Under God’s Sky and His watchful Eye

While draining my teacup of its milky content, I noticed the morning light dimming. The cloud was brooding. Instead of its clean look, it looked dark and dirty.
Out of the door, I broke into an even paced jog. My stomach sloshing with undigested semi solid breakfast: the road to the bus stop stretched endlessly before me. Soon out of air I slowed down to a walk when I heard my ankles begin to talk.
Before long the morning looked like it was evening. Headlights were turned on to illuminate the darkening road. Frantic movements, adults hurrying, kids scurrying, folks nowhere near origin or destination doing the jumps over gutters in their for search shelters, road side traders spreading nylon covers over their wares, lightweight materials gaining buoyancy as they get picked up in the excited wind, competing winds locking horns making frightened dust particles flee into eyeballs for cover, umbrellas growing from prepared people’s heads like mushrooms.

Observing all this brought a thought to my mind. I remembered that Heavenly daddy is the sole controller of the universe, he schedules the seasons, rainy and dry as we have it here. It didn’t seem implausible that I could gain favor from Him by asking the time for the downpour to be delayed long enough for me to get to my bus stop. I still had a lot of ground to cover. The sky was barely holding. Drops were already cascading lightly but I had no doubt that I could pull strings with Heavenly daddy. But this didn’t mean that I walked like my need to stay dry meant more to Heavenly Daddy than His duty to feed the mouths of millions of His other creatures. No, this wasn’t the case.
Because of delayed rains, such staples like corn, pear, oranges, have been in short supply. The farmers blame it to a baked earth untouched by rains.

Just a few meters to the bus stop, the sky broke at it’s seams. Slanting silver drops pierced the air, fast and furious, filling up gutters in the bat of an eyelid.
I got soaked to the skin but my bones managed to stay dry.

I got to the office, leaking water on the tiled floor like a watering can in a nursery garden . Without a change of clothes to slip into the heat from my laptop helped to warm my fingers while a waiting mail from my fiancée brought some warmth to my heart.

Once upon a time in history, Heavenly Daddy was willing to freeze the Sun and the Moon in their tracks because elder brother Josh had some scores to settle with obstructing infidels. Elder Brother Elijah was once given supernatural strength to outrun the wind in a bid to escape a vengeful weather.

Heavenly Daddy is well known for His fairness, goodness, tenderness and soft tissue heart although He can be firm even stern. He uses the rod to make His kids sit up straight but experience has shown that He also has a waiting balm to massage into the welts drawn across our stubborn posterior.
For many, the rain pounded and attempted to dissolve them but Heavenly Daddy made it fall soft and gentle on me as well as sending a non frigid wind to bring dryness.

Heavenly Daddy loves His Children equally but is moved more by those of His kids who give Him a chance at helping them in circumstances beyond their control. To them He sends help that refreshes their soul.

Sister Bola Tito Ojurabesa: Rest In Hope

1977-2007
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me...Job19:26-27


Her totally unexpected passing has elicited strong emotions. Tributes have poured in like a flood.


Vessel Of Mercy said:
Tall, dark, pretty, self effacing and not given to much words. Her name was Bola Tito Ojurabesa. . Her relationship with God was symbiotic: God cleaned her soul, she cleaned His house.Her cleaning was thorough. Never failing to leave it squeaky clean. She was also expressive in the song service, she would beat the Tambourine mercilessly to make God beautiful sounds. Even after all night services when the dominant thought in the mind of everyone is to snatch minutes of sleep before the morning spreads it's soft light and warmth, she could be heard pushing her broom against particles of sand brought in by shoe soles.
She died in hospital from complications arising from eye pain. That pain later branched out and caused severe damages to her brain before she plunged into a coma. About Sunday 5pm, the 14th of April, she quietly passed on. She was just 30.


Sister Nike said:
O my sister, I thank God for your life which you spent with love and cheerfulness. In your illness, the health of another was your concern. If our wail can bring you back, our desire would be to see you again before we go together in the rapture.
Love you but our dear Jesus loves you best.

