₦airaland Forum

[quote author=Demain_man link=topic=737544.msg8950952#msg8950952 date=1313659829]@ Fake Pastor JoAgbaje, Open your bible and read these to know that the bible is not only about Tithes! Charity work is not 'Extra' is you termed it. It is your duty as a Christian. Anyway my God is different from the God Money you serve.


“Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.” (Psalms 41:1-2 NKJV)

“He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.” (Proverbs 14:21 NKJV)

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was Unclad and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or Unclad and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” (Matthew 25:34-40 NKJV)[/quote]Young man nobody is arguing with the point you seem to be trying to be making but the point is you need to understand is that though the church can get involved with charitable donations and gestures, these good deeds are not the primary responsibility of the church "to the world" is to preach the gospel to them

Romans 1:9
"For l am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek"
Because what the world needs first of all is the gospel of salvation for their souls after which anything else can come in.
If the church must help or extend her arms charitably the bible points the direction in which that charity should be channeled which is ". . . to those who are of the household of faith. . ."

Galasians 6:10
"As we therefore opportunity, let us do good unto[b] ALL [MEN], ESPECIALLY unto them who are of the household of faith"[/b]

I THINK EVERYTHING IS CLEARLY EXPLAINED IN THIS SCRIPTURE A BEG MAKE WE CUT ALL THE TU RAN CHI

manmustwac:
@post
Nigerian churches all happen to be run by Nigerians who are all very greedy people. In Nigeria anybody in a position to take advantage of thier position especially when it comes to money that person would not hesitate. So our church leaders are no different from greedy politicians customs officials policemen landlords etc.

You know l wonder when people will realize that issues relating to the church are not such, that elicits every mouth eating from the pot. Making statements like " In Nigeria anybody in a position to take advantage of their position especially when it comes to money that person would not hesitate", seem to have your name included in the statistics so tell us are you greedy "too"?
Abeg make you no lie o

mabell:
Everything about you is money money money
It’s a poverty mentality kunle
Hope the day you get this money the world will rest

You know mabell l wonder too why this "young" man is so NEGATIVELY PROGRAMMED and the set-up of his mind seem to be configured to favour offence

@Zikkyy

Pastor Kun:
What is the big deal about changing someone's name? Is dat one to a miracle by cec standards?

Who has done this to you Oga Kuns Kuns l mean what is the logical explanation for the cause of your being so "NEGATIVELY PROGRAMMED AND ORIENTED". The other time it you and Pastor Adeboye's news of unforgettable child birth in his church now its Miracle by the way who mention it being a miracle well may be is actually is especially when we consider the fact that names are a confession and statement summary of a man's destiny little wonder, God Himself led the way in the campaign for changing man's name  

Genesis 17:3-5
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 ¶ As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.


Nehemiah 9:7
"Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham"

God changed Abraham's name to Abraham
God changed Jacob's name to Israel

kemmeye:
some of their pastors have up to 4 private planes and people continue to give them their hard earned money does it occur to them that jesus didnt even have a donkey things like this make you wonder what nigeria is turning into.

Meaning that He trekked on his way through His journeys especially His triumphant entry into Jerusalem was by foot se bi

Matthew 21:1-7
1 ¶ And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

Please let us just making blanket statement that are born out sentiments and offence

Well for starters l am not in support of Joagbaje because statement that the church is not a charity organization for is one l am yet to satisfactorily investigate and study on but be that as it may though at least l know that the bible from the Gospels to the Epistles reveals to us what we could conveniently call the primary duties of the church.

And perhaps l should mention this; the primary responsibility of a Pastor is not really what most people think it is but the scripture below provides us a clue as to what that responsibility is:

Acts 6:1-4
1 ¶ And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Zikkyy:
They came for the show

A show you call it well what a show to be inspired and spiritually motivated by a consciousness of the reality of bible experiences especially in this context the life of the apostle Peter.

Joagbaje:
I love the scripture you quoted . That's a demonstration of the spirit. I was in that powerful meeting 2004. Were you there?

oh no! l hate to think that l wasn't at that meeting in fact 2004 l was in Abuja and very involved in another church-CHRIST VICTORIOUS CHURCH, where l had grown up right from the children department learning the fundamentals and basics of the Christian faith that for me was a God ordained phase of immeasurable relevance in my formative days am still learning though but at a much more different level you know thats the beauty about life.

Am aware you also are a success of the children ministry I'd fancy any opportunity to hear your story one of these days.

