Anointing Water

I would rather keep quiet than say a word about certain things but some things cannot be left to spread like fire. I am sure you have a picture of where this is going. Take a look at the quotation below taken from hungry generation website.

“The anointing water came to be through a revelation from God to the man of God, Prophet TB Joshua…Unfortunately the man of God cannot be in every country, or visit many places, so God instructed him to pray for bottles of water and distribute to people all over for healing, deliverance, and breakthrough. Within the Scriptures, we see clear proof that God is able to use any medium to express Himself…By praying with the anointing water, you are setting yourself apart for God’s special attention as you pray in faith.”

When you read the above passage, you would probably want to know where to get this anointing water because it promises heaven on earth. But there are a few concerns. My concern about these statements is twofold. The first is what it undermines. The second is what it promotes. Let me elaborate.

Firstly, I believe it undermines the Sufficiency of Scripture, the Sufficiency of a believer’s prayer and the sufficiency of Christ.  

It undermines the sufficiency of Scripture in stating that this water came through a revelation from God. Look at this: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” 2 Tim 3:16-17. This verse informs us that if we need to learn of the God we worship, we must go the Scriptures. If you want to know God you must go to the Scriptures. They are the ones that reveal God clearly. If you must rebuke or be rebuked then Scripture will do an excellent work because it is God who is speaking. The other thing we see is that anyone who is in error must be corrected by Scripture. Lastly, we see that Scripture trains. God’s word instructs in righteousness. Spiritual growth will not take place without consistent reading, listening to and meditating on the word. This is all in the effort to make believers ready for good work. So Scripture has God’s full revelation of what he wants us to know. However, according to the above quote, there is a new revelation called anointing water which only TB Joshua has received. We don’t need any new revelations from anyone. God has given us his word and it is his full revelation for us.

It distorts the Sufficiency of a believer’s prayer in saying that when you pray with the water you have God’s special attention.  “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth ” James 5:16b-17. Notice it says , “ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours,” meaning that in as much as he was a prophet of God he was only human. There is no superiority when it comes to prayer. God can hear everyone of his children when they pray to him with or without anointing water. The fact that you are a Christian means you already have God’s special attention. The Israelites had God’s special attention because they were God’s chosen nation.

It undermines the sufficiency of Christ by saying that praying with TB Joshua’s anointing water will lead to healing, deliverance and breakthrough because the water acts as the medium. My question is what was the purpose of Jesus’ death on the cross? Who connects us to God? In Scripture we are told that “there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” 1 Tim 2:5.  However, according to TB Joshua, there is medium called anointing water.  So you need Jesus and the anointing water. Yes God used different channels to accomplish his purposes but that was before Christ came. Many if not all of those things were pointing to Jesus Christ. Remember the bronze serpent? Jesus says in the book of John that that serpent was talking about him. Yes, even the manna that fell from heaven in the wilderness Jesus said that he was that manna. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven…” John 6:51. At the cross Jesus paid the penalty for sin and he can save anyone who comes to him in faith. If through the power of the cross people cannot be delivered then why did Christ die? He died so that he could deliver us from sin and all forms of darkness. And we are told that, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” 2 Cor 5:17. So what do I need to be delivered from if I am in Christ? Unless you say Christ does not do a perfect work when he saves us or that he does not protect his own. In 2 Peter 1:3 we are told that in his “divine power God has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” So what breakthrough are you talking about? Christ is all in all.

Secondly and lastly this water promotes the name of TB Joshua. The anointing water uplifts no one else but TB Joshua.  In fact it is called TB Joshua’s anointing water. As if not enough the “man of God” also has stickers and prayers named after him, TB Joshua’s sticker and TB Joshua’s prayer. Wherever you place this so called sticker, it is said, favor will be upon you. If you are sick and you listen to his prayer you will be healed instantly. So why are these things named after him? I believe as servants of Christ our names must decrease while that of Christ must increase. If we claim to be servants of Christ and our names are the ones which keep becoming popular instead of Christ then there is something wrong. Listen to what this true servant said about himself in comparison to Christ.  “He must increase, but I must decrease” John the Baptist, John 4:30.  In fact, when you hear someone talking about TB Joshua, seldom do you hear how many were led to Christ and even if Christ is mentioned it is a by the way. It’s like TB Joshua is the Lord while Christ is the servant.

