Tag: God

  • LIVE! DAY 2 of HEALING STREAMS LIVE HEALING SERVICE with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

    Come Experience a Miracle at this Healing Crusade!

    Are you or a loved one battling sickness, pain, or oppression?

    Join us for a powerful, life-changing Healing Crusade where the love and power of Jesus Christ will move mightily! The Bible declares in Acts 10:38 (KJV), “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

    Expect miracles, restoration, and freedom as we gather in faith to witness God’s healing touch on all manner of diseases. Bring your heart, bring your hope, and see Jesus do what He does best—heal, restore, and set free!
    📅 Date: [19.07.2025]
    📍 Location: [see link]
    🕒 Time: [NOW]

    Don’t miss this divine appointment! Come, be healed, and experience the goodness of God!Spread the word, bring a friend, and let’s see miracles unfold!

  • CHRISTIANITY, A WALK OF ENDLESS GLORY: WHY YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN AND FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

    CHRISTIANITY, A WALK OF ENDLESS GLORY: WHY YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN AND FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

    THE ONE TRUE AND ONLY LIVING GOD: 

    Jesus Christ was God in the flesh.

    John 1:1-6 KJVS – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.6 There was a man sent from God…..so God sends men. I was sent to you today

    John 10:30  KJVS – I and my Father are one.

    Hebrews 1:1-3 KJVS – God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

    Hebrews 1:10 KJVS – And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

    Philippians 2:5-11 KJVS – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

    Colossians 1:15-19 KJVS – Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

    Colossians 1:16-23 KJVS also read the TPT– For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

    Acts 4:12 KJVS – Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

    Acts 4:12 TPT – There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus.”

    2 Timothy 3:16-17 TPT – God has transmitted his very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. 17 Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.

    2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJVS – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

    Ephesians 4:5-6 KJVS – One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

    SPEAK OF HIS LOVE

    1 Timothy 1:11-15 KJVS – According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

    Acts 9:19-21 KJVS (NIV says he wreaked havoc of the church, TPT says he furiously persecuted the church) – Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

    Acts 7:58-59 KJVS – And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit

    Ephesians 2:4-7 KJVS – But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

    2 Corinthians 5:19 TPT – In other words, it was through the Anointed One that God was shepherding the world, not even keeping records of their transgressions, and he has entrusted to us the ministry of opening the

    2 Corinthians 5:19 KJVS – To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;

    2 Corinthians 5:21 KJVS – For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him

    Matthew 11:27-30 TPT 28 “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. 29 Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. 30 For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”

    Matthew 6:25 TPT – 25 “This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing—everything your body needs.

    Matthew 6:27 KJVS – Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

    Isaiah 1:18-19 TPT – Come now and let’s deliberate over the next steps to take together.”

    YAHWEH promises you over and over:

    “Though your sins stain you like scarlet,

    I will whiten them like bright, new-fallen snow!

    Even though they are deep red like crimson,

    they will be made white like wool!

    19 If you have a willing heart to let me help you,

    Matthew 18:11-14 TPT – 11 “The Son of Man has come to give life to all who are lost. 12 Think of it this way: If a man owns a hundred sheep and one lamb wanders away and is lost, won’t he leave the ninety-nine grazing the hillside and thoroughly search for the one lost lamb? 13 And if he finds his lost lamb, he rejoices over it, more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 Now you should understand that it is never the desire of your heavenly Father that a single one of these little ones should be lost.”

    1 John 2:22-23 NLT – Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. 23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either

    SPEAK OF HIS SUFFERING 

    1 Peter 2:21-23 TPT – Christ also suffered in your place, leaving you his example for you to follow. 22 He never sinned and he never spoke deceitfully. 23 When he was verbally abused, he did not return with an insult; when he suffered, he would not threaten retaliation

    Hebrews 12:2 KJVS – Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame

    Isaiah 53:1-4 TPT – To whom will YAHWEH reveal his mighty arm?

    2 He sprouted up like a tender plant before the Lord,

    like a root in parched soil.

    He possessed no distinguishing beauty

    or outward splendor to catch our attention—

    nothing special in his appearance to make us desire him.

    3 He was despised and rejected by men,

    a man of deep sorrows

    who was no stranger to suffering and grief.

    We hid our faces from him in disgust

    and considered him a nobody, not worthy of respect.

    4 Yet he was the one who carried our sicknesses

    and endured the torment of our sufferings.

    Isaiah 53:5-9 KJVS – But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

    6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

    7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

    8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

    9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

    SPEAK OF HIS RESURRECTION

    Romans 12:3 KJVS – according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

    1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJVS – For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

    4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

    Matthew 28:2-7 KJVS – And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead

    John 20:24-28 KJVS – But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

    25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

    26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

    27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

    28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

    John 20:29 TPT – Jesus responded, “Thomas, now that you’ve seen me, you believe. But there are those who have never seen me with their eyes but have believed in me with their hearts, and they will be blessed even more!”

    Romans 4:18-25 KJVS – Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

    19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

    20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

    21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

    22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

    23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

    24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification.

    Colossians 2:13-14 KJVS – And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross

    Hebrews 10:12 KJVS – But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God

    Colossians 2:12-13 TPT – For we’ve been buried with him into his death. Our “baptism into death” also means we were raised with him when we believed in God’s resurrection power, the power that raised him from death’s realm. 13 This “realm of death” describes our former state, for we were held in sin’s grasp. But now, we’ve been resurrected out of that “realm of death” never to return, for we are forever alive and forgiven of all our sins!

