OUR DECISION DETERMINES OUR POSITION PREACHED On 14 SEPTEMBER 2020 COMPILATION By DEACON DAVID MBAH STUDENTS’ FELLOWSHIP MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE UMUDIKE APPROVED BY THE SON OF MAN
1
BE DETERMINED
Remain blessed Brethren. I give all glory and thanksgiving to the Almighty God who has sustained us spiritually and physically till this very day.
2. As we wait vigilantly at the Gate of Paradise, it is necessary that we encourage one another in line with the Messages we have received from the Almighty God.
3. As the D-day draws nearer and nearer, it becomes increasingly necessary that we incline our ears, hearts and life unto the Word of consolation which is guiding us, and which are both Scriptural and prophetic.
4. Records abound of the many people that had walked with God in time past. Majority failed due to carelessness or forgetfulness, for they were not ordained to this pathway of truth. But a few in all these past generations were victorious in their calling due to their determination and steadfastness. These are the Elect.
5. We are then encouraging ourselves by rehearsing the Word of THE SON OF MAN and focusing our attention on His life and deeds which is without comparison.
6. The LORD has equally given us recorded examples of those that succeeded so that we will know that we can equally succeed through Him.
7. We are serving the God of Covenant. He makes his covenant with a Promise and binds Himself to the promise with an Oath.
8. THE SON OF MAN has severally proclaimed thus, “I HAVE NOT DONE MY BEST UNTIL I HAVE ACHIEVED MY BEST.” That is why He has remained dogged, undaunted, unruffled, unshaken, and undistracted as He assembles His sons and daughters [the Elect Lady] worldwide.
9. Let us hear what the Scripture said in Isaiah 51:1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; NIV
10. Matthew 7:18, 20. [18]A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ……. [20]Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. KJV
11. Luke 6:40. 40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. NIV
12. If our Saviour has resolved to save us to the utmost, it will take the avowed Elect to follow Him, come what may. The true Elect is known for taking strong and irreversible decision as a result of the divine revelation of his or her identity.
13. So let us fix our eyes on the revealed Christ of our day as our Living Example and Guide, in line with the encouragement in the book of Hebrews chapter 12 verse 2.
14. 2Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. AMP
15. 2looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. KJV
16. The Elect knows for sure that the toils of this present road will seem nothing when he or she gets to the end, which remains Paradise.
17. Romans 8:18. 18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. KJV
18. Many men and women who walked this pathway of truth before now took unpopular but godly decisions when it mattered most. These decisions were so strong that they remained unbroken. Going into the Scriptural evidences, we will find some of them.
19. Genesis 32:24 – 26. 24So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
20. 26Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” NIV
21. Jacob’s avowed insistence on receiving a blessing from God Whom he had wrestled with led to the change of his name and therefore, his eternal destiny.
22. In the days of Joshua, the people he was to lead took a decision and vowed a vow to follow him, come what may.
23. Joshua 1:16 – 18. 16Then they answered Joshua, “WHATEVER YOU HAVE COMMANDED US WE WILL DO, AND WHEREVER YOU SEND US WE WILL GO.
24. 17JUST AS WE FULLY OBEYED MOSES, SO WE WILL OBEY YOU. ONLY MAY THE LORD YOUR GOD BE WITH YOU AS HE WAS WITH MOSES.
25. 18Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!” NIV
26. Subsequently, at the point when He [Joshua] achieved the feat of settling the remnants of Israel in the Promised land, he admonished all of them, as many as will continue with the Almighty God and also vowed as never before.
27. Joshua 24:14 – 15 14“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
28. 15But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.” NIV
29. Down the line, the people of God, male and female have remained very resolute, vowing to follow the way of God, no matter the nature of the road.
30. Ruth 1:16 – 18. 16But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
31. 17Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. MAY THE LORD DEAL WITH ME, BE IT EVER SO SEVERELY, IF EVEN DEATH SEPARATES YOU AND ME.”
32. 18When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. NIV
33. The vow of this resolute woman called Ruth translated to her becoming the mother of Obed, and the great grandmother of King David whose throne is eternal, and whose linage produced Jesus the Christ.
