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Vanguard Newspaper 14 April 2019

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2019, PAGE 37<br />

Personal taste of<br />

God's great power (2)<br />

By Pastor William F. Kumuyi<br />

LUKE 19:1-3 "And<br />

Jesus entered and<br />

passed through Jericho.<br />

And, behold, there was<br />

a man named Zacchaeus,<br />

which was the chief among<br />

the publicans, and he was<br />

rich. And he sought to see<br />

Jesus who he was; and •Kumuyi<br />

could not for the press, because<br />

he was little of stature."<br />

There are people, today, just like Zacchaeus, who are<br />

long<strong>in</strong>g to see the Lord, but because they are short, they<br />

f<strong>in</strong>d it difficult. If you th<strong>in</strong>k that you are tall, then raise<br />

up your hand and you will f<strong>in</strong>d out that still it will not<br />

get to heaven. Though I am not talk<strong>in</strong>g about your physical<br />

stature, but the spiritual: all the same, you are still<br />

short at both ends.<br />

The Bible has a better def<strong>in</strong>ition for that scenario. Romans<br />

3:23 "For all have s<strong>in</strong>ned, and come short of the glory of<br />

God;" It means that if you are <strong>in</strong>to any form of immorality<br />

---be it fornication, adultery, pornograhy, <strong>in</strong>cest---and<br />

or occultism, alcoholism, gambl<strong>in</strong>g/sport bett<strong>in</strong>g, smok<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

kidnapp<strong>in</strong>gs and other forms of steal<strong>in</strong>g, then you<br />

have dug yourself this deep <strong>in</strong>to s<strong>in</strong> and that you are<br />

now very far away from God; and because God is holy<br />

and you are unholy, and He is good but you are evil: you<br />

need someone to bridge that gap between God and you.<br />

Until you realize this all important issue, just as Zacchaeus<br />

did, you will still rema<strong>in</strong> far away from God and<br />

attract His judgment.<br />

But Zacchaeus did not allow his stature become a stumbl<strong>in</strong>g<br />

block <strong>in</strong> his path to div<strong>in</strong>e encounter. You may be<br />

short <strong>in</strong> your own way, but if you put your limitations<br />

aside, you too will enjoy the great taste <strong>in</strong> hav<strong>in</strong>g an<br />

encounter with the God of possibilities. He will not pass<br />

you by. You will experience it <strong>in</strong> Jesus name.<br />

The truth must be told. You must demand for God. This<br />

is because without demand, there will not be a supply. If<br />

you do not ask from God, you will not receive from Him.<br />

If you fold your hands and you close your eyes, but you<br />

fail to pray to God, when you should be pray<strong>in</strong>g, Manna<br />

will not fall from heaven. But thank God that you will<br />

pray; and as you do, heaven will demonstrate and you<br />

will get someth<strong>in</strong>g today. I say, you will have it <strong>in</strong> Jesus<br />

name! Amen.<br />

Luke 19:4 "And he ran before, and climbed up <strong>in</strong>to a sycomore<br />

tree to see him: for he was to pass that way."<br />

Zacchaeus was a rich man and wildly known by the people<br />

because he was the chief tax-collector <strong>in</strong> Jericho. He<br />

must have suffered a lot of <strong>in</strong>sults from the commoners<br />

due to his tactics of collect<strong>in</strong>g taxes from the people. Yet,<br />

his focus did not stray away from the price and that was<br />

the reason he had to run.<br />

He did not care about his dignity, especially because he<br />

saw God as the ultimate search. So, he did not bother<br />

about what prat<strong>in</strong>g words babblers will be engaged <strong>in</strong><br />

due to his sensational move. But there are some people<br />

who carry their dignity too far even <strong>in</strong> the presence of<br />

God. They carry their self respect and personal honour<br />

to the extreme. To the extent that when Jesus wants to<br />

save and or heal them and br<strong>in</strong>g heaven <strong>in</strong>to their soul,<br />

they let their dignity stand <strong>in</strong> the way.<br />

But Zacchaeus had other ideas and did not let his societal<br />

position truncate his desire for God. And I know that<br />

noth<strong>in</strong>g will h<strong>in</strong>der you too. You will see Jesus today.<br />

