The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Nigeria Issue 030

The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Nigeria
Issue 030 | Sunday 20 December 2015
JOYFUL NOISE
Editor-In-Chief
Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo
Editor
Pastor Modele Fatoyinbo
The WriteCrew
Published by
The Commonwealth
of Zion Assembly
Guzape Hills,
Asokoro Ext.,
Abuja, FCT,
Nigeria
www.cozanigeria.org
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Testimonies
[email protected]
Enquiries
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New Life
in Christ
I urge you to receive the
new life that God has for
you in Christ Jesus. Just say
this simple prayer in faith:
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe that Jesus
Christ is your Son.
I believe that He came
to the earth in the flesh,
was crucified, died on the
cross and was buried.
I believe that on the third
day, He rose up from the
dead and has since ascended
into heaven. I receive into
my human spirit everything
that Jesus purchased for
me by His death, burial and
resurrection. I confess Jesus
Christ as my Lord and Saviour.
I am now a new creation. Old
things have passed away and
everything is new. In Jesus’
name, I hereby renounce every
covenant I might have entered
into with the devil, wittingly
or unwittingly. I am free
indeed. Thank you, Jesus, for
saving me. I am born again!
Amen
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REV. BIODUN &
PASTOR MODELE
FATOYINBO
Senior Pastors, COZA
Be Prepared!
“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines
ever brighter unto the perfect day” – Proverbs 4: 18
I am excited!
God is progressive and I am convinced that 2016 will the most amazing year you have ever witnessed.
No, I am not trying to motivate you or get you to be positive about your life or the coming year. I am
simply showing you God’s thoughts for your life. The path of the just only gets better. The level of success
you have enjoyed this year is nothing to hold a candle near what God has in store for you next year.
Many times, people do not enter into the fullness of God’s plans for their lives because they
do not make themselves ready. They do not go all out for what God has provided. Sometimes,
they do not have any idea what God’s plan for their life is. That is why every new year seems
to be exactly like the old, if not worse. It becomes like a vicious cycle of sameness.
It is with this in mind that God has instructed us to wait on Him for the first twelve days
of every year, from the 2nd to the 13th of January. God has positioned some of His finest
Generals to unveil His mind and purposes for us as we embark on a brand New Year.
Pray, plan and prepare. Your life will experience a dramatic change for the better. Prepare yourself
for a prophetic push. There will be a powerful release of the prophetic like never before. God will
route you out of the cycle that that has kept you on a spot and catapult you into a whole new
realm of living. You will be positioned to do exploits for the Kingdom as you find your purpose
and enter it effectively. This is the least you will ever be. You will go from glory to glory.
Get your family ready, tell your friends and colleagues. 12 Days of
Glory 2016 is going to be totally life changing.
Blessings!
A
s shepherds stayed up all night to watch their flock on the
Middle Eastern hills, flashes of glory burst through the skies
in the most splendiferous show ever witnessed by humans.
No, they were not fireworks. No, they were not air force jets in
some giddy aerial display. Angels filled the skies with the most awe
inspiring show that no fireworks could rival. The reason? God had
physically come to be with man on earth. Their message echoed
the secret meeting the angel Gabriel had earlier with Joseph:
“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the
Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is
conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son,
and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from
their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin
shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us”. - Matthew 1:20-23
You may not grasp the full weight of the last statement until
you ask yourself a few questions. What makes a man take three
hundred poorly armed, barely trained soldiers to fight against
an array of well armed and well trained solders? What makes a
man walk up to the king of the most civilized nation on earth
with nothing but a shepherd’s staff and demand for the release of
millions of captive slaves? What makes a man make his weapon
of choice the jawbone of an ass in a battle against a thousand
warriors? What makes a lone prophet confident to the point of
arrogance even though he is surrounded by a hostile army?
In an age where everyone is talking about the latent power of man
and the diverse abilities of a natural man, there is something to
learn about walking and operating in the supernatural. Nations
have always gone to war. Nations have always won victories. There
has always been a lot of emphasis on being battle ready, properly
armed and fully trained. In Bible days, you knew you were going to
have victory once you had the numbers, the right chariots, forged
the spears and swords from the right blacksmiths and employed
the latest bows and arrows. With that in mind, look at God talking
to Gideon, an untrained Jew, about fighting the enemies of God’s
people. The timid fellow managed to raise an army of thirtytwo thousand people, but even at that, his army was nothing to
compare with the army of the enemy. The Bible describes them
as being as many as the sands of the sea – they were simply too
numerous. Then God whittled Gideon’s team down from thirtytwo thousand people to just three hundred. He then proceeded
to give Israel the most astonishing victory they had ever seen.
Gideon’s confidence was in the words, “Surely I will be with you”.