34. In the same way, Elisha vowed to follow Elijah, no matter the discouragement to stop him along the way.
35. 2 Kings 2:1 – 2, 4, 6. 1When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
36. 2Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “AS SURELY AS THE LORD LIVES AND AS YOU LIVE, I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU.” So they went down to Bethel. …….
37. 4Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” AND HE REPLIED, “AS SURELY AS THE LORD LIVES AND AS YOU LIVE, I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU.” So they went to Jericho. …….
38. 6Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” And he replied, “AS SURELY AS THE LORD LIVES AND AS YOU LIVE, I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU.” So the two of them walked on. KJV
39. Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego bound their hearts and put their trust in God as they stood their ground against the unrighteous decree of King Nebuchadnezzar.
40. Daniel 1:3 – 8. 3Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—
41. 4young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.
42. 5The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
43. 6Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
44. 7The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
45. 8But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. NIV
46. Subsequently, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego, resolved contrary to King Nebuchadnezzar’s rule, even if it turns out that the Almighty God will abandon them, for they never thought of going contrary to that which they believe.
47. 16Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, WE DO NOT NEED TO DEFEND OURSELVES BEFORE YOU IN THIS MATTER.
48. 17IF WE ARE THROWN INTO THE BLAZING FURNACE, THE GOD WE SERVE IS ABLE TO DELIVER US FROM IT, AND HE WILL DELIVER US FROM YOUR MAJESTY’S HAND.
49. 18BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, WE WANT YOU TO KNOW, YOUR MAJESTY, THAT WE WILL NOT SERVE YOUR GODS OR WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF GOLD YOU HAVE SET UP.” NIV
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CONCEAL NOT YOUR FAITH
As they sojourned in Babylon, Daniel showed that he had a different spirit and was favoured by the king as he was one of the top administrators in the court of the king.
2. Then, envy and jealousy emanated in the hearts of his fellow administrators in the court of king Darius and they plotted to do away with him. They found no other thing with which to set him up against the king if not his faith in the Almighty God.
3. Daniel simply expressed his vow to remain doing the will of God by trusting God, practicing his belief and defying the unrighteous decree, even in the face of death from the hands of king Darius.
4. Daniel 6:7 – 10. 7We presidents, governors, counselors, and deputies have unanimously decided that you should make a law, irrevocable under any circumstance, that for the next thirty days anyone who asks a favour of God or man—except from you, Your Majesty—shall be thrown to the lions.
5. 8Your Majesty, we request your signature on this law; sign it so that it cannot be canceled or changed; it will be a ‘law of the Medes and Persians’ that cannot be revoked.” 9So King Darius signed the law.
6. 10BUT THOUGH DANIEL KNEW ABOUT IT, HE WENT HOME AND KNELT DOWN AS USUAL IN HIS UPSTAIRS BEDROOM, WITH ITS WINDOWS OPEN TOWARD JERUSALEM, AND PRAYED THREE TIMES A DAY, JUST AS HE ALWAYS HAD, GIVING THANKS TO HIS GOD. LB
7. As prescribed by the decree, Daniel was thrown into the Lion’s den for defying the king’s decree, but he came out victorious, just like Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego came out from the furnace unhurt.
8. They were all subsequently exalted and the glory went to the Almighty God whom they served.
9. When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, the Almighty according to the Scriptures gave him victory by sending His angels to close the mouth of the lions.
10. The LORD did same for the trio, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego whose faith in Him were tried cruelly, but who vowed a vow never to depart from the ways of The Almighty.
11. THE SON OF MAN HAS REMAINED ENCOURAGING US THUS: CONCEAL NOT YOUR FAITH, EVEN IN THE FACE OF TRIAL, FOR NO TRIAL OR TEMPTATION COMES TO THE ELECT IF NOT THE TRIAL OF HIS OR HER FAITH IN CHRIST.
12. THE FAITH OF EVERY TRUE ELECT IS THE MANIFESTATION OF UNSHAKABLE TRUST, CONFIDENCE AND RELAINCE ON THE ALMIGHTY GOD, EVEN IN THE FACE OF DEATH.