    Colossians 2:15 TPT – Then Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were his!

    1 Peter 3:21-22 KJVS – by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

    Ephesians 1:19-23 KJVS – And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

    20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

    21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

    22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

    23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

    Ephesians 1:19-21 TPT – 19 I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power 20 that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm! 21 And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming!

    Romans 10:9-10 TPT – For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will experience salvation. 10 The heart that believes in him receives the gift of the righteousness of God—and then the mouth confesses, resulting in salvation

    Romans 10:13 KJVS – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

    PRAYER OF SALVATION 

    OH Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, son of the living God. I believe he died on the cross for me and God raised him from the dead. I believe he is alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord of my life from this day. Through him and in his name I have eternal life; I am born again. Thank you Lord for saving my soul! I am now a child of God!

    HAT’S NEXT; NOW YOU ARE BORN AGAIN

    Now that you are born again by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome PDF file for download free to your devices

    2 Corinthians 5:17-21 KJVS – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

    18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

    19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

    20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

    21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

    2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJVS – Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

    2 Corinthians 6:14-17 TPT – Don’t continue to team up with unbelievers in mismatched alliances, for what partnership is there between righteousness and rebellion? Who could mingle light with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and Satan? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What friendship does God’s temple have with demons? For indeed, we are the temple of the living God, just as God has said:

    I will make my home in them and walk among them.

    I will be their God, and they will be my people.

    17 For this reason,

    “Come out from among them and be separate,” says the Lord.

    Romans 12:1 TPT – Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.

    Romans 12:2 KJVS – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

    Romans 8:27-35 KJVS – And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

    28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

    29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

    30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

    31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

    32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

    33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

    35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

    SPEAK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

    John 14:26 AMPC – 26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

    1 John 2:27 NLT – But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie

    John 14:17 KJVS – Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

    John 16:13 KJVS – when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself

    John 16:13 TPT – he will reveal prophetically to you what is to come

    Acts 1:8 KJVS – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

    Luke 10:19 KJVS – Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

    Acts 19:5-7 KJVS – they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

    6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

    Acts 19:6 TPT – they immediately spoke in tongues and prophesied.

    7 And all the men were about twelve.

    Acts 2:4 KJVS – And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

    Acts 5:32 KJVS – the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

    RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT NOW WHERE YOU ARE!

    So, say dear Lord God I receive the Holy Spirit in Jesus name! Now open your mouth and release the utterance (Remember they didn’t wait for any special sign, or any physical vibrations or any sign perceived by the senses; Romans 8: 7-9 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So, then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit). Praise God!

    1 Corinthians 14:2 KJVS – For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

    1 Corinthians 14:4 KJVS – He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself

    1 Corinthians 14:14 KJVS – For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

    1 Corinthians 14:18 KJVS – 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

    1 Corinthians 13:1 KJVS – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels

    Ephesians 5:13 KJVS – But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

    Ephesians 5:15-20 KJVS – See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

    16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

    17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

    18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

    19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

    20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

    Romans 8:27-35 KJVS – And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

    1 Corinthians 2:4-10 KJVS – And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

    5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

    6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

    8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

    9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

    10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

    1 Corinthians 2:11-16 KJVS – For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

    12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

    13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

    14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

    15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

    16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

    Philippians 2:5-11 KJVS – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

    6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

    7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

    8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

    9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

    10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

    11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    Colossians 1:10-14 KJVS – walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

    WATER BAPTISM BY IMMERSION – YOUR FINAL DECLARATION OF SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

    Acts 8:36-39 TPT – As they were traveling down the road, the man said, “Look, here’s a pool of water. Why don’t I get baptized right now?” 37 Philip replied, “If you believe with all your heart, I’ll baptize you.” The man answered, “I believe that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Son of God.” 38 The Ethiopian stopped his chariot, and they went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39-40 When they came up out of the water, Philip was suddenly snatched up by the Spirit of the Lord and instantly carried away to the city of Ashdod, where he reappeared, preaching the gospel in that city.

    ATTEND CHURCH AND FELLOWSHIP WITH YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST

    Ephesians 4:11-32 KJVS – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles Walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

    Hebrews 10:25 KJVS – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

    Hebrews 10:25 NLT – And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

    I trust that God has touched your life, and you are now born again and spirit filled, speaking in tongues. Share your testimony by emailing our soul winning team on 1timothy2vs2@gmail.com

  • The Church: Yesterday, Today, and Forever (notes)

    The Church: Yesterday, Today, and Forever (notes)

    https://pcdl.co/welcome

    The church has a story that spans centuries—a living, breathing journey from its beginnings to the vibrant reality we see today, with an even greater future ahead. To grasp this, we must understand the changes that have taken place from the early church to our day and what is yet to come. What He said, what men said, what the devil said, what angels said, and what Jesus said—meaning everything in the bible was not to be lived by but to understand who was speaking, to whom it was said, and for what purpose. Let’s travel through time, from the past to the present, and peek into the future of God’s unstoppable church.

    In the early church there was a period of growth for instance in the Book of Acts, the first 15 chapters didn’t believe non-Jews were supposed to be part of the church. It wasn’t until Acts 15 that they debated this—yes, it took 15 chapters to hash it out! Rewind to Acts 10, where Peter faced criticism for visiting a Gentile’s house. He had to explain that God sent him (Acts 10:28-29, KJV: “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”). Five chapters later, in Acts 15, they still struggled to accept that the Gospel was for everyone (Acts 15:7, KJV: “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.”). So, you have to understand the past, the present, and the future to see the bigger picture.

