On Failure...(Part 2)

Nice to have you with us again...

I would like us to kick off from where we left it. Remember, in our last article, we said that "Failure makes you malleable in God's Holy hands." Well, you must first and foremost understand that we are not championing the cause for being happy in failure. Nope. We are stating that failing at something does not mean your life has become hopeless. Instead, you need to be still and understand what God's will for you is even in such times.

And yes, God does have a plan for your life, even in great or little failures. Ain't it just great?!

I find this scripture inspiring: ROM 10:14-15. But I want to stick to the 15th verse: "And how shall they preach, except they be sent..." Sometimes, for God to send you, you need to bear a scar. How else would the unsaved believe if you appear to "stand on a high horse"? IT'S THE FACT THAT GOD COULD STILL DO SO MUCH WITH SO MANY FAILURES IN YOUR LIFE/PAST THAT VALIDATES YOUR MESSAGE!

God knew this. Thus, God sent Jesus. let us back up a bit. You see, Jesus was, of course, sinless. The Bible tells us that sin and death came to us through one man. Adam. So, we needed an intervention in a human realization. Jesus coming with a throne and crown and all the wardrobe of divine royalty....well.....He knew that was not the immediate goal. the humanness of divinity was as important to Him as the need to restore our fellowship. Jesus coming, bleeding, dying (and  of course resurrecting) shows us that He is actually not forgetful or ignorant of our frailty.

God's grace and salvation and rescue as shown to you sinks right in when you understand He was not bound to help but did anyway. That's how nice He is.

Imagine the likes of Paul Adefarasin, Poju Oyemade. These are generals holding on to the saving grace of God, made all the more richer and realistic because of the lives they once lived!

Too much talk can spoil this article. May the Holy Spirit breathe on you that you may step out in boldness everyday. May all chains of failure that have ever held you down be destroyed and may you live a VICTORIOUS LIFE in Jesus' name!

N.B: Please do not forget to download the COAL 4 registration form. Fill and get back to us via email (coal4life@gmail.com). Any questions, please reach through the email too or through twitter @Coals4Christ @iambiolah or @heybeewhy.

                                                      
                                                        #TheNehemiahMovement

COAL FORMS ARE READY!!!

HOWDY Y'ALL!

It has been an immense privilege to be part of the COAL team. It's beyond that alone. It is a family.

Over the course of 3 years, we have been blessed with a spiritual rebirth in the lives of the young COAL campers. I mean, I have been blown away by just how much God has shown Himself to these young people, myself included. We have witnessed the victory and glory of Jesus shining as the sun in these days. It has been a life-changing experience these past 3 years.

This year, we are set to do it again...it's COAL 4.

The team got together and has released the official online registration form for this year's camp. For the digitally-inclined, everything needed has been incorporated into a comprehensive form which has been compiled for you to download, fill and e-mail back or return to the address on the form if you so desire. It is a 5-page form that requires the appropriate details so that we may better cater to your every need.

We all hope that as plans go ahead, you will join us in prayers to make this year an unforgettable experience with Our Father.

Don't forget. It's #TheNehemiahMovement. Join the movement.

N.B: PLEASE AFFIX TWO PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED FORM.

ON FAILURE (Part 1)

Never has God used anything or man who did not first come to terms with one truth: he can fail, or more importantly, he has once failed. There are so many humbling aspects to failure. It goes beyond a word. It is actually an avenue to test the human psyche; how we respond in the face of not getting it. Failure could cause pain, disappointment, fear, distrust, anger and even depression. A man who has failed knows just what it is like.

Failure is a bitter taste to swallow. Whether you don't fail often or you have been enduring a recent string of failures, it is still bitter.

A failed man is a broken man. A failing man is so shaky, he needs support to stand. There is never a way to "deal with failure" than through God. You ever been through a point you put your all in something, being so sure it would work? You knew there was a 0.000000000001% chance of failing and yet, you failed! (That thing can pain!) Remember that anger/brokenness you felt? Well, it's a good thing.

If God made it a point to choose to talk to us through saints, we would have had some pretty big belief issues. There is a lesson: I sometimes picture God saying "Now let Me see how you react."

God entrusts us with failure as much as He does with success. Wouldn't you be impressed if you gave a really broke man N5000 to keep for 3 weeks and he didn't touch one kobo? In the same light, God is delighted if you seek His face in failure as you do in success. Our mortality and frailties are actually what emboldens our faith in God through Christ Jesus. The essence of the likes of David (the adulterer), Moses (who had a temper problem), Rahab (a one-time harlot), Elijah (a fearful prophet!) Timothy (a doubter), is to show us that it is not in the fall, though you should not always desire to fall. It is in the reaction after the fall that catches God's attention.

Failure makes you malleable in God's Holy hands. Instead of hate/blame God for the failures of your past, you need to start asking the right questions: Why did I fail? What did you want me to learn? Have I learnt it?! (to be continued)

EUCHARISTEO

Today, we look at a word that stunned me real good this week: EUCHARISTEO.

It is a Greek word and it is, to a large extent, one that brings the entirety of our Christian race into focus. As it says in the image, EUCHARISTEO means THANKSGIVING. It is the word that features in the Greek translation of 1Thes 5:18: en panti eucaristeite touto gar qelhma qeou en cristw ihsou eiV umaV {In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you KJV}

Now, what blew my mind was what I discovered when I delved further to find the meaning of this word when broken down. We shall start with EU.

For starters, it doesn't mean European Union. EU. According to English for Students, it means PLEASANT,WELL & GOOD. It is a Greek Prefix (Words added before ROOT WORDS to form new meanings or words altogether). It features in many of the words we have come to know today: Euphemism (Figure of speech explaining the act of saying a bad thing in a good way), Eulogy, Euphoria, Eugene....and so on.

CHARIS, on the other hand means GRACE. Ever heard it said that there is grace in thanksgiving? Well, quite literally, there is! Apart from GRACE, we also find JOY in thanksgiving.....well, quite literally too! Simply because CHARA is the Greek interpretation for Joy.

