sweat. 9. Sleep for at least 6 hours daily at night for 30 days. Go to bed by 10p.m latest if you can. You may then wake up at 4a.m to pray or have your devotion. 10. Drink at least 8 glasses (of 240ml each) of purified water or watermelon juice daily for 30 days Dehydration is at the root of many diseases. 11. Spend some time in the outdoors everyday for 30 days. You need fresh air and sunshine for enhanced moods, vitamin D synthesis, and proper blood oxygenation. Early morning sunshine (before 11am) is better than hot afternoon sunshine.

diet & lifestyle

12. Read one chapter of the book of PROVERBS in the Holy Bible daily for 30 days There is healing power in God’s Word. You may wish to read from any other books of the Bible apart from Proverbs. I have recommended the book of Proverbs for two reasons: 1) Because it is the book of wisdom and will make you wiser in matters of life, and 2) Because it has 31 chapters (enough to last you a month at one chapter per day) 13. Pray about all your concerns and needs for 30 minutes a day for 30 days God still answers prayers. The Bible enjoins us to take all matters and concerns to God in prayer. The effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous person avail much. 14. Forgive all who have offended you and release them from your heart for 30 days. Unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, animosity, malice, etc, are insidious toxic emotions that damage our health. We are better off without them than with them. Negative tension and conflicts affect us negatively if we don’t resolve them quickly. 15. Maintain a positive outlook and an attitude of gratitude. Give thanks to God for every new day you wake up to see, and speak positive words over your day before you step out of the house. Don’t ever make any negative confession; keep speaking positive words every one of these 30 days. You can have what you say. C) On the the 31ST Day: The next morning after you have completed your 30-day challenge, go to the same doctor or laboratory to repeat all the tests you did before you began the 30-day challenge. Make sure not to eat anything on the morning of the 31st day until your blood, urine, and stool samples have been collected as early in the day as possible. When your result is out, go ahead and compare the two results from your two different tests (the one before and the one after). If you do not know how to interpret test results, let your doctor assist you. Ask your doctor which of the two results is better. In all probability, your blood cholesterols levels would have dropped, and your blood sugar as well as blood pressure would have normalised too. Also check to see if any of your symptoms has disappeared. Meanwhile, note any positive changes you have felt or observed especially towards end of the 30-day challenge such as: Weight loss Better sleep

Mental clarity Clearer and smother skin Increased energy A better mood and a feeling of wellness, etc. NOTES: You may actually feel a little worse during the first few days of the 30-day challenge as your body goes through some form of detoxification. This is known as the healing crisis. You may experience mild diarrhea, skin eruptions, light-headedness, etc, at the beginning. But towards the end, the situation would improve. For those who desire to see even remarkable improvements in their lab results and weight loss, continuing the challenge for 90 days will make a huge positive difference. Please write me to let me know what your experience was like, taking this

challenge. You can send me an e-mail through this address: tsfchurch@yahoo.com. Please put “Attn: Pastor Tony” in the Subject field. You will definitely lose weight during this programme. After 90 or 30 days on this programme (as the case may be), you may wish to include 50% cooked food in both your lunch and supper to regulate your weight loss. This brings the consumption of cooked meals to twice a day (50% of lunch and 50% of supper). The 50% vegetable salad must always come first before the cooked meal in each case. Where vegetable salad is not available, you may wish to occasionally substitute with some fruits before your lunch and supper. This modified lifestyle can be sustained for the rest of your life for good health and longevity.

The Hallelujah Acres Diet & Lifestyle Explained The Hallelujah Acres Diet follows a ratio of 85% raw, uncooked, and unprocessed food and 15% cooked food. B y G e o r g e Mal k m u s

verything we place into our mouths in the form of food or drink, affects the health of our physical bodies - either for good or for bad. Thus if we desire good health, we must carefully consider what we place into our bodies. What most people do not realise is that almost every physical problem they experience (other than accidents) has a diet-related cause.

The 85% Raw Portion Because our physical body is comprised of approximately 100 trillion living cells that were designed by God to be nourished with living (raw) foods, it is imperative that the greatest percentage of our daily intake be comprised of raw foods. It is interesting to note that every plant-eating or flesh-eating animal in the L

wild instinctively eats all of its food in its raw form. Man is the only member of the animal kingdom that cooks his food, destroying all of its enzymes (life force) and many of its nutrients, before consuming it. This 85% portion is comprised exclusively of garden foods, the very foods God told us in the Bible, in Genesis 1:29 that we were to eat. This 85% portion is uncooked (raw) and unprocessed. The dense living nutrients found in raw foods and their juices meet and satisfy our cells’ nutritional needs so a person no longer needs to struggle with uncontrollable hunger. These live foods are also what produce abundant energy and vibrant health. The following are items from each category that fit into the 85% portion of each day’s food intake. • Beverages: Freshly extracted vegetable juices, BarleyMax, CarrotJuiceMax, and remineralised distilled water. • Dairy Alternatives: Fresh almond milk, creamy banana milk; as well as frozen banana, strawberry, or blueberry “fruit creams.”

hallelujah diet

• Fruit: All fresh, as well as unsulphured organic dried fruit (limit fruit to no more than 15% of daily food intake). • Grains: Soaked oats, raw muesli, dehydrated granola, dehydrated crackers. • Beans: Green beans, peas, sprouted garbanzos, sprouted lentils, and sprouted mung • Nuts and seeds: Raw soaked almonds, sunflower seeds, macadamia nut, walnuts, raw almond butter or tahini (consume sparingly). • Oils and fats: Extra virgin olive oil, Udo’s choice perfected oil blend, flax seed oil (the oil of choice for people with cancer, except men with prostate cancer, who may be better served meeting the essential fat needs through freshly ground flax seed) and avacados. • Seasonings: Fresh or dehydrated herbs, garlic, sweet onions, parsely, and salt-free seasonings, • Sweets: Fruits smoothies, raw fruit pies with nut/date crusts, date-nut squares, etc. • Vegetables; All raw vegetables. • Soups: Raw soups The 15% Cooked Portion The following foods make up the 15% portion of the Hallelujah Acres Diet. These cooked foods follow the raw salad at lunch or evening meals. The cooked food portion can be delicious and actually proves beneficial for those trying to maintain body weight. • Beverages: Caffeine-free herb teas and cerealbased coffee-like beverages, along with bottled organic juices. • Beans: Lima, adzuki, black, kidney, navy, pinto, red and white. • Dairy: Non-dairy cheese, almond milk, and rice milk (use sparingly). • Fruit: Stewed and unsweetened frozen fruits • Grains: Whole-grain cereals, breads, muffins, pasta, brown rice, millet, etc. • Oils: Mayonnaise made from cold pressed oils. • Seasonings: Same as the 85% portion, plus unrefined sea salt (use sparingly). • Soups: Soups made from scratch without fat, dairy or refined table salt. • Sweeteners: Raw, unfiltered honey, rice syrup, unsulphured molasses, stevia, carob, pure maple syrup, date sugar, agave nectar (use very sparingly)

• Vegetable: Steamed or wok-cooked fresh or frozen vegetables, baked white, yellow or sweet potatoes, squash, etc. There are thousands of exciting recipes that meet these criteria, recipes that can be even more taste tantalising than recipes prepared with animal-source foods or refined white flour or sugar. Liquid Intake It is of vital importance that we keep the body well hydrated. Therefore, we encourage the intake of a minimum of ½ ounce of liquids per pound of body weight daily. This can be met through the water in our raw foods, our vegetable juices, and purified water (distillation is the best means of purification, but distilled water should be re-mineralized and alkalized with WaterMax before longterm use). Supplements Though The Hallelujah Acres Diet derives most of its nutrients from the food itself, there are a few areas we need to pay particular attention to: • Fiber Cleanse – is vital for many people for the first two to three months after adopting the diet to help restore optimal bowl function (two to three well formed stools daily) and to insure timely and efficient elimination of rooms from the body. Many people on the nearly fiberless Standard American Diet do not have optimal bowel function and need additional help early on in the diet

it is recommended that all people on The Hallelujah Acres Diet take a daily, or every other day, B12, B6, Folic Acid sublingual supplement. (The Framingham Study reveals that 39% of all who consume animal foods daily are also deficient in Vitamin B12, and thus it would be wise for all people, no matter what their diet, to consider B12 supplementation). • Omega -3 Fatty Acid – while most people have an excess of Omega-6, many people are deficient in Omega -3. On The Hallelujah Acres Diet we recommend using either a tablespoon of Flax Seed Oil or ¼ cup of freshly ground organic flax seed daily to obtain the essential Omega-3 fats. • Vitamin D- As with Vitamin B12, we find that most people today are deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is manufactured in the body when a person’s skin is exposed to sunlight. However, few people receive adequate sun exposure, especially in the northern climates during winter months, and thus supplementation is recommended. • B-Flax-D – was developed as a long-term solution to meet ongoing need for additional fiber in the diet after the initial two to three months using Fiber Cleanse. Along with the base of stabilised ground flax seed for our essential fats and fiber, we include B12 in the active methylcobalamin form to ensure a Vitamin D deficiency (especially in the