    Take Mark 4:40 (KJV: “And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”). You can’t read that and say, “Oh, maybe I don’t have faith.” It was possible in their day not to have faith, but no one who is born again has zero faith. Romans 12:3 (KJV: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”) tells us your faith can’t be smaller than what was required to be born again. Jesus was talking mainly to Old Testament folks, teaching them according to the covenant God had with Abraham. Look at Luke 13:16 (KJV: “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?”). Context matters.

    Christianity’s Unstoppable Rise

    Some people think Christianity will fade into history. No—it will outlive every system. Christianity gets greater by the day. There’s a move of the Spirit causing these changes we must have before the King comes back. Haggai 2:9 (KJV: “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.”)—Haggai, a contemporary of Ezra, spoke this. In Ezra 3:12 (KJV: “But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:”), they’d been given permission to rebuild the temple, a place to worship God. As the foundation was laid, they remembered.

    The psalmist echoed this in Psalm 137:1-4 (KJV: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?”). They wept for the old temple, happy it was being rebuilt but sad about the past. Haggai heard a word from God once they repented: “this latter house,” not “the latter house,” and in this place, He’d give peace. The silver and gold are His (Haggai 2:8, KJV: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.”). Verses 6-7 talk of shaking the nations—sound familiar?

    Today, the economies of the world are trembling. People wonder what’s happening—how can humans manage their money and then say they don’t know where it went? Because God said He’d shake everywhere, bringing the desire of all nations Haggi 2: 6-9. Glory here is abundance, magnificence, beauty, splendor, excellence. Every prophetic word God gave was clear about its purpose—dual implication or for a specific person. This latter house follows the former. Herod built another grand temple in Jerusalem, but Jesus said in Matthew 24:2 (KJV: “And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”), and sure enough, by 70 AD, the Turks razed it.

    James 5:7 (KJV: “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”)—God’s the husbandman, and every soul won is precious fruit. The early rain (Pentecost’s Holy Spirit outpouring) started the church. It prepares the ground for sowing. The latter rain prepares it for harvest. As the church’s end nears, the latter church will shine. They thought it was over in the Dark Ages, but it’s grown greater and greater as we approach the Lord’s return.

    Daniel 12:4 (KJV: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”)—in the latter days, knowledge increases. This church is greater than Peter or Paul knew. By the 2nd century, they began grasping Paul’s letters, though 2 Peter 3:16 (KJV: “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”) says they were difficult for many, not Peter.

    1 John 1:1-3 (KJV: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”)—notice the emphasis on senses. John testifies to us through what he experienced. Lovely, but it has a class.

    2 Peter 1:16 (KJV: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”)—they heard the voice on the holy mount. Why did Jesus need this? Deuteronomy 19:15 (KJV: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”). It was the law God demanded.

    John 20:24-30 tells of Jesus after His resurrection—entering a locked room! He says, “Peace be unto you,” but later uses “Makarios” (John 20:29, KJV: “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”). Notice how Jesus entered the room?? Wow! usually the word “to bless” in the more poetical form is eulogio were the blessing is conferred on you but this time Jesus chooses the word “Makarios” means you are supremely blessed, it is a word of transportation, it means lifted beyond this realm, independent of circumstances, to be lifted to another level, it is a blessing of separation, others are seeing you and can acknowledge the separation. Jesus didn’t come to set up a religion. Christianity is not another religion,  it is much more than being a worshipper of God, it is those that have been freed from their senses and the flesh (Romans 8:1, KJV: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”). A church living in the Word, transported beyond human limits. Ephesians 3:14-17 (KJV: “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith…”)—not “I feel God’s presence,” but faith. The day you don’t feel it, you think it’s gone. How the church has longed for the anointing, begged, fasted for it! If you have the Holy Spirit, He’s in you (1 John 2:27, KJV: “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you…”). Go beyond the senses, it says that Christ may dwell in your heart BY FAITH; If you have received the Holy sprit, he lives inside you.  The anointing is the effect of the workings of the Holy sprit, sometimes it is also the impartation of the Holy Spirit’s power, for example when the anointing comes on a cloth e.g. handkerchiefs and apron. The question is, the person and his effect or the person and his impartation which is greater? IT IS THE PERSON. When you pursue the anointing it is like pursuing the shadow of a man and ignoring the man himself. Chasing the anointing if you have received the Holy Spirit means you truly don’t know the holy spirit (Matthew 16:13-17, KJV: “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”).

    The Church He’s Coming For

    Ephesians 5:27 (KJV: “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”)—not begging for anointing or struggling with sin. Ephesians 3:17—God’s dream is you as His living tabernacle, full of Him as Jesus is, not growing into it but awakening to it. Ephesians 3:20 (KJV: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”)—note the power in us.

    Colossians 1:9-13 (KJV: “For this cause we also… do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…”)—Jesus’ balance: powerful yet humble, glorious yet restrained. “Knowledge of His will” is esoteric, specific, absolute knowledge —not saying “no one can tell God’s will.”

    This is one of the benefits of attending church regularly, don’t miss church services because this is where God builds you up, where the cooperate operation of the Holy Ghost is at work and taking the church to higher levels because we are a family, so when we meet as a family there are things that God does which an individual as yourself can not accommodate. The Church builds you up (Hebrews 10:25, KJV: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…”; 1 Timothy 3:15, KJV: “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God…”)—a family where God works corporately.

