Pastor Kunle Areogun @ Sunday first service
At the first service on Sunday, July 23, Pastor Kunle Areogun stated that the journey of faith is an adventure with the Holy Spirit, and the Lord is always with believers on that journey. Taking his message from 2 Chronicles 14, 1 Samuel 13, and 1 Samuel 14, he said that there is no limit or restraint to what God can do, as He is not limited by time, geographical location, or the enormity of the challenges that believers face. He added that God picks up His children along the way and moves them to where He wants them to be.
Pastor Areogun emphasised that God is not limited by challenges and cannot be intimidated by crying or complaints, nor can He be manipulated by emotions. He gave an indication of the greatness of God by stating God’s ability to measure all the waters on the face of the earth in the hollow of His hand and His ability to weigh all the mountains on a scale despite how vast they are. He further described God as one in whom the nations of the world are like the drops of a bucket, which are counted as small dust.
The clergy further stated that in the battle of life, the devil will always test the faith of Christians, and so as children of God, they cannot go into the battle of life with pseudo-faith, but rather they must equip themselves and build their faith by studying and meditating on the word of God. He stated that even with belief and meditation on the word of God, the devil will also be relentless in testing Christians. “God does unlimited things in the lives of His people and gives specific instructions that we must be ready to obey,” he added.
In closing his message, Pastor Areogun urged the congregation to always make provision for God to minister to them by spending time with God in prayers and meditation on His word and also by developing a personal relationship with Him. He also emphasised the need to make provision for doing the work of God and to ensure that correct relationships are built with other people who will edify and add value to their lives. He also encouraged the church by stating that God makes all things new and gives positive endings to all situations. “God reaches out to whoever He desires to help and to those who have exercised faith in Him. He is a barrier breaker who goes before us as a consuming fire to clear the way,” he stated.
The full message is available on the Church’s Youtube channel, The Fountain TV) and TOM TV (Taiwo Odukoya Ministry). https://www.youtube.com/live/zu_79mE9rWM?feature=share It is also available on CDs and DVDs at The Fountain of Life Church Digital Media Store.
WHY AND WHEN TO THANK GOD
Pastor Femi Odumabo @ Sunday second service
Pastor Femi Odumabo, in his message at the July 23 Sunday second service, said that God made creations in order, so there are times of fortune and also times of misfortune, errors and corrections, as well as dark and light. He said this to add that bad times are to give believers strength.
Giving the example of babies going through the teething stage, which comes with different painful experiences in preparation for solid meals, the clergy noted that pain, for a believer, is for a purpose. “Every challenge is wrapped up with opportunities. There is therefore a need to change focus and see the opportunities that are ahead,” he said.
The clergy also stated that children of God should know better and not join the bandwagon of those who complain about everything because they have insight that there are opposite times, as recorded in Ecclesiastes 3:1. “Such situations should remind Christians who they are—products of grace. Through suffering, healing is learned. As victories teach joy, pain teaches wisdom, and perseverance teaches gratitude,” he said.
He continued, “Gratitude is always available. Thanksgiving helps with humility. It has been proven that gratitude helps emotionally, physically, and spiritually. So be grateful for what always happens. Every season should be a learning process.”
Giving another example of Apostle Paul’s different trying experiences as recorded in Philippians 4:12, Pastor Odumabo said that believers should therefore learn to speak God’s words into their situations instead of complaining.
He said, “Thanksgiving is for those who want to be happy. If you are not grateful for what you have, you will not be grateful for what you are praying for. Showing ingratitude to God is not Christ-like. Even in the current circumstances, God has blessed us. Always rejoice; do not allow the devil, fuel subsidy removal, or the forex exchange rates to keep you down.”
According to the man of God, regrets over yesterday’s mistakes, ingratitude over personal blessings, and anxiety over tomorrow’s worries are the enemies of personal peace. He therefore urged his listeners to embrace thanksgiving in whatever situation, as this attitude pleases and magnifies God, makes God see them as grateful children, gives them access to God’s presence, triggers joy, and creates the atmosphere for the supernatural.
The full message is available on the Church’s Youtube channel, The Fountain TV) and TOM TV (Taiwo Odukoya Ministry) https://www.youtube.com/live/zu_79mE9rWM?feature=share . It is also available on CDs and DVDs at The Fountain of Life Church Digital Media Store.
WISDOM FOR BREAKTHROUGH- SOUL WINNING
Pastor Esther Briggs @ Thursday showers
Pastor Esther Briggs has urged all believers in Christ to embrace evangelism because that is the heartbeat of God. She said this while admonishing the worshippers at the July 20 Thursday showers at The Fountain of Life Church headquarters in Ilupeju, Lagos.
According to the assistant Pastor of The Kings Dome branch of The Fountain of Life Church, situated in Egbeda, Christians need to understand that soul-winning is a duty for them as saved and righteous ones, adding that it is a wise thing to do. “Soul winning is the heartbeat of God, and there is joy in Heaven whenever a soul is won to God’s Kingdom,” she said.
Pastor Esther Briggs further read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Ephesians 5:15–18, Proverbs 11:30, Proverbs 3:30–35, and Matthew 6:33 to note that one of the ways to gain wisdom is through soul winning, adding that worship, praise, and God’s words are weapons believers can use to achieve that. In her words, “when it comes to wisdom, there are requirements, and the easiest way to access wisdom is through soul-winning.”
She continued, “The only reason we are here as Christians is to win souls into the Kingdom. We need to always be equipped, and our only weapons are worship, praise, and the word of God. What do we do with the weapons we have at hand? How many souls have been won through us?”
Reading from I Corinthians 9:19–23, Isaiah 60:1, Daniel 12:3, Isaiah 52:7, Matthew 6:33, and Mark 16:20, the clergy opined that there are boundless rewards for winning souls and living righteously, noting that when believers truly seek God and do His will, they will never lack for nothing. According to her, soul-winning makes one a star, makes one wise, protects one’s feet with a beautiful spiritual boot, guarantees supernatural provision and prosperity, commits God to work on one’s behalf while confirming His word, and guarantees access to God’s manifest presence.
Citing examples on how to win souls, Pastor Briggs noted that using one’s personal testimony, evangelical tracts, paying for fellow commuters’ transportation fare, praying, and reaching out are ways to win souls to God’s Kingdom.
She said, “He who wins souls will be like stars; they will shine. God wants us to win souls, as it is getting darker and closer. God wants us to live righteously and understand the times and seasons, taking advantage, being sensitive, and walking in the Spirit in order to know His will. God wants us to be wise, and wise people chase after winning souls.”
She further admonishes her listeners to maximise the wisdom that God has given them to win souls, thereby advancing God’s kingdom, adding that that is what brings Him Joy. She also encouraged them to ask God for grace, passion, and desire for souls.
The full message is available on the Church’s Youtube channel, The Fountain TV) and TOM TV (Taiwo Odukoya Ministry) https://www.youtube.com/live/7iDi8Hl6rxg?feature=share. It is also available on CDs and DVDs at The Fountain of Life Church Digital Media Store.
