Wednesday 19 December 2012

The Menace Called New Year Resolutions

It’s that time of the year when friends and family look through their life and because they regret one or more of the steps they took during the course of the year, they draw up a list of things they would like to change or implement in the new year under the heading “My New Year Resolutions”. Let me start by plainly declaring that I’m not criticizing those that make New Year Resolutions, rather, it is the motive behind it and the captive life it offers it’s victims that I speak against. More often than not, it is the heart behind such resolutions that I have issues with.
Before you make that New Year Resolution, have you stopped to think about what facilitated such erroneous move you made in the concluding year? Do you really think it was because you never really included it as a resolution the previous year that brought about such error? Havent you heard “…it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of the Lord that showeth mercy…?”, “…not by power, not be might, but by my Spirit saith the Lord…?”, these should tell you that your will-power alone cannot successfully guarantee adherence to a decision made especially if it is for the progress of a life. Your will-power is not enough to change a life for the better.
Many have been held captive by the menace called New Year Resolution. Imagine one with a resolution to make up to 2000friends on Facebook and over a thousand followers on Twitter. And I ask myself, to what end is this kind of New Year Resolution?
More often than not, our New Year Resolutions are fuelled by the desire to meet up to a standard, be like a friend/colleague of ours or most importantly, acquire possessions for our own interests.
If at all you have to make New Year Resolutions, let them be credible and then commit it into the hands of the Lord and ask for Grace to successfully accomplish them.
For me, I dont do New Year Resolutions. I just commit my ways and life into the hands of the Creator daily, I live by His percepts, principles and instructions...and I can tell you it is the sweetest thing you can ever do...the loveliest decision you can ever make.

Before you send the next BC

BC is one menace every Blackberry user like me detest, yet some users cant just have enough of it. Maybe I should start by making everyone understand what a BC is. Well, it’s short for Broad Cast and it is an unrestricted message/information sent in bulk to more than one of your contacts per time. Originally, it used to be in form of bulk e-mails and sent on unique days (01/01/01, 02/02/02, …, 12/12/12), special celebrations (New Month, New Week, New Year, Christmas, Easter, etc) and important occasions (Graduation, Weddings, Birthdays), but these days, it has become rampant and unpredictable that we get it every other day for every other reason. BCs occur on mobile (as bulk SMS), Whatsapp, and most annoyingly on BBm.
I’m sure the original intent of BCs was to share important and valid information with your contacts (e.g. your forthcoming wedding ceremony, birthday party, etc), but as we all know, things are abused in this part of the world. People now send BCs for the wrongest reasons at the oddest of times. It has gotten so bad that people now forward BCs directly without stopping to think thoroughly on the content of the message. As I write this piece, one just came in claiming “There has been an accident by a bus going from Sapele to Warri, having all passengers dead, please broadcast till it gets to their family members”. I don’t mean to be rude and callous, but for all I care, it aint my business. While I sympathize with the family of the deceased, surely they wont hear the bad news from me. The transport company is in charge of notifying next of kins…that’s why every traveler registers at bus-parks before take-off, that much, I know. Different BCs everyday, “I am Jesus…, send it to 12 people and watch what happens in 12 minutes…”, “…Adenuga’s Mum is celebrating 80years, send to 25 contacts and get 1000 recharge card free…”, “A telecommunication company is celebrating 10years of impact in Nigeria, send to 20 contacts and get 750naira recharge card…”, etc.
Before you start pointing accusing fingers, do you know our Network Providers also send us BCs? Which makes me wonder if it was stated in their terms and conditions of service (You can refer to my Note on Terms and Conditions Apply for reference). These days, it has become so rampant that I feel like smashing my phones anytime the BCs come in, and I wonder if they send same to the likes of the Otedolas, Dangotes, Momodus, etc on promos and what have you.
Sincerely, I find it hard differentiating amongst a learned individual, a learner, an illiterate and a stark illiterate. Someone said our problem in this part of the world is that we don’t think. I definitely agree with such claim. Please, please and please before you send the next BC, THINK…for heaven’s sake, just give it a thought…perhaps for two minutes, the effect the BC you are about sending will have. If it is a joke you are sending, have you considered the mood of the recipient? For heaven’s sake, not everyone enjoys a joke especially at odd times.
Well, if you care to know, I delete BCs as soon as they come in, I don’t even read them. Be it on mobile, Whatsapp, BBm, or whatever platform, I just delete them without giving it a thought. Imagine a graduate, someone who passed through the 4walls of a University sending BCs about Whatsapp or BBm shutting down because they have reached a limit and then the solution to that problem is that you must send a BC to all your contacts. How can you see such and fall for it by sending it to all your contacts? Are you a LEARNER? Was it in the terms and conditions that we must help them send BCs? Who told you they don’t have a monitor that observes both active and dormant accounts? Please wake up and stop disgracing your generation. Prove to the world that you are a learned person.
Think! Think!! Think!!! Don’t just interrupt people’s daily lives by sending them irrelevant messages. If you have an announcement, contact the radio house or TV station closest to you, call a Press conference and make your announcement. If there has been an accident, dial 911 or call the nearest hospital. If there is a robbery going on, call the nearest Police Station…that is how to be of help and not spreading bad news…especially one that you have not confirmed?
The energy and time you expend sending BCs can be channeled into imparting lives positively with words of grace. Use the resources at your disposal for more productive things than being a nuisance. Imagine someone you haven’t heard from for over a month and the next beep you get is a BC! Not even a good morning, good afternoon or good day as the case may be.
I can bet it with you, someone, somewhere is composing another BC and I can imagine the wry smile on his/her face when he/she begins to trend. Wake up today, distinguish yourself, don’t be a learner, don’t be an illiterate, say no to unreasonable BCs.
Before you send the next BC, please think about the content, or just be like me and desist from sending such. Friends, the message is simple and straight-forward, we shouldn’t be found doing some things as learned individuals. Say no to BCs today!

