WHY GOD ALLOWED COVID-19 IN THE WORLD
Today, we will be considering the pandemic ravaging the whole world at the moment, the reasons why God allowed it to have some effects on the church and what we are to do individually. We pray that God minister to your body, soul and spirit as you listen in Jesus name.
First of all, Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered virus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to a moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.
As at April 2nd 2020, there have been Nine-Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Ninety Eight-Hundred (950,098) confirmed cases of people who have contracted the disease; there is Forty-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Nine (48,259) confirmed death, resulting from the disease; whilst there is Two Hundred and One Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy One (201,571) affected persons who have recovered. This is calamitous!
We give God all the glory because the pandemic is not ravaging African countries as it is in other continents (and it will not by the special mercy and grace of the Most High God). This is because if it does, it will be very tragic on the ground that we in the first place, operate a cash economy where everyone handles money and the fact that money goes from hands to hands when doing transaction. This is one of the easiest ways to contract the virus. Secondly, we travel by means of public transportation. Unfortunately, about 5% of Nigerians own private cars. Through public transportation, many could easily contract the disease and if that is the case numerous number of people in Africa would fall victim.
Additionally, we operate an Open Market system where everyone goes to market. If a member of a family contracts it, then everyone in that family would definitely contract same from that one person and thereby becoming pervasive.
Furthermore, a good number of people goes to church in Africa (especially in Nigeria) and by that, the disease would spread faster.
Whilst it is admitted that there might be a conspiracy going on, against the globe; that is, the elites trying to reduce the number of people in the world in order to have a grip on the world, it is our view that for some reasons God permitted it. If God does not permit it for some ultimate ends, that is, to cause His will to be done on earth, then it wouldn’t have stood. Examples like this are plethora in the Bible.
Consequently, the apt question is: why would God allow such on humanity and especially His people? Why would God allow a hold to have been put on the assembly of His people for some days if nothing is wrong? Some are even asking where God is in all these. Better still they ask, does God still exist? I need not delve into the last question whether God still exist or not because God doesn’t need humans’ affirmation to satisfy Himself of His existence.
From the highlighted questions lie many problems with most Christians or believers including our leaders (I mean the Senior Pastors, the Bishops, the General Overseers, the Presiding Pastors, the Apostles and others). Quite some time before now, I have come to know that something is largely wrong with the practice of Christianity in Nigeria and largely in Africa; (by this I do not mean that other folks in other climes are getting it right either). Somehow, it appears that we are not getting its benefits apart from whittling down the operations of darkness in Nigeria.
Someone has challenged the authenticity of the New Year Prophecies which ministers in Nigeria dish out at the beginning of the year. He questioned that why was it that God did not reveal the corona virus pandemic to them? He opined that the prophecies given at the beginning of each year could not then all be from God. Subsequently, he berated those New Year prophecies as not been true, or foretelling, because they have been commercialized. It is our view that whilst this could be true to some extent; however, believers have neither been taught, nor shown how to establish an irrevocable relationship with God; and how to operate in the Law of the Spirit which gives the life of God, to every believer in Christ Jesus, thereby being led by the Holy Spirit as stated in Romans 8:12.
Let me state categorically, that most believers do not welcome a change even if they know that it is coming from God. Once we are used to something, we find new approaches or workings of the Holy Spirit very repulsive. Critically, the truth is that believers resist spiritual novelty or freshness either because we are not in tuned with God and His purpose for each season or that we are not ready to make a change for selfish reasons. In essence, we are too use to the status quo even though we all at one time or the other once said “the only permanent thing in life is a change”. We read the Bible and know that God is unchanging in His purpose, but His methods or approaches change from time to time. Those approaches He intends to change in getting His will done is what we always resist because we are too rigid in world outlook and perspectives. This is the exact conundrum the Pharisees and Sadducees during Jesus earthly ministry found themselves. Unfortunately, we the modern believers have become entangled in that web.
For instance, we are taught of who God and His Son Jesus are, yet we are not flexible. We read about Jesus’ disposition to sinners and the need to bring them to reconciling with their creator, yet we are inflexible.
Our activities have become so rigid that we leave no space for the Holy Spirit since we are “too familiar” with His ways and workings. In all of our activities in Church, an average person can guess all that are going to happen. Where is the flowing River of life? This perhaps makes the question I was asked some years ago relevant in one of my teachings. I was asked that how is it possible for one to prayer for three hours non-stop. The person went further by asking what he would be saying for the next three hours without stopping. This was a person who has spent about ten years in church and yet does not understand the mystery behind praying for long hours through the Holy Spirit.
We have limited the Creator of the universe who gives us His Spirit to change the world and for the purpose of making His will to be done on earth. We have limited the unlimited God by our action and inaction. We have held unto what we only know about Him such that we are not willing to know another dimensions of God through His Spirit; even though we read from the Scriptures that God moves in different unpredictable realities. These are in plethora in the Bible. Yet, we believe that besides those dimensions He once moved in the Bible or the ones we are used to, there could be no other fashion.
These days, the main reason for the death of Jesus Christ is being made of no effect because of what Christianity has become. Some cannot go to church again because Christianity has been become a religion. By the way, I need to say empathically that Christianity is a way of life and by that, I mean the way of life that is in Jesus Christ which is the life of God.
However, religion has replaced God in many people’s hearts. It has become a set of rituals and doctrines dovetailing into idolatry. Church activities, position, money, fame, power, material etc. have taken the place of God in many believers’ hearts. The essence of creatures has been jettisoned and God has to allow this kind of situation; that is, the pandemic to shake the world and get His people back to the track.
Who can ever imagined that churches and worship could be deserted on service days especially on Sundays because of anything? It beats my imagination that God would allow the gathering of His people on service days especially on Sundays to be threatened without His intervention. Nevertheless, I remember that God permitted the Ark to be taken away by aliens when His people rejected Him and sinned against Him in the Scriptures (1kings 5:2).
From the foregoing, it becomes crystal clear that we are either not getting it right somewhere or that we are too at ease such that we don’t get what the Holy Spirit would have us do each season or period. Yet we know the aftermath of not getting it right with God and not being receptive to His Spirit. In the former case, the result has always been that after a while, God becomes weary and He is left with no option other than to take some steps to cause a paradigm shift and in the latter case; it has always been to cause something that will put the people on their toes and if no change is seen, God could bring about massive destruction.
In that case, God is giving all denominations that are genuinely under His supervision to carry-out a holistic restructuring in order to retrace their God-given blue-prints. We need not say the level of atrocities that are going on in each denomination which the Lord knows about. Sadly speaking, little or nothing is being done to avert such atrocities because they have eaten deep into the fabric of many denominations. If some of these atrocities are known, we will wonder whether God is dwelling on our hearts or not.
Aside that, the issue of leadership hierarchy, posting or transferring, church planting, building, budgeting, administration, doctrines etc. are areas that need renovation. These are a tip of an iceberg.
All churches should do a review of all their activities for the good of the Kingdom.
One thing that has become obvious, is the fact that God wants everyone to know Him one-on-one. Many people do not actually know that God prefers that, to anything else.
Individually, we are to seek God. Another way to think about seeking God is the concept of attracting the presence of God. Though some believers have known God through the forgiveness of Jesus Christ for years, they may not be aware of what it means to seek God and what He expects of those called by His name. To be a Christian, is to be a follower, an imitator, of Jesus Christ. We must pursue God, love Him, and serve Him the way our Lord and Savior has modeled for us. Emphasis is no longer being made on this and how to do so.
Seeking after God is not something to be primarily undertaken by non-Christians, but Christians. In about ninety percent occurrences in the Scriptures, the concept of seeking after God is characteristic of believers, not unbelievers. It is an ongoing mindset and lifestyle of those who desire to know, love, and follow God.
As we draw near to God, He draws near to us. As the prophet Azariah told King Asa in 2 Chronicles 15:2: “The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” God’s presence comes in the person of the Holy Spirit. When we seek Him, He pours out His Holy Spirit into our lives individually and corporately. We can make the presence of God and His will to be on earth as it is in heaven. This is one of the main things the Lord expect from us His children.