Over the years, Hallelujah Acres has received literally tens of thousands of testimonies, from people reporting over 170 different physical problems simply disappearing after they changed their food and drink choices from unhealthy to healthy and they started exercising. to insure the body’s ability to timely and efficiently eliminate waste and toxins. This product is best used mid-morning, to allow for optimal water intake throughout the day, to keep the body and colon well hydrated. This product, though purely plant based, is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women or for long-term use. • Vitamin B12 – is an essential nutrient not found in plant-source foods. B12 is manufactured within the intestinal tract by friendly flora in all began animals. Because most people are lacking sufficient friendly flora to make B12, L i f e W a y

northern climates during winter months). Over the years, Hallelujah Acres has received literally tens of thousands of testimonies, from people reporting over 170 different physical problems simply disappearing after they changed their food and drink choices from unhealthy to healthy and they started exercising. Rev. Malkmus is a Baptist Minister based in the United States of America and founder of Hallelujah Acres Diet and Lifestyle. He gave it the name Hallelujah because every time people received positive results from the diet regimen, they shouted “Hallelujah.”

Marital affairs

how to

Affair-proof your

marriage • Plus eight things to look out for if you suspect your spouse is having an affair

By soJi oyAWoye

ecent statistics in Europe show that two out of every three married men have had affairs outside marriage. For the women, it is one out of every three. According to Christianity Today magazine, 23% of Christian couples admit to extra marital sex and improper relationships. The situation in Africa is not likely to be any different if not worse in some instances. An affair is a subtle way to describe that grave sin of adultery, which is one of the greatest sins of all. Adultery is a heinous crime, a fire that consumes to the point of destruction, ruin and the place of final torment. That fire, once lit, rages until all involved are consumed and all their life’s increases are burnt, except he or she genuinely repents and God shows mercy. The person that falls into adultery is destroying

his or her own life. You might say you are not guilty of these things, but the Bible goes on to say that “everyone who so much as looks at a woman (or man for that matter) with evil desire for her (him) has already committed adultery with her (him) in his (her) heart” Mathew 5:28. For married men, having an affair has always been somewhat tolerated, but today, almost as many married women as married L

men are having affairs. Is adultery inevitable? Are Christian couples susceptible to adultery? What assurances do we have from the word and from experience to help us stem the evil tide of sexual sin? Since my aim in this article is essentially preventive, let me begin by sharing thoughts on how we can detect and dissipate the foul smell of extra marital affair before it blows into full scale adultery. SignS ThAT mAy Show your SpouSe mAy Be fLirTing wiTh AduLTery Look for some loose ends. With the widespread use of technology these days start by observing if your spouse is spending more time online. Refusal to share the passwords, deleting inbound emails or clearing message archives on chat messengers are signs that should send a warning bell. Has your spouse begun deleting the history on the computer? When you look at his/her

Marital affairs

phone, do you realise that call and text message logs are suddenly not being saved? Does he/she stay on the computer after you go to bed? If so, your spouse might be using the time to communicate with a potential lover. Is there a sudden appearance of a web cam? Your spouse can be using it to communicate with the new lover. Ty to get hold of the telephone bill to look for unfamiliar phone numbers appearing repeatedly. If your spouse is deleting incoming calls from caller ID, speaking in low tones and hanging up suddenly, these are signs that something is being hidden. Because extramarital aﬀairs usually involve gifts, look for unaccounted expenses by going through bank statements. This is, however, only feasible where you had access to the statements in the past. If you can lay hands on them, pay particular attention to dates close to holidays and Valentine’s Day. Watch if personal hygiene and grooming styles have improved overnight. Observe if your spouse takes extra care about breath and body odour or becomes more conscious about fashion trends and what is worn. Look out for new gym memberships or increased spa appointments. A cheating spouse will have a sudden awareness about that protruding belly and excess fat here and there. So look out for changes in physical appearance. There may be a rush to buy new and trendy clothes. For women, they may start to wear more makeup. For men, you may notice a renewed interest in cologne. Are there sudden visits to the gym without warning? Figure out the reason for this change. While your spouse

may really be trying to impress you, it is important to confirm that he or she is not trying to impress someone else. Are there new fragrances around your spouse? Over time, our nose becomes accustomed to smells that are encountered on a regular basis including our partner’s body. Your spouse leaves the house in the morning smelling like Irish Spring and returns in the evening smelling like Safeguard. If your spouse is seeing someone else, he or she might pick up new fragrances and because these are new to your nose, that should send the alarm bells ringing. A cheating spouse can spray some perfume before entering the house to cover up the fragrance of the lover outside. Also check for scratches on the skin, lip stick or powder stains on your spouse. Other signs could be when your partner suddenly shows more interest in sex, new positions, love techniques and asks your opinion about how he or she does. On the contrary, a cheating spouse may also show lack of interest in sex because they are too tired, stressed or overworked. Has your spouse been avoiding you lately? Do you feel that there is a decrease of sexual interest in you? Has the marriage become almost a routine? Have those late night heart-to-heart talks come to an end? This emotional and physical disconnect could be a sign that your spouse is feeling guilty about having an affair. The distancing from you could be an attempt to relieve the guilt. When you ask what is wrong, your spouse might get defensive. In a healthy marriage, a spouse is usually willing to talk things over. However, if your spouse is flirting with someone else, he or she might refuse to talk about the problems even though it might be clear that something is troubling them. Sometimes your spouse might try to avoid you entirely. Other likely signs are when mutual friends start to act strange toward you. This could only mean L

that they know about the extra marital affair, or have been told stories about what a horrible wife or husband you are. Be on the lookout for new and unusual work hours. Is your spouse coming back late from work? Are there slightly more meetings than usual? Are there suddenly travel related work trips? Sex TrApS To AVoid God will never allow us to go through a temptation that we cannot bear. He also always makes the way of escape for us. But first let us look at some sex traps to avoid. Unfortunately sexual sin and immorality has become so prevalent in our society that many of us do not even know what is right anymore. It is not uncommon these days to hear statements like “everyone does it” “I know you are married and it is okay with me. All I want is some time with you” “God understands, body no be wood” etc. These days, we are all bombarded by the media, both electronic and print with sexual images and symbols. The media have succeeded in elevating sex to such height that hardly can we drive through the streets, listen to radio, read magazines and newspapers or watch TV without coming across sexually stimulating messages and images. Examples are “we do it better in the air” from a major airline or “I have it with my clothes off” for a Yoghurt commercial. And the internet is something else entirely. X rated movies are available free and can be viewed and closed before anyone but God notices. A trap is defined by the Webster dictionary as a device for catching unsuspecting animals. It captures or kills when the victim falls for the bait attached to it. So there can’t be a trap without baits. The devil’s bait is usually disguised as something that appeals to our needs, wants or desires. For example we use worms to catch a fish. There is no point using a diamond ring as bait for a fish because it would not bite it. In the same way, we all have key desires, leanings and inclinations, that weak spot. The devil studies us and knows that spot. We should also know it. “Every man is drawn away by his own lust…” -James 1:14. So each of us have “custom made” lust that is peculiar to us. So it is easy to blame someone for their own lust, but you also have yours and can be tempted through them too. They are your weaknesses. The challenge is to know them as a prelude to resisting the bait.