EUCHARIST we may know. That is one word which we all bandy about sha. We just say it and do it as a religious practice and forget to.....oh wait! It means Thanksgiving by the way. The Eucharist is used in the Catholic circles to mean THE LORD'S SUPPER, HOLY COMMUNION! It is a supreme lesson that in the night before the capture and (brutal) death of Jesus, He tells us to never neglect the EUCHARIST, in remembrance of Him. By the way, did I just mention that this young man called was about to DIE? And He knew it?

How would you behave if you even knew you would die sef? #scary abi?

Therefore, get some EUCHARISTEO juice pumping in you. I think of this word when I think of my country, the world, the church, my neighbours....the beggar, that F9 I got in my WAEC, that E I got in Year 1, that time I lost my temper, the period nothing just seemed to work, those days my life was dark and without any ounce of hope.....many of us have been here. Some are still there. Remember you are not alone. Just be grateful, mentioning the issue and thanking God for what He is teaching you through your pain. GOD NEVER WASTES AN EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE PASSED THROUGH.

Let some EUCHARISTEO pass through you today. We all need a lesson some time.

Shalom!

#TheNehemiahMovement

SELF DISCIPLINE

I open the deep freezer on this very hot, scorching day. It is filled with treasures from heaven, which basically is what I call soft drinks. The bottle sits exquisitely still at the bottom of the vast bottom of the freezer. The svelte construction has me saying a prayer of thanksgiving for the makers of COCA COLA. My eyes are filled with adoration for the bottle languishing between 35-38 degrees (the ideal temperature for a chilled drink, well, according to wiki answers).

Yet, just beside it, sitting still like the quiet brilliant student in class (who knows his classmates would never know just how brilliant he is because he never talks), is the equally chilled plastic of EVA Water.

I think I know how the story ends.

Ain't it amazing the things we still do despite knowing it hurts us? You know what needs to be done. You do the opposite. Why? The "want" to gratify greatly outweighs the "need" to delay gratification.

Don't worry. I know it is hard. Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!! trust me, I know. Yet, I know just how much more possible it is.

You know something interesting I learnt this past Sunday, it is that the Devil would tempt mankind in 3 aspects: FOOD, MONEY, POWER. FOOD seems to be one of the unsung heroes of the mix. Yet, you would be baffled to see just how much even the church is being buffeted on all sides. PASTOR TOPE AWONAIKE, the Head Pastor of Greater Grace Assembly once quoted someone. According to the quote, "IF YOU WANT TO CHOOSE LEADERS IN CHURCH, DECLARE A BUFFET." You know how profound that is? It means, basically, that we lose all sense of charity when food is involved. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE WITNESSED THIS IN MANY OUTINGS.

Our Lord Jesus decided not to turn stone to bread. Imagine if the Saviour of the world had given in to food because he was hungry. He had every right. He was on a 40-day fast!!!!!! He even thought about giving up on the whole salvation plan. But He recognised a greater WILL in play. When will we do the same?

For some of us, the closest we've ever got to that WORKOUT day-dream we have is the dream of working out. We don't eat right. We sometimes lack any skill, no matter how slight, to show restraint, to reel in our desires for the sake of what we need. Yet, there is that GRACE TO MOVE OUT AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF..

Your dream of a 1-hour prayer ended in THE GRACE OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST.

Your dream of STAYING OFF COKE FOR A WEEK ENDED WITH YOU DRINKING PEPSI FOR A WEEK (Like seriously?)

Your dream of writing stopped on your BLACKBERRY/ANDROID device.

Your dream of eating healthy stopped at Debonairs Pizza.

Your dream of saving stopped on KONGA/JUMIA/KAYMU.

Why don't we take advantage of this grace and forge ahead? Why don't we delay gratification?

God help us

#TheNehemiahMovement #JoinTheMovement

GRACE STORY...Mine, Yours, Everyone's

It is just GRACE.

I could end this post like that and still look back on it as a fully complete post.

I could. Very much tempted to.

In fact, maybe I should let you tell me just how much this statement means to you.

As for me, I really would look back on this post as a fully complete one.

Isn't it just lovely? Grace. Just a breath of fresh air. What's your Grace story?

Please kindly feel free to share on our facebook page: facebook.com/livecoals or just email us your story at coals4life@gmail.com.

As for me, my job here is done for now....lol

#NehemiahMovement #COAL4 #JoinTheMovement

GIVE ME FAITH

Sometimes, this is all we need. A simple prayer. A heavy cry not for recognition. A honest soul reaching to a living God. There are so many torrents swaying us. We, as teenagers and youths at large, have never had it harder. It makes one wish one was almost born in the times of our fathers.

This piece is not for those above board, way too holy or beyond failure. Nope. This is for all those that have ever had to pray the words in the picture above. GIVE ME FAITH. You may have come to a point, as I have so many times, where you feel God is so far away that you just feel your entire faith (Christian faith) has been completely destroyed. At those times, in the sincerity of your heart, you cry out like this.

It may be the closest to what many have prayed in a long time but if it is from your heart, rest assured the Lord God will hear and come swiftly to your aid. The social media, TV, and others make up a very attractive pot of vanity. We all have been sucked, to a large extent, into the gaping hole, the vacuum. Yet, for all those who will cry out in the conviction of their spirits, GOD IS READY to imbue you with GRACE UPON GRACE to walk through the storm. That is my testimony. Having God with me through the storms; He steadies me when I falter and picks me when I fall, with so much love that I just cry at times. FAITH to believe that the Word of God aint just words but LIFE which, if allowed to dwell in you, has the potential to revamp, refurbish and pimp you up for good.

In a way, Camp of a Lifetime(COAL) has played a vital role in helping people through this period of uncertainty. COAL seeks to take us away for a period to a serene place where we are really alone with GOD, young people who have, just for a couple of days, no attachment to all of the fuss. A set of young people who have left it all to come rediscover the taste and fragrance of WORSHIP and LOVE for Jesus Christ. We have had testimonies, encounters with evil manifestations dedicated to thwarting the WILL OF GOD. Yet, each time, God manifests so much love and power toward us that we just have nothing else to say than to bow and worship. God loves us. He calls us. We are unashamed to declare we are flawed. So much more are we unashamed to declare that we are what we are by His grace. Remember COAL 4 comes up soon.