Luke 19:4-5 "And he ran before, and climbed up <strong>in</strong>to a<br />

sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.<br />

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw<br />

him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and<br />

come down; for to day I must abide at thy house."<br />

Praise the Lord Jesus is com<strong>in</strong>g to your place right now.<br />

He will not pass you by. I cannot beg<strong>in</strong> to describe to you<br />

how much He loves you (for He sure loves you) and how<br />

much he wants to favour you. And how He really wants<br />

you to share <strong>in</strong> the joy of experienc<strong>in</strong>g the goodness of<br />

heaven.<br />

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his<br />

only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth <strong>in</strong> him<br />

should not perish, but have everlast<strong>in</strong>g life."<br />

You will not perish because He will save you today. Even<br />

if you are as despised, notorious and dirty-handedly rich<br />

as Zacchaeus, He will still save you. I know this because<br />

He saved Zacchaeus and also the thief at the cross. So,<br />

you see, you will not be an exception.<br />

Luke 19:5 "And when Jesus came to the place, he looked<br />

up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make<br />

haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy<br />

house."<br />

You may th<strong>in</strong>k that Jesus does not know you by name,<br />

but, to state the obvious, as <strong>in</strong> the case of Zacchaeus, He<br />

knows every detail of your life. He knows your name. He<br />

also knows your needs and He knows that you are right<br />

here. He is call<strong>in</strong>g you right now. He wants you to come<br />

out from the life of s<strong>in</strong>. Heed His call and disassociate<br />

yourself from s<strong>in</strong>. I know you can do it. I know you will do<br />

it. I see somebody there gett<strong>in</strong>g saved today and that<br />

person is you. Praise the Lord, it is happen<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

Luke 19:6 "And he made haste, and came down, and<br />

received him joyfully."<br />

Zacchaeus left his past misdeeds beh<strong>in</strong>d him, confessed<br />

his s<strong>in</strong>s, repented of them and yielded his life to the Lord.<br />

You too can emulate these decisive steps taken by this<br />

s<strong>in</strong>cere seeker.<br />

*To be concluded<br />

Our re-election was div<strong>in</strong>e,<br />

declare Ortom, Udom<br />

By Sam Eyoboka &<br />

Olay<strong>in</strong>ka Latona<br />

THE Executive<br />

Governor of Benue<br />

State, Dr. Samuel<br />

Ortom and his Akwa Ibom<br />

State counterpart, Dr.<br />

Udom Emmanuel who had<br />

just secured another mandate<br />

to adm<strong>in</strong>ister their respective<br />

states for another<br />

four years at the just concluded<br />

elections, Friday<br />

night declared that they<br />

owed their victories to the<br />

prayers of the sa<strong>in</strong>ts <strong>in</strong> the<br />

country.<br />

Giv<strong>in</strong>g testimonies at the<br />

April edition of Redeemed<br />

Christian Church of God,<br />

RCCG Holy Ghost Service<br />

at the church's four-byfour<br />

kilometre auditorium<br />

at Simawa area of Ogun<br />

State, the two PDP governors<br />

told a mammoth crowd<br />

of worshippers that by<br />

strength shall no man prevail,<br />

stress<strong>in</strong>g that their<br />

separate victory was div<strong>in</strong>e.<br />

Gov. Ortom, the first to<br />

speak, recalled how he<br />

went to the General Overseer,<br />

Pastor Enoch Adejare<br />

Adeboye and his wife <strong>in</strong><br />

2014 before his decision to<br />

vie for the gubernatorial<br />

election, stat<strong>in</strong>g "by the<br />

grace of God despite all the<br />

challenges that accompanied<br />

the 2015 race, I was<br />

elected governor of Benue<br />

State and was sworn <strong>in</strong>.<br />

"Dur<strong>in</strong>g the tenure, however,<br />

<strong>in</strong> 2017, challenges<br />

came up over me and at a<br />

po<strong>in</strong>t I told myself that I was<br />

not go<strong>in</strong>g contest aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />

2019 and that I would rather<br />

rema<strong>in</strong> a one-term<br />

governor.<br />

"But the follow<strong>in</strong>g day,<br />

dur<strong>in</strong>g my devotion, God<br />

The wages of s<strong>in</strong> is death, Thus saith the Spirit of the Lord<br />