affair-Proof your MarriaGe

The Bible goes on to group the various types of lust into three though. These are lust of the eyes (money), lust of the flesh (sex) and pride of life (power) – 1 Jn. 2:16. All of us get tempted in at least one of these three areas. Some may be tempted by a big breasted lady while another is turned off only to be tempted with light skinned petite ladies. You may be able to entrust money to some without fear while the same person can’t resist anything in skirts. Like James declared in James 1:14, “every man” will be tempted. No one is exempted as long as we are still in this flesh. Identifying our peculiar weakness in this area is the most important check against extra marital affairs. If I know that I have a weakness for light skinned ladies then I should avoid all contacts with such people, particularly contacts that could present opportunities to explore. It is equally important to recognise that temptations do not occur all the time. It does have seasons or times. So you need to know the times you are in. That way you would be more alert. Remember, to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck out what is planted – Eccl. 3:1. Some women, for example, are more sexually vulnerable at particular times of their monthly cycle or season in the year. Some men are also more vulnerable when away from home, or stressed, or simply not getting sex at home. So each of us must examine ourselves and understand our seasons and times, and subsequently be on guard at these times to avoid falling. A source of comfort is the fact that God “… will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it”. 1 Cor. 10:13. So when you think you can’t bear the temptation remember that for God to allow it get to you, you surely can withstand it So rather than succumb, cry out to God to show you the way of escape. Anytime you are tempted, it shows that you have been exposed to something by sight or sound. You have to see (or hear) something for you to think it and then do it. So anytime you feel tempted, the first thing to do is to reflect on what you might have seen or heard that is fuelling the thought before it leads to the doing. It is not possible

to desire something that you have not seen or heard about. Unforgiveness is one thing that fuels the flame of extra marital affairs. Even when your spouse “does not” deserve your forgiveness, I beg you to let it go as unforgiveness on your part ultimately creates guilt in the offending party. The result is that he/she feels unwelcome, thus becoming ripe for some form of “acceptance” or sympathy from the opposite sex outside the home, even when not consciously seeking it. Now, this is not to give liberty to those of us

good example will be her new hair style, new dress or shoes or whatever she has gone out of her way to do to look good. Most men make the mistake of withholding compliments only for an outsider to notice and comment on the new looks. If not checked, this can cause the wife to begin to look forward to and actually crave this person’s acknowledgement. The men also need to be protected from such dangers. In today’s world, there is great pressure on the average husband to meet his obligations to the home financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally. That pressure is greatly heightened in a situation where he gets

Anytime you are tempted, it shows that you have been exposed to something by sight or sound. You have to see (or hear) something for you to think it and then do it. that find ourselves in such situations, as it is extremely dangerous to confide in members of the opposite sex, particularly when it has to do with your spouse. Where you find it difficult to resolve such issues with your spouse, then turn to your Heavenly Father or any other respected leader that both of you hold in high regard. It is also important that you make a conscious effort to complement each other, looking out for the things your spouse does best. For example, even if your wife is not such a good cook, she deserves to be complimented for being a good mother to the kids. For the men, it is most important that you pay attention to the efforts your wife makes to look good. A L

welcomed home with things that require fixing, buying etc. Such pressures often make a man feel incapable of his responsibilities and unwittingly he finds the compliment and acknowledgement of his manhood by an external person quite refreshing and irresistible. It is important that wives learn to compliment their husbands and support them in all areas, which indeed is a wife’s primary role as helpmate. AffAir proofing your mArriAge For those who like to have things listed out in bullet points, here are some ways to affair proof your marriage:• Nurture Safe Friendships No marriage can give you everything. For

affair-Proof your MarriaGe

example, a husband is going to have interests that his wife may never care about like football, hiking, or the news channels. Therefore, he is less likely to stray if he can find some good male friends with whom to watch Man U play Arsenal. In other words, you must give some space to each other as you may not be able to adapt to some of your spouses’ harmless pastimes no matter how much you try. • The Drug eﬀect Just like the temporary emotional highs that result from using cocaine and related hard drugs, connecting with someone new fools us into thinking that the sexy man or attractive woman outside holds the key to our everlasting happiness. You must realise that the rush to the head that you feel is not real, meaningful, or lasting. That understanding alone can help a married person to “just say no.” Stolen waters always taste sweet, but it is extremely dangerous. • Keep Dating Regular outings with your spouse help to bring some very definite rewards to your marriage. By dating, you will learn how to talk to each other again. This does not necessarily need to be expensive or done outside the home. • Find a Creative Outlet People are lured into emotional and physical affairs because the infatuation provides an exciting, stimulating place where they are energised. Therefore, to stay affair-proof, you have to find other sources of stimulation

and excitement. For me these days, a weekly mail of my thoughts to my over four hundred staff and watching football matches is that outlet. I usually cannot wait for those activities each week. • Hang Out with Happy Couples If you are hanging out with a bunch of men (or women) that see nothing wrong with sleeping around, you are much more likely to do it yourself. The good news is that the opposite is also true. If you have a set of friends

would live in a silent world. However, it is a good idea to recognise situations that tend to accelerate arguments. • Be Nice and Listen This is the hardest part about marriage Listening. Keeping your mouth shut when the other person is talking. In my conversations with men and women who have had affairs, the number one reason for pursuing the affair was this: “She listened to me. I mattered to him.” Overtime we take each other for granted in our

The pressure on husbands and wives to do it all has never been so high. Even sex with a spouse comes with its own pressure these days.

committed to their marriages, you will be less likely to cheat on your spouse. My wife and I are blessed with such a group. Incidentally, we call ourselves the Happy Family Group. It is made up of six couples with ages ranging from 44 to 53. Once a quarter we gather for an all night vigil in addition to praying for one family each month. In addition, almost every other month we take turns to host the group in a party where we eat, dance, joke and throw jibes at each other all through the night. • Learn How to Fight Wait before saying something ugly, and make sure you were not tired or hungry, or in a stressful situation. I am not saying that you cannot confront your spouse if you are tired, hungry, or stressed, because then we

marriages. We begin to respond even before our partner has finished speaking. We often makes statements like, ‘I know what you are going to say’. As time goes on the hurting partner simply stops to talk, only to find a supposedly harmless “listener” outside. So learn to listen effectively, and be less judgmental. • Take the Pressure Oﬀ From what I read and watch in old movies and if current movies depict our time, the challenges for a spouse were different and easier in those days. The focus was on doing your duty, and fulfilling your role as a husband or wife. These days we are expected to take care of the others in our lives- spouse, children, aging parents, a house, and for women, balance a career with all of these. For men, the expectation is to be “sensitive” has its own pressure. The pressure on husbands and wives to do it all has never been so high. Even sex with a spouse comes with its own pressure these days. How often, what kind of orgasm, and not just the kind, but how many? I bet our mothers just spread their legs, fathers did it and both rolled over and went to sleep. But today we want to know “who goes first” or “did we have equal time?” Please note that some people start affairs to escape from these seemingly endless demands. Mr. Oyawoye is an experienced marriage counsellor and heads Family Forum Ministries in Lagos. He is the author of marriage made in Heaven: How to stay Happily married. He is also the Managing Director of Resource married Intermediary, an outsourcing company based in Victoria Island, Lagos. You can reach him on soji@yahoo.com

the revival with anselm Madubuko Please send comments to anselm_madubuko@yahoo.com

lord, send us true revival

n John 3:8 Jesus said the wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it; but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. In the New Testament wind is used to represent breath or spirit. From Daniel 7:2, we understand that God governs the whole universe with His winds. The winds represent the movement of the Holy Spirit. The Wind or Spirit or Breath of God is what will position somebody or a people strategically to be ready to know where and how to make the next move. This wind brings clarity and with it you have an understanding that comes supernaturally. Two thousand years ago, Satan heard the sound of a mighty rushing wind, and since that wind blew at the Pentecost, pouring forth the Spirit of God, he has never been at peace. All through the history of mankind when the wind of God blows, the Holy Spirit comes with miracles and great revival. It happened at the Great Azusa Revival in 1906; it happened at the Pensacola Revival. God is still God. His wind of revival will still blow over our land. Revival can still happen, and situations can change in a moment from what they are now, if we open our hearts and seek God’s wind of revival. I am personally concerned about true revival in our land. There is no true revival yet in our land because we are not ready to make the sacrifice needed to pull the wind of change. If we have revival in this nation, armed robbers, assassins and evil men will not have the power

