THE PASSING STORM AND THE COMING KING

I do not know why many are surprised at the decadent turn the world has taken. The present world has a time span. It must surely give way to Christ’s coming Kingdom (Matt 24:14). The Holy Scriptures aptly described all the events we see today and what Christ’s true disciple should do. (Matt. 24) ISIL, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab, Ebola, occult, homo sexuality, persecutions, hatred for the faith, divorce and many dark inventions of satan are all sufficiently covered in Scriptures. It should not shift our gaze if we are conversant with the Scripture which is the ONLY source of true strength in the earth today and forever. Please read the Bible yourself and not just listening to preaching. READ!! READ!! READ!!

This is not the time to sigh and despair but to find solace and strength in God’s unchangeable word (Acts 20:32). As the negative events get closer to us than ever, we must realize that these vortex of darkness also creates an opportunity for the seeking disciples to experience Christ birthing and development within (Gal. 4:19). Christ is coming in the inward man. If He does not come IN US, He cannot come FOR US. The dark events can be mentally draining, energy sapping and sin birthing if we over dwell on them. It can alter our personality and disfigure us spiritually. They may become caging abode. This time of global darkness (Isa. 60:1-2) also present an opportunity for Christ light to shine brightly. Where do we set our attention, the PHYSICAL events of palpable darkness or the hidden light in the SPIRIT? (Col. 3:1-2)

SOWING AND REAPING – Part 1

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7,8)

The Sowing and Reaping essays that follow are dedicated to the millions of believers in Christ who are seeking to live a righteous life even though the theology of their church, and the footnotes of their edited Bible, assure them that they are saved by "grace" and therefore righteous behavior, while always desirable, is not an absolutely necessary part of their salvation.

When the writer in his preaching and writing emphasizes godly behavior, people sometimes respond by stating that a more balanced presentation of the Good News should be given. This is to say, it is necessary to stress that we are to live righteously, but we must balance this stress by pointing out the grace and mercy of God.

While Gospel preaching and teaching must be balanced if it is to produce good fruit, a problem arises when we attempt to "balance" our emphasis on righteous behavior with the reminder that God's love, mercy, and "grace" are part of the Gospel message.

Gospel Preaching Must Be Balanced

The goal of Gospel preaching is to produce men and women, boys and girls, who place their trust in the Lord Jesus. First they must trust the Lord for their salvation, their preservation in the day of God's wrath. Second they must learn to look to the Lord Jesus for every aspect of their life on the earth. Learning to obey the Lord and to depend completely on Him, which is another way of saying learning to live by faith, is as much a part of the program of salvation as is preservation in the Day of Wrath.

Sound, balanced Gospel teaching and preaching produces disciples, that is, people who lay down their own life, take up their cross, and follow the Lord Jesus wherever He leads them.
Teachers and preachers are to feed God's sheep by taking portions of the Scriptures, explaining them and applying them to the decisions and problems of daily life. Perhaps we do not see enough of this kind of preaching in these days.

But let us think for a moment about balance and the principle of balance in Christian teaching and preaching. If the minister of the Gospel is emphasizing living the victorious Christian life he must balance this emphasis by teaching the believers how to rest in the Lord's strength and wisdom. If the minister is emphasizing resting in the Lord's strength and wisdom, then he must balance this by stressing the importance of doing all in our power to obey the instructions of the Apostles and to keep on pressing forward in the Lord.

If the preacher overemphasizes pressing forward in the Lord, some of the believers will become discouraged because of their slow progress. If resting in the Lord's finished work of redemption is overemphasized, as it is today on such a large scale, then the believers do not grow in the Lord.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

The Scripture teaches that whoever will choose to do so may come to the Lord, and if he does so the Lord will receive him. The statement is made that God is willing that all should come to repentance and be saved.

The Scripture teaches also we do not choose the Lord, He chooses us.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)

Many passages throughout the Scripture exhort people to seek the Lord, promising them that He will be found of them. In addition, there is clear teaching that salvation is of the Lord and He draws to Himself whom He will.

To emphasize one of these two truths at the expense of the other is to give a distorted picture of the Divine salvation. We are free to choose to join ourselves to the Lord. But behind the decisions of people the Spirit of the Lord is operating the will of God.
The Apostles were commanded to go into all the world and make disciples from every nation. The Lord also commanded Peter to feed His sheep.

