Tye Tribbett Live in Concert – Killing Two Birds with one Praise

(image courtesy: http://www.facebook.com/cozaonline)

Apologies for not posting in a while, but this I had to blog about. It seemed to be everywhere. TyeTribbettLiveInCoza was the trending hash tag. If you didn’t know who Tye Tribbett was before the concert, well the billboards around town, and the adverts on social media sure had people including me searching google.

Perhaps like me, a lot of people were intrigued to discover he deserved the credit for some of their favourite songs.

The concert was billed to start for 5:30pm, yet when I got to the ThisDay Dome in Abuja at only minutes to 5, it was already almost half full. This took me back to the social nights in my boarding school; the excited crowd, the early birds, the almost too quickly filled up seats hours before the programme.

I was glad it was a gathering for Christ. I prayed so many would come to the knowledge of Christ. As videos of some of Tye’s performances played before the service, the church clapped and sang along already.

Now I had experienced Tye at ‘The Experience’ in Lagos, in 2006. And I couldn’t but remember the energy he brought to the stage at TBS. I thought even back then, ‘this guy has to be on something to have so much‎ energy.’  Years later in the body of Christ, I now know that such energy can come from God. After all, the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Nothing prepared me however for the outpouring of the spirit that came with the concert. I cannot even find the words to describe the exhilarating moments. Tye and his Team are mega anointed and energetic. Each song ministration was deep. It was not just a concert, it was a worship experience. The ambience was reminiscent of a Hillsong concert. And the moment he sang ‘He turned it’; I was reminded instantly of why I was sold to Christ for life. There was a point in my life when the devil thought he had me, but then someone greater stepped in my situation and turned it. He turned it, Christ turned it.

(image courtesy: http://www.facebook.com/cozaonline)

Nigerians just had to christen Tye with a new name or perhaps a rephrased name. “Taye OluwaTribbetti” That’s what happens, when you’re such a blessing. The connection was so strong, he just had to be from around here. With your praise you can do two things he had said, before commencing and that was exactly what we did. We glorified God and put a black eye in the face of the devil..haha. We killed two birds with one praise.

I’m glad I belong to Jesus. I’m excited that just by the worship experience many trooped out to give their lives to Christ. I’m thankful to have been strategically located in the city that hosted this concert- for free if I might add,  I’m blessed to have attended the Tye Tribbett Concert in COZA. I’m a favoured Jewel.

A MOMENT IN HEAVEN

Unending Mercies

FULL OF ROSES INSPIRATIONALS

A MOMENT IN HEAVEN

I awoke this morning to the birds singing
I went outside, there was a sense of well being
The air was so fresh, a calm breeze blew across my face
It was so quiet, as if everyone was sleeping
I found peace and joy in my heart
As if the world had stopped just for a moment
The longing in my heart to draw near to You
I closed my eyes and pictured You in my head
The flowers in the garden began to bloom
The trees filled with the shiniest fruit
The grass grew seven shades greener
The grape vines that never produce were full
A rainbow had criss-crossed another rainbow across the sky
It was most beautiful
A stream came rushing through my feet
Fish with wings jumping over me
The sky a shade of blue I had never seen before
A Man in…

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Dr. Mike Murdock

Dr. Mike Murdock – image courtesy COZA Nigeria

I know what you’re thinking, I couldn’t believe it myself. The 12DG has been the best 12 days ever for me. How do you get exposed to such veterans of faith and remain the same. 12DG is over and I miss it already. My friend and colleague is already making plans for 7DG *laughs*. The Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly may want to note that after 12DG, 7DG just has to be even more on point.

In 12 days I met Bishop Aremu, Pastor P.K. Olawale, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, Bishop Felix Adejumo, Rev. J.T. Franklyn, Bishop Noel Jones (whoop whoop) and Dr. Mike Murdock. Oh and the hosts, Pastors Biodun and Modele Fatoyinbo and the amazing COZA people. Now that 12DG is over, it’s amazing how it suddenly feels like my year is just starting.

Dr. Mike Murdock rounded off the 12DG in style. what better way to end 12DG than with the instructions that came with all the prophecies we had received from days 1 to 11. I’ll share just a few below, but I really think the message titled “How to enter your future quickly” is a must have for everyone.Here are a few instructions for 2014.

• Set Clear Goals;
• Study;
• Apologise quickly;
• Never Lie;
• Only make covenants with people of integrity;
• Create the God routine everyday;
• Don’t enter your future without knowing what your time is worth;
• Don’t leave appointments open-ended;
• Don’t walk through life accepting everything as it is.

