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 Religion / Are You Worthy Enough For Salvation? by agwom(m): 8:21am On May 24, 2020 |
In the following Scripture, Paul said he did not frustrate the grace of God. Gal 2:21 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV) “Righteousness,” in the above verse, translates a Greek legal term and means “cleared of all guilt.” Furthermore, the words “righteousness, righteous, just, justify, justified and/or justification,” when used in your English Bible, are translations of the same Greek root above and still means, “cleared of all guilt.” “Frustrate” means “to make void.” That is, Paul did not “make void” the grace of God. For him, Jesus’ blood took care of the guilt and penalty for all his sins or it did not. If it did, then they were taken away by the grace of God. For Paul, to add any other thing would frustrate the grace of God. Likewise, for him, to take away any thing from the blood of Jesus would also frustrate the grace of God. In other words, Paul was completely satisfied that the grace of God, utilizing the blood of Jesus, had completely dealt with the guilt and unworthiness he may have had because of his sins. Paul spent his Christian life combating the peddlers of unworthiness. He saw that our worthiness is based on the worth of Jesus’ blood. His teaching on this great subject inspired the lines to the old song, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” For Paul, salvation was based on the merits of Jesus blood plus nothing and minus nothing. If God’s grace, however, did not take care of Paul’s guilt and unworthiness, then any hope he had of clearing his guilt and unworthiness must be based upon his own works of righteousness. In other words, he must keep Moses’ law to obtain enough righteousness to be saved and blessed. If this was true, howover, Paul plainly reasoned that Christ died for nothing. His death was useless. There was absolutely no point to it or in it. “Vain,” in the preceding verse, is an unusual word. It is a form of the Greek word for “gift.” The form of the word used here, however, does not mean gift. It means “uselessly.” It means “without a cause.” In other words, if Jesus’ blood alone did not take away all Paul’s guilt and unworthiness, Jesus died “for no cause at all.” His death was “useless.” There was “no point” to it. It “availed nothing.” It “accomplished nothing.” Thank God, though, Jesus’ blood did accomplish something. It did avail something. There was a point to it. It took care of the guilt and unworthiness produced by our sins. We can still be healed and prospered. Jesus’ blood paid it all. We are now as worthy as his blood. We are washed in it. https://www.mychristianlifeministries.com/2020/05/are-you-worthy-enough-for-salvation.html |
| Religion / Family Well Being Promised To Christians by agwom(m): 7:41am On May 24, 2020 |
There are too many Scriptures to cite here which show that we can pray in faith for our family. Over and over again, we are told that it will go well with our children. These many Scriptures demonstrate the great fact that our families are included in the promises from God to Abraham. The Abrahamic covenant included four great blessings. They were healing, prosperity, and family well being in addition to salvation. Over four hundred years later, God added the Mosaic Law to the blessing promises in the Abrahamic covenant to deal with their sin problem. Here is how this worked. When a Jew sinned in the Old Testament period, he was required to make the proper sacrifice for his particular sin. When he did, he maintained the blessings he was born with in the Abrahamic covenant. As we showed above, they were healing, prosperity and family well being in addition to salvation. Now, the Jew who sins no longer makes animal sacrifices because God no longer accepts them. Now, He only accepts the blood of his son, Jesus. You see, Jesus is now God’s final sacrifice for sin. Therefore, the Jew who sins must now accept Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for his sins. When he accepts Jesus as the final sacrifice for sin, the sinning Jew maintains what he was born with in the Abrahamic covenant, namely, healing, prosperity and family well being in addition to his salvation. When you see Scriptures, like the ones we list in this article, that say there are commandments that must be kept to receive well being for our families, this is exactly right. But right how? You see, part of the commandments in the Mosaic Law were the commands to sacrifice properly when anyone sinned. These commands to sacrifice were, indeed, an inconvenience. Nevertheless, any one could obey these commands to sacrifice properly. Now that Jesus is the final sacrifice for sin, when a Jew who has accepted Jesus sins, rather than make the animal sacrifice to maintain his blessing of family well being, he tells Jesus what he did and requests cleansing for it. In other words, he claims the blood of Christ as his cleansing. He claims it by faith as having been his once for all sacrifice. I Jn 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV) Furthermore, we Gentile Christians are grafted into this blessing promise of family well being