T HE hands are very important parts of the human body. They are used to perform several functions: touching; grasping; feeling; holding; manipulating; writing; working; caressing; warring; etc. The bible makes us to know that even though God is a Spirit, He created the human being in His own image and likeness. That therefore tells us that God has hands. The bible also tells us some of the things that the hands of God can do. There was a competition between Ahab the king of Israel who was racing on a chariot and an aged Elijah the prophet of God who was jogging on foot. At the end of the race from the desert to the gate of Jezreel (about 17 miles), it happened that Elijah came first! The bible however makes us to know that it was because the hand of God was upon Elijah (I Kgs. 18: 41-46).For astounding accomplishment to happen in the life of a fellow therefore, it is necessary that the ‘hand of God’ to be upon that fellow. This month of October, the hand of the Lord God Almighty will be upon us to take us ahead of ‘chariots’ of life; the Hand will put us before the ‘Ahabs’ – of life; and make us triumphant in Jesus name. By Pastor Samuel Obafaiye A STOUNDING is defined as bewildering or striking dumb with wonder; or so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm. While accomplishments could be defined as the act of carrying out or achieving; something achieved or successfully completed; gained skills or talent; attainment of social grace, style, and poise. After God ordered Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor; Elisha left his lucrative mechanized farming and became a servant to Elijah. He would run errands for him and take care of his master. The time came when God was prepared to take Elijah away; Elisha’s contemporaries began to make mockery of him that he would soon be like them, but Elisha was determined not to remain as an ordinary son of a prophet; but as someone spectacular. So he demanded for the double portion of the anointing of God upon his master. The bible records that Elisha was able to fulfil the condition set by Elijah and so received the double portion of his master’s anointing! The sons of prophet that thought Elisha was already stranded at the other side of Jordan bowed before him and called him ‘Master’ after he parted the Jordan River and walked through it on dry ground! (2 Kings 2: 1-15). In the year 2012, the Spirit of God says He will make us to achieve feats that are astounding; gain talents and skills that are staggering; and enjoy attainments of social grace, style and poise that are startling! By Pastor Samuel Obafaiye FOR INDIVIDUALS FOR NIGERIA: INTERNATIONAL: : 1. He said many considered to be absolutely barren will be fruitful. 2. He said family histories will be rewritten, including an end to premature death. 3. He said desperate prayers will get quick reply this year. 4. He said some will experience massive transfer of wealth from the wicked to the just. 1. God says He has surprises both for His own and for the enemies of the church. 2. He said before this year ends, it will be said of Nigeria; all is well that ends well. 3, He said we are to pray more for prominent Nigerians, so that those who see this year may see the next. 1. Daddy says there will be a lot of power transfer. 2. He said new phenomenon will startle scientists. 3. He said we are to pray against earth quakes of record magnitude, tsunamis of record proportion and massive hurricanes. if we pray they will be subdued. 4. The civil unrest that started last year, will begin to end this year. However, no matter what happens, 2012 is a Year of New Things. All is well. By Pastor Enoch Adeboye (Gen. Overseer RCCG Worldwide) Workers’ Trg, Teens & Children Sunday School - 09:40am Adult Sunday School - 10:15 am Call To Worship - 11:00AM Wisdom Spot Praise & Worship Liberty Prayers Special Number Message Offering Announcements Tithes Closing Prayers & Benediction - 13:00pm Are you in need of Assistance or Support? Talk to Welfare Coordinator - Minister Adebisi Olobaniyi CONGREGATIONAL HYMN OCTOBER 2012 THEME: THE HAND OF GOD THE RCCG (EVERLASTING FATHER’S ASSEMBLY) 2012 PROPHECY THEME: OUR YEAR OF ASTOUNDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE RCCG (WORLDWIDE) 2012 PROPHECY THEME: OUR YEAR OF NEW THINGS FREE TRANSPORT TO CHURCH For details of bus stops please email [email protected] or call 07718079394 FROM THE PULPIT - By Bishop Ezekiel Dahunsi The Hand of The Lord L People that had the hand of God upon them:- Esther Joseph Daniel Mary Ezekiel Jalbez Nehemiah ET me start by saying that it is impossible for any mortal to describe accurately and comprehensively who God is. However through the bible we have some knowledge of God and insight into whom He is. We are not left in the dark; He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He is the one who has been before anything was created (Psalms 90:2) Who is this God we are talking about His hands? The King of