13. The testimony following these soldiers of Christ is so striking, for they were sure and certain that their redemption was near even as the battle of their faith in Christ was raging fiercely.
14. The decision of every true Elect in history to remain steadfast in doing the will of God has always followed the path of Job’s visionary stand on this matter of Faith.
15. Job 19:25. 25I know that my Redeemer lives, AND THAT IN THE END HE WILL STAND UPON THE EARTH. NIV This has fulfilled in our day and remains our unchanging testimony as the Bride of Christ today.
16. Furthermore, the descendants of Recab were given an instruction and they vowed and made a decision to uphold it, binding their lives with every amount of seriousness.
17. This was the way of life handed down to them by their forefather and they were bent on keeping it as long they lived.
18. Jeremiah 35:1 – 2, 5 – 10. 1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord during the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
19. 2“Go to the Recabite family and invite them to come to one of the side rooms of the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink.” …….
20. 5Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the men of the Recabite family and said to them, “Drink some wine.”
21. 6But they replied, “WE DO NOT DRINK WINE, BECAUSE OUR FOREFATHER JONADAB SON OF RECAB GAVE US THIS COMMAND: ‘NEITHER YOU NOR YOUR DESCENDANTS MUST EVER DRINK WINE.
22. 7ALSO YOU MUST NEVER BUILD HOUSES, SOW SEED OR PLANT VINEYARDS; YOU MUST NEVER HAVE ANY OF THESE THINGS, BUT MUST ALWAYS LIVE IN TENTS. THEN YOU WILL LIVE A LONG TIME IN THE LAND WHERE YOU ARE NOMADS.’
23. 8We have obeyed everything our forefather Jonadab son of Recab commanded us. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever drunk wine 9or built houses to live in or had vineyards, fields or crops.
24. 10We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed everything our forefather Jonadab commanded us. NIV
25. In the days of Jesus the Christ, in an exemplary manner, He took the same irreversible decision when it mattered most.
26. Matthew 26:38 – 39. 38Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. YET NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS YOU WILL.” NIV
27. The only way to remain dogged, resolute and decided on this all important matter of dwelling with God eternally remains maintaining an irreversible decision of being on His side at all times.
28. The LORD God Almighty pointed us right in His own original writing in the book of Hebrews.
29. Hebrews 12:1 – 2. 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
30. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down. NIV
31. As a people who are faced with the last fight of Faith, the Scripture also asked a pertinent question in Romans 8:35 – 39.
32. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
33. 36As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
34. The Elect is not without a visionary encouragement which is to guide us steadfastly till the end without wavering.
35. 37NO, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US.
36. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV
37. THERE IS NO REASONABLE ACHIEVEMENT THAT IS NOT BACKED BY A STRONG AND IRREVERSIBLE DECISION TO SUCCEED.
38. For the Elect, the decision to get crowned at the end of this journey with THE SON OF MAN remains the propelling force, even as the battle against our known enemy rages on.
39. Our divine origin which came with an exalted position in God’s plan had been the cause of enmity between the people of God and their common enemy who has remained relentless in his dastardly plot against the Elect.
40. We should not forget that right from the beginning, Satan made a strong decision against every Elect as can be seen in The Holy Qur’an in Surah 38:69 – 85.
41. 69“I had no knowledge of the chiefs (angels) on high when they were disputing and discussing (about the creation of Adam). 70“Only this has been inspired to me, that I am a plain warner.”
42. 71(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Truly, I am going to create man from clay”. 72So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.”
43. 73So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them: 74Except Iblîs (Satan) he was proud and was one of the disbelievers.
44. 75(God) said: “O Iblîs (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?”
45. 76[Iblîs (Satan)] said: “I am better than he, You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.”
46. 77(God) said: “Then get out from here, for verily, you are outcast. 78“And verily!, My Curse is on you till the Day of Recompense.”
47. 79[Iblîs (Satan)] said: “My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected.”
48. 80(God) said: “Verily! You are of those allowed respite 81“Till the Day of the time appointed.”
49. 82[Iblîs (Satan)] said: “By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all, 83“Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (faithful, obedient, true believers of Islâmic Monotheism).”
