HALLELUJAH! The Rhema Blog is 20 Years!

 

HALLELUJAH!

The Rhema Blog on Blogger is 20 years!

2005-2025.

I started The Rhema Blog on Blogger in 2005 during my long stay in the RA1 of the Nigeria LNG Limited on Bonny Island in Rivers State, Nigeria.
I joined in evangelism and supported the roofing of a new building of the Assemblies of God Church before I returned to Lagos in 2008.

The vision was seen during a night vigil of praise and worship in 1997 in the Trinity Tabernacle parish of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Ikeja, GRA on the mainland of Lagos city.
I worked for sometime as a counselor in The Redemption Light magazine in the Office of the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. 
Then I left to work as an independent Production Manager of "Money Wise" business magazine on DBN TV in Ikoyi, Lagos from 1998-2000.
I left for Rivers State in 2004.

Support The Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of The Rhema Blog

I will appreciate your support for the Nigerian premiere of "The 7 Churches of Revelation" and the publication of my new book,

"Breakfast with the Holy Spirit" for the celebration of the 20 years of my online ministry, The Rhema Blog.

https://therhema.blogspot.com/

You can support by buying the tickets for the Nigerian premiere of "The 7 Churches of Revelation" or the copies of the book, "Breakfast with the Holy Spirit" for N10, 000 (ten thousand naira) only.

View the trailer on https://youtu.be/ETz5GkfWI3U?si=Tm4RCi6bFB1-16hq

Venue is the Silverbird Cinemas in  the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Send to GTBank Savings account

0660951488

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima.

Extracts from "Breakfast with the Holy Spirit":

The first food we should have in the morning should be the Word of God. 

Matthew 4:4

King James Version

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

John 1 -28

King James Version

1 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 any thing 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, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 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:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Psalm 119:105

King James Version

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 68:11

King James Version

11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it

Isaiah 52:7

King James Version

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Psalm 104:33-34-

33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord

🙏

Hardcover version is US$40

Printed in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America.

Price includes delivery by express courier service in the US and the UK.

Cheers,

Faithfully,

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

The Publisher/Editor,

The Rhema Blog on Blogger

Love is the Greatest A Sample Devotion from Seeking God’s Heart

 

Love is the Greatest
A Sample Devotion from Seeking God’s Heart

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 [NIV]

Why is love the greatest out of three worthy contenders? It is the greatest because it is God, for He is love (1 John 4:8). The apex of God’s attributes is love. This is why you go to God first for love. He is the lover of your soul, and the love of God far exceeds earth’s limited love. This is the reason you look to Jesus as the supreme example of how to love. He says the two greatest commands hinge on love (Matthew 22:37-39). Love is God’s gold standard; it rises above other compelling character traits such as faith and hope. Love is the theme that covers your character, seasons your service for Christ, and flavors your faith. It gives off a sweet aroma through trust, and gives gusto to grace. Love adds hotness to hope, potency to patience, and spice to selflessness. It brings brilliant technicolor to life, in contrast to our otherwise bland black-and-white loveless living. You can serve, provide for your families, cook a meal, feed the poor, attend church, and even worship; but if these lack love, you lose. You lose the blessing of God and you lose heaven’s reward because your motivation was not for your Master, Jesus Christ. Love is the greatest because it aligns your heart with Almighty God and is not lacking.

Love is God’s gold standard; it rises above other compelling character traits such as faith and hope.

You are the greatest when you love because it draws attention to Jesus. Hands down, heaven is happiest over your unconditional and relentless love. So meditate on love as you rise in the morning, work during the day, and eat dinner at night with your family. Your spouse longs to be loved; this is their greatest need from you. So love them lavishly in ways they want to be loved. Think often on love, and your actions will begin to follow your thoughts. What drives you? Is it love? Make love your motivation, and your happiness will spill over on to others. Love jump-starts joy and prolongs peace; it decreases pride and increases humility. Therefore, love long and hard, love unbiased and unencumbered, love early and love late. Love the rich, the poor, and everyone in between. Love during the good times and the bad. Love the deserving and undeserving. Linger long in your love, and you will be a lasting influence for the Lord.

Lastly, great love takes on different forms. Your situation may require tough love, full of accountability and action. Or your friend may be crying out for tender love, rich in encouragement and lots of listening. Pray for God’s wisdom and discernment on how to love, then trust Him with its application. Your greatest contribution to mankind is love on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ. Your greatest gift to God and others is love. Because He loved you first, you can love (1 John 4:19). God is great, and He makes you great with love. You are your greatest when you get and give love.

Make love your motivation, and your happiness will spill over on to others.

Therefore, by the grace of God, seek to be a great lover. Love is the greatest in God’s eyes.

Boyd Bailey, founder of Wisdom Hunters, Inc., wrote Seeking God’s Heart as he sought to apply God’s unchanging truth to his everyday life. Written in real time from Boyd Bailey’s daily walk with the Lord, Seeking God’s Heart features 365 three-minute devotionals that dive into Scripture and reveal God’s wisdom. These brief devotionals will bless you with insight into God’s unchanging Word daily. By patiently seeking the Lord each day, Christians will find comfort in trouble, peace in suffering, and hope in tragedy. 

