TESTIMONIES – Day One

I never thought I would develop this house at the initial stage…21 years ago when there was money in Nigeria, I couldn’t build this house, but now that there is scarcity in the whole world, God said to me: “My son, you will build this house.”…and according to His word, here we are today praising Him for great things He has done – if not for God it would have been practically impossible for me to have my own house.

– Pastor E.O. Abina, GOFAMINT G.O.

Last year was the first time I attended the convention. As at thattime I had no fiancé but now God hasgiven me a lovely man to behold and live with. I give all glory to Almighty God, PRAISE THE LORD!

Ogunseemi Feyisayo

Tutugba Assembly, Olorunsogo District

 

We came to last year’s convention and there was a declaration that whosoever had an uncompleted building should signify and I did. The ministration was that before this convention, the uncompleted building would be definitelycompleted. Lo and behold, it was so. Glory be to the Almighty God!

 

Almighty God also delivered me from a very terrible sickness and to His glory today, I am here to give this wonderful testimony that I have been made whole. Praise the Lord!

Adenekan Sarah

Owode Assembly,Abeokuta District

 

 

Last year, one of our members who was preparing for the convention couldn’t come because her child suddenly fell sick.Wehad to rush her to the hospital; the child was in the state of coma for about three days; we prayed here in the convention and God brought the girl back to life. The sister is right here in the auditorium for this year’s convention.

Deaconess Nejo Magret

Igbara-Oke Assembly, Obanla District

 

 

In October 16_, 2011, I delivered a baby boy by caesarian session. Consequently I became sick. I had taken different kinds of drugs as prescribed by my doctor but all to no avail.It was not quiet long my Doctor told me to go for an ultra-sound scan – which revealed that an error was made during the surgical operation that was carried out on me in 2011. During the 2012 annual convention, the Lord God of Solution Center touched me and healed me permanently!

 

Odumosu Oluwatosin

 

Omu Assembly, Ijebu District.

Welcome Message

The Awesome God is full of miracles – Pastor C.O. Abe

 

Pastor C.O. Abe charged the participants of the 2013 edition of the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) convention held at the Church’s camp ground to believe in the awesomeness of God Who could deliver them from any form of satanic oppression.

He challenged the congregation to believe in the power with which God Himself used in creating the universe.

He stressed further, “For one to cling and get something from this Awesome God, one must first have a concrete understanding of who He is and what He is capable of doing. The Awesome God as the only true God Who is also the Creator of the whole universe.”

The preacher made the congregation understand that God had sent His only Son to bring down His Awesome presence to extend His awesome mercies to the whole world. He asserted that Jesus had come to showcase the awesomeness of God, no wonder everything about Jesus was wonderful – His birth was wonderful, His growth was wonderful, His baptism and ministry was wonderful, His death was wonderful, His resurrection as well as his ascension to heaven was wonderful.

Pastor Abe further reiterated that,“The Awesome God often uses things that are regarded as insignificant and useless to precipitate wonders.Life is like music which has its own high and low notes, but no matter the note, cling to Him and you will never lose your tone.”

While rounding off, He affirmed that Kathryn Kulman, Jonathan Edwards, Woodworth Ether manifested the power of this awesome God in their relationships with God.

=END=

 

 

PASTOR ABINA DECLARES GOFAMINT CONVENTION OPEN

– WELCOMES 3,913 FIRST-TIME PARTICIPANTS

Pastor E. O. Abina, General Overseer, the Gospel Faith Mission International(GOFAMINT) declared open the 57^th anniversary and 48^th annual convention ofGOFAMINT on Monday, August 5, 2013 at the camp ground of the Church.

While delivering his opening address, he used the medium to welcome and pray for 3,913 participants who just attended the Church’s convention for the first time – a development that was the first of its kind.

He further stressed that the gathering of saints at this year’s convention was not meant for spiritual showmanship but rather for spiritual uplift; he thus advised every participant to be conscious of what brought them to the presence of God.

He therefore admonished all participants of the convention to be punctual and not to take any meeting during the period with levity.

[smart cats=20]

THE AWESOME GOD: His Existence and Supremacy

Teacher: Prof. S. O Ewuola

The word awesome means: amazing. The synonyms of the word are: amazing, astonishing, astounding, marvelous, awful and so on. Awe has two important meanings:

1. Awe means surprise: God is a God of surprise that can surprise everybody; male and female; young and old.
2. Fear: When God comes to manifest His power, you will fear Him. When He surprises you, you will marvel and fear Him. A Yoruba adage says: “Ogbejak’eruobaonija.” This implicitly means:“When God fights for you, you will be surprised and fear Him.”

No one can explain how his/her father was born; where he was born; and how he was born; but for the fact you can’t tell how he was born doesn’t mean he does not exist –the same phenomenal factor is applicableto God – because you cannot tell how He came into being doesn’t mean He does not exist. We cannot know too much about God, even if we take it as a year project, unless the little we were told. God is keeping some information He does not make known to humanity. The Bible says “Secrecy is of God.”

The Existence of God

How do we know that God exists? We know God through:

• Our existence;
• Our make-up;
• The physiology of our bodies.

Apart from our own existence as humans, nature and creation testify to the fact that God exists.

The Bible says in Psalm 19:1-4:“The heavens declare the glory of the Lord, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. ‘Day to day’ pours out speech and ‘night to night’ reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their measuring line goes out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world.” No building had ever existed without a builder, no automobile had ever existed without a manufacturer.

God is awesome because He is:

• Omnipotent – He can do all things.
• Omniscient­– He knows all things.
• Omnipresent – He is always everywhere and sees everything; you can’t hide anything from God.

No one has ever defeated God; He has fought millions of wars,even in your life, and He has never lost any.

When God is angry, things get destroyed, that’s why He doesn’t get angry easily.

How Did God Exist?

No mortal can adequately narrate the origin of the awesome God, He has no beginning, and He has no end.

Several years ago, one servant of God told us of His experience in an open crusade.He said on one of the nights of the crusade, one man came out of the audience who happened not to believe in the existence of God – put a very seemingly difficult task before him. The unbeliever told the preacher “when you are coming to crusade tomorrow, come and tell us the name of God’s mother.” The preacher said he paused a little and immediately, he himself told the unbeliever that “If you are coming also tomorrow, come and tell us who gave birth to death.”

 

He said the man could not produce that. The fact that we cannot know the origin of God doesn’t mean that He does not exist. We will fall short of the real knowledge if we think of God just as human beings like us. The Lord Jesus, who is always with God, co-exists with God. “God is Spirit.”

 

Are There Other Gods Besides Ours?

This question can be answered in both Yes and No.

(a) Yes, there are still other so-called pagan gods that are not the real God;they are gods made of wood, clay, steel, iron and so on – they are lifeless gods; they have eyes but they cannot see. They have ears, they cannot hear, they have legs but they cannot walk, they are man-made gods and those who worship them would be like them. Foolishness and ignorance have that led people to worship and prostrate to the wood which man carved into. They are spiritually blind and morally incapacitated. It is madness to worship idols.

 

(b) No, the second answer to the question is ‘No’ for all Christian believers – there is only one true living God. Isaiah 44:6-7says: “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that is coming and shall come, let them show these to them”. God Himself has declared that besides Him, there is no any other genuine god, the Creator and Possessor of the heavens and the earth. He knows the end from the beginning; He declares what is going to happen and it will happen. No idol could do that, they are dead and are the handiworks of human beings. They are helpless; those who serve them are also helpless.

 

Prophet Elijah’s encounter with the prophets of Baal proved that idols have no power. The children of Israel had turned away from God to Baal believing that Baal was their rightful god because Ahab and Jezebel his wife were idol worshipers. Nearly the whole nations of Israel were drawn away from their real God, Jehovah Sabaot h. That is why a nation needs a God-fearing leader to lead. If the national leader, either the King or President is godly, there is the possibility that through his influence, the nation could be godly. When God was ready to manifest His supremacy over Baal, He told Elijah to come out and present himself to Ahab the king and the prophets of Baal – about four hundred and fifty in number. This encounter is recorded in I Kings 18:17-40. And this encounter shows us that besides God there is no other God, God is the only true and living God.

 

Apostle Paul’s Knowledge About Idols (1 Cor. 8:4-7a)

Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live. However, there is not in everyone that knowledge…

 

Apostle Paul, without mincing words, declared emphatically that “idols are nothing and that for us, there is only one true living God and one Lord Jesus Christ. This should be the stand of every child of God who loves God and wants to do His will. You cannot serve God and idols at the same time. The outcome of Prophet Elijah’s encounter with the prophets of Baal was a proof of God’s supremacy over idols.

 

God Has No Equal (Isa. 40:25-26, 28-29)

Another aspect of God’s awesomeness is His supremacy over all creatures. In the text before us, God said:

 

To whom will you likeMe? Or to whom shall I be equal? Says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them by name. By the greatness of His might and strength of His power; not one is missing… Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. There is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the weak. And to those who have no might He increases strength”.