50. The above dreadful statement is credited to the greatest enemy of man who was described in the Book of Revelation chapter 12 verse 9 thus:
51. 9The great dragon was hurled down– that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
52. But the Elect is not without a succour, for the Almighty is always mindful of what is happening around all His own dear children wherever they are.
53. Surah 38:84 – 85. 84(God) said: “The Truth is, and the Truth I say, 85That I will fill Hell with you [Iblîs (Satan)] and those of them (mankind) that follow you, together.”
54. The mankind mentioned above cannot be the chosen ones of God [the Elect], as could be seen in the prophecy of Jesus Christ concerning them in Matthew 24:24.
55. 24For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). AMP
56. 24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. KJV
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A GREAT TEMPTATION TO THE RIGHTEOUS
THE GREAT SERMON AND HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED REVELATION AND EPISTLES – REVISED EDITION 2019; Page 112 verse 11 – 14 has this to say:
2. Satan knows that we are not of this world, which is under his power and control. We have our customs and traditions which different from that of his nations, and we are not ready to compromise with him.
3. How do you think he will make things easy for us while we are sojourning in his kingdom? That is why the wicked prosper and lack nothing, because they obey him and worship him as God.
4. Satan wanted the LORD Jesus to worship him so that he would allow Him access to all material wealth of the world, but Jesus Christ refused his empty boast and promise.
5. The same way all children of God should say no to Satan and his worldly riches, which he promises to those that obey him. The prosperity of the wicked is a great temptation to the righteous. Thou man of God, be very careful about worldly riches. Follow after godliness.
6. THE GREAT SERMON AND HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED REVELATION AND EPISTLES – REVISED EDITION 2019; Page 108 verse 44 – 46 also went further to say:
7. The devil, which is normally a man, and an enemy of truth, can do everything with the intention to destroy the credibility of the One in whom the Word of God dwells and create doubt in the minds of His followers about His claim and Ministry.
8. Those that have been following the Man of God without revelation and conviction, now use the tongue of the enemy to excuse themselves out of the way of salvation. It has been the same in all the ages.
9. ONE SURE ANCHOR IS THAT THE ELECT CANNOT BE DECIEVED, THOUGH HE MAY BE TRIED BY SATAN.
10. Having identified this avowed enemy of the Elect, the position of the Psalmist is needful and worthy of emulation at this point in time. There must be a decision to stand boldly and resolutely against this our common enemy who has always been masquerading as a human being.
11. Psalms 139:21 – 22. 21Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. [NIV]
12. In every decision making process, the prospective gains and losses of that decision to be taken are considered. The person taking any decision checks the consequences of these two factors.
13. In every decision a man takes, there are things that must be forsaken to pave the way for that which is expected. There is always a price to pay.
14. That which an individual decides to forsake must be far cheaper and less beneficial than the coveted trophy.
15. On one side is this tenured carnal life with its temporary existential material gains, while on the other side, beyond the curtain of time, there is the irreversible and limitless eternity.
16. Knowing that eternity can be spent either in joy or in sorrow, the decision of the way to go remains that of someone that is still opportuned to have this mortal existence and the arms of God still outstretched.
17. A man’s decision is a reflection of his choice as recorded in Matthew chapter 6 verse 21. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [Matthew 6:21 NIV]
18. But in these last days, the LORD God Almighty has not failed in strengthening the faith of the Elect as could be seen in the Message DECISION, preached on 30th December 2008 at the Household of God Onitsha; Page 132 verse 12 to 14.
19. ….How have you decided to live your life? How have you decided to go about your duties, not only here even in your business areas? In your families, what is your decision?
20. Moreover, to what extent are you going to abide by your decisions? Daniel purposed in his heart, he never discussed it with anybody.
21. DECISION IS ALWAYS “PERSONAL.” If you check all the decisions you have negotiated with people, they ended at nothing.
22. DECISIONS THAT ARE FRUITFUL ARE “INDIVIDUAL DECISIONS” TAKEN WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE INFLUENCE, MOTIVATED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING YOU. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY “LIP SERVICE” TO IT. IT IS A “DO OR DIE AFFAIR.”