right along with Abraham. Here is just a few of these building scriptures for your family well being. We look at the actual grafting Scripture later but now look at some specific promises of family well being. Deut 4:40 Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, forever. (KJV) Above is the classic Abrahamic promise: God promises to make sure that all goes well with us (including prolonged days) and with our children. Remember that in the Old Testament, the commandments they had to keep included the animal sacrifices when they sinned by breaking any of the other commandments. Remember also that God no longer accepts the blood of bulls and goats. He only accepts the blood of Jesus. Isa 44:3-4 3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. (KJV) Here, both God’s Spirit and his blessings are poured upon his offspring. (These are our children.) In addition, they spring up where it is fertile and safe, as among the grass and the watercourses. These are precious promises and they belong to us Christians today by grafting. When we Gentiles receive Christ as our savior, we are grafted into every one of the above promises. Our roots go back to Genesis 12 and so do the roots of our children. Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; (KJV) This is an amazing thing. Our children are right there with us. What benefits there are for Gentile grafted Christians. As a member of the Abrahamic Seed Group, not only us but also our children are promised the very same things that God promised Abraham, namely, healing, prosperity, family being and salvation. We were and are important to God. He wants us to feel and know the level of importance he has placed upon us beginning in Genesis 12. God has so much in store for our children as the following scriptures plainly state. Isa 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. (KJV) Is there any Christian parent today who does not pray and long for peace for their children? Ever since my children were born, one of my main prayers for them has been the prayer for peace. Furthermore, I have wanted them to be taught of God. Here, however, God goes way past being taught about God, he says he will teach my children himself. Ps 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; (KJV) The children’s children mentioned here are our children. God says that his righteousness will not only be upon us but also upon our children and our grandchildren. This is almost too good to be true. But it is true! You see there are sixty promises in the Abrahamic covenant and thirteen of these sixty promises include us Gentile Christians. We Gentile Christians are grafted into the Abrahamic covenant right along with the Jews. These promises concerning the children include our children also. Isa 49:25 25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. (KJV) God is a God of War for the Abrahamic Seed Group. Those of our children who might be taken captive by the devil and his strongholds will be delivered. Thank God that the battle is the Lord’s and not ours. He said above that he will contend with him that contends against us. This is a real encouragement for me. I have had to face some battles in my life. Yet, God always comes through for me. There is even more. He also says above that He will save out children. Get this well! “I will save thy children.” Do you get this? God will save our children. He promised over and over in his covenant with Abraham that all would go well with us and with our children. Therefore, God must deliver. He must save our children. He must come through for our little ones. We are grafted into the promises of Abraham. Start acting on these Scriptures. Speak them out loud. Quit saying how bad things are for your children. Speak over them these promises listed here. God will perform what He has said when you speak them. |
| Politics / Re: I'll Take Boko Haram As In-Law If Leah Will Be Released, Says Rebecca Sharibu by agwom(m): 6:44pm On May 23, 2020 |
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| Politics / NSCDC Deploys 35,000 Personnel For Eid-il Fitr by agwom(m): 6:42pm On May 23, 2020 |
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 35,000 personnel across all its formations in the country to ensure peace during the Eid-il-Fitr celebration. The Commandant General of the corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, directed that the deployment should be made to all nook and cranny of the country. NSCDC’s spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. NSCDC boss charged personnel to effectively cover the environment to guarantee a hitch-free celebration and to protect all critical national assets and infrastructures of government at all levels. In addition to the deployment of personnel, he charged the State commandants to deploy all other equipment such as surveillance vehicles, patrol vehicles, ambulances, dogs and other monitoring gadgets to all critical infrastructure installations and black spots that are prone to attacks and vandalism. He also charged them to take cognizance of the fact that all COVID-19 regulations are still in force. “No tolerance for large gatherings and there must be strict adherence to the use of nose masks, maintaining physical and social distancing, regular washing of hands and use of alcohol based hand sanitizer,” he noted. While urging personnel to be civil and diplomatic in their approach towards members of the public, he also cautioned Nigerians to desist from acts capable of breaching the COVID-19 protocols, before, during and after the celebration. He also appealed to all Nigerians to be law abiding at all time and to report any act capable of truncating government’s effort at ensuring that life is better for all and sundry. The Muslims in Nigeria will celebrate Eid-il Fitr on Sunday to mark the end of this year’s Ramadan. Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nscdc-deploys-35000-personnel-for-eid-il-fitr.html |
