THE HARVEST RAIN – Part 2

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many [the majority] shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:12)

It is the author's opinion that during the latter-rain witness the greater part of earth's people will make a profession of faith in Christ. Then God will withdraw the anointing in order that Antichrist may run his predestined course. Sin will become so readily available that the majority of those who had made a profession will fall away.

The falling away is necessary in order that the Church may become without spot or wrinkle. Every work of God must be tested with fire.

It is after the period of spiritual darkness that the Lord will return for His glorious Church.
This is the pattern of the promised latter-rain revival and the following tribulation, as we understand it.

During the latter half of the twentieth century there has occurred a number of spiritual activities and movements such as the charismatic renewal, the faith and prosperity emphases, reconstructionism, and lately the "laughing revival." There have been minor phenomena such as leg-lengthening, oil on the hands, and the filling of dental cavities.
These various spiritual expressions sometimes involve hundreds of thousands of people.

TREASURES IN HEAVEN – Part 1

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:19,20)
There are two commandments here: one, do not lay up treasures on the earth; and two, do lay up treasures in Heaven.

Matthew 6:21 gives the reason: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Since the issues of our life and the words of our mouth come from our heart, we can understand that wherever our heart is, that is where we ourselves are. This verse points out to us the choice that every Christian must make.

There are at least nine treasures we can lay up in Heaven:
Eternal life.
Freedom from sin.
Authority.
Power.
Status.
Abilities.
Opportunities for service.
Relationships.

Rest in Christ in God.
Each of these nine treasures has a counterpart on the earth. It is impossible to pursue both the heavenly treasure and its earthly counterpart. We must choose whether to lay up the treasure in Heaven or to lay up its counterpart on the earth.

The treasures of Heaven will be given to each Christian according to his behavior in his body. They will be handed out when the Lord returns from Heaven, although it may happen that we receive them in a measure now. Here is the fulfillment of II Corinthians 5:10:
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

THAT WHICH IS PERFECT – Part 1

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:19,20)
 
There are two commandments here: one, do not lay up treasures on the earth; and two, do lay up treasures in Heaven.

Matthew 6:21 gives the reason: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Since the issues of our life and the words of our mouth come from our heart, we can understand that wherever our heart is, that is where we ourselves are. This verse points out to us the choice that every Christian must make.

There are at least nine treasures we can lay up in Heaven:
Eternal life.
Freedom from sin.
Authority.
Power.
Status.
Abilities.
Opportunities for service.
Relationships.

Rest in Christ in God.
Each of these nine treasures has a counterpart on the earth. It is impossible to pursue both the heavenly treasure and its earthly counterpart. We must choose whether to lay up the treasure in Heaven or to lay up its counterpart on the earth.

THE SONS OF THE KINGDOM – Part 2

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (II Timothy 2:20,21)

There are people in the world who have had the good seed of the Kingdom sown in them, although there still are tares in them. There are other people in the world who have only the seed of Satan in them.

Can an individual who has the good seed of the Kingdom purge himself or herself from the seed of the wicked one? Definitely yes!

We would suggest that the division in the world is not between those who profess to be Christians and those who do not. The division is between that which is born of the Kingdom and that which is born of Satan. Receiving the Lord Jesus provides us with the opportunity to become a son of the Kingdom. If after having received the Lord Jesus we do not through the Holy Spirit cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, taking full advantage of the grace of God, but continue to live our life apart from the Lord, we remain a son of Satan. It may be true that there is no other truth in greater need to be proclaimed in the churches of Christ.

THE HARVEST RAIN – Part 1

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. (Joel 2:23)

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:3)

Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. (Zechariah 10:1)

Introduction

In the present hour many people are speaking of a tremendous revival that is at hand. The present author has stated on numerous occasions that we are on the edge of the most marvelous intervention of God in all history. The coming outpouring is the latter-rain revival spoken of in the Scriptures.