Source

Seeking Gods Heart Devotional

https://get.revelationmedia.org/seekinggodsheart

Video: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus No Turning Back

 

Story Behind The Song "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus 

No Turning Back

About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales, England.

As a result of this, many missionaries came all the way from England to northeast India to spread the Gospel.

The region known as Assam comprised of tribal communities that were quite primitive and well known for being hostile and aggressive.

The tribesmen were also called HEAD-HUNTERS because of a social custom which required the male members of the community to collect as many heads as possible, hence a man’s strength and ability to protect his wife was assessed by the number of heads he had collected. Therefore youths of marriageable age would try and collect as many heads as possible and hang them on the walls of his house, as the more heads a man had, the more eligible he was considered.

Into this hostile environment came a group of Welsh missionaries spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ but naturally they were not welcomed.

However, One Welsh missionary who was warned to go back because of the tribe's extremely hostile nature but ignored the warnings because he believed even these savage headhunters should have the opportunity to hear about the mercy of God, finally succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children.

The man, a Garo tribesman from the tribe of "Meghalaya" named 'Nokseng' and his family heard the Gospel and received Jesus as their Savior. The good news was too good to keep to themselves and they shared the Gospel with others in the tribe.

This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity.

Angry, the village Chief summoned all the villagers, He then called the family who had first converted, to renounce their faith in public or face execution.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man sung his reply,
“I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.”

Enraged at the refusal of the man, the Chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children and they did.

As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the Chief asked, “Will you deny your faith?
You have lost both your children already. You will lose your wife too.”

But the man replied, again singing,
“Though none go with me, still I will follow, No turning back.”

The Chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be arrowed down and she was. In a moment, she joined her two children in death.

Now he asked for the last time, “I will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live.”

In the face of death the tribesman looked the chief in the eyes and replied,
"The cross before me the world behind me no turning back, No turning back."

The chief could not believe his ears and shot the tribesman dead like the rest of his family.

Jesus said if a grain of wheat dies it bears much fruit, and that day many of the villagers who witnessed the persecution of that tribesman and his family also decided to follow Jesus - even the chief himself became a follower of Jesus Christ.

The tribes man's last words became the song of the village and today a hundred years later it is sung all around the world.

"I have decided to follow Jesus.
No turning back, no turning back.""

https://www.nairaland.com/8326658/story-behind-song-decided-follow

Saturday Sermon: A Christian Without the Holy Spirit

A Christian without the Holy Spirit is like an egg without yolk.

Lack of the gift of discernment of the Holy Spirit has made many Christians to be deceived.

A true Christian does not need the validation of the world. 

As it is written in -

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 King James Version (KJV)

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

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
The Publisher/Editor,
The Rhema Blog
Since 2005

Open Letter To Churches on the Idolatry of Worshipping the Dead

Open Letter To Churches on the Idolatry of Worshipping the Dead 

Churches, especially the majority of the Pentecostal denominations in Nigeria must stop their idolatry of worshipping the dead by delaying burials of churchgoers who passed away for weeks, months and even years, because of ungodly reasons such as not having enough money for the burial ceremony.

It is ungodly and wrong to have fund raising to hire buses for burial ceremony with eating and drinking and sewing uniforms when your church has failed to raise money for evangelism and charity which our Lord JESUS Christ commanded us in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations as He said in 

Matthew 28:19 ►

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

►

OBEY THE COMMANDMENT OF JESUS CHRIST as He said in 1 John 2:4: "If anyone says, "I know Him," but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

Having public ceremony for the burial of the dead is ungodly and abomination in true Christianity.

This is the idolatry of worshipping the dead by useless ceremony that is against the commandments of Almighty God.

Stop all the abominations against the Word of God.

I have seen a church having more fund raising of money for burials than evangelism and charity.

And the ministers lie that they are led by the Holy Spirit.

Which holy spirit?

A church will raise more than one million naira for a burial ceremony of a churchgoer that they failed to support financially when he was alive and struggling to make ends meet.

Then you spend hundreds of thousands of naira for his burial.

Is this true Christianity or false religion in the camouflage of Christianity.

The worst is the church that prays for the dead.

Stop the charade of the parade of fake Christianity in the idolatry of burial ceremonies.

The dead don't need your ceremonies, prayers and tears.

Mark 12:27-

 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

Solemnly mourn with the bereaved and comfort them as much as you can with love.

- From The Rhema Blog,

https://therhema.blogspot.com/

Obeying the Great Commission of preaching, publishing, sharing and spreading the Word of God online since 2005.

Louisiana Orders Every Classroom To Display Ten Commandments

 Louisiana Orders Every Classroom To Display Ten Commandments 

Louisiana has become the first US state to order that every public school classroom up to university level must display a poster of the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments (Biblical Hebrew: עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים‎

The Republican-backed measure signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry on Wednesday describes the commandments as "the foundational documents of our state and national government".