 

God’s knowledge is higher than that of the highest intellectual among humans. Nobody teaches Him, He Himself is the source of knowledge. When Jesus, at the age of twelve, was in the temple with the doctors of the law among the Jewish religious leaders, questioning and answering questions, the people were surprised about the wisdom with which He talked. I am yet to discover from my Bible the name of the School which Jesus attended when He was here on earth two thousand years ago. Our God is God of all knowledge He does not need anyone to teach Him. He has no equal. No human being ranks with Him, absolutely no one. He is the chief Executive of both heaven and earth.

 

 

 

God Is Greater Than All Earthly Kings

It is a pity when some earthly monarchs find themselves in the place of honour and eminence; they usually forget that they are mortal. God is the King of kings and Lord of lords. When king Nebuchadnezzar, that famous and powerful king in his time felt that he had all power, he said: “…Is not this great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honour of my majesty?” (Dan. 4:30). But God immediately proved him wrong. God showed Nebuchadnezzar that He, (God) was still in control. So immediately, while the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven:

King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you. And they shall drive you from men and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses (verses 31,32).

 

Just immediately that voice came from heaven, King Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from his palace and went into the bush to graze with animals until he knew that ‘God is God’. Verse 33 describes how a popular king Nebuchadnezzar became one of the animals in the field.

Verses 34, 35, 36 are the text of his experience:

“And at the end of the time, I Nebuchadnezzar lifted my eyes to heaven and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever. For His dominion are an everlasting dominion and His kingdom from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth no one can restrain His hand. Or say to Him what have you done? Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth and His ways justice and those who walk in pride He is able to abase.

 

This event was an evidence of God’s supremacy over any king or great men/women no matter how popular or powerful they might be.

Some Moral Lessons From This Study

1. It is good to be desirous to know more about God whom we serve and worship.

2. The more of God we know, the greater our relationship with Him is enhanced.

3. As a child cannot adequately talk about the birth of his father; no human being can as well discuss how God came to being.

4. The creation itself testifies to the undeniable existence of God. This is evident throughout the world (Ps. 19:1-6).

5. God is not man who can be physically seen (now) with our naked eyes.

6. There are the pagan gods – gods of iron, god of thunder, god of wood and so on. They are all man-made gods.

7. The awesome God has no equal. He is supreme, higher and greater than any pagan deity.

8. There are pagan gods – gods of iron, thunder, wood and so on, they are all works of men but our God is the Creator and Maker. Idols did not create anything, man made them but the awesome God made man.

9. The Prophet Elijah’s encounter with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal is a proof that idols are nothing. They failed their worshipers as evidenced in our study.

10. The approach of the prophet Elijah in the scenario shows that he was not seeking his own glory but God’s glory that would bring backslidden Israelites back to God. This same should be our attitude. Seek God’s glory and not your personal glory. Our Lord Jesus even did that.

11. No child of God should worship, sacrifice or bow to an idol. The use of all kinds waist charms, cowries (like belt) charm, armlets and magical rings for protection is a kind of dilatory, be warned.

12. The consequence of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and his subsequent return to his throne after his repentance show that God is greater than the greatest human being on earth and that He (God) is ready to forgive any repentant sinner. You too should repent from pride, conceit and arrogance.

 

Olaoluwa Stephen.

The Battle Is Not Yours But the Lord’s

Preacher: Prophet Adebisi Abiola

God is a maker, a destiny decider, blessing giver. He told peter his name, and told him to follow him, so as to make him. In Matthew 4: 19 God told Peter his name, and also told him to follow him, so as to make him a tool for bringing others to Christ. There is power in following Jesus. In Mathew 11:29,this place tells us very much that our God is a rest giver. The major problem of most people is that we all want to follow him, but we don’t want to obey him! Nothing is going to move forward in your life until you obey his commands. If you need dynamic change, all you need do is obey God and trust him with all you have.

Christ was talking about two kinds of rest; the first one is received when you give your life to Christ, while the other kind of rest is the rest of our soul, which doesn’t come easily. It however comes when you are indebted in the love of Christ and also when you obey him with everything you have. Note that- obedience takes you very far with God. If nothing is keeping you in the kingdom, then my friend you are a lost child in the kingdom. Your location is where your allocation is allotted, but you cannot know this unless you know Christ now. In addition, if you are not growing, you are groaning. God is not far from you; so do not be angry.

Isaiah 9:6; when you come to meet him, he will turn you to a wonder man and not a wanderer. The dangerous man is a man whose time has come. You are not reducing because of your inability; you are reducing when you are without Christ. He knows your name, your everything about you. Never be moved by what people are saying or they have said. You need to be disappointed when your enemies or when the enemies are happy with you. Brethren, you have a future, no matter what you are facing presently. Every problem is a blessing in disguise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mission Report

USA

Sister Awodimila of Region Twelve(12), gave One hundred and seventy missionaries six yards of Ankara each for free.

Women ministry of Gofamint gave U.S.A missionaries six hundred dollars

Pastor Bitrus D. Manga from Yobe State (Miraculous Delivery from Assassination Attempt)

There was a day a man came with a gun in his pocket looking for the pastor to kill him. The man could not however recognize me. He was even asking from me who the pastor is, so I told him to wait, that I’ll call the pastor for him. With that, God made a way of escape for me. We have encountered many problems and challenges but I thank God that He has always been there for us and I also thank our daddy, pastor (Dr.) E.O Abina for his words of encouragement and full support.

Pastor Julius A. John from Nassarawa

April last year, we roofed the church auditorium, after several oppositions. There was a time that the dreaded boko haram sect started killing Christians; so I gather my wife and children on my bike and we started running away. On our way, we met them again. They stopped me and asked ‘’who are you?’’ Then I replied ‘’I am a missionary’’, they asked again, and I gave the same response. They became confounded and I was able to go free.

Pastor Paul Adehunmu from Bajarawa

I thank God for protecting members of our church from all evil. One day, I was returning from the national headquarters, not knowing Boko Harammembers were operating near my house. They attacked five churches in my vicinity, including our church. They killed some Christians, such that my house became a temporary abode for Christians who escaped the attack. However, the boko haram members came after them, attempting to burn my house, but we escaped mysteriously through God’s grace.

Niger

We now have a fellowship center, a land and a mission house, The Mission Gave us One hundred thousand naira, but we need a pastor in one of all churches and please continue to pray for us.

Words from Daddy G.O

The missionaries are really hardworking, if you are in a Muslim state and you are a Christian, you will know what it like is, they are putting their best, let’s pray that the Lord will strengthen them and lift them up financially and spiritually in Jesus name, and the Lord will continue to protect them.

 

CHRIST: DELIVER THIS GENERATION FROM DESTRUCTION

PASTOR IDOWU JINADU

HEBREW 11:37-39

The work of missions is a great one, because it is not for any man, but for the expansion of the gospel. A church without mission is lacking visions, because missions bring about the expansion of the church and God’s kingdom. It is time for us all to look beyond our borders and break the limitations especially in the financial aspect. Money is needed in missions, but the lord is so much depending on us to do not just little things but great things. Here in Nigeria, we are enjoying so much and our freedom is of high percentage. When we get to other countries, especially, the Arabian countries, missionaries lack freedom, and it takes wisdom to preach the gospel. If we can’t go to the field, then I think our money should be able to go for us!

The question is who will go? Job 20:15

For those in the missions department and those who are anticipating to go, money is an essential tool. Going to the field is the fulfilling of the scriptures because Christ wants us to go to the world and preach the gospel to everyone. We need to rise without anyone forcing us or singing the songs to our hearing it should be a willing act, because it involves going into the world in fulfillment of the scriptures. Leaving the worldly things behind and moving on to the field. The only hope of the world is the church. If the church itself is not strong then what will the world look up to? The youths we depend on to carry on the doctrine of the church also seem to be losing focus. Meanwhile, it is because the world has entered the church.

We are all involved, in the work of the mission and we must do something, seeing that even those we called brethren are not to be trusted any longer. Matthew 24: 39. At the time of Noah, God so much trusted him that he called him to go he field and bring more people into the kingdom. We should know that, in every generation, there is a Moses. As Moses rose up to the task at that time, and took up the challenge, so also, we should take up the challenge. We must be able to give sacrificially to the missions. Sacrifice that can move the hands of the Almighty God. There is something we can do to move the hands of God. And that is giving something that will prompt God to speak from Heaven, like the case of Abraham and Isaac. I want to challenge us, to rise and give to the missions.Let us support the missions. There are places in Africa, where people are yearning for the gospel. They need us to rescue them even our resources. Let us take it as a burden upon ourselves that we need to support the missions!