to operate. Check out all the places where revival broke out, things were never the same again. People carrying the wind of revival would enter into a factory and everybody fell under the anointing. If they raised their hands to pray before eating in a restaurant revival broke out, the Spirit moved, and healings and deliverances took place. The Bible says of Apostle Peter that when he walked by, his shadow brought healing to the sick. When revival occurs you cannot be late to church and still be walking leisurely. The Bible talks about four types of winds which are significant and symbolic to our lives: The East Wind: In the physical, this wind is called the Euroclydon. It is the most powerful of all the winds. It is the wind that Apostle Paul experienced (in Acts 27). Exodus 14:21, “ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea: and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided.” God uses the east wind to prepare the way for His children. Anytime you are faced with an obstacle and you do not know which way to go, just cry out that God should send you the east wind. The east wind breaks every barrier. Space would not allow me to further explain the spiritual significance of this to our lives as Christians. However, we should understand that the east wind is not just a physical feature of creation; it is a spiritual force from the throne of God. The West Wind: Exodus 10:19. “And the Lord turned a mighty strong west wind, which

took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coast of Egypt.” The west wind is a wind of God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness. When God wants massive repentance, He sends the west wind. When the enemy rises to destroy us, out of mercy God sends the west wind to our rescue. The South Wind: Job 37:17. “How thy garments are warm when He quietheth the earth by the south wind. “ The south wind is a gentle wind. It helps things grow. It is a healing wind. When you want healing revivals, God sends the southern wind. In Psalm 78:28 we see the South wind as a wind of provision. The North Wind: Songs of Solomon 4:16. “Awake O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden; and eat his pleasant fruits.” The northern wind is also a gentle wind that brings growth. We need it in business, ministry, etc. This is a whirlwind that brings revival. The north wind is the wind responsible for the early and the latter rain. Our prayer should be: Lord, send us the wind from the north. This wind comes from the presence of God; and it brings revival and glory. These things are spiritual issues demanding deeper understanding and application. God uses the four winds to bring the real revival. In these coming days, the latter house will experience a combination of the four winds blowing at the same time. A new generation of people is coming. These are people that would have experienced the east, west, south and north wind. Nothing can hinder the spirituality of people who experience these four winds. For this to happen, we really have to be hungry for God. Apostle Madubuko is the General Overseer of Revival Assembly Church in Ogba, Lagos.

When revival occurs you cannot be late to church and still be walking leisurely. 36

singles platform with deola ojo Please send comments to pastordeegfc@yahoo.com

Marital success starts now

akin was an only child; his parents were wealthy enough to give him everything he wanted. He never needed to share his food, toys or clothes with any other sibling; all he ever needed was at his finger tips. He was the happening guy on campus because of his good looks and flashy car. He was the dream of every girl on campus and the envy of all the guys. Tola was swept off her feet when he asked her out in her final year. She was so carried away she did not pay attention to his queer behavior. To start with, if she did not call him, he did not call her. And he never got her gifts but she did not seem to mind as his parents always lavished gifts on her because they treated her like the daughter they never had. But after marriage she discovered that she did not know Makin at all. He wanted them to have separate bedrooms. If she fell asleep in his bed, he would wake her up and order her to go to her room. She could not drive his car under any circumstances and the only time she tried it they had such a serious quarrel afterwards that she decided that it was not worth it. She had three siblings and had grown up sharing everything with them so she could not quite fathom how another human being could be that selfish. Eating out of the same plate was out of the question. She thought that maybe the problem was that he did not have any children, that as soon as they start having children, he would change. But even when the children came Makin was just as selfish and uncaring as before.

The problem with Makin was that he had not learnt to share because he grew up having no one to share with at home. And unfortunately, his parents did not see the need to encourage him to share things with his cousins, so he grew up thinking that the world revolved around him. Sadly, Tola was too infatuated to notice and thus their marriage was in trouble from day one. While many couples wait until they get married before they begin to work towards the success of their marriage, the foundation for marital success is actually laid during courtship. If singles look at their lives right now, they could predict the type of marriage they would ultimately have. The seeds we sow in our single days are harvested when we get married. For instance, single people must not be consumed with the thought of getting married at the expense of personal development. God expects single people to be devoted to Him and put their focus on serving and glorifying Him. This comes from daily devotion and a personal walk with God. It is important that single people really get to know the God they are serving, because they will definitely be calling upon Him after they get married. Getting along with family members is a good practice towards a successful marriage. Every lady should watch a man’s interactions with his mother and sisters before she agrees to marry him. Most ladies tend to feel more secure if the man hates his mother and sisters but it is better for him to be close to his family than for him not to be. The only thing is that he must ensure that the number one affection in his life is his wife. While he should love his

family and treat them kindly, they should not play the role his wife is expected to play. One man was so mean growing up that he never allowed anyone to touch his belongings! He did not ask for other people’s things and he would never give any of his things to any other person. As far as he was concerned this is the way the world should be; you stay in your corner and I stay in mine and as long as you are not disturbing me, we are fine. Then his wife wondered when after they got married he was always holding on to his things-his money, his car, his bedroom, his t-shirts, his time, his space, his computer, his toothpaste, his vacation. A man that does not get along with people around him while he is single will not change after marriage. Another area singles must master before marriage is communication. Many people are not good listeners. We may be good talkers but not very good listeners, but successful marriages have a strong anchor of effective communication. Sometimes we disagree with people when we have not really understood what they are saying because we assume we know what they are going to say. Listening is an art that must be actively pursued. A lot of quarrels can be avoided between couples if only they would listen to one another more often. Knowledge acquisition during your single days is very important. Marriage is an institution that is meant to last a lifetime and it is important to invest in it wisely. Some people are planning to get married but have never read any book on marriage and they just somehow assume that their marriage will work. If you do not seek knowledge before you get married, your marriage may be in danger. The only truth that sets free is the one you know personally and can apply to your life. Pastor Deola Ojo is co-pastor of Grace Family Church in Oregun, Lagos. She is the author of several books including the popular “Give Me a Spouse or I Die.” She can be reached at pastordeegfc@yahoo.com

Marriage is an institution that is meant to last a lifetime and it is important to invest in it wisely. 38

Sunday (Celebration Service) 9 a.m. – 12 noon Tuesday (Bible Study) 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday (Prayer Storm & Healing Service) 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Bethel Worship Centre For All Nations (Wonder City) Lagos-Epe Expressway, After VGC, Ajah, Lagos State, Nigeria +234 (1) 897 9785, 897 9819, 804 4899 info@bethelministriesinc.org www.bethelministriesinc.org Rev. Roselyn Oduyemi President & General Overseer Raising Chosen Champions, Discipling Nations

faith@work with imo abasi-jacob Please send comments to imoabasi@yahoo.com

the search for Business etiquette

here is the rise of a culture of rudeness in corporate Nigeria and workplaces, a reflection of the decay in the larger society. The image of today’s top executive is that of brashness, swaggering and impoliteness in their relationship with business associates, employees and customers. They pay lip service though to gimmicks like customer relationship management and human resources management. This behavioural pattern is unfortunately passed down the command chain. Young people joining these organisations have no one to groom them on acceptable business manners. If you take the banking industry for an example, the typical banker is cocky, rude [except when she is looking for deposits] and ill mannered when it comes to relating with others. Where did all the good manners go? It is the failure of the family and other reformatory agencies such as religious organisations that breed ill manners in the corporate world. If a worker is from a dysfunctional home or part time parents, how do you expect him/her to know how to respect others, greet others properly and honour commitments? In addition to this, moral education is no longer taught in schools and Civics no longer features on schools’ curriculum. The direct consequence of these is the rise of improper mannerism in the workplaces. Corporate organisations are yet to embrace business etiquette in their induction programmes for new employees. We, therefore, urgently need a detour to business etiquette to