23. DECISION; [A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR]; Page 8, 2nd paragraph. Before making a decision, you must first of all review yourself, your activities, both your strong points and your weak points, then you advance by taking decisions to improve.
24. Those who reached decision promptly and definitely know what they want, and at the end, they get it. People that succeed in every walk of life take decisions and stick to them.
25. THAT IS WHY THEY SUCCEEDED BECAUSE THEY HAD FOCUS, THEY HAD TARGET. SUCCESS ONLY COMES TO THOSE WHO SHOW THAT THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.
26. DECISION; [A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR]; Page 4 from paragraph 3.DECISION IS THE POWER OF LIFE. GOD ENJOINED US IN TIME PAST TO MAKE DECISIONS WE KNOW WE CAN KEEP, FOR DECISION IS THE POWER OF LIFE. …
27. …THEN THE QUESTION ARISES: OF WHAT USE IS THAT DECISION YOU KNOW YOU CANNOT KEEP? WHILE MAKING DECISIONS, GREAT AMOUNT OF COURAGE IS REQUIRED SO AS TO BE ABLE TO STICK TO THEM.
28. THEREFORE, THE VALUE OF DECISION DEPENDS ON THE COURAGE REQUIRED TO CARRY IT OUT.
29. Remember! ….Daniel took a decision that, no matter the situation, he will never compromise his integrity with the king. [And] That he will never succumb to pressure.
30. BECAUSE HE WAS COURAGEOUS TO STAND BY HIS DECISION, HE WAS WILLING TO DIE FOR IT.
31. THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY. FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO ABIDE BY THE DECISIONS YOU MADE, YOU MUST BE READY TO PAY THE PRICE.
32. [IF] YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO SUCCEED IN LIFE, YOU MUST PAY THE PRICE OF HARD WORK. You take the decision to succeed in your marriage, you must pay the price.
33. THERE IS NO DECISION YOU MAKE AND WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THAT YOU WILL NOT PAY THE PRICE OF METAMORPHOSING IT INTO REALITY. ….
34. …DO NOT ALLOW OTHERS TO INFLUENCE THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE. Whatever was expressed by other people, keep in mind that they are putting forth “opinion.” THE CHEAPEST COMMODITY IN MARKET IS “OPINION.”
35. BASE YOUR DECISIONS ON FACTS AND NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE INFLUENCED FROM THE TRUTH BY SECOND-HAND OPINION. THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS SOMETIMES ARE NEVER A SAFE GUIDE.
36. MASTER THIS RULE: FACTS OVER OPINIONS ALWAYS. ONLY FACTS ARE CONVINCING.
37. DECISION; Page 128 verse 2. … A WISE MAN IS ONE THAT MAKES A DECISION THAT IS EVEN CONTRARY TO HIS LIFE’S STYLE AND STICKS TO IT, COME WHAT MAY.
38. There must be a reason why many have failed in their decisions in remaining steadfast in our followership of the Mahdi, even with all these, time-tested and fact-based inspirational support from the Almighty God Himself.
39. ARE YOU A CHURCHGOER OR A TRUE WORSHIPPER OF GOD? [Undated] Preached by THE SON OF MAN at the Household of God, Onitsha; Page 6 from paragraph 5.
40. It is not compulsory that everybody must worship the Supreme God. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECIDE THE GOD YOU WILL WORSHIP. This is where people make mistake or fail.
41. YOU HAVE TO DECIDE THE GOD YOU WILL WORSHIP. I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECIDE THE GOD I WILL WORSHIP. NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE ANY GOD ON HIS FELLOW HUMAN BEING.
42. WORSHIP IS A MATTER OF CONVICTION. If you are not convinced, you should not show any concern. You have to be convinced as an individual that you are not being deceived or forced to believe something that does not exist.
43. Page 30 verse 36 – 37. ……ANY PERSONAL DECISION TAKEN BY CONVICTION IS NOT BURDENSOME. To a churchgoer, the decision to go to church is by persuasion. A churchgoer goes there under persuasion, but a true worshiper worships God freely by personal revelation and conviction. THAT IS WHY IT IS SAID THAT GOD IS WORSHIPED BY PERSONAL REVELATION.