    God wants you to be fruitful in every good work, where everything you touch turns into a success because you are full of the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  This is Gods plan. The church is not about to slow down, this glory is getting greater and greater, nothing of our past can compare with what we have in front of us. Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness. We are powerful, invigorated. This is why he doesn’t let us pray against our enemies our power is too much. Our fight is not against men (your uncle, cousin, friends, boss or neighbours …) for the bible says in Ephesians 6:12, KJV: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…”

    A Glorious Future

    God wants you fruitful, everything you touch a success, full of His will’s knowledge. The church isn’t slowing down—its glory grows. Colossians 1:11 (KJV: “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”)—might is “dunamis,” meaning a force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): – ability abundance meaning might (-ily -y -y deed) (worker of) miracle (-s) power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

    Thayer’s Definition: Strength, power, ability, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth, power for performing miracles, moral power and excellence of soul, the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth, power and resources arising from numbers, power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts. No weakness here (in the church). I know who I am!

    The healing streams is here again! Register now! https://healingstreams.tv/LHS/?r=PH3

  • Now That You Are Born Again

    Now That You Are Born Again


    By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
    Published by LoveWorld Publications, BLW Inc.
    Second Printing, 2003
    ISBN: 978-34658-7-2
    Copyright © 1999 LoveWorld Publications
    All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission of BLW Incorporated is prohibited.

    Publication Details

    Published by:
    LoveWorld Publications
    BLW Inc.
    Christ Embassy Int’l Office
    Suite 209-210, Estuary House
    Ballards Road, Dagenham
    RM10 9AB, United Kingdom
    P.O. Box 21520, London, E10 5FG
    Tel: +44-208-517-2367

    Nigeria:
    P.O. Box 13563, Ikeja, Lagos
    Tel: +234-1-774-0109 / 774-0243
    +234-802-332-4187-9

    USA:
    Executive Building
    7100 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 211
    College Park, Maryland 20740
    Tel: +1-301-985-9200

    Email: cec@christembassy.org

    Note: All scripture quotations in this volume are from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise indicated.


    Contents

    1. The Real You – 7
    2. You Are a New Creation – 11
    3. You Have the Life and Nature of God – 13
    4. You Are the Righteousness of God! – 17
    5. You Are Justified! – 19
    6. You Are Sanctified! – 21
    7. You Are Delivered! – 23
    8. God’s Spirit Abides in You! – 25
    9. What Do You Do When Wrong Thoughts Come to Your Mind? – 27
    10. What Do You Do When Old Friends Try to Discourage You? – 35
    11. What Do You Do When Persecutions and Afflictions Come? – 41
    12. The Holy Spirit and You! – 47
    13. Must You Go to Church? – 57

    Introduction

    Dearly Beloved,

    Congratulations on the free gift of eternal salvation which you received when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

    I want to share with you truths that are fundamental to the Christian life; upon which you can build a strong and vibrant life. Study this material diligently and it will yield for you an eternal harvest.

    I pray that God will give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may realize how great is the hope to which He has called you and know all that is freely given to you in Christ, Amen.

    This material will help you start off your new life in Christ Jesus. As you study it, look into your Bible and study the scriptures yourself.

    I believe that the message contained in it will change your life and help to shape your future according to the principles of God’s Word.

    God bless you richly, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

    Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
    1999


    Chapter 1: The Real You

    You are more than the body that you see. You are more than the case that houses your senses (your senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell). Inside you, there is something much more than your body. It is the spirit, and this is the real man. This inner man is the one the Bible refers to in 1 Peter 3:4: “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.”

    When a man’s body dies, his spirit lives on. He is still as much the human person he was before he died; he hasn’t lost anything except that he has lost the ability to function in the physical world. His body may be dead, but the real person, the spirit man, still has all the consciousness he had before he died.

    Jesus Christ told a story in Luke Chapter 16 about two men who died. One was a beggar named Lazarus. The point is not that he was a beggar, but that though he was poor, he had a righteous heart. When he died, he was taken to Abraham’s bosom. The second man also died. That man had been rich in this world, but in spite of the fact that he had everything in this world, he did not live a righteous life.

    Note that when he died, his body was buried on earth, but Jesus said that in hell, he lifted up his eyes and saw Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom and he recognized Lazarus. This means that he could still see. Then he called out to Abraham, “Please help me” (you see, he could still talk). Abraham spoke back to him, and he heard Abraham’s voice, implying that he could still hear. The man said that he was still thirsty, and not only was he thirsty, the place was dry. And he begged, “Please let Lazarus come and give me a drop of water to cool my thirst,” yet another point to note—he could still feel.

    All of his senses were still intact. In fact, he could remember because he said, “Please, send somebody among the dead to go to preach to my brothers.” He said he had five brothers on earth: “Maybe if someone from the grave goes to them from among the dead, they will believe.” He remembered!

    This lets you know that man’s spirit lives on. And when a man is born again, it is his human spirit that is born again. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (KJV) says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”


    Chapter 2: You Are a New Creation

    Now that you have given your life to Jesus Christ, you have made Him the Lord of your life. You are no longer what you used to be. You may still look the same outwardly, but inwardly you are a new person altogether. That is what the Bible says. You are not “one like a new creature,” but “a new creation”—a new species of being that never existed before (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

    You are not reformed, refurbished, or renovated; you are a new creation—a new person altogether. However, the fact that you are a new creation inside does not mean that outwardly, you will look different. If you had a low haircut before you were born again, the style would remain short; you will still have the same job, family, and neighbors. The point, however, is that now your values have changed; you have a new set of values because you are a new person on the inside.