The law is expected to be challenged by civil rights groups, which argue that it contravenes the separation between church and state enshrined in the first amendment to the US Constitution, the so-called Establishment Clause.

It says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

The state law requires that a poster include the sacred text in "large, easily readable font" on a poster that is 11 inches by 14 inches (28cm by 35.5cm) and that the commandments are "the central focus" of the display.

It will also be shown alongside a four-paragraph "context statement" which will describe how the commandments "were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries".

The posters must be on display in all classrooms receiving state funding by 2025 - but no state funding is being offered to pay for the posters themselves.

Similar laws have recently been proposed by other Republican-led states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah.

There have been numerous legal battles over the display of the Ten Commandments in public buildings, including schools, courthouses and police stations.
In 1980, the US Supreme Court struck down a similar Kentucky law requiring that the document be displayed in elementary and high schools.

In a 5-4 vote, the high court ruled that the requirement that the Ten Commandments be posted "had no secular legislative purpose" and was "plainly religious in nature".

The court noted that in addition to criminal matters like killing and stealing, the Ten Commandments also made references to worshipping God including observing the Sabbath day.


https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp66xdxj0l3o"
https://www.nairaland.com/8130025/louisiana-orders-every-classroom-display#:~:text=Louisiana%20has%20become,news/articles/cp66xdxj0l3o

Wasted Offerings and Wasted Tithes

The offerings and tithes rejected by God.

Almighty God does not accept every offering and tithe.

The offerings and tithes from unrepentant sinners are abominations to God.

If you have any bitterness; done any evil in wickedness or lied against anyone, God will not accept your offering or your tithe.

If you don't obey the commandments of God, your offerings and tithes are unacceptable and wasted.

You cannot bribe God.

The Word of God is pure and true as written in the following verses from the Holy Bible.

◄ 1 John 4:20 ►

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

◄ Matthew 5:23-24 ►

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there; rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first. be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

►

First and foremost, REPENT and make reconciliation and restitution. Until you REPENT, your offerings and tithes will be rejected by Almighty God.

Pastors, Bishops, General Overseers, General Superintendents and other ministers of Christianityw who don't tell you the truth are fake.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

The Publisher/Editor,

The Rhema Blog

Since 2005.

Founder,

Christian Cinema in Nigeria (CCN)

Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Where is the Fire? 🔥

Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Where is the Fire? 🔥

What Happened To The Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria and Clarion for New Pentecostal Revival

The Foursquare Gospel Church was the first Pentecostal church I fellowshipped with in Nigeria from my childhood in the 1970s. My older cousin, John Nnorom of blessed memory took me to the parish in Okesuna (behind the old Sandgrouse Market) on Lagos Island. The church was among the most popular Pentecostal churches during the nationwide Pentecostal revival of the 1970s and continued to the 1990s with the overwhelming  Christ For All Nations (CfaN) crusades of the beloved Reinhard Bonnke (19 April 1940 - 7 December 2019), the amiable and humble German-American Pentecostal evangelist, principally known for his gospel missions throughout Africa.

There was no Deeper Christian Life Ministry and Living Faith Ministry in the early 1970s.

The history of the Pentecostal revival in Nigeria dates back to the 1930s before World War Two and reignited in the 1970s after the Nigerian civil war.

Read the following important reports:

1930s Revival in Nigeria Sparked by Pentecostal Evangel Magazine | Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center

Nigeria that led to the formation of the Assemblies of God in that nation can be traced back to a single issue of the Pentecostal Evangel, which somehow found its way from America to Africa in the early 1930s. Histories of the Assemblies of God of Nigeria credit the periodical for sparking a hunger for the baptism in the Holy Spirit among Nigerians.

https://ifphc.wordpress.com/2020/03/26/1930s-revival-in-nigeria-sparked-by-pentecostal-evangel-magazine/

20 Pentecostal Pioneers in Nigeria by Israel O. Olofinjana (Ebook) - 

https://www.everand.com/book/387812602/20-Pentecostal-Pioneers-in-Nigeria-Their-Lives-Their-Legacies

The Foursquare Gospel Mission came to Nigeria before the independence of the country from British colonial rule. And started formally In October, 1955 by the missionary couple; Rev and Mrs. Harold Curtis from America. 

I have been to the headquarters at 62/66 Akinwunmi Street Yaba, Lagos State where I had an interaction with the children and teens in 2003 for my National Essay Competition for Secondary Schools in Nigeria cosponsored by King of Kings Books International.

The Foursquare Gospel Church presently has a list of 4,712 churches in 173 districts and 841 zones in Nigeria. But how many of them are still active in the mission fields of evangelism?