Brother Akinpelu Adelani said:
I think of the preacher’s words, “Vanity upon vanity, all is vanity. We brought nothing to this world and we shall take nothing away from it”. Our prophet taught us that we brought nothing to this world but we are going back with Character.
Sister Bola Ojurabesa lived a Christian life before she was called home on the fateful Sonday of the month of Abib (April) 2007.
She displayed a good character before everyone. Surely, Bibleway Fellowship Tabernacle shall remember the good legacy she left behind.
However, I knew her for just 20 months and she never displayed an iron disposition. She was a quiet sister. Hardworking, never mindful of being seedy: whenever she needed to wash the church’s chairs, fans and the floor.
The prophet talks about reaction of people when they are crossing the road of life to death with reference to this, one of the ministers in my local assembly who visited her in the hospital before she passed on confirmed to me that sister Bola Ojurabesa was a Christian and surely we shall meet in the morning. God bless you till we meet again.

Sister Oluwatosin Adelodun said:
Your transition to glory was unexpected considering our discussions. Looking back, I can say that you were like a mother to me as you called me your precious daughter. You were loving and kind, always there for me as a friend and everything I can think of. You showed me true love and redefined friendship to me. Your precious memories will remain fresh n my heart.
I love you but Jesus loves you more. Sleep on till we meet to part no more.

Sister Olufunke Adelodun said:
You’ve been called to glory by the one you faithfully served and departing you left footprints on the sands of time. How sweet the tie of hallowed love that binds our heart in one when gathered in the name of Christ, the Father’s son and though the parting soon has come, yet in His Word is given the blessed hope that by and by we all shall meet in Heaven.
We shall meet in heaven at last through faith in Jesus’ precious blood. Amen.

Sister Becky Adelodun said:
Your transition to glory (the great beyond) was unexpected. While you were here we shared wonderful moments together. You were compassionate, loving and caring. The kindness you showed to those around you, the unconditional love you poured out, the patience you practiced and the faith you had in God gives me assurance that you are now resting where all tears and pains will be no more, where sorrow and mourning have flown away, where you have gladness and joy, where you are clothed in pure array, your head with glory crowned, where we shall be joined in heart an hope to meet again. Sleep tight.


Brother Felix Ayoade said:
Sister Sarah Bolatito Ojurabesa was a dedicated and an industrious Sister indeed!
I will live to remember her for her good works which I believe has gone before her to the throne of God.
I will never forget one Saturday morning, after all night prayer, I met this Sister alone cleaning and mopping up the Church auditorium while others were sleeping. Her action that day really humbled me and I commended her for it. I strongly believe that God will not forget her labor of Love. I also believe in the Scripture that says “There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus". Our Sister cannot be condemned because God allowed her to come in contact with the message of her day.
I want to believe that our Sister had served her purpose and the owner of her soul has since called for it: glory to His Name.
The day her passing-on to glory was announced, I could not hold myself, I burst into tears.
I did not weep for my Sister because I know that she was in a better place but I wept for myself for God’s grace to help me so that I can cross over my own Jordan with my Savior by my side.
One great consolation we have is that our prophet was granted the privilege to go beyond the curtain of time and brought back to us the report of the place. Oh my heart long for that beautiful city!
Sister, continue to rest in the bosom of your Lord and Saviour till we meet to part no more.
I love you precious Sister but Jesus Christ loves you more.
It only pains me as human being she left at the noon of her days on earth but who can query the Sovereignty of God.
God bless her gallant soul. Sleep well!!!

Brother Sunday Chinda said:
Time is filled with swift transitions but naught on Earth unmoved can stand. We must build our hopes on things eternal that we might hold to God’s unchanging hands. If Earthly friends forsake us, we must closely to Him cling.
And if to God we have been true and faithful, then we will meet with Him in the air.
Shalom and God bless you our sister.

Sis Remi said:
Sis Bola, while you loved, you touched us individually in special ways. Your death brought us shock and devastation. We bear grief and pain with dignity, a virtue you epitomized, knowing that we shall meet to part no more someday.
Sleep on, Noble one!

Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh!

The one day old marriage of Brother and Sister Akinyemi receives the church's prayer. They tied the knot on March the 31st, 2007. May God keep them.

