FOR THE CHURCH IN YORUBALAND

The word of the Lord came to me expressly on the 16th July 2000 saying:

"Except the church in Yoruba land returns back to its first love of Missions and Evangelism, the fate of Liberia and Sierra Leone will befall Yoruba land, beginning from Abeokuta".

As I pondered and prayed over this word, a number of facts became evident:-

1. Just as the Gospel came to the West Coast of Africa through Liberia and

Sierra Leone, the gospel (protestant) came to Nigeria through Yoruba land

(Badagry/Abeokuta) by the ministry of  Ajayi Crowther and Co.B. oth Liberia and Sierra Leone, which hitherto had a history of

2. Political stability, have been engulfed in highly satanic civil wars.

Despite and in spite of their Christian heritage and foundations, highly

cultic practices, gross wickedness and inhumanity prevailed during these

wars.  There was a revival of ancient idolatry as well as fetish practices

in both countries because of these wars. At the same time strong

Islamic influence infiltrated these countries through links by principal

warriors in both countries to Libya. Today, Islam has definite influence

and hold in these pioneer Christian countries, which were founded by

Christianized ex-slaves. This could have been inconceivable two decades

ago.

There is a palpable and present hell - induced plan and programme to stir

up civil war in Yoruba land, and this is not the first time the Lord is

blowing the trumpet. In THE PREACHER No 180, August 1995, is an article

titled "The Siege on the West" in which the author wrote of "a satanic

orchestration ... a sinister plot to deliberately provoke that section of

the country... incite it into some violent reaction". His was a call for

"a man among them" (i.e. among ethnic Yoruba) to stand in the gap before

the Lord (Ezekiel 22:52). This call remains more necessary and more

urgent than ever even now.

Then in the prophetic publication THE ALARM Vol. 2, No. 2 April to June

1999, is an article titled "Beware Yoruba Nation". It states inter alia.

'The spirit expressly calls for the church in Yoruba land to take a

lamentation against the spirit of violence emanating from ancestral

worship in the land. If the satanic plan materializes, the church in

Yoruba land will suffer. The (Yoruba) nation will have as national

religion, voodoos in place of Christianity and the church in the land

will suffer terrible persecution. The church should raise and take a

lamentation against the spirit and save the nation and the entire nation

of Yoruba from calamity.'

An historical and spiritual perspective to this issue was discussed in the article "Eliakim and the Yemoja Spirit" (Lampstand Letters No 12 July 1999). Likewise, a biblical and documentary analysis was highlighted in the  article "Egbesu, Oro and Ancestral Thrones" (Lampstand Letters No. 16, November 1999).

History is replete with lands and nations, which pioneered evangelism and

first encountered the gospel becoming completely over run by Islam or traditional religion. The Niger Delta of Nigeria through which the first (catholic) percentage population in Africa was completely over run by civil strife and is yet to recover, while the church looked on helpless. The case of Liberia and Sierra Leone, the first port of Christianity in West Africa has been referred to earlier. The civil strife and military rule in Cote D'Ivoire, where the world's largest catholic Basilica was built, is

because a Muslim is being actively supported by Libya and Burkina Faso to

be the next president of this predominately Catholic Nation. Has Christ not stated that "the first shall be the last...?"

Let no one think that Abeokuta and Yoruba land cannot be overran by Ifa, Ogun, Oro or Islamic spirits. Let no one think these persistent prophecies cannot come to pass. All our cacophony of Christian radio and TV programmes cannot stop this satanic onslaught. Our prosperity talks, our TV. faith messages, our miracle break-through sermons are no solution.

Where is Radio ELWA, Monrovia Liberia today? What has happened to the famous Fourah Bay College in Freetown?

The weapons that are effective against the gates of hell are strategic intercessions/spiritual warfare and evangelism/missions. Jer. 1:10 gives us the commission to first "root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down" every antichrist spirit in strategic intercessions and spiritual warfare. Then it also given us the added responsibility "to build and to plant" the word of God in the lives of men in nations and kingdoms, through evangelism to individuals and missions to tribes.

Our main calling as Christians is to actively and continually take the gospel of the kingdom to all and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:5, Luke 24:47, Matt. 24:14) - see the article "The Gospel of the Kingdom", Lampstand Letters No 18 January 2000.The West (Yoruba land) definitely needs missions and re-evangelization.

The twin forces of Islam and traditional occultism hold sway over large

Yoruba populations.  Nominal and orthodox Christianity is rife among a

large proportion of those who call themselves Christians. The foundation

of Christian influence through the secondary schools and tertiary institutions has been eroded through the political influence of Muslims.

Christian Youth activities in tertiary institutions are characterized by lack of depth, factionalism, immaturity and frivolities. Even among the vibrant evangelical Christian circle, empire building, and crowd-pleasing activities have all but replaced a holistic, un-reached people targeting priority. Efforts and activities are concentrated in large towns and cities, to the neglect of the un-reached, mainly rural dwelling people, where witchcraft and allied forms of wickedness is still very strongly prevalent.