| Politics / Financial Autonomy For State Assemblies, Judiciary, Commendable—nasarawa Speaker by agwom(m): 12:11pm On May 23, 2020 |
President Muhammadu Buhari has been commended for signing an Executive order Number 10 of 2020 for the implementation of financial autonomy for state Houses of Assembly and Judiciary with a view to entrenching good governance and accountability. The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, (NSHA), Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi made the commendation, saying that the autonomy would go a long way in enhancing legislative and judicial activities. According to him, ” I received the news of the signing of an executive order by the President for the implementation of financial autonomy of state Houses of Assembly and judiciary with joy. “Granting of the financial autonomy to the state legislature and judiciary is a good omen for the country and will go a long way in enhancing the functions of the institutions for good governance and accountability as well as strengthening democracy in the country.” He said. A Speaker Balarabe said that the President has further demonstrated that he is a democrat. It would be recalled that on Friday, May 22, President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law Executive Order No. 10 of 2020 for the implementation of Financial Autonomy of State Legislature and State judiciary. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) who disclosed this in a statement said the exercise took place on Friday and that the action of the president was in exercise of his constitutional duties. Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/financial-autonomy-for-state-assemblies-judiciary-commendable-nasarawa-speaker.html |
| Politics / Re: Kyari Still Listed As Aide To The President by agwom(m): 9:43am On May 23, 2020 |
hmmm |
| Politics / Re: Port Harcourt Cultists Invade, Destroy Secondus, Ikuru’s Houses In Rivers State by agwom(m): 9:41am On May 23, 2020 |
Oh God! 1 Like |
| Politics / Re: Restructuring Cannot Save Nigeria — Chief Tola Adeniyi by agwom(m): 9:39am On May 23, 2020 |
Nigeria... |
| Politics / Re: Senator Ibrahim Gobir: Bandits Took Over Sokoto Communities, Appointed ‘Judges’ by agwom(m): 9:36am On May 23, 2020 |
Where Buratai boys dey? 2 Likes |
| Politics / Gov Zulum Meets Empty Offices During Surprise Tour Of LG Secretariats by agwom(m): 7:02am On May 23, 2020 |
Many senior officials were absent when Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State undertook a surprise tour of some local government areas in the state within the week, meeting almost empty secretariats.https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gov-zulum-meets-empty-offices-during-surprise-tour.html 7 Likes 1 Share
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| Health / COVID-19: Us-based Nigerian, Church Donates Food, Facemasks To Abuja Households by agwom(m): 10:59pm On May 22, 2020 |
A United States-based Nigerian and church have reached out to households in Abuja with facemasks, hand sanitisers and food items to cushion the effect of COVID-19. PowerHaven Church, based in Atlanta USA in conjunction with Adeola Adediran of Dallas, Texas, said the outreach tagged “Feed a Family” was aimed at feeding at least 200 families in Abuja. The two-part outreach on Friday had recipients gathered at the ECWA Church, Jikwoyi Community, FCT at 10 am with the support Dr. Mary Jane of GAMAC Foundation while the second batch was hosted by Dr. Ayo and Pastor Dorcas Tegbe at their church, Holy Ghost Christian Centre (HCC), Apo Mechanic Village, Abuja. Donations at Apo Donations at Jikwoyi Adediran, in a text message to our reporter, said the whole idea came about when “I started hearing a lot about the struggles people were facing in Nigeria during the coronavirus pandemic. She said she heard about how some lower-class individuals were starving because they have no source of income due to the restrictions in the country. After doing some research, she said she realized the government has not been able to reach out to everyone with the provision of adequate support to keep things afloat particularly among the lower-class individuals. “This inspired me to create a GoFundMe to help in whatever way I can which in turn raised a lot of funds. “In collaboration with Pastor Micheal Oyategbe of PowerHaven Church in Atlanta, we have fed over 700 people in multiple cities across Nigeria (Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Ikorodu, Ilorin, Ota). “Our goal is to feed over 1000 individuals during this time with the hopes of taking on more initiatives in the coming future for the betterment of people’s lives across the world,” she added. Responding on behalf of all the recipients, Dr. Ayo Tegbe appreciated the good gestures, noting that the turn out was impressive even as his church had to provide buses to commute some of the recipients from and back to their houses. “People are filled with joy today (Friday) because of this. You can see the joy on their faces that people remember them all the way from America,” he added. Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/covid-19-us-based-nigerian-church-donates-food-facemasks-to-abuja-households.html