Joagbaje:
Many people believed that the "natural disasters " such as tsunami and earthquakes were judgement of God ipon people. What do you say?

Well to think that such "natural disasters" as tsunami and earthquakes are some form of judgement from God upon people would be in my opinion rediculous, eronous and for the most part a contradiction of His nature which the bible clearly calls "LOVE"

1 John 4:7
". . . for love is of God. . ."

1 John 4:16
". . . God is Love. . . "

1 John 4:19
"We love him, because he first loved us" When John 3:16 "

Where are you Jo you need to see this video now

[flash=450,300]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYZyl_rxI2Y[/flash]
Christianity is a living thing there is just so much we are yet to explore in God

1Co 2:4 (KJV)
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power"

Romans 15:19
"Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ"


1Thessalonians 1:5
"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake"

Pastor Kun:
@joagbaje
Yet some people are unfortunate enough to have you as a pastor. Talk of blind leading the blind.

So who are your members "PASTOR"?

^^^^
Hmmmmm l couldn't agree any less

So Jo a man of God can actually change a person's name?

Joagbaje:
Your title is a little misleading. Maybe you should have said "We live in a material world" instead of "life is about material things"

Life is about material things meaning that we can't treat both exclusively especially when we life in a "material world" itself but because more often than not some people want to give the impression that almost anything material is carnal and a distraction especially for a christian. Be that as it may though it is important to clearly mention as l did that though we live in a material world, our life is not ALL about the MATERIAL THINGS but the material things constitute a measure of necessity which must not be ignored

As much as l strongly oppose even the thought of a man beating a woman let alone his wife which l find extremely detestable but be that as it may though l wish to kindly ask a question which is how do one handle a wife whose mouth is like what the bible describes as the dripping of the rain you know an irritatively nagging wife?

There is song thats so wrong yet only few can see it
song:
Take the whole world and give me Jesus
Take the whole world and give me Jesus
Take the whole world and give me Jesus

With all due respect to the writter, this song is very wrong, firstly God cannot give you Jesus any more because He has already given him once for all time and for all and now as christians we are have become one with Him not separated from Him.
1 Corithians 6:17
"But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit"

Secondly it would be selfishness (Take the whole world but GIVE ME JESUS)
The Bible says that ". . . the heavens even the heavens belongs unto God but the earth has He given to the sons of men"
God needs us to get this world of men

nuclearboy:
@pastor Kun:

Nothing wrong with the announcement - would you prefer them to announce that 80 people died? Safe delivery is something ALL of us celebrate and thank whatever we serve for so Adeboye didn't do anything untoward

True talk

Pastor Kun:
Where the babies conceived and delivered within the 5 days of the convention? if not what is the point in announcing number of babies born during the convention if not than to create the manipulative impression that the babies being born had something to do with the 'annointing' at the convention.

l wonder why some people are so bent on being negatively programmed

Zodiac61:
were they the results of virgin births?
If so, what miracles.
If not, the man should shut up, seeing that the art of making babies (se.x) is repulsive to his god.

No doubt, he will take credit for the fact that 80 members of his congregation had babies.
Of course, he will not mention those who have been praying for babies for years without success.

At least lets play the optimist and stick with the description of the cup of water being "HALF FULL" rather than describing it as being "HALF EMPTY"
And l can't admit seeing anything funny that warrants the laughter

wordtalk:
It is easy to 'advise' people whose experiences we have not tasted. But advise is one thing, experience is another. If I were in your shoes, how would I feel? What would I have done?

As for your yet-to-be published-book, do not aim at attacking or ridiculing that man's ministry - remember Romans 14:4. Don't focus attention so much on him as if you have axes to grind with him: the effect may turn round upon you. I would rather that you focus on the ministry that God has placed upon your own life - that is true and authentic ministration. Have you noticed that those who attack other people's ministries out of ridicule are never able to show as much impact as those whose ministries they attack unjustifiably?

Think about these things - and let God speak to your heart.

I couldn't agree less with you but as regards the issue of rendering advise based on experience l would kindly say that it is not always the case that one must experience certain things first for one to be termed competent to render advise though in some cases it might prove to be an added edge but see there is the place of the annointing of God's Spirit and God's wisdom as revealed in the word of God and by whatsoever means the Spirit of God deems favourable to communicate. For intance how can you explain a pastor who is unmarried yet renders result proven advise and councel to members of his church who are married?

Matthew 6:33(WNT)
"But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and then these things shall all be given you in addition."