Yoruba land is  in dire need of strategic intercessions, spiritual warfare, missions and evangelism targeted not just at our over-saturated towns and village, but majorly the untouched rural strongholds. Otherwise, even the cities will be overrun by satanic powers. 

May the Lord stir up the church to its responsibilities. May be fate of Liberia and Sierra Leone not be our portion in Jesus name. Amen.

By the Lampstand,

Ibadan, July 2000.

God bless you.

SUNSHINE OVER THE NIGERIAN CHURCH

Christian Leaders unanimously declare support for CAN Trust Fund … urge immediate announcement in all Churches and contribution by all Christians

Nigerian Christian leaders held a crucial meeting on (Tuesday 7th November, 2017) at the Sherpherdhill Baptist Church, Lagos, to deliberate on crucial issues affecting the Nigerian Church and the Nation. In attendance was the President of CAN, Rev. Dr. Olasupo Samson Ayokunle, the immediate past President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Prof. Joseph Otubu, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, Prelate Samuel Kanu Uche (the Prelate of Methodist Church), Pastor E. A. Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, Rev. Dr. Caleb Ahima, Pastor Paul Enenche, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Pastor Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, Bishop Wale Oke, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Baba Aladura Elder (Dr.) Bob-Manuel, Dr. Napo Emuchay, Apostle Alex Bamgbola, heads of CAN, heads of denominations and ministries, as well as States and Local Government Chairmen of CAN, and heads of Christian Fellowships. Christian Groups like Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) and Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship were also present and spoke at the Conference.

The meeting, which started with opening prayer by Rev. Father Matthew Ogunyase, condemned in strong words the Islamization Agenda being pursued by the Federal Government of Nigeria, using State resources. The President of CAN, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, delivered a strong paper stating facts and figures in support of the unequivocal stand of the Church that there is an Islamization Agenda going on in Nigeria.

The paper of the President of CAN condemned the unbridled and lawless attacks of Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen on Christians and Christian communities, the violation of the Constitution of Nigeria with regards to membership in OIC, Islam in Africa Organization, Saudi Arabia led Islamic Coalition against Terror, the violation of the Federal Character Principle in Federal appointments by the current Administration in favor of Muslims from the North, the lawless and unconstitutional use of State resources to sponsor Jaiz Bank (Islamic Bank) and the use of State resources to float Sukkuk Bond. The floating of Sukkuk Bond in Nigeria is illegal and unconstitutional to the extent that State resources were deployed to establish it.

 

The President of CAN also refuted claims by Christians in the Buhari Administration that there is no Islamic Agenda warning that Christians should be careful not to jeopardize their faith in exchange for temporary appointment in Government. He insisted that the instrument of the State is being used to sponsor an Islamization Agenda without due consideration and regards to the rights of other citizens in Nigeria who are not Muslims. He made copious reference to the Abuja Declarations 1989 of the Islam in Africa Organization (IAO) and the OIC strategy meeting in London in 1983 where decisions were taken to destroy Christianity in Nigeria and convert the nation into an Islamic State.

The meeting called on the National Assembly to publish the list of all international organizations that Nigeria belongs to and insisted that Nigeria must withdraw from every international organization that is based on religion in compliance with Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution.

The Christian leaders also expressed grave misgivings over the current discrimination in the North, particularly in the so called “Sharia states” where Churches are not given Certificate of Occupancy to access land to construct places of worship for Christians. The Church leaders wondered why such discrimination should exist in the country if truly all the citizens are one. They urged an immediate reversal of this obnoxious discrimination based on religious intolerance.

CHURCH LEADERS DECLARE TOTAL SUPPORT FOR CAN TRUST FUND

Speaking one after the other, the Christian leaders called for Unity of all the Christians and the need for every Christian to support Christian Association of Nigeria. To strengthen CAN and make it more effective, all the Christian leaders supported the CAN Trust Fund and urged all Christians to contribute monthly to support it. Pastor Adeboye in particular, decried the lack of funds in CAN and the fire brigade approach of soliciting funds whenever the Church has critical needs. He advised that if all the Christians would contribute N500 per month, or at the very least N100 monthly, to the CAN Trust Fund, there would be a steady flow of funding that would be used to serve the interest of the Church. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Bishop David Oyedepo, Bishop Mike Okonkwo and all the other Church leaders present spoke one after the other in support of the CAN Trust Fund and urged all the Christians to pool resources together to make CAN stronger.

The Trustees of the CAN Trust Fund also spoke during the meeting and assured the Church leaders of accountability and transparency of the funds. The Trustees gave assurance that the funds shall well managed and used in the interest of the Church.

A ten point Communiqué was issued by the Church leaders after the Conference.

Bosun

CAN TRUST FUND

GTBank

02 20 39 08 38

CAN TRUST FUND

Zenith Bank

10 13 99 45 95

CAN TRUST FUND

UBA

10 20 00 57 52

www.canng.org

trustfund@canng.org

God bless you.