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| Politics / Corruption And Poverty Are Killing Nigerians More Than COVID-19 by agwom(m): 1:52pm On May 22, 2020 |
After five weeks of continued extension, President Muhammadu Buhari finally eased Nigeria’s total lockdown in May, declared on Lagos and Ogun States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), due to the coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria. Even as the number of cases continue to rise exponentially in the face of the relaxation, nothing seems to appear more feasible. Because Nigeria can no longer afford to keep its doors shut lest the nation starves. Nigeria is unceremoniously the poverty capital of the world, with over 80 million citizens living below the poverty mark of $1 per day. The failure of government institutions, the magnitude of corruption, and the overall inefficiency of the government to reduce the margin has proven costly to Nigeria in the fight against covid-19, forcing Nigerians to go out to earn their meals thereby making transmission easier. Despite belatedly announcing travel bans from high risk countries, and a lockdown afterwards, government economic palliatives to entice citizens to stay-at-home were miserly and barely got to Nigeria’s poorly documented indigents. Economic hardship forced many low-income houses to go out despite initial lockdown orders, as increased crime rate swept across the country, making a mockery of the lockdown. There was little done to provide relief for the citizens. Even when the Nigerian government tried to help out with some palliative, the process got marred by corruption and nepotism. The social register was last updated in May 2018, with 503,005 households captured in 20 states. Yet, only 297,973 received palliatives, the majority of whom were from North West states, where the President is from – notwithstanding that they either had not recorded any coronavirus cases at the time, or had no lockdown. While Ogun State, one of the hotbeds of the virus, did not benefit from the palliative. Interestingly, this misbehaviour runs from top to bottom in the country. Only two weeks into the outbreak in Nigeria, whereas the virus had killed 11 Nigerians, security agents were responsible for 18 deaths nationwide in the process of enforcing the lockdown. Despite Germany’s coronavirus numbers, meanwhile, Nigeria’s –now late– Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari visited Germany, returned to Nigeria where he attended social functions and did not observe the 14 day mandatory isolation until his test results came back positive. This case would have been avoided but for Nigeria’s leadership inadequacies. During the lockdown, a skyrocketing crime rate shared between actual thieves and security agents rocked Lagos and Ogun, but the government was silent, while the Police chiefs feigned ignorance. Nigeria does not have a firm nationwide approach to curbing the spread of the virus. While Lagos state is at the fore, some states are business as usual. If Nigeria wants to reduce the spread of the virus, the federal government needs to take a cue from Ghana and take a more disciplined approach across all levels. Security agents caught molesting citizens should face instant disciplinary action, and citizens not following protocols should be sanctioned. There should be provisions for nationwide testing, contact tracing and isolation. Corona virus has hit Africa’s biggest country, not just Lagos State. If Nigeria does not get to work now, America will be sorry for us soon. Akinyemi Muhammed is a writing fellow at African Liberty and holds an LL.B (Hons) from the University of Ilorin. He is an alumnus of the African Presidential Leadership Program, Cairo, and tweets via @theprincelyx. Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/corruption-and-poverty-are-killing-nigerians-more-than-covid-19.html |
| Politics / Re: Boss Mustapha: I Am Treated As A COVID-19 Suspect In My House by agwom(m): 1:38pm On May 22, 2020 |
Sorry sir...cover your mouth and nose well well 7 Likes |
| Politics / Re: After 7 Days Prayer, God Shows Next Edo Governor To A Top Politician by agwom(m): 1:34pm On May 22, 2020 |
You are not serious  |
| Politics / Re: Igbo Is Synonymous With SUCCESS, To Understand Money – Reno Omokri by agwom(m): 11:56am On May 22, 2020 |
hmm |
| Politics / Re: Pro And Anti-Oshiomhole Forces Fight Dirty In Edo by agwom(m): 10:03am On May 22, 2020 |