Woman, not only will it be easy but it will be quick!

As a Christian, if you are yielded enough to God, your very lips could utter words that are not your own. These words tend to be so authoritative and powerful that situations listen and obey them. They belong to the Great God, who is a Spirit, who needs a fleshly channel. This is a phenomenon known in the Message as the spoken word manifestation.

Once, it was seen only in the Ministry of the Prophet but as the Bride matures, she too is beginning to exhibit this awesome manifestation.
A recent example of this occurred in an exchange between Bro and Sis Dele, moments before she was admitted to the labor room. With a history of protracted labors, she was in anxious state of mind about this session.

Her worried mind found expression in these words:
Sis Dele:" Oh God, please let this labor easy"
And through the lips of the husband, Bro. Dele, a reply came: “Woman, not only will it be easy but it will be quick!”

A little over an hour later, she was done with the delivery business. Her previous durations never was earlier than half a day.

A believable Birthday

April 1st is one day of the year to be cautious in believing tales or risk becoming someone's fool. When Sister Ope announced the day to be her birthday with the lettering of the cake on her head out of sight, the caution light was still turned on. Until, she not only lowered it but brought it in full view of the camera did the light go off.

Sister Ruth Gets called to the Bar

Sister Ruth is smiling. She has every reason to. Everyone who smiles is a winner. She has won with God on her side. As one who is constantly testifying in church, she leaves no one in doubt as to where her help comes from.

Born in a Polygamous home, she hardly had any acquaintance with parental care beyond what little she got from her mom. As far as her dad was concerned, she was not a priority: being neither male nor among the first in the family tree.
She learnt early in life how to pay her way. She fed and schooled herself by working in people's farms or helping with dishes in eateries. All of that is history now as she has made it to the Nigerian Bar.

In one of her testimonies, she recounted how she decided to spend the night in church, in an all night service, hours before her law exam. Her room mate thought she had lost her mind when she heard about it. It seemed like a suicide move. It was a final exam and the scope of examination was going to be broad. Admittedly, Sister Ruth did not have every ground covered but God would not be put anywhere but first place in her life. God in turn never let her down.

Bring them in! Bring them in!

After seven days on Earth, Jaanai ( The one whom the Lord answers) makes it to the altar in a succession of arms. The thick arm in which she is being transfered from in the image is her dad, brother Dele. She made her debut to the Earth on March 18, 2007.

Little Sam drives the knife through the cake

5 year old Samuel gets celebrated as he celebrates his birthday. I heard someone call him a Prophet. He just maybe: he's got the right facial expression to suit the personality; no-nonsense and stern.

God be with you till we meet again

Something uncharacteristic about the way he carried himself as he took the steps to the pulpit in his usual Sunday school class. A vibrant man
whose speech is laced with the force of his personality, whose sharp gesticulations press home the meaning of his words. He
has never been known to suffer a lack of things to say. Usually the interruption of the time keeper’s bell causes him to frown at the clock hanging on the wall by his side while muttering under his breath about how Time is an enemy for creatures of eternity.

On this particular Sunday school class, Lots of things were conspicuously missing as he spoke. Instead of a beaming smile, he had on a somber expression that looked as dark as the suit he wore. His words were slow and measured. The sharp gesticulations of his hands were absent. The lifeless delivery made people question with their eyes the drastic personality change. He seemed not to want to let it out yet because he may have reasoned that what he was shielding may create an unfavorable atmosphere for his class just as it had affected him on a personal level. But the questioning look on the peoples face was persistent and demanding.
When he could no longer hold back, the words came in a rush and the church auditorium was drained of sound. Even the babies seemed to be affected by it.
Sitting with rapt attention, we listened as he gave more details of how he
had been transfered from Lagos to Abuja. He informed us that this move was to happen immediately. We were having the last service with him before he relocates.There was nothing to prepare the mind for it. The impact of the announcement was jarring and harsh.
In a local assembly enjoying the ministry of more ministers than her counterparts, God may have decided to loan one to an assembly needing his service.
That this humble, jovial man of great charisma will be missed goes without saying.