44. THE DECISION TO FOLLOW CHRIST [TO DIE IN CHRIST OR OUTSIDE CHRIST]; Preached on 18th July, 2015 At THE SON OF MAN’S Family Altar, Nsugbe; Page 53 verse 33.
45. …I want to say it loud and clear that the power of decision is in our hands to choose to either worship God or to follow the way of those that went astray; those that went wrong.
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THE DECISION TO FOLLOW CHRIST
Page 55 from verse 38 – 44. God does not judge with religion. He does not judge with your tribe. He judges everybody by His word which is truth.
2. THAT IS WHY THE DECISION TO FOLLOW CHRIST IS AN INDIVIDUAL DECISION, FOR YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL TRAIL THAT PATH.
3. IF YOU WANT EVERYBODY TO SEE IT THE WAY YOU SEE IT, BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU WILL END UP FOLLOWING THE WAY OF THOSE THAT WENT ASTRAY.
4. IF YOU CAN REALIZE THAT THE DAY YOU CAME INTO THIS WORLD THAT YOU CAME ALONE, GOD MOLDED YOU ALONE AND YOU ALONE ARE INDEBTED TO GOD (ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD), YOU WILL MIND YOURSELF.
5. Your children cannot give account of you to God. Your husband will not give account of you to God. You are the one that will entertain all your questions. No advocate will be there again.
6. BUT TODAY, YOUR ADVOCATE IS STILL THERE. ON THAT DAY, THE ADVOCATE WILL BECOME THE SUPREME JUDGE OF THE WHOLE EARTH; WHO DOES NOT ACCEPT BRIBE.
7. HE CAN NEVER BE INFLUENCED. HE DOES NOT PERVERT JUSTICE. HE DOES NOT LOOK AT ANYBODY’S FACE, FOR HE JUDGES WITHOUT RESPECT OF PERSONS.
8. WHETHER YOU ARE THE SON OF MAN, AN APOSTLE, A BISHOP OR THIS AND THAT, GOD DOES NOT KNOW THAT. YOU STAND ALONE AS AN INDIVIDUAL. YOU WILL GIVE ACCOUNT OF YOURSELF.
9. WHEN WE HAVE THIS IN OUR MIND, I BELIEVE WE CAN HARDLY COMPROMISE WITH OUR FAITH (OUR HOLY AND HIGH CALLING).
10. UNDERLINE IT. GOD IS WITH YOU AS LONG AS YOU ARE WITH GOD. IF YOU ANBANDON GOD, GOD MUST SURELY ABANDON YOU.
11. GOD IS IN THIS FAMILY AS LONG AS THIS FAMILY VOWED LIKE JOSHUA’S FAMILY. JOSHUA VOWED, “AS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY, WE MUST WORSHIP JEHOVAH”,..
12. With His Promise which has never and can never fail, God has fortified the faith of the Elect and has further re-enforced this faith with the oath which He swore binding His Name.
13. Moreso, we have series of many convincing demonstrations, unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs which constitute a trustworthy anchor for our souls about God’s decision and assurances to give us that salvation He has promised us.
14. The Elect’s decision is rightly based on a strong standpoint of conviction about the personality in our midst and His mission, for any decision that is improperly based can never be sustained. The basis of our faith is very well known to us and we are sure and certain.
15. 2018 New Year Message: THE YEAR OF JUDGMENT OF THE BRIDE VOLUME 3; Preached on Sunday 7th January 2018 at the Household of God, Onitsha; Page 25 from verse 22 to 32.
16. IF THE WORD OF GOD DOES NOT GLADDEN YOUR HEART, WHAT ELSE WILL GLADDEN [YOUR HEART]. IF THE WORD OF GOD DOES NOT COMFORT YOU, WHAT ELSE WILL COMFORT YOU? IF IT DOES NOT STRENGTHEN YOU, WHAT ELSE WILL STRENGTHEN [YOU]? I DO NOT KNOW. AMEN.
17. So, to God be the glory. Now, it has come to My knowledge that the greatest problem we create while taking decisions is that we are not sincere to ourselves concerning the decisions we make from time to time.