What would I say then in summing up everything? Look at his: “And even if our gospel is veiled it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”  2 Cor 4:3-4. Based on the above verse you need to be careful what you believe in. Many are being used by Satan (the god of this world) to distract people from the truth of the gospel.

Homosexuality is an attack on Christ

It is clear that the first marriage was between Adam and Eve. Oh what a beauty that was as we see it from Scripture when Adam eventually exclaimed, “this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman for she was taken out of man.” Today we have so many Adams and Steves having their marriages officiated by Sons of the Devil. What makes a marriage by an Isaac and a Misheck so wrong? Is it just the fact that the marriage is between two males? This could be one reason among many. Another could be that it has never been God’s plan. Although there are many other reasons in opposition to this kind of union, the most threatening in this time and age is the attack it has on Jesus Christ.

When Paul is addressing the issue of responsibilities in Ephesians chapter five, he makes the matter very clear at the end of the chapter. Yes the wife must submit and likewise the husband must love. However, you notice he says to the husbands that they must love as Christ loved the Church. Later on at the end of the chapter Paul says, “This is a profound mystery but I am talking about Christ and the Church” Ephesians 5:32.
When two men decide to get married they are saying, “We do not agree with the headship of Christ over the Church. Look around the churches today. What do you see? Is Christ really the head? I am sure you know the answer to that.

The second thing they are saying is, “We are not ready to love as Christ loved the Church.” Those men, Pastors and Priests, officiating gay marriages together with the homosexuals are cowards. The gays are scared to love a woman. They would rather give their love to one who does not need it. We needed and still need the love of Christ because of our nature. In the same way the woman needs the man’s love because of her nature. Giving that love to another man is cowardice and selfishness. Jesus didn’t die for angels he died for sinful men. Men needed his love.

Thirdly, the homosexuals are saying, “we want to show you that Christ and the Church are not real. There is another way of worshiping God. It is not only through Christ.” This is the most dangerous act one can ever find himself in because missing the significance of Jesus is a leeway to hell.

So no one should say, “I am for Christ when he is pro homosexuality.” That would be a very big blue lie. If you are in a Church that is officiating gay marriages then you need to question the sincerity of your Church.

Finally, it may be that the gays and those who support it have never seen things this way. Here is the thing; Jesus is willing to forgive you of your sin. Repent and receive him as Savior. He will create in you a new heart then you too will begin to see things in a different way.

Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson Retires. What comes to mind?

Why would I be writing about this man? What significance does he add to my life? The fact is that what Sir Fergie has achieved in his coaching career cannot be overlooked. I love soccer and in my high school days I craved playing in the Barclays Premier League but the LORD had other plans. When it comes to success in coaching an English Premier League Club, no man has done it better than Ferguson. How should a Christian look at such matters? What comes to mind as child of God? Before I say what is on my mind let me give you some pointers as to what this man has achieved. This is courtesy of BBC Sport.

“The Scot, 71, has won 38 trophies during his reign at Old Trafford … His haul includes 13 league titles, two champions league crowns, five FA Cups and Four League cups…Ferguson is the most successful manager in the history of the British game and famously won a treble in 1999” BBC Sport.

Some of the other trophies include 1 cup winners cup, 1 Fifa club world cup, 1 Uefa super cup, 1 inter-continental Cup and 10 charity shield Cups.

Notice that I am talking about an individual not a club. It is during his reign as manger that Manchester where able to get all these trophies. Surely, his career has been successful. Many have already stated that it will be difficult and almost impossible to outdo his achievement.