Jesus uses the expression "THESE THINGS" refering what He already mentioned in the previous verse
vs 31- be over-anxious, therefore, asking 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
vs 32-for all these things the nations seek after; for your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things[/b]. (Darby Bible Translation)

Yes these things the nations of gentiles or unbelievers seek after "These Things" yet Jesus clearly leaves' us in no doubt that ". . . our heavenly Father knows that we have NEED OF ALL THESE THINGS"

Yes a man's life does not consisteth of the things that he posseth but it is important we understand that Life its place for "Material things"


1 Kings 3:13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for--both riches and honor--so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings

Psalm 112:3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.[b]
As Christians we were made to have all that partake to life and godliness but we are not to be attached and dominated by them such that we become focused on the material things of life which are secondary but like Matthew 6:33 admonished we aim at and set our focus the kingdom

Galatians 3:13
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)"



Many believers probably know that when Jesus died, our sins were forgiven because He shed His blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22) But why did Jesus have to die on the cross, since the capital punishment of Israel during the time of Christ was stoning and not crucifixion?


Jesus hung and died on the cross because He knew the law which says that “he who is hanged is accursed of God”. (Deuteronomy 21:23) He wanted to redeem us from every curse of the law, so He went to the cross, “having become a curse for us”. Jesus took all our curses at the cross, so that we can take all His blessings!


The moment you received Jesus, every curse in your life was destroyed. And the way you experience this is to simply believe and confess what Jesus has done for you. Say, “Because of Jesus, I am blessed.” The more you say it and believe it, the more you will experience it.


So if there is an area in your life in which you feel oppressed, for example, a skin condition that refuses to heal, say, “Christ has redeemed me from this skin condition. I refuse it and reject it in Jesus’ name because by His stripes I am healed!” (1 Peter 2:24) Believe it and say it until you see it!

Romans 4:16
"Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all…"

God’s grace is His undeserved, unearned and unmerited favor. And because it is undeserved, unearned and unmerited, all of us qualify for it. But how do we walk in it?


Just as a password gives you access to a computer program, faith enables you to walk in God’s unmerited favor. Now, faith has nothing to do with what you do or what you can do. Faith is simply believing and declaring what God has done and is doing for you.


When you believe that the favor of God is on you because of Christ’s finished work, His promises of provision, healing and restoration become sure to you. They are not just sure to the Jews, but also to you and me because we are “of the faith of Abraham”.


Ruth was a Gentile widow who put her faith in God’s grace. She believed and declared that God’s favor would lead her to the right field in which to glean, where she would find favor in the owner’s sight. (Ruth 2:2) Because she depended on God’s unmerited favor, God not only placed her in wealthy Boaz’s field, but also in the genealogy of Jesus! (Matthew 1:5)


Ruth’s faith in God’s favor opened up a whole new world for her. She went from poverty to wealth, widowhood to marriage, and from being childless to having a complete family. She also became a respected member of the community. (Ruth 4:13–15)


If Ruth, a Gentile who was under the old covenant, enjoyed God’s favor, how much more will we who are under the new covenant of grace enjoy the blessings that the unmerited favor of God brings! In fact, because God sees us in the Beloved today, we enjoy the same favor that Jesus has! (Ephesians 1:3–6)


My friend, when you believe that you have the same favor that Jesus has, a whole new world will open up to you — a world where all of God’s promises are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ! (2 Corinthians 1:20)

John 15:9
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love"[b][/b]


In your workplace, you probably take coffee breaks, lunch breaks, tea breaks and definitely toilet breaks. Why not do the same in your spiritual life — take time out for breaks, especially love breaks?


What is a love break? It is the time you take to enjoy and feed on the love of Jesus for you. At any time during the day, wherever you are, find a quiet spot and feed on the love of Jesus. Just sit down and talk to Him. Say to Him, “Thank You, Jesus, for loving me. Nothing is going to happen to me that You don’t already know about. Jesus, when I could not save myself, You died for me. You gave up Your life for me. What else will You not do for me!”


Such love breaks are typified in the Old Testament by Aaron the high priest and his sons eating the breast of the animal sacrificed. (Leviticus 7:31) The breast of the animal speaks of the love of Jesus. Today, you are a priest to God. (Revelation 1:6) So spend time feeding on the love of Jesus for you, and see yourself nourished, strengthened and sustained by His love. Jesus is our High Priest today. This means that His food is in loving us. He enjoys loving us and is also “nourished” by His love for us.


