₦airaland Forum

chatinent:
In a world we live in where churches have become businesses, how can you tell your pastor is not fake?

Please understand that until you explain the differences between miracles and magic, it is not a criterion.



How can you tell?

Please keep the teachings of Jesus in mind before defending.


Thank you.

It's not very difficult to know actually, especially if WE ARE NOT FAKES OURSELVES. The Bible says, "Deep calls unto deep". So we might as well say, "Fakes call unto fakes".

Personally, over the years I have found that far too many Pastors/Prophets/Church founders are fakes, which is usually exposed particularly in their attitudes to Money and Popularity. Jesus said one could not serve two masters: God plus Money, or God plus People and their praises or acceptance.

When I stumble on a preacher, I don't just want to focus on his correct doctrines or Bible quotations, but to rather sense his spirit. Is he an example of Jesus like Paul, Peter, John, etc. Or just another common example of some great American preacher or international Church founder?

Many of us are deceived by correct words, religious activities, wonders, signs, prosperity, etc. Well, even the devil can contain ALL of that, but how about Christlikeness: humility, holiness, loving God above money, people and all other things of the world? I think we know the answer!

It says narrow is the way and few find it. If we don't accept the truth, then we DESERVE to be DECEIVED.

If we love the truth, we would be blessed with the gift to discern between the wrong and the right; Jesus servants and Antichrists in sheep's clothing.

Matt.24.24 - For there shall arise FALSE Christs, and FALSE prophets, and shall shew GREAT signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT.

BUT,

John 14:15 - If you love me obey my commandments (as written in the new testament).

God bless

I used this device for just one month back in 2018, and it worked just fine, but I had some major issues with the online educational video conferencing program I bought it for. So I don't need it anymore, even though it works fine with possiblity of unlimited data subscription of which I like.

Please, see the pics below, and if you could link me up with someone who can buy it, I'll really appreciate.

Thanks for your time.

Matt.15.2 - "WHY do your disciples BREAK the tradition of THE ELDERS? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"

Matt.15.3 - Jesus replied, "AND WHY do you break the COMMAND of God for the sake of YOUR TRADITION?

Too many of us today are deeply rooted in religious deception, which is one the major MARKS of the end times (Matt. 24:3). Our love of the Honour of men, Money and the World will surely make it extremely difficult to escape this and other end time traps of the devil and his agents in sheep's clothing (great pastors and church founders).

The Bible warns about following a Different Jesus:

2Cor.11.4 - You seem to believe WHATEVER anyone tells you, even if they preach about a DIFFERENT JESUS than the one we preach, or a DIFFERENT Spirit than the one you received, or a DIFFERENT kind of gospel than the one you believed.

One thing about this false gospel of this different Jesus is majoring on self-made traditions of men or churches, while minoring or even ignoring the words and commandments of Jesus in the new testament.

This different jesus is the author of the Special days observed by many believers and unbelievers in the world today. Be it Xmas, Easter, Valentine, Halloween, Holy Friday/Monday, Sabbath, etc are all traditions of men born and bred by this different jesus.

God warns about the observing of Special/Holy days:

Col.2.16 (NLT)- So don't let ANYONE condemn you for what you eat or drink, OR "for NOT celebrating" certain HOLY DAYS or new-moon ceremonies OR SABBATHS.

We can be sure if such days were not taught by Jesus himself and his apostles, then it must be from some "great" men following and leading their multitudes to worship a different jesus; yet, with an exciting form of godliness (2 Tim. 3:5).

The true Jesus is all about obedience to his words in the new testament; NOT about Special days or other traditions of great pastors, prophets or church founders. It's about true Repentance and Forsaking of old ways.

Mark.7.8 - For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the TRADITION OF MEN...

Mark.7.9 - He said to them, "All too well you REJECT the commandment of God, that you may KEEP YOUR tradition.

One easy way to prove that these days couldn't have come from God is just checking out their fruits (especially at nights). Something of the true Jesus wouldn't excite the World and sinful acts; because it says:

Luke.16.15 - ... but God knows your hearts. What is HIGHLY VALUED among men is DETESTABLE in God's sight.

And lastly,
Col.2.8 - Beware lest ANYONE cheat you through philosophy and EMPTY deceit, according to the TRADITION OF MEN, according to the basic principles of the WORLD, and NOT according to Christ.