Terms and Conditions Apply

Every product from every manufacturer has terms and conditions for its usage. Both Hardware, Software and Firmware products have terms and conditions, but in this part of the world, nah, we dont have time for that. Ask yourself before we proceed further, have I ever COMPLETELY read the terms and conditions of a product BEFORE using the product? Little wonder, we have been cheated severally and we do not know it. Virtually all modern day youth crave for the use of sophisticated gadgets like iPads, iPhones, Blackberries, and the crave is so intense that upon purchase of the utility, we start using it immediately without even going through it's terms and conditions of use. Well, maybe some people do actually read these terms and conditions of hardware products, just maybe. I can say that 99% of software and firmware users do not read through the terms and conditions of these utilities before installation and usage, especially considering the fact that if you do not agree to it, the software cannot proceed to full installation.
Truth be told, some of these terms and conditions are always too lengthy and may take hours to completely go through them, but isn't it worth the time? If I'm so desperate to use a software, shouldn't I be patient enough to go through the rules and regulations of it's use?
I saw an inscription on a platform that reads “...if you think you are bored, just remember that someone somewhere is sitting at a desk, typing the Terms and Conditions of a utility...”. Really, this is an intriguing inscription that got me thinking that in this part of the world, we see Terms and Conditions as useless as the last four letters of the word Queue. If not for anything but to appreciate the efforts of the person that typed the write-up, please let's always go through the Terms and Conditions of products before installation.
In a bid to force people to read through them, manufacturers have placed the “I Agree” or “Disagree” button at the base of the write-up, but we all know how we circumvent that, we just scroll to the base of the write-up and click our desired choice.
Enough said already in generalization, let's come home and to our very own country, Nigeria; let's start with the telecommunications industry, how many of us read through the terms and conditions of the particular telecommunication service provider before we started using their SIM? Was it in the Terms and Conditions that they will keep sending us irrelevant text broadcast messages or even calling us with promos, etc? How many of us read through the terms and conditions for Blackberry Internet Service of our telecoms service provider before subscribing? Chances are 0%.
Truth is, in this part of the world, we suffer in silence not primarily due to ignorance, but due to foolhardiness. We take a lot of important things for granted and expend so much energy on irrelevant matters. In a situation whereby you didnt even go through the terms and conditions of service, how do you even know your right from wrong? Do you know for every service you paid for, you deserve your money's worth? You do BIS subscription for 30days and you were only able to use it for 20days, the remaining days of the subscription went to network failure from service providers, and then you come on Facebook, Twitter, 2go, etc and start cursing the network providers, swearing under your breathe. My dear, nothing evil will happen to them, infact you will be surprised they'll keep making net-breaking profits while you sit there complaining and languishing in agony.
Truth is you need to wake up and learn your rights. You're going to bed in the night with an account balance of N100.25 and then you wake up and find a balance of N100.00 (a ghost has made midnight call abi?) and then you laugh it off cursing them and their company...**yimu**...nothing will happen to them, absolutely nothing. Until you wake up and stand for your right, they'll keep exploiting us and we just die in silence cursing them imaginarily.
Enough said about telecommunications company, let's take a look at banks and insurance companies. Infact, those ones ehn, their mode of operation/Terms and Conditions are not even open to the public. They just tell you the little you need to know and then you register with them...and the exploitation begins. Oftentimes, I receive alert from my bank of a CR of N52.75 and a few days later, a DR of N73.82. I ask myself how these calculations are done an what facilitated such CR and DRs. But guess what? Anytime I visit the bank, it's either I forget to ask or I'm too timid to ask. The Pension Fund companies is another story entirely. They only tip you on the little you need to know and convince you to register. Of recent, I was told that the pension fund company I signed up with wont eventually give you your money outrightly, even at the specified age limit. Only a fraction will be paid and worst of all, in installments again, I felt like crying.
Friend, before you take that next step in signing up and registering with a company, thoroughly go through the Terms and Conditions and be sure you are okay with it, else dont sign up with them.
If we dont start doing this, then I guess it's Aluta Continua!