But do not forget that the breast was roasted by fire (Leviticus 7:35), which speaks of God’s judgment on Jesus as He hung on the cross because He was carrying our sins. So as you feed on Jesus’ love for you, see Him loving you at the cross. When things around you are not going well, do not allow the devil to say to you, “If God loves you, how come these things are happening to you?” My friend, interpret God’s love for you based on the cross, not on your present circumstances.


During the day, when you are hard at work, when busyness sets in, when problems pile up or when discouragement comes, just stop everything and take a love break with Jesus! Let Jesus love you. Let yourself enjoy being loved by Him. Lean on His bosom, abide in His love and be nourished by His love for you!

Romans 4:5
"But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness"[b][/b]


Boldness is what God wants you to have when you come to Him. He does not want you to be afraid to come to Him, feeling unworthy because of your sins. He wants you to come boldly to Him, knowing that the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ has justified you and qualified you to boldly receive from Him.


This was the kind of boldness that the woman with the issue of blood had when she touched Jesus. (Mark 5:25–34) Now, by touching Jesus, she knew that she was breaking a Levitical law which states that anyone with a bodily discharge is unclean, and should not appear in public, let alone touch another person. (Leviticus 15)


But she refused to feel condemned by the law. She believed what she had heard about Jesus, and was confident that there would only be love and compassion, not condemnation, from Him. She believed that Jesus would justify her and qualify her to receive the miracle she needed. That was why she boldly pressed her way into the crowd to touch Jesus, who indeed said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” (Mark 5:34)


What was it about her faith that made her well? Romans 4:5 talks about faith that believes God justifies the ungodly. When you believe that God justifies the ungodly, it will give you boldness to come to God, even when you feel unclean because you have just blown it.


When you fail, don’t run away from God. Run boldly to Him, knowing that you are justified by the blood of Christ and not by your good behavior.


The devil may say to you, “How can you do that? Who do you think you are?” Don’t listen to him. Pick yourself up and thank God for the blood and the gift of no condemnation. (Romans 8:1) If God justifies the ungodly, how much more you, His beloved child!

2 Corinthians 5:19
19… God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them… [b][/b]

On which two ancient cities did God rain brimstone and fire? If your answer is Sodom and Gomorrah, you are right. But if you think that God was all eager to destroy the two cities, you are wrong!


God wasn’t willing at all. He was not on a sin hunt. He was on a righteousness hunt so that He could spare the cities. (Genesis 18:23–32) And I believe that if Abraham had asked God, “What if You can find just one righteous man?” God’s answer would have been the same: “I will not destroy the place for the sake of one righteous man.”


Today, the righteousness of one Man — Jesus — has come. Jesus died for our sins and rose again for our justification. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting our sins against us!


Therefore, no judgment will fall on you today because it fell on Jesus 2,000 years ago at Calvary. And if God was gracious enough to remove Lot and his family before the judgment fell (Genesis 19:12–22), how much more will He do for you who are no longer under judgment!


And because God does not judge you, don’t be like Lot’s wife, who became a pillar of salt when she turned around to look at the brimstone and fire. (Genesis 19:24–26) She wanted to see God’s judgment, even though the angels had warned, “Don’t look back, lest you be destroyed.” (Genesis 19:17)


So don’t be judgment-focused and look back at the sins you have committed. God is not against you. He is for you and on your side. He remembers that He has already judged and punished your sins in the body of His Son. And because He is faithful to His Son and to what His Son has done, He will never judge or punish you. Any trouble that you might have today is not from Him. But He will show you a way of escape because He is on your side. He loves you and has your best interests at heart.


Beloved, God is not out to get you. He is out to bless you. And He wants you blessed more than you can ever ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)

Psalm 103:4
"who [the Lord] redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies"[b][/b]

Four women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. (Matthew 1:1–16) Interestingly, they are not Sarah, Rebekah, Leah or Rachel, wives of the patriarchs of the Old Testament. Instead, they are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba, women who had morally questionable backgrounds.

Tamar resorted to deception and prostitution to produce children through her father-in-law. Yet, it was from her line, the tribe of Judah, that the Messiah came. (Genesis 38) Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute in Jericho, who became a believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Joshua 2:1–21) She also became the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth. (Ruth 4:13)


Ruth was morally upright. But as a Moabitess, she was a Gentile and therefore considered unclean. Yet, she became the grandmother of David (Ruth 4:13–17), whom the Jews regard as their greatest king. Bathsheba committed adultery with David. (2 Samuel 11:4) Later, she gave birth to King Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24), from whose royal line Jesus descended.


So what is God saying to us here?