avoid the collapse of Corporate Nigeria. Proper behaviour is the foundation of any society and the institutions that support it. Business etiquette is a set of rules that allows us to communicate and interact in a civilised manner. Etiquette was originally a French word, meaning ceremonial rules of conduct for the royal court of France. It was adopted as an English word in 1750, according to Readers Digest: Family Word Finder. Since then, the business world has adopted etiquette to guide its workforce on acceptable conduct as they interact with the larger society. It is because business people have found out that good manners mean good business. Etiquette pays because it increases the quality of life and morale, productivity, profitability and corporate image. Therefore, to be successful in business you need to know the rules on mannerism. The cost of an etiquette deficit by a staff can be the termination of a transaction and embarrassment to management. A wrong telephone manner, improper dress and business dinning etiquette can send wrong signals to counterparties as inappropriate behaviour for an ensuing transaction. That is why it is necessary for corporate Nigeria to teach their staff business etiquette. The etiquette advantage is that a person with good etiquette is most likely to rise above competitors. Check the history books: badly behaved entrepreneurs or workers don’t last long. The saying is true that employees are hired because of competence and fired for bad behaviour. Skills can take a person to the top but it is character that can sustain him

at the top. Pierpont Morgan, the founder of JP Morgan, an investment bank, was quoted by his biographer to have held the belief that “the first thing is character… before money or anything else.” What do we find in Nigeria? Money, money and money before character! The reverse is the case in civilised societies. George Washington wrote a list of 110 good manners to follow, one of which was, “…bedew no man’s face with your spittle by approaching so near when you speak”. Former US President Teddy Roosevelt during his tenure tested one of his ranch employees by asking him to steal from a neighbouring ranch. The man agreed to do so and Roosevelt fired him immediately because “a man who steals for me will soon steal from me.” He knew the first dishonest step would likely lead to many more in the same direction. It is in this context that one finds disgusting the ongoing controversy and counter accusations between the Dangote Group and AP, the demarketing of competitors by bankers and nude culture among female bankers. It all borders on improper business conduct. If the Dangote Group, AP and Zenon represent the cream of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial class then we need to rewrite the rules. What can the leaders of these institutions teach their workforce on business etiquette? The search for business etiquette ends with the Christian faith for scripture aptly says in Proverbs 12:20 that “the righteous is more excellent than his neighbours….” There is the opportunity for Christians in the workplaces to export good manners to their employers and colleagues. Someday soon, in an increasingly competitive world, the person who has an impeccable etiquette will be the one who makes the deal or gets the big promotion. Imo Abasi-Jacob is President of Haggai Business School in Surulere, Lagos. He also serves as a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Corporate organisations are yet to embrace business etiquette in their induction programmes for new employees. 40

winninG in life

what to do when you don’t know what to do Are you at a point in life where you feel like giving up on everything? Are you at a point where it seems you have reached the end of the road in life? What do I do now that I don’t know what to do anymore? By yinkA oJo

o matter who we are, from time to time, we get to a point in life when we simply don’t know what to do. We all wish life could be rosy and nice all the way; each of us has this idealistic hope of life. But the reality is that it is just an ideal. The story of an anonymous lady in Mark chapter 5:24-34. This lady had an issue of blood, an incurable disease which could be likened to cervical cancer or any other terminal disease. This was not just a mere headache that a pill of Panadol would deal with summarily. God’s word says that she had suffered! She had undergone and was still passing through so much pain by the time she met Jesus. She had experienced unpleasant and unsavourable things in the hands of fellow human beings, some of whom might have simply decided to exploit her vulnerability, and take advantage of her desperation for healing. She had even become financially broke as a result. 42

Have you ever visited an accident and emergency ward of a hospital recently? If you do, you would begin to appreciate a bit of the physical suffering this woman went through. Maybe you are not suffering from sickness and disease; perhaps you are suffering from financial insufficiency, you cannot pay your children’s school fees or put decent clothes on their backs. Maybe you have been given a ‘quit-notice’ by your landlord and have been evicted from your residential abode. These are real sufferings. Another form of suffering which is less apparent, but definitely real is emotional suffering. Due to its internal nature, it is so easy to disguise and difficult to shake off. Too many people, even good church-going

winninG in life

folks, mask their hurts, fears and torment as they come to church week in, week out all year long. But if we are sincere, you and I know that the ‘Sunday best’ attire we adorn ourselves with does not ease the inner suffering of an abusive spouse, a delayed miracle or the gnawing guilt of a secret sin! Back to the woman with the issue of blood: her relatives could not help her. She lived in ancient Israel, which had a culture that emphasised the extended family structure. As well meaning as they might have been, none of her parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, nephews, nieces, nor in-laws could help her out of her predicament. How distressing! Please understand that as wellmeaning as man may be, there are some times they may want to help but their best is not just good enough. She turned all her attention to medical solutions. Her condition, we are told, rather grew worse. Man’s knowledge is limited. There is nothing wrong in seeking the best medical attention available, especially when you can afford it. But what if this does not work? What do you do? Some people erroneously say “money answers all things.” But that is taking Ecclessiates 10:19 out of context. Money does not answer all things in life. Money only answers all things as far as throwing a party (wining and dining) is concerned! This woman had money, but her money could not help her. In fact, she ended up exhausting her money yet she was growing from bad to worse. On the fateful day of her miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ, many people thronged and followed Him, but interestingly she was the only one who received a miracle. Does that remind you of how many people attend churches, crusades, vigils and other similar gatherings, yet leave unchanged? Multitudes cry to God in prayers, however only few indeed GET a genuine miracle from God. Why? Think about it; this woman with the issue of blood couldn’t have been the only one who needed a divine touch that day. The point to note is that the fact that you have a need is not enough reason to qualify you for

a miracle. Friend, the fact that you are at a point where you don’t know what to do, is not enough. You must do the right things at the right time. This woman did the right things, and she experienced a turnaround. She actually did four things, which if you do too, Jesus will visit you and transform your life and situation. Are you ready to learn what she did? Here we go: • She heArd She heard about Jesus. She must have heard that people were getting healed at Jesus’ meetings. She probably had people recount to her the testimonies of blind Bartimaus, how the man paralysed for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda was healed, and how He even raised the widow of Nain’s son back from the dead! Then to top it off, he raised Lazarus from the dead after being in the grave for four days. Our hearts are powerful keys to miracles. Faith comes by hearing (Rom 10:17).What you hear, positive or negative, determines how you act or react. So, if you want things to change, put yourself in an atmosphere where you hear inspiring, motivating messages. That is the first thing TO DO when you don’t know what to do. • She SAid She began to say what she expected to experience. She did not keep quiet anymore.

and not die.” The more you say such words, the more your life moves in the direction of Jesus, the solution to life’s problems, spiritual, physical and financial. • She CAme This woman did something. She refused to sit still in her predicament. She made a move. The easiest tendency when facing a crisis is to allow the despondency of the moment to overwhelm you. Refuse to be paralysed by thoughts of fear or futility. She came in the press. The crowd was massive; it was not easy to reach Jesus, but ‘nothing good comes easy’ she must have thought. She was determined to overcome all obstacles and barriers strewn along her path. Are you that determined? Determination is the key to actualisation. • She TouChed This woman finally got to the presence of Jesus and made connection with the power flow. God’s power was constantly flowing in Jesus, waiting for someone who will touch and tap from this endless flow. She was the only one who made the connection of faith that day. Though Jesus Christ of Nazareth is not here on earth physically, but His power is still here by the presence of His Holy Spirit. Wherever you are right now, God’s power can flow to change whatever situation you are grappling with if you believe. So, when

The fact that you are at a point where you don’t know what to do is not enough. You must do the right things at the right time.