INSTRUCTIONS: They are thy Life!

If ever you have moved from a level of your life to another, then you must have successfully completed a phase, written an examination and come out successful. Which makes me presume that as an academia, you must have come across something of this Nature:
INSTRUCTIONS:
SECTION A: Answer ALL the Ten questions.
SECTION B: Answer questions 1, 2 and any one of 3, 4 and 5.
Imagine two student, a brilliant and an average one. Average student follows the instruction to the letter while brilliant student shows skill and confidence and answers just two questions in section A and ALL the questions in section B. which of them do you think will score the highest? Your guess is as good as mine!
As it is with the scenario painted above, instructions are a vital part of our life and existence without which life will be meaningless and unbearable. Even the holy scriptures acknowledges the fact that Instructions are very necessary for a fulfilled life. Prov. 4:13.
The truth is, for every phase of your life, there are specific instructions to be considered and strictly adhered to...that is what guarantees a colorful destiny. When the instructions in a phase are not adhered to, and by chance you move on from that phase, then there is a dent already in the road to fulfillment of destiny.
Now, it is a different thing to be aware of the instructions and another thing to deliberately ignore them. Ignorance though is not an excuse in the court of law...therefore ignorance cannot be feigned as to the awareness of instructions.
Are you still worried about the source/location of the instructions? Well, dont look too far, the instructions manual is ever with you, the Bible. Whenever products are released into the market, the manufacturer releases with it the manual/instructions for operation. So also is the life we live, the Creator himself has created us and sent us into the world, but not without a manual/instruction guide for operation. Everything the Lord does is orderly and therefore, every phase you will ever be has specific instructions and guidelines to follow for triumph in that phase.
The instructors manual is made up of 25% principles and 75% instructions as highlighted in II Tim. 3:16 (Doctrines – Principles; Reproof, Correction & Instructions – Instructions).
If therefore, three-quarters of the manual is filled with instructions, then it is advisable to locate the specific instruction for your life at a point/phase, utilize it and see the dramatic turnaround in your life.
During the time I was seeking admission, frustration nearly set in until instructions came from His word (the manual) and through someone's testimony. The person went through the same predicament and was victorious through the application of principles and instructions...he fed himself daily with scriptures from Psalms 102:13 and Jeremiah 29:11 and then added to that, he started rearing a monthly altar of sacrifice tagged “Admissions Offering”. I immediately tapped into the testimony and applied the same instructions and principles. That same year, I secured my admission. This brings me to the conclusion that certain phases of life may actually require the same instructions to conquer but more often than not, you may need to locate your own specific instructions to become victorious in that phase.
As painted in the testimony above, instructions are not limited to the manual alone, as with the Admission Offering, there are times when products malfunction, they are taken straight to the manufacturer for specific instruction and maintenance operation, so it is with life issues, there are certain instructions you dont get in the manual, you have to take the situation to the manufacturer and hear directly from Him. Yeah, that's the place of the HolySpirit. He instructs, guides, teaches as illustrated in John 14:26. There are instructions you hear directly from Him concerning certain issues at certain crossroads of life.
Ignorance is not an excuse else you keep languishing in your problem and remain at the spot or phase for a long time.
Your heart must be receptive enough to accept the instructions else you remain in that phase for a long time.
Doing it as instructed is also very vital in a successful attempt. No matter how long you have been walking on a wrong path, it never leads to a right destination until you retrace your step and start walking on the right and instructed route.
Friends, for a colorful life and a glorious destiny, the importance of instructions cannot be over-emphasized. I therefore admonish you to guard your heart with all diligence, accept instruction, utilize them as instructed, and then a colorful flight is guaranteed. See you all at the topmost top.