    Chapter 3: You Have the Life and Nature of God!

    Being born again, God has given you the power to become His child (John 1:12). The nature of God has been imparted to your human spirit. You now have a new life: the life of God that Jesus Christ made available to everyone who believes in Him. What a privilege! You are therefore a partaker of God’s nature (2 Peter 1:3-4).

    God is now your Father! How? Nature is reproduced by birth; that is why a dog will always give birth to a dog. And John 1:12-13 says, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

    He has parental instincts towards you. You are a member of the Household of God, and therefore a citizen of Heaven where God dwells. God is responsible for you. He will supply all your needs according to His inexhaustible riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). He has a good plan for your life, which was set in motion the moment you were born again. You are a love child of a love God, and you have been born into a love family. This is very important. He gave you this new life to become a member of His Kingdom.

    The Bible declares that God has given you eternal life. This is the life that is inside God, which makes it possible for Him to be Who He is. This is the God-kind of life. This life made it impossible for the grave to hold Jesus Christ. This is Resurrection life! And this life is now in you.

    “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:11-13).

    It is only the one who has the Son that has this life, because this life is actually contained in the Son of God. When you received Him, you received the life.

    This life makes it impossible for you to be defeated by any situation. It always puts you above. Just think! It is impossible for God to be destroyed or defeated. Now you have His life: you cannot be destroyed or defeated because that same Spirit that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead dwells in you (Romans 8:11).


    Chapter 4: You Are the Righteousness of God!

    2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

    Imagine God performing what may be called a nature-transplant. He made Jesus to be sin for us, so that we could be made the righteousness of God in Him.

    This is what made it possible for Jesus to die a sinner’s death in your place. The result is that you can now stand before God without any sense of guilt, fear, or inferiority (Hebrews 10:19, Romans 5:1).


    Chapter 5: You Are Justified!

    What does it mean to be justified? It means to be declared not guilty. As far as God is concerned, you are not guilty of any offense. The Bible says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). You have been justified.

    Jesus took the punishment for your sins when He died on the cross, though He was not guilty of any sin (1 Peter 2:22). God is no longer holding your sins against you. The Bible says, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19).


    Chapter 6: You Are Sanctified!

    Let’s imagine for one moment that you fell into a ditch, got very dirty, and someone came along and rescued you—that is, “got you out of the ditch.” The next thing you’d have to do is get yourself all cleaned up. In other words, “get the ditch out of you,” and that takes time and effort.

    1 Corinthians 6:11 says, “…but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

    Sanctification is in two phases: first, God gets you out of the ditch, which means you are born again and immediately, the Bible declares you sanctified—set apart from the world unto God. Then you must get the ditch out of you by subjecting your mind to a cleansing (renewal) process through the Word of God (Romans 12:2).

    The renewal of your mind is a continuous process. Your mind was trained to think in one way: to see things physically before believing. Now, by renewing your mind, you allow your mind to see things God’s way. You re-train your mind to see things from God’s perspective. Then you’ll speak God’s words, follow God’s ways, and get the results that He gets from His Word.


    Chapter 7: You Are Delivered!

    “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Colossians 1:12-13).

    From the moment you gave your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, you became a member of God’s Kingdom. In other words, no demon hatched out of hell can harm you. You are free from any covenant you ever entered into, knowingly or unknowingly. You are free from every habit, sin, sickness, or disease that ever held you bound. Why? Because you have been delivered from the powers of darkness.

    The Bible says that God has delivered you out of the control and dominion of darkness and has translated you into His kingdom. You never have to be afraid again. God is your Shepherd, and His eyes of protection will always be upon you (Psalm 23:1).

    The Bible says: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). God has delivered you into His Kingdom, which is where you are now. It is where you belong. You have already been (note: this is past tense) delivered from the power of darkness.


    Chapter 8: God’s Spirit Abides in You!

    Another great part of this new life is that the Spirit of God comes to dwell in you. When the Spirit of God takes up His abode in you, He enlightens you on the Word of God and gives you new understanding of the Word.

    So when you study the Bible, you have a new understanding in your own spirit; it becomes applicable to your life.

    Another thing the Holy Spirit does is to remind you of God’s Word (John 14:26). In addition, He gives you the power to be an effective witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).


    Chapter 9: What Do You Do When Wrong Thoughts Come to Your Mind?

    Being born again does not stop you from being tempted, but you must not yield to temptation. The Bible teaches that anytime we are tested, God always opens a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). So when wrong thoughts come to your mind, you must:

    (1) Remember That You Are a New Creation

    These thoughts come to you as an outside force, a form of temptation from the devil. You do not manufacture them in your mind, especially now that you are born again. The Bible says that we (born-again believers) have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). You must remember who you are now—a new creation! God always wants us to remember that we are new creations and that He has given us new life. This new life is what you have to believe in.

    (2) Walk in Obedience

    Obey God! Let’s suppose that the thought of a bad habit comes to you. The pressure is so much on you to do that wrong thing; you might even go as far as the beginning stages of the wrong deed. But right there, when you remember that you are born again—a new person—you suddenly have the courage and boldness to shrug it off. Obey God! You see, being born again does not mean that wrong thoughts do not come to you, but the point is you should not allow them to take hold of you. Refuse them! Someone has rightly said, “You can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest there.”

    You may not be able to stop these thoughts from coming to you because they are an outside force, but you can stop them from lodging within you. Don’t let the wrong thoughts lodge with you; don’t let them gain dominion or mastery over you. You can stop them by thinking on the right things instead (Philippians 4:8).