Oshio baba 3 Likes |
| Politics / Re: COVID-19 Presents Opportunity To Make Africa Self-reliant – Elumelu by agwom(m): 6:43am On May 22, 2020 |
k |
| Politics / Muhammad Musa Bello: Places Of Worship Remain Shut In Abuja by agwom(m): 6:40am On May 22, 2020 |
The Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has said that places of worship in the territory remain shut based on advice from medical experts and guidelines from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/places-of-worship-remain-shut-fct-minister.html
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| Politics / Death Of Pregnant Woman Stopped By Lockdown Police Sparks Outrage In Ogun by agwom(m): 11:30pm On May 21, 2020 |
Youths in Ibi-Ade in Ogun Waterside council area on Thursday took to the streets in protest against police officers they said were responsible for the death on Wednesday night of a pregnant woman whom officers enforcing Covid-19 lockdown delayed from giving birth. The youths threatened to burn down the divisional police headquarters in the town. The woman, yet unidentified, was due for childbirth but police officers enforcing lockdown at a checkpoint stopped the motorcycle conveying her to hospital. A witness said the woman was already bleeding but her ride was delayed for hours before the officers allowed the motorcyclist to continue. She died shortly after arriving hospital from suspected blood loss, sparking outrage among the community’s youths. The traditional ruler, Alarege of Ibi-Ade, Oba Kola Rahimi and some eminent personalities in the community helped pacify the youths. A youth in the community, Festus Ogun, said, “The true situation is that, the woman was in labour and she was already bleeding profusely and being taken to the hospital. “On the way to the hospital, the motorcycle carrying her was stopped by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, she was delayed for hours and it was that delay that led to her death.” The spokesman of the Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi confirmed the incident, but absolved police officers of culpability in the woman’s death. “The officers stopped them and asked questions; they said that the woman is bleeding, so the officers asked them to go to the hospital. About 10 or 15 minutes later, the woman died during labour. Maybe she had lost a lot of blood before they decide to take her to the hospital. ” She hasn’t even given birth before she died. So, those people came back and said that the policemen that stopped them at the checkpoint delayed them from getting to the hospital earlier, saying that they killed her. How is that possible?” Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/death-of-pregnant-woman-stopped-by-lockdown-police-sparks-outrage-in-ogun.html |
| Religion / Re: Unserious Moslem Man Allegedly Forces His Wife To Have Sex During Ramadan by agwom(m): 1:38pm On May 21, 2020 |
hmmm |
| Politics / Troops Destroy Boko Haram, ISWAP Logistics Stores In Borno by agwom(m): 10:17pm On May 20, 2020 |
Air task force of Operation Lafiya Dole has destroyed compounds in Njimia on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest, where it says Boko Haram terrorists keep items of logistics. The airstrikes on Tuesday followed intelligence reports, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The missions identified structures within the settlement Boko Haram was using to store fuel and other logistics, the coordinator of Defence media operations Maj-Gen John Enenche said in a statement. He said that the Air Force attack assets scored accurate hits in their bombing runs on the target area, completely destroying the logistics stores as well as causing damage to several other structures which the terrorists have in the settlement. Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/troops-destroy-boko-haram-iswap-logistics-stores-in-borno.html
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| Politics / Re: Governor Wike Relaxes Political Lockdown by agwom(m): 8:47pm On May 20, 2020 |
 ProfAmaben: |
| Politics / Re: Minister To Nigerians: Prepare For The Worst by agwom(m): 5:05pm On May 20, 2020 |
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| Politics / FEC Approves N1.23bn For Plateau University, Customs by agwom(m): 5:00pm On May 20, 2020 |
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N1.23 billion for the construction of a faculty of health services at the Plateau State University, Bokkos and the procurement of computers and printers for zonal and area commands of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fec-okays-n1-23bn-for-plateau-varsity-customs.html 3 Likes 1 Share
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| Health / 8 Doctors Test Positive For Covid-19 In Zamfara by agwom(m): 4:29pm On May 20, 2020 |
Eight doctors are confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus in Zamfara, the state’s branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has said. Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/8-doctors-test-positive-for-covid-19-in-zamfara.html
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| Religion / Who Is A Prophet? Are There Prophets In Our World Today? by agwom(m): 12:49pm On May 20, 2020 |