Tribute Video to Brother Branham

Amazing grace shines on an old lady in her sunset years

She's old but only physically. The experience she is describing
is one of a baby taking her first tentative steps in the realm of the spiritual.

2007, is election year in Nigeria but mama is voting for none but The
Lord Jesus Christ. She saw His reflection in her daughter and son-in-
law and poor old lady! having lived long and seen much, is sure she has
found the real deal.

Lovelier when you smile, uglier when you don't!

It's January 1, 2007, and all the sisters are wearing the Heaven
approved make-up...a smile. Surely, they look lovelier by a mile.

Papa "Goddy's" blue Picanto will surely drive the Devil mad, sad and blue

Brother Godwin Omoigui finds that God is faithful as he is rewarded
with a brand new official car at the office after the breakdown of his
own personal car.

Undoubtedly, for a man whose job takes him out more than it keeps him in,
this is certainly a blessing.Now getting to the spot, on time, where his camera will capture news and events for THISDAY newspaper, is a matter of flooring the pedals of the puny Picanto!

Steven Adelodun: Spared from being labeled dead

At Oshodi, that Friday morning, the rowdiness showed no sign of abating. It was hustle and bustle everywhere. I was to go for an entrance examination coming the day after, 2nd September at Ife, Osun state. I had been told to go to Ojota to board a straight bus straight to Ife but somehow, I found myself at Oshodi, probably “a slip of the leg” which God had a hand in as would later be seen in this piece.
When I got to Oshodi, I boarded a bus heading to Ibadan with the hope of catching another one going to Ife, in a bid to cut cost. This Ibadan bus was a new one with a tasteful interior and spic and span exterior. Any thoughts or fears about a mishap would have been dispelled at the sight of the bus. I was the third passenger and I sat in front beside the driver. Three persons boarded at once, then came a Voice from within. It said, “Get down from this bus. Are you ready to die?” I answered, “ I might not be ready to die but I am not afraid”. The Voice said, “This isn’t a case of being afraid but of being obedient!”
I kept on struggling with the Voice but thankfully. It prevailed. Just before the last person boarded, I alighted and boarded another one going straight to Ife at a fair price, comparatively.
Fortunately, I was the last person to board. The Ibadan bound bus had left before we did and I was still wondering why I alighted from that “dream” bus when a thought flashed across my mind: “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that God loves”
And how true that turned out. Just before we got to Ibadan, I saw the most horrifying sight. The dream bus was wrecked on the highway with bloodstains and broken limbs just around it.
It is doubtful that anyone could have survived the accident. I remember seeing the FRSC officials moving corpses to their waiting van.
There is nothing that can happen to a Christian if God hasn’t finished with him. God is real, He still speaks, but we do not always listen O God, I am so thankful!

Camp Meeting 2006

"

The challenge is not in preaching a sermon, it's in living it

"-Faithfulscribe

Having attended three annual conventions since letting down my fluttering religious sails to anchor in the message of my day, I find the third striking and unique.
This time, the experience, getting to the venue had a valuable lesson to offer: it was that the road to Heaven passes through hell. The forces of hell were not going to watch and cheer us along as we traveled to pick up the blessings marked for us. Spiritually influenced roadblocks and speed bumps were hurdles to overcome or be overcome by. This time, we had more than the usual to make us wonder and ponder if the pain along the way would match the gain obtainable from staying on course.

The supply of fuel, the lifeblood of the nation, got disrupted mysteriously with no one able to give a reasonable explanation. The consequence of that alongside the desperate desire for city dwellers that have had so few visits home in the course of the year created an atmosphere for exploitation. Within days, travelers witnessed fares doubling, tripling and quadrupling and at it’s peak becoming fives times larger in size.

Drivers, spotting a rare opportunity, turned the roads into a picture of chaos. Cars and buses were to be seen coming in places where they should be going and vice versa. The bottleneck beat the hardiest of them. The only way they could reach destination was to circumvent the usual routes in a way that lengthened the travel time almost unbearably. The usual two-hour journey to Ibadan stretched to a six-hour ride for us. A journey begun under the full glare of a mid day’s intense light and heat saw us arriving in the fading light of an evening Sun.