Sir Alex Ferguson

So then, what is it that comes to mind? It is the question which we must ask every so called successful person. This question is found in Mark 8:36-37 and it says, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his own soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” Yes, Sir Fergie has retired with “great success.” No doubt about it. But it is possible that he may die and go to hell if he is without Christ.  It breaks my heart when I think about this. Not only for Ferguson but for many other so called successful men and women who are without Christ.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue to pursue success when our souls are in danger of experiencing the wrath of God in hell? Certainly not! God forbid! What should you do then? You must run to Jesus pleading for your sins to be forgiven and make peace with God. The Christian must be so eager to take the gospel to the lost that such men (Ferguson, Obama, Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, Bill Gates etc) can hear it.

One famous preacher once said, “If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies; and if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay… If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions and let no one go there unwarned or unsprayed for” C.H.Spurgeon. For “How shall they call on him of whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Romans 10:14.

 
If you are reading this and you are still living in your sins please think about the destiny of your own soul. Plead for mercy from God. Let him wash your sins so that your soul can be assured of a secure destiny. Amen.

Man of God or Man of Gold?

Are some of the Preachers and Pastors really men of God? I would rather call some of them “men of gold” rather than “men of God.” There is a difference with the “men of God” in the Bible and those for today. What is the difference?

The “man of gold” does not care whether he rightly interprets God’s word or if people are being led the way God has stipulated in his word. All that he is concerned about is that his bag of gold should keep increasing because that is his calling, to acquire wealth. So he will not rebuke, correct or instruct in righteousness. He tells the people what they desire to hear. He says, “You are blessed in your family, you are blessed at your work place, you are blessed in your bank accounts” and so on and so forth. Many are times they get a portion of Scripture and use it to suit their message. They take the passage out of context. The following is an example of what you hear in their sermons:

“The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 8:9 that …Jesus became poor so that through his poverty you might become rich. So this means each one of you is blessed. Hallelujah Church, Hallelujah!! Hehehe! You see when you are blessed, you are blessed. Hehehe! This suit I am wearing I just got straight from Italy. Look at your neighbor and say Italy! Hehehe! Hallelujah. People say we cannot preach in Jeans but I wear my suits with Jeans. Look at your neighbor and say Jeans. Hehehe! Hallelujah.” This weekend I spent some time watching some soccer on my new LG flat screen. Oh, you should see the size of that screen. It is massive. I am a supporter of Real Madrid and we worn actually. Those are rich teams for men like me. Everyone say real Madrid! Hallelujah! But there is this team called Liverpool which has gone bankrupt and I think they need the “man of Gold” to go and pray for their deliverance amen? Look at your neighbor and say Liverpool. Hehehe, Hallelujah!

This is how the whole the sermon goes. Tell me, why do I have to look at my neighbor and say all those things? What has my Spiritual life got to do with the suit and television of the “man of gold”?

Man of gold walks away after telling congregation to sow the seed

On the other hand, the “Man of God” is very careful the way he handles himself, God’s word and the people he has been entrusted with.

 Moses is the only one called the man of God in the first five books of the Bible (Deut 33:1), the angel of the Lord who appeared to Samson’s Mother in Judges 13:6,8, Samuel in 1 Sam 9:6,7,8,10, David in Nehemiah 12:24, Elijah in 1 Kings 17:18 and Elisha in 2Kings 4:7 just to mention a few. Most of these men were leaders, prophets and messengers. We can then conclude that the “man of God” was a representative of God. There are two major roles which fitted the men who were given this title. First is that they spoke, proclaimed and taught God’s word. Secondly, they led people based on God’s command and guidance. Think of Moses, think of Samuel, think of David, Think of Elijah and Elisha. These men represented God in their messages and leadership. Even the title itself is very clear. He is “a man of God. God is the one in control and the man is only a vessel.