Sunday 27 May 2012

WE LOST OUR PRIVACY ALREADY


Lets quickly do a count (with your fingers:)
Are you on any of these social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, 2go, Whatsapp, Linkedln, Skype, Gtalk, Y!Msgr, Meebo, Google+, MySpace, hi5, Lagbook, Blogspot, Wordpress, etc)
How many mail address have you got?
How many phones and SIMs have you?
Are you on Bbm?
Enough! A modern day proverb says if you are not on at least three of the aforementioned platforms, you are not fit to be in this modern age. I tell you, if a random sample is taken, over 60% of the world population belong to at least one of these.
Question now suffice, do we still think we have our privacy? My answer is an emphatic NO. Virtually ALL of these social platforms require that you upload recent pictures of you into the application and then when your parent knocks on your door, you seat in the corner of your room and claim “...I dont wana see anyone today, I want my privacy...”. Your picture and indeed your profile is travelling across borders, countries and indeed continents. What then is the privacy you claim you desire?
I have seen several inconsistencies on these social platforms we sign up with where pictures can be uploaded and downloaded without restrictions. A scenario once occurred where a lady saw her picture as the profile picture of a guy she claims she doesnt even know at all. Which court is she gonna charge the culprit to, I ask myself. I once checked a lady's profile on FB and was amazed at the number of albums she uploaded to her profile each with over a hundred  pictures in them. Relationships have been shattered, marriages broken and several other engagements wavering due to inferences from these Social platforms.
Even the so-called secure platforms arent that secured cos they are vulnerable to what we Computer geeks call “Cross-Site Scripting” attacks. This is a situation where the Javascript of your browser is invoked when you click on external links on your profile exposing your login details to the hacker...and GBAM...they are into your account. Did I hear you say “I cant fall for that...”? Well the good news is as much as I know about XSS attacks, I fell for it on my Twitter account a couple of days back. If not for timely discovery and immediate change of password, God knows what would have happened.
The truth is we have lost our privacy...no doubt about it. There was an argument at my IT office a couple of months back where a client was bragging he could do something awful and get away with it. Immediately, I googled his name and guess what? His full profile was online, including his picture, residential address and phone numbers. He left our office that day with his tail between his legs.
Are you still in doubt you lost your privacy? Well, that you aint a victim yet doesnt mean you are not vulnerable to attacks.
Also, dont forget that we are in an era of Photoshop experts, where Mr A's head can suddenly be found on Mr B's body and vice versa.
Days after days we keep signing up on different other social platforms some of which even award you imaginary stars for uploading several pictures. In no time, you become “Masters” and “Generals” in the platform and you smile forgetting that all these pictures you upload are being sent to a central server million of miles away. I said it jokingly a couple of years back that a time will come when we will have to pay to download  our very own pictures from these social platforms. I still see that happening in the nearest future.
Did you just say NEVER? Well, how about this, Did you read/go through the Terms and Conditions before you clicked “I Agree” when you were registering or downloading those applications?
Just admit it, we have lost our privacy and thousands keep selling off day after day. Don’t get me wrong, these applications have their advantages but when you weigh them against the disadvantages, you'll know better.
Although technology is not yet as sophisticated as the developed countries, believe me we are fast losing our privacy.
I was watching a Nollywood movie where a fetish man told a client of his to bring a picture of a certain rich man he wanted to harm. The client had to go to the man's house in pretense to get the rich man's picture. I laughed and felt Nollywood has not improved, all the client had to do was go online to the rich man's website or FB profile, download the picture that suits his purpose and print it, then give to the fetish man to use for whatever he desires it for.
Take a break and ask yourself where all your pictures are at this very moment. Can you account for them all? Well then, I think the Holy Book is right afterall. “...if it had not been the Lord on our side...”

Thursday 3 May 2012

REACHING OUT...in d Real World!


Tiz good to be back again after a long while away on academic pursuits. This enforced break just brought back a feeling of boredom, loneliness and forgetfulness which many students and indeed youths cry about these days. In a time like this, I cant but imagine the power and effect of a word of grace from a friend/colleague will bring either in form of a call or text message. Now, this vary amongst youths, while some favour the virtual world (Social Network platforms), some favour calls, a huge number actually prefer text messages amongst whom I belong.
Back then, just when we were settling and getting to know each other, I received a text message from a fellow coursemate of mine on Saturday, 22nd November, 2008 at 1:27pm (U surprised I committed the details to my photographic memory?), really there was nothing special about the message, just a word of advise, but I have kept that message intact and gone over it over and over again despite changing phones severally since November 2008.
I dont know if tiz me alone but the effect text messages have on me is overwhelming. As in the scenario painted above, the message she sent reads:
There are 3 enemies of peace, avoid them,
*Regret over yesterday's mistakes
*Anxiety over 2moro's problems
*Ingratitude for today's blessings
HAPPY WKEND”
I'm sure she cant remember sending me that text but I so much treasure that message. Most times, when alone, I pick up my phone and scroll through my inbox, and it just brighten my moment. Often times, the intrigue that comes from TEXT ANALYSIS is just indescribable. This same pleasure I derive in going through my inbox is thesame I take in sending out messages to folks.
However, one thing that surprises me is that the number of people I reach out to dwindles every day and dats becos I expect people to reciprocate that gesture when they receive a beep from me, but that's not really the case.
Notwithstanding, on several occasions, I have sent out bulk sms and one or two replies came in with the message “...that was the word I was waiting for...” all through the rest of the day, I feel elated and fulfilled...I have impacted a life positively today!