The following steps might be useful in seeking God individually:
1: Repentance
Repent if you have not been seeking God fervently and wholeheartedly. Repent of any and every area of your life that has not been consistent with God’s will. Put away anything in your life that is doubtful and that may be displeasing to God.


2. Humility and Fasting
You must continually cultivate humility, making use of the discipline of fasting regularly as well as episodically. The first century church fasted every Wednesday and Friday until 3pm. You can choose any time convenient for you to do so.
3. Fervent and Frequent Prayer
Pray fervently two or three set times per day (worship and praise are a type of prayer). Pray continuously throughout the day. You can always pray in the Spirit whilst on a bus going to office and when coming back to your house. This is highly beneficial.
4. Taking in the Word
Pray and read the Bible on your own or with others two or three set times per day. Cultivate your ability to hear God through the Holy Spirit, dreams, and prophecies etc.
5. Obedience
Obey all the Lord’s commands including the command to love Him with your whole heart and to love others as well. Resolve to live a righteous life. Maintain sexual integrity, and work to reduce and end the evil of abortion. Obey the Spirit promptly.
6. Perseverance
Be focused and diligent in your seeking after God. Persevere in your hunt for God, month after month, year after year.
7. Know God one-on-one
The is the very crux of my write up. God tired of all our attachment to the church without having any connection with Him. See John 4:21, 23-24. He is demanding that YOU know Him personally beyond what you have heard about Him. This is what is of utmost importance to God right now.
In conclusion, be a true worshipper. Let your worship be from your heart rather than your lips. God is teaching the whole a lesson as well as individual. Clear yourself before God through His Son Jesus Christ and be right standing with God as this is one of the main reasons why God allowed the disease to have its way in spite of what might be the intention of the conspirators. If we don’t get the message that the Lord is passing to the world now, continents, countries, families and individual clearly and obey, something more terrible may occur.
On the cessation of the pandemic, take solace in Christ and be rest assured that the Lord has arrested it because of you and me.
God bless you!

So all this lengthy sermon is to tell us that God intentionally allow covid-19 to the world abi?to prove what kwanu?Oga emancipate from this mental slavery and stop all this gibberish biko