Like the Assemblies of God Church in Nigeria, one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal revivals in the country, leadership crises have been reported in the Foursquare Gospel Church and my older cousin, John Nnorom even told me and took me along to visit one of their senior pastors in Idi Oro area of Mushin on the mainland of Lagos in the 1980s. Some members left to start another church.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCC), 

Deeper Christian Life Ministry,  Living Faith Ministries, Christ Embassy, Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) have overtaken the Foursquare Gospel Church in popularity in Nigeria. But many of their branches or parishes are not showing the same overwhelming power of the Holy Spirit of the Pentecostal revival decades ago.

They are becoming complacent about the commandments of God, because of compromising with the world in pursuit of titular status symbols of the society in the competition for keeping up with the Joneses.

Lest we forget, our Messiah Jesus Christ had the temptations to be in chariots and on horses and become the new King of Israel from the lineage of King David. But He chose to go about on foot and never rode even on a donkey until the time came for His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. 

These days, ministers of God are competing with celebrities in the world for palatial mansions, posh cars and red carpets and to be on the covers of the Forbes magazine.

They have forgotten that our Kingdom is not of this world.

Instead of competing for the salvation of souls, they are competing for real estate; spending millions of dollars that would have been invested in the upliftment of the underprivileged majority in the church and Nigeria.

Leadership is best by example. 

The leadership of the churches should be preparing for Rapture and not competing for the Forbes magazine and Guinness Book of Records.

Are you bearing fruits for God?

Or you are bearing fruits for the world?

The churches are quick to point accusing fingers at the upwardly mobile youths captivated by the new developments in mass communication with their addiction to smart phones and the internet. But they forget that the same inventions of digital information have made the accomplishment and fulfilment of the Word of God to come to pass as written in Matthew 24:14-

King James Version

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

Psalm 19:4-
King James Version

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun."

The present state of being neither hot not cold is a rebellion against the Holy Spirit and if God should spit us out, we would be in worse fate to lose the grace of God.

God forbid such a calamity!

The signs have not stopped following us. But we have allowed the leakages of power to undermine the foundation of our faith. 

Psalm 11:3-7
King James Version

3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

As Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:2-9:

2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [a]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was."

"Romans 8:19-22
King James Version

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."

Isaiah 40:28-31 King James Version (KJV)

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no

 might he increaseth strength."

The size of our faith is the size of our strength.

We need another Pentecostal revival to stop the widespread loss of perishing souls as despondency is making millions of youths whose faith is ebbing away to walk away from the Kingdom of God.

We must fan the embers of the Pentecostal revival of the past decades to rekindle the flames of our waning faith in supremacy of the Holy Spirit.

We must use all the available means of mass communication to ignite the revival and to do the utmost as it is written in Romans 1:16-32:

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor

The Rhema Blog

https://therhema.blogspot.com

Since 2005

#God

#Jesus

#Holyspirit

#word

#pentecostal

#revival

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#leadership

#christians

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#revelation

The Word of God is the Greatest Power in the World

◄ Psalm 68:11 ►

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

◄ Psalm 68:11 ►

Many people perish every day in the world
Because of their ignorance of the Word of God.
- EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima
Publisher/Editor
The Rhema Blog
(since 2005)

I obeyed the Word of God in 1988 when I had all the money to tour the world after working as a public health illustrator for the Johns Hopkins University's Population Communication Services (JHU/PCS) to produce fully illustrated family planning methods booklets in Pidgin English, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa distributed by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN)) for the entire Nigeria. I was 21 and I have signed a recording contract for the production of my songs in Hollywood with all the looks and guts to be a rock star with my starry eyes, brown skin and bushy hair and walking tall. I have already written and directed my first play, "The Prodigal" for the Education Unit of National Museum on Lagos Island and profiled in the Times International news magazine interviewed by Henry Atenaga, a friend of Ben Okri when I was only 17. At 21 featured in the highly esteemed West Africa newsmagazine for my popular Captain Santana and his flying motorcycle comics. I became a national Program Consultant for the UNICEF in Nigeria at 25. Then in 1988 I became born again from the Roman Catholic Church to the Deeper Christian Life Ministry of Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi who had sown the seed of evangelism into my life in 1978 when I spent my long school holidays attending his school holidays classes.
From 1988 I preached the good news of the gospel of our MESSIAH JESUS Christ on the streets and on public transport buses in Lagos in English, Igbo and Yoruba for over 11 years. From the street I moved on to the internet I started my online ministry, The Rhema Blog in 2005.
The Rhema Blog is very popular among visitors from over 12 countries in the world.
I share the Word of God with testimonies of the Truth.

The greatest power is the Word of God.
And the greatest power comes from the prayer in the Word of God.
I see the world through the Eyes of God.

#GOD
#JESUS
#HolySpirit

A Letter To My Pastor

Dear Pastor Kachifo,

I am not fasting, I am starving. And I am not the only one.

How can we fast when we don't have any food to eat? 

There is no food to break the fast.

Please, give us food to eat first, then we can fast.

Faithfully in Christ Jesus,

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Thanks To All Those Who Have Supported The Rhema Blog

Support The Rhema Blog

I am grateful to everyone who has  responded to support The Rhema Blog .