 

 

 

 

 

The Awesome God of Wonders – Evangelist E.O. Falade

The Minster of God first made the congregation understand that there is no exaggeration in the fact that our God is an awesome God and also He is also a God of wonders. The renowned evangelist brought out the text of the message from the book of John.5:1-3.

The man of God in his word exposition reiterated that the pool of Betheseda is also known as the pool of mercy. This pool is no ordinary pool where people just come to draw water but it is rather a pool where people go to get their healings. As good and wonderful this pool looks, there is a great ‘but’ concerning this pool – it can only heal one person per season (i.e. one person per year).

Jesus on His arrival at the poolside saw the man lying there. The evangelist stated that this implies that Jesus might not have noticed everybody at the poolside, there and then he chipped in a principle that: “Jesus might not notice you even though you come to church regularly, for Him to notice and know you, you have to live a holy life”. This man also enjoyed divine favour because he was singled out of the multitude that was by the poolside.

Evangelist Falade also used the incident that happened in the book of 2kings.4:1 to drive his point that our God indeed is an awesome God. In this passage, the wife of the dead prophet did two things for the last time – she wept for the last time and she also had to borrow (when she borrowed oil jars) for the last time.

While still using the widow’s situation, the man of God stated that for one to get healings and miracles, one must be ready to follow laid down instructions. In his words, he said “when you take divine instructions, you will fly when others are crawling”. This widow’s obedience to the prophet’s instructions was the main reason why she was a partaker of that awesome power and grace.The Evangelist later led the congregation in a session of prayers.

The Awesome God: His works and attributes – Pastor (Dr.) E.O. Abina

The General Overseer, Pastor (Dr.) E.O. Abina handled the day three teaching of the ongoing convention. The lesson as stated in the topic is a broad study on the attributes and works of God. The G.O. cited the psalmist’s expression in the book of psalms 104:24 where the psalmist appreciated the wonderful works of God. God is the owner and creator of the whole universe.

In the lesson, the G.O. made the congregation understand that the awesome work of God has started since “in the beginning” (a timeless age) where He created the Heavens and the Earth in six days after which God Himself commented that His works were good. In the beginning, everything was good and perfect.

How was the world created? Pastor (Dr.) E.O. Abina taught that the congregation that it is only through faith that one can have an understanding of the creation. In his words; “it is by faith that we have the assurance that God is the creator of everything”. The G.O. further stressed that the power of the word which was used in creation was also exhibited by Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry. Jesus also stated the fact that all we need is faith…”believe and have faith that everything you have asked, you have received”. Pastor Abina further reiterated that one needs faith to work with God because human reasoning cannot fully understand and comprehend the works of God.

Going further into the lesson, the General Overseer took the congregation through the attributes of this Awesome God. The first attribute that was HOLINESS, while explaining this great attribute, the G.O. stated that holiness is an attribute God Himself wants us to share and exhibit as He is asking us in the book of Rom.12:1-2. Holiness is a virtue that can’t be hidden and it is what God wants us to show the world.

Another attribute of God is LOVE. Love has been the basis of everything that God has done for mankind. Since the beginning of time, God has never been economical with His love towards us even to the extent of giving out His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) to come and die for our sins. Love is also an attribute that the Awesome God expects us to show to the entire world. The final attribute that the G.O. touched was MERCY. The forgiveness of our sins had been made possible through God’s mercies for us.

HOUR OF DISCOVERY

YOUR DESTINY WAS DETERMINED BEFORE YOUR BIRTH: JUST BELIEVE AND COOPERATE

During the hour of discovery on the third day of the great convention, Pastor J. Kayode discussed the topic ‘’ your destiny was determined before your birth: just believe and cooperate’’. It was such a wonderful discovery, has he shed light to the three (3) killers of destiny

1. The spirit of unbelieving
2. Doubt
3. Fear

He later went further and said, God has determined our destiny before our birth that the only thing he needs from us is to believe and cooperate, but it is a pity today that many people are lacking faith. Don’t limit yourself, God that created you had plans for you but if you don’t give your life to him and surrender all, it is possible for a glorious destiny to be buried or forgotten. God has designed your life, no witches or wizards can destroy your destiny if you have Jesus, the maker of destiny.

He concluded by encouraging the congregation to change their mentality towards the word of God because there is so much power in His word. And he also highlighted some things that will make you fulfill your divine destiny, that to be able to fulfill your destiny you must first discover it because discovery leads to recovery, and you must have faith, fasting and prayer and then determination. No matter how bad your condition or situation may be, the awesome God will change your destiny.

INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR JOSEPH KAYODE

H.B.N – Sir, can we meet you?

Pastor Kayode – Yes you can, I am JOSHUA KAYODE, formerly known as Joshua Ogunjobi.

H.B.N – How did you come to know GOFAMINT?

Pastor Kayode – Well, I came to know GOFAMINT through a friend, who brought me in a long time ago, there that day in the church, a message came and I was touched by the Holy Ghost, and I gave my life to Christ.

H.B.N – Sir, we will be glad to know your experience during your ordination and the Man of God who conducted it.

Pastor Kayode – Uhmmm, my ordination took place in the year 1987, when I was ordained, it was by the former General Overseer, Late Rev. R.A. Gorge and that was the last ordination he did before he passed on.

H.B.N – Sir, while you were in the office, can you share with us some of the challenges you encountered?

Pastor Kayode – There has been challenges so far but with God on my side, am a victor. There were times I had attacks, especially when my father was saved and his cult members sent attack from almost every angle, but all thanks to the awesome God. Also, there were times when my family and I had nothing to eat and sometimes, Garri and black pepper but thank God for today.

HBN – sir, you mentioned your first ministration at the convention, what was it like?

Pastor Kayode – yes, I did, and it was the reason I asked people to shout seven halleluiah, because the holy spirit moved mightily by just praising God. So also, that’s the most cherished ministration of my life, because it marks the beginning of a great transformation in my life and ministry.

H.B.N – thank you so much sir, over the years, how have you been able to put up with ministry, family and finance.

Pastor Kayode – well, it has just been God, because when I started, it was easy at all, that we hardly survived, but all thanks to God who never forget our labour of love. That’s all I can say about that for now.

H.B.N – what is your motivation and philosophy about or concerning the ministry?

Pastor Kayode – well, it’s faith, majorly faith! I see no extent faith cannot work.

H.B.N – sir, by the virtue of your office in the mission and by the information gathered, some ministers said you are tough, disciplined and a no nonsense minister. What do you say about that?

Pastor Kayode – Truly, thye’ve spoken well, and it has helped me a lot.

H.B.N – if you are to hold this office again, what would you like to do better in a more excellent way?

Well, there is nothing I would like to go back and do in the office, I’m fulfilled serving in the office and I have given my best.

H. B. N – When sir is your retirement date?

Pastor kayode – the retirement date is, 2^nd of January 2014, but the sent forth is going to be on the 1^st of December

H. B. N – what’s your best hymn Sir?

Pastor Kayode – Ojo nla lojo timo yan

H.B.N – And your best food Sir?

Pastor Kayode – My best food is pounded yam.

H.B.N – what about your state of origin Sir?

Pastor Kayode – Am a native of Ekiti State.

H.B.N – is there any word of encouragement you want to tell the upcoming ministers?

Pastor Kayode – well, I will gladly advice that anyone or young ministers should leave all for God totally, I mean that’s basically all that matters, and never to go into the ministry with the mind of getting material things, but should be ready to give out all.

H.B.N – thank you very much Sir, we hope that next time we call on you, you will answer us.

Pastor Kayode – yes, you are always welcome.

AN INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR S.A KOLAWOLE

HBN: Can we meet you sir?

A.G.S.: I am Pastor Samson AdeoyeKolawole the Assistant General Secretary of The Gospel Faith Mission International.

HBN: How has it been working with God in this Mission?

A.G.S.: I thank God without mincing words the best thing to do on earth is to walk with God particularly when you work with the Gospel Faith Mission International, it will make you feel more fulfilling with the vision of God. Am working with the G.O. Pastor(Dr.) E.O. Abina and I consider it a privilege to have worked with him all these while am so blessed and fulfilled, I have no regret of whatsoever. I really appreciate God for giving me that opportunity many works in GOFAMINT, but many does not have direct access to work with the G.O. since I came out for full time in 1994, we have been working directly together. He is a man with kind heart and have learnt a lot from him. Normally and naturally, there is no journey that is smooth and easy if all things go smoothly it means something is wrong somewhere, there are ups and downs some times for sacrifice especially when you work at the top of leadership, you will have to be called so many names, whether right or wrong. There are a lot of things you have to take and if you will never ask the right people you will never know what is going on at all. If you are determined, you will make success.

HBN: What situation can you term as the most unforgettable as the AGS of Gofamint?