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (James 5:7)

SOWING AND REAPING – Part 4

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (Romans 4:4)
One could deduce from this that we Gentiles should make no effort to obey the numerous exhortations to righteous living that are found in the New Testament but should simply "believe." But as we said, Paul was arguing with the teachers of the Law of Moses. Paul was saying we cannot reject the atonement made by the blood of the Lord Jesus and go about seeking to establish our own righteousness.

Paul would never employ "grace" as a means of tempering his stern warnings to believers who continue to walk in the appetites and lusts of the flesh. Rather, Paul was urging his listeners to choose God's way to righteousness through Christ rather than to attempt to keep the numerous commandments of the Law of Moses or to develop some plan of their own for acquiring righteousness.

Righteousness is defined as "that which pleases God." If we would obtain righteousness in God's sight, we must enter the plan of salvation God has ordained. God's plan of salvation includes forgiveness through the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus and also moral transformation until we are in the image of His Son.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be changed into the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

Upgrade 16 is next. Saturday, July 18 is the date.

The Upgrade Series continues on Saturday, July 18 at 10am prompt. It will be another insightful exposition on the Book of Revelation. Certainly, a programme one should not miss!!

SONG: Preye - Ebezina

I love this song greatly and here is the chorus. Enjoy it.

SOLO1:
He's the same God
Who was there for you in the midnight hour.
He's the same God 
Who is able to wipe your tears away.
He's the same God 
Who was there in times of lack and want
He's the same God 
He's Jehovah, my great provider

BRIDGE 1:
Tell me why you're giving up on God
Tell me why you're giving up on Him
Tell me why you're giving up on God
Hold on, change is on the way

CHORUS:
Ebezina, (... Don't you cry)
Chukwunonso (God is so close)
Ọgịnị bụ nsogbu gị? (What is your problem?)
Ị mana ọdịghị adịgide (Don't you know that God doesn't TAKE LONG)
Nwanne muo  (My Beloved)
Jidesie Ya ike (Hold Hime TIGHT)
Hichaa anya gị eh (Wipe your EYES)
Chukwu adịghị atụ asị (God never lies)
Ọ ga-adịrị gị mma. (It's gonna be ALRIGHT)

SOLO2:
Don't you cry the change is here
Weeping may endure for a night
Joy's gonna come in the morning
You don't have to cry no more
Hold God by His words
He's gonna do what He says
Lift your hands and give Him praise oo.....

(Repeat chorus 2x) uh,uh,uh,uh

BRIDGE2:
I know you've been crying
I understand
I know you've been wounded
But it's okay
I know you've been broken
But I'm here to mend your broken heart

Believe in Me,
you will overcome
Yesterday will be your story
I'm the God of all flesh
Nothing is too hard for Me to do, yes!

Call: Don't forget
Response: I calmed the sea
Call: Don't forget now
Response: I raised the dead
Call: Don't forget
Response: I came to die that you might live, Forever...
Don't you cry it's gonna be over
You will overcome today
Wipe your eyes and give Him all the praise

(Repeat Chorus 2x)

Ending:
Oga diri gi mma…
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright
Oga diri gi mma…

SONG: Nathaniel Bassey - Imela (Thank You)

This is a song I love to listen to. Hope you enjoy it.

Here is the Chorus of the song:

Verse 1:
When I think upon your goodness;
And Your faithfulness each day
I’m convinced it’s not because I am worthy –
to receive the kind of love that You give.
But I’m grateful for your mercy,
and I’m grateful for your grace
And because of how You’ve poured out Yourself,
I have come to sing this song out in praise

Refrain:
Imela, Imela (Thank You! Thank You!)
Okaka, Onyekeruwa (Great and Might creator of the world)
Imela, Imela, (Thank You! Thank You!)
Eze m Oh (My King)

Verse 2:
Who am I to sing Your praises?
Who am I to worship You?
It’s Your blood that makes the difference in me
And made a way to enter into Your throne
I could not come near Your presence
I could never sing Your song
But the sacrifice on Calvary’s tree
is the reason I can cry out today

(Refrain)

Onyedikagi? Ekene diri gi(Who is like You? All Glory belongs to You)
Onyene mema (He who does good)
Onyedikagi? Ekene diri gi (Who is like You? All Glory belongs to You)
Onye nagworia (Mighty Healer)
(Repeat)

(Refrain)

Here comes the 15th Edition of the Upgrade Series on June 20.