I have received more than N150, 000 so far and I will appreciate more contributions and donations.

A God sent friend in the Nigerian film industry sent me N120, 000 last Sunday. Others who prefer not to be identified sent their contributions. 

If you cannot send money, you can send foodstuffs of beverages, plastic bottles of water and soft drinks, packs of rice, beans, noodles, pastas, etc. Sending money is the most convenient so that I can save and give money to the needy when the need comes up. 

Please, note that the only qualification for grace is to believe that you can give and receive from the abundance of the infinite grace of Almighty God JEHOVAH JIREH regardless of your denominations in the body of JESUS Christ and even if you don't go to church, you will receive as the Good Samaritan helped the wounded stranger he found by roadside. Luke 10:25-37.

Reply to this email for details of bank account or see the bank account on https://therhema.blogspot.com/p/support-rhema-blog.html

Faithfully,

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Oga Bisi, There is Hypocrisy in The Redeemed Christian Church of God

Good Morning Oga Bisi.

Do you know that if all the pastors of the parishes of our church, The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) are true God fearing ministers of Almighty God and true Christians, they would have purchased the two thousand copies of your book, "The Stories of Pastor E. A. Adeboye : The Power of Testimony" since 2019 and you and I will not be broke today, because if all the copies were sold for even only N3, 000 a copy, you would have recouped the millions of naira you spent on the publication of such an awesome book approved by our General Overseer with the foreword by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of Nigeria. 

Your parish alone should have collected 1,000 copies of the book.

I took copies of the book to my parish and other parishes of the RCCG, but the pastors refused to collect and pay for the book. My pastor did not allow the book to be sold in our parish, but accepted the copy I gave as an offering when I did not have any money to give.

I actually paid for the copies of the book I told you I sold, because I used the testimonies of Daddy Adeboye for evangelism and gave the copies free to those who could not afford it.

https://therhema.blogspot.com/2020/04/pastor-adeboye-reveals-manifestations.html

When I was working for our official magazine, The Redemption Light in the Office of the GO under Pastor Anthony Ojo, we struggled to sell 10, 000 copies of the magazine to the parishes at the Redemption Camp even during the monthly Holy Ghost Night vigils, because majority of the members of the church preferred reading the popular celebrity gossip tabloids like the City People and Encomium to reading The Redemption Light magazine.

The fact is We are what we read and What we read is What we are.

There is too much hypocrisy in the RCCG.

Hypocrisy is the largest religion in Nigeria. Because majority of the so called "Christians" and "Muslims" don't practice true Christianity and true Islam.

They are shameless hypocrites.

As our MESSIAH JESUS Christ said in Matthew 15:7-10:

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:"

Cheers Sir.

Faithfully,

Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor

The Rhema Blog

Executed For Taking Bibles Into Saudi Arabia

By J. Grant Swank, Jr. MichNews.com Apr 11, 2006.

The Koran was placed for the first time in the White House library. It was a winter banquet prepared by host and hostess US President and Mrs. George W. Bush. 

Muslims from throughout the nation were invited—both males and females. The two genders ate in separate rooms with Mrs. Bush with the women and Mr. Bush with the men. As the Koran was lifted high with honor that evening, it took its place in the Pennsylvania Avenue residence of the most powerful ruler on Earth. Now when it comes to the Christians’ holy book, the Bible, it is shredded at Saudi Arabian airports. An attendant will not ask questions but will take the book to the nearby shredder as the tourist watches God’s Word destroyed. If a quantity of Bibles is taken into the country—and found—the carrier will get several dozen whiplashes. If the confiscator concludes that the punishment should be more severe, the tourist could be executed for carrying divine revelation into Saudi Arabia.

Muslims in free countries demand—and I mean demand—all freedoms. They will not tolerate any discrimination whatsoever. Such web sites as the Council on American-Islamic Affairs (CAIR) instruct readers what authority to contact if there is any sign of alleged discrimination or so-called mistreatment of an Islamic in the United States. Yet the American traveler to the Muslim country may be shot throw if he has a quantity of Bibles in his belongings. Executed or whip lashed. Consider the cost. With that, it is ridiculous that free countries bow and scrape before Muslims’ demands. For instance, in Germany Muslims have demanded and got pork removed from soup kitchens for the poor. The officialdom is afraid of what Muslims will do if pork remains in the soup. Imagine the weak-kneed authorities throughout Germany in condescending to such rude demands from the Allah-worshipers. So it is that Europe that will succumb to the Devil. And then the European Union will wonder how it came about that it was sucked under—and quickly. As far I am concerned, Muslims should be ousted from free countries and sent to their own habitats. 