The most obvious change to the area of the ancient city where we gather annually were the freshly tarred dirt road and a huge carnal under construction.
The expansive school compound from colonial days was already alive with believers from the nation’s four cardinal points.
The food, both physical and spiritual were nourishing, refreshing and invigorating. The lodging/accommodation this time was one area that reflected the growing organizational ability of the event planners. A remarkable transition from classroom blocks with missing windows and doors to comfortable hostels akin to hotels save for the privacy.
The meetings were replete with testimonies of God’s power to change lives and situations surrounding them. From a student being saved from mental affliction, an old lady rejoicing about her salvation in her sunset years to a young man’s long search for the seemingly elusive Holy Ghost baptism being rewarded. The “specials numbers” were not in short supply. A silky voiced young man under the alias, “African Jim Reeves”, did a special rendition that caused a deep stir in the hearts of his audience. Not to be outdone by youth, a gracefully aged lady wrinkled with age, crooned away the goodness of God in her native tongue. Her song, like a fountain, gushed from the depth of her heart.
The Speakers came full and left empty. Totally drained by a spiritually hungry congregation.
When the last meeting dispersed, the feeling that it had ended too soon hung heavy like a cloud in the auditorium.
On the 27th of December, like it was on the 23rd the idle exit route got busy.


THE VENUE:IBADAN
A city ancient in years: An open museum of history, displaying structures from the nation’s cradle years. In it’s expansive schools, marks of colonialism stand well preserved. Cheap food prices give away the earthiness of the people. Food production is an endeavor that enjoys mass participation. Power supply is enviably good: coming faster than it goes.
Light traffic flows unhindered on the tarred roads twisting in and out of the city.
Citizens with innocence rarely seen on the streets of Lagos, where approaching someone to ask for directions in broad daylight, does nothing to make them less suspicious. However, on the flip side, a good command of English, so taken for granted in Lagos would raise curious eyebrows and form embarrassing silence. Broken English heard on very rare occasions would pass for shattered English In Lagos. The ancient Yoruba language is what oils the wheel of communication in this place refusing to give up on both its ruralness and civilization.

THE SPOKEN WORD CONVENTION-by Brother -by Bro Wole Olojede

“It is good for us to be here”
I have always wondered why God who loves His children to be in unity, disperses them to every corner of the Earth. Some in the valley, others on the hills, and mountaintops: Separated by far distances.
Naturally, it is not feasible for unity to be strengthened without frequent dialogues, localizations, seeings and sharing of perspectives among those who desire it. Here again, we see how God’s perspective transcends our earthly perspective. He achieves Unity without frequent dialogues, localizations, seeing and sharing of perspectives among people who desire it but through a divine personality (Holy Ghost) that is Omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent in the hearts of His children. It further means that no physical effort of man can bring about his great infinite unity among His children, therefore human effort at achieving unity will be denominational, self glorifying and will lead ultimately to persecuting the true unity of God. It is evident, through ages that human effort at achieving true spiritual unity has turned individuals and churches denominational.

The 2006 Spoken Word Convention in Ibadan was a true vindication of God’s unity among His children. The ministers and the congregation were in true spiritual harmony, which subsequently pulled down God’s hand in revelation of the Word, healing, words of prophecy and others…a shower of blessing. This experience is analogous to Acts 2vs1-2.
The ministers that preached were inspired to say powerful nuggets that triggered the Bride to greater exploits at every service time. The subsequent services were more glorious than the previous ones. Not one with self-motive, but all with one big desire to “let God be glorified”.
Thank God for the co-operation and maturity of the ministers that did not preach. Brother Branham said that” the unity of the people of God comes by His Word, through His Spirit”. Paul and the early Apostles never saw themselves for years, but the Unity of the Word through the Spirit made them preach the same thing with signs following them.

Brothers like Brother Martins (host pastor), Brother Joshua (Ijebu Ode), Brother Dele (Oworonshoki, Lagos), Brother Peter Ahamba (Onisha), Brother Simon (Ile-Ife), Brother George ( Uk), Brother Dele (Isolo, Lagos), Brother Bosworth (Jos) were given grace to minister faith to the Bride.

