FINDING TOTAL RESTORATION IN CHRIST:JOYCE MEYER

God is in the business of restoration, and as believers in Christ, He wants to make us whole in every area of our lives. This process transforms us into the new creation that 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMPC) describes as "(a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away …."
I remember when I desperately needed to recover from the abuse in my past. I had thought that when I was old enough to leave home, I would leave the pain behind, but the problem was in my soul — my thinking and emotions. I needed healing and restoration so I wouldn't continue to be poisoned by things that had happened to me all those years growing up.

I came to this realization after a woman came to speak at our church and shared her testimony of how she had been abused and God had healed her. My husband, Dave, bought her book for me, and when I started to read it, it was so painful that I threw it across the room and refused to pick it up.

But then I clearly heard the Holy Spirit speak to my heart, "It's time, Joyce."

God had a much better life for me than what I had known up to that point, and He wanted to restore my soul so I could experience it.

Double for Your Trouble

Isaiah 61:7 (AMPC) says, "Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore

PASTOR CHRIS @EASTER!

“At the foot of the cross, He laid our sins;
And through Him, We are loved and not lost.
His holy drops of blood have paid the debt;
And the saviour who was killed is alive;
Now we are seated together with him in heavenly places”.
In Mark 8:31(NIV), the Bible says, “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again”. Easter commemorates the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. As new creations, it is the epochal period that heralded the glorious life which we now have in Christ.

T.B. JOSHUA: 2015 IS ‘THE YEAR OF GOOD MORNING’

At a candle light vigil service held to usher in the New Year 2015 at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua declared 2015 to be ‘the year of good morning’.

In the energetic service broadcast live on Christian television station Emmanuel TV, Joshua admonished congregants on the need to ‘worship God in Spirit’ in a sermon titled, ‘Discovering your real value’.

“Christianity lies in the heart,” he told the multitude of worshippers, adding that merely observing religious ceremonies does not signify genuine Christianity.

The crowds, including a huge array of foreign guests sporadically waving their national flags, thronged every available space within the sprawling church complex, even spilling onto the adjoining roads.

“If you are expecting a New Year, you must be pure in heart,” he stressed, reminding the faithful of Jesus Christ’s words in Matthew 5:8. “If not, the troubled year of 2014 will continue in 2015,” he warned.

Although Joshua uncharacteristically did not give his yearly prediction, his message conveyed that the troubles witnessed worldwide throughout 2014 would persist in 2015 but genuine Christians would grow stronger through them.

“No matter what this coming year brings, if you are more of God, your trials are the soil in which your faith will flourish,” he enjoined the congregation.

FIVE MOST COMMON WAYS CHURCHES DETERMINE PASTORS' SALARIES

One of the most common questions that I am asked is: "How do churches determine the salary of a pastor?"

In this article, I offer the five most common ways churches establish the pay level of a pastor. I am offering these five approaches from an informational perspective rather than evaluating them. Also, many churches use some combination of these factors.

1. The pastor's salary at the previous church. By far, more churches use the pastor's previous salary as benchmark to establish the new salary. For example, if a pastor has an income of $50,000 at his current church, his prospective church may offer him $55,000, or a 10% increase.

2.The previous pastor's salary. The second most common benchmark to determine a pastor's salary is the previous pastor's salary. Allow me to make an editorial comment here. If you are a pastor who has been declining raises for a few years, you could be hurting your church and the next pastor. There could very well be a big gap between your current salary and the compensation needed for the next pastor.

3. Experience. Simply stated, most pastors' salaries increase with increasing years of ministry experience.

4. Education. I have observed this factor decrease in importance over the past 15 years. I don't see nearly as many churches requiring a doctor's degree as they did in the past. And I am seeing fewer churches require a seminary master's degree, though that degree is still important for many churches.

5. Demographics of church. The specific demographics to which I refer are family income levels. I know one church that used the estimated median family income of its congregation as the base to determine the pastor's salary.