Trash

GofGs:
WHY GOD ALLOWED COVID-19 IN THE WORLD
Today, we will be considering the pandemic ravaging the whole world at the moment, the reasons why God allowed it to have some effects on the church and what we are to do individually. We pray that God minister to your body, soul and spirit as you listen in Jesus name.
First of all, Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered virus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to a moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.
As at April 2nd 2020, there have been Nine-Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Ninety Eight-Hundred (950,098) confirmed cases of people who have contracted the disease; there is Forty-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Nine (48,259) confirmed death, resulting from the disease; whilst there is Two Hundred and One Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy One (201,571) affected persons who have recovered. This is calamitous!
We give God all the glory because the pandemic is not ravaging African countries as it is in other continents (and it will not by the special mercy and grace of the Most High God). This is because if it does, it will be very tragic on the ground that we in the first place, operate a cash economy where everyone handles money and the fact that money goes from hands to hands when doing transaction. This is one of the easiest ways to contract the virus. Secondly, we travel by means of public transportation. Unfortunately, about 5% of Nigerians own private cars. Through public transportation, many could easily contract the disease and if that is the case numerous number of people in Africa would fall victim.
Additionally, we operate an Open Market system where everyone goes to market. If a member of a family contracts it, then everyone in that family would definitely contract same from that one person and thereby becoming pervasive.
Furthermore, a good number of people goes to church in Africa (especially in Nigeria) and by that, the disease would spread faster.
Whilst it is admitted that there might be a conspiracy going on, against the globe; that is, the elites trying to reduce the number of people in the world in order to have a grip on the world, it is our view that for some reasons God permitted it. If God does not permit it for some ultimate ends, that is, to cause His will to be done on earth, then it wouldn’t have stood. Examples like this are plethora in the Bible.
Consequently, the apt question is: why would God allow such on humanity and especially His people? Why would God allow a hold to have been put on the assembly of His people for some days if nothing is wrong? Some are even asking where God is in all these. Better still they ask, does God still exist? I need not delve into the last question whether God still exist or not because God doesn’t need humans’ affirmation to satisfy Himself of His existence.
From the highlighted questions lie many problems with most Christians or believers including our leaders (I mean the Senior Pastors, the Bishops, the General Overseers, the Presiding Pastors, the Apostles and others). Quite some time before now, I have come to know that something is largely wrong with the practice of Christianity in Nigeria and largely in Africa; (by this I do not mean that other folks in other climes are getting it right either). Somehow, it appears that we are not getting its benefits apart from whittling down the operations of darkness in Nigeria.
Someone has challenged the authenticity of the New Year Prophecies which ministers in Nigeria dish out at the beginning of the year. He questioned that why was it that God did not reveal the corona virus pandemic to them? He opined that the prophecies given at the beginning of each year could not then all be from God. Subsequently, he berated those New Year prophecies as not been true, or foretelling, because they have been commercialized. It is our view that whilst this could be true to some extent; however, believers have neither been taught, nor shown how to establish an irrevocable relationship with God; and how to operate in the Law of the Spirit which gives the life of God, to every believer in Christ Jesus, thereby being led by the Holy Spirit as stated in Romans 8:12.
Let me state categorically, that most believers do not welcome a change even if they know that it is coming from God. Once we are used to something, we find new approaches or workings of the Holy Spirit very repulsive. Critically, the truth is that believers resist spiritual novelty or freshness either because we are not in tuned with God and His purpose for each season or that we are not ready to make a change for selfish reasons. In essence, we are too use to the status quo even though we all at one time or the other once said “the only permanent thing in life is a change”. We read the Bible and know that God is unchanging in His purpose, but His methods or approaches change from time to time. Those approaches He intends to change in getting His will done is what we always resist because we are too rigid in world outlook and perspectives. This is the exact conundrum the Pharisees and Sadducees during Jesus earthly ministry found themselves. Unfortunately, we the modern believers have become entangled in that web.
For instance, we are taught of who God and His Son Jesus are, yet we are not flexible. We read about Jesus’ disposition to sinners and the need to bring them to reconciling with their creator, yet we are inflexible.