Moreover, ministers who handled the morning devotions were wonderful. Their pre-dawn exhortations helped to warm up the believers for the day’s services. Brother Ayo (the associate host pastor) led the campground morning devotions while other ministers residing outside handled that in their location.

The testimonies from last year convention abounded. The special numbers and Amen corners never diminished but were tremendous this time. A brother going with the alias, “African Jim Reeves” and brother Emmanuel’s group treated the congregation to soulful renditions.
The physical food was no less nourishing. A touch of professionalism was seen this time in all aspects of service. The meals were a delight.
My prayer is that everyone will remain blessed and if God permits another convention, that it will be more glorious.
God knows that if He localizes us in a place, with His divine love in our hearts, we won’t long for the Heavenly meeting ahead and some of His children in other regions wont encounter life without the Word being scattered to them, therefore He had to separate us. Thus it behooves God to separate us afar but join us strongly in heart and spirit.
GOD BLESS YOU.

Is Divine Healing Absent In The Present And Present Only In The Past? Sis Ediths’ Testimony

Divine healing in Christendom is a thorny subject that never fails to draw sharp and contrasting reactions. It is the fork in the road of Christian Pilgrimage that sees Christian pilgrims choosing divergent directions.

In a modern, materialistic age where the prevailing culture is rooted in the empiricism of Science and Technology, where the surreal, the metaphysical, the unverifiable, the immeasurable and improvable are treated with contempt and tacked with such dismissive labels as superstition and religious myth and consequently not given any serious contemplation, the faith of Preachers is not the least affected.

As diseases take on ever more nightmarish appearances, a large number of preachers are hushing up about their continued belief in divine healing. Faith is viewed as an obsolete weapon in the battle for life against death. Except for such small afflictions as common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, aches and pains in tired muscles and stiff joints; faith is no longer seen as the choice weapon to go into the make or break battle with diseases.
Theological books are being rewritten or revised. The newest editions pronounce divine healing as absent in the present but present in the past. That God remains the same yesterday, today and forever is seen only in radically different context.

It is reasoned that Science with its awesome breakthroughs and unprecedented insight into the mechanics of diseases that afflict the human body is the gift of God for our times: Therefore it is to be embraced with enthusiastic acceptance, without prejudice.

Brothers Dele and Stanley, two young preachers among those in the forefront of the doctrinal battle turf, whose uncompromising stance on the immutability of God in all spheres of Biblical teaching (divine healing included), are put to test on a trip to a wedding in a like minded assembly in Abidjan. Amidst the euphoria of nuptial celebration, a desperate case, personified by Sis Edith got stretchered in. God’s intervention was needed as a matter of urgency because Medical Science had declared that it was as helpless as she was.

Would God save her? Would He vindicate His word that He remains “the same yesterday, today and forever” or would He in a more convenient way let her tortured body go home to rest? The answers to these questions were unknowns in the mind of the young preachers. When they, alongside other ministers, called on God, their child like faith was being expressed. They encircled Sis Edith and prayed passionately over her. Reminding God that His Word states that He is the one who heals ALL our diseases: not just the smalls but also the biggies.
.
To the natural eyes, the situation remained at status quo: no visible change. Sis Edith never ceased groaning. Cancer’s death march advanced unbroken and sure footed.

But it was only a few days after the return of Brothers Dele and Stanley back to Nigeria that they received a call. It was a call from an excited voice. It was about Sis Edith. She was recovering! In an inexplicable way her body had started to gain strength. She had been off her sickbed for days and was busying herself with small household chores.

Perhaps Divine Healing never went anywhere with the Apostles after all. Perhaps all it needed to manifest was the same faith that operated it in the early days of Christianity. God was and still is… but only to them that would believe!