PRAYING IN OTHER TONGUES REFRESHES YOUR SPIRIT;PASTOR CHRIS

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” 2 Corinthians 4:16

You can be renewed every day by the Word of God and through praying in tongues. This spiritual renewal and refreshing is what keeps you afloat with joy, even in the midst of challenging situations.

Praying in other tongues refreshes your spirit, your soul and your body; never forget that. Thus, the next time you feel as though you’re almost overwhelmed or wearied with the hustle and bustle of the day’s activities, take some time to refresh yourself by praying in other tongues.

There’s no dryness at all in the lives of those who pray often in other tongues, for out of their innermost beings flow rivers of living water (John 7:38). Make a habit of praying in tongues at all times, and it’ll keep you continually refreshed, vitalized, strengthened and renewed. Praise God!

BIBLE'S MOST POPULAR VERSE IS 'BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING', SAYS AMAZON

The most popular portion of the Bible is a verse urging readers not to be anxious, according to data released from online book seller Amazon. The online retailer recently released a list of the most popular passages from its most popular books. Amazon's most popular books include The Hunger Games, The Harry Potter Series, Pride and Prejudice, and the Bible. It found that the commonly highlighted portion of the Bible is Philippians 4:6-7.

In the verses, the apostle Paul admonished the church, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

For those drawn to the verse because they may be dealing with anxiety or mental stress, Christian psychologist and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Eric L. Johnson caution readers against taking the passage as a direct command.

He explained, "I think that what God is not saying to us is giving us a command that is to be implemented immediately because one of the paradoxes of anxiety is the more you try and stop it the more it makes it stronger and so I don't think we should interpret that as, you know, Paul is telling the anxious person just stop it."

Rather, Johnson believes God is inviting his creation to find freedom from anxiety though faith in Him.

"The believer is in an eternal relationship with God because of Christ's death and resurrection and because we're in union with Christ and all of

NOVEMBER: THE MONTH OF STRENGTHENING!

Our Man of God declared the month of November 2014 as the month of Strenghtening during the Global Communion Service held on sunday november 2. The communion service was power packed with Pastor Lanre Alabi starting the service with prayers followed by Chris Shalom and his praise team leading the brethren in worship songs. The man of God along with the Pastors’ of the top 10 media connector churches gave a deep insight into the questions that were asked during the PastorChrislive segment.

Pastor Chris announced the winners of the top 10 Media Connector Awards as follows during the Yookos segment:

CHURCH CATEGORY:

10th Position: C.E. Midwest Virtual Zone 3, Pastor Marcel Obode

9th Position: C.E. Southern Africa Zone 5, PAstor Ruth Musaruwa

8th Positioin: C.E. Lagos Zone 2, Pastor Vale Odu-Thomas

7th Position: C.E. Southern Africa Zone 1, Pastor Ose Oyakhilome

6th Position: C.E. Warri Zone, Pastor Siji Dara

5th Position: C.E. Northern Virtual Zone 3, Pastor Zunny Abu

4th Position: C.E.Lagos Zone 5, Pastor Deola Philips

BILLY GRAHAM CELEBRATES 96TH BIRTHDAY WITH NEW FILM ANNOUNCEMENT: 'I KNOW I'M GOING TO HEAVEN, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT'

Evangelist Billy Graham talks with a supporter after a New York press conference on February 7, 1995 where he announced a global mission from March 16-18 via satellite that is expected to reach as many as 1 billion people in 165 countries.

Billy Graham is ringing in his 96th year with friends and family on Friday, and fellow faith leaders are sending an outpouring of well wishes to the famed evangelical preacher today.

In a far cry from last year's birthday celebration involving over 800 guests, Graham is marking his birthday this year with a quiet celebration at his Montreat, NC home, according to a press release issued on Nov. 7. Will Graham, the grandson of Billy Graham, was unavailable for comment to The Christian Post, but his father Franklin assured fans that the 96-year-old is doing well.

"Although his physical condition keeps him homebound, he remains interested in current events and the ongoing work of the ministry that he began more than 60 years ago," said Billy Graham's eldest son.