Yes, it gets hard, cold, dark, heavy and silent at times. But if only we would cry out (not shouting on top of our voices like mad people...at least, not always) though with sealed lips, and nothing but bended knees and outstretched arms, God, MY God will hear and come swiftly to you.

Amen.

Leaving to Live

Haven't we all gotten to that point where we just decide to not be tied down to what has plagued us?
Have you gotten to the point where you have sunk so low that you begin to think that "It can't get any worse"?

Well, luckily for me, I have. I say lucky because it is one position of immense perspective. Your whole world shifts into focus. You see how adrift you are from purpose and peace. You see the familiar landmarks you have always seen. You cry the same old tears and fail so many times, you begin to get used to it.

It is a point of sudden outburst of insight, not one foreign to you but one that has always resided within. That was how I came to know Christ. That was how I got to know that I really can have better. You have to consciously decide to leave to live. You have to leave those old stumping grounds that have yielded no fruit and aspire to the reality of God's purpose for you.

Sounds cliche yeah? I know right?

But in the end, you will know that is more. There has to be more. I have to know what MORE is. I have to see the other possibilities. Surely, this cannot be ALL to my life. I am not satisfied. I cannot end here. I am not like everyone. I am (the) OTHER. I am the difference. I am the pinch of salt that is supposed to make the food so tasteful.

You asking yourself this question already? You are leaving your random for your PURPOSE. Leave it all behind that you may LIVE in the fullness of life in Christ. Besides, Abram had to LEAVE his old settlement because God wanted him to LIVE as ABRAHAM. It is the boldness to take the step that plagues us.

Well, find solace in the fact that I don't know anything but thankfully, I don't serve a God that has my limitations.

......Be the  best. God wants no less from you.

REJOICE ALWAYS...

It has been a while y'all! Greetings from our Heavenly father of lights. It is He who has made us. A great privilege to standing. Today, we shall be looking at a simple topic: REJOICE ALWAYS. This was taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:16.

As has become a sort of habit for me, I'll start with a quick look at what the Greek lexicon has to say. CHAIRO is the Greek rendering of this word, has a number of meanings buried in it. Apart from Rejoice, CHAIRO also means "to be glad" and to be "full of joy." Interestingly, this Greek word has the same root with the word Grace(CHARIS). So, you definitely wouldn't have thought of rejoicing and grace having any link whatsoever. Well, they do!

Rejoicing is an act that even the most "spirit-filled" Christians struggle to come to terms with. I mean, who would really be so eager to praise God in the face of overwhelming misfortune or disappointments? It is usually a term pushed to the background in the heat of the moment. Yet, Paul, in his letter to the Church at Thessalonica, urged the faithfuls to rejoice. He knew things would never be smooth all the way. Regardless, he said we should rejoice. I do not doubt many of us have seen enough tragedies to be shared among three generations. I do not doubt the depth or validity of your sorrow. I understand the need to not want to rejoice; I mean, it would seem ironic...foolish to say the least. But we all must agree on one fact: God is surely not stupid. He would not say it if He didn't mean it, or if He didn't think it would help us. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:2 "...if it were not so, I would have told you."

Kenneth Hagin, one of my favorite ministers, had his own challenges but he became who he was not by whining about these problems. He spent his time rejoicing and praising God. The worse they got, the more he praised God. You see, REJOICING IN THE PLACE OF PAIN OR STRUGGLE DRAWS ON GRACE. That is where the connection comes in: God knows how humanly painful some experiences or events may be for us. Thus, He has provided us with CHARIS that we may, despite our night, sing of His glorious day!

I pray that in every situation you're going through at the moment, God will release upon you the grace to REJOICE. As you do so, watch and see Jehovah come forth for you....SHALOM!

PURPOSE

WHAT'S MY PURPOSE?

Many go through life without a clue to the answer of this question. Others wander through the world as strangers without hope. They know they are meant to be more, to do more. Yet, this cloud of possibility withholds its rain of knowledge because of blindness. You could live 50 years and still not be a step closer to answering that question. You could be a “believer” and sing in the highest vocal notes to God and still not comprehend this fact! You see, when you don’t work with knowledge, you’ll walk in thick darkness. It’s really that simple.

I wonder why we all have become so busy that we have failed to see the fact that our surroundings are replete with evidences pointing to our purpose; to the supreme fact at the core of my and your existence. In the arts, architecture, social sciences and the sciences, God keeps speaking through the most undervalued things, sometimes right before our eyes. One of such is the scientific wonder of what is called the LAMININ.

According to Wikipedia, the Laminins are a group of glycoproteins that are essential for the structural build-up and strength of every tissue in an organism. They also play vital roles in the maintenance and survival of these tissues. They are responsible for ensuring that the overall body structure holds together. The most baffling thing to scientists is that it is in the shape of a cross! The Laminin connects all other cells together in a cross format. We could say that the absence of this cross-shaped glycoprotein would translate into an overall collapse of the body system.

Do you still ponder what your reasonable service is? If God predestined you before the beginning of the earth to have a body structure held in place by the Cross, don’t you think you will never be satisfied with anything lesser than that Cross? Aren’t you tired of short-changing yourself? The One that made you put a craving within that will never be satisfied until you “hearken to the knowledge” (acknowledge) of the Cross. Do not deny your God-likeness. To worship God, to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, my dear friend, is your eternal purpose. The very fact you’re reading this means the Cross within you has not failed. Are you still a loyal follower of that cross? Until you figure that out and yield completely, all you’ll have is a half-life; an unbalanced life; a life without Laminin.

Remember your Foundation. Remember your God! If you stay in  His presence, then you are failure-proof, sorrow-proof, doubt-proof! The simple fact is there is never going to be a step taken out of place. Remember when Ps 16:11 said "In Your presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore"? Well, direction is one of those pleasures. It's unfortunate that some people will read this and think "Well, he wants us to be pastors." Really, I don't. If God wants you to be one, believe me, you will. The point is that not everyone is destined for the pulpit. We are to spread the fragrance of this awesome presence of God to every nook and cranny we find ourselves. Where you work, school, live, find God's purpose there.

