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postle Paul was one of the greatest apostles and apologetics of the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, yet his spiritual transformation was tortuous. A Christ-killer, but on his Damascene Transformation in Acts 9, he had a change of mind, heart and focus, which radically altered his life focus and future, yet his spiritual voyage wasn't a cake walk. Unable to reconcile his incessant spiritual somersaults and intense spiritual identity crisis, he agonized and panted for liberation and freedom from sin, self and Satan. Here was his dialectical conundrum as painted by him in Romans 7:15-25: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law;3 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Finally, Saul who later became Apostle Paul reached a catharsis bailout in his inner struggle between soul and body on the one hand, and the spiritual warfare within between spirit and body on the other hand. Every saved soul would at one point in the Christian Journey battles with this intense spiritual warfare within, because as Galatians 5: 7 pointed out thusy: " For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." No wonder David in our example in last week's piece couldn't liberate himself from his fall from yore. Can a saved Christian miss the final prize of life here on earth and the hereafter which is heaven? Yes, if he or she does not look unto the Holy Spirit to quickly resolve the identity crisis constantly engineered by Satan and his demons on the inside and kick them out through deliverance. Unable to advance in his or her Christian Walk, barraged and harassed ceaselessly by demonic forces and constantly held hostage by amanuenses of Satan both from within and without, a saved Christian will turn into a complete train wreck. Since spiritual advancement is hindered and impeded, he/she soon retreats and as Apostle Peter observed in 2 Peter 2: 22: "Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit,"[ and, "A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud."
THE WAY OUT VIA THE HOLY SPIRIT: Sin is pleasurable for a while, whether committed willfully, or disguised. The kink it elicits is the pleasure derived, but the consequences are deadly. Sin when it blossoms leads to death is the verdict, because nothing, absolutely nothing satisfies the human flesh. It is a voyage of no return, because, by its nature, sin exacts three great mortal prices no mortal can pay namely: it can never be satisfied, it craves constant and unstoppable attention and lastly, it has no end like the bottomless pit. That is why the Lord God Almighty says; only in His Presence can unspeakable joy be found. You wonder why a millionaire will reach for a gun and blow off his head in suicide in spite of all the millions of money acquired which many believe should make life livable. . You wonder why a man with five wives acquires more in his harems to satisfy his unrestrained libidinous appetite. You are amazed why those consumed with fame would invent all conceivable ways to be noticed and be in the news. It's all vanity upon vanity as Solomon concluded. He should know. Consequently, the first way out for David in resolving his spiritual conundrum is follow Paul's template. Acknowledge that you are helpless and request for a bail out from the Holy Spirit. The first medicine for every sick person is to acknowledge that you are sick and need a cure.
Sin is bad business. If you do not see sin as the Almighty God sees it and treat as a disease which requires cure by the Holy Spirit, you can never become a born again Christian. Here is how our Lord Jesus Christ put in John 16:7-11: "Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." You must agree with the Father that were He to judge you as your life attests, you are a sure candidate for the Nether Gloom, because as Romans 3:23 says, " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;�" Now that you have laid it bare at the feet of the Holy Spirit, He will do three things in your life no one can do as He promised in Ezekiel 36:26-27." I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Hallelujah. David's heart, just like your heart and mine which we inherited from our biological parents are stony hearts. Right from the time of fallen Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, the human heart is stone cold. It cannot and will never submit to our Maker so it has to be removed. In its place, the heart of flesh that is receptive and responsive to the Lord takes cover. This new heart can still not function without a new spirit, for the heart of flesh is in the soul while the new spirit resides in the spirit of man. Since it is His wish and plan all along to reside in the human spirit and then control the spirit and soul, the Holy Spirit now begins to rule as the Tabernacle of the Lord in the human spirit. This is what is known as being born-again. This is new life, this is what Christianity is all about and this is the over comer's life. Hallelujah!
SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN
When you hear of the activities of rapists, kidnappers, armed robbers, thieves, pedophiles, assassins etc, something eerily creeps into your mind. Your mind goes to Satan, and as our Lord Jesus Christ pointed out in John 10: 10: "The thief -referring to Satan-comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." You shall know them by their fruits. Consequently, the first sign to see in any one who is a born-again Christian is holiness and righteousness. Apostle Paul listed these nine fruits of the Holy Spirit combined in Galatians 5:22-25:" But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Just ask yourself, if you consider yourself a born-again Christian; How many of the fruits listed above reflect and show in my life, period?
The second characteristic of a born-again Christian is avoidance of sin. There is this lie from the pit of hell common now that there is no one that doesn't sin but hear Apostle John in I John 3:8-10: "The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister." The third sign to observe in your life to know you are a born-again Christian is praying in tongues. I have written much about this issue and have differentiated the differences between speaking in tongues and praying in tongues and will not repeat again in this week's column.
The fourth sign to know a born-again Christian is the spirit of prophecy as Revelation 19: 10 aptly pointed out: "At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."The fifth characteristic of a born-again Christian is passion for evangelism and spreading of the gospel. The sixth sign that is evident in any one with a heart of flesh, a new spirit and the Holy Spirit is Love and a new Cloth of New Creation as 2 Corinthians 5: 17 pointed out: " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!"