After the hugely successful Upgrade 14 comes the latest edition which promises to be highly impacting. It will indeed be a refreshing time. Please make it a date.

AUDIO: Pastor Demola Akinyemi 1 - Understanding the Book of Revelation(CLU 14 -MAY 16, 2015)

Upgrade 14 is here!!!

Another upgrade is here again. Upgrade 14 holds 10am next Saturday, 16th of May 2015 at the same venue. The last Upgrade focused on “The Fullness of Christ” drawing copiously from the first chapter of the Book of Revelation. Attention shifts to Chapter two and three of this great book with the highly important messages to the seven churches. It is not just messages to obscure ancient churches but actually meant for us, personally and corporately. It actually details the instruction for the final church. We need to know what we ought to be doing now and the accurate demand of the Lord in these perilous times. The book is quite strategic and too damning to ignore.

"Blessed is he that readeth, and THEY THAT HEAR THE WORDS OF THIS PROPHECY, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Rev. 1:3) 

THE SPIRIT OF POLITICS AND THE LEAVEN WITHIN by Wole Olakunle

It is advisable and highly needful for us all (Nigerians) to undertake intense spiritual checkup after this 2015 Election in order to purge ourselves of anger, bitterness, curses and other deplorable works of the flesh that have manifested and still manifesting during this time. Some have shared false posts, outright lies and fabrication as long as it can damage "our opponent" and promote "our Candidate. 

Abusive, argumentative, tribal, religiously discolored , false views have been posted or discussed in other forum because of rabid support for preferred candidates. Some preferences are purely ethic making nonsense of the blood of Jesus that was shared for us and our "hated tribe". All these might have soiled our soul and hence purging might be needful. The enemy through the spirit of Politics, a beastly kind of enemy fueled by the unseen dragon has been allowed to sow leaven in the souls of many believers during this electioneering period.


The spirit of Politics has been given so much room that many were willing to side with Political correctness above Spiritual correctness. Truth and honesty have been severely compromised. Truth has been redefined to only apply to our political preference(s) while falsehood belongs to the other camp. Many have been wounded, relationship soured, leadership denigrated, ethnic division and untold ill activities have become so pronounced that in the days ahead, the chicken might come home to roost. The beast has been allowed to sow its negative seed and the result might be catastrophic. 

The 13th Edition of the Christian Leadership Upgrade is Here!!!

Please join us for the 13th Edition of the Christian Leadership Upgrade. It is the first for this year.

Our 2015 Upgrade Initiative is called 'The Book of Revelation Series'. All the teachings for the different editions shall be taken from this important Book. The Book of Revelation contains the vital road map for the Church's arrival at the land of promise. It is too critical for the true believer to neglect and certainly inadvisable to claim difficulty of comprehension. It is not ONLY a must READ book but also a must UNDERSTAND book. 

Let us come together under the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit to learn together.

"Blessed is he that readeth, and THEY THAT HEAR THE WORDS OF THIS PROPHECY, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Rev. 1:3) 

2015 T.T.T INITIATIVES

Please look forward to this upcoming impacting meetings. You will surely be blessed.

AJUJU - Chante Halleluyah

Enjoy this wonderful music by Anthony Ojeah and be blessed.

THE SONS OF THE KINGDOM – Part 1

The field is the world; the good seed are the children [sons] of the kingdom; but the tares are the children[sons] of the wicked one; (Matthew 13:38)

When we reflect on the parable of the wheat and the tares, righteous and wicked people come to mind. When we picture wicked people we think of murderers, thieves, drunkards, rapists, and so forth. When we consider righteous people we envision those who do not practice such things.