The State of the Church

   For the Nigerian Church this message is very timely and approriate. Considering the situation we are facing,  what God requires of the Nigerian Chuch to avert disaster is REPENTANCE AND UNITY of the Church. Urgency and sincerity are two words  rolling around in my spirit as I write this. With yet another historic event—the senseless killing of now 59 people in Las Vegas—we are being warned as a nation.

At the end of last year, I wrote that 2017 was going to be a bad year for the world. I had a sense of darkness in my spirit. I was troubled and disturbed about the state of the church and the nation. 2018 will be worse. 2019 even worse. 2020 is very bad. I can't see past that right now. Time is running out.

The call of the hour is for repentance. Sincere repentance. Not lip service. Not self-justification. Not procrastination. But a whole-hearted, renouncing of your evil ways, and a permanent forsaking of sin and self.

And no, I am not a doomsday preacher. I am a prophet-hearted servant of the Lord and a preacher of righteousness. I am a voice crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord! Make His paths straight!" I sincerely believe the real church will shine in this day. I sincerely believe this is our finest hour. I sincerely believe we will have revival and awakening in our nation. How could I believe any differently and be a preacher? I have hope. But I also believe the present state of things in general in both the Church and the nation is very corrupt.

This Las Vegas tragedy comes on the heels of one of the worst storms in American history. It comes on the heels of record temperatures and raging fires in the West. It comes during a time in history where our national sovereignty is being threatened, where every kind of authority is dishonored and disrespected (especially the highest office in the land), where multitudes of university students mock God and celebrate filth and perversion, where hate and rebellion are everywhere in our society. Never has there been a time like this in the history of America and the nations.

Meanwhile in houses of worship there is no real worship. People stand in congregations, move their lips and sing their praises, but their hearts are far from God.

"These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. In vain do they worship Me ..." (Matt. 15:8-9).

Actors and pretenders they are, with no sincerity. This lack of sincerity marks the church culture today.

Much of what we do is just for show. There is always an insincere agenda behind it. Bottoms in the seats, bucks in the offering and buildings that must be paid. Another program, another project, another event, but there is no sincerity in many people. It is the spot and the blemish in our feasts and festivals.

How many more tragedies and casualties must take place before our attention is arrested and our insincerity brought to light? How many of those who were killed in Las Vegas were right with God? How many were ready to meet their Maker? How many were even conscious of Him? My guess is not very many. It is heartbreaking. The way to death and destruction is always far wider than the way to life that is always narrow.

Study the blessings and curses of Deuteronomy 28. It is obvious to even the casual observer that our nation, and many of our churches, are under the curse of disobedience. Yes, I am aware that God has a remnant, but I am not talking about the remnant. I am speaking of the masses of lost people and the multitudes of insincere professing Christians who praise God with their mouths but keep their hearts far from Him. Insincere.

The dictionary defines "insincerity" as not expressing genuine feelings; false, fake, hollow, artificial, feigned, pretended, put-on, inauthentic. Are you getting the picture? This is such an accurate description of our culture. The church is full of false converts and pretenders. They live double lives. Hypocrisy is their most glaring feature. They are living only for themselves. They do what they want and when they want. There is no fear of God in their hearts.

The judgments of God are real. Heaven and hell are real. Most people live without that sense of reality. Their eyes are dim, and they cannot see. Their ears are dull, and they cannot hear. Their hearts are layered with their own lusts and vain imaginations. Their minds are full of contradictory thoughts and destructive reasonings. Their mouths are full of excuses and self-justification. They are nowhere near ready for the judgment. They are not prepared to die and face God. They are nowhere near ready for the coming of the Lord. What will happen to them if they don't change? They will die and go to hell. Does that concern you at all?

I've given my life to the Lord and to His work, but I constantly search my heart nearly every day. I don't want to be insincere. I hate that in myself. I don't want to be wrong anywhere in my life. I want to dwell in the holy fear of the Lord. I want to love and revere Him always. Because I understand the nature of deception, I guard my heart with all diligence. I ask myself over and over again, "Am I sincere? Are my motives pure? Will they stand God's own inspection?" (See my book, Purity of Heart.)

The opposite of "insincere" is genuine, honest, open, real, truthful, upright and trustworthy. These should be qualities found in every believer, but pride blinds us. And that is the root where the axe needs to be laid. Pride. Self-admiration, self-glorification, egotism and self-love are some of its definitions. It is the opposite of humility. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6b). That is our greatest need right now in the church and the nation. Humility and repentance.

"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chron. 7:14).

If ... if ... if. Just one condition, and the church would be revived and our nation would be awakened, our sins forgiven and our land healed. What a marvelous promise? What a glorious remedy to all the death and darkness in our nation. What a grand solution to all the complacency and apathy in the church. And there is only one condition: If.

We need an overwhelming response to the if. Let it start with you and me.

Bert Farias' tetralogy of books speaks to these vital themes and the turning of the church and America back to God. If this article and others on this blog of this nature stir your love for truth and righteousness we highly recommend these books: The Real Salvation, The Real Gospel, The Real Jesus, The Real Spirit Of Revival.

Pasted from Charisma Magazine

God bless you.