The cheapest way to endear people to yourself is to reach out to them in and out of season. Maybe through beeps, calls, notes or text messages, just make sure you are reaching out to someone or your clique. Dont leave it to birthdays, holidays or festive seasons to reach out to someone, either in nthe virtual world or in the real world, I prefer the real world though.

I asked a lady one day why after receiving over 3 messages from me all through the week, she has not deemed it fit to reply one or even beep my mobile. Guess what her reply was? “I cant compose a message...”. My surprise could only be imagined at such response. Really? Are there such people around who find it hard composing text messages? For God sake, just 160 words of grace is hard for you to put together? Quite Alarming!!!
the reason many ladies dont send message to guys is because one thing is peculiar to the guys, “TEXT ANALYSIS.” we begin to imagine the motive behind such text, the situation that warranted such texts and the next point of action as a result. Someone said, it's actually a 2-way thingy, the ladies also perform the same experiment...I care less though.
Bottom line is this, always try as much as possible to reach out to loved ones in the real world (Calls, Flash, Voice and Text messaging). If a life is affected as a result of over 10messages sent, I think that's mission accomplished!
Finally, one thing pisses me off about messages though, hearing my message tone beep and excitedly running to pick it up only to find out it was from my service provider...GOSH, I always feel like smashing the phone to the wall (never tried it though). Have you felt/experienced that lately?

Sunday 15 January 2012

Waves of Glory 2012 Intercessory Prayer Guidelines for the Winners Family Worldwide!

2012 INTERCESSORY PRAYER GUIDELINES
THANKSGIVING
Father, thank you or confirming the breakthrough unlimited agenda to the fullest in the Winners amily worldwide. (Isaiah 44:26)
Father, thank you for the unprecedented harvest of souls in all our churches worldwide in 2011 (Jeremiah 30:19)
Father, thank you for the explosive church growth recorded, both in Spiritual and numerical. (I Cor. 3:6)
Father, thank you for constantly illuminating our lives and paths with the revelation of your word all through the year 2011, resulting in strange result of testimonies. (Ps. 107:20)
Father, thank you for covering our lives, families properties and businesses in 2011 and for delivering us from the hand of the enemies. (Ps. 125:1-3)
Father, thank you for the unusual, supernatural strength you gave your servant – Spirit, soul and body all through the year 2011. (Josh. 14:11)
Father, we thank you for the glorious and precious gift of the new year 2012. You have made us to cross over by your grace and mercy. (Ps. 92:1)
Father, we thank you for the prophecy of this New year, Waves of Glory. We know that by your divine enablement, we shall experience a most glorious fulfillment. (I Kings 8:15)
Father, we thank you for miracles, signs and wonders that you have prepared for your people this year. We believe that every struggle of the past year shall be converted to miracles. (Is. 28:21 – 22)
Father we thank you because you will make the place round about your hill and your people a blessing and there shall be showers of blessings on every winner this year.  (Ezek. 34:25-26)
Father, we thank you for the helps you have reserved for your servant this year. He shall never be hurt because of your marvelous helps. (Acts 26:22)
Father, we thank you for the mysteries of your word that will be unfolded to your people to fulfill your divine agenda for the winners’ family. We know that we shall experience greater confirmation and performance of your word this year. (Gen. 13:14 – 15)