The secular and commonly held belief about prophets is that they are people who are able to “see” the future and make it known to someone, thus they are sometimes referred to as “seers.” This notion may be partly true, what this definition lacks can be the stuff you don’t know that can hurt you. The greatest single definition I have ever found is that a prophet is one who “tells forth the will and counsel of God.” This would include things past, present and future. The bible broadens the definition of the prophet in three distinct ways giving credence to this definition. First the “spirit of prophecy” is something defined in the book of Revelation. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, Revelation 19:10. With this definition it can be seen that every one who proclaims the gospel has the “spirit of prophecy.” That would include everyone from Billy Graham to the young believer standing on the corner talking to a stranger about how he met the Lord. It would be safe to say that most prophecy today is based on this telling others about Christ and his deeds even though they happened over two thousand years ago. The second kind of prophecy is something that comes forth by the move of God’s Holy Spirit in the church. It can come to virtually anyone in the church but it is always decided upon and administered by the Holy Spirit alone. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will, I Corinthians 12:7-11. These kinds of prophecies seem only to be practiced in the charismatic and Pentecostal churches of today. But using the broader definition any preacher who is speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit could be said to be prophesying. A third kind of prophecy is that which comes from someone who has been appointed not just to prophecy but has been specifically given the “office of the prophet.” And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-12. How these “prophets” are chosen is an important matter and is often misunderstood so let’s look at this next. Prophets of today are chosen exactly as they were years ago in the bible. Usually they are called out by God through a word or a vision. In the bible some prophets saw a dream; others heard God’s voice and still others saw a burning bush or some other great portent which got their attention and then God spoke to them. In my experience it was not just a dream but a series of them and at one point an actual voice with a very specific message. At the beginning of my new faith I had three dreams one night and woke after each dream and spent a few moments pondering what I had seen. I was familiar with the events and sights of the first two dreams but not with those in the third and last dream. It puzzled me so much that I got out of bed to pray and ask God if he could help me understand what was going on. At that early stage in my new faith I wasn’t sure God ever spoke to anyone directly anymore. I thought that those kinds of revelations were for biblical times only and had long since passed. When I asked God to help me understand what the dreams meant I was drawn back to one of my favorite Christmas stories. I remembered Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” and the three spirits of Christmas past, present and future. It clicked in my head and I saw the answer as clear as day. I had seen myself and the events in my life as clear as a movie and while I was familiar with all but the last dream I knew I had seen the past, the present and the future in three separate dreams. Life itself verified my discovery when eight days later the events I saw in the third dream happened to the letter. After the first three dreams I needed only one dream to see the future. You could say that God had to lead me into the whole matter with the first three dream episode just to help me overcome my general lack of knowledge of how he works and what he planned to do with me in the future. In fact the future would be filled with dream visions by the hundreds, perhaps by now I could say by the thousands. I was flustered by all the dreams in the beginning. Although most of them were only personal and related to me or those near in my social setting and environment they were all vivid and rarely ever open to interpretation. They were mostly on a “what you see is what you get” basis no directions needed. But all these dreams scared me. After puzzling over so many dreams I finally asked God in earnest why I was seeing so many dreams of the future, sometimes as much as five or six times a week. The day after I asked God to help me I was drawn to my bible and to the book of Numbers. It was in this book I read a single verse of scripture that put to rest my fear about the volume of dreams I was receiving. In Numbers 12:6 the Bible says, “And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” I have seen world events far more rarely than personal events but not once in a period well over thirty years have any of my dream visions ever been wrong. Some of the dreams were more detailed and lengthy than others but the one that stands out the most was to do with the second coming of Christ. That dream sent me on