Our activities have become so rigid that we leave no space for the Holy Spirit since we are “too familiar” with His ways and workings. In all of our activities in Church, an average person can guess all that are going to happen. Where is the flowing River of life? This perhaps makes the question I was asked some years ago relevant in one of my teachings. I was asked that how is it possible for one to prayer for three hours non-stop. The person went further by asking what he would be saying for the next three hours without stopping. This was a person who has spent about ten years in church and yet does not understand the mystery behind praying for long hours through the Holy Spirit.
We have limited the Creator of the universe who gives us His Spirit to change the world and for the purpose of making His will to be done on earth. We have limited the unlimited God by our action and inaction. We have held unto what we only know about Him such that we are not willing to know another dimensions of God through His Spirit; even though we read from the Scriptures that God moves in different unpredictable realities. These are in plethora in the Bible. Yet, we believe that besides those dimensions He once moved in the Bible or the ones we are used to, there could be no other fashion.
These days, the main reason for the death of Jesus Christ is being made of no effect because of what Christianity has become. Some cannot go to church again because Christianity has been become a religion. By the way, I need to say empathically that Christianity is a way of life and by that, I mean the way of life that is in Jesus Christ which is the life of God.
However, religion has replaced God in many people’s hearts. It has become a set of rituals and doctrines dovetailing into idolatry. Church activities, position, money, fame, power, material etc. have taken the place of God in many believers’ hearts. The essence of creatures has been jettisoned and God has to allow this kind of situation; that is, the pandemic to shake the world and get His people back to the track.
Who can ever imagined that churches and worship could be deserted on service days especially on Sundays because of anything? It beats my imagination that God would allow the gathering of His people on service days especially on Sundays to be threatened without His intervention. Nevertheless, I remember that God permitted the Ark to be taken away by aliens when His people rejected Him and sinned against Him in the Scriptures (1kings 5:2).
From the foregoing, it becomes crystal clear that we are either not getting it right somewhere or that we are too at ease such that we don’t get what the Holy Spirit would have us do each season or period. Yet we know the aftermath of not getting it right with God and not being receptive to His Spirit. In the former case, the result has always been that after a while, God becomes weary and He is left with no option other than to take some steps to cause a paradigm shift and in the latter case; it has always been to cause something that will put the people on their toes and if no change is seen, God could bring about massive destruction.
In that case, God is giving all denominations that are genuinely under His supervision to carry-out a holistic restructuring in order to retrace their God-given blue-prints. We need not say the level of atrocities that are going on in each denomination which the Lord knows about. Sadly speaking, little or nothing is being done to avert such atrocities because they have eaten deep into the fabric of many denominations. If some of these atrocities are known, we will wonder whether God is dwelling on our hearts or not.
Aside that, the issue of leadership hierarchy, posting or transferring, church planting, building, budgeting, administration, doctrines etc. are areas that need renovation. These are a tip of an iceberg.
All churches should do a review of all their activities for the good of the Kingdom.
One thing that has become obvious, is the fact that God wants everyone to know Him one-on-one. Many people do not actually know that God prefers that, to anything else.
Individually, we are to seek God. Another way to think about seeking God is the concept of attracting the presence of God. Though some believers have known God through the forgiveness of Jesus Christ for years, they may not be aware of what it means to seek God and what He expects of those called by His name. To be a Christian, is to be a follower, an imitator, of Jesus Christ. We must pursue God, love Him, and serve Him the way our Lord and Savior has modeled for us. Emphasis is no longer being made on this and how to do so.
Seeking after God is not something to be primarily undertaken by non-Christians, but Christians. In about ninety percent occurrences in the Scriptures, the concept of seeking after God is characteristic of believers, not unbelievers. It is an ongoing mindset and lifestyle of those who desire to know, love, and follow God.
As we draw near to God, He draws near to us. As the prophet Azariah told King Asa in 2 Chronicles 15:2: “The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” God’s presence comes in the person of the Holy Spirit. When we seek Him, He pours out His Holy Spirit into our lives individually and corporately. We can make the presence of God and His will to be on earth as it is in heaven. This is one of the main things the Lord expect from us His children.