A.G.S.: The first time the mission had court cases were periods I will never forget. At that time, I took it upon myself but I also think it’s God’s doing as well. I was acting as the chief security officer to the General Overseer. I thank God because He took control of the situation all through that period and today we can say thank God. I came out full time in 1994, when I eventually came out, the G.O. said he has been praying to that God should touch my heart so that I may come out. In the year 1995, I was appointed as a rotational EXCO member and I told the G.O. then that if they distributing positions 20 years to this time it will never get to me but the G.O. replied that it was not man that appoints but the Holy Spirit and that helped and inspired me and since then I have had no regret working for the Lord.

HBN: What are your achievements as the A.G.S. so far?

A.G.S.: Without corrections, there can’t be a good or perfect management. I modified the return sheets we were using, I led the team that followed the G.O. to Lagos for the International Headquarters and it is a reality today. Gradually we are growing, the International headquarters and the cable TV have been achieved, we have acquired another land, we have a functioning secondary school and we are working on getting our own university as well. Somebody actually told the G.O. that we should finish one project before going into another and the G.O. told the person that who among us will first train a child up to the university level before having another child, that’s my answer.

SIGNS AND DANGERS OF THE LAST DAYS

During the evening section of the third day at the Gofamint convention, Pastor Emmanuel Ogunyemi ministered the message titled ‘’ signs and dangers of the last days’’, in which he spoke about the concept of the last days, the signs and then the dangers. In his ministration he said the concept of the last day is the time when the Lord Jesus shall return and rapture the saints, he later went further by saying it is common in churches to talk about end-time but other religions don’t talk about last days because their concept about life is different from ours’. These beautiful things we see around will soon end and fade away but we don’t want them to end because we are enjoying them, but still a day is coming when the owner of the earth will come and harvest it. Where are you in your journey to heaven?

In his ministration when ahead and talked about the signs of the end-time, that this world is getting worse rather than better, we are all living witnesses of what is happening around the world, the war in Syria, boko haram in Nigeria and so many other things. The perilous time and people’s great love for money are also signs of end-time, so also people appearing to be Godly but the spirit is not in them is also sign that the end is near and that the signs are for the unbelievers to run for their dear life.

Furthermore, he mentioned the dangers of the end-time that some of the dangers are danger of apostasy, danger of deception and danger of false doctrines: the doctrine of the demon and that if believers are not careful, they will fall victims of the dangers and if they aren’t sure of their salvation nor their conscience never challenge them again, it means they’ve fallen victims of the end-time. He went further and said that in such a time the steps to be taken are:

1. Repent: God is calling church to repent.
2. Live your life as if Jesus will come today
3. Make all restitutions you need to make.
4. Examine your life
5. Discipline yourself

He then asked the congregation that ‘’where will you end your journey?’ will you change your ways and surrender to Christ today or continue like that. Remember a day will come, it may be now, that the Lord Jesus will come. He later went ahead and call the alter call for people that want to give their life to Christ and to the glory of God, so many people came out.

[smart cats=2,3]

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE NEW CEU (CHILDREN EVANGELISM UNIT) COORDINATOR EVANGELIST EMMANUEL ALABI

HBN: can we meet you?

EVANG: yes, you are welcome. I am Evangelist Emmanuel Alabi. By the grace of God, I was twelve years of age when I gave my life to Christ. Working with the children ministry had been my heart desire. I had been working with the children department in my church since 1987. I attended CMS and in 1989 I attendedthe seminary.

HBN: How many years have you being working with Pastor Banjo the former CEU coordinator?

EVANG: Before I came across Pastor Banjo, I had been working with the children unit in my church in 1987. I met the Pastor in CMS. Then I started full-time in 1991 as a children pastor and since then, we have been working together.

HBN: How would you describe the former CEU coordinator?

EVANG: Pastor Banjo is a man of vision who knows what he is doing and knows where he is going.

HBN: Now that you are the CEU coordinator, what are your plans for the CEU?

EVANG: By His grace, I have a lot of plans, I plan that I will make this place i.e. children church an event center, so that children can have a place to play and relax. Raising future leaders is also my priorities and what gives me the greatest joy is that those children that were raised from this church are now leading the world in different field. I want to raise champions for Christ who will raise the banner of the gospel, men who will win souls for the father.

HBN: Sir, I know there will be some challenges that the CEU department is facing, what are some of the challenges and how do you react tothem?

EVANG: The way I see challenges differs from the way people see it. I have a grace that makes me see challenges as part of life. In fact, I love challenges and I believe that it is not more than what God can do.

HBN: some people call you pastor, evangelist, and other title, but what do you prefer being called?

EVANG: I am ok with anytitles I am being calledand I do not prefer one to the other.

HBN: What is your advice to the youth of GOFAMINT?

EVANG: well! GOFAMINT youth should be people that has burden for the work of God. They should be ready to face challenges instead of complaining, they should lookfor what they can do for the church, they should be ready to serve, and they should make something happen in the church.

CHAPTER THREE

THE AWESOME GOD: HIS UNIQUENESS, CARE AND

CONCERN FOR HIS PEOPLE

od is to be praised for all He is for His people. The pagan gods can do nothing for their worshippers; they are being fed and carried by their worshippers. Our God is a living and powerful God who has more than enough to share to His own people. He is not selfish. He is generous, He is loving, He is merciful. He cares for His own more than any of our earthly parents could do no matter how rich and loving they are. His power is unlimited. Our study under the above topic will take us to some of these important things.

The Uniqueness of The Awesome God: God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient.

God Is Omnipotent: That is God has all power, He is the only, all-powerful God. His acts in history show He is the only all-powerful God. All power belongs to Him. He is the Chief Executive of the whole heaven and earth. He cannot be conquered. He cannot be captured, He cannot be overthrown.

Ø The Psalmist’s testimony: God has spoken once, twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God (Ps 62:11). No human being has absolute power, only God has it. Because God has absolute power:

– He can do all He wishes to do, nobody can query Him.

– But He does not abuse the use of His power. When He removed Saul as King and replaced him with David, nobody could oppose Him.

– There is nothing too hard for Him. Jeremiah 32:17 says:

“Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You”. This was Jeremiah’s testimony about God’s omnipotence. He has power on all the creation. Every human power must submit to Him.

– God Himself testified to His Omnipotence: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jer. 32:27). The answer is no, there is nothing good or hard that He cannot do.

– His Omnipotence effected Sarah’s child birth when it was passed the age of reproduction. At ninety, Sarah became the mother of Isaac.

– The power of the awesome and omnipotent God will turn our barren sisters to nursing mothers in Jesus name.

– Sarah exclaimed: “…God has made me laugh and all who hear will laugh with me” (Gen. 21:6).

– The sorrow of the barren among us will turn to laughter and joy in the power of the awesome and omnipotent God.

With God, nothing shall be impossible (Lk. 1:37). This was the angel Gabriel’s response to Virgin Mary when he brought the message of God’s favor to her, that as a virgin, she would conceive and bring forth God’s Son without sexual relationship with any man.

– The awesome and omnipotent God will do the impossible in your life in Jesus name.

– Your dry bone will come alive in Jesus name.

Some of us may want to ask, when did the Holy Spirit come to Mary to bring about the conception which the angel Gabriel announced (Lk. 1:35). Though, the Bible does not state when, this happened but we can assume that the thing happened immediately when Mary responded by faith and said: “…Behold the maidservant of the Lord, Let it be to me according to your word” (verse 38). Angel Gabriel said it, Mary believed it and that settled the whole thing. On the visit of Mary to Elizabeth, she (Elizabeth) being filled with the Holy Spirit said,: “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45).

Ø Whenever you believe the spoken or written word of God, your problems will be solved in Jesus name. We can still go on and on studying the acts of God’s omnipotence, only believe, “all things are possible for those who believe”.

God Is Omnipresent: He is present everywhere, anywhere, anytime. Unlike the pagan gods that remain where they are positioned, the awesome God is everywhere. He is not limited to a particular place.

When the Samaritan woman told Jesus that they were to worship in a particular mountain and the Jews said it was in Jerusalem alone that people should worship God. The Lord replied her that the time was coming when not on the mountain or Jerusalem alone that true worshippers should worship God (John 4:20-24). Because God is omnipresent:

Ø He is everywhere in the world, not in Jerusalem alone.

Ø We can pray to Him anywhere, Jonah prayed in the belly of a big fish.

Ø We can praise Him anywhere.

Ø There is no way we can escape from Him (Ps. 139:1-12).

From this passage, we have the understanding:

– That the presence of the awesome God is everywhere

– That there is no where we can go from His presence

– That if even we go to the sky or heaven, God is there

– That if we go deep into the earth God is there.

– If you go into the darkest place on earth, you will get Him there because both the darkness and the light are alike to Him – Wonderful

– No way of escape for a sinner and the liar. God is everywhere.

– Wherever we travel to God is there if it is not a place of sinful attraction where we cannot guarantee God’s protection and abiding presence.