    Suppose you were a stage artist or performer and you were to play the role of a woman, though you are actually a man. You would put on a woman’s dress and wig, perform and talk like a woman, but you do not forget that you are a man at the end of the act. You get off the stage, go back to the dressing room, change, and walk down the street. When you set out to work on Monday morning, you don’t forget that you are really a man. You talk like one and live like one. It would be ridiculous for you to go back to work and talk like a woman, behaving the way you were acting onstage the other night. The same thing applies to you now. You acted the wrong way before you were born again, but now you have a new life; the new life is the one you are supposed to live now. You have been playing the role of a woman for a long time and sometimes you forget your lines; but then you remember again that you are really a man, and you correct yourself. You wise up and say, “Oh, I’m not a woman, I’m on stage, I’ve got to be real.”

    That is the way you should stop a bad habit. Say, “Look, I’m born again! That’s my real nature.” No matter the habit: when you remember (and you will remember), STOP! Say to yourself, “I’m born again!” Stop it right there! Do not let the cycle go on, and don’t be ashamed to tell anyone involved in it with you, “Oh, I’m sorry, I can’t do this because I’m born again.” Get rid of bad habits by replacing them with good ones. Do this deliberately. Find out godly character traits from the Word of God and train yourself in them through practice.

    (3) Be a Doer, Act the Word

    God does not want us to be hearers only but doers of the Word: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (James 1:22-25).

    You become a doer of the Word when you remember the Word and act accordingly. And you will always remember it. That is one of the things the Holy Spirit does in us. Jesus said, “He will remind you of the things that I taught you” (John 14:26). Thank God the Holy Spirit is right here; He helps us remember the Word! And when you remember, you must act on it. Don’t be troubled about remembering; the Holy Spirit will bring it to your remembrance. But you must always be ready to obey Him when He brings these truths to your mind.

    (4) Remember That Sin Shall Not Have Dominion Over You

    You must remember one thing: these thoughts do not have the power to gain mastery over you unless you allow them. “For sin shall not have dominion over you…” (Romans 6:14). Sin shall not gain lordship over you; it will not have the upper hand because you are not under the law but under grace. That is what the Bible says about you.

    God has delivered you from the powers of sin and of darkness and delivered you into His kingdom: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Colossians 1:12-13).

    That is where you are now that you are born again. That is why the powers of darkness cannot have dominion over you. Because they are in the realm of sin, you are in the realm of God’s life, which supersedes sin; so you see, they cannot have dominion over you.

    Colossians 1:14 says, “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” In Christ Jesus, we have redemption; this is our present-day possession (Ephesians 2:5-6). We are not trying to have it; we have it now. We must retain this consciousness of the Word of God and rejoice in it.


    Chapter 10: What Do You Do When Old Friends Try to Discourage You?

    Now that you are born again, you belong to a new family. You don’t belong to your old family anymore. This does not mean you must completely abandon those old friends and acquaintances or reject them. But you have to be a light to them. They are still in the dark because they do not have Jesus Christ in their hearts. You must remember that you have become the light of God to them, so share with them to follow Jesus.

    When these people try to discourage you, what are you supposed to do? The Bible says that in the last days there will come scoffers who will do every wrong they can think of and laugh at the truth (2 Peter 3:3-4).

    Scoffers are those who try to discourage you and take you back to the old life, but you must refuse to be moved by them. Refuse to allow their attitude to stand in the way of your fellowship with Christ. Refuse to be “unequally yoked” with them. Don’t accept their counsel. Instead, maintain your stand for God and His Word.

    Unequal Yoking

    In the early days of mechanized farming, the farmer would yoke two animals—for example, two donkeys or two oxen—and attach them to a plow, and the two animals would plow the ground as they moved together. Because they were yoked together, the two animals had to move in the same direction; wherever the first one went, the second went too. The farmer directed them, and they had to go in the same direction as long as they were under the same yoke.

    Now, if both of them were donkeys, it was called an “equal yoke,” but if one was a donkey and the other was an ox, it was called an “unequal yoke” (because they were not of the same kind). If we are to be yoked together with anyone, it must be an “equal yoking”—that is, a Christian and a Christian walking together in companionship. But if a Christian and a non-Christian are in companionship together, they are unequally yoked. And God is saying: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).

    So you see, if you and a non-believer are in companionship, living the same life, then you are in an unequal yoke, and this is wrong. God does not want you to be in an unequal yoke, but to be equally yoked with other Christians, doing the same things. Non-believers cannot be your best friends. No matter how moral a person is, as long as he is not born again, he cannot be your best friend.

    It is impossible and unacceptable before God because it is an unequal yoking. Your assessment of an individual can never measure up with God’s assessment. Once, God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons as King of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). When Samuel saw the first son of Jesse, Eliab, Samuel said, “Surely this must be the Lord’s anointed before Him” because he was huge, tall, and handsome. But God spoke to the prophet and said, “Don’t anoint him, because I have rejected him.” He said, “For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart”—the inward man. So your assessment of an individual is, at the most, based on the outward appearance: what he says, how he looks; you can have all of those kinds of opinions about him, but you see, God looks at the inward appearance.

    One who is not born again does not have the right spirit with God. The only way by which one can be right with God is to be born again. This is the only time the person qualifies to be your best friend. Until he is born again, he cannot be your best friend; he does not qualify by God’s standard, to be sure. Now that you are born again, your desire should be to please God, so you must not use your own standards. This is very important.