The following steps might be useful in seeking God individually:
1: Repentance
Repent if you have not been seeking God fervently and wholeheartedly. Repent of any and every area of your life that has not been consistent with God’s will. Put away anything in your life that is doubtful and that may be displeasing to God.


2. Humility and Fasting
You must continually cultivate humility, making use of the discipline of fasting regularly as well as episodically. The first century church fasted every Wednesday and Friday until 3pm. You can choose any time convenient for you to do so.
3. Fervent and Frequent Prayer
Pray fervently two or three set times per day (worship and praise are a type of prayer). Pray continuously throughout the day. You can always pray in the Spirit whilst on a bus going to office and when coming back to your house. This is highly beneficial.
4. Taking in the Word
Pray and read the Bible on your own or with others two or three set times per day. Cultivate your ability to hear God through the Holy Spirit, dreams, and prophecies etc.
5. Obedience
Obey all the Lord’s commands including the command to love Him with your whole heart and to love others as well. Resolve to live a righteous life. Maintain sexual integrity, and work to reduce and end the evil of abortion. Obey the Spirit promptly.
6. Perseverance
Be focused and diligent in your seeking after God. Persevere in your hunt for God, month after month, year after year.
7. Know God one-on-one
The is the very crux of my write up. God tired of all our attachment to the church without having any connection with Him. See John 4:21, 23-24. He is demanding that YOU know Him personally beyond what you have heard about Him. This is what is of utmost importance to God right now.
In conclusion, be a true worshipper. Let your worship be from your heart rather than your lips. God is teaching the whole a lesson as well as individual. Clear yourself before God through His Son Jesus Christ and be right standing with God as this is one of the main reasons why God allowed the disease to have its way in spite of what might be the intention of the conspirators. If we don’t get the message that the Lord is passing to the world now, continents, countries, families and individual clearly and obey, something more terrible may occur.
On the cessation of the pandemic, take solace in Christ and be rest assured that the Lord has arrested it because of you and me.
God bless you!

Religion.
I can recognise it.

It's a pity that many are very insensitive to what God is saying this time. The reason why the virus or whatever is ravaging the earth now is still raging. Not until the world gets it, it will continue. However, it will not affect everybody. Therefore, we need to continuously ask for His mercies on earth for the preservation of humanity.