Numerous Christian churches stress worldwide evangelism almost to the total exclusion of bringing the believers from the "milk" of salvation into the strong meat of the Word.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (Hebrews 5:14-6:1)

The result of emphasizing evangelism at the expense of feeding the sheep is millions of spiritual babies and very few mature saints.
Another example of imbalance would be to discourse every Sunday on the passages that point out the wrath of God and the torment of the Lake of Fire. A continual harping on the severity of God while never speaking of the numerous assurances of God's love and the unimaginable joy and blessing that will be the portion of those who follow the Lord. All Hell and no Heaven! The severity of God is pointed out but His goodness is not seen. Actually, the reverse is true today. The "positive" passages are stressed while the "negative" passages are ignored so as not to offend the people. This imbalance results from preachers seeking their own glory. The fear of God has been removed from the churches by overemphasizing the love and mercy of God.

There are assemblies today that present an hour of worship and fifteen minutes of diluted teaching. The result of such imbalance is worldly believers—believers who stumble and fall in their time of testing.

Another imbalance, common in our day, is to speak continually of the financial blessings and material provisions God wishes to shower on Christians while never mentioning the admonition to endure hardness as good soldiers of the Lord.



To be continued.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE HIGHLY WELCOME.

Copyright © 2014 Trumpet Ministries Inc

SPECIAL WRITE UP: The kingdom icon, Mama Ruth Elton

When we visited Mama Ruth Elton on the 6^th of November, 2013, our interest was on the works of Pa S. G Elton (Her father) and the need for it to be immortalized. But, we were really blessed by this woman of God and learned of the remarkable contribution she has made to the gospel in Nigeria. We were enamored by her selflessness and her candid views about the church in Nigeria.

We conducted an interview with her with team members having opportunity to ask one question or the other and also a special write up celebrating her life.

The team comprised of: Pastor Wole Olakunle, Pastor and Mrs Demola Akinyemi, Pastor Douglas Arukwe, Pastor Isaac Arikawe, Solomon Balogun, Olawale Perfect, Mr Akinbiyi and Yemi Obideyi who did the write up. 

Be blessed as you read about this remarkable vessel of Christ.

  

Meeting Mama Ruth Elton

What a priviledge meeting with mama Ruth Elton Novemember last year. Our trip to Ilesha was eventful. We all had a wonderful time with this wonderful woman of God. She answered all our questions and gave us interesting information about her Father who we wanted to know so much about. The meeting was one of my notable high-point of 2013. I look forward to another meeting with her hopefully this 2014.

We salute this gift of God to Nigeria.

Here are picture scenes from the trip.

Celebrating a kingdom icon, Mama Ruth Elton at 80.

Celebrating Mama Ruth Elton, daughter of Pa S. G Elton who was a missionary to the middle belt, North Central region of Nigeria . The mission work was firmly rooted in Ebira, Okene and spread to other areas and tribes notably Egbira Koto, Gwari, Bassa Kwomu, Ganagana.

Her Father S.G Elton left his native country England to come to Nigeria as a missionary in 1937. He received a divine call to Ilesha. He was at the centre of all the major revivals then, playing a major role in most of them. The notable one was the Joseph Ayodele Babalola's (founder of Christ Apostolic Church C.A.C) revival in Ilesha. He became the father of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement that emerged in the nation’s campuses in the 70’s. In the 80’s his teaching emphasis centred on prophetic truth about The gospel of the kingdom and the emergence of the end time overcomer’s company. Pastor E.A Adeboye of The Redeemed Christian Church of God said, “Nobody can truly write the history of either Pentecostalism or holistic gospel in Nigeria and leave Pastor S.G Elton out of it”

Her ministry is the Coming Kingdom Outreach based in Ilesha where she lives.

Upgrade 10!! A time of divine ascension!!

This is a precarious time in history, God is releasing understanding to enable His people come to the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13) and Babylon blown away. This Christian Leadership Upgrade is about His church coming to the fullness of Sonship. It is about your designated role in God's prophetic calendar.

God is speaking to the lowly and the meek at heart, so do make out time to be at the meeting.

Upgrade 9 was great and I have no doubt that Upgrade 10 will be greater. 

The Lord's Servant - Part 1

I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. (Isaiah 42:8)

We have many idols in America: money, sexual lust, violence, power, entertainment, drunkenness. Much of God's dealings with us has to do with the removal of the power our idols have over us.
Christ is under God. We are under Christ. The remainder of the creation is to be under us, for it is appointed to the royal priesthood to govern and judge mankind and the angels. Christ continually is removing the gods that are between Himself and us and forcing them under our feet. How we howl in pain and unbelief because of this process! But if we cooperate with God's Spirit there finally is peace and rulership. Christ will have nothing between Himself and us.

What is faith? - Part 6

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8)

If we would live by faith we must have a clear goal. The goal of the saint is eternal life in the Presence of God. It is the possessing of Christ—to be found in Him.