God Is Omniscient: The awesome God is all-knowing God. Ps. 139:1-6:

O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

Every child of God should understand the God we serve. Unfortunately, some so-called children of God take Him with levity, thinking that God is like their forefathers’ fetish gods. Some believers are like Achan who thought all was well when (through covetousness) he took the accursed thing and hid it in his tent. But God who knows everything fetched him out, eventually he and his household paid dearly for the sin. The subject of God’s omniscience teaches us:

– That God knows everything including our thoughts (Compare Mark 2:5-12).

– That denial of any fact of a case does not free us from

punishment

– That we don’t have to tell lies in witnessing or confession

– That our acts and deeds cannot be concealed from Him.

– That God also knows the troubles we are passing through.

– That He is with us even in our times of trouble, “A present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).

– That denying His omniscience could put us in danger – that was what happened to Achan. The sin of the head of a family can destroy the whole family (see Joshua 7:18-26). Our God knows all things, fear Him. The awesome God is the only Being who is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. No one else among human, lords and pagan gods. He is God and Lord of all.

His Care And Concern For His Own People

The history of God’s care for human beings can be traced back to the time of the creation:

Ø God had created all that man would ever need before He created man in His own image and likeness as recorded in Gen. 1.

Ø After the creation of man and woman, He placed them in the garden of Eden, a place of bliss and pleasure in other words it was a paradise (Gen. 2:15,16)

Ø There was nothing that man lacked at the original creation.

• It also appeared that God used to visit man in the cool of the day (Gen. 3:8) All these show that God cares for human beings like no one else could do.

God’s Care And Concern On Israel The Chosen Nation

The care of the awesome God for His own people can be reflected in the history of Israel’s slavery in Egypt and their subsequent deliverance from the Egyptian captivity.

Israel’s Slavery Foretold (Gen. 15:13-16)

Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs and will serve them and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward, they shall come out with great possessions. Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation, they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.

From the passage above, there are certain things for us to learn:

Ø The awesome God is an all-knowing God as we previously learned.

Ø There is nothing that would happen to God’s people if he does not allow it.

Ø God is a good planner, in all of His works and actions.

Ø He will not tempt us more than we are able to bear (I Cor. 10:13).

Ø Our awesome God will make way of escape for us in all our problems (I Cor. 10:13).

Ø God normally gives grace of repentance to sinners but if they do not repent, He will judge them. Compare Gen 15:16b:

…for the wickedness of the Amorite nations living here now will not be ready for punishment until then” (TLB). “And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (Lk. 21:24).

Ø God determines when His own people will leave the world (Gen. 15:15).

Ø God knows when our problems shall be over.

The Deliverance Of Israel By The Awesome God (Exd. 3)

Abraham had died but God was still alive to fulfill His promise. He called Moses to deliver His people. Moses found himself unworthy but God promised to be with him. He encouraged Moses and backed him up. When Pharaoh was stubborn, God struck Egypt with ten plaques. God can go to any length when it is time for Him to fight for His own people. Our enemies are not a force for Him to be reckoned with. Let us see how the plaques happened one by one:

The Ten Plagues

Ø First Plague: Turning the waters in Egypt (including River Nile, I guess) into blood (Exd. 7:14-25). Pharaoh did not yield. His magicians’ performance encouraged him to harden his heart (verses 22,23).

Ø Second Plague: Frogs (Exd. 8:1-15). Frogs covered the whole land of Egypt. Pharaoh asked Moses to call to the Lord for him to remove the frogs, Moses did so, God heard but Pharaoh did not yield. He was a stubborn guy.

Ø Third Plague: Lice (Exd 8:16-19). Lice are very cruel, tiny insects in the hair and clothes. All these covered the land of Egypt as ordered by God through Moses. At this point, the magicians confessed to Pharaoh saying: “This is the finger of God” (verse 19). Yet, Pharaoh did not allow the people to go.

Ø Your enemies who trouble you will see the finger of God and be afraid of you in Jesus name.

Ø Fourth Plague: Flies (Exd. 8:20-32). Yet, Pharaoh would not allow the people to go finally he was proposing a comprise with Moses (verse 25) but Moses refused. So Pharaoh continued to harden his heart (verse 32).

Ø Fifth Plague: Disease On Beasts (Exd. 9:1-7). All the cattle of the Egyptians died but none of the cattle that belonged to Israel died (verses 6,7). Yet, the heart of Pharaoh was still hard, he would not allow the people to go.

Ø No destroyer shall destroy your possession in Jesus name.

Ø Sixth Plague: Boils On Men And Beasts (Exd. 9:8-12). The magicians could not stand before Moses because the boils were on the magicians also (verse 11). Yet, Pharaoh would not yield (verse 12).

Ø Seventh Plague: Hail (Exd. 9:13-35). Pharaoh told Moses to beg God for him. He said it is enough but he did not surrender (verses 27-28,35). Notice that there was no hail in Goshen where the children of Israel were (verse 26). Praise the Lord.

Ø Eight Plague: Locusts (Exd. 10:1-20). We all know that locusts are destructive insects. They can cause famine in a country if they shift their attention to a country. There were locusts in the whole land of Egypt. At this point, Pharaoh’s servants pleaded with Pharaoh to let the people go (verse 7). But Pharaoh still hardened his heart (verse 20).

Ø Ninth Plague: Darkness (Exd. 10:21-29). There was thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for bad three days (verse 22,23). At this juncture, Pharaoh would allow Israel to go but they should leave their cattle behind (verse 24). Moses refused this comprise because they would use their cattle for sacrifice to the Lord (verse 26). Then, Pharaoh still hardened his heart (verse 27). We must learn a lesson from this. NOTICE: Verses 28,29 explain the exchange of words between Moses and Pharaoh. It was an unconscious prophecy, which came to pass at the end of the whole event.

Ø Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn Announced (Exd. 11).

Death of Firstborn throughout Egypt (Exd. 12:29-33). There was great weeping and lamentation throughout the land of Egypt from the palace of Pharaoh to every house in Egypt. Then, Pharaoh forcibly released the people to go with all their cattle and children all of them. No firstborn died among the children of Israel.

Ø None of our family members will be involved in any calamity in Jesus mighty name.

Prophecy of Promise Fulfilled

God had told Abraham that by the time his descendants shall be released from the land of their captivity, they would leave with many possessions (Gen. 15:14). Now by the time they were leaving, it was with great possessions belonging to the Egyptians (Exd. 12:35,36).

Ø God’s good promise for your life shall materialize in Jesus name. Thus, the children of Israel left the land of Egypt. God fulfilled His promise. But Pharaoh was still obstinate. He planned to chase the Israelites. At the Red Sea, the children of Israel were afraid because Pharaoh and the Egyptians were chasing them and they were on this side of the Sea how would they cross now. The Red Sea was in front of them, Pharaoh and his army were coming behind. The Children of Israel were afraid but God was not, He was equal to the task. Moses called to the Lord and God encouraged Moses: “Moses said to the people, do not be afraid. Standstill and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today you shall see again no more forever” (Exd. 14:13).

Ø You will not see your enemies that are coming behind you as from today in Jesus name. The LORD will fight for you in Jesus name.

Israel Crossed Over The Red Sea (Exd. 14:14-22)

The power of the awesome God dried the Red Sea and there was a super highway for Israel to pass and cross over.

Ø You will cross over your symbolic Red Sea in Jesus name.

The Egyptians followed Israel and perished in the Red Sea (Exd. 14:23-28). It was God Himself who fought the battle on behalf of His people. Pharaoh was tough but God was tougher, no one can withstand Him.

Israel Sang a Victory Song, Called the Song of Moses

Ø You will sing the song of victory over your battle in Jesus name. No human being could do what God did for the children of Israel. Having brought them out of Egypt and having crossed the Red Sea was just the beginning of the long journey, yet God did not leave them in their desert journey.

God’s Care For Israel In their Desert Journey

The children of Israel faced many challenges in their desert journey to the Promised Land but God was equal to the all challenges. We as Christians will also face challenges in our journey to the kingdom of heaven. We believe that God who undertook for the children of Israel will do the same thing for us, because we are His peculiar and special people in the world today according to 1 Pet. 2:9,10.

Let us itemize some of the challenges the children of Israel encountered in their desert journey as follow: Though the children of Israel appeared so ungrateful to God and Moses their leader yet, God was merciful to them but many of them died in the journey because of their unbelief and rebellion.

First challenge: Thirst (Exd. 15:22-27). At Marah, the water there was bitter but God through Moses sweetened the water and it was drinkable.

Ø God will turn your bitterness to sweetness in Jesus name

Ø Jehovah – Ropheka will heal your sickness in Jesus name.

Second Challenge: (Exd. 16) Hunger. In the wilderness of Sin, they complained of not having food. Moses cried to God and He fed them, they even had more than they needed.