    Keep your heart on God’s own, and He’ll see you through (1 Corinthians 10:13).


    Chapter 11: What Do You Do When Persecutions and Afflictions Come?

    In Mark 4:1-9, Jesus told us about the parable of the sower. The man went to sow his seeds, and some fell on stony ground, some on hard ground, some among thorns, and others on good ground. In verses 16-17, the Bible says, “And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, they are offended.”

    He is talking about those people who have no root in themselves and so endure affliction only for a time. He says that although these people eagerly accept the Word, when afflictions or persecutions arise for the Word’s sake, they are offended; this has happened to several people. What Jesus is saying here is that there are many people who really do not have a deep love for Him. They are excited about the Word of God because of the promises of eternal life, happiness, and answered prayers. But they don’t really have a deep love for God. So when persecutions come, they give up. This is sad! When persecutions and afflictions come, follow the Word:

    (1) You Must Have Deep Love for God

    God wants you to have a deep, strong love for Him. Love can increase or decrease. The more you think about Him, listen to His words, and have fellowship with Him in prayers, the greater love you will have for Him, because love increases with acquaintance. The more acquainted you are with God, the more you love Him; the more you listen to His Word, the more you love and discover Him, and then the more of Him you receive. And when you have this strong love for Him, the Word of God becomes rooted in your heart. So that when you are faced with any situation, you know God’s position concerning it, and you promptly declare God’s stand about it.

    The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:20-21). And also, that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34-35, 37). When you fill your heart with God’s Word, no matter the situation, you will see things God’s way and speak the same. And it will come to pass!

    (2) Don’t Give Up!

    You must not give up when problems arise! Being born again does not mean that problems will not come, neither does it mean that there will be no trials. What it simply means is that in the face of all difficulties, in the presence of all problems, God will take you through. As in Psalm 23:5: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…” You may be right in the presence of your enemies, but they cannot destroy you; the persecution cannot destroy your life.

    God doesn’t want you to give up. You must stand strong! No matter how hard or difficult it seems, never give up! God will bring you through; don’t be discouraged; remain faithful to God, and He will never disappoint you nor forsake you. You will win in every circumstance of life because they become subject to you. Isaiah 43:2 says when you go through the waters, it will not overflow you, and when you go through the fire, it will not burn you. When you follow Jesus Christ, serve Him with all your heart, follow Him no matter the challenges.

    “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

    “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

    You see, God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, so we can’t be losers. Study carefully 1 John 5:4; it talks about the victory that overcomes this world, which is our faith. Live by faith; you are an overcomer; you are not a loser; you were born an overcomer because you are born of God, the offspring of God, born of God’s Spirit.


    Chapter 12: The Holy Spirit and You

    “To be born again is to be born of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 12:13, John 3:5-8). The Holy Spirit becomes an integral part of your life, so you need to understand who He is and recognize His work in your life. You must understand what He has to offer so that you can enjoy the abundant life that is available in Christ and receive the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-10) and power (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-8) available to you through Him.

    Who Is the Holy Spirit?

    In different parts of the Bible, we find mention of the Holy Spirit:

    • In the Old Testament, we see Him impart power and ability to do extraordinary things (Judges 14:6, 19).
    • In the New Testament, we see Him even more prominent in the birth, ministry, and life of Jesus (Luke 4:18). The Holy Spirit is also seen in Acts 2:1-4 in operation in the lives of the disciples of Jesus. He is God. He is a Divine Person and He is the third Person of the Trinity (John 14:16-17, John 15:26).
    • He has been in existence before time (Genesis 1:2).
    • He is the expression of God’s power. In other words, He is the part of God that accomplishes whatever words the Father speaks (Genesis 1).
    • And He is the Spirit of Love, Power, and Sound Mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
    • He is the Spirit of Liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).

    What the Holy Spirit Is Not

    It is also worthy of note that the Holy Spirit is NOT a force, wind, oil, or a dove, though from scripture we see Him symbolized as such. He is not “tongues,” though He gives the utterance to speak. He is not “power,” but He brings to us the power of God. He is not the Spirit of bondage to fear (Romans 8:15), but of liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).

    Why We Need the Holy Spirit

    The Holy Spirit gives us divine power (Acts 1:8). This word “power,” translated from the Greek word “Dunamis,” actually means “the dynamic ability to cause changes.” When the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, He gives us the ability to change things in our lives and in the lives of others.

    • He gives us boldness to preach the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18).
    • He guides and directs us (John 16:13, Romans 8:14).
    • He comforts us (John 14:18, Acts 9:31).
    • He instructs and teaches us (John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:11-12).
    • He walks with us and becomes a part of our daily lives (John 14:17).
    • He bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God, and therefore partakers of His riches in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:16; Ephesians 1:13-14).
    • He gives us the freedom to approach God in love (Romans 8:15, 2 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Timothy 1:7).

    You Can Have a Relationship with the Holy Spirit

    In John 14:17, Jesus says, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

    To have a relationship with Him is to recognize His presence and acknowledge His ministry in your life. You must therefore spend time in His presence, communing with Him and getting to know Him as a friend. You can have this relationship by spending time praying, studying the Word, and obeying the prompting and bidding of the Holy Spirit.

    When you are born again, you are baptized into the Spirit of God. To be baptized means to be immersed inside completely. For example, you can take a rubber ball and immerse it into a large tub of water in such a way that the ball is totally covered by the water. This is what happens when you are born again: you are immersed like that ball into the Holy Spirit. But you know it is one thing for the ball to be covered by the water and a different thing for the ball to be filled with the water and also covered. For the ball to be filled, there must be a way for the water to enter into it. In other words, the material of the ball must permit the water to flow into it. In the same way, when you are born again, you must receive the Holy Spirit into you and be filled with Him.