To attain the righteousness that is of God by faith we always must be pressing "toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ." The moment we draw back from the single-minded, intense pursuit of Christ, God has no pleasure in us.
We have not reached our goal until it is no longer we who are living but Christ who is living in us.

Gifts and Ministries - PART 3

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Romans 12:3)

The Lord is not requiring that we attempt to go forth and "do big things for God." He asks only that we judge ourselves soberly according to the measure of faith God has given us.
It is difficult, but necessary, to find that perfect balance where we neither are "stepping out in faith" (presumption) or involving ourselves so heavily in the world spirit that we are neglecting to hold ourselves before the Lord as a priest.

UPGRADE 8 IS HERE. JULY 19 IS THE DATE

Upgrade 7 was great and eventful but Upgrade 8 promises to be better. Please make it a date. There will be live broadcast of the programme via www.wigradio.com at 9hours GMT.

UPGRADE 7.0 IS HERE!!!

The first in the 2014 Upgrade Series Starts tomorrow. You can follow the live broadcast on your Blackberry, Android or Computer Device via www.wigradio.com at 9hrs GMT. 

A STEP HIGHER - Part 3

There is division of labour in God’s kingdom; our duty is to seek His kingdom while His duty is to add those relevant needs to us. Therefore, we are doing God’s work when we focus our attention on addition, which is His duty. We should rather seek His kingdom passionately with all our heart and soul.


In the Tabernacle of Moses, the Outer Court has the Brazen Altar, where the animals are sacrificed. This typifies “meat” and the Brazen Laver, where the Priests wash themselves after performing the sacrifice also typifies “drink. Apostle Paul made it clear in Rom 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Outer Court ministry emphasizes the gospel of “meat and drink” or the “people’s need gospel” On the other hand, the Kingdom life is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost and this journey begins at the Holy Place.

What Is Faith? - PART 5

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (Hebrews 11:8)

Obedience to the will of God, whether His will is found in the Scriptures or revealed in the Spirit to the saint, is an important aspect of faith—the faith by which the righteous live.

It has become fashionable in Christian circles to speak of "challenging" our faith. The concept seems to be that the Christian is to announce what he would like to see happen and then, if he can summon the faith, God will do what he has asked. We are exhorted to think "big" because God is a "big God." We are encouraged to be aggressive in our "faith."

We are not certain there is merit in this approach. We do not see it in the Scriptures. The Scriptures are a record of God speaking to men, and of men demonstrating their faith by doing what God commanded them to do. The people described in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews showed their faith by being obedient to God, not by imagining some large enterprise and then attempting to exercise "faith" so God was compelled to do what they supposed was beneficial.

Clearing the Conscience of the Worshiper - Part 5

Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." (Hebrews 10:14-17)

Notice very carefully the above passage. Christ by one sacrifice has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit testifies to us about this, that is, about Christ making perfect forever those who are being made holy.

What does the Holy Spirit say about this? He says two things:

VIDEO: LARA GEORGE - Dansaki

Lara George at her best. Great Song.


ABOUT LARA GEORGE

Gifts and Ministries - Part 2

No, I beat my body and make it my slave so after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (I Corinthians 9:27)

The Apostle Paul wrote to us concerning the manner in which we are to treat our body:
Perhaps you have found that your body has a mind of its own. If you permit it to do so, it will bring itself down to destruction.

The body is remarkably shortsighted. It cares little for consequences. It lives for the moment. Therefore it is ready to eat and drink itself to death, to smoke cigarettes, to take drugs, to drive while drunk, to indulge in immorality, without regard for the consequences of such actions.

Gifts and Ministries - PART 1

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. (Romans 12:6)

It is time now to build up the members of the Body of Christ to maturity, as measured by the stature of the fullness of Christ. According to the Scripture, the Body is built up by that which every part supplies. This being the case, we who are leaders must do all in our power to assist each believer in learning what his gifts and ministries are and how and when to use them.

Every member of the Body of Christ has been given one or more gifts or ministries by which he or she is to build up himself or herself as well as the other members, as the Holy Spirit directs.
No member is excluded. All have a service to perform to the Body, just as every part of the human body has a service to perform.
As far as I can see in the Scripture, a gift or ministry is not given to a local church but to the universal Body of Christ.

But how many Christians know what their gifts are? How many are truly obeying the Holy Spirit in the use of their gifts? I expect, very few. And this is why we do not come to maturity. The members of the Body of Christ can come to the stature of the fullness of Christ only as each part is operating.

A STEP HIGHER - Part 2

The whole divine design is the transformation into the fullness of Christ. Christ remains the basis of the faith. We must seek his way far above materialism and what this world can ever offer. That which is earthy is earthy, and that which is spiritual is spiritual. (John 3)Materialism is earthy and has no gain beyond this limited world.