Ø The awesome God will feed the hungry among us in Jesus name.

Third Challenge: Thirst Again (Exd. 17:1-7). At Massah, they were thirsty and God brought out water for them from the rock (verse 6).

God is able to meet our need anywhere any time, we only need to trust and obey Him.

Ø God will quench your thiCrst in Jesus name.

Another Challenge: Amalek waged war against Israel in Rephidim (Exd. 17:8-16). Through the power of God, Israel defeated Amalek who would not let Israel go to the Promised Land.

Ø God will defeat your symbolic Amalek in Jesus name.

In Exd. 17:11-13, What Joshua and Hur did here is a lesson for us on how we should be of help to our leaders in all their Church undertakings, considering that they are human being like us and we are all stakeholders. In short, with all the challenges, God took the children of Israel to the Promised Land according to His promise but many of the adults who left Egypt could not get to Promised Land because of their rebellion and unbelief, however, God took care of them throughout the forty years journey.

They ate Manna, the food which was prepared by no human being. They ate quails without setting any trap to catch them. God helped them to conquer all those who impeded their journey. They crossed the river Jordan, the walls of Jericho fell flat before them without using any human power. Balaam who was hired to curse them was blessing them instead: “Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed and I cannot reverse it” (Num. 23:20). From all we have studied, it is clear that God cares and has concern for His own people.

Ø Any ancestral curse on you is turned to blessing in Jesus name.

God’s Care For Christians (Matt. 6:25-34)

In the passage above, the Lord Jesus taught against anxiety because we have a God who cares for us. If God should care for fowls in the air and the small ants on the ground, how much more human beings whom He made in His own image and likeness.

About God’s care for us:

Ø The Lord Jesus taught that we should not worry, worry only kills.

Ø We should pray to God as our Father in heaven (Matt. 6:9-13).

Ø By worry we cannot add three feet to our height.

Ø God feeds the fowls and ants they have no storage facilities, they don’t have refrigerator, yet God feeds them.

Ø The beautiful flowers we admire have no beauty boutique; they do not have manufacturing factories, yet they continue to shine and blossom.

Ø God knows that we need material things they are just additions not the real substance.

Ø What we should put first is the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Ø Jesus taught that we are more valuable than many sparrows.

Ø He told us that our hairs are all numbered (Matt. 10:30).

Ø Our protection is guaranteed.

Ø We should make our requests known to God through prayer (Phil. 4:6,7).

Indeed, God has care and concern for us Christians, all we need to do is trust and obey Him. We should believe and trust that He is able to do what He promised he would do.

Some Lessons From This Study

1. From the study of the three ‘Omnis’, it is certain that our God has no equal.

2. Because our God has all power, there is nothing that He cannot do on our behalf.

3. We can be sure of God’s presence anywhere we are (if it is not a place to commit sin) so we are sure of His abiding presence.

4. We should not pretend to hide the truth of any matter because the God we serve knows all things.

5. Any hidden sin is an open sin before God, remember Achan (Joshua 7 and read Hebrews 4:13).

6. Because God is all powerful He does and can still do the impossible.

7. There is nothing that happens to us without the fore-knowledge of God.

8. God knows the challenges ahead of us and has already made adequate provision to meet the challenges.

9. God would not judge sinners when their sins are not yet ripe for His severe judgment (compare Gen. 15:16; Luke 21:24).

10. God who delivered Israel from Egyptian captivity is also ready to deliver His people from every kind of slavery.

11. As the children of Israel had challenges in their journey to the Promised Land, so also Christians will have challenges in our journey to heaven.

12. The first thing for us to put first in life is the kingdom of God; God will provide what we need (Matt. 6:32-34).

Reflection

Write in few words your personal comments on this study and what is new to you in all the explanations: …………………………………….

Day 4

Evening session (First Message)

Speaker: Pastor Prof S.O Ewuola

Topic: The Awesome God: The Rewarder of obedience

Text: Gen 22:14-18, Exo 1:5-6, Heb 11:6, Rev 22:11,12

Notes:

REWARDER: It is a recompense for hard work or service rendered. He rewards through or by favour, and some other means.

What will be Rewarded?

• Works
• Actions
• Faith
• Thought
• Purpose for which we do what we do
• Obedience
• Eternity

OBEDIENCE: it is a toxifying agent that earns forgiveness, a tool to relationship, a catalyst to covenant making, an agent of purifying the soul, an advertiser that stimulates holiness (Rom 5:19). It provokes love, generates good work, it carries manifestation, a channel to answer prayer, resistant to devil and devil and sin, it enhances promotion. Obedience stimulates long life, it is an incentive for Christian living, it stimulates good health. Perfection can only come through obedience.

You help yourself and do good to yourself when you are obedient (I Sam), you can fix a fulfilling destiny through obedience.

Rewards of Obedience

• It promoted Joshua and Moses
• It gave Jesus a name above every other
• It saved Noah and his family

What Disobedience is:

• It is Stubborness
• It is Idolatry
• It is Witchcraft

Punishments of Disobedience

• It is a sin and will surely find us out
• It is a passport to Hell
• It distort lives

YOU ARE DESTINED TO BE TO A BLESSING TO YOUR FAMILY AND THIS GENERATION

BY PASTOR E.O AFOLABI

BIBLE VERSES: Gen 12 vs2-3, Matt 5 vs 16, Gen 1 vs 26– 28.

Every Christian has a great potential that needs to be explored and there is also the need for God in the deploration of that great potential. One’s life is more than the daily activities,we need to explore God’s blessing on our daily activities. For one to be a blessing you must have a contact with God; without salvation, one is under curse. Before Abram became a blessing he was first by God. Salvation brings one to the company of the blessed and also a blessing for one’s generation. We have people who are rich but are capitalist and they do not bless life because they are not saved and blessed by God.

Salvation is a package that comes along with the following: salvation from curses, connection to define blessings, changing your position Colo 1 vs 13, power will change hand when you are born again Jh 1 vs 4, Jer 1 vs 5. With all these you’ll become a blessing to your generation and you will receive an empowerment to do so.

The following steps are to be taken in order to make one blessing Gen 45 vs 5-8: rediscover your destiny, focus on God, when focus is increased impact is felt, definition of one’s destiny, know your purpose. Purpose is not position, power, prosperity, educational attainment,security,comfort. Note: Joseph as the case study.

Things that are expected of a saved and purposeful Christian: blessing to generation, solution to problems, we are expected to fly and not crawl, make an impact in your life and that of others.

I give all glory to God for safe delivery; I came to the convention last year with pregnancy which the doctor had told me I won’t be able to carry till its full term, Because of fibroid but the first testimony I had last year at this convention was a woman who had similar case of fibroid yet delivered safely. I keyed myself into the testimony and graciously I was able to carry the pregnancy through and I delivered the baby without any deformity. Praise the Lord!

Olatunbosun Victoria

Stadium assembly

Oke – ILA region.

I was attacked with great sickness, I came to the convention in 2010, and I pledge that if God can heal me, I will give God my pension for 6 months. To God be the glory the awesome God heals me, I am now sound and healthy, I am here with 3 months of my pledge before the end of the year, I will complete my vow.

Onabanjo titilayo

Kubuwa open heaven assembly

Kubuwa region

It all started on the 14^th of June 2012 at about 10:00pm. I felt like urinating but I could not. I felt uneasy and that landed me in the hospital. The urine was coming out from my body without ceasing, after about 2 minor operations, I started passing out blood as urine, I was operated again , but when there was no sign of improvement, I was transferred from state specialist hospital, Akure to federal Medical centre, Ido Ekiti.

I thank God that God healed me with the prayers of the children of God, God healed me. I could not come for the convention last year but I give glory to God that I am here this year.

Kolawole Gabriel

Obanle district

Fed housing assembly.

I bless the Lord for what he has done in my life and family. I am the only child of my parent. Despite the fact that people mocked my parent that their only child is disabled (deaf). But all thanks to God, when I met Christ my life was renewed, I did wedding in this church, and God gave me four kids, my parents are happy, I thank God he is taking care of my children. In the year 2005, I brought a plot of land because I wanted to build a house while my parents are still alive, but my agent disappointed me because of my disability.all my money and land were taken, I only cried, but has nothing to do about it. in the year 2008,God brought another land for me, but no money to build,because of the wasted money on the former land. But last year when we came, my wife told me to pray about it. we joined our faith, thay God can give us house without even using our money in building. Daddy G.O. prayed for land owners and we believed. This year the Lord has built us a house, and now I am a landlord .

Alafe Bobola

God’s Mercy assembly

Mofere District

Last year convention, I prayed a prayer concerning my Son in U.K. and God answered. I am here to redeem the vow I made.

