TB Joshua – "Follow In The Light Of Love"

Sunday 12th September 2010 proved to be a day of freedom, light and liberty for the thousands who attended The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations in Lagos, Nigeria, a testimony mirrored also by the millions who were watching the service live and direct on Emmanuel TV.

With repentant armed robbers being financially supported, broken homes and families joyously reunited, the sick and afflicted miraculously healed, prophetic revelations striking the root of people’s problems and powerful prayer bringing out a multitude of unclean spirits, to say the service was action-packed is an under-statement. To coin the words of Prophet T.B. Joshua, “The Book of Acts is not mere history – it is the pattern of what Jesus Christ wants His church to be today.” The words of our Saviour in John 14:12 spring to mind: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” Blessed are our eyes for seeing such wonders in this day and generation! This is practical Christianity.

After an inspirational message from Wise Man Racine, titled ‘The Confession Of God’s Word’, Prophet T.B. Joshua gave a short word of encouragement on the virtues of love. “We are love’s products. We are sons and daughters of love. Therefore, let love lead – follow in the light of love,” he exhorted the congregation. He denounced the hypocritical attitude of those who are ready to show love for selfish reasons when they are seeking a job or political appointment, but change their attitude when they come to church to condemn and criticise at whim. “Without love, our meeting here today is nothing,” he added, drawing the people’s attention to Romans 13:9, which states: “The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ ”

A man of action who believes in the principle of leading by example, Prophet T.B. Joshua went on to practically demonstrate such love – not just in word and tongue but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). For the past few months, various armed robbers and social miscreants have been staying in The SCOAN for rehabilitation and reformation, following their deliverance from the spirit that pushed them to steal, kill and destroy. Among them was Samuel, an armed robber whose past misconduct was beyond ordinary. Samuel possessed the spirit of a snake and armed robbery, his body full of evil powers to the extent that he could disappear at will and re-appear inside a banks ‘Strong Room’ to loot the contents.

He explained that before his deliverance, he had no atom of sympathy or empathy for human beings, and had “wasted many souls”, the money made from his robbery only channelled into seeking more evil powers. He told the rapt audience that when the Spirit of God arrested him during the deliverance, he saw the demons appear to him, saying that since he had chosen to leave them, they would remove their equipment from his body. And from that moment, Samuel’s life has never been the same! He has lived in The SCOAN for some months, daily spending time in prayer and being taught God’s Word and ways. According to Samuel, he never had any concept of God before as he saw the evil spirits who possessed him as ‘his god’. Samuel received the sum of N200,000 to start a new life in Christ, alongside three other reformed robbers, who were given the same amount.

Among the other robbers was David Brown, an indigene of Rivers State who schooled in Kingston University, United Kingdom, and came out with a First Class Degree in Architecture. However, the obviously intelligent young man has literally lived in the prison for the last 15 years, having been incarcerated eight times for crimes he had no consciousness of committing. After being cursed by his aunt that ‘the prison would be his home’, a strange spirit would overpower David and lead him inside a stranger’s house where he would sit down until the owner returned to meet him there and raise the alarm. Incriminated by a bunch of keys always found in his possession, David would be beaten, taken to the police cell and then to prison. Within weeks of his release, the spirit would take control again, and the cycle of imprisonment would continue, to the point where David actually preferred prison to the outside world.

However, after his remarkable deliverance, David testified that although temptation still comes, he has strength to rebuke and resist the evil spirit, standing firm on God’s Word. He also received the sum of N200, 000, as the entire congregation worshipped God for the four young men whose lives were totally transformed through their coming to The SCOAN. Not only were they delivered from the evil spirits, they were fed and clothed by the ministry, filled with God’s Word and financially supported to start a new life on the foundation of faith. The evidence of Jesus Christ is lives changed!

After the robber’s testimonies, it was time for the reconciliation of homes that had been broken owing to various allegations and strange experiences within the family. First came the case of the Izuagba family. Mrs Cornelia Izuagba accused her son Elochukwu of being a ritualist, killing his sister and planning to use her for a ritual. The genesis of the problem was the downfall of his business, after which Cornelia, affectionately referred to by the prophet as ‘Mama’ began seeing him moving with the wrong set of people who were known to have dipped their hands into ritualism. When her son brought some yam as a gift to her, that night she received a strange attack in the dream which also affected her health, leading her to conclude that he was attempting to use her for a ritual. The rumour had since spread throughout the entire community, Elochukwu being labelled a murderer.

T.B. Joshua resolved the case by praising the stance of Mama against the immoral friends in the life of her son, saying that to have such a mother was a blessing as she was ready to fight any evil in her children’s lives. He clarified that Elochukwu was not a ritualist and had no hand in the death of his sister, but truly he was moving with the wrong type of people. It was a touching moment as Mr. Izuagba embraced his mother and promised not to be involved in such ungodly entanglements again. Three more families were also reconciled as God’s truth dispelled the chaos caused by satan’s lies.

The man of God continued by introducing the new ‘Anointing Water’, followed by a practical proof of God’s power working through it. A Professor from the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon had come to The SCOAN restricted to a wheelchair for six long years. Sitting amidst the sick and afflicted in the overflow congregation, he was wheeled forward by evangelists to the church entrance where the new Anointing Water for healing and deliverance was ministered to him. It was an incredible moment as the Prof rose to his feet for the first time in six years and began to walk. To His power, nothing is impossible!

It was time for the prayer-line, as literally thousands from across Nigeria, Africa and the whole world came to receive a touch from heaven. Those with both physical and spiritual problems were in the line, and as the Wise Men prayed, the lighting of God flowed through them to bring healing, deliverance and freedom! Demons were cast out, sicknesses were healed, needs were met and problems were solved – all in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Mass Prayer in the second service was another powerful time of prayer as the Holy Spirit exposed all unclean spirits amidst the people. One of those exposed was a cultist who had already donated his own son to the cult. Prophecy then revealed another man in the congregation who had murdered his uncle and had been tormented by the spirit of death ever since. More prophetic revelations ensued as the root causes of people’s problems were uncovered and the solution immediately provided. At the end of the day, the worshipers went home and the viewers at home switched off their television with a resounding conviction: ‘Jesus is alive – He never said goodbye!’ Glory be to God!