a lifelong study and search to know all I could about Christ’s return to earth. I am still in that search and I have no doubt that the time of his coming is as close as a breath. As I studied prophecy and the prophets I discovered that there is a litmus test for both prophecy and the prophet. It defines the parameters and the veracity of every prophecy and every prophet including me. The test is basically twofold. The first test is “are the prophecies or the message of the prophets true?” Does it actually happen? There is no wrangling out of this test. If the dreams, visions or messages of any kind are not true it is time to hang up the hat. In Hal Lindsey’s popular book The Late Great Planet Earth, Mr. Lindsey points out that Old Testament prophets were subject to stoning if their prophecies were wrong. He was right about that but today people don’t care if a prophet is occasionally wrong or if his messages are veiled or obscured like those of Nostradamus. Maybe we won’t stone such prophets today but by all means we should not listen to them. Truth and error are not bed partners. On the other hand a far more pervasive and deadly problem is getting anyone to keep from killing, maligning or just generally ignoring the true prophets. I try not to take anyone’s skepticism personally and I remind myself of what C. S. Lewis said might happen if Jesus were conducting his ministry in today’s self assured world of science, secularism and self. Lewis said that if Christ were ministering today they may not crucify him but rather would invite him to dinner, hear him and then make fun of him. The second litmus test for all prophecies has to do with “prior revelation.” Simply said, any revelation or prophetic utterance given today must agree with any and all the words and messages of the ancient biblical prophets, Christ or his Apostles. God never contradicts himself. Scripture or the “prior revelation” is foundational and indispensable to all revelation now or at any time to come. Because this is true I am always reminded that even of the few world events that I have been privileged to see they are only meant to be supplemental in nature and are never meant to “supplant” any part of the biblical revelation. I don’t want the responsibility of adding anything to scripture that comes down as “extra-biblical” in nature. We have enough of that in things like the “Book of Mormon” and the doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Finally it must be said that no one should be allowed to derive their prophetic calling by themselves. Phrases like self recognized, self appointed or self proclaimed should be avoided. The calling comes from God and God alone. I once heard someone say that those who hold the pulpit without having been called to do so are like men sitting on a bench as the prophets of God passed by and saying, “There go the men of God why don’t we get up and go with them?” Do you think you are a prophet? Let me say you have no idea what you’re in for. Most people will not think of you as a Holy Spirit Dove driven man with a vision but they will see you as a cuckoo bird with another whole new version. You will stand alone in many ways because unlike the priests and ministers of the day who represent the people to God you can only represent God to the people. But take heart because as the time of Christ’s return draws nearer God will call evermore prophets to speak and prophecy for him. This wonderful fact is a promise of the scriptures. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Joel 2:28.” |
| Religion / "Miracles" What The Bible Has To Say About Them by agwom(m): 12:32pm On May 20, 2020 |
It was a miracle! How many times have you heard someone say that? Probably hundreds of times. But they don’t really mean that it was a miracle – what they really mean is that the event they witnessed was amazing, improbable, or inexplicable. But are there real miracles? Have there been times that the natural laws of the universe, such as gravity, or even death, have been stopped, changed, or reversed? To find the answer to this question, we must turn to the Bible. Fact #1: Jesus performed many miracles In the four gospels, we find many instances were Jesus performed miracles, such as “Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.” (Matthew 12:22) Perhaps one of the most famous of Jesus’ miracles was the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which we read about in John 11: “Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days…Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out.” Fact #2: Jesus performed these miracles to prove that he was God In the book of Acts, Peter says that “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” Fact #3: Jesus gave authority to his disciples to perform miracles In Matthew 10:1, we’re told that Jesus “called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil[a] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Fact #4: God has given authority to his servants at various times to perform miracles The Bible has many stories of miracles performed by God’s servants – Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and others. The question is – does God still empower his followers to work miracles in his name? That is a tough question. The answer is beyond the scope of this article, but I hope that you will think and study the Bible to find the answer! |