A MAN OF PURPOSE IS A MAN OF DIRECTION!

I PRAY THAT THE KING OF GLORY WILL GIVE YOU THE GRACE TO UNDERSTAND THIS AND CARRY THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.

THE MASTER PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE...

What is the master plan?

Obviously, I had to look it up and two definitions caught my eye. The Oxford Dictionary defines this as “a comprehensive or far-reaching plan of action.” An extra internet source referred to it as “a comprehensive long range plan intended to guide growth and development.” Both definitions point out the fact that a master plan possesses one key attribute: comprehensiveness. In other words, everything needed to make your plan achievable must be well thought out and rock-solid so that you can “guide” your growth pattern. In architecture, this master plan refers to drawings of a project to be embarked upon. Let’s stop here for a minute. If you've seen the topic, you will know it is the master plan, not a master plan. This only makes me understand that there is one other type of master plan that surpasses every other in importance. Why else would we call it “the” master plan?

God makes this plan for everyone. It is no less comprehensive than man’s plan. In fact, it is the most comprehensive of them all. It takes both the “seen” and the “unseen” into consideration. That is God’s blueprint for your life, for a country, for the world. Why don’t we look at a typical example of how God’s majestic plan was accomplished through the life of one man – Johannes Gutenberg (1400-1468).

At the end of the 20^th century, this German-born blacksmith, who lived in the 15^th century, was named The Most Important Man of The Millennium. Well, this was because he invented the printing press.

Johannes Gutenberg was a lover of books and sculpture. Above all, he just loved God. Everything he read seemed to lead him back to God. He decided to travel to learn more from foreign lands – Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Holland. On one of such days, his close friend came to him with “a piece of wood that had letters carved on it;” the wood was wrapped in a parchment. Unknown to him, the little sap still in the wood had hardened and taken the shape of some of the letters on the parchment.

Gutenberg was struck with the idea of a printing press immediately. It was said of him that this inspiration “flashed into his heart and mind with the force of lightening.” When asked why he wanted to pursue the idea, he simply said, “Through it God will spread His Word. A spring of pure truth shall flow from it! Like a new star, it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a light hitherto unknown to shine among men.” After many years, and resources, he succeeded. It was not a surprise when he decided to publish the bible. The Gutenberg Bible, as it was named, remains the first book ever published, with only 50 copies alive today. Though many tried to steal his invention, he was not moved and remained a good Christian till the end of his life. His singular action made the bible and other Christian materials cheaper to purchase – prices of good volumes of books went down from 100 pieces of gold (equivalent to at least $8,000 today) to 4 pieces for one (about $320). Apart from this, Gutenberg’s invention played a great role in the rise and success of the Protestant Reformation headed by notable names such as Martin Luther, William Tyndale and John Calvin. This remarkable movement spawned a new era in Christianity a mere 60 years after his death. It was said that “Gutenberg’s invention enabled multiplied millions to discover for themselves great literature and, most importantly, the Word of God.

That’s just Gutenberg. What of you? Never think that a singular action of yours is just one out of a million inconsequential actions dying unheard. The Master Plan of God is infallible. He knows everything you are and can ever possibly be. Is it not surprising how one action or inaction, one decision, one show of faith or lack thereof could shake the earth to the very foundation? Gutenberg lives on today in your bible. Every time you pick it up, He is remembered and his legacy is revitalized. Are you in a dilemma? Why not go to the one who has the plan meant to guide your steady progress? There is only so much we can do by ourselves; any attempt to go through this life alone would surely be difficulty.

I know God has my Master Plan, a comprehensive plan of all I am and all He will make me. Do you believe He has the same plan for you? If so, never be discouraged by circumstances surrounding you because it is always a part of the plan. Who knows the revolution you and I could spark and be remembered for if only we heed to His Master Plan? Isn't it possible our decision to align ourselves with God’s plan today could make us the most important set of people in the next hundred, no, thousand years?! I will leave you to ponder on these. However, you must know that He has assured us He has just good intentions for us. Jeremiah 29:11 tells me this: “I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” (MSG). I am sure there are countless Gutenbergs reading this right now. May you walk in the fullness and reality of your Heavenly Father's plan for you.

A CAMP TO REMEMBER!

Hello everyone!

To the glory of God, we are pleased to announce the successful end of this year's CAMP OF A LIFETIME. It was amazing! Never have I seen young people liberated as I saw in camp. The lessons remain evergreen. It was 5 days of fun, teachings and glory. The prophecy of Joel was fully realized; young people did really, visibly come alive to their inheritance in God. There was so much power and, hopefully, as the days continue, we shall intimate you on some of the highlights of COAL2.

We hope you have been living the victorious Christian life. We are yet to conquer all the lands God has given to us. Joshua conquered 31 and on his deathbed, he was shown 61 others he did not even touch. Joshua probably thought he did a lot. We probably think we've done a lot. Yet, some of us have not yet started. Don't worry. We pray you receive speed to do all you need to do, go where you need to go and fulfill ALL that has been written concerning you in the books of DESTINY!

Remember we are here for you. Remember to come forward with every issue you may have and we promise to pray together and walk in the fullness of God's victory concerning any issue. We wait for your e-mails, calls and blackberry requests.

E-MAIL: yomi4eva@yahoo.com, yomi4eva@gmail.com
NUMBERS: 08131111535, 08059184145
BLACKBERRY: 299BEE6C, 21512307

CROSSING THE 300 MARK...AND OTHERS!

Hello everyone!

To the glory of God, I wish to announce to you all that our stats show we have reached and surpassed our first milestone: 300! It is a thing of joy to know that under two months, God, through us, has been able to bring us this far. This is just the beginning though. I feel it in my spirit that we will be talking about bigger news in the months to come.