No Muslim should be admitted to a free country. They are all suspect because of the spread of this devilish cult around the globe. Islam breeds destruction, despair and death. Christianity provides life, light and love in Jesus. Consider the difference. The two cannot integrate under the title of "multiculturalism." Everywhere the Muslims go they spread venom. When Mr. Bush’s surveillance program was put into affect, Muslims immediately demanded meetings with top government officials in Washington DC. They got the red carpet treatment. You, the usual American citizen, try to get an appointment at one of those offices and see if you can get through. The Muslims do get through and they do sit in those chairs in the rooms of the highest echelons. This has to stop if democracies hope to survive the devil’s strangle hold. 

 Why was the Catholic priest shot in the back while kneeling in his Turk chapel? Because he was praying to another deity than Allah. So a Muslim murdered him while praying alone in his sanctuary. That was just days ago. The pope then asks Muslims for tolerance just as they expect tolerance in non-Muslims countries. Does not the pope know Islam? 

 

There is no tolerance in Islam—none. It is Islam world rule or nothing. There is absolutely no margin for tolerance in the Koran. Instead, that unholy publication describes specifically how to gouge out the infidel eyes, lop off their ears, tongues, fingers and toes. No tolerance. Contrast Islam with the gospel of Jesus. He offers forgiveness for repented sins, mercy and grace upon the contrite soul, the hope of heavenly bliss, the indwelling of His Holy Spirit in comfort and wisdom, and the joy of living by faith. There is nothing parallel to that in Islam.

Nothing. In Saudi Arabia the haters of the Bible are called "religious police." They are members of the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. That is how the devil reverses legitimate terms and definitions—good is bad and bad is good. Islamic vice is virtue. Islamic vice is virtue. Because of the shiria, the hellish "law and justice" system of Islam, there are no criminals within Islam. Muslims can slit a woman’s throat in "honor killing." But that is not a crime; it is a pious act. And so forth with other atrocious deeds in Allah’s name. That makes the Muslims worldwide the criminal-free community and the most spiritual lot on the globe. 

Whatever crime they commit is not a crime but a religious duty. Consequently, when Saddam Hussein stood in his court this week to ask "Where’s the crime?" he was sincere. He has not committed one crime in his life. He has only followed the Koran and thereby is an Islamic saint. At Guantanamo Bay Muslims complained about their Koran being mistreated. The US responded with all sorts of protocol detail in how non-Muslim personnel were to hold, handle, place and transfer the Koran. Reading the detail was a joke, but not to those personnel who had to walk the razor’s edge. Not only the Bible, but any Christian symbol is repulsive to Muslims. That’s why they burn churches. 

Churches this week have been burnt to the ground throughout Pakistan. Try to build a church in Turkey. It will take a decade or more to get the blueprints approved. Once it’s constructed, the church could burn in the night. Who will have lit the match? 

Yasser Arafat was known for murdering Christian believers and then leveling their sanctuaries or using the church buildings for his militia.

FOOTNOTE: 

 Read PASTOR BEATEN IN INDIA Copyright © 2006 by J. Grant Swank, Jr. Web: http://www.truthinconviction.us Email: joseph_swank@yahoo.com

Video: The Difference Between JESUS and Muhammad in the Quran

Quran

al-Qurʼān is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God (Allah).

It is organized in 114 chapters (surah (سور‎; singular: سورة‎, sūrah)), which consist of verses (āyāt (آيات‎; singular: آية‎, āyah)).

Injil (Arabic: إنجيل‎, romanized: ʾInjīl, alternative spellings: Ingil or Injeel) is the Arabic name for the Gospel of Jesus (Isa). This Injil is described by the Qur'an as one of the four Islamic holy books which was revealed by God.

View the video for the difference between our MESSIAH JESUS Christ and Prophet Muhammad.

Bamboozled By Jesus: How God Tricked Me into the Life of My Dreams

Try Audible Plus 

Bamboozled By Jesus: How God Tricked Me into the Life of My Dreams

Description

Thriving stand-up comic and actress Yvonne Orji—best known as Issa Rae's BFF on the HBO series, Insecure—shares the secrets to living the life of your dreams.

Yvonne Orji has never shied away from being unapologetically herself, and that includes being outspoken about her faith. Known for interpreting Biblical stories and metaphors to fit current times, her humorous and accessible approach to faith leaves even non-believers inspired and wanting more. 

The way Yvonne sees it, God is a Sovereign Prankster, punking folks long before Ashton Kutcher made it cool. When she meditates on her own life—complete with unforeseen blessings and unanticipated roadblocks—she realizes it’s one big testimony to how God tricked her into living out her wildest dreams. And she wants us to join in on getting bamboozled. This is not a Self-Help book—it’s a Get Yours book! 

In Bamboozled by Jesus, a frank and fresh advice book, Orji takes readers on a journey through twenty-five life lessons, gleaned from her own experiences and her favorite source of inspiration: the Bible. But this ain’t your mama’s Bible study. Yvonne infuses wit and heart in sharing pointers like why the way up is sometimes down, and how fear is synonymous to food poisoning. Her joyful, confident approach to God will inspire everyone to catapult themselves out of the mundane and into the magnificent. 

