BOTHER CHRIS TRIBUTE TO PROPHET TB JOSHUA

MY TRIBUTE TO PROPHET TB JOSHUA – BROTHER CHRIS

A famous poet once wrote:
“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.”

➡️ One year ago, God summoned His servant Prophet TB Joshua to come home and rest.
➡️ One year ago, he closed his eyes to all things in this wicked world and opened them in a world of eternal glory.
➡️ One year ago, one of God’s Generals of our generation left his beautiful footprints on the sands of time.

As the Prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 52:7 – “How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of those who bring Good News, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.”

And though he sleeps, he still speaks (Hebrews 11:4). By faith, he still speaks!

I know the term ‘Man of God’ has been watered down in today’s society when compared to what we read in the Bible. But if ever such words were to appropriately describe someone in our generation today, it would be Prophet TB Joshua – a real MAN OF GOD! Not a religious man, a traditional man or a materially-minded man. A man driven by conviction, not convention.

➡️ A trailblazer and a torchbearer
➡️ Accessible but untouchable
➡️ Tested by the fire of life and proven by the test of time

A man who rekindled the flame of practical Christianity, who made the Bible come alive, who demonstrated the union of the Word and the Spirit. A man I have the privilege to call my mentor, my role-model, my hero in Christ.

There are so many things I could say in honour of Prophet TB Joshua. I could talk about:
– his deep compassion for people
– his wise, weighty counsel
– his keen sense of humour
– his steely, unwavering determination
– his simple humility
– his firm, fiery discipline
– his inspiring words that went like an arrow straight to your heart – words that pricked the conscience, prompted repentance and prepared one for eternity.

But the truth is that words are simply insufficient to express all God has used (and continues to use) Prophet TB Joshua to do. So today, I will let my words be few, knowing the greatest tribute I can give is not just with my lips – but with my life. True tributes last a lifetime.

But if I were to summarise – especially as one privileged to witness him behind-the-altar – I would say this: Prophet TB Joshua loved Jesus Christ with every fibre of his being!
– That unbridled passion for the cause of Christ
– That total commitment to the advancement of His Kingdom
– That deep relationship with God
permeated everything that had to do with him.

This reflected in the way he handled persecution, treated trouble, managed people, used resources, conducted affairs at the wonderful ministry of The SCOAN: God first before anything and everything else!

People often talk about the miracles, signs, wonders, deliverance, healing, prophecy – but the level of anointing flowing through Prophet TB Joshua simply reflected the level of his sacrifice for the Kingdom of God. His great love for God made him great – and such greatness outlives, outlasts generations.

I count myself privileged to be one among the millions who God used Prophet TB Joshua to change – to bring me to a closer relationship with God. I am eternally grateful and will ever acknowledge his enormous role in my life.

ONLY BELIEVE!

John 5:24 – “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

The way of salvation is simple – “only believe”. But we read about the many difficulties that Jesus’ listeners had in simply believing Him, and our own experiences teach us the same thing. Salvation is free but it is not cheap and believing is simple but not always easy.

Let us consider a couple of the blockages to belief that Jesus pointed out:
– The religious leaders were too focused on the glory that comes from man – “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (John 5:44)
– The crowd who followed Jesus’ were so focused on the natural food Jesus had provided through a miracle that they didn’t give attention to believing Jesus’ message, which was spiritual food. (John 6:26-36)

Even some of the disciples did not truly believe because they didn’t deeply understand that “the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.” (John 6:63-64)

Indeed, we cannot save ourselves by our good works or efforts and if we are to believe, we must not seek human glory or focus too much on our own need for material breakthrough. We must receive the Word of God in our hearts, and then, as Prophet TB Joshua said, “Believing is simply acting on the Word”.

PRAYER: Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!

AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRAW CLOSER TO GOD!