And observe that she said these things before she physically experienced the change. A sure sign that you are truly trusting God is that you will begin to say in advance the end you desire, even before it happens. Until Abraham imitated God by calling things which be not (i.e the fact that he will be a father of many nations) as though they were, he did not receive baby Isaac (Rom 4:17). Begin to say: “things are going to change,” “my life will get better,” “this too shall pass,” “I will overcome this challenge,” “help is on the way,” “I will live L i f e W a y

you don’t know what to do, God’s word encourages you do these things and you will experience God’s miracles: HEAR, SAY, COME, TOUCH. Why don’t you put this magazine down right now and reach out for Jesus by praying and connecting with Him by faith. I have no doubt that you will soon testify of your transformation like this woman did. Rev. Yinka Ojo is the Senior Pastor of Grace Family Church in Alausa, Lagos. You can reach him on yinkadeolaojo@ yahoo.com

Ministers' Manna

Every Wind of

Doctrine With so many ‘prophetic revelations’ sweeping through the church, it is important that we sharpen our discernment and be well acquainted with the foundational truths of the gospel.. By tunDe BoLAntA And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. -Leviticus 7:1-3 1

he above passage is a graphic reminder that God does not compromise His standards; He does not conform to man’s wishes and is not a respecter of persons. Although Nadab and Abihu were priests and sons of Aaron the High priest God did not spare them. The mercy of God in the new covenant has been the saving grace because strange fires are not uncommon, and in some places they have replaced real worship. The word of God and true worship are substituted for anything that draws the crowd and produces quick gain. Strange fires cause the real presence of God to disappear, opening doors to familiar spirits to hold sway. In the body of Christ, we have increasing cases of ministers who come up with ‘prophetic revelations’ that have no Biblical precedence or New Testament basis but have results to back up their claim. The word of God has been

given to us as a denominator and an x-ray machine to help us decipher what is God, man and demonic. More worrying is the fact that many of the revelations and attendant practices are very similar to occultic practices L

in traditional religions, but the desperation and desire of people to get quick answers have made many not to ask questions. The fact that one experiences a miracle is no guarantee that the manifestation is from God. It all depends on the channel you are tuned in to. There is no telling what information will pour into your home if you were tuned to a station you don’t like because of a wrong decoder or mistakenly tuning to a wrong channel or frequency. Toward the end of the First Century, and into the middle of the Second Century, when the apostles were gone, Paul’s prediction began to be fulfilled. “Grievous wolves” entered in among the flock. Church history reveals that the strong teachings of the apostles had almost been entirely replaced. Gnostic messages, ecclesiastical structures, orthodoxy unrelated to scripture and apostolic pattern, legalism and other such things, had usurped the place of the word. It wasn’t long after these changes began to be accepted and practiced (circa. A.D. 260) that the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit ceased to function in the church. The strong presence of the Spirit was attached to the strong teaching of the word. When the word was gone, the Spirit’s power was gone too. This departure from “the faith” in pursuit of greater spiritual experiences eventually robbed them of the very thing that they were seeking: God’s power. With the teaching of the word gone, the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit disappeared

Ministers' Manna

and spiritual darkness began to fill the church. Soon after this, the world was ushered into that horribly dark chapter in history which we call “The Dark Ages.” From time to time after this, there would be occasional revivals of supernatural power. And each time this occurred, it happened during a period when the word of God was being reemphasised which brought the gifts and power of the Spirit back into the church. Therefore, if we want power, we must learn a lesson from history and stick to the word. The word and power are inseparable. hoLy SpiriT in A BoTTLe Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send HIM unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. John 16:7,8

The teaching that the Holy Spirit is in the anointing oil bottle carried by some Christians has no basis in the word of God. The Holy Spirit is likened to oil but He is not oil, in fact, He is a person. The Holy Spirit is likened to a dove but He is not a dove, the Holy Spirit is likened to wind but He is not wind. One of the challenges the reformers like Martin Luther had was to correct the teaching that when you took the Holy Communion you are actually eating the body and drinking the blood of Jesus. This is similar to what is taught that the representation of a thing in the scripture turns into the real thing. If it was really possible to bottle the Holy Spirit then everyone will like to take their bottles everywhere. For those who hold this teachings the bottle of oil is always handy to solve problems. Jesus said the Spirit will dwell in the believer. He did not teach that we would carry Him around in a bottle. drinking AnoinTing oiL Oil is symbolically a type of the Spirit in the Bible. There are some scriptural New and Old Testament uses of oil. Oil is used for anointing people into offices or ministry (Ex. 30:31; Ex. 37:39) and to anoint the sick (James 5:1416). Some ask believers to drink olive oil for their prosperity and anoint everything with oil. People have been known to anoint guns, cutlasses and machetes with oil to fight

their enemies. To teach that God has put the Holy Spirit in a bottle is heretical. How can the creation of God bottle the creator of the universe? This thinking creates the impression that you can use the Holy Spirit like you would your favourite medication or utensil. He becomes a one size-fits-all solution. It is the word of God in the human spirit that produces HEALING, MIRACLES, PROTECTION and PROSPERITY. Olive oil cannot mix with your human spirit; it is clay on clay. The Bible says the elders praying for the sick should anoint them with oil but it is the prayer of faith that saves the sick, not the oil. The oil in this instance would be a point of contact, symbolic of the Holy Spirit as the believer releases faith in God’s word. Some people would not leave their homes without anointing themselves and their children. Some would only enter their cars when it has been anointed. When in a hotel, they would anoint the walls to ward off evil, while some go as far as putting anointing oil in the food they eat. It has become a talisman. In the new covenant, the believer has someone more powerful than oil; He is the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead and no demonic power could stop the resurrection. Therefore, the word in your heart and mouth and the ever present power of the Holy Spirit will bring changes. If the Lord in a situation had given someone

were many widows in the days of Elijah but He was only sent to the widow of Zarephath. Similarly there were many lepers but Elisha healed Naaman. He is simply saying the word to one is not the word to all. If you jumped into the Jordan because Naaman did without God saying that to you specifically you will only get wet. In fact, Naaman did not like that specific word to him because he found it humiliating. God used that method to free him of spiritual leprosy which manifested as pride, which goes to show that God may have His reasons for giving somebody a specific word. We must not clone miracles; let God be God. If God asked you to drink oil in a specific situation the whole church does not need to have an oil drinking service. The redemption that Christ has purchased has provided all the blessings of forgiveness, healing and health, deliverance from danger, abundance and the salvation of lost ones. Our redemption has already happened and as believers spend time in the word there will be manifestations. The challenge comes when there are delays. Instead of running around for quick fixes, the church must learn to fight the fight of faith. When the gifts are in operation there may be specific words to individuals and things happen quickly. God has sent me to people with prophetic words, told them to do specific things that brought them into great

Should you receive a prophetic direction to use oil or any other thing as a point of contact, it is unscriptural to teach it as a doctrine to all. A prophetic word to you cannot be a word to all. a specific word to use anointing oil in a special way, this cannot be taught as a doctrine. Should you receive a prophetic direction to use oil or any other thing as a point of contact, it is unscriptural to teach it as a doctrine to all. A prophetic word to you cannot be a word to all. The word of knowledge is given to one not to all. Jesus told His disciples to go and get tax money from the mouth of a fish. This does not mean that any time we need money, we should all go fishing. Jesus put mud on a man’s eye and he was healed. Does this mean we should use mud for healing the sick? A personal word cannot become doctrine and supersede the written word. Jesus said there L

abundance, but I could not take that same word and give it to another person. Time and time again, I have told people within they will finish a building project within a certain time frame and supernaturally it happened. I remember a woman whose children, a set of twins, were abducted by a neighbour at age three. As I prayed for her, the Lord gave a word and the children were returned by the woman who abducted them exactly fourteen years as prophesied. Only God can do something like that but it would be dangerous and criminal to take that same word and give another person in a similar situation. redempTion of firST BornS

every wind of doctrine

This doctrine finds its root in the Old Testament which is a type and shadow of the New Testament. God gave Israel many laws to signify their commitment to Him, and also show them their need for redemption. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. Exodus 13:13 But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem and none shall appear before me empty. Exodus 13:20 Everything that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beast, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem. Numbers 18:15 In the Old Testament, they were commanded to redeem their first born with an offering. Today, some ask believers to pay money to redeem their first born children and themselves if they are firstborns. It is shocking because Jesus is the first born from the dead and we have our redemption in Him. In the family of God your spiritual heritage supersedes your natural heritage. That is why you have no genealogies in the New Testament; after Jesus we are all new creations in the family of God. What Jesus purchased for us as the first born of the new creation cannot be purchased with money or any material. For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. rom 8:29 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Col 1:15 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Col 1:18

