G OD has a way of elevating His children. Before such people were born, He makes sure He had invested something into their destiny, so that at a point in their lifetime on earth, He then calls them; empowers them; justifies their calling and use them for His own glory. Later He then glorifies them (Rom. 8:30). In the bible, children of God like Jacob who at a time was a fugitive was elevated by God to become founder of the 12 tribes of Israel (Gen. 32:10); David was elevated from a shepherd boy to becoming the king of Israel (Psalm 78:70-71); Peter, Andrew, James and John from illiterate fishermen to global reformers who restored lost souls to Jehovah. From very low estates, these people were elevated by God that some were almost thought to be a god. Moses was a slave boy who became the deliverer of Israel from bondage and terror to Egypt. Paul and Barnabas were empowered to do creative miracles to the extent that the people of Lystra wanted to offer sacrifices to them as gods! The little errand boy Samuel was elevated by God to become the next High Priest and kingmaker in Israel. This month of November, God will begin to carry out His predestined plans of elevation in our lives as His children in Jesus name. He will equip and empowers us for the lifting that is coming; He will in plain terms justify our callings; and He personally will supervise the upliftment 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 NOVEMBER 2012 THEME: DIVINE ELEVATION 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 2 MOTIVATIONS TO FIGHT The fight for Godliness: Fight fending off bad association Abraham & his senior servant Persistent in Prayer / Fight for Answered Prayers Fight for Plan A, Don’t opt for Plan B Cor 10:4. Faith is a noble “fight” that has to be “fought” by every believer seeking for glory. We must put in a fight of faith so we can accomplish greatness in the race that is set before us. We are not going to get things done on a platter of gold. The evil one will not sit down, fold his arms and watch in excitement as we achieve our goals in life. There is nothing like a free passage to destiny. The devil’s greatest victories are not won by force of arms; they are won by trickery and deceit, so we have to step up our strategies to combat his wiles and devices. We must resist the devil so he can flee and this can only be achieved if we put it a fight. There are many motivations for us to engage in what I call the “fight for destiny”. The fight of faith is a good fight because there are assurances from the LORD we shall always come out as victors / winners. Another major incentive for us to engage in the fight of faith is that life itself is an opportunity that does not last for a lifetime. It is for a moment! “for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the gory that shall be revealed in us” Roman 8:18. Also, 2 Cor 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” 2 Peter 1:5 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.........”. The process of making every effort / diligence ensuring these are achieved is the “fight of faith”. The same line is repeated in verse nine to emphasize the importance of the necessity for a fight to confirm our election. You say they are not criminals, they are not gang members but the truth is they are not going to help your quest to fulfil destiny. In fact, people don’t necessarily have to be harmless not to affect our destiny! Who do we surround ourselves with? Who are our close associates? They could determine / influence our relationship negatively 2 kings 5 – Helpers of destiny. James 4:4–8. Notice, he is talking about this same warfare, and he says, if you get on the wrong side, which is a serious thing to do in a war, God has a problem with you. People who call themselves Christians want to be on the other side of the battle, and he says, do you not know if you want to be a friend of this world, you are an enemy of God Abraham started well, but to end well he needed to put in a fight at a time when it mattered most. The senior servant suggested the possibility of taking Isaac back to Haran should the potential wife for Isaac refused to relocate to Canaan. This idea was strongly rebuffed by Abraham. That would have amounted to a serious breach of the terms and conditions of the covenant he had with GOD. The widow in this parable gives all of us a great example of how we have to keep moving in the patriarchal society we live in, no matter what the cost. We can't passively allow ourselves to be imprisoned in the roles that society assigns us, for if we do, we will lose all our battles. We cannot simply accept the injustices that are committed against us and cross our arms, cry and feel helpless. We must resist and “struggle”. Luke 18: 1-8. In the end, the judge gave in because the woman would not be intimidated. In fact, he saw her as a threat who could lead him to public shame. At the end of this parable Jesus exhorted his listeners to follow the example of the widow and to pray without ceasing. This meant that his followers should pray and struggle for justice day and night. For though the situation is difficult and the odds are great, and there seems no hope for change, our God, who is not like the bad judge, will respond. Jesus provides the guarantee that justice will triumph. As his followers, it is our responsibility to persist, to be stubborn in prayer, and to remain steadfastly present in the struggle for justice. Why reach out for God’s second best when we can go for Gold? Abraham made an alternative proposal to God when the going was tough. Then Abraham said to God, "Why not let Ishmael be my heir?" Genesis 17:18. I will convert him. Don’t make a proposal of a plan B to GOD fight for HIS ultimate will. Don’t say, oh LORD, I’ll manage Ishmael at least he’s comparable to Isaac. A child is a child, what else do I need? He’s not disabled, he’s presentable, he’s handsome etc. we should never settle to accept anything less than GOD’S best, but that will take a fight. The good news about the fight of faith is that it is not forever. It’s only for a period of time. Christians won’t forever continue to be in the “minority” as the case currently is in this evil and adulterous world that tends to oppose anything that is of GOD. The kingdom of the world will ultimately be replaced by the KINGDOM of Heaven. A time will come for us to lay our swords at HIS feet, look back and say like Apostle Paul “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”. 2 Tim. 4 : 7-8 . Excerpts of a sermon delivered by Minister Victor Olajubu on November 11, 2012. CONGREGATIONAL HYMN The Fight of Faith (1) Stand up, stand up, for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss: from victory unto victory his army shall he lead, till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed. (2) Stand up, stand up, for Jesus; the trumpet call obey; forth to the mighty conflict in this his glorious day: ye that are men now serve him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose. (3) Stand up, stand up, for Jesus; stand in his strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own: put on the Gospel armor, and watching unto prayer, when duty calls, or danger, be never wanting there. (4) Stand up, stand up, for Jesus; the strife will not be long: this day, the noise of battle; the next, the victor's song. To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be; he with the King of glory shall reign eternally. STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS Text: I Timothy 6:12 - By Minister Victor Olajubu Venue: 15-17 Walter Street, Leeds, Ls4 2BB