The record of the Scriptures suggests another kind of righteousness and another kind of wickedness. There is a righteousness of loving and seeking God and walking in His will. There is a wickedness of loving and seeking our own gain and walking according to our own desires.

It was not the murderers, the thieves, the drunkards, the rapists who crucified the Lord. It was esteemed religious people who loved and sought their own gain and walked according to their own desires. The original sinners, Adam and Eve, were not murderers, thieves, drunkards, or rapists. But they loved and sought their own gain and they walked according to their own desires.

SOWING AND REAPING – Part 3

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11,12)

The central thrust of today's preaching is that we ought to try to please God by living righteously; but if we do not, grace steps in and covers our sins and carelessness. If we believe in the Lord Jesus we will go to Heaven when we die. If we have not been diligent, we may not receive as great a reward as someone who has served the Lord with their whole heart (some do not go even this far!) but basically we are "saved by grace," meaning that God sees us through Christ and will bring us to Heaven when we die.

The above concept of salvation is incorrect in both goal and program.
Is it any wonder the Christian churches are in moral chaos, and the secular governments, which depend on the Church for moral guidelines, along with them!
Perhaps if we will examine a few of the passages of the New Testament that include the word "grace" we will begin to gain a more accurate idea of what Divine grace actually is.
Does grace mean primarily that Christ suffered so I can neglect to live righteously and still enter the Kingdom of God? Let us see.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)
"Grace," as used above, seems to be speaking of the favor, the blessing of God, rather than the overlooking or forgiving of Jesus' conduct.

SOWING AND REAPING – Part 2

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
How often do we hear that the fear (not reverence!) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. What is being emphasized today is love! love! love! This is an imbalance. The American believers, for example, think of God as the great Santa Claus in the sky; a kindly old gentlemen who is wringing his hands while his boys behave like the sons of Eli. Compare this concept with the Fire that flamed from the Most Holy Place and slew the two sons of Aaron.

There always is Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, the blessing and the curse. To ignore Ebal while we stress Gerizim results in tragedy. If we would bear a true testimony of God we must tell of His unfathomable love and also the terror of His wrath.(Deut 27:12,13)
There is a problem that arises when we seek to balance the necessity for godly behavior with a continual stress on God's love, mercy, and grace. Some preachers and teachers of today are bringing into view the numerous passages of the Scriptures that speak of the necessity for moral change in the believer. Immediately the warning is issued that we must balance any preaching of the necessity for moral change with several references to the love, mercy, and grace of God.

4 - 7 SEMINAR IS HERE!!!

 

Another time of divine ascension beckons. The yearly 4 - 7 Seminar is here and this time around the theme is "The coming King and His Kingdom". It will surely be an insightful two days of heavenly visitation on Saturday 13th to 14th of December. I shall be there and what about you?

The final Upgrade!!! Enters Upgrade 12

The Upgrade series is coming to end this weekend with the twelve and final edition for the year. It has been a remarkable experience of discovery. The revelations have been progressive and transforming. This edition will conclude the teaching on The sounding of the Trumpets. The emphasis will be on the fifth to the seventh trumpet. The trumpet has explained is the instrument of becoming. The trumpet will unveil the pathway to the fullness of Christ - (Eph. 4:13)

Please make it a date to learn more.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Please make it a date.

Another Upgrade is here!!! Ascension times again!!! Welcome to Upgrade 11.

Illuminating times are here again at Upgrade 11. It has been a remarkable experience with each edition. The present edition is a progression of insightful teachings which started June last year and the emphasis has been on Matthew 24, focusing on the signs Jesus gave about His coming and the end of the world.
Matthew 24 cannot be effectively understood, except one moves to the progressive linkage in the Book of Revelation as the Lord Jesus continues the revelation of the end via this apocalyptic book.

This dynamic journey opens to us the passage to the "great conclusion" with the revelations of the opening of the Seals in Revelation 6 and the subsequent blowing of the Trumpet in Revelations 8. The path to Christ fullness is hidden in this book
Please join us in this journey of uncovering.
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Mat 24:14)

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.

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