Choko Adeneze

Abuja district

Jikwoyi assembly

[smart cats=24]

Hour of Discovery – Pastor J.J. Udofa

On the fifth day of the convention, during the morning section, Pastor J. J. Udofah talked about a very important discovery titled ‘’you need faith to do the impossible’’. He started by discussing what faith really means, that according to Hebrews 11:1 faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen; in other words faith is been sure of what we hope for and been certain of what we have not seen. He later went further and explains why we need faith to do the impossible, that it quickens us as a believer for signs and wonders, it helps us to depend on God totally and it enables us to grow spiritually. When you depend of God totally, you will be save and sure and by the time you leave this convention, you won’t be running around looking for signs and wonders because you yourself will be carriers of signs and wonders.

Furthermore, he talked about the two types of faith

• The mental faith: this kind of faith is also known as the passive faith, people that has this kind of faith believe God can heal but never put it into practice, they know God can do signs and wonders but they never put it into practice, they know surely that serving God bring good rewards but they never surrender themselves to Christ, as a matter of fact, they are even preaching faith but never put it into practice.
• The active faith: people that has this kind of faith believe strongly that all what is written inside the bible is true, thereby searching for new things in the bible and implementing them, the man who has active faith is not afraid because he believes has every trial of faith will lead him to a higher level of faith.

Conclusively, he said even though some people has faith but still their faith doesn’t work for them, so he went ahead and highlighted some things that hinders Christians in faith: false doctrine, unbelief and doubt, fear and carnality. And he said our church will become solution centres if we have active faith because active faith parted the red sea, it break down the wall of Jericho and it helped David to kill goliath.

CHAPTER FOUR

THE AWESOME GOD AND HIS WORD

t is important for all Christians who are heaven-bound and also want to enjoy serving God to acquaint themselves with the word of God and His promises. The air pilot cannot reach his destination without the help of the compass. So is the Christian who is making his/her journey to heaven. The word of God is not what a child of God should part with nor even in a day. As we need our daily food for physical strength, we need the word of God for our spiritual strength. The promises of God are the anchor of our soul. We must be familiar with them. They are not just in the Bible for fun. They have their purpose for us in our Christian life. May we be blessed through the study.

The Word of God And The Need Of It

The written and spoken word of God become necessary as a result of man’s rebellious act of disobedience to God which led to sin and consequently to his separation from God His creator. If Adam and Eve had kept their original relationship with God, we probably might not need the word of God documented to human beings and if there would be any need at all, it might not have been the form in which we have it today, in the sense that certain of its contents may not be needed. But because God wants to continue with man whom He made in His image and likeness, a book that contains His will and plans for man is necessary in order to sustain a continuous relationship with man.

The Bible

The name or the word ‘Bible’ is derived from the Greek word ‘biblos’, which means ‘book’.The word of God in the Old Testament time was not in the compact form which we have it today. It was written in scrolls which should be carried, not as portable as we have it today. Both the Old and New Testaments were not written with chapters and verses as we have them today. People of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom arranged it in chapters and verses for easy reference and study. We owe them appreciation for the job well done. It took probably years to make it the present form. Bible, the word of God contains many treasures that people of God need to get acquainted with God, His will and His promises.

Some Names of God’s Word

The Bible has several names by which all refer to the same word of God. We may need to know some of them:

Ø It is called the Book of the Law. Joshua 1:8; Neh. 8:

This Book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then, you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success

Ø In the Bible, the mind of the awesome God is revealed and if Joshua would incline his mind to it, he would succeed in the seemingly impossible task before him. We all need that.

Ø It is called The Holy Scriptures. John 5:39: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me”. It is the Holy Scriptures because the Author is holy. The contents are also holy, those who study and adhere to its teachings will be holy as well. You need to study it to be holy too.

Ø It is called The Word of Life. Phil. 2:16: “..holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain”. It is the word of life because the life of God is in it and it has life transforming power for those who will study and obey it. You too can be one of them to experience its usefulness and value: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.

It’s Description (Ps. 19)

Psalm 19 has a good number of descriptions for the word of God:

Ø It describes it as ‘Perfect’ converting the soul. It converts the soul of sinners who will read it, digest it and apply it.

Ø It also describes it as ‘Pure’ enlightening the eyes. You cannot read the word of God and still remain in ignorance. It will open your eyes to the things that are good that you may differentiate between good and bad.

Ø It is Effectual (Isa. 55:10,11): “For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven and do not return there but water the earth and make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it”. This is the more reason why we should take the word of God more seriously. It should be noted that the word of God has both immediate and cumulative effects. Whatever the awesome God says, His word will do, it will certainly do it. God said to Jeremiah: “…I am ready to perform My word” (Jer. 1:12b). God will never let His word go without accomplishing His desired will. Take note of that. “God is not a man, that He should lie nor a son of man, that He should repent” (Num. 23:19a). He does what He says in His word.

• It is Enduring (I Pet 1:24,25): “…because All flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers and its flower falls away but the word of the LORD endures forever.”The word had been written for some thousands of years now, yet, it still continues and will continue forever. The awesome God lives forever, His word lives forever and the people of God who are born again by the word will eventually live forever: “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89).

Some Comparisons of the Word of God

The word of God is compared with some elements we see day to day in order for us to remember its usefulness for our spiritual life.

Ø Lamp (Ps 119:105):“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” You need a lamp to walk in the darkness, so also a child of God needs the word of God as a spiritual lamp that will enable him walk in this world of darkness without stumbling. There are many things in this world that can make Christians stumble but as long as we walk by the word, we will not stumble. It is a light to our path, that we might not miss the way of righteousness.

Ø Fire (Jer. 5:14):Therefore thus says the LORD God of hosts: “Because you speak this word, behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire and this people wood and it shall devour them”. In essence, the word of God works like fire, both to those who take it seriously and those who hold it with levity. To the former, it gives good result, to the latter, it gives a negative consequence because of their attitude to it. Unbelievers don’t want to listen to the word of God in that they will consider it as a curse to them when it hit their evil ways of life. For us believers, the word sometimes burns in our heart which of course, is a good sign. Like those two disciples on Emmaus road, who after the Lord Jesus spoke to them in one of His post-resurrection appearances said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” Next time you hear, read or study the word of God, do it with an open mind and you will see the result. When it burns in you, please do the right thing.

Ø Seed (Luke 8:11):“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God”. Because the word is seed, it has to be sown that is the reason why we should preach it. When we preach it, we sow it and when we sow it, it will germinate, grow and bring forth fruit. It cannot die, it is a living seed which will never die, it can be trampled but it will never die, it is the seed that cannot die. Sometimes, when we sow it we don’t see the immediate effect but that does not mean that it dies. It will someday germinate.

Ø Sword (Eph. 6:17):“And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”. Actually, the word of God is like a sword that pierces the heart (Heb. 4:12). In fact, Heb. 4:12 says it is sharper than a “two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow and it is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. As a two-edged sword, it cuts both its speaker and the hearers, it is the discerner of man’s heart.

Ø Mirror (James 1:23-25): “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in whathe does”. There are a lot of lessons for us to learn from this passage that is so familiar to us. It teaches that:

Ø We should not be a forgetful hearer of the word.

Ø We should not be hearers only and fail to be doer, we are to be doers of the word.

Ø If we are doers, we shall surely be blessed, it is the doers that will be blessed.

Ø As a mirror, we should carry it along with us wherever we go as some women go out with a small mirror in their bags in order to check their face and physical outlook to correct and remove anything that uglifies so as to maintain the beauty. This is a good practice, never travel a day from your home without taking the Bible, the word of God with you and read it as you travel. Use it also to witness as you travel.

Some of What the Word of God Can Do

Ø Healing (Ps. 107:20): “He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions”. The word of God is able to heal and has healed many people. It is written in the word of God that “He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed”. Some believers have taken the advantage of this particular passage and were healed from their sicknesses. The Bible even confirms that: “…He (Jesus) Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses”. That means the sickness on your body had been carried by Jesus on the cross. You can by faith claim that what Jesus carried two thousand years ago should no longer have a place in your body now. In one of Paul’s missionary journeys, when he came to Lystra there was a man who was cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked, heard Paul preaching the word of God and Paul observed that the man had faith to be healed, Paul said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!. And he leaped and walked” (compare Acts 14:8-10). The same thing can happen today if you have faith in the word for your healing.

Ø Liberty (John 8:32):“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” The word of God is truth and it is God’s agency of freedom. It makes us free from the bondage of sin and religious rituals which are not relevant to us Christians (compare Col. 2:20-23). Make sure you receive your freedom from the authority of the word of God. God’s word is truth (John 17:17).