FOR FULFILLMENT OF 2012 PROPHECY
Father, establish every winner under the glory cloud all through the year 2012. (Num. 4:10)
Father, make year 2012 a year of explosive Church growth in all our churches worldwide. (Acts 13:44)
Father, make year 2012 a year of Laughter after the order of Sarah for all winners. (Gen. 21:5-7).
Father, make year 2012 a year of divine surprises for all winners (Isaiah 43:19)
Father, make year 2012 a year of sudden visitations after the order of Abraham for every winner (Gen. 12:1-3)
Father, make year 2012 a year of dramatic change of status for every winner from the terrestrial to the celestial. (II Cor. 3:18)
Father, make year 2012 a year of Supernatural Turnaround after the order of Joseph for every Winner (Ps. 105:17-22)
Father, make year 2012 a year of strange works and strange acts by your mighty hand all across this commission. (Luke 5:26)
Father, cause the fear of winners to fall upon every agent of the devil worldwide, and turn every winner into a threat to powers of darkness (Deut. 11:25)
Father, release grace for covenant practice upon every winner that will establish everyone in financial fortune (Deut. 8:18)
Father, release the outpouring of the Spirit of Wisdom upon every winner in a strange dimension (Deut. 34:9)
Father, let there be the rise of an army of giants in every area of life in the winners family this year. (Obad. 1:21)
Father, make year 2012 a year of divine favour for all winners. Not one winner will experience any form of misfortune. (Ps. 102:13)
Father, baptize every winner afresh with the spirit of faith that establishes unquestionable dominion (II Kings 2:15)
Father, cause a mighty outpouring of the Spirit of Holiness upon every Winner worldwide (Romans 1:4)
Father, cause the winners family to be overtaken by the blessings of the Lord in every area of life this year (Deut. 28:1)
Father, we decree year 2012 shall be regret-free for all winners. (Is. 11:9)
Father, make year 2012 a sickness-free year for all winners worldwide (Jer. 30:17)

FOR THE COMMISSION
Father, manifest your vengeance against every wickedness of the wicked concerning this church (Is. 17:13-14)
Father, we destroy every plan and purpose of hell concerning your divine agenda for the Winners family this year (Jer. 20:10-12)
Father, we decree the destruction of every agent of the devil militating against every Winner this year, 2012 and beyond (Is. 54:17)
Father, let the plan of the wicked fall on their head and let them not be able to carry out their enterprise (Job 5:12)
Father, we decree the release of Angels to destroy the camp of the wicked standing in the way of your people with vengeance that others may hear and fear the name of the Lord (Ex. 23:22-23)
Father, by the blood of everlasting covenant; execute judgment against all satanic plans to your glorious agenda for us this year (ex. 12:12)
Father, by the Spirit of the Lord we come against the activities of the gates of hell contending against the move of God in our midst. (Is. 59:19)

PERSONAL SUPPLICATION
Father, let every contention against the fulfillment of the Prophetic Theme of the year – Waves of Glory in my life be destroyed (Is. 49:24-26)
Father, let every Pharoah and Herod of my life, responsible for my captivity become extinct except they repent (Ps. 7:11)
Father, arise and scatter every confederacy and gang up against me to frustrate my glory (Is. 41:11-12)
Father, rain upon the household of my enemies, fire and brimstone and horrible tempest and give me total liberty (Ps. 11:6)
Father, let every arrow of the wicked sent against me return to sender and let the wicked fall into the same pit he has prepared for me (Esther 7:9)
Father, hasten your day of vengeance and cause your chosen to be redeemed from all the forces of wickedness (Is. 63:4)
Intercession: Our Father, to whom vengeance belong, show yourself in every area of my life that the enemy has afflicted me (Ps. 94:1-2)
Father, plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me this month (Ps. 35:1)
Father, bolt out every spell, curse and enchantment standing against my glorious destiny this year (Col. 2:12-15)
Intercession: Father, let everything mocking my glorious destiny in Christ be judged (II Kings 2:23-24)

FOR CHURCH GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT
Father, let our churches both at home and on the foreign field become churches without walls by reason of unprecedented multitudes. (Zech. 2:4-5)
Father, let every social assembly double its present size (100%) minimum before the end of this year. (Is. 61:7)
Father, by your Spirit, give fresh insight to all our pastors to know what to do to provoke supernatural church growth and development this year (Jn. 6:6-11)
Father, we decree the release of angels to the highways and the hedges, compelling the influx of souls in to our churches and satellite fellowships. (Matt. 13:39)
Father, increase the manifestations of signs and wonders in our midst leading to extra-ordinary church growth. (Acts 5:12-14)
Father, send your word with power making every assembly a green pasture where the sheep will be well nourished and established (Acts 6:7)
Father, we condemn, resist and destroy every interruption of hell in all our church operations this year that may slow down church growth. (Matt. 16:18)
Father, establish every convert of year 2011 in the faith and in the green pastures of the living faith church assemblies worldwide. (Jn 17:12)
Father, we release your wisdom upon leadership at various levels to manage the increases and multiplications coming upon the church this year (Prov. 24:3)
Father, empower the statutory bodies in our local assemblies with wisdom for healthy growth and establishment (Acts 6:3)
Father, by your Spirit, let every winner be established in the faith this year. (Rom. 8:35-38)
Father, by the operation of your wisdom; establish all our churches in grace and glory this year. (Acts 16:4-5)