When God is with you, your mountains become but pebbles. When God
is with you, your challenges are a stroll in the park - not because they are
not tough, but because the One with you can turn everything around in a
moment. Moses was so dependent on God that He prayed the profound
prayer, “If your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from
here.” Exodus 33:15. Moses knew what it was like to fight in his own
strength and he knew what it meant if God fought his battle for him. The
list goes on. Samson fought as one man but his enemies did not know that
the God of heaven was the secret of his strength. Everything changes when
you hand over your life to God. Is God your business partner? Is He allowed
in your marriage? Does He have a say in the life decisions you make?
Joseph was a slave in the land of Egypt but his heathen
captors noted that God was with him.
“The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man;
and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his
master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord
made all he did to prosper in his hand.” Genesis 39:2-3
From Potiphar’s house to the prison and then Pharaoh’s palace, Joseph
excelled because God was with him. You have a better covenant than
Joseph had. He did well because God was with him. You are privileged
to have God IN you! He is not just with you, He is resident in you.
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches
of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is
Christ IN you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
Christ resides in you! The power that created the universe dwells in you!
The One who conquered death dwells in you! That is the purpose of
Christmas! The Son of God was made the son of man so that the sons
of men can become the sons of God. You stand on the very precipice of
endless possibilities. Christ in you is the hope of glory! Say your goodbyes
to a life of disease and shame. Christ in you is the hope of glory! You
are confident your life will experience glory because Christ is in you.
I declare that from today, it becomes apparent that God is WITH you
and IN you! The last time anything failed in your hands is the last
time anything will ever fail in your hands. Begin to do well. Begin
to prosper in your endeavors. Let your gifts rise. People will see you
and see the difference God’s presence has made in your life. Your
life will preach the gospel. Nothing is impossible to you anymore
because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
You will do well!
Blessings!
3
Dr. MIKE MURDOCK
Dr. Mike Murdock is in tremendous demand as
one of the most dynamic speakers in America
today... He preached his first public sermon at
the age of 8 and his first evangelistic crusade at
the age of 15. He Began full-time evangelism
at the age of 19, which has continued since
1966. Has traveled and spoken to more than
14,000 audiences in 38 countries, including
Asia, East Africa, the Orient, and Europe.
Noted author of 200 books, including the best
sellers, "Wisdom for Winning", "Dream-Seeds",
"The Double Diamond Principle", "Secrets of
the Richest Man Who Ever Lived", "The Law of
Recognition", and "The Leadership Secrets of
Jesus." Dr. Mike Created the popular "Topical
Bible" series for Businessmen, Mothers,
Fathers, Teenagers, the "One-Minute Pocket
Bible" and "The Master 7 Mentorship System"
Has composed more than 5,700 of songs such
as "I Am Blessed", "You Can Make It", and "Jesus,
Just The Mention of Your Name", recorded by
many gospel artists He has appeared often on
TBN, CBN, BET and other television network
programs and has a weekly television program
called "Wisdom Keys with Mike Murdock".
He Is a Founding Trustee on the Board of
International Charismatic Bible Ministries with
Dr. Oral Roberts and he has had more than
3,500 accept the call into full-time ministry
under his ministry and has embraced his
assignment to Pursue...Proclaim...and Publish
the Wisdom of God to heal the broken in his
generation.
Dr. Mike Is Founder and Senior Pastor Of The
Wisdom Center, A Church with International
Ministry around the world.
Pastor Matthew
Ashimolowo
Pastor Matthew is the President and
Senior Pastor of Kingsway International
Christian Centre, the largest church in
Western Europe.
An inspiring visionary, Pastor Matthew
launched the UK’s first church-owned
television channel, KICC TV, and his
television and radio ministry Winning
Ways is received by a potential audience
of several hundred million people in
Europe, Africa, Asia, the USA and the
Caribbean.
An award-winning and prolific author,
Pastor Matthew has published more
than 70 books, including “The Power
of Positive Prayer Bible” and the classic
‘What’s Wrong With Being Black?’ – a book
hailed for ‘reaching the parts community
campaigners cannot reach’.
Pastor JT Kalejaiye
Pastor J T Kalejaiye is a Regional Evangelist
of The Redeemed Christian Church of God.
A father of fathers and a leading voice in
ministry circles, across the world, Pastor J
T Kalejaiye has risen to be that sure voice
of the supernatural and the risen Christ. A
firm believer in the power of the Living God,
Pastor J T Kalejaiye is convinced that, “there
is nothing any man of God can do without
the God of man.” This is evident in his deep
reliance on the ministry of the Holy Spirit as
his ministry trademark includes transformed
lives, saved souls, signs, wonders and diverse
kinds of miracles.
“This night, Iyanu must sele!”
That will be the voice of the calm but
authoritative veteran of faith, Pastor J T
Kalejaiye.
Recently honoured as the most influential
black person in the public sector/religion
category by one of Britain ’s leading black
newspapers, his influence on church
growth and evangelism has been noted
by local and international news media.