IN Romans 6:23, it is<br />

written that the<br />

wages of s<strong>in</strong> is death,<br />

but that the gift of God is<br />

eternal life through Jesus<br />

Christ, our Lord. And this<br />

death is either spiritual<br />

death, or physical death,<br />

and surely, eternal death,<br />

if no repent-ance before<br />

physical death. The death<br />

of the rich man <strong>in</strong> Luke<br />

16:23, was, first spiritual<br />

death, and then, <strong>in</strong> the<br />

end, eternal death <strong>in</strong> hell.<br />

Jesus said: “And <strong>in</strong> Hell he<br />

lift up his eyes, be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

torments, and seeth<br />

Abraham afar off and<br />

Lazarus <strong>in</strong> his bosom.” The<br />

case of this rich man, is an<br />

<strong>in</strong>disputable evidence,<br />

that the wages of s<strong>in</strong>, is<br />

eternal torment <strong>in</strong> hell, if<br />

no repentance, before physical<br />

death.<br />

In the early church, Ananias<br />

and Sapphira, committed<br />

the s<strong>in</strong> of hypocrisy<br />

and the s<strong>in</strong> of ly<strong>in</strong>g to the<br />

Holy Ghost, for which they<br />

received the wages of the<br />

three categories of death.<br />

The hypocrites <strong>in</strong> the<br />

church, are serpents and a<br />

generation of vipers. They<br />

cannot escape the damnation<br />

of eternal torment <strong>in</strong><br />

hell. (Matthew 23:33).<br />

Eternal torment <strong>in</strong> the<br />

fire of hell, was prepared,<br />

orig<strong>in</strong>ally, for the devil<br />

and his angels. (Matthew<br />

25:41). Unfortunately,<br />

many believers <strong>in</strong> Christ,<br />

because of the s<strong>in</strong> of rebellion,<br />

which is as the s<strong>in</strong> of<br />

witchcraft, and because of<br />

asked me why I took such a<br />

decision to tow a lone l<strong>in</strong>e. I<br />

then decided to consult God<br />

and He told me He is the<br />

beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g and the end<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