FOR THE LEADERSHIP
Father, reveal your perfect counsel to your servant the Apostle over this commission, concerning all aspects of the commission. (Ps. 32:8)
Father, uphold your servant, the shepherd over the commission and infuse him with supernatural strength, spirit, soul and body to carry through the mandate on his life. (Judg. 6:14)
Father, surround your servant, the Apostle over this commission and his family with divine peace and quietness. We forbid any trouble or distraction (Jn. 14:27)
Father, grant leadership new depth of wisdom and insight to match the demands of his assignmnet. (Matt. 13:54)
Father, let your hedge of protection be strong around your servant and his family. Let every arrow shot against them return back to sender. (Job 1:10)
Father, quicken the heart of your servant; sharpen his spirit to be sensitive to every directive of the Holyspirit. (Is. 50:4)

FOR OTHER ARMS OF MINISTRY
Father, send your word with grace and power in all the WOFBI sessions this year.
Father, let all WOFBI training sessions this year, be with fire and lasting effect in the lives of all students.
Father, engrace all the lecturers  with supernatural utterance in all the sessions.
Father, let the breathe of the Holy Ghost rest upon all the publications of this commission bringing about dramatic turnarounds in the life of every reader.
Father, we decree the establishment of all our foreign mission operations and greater open doors this year.
Father, cause your mighty hands to rest upon all our educational institutions (Universities, Secondary Schools and Primary Schools) for excellence.
Father, we decree fresh Apostolic grace upon your servant in all his foreign mission outreaches this year that will result in lasting impact.

FOR MEMBERSHIP WELFARE
Father, establish a wall of fire around all members of the Winners’ family against all forms of assault (Zech. 2:5)
Father, we release the fire of the Holy Ghost to burn every affliction in any life such as moving objects in the body, internal heat, night-mares, etc (Matt. 3:12)
Father, let every disease termed incurable such as; Heart disease, Cancer, Hypertension, HIV AIDS, etc; be healed in this 21days of prayers and fasting. (Matt. 8:16-17)
Father, wipe away tears off the eyes of everyone looking to you for the fruit of the womb, and grant the release of their miracle babies this year (Ps. 113:9)
Father, stretch forth your hands and destroy every yoke of stagnation in the career and business of your people (Is. 10:27)
Father, we break the hand of the enemy over every broken marriage and decree supernatural restoration this year in the name of Jesus. (Joel 2:23-25)
Father, let every eligible single locate their marriage partners as an aftermath of this 21days prayers and fasting, and grant them a glorious settlement this year. (Ps. 68:6)
Father, we decree academic excellence for every student in the Winners family. Make them to be above only and not beneath. (Dan. 1:20)

FOR THE NATION
Father, we repent of our sins as a Nation and ask that you cleanse us and our land by the blood of Jesus. Deliver us from divine judgment, O God.
Father, trouble every troubler of Nigeria and let their wicked deeds return on their heads and all that pertain to them. Grant lasting peace and quietness to this nation.
Father, grant the President of this Nation the heart of a Lion and the Wisdom of Solomon in running the affairs of government.
Father, we decree judgment on kidnappers and ritual killers in this Nation in the name of Jesus. Arise Oh God to the defense of the innocent and set confusion in their camp. (Is. 44:24-25)
Father, defend all our local assemblies nationwide, there shall be no evil occurrence anywhere throughout the year. (I Chron. 19:32-34)
Father, we curse the operations, sponsors and operators of all terrorist sects in Nigeria, we command them to dry up from the roots. (Mk 11:20-21)
Father, visit the camp of every terrorist sect with vengeance and absolute destruction so that peace can reign again in Nigeria. (Ps. 94:21-23)
Father, heal the economy of Nigeria and restore our lost glory. (II Chron. 7:14)
In Conclusion,
Remember, everytime we go sleep spiritually, the enemy continues to have a field day. Matt. 13:24-28.
We must rise up to stop the wicked – Luke 11:21-22
We must engage importunity in prayer to stop the enemy. (Luke 18:1-8)
And because prayers and fasting enhances our spiritual authority for conquest, we must take full advantage of prayers and fasting to stop the wickedness of the wicked against our lives and this commission. (Is. 58:6-10/Matt 17:21)
We can destroy the hold of the devil and his agents through the power of Prayers and Fasting. (Luke 4:14, 32, 46).
Let us therefore arise and take full and speedy delivery of the fulfillment of the prophetic Waves of Glory ordained for this year – I Tim. 1:18 (Deut. 2:24/Matt 11:12)
Finally,
Apostle Paul wrote:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15
Furthermore, Jesus said:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Matt. 6:9
As we cry to our Father, heaven will open and answers shall be released speedily unto us.
None of our enemies shall escape, and none of our packages shall be lost.
This INTERCESSORY PRAYER GUIDELINES is to empower our prayer altar as individuals so as to maximize the glorious agenda God has put in place for the year.
Jesus is Lord!!!