    Again, being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a singular experience that occurs once in a lifetime. Rather, it is a continuous daily experience (Ephesians 5:18). This relates to your consciousness of His presence and constant acknowledgment of His ministry in your life. You can be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit as you grow in your fellowship with Him through praise, prayers, study of the Word, and consistently adhering to His instructions and prompting. This way, you can be led by the Spirit of God.

    Speaking in Other Tongues

    As I mentioned before, the Holy Spirit gives to God’s children the utterance to speak in other tongues. One of the signs which the Lord said would follow the believers is that they should speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17).

    This is a spiritual and supernatural ability by which the believer communicates directly with God from his spirit, and it is imparted to you as a gift by the Holy Spirit. Speaking in other tongues is sometimes referred to as “praying in the Spirit.” When we speak in other tongues, we speak directly to God (1 Corinthians 14:4), and our spirits are edified or built up (Jude 20). Our spirits are also energized and refreshed (Isaiah 40:31).

    Once you receive the Holy Spirit, you can speak in tongues anytime you choose. He doesn’t speak through you, but He gives you the ability to speak. So you can go ahead and talk to the Lord in tongues when you desire to.

    When you begin to speak in other tongues, you will become more fluent as you continue in practice. It is just like a little child who just speaks his first few words. The more he practices speaking, the more fluent he gets. This is the same with speaking in tongues. It is a new language, and although you did not need to learn it, you become more fluent as you continue to speak. And as you speak in tongues often, it will enhance your spiritual development and lead you into other gifts and manifestations of the Spirit of God.


    Chapter 13: Must You Go to Church?

    In Matthew 16:18, Jesus spoke of His Church, which represents His body on earth (1 Corinthians 12:5-14).

    “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).

    We are the body, and Christ is the head. All Christians (born again) are members of His body and of one another (1 Corinthians 12:27). And just as different parts of the human body cannot function in isolation, the different members of the body of Christ cannot function effectively on their own. This is because God gave different gifts and callings to members of the Church so that the whole Church may benefit (1 Corinthians 12:18-24; Ephesians 4:11-12).

    Attending Church is therefore in obedience to God’s will and enables us to bless and edify each other with different gifts of God—miracles, healing, prophecy, etc. You are able to obtain a better understanding of the Word that is taught, hear testimonies, and witness miracles. Praying and worshiping God together brings on a “corporate anointing” of the Holy Spirit, ministering to each member of the congregation in a specific manner (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 1:14; Psalm 133:1-2).

    Walking in the Word on your own is an uphill task when you are not attending a “Spirit-filled” Church; but participating fully in such a Church enables you to find out more about the Church and her members. You are also able to develop your spirit (the inner man) to maturity. This makes your walk in the Word easier and more productive.

    As a Christian, you must identify with a local assembly, a Church you can call your own and participate in its activities. Otherwise, you’ll deprive yourself of a lot of God’s blessings and will be walking out of line with the Word.

    Now that you are born again, walk in the consciousness of who you are.


    Growing Up

    The Bible says that as you hear God’s Word, faith comes to you. I recommend the following messages for your spiritual development. These messages are designed to show you how to be fruitful and productive and cause faith to rise in your heart to do just that. Get yours today and see a transformation in your life:

    1. Now That You Are Born Again (1 tape)
    2. Explaining Christianity (1 tape)
    3. Growing Up in the Word (1 tape)
    4. Growing to Maturity
    5. Building Your Spirit (1 tape)
    6. Being Filled with the Spirit (1 tape)
    7. Victory in the Word (1 tape)
    8. The New Birth Series (12 tapes)

    For additional information about the ministry and materials by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, please contact:
    Christ Embassy (a.k.a. Believers’ LoveWorld Inc.)
    P.O. Box 21520, London E10 5FG, United Kingdom
    Tel/Fax: +44-0181-670-6845
    Email: christembassy-int@lineone.net

    OR
    P.O. Box 13563, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
    Tel: +234-01-774-0109, +234-01-774-0243
    Fax: +234-01-493-4392
    Email: storeadmin@loveworldmail.org
    Website: http://www.christembassyonline-store.org


    About the Author

    Through an anointed ministry spanning more than 30 years, pastor, teacher, healing minister, television host, and bestselling author Chris Oyakhilome, PhD, has helped millions experience a victorious and purposeful life in God’s Word. He is the author of several bestsellers, including None of These Diseases and Rhapsody of Realities, which he co-authors with his wife, Pastor Anita. His teachings are also available in all audio and video formats.

    Presiding over an ever-widening network of Christ Embassy Churches and campus fellowships on five continents, Rev. Chris also pastors one of the largest congregations in Africa. He holds massive teaching and healing crusades with crowds of over 3.5 million in a single night’s event. The scope of his television ministry extends throughout the world with several LoveWorld satellite television networks from Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom delivering qualitative and life-changing Christian programming to a global audience. He is also the host of Atmosphere for Miracles, a program on major television networks around the world that brings God’s divine presence right into your home.

    Pastor Chris is the founder of the world-renowned Healing School, a ministry that manifests the healing works of Jesus Christ and has helped many receive healings and miracles through the operation of the gifts of the Spirit.

    LoveWorld Publishing
    http://www.christembassy.org