Exodus 18:8 – “Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them.“

When Moses was leading the people of Israel through the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt, he met up one day with his father-in-law, Jethro. After recounting to him God’s mighty power in delivering them from Egypt, Moses also highlighted all the hardships they had been through after that deliverance, testifying to Jethro about how God had saved them each time they called on Him.

Take note – being delivered from the hands of the Egyptians did not mean an end to their hardships! They faced many trials and temptations on their journey – such as a shortage of water and food – but the purpose of each hardship was to teach them total dependence on God. As a Christian, examine your life and you would discover that one of the main ways we learn dependence on God is through cycles of hardship or difficulty – in which we draw closer to Him and He delivers us from them or in them.

But as Jesus warned us in Luke 21:34, instead of seeing them as an opportunity to draw closer to God, we are tempted to either try to escape them using alternatives outside of Christ or to become anxious, worried and desperate. Ask yourself today – in the midst of your difficulty, pressure or tension, will you try to escape, become worried and anxious, or will you see that situation as an opportunity to draw closer to God?

PRAYER: Oh LORD, help me to turn away today from that which has the power to turn me away from You, and give me the grace to turn to You in the midst of my trials, in Jesus’ mighty name!

DON’T FALL INTO DISCOURAGEMENT!

Exodus 6:9 – “Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labour.”

What Moses was reporting to the Israelites was good news – that God was going to free them from their slavery in Egypt and take them to the Promised Land. But the people did not listen to him because they were discouraged – looking at their condition in the natural. Indeed, the situation on the ground seemed to be getting worse because Pharaoh had increased their workload.

What is the lesson for us as believers? In the course of our journey, challenges will certainly come! In fact, when God is coming with a huge blessing for you, one of the first signs is that you will receive attacks! They are informants of promotion. But we must not allow these challenges to overwhelm us to the point of falling into discouragement.

A discouraged heart cannot be sensitive to hear what God is saying about the situation. Because when you are discouraged, you will look at life through the lens of your circumstances. Recall the words of Prophet TB Joshua: “God cannot use a discouraged servant.” Therefore, no matter what you are going through, see your challenge as a reason to depend on God, knowing that beyond that challenge lies Divine promotion!

PRAYER: Oh Lord, I cannot get along without You! Show Yourself stronger in my life! Release me into my Divine future, in Jesus’ mighty name!

LEAVE JUDGEMENT FOR GOD!

Matthew 7:1-3 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

It is common today to see people quickly pass judgment on others when they see them take certain actions – yet also justify themselves if a situation arises in which they take those very same actions. Why? Often, you judge yourself according to your intentions, but judge others according to their actions – or rather your own interpretation of their actions.

As a result, we are often inclined to be more lenient on ourselves and more critical of others – because we don’t make the same instinctive allowance for weaknesses in others as we do for ourselves. The simple answer given by Jesus Christ was not to judge others at all but to leave judgement for God. As Prophet TB Joshua said, “If we judge others now, who will judge us on the Last Day?” Take time to reflect on this and prioritise taking care of your own heart in the light of God’s Word.

PRAYER: Oh LORD, draw me to a closer relationship with You – in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!

#Devotional

Congratulations to Racine and Ruth

CONGRATULATIONS!!! To our dear brother and sister – Racine and Ruth – congratulations on your Divine union!

As our mentor Prophet TB Joshua taught us, the bedrock of lasting marriage is the joyful recognition that you belong together in God – to fulfil mutual destiny in Christ! What more can we say but ‘Thank You, Jesus Christ!’

Please see Racine and Ruth’s official wedding website for further pictures –

https://www.racineandruth.org/live-stream

Glory be to God!

GOD’S GLORY AT THE FOREFRONT!

Colossians 1:28-29 – “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”

Apostle Paul was supernaturally strengthened to carry out his mission for Christ as ‘strenuously contended’ for God’s purpose – keeping God’s glory at the forefront of his motives. Truly, the highest motive in serving God is the desire to please Him and love for Jesus Christ is the only motive that will stand the test of time. The journey of life comes with both good and hard times – and no one depending solely on natural strength or human gifts can stand in the face of this unless he is strengthened from above.