He is saying that He is greater than our sins — where sin abounds, His grace abounds much more. (Romans 5:20) His grace is greater than our sins, so that even when the world disqualifies us, He can qualify us to receive His blessings!


God is also saying that He is a God of many chances. These women’s stories show us that even when our troubles are of our own making, they are neither final nor fatal. When we turn to Him, He will turn our situations around until we see His glory upon us!


Finally, God is saying that He is a God of supernatural positioning. Even when all our earthly connections are gone, the moment we turn to Him, He will find ways to turn our captivity into blessings.


My friend, don’t look at your natural circumstances and be discouraged. Trust the One “who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies”. Trust Him who qualifies the disqualified!

Pastor Kun:
This proves that CEC and other money grabbing pentecostal churches that Idolize their leaders are cults.

How can somebody who does not have a church as a place of fellowship but has made a vocation and tarde of speaking ill of churches now speak of Church leader credibly deserving of any attention.

MAYOWAAK:
There has, in recent times, been a rather sustained campaign waged by the media, especially among some of the operators in some of our leading internet news sites, aimed, I think, at running down some of our leading Pentecostal pastors.

Some of the internet newsmen and commentators whom I dub ‘’internet warriors’’ tend to be sometimes irreverent, sceptical and excessively fault-finding and so they do not hesitate to sex up or slant news concerning these great men of God to portray them in very unflattering light.

The main targets of some of the unjustified attacks are Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Matthew Ashimolowo, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and to some extent, Pastor Chris Okotie. The main plank in this campaign of calumny is to portray these priests as a set of clever rouges that uses gimmicks to fleece millions of their gullible congregation of billions of Naira to enable them to live a luxurious, if not obscene, lifestyle. The approach is sometimes not too direct. It is subtle and consists of insinuations, innuendos and efforts to amplify rumours, twist half-truths, create doubts in the minds of their mammoth followers and impute dark motives to the actions and statements of these men in order to show that they are not real men of God but some Smart Alecs out to undo the millions of men and women that see them as representatives of God on earth.

Members of the congregations of these men’s churches are often portrayed as naive, foolish, bewitched, gullible and pitiable men and women who allow themselves to be mindlessly exploited by these men to sustain a lavish lifestyle of personal jets, designer clothes and other creature comforts. Today, I want to come out boldly to say that I am a member of the congregation of Bishop David Oyedepo’s church. I worship at the Nyanya, Abuja branch of the Church. I want to say it out loud that I am happy to be ‘exploited’ by Oyedepo.

As part of this mischievous campaign to run these men down, you read some news media irreverently referring to them as the ‘’richest pastors in Nigeria or Africa’’ as if the media concerned are on the stable of Forbes magazine rating the fortunes of these servants of God when we ought to be reading about the most impactful pastors in Nigeria or Africa.

If it was not deliberate mischief, they ignore the monumental impact these church leaders are making building nursery, primary and secondary schools and universities across the nation, founding hospitals, establishing outreach programmes and sending missions that are helping millions of the poor, widows and orphans. Some of these churches buy lands and sell at subsidised rates to members, permanently removing them from poverty. The Living Faith Church, pastored by David Oyedepo for instance, is set to build the single largest housing estate in Africa in Ota, a programme that will astound many because of its sheer size and sophistication.

Critics of these men do not see all these. It is the jets they see. They say these men are not an imitation of Jesus Christ; that they ride in personal jets. Contrary to the belief of some ignorant, I want to point out that the Lord Jesus did not in any way glorify poverty. He identified with, and felt compassion for, the poor but he never said that you have to be poor before you can worship God. And it is not hard to see why the Lord did not glorify poverty. Poverty is such a terrible disease that it sometimes kills. See how many Nigerians die of easily preventable illnesses and diseases because they are simply too poor to do what is necessary. We should note that hen the occasion demanded it, Jesus rode on a donkey which was the Hummer jeep of his time. And when he was hung on the cross, it is reported that people cast lot for his robe which indicate that the robe he put on was quite an expensive one which the bidders did not want to let go to rot in the grave just like that. It is not blasphemy to say that if Jesus lived in our time, he will not hesitate to use jets to reach the far flung corners of the earth with his message of liberation.

Those who claim to love some of us who sit under the teaching of these men so much that they are trying to champion our’ liberation’ from their ‘exploitation’ should be pursuing something else because we are not complaining. We are happy at our ‘exploitation’ and will willingly allow ourselves to be ‘exploited’ more and more for we know the benefit of our exploitation. We have been taught the benefit of giving for the sake of God and have seen the reward so it is no going back, no withholding. If our giving makes our spiritual fathers fabulously rich, we are gratified.