TIME TO COME UP HIGHER?

The Lord is calling the church to a higher spiritual position as part of His overall divine plan. The church is supposed to move from one spiritual level to another (from glory to glory) until we attain the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13). The degree of our ascendancy into Christ determines the measure of our own spiritual progress and that which can be given through us to our hearers. Our height in Christ determines the kind of revelation we access and to a great degree our own internal transformation.
The whole goal of divine ascendancy is transformation into the image of Christ.

       “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2Co 3:18 

The Bricks Versus The Stones by Isaac Arikawe (PART 7)

Can you remember the last time you cross- checked the blue print of  God for your life? When was the last time you stopped to consider what you are building?  Have you ever asked yourself, “Whose parameter am I using to build?” Who am I taking as a standard for my life, ministry, marriage and business? Who have I called to direct my building process? Who really committed this work into my hands? Who am I accountable to? Beloved let your heart be open today. God is not so moved by how much crowd you have been able to gather. There is a speed mentality that has hit the church today and that is making her to gather both goats and sheep together. Many are looking for popularity and large congregation without any kingdom value that can impact the world.

The truth remains that every man will stand before the throne of God to give account of his work here on earth. Apostle Paul was sent to the gentiles while Peter was sent to the Jews. The Bible says that He gave to every man grace according to his capacity and assignment. Have you realized that your assignment here on earth is not by your decision but by discovery? If truly it is by discovery, how come you are copying someone else in building what He has given you to build?

The Power of Prophetic Vision (B) - Louis E. Eke (PART 7)

Every Man his Measure

Every child of God has a portion of inheritance mapped out for him or her — a particular (definable) portion of inheritance over which he or she is to exercise dominion. The apostle Paul, speaking to the Ephesians says:
And now, brethren, I commend  you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them, which are sanctified.  (Acts 20:32)

In a sense, every believer has his own measure of calling in God. The onus is on the individual to discover his call slot, enter it and walk in the fullness of his measure. Paul discovered that not only was he called, but also he was expected to attain a particular measure defined by God (Phil 3:12). With the knowledge of this fact, his life-long desire thereafter was to attain the fullness of his own measure (Phil 3:14), paying no attention to all his past achievements but focusing his mind on reaching his ultimate goal.

Suffering and Glory - PART 4

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)

We cannot possess our inheritance at the present time because we are dwelling in a sin-filled, corruptible, weak physical body. When we are clothed with our body of righteousness and life we will be able to possess the earth and its peoples as God has ordained.

Why is God forming Christ in our inner man?

So we may be clothed with a body suited to our calling as sons of God. God cannot invest us with a body like that of the Lord Jesus Christ when our inner man is disobedient, sinful, fearful, unbelieving, impatient, self-centered, prone to worshiping idols.

Clearing the Conscience of the Worshiper - PART 4

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)

"To set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."

At first thought we might interpolate the word "guilt" so the text reads: "To set them free from the guilt of the sins committed under the first covenant." This is the manner in which it would be read by many teachers today.

What Is Faith? - PART 4

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)

Some have taught that Cain's sacrifice was not acceptable because it was not a blood sacrifice. The Scriptures teach that Cain's sacrifice was not accepted because it was not offered in faith. Cain had jealousy and murder in his heart. God will accept a firstfruits of the grain harvest, but not if the heart is not right.

How many believers perform their religious duties but their hearts are far from God? The Pharisees strove to be technically correct in doctrine and duty but they had little faith in God. Their hearts were not lifted up to God in faith.

VIDEO: TY Bello ft Olufunmi - Ekundayo

Timeless song I can't forget. Beautiful rendition by TY Bello and Olufunmi. Enjoy.

The song was dedicated to Mama Janet Ekundayo. If want to know more about her, please read further.

A STEP HIGHER - Part 1

“After  this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, come up hither, and I will show theethings which must be hereafter.” Rev 4:1 

“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, come up, hither. And they ascendedup to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” Rev 11:12 


INTRODUCTION

There is no doubt that creation is in great agony as the world is being shaken to its very foundation. Systems are being shaken to its very rock bottom. The world witnessed a major financial crisis three years ago. Currently, the political agitation towards responsible governance is sweeping over the Arab world with the brutal killing of Muammar Ghaddafi few days ago. The information revolution is taking a new form as the Aljazeeras, Wikkileaks and social networks like Tweeter and Facebook are at the forefront of this global transition. Government no longer has absolute control over information dissemination even in its most despotic form, as Citizen Journalism has come to the fore. Therefore anyone with digital camera or camera phones and internet access can now submit videos and pictures of news events captured to news organizations, including leading global news networks.