May we get saved from a different jesus.

God bless

Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Heb.10.26 - For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

Heb.10.27 - but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Necxs:
Thank you my brother, many don't understand what people are going through in life.

My self within this months alone, i have thought of suicide as an option to avoiding most of the stress and challenges i am going through at the moment.
Even though i am still depressed, i am just struggling to find options to forget most of my sorrows. Had it been i drink, it would have been one of the easiest options, but to even drink requires money which i don't have.

But las las, it would be alright

Friend, the only place there's no problem is heaven. Only if we can come to terms with surrendering ourselves to Jesus, all our problems would become his business, not ours anymore. Alas, our love for honour, approval and high opinions of men may make that strongly impossible.

Only Jesus can save from this evil called 'What will people Say'. Okay, if people get to think great of you because of your temporary success, would that guarantee long life and heaven? No, in fact the opposite might be true.

Let's humble ourselves, Repent and seek grace to Obey Jesus' words; and stop being bags of people's opinions: frustrated and enslaved.

IT IS TIME TO SEEK JESUS FOR REALITY, not a false reality of the world of people's opinions.

God bless.

1Cor.6.9 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

1Cor.6.10 - nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Enskynelson:
Original copy of all the documents uploaded:

REQUIRED CREDENTIALS
POSTGRADUATE APPLICANTS
Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age
O-Level Certificate(s)
ND/HND/First Degree Certificates
NYSC Certificate (if available)
NOUN Admission Letter
Passport-size Photograph
Evidence of Payment (via Remita)

MzBertty:

They also asked for evidence of payment for one's transcript, 2 passports, and "original" WAEC certificate before my matric. no was generated at my centre (Ado-Ekiti). You'd need to upload all these in a PDF file; ensure you compress the file down to something below 1mb to avoid issues.

Kobojunkie:
The book of proverbs was not written as the word of God. Certainly the authors of each of the entries do not suggest that their writings are inspired by God(i.e. they were not Prophets) so why assume they were?

One famous author of entries in the book of Proverbs is Solomon, a man who was blessed with great wisdom by God. Sadly, the same man, with all that wisdom, eventually abandoned God, choosing to worship idols instead. There is no record that he ever repented of His wickedness, even at the end, and it is likely he may have continued writing proverbs even after turning away from God.

Another writer is the mother of Lemuel, a son of Solomon. Lemuel's mother is famously known to have written Proverbs 31 which some of you pretend is the portrait of a "godly" woman, however, it seems more of a portrait of a "worldly" woman. There is no record of this woman ever knowing God but we do know that she was one of Solomons's 1000 women, explaining why such a mother would write such a proverb as advice for her son in the end.

]

I perceive from writing that you were just trying to argue; if so, please ignore this, and someone else might need this.

ALL scriptures, not some were inspired by God for CORRECTION unto righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for CORRECTION, for instruction in righteousness:

Jesus and his apostles quoted psalms, proverbs, Isaiah and others quite regularly as part of their major teachings, except the aspect of the Law, which is now about the Law of the Spirit: Love/Obedience to Jesus.

In fact, the book of proverbs is like a new testament book in old testament; many, if not most of Jesus' teachings and warnings on the sermon on the mount and others are there: lusting with the eyes/adultery of the heart, pride, love of money and material wealth/greed, anger, evil speaking, obedience to God/repentance, loving ones enemies, honouring ones parent, etc.

Also, just because Solomon finally backslid doesn't make the book lose its power, as it was inspired by God not man. If David had refused to repent, his writings in Psalms would still be valid. Paul said if he didn't discipline himself, he himself would be disqualified (despite writing many great new testament books).

Again, this is not to argue. If this doesn't make sense to you, kindly ignore.

Thanks.

The passage is clearly not for everyone, and may not necessarily work for all. Some may even try to apply it and end up causing unnecessary problems.

Many would rather settle for destructive western culture than obeying God's word. Those who are truly of God will not try to argue with God's word, but rather obey.

God bless.

EgusiSoup:
Happy Sunday guys,

People now go to church for selfies and videos to post on social media.

Pastors now have make-up artists more like it’s a show.

For the past 4 years I don’t think I’ve gone to church. Not like I’ve lost my religion cos I still totally believe and trust in God. But I’m still asking, am I committing sin?