I think the mistake some of the critics of successful Pentecostal preachers make is that their poverty mentality makes them see the possession of a jet or a fleet of them as a luxury and not as instruments meant by the church leaders to accomplish their goals. These men are busier that many presidents of nations in Africa and in some parts of the world. This is the truth.

The problem also is that there are many who mistake poverty for virtue. This is wrong. A poor man will not go to heaven just because he is poor nor will a rich man get there because of his riches. It depends entirely on the quality of life one lives, whether or not one’s life is lived according to the rules laid down by God. There is absolutely nothing evil in a man of God having fabulous wealth if such possessions are legitimately or honestly got. What is more, priests or pastors are representatives of God on earth. They should be an example to people of what God wants his people to look like.

The whole aim of our new birth is to live a very prosperous life; to prosper in our health, in our finances, in our career, in our family life and in everything that we do. I even doubt if without financial well being any one can worship God to the best of his desire. Wealth and riches can assist us to worship God better.

The truth of the matter is that some of these men do not become rich essentially by the tithe, prophet’s offering, sacrificial offering, seed and other gifts which we give but by reason of the wisdom God gives them to make wealth and by dint of their hard work and frugal lives. One of the success secrets I know about these extraordinary men of God is that they do not drink expensive whiskeys and champagne; they do not smoke expensive cigars; they do not womanise, they do not patronise night clubs and point- and- kill joints where they waste their fortune on deadly foods and their strength on women of easy virtue; they do not over eat and they do not over dress.

Add to a disciplined lifestyle the fact that these men are extremely frugal and exercise a great deal of financial intelligence. I heard that one day a church member gave a gift of a very expensive shoe to Oyedepo and when he asked and was told of the price he demanded that the shoe be taken back and exchanged for the cash so he can better use the money to do the work of God. I heard another story that during the formative years of the Living Faith Church ministry, Oyedepo despatched his deputy, Abioye to found the Maiduguri branch of the church. He approved for Abioye, a modest sum of money and instructed him that the money should not finish and that he should not write to headquarters requesting for more money! It was therefore left for Abioye to figure out by using his God-endowed creative ingenuity, how to live within his means yet accomplish the goal for which he was sent. And let us never forget that these men work extremely hard for God to bless the work of their hands. With these attributes and personal lifestyle, which are according to the laid down rules of God, it is impossible for God not to bless them because God said he will bless the work of the hands of those who live according to his tenets.

My firm belief is that if what these men do is according to the laid down principles of God then their personal success and congregational growth will endure but if what they are doing is from some demonic power and from the wisdom of men, sooner or later their empires will collapse. And if it is discovered tomorrow that Oyedepo and all what he has been teaching us are not of God, I will acknowledge to myself that I have truly been hoodwinked and apologise to those that I may have misled. But for now, I will continue to make myself and members of my household available for ‘exploitation’ by Oyedepo. I think that rather than been diminished by his exploitation I am gaining a lot from his teachings and observances and therefore have no cause whatsoever to want to leave following him and emulating some of his ways.

http://www.transparencyng.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5098:im-happy-to-be-exploited-by-oyedepo&catid=59:guest&Itemid=37

As much as l agree and celebrate your point am somewhat in a state of discomfort with the framing of the topic as the word "exploit" was used becos theres no "exploiting" taking place in the first place. Great job

But another important point is the fact that the inspiration of the bible doesnt seem to suggest to us that God had or has anything of the similitude or semblance of an origin. All secret things belongs to God we would suffice our selves with the ones that has been revealed
Deuteronomy 29:29
29 The secret[ things belong] unto the Lord our God: but those[ things which are] revealed[ belong] unto us and to our children for ever, that[ we] may do all the words of this law.

The very idea of God in simple transcription portrails
@ a self-existing one needing no aids or support.
John 5:26
"For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself"
@ one that pre-existed the begin thus having no begin or end that is dateless past and dateless future
Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth"
@ He is the CREATOR
Hebrews 11:3
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear"

@ Azibalua
You know what the best reaction to render to him is to ignore him especially when he begins to get silly (becos sometimes he actually begins by really making a sense or having the potential to make a sense but almost as always is the case he spoils everything with just one wrong word or statement).

Só where have you being all this while becos l can hardly remember youre last contributions on any topic you seem to me as one returning from a vacation hahaha