Matthew Ashimolowo sits on the
Board of Reference for many leading
organizations. With numerous requests
for his comments from the media, Pastor
Matthew is one of the most exciting
and inspiring Christian
voices on the world
scene today."
Over the past 16 years, God has instructed us to wait on Him on the first 12 days of every In these 12 days we experience God’s power in such
year. These 12 days have been called “12 Days of Glory!” and they have been glorious! divine dimensions; the testimonies are mind boggling.
From supernatural healings to restored marriages,
In these 12 days we get direction for the year, we are strengthened by God’s
financial provision, testimonies of transformed lives,
Spirit for the Journey ahead, and God speaks very powerful words that give
miraculous encounters and supernatural interventions,
us clarity and propel us as a Church into the depths of God’s plans for us.
God visits us in diverse unforgettable ways.
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dr. jasmin sculark
Pastor Chris HILL
Pastor Sheryl BRADY
Dr. Jasmin is a native of the Island of Trinidad
and Tobago. Dr. Jasmin Sculark is the Senior
Pastor-Select of Jericho City of Praise in
Landover, MD and the Founder and President
of Dr. Jazz Ministries. She is nationally and
internationally known as Pastor, Teacher,
Author and Evangelist.
God is using Pastor Chris Hill to help
to redefine the scope and influence of
the post-modern Christian pulpit. Over
the past 7 years of his ministry, literally
millions and millions of people have heard
his unique message of Hope. He became a
Christian and began to preach the Gospel
before he was five years of age. Born the
product of a broken family, he was raised
in the rough inner city ghettos of Roxbury,
Massachusetts.
A pastor, lecturer and recording artist, Pastor
Sheryl Brady has traveled extensively around
the globe for more than 30 years. Born and
raised in Detroit, Pastor Brady has a distinctive
message delivery, which people from all walks
of life can relate to. This has allowed her to be
a featured speaker on the Women of Faith
tours as well as frequent guest on television
networks such as the Christian Broadcasting
Network, Trinity Broadcasting Network and
Daystar Television. Known for her practical
and relevant use of scriptures, Pastor Brady
has also been featured as a columnist for
The Washington Post, Fox News and other
nationally recognized publications.
Dr. Jasmin’s life goal and mission is to
encourage, equip and empower the world
through the written and spoken Word. True
to her name sake, “Daughter of Thunder,”
Dr. Jazz’s preaching and teaching ministry
makes a thunderous sound in the earth and
in the mind and hearts of those who come in
contact with her ministry.
God has chosen to use this humble vessel
to do a mighty work in this 21st Century. In
the summer of 2013 she was invited to be a
speaker for Bishop T.D. Jakes world renowned
Mega Fest Conference. On March 31, 2014
her new broadcast, “This is your best day yet”
was launched on The Word Network and as
God saw fit on April 1st, 2014 Dr. Jasmin was
appointed the Senior Pastor-Select of Jericho
City of Praise in Landover, MD.
Dr. Jasmin has published her first book,
Dancing with Broken Bones and is looking
forward to all that God has in store for
the ministry that lies within her. Only Dr.
Jasmin can tell the story of her journey
from the Tree House to Potter’s House!
Having served as an urban youth pastor,
an author, a professor, an activist, and
an international evangelist, Pastor Chris
comes armed him with a fresh and
global perspective. His insights into
the Word of God are both reverent and
relevant enabling his messages to touch
the lives of people from all cultures,
denominations, ages and socioeconomic
backgrounds. His animated and articulate
approach produces a gripping delivery
that simultaneously captures both Saint
and Seeker.
With a heart for people, God is using
Pastor Hill to help reignite the historic
revival fire of Denver. As the leader of
the 5,000-member church, The Potter's
House of Denver, Pastor Hill serves the
community through feeding programs,
homeless outreach, prison ministry and
crisis counseling services.
In these 12 days we are taught God’s counsel, His word
leads us in the way we should go, and we commit
ourselves to a fresh and powerful walk with Him.
These are perhaps, the most important 12 days
of every year. They have changed our lives!
She is the author of the book entitled You Have
It In You! Empowered To Do The Impossible,
published by Howard Books, a division
of Simon and Schuster. Due to the wide
success of her debut book an accompanying
workbook was released as well. As a featured
conference speaker Pastor Brady has also
had the privilege of speaking at some of the
nations largest conferences including the
internationally acclaimed MegaFest, Woman
Thou Art Loosed as well as the first and only
female speaker ever at ManPower 2010, the
men’s only conference hosted by Bishop T. D.
Jakes.
Pastor Brady serves as the pastor of The
Potter’s House of North Dallas. Founded
by Bishop T.D. and Mrs. Serita Jakes, the
campus launched its worship services just
prior to Easter 2010 and focuses on familycentric outreach programs highlighted
by her passionate approach to worship
and adherence to solid Biblical principles.