Bishop David O. Oyedepo
Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota-Lagos
January 2012

Wednesday 4 January 2012

FAILURE AND DEATH AMONGST MODERN DAY YOUTH!


Before we proceed, lets quickly paint two scenarios:
Scenario 1: A lad was promised a good job, a house and a car by his wealthy uncle, irrespective of his ‘class’ upon graduation. Luckily for him, he graduated with second class honours. After his NYSC, he decided to visit his Uncle who had promised him. Getting to his Uncle`s abode, he found the wife, children and neighbours mourning…the man had committed suicide that morning because the bank had confiscated all his possessions due to unpaid loan.

Scenario 2: A wealthy young man observed that he was being trailed by someone for the past one week. He approached the Superintendent of Police in the community to confide in him, the Superintendent promised to protect him from the killer by placing 2 policemen as his escort. The next day, news had it that the Superintendent of Police was found dead in his bedroom as well as all security guards in his house.

Question is what do you think will run through the minds of these young guys painted in the scenario above?

I believe your guess is as good as mine…Success and Longevity are not Natural phenomenon, but largely Spiritual. Going scriptural, both phenomenon are hinged on two basic things (AMONGST OTHER THINGS) which are Service to God (Exodus 23:25-28, Joshua 1:8) and Parental/Elderly regard (Ephesians 6:1-9). Overtime, we have heard exhortations, sermons and teachings that talks about service to God, hence, I`ll focus more on the Parental aspect.

We had a family meeting a couple of years ago when my Dad read to us from Ephesians :1 – 3. At the end of his admonition, he asked if we had any questions, I told him I had no question but I wanted to read that same chapter but starting from verse 4…
I really cant remember how the rest of the meeting went but about 2 years later, the Spirit told me it`s not for me to judge someone else`s obedience to the scripture, all I need do is fulfill my own part and leave the rest to God. Ever since then, I have continuously entrusted myself into doing my own part (by God`s grace though), and trust me, my path has been on the ascendancy.

Going further, let`s do a quick test:
When last did you say ‘thank you’ to your Parents?
When last did you send them a ‘Happy New Month’ message despite the fact you send to your numerous friends?
When last did you buy them a gift out of the little you have (which they probably gave you in the first place)?
When last did you do their laundries or get it taken care of by a laundry man before their arrival from work?
When last did you prepare them a meal?
Who still does the house chores? Are you being forced to do them or you do them willingly?
...and several other things I cant mention here.

Blessings, Success and Longevity are provoked, they don’t just happen naturally…since the law of seed time and harvest shall not cease. What are you sowing into the life of your parents today to attract their blessings upon your life? If nothing, I`m afraid, don’t expect a miracle in the nearest future. God is no respecter of persons, if you obey his instructions and keep his percepts as regards honouring your parents, then he is committed to making you fulfill the number of your days and in prosperity too. Have you ever watched the satisfaction and prayers in the faces of your parents when you have just done something for them? OMG! It’s a feeling you can`t trade for anything.

The modern day youth take virtually everything lackadaisically, when you imagine their parents doing virtually everything for them, cooking for them, doing chores for them while they sit with the phone, TV or internet lazing/fooling around, and then you wonder why they are not successful or live long as expected. Friends, the scripture cannot be broken, it`s either you walk in the percepts laid down and enjoy the blessings that follow or you live your life the way you want and pay dearly for it, it`s up to us. Note that I said amongst other things, that tells you that Honouring your Parents is a major factor for longevity of days and Success in life, but not all there is to it.

…the good news is, it`s never too late to start, get back to the roots and start making amends. Jacob provoked blessings upon himself by preparing a meal for Isaac (Gen. 27:25-29). Joseph provoked blessings upon himself by ‘joyfully’ running errands for his father, Jacob (Genesis 37). Samson ‘somehow’ fulfilled destiny although the number of his days was cut short, all because he disobeyed his parents` instruction (Judges 14:3). A whole lot of examples in the scriptures that points towards parental blessings.

Make up your mind, to treat your parents with utmost respect, never discuss them or their instruction with your friends on the Internet, mobile or BBm, and above all Honour them in every way you can...and I can tell you, it shall be well with you and the number of your days will be fulfilled!

Shalom!