18. We do not pray, we do not meditate, we do not even access circumstances before we take decision. And I have thought about it, the summary is one word. ONE WORD. WEAK OR FATIGUE.
19. ANY DECISION THAT IS TAKEN WHILE ONE IS WEAK, TRULY SPEAKING, IT IS A WEAK DECISION.
20. You see people balancing in their arm chair, some lying in the bed. If you see somebody that is weak, you will know. Whenever you take a decision in a weak estate, note that decision. That decision is automatically weak. It can never be applied.
21. And ninety percent of decision makers make decisions in their weak condition. Decisions must be taken in a free and fair atmosphere, when the ground is level, after thorough assessment of the situation you find yourself.
22. So, these points; you must ponder about them. I looked into life situations and came up with these views.
23. WEAK OR TIRED EYES; WEAK OR TIRED EYES CAN HARDLY SEE A GREAT FUTURE. IF YOU ARE WEAK, YOUR EYES ARE EQUALLY WEAK, YOUR VISIONS ABOUT LIFE, WEAK. YOU CAN NEVER VIRTUALIZE A GREAT FUTURE, A BETTER FUTURE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE.
24. Your eyes will always be seeing a very horrible and disastrous future not a prosperous future because your eyes are tired.
25. Remember, whether you like it or not, motivation begins with the eyes and the mind. Motivation begins with the eyes and the mind.
26. The eyes conjectures. The mind automatically begins to desire. Then the inner strength bubbles up. If you are sensible, emulate it.
27. My own life experience has shown me that whenever I am tired, weary, I am not the same person I used to be. And the same can be applicable to any man.
28. Once you are tired, you are very weak. Fatigue has set in. You can never be the same old person you used to be and when you are not that same person, you cannot perform even that same act; the usual thing you are known for.
29. If you want to force yourself into doing it, you will be making a moribund of the whole thing, because the weakness must affect the productivity. The weakness must affect the output, for you are not that same person again. Any lesson to learn?
30. I do have the same kind of faith I used to have. Faith in myself first. If you lose confidence in yourself, you are gone. Even if others do not believe you will succeed, believe in yourself that you will succeed. That is what it takes to have faith on oneself. I am giving you tit bits you will fall back on this 2018.
31. Every battle is fiercest when it is about to be decided. The Bride has been well equipped for this last battle. The nature and capacity of our enemy has been very well exposed to us.
32. We are equally aware of our enemy’s intention which is to cause an eternal separation from the Almighty.
33. Equally, the Commander of the Host of Heaven is in the midst of the Bride, leading in the battle. And He that is leading the Bride today is the same Personality that had led the people of God in all their victories as recorded even in the most distant past.
34. HE HAS TOLD US IN THIS GENERATION THAT THE FIRST AND BEST DECISION ONE WILL MAKE IS THE DECISION OF THE GOD HE OR SHE WILL WORSHIP.
35. The present situation of mankind is the fulfilment of prophecies, which will climax in the expected promise of THE SON OF MAN to translate our mortal bodies that we may dwell with Him eternally.
36. Under this condition, a strong and irreversible decision to follow Him and remain steadfast in Him, come what may, is what will determine the position and destination of every Elect.
37. THE GREAT SERMON AND HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED REVELATION AND EPISTLES – REVISED EDITION 2019; Page 112 verse 3 – 6.
38. The journey to Paradise is not an easy one, and will never be an easy one. There are so many giants that must be on the way to oppose, but God will surely give us victory.
39. This is the revealed way of salvation from God, which I have made known to you by the preaching of the Gospel of Christ which is committed to my trust for your sake in these last days.
40. Even if Satan tempts your heart to reject it because it does not agree with your philosophy, you will still hear a still small Voice in your conscience telling you that it is the right way, walk in it.
41. While we retain the joy of our salvation, may we continually fix our eyes on our Leader and God, THE SON OF MAN, APOSTLE PETER ODOEMENA [Blessed be His Most Holy Name], for with Him, victory is sure for all the Elect of God.
42. Remain eternally blessed Brethren.