I stopped going to church primarily because of deception; especially among great and small professing christain leaders. So I had to seek grace to overcome the opinions of pastors and people in general (it's been over 6 years now).

The bible says "come out from among them", from whom? People in deception! Religious Clubs, even if they are called Churches. BUT it would be a sin to turn down a true fellowship which is very very difficult to find.

Don't comfort yourself by NOT going to church though, but be sure you're living Holy, repented of ALL sins: just be sure you Love and Obey Jesus! Otherwise, we would still be deeply fooling ourselves, and we may actually be worse off.

Think about this:

2Tim.3.5 - having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people TURN AWAY!

2Thess.3.6 - But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you WITHDRAW from every brother (***may be a Pastor/Prophet) who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us (the life of Christ).


2Cor.6.17 - Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."

2Cor.6.18 - "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty."

May Jesus bless you.

Prov.23.13 - Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will NOT die.

Prov.23.14 - You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.

Prov.22.15 - Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it FAR from him.

iyambz:
You can barely here preaching on these verses in churches today. All they are focused on is the here and now, not the here and after. Thank you for this.

May Jesus give us light in all things.

God bless.

2Cor.5.10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

2Cor.5.11 - Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

True Men don't monetize God's gifts, ministry and power; only false men always try to.

Acts.8.20 - But Peter replied, "May your money perish with you for thinking God's gift can be bought!

Acts.8.21 - You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right before God.

Acts.8.22 - Turn from your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts,

God bless

Orente21:
Thanks sir. I ll get in touch with u soonest. About the center, I saw one,just trying to see if they have closer to my base.

Okay then.

Orente21:
Hello everyone,pls I want to do my master in educational management. I have PGDE in education. How much is the fee and aw long is the duration.
Pls how much study centre does Noun has in ibadan. Thanks

I'm quite new too; just applied for the same course, and just got my matric no today. I think it's roughly 75 to 80k for the first semester. 2nd semester won't be as much.

It takes 3 semesters = 18 months or 1 and a half years.

Try to google Ibadan centre to be sure.

1Cor.3.18 - Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
1Cor.3.19 - For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Mark.9.23 - "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes."

John.7.7 - The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of sin and evil.

doggedfighter:
Sex should be enjoyed both inside and outside marriage.

Your abomination talk is bullshit.
It's just sex nothing more

Okay, no problem. I see your point, but I honestly can't buy it cos I Fear God; and I stay away from sexual trouble as much as possible. If not for God's grace and fear of God, I'm sure I would have been a strong addict of it; a chronic one actually.

It takes only those who fear God to understand and flee from the passing pleasure of Sin, in this case Sexual sins.

Goodbye.

doggedfighter:
Sex is a good thing

Yeah, lawfully in marriage.


However, outside of marriage it's not only a Sin, it's an abomination to God: like an unflushed toilet.

Luke.16.15 - ...For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Mark.8.38 - For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

God bless

Prov.6.25 - Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.

Job.31.1 - "I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

Matt.5.28 - But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

2Pet.2.14 - having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

May Jesus give you light

kingphilip:
Nice one.

But many still hinge their remaining in sin on Romans chapter 3:23 which says For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God and Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Either they do not know or they're just using the above verses for cover ups instead of keeping it in mind that when you are genuinely saved, you receive absolute forgiveness from Jesus Christ and He empowers you to go and sin no more and not to go and continue in sin thinking that He is always merciful and gracious to forgive and cleanse

Right, God bless.

I strongly believe in the gathering of believers, who worship God in truth and in spirit, with pure hearts. But I wouldn't endorse just any gathering in the name of Church anymore, no matter how great, holy or spiritual they look. Cos far too many churches today, especially the most common ones or kinds (not permitted to name names) are mere businesses or moneymaking ventures of false religious men in well groomed sheep's clothing.

Alas, we usually force ourselves to ignore that: because we love LIES and hate the TRUTH.

If one wants the truth, it would be great to pray and ask God for light; and then sincerely take the Bible (especially the NEW testament) like a little kid in the first grade, putting aside all church ideas and brainwashings. Then one would SEE and KNOW the truth by God's grace, and get free from the lies of men.

Many of the leaders of these churches may strongly emphasize all the curses and blessings of Tithing, first-fruits and others of the law, but not necessarily the Teachings of Jesus; i.e. Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7.