Nevertheless, we must never relent. As I have always said, there is a particular urgency on ground now. The Gospel must spread to the farthest corners of the earth and you and I have been given the opportunity to be a part of this. It's an awesome privilege I must say. So, I implore you to read our blog. Never forget that this is not an all-providing blog. We can never say completely, that which the Holy Spirit wants to convey to your spirit by Himself. So, make sure you go back to the Word of Truth and stay with it long enough. No man encounters the Word and stays the same. It's impossible! Our dear heavenly Father has made us the catalyst to your discovery of His work in your life. However, this will only come if you meditate consistently and ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DO HIS WORK IN YOU.

Our Father is so particular about the fact that we all discover and function in the knowledge of WHO WE ARE. All over the world, it is the season of TRUTH and this truth will usher in a new age. It's going to be one where gods will walk the earth; true end-time Generals will take the world for Christ. I know I am one of the Generals. You are too. We are the new Adeboye, Oyedepo, Idahosa, Hagin, Kenyon, John G. Lake, William Seymour and a host of others. Many more are being born as we speak. We just have to be numbered with them!

As the months go by, you will see slight changes in our mode of operation. We will feature articles from Pastors form Nigeria and beyond. We will also have other articles showcasing the creativity of young people. There will be deadlines for submission, prizes to be won and lots of fun ahead.

From every member of the team here, we say a big THANK YOU and wish you and all yours, the unending increase of the blessings of our Father through His son, Jesus Christ! We pray that the Holy Spirit will make His abode in you and beautify your life with every goodness only heave can give.

Keep it a date with us everyday. Remember to SHARE AFTER READING ON ALL SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES (FACEBOOK, TWITTER, WHATSAPP, BLACKBERRY MESSENGER, 2GO, NIMBUZZ AND OTHERS I DID NOT MENTION. LET US TAKE OVER THE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CHRIST!

By the way, I was amazed when I found out that TOBYMAC (I remember his song with Kirk Franklin...simply classic!), a CHRISTIAN ARTISTE topped (and is still there by the way) the Billboard 200. The last time a Christian artiste/band made it that far was in 1997 with Bob Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace)." I was soooooooooo moved when I heard and almost cried when I verified it. WE, I MEAN CHRISTIANS, ARE TAKING OVER!!!

SHALOM!

BROKEN: A Poem

Is this what it means?

Is this what you have always wanted for me?

But it seems dark and lonely...like my own hell

Why can't I get it right?

Why can't I fight?

Is it this bad when people surrender...or is it just me?

Why don't I see anything?

But you know I have always fought by myself

Just me!

Why then have you taken this only solace away from me?

Why do I feel like a naked man suddenly thrust into

the village square?

I can't see! I can't see a thing!

Where are my sticks?

You know I need them to feel my way through

There is nothing but helplessness here

I am endlessly groping in the dark, trying something,

anything to save myself...to no avail

And why do I have the feeling you are enjoying this?

Of course, of course.

There is no denying the fun therein.

This has always been the plan

You work too much!

I have watched your struggles

pain

helplessness

tears

You must admit that you need me, you should.

Those things were just part of the new territory

What took me so long? Simple...

I couldn't step in unless you stepped out

I couldn't occupy the room

Except you moved out for me..

What? Is that confusing?

Ok...

You had to be weak

Oh, you had to need me.

I couldn't come in except you were broken

Human strength won't just do here...but My strength will

Now that you are here, you must believe

That I can make all things new

That when you can't see, I AM your sight

That when when you are bereft, I AM your portion

That when you are lonely, I AM with you always.

It's pretty simple...just let me know you will go on

even if blindfolded!

Outrageous, isn't it?

But I promise it will be worth your while

Why am I so sure?

Ha ha...that is the simplest!

Because I AM...

This is a poem God laid on my heart some months back. He needed me to know my helplessness. I could only come around to express this feeling in the lines above. He wants this story for us all. Could you surrender today? We need to let Him in; we need to evacuate the room so He can fill you with "the fullness of Him that filleth all in all" (Eph 1:22). We are loved! We are cherished! Let no one, thought or relationship make you think otherwise. We are loved with such a passionate and everlasting love. It's so sweet you could cry at times. Don't be bothered when you do cry; you're not a sissy. It only means you REALLY understand what this LOVE means. Really, it is EVERYTHING.

If you want to REALLY experience this LOVE, with all your heart, speak out the following words:

DEAR LOVING FATHER, I THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME. I ASK IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON, THAT YOU WILL HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE FULLNESS OF YOUR LOVE WITH EVERY PASSING DAY. I KNOW THAT YOUR HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH ME TO LOVE YOU AS YOU LOVE ME. I LOVE YOU DEAR FATHER!

If you said that, I promise you that our Father, through the precious Holy Spirit, has started the process within you. Never doubt it! See you tomorrow my dearest readers. Remember to join us at AJEBO CAMP for an UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE WITH GOD! REACH OUT TO US FOR INFORMATION (08131111535, 08059184145 BB PIN: 299BEE6C, 237D5A50, 21512307. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR PRAYER REQUESTS, FEEL FREE. YOUR ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED! LET US SHARE OUR FAITH! LET US MOVE THE WORLD!

COUNTDOWN

HELLO EVERYONE! CAMP OF A LIFETIME IS HERE. IT'S JUST 7 DAYS AWAY. SO, PLEASE CALL US OR TEXT FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO REGISTER, TIME OF DEPARTURE AND EVERY OTHER THING YOU MIGHT NEED. IT PROMISES TO BE AN AWESOME TIME IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION AND MORE INQUIRY, PLEASE CALL 08132146022, 08131111535, 08059184145. SEE YOU THERE!

IDENTITY 4: IDENTIFICATION

Hello everyone! I am glad to be with you today. The whole team is too. We have been so excited to put forward, the Word of God as impressed on our spirits! Believe me, our God is really concerned for you and still hammers on your need to know who your Father is. May this understanding be with you and charge your spirits in Jesus' name.