Day 12 felt like a classroom with everyone frantically scribbling away, desperate not to miss any of the important instructions on how to enter their future quickly and I was not left out. I flipped through my 5×7″ notepad and observed I had taken 12 pages of notes. hehe, It was a serious matter.

Day 12 was also a day of giving. Ever seen a $2 bill? I haven’t either, but in appreciation of the melodious rendition of Dr. Mike Murdock’s song “I love sitting at your feet”, Dr. Mike had each member of the choir receive a $2 bill to signify the double portions they (and me) would experience in 2014. Later than night, while teaching on how to be a receiver (wait for this), he gave the Pastor’s wife his Rolls Royce. Yep! are you wide eyed? because I was and I screamed and I am so going to be a receiver in 2014. If you as much as ask me “do you want… in 2014,” my answer will be YES! The Pastor’s wife was like a little girl all over again. it was overwhelming.

Day 12 had a lot of exciting moments. I don’t think I’ve mentioned that there was a DJ in the house..hehe, it was a Holy Ghost Party, thankfully, the next day was a work free day. Only on my way home did I realise it was almost 11 pm; but the thing is, with how excited I was, I would probably have stayed all night if required. Day 12 felt like the 31st of December to me. But even more significant was the closing declaration. ‘Let the miracles Begin!”

So to everyone who has followed the posts on the 12DG, connected in one way or the other, or just longs for an amazing 2014, Let the miracles begin.

P.s: This won’t be the end of the blog, but from here on, it’ll be occasional posts of phenomenal kingdom moments.

Stay Connected!

Bishop Noel Jones

Yep! You read right. Bishop Noel Jones graced the altar of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly for two days. I told you this church called COZA had gone all out with the caliber of preachers gracing its altar.

Before now I had no idea who Bishop Noel Jones was. What a big shame, seeing now as he is one of the finest preachers I have ever heard. How somebody can weave the message of truth with such dexterity still amazes me.

Today I’m not gonna tell about the service, I’m gonna tell about the message he preached on days 10 and 11, what a way to round off the Days of Glory. You see the God who delivered you yesterday is the God who will deliver you tomorrow. God lets your situation move from difficult, to impossible, and then, to a miracle. He wants to speak to you in a situation where there is no doubt that it was Him.

This was my favorite quote of the night; “Peter didn’t walk on water, he walked on the word of God; When he doubted God’s word, he began to sink” That was deep, I had never thought about it like that. Even when things are getting worse, don’t doubt God’s word. Be convinced God is working things out. Sometimes the situation is just God’s set up for a miracle or a blessing.

The message on Day 11 was prophetic. You may want to prophesy into your life that the only thing you’ll be guilty of in 2014 is Having Favour. You need to however decide on a few things. Don’t let other people determine who you are! If you let other people determine who you are and determine your value then you will let them limit you from being free to be who God wants you to be. God is only pleased when you realize your full potential. Whenever you meet God, He takes you from the limitations of the person that you are to the possibilities of who you can become.

Newflash! If you don’t have any haters you are not doing very much. When God has His hand on you, somebody will despise it. The only thing wrong with you should be that you understand the essence of a relationship with God like Daniel

Is the god you serve able to deliver you? Our God is able; He is the King of the Jews, the King of Glory and the Lord of lords, God is the only one qualified enough to be the all sufficient Saviour.

The only thing wrong with you should be favour. You should be guilty of having favour. If people don’t like you now, they need to wait till the end of 2014.

12DG is wrapping up, and I think I’m really going to miss the word, the worship, the great men of God and the revelations. I’ll save the farewell speech till after Day 12.

Thank you for following.

12DG 2014 – Come let us Pray

(All images courtesy COZA Nigeria’s Facebook Page)

The Mysteries of the Human Messenger!

Day 9 of the 12DG was explosive. How do I begin to explain the word on that day which symbolised the month of September for me. The preacher for the night was a man of God I had never heard of before that day-Rev. J.T. Franklyn. Rev. J.T. Franklyn was the Pastor of Rhema Springs International Ministries, Benin City, Nigeria. I’ll call him JTF for the purpose of this post.

The man JTF was a comic prophet. He commenced the message with prophecies but as the message deepened he delivered even more prophecies with humour. Me thinks Day 9 of the 12DG should have been dubbed Friday Night Live in COZA with JTF.

The message was titled The Mysteries of the Human Messenger, the man JTF was however a mysterious messenger. Never had I heard the word delivered in the humorous fashion he adopted.  According to JTF, no man was ever created to walk alone and the answer to prayers is usually a man. JTF was the Benin version of McKinney Hammond as he retold the story of Moses with jocularity from Exodus 2. It was amazing to learn that help would not always come in the stereotype manner we expect. God uses men to bless us and it was important to draw our helpers close.