the Alpha and the Omega.<br />

And immediately I picked<br />

up the courage and came<br />

to Daddy G.O. aga<strong>in</strong>.<br />

"I prayed on the altar and<br />

Daddy G.O. prayed for me.<br />

So we cont<strong>in</strong>ued the race;<br />

but so many challenges<br />

came as we were close to the<br />

elections. There was this<br />

particular day, close to the<br />

elections, Daddy G.O. called<br />

me when I was completely<br />

depressed and was<br />

BENIN City---<br />

E M I N E N T<br />

Christians from across<br />

the country last Sunday<br />

converged at the headquarters<br />

of Christ Chosen<br />

Church of God International<br />

(CCCG), on Kilometre<br />

8, Ben<strong>in</strong>-Agbor Expressway,<br />

to grace the thanksgiv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

service which climaxed<br />

the 2019 women convention<br />

of the church christened<br />

"Chosen for impact".<br />

The service which witnessed<br />

a testimony session,<br />

songs m<strong>in</strong>istration by the<br />

church's Uzama and Useh<br />

Divisional Mass Choir as<br />

well as a musical performance<br />

by a Ben<strong>in</strong> City-based<br />

guest artiste, Mama Naomi<br />

Ehigie who thrilled the<br />

congregation with different<br />

soul-touch<strong>in</strong>g melodious<br />

gospel songs.<br />

In his message, the Spiritual<br />

Leader/General Over-<br />

their s<strong>in</strong> of stubbornness to<br />

the word of truth, which is<br />

as the s<strong>in</strong> of <strong>in</strong>iquity and<br />

idolatry, shall receive the<br />

wages of eternal torment,<br />

<strong>in</strong> the fire of hell. K<strong>in</strong>g Saul,<br />

hav<strong>in</strong>g committed the s<strong>in</strong><br />

of rebellion, and of stubbornness,<br />

received the wages<br />

of spiritual death, physical<br />

death, and <strong>in</strong> the end,<br />

eternal torment <strong>in</strong> hell. (I<br />

Samuel 28:6,19; I Samuel<br />

15:23).<br />

Many will say unto<br />

Jesus, on the day of judgment,<br />

Lord, Lord, have we<br />

not prophesied (preached)<br />

<strong>in</strong> thy name? and <strong>in</strong> thy<br />

name have cast out devils?<br />

and <strong>in</strong> thy name have done<br />

many wonderful works?<br />

Jesus will profess to them<br />

that He never knew them,<br />

and they shall be commanded<br />

to depart <strong>in</strong>to eternal<br />

torment <strong>in</strong> hell, because<br />

they are workers of <strong>in</strong>iquity.<br />

(Matthew 7:22-23).<br />

Judas, an apostle, who was<br />

a worker of <strong>in</strong>iquity, received<br />

the wages of eternal<br />

torment <strong>in</strong> hell. And all<br />

believers <strong>in</strong> Christ who say<br />

they know Jesus, yet do<br />

not keep His commandments,<br />

are all liars and the<br />

truth is not <strong>in</strong> them. The<br />

wages of the s<strong>in</strong> of these<br />

liars shall be eternal torment,<br />

<strong>in</strong> the lake which<br />

burneth with fire and brimstone,<br />

which is the second<br />

death. (Revelation<br />

21:8). Amongst the people<br />

of God are also found wicked<br />

people. (Jeremiah 5:26). If<br />

no repentance, the wages<br />

wonder<strong>in</strong>g what to do.<br />

"After Daddy G.O. and<br />

Mummy G.O. prayed for<br />

me, I was encouraged<br />

aga<strong>in</strong> and went through<br />

all the challenges and God<br />

saw me through. By the<br />

grace of God, I have just<br />

been re-elected governor of<br />

Benue State. Praise be the<br />

Lord!" Gov. Ortom testified.<br />

Immediately after him,<br />

came his Akwa Ibom State<br />

counterpart, Gov. Emmanuel<br />

who also gave God all<br />

the glory for help<strong>in</strong>g him<br />

to overcome all the challenges<br />

to emerge w<strong>in</strong>ner of<br />

the contest.<br />

CCCG spiritual leader tasks<br />

women on good character<br />

By Sam Eyoboka<br />

of the s<strong>in</strong> of these wicked<br />

men and women, shall be<br />

eternal torment <strong>in</strong> hell.<br />

(Psalm 9:17).<br />

The Spirit has spoken expressly,<br />

that <strong>in</strong> these latter<br />

times, some believers <strong>in</strong><br />

Christ shall depart from<br />

the faith <strong>in</strong> this truth,<br />

giv<strong>in</strong>g heed to seduc<strong>in</strong>g<br />

spirits and doctr<strong>in</strong>es of<br />

devils. They shall beg<strong>in</strong> to<br />

speak lies <strong>in</strong> hypocrisy,<br />

because their dead conscience<br />

is seared with a hot<br />

iron. (I Timothy 4:1-2). The<br />

wages of the s<strong>in</strong> of these<br />

believers, shall be <strong>in</strong> eternal<br />

torment <strong>in</strong> hell, if no<br />

repentance. Therefore, the<br />

sa<strong>in</strong>ts of God, who have<br />

been sanctified by this<br />

word of truth, are warned<br />

by the Spirit of truth, not<br />

to believe every spirit, but<br />

that they should try the<br />

spirits, by this word of<br />

truth, if they are of God,<br />

because many false prophets<br />

have gone <strong>in</strong>to the<br />

