Promise for the week: - - -- Matthew 7 : 7 - 8

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

NKJV

News - September 21 - 27, 2008

“EXERCISE YOUR KINGLY RIGHT”
…Pastor Taiwo on Sunday

“Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, "What are you doing?" - Ecclesiastes 8:4. If we claim to be true believers, then the above proclamation should be our guide in the face of our numerous challenges. That was Pastor Taiwo’s affirmation on Sunday while continuing his ministration on the authority of the saints.

He reminded the congregation that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2Corinthians 4:10). As such, we must continually put on the armour of God in contending with spiritual opposition. He warned about the dangers in according the devil an undeserved right of way as we soldier on in our spiritual race. While we must not pretend over the ubiquitous presence of the enemy, we must not at any moment recognise their self-apportioned superiority. Anyone who does that, he warned, will pay the prize of suffering in the hands of the enemy.

Pastor Taiwo said he was issuing this warning because quite a number of believers spend quality time extolling the so-called might of the devil when they should be busy putting him in his place. Such people gallivant from one deliverance centre to another in vain search of solutions to their problems.

He cautioned believers to be mindful of their confessions since the word of the king is powerful. Concerning our spouses, children, wards and indeed everyone around us, ours must be words of encouragement rather that discouragement. We must learn to bless rather than curse. Even when we run into anger, the antidote, he proffered, should be to address the issue and not the human vessel. He repeated his call for believers not to go the way of the fearful disciples when they were confronted with the storm (Matthew 8:23-27). Since there will always be storms in our lives, we must learn to squarely address them rather than dissipate energies attacking flesh and blood.

Speaking further, he advised that every believer be truly saturated with the Word. This is because the ability to withstand the devil is pre-conditioned on the availability of the Word. That explained why Paul counselled Timothy to take heed to all that he had heard.

He also said that our confessions must be devoid of fear. As such, we must display the boldness and courage of Joshua and Caleb (Joshua 2) and not the fearful traits of the earlier spies who were weighed down by the physical size of the enemy.

On how to overcome the enemy, he recommended the deployment of our guardian angels through positive confessions, while relying on the power of praise. For good measure, Pastor Taiwo demonstrated this on the altar before ending his message.

SPECIAL REPORT

1. “IF I WAS THE RAINBOW…”

…Lenny Leblanc
“It is easy to sing, but when you have a singer soldiering for 30 years, without scandals, it is a different matter.” Those were the introductory comments by Pastor Wale Adenuga on whose ticket music minister, Lenny Leblanc, came calling at The Fountain of Life Church last Wednesday.

The air of expectation all over the church arena could be explained by Leblanc’s enviable track record on the music scene. Before his encounter with the Lord Jesus 26 years ago, simple-looking, grey-moustachioed Leblanc had held his own in secular music, and had everything going for him. But his case is proof of the fact that “…the blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.” - Proverbs 10:22. Leblanc has waxed so strong in gospel music ever since with so many evergreen tunes that the world will never forget him.

The crowd which gathered for a live encounter with him last Wednesday obviously left happier than they came, having been treated to several of his hit tunes in-between mind-challenging Word ministrations. Inviting the audience to what he called “the Mountain of the Lord”, Leblanc prayed for “a pure heart” for the brethren.

An accomplished worshipper, Leblanc declared: “I don’t want any walls to separate me from the Lord, so let’s shout down the walls tonight as it was in Jericho.” But even at that invitation, Leblanc’s music rhythm was so soothing; Fountaineers did not find it easy to jump as usual; at least, not until he came up with an adaptation of an upbeat Rock tune originally performed by Motown. On the other hand, Leblanc had earlier watched the Grace Levites in awe before he was invited to the podium. He confessed his amazement at their fiery rhythm and praised Africans for that uniqueness.

Moving from the keyboard to the guitar at some stage, the multi-talented instrumentalist bellowed to a thunderous applause: “If I was a rainbow, I would have shone my colours!” Displaying more of his true colours, Leblanc turned the audience astir when he sang:

“Nigeria, Nigeria,
I have a message for you
Nigeria, Nigeria,
I have a blessing for you.
I love you, I love you.
Sweet Jesus, Sweet Jesus,
I have a message for you.
I love you, I love you.”

That particular music, he disclosed, was specially handed to him by God for Nigerians to demonstrate His love.

On behalf of the Fountain family, Pastor Taiwo appreciated Leblanc and prayed that the Lord would preserve and bless him the more for the benefit of the Body of Christ.