A man of God will correct, instruct, rebuke and even chastise his sheep if there is sin present. This is what Moses would do with the people of Israel. His desire is to see to it that he accomplishes his God given task. He cares for his people. He loves his people. He will speak and preach nothing else but God’s Word. Even when the audience only wants to hear that which is appealing to their ears, the man of God preaches God’s Word. When the flock wants to be led in a worldly way, the man of God goes back to the Bible and searches to find how God desires his people to be led. He will make sure the flock is led Biblically. The following is an example of a sermon from a Man of God. “John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

“Based upon this verse and many other like verses in Scripture, eternal life comes through faith in Christ. Apart from Jesus there is no other means of salvation. Everyone stands condemned before God because of sin. There is none righteous no not one so says Romans 3:10. Everyone who is without Christ will test God’s full wrath in hell. Notice it says “whoever rejects.” In other words whoever does not believe that Christ has the power to deliver from the bondage of sin will not see life. What life? He will not see eternal life. When he dies, that will be the end of him.  Notice next it says, ‘that the wrath of God remains on him.’ Why is it so? It remains because it has always been there. Why?  It is because of sin.  How? God is a just God and will not let sin God unpunished. So every human being stands condemned because he is a sinner from birth as David says in Psalm 51:5. So, based on this fact, everyone must taste the full wrath of God when they burn in hell. Failure to believe in Christ for salvation does not bring God’s wrath but instead keeps or maintains God’s wrath which has always been there while faith in Jesus will lift that wrath of God hence liberating ones soul.” Have you trusted in Jesus? Do you believe that Jesus can save you from the wrath that is upon you? Come to Jesus today and let him be you Savior.

You notice the “man of God” has not said anything about his Jeans, cars, blessedness and whatever else. Not that he does not have them but because he knows his God given task. He is to preach the truth and the truth is what God has said for God cannot lie. A listener is able to reason based upon what God says in his word. He is able to say “I am condemned and will perish in hell if I don’t put my faith in Christ.” But how does someone know the will of God if all you keep talking about is your Navara and Range Rover? Will acquiring a Navara save someone from hell? Will purchasing a ten bedroom mansion teach someone how to love and forgive others? 

The “men of gold” are after wealth and they will use anything to get it. The reason people don’t want to go and listen to sound preaching is because they have what the Bible says, “itching ears.” They want to hear what is appealing to them and for sure we all want to hear people say good things about us. If someone tells you, “you will have mansion in two months.”  You will come next week so that he tells you another lie. Who doesn’t want to have a mansion? We all want a good life. But that is not how it works for everyone.

Be careful not to become a “man of gold.” You also must be on the lookout not to fall prey to “men of gold.” No matter how hard the sermon from a “man of God” may seem, listen and ask God to help you understand and put that into practice.

The Cross Of Jesus

The cross what a wonderful place.

It was there that my soul found incomparable grace.

Though it be filled with blood,

it still is a cleansing flood.

Every soul with guilty stains

may be washed as clean without any remains.

The cross what a wonderful place

See the pain and sorrow on His face,

He endured those sufferings for every race.

The cross, what a wonderful place.

Peace and riches are the cries of every nation

and yet the cross offers both at salvation.

They say take intoxicating grape wine

and forget the worries of thine.

Liqueur is not the answer to the worries of mine

but Christ, the real vine.

The cross, what a wonderful place

because Christ first set the pace.

The King was crucified 
so that you and me can be satisfied.

It looks like a filthy tree

and yet it sets man free.

At that place joy and love flow mingled down

and yet we always frown.

From that tree one beholds amazing love,  

because it comes from above.

Did I hear someone calling for wisdom?

Where in the world are the wise from?

They are not country descendants.

Neither are they knowledgeable students.

The wise are they who found life at the cross.

Their embracing of that bloody tree was not a loss.

They say “knowledge is power,

 get it and you will blossom like a flower!!

They say education is key to success,

be educated and you have every means to progress!!” Very true!

Show me a learned who is full of joy,

but has not embraced the cross like a little boy.

Have you seen him somewhere? Anywhere?

You have not because he has not learned the cross to revere!

Come to the cross, Jesus will make you a boss.

O the cross, it sure is a wonderful place.