world, seduc<strong>in</strong>g the people<br />

of God, <strong>in</strong>to believ<strong>in</strong>g strange<br />

doctr<strong>in</strong>es of devils.<br />

But believers <strong>in</strong> Christ,<br />

who will not accept this<br />

truth, that will save them,<br />

God shall send unto them,<br />

a strong delusion, to believe<br />

the lies of the devil and<br />

of his m<strong>in</strong>isters, who like<br />

Accord<strong>in</strong>g to him: "The<br />

Bible says Th<strong>in</strong>e O Lord, is<br />

the greatness, and the power<br />

and the glory and the<br />

victory!<br />

"When a Police Commissioner<br />

is testify<strong>in</strong>g...we <strong>in</strong><br />

the battlefield, we know<br />

what we faced. People say<br />

you can never w<strong>in</strong> elections<br />

through prayers, I<br />

want say that through<br />

prayers some of us have<br />

won elections. And it can<br />

only be God. To God only<br />

be glory, honour, majesty<br />

for ever <strong>in</strong> Jesus name!" he<br />

declared and the crowd<br />

responded <strong>in</strong> ecstasy.<br />

seer, Most Senior Apostle<br />

David Unuefe Ikhuiwu urged<br />

Christians, especially<br />

women to reflect on this<br />

year's theme of the church<br />

with a view to possess<strong>in</strong>g<br />

such characters that would<br />

always dist<strong>in</strong>guish them<br />

<strong>in</strong> the society.<br />

Speak<strong>in</strong>g on: "Be a chosen<br />

woman of solution", Apostle<br />

Ikhuiwu stressed that only<br />

div<strong>in</strong>e chosen women can<br />

marry chosen men and<br />

build homes devoid of<br />

wrangl<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />

Not<strong>in</strong>g that a true leader<br />

does not demand respect<br />

but commands it, the spiritual<br />

leader, who doubles<br />

as chairman, church council,<br />

charged women <strong>in</strong> various<br />

positions to imbibe<br />

the spirit of peace, prayer<br />

and humility, say<strong>in</strong>g that<br />

the positions they occupied<br />

do not guarantee them<br />

passage to heaven.<br />

He further advised the women<br />

not to see their husbands'<br />

positions as a yardstick<br />

to override the less<br />

privileged, but should always<br />

serve as solution providers<br />

<strong>in</strong> the society.<br />

Draw<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>spiration from<br />

I Samuel 25:1 and Esther<br />

4:5, Apostle Ikhuiwu warned<br />

the participants not to<br />

sow bad seeds <strong>in</strong> their<br />

children, ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />

that such seeds br<strong>in</strong>g about<br />

future disunity both <strong>in</strong> the<br />

families and the society at<br />

large.<br />

In her message at the<br />

event, a Senior Rev. <strong>in</strong> the<br />

church, Mrs. Philomena<br />

Atoe enjo<strong>in</strong>ed Christians to<br />

develop the right attitude<br />

that would enable them<br />

overcome challenges fac<strong>in</strong>g<br />

them <strong>in</strong> life.<br />

Rev. (Mrs.) Atoe who anchored<br />

her message on<br />

"Develop<strong>in</strong>g success attitude",<br />

said there was need for<br />

them to develop such attitude<br />

as demonstrated by<br />

biblical David and Joseph.<br />

their father, the devil, are<br />

transformed as m<strong>in</strong>isters of<br />

righteousness. (II Thessalonians<br />

2:10-12; II Cor<strong>in</strong>thians<br />

11:13-15). God warned<br />

Adam that he would surely<br />

die, if he ate of the tree of<br />

the knowledge of good and<br />

evil <strong>in</strong> the garden. And this<br />

sure death, which was spoken<br />

by God, was spiritual<br />

death and eternal death <strong>in</strong><br />

torment of the fire of hell.<br />

But Satan, the old serpent,<br />

said unto Eve, that she<br />

would not surely die. Eve,<br />

be<strong>in</strong>g destitute of the truth,<br />

believed the lie of Satan,<br />

ate of the fruit of the<br />

tree, and gave it to Adam<br />

and they both died spiritually<br />

and eternally.<br />

Jesus Christ came <strong>in</strong>to<br />

the world not only with<br />

grace but with truth. (John<br />

1:17). And we cannot<br />

cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>in</strong> s<strong>in</strong> for this grace<br />

of God to abound. (Romans<br />

6:1-2). Do not be deceived.<br />

It is only the righteous<br />

nation that will keep<br />

the truth to the end, that<br />

will escape this eter-nal<br />

torment <strong>in</strong> hell. And unto<br />

them, shall the gates of<br />

heaven be opened. (Isaiah<br />

26:2). And ye shall know<br />

the truth and the truth<br />

shall make you free, thus<br />

saith the Lord.<br />

CHRISTIAN GOSPEL CHURCH<br />

(The Truth Centre) 4, Christian Gospel Avenue,<br />

Beside Psychiatric Hospital,<br />

Uselu, Ben<strong>in</strong> City, Edo State.<br />

Email: cgc.com.ng@gmail.com<br />

Telephone: +234 (0) 7052061135, +234 (0)<br />

9030731406. Website: www.cgc.com.ng

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