The teaching and practice on redemption of firstborn are based on the thinking that some first-borns are not doing well in their lives, that they are not prosperous because they have not

been redeemed through offerings and prayers. All believers needed redemption not only firstborns. Christ redeemed all of us from the curse of the law and in our spiritual family Jesus is the first born. He is seated at the right Hand of God and we are in Him. If certain negative things become recurring decimals in our lives, we should seek the Lord in prayer, ask others to pray with us but redemption can never be bought with cash. It is a shame that this is even suggested because it cost God the life of Jesus to redeem us. Any time you pay for something that Jesus paid for on the cross you are no longer walking by grace but by works. It amounts to making merchandise of what Jesus gave freely. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by training from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19 18

Holy Water and Sodas There seems to be an attempt to mix Christianity with cultic practices. This has happened because the church has focused on experiences, quick answers and not the word of God. She has focused on element and fetishes. The sad thing today is that there is no obvious difference between some churches

cultic practices are carried out in the church, the same spirits operating in those cults come into the church. Once the word is removed there is no light. A cult may run as a church because all that some churches focus on are the same elements used by cults and not the word of God. If something has no New Testament, Biblical basis, we must leave it alone. It must not become a doctrine, a way of life for us. We may get results but we open ourselves to evil spirits. It appears that the enemy is determined to make a mockery of the church. That is why the true believer must rise up and stay on the straight and narrow way. In some cultic religions, elements like water, sodas such as coca-cola, oil, salt, sand, white cloths, honey, are all elements used for prayers. These things are beginning to play central roles in Christians worship. When a pastor asks each member to bring a bottle of coca-cola or sand from their homes, leaves and branches and hair combs to be prayed on to receive special miracles, he is treading on dangerous grounds. It is true that God may occasionally give a prophetic direction to a pastor such as in the ministry of Jesus when he told a man to go and wash in the pool of Siloam after he put mud in his eyes. But if you study the ministry of Jesus he was not going about applying mud to faces. He was teaching, preaching and healing. He put

When a pastor asks each member to bring a bottle of coca-cola or sand from their homes, leaves and branches and hair combs to be prayed on to receive special miracles, he is treading on dangerous grounds. and herbalists. It is now possible for cults to operate mainstream because the emphasis is on wonders not changed lives; Christ-likeness is not the purpose. I remember a lady who came for prayer several years ago at our church. After praying with her that the Lord would grant her favour in a case she had in court, she asked us to give her something to hold on to in court. We replied that she should meditate and speak the scriptures we had given her. She insisted we should give her some physical material such as oil, handkerchief, and thread. Her faith was obviously not in the word of God but elements: she wanted a talisman. When L

the word first. This was not a daily occurrence. He did not have weekly mud washing services, sand blessing services, coca-cola drinking services for healing, mantle waving service, anointing oil drinking service, washing of feet services, getting money from the fishes mouth services, losing the colts services and all the other special manifestations. There is an attempt to blur the lines between true faith and cultism until people cannot know the difference. Familiar spirits are holding sway in many churches because the word of God is not the priority. Pastors should not operate like herbalists who distribute fetishes. Our goal is to minister the word, teach believers how to

Every wind of doctrine

stand on the word, have a personal relationship with Jesus, and experience their own victories. Sorting Out A sister in Christ was about to get married and one of the conditions given her was that she needed to be sorted out. This means she needed to go for an extended session where she would give all her life history, filling out a long questionnaire about all her problems, mistakes and sins. Those who do this say believers need to go through these sessions to be freed of every problem in their lives. This believer has to keep returning for check up from time to time as you would a doctor. Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenges are usually attributed to something for which the believer needs prayer of deliverance. The goal of ministry to the oppressed is to feed them the word after prayer so they can learn to stand on their own when the enemy raises his head. To keep believers returning to a particular spot for check up is to keep them tied to that place and control their lives. The focus on sins covered in the blood can cause the believer to come into condemnation. We must not be afraid to deal with things in the past but there is nothing a human being can do about spilt milk in his past. If God has blotted out your sins and does not remember them, why do you want to dig them up week after week (Isaiah 43:25, 1 John 1:9)? Why do you need to answer hundreds of questions in order to determine what type of prayer you need? It bothers on psychology and guess work. The Holy Spirit through the gifts of the spirit can reveal root causes of problems that a lengthy questionnaire about details of life may not show. There may be need to deal with things in your past but building your life around the past will rob you of your future. I have seen people who have had a very dark past get into the word, receive prayer, and follow a disciplined lifestyle and are totally changed. Some of the things called demonic are works of the flesh according to Galatians 5:19. Prayer can never take the place of your decision to put your flesh under. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatory, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,

and such like: of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:18,19.

Jesus also said in this world we shall have tribulation; this is not our home. You cannot with one sorting out remove all the challenges of life. The answer is to live close to Jesus and learn to stand on the word. To tie everything to something in the past keeps you digging for sins under the blood of Jesus. The tendency will be to return to issues and blame the past for the present. It is possible that some challenges may have roots in your history; if you need prayer with this you must not also become addicted to prayer for deliverance returning ever so often for the same process. I learnt the value of standing on the word quite early as a spirit-filled believer. As a young believer, I had some oppression during the night as I slept. All I did was to find scriptures that had to do with my authority in Christ. I meditated on them daily and prayed. All fears were gone, and when the attack came I was able to rebuke it and that was it. I have never had that sort of oppression since then and I do not have any fear of such oppression. Imagine how much time people spend with the devil compared to how much time people spend in the word. Satan wants to keep people

you concerning all these words.

Exodus 24:8

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. hebrews 12:24.

The communion table is an ordinance of the church that Jesus established; we cannot change it. Jesus commanded us to eat the bread and drink of the cup; He did not command us to sprinkle. Paul in the epistle said the same thing Jesus said. The revelation Paul had of the communion is the same as the one the apostles received. When Jesus appeared to Paul He did not give him a new ordinance neither can we. Hebrews 9:19-28 show us that Jesus actually went into heaven and sprinkled His blood over the altar as the final sacrifice. No case can arise against the believer in heaven because Jesus already sprinkled the blood there and His sacrifice was accepted. The communion table is therefore a place where we come into agreement with God for all the things Jesus has done for our redemption. It is a place of celebration of His death and resurrection. A place of appreciation and appropriating what He has done. The Old Testament priest sprinkled the blood on the earthly altar to make peace and entered the presence of God for the people; Jesus did it once and for all as a result of which we now have eternal peace

Some of the things called demonic are works of the flesh according to Galatians 5:19. Prayer can never take the place of your decision to put your flesh under. busy on the wrong things, spending time unwisely. A day is coming when Satan will be sent to the lake of fire. Until that time he has a right to be around. Some waste useful time in tormenting the devil. And Satan will definitely give people some weird manifestations which may convince them that they are on track; people are hungry for the supernatural but are not discerning enough. Continuous focus on the devil makes people more devil conscious than word conscious. Blood of Sprinkling And Moses took the blood, and sprinkle it on the people, and said Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with

with God. No pastor can sprinkle the blood on the altars of heaven for you. There is only one High priest; His name is Jesus. It is true that the Old Testament records people being sprinkled in Lev. 14:7, and Lev. 16:14. However, we must remember that God worked with the Old Testament saints from the outside to the inside because they were not saved. God couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live in them; in fact, Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence dwelt in the tabernacle. In the New Testament, Jesus lives in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Feet Washing Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was

every wind of doctrine

come from God, and went to God; 4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded JOHN 13:3-5