With bold authenticity and practical relatability, Orji is exactly the kind of cultural leader we need in these chaotic times. And her journey through being Bamboozled by Jesus paints a powerful picture of what it means to say “yes” to a life you never could’ve imagined—if it wasn’t your own.

Reviews

“Inspiration practically leaps off the pages and into the hearts of readers—the writing is engaging and the comedic timing is absolute gold. Orji is a cheerleader and best friend for every dreamer.”― LaParis Hawkins, Booklist 

“Not only is Yvonne really funny and smart, she brings a fresh new perspective to every story she tells. She is an absolute master, and an original voice that needs to be heard now more than ever. Once you let her in your mind, you’ll never want her to leave.”

― Chris Rock, actor & comedian 

"Yvonne somehow found a way to brilliantly weave her humor, insight, courage, and faith into pages that feel like a weekend retreat hanging with your best, boldest, brightest and most blessed girlfriend. Bamboozled by Jesus is real talk about deep faith put in practice from a woman committed to living a life of vision, purpose, service and success." 

 ― Kerry Washington, actress, producer, & director 

“Whether it’s as an actress, comedian or thought-leader, Yvonne has always given a fresh perspective and authentic storytelling. Bamboozled is a culmination of the characteristics that make her so special: sharp wit, fierce intelligence and an unapologetic sense of self.”

― Rachel Hollis, author & speaker 

"A delightful debut... Orji's boundless enthusiasm will appeal to her fans and newcomers alike."― Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Yvonne Orji is an Emmy-nominated Nigerian-American actress, writer and comedian. A failed doctor (blame organic chemistry), Yvonne took to comedy after needing a talent for a beauty pageant. Now, she entertains international audiences, as can be seen in her one-hour HBO comedy special, Momma, I Made It! A sought after speaker, she’s given the opening keynote at the Forbes’ Under 30 Summit, and her TEDx talk, “The Wait Is Sexy,” has garnered over a million views. Her breakout TV role was playing Molly on HBO’s hit show Insecure. She currently resides in Los Angeles. Connect with Yvonne on Twitter and Instagram: @YvonneOrji.

Happy Easter! But Lest We Forget...

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.

~ Ephesians 1:7-8, Holy Bible (New International Version).


Friday, March 29, 2013

Lest We Forget

"But He [Jesus] was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed."1

Today is Good Friday, the day we remember with profound appreciation that it was for this day that Jesus came to earth … to die in our place on that cruel Roman cross to save us from the terrible consequences of sin—a disease far deadlier than AIDS or any other disease that is a physical death sentence.

Today, we also remember that Jesus Christ was not an ordinary man. True, he was a man but he was and is the Son of the Living God—the Great Creator who became our Savior—the one who laid aside his external garments of deity, stepped out of the Ivory Palaces of Heaven, clothed himself in a garment of human flesh and came to earth to pay the redemption price for our sin. He died on the cross in your place and mine. In so doing he provided the only cure for the deadly disease of sin whose sentence is spiritual and eternal death.

Today, we remember, too, that without Jesus as our Savior, we would be headed for hell from which there is no escape beyond the grave. Wherever and whatever hell is we can be sure of this, it is eternal disconnection from God the author of all love and life—cut off forever from all love and all loving relationships. Such consequences are unthinkable.

And today we need to remember that Jesus died for us because he loved us far more than we can even begin to understand. As another has said, Jesus would rather go to hell for us than to go to heaven without us! This he did when he died on the cross in your place and in mine.

Jesus gave his life that we might live. In thanksgiving to him for his unspeakable gift, may we give our life to live for him—to help spread the gospel so that others might also live. For without Jesus, people are lost forever!

If you have never thanked Jesus for dying on the cross to pay the price for your sins, I urge you to do this today, and accept Jesus as your Savior and receive God's forgiveness and the assurance of a home in heaven forever. To help you be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian—without having to be religious at: www.actsweb.org/christian and/or "God's Invitation" at: http://tinyurl.com/gods-invitation.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for loving me enough to give your Son Jesus to die on the cross in my place to pay the penalty for all my sins? And dear Jesus I do thank you from the depths of my heart for what you did for me. Please help me to live a life of thanksgiving to you always in all ways. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV).

<:>< With Love from Handel's Messiah!



George Frideric Handel's musical masterpiece MESSIAH, illustrated with beautiful motion pictures and short narrative between the songs to tell the Biblical story behind the music. This presentation emphasizes the purpose of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Features The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood conductor, and the Smithsonian Chamber Players. 54 minutes. A DVD of this film is available for $6. Call 614-882-2126, or go to http://biblestudents.com/freevid.html Associated Bible Students of Central Ohio.


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New Book Daniel's Secret Uses Biblical Numbers to Reveal Shocking End Times Truths

31 Jan 2013 14:35 Africa/Lagos

New Book Daniel's Secret Uses Biblical Numbers to Reveal Shocking End Times Truths
Author JW Farquhar identifies Creation's Holy Trifecta as only pathway to salvation

FORT MILL, S.C., Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In a dialogue between a doubting Thomas and an inspired Daniel Veritas, Daniel interprets the Bible through the scripture of Genesis I using three authorities of interpretation: the image of God, the likeness of God, and the numbers of God. In this way biblical authority is maintained, because foundational scripture interprets the Bible instead of human speculation.