The seventh and final characteristic of a born again Christian is the discovery of your life's purpose. The Holy Spirit of God will reveal your purpose for your life once you became a new creation. If you say you are a born-again child of the Living God and you cannot tell me in a sentence cryptically worded and laconically stated what your life's purpose on earth is, then something is wrong somewhere. Apostle Paul disclosed this in Ephesians 1:7-9 this way: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:�"Your purpose in life is your reason for living and existence. You don't choose or determine your purpose, but you discover it. It is on this that you and me, indeed everyone on the surface of the earth will be judged on the Day of Judgment. There is only question the King of kings will ask from you, me and every soul on earth, either alive or dead as we individually stand before Him: "Did you carry out the purpose for which I created and sent you to the earth to fulfill? It is not the number of university degrees you acquired, the amounts of money in your bank accounts, the number of houses you built, the number of women you slept with, the number of political appointments and positions you occupied, how large and intimidating your resume and curriculum vitae, the number of wives and husbands you had while here, the number of children you sired, the number of cars in your garage, how popular and well known you were while here and the abundance of your food, clothing and shelter that will be demanded of you on the Great Day of Judgment. That is why we will not take any of these earthly pursuits and accomplishments with us at death. Ask yourself: am I really a born-again Christian? Answer that question before you die. You will either answer it right here now on earth or be confronted with that vital question on the Other Side. The choice is yours.
LETTERS AND READERS' REACTIONS THIS WEEK
On Thursday April 2, 2015 we prophesied and predicted the outcome of the Gubernatorial Elections in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States this way as inspired by the Holy Spirit. https://nigeriaworld.com/feature/publication/fayemiwo/040715.html
SPECIAL NIGERIAN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS 2015 PREDICTIONS
...WHO AND WHO WILL BE GOVERNORS IN NIGERIA ON SATURDAY APRIL 11, 2015?
AKWA IBOM STATE: Mr Udo Emmanuel should not have won the election here, but all manners of irregularities will give the PDP victory and Mr. Umana will reclaim his stolen mandate at the tribunal. Emmanuel may not finish his four year term in office, according to the Word of God in Proverbs 21: 6: "A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare."
RIVERS STATE: Nyesson Wike will put up a great fight in Rivers State and the election here may be suspended or inclusive. Many political supporters will die and voter irregularities will be widespread. Although Wike may be declared the winner, but he will not finish his term. Dakuku Peterside will govern the state like Rotimi Amaechi via the court process.
Below are reactions to our accurate predictions and prophecies:
Dear Dr Moshood Ademola Fayemiwo, It is with great excitement that I have just read the verdict of the Rivers State Election tribunal nullifying Wike's election and ordering a fresh one. This is clearly consistent with your prophetic pronouncement. Our God is mighty and may He continue to honour His Word spoken through you. His Name be praised forever. ----Reginald, O. Toronto, Canada
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Dear Pastor Moshood Ademola Fayemiwo, It is going to be super glorious Sunday to you. May the evil plans of people be destroyed and be exposed so that you will know that God has come down with 30, 000 of His Angels to fight the battle on your behalf. People will say to you God has brought them to your knees for His name sake. God is releasing afresh liquid fire of prayer and mercy to your life. Please Sir pray more. His mercy more than any other thing this week. Receive it as I declare in Jesus mighty name! Amen! I am on my knees with the family in Heaven for your sake. Your brother in the Lord----Pastor Agbaeze Okorie Ugorji, London, UK
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Good day to you man of God. I write in order to thank you for the way the Holy Spirit had moved you to explain the above topic to my understanding. It was as if I was sitting in the classroom listening and asking question from you. I believed it was the work of Holy Spirit working in you. It is my prayer that God Almighty will continue to give you fresh unction from above in Jesus mighty name Amen. You have really made my week with this topic. May God continue to enrich your knowledge? Amen. Please I want to know if I can start theology training through correspondence from you. I shall be glad if it can be possible. I look forward to hear from you. My regards to your family. Have a great working week .Yours in the vineyard, ---OLUSEGUN SUNDAY OSHO.Modesto, California, USA.
We are considering something along that line as soon as we move finally to Texas at the Jesus Christ Solution Center in Cameron, Austin, Texas. I will keep you posted on further developments on our Bible School program. Thanks and remain blessed in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
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Permit me to call you father, For indeed you are my spiritual father that God has given me. My heart is full of joy. My fellowship with the lover of my soul, the precious Holy Spirit is restored. I am studying the word of God with delight. Thank you for teaching me the Word of God like I have never been taught in my 19 years of being saved.
I am glad I travelled all the miles to reach you. It was worth the travel. May the Lord God Almighty, continue to keep you and bless you and increase you on every side.
Thank you so much sir. I lack the right words to express my gratitude. All I can say is God bless you. Your daughter, Faith.---Faith N. Cross Rivers State, Nigeria.
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Good evening Sir, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is ousted, His Election is nullified according to your prophecy. Remain Blessed and Faithful for d Lord.---John Onyinyechi
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PROGRAM NOTE: I am seeking the face of the True Lord God Almighty on who will become the next President of the United States among more than a dozen presidential candidates canvassing for votes to succeed President Barack Obama. In January 2016, we shall unveil Who the Holy Spirit will reveal as the 45th President of the United States of America. This will be a major part of our usual annual prophecies ad predictions for the Year 2016. Watch out in this column.