You see, to God, we all have been operating as a dysfunctional family of some sort. According to Mike Murdock, in one of his television broadcasts, all God does is speak. He's been doing that since the beginning of time and is still at it. Yet, for His creation -- the very people He is, no doubt, speaking to -- we just do not hear. The topic for today was taken from E.W KENYON's IDENTIFICATION: A Romance in Redemption. Though small, this book is so wonderful and powerful. Throughout the work, he centers his focus on Jesus Christ, His death and the exceeding power He made available to us in His sufferings. While reading, a line struck me and I will love to share with you today. Kenyon wrote: "Sin was not reckoned to Him. Sin was not set to His account. He BECAME sin.

At this point, I had to close the book. That was not the first time I encountered this word in the work. It seemed to jump out at me in every page! Become...become...become!  With that came the inevitable question: Why was it so important for God to "become" sin? This went into my journal exactly as it is. It baffled me a bit. However, God gave me a sweet answer.

When there is an act of "becoming", there is, invariably, a process of transformation that has been undergone. Imagine if Jesus had been a mere human that walked the face of the earth. We wouldn't have had what we call Christianity today! We wouldn't have had anything called the Resurrection, eternal life or any hope of glory! Jesus would have been nothing more than a religious martyr! Of course, we would still have been the devil's play thing. Jesus had to become sin. Mind you, Jesus, did not sin. He did not compromise His stand with God for anything, either through speech, thoughts, association or actions. HE was holy from start to finish. So, it would have been impossible for Him to die if a transformation hadn't taken place. When the bible says He was made sin, it only means His spirit was transformed into sin. He had to virtually become the atrocities He had to heal the world from! You can't carry that much sin and not cry "Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani", which, by the way, means "My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?"

In John 10:17-18, We hear Jesus saying He has the power to lay down His life and take it again. Why, all because of you and me, He did become sin THAT WE MAY BECOME HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. You see where we come in? We, when we confess Jesus as our Lord AND Savior, also BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS CHRIST! That is why 2Corinthians 5:17 says that "...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." There is a transformation that occurs in our spirits. Let me put it this way: when you are born again, you are not a script that will be edited and managed. Far from it! Rather, you are completely erased that a NEW LIFE may begin in you; a life led by the Holy Spirit. However, you have to identify with (understand, accept) the REAL IDENTITY you possess.

Kenyon said something else that startled me. He said that Jesus died two times for us. In his explanation, the Holy Spirit illuminated my spirit. According to him, before Jesus died, His spirit had to die. A natural consequence of this was the death of His mortal body. Jesus had to take all your struggles down with Him to the grave where he shrugged it all off, bursting forth as the first born among the dead, rising in all power and glory. All these He suffered for us. Your life lacks color, vibrancy? It's because you are out of tune with the resurrection power. Accept ALL Jesus stands for -- His life, death, shame, suffering and glorious resurrection -- and you will possess ZOE which is the God-kind of life. Life surely isn't boring with God!

Before I end, I will like to say one more thing. The Bible says Jesus died and was in the grave for 3 whole days. I can't even imagine all that went on down there. He was busy in the courts of hell, taking all of your blame and death. That's not even where I am going. You see, 3 days equals 72 hours. For 72 long hours, Jesus took it all without a singular help from God. I pondered "why?" for some time. Why did God leave Jesus down there for 72 hours? In my inquisitiveness, I decided to google up the significance of the number 72. What I found was shocking!

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE NUMBER OF RACES THAT WAS BORN OUT OF THE FAMILY OF NOAH WAS 72? Noah was the man God used to RE-POPULATE THE EARTH. THEREFORE, FOR EVERY HOUR, JESUS REDEEMED EVERY RACE ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH! HE MADE SALVATION THE GIFT FOR ALL PEOPLES OF THE EARTH IN JUST 72 HOURS! ISN'T GOD A GENIUS?

If you know that you really desire this, why don't you open your heart and repeat the following words: DEAR FATHER, I THANK YOU FOR SHOWING ME YOUR MASTER PLAN. I THANK YOU FOR JUSTIFYING ME. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE. SWEET JESUS, I OFFER MY LIFE TO YOU TODAY. COME INTO MY SPIRIT AND BE MY LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR. I WILL NOT STRUGGLE WITH YOU ANYMORE. THANK YOU LORD!

If you said this, I assure you that you have come into ZOE! Sharpen yourself with the Word and develop your spirit. If you have any question, doubts or comments, feel free to drop your comments here or e-mail me: yomi4eva@yahoo.com. God has started a new thing in you. Be attentive, be alert and above all, BE PRACTICAL WITH YOUR FAITH! GOD BLESS YOU

IDENTITY 3: NO VACANCY, DEVIL!

Hello there! I greet you in the mercies of the Lord. I thank God for the breath of fresh air which you have received, the awakening of the slumbering giants within and the prosperity of your souls. Today, I will love to share with you another sub-topic in our IDENTITY series. We have, all along, dealt with some key issues with regard to who we are. I believe we are now walking in ALETHEIA. However, it will be expedient to look at some loopholes you'll do well to close.

Some weeks ago, I stumbled upon Robert Liardon's SCHOOL OF THE SPIRIT. It was greatly insightful, I must say. he made mention of some vital things that the devil could use against us to gain foothold in our spirits. Mind you, you are a spirit. So, don't get shocked when you find me referring majorly to your spirit. If properly used with fireproof understanding, your spirit controls your body! He spoke of he body, soul and the spirit. Let me run through these three.

1. THE BODY: Simply put, the body is just very devoid of spiritual sense. It knows nothing more than comfort and pleasure. The body was designed to house your spirit but never to control it. R.L (Robert Liardon) used the example of sex. He said, "Your physical body, when it wants sex, doesn't recognize covenants chief of which is MARRIAGE. It has its own whims and it takes a very spiritually disciplined person to understand and put in check, every movement of his body. You see, Kenneth Hagin in His book, ZOE: The God-Kind of Life, threw more light on a wonderful part of the scripture. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians (2Cor 9:27) said, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Paul was one man of astounding spiritual understanding. He knew that the very essence of his life was his spirit. So, the "I" as used, is not referring to his body, rather, his spirit. There's a space for the body: "it". Funny enough, "it" is a pronoun used to refer to an object. That's exactly what your body is -- an object, a vessel housing your spirit and the Holy Ghost. Put it in its rightful place!