The passage I want to actually major on is 1 John chap. 3. I am sure any preacher or church that takes those verses in it seriously wouldn't have "business" in mind. He wouldn't even expect to have large crowds as others, cos on speaking those words he must surely suffer what Jesus suffered in "John 6:66".

Otherwise, Jesus will sooner or later come back with yet another proper whip to CHASE THEM OUT of the temple.

Let's see few verses of it, you can see the whole chapter later if you so wish.


1John.3.4 - Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

1John.3.5 - And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

1John.3.6 - Whoever abides in Him DOES NOT sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

1John.3.7 - Little children, let NO ONE deceive you (**including great Pastors or Church founders). He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

1John.3.9 - Whoever has been born of God DOES NOT sin, for His seed remains in him; and he CANNOT sin, because he has been born of God.

1John.3.10 - In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever DOES NOT PRACTICE righteousness is NOT of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

John 6:66 says the Crowd of followers, ALL left Jesus after hearing his words, except the real 12.

Jesus and the 12 were no business men; neither are the real ones of today.

Jesus and his kingdom is about Repentance and Obedience by faith: not many sweet religious talks and lots of church activities.

God bless.

Same

The gospel of Jesus is not an entertainment. The Word of God is not for fun; neither are the gifts of the holy spirit. Many go to church for fun. They laugh, joke, sing, dance, gossip, club, sin, lie, make money, get honour and have all kinds of lawful and unlawful fun and entertainments: addicted to passing pleasures of the world. The major problem though, is that they do not judge their sins and Repent. Hence, such fun is abominable to God.

To many, doing church or religious activities is mere entertainment: all for fun or self-satisfaction. They don't care to OBEY the Words of Jesus in the new testament, but could preach the gospel, listen or watch christian messages, songs and films all day, everyday.

We read that Herod, killer of John the baptist, loved to listen to John the baptist. But alas, those powerful messages of John didn't change him, but later got John's head on the line in order to please a worldly dancer who performed on "his birthday". Likewise, so many today listen to good Christian messages, but would yet watch internet pornography or sexually stimulating films on the side. Many are church workers, even pastors, but are secretly living in some serious sexual sins and other kinds of sins on the side.

Let's not fool ourselves, God sees all things. It's time to repent and seek to please God with a pure heart, and escape his coming wrath.

Matt.7.21 - "Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Matt.10.34 - "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword.

John.15.14 - You are My friends IF YOU DO whatever I command you.

May Jesus bless you richly

staga:
I used to think rapture would occur before the tribulation, but I am starting to have doubts about this. Most likely, the tribulation would meet us here and we would be taken in the midst of it.

Friend, so was I. Whereas, it's very very clear in the new testament (Matt. Chap.24, 2Thes chap 2, Rev chap 7, 13,...) that it's after the great tribulation. It's when xtian films, pastors, church founders, men's dreams and revelations, etc., get more important than God's Word to us we go astray.

Acts 14:22. ...that we must with MUCH tribulation enter God's kingdom.

John 16:33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you shall have peace. In the world ye shall have TRIBULATION: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


ROM 3:4. ...Let every man be a liar, but God be true.


Above all, obedience to Jesus according the new testament is key to be READY.

May Jesus bless you.

AntiChristian:
But your pastors are enjoying the world. Jets, fat bank balance, sexual scandals, etc are typical nowadays.

Not exactly for me bro. I have always sought to follow men like Jesus himself or his great servants like Paul. Hence, it's been over six years now since I stopped going to church, having combed virtually all kinds of churches around; found out that the leaders are deeply unchristlike: stuck with the love of Money and Popularity, yet with a form of godliness, religious or holy appearances, great sermons, signs and miracles, etc.

People are deceived because they love lies: they love religious men and people's opinions MORE than God. They won't read and believe the bible for themselves, but wait for their ALMIGHTY's opinions first (pastor/prophet/church's interpretation).

We shall know them by their Fruits, "not necessarily" by their GIFTS, SIGNS OR PROSPERITY.

Matt.7.21 - "Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'LORD' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they OBEY my Father in heaven.


May Jesus bless you all.

Jas.4.4 - You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God.

NLT

chatinent:
Use a bible with modern day words, bro.

You made a mistake and the whole sense was lost.

Hmm. I see your point, but the message is still very clear in there.

Thanks.