| Politics / No Official Statement On Gambari's Appointment As Buhari’s New Chief Of Staff by agwom(m): 6:44am On May 13, 2020 |
Media speculation yesterday heightened about the possible appointment of a former United Nations Under Secretary, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, as new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari. A top presidential aide told Daily Trust yesterday that no official statement had been issued on any such appointment and advised that no one should be guided by speculations on the matter. https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gambari-tipped-as-buharis-new-chief-of-staff.html
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| Crime / 14 Boys Raped By Fake Pastor In DR Congo - Hospital by agwom(m): 11:24pm On May 12, 2020 |
Fourteen boys were raped by a man posing as a pastor in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Panzi Foundation said Tuesday. The Bukavu charity hospital founded by Denis Mukwege, the Nobel laureate and gynaecologist hailed for his work with rape victims, said the children were admitted last month “in a state of suffering and psychological stress”. https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/14-boys-raped-by-fake-pastor-in-dr-congo-hospital.html 2 Likes
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| Crime / Gunmen Kill 15, Injure 5 In Morning Attack On Kaduna Village by agwom(m): 11:01pm On May 12, 2020 |
Gunmen invaded Gonar Rogo, a remote village in Kajuru council area of Kano, and killed 15 people and injuring five others, police said. Police received a distress call from DPO Kajuru that a group of armed men on motorbikes invaded the community at about one in the morning. In a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, issued on Tuesday evening said, “On receipt of the information, the Command promptly mobilized Combine Teams of PMF personnel, conventional Police in synergy with the Army and the local Vigilante to the area for intensive manhunt of the fleeing attackers.” Jalige said they have evacuated both the dead and the injured victims to hospital. He explained further that more reinforcement of Police Operatives has been drafted to the area for intensive combing and patrol with a view to forestalling further breakdown of Law and Order/Reprisal and arrest of perpetrators. Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gunmen-kill-15-injure-5-in-morning-attack-on-kaduna-village.html |
| Politics / Re: Dino Melaye With TY Danjuma In 2004 (Throwback Photo) by agwom(m): 4:27pm On May 12, 2020 |
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| Politics / 6,000 Pensioners Protest Non-payment Of 10 Years Entitlements by agwom(m): 3:57pm On May 12, 2020 |
Some 6,000 pensioners who retired in Nasarawa state are protesting failure of the council authorities to pay their gratuity for 10 years. They carried placards on Tuesday that read, ‘save our souls, ‘Governor Abdullahi Sule save us from hunger’. “Some of our members had died of hunger, cannot afford medical / children school fees resulting from bad treatments by Chairmen,” and official of the pensioners’ union, Adokwe Ladan said in Lafia. “After serving the state meritoriously for 35 years, the authorities of local government councils had refused to pay our gratuity for over ten years now. “We have diligently paid our dues in the cause of our service carrier and cannot be placed on second line charge to the advantage of political office holders. “Our hopes lies with God and the state government in view of the hard conditions being subjected to due lack of gratuity and constant payment of pension. “We have not yet received our March to April pension despite the effects of partial lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic,” said Ladan. He explained that the assembly should review the monthly remittance upward from the present 15 percent in line with current realities. He said that the government should also increase their monthly minimum pension and ensure prompt payment of their pension. He therefore called on the governor to intervene if not the Chairmen would give his administration a bad name. It took the intervention of the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe to calm the pensioners. He said that it was wrong for pensioners not to be paid their monthly pension and therefore promised to meet with the representatives of the pensioners and the LG Chairman to find a lasting solution to the problem. Similarly, Aminu Maifata, State Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) said that the various local government councils were not owing any outstanding pension as it was being alleged. Maifata explained that the law stipulated that they remit 15 percent of their allocations to the pension bureau and they have done that up to April. Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/6000-pensioners-protest-non-payment-of-10-years-entitlements.html |
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