2. “WHEN LIFE TUMBLES IN…”

…Pastor Don Kroah
Pastor Don Kroah has ministered the Gospel of Jesus Christ for well over three decades and is now retired from the pulpit. A father of six children, eight grand children and three great grand children, he is also a broadcaster of note, running the famous “Don Kroah Show” on WAVA FM, Washington, USA.

Don Kroah probably had some reservations about the integrity of Nigerians until his life crossed that of a Nigerian patriot, Pastor Olalekan Sonekan, one time personal assistant to Chief MKO Abiola. It was Pastor Olalekan who played the Philip in convincing “Nathaniel” Don Kroah of the need to try out some credible Nigerians, one of them, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya.

At the last Thursday Showers, Pastor Kroah was so convinced about what he saw at The Fountain of Life Church that he acknowledged the virtues of the “Nazareth” called Nigeria. The Word of God came alive as soon as he mounted the podium to lecture the audience on what to do “When life tumbles in”. Expatiating his topic, Pastor kroah told the congregation that the only certainty about our world is its uncertainty. The uncertainty is further aggravated by the fact that, sometimes, it is not even your righteousness that keeps you “safe”. Else, why would a man as holy as Job go through such excruciating pains in his life? Why would Joseph be made to go through his ordeal even in innocence? Pastor Kroah said that the matter was even affirmed when the Lord Jesus declared that in the world we would have tribulations. As certain as the Lord’s pronouncement are, but what is the believer expected to do in the face of these trials?

X-raying 2 Chronicles, chapter 20, Pastor Kroah urged his audience to emulate King Jehoshaphat’s calm and wise temperament when confronted by the coalition of Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir. He noted that, rather than fret like the Lord’s disciples when accosted by an unexpected storm, Jehoshaphat took his case to the Lord.

We are also to emulate Paul who confessed to the Corinthians: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-10.

Narrating a personal experience, Pastor Kroah recalled a particular sickness that took hold of him some years ago. When he questioned God over his travails, the response was that he was being tested since there can be no progress without a process.

He recommended that the saints must never pretend or procrastinate in the face of trials. Instead, we should patiently pray, praise the Lord and proceed with our lives.

Pastor Taiwo’s messages are available on tapes and CDs at the Fountain of Life Church Bookstore.

NEWS IN BRIEF

ALL-NIGHT PRAYER MEETING THIS FRIDAY
An all-night prayer meeting is scheduled for this Friday at 11 pm. All are cordially invited.

RUTH & BOAZ GATHER THIS SATURDAY
Ruth & Boaz, a fellowship of divorcees and widows / widowers, is scheduled to hold this Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 2.00 pm. All concerned are requested to be in attendance.

FAMILY SUNDAY THIS SUNDAY
The Fountain of Life Church Family Sunday comes up this Sunday. All Fountaineers are expected to come with their family members who are yet to be converted.

REMINDERS

WANTED: VOCATIONAL TRAINERS FOR PRISONERS
The Prisons Department has called for the services of professionals in the training of detainees and prisoners. Interested professionals are encouraged to discuss with Sister Gbemi (HOD).

OCTOBER CRASH PROGAMME FOR FRESH BELIEVERS
The entire Saturdays in the month of October will be devoted to a crash programme for fresh believers who are unable to avail themselves of the Tuesday evening classes. Those who fall within this category are expected to take advantage of the programme.

CHEQUE ISSUANCE REGULATION
The Accounts Department has reminded the Church of the existing guidelines over the issuance of cheques to the various church departments and ministries. Every departmental address on any cheque must be preceded with “The Fountain of Life Church.”

However, cheques to Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation should bear “Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation” without “The Fountain of Life Church.”

Cheques for book purchase should similarly be written in favour of “Grace springs Africa Publishers.”

For further clarifications, please contact accounts@tfolc.org.

2008 LAST COMPUTER APPRECIATION PROGRAMME
The last professional training and computer appreciation programme for the year will hold all through the Saturdays in the month of October. Candidates should register now with N1, 000.00 as available spaces are limited.

IN VIEW

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT IN OCTOBER
A Global Leadership Summit involving a repertoire of choice speakers worldwide will be holding between October 14 and 18, 2008. Designated centres for the exclusive video cast include The Fountain of Life Church, DayStar Christian Centre, House of Grace, all in Lagos, and Family Worship Centre, Wuse, Abuja. Speakers includeTaiwo Odukoya, Sam Adeyemi, Omar Pela, Sara Omakwu, Bill Hybes, Gary Haugen, Craig Groeschel. TD Jakes, Catherine Rohr, John Orthberg and Jim Collins.

Interested candidates should please consult the designated centres for details.

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