kings, the Lord of lords and the Alpha and Omega, the Controller of the heaven and earth, the One that says no and no one can yes, He is the one when He uplifts on one can bring down. Many times, we talk about and sing about Him, but we do not appreciate His goodness. He is the unchallengeable God. The bible reveals to us what this God can do. He is the God which brought water from the rock. He makes water to flow without dew or rain. The God who empowered water to burn and consume like a highly inflammable product as with Elijah. The God that has the power to lift up as with Joseph. The God who has power to bring down as with Nebuchadnezzar. The God who has the power to do impossible things; who remembered Sarah at the eleventh hour of her life. Before the end of this year, God will visit you; the God who decreed that lions should not touch Daniel. The God who commanded the Dead Sea to give way. People of God, we need to know this God and not just to know about this God. Elijah knew his God and was not put to shame. You will not be put to shame in Jesus name. If there are any problems in your life, the fire of God will lick them all in the name of Jesus. King Ahab was looking for Elijah to kill, but the hand of God was upon Elijah, so it was impossible to kill him. When the hand of God is upon your life, nobody can do you anything. Today, people run everywhere looking for power and protection. May be when you are coming over to England. Your parents did something for your protection. All you need is the hand of God upon your life. As ministers of the gospel, all we need to make a breakthrough in ministry is the hand of God. You are not an anointed man/woman of the Lord until the hand of God is upon you. Then you become untouchable for the evil one. Whenever we talk about the hand of God, we are metaphorical. We are simply talking about the power of God. The new century version of 1 kings 18:46 says “The Lord gave His power to Elijah”. Until the power of God is upon what you do, you cannot make a breakthrough. It is worthy of the note that the hand of God has a negative and a positive side like a coin. It is the choice that you make and the aspect of God’s hand that you want. Until the hand of God is upon your life, you will live a meaningless and frustrated life. Some people struggle on their own, without trusting on God. You will not be frustrated in Jesus name. You must not rush into anything, until and unless the hand of God will out his hand on the segments of your life, then when you take off, there cannot be any accident. - A mere slave girl rose to become the queen in the land. She was obedient to her uncle and loyal to God. She believed in prayers and fasting. - His brothers said he will not rise in life. They would rather kill him. They could not kill him, because God’s hand was upon him. It was the choice of Joseph though as he kept himself pure. If you put yourself in a place where God is not, his hand will never get to you - Was in exile. A decree came that they should not pray for just 30 days. He could have said “I need to obey the laws of the land when the decrees were lifted. I can pray in arrears” He didn’t do so. He was ready to die for what he believed in. Anywhere you are as a child of God and you can’t proclaim that Jesus is Lord, how can you expect the hand of God to work for you. Whenever the name of God is at stake, his hands become longer and stronger. - She kept herself pure. The hand of God came upon her. How pure are you? Do you still believe in virginity? You know how to pray and speak in tongues, how about holiness? - He was able to prophecy on dry bones and they lived. You can prophesy to your life to receive the breath of God. - Asked for the hand of God to b upon him and his life was that sorrowful became honourable, from poverty his story changed to prosperity. In battles of life when the hand of God is upon you, victory is sure. - Re-building walls and gates of Jerusalem, Sambalat and Tobiah could not stop him because the hand of God was upon him, and his workmen. In 1 Samuel 5:11, the other side of the hand of God was shown on the Philistines, because they 2Kings 18:46 GUIDE ME, OH THOU GREAT REDEEMER Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven, Feed me till I want no more; Feed me till I want no more. Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through. Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, Be Thou still my Strength and Shield; Be Thou still my Strength and Shield. Lord, I trust Thy mighty power, Wondrous are Thy works of old; Thou deliver’st Thine from thralldom, Who for naught themselves had sold: Thou didst conquer, Thou didst conquer, Sin, and Satan and the grave, Sin, and Satan and the grave. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of deaths, and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side. Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee; I will ever give to Thee. Continued on Page 5