2. THE SOUL: J. PRESTON EBY in his teaching FROM THE CANDLESTICK TO THE THRONE, PART 20, says "the soul is the mind, will, emotion, and desire of man." True enough, R.L's explanation of the soul tallies with this. Liardon goes on to expose to the reader, the compartments of the soul: the WILL, EMOTIONS, INTELLECT, IMAGINATION AND MEMORY. I believe that when you are dealing with the devil, which, of course, is everyday, he will attack your Will first. You see, when your WILL is attacked and taken, you are as a man without red-blood cells!. R.L calls it the door we choose to open or close. If your Will is not re-enforced by the potency of God's Word, you might not stand a chance. The EMOTIONS have proven to be the major entry point for demons into the human soul. Speaking from experience, I believe this to be true. When you refuse to bring your emotions into check, they go out of hand. You MUST know when to draw the line. INTELLECT is the place where thoughts such as "There is no GOD, there's only science!" Our intellect was  given to us by God. \When your intellect seems to be running wild, remember that Paul said in 2Corinthians 10:5 to "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. IMAGINATIONS could be tricky. I remember that, for a long time, I struggled with some unhealthy imaginations. For as long as I allowed them, I remained in the shackles of sin and eternal death. However, after discovering God's Word for myself, I knew I was free. Through His Word, you know you are designed for "casting down imaginations." MEMORY could hinder as much as the four already mentioned. You see, if you keep allowing the past come back, you can't go forward. I saw Joyce Myers' messages one day and, though I joined her late, I saw her putting up some obstacles on a constructed Cross. Of the many things that could hinder, GUILT was mentioned. I never second-guess the Holy Spirit or the power of salvation through Christ. You shouldn't!

You must know that the soul cannot stand alone. It is created to bond with one of the other two parts. It either bonds with your body/flesh or with your spirit. Which bond is at work in your life? When you are born-again, your soul undergoes a renewal or restoration. For this reason did the Psalmist say in Psalm 23 that "He restores my soul."

3. SPIRIT: This is the central command. Every spiritual blessing is imparted not to your soul or body but to your spirit. The Holy Spirit does not bond with your flesh or your soul. He bonds with your spirit. It is your spirit that is reborn, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation..." God created us to have fellowship with Him. This fellowship is SPIRITual in every sense. There is every need to develop your spirit. An undeveloped spirit is a Samson-spirit -- an undisciplined spirit. Anointing is not the only thing. The Christian race does not stop at confessing Christ. There is a place of WALKING IN THE SPIRIT. An unruly spirit might bring destruction upon himself. On the other hand, a disciplined, obedient spirit is God's battle ax against the kingdom of darkness. Joseph stands out when we talk about discipline. In R.L's view, your spirit can be developed by "EATING THE WORD" and through PRAYER.

Never let the devil get any hold of you. Everyday, as you wake, confess to your spirit that DEVIL, THERE IS NO VACANCY FOR YOU IN MY BODY, SOUL OR SPIRIT. When you are suddenly overwhelmed by negative feelings, guilt, an overpowering sense of lust, confess these words over and over again, covering every part with the blood of Jesus. I promise you that there will never be an entry point for the devil. Cast out every unhealthy feeling by shouting it to his face: "I BRING MY BODY UNDER. I AM DEAD TO THE WORLD BUT ALIVE IN CHRIST. I BRING INTO CAPTIVITY, EVERY IMAGINATION TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.

Be blessed and be PRACTICAL with your FAITH....Walk in VICTORY! #COAL2

IDENTITY 2: ALETHEIA

Some days ago, we looked at Identity. Since then, I must confess that all that has been jumping around in my mind is this same thing. God is very much interested in us seeing ourselves the way He sees us. Without this, I assure you, the Christian race is nothing but meaningless teachings and unsavory  religion. He has not called us to hear people talk about Him; He has called us to EXPERIENCE Him in His fullness. Well, today, we will look at a very interesting Greek word I came across recently. It is called ALETHEIA. Now, this word, when translated to English, is called TRUTH. Yet, I must tell you that this word means much more than that. Before moving on, we must look at the promise Jesus Christ gave to His disciples in John 16:13 and 14:17.

In both these references, the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of Truth. The only thing is that "truth" does not really do justice to the word. According to Hidegger, ALETHEIA is interpreted as "unconcealedness" or "unclosedness." This, to me, is very profound. The Holy Spirit was not given to us to hand us little truths. To me, I believe that He was given to us that we may live in the reality of our Father -- God. Do you know what it means to live in the fullness of "unconcealedness" or "unclosedness"? It means you get to see things EXACTLY as God sees things. In other words, God gives us His eyes that we may look at every situation and see opportunities in hopelessness or impossibilities. The Holy Spirit is the one that brings to us, the truth of our identities. When your identity dawns on you, your INHERITANCE will be revealed to you. You will then understand that ALL THINGS have been put under you! The last of this is the POWER and ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES. Through the Holy Spirit, you'll get to see that "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME" is the true power you possess.

We have so underused this precious Holy Spirit. What we are yet to get is that He is THE VERY SPIRIT OF GOD dwelling inside of us! Why then do we still suffer with sickness, sorrow, disappointments, premarital sex, drugs, peer pressure, vain speech and all of that?! It is because we have not realized what resides within us. Imagine the whole of ALMIGHTY GOD squeezing Himself into your spirit; imagine the power that is lying fallow, untapped on you inner man. If Jesus promised us, don't you think it's because He knows how valuable the latter is to the creation? The reality of the Holy Spirit is what makes Christianity the real life! The best part of this is He is only the first installment of all the things God has in plan for us. He is the  mark, the proof of our salvation. However, that is not the end of it; shouldn't be. He is to usher us into the presence of God. John Graham Lake said that Christianity is more in the BEING than in the DOING. In other words, Jesus did not come so others could tell us, spoon-feed us about Christ and His works. No! Jesus died that we might live! Jesus became sin that we may BECOME (LIVE AS OR BE) HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. With all these, aren't you more than a conqueror really?