The president

7 REASONS WHY CHURCH LEADERS SHOULD PRACTICE FASTING

Fasting – not our favorite topic. We don't usually like to talk about not eating. In fact, nobody talked to me about fasting when I was a young believer. I didn't learn about this spiritual discipline until I was already a local church pastor.

I've since learned that my experience is not unusual among evangelicals. The fact that many of us have never emphasized fasting, though, is not positive. Here are some reasons why church leaders ought to be fasting:

1. The Bible assumes believers will fast. The early church fasted before sending out missionaries (Acts 13:1-3) and before appointing elders (Acts 14:23). Jesus expected His disciples to fast after He returned to the Father (Matt. 9:14-17), just as much as He expected them to give and pray (Matt. 6:2-7, 16-17). Leaders must lead the way in being obedient in this discipline.

2. Fasting requires us to focus on God's kingdom. The kingdom of God is already here (Luke 11:20), but also yet to come (Luke 22:18). We fast while we wait for the bridegroom to return for His bride, and doing so requires us to focus on His kingdom – not ours. Fasting might well show us that we are building our own kingdom.

3. Fasting leads to us to slow down and reflect. Leadership usually means activity and busyness. Always there is something else to complete, somebody to visit, the next meeting to conduct, another book to read. Often left behind is our private, personal, intimate walk with God. Fasting is one means to redirect our attention to Him.

4. Fasting calls us to consider our deepest longings. We do not fast to "get stuff" from God; we fast because we want God Himself more than anything else. Fasting exposes whether we truly believe encountering the eternal One is more significant than the temporary satisfaction of food (and sin, for that matter). It forces us to determine what we really live for.

5. Fasting reveals who we really are. It was John Piper who taught me this truth. When hunger consumes us during fasting, we sometimes find ourselves grumpy, short-tempered, anxious, or faithless. To state it a better way, fasting brings

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING BY PASTOR CHRIS

“…Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 7:12)

One important ministry a Christian carries out to God is praise and thanksgiving. The Lord, speaking about those that dwell in Zion said, “And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small” (Jeremiah 30:19). David said of himself, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30). In Matthew 26:27, the Lord Jesus gave thanks to God for the cup–His own blood that would be shed!
Maybe you’re thinking to yourself that there’s particularly nothing to be thankful for; you’re might think, “After all, I’m unhappy”; “I have bills to pay.” Well, if you’re a Christian, your life ought to be radiant and full of thanksgiving! Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
Your prayers must be filled with gratitude, irrespective of what you feel or what you’re going through. Do not acknowledge what you can see; rather, acknowledge what God has done, because this is what keeps you living a life of gratitude.
Give God your praise and thanksgiving today as a demonstration of your gratitude for all He’s done for you. He deserves all your praise and adoration. Maintain an attitude of praise and thanksgiving always.

ONENESS WITH JESUS CHRIST:PASTOR CHRIS

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” Romans 6:3-4

One of the glorious truths of our Christian life is that we’ve been called into an inseparable oneness with the Lord; we were baptized into Jesus Christ, and are now members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.

In this inextricable union with Christ, God no longer distinguishes you from Him. No wonder Jesus said, “…I am the vine, ye are the branches…” (John 15:5). He was pointing out that we now share the same life with Him, because life comes through the vine, into the branches.

Another beautiful part of our oneness with Jesus Christ is that it didn’t end with our baptism into His death, but continues in a newness of life by His resurrection from the dead. Romans 6:4 says,“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” His resurrection ushered us into a newness of life.

Walk in the consciousness of your new life and oneness with Him today; you’re not of this world, but a new creation perfected in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!

PRAYER IS FELLOWSHIP;PASTOR CHRIS

“…and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3)

Prayer is a call to fellowship with God Almighty, our heavenly Father. It’s more than just an opportunity to get God to do something for us; it’s a fellowship, a time to commune with God and synchronize ourselves with His purpose for our lives on a daily basis.