Never before has such a complete solution to the mysteries of the Bible been placed on the doorstep of humanity with a Genesis I foundational theology that is validated again and again by all the God-breathed numbers in the Bible.

When the Bible is interpreted with biblical authority we see a divine plan where:

a foundational theology perfectly reconciles all scripture to itself,
faith and reason become partners,
science and scripture perfectly support each other,
evolution becomes a non-issue,
Old and New Testaments have an astonishing new harmony,
an amazing numbered pathway for salvation is exposed,
the restoration of the original one-mind church becomes reality.

Daniel's Secret draws its title from the Book of Daniel's sealed prophetic vision of 2300 evenings and mornings that science tells us is exactly 77 moon-months for the 77 Face of God counted exactly 7 evenings and 7 mornings on the Creation's seventh day. Bible numbers expert and author, JW Farquhar, validates this interpretation mathematically with the 77 77 77 natural descending genealogy of the Son of Man in the Gospel of Matthew, the 77 ascending genealogy of the Son of God in the Gospel of Luke that leads back up to God, and then again and again with many more 77 biblical references to Jesus.

Destined for the End Times, Daniel's Secret God of Creation has remained hidden from humans for millennia, despite being completely introduced in the Bible's first six sentences, despite another six-fold introduction in the Creation's six days, and despite being numbered 777 on the Creation's seventh day as the Holy Trifecta, that repeats and repeats in the Bible forever.

The signs for Israel's Messiah are now here on earth, because numbers cannot lie. Sometimes a picture is worth 10,000 words.

For more information call JW Farquhar at 803-517-0451 or see http://www.revelationofgenesis.org or contact fwillis@mark7publishing.com

This press release was issued through eReleases® Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE JW Farquhar

Web Site: http://www.revelationofgenesis.org




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Jesus Would Have Shared Coffee with the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2 Mar 2012 14:10 Africa/Lagos

Jesus Would Have Shared Coffee with the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Says Author of New Book, Woman Meets Jesus

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "Lisbeth Salander, the troubled female in the Oscar-winning film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is exactly the kind of woman that Jesus would invite for coffee," says Ruth Vander Zee, author of the new book Woman Meets Jesus (Edenridge Press). "Salander," says Vander Zee, "may not fit in at most churches but is the type of exploited woman that Jesus would befriend in the face of social and religious criticism."

Salander, played by Rooney Mara, is a gifted, but deeply troubled young woman with bleached eyebrows, a black Mohawk, tattoos, leather-and-chain dress, combat boots, and atypical body piercings.

"Jesus was a radical rabbi who reached out to females who didn't fit in with the religious and social communities," says Vander Zee. "He didn't care what the religious elites - the Sadducees and Pharisees - thought about women."

Vander Zee, who spent years studying Jesus' often-overlooked interactions with women, concludes in her new book that Jesus challenged the religious establishment's oppressive view of women and befriended and advocated for females like Salander. "Jesus stood up for exploited, rejected, isolated, desperate, and self-destructive women," says Vander Zee.

Vander Zee grew up in the church, learned the popular Bible stories, and eventually married a pastor. But later she chose to look at the second-class status women often occupied within the walls of the church. She decided to dig deeper into Jesus' personal encounters with women. What she discovered changed her view of women and Jesus.

In order to show how radical Jesus really was, Vander Zee retells the stories of Jesus' encounters with biblical women from their own, first-person perspectives. One woman is the prostitute who visited Jesus at Simon the leper's house and offended the respected guests by lavishing perfume upon Jesus. Another is the ostracized woman at the well who had multiple husbands. Yet another is the untouchable woman who hemorrhaged for 12 years.

"The whole idea that Jesus was anti-women is a modern myth," says Vander Zee. "I can imagine Jesus sitting in a Stockholm cafe with Salander, tearfully listening to her life story and encouraging her to follow the way of the prophet Micah to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with her new-found advocate, Jesus."

Ruth Vander Zee is the award-winning author of social-issue-oriented children's books, including Erika's Story, Mississippi Morning, Eli Remembers, and Always With You. A self-described late bloomer, she earned her college degree when she was 40, wrote her first book when she was 55, speaks to church and women's groups across North America, and writes the popular blog journey-of-faith.com. She lives in Miami, Florida.

For more information about Ruth and Woman Meets Jesus: How Jesus Encourages, Empowers, and Equips Women on Their Personal Journey of Faith (ISBN: 9780982706350; $14), please visit http://www.journey-of-faith.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ruth Vander Zee
ruthvanderzee@gmail.com
786-374-7606

PUBLISHER:

service@edenridgepress.com
FAX: (616) 365-5797

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Ruth Vander Zee

Web Site: http://www.journey-of-faith.com



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