If you desire more of the Holy Spirit, all you have to do is ASK. There has to be a presence of Him in your spirit and you MUST have a relationship with Him. This is how it works: if a leaf stays long enough with a bar of soap, it has to become soapy. In fact, you could even use it in place of the soap. That's how the Holy Spirit works. if you walk with Him as much as He wants, you take on His quality! You become holy, righteous. In actual fact, you become GOD! If this is your heart desire, all you have to do is activate your faith by the words of your mouth. Please, place your hand on your chest and say the following:

DEAR FATHER, I KNOW NOW THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT JUST A DECORATION. HE IS A PERSON, A GIFT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO ME. LORD, IN THE PRECIOUS NAME OF YOUR SON, JESUS, I ASK THAT YOUR SPIRIT BE MADE A REALITY IN MY LIFE. HOLY SPIRIT, I INVITE YOU TO MY SPIRIT. I OPEN MYSELF UP THAT YOU MAY INHABIT ME, LEAD ME, TEACH ME AND STRENGTHEN ME. I WILL FOLLOW AS YOU PROMPT AND I KNOW THAT I WILL NEVER STRUGGLE ANYMORE WITH YOU AROUND.

If you said that, I am happy to announce to you that you have come into a newness. This relationship has to be daily so that in every situation, you understand that you are walking in ALETHEIA concerning ALL THINGS. May the Father of Lights in whom there's no shade of variableness guide you and prosper your thoughts. #COAL2

MY SUFFERINGS ARE HOLY

My sufferings are holy

My tears are pure

Their charter to teach solely

Finding who standeth sure

Though many mock and faces revile

It shall be my daily cross --

Thwarting for Destiny's sake, all actions that beguile

Always shall I press on with pious force

Of all things that may plague the human soul

To keep it tame and lose its goal

My sufferings regardless help me to know

That all is done to make me whole

You can only say this when you have come into what I call a definite oneness with God. You know then that all is done to make you the man He has built you to be. The work of conforming you to His image is not something that will be done when you are sleeping alone. It is something that involves a complete turn-around of all that had hitherto defined you. Some of us are waist-deep in the wrong things, others are just running at break-neck speed in the WRONG DIRECTION. When God steps in, it's not to punish you. If He would, it would definitely be as a Father would a son. Cast out any fear. God is not wicked! He is endlessly in love with you and me.

Many will find out that their company of friends are not satisfying anymore. It's not because you are bad. It is a sign that your spirit yearns for more than that. Your spirit yearns for that which only God can give you. Please be not sorrowful or hopeless when things turn out in baffling ways. God is calling your attention to your need to drop all you (think) you are and get for yourself, a NEW IDENTITY, HIS IDENTITY!

IDENTITY

Yesterday, we looked at the Amoebic Christian. I know that as many that desired a change in their hearts and said the prayer received an immediate downpour of grace and a revival fire. Well, today, we shall examine a crucial topic: Identity.

I came across two stunning definitions for this easy-going word. The first is from the Encarta Dictionaries. Among a list of possible contextual definitions, one of it says "Sameness: the fact or condition of being the same or exactly alike." As if that wasn't enough, my Pocket Dictionary confirmed our earlier stated definition. According to this source, Identity is "the state of being the same in substance, nature, qualities, etc.; ABSOLUTE SAMENESS..." I believe this is more comprehensive for a pocket dictionary. Interestingly, I just discovered that in both sources, this definition of IDENTITY appears as the THIRD possible one in a list of others. THIRD!

"Why identity?", you might ask. Well, it's not far-fetched. Many people walk around without a clue as to who they are or what their purpose is on earth. They spend years and years but never arrive at a comprehensive and conclusive answer. They just go on and on, moving in endless circles. many of us, especially young people, have looked on helplessly as the absence of this missing puzzle eats us day by day. We forget that wonderful part of the bible where Jesus Christ spoke a direct sentence to us regarding our identity: Jesus said, "I'm only quoting your inspired Scriptures, where God said, 'I tell you -- YOU ARE GODS' (Jn 10: 34 MSG). If we are gods, then we are representatives of a higher one, Jehovah to be precise. Why on earth do you think Jesus came to die for us? It certainly was not let continue in this ignorant state.  "In Him was life and the life was the light of men," Apostle John said. Personally, I believe it's a waste of the whole torture, humiliation and death He suffered if I still haven't come to see yourself as GOD, "...because as he is, so are we in this world" (1John 4 17). Do you know how frustrated you'll be if you keep teaching a child the alphabet table and he just never gets it? What would you say to a guy that still failed an exam after being given the best "expo" the world has ever known?

Jesus came to play a substitutionary role for us: He suffered that we may enjoy; He toiled that we may enter His rest, He became sin that we may become RIGHTEOUS, HE DIED THAT WE MAY LIVE AS SONS OF GOD!!! When you understand this fact, you'll discover that temptations will cease, sickness will dry up and lack will be turned around! Nothing illuminates than the Word of God -- Jesus. We know this because the entrance of His Word brings LIGHT and UNDERSTANDING to the simple.

Now, after reading this, you really might think, "How do I then act like GOD?" well, that too is simple. Remember the number 3 we encountered in the first paragraph, well, it comes in here. The Holy Spirit, the THIRD in Trinity, helps with this. Jesus told us He'll send us the Comforter to lead us into all truth (this is another matter we'll treat in the forthcoming days). The Holy Spirit, the very spirit of GOD, brings us into that realm of SAMENESS: "as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God" (Rom 8:14). That was why he was given to us so allow Him to do His job and I assure you that you'll walk every step as GOD on earth.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will bring you into ALL TRUTH, about yourself and your stand in the promises of Jehovah. Young people, arise and say with me "I AM A GOD, IN THE LIKENESS OF MY FATHER. SIN HAS NO HOLD ON ME. THE DEVIL CAN'T STOP ME AND THE WORLD CANNOT FATHOM ME. I AM SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST. I WILL BE ALL THAT MY FATHER WANTS ME TO BE!" As many that said that, I promise you that a change will envelope you! Be blessed and see you tomorrow