As we spend time in fellowship with the Lord through prayer, more of His character and personality are revealed in, and through us; this causes us to be in-sync with His thoughts and function in the centre of His will.

This unique fellowship with the Lord causes spiritual efficiency to be evident in our lifestyle, and draws people to us. It makes life beautiful, vibrant and exciting, because of its attendant results. Give ample time to fellowship with the Lord, and watch your life flourish from glory to glory. Praise God!

AUGUST IS OUR MONTH OF PRAISE;PASTOR CHRIS

All Hail! The Lord has declared the month of August to be for us, the Month of Praise.

There is a remarkable account in the book of Matthew 21:15-16; ‘And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto Him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise’. Jesus’ reply to the leaders was to give them an understanding of the prophetic scripture in Psalm 8:2. ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger’.

Also, we read in the book of Nehemiah 8:10; ‘…the joy of the Lord is your strength’. THE JOY OF THE LORD IS USUALLY EXPRESSED IN PRAISE. When we are joyful before the Lord, we begin to praise Him and as we praise the Lord, the enemy is stilled (he is brought to silence). This is wonderful!

The book of Hebrews 13:15 (Amp) gives a deeper insight on how to praise God; ‘Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name’. The word for ‘giving thanks’ in that scripture is a Greek term “homologeo”, it is a verb which means to make confessions, to acknowledge and to declare. Whereby, you declare the wondrous acts of the Lord in your life.

See God in your situation and find His works in your life. Stop looking for satan in your life, in your body and finances. Discover God’s presence, acknowledge Him and thank Him and He will bring the enemy to silence. Praise Him everyday of this month; praise Him with words, praise Him with your offerings. Again, see God in your situation; discover His presence, for He hasn’t left you to defeat, and He will still the enemy on your behalf. The Month of August is an exciting one. Hallelujah!

PROVE GOD’S WORD IN YOUR LIFE;PASTOR CHRIS

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth” (Psalm 119:89-90).

The opening Scripture tells us that God’s Word is forever settled in heaven; however, it’s your responsibility to settle or prove the Word in your own life. The Bible says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Concerning your health, marriage, business, academics, ministry etc., you can prove the Word of God. How? By simply acting on it and doing what it says.

In fact, while talking about tithing in Malachi 3:10, the Lord challenged us to prove the Word: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” So you see, God isn’t afraid to be put on the spot; He asked us to prove His Word.

Today, find out some of the things God has said about you in His Word and act on them. Take a step of faith and act on the Word now!

THE TRUE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE;PASTOR CHRIS

“By him (Jesus Christ), therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruits of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

The sacrifices of praise are confessions, declarations, psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that you render to God for His love, grace, and goodness towards you. They also refer to tributes or speeches that acknowledge and celebrate the Name of the Lord. They’re confessions of God’s Word that we make to glorify Him.

AN AMAZING TESTMONY;AN ANGEL PAID UP MY BILL

Hello Brethren!!!
God has done it again for me. It was yesterday on 18th July when I went for a walk in Kampala City here in Uganda. While there I felt hungry for food and I was with my two friends named Daniels Mart Emune and Christine . I was directed in my spirit by the Spirit of God to go and have lunch at Javas. When we ordered our meals , we didn't pay the bill in advance. We were waiting to pay after eating. The total bill was 100, 000 Ugx. Guess what happened, an Angel appeared to me and said God is happy that you have delivered and saved many people from wickedness to Godliness in this Nation. He shook my hand and left 50,000 Ugx in my hands! Not only that but he brought a receipt and said that he had paid my bills. Below are pictures showing receipt of the bill paid and the money that he gave me. Surprisingly, when I enquired for His contact details, he said he knows already all my contacts.

I thought he was somebody who knows me but honestly he was an Angel. He disappeared in our presence just like that. My friends were very afraid of what had happened but as for me I knew that he was an Angel of the most high God. Glory to God!