One may show great zeal for God out of mere conviction – but when the thorns, heat and vicissitudes of life come, the unstable zeal will soon be choked. It takes supernatural strength to steady our hearts in the face of life’s ups and downs – to not get overwhelmed by man’s praise or overtaken by man’s persecution. Our relationship with God must be the principle from which we act and the end at which we aim. In other words, keep Jesus at the centre of your life! Yes, challenges will come, but there will be strength to see you through. Yes, temptation will come, there will be grace to overcome. There will be supernatural endowment to achieve your God-given assignment – for His glory!

PRAYER: Whatever barrier that stands between your heart and the Holy Spirit – command it to be removed, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!

#Devotional

THE CENTRAL CHARACTER

Isaiah 43:7 – “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

The Bible tells us that we are created for the glory of God. He is the Divine Designer, the Master Planner, the Unseen Hand that controls the affairs of men. Therefore, as a Christian, whatever situation you are facing is actually unto the glory of God – no matter how unpleasant or unsettling it seems. However, it’s often difficult to appreciate this when you are in the midst of life’s troubles and trials! It takes proper reflection in the light of God’s Word to recognise this life-changing reality – that you are not the central character in the story; God is!

Focusing on Him will put whatever you are facing in its proper perspective. Because if you know that your situation is unto the glory of God, this understanding would impart strength to endure and joy to conquer! It is unfortunate to witness so many people murmur, worry, complain daily – because their lives are centred on how they are doing, how they are feeling and how they are treated. It’s not about you; it’s all about Jesus – He is the Central Character.

PRAYER – Ask God to strengthen your desire and determination to serve Him, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!

SPEAK WHAT YOU BELIEVE!

Matthew 7:28-29 – “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

Something was different about Jesus and the way He taught. It was not merely His impressive choice of words or style of delivery; He actually believed what He was saying! When He summarised the Law and Prophets, He didn’t talk about details or disputes; He talked about love and doing unto others as you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12). He approached the Scriptures in a different way from the Teachers of the law. With the help of the Holy Spirit, He went straight to the heart of the matter! Jesus never strived to look good; He simply was good! He never laboured to appear truthful; He simply spoke the truth!

For example, when Prophet TB Joshua was dealing with family reconciliation cases in the church, he cut through the complex disputes by being able to focus on the real heart issues – under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This was not a technique but an overflow of his intimate relationship with God. His words were impacted by the Holy Spirit because he actually believed them and lived them. Remember, we can only tap the blessings of God when our heart and mouth both get in accord with the Word of God. Therefore, speak what you believe – and let the Holy Spirit use your words!

PRAYER: Ask God to give you the special grace for your mouth and your heart to be in accord with the Holy Spirit – the grace to speak with your mouth what you believe in your heart, in Jesus’ name!

#Devotional

FREE FROM FEAR!

“I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die.” (Genesis 19:19)

When God was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot did not obey His instruction to flee to the mountains because of fear. He argued with God and rationalised that he would be much safer going to a small town nearby called Zoar. God agreed to his request, but then a few verses later we read that Lot left Zoar and ended up living in the mountains after all because “he was afraid to dwell in Zoar”(verse 30).

What is the lesson here? Even though Lot went to different locations, he took his fear with him. This means Lot’s problem was not on the outside (his location) but on the inside (his fear). Fear comes from focusing on your present situation rather than on God – and it leads to wrong decisions! Human logic is one of fear’s favourite tools, so beware of rationalising God’s instruction to sidestep what He is asking you to do. When your flesh responds with fear, don’t be too quick to jump into a decision. Take time to pause and listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in your heart! Remember – we have a Friend, the Holy Spirit, who is able to overcome that monster called fear in our lives!

PRAYER: Oh Holy Spirit, replace the fear within me with a strong faith, and replace the anxiety within me with a quiet confidence, in Jesus’ name!

#Devotional