The incident of washing of feet is recorded once in the ministry of Jesus. He washed the disciples’ feet to teach them humility. In Old Testament times, where people had to walk through muddy roads filled with animal waste, such menial jobs were normally reserved for servants in a household when visitors arrived. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as a symbol of humility and to show them an example of how they ought to serve one another. (John 13:5-14). There are other examples of washing found in the Old Testament (Lev. 6:27, Lev. 14:9, Lev. 15:16, Ex. 29:4, Deut. 21:6, Gen. 18:4, Gen. 24:32, Gen. 43:24). Old Testament people were not capable of spirit-led righteous living. Therefore, the Lord allowed them outside holiness rather than inward holiness. As a result, there were so many ceremonial washings. Before the scribes wrote the name of God they even took a ritual bath as a sign of reverence to the Lord. In the New Testament we are cleansed by the washing of water by the word (Eph 5:26). The reason given by some to wash feet is to make the people holy, so that their feet do not slip into evil places. What has happened to the blood of Jesus? (1 Jn 1:9) Without the word working in a man’s heart, he could bathe in the ocean and still live unholy. Some use it as a key to success and prosperity. Financial prospering comes by consistent and diligent walk with God, and the laws that govern prosperity in the Bible. A symbolic washing of feet does not translate to abundance. If one has received a prophetic word in this direction and had results by washing of feet, this should not be made into a New Testament doctrine where breakthroughs come through washing the feet. There is no New Testament basis for washing people’s feet to become wealthy. Extreme Discipleship The command to go and make disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 is a command from the

Lord Jesus Christ. Discipleship is central to the growth of the believer; it ensures that the crowd becomes an army, and the converts become believers. To be a disciple is to be a disciplined follower; it is the art of mentoring a younger believer to become a real follower. He learns by precept and example during the period of training under a leader/mentor. The challenge comes when this degenerates to control of every area of the mentoree’s life. When the new believer cannot make any personal decisions and has to depend on the mentor for the intimate decisions of his marriage, and he is duty bound to obey the mentor even when it violates his/her conscience, it becomes an abuse. When a discipleship leader has all his followers tied to him for the most basic decisions of life, he is not training them to be fruitful. Praying in your Pastor’s Name …Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name, he will give it to you John 16:23

The reason we pray in the name of Jesus is because we can only approach God through the shed blood, and all we ask is based on the completed work of Jesus on the cross. The name of Jesus gives us immediate access to the father. It is the stamp and seal on the prayer. God hears us because He loves us, but the name of Jesus

God of Paul or Peter. Even when Jesus taught the disciples to pray, he prayed “Our Father.” His goal was to let them see that they could also know Him as Father. This attempt to deify pastors is satanic because Jesus always pointed the disciples to the father. No pastor can pray in his name; demons will not be bound in any other name than the name of Jesus. There are bogus testimonies such as ‘when I called on the God of my pastor the miracle happened’. This only reveals the depth of deception. God may honour a baby Christian who does not know any better. However, to use this as a basis to express a pastor’s spirituality is naïve and misleading. First Fruits Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, when ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest Lev 23:10 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept I Cor 15:20

The festival of first fruit is a prophetic foreshadowing of the resurrection of Jesus and his life; it also signifies that we who believe in Him shall be resurrected. As Israel brought the firstfruit of their harvest (they planted seeds which died and resurrected), it was a type of

This attempt to deify pastors is satanic because Jesus always pointed the disciples to the father. No pastor can pray in his name; demons will not be bound in any other name than the name of Jesus. is the signature that is authentic to guarantee answered prayer. If you went into a bank and presented a cheque signed by a famous pastor who is not a signatory to the account, the bank may know him but your cheque will be turned down because his signature is not recognised on that account. It is the same thing when you pray in your pastor’s name. Your pastor may have a call and an anointing for his assignment, but he does not have a better understanding with God than you have. Some have said that it is honouring the faith of their leader when they ask the God of their pastor to perform a miracle for them. As great as Paul was, we never read that prayed to the L

the death and resurrection of Christ. God inaugurated the festival of first fruit to point Israel to the cross. It is important to note that everything in the Old Testament pointed to the cross and often revealed the people’s need for redemption. The Lord Jesus is actually the first fruit of resurrection and He is seated in heaven with a glorified body. God has promised a physical resurrection of all believers in Christ. Taken from the book, Discerning Ditches In The Last Days. Used with permission of the author. Rev. Bolanta is the General Overseer of Shekinah Restoration Bible Church and Ministries in Kaduna, Nigeria. You can reach him on minister@restoration-tbmi.org

last word with yinka jackson Please send comments to yinka@lifewaymag.com

lessons from abigail

hese are perilous times. With the unprecedented rise in natural disasters all over the world, the Middle East crisis, the global economic crunch, the failure of global bodies and institutions, and the upsurge in the legalisation of gay marriages in the USA, we are seeing some of the prophecies pronounced by Jesus Christ unfolding before our eyes. The prophetic clock is ticking. How do we as women and mothers respond to the challenges of the end time that we are living in? This was the subject of discussion at the High Impact Women’s Congress, an annual interdenominational outreach of Divine Heritage Gospel Ministries, which was recently convened in Victoria Island, Lagos. Conference convener, Rev. (Mrs.) Anuli Ausbeth –Ajagu, gave a prophetic insight on the strategic role women can, and should, play to preserve and pass on the legacy of godly heritage to our children and the society. Drawing her message from the story of Nabal and Abigail in the book of 2 Samuel 25 (please read v 2-39), she drew a parallel between the contemporary world and foolish Nabal. Nabal thought he was in control until he incurred the wrath of King David who swore to totally annihilate everything that pertained to him. But for the timely intervention of Abigail that generation would have been wiped out including the good and gracious Abigail. Rev. (Mrs) Ausbeth-Ajagu made some observations about Abigail that

we would do well to heed in our own time if we are to save our generation in these perilous times. 1. Shun the victim mentality; Just imagine the horror of Abigail’s life! The Bible described her husband as a wicked, evil, hard headed, harsh man. You need not stretch your imagination to know the kind of abuse and harshness she endured but she refused to let that condition describe her. Of her the Bible has this to say,”...a woman of good character and beautiful appearance. Her troubles were not written on her forehead” neither was she influenced negatively. 2. Become an intercessor; when Abigail heard of her husband’s foolish action she promptly decided to intervene and mediate. She loaded donkeys with assorted gifts of food, fruits and wine and made haste to meet David and intercede. She stood in the gap for her pig headed husband. Can we as women take upon ourselves the burden of the family, church, and nation and pray fervently for God’s mercy to triumph over judgment? 3. Get the king’s attention. Abigail knew how to get the kings attention. Verses 23-24 says “Now when Abigail saw David, she dismounted quickly from the donkey and fell on her face before David and bowed down to the ground; v.24, so she fell at his feet and said ‘on me my lord on me let this iniquity be!; and please let your maidservant speak in your ears and hear the words of your maidservant.’ What a speech! How far are we prepared to go to get the King’s intervention? Can we humbly fall on our face, bow

to the ground and stay at His feet in prayers, intercession, fasting and vigils just to get our Lord’s attention? 4. Understand the importance of discretion and timeliness. Abigail understood this secret. As soon as she heard of her husband’s foolish action, she made haste to go and intercede. She did not tell her husband. Destruction was at the door and something had to be done quickly to prevent this looming disaster, and she did what she had to do discreetly. Why? Any attempt to discuss with her drunken, harsh, wicked husband would have meant delay and delay would have meant destruction. Not that she planned to hide what she did but she understood the principle of timing. There is a time to speak and a time to refrain from speaking (Eccl 3:7b). Where the destiny of our family/ nation is concerned, timeliness and discretion are needed. 5. Be a listener. Abigail took counsel from a mere servant! “Know and consider what you will do for harm is determined against our master and against his entire household, for he is such a scoundrel that one cannot speak to him” (Verse 17). How many of us women are humble enough to listen to or regard the helps/servants in our household? What if Abigail had taken on the character of her husband as some of us are prone to do? Your guess is as good as mine. 6. Have Spiritual discernment. Abigail had rightly discerned David as the future king even though he was a fugitive at the time. By her counsel she saved the king from sinning against God. Spiritual discernment is still our best compass for navigation in these end times. 7. Reward is certain. Abigail’s virtues paid off. God judged her wicked husband with death and made her the wife of King David. God will eventually judge Satan’s evil reign on earth. Meanwhile, let the daughters of Zion rise up and take their places in destiny. Selah!

How do we as women and mothers respond to the challenges of the end time that we are living in? 50

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