Right now, I decree and declare in the name of Jesus Christ to every hand commenting a big and a Louder "Amen" that God shall pay all your bills. It will be like a dream. Shout "Amen."

CHURCH SERVICE VERSUS FOOTBALL MATCH:PASTOR CHRIS

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching”. (Hebrews 10:25).

We live in a world full of several world acclaimed activities, ranging from the Grammy Awards to the Super Bowl to the English Premiere League to mention a few. Some of these events catch our fancy and some of us would give some time and attention to them.

Taking football as a case study, it has become the world’s most populous game as it draws the highest interest and viewership all around the globe.

Considering the above points. If a football match involving your favourite team is scheduled for the same time with your church service; what will you do as an individual?
Will you stay at home to watch the football match or go for your church service?

THE DIVINITY OF JESUS:PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

“Jesus saith unto him… If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).

“Is Jesus really God?” Many still ask today. They believe He was a great prophet and teacher, but find it difficult to accept that He is Himself God, but He is. The Bible says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). That “Word” that the Bible says “was God” became flesh – Jesus – and dwelt among us: “And the Word became 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”(John 1:14).

The Bible tells us that the fullness of the Godhead bodily dwells in Jesus (Colossians 2:9). No wonder Colossians 1:19 says “…For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” So, when you see Jesus, you wouldn’t need to look out for the Holy Spirit or the Father; He is the complete embodiment of Deity.

Jesus is the Most High, who alone is worthy of all praise, worship and adoration. If you’re born again, happy are you, for “…ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power”(Colossians 2:10). You’re identified with the most awesome and sublime personality that there is.

THE PROPHETIC FOCUS FOR MAY 2014 - BISHOP DAVID O. OYEDEPO

Exceeding grace greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ.

I believe every Winner is still flowing in the realms of signs and wonders and may each of us receive grace to maintain the flow in growing dimensions as it is with this commission till date in Jesus’ name. Amen.

But what is the Lord saying concerning the month of May 2014, our liberation month?
As we are all aware, the liberation mandate is essentially a word of faith mandate. God speaking said: “But from the beginning it was not so. Now, the hour has come to liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil through the PREACHING OF THE WORD OF FAITH and I’m sending you to undertake this task”, as handed down on May 2nd, 1981.

The mandate clearly defines faith as the core message of this commission.
However, we must note that:
· Faith is not a religious principle, or philosophy; faith is a mystery of the Kingdom – 1Tim. 3:9/ 1Cor. 2:4-5
· Faith is not a belief system, it is a spiritual weapon – Eph. 6:16
· Faith is our capital asset in the Kingdom - 2Pet. 1:5-10/ Acts 6:7
· Jesus said, it is to everyone according to his faith – Matt. 9:29
· Every great story in the Kingdom is by Grace throughFaith – Eph. 2:8/ Dan. 6:23/Heb. 11:29-34
· Faith provokes the healing power of God and makes whole – Lk. 8:40-48/ Matt. 14:36
· Faith facilitates fulfilment of Prophecies – Lk. 1:45
· It quenches all the fiery darts of the devil – Eph. 6:16

THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT

The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is one of the greatest gifts you could ever have as a Christian. If anyone knew the importance and ministry of the Holy Spirit in man, it was Jesus. He said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). That’s why He commanded the apostles not to depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father – He was referring to the Holy Ghost. He wanted them to be imbued with power from on high so they could live the supernatural life of the Kingdom and carry out His ministry.

There is no authentic Christianity without the Holy Spirit. No one can live the victorious and triumphant life in Christ without the Holy Spirit. Even your service to God only becomes acceptable to Him when you render it through the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16, Hebrews 9:4).Therefore, learn to always honour the Spirit and appreciate His presence in your life; never take it lightly. His presence is the most important thing to you.

If you’re born again and yet to receive the Holy Spirit, it’s time to do so. Say, “In the Name of Jesus Christ, I receive the Holy Spirit right now, and I speak in other tongues as He gives me utterance!” Now, go ahead and magnify God in other tongues. Praise God!