Her international travel schedule includes
Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, West
Indies, Bermuda, France, the United Kingdom,
South Africa and Nigeria but home and family
are her number one destination. Pastor Brady
and her husband, Bishop Joby Brady, have
three daughters Lana, Tina and Nina, and
seven grandchildren. Ministry is a
family affair for the Brady family,
as all of their daughters and their
spouses are active leaders in
their ministry.
5
DAILY STUDY GUIDE
Monday: Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Tuesday: John 1:1-18, Psalm 123:1-4
Wednesday: John 10:1-21, I John 5:1-13
Thursday: Luke 12:35-48, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Friday: Hebrews 3:1-15, Joshua 6:12-27
Saturday: Genesis 39:1-9, Luke 19:12-27
Sunday: 2 Corinthians 5:9-21, Galatians 1:1-10
Isaiah 9:6-7 - For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He’ll take over the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong
God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll
be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He’ll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He’ll put that kingdom on a firm
footing and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of GOD-of-the-AngelArmies will do all this. (MSG)
Therefore I can boldly say:
I am the reason Jesus came!
Jesus was born for my sake
He was made manifest as God’s supreme Gift to me
He came that I might have life
Because He came, I have both eternal and abundant life
Because of Him I live a life without
stealing, killing or destruction
Because He came, the works of the
devil in my life are destroyed
I am totally submitted to Him and He takes me over
He runs my world and rules everything about me
Because He is the Amazing Counselor,
I never lack wisdom or direction
As the Strong God, He fights my
battles and I claim the victories
As my Eternal Father, He loves me
with an everlasting love
As the Prince of Wholeness, He
enables me live a whole life Nothing missing, nothing lacking , nothing broken
There is no limit to the wholeness
Jesus brings to my life
I receive the fullness of the peace and
the joy He brought to the world
I am the evidence of God’s mercy
I am a proof of God’s eternal love
Jesus’ coming is not in vain in my life
His reason for coming
is apparent in my life
I experience the fullness of
His salvation in my life!
6
HUMOUR
A woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church
services, when she was startled by an intruder. She caught the man in the
act of robbing her home of its valuables and yelled: ‘Stop! Acts 2:38!
(Acts 2:38 (ESV) says “Repent and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins.”)
The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called
the police and explained what she had done.
As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar: ‘Why
did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you.’
‘Scripture?’ replied the burglar. ‘She said she had an Ax and Two 38s!’
~~~
A minister told his congregation, “Next week I plan to preach about the sin of
lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17.”
The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister
asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark
17. Several went up. The minister smiled and said, “Mark has only sixteen
chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying.”
~~~
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family
Bible to her brother in another part of the country.
“Is there anything breakable in here?” asked the postal clerk.
“Only the Ten Commandments”, answered the lady.
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DOWN
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25
1. Angel who told Mary
that she’d have a Son
3. “The holy one to be born will
be called the __ __ __.”
5. Old Testament prophet who said a ruler
over Israel would be born in Bethlehem.
6. Where Joseph and Mary
went to register for census
7. “Glory to God in the ___”
8. Governor of Syria when census was taken
12
10. Occupation of Elizabeth’s husband
15. Wise men from the east
16. The angel told Mary she had found ___ with God.
19. Town in which Mary was living before the birth
23. The king of Judea at the time of Christ’s birth
24. Name of the Caesar who called for a census
25. What Mary and Joseph
21
offered at the Temple
27. The Wise Men brought
gold, incense and ___ to Jesus.
28. Elizabeth’s husband
THE
BIRTH
OF
JESUS
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13
ACROSS
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2. An angel told Joseph to flee to this
country to keep the Baby safe
3. Devout man who waited at the Temple to see the Christ
4. God warned the Wise Men in a __ to
take a different route home.
5. Where Mary laid Jesus after wrapping him in cloths
9. What led the Wise Men from the east to Jesus
11. They were tending flocks when an
angel told them of Christ’s birth
12. Number of days after his birth when
Jesus was presented at the Temple
13. “He will be great...and he will reign
over the house of __ forever...”
14. Name of Elizabeth’s baby
17. Name for Jesus that means, “God with us.”
18. Jesus would be given the throne of this father
20. Mary’s relative who was also expecting a child
21. Elizabeth was filled with the __
__ when Mary visited her.
22. Name that was to be given to Mary’s son
26. Prophetess at the Temple who
gave thanks for the Child
LAST WEEK'S CROSSWORD; ACROSS 2 Gentlemen 5 Child 7 Angels 8 Maria 9 King 11 World 12 Mountain 13 Night
14 Bethlehem 15 Holy DOWN 1 Kings 3 Noel 4 Midnight 6 Heard 10 Faithful 12 Manger
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