Ø Faith (Rom. 10:17): “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”. The word of God is the agency that produces faith in the heart of a good hearer. Sometimes, we pray that God should increase or give us faith, I think the best thing for one to do when one wants to increase one’s faith is to give more time for the reading, studying and meditating on the word of God, if you continue like that , you will find that your faith will increase. You can try this and see the result. It is not so much a matter of prayer. Where you need prayer in this matter is when you read the word like the psalmist, you pray: “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from your law” (Ps. 119:18). The word of God, the Bible, is our gold mine where we may dig like gold miners and discover many wondrous and precious treasures that money cannot buy.

Ø Wisdom (Ps. 19:7b): “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” You cannot be a student of the word of God and remain ignorant. The author is the source of all good wisdom. James wrote: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him” This is a good advice for you. Ask for God’s wisdom in your ministry, business, job, career, leadership position, education and so on. You can be sure to get results. In the apostle Paul’s writing to Timothy, he commended him (Timothy) thus: “…and from childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”. We don’t read the word of God for the fun of it. The young Timothy gave himself to the study of the word of God that gave him the wisdom to be saved. No wonder that when Timothy inclined his heart to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures, he became a servant of God whom the apostle Paul rated as a young man of “like mind” who cared for the affairs of the people of God, the Church (Phil. 2:19-23). He become the bishop of the Church at Ephesus. Our youth may borrow a leaf from this.

Ø Illumination (Ps. 119:130): “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple”. God’s word sheds light into the heart of a serious reader and student of the word. It gives real illumination and offers meanings to its readers. It dispels the darkness in the heart and replaces it with divine illumination. If you need understanding, just consult the word of God and you will be satisfied, you will get what you need. Try it and see it.

Ø Joy (Jer. 15:16): “Your words were found and I ate them and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts”. The study and reading of the word of God should be the joy of every serious and heaven-bound Child of God. Whenever the hearing and study of the word of God becomes a burden to you, you need to check yourself, something is wrong with your spiritual life. The immediate solution to such situation is prayer and also the word coupled with your attendance at Church meetings. The word of God is not meant to make us sad. If at times it does, the outcome will be joy to the one who actually turns the right attitude to it. Check yourself, does hearing and reading the word of God bring joy or sorrow to my heart? Your sincere answer to the question will determine your next action to rectify or sustain the apparent condition.

• Regeneration (James 1:18): “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures”. The word of God has the power of regeneration. No one can be born again without the word of God. The apostle Peter wrote: “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever”(I Pet. 1:23). If you have not experienced being born again try the word of God, I assure you, you will see the difference.

What Should be the Believers Attitude to the Word of God?

Before we go into details of our attitude to the word of God, let us remind ourselves that our Statement of Purpose indicates GOFAMINT’s attitude to the word of God in that three times the phrase ‘word of God’ appears there thus: Preach the word of God, Teach the word of God, Live the word of God: Nothing could be clearer than this. Every child of God should develop the right attitude to the word of God in order to benefit from it and grow. The followings should be the believer’s attitude to the word of God:

Ø Delight In The Word (Ps. 119:16): “I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word”. Two things come out from this verse:

(a) to delight in the word of God: When a believer delights in the word of God, his studies and meditates in it day and night as in Ps. 1:2. And the result is that such believer “shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he does shall prosper”.

(b) not to forget: what you don’t forget, you remember and what you remember you do and doing it you are blessed (see James 1:25).

Ø Trembling (Isa. 66:2): “For all those things My hand has made and all those things exist,” Says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit and who trembles at My word”. Believers should reverence God and the word of God as they reverence God Himself, perhaps one of the reasons why some believers are not blessed through the word is their negative attitude to the word. People who do not have respect for God’s word do not have respect for God Himself and they cannot prosper with that kind of attitude. The hearers of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost and those that were blessed; were those who were cut to the heart (Acts 2:37a). Do not take the word of God lightly; the owner of the word is awesome.

Ø Search (Acts 17:11): “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so”. We often refer to theseBerean’s attitude to the word of God, the reference is not as important as to cultivate their attitude. Two things are good here in this verse:

(a) They received the word with all readiness, we should be ready to receive it and check whether it is being preached or taught from the word of God.

(b) We should make a personal research into the word after hearing it.

There are several false teachers in our contemporary world. You don’t have to dump your sermon note somewhere until another Sunday when you will pick it. No, you need to go through it during the week to verify the authenticity and accuracy of what you heard. That was what the Bearan’s did and why they were commended better than the Thessalonians who met the speakers with opposition and persecution.

Ø Learning (Rom. 15:4): “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope”. A true child of God should belong to a Bible-believingChurch as GOFAMINT where he or she will learn the word, grow by it and become a blessing to himself and others. You need to give yourself to the studying and learning of the word, I Tim. 4:15: “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all”.

What The Word Does in a Believers Life

We cannot exhaust all of these because of our limited space but these few can help us in our Christian life:

Ø Restraint (Ps. 119:11):“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” It was the hidden word in the heart of Joseph that restricted him from having illicit sexual affair with Portiphar’s wife (Gen. 39:9). Remember this saying by somebody: “This Book (the Bible) will keep me from sin or sin will keep me away from the book (Bible)”. Take note of that. Don’t let the word go, hide it in your heart.

Ø Guide (Ps. 119:133): “Direct my steps by Your word and let no iniquity have dominion over me”. In every area of our life, we should allow the word of God to direct us, in our job, business, marriage, trade, studies and every area of life’s endeavors, the word of God can direct us, when we look keenly into it.

Ø Standard of Conduct (Titus 2:4,5):“…that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed”. Believer’s negative attitude to the word of God makes unbelievers blaspheme God and His word. Conversely, believer’s positive attitude to the word makes unbelievers glorify God. Whether young or old, we should allow the word of God to be the standard of our Christian life (read also verses 6-14). We can still go on and on but what we have now is enough to bless us and make us grow. The word of God is able to provide every good thing you want to become in life.

Some Moral Lessons From This Study

1. We should not part with the word of God, it is very precious for us as children of God.

2. We can only know the will of God through the study of His word (John 7:17).

3. God communicates with us through the word of God, the Bible.

4. People of God filled with the Holy Spirit took pains to arrange the word of God (without tampering with the contents) in Books, Chapters and Verses for easy reference and study as we have it today. We should appreciate them though they have gone to be with the Lord.

5. Both the written and spoken words of God are essentials to our growth and blessings.

6. The studying or learning of the word of God is not an option for every child of God who would grow and make heaven.

7. The word of God has different names by which it is identified in the Bible but it is the same word.

8. The word of God contains both immediate and cumulative effects in the life of a serious hearer.

9. Because the word of God is a seed, we should be serious to sow it on daily basis; it will soon germinate and bear fruit.

10. As our gold mine, the word of God contains every good thing we want to become in life; you only need to dig into it. The deeper you dig, the greater your blessings and discovery. But you need faith to get the good results.

11. Read the word of God to get real wisdom and understanding.

12. On the Day of Judgment, the word of God will stand in favor of its doers and against those who neglect or object to it and are not its doers (Rev. 20:12).

Reflection

Write in few words, your personal comments on this study and what is new to you in all the explanations: …..……………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Make Christ first in your life

By Evangelist Salako

In the evening session of the fifth day of the on-going convention, the first preacher was the Assistant General Evangelist, Evangelist M.O. Salako. The well celebrated preacher preached on the topic: Make Jesus the First in Your Life and he used bible passages from the books of 2Cor.15:2, Matt.10:37-39 and Genesis 22:1-14.

The Evangelist admonished the congregation should make Christ the first priority in their life. He emphasised that Christ should be our main focus and that in following Christ, the totality of one’s life is required. In his message, he correlated the life of Isaac with that of Jesus.

He hammered on the life of Isaac who was a priority in the life of his parents was to be sacrificed as an offering to God in total submission and total obedience. He (Isaac) was led silently to the slaughter slab and he never struggled neither did he disobey; this also is similar to the situation of our Lord Jesus Christ. God gave us His all when He gave us His son Jesus Christ.

He ended his message with a charge urging the congregation to live a committed life to Christ.

Pastor (Dr.) E.O. Abina: The Lesson of Humility.

The General Overseer of The Gospel Faith Mission International, Pastor (Dr.) Elijah OludeleAbina has called on GOFAMINT members to always put their plans on paper in order to avoid distraction.

He made the call while unveiling a book containing his biography as written by Pastor Femi Omowunmi. Pastor Abina who explained that he had earlier conceived the idea of writing a book about himself, while explaining this, he eventually noted that the records that he has been keeping for the past 43 years (He started writing it on Monday, 19^th October, 1979 around 3:15pm) was the one he handed over personally to Pastor Omowunmi and this records helped him (Pastor Omowunmi) in putting up the auto-biography.

The 157 paged book which contains the life history of the General Overseer, was appraised by GOFAMINT members and ministers from within and without the convention. Heritage Broadcasting Network however observed with keen interest as the book appraisal turned into a book launch. Investigations revealed that over two million naira (N2,000,000) was raised from the book presentation turned book launch.