Brother Alfred and Sisters Bola and Blessing marking their birthdays

L-R:
Bro. Godwin, Bro.Dele,Bro.Alfred, Sis. Bola, Sis. Blessing, Bro.Antia,Bro.Dipo, Pastor Niyi


L-R:
Squatting; sis. Unice, Sis. Ruth, Sis. Blessing, Sis. Amaka, Sis.Adeyemi
Standing; Bro. Samuel, Bro.Gbolahan, Bro.Godwin,Bro.Luke, Sis. Ruth, Bro.Tony,Bro.Chinda,Bro.Akinpelu, Bro.Ifeanyi, Bro.Ayoade,Bro.Adeyemi





L-R:
Squatting; Bro.Akin, Bro.Tony, Bro.Eniola
Standing; Bro.Ayoade,Bro.Adeyemi,Bro.Kunle, Bro.Adetola,Bro.Emmanuel, Bro.Alfred, Sis Bola, Sis. Blessing, Bro.Seun, Bro.Francis, Bro.Onah, Bro.Adeyemi,Bro.Chinda




L-R:
Bro.Alfred,Sis. Ruth Luke, Sis. Ruth Bello, Sis.Chidera, Sis. Blessing, Sis. Folake, Sis. Bola, Sis. Uduak, Sis. Unice

Testimony: The Healing Of Sis.Toyin Soname

Sister Toyin Soname recently took ill. Each passing day saw her getting weaker and weaker to the point where she had no more strength for speech. Her condition degenerated so badly till she could take in neither solid foods nor liquids. Her body was simply refusing everything.
Her Husband (Bro. Shola Soname), due to stress arising from a busy job and the sight of his beloved wife pining away from a crumbling health, also succumbed to illness.
Sickness seemed to be spreading like a dark cloud in the family but the Church kept praying and calling on the mercy and power of God. He responded to those prayers and about a week later, sis Toyin became her usual self: regaining all bodily functions and of course, re-occupying her space in church.
God be praised!
For He has confirmed His Word, that says that" By His Stripes, we are healed".
Contributed by Bro. Shola Soname.

THE STILL SMALL VOICE

Once upon a time in Jewish history, the Jews began to resent the voice of their Prophet (The mouthpiece of their God). They complained and demanded that they hear Him directly: lip to ear and no more by a medium. Their murmurs increasingly grew in pitch until the possibility of an outbreak of civil unrest was not so far fetched. Moses, their prophet and spiritual leader, reported back to God their demands. God agreed and scheduled a meeting with them, requiring that they first consecrate themselves till the third day.

Arriving at the top of the famous mount Sinai, on the set day, His presence alone made the mountain burn, setting dark plumes of smoke bellowing into the arid sky. His voice, as He spoke, was of such tremendous effect that Mount Sinai trembled and quaked, causing it’s rocks to tumble down from their precarious hangings. Every utterance hit their eardrums like deafening thunder blasts. Then they cried out for Moses’ intervention, who in response, may have smiled knowingly, thinking, “I told you so”

So the Jews learnt a vital lesson about their God’s voice: it was too powerful for all but specially designed human ears to endure.

In our dispensation, many have reported hearing God’s voice but they describe it in ways different from the Jewish experience. The most widely used and accepted description, portrays the voice as “ still and small”.

No doubt, many today, would react with skepticism to hear that God speaks. This is largely because voice is associated with sound. But the Bible also known as the Word, though in printed form, utters speech! The ministers of God sermonizing from the pulpit are God’s voice also! Nature is God’s voice! The Heavens, whereon God displays His signs speak His intentions; consequently making them His voice! God speaks in volumes everyday but we don’t recognize His Voice.

Admittedly, to hear God, who is Spirit, one has to have spiritual ears.

Christ said, “My sheep know my voice…”

Job said, “For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it”.

I, as a believer, have had the privilege of hearing this tender voice at many crucial junctions of my life. It is so radically different from how we hear things. It is a Voice that springs up from within for the briefest possible time, leaving you to wonder if it was merely a figment of your imagination. It comes as a thought penetrating through the fog of your own thoughts. The clearest of whispers, that proffers solution to mind boggling situations, pointing out direction at life’s crossroads.

My experience is that, this “still, small voice” is never verbose; just a few words that are loaded with immense power. It almost always says things that defy what is largely known as “common sense” because it is uncommon and out of this world.

Contributed by faithful scribe.