The church was torn between reeling with laughter and screaming ‘amen’ at the prophecies as the service progressed. But despite the humour, the summary of the message was this: The church is not half as smart as God. God has brought helpers to us in times past but our stereotype minds on how the answer to our prayer should have manifested causes us to miss out. Reuel taught his daughters to bring the helper close; you and I need to learn to bring our helpers close in 2014.

12DG 2014 – Come let us pray

(All images courtesy COZA Nigeria’s Facebook page)

The 7 Vows of a Wise Man

Bishop Felix Adejumo

“Öpen your mouth tonight and begin to issue decrees”. Those were the words of the Senior Pastor’s wife. Ok so that woman can pray. I can’t quite comprehend how she has so much energy for prayer, but I really admire the strength and vitality even in the midst of a 12 days fast and at well after 6pm on Day 8.

Now the preacher in the house tonight was a veteran in ministry particularly in the western part of Nigeria. He was introduced with a great eulogy and eventually when he came up, I understood why. The Lord’s general gracing the altar on Day 8 was a worshiper. He got on his knees as he led the church to declare the greatness of God. He didn’t start with exciting promises or prophecies, but worship and adoration for the King of kings. Bishop Felix Adejumo was God’s mouthpiece for Day 8 and his message was brief and concise.

The 7 vows of a wise man.

1.) Choose to follow God all the way even when you cannot interpret all the signals- John 2:1-5, act in faith, whatever He tells you to do, do it;

2.) Don’t delegate your destiny to those who will ruin it for you. Your destiny is in your hands. Ezra 4:2. Don’t assume that everyone who smiles with you is your friend;

3.) Choose to turn your lemons to lemonade, let the obstacles serve as an opportunity for you to rise; Psalm 46:3;

4.) Choose to fight a good fight: resolve not to bend or bow;

5.) You need to vow that your choices will produce juices for you; Be the best and choose the best.

6.) Decide to walk with the wise and not fools;

7.) Resolve that your seed will become your key to financial freedom; don’t let anything be too big to give this year.

The word was straight to the point, it was more like an instruction after which the Bishop led the church in some dangerous prayers. there were about 10 of such prayer points. it was as if shields were being positioned spiritually to wade off any fiery darts of the enemy in the course of the year and the prayers left me feeling insulated. in addition to all the prophecies of Days 1-7, more ingredients had been added to the cake on Day 8.

The tithes and offerings were given, the ability to keep giving an offering every day of the 12DG was proof of God’s faithfulness in itself. The Communion was one of grace for obedience among the nations. grace to fulfill the 7 vows of a wise man, grace to stand out and stand up for the right thing.

Of the 8th tribe of Israel it had been said, and of August 2014 it shall be said of every reader of this post;

They benefit from the riches of the sea
and the hidden treasures in the sand.”

(Deuteronomy 33:19(NLT))

12DG 2014 – Come Let us Pray

(All images courtesy COZA Nigeria’s facebook page)

Manifest

Days 6 and 7 of the 12DG have seen me receiving more prophecies than I ever have within the space of two days. I decided to just update given that both days were anchored by Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo.

Days 6 and 7 were ‘áwezome’ like they say in COZA. I feel like I’m inching closer to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with each passing day. The prayer sessions before the messages were life changing and the scriptures which accompanied these prayers were important discoveries. Did you know that there is a passage in the bible which says Unending riches, honor, justice, and righteousness are mine to distribute? Yep; Proverbs 8:18 says that, imagine how exciting it is to know that exists, especially when it’s the bible which has words which must come to pass.

The message for Day 6 was titled Living in the Overflow, while Day 7 was titled the Release of Destiny. Both days were characterized with so many prophecies, I think I need to take out time and listen to a tape or something all over again, so I can keep track as they get fulfilled, because I know they will. Something uncommon and unusual was released in the course of those two days.

I’m always glad when a man of God does not relegate the message of salvation simply to win the appeal of the church and Pastor Matthew did not disappoint me. “Religion is the biggest lie satan sold to the world. life is short and death is sure, sin is the reason but Jesus is the cure” These were his words as he called on people to surrender their lives to Christ.

The Communion for both days were scriptural and symbolic; A communion for overflow and a communion unto a release of destiny. God wants you and I to be totally fulfilled, and in 2014, the world will hear your name. You will be a reference point for success and a stranger to failure. Every page that God has written about you begins to open up. There will be a manifestation of all that God has been preparing for you.

If you’re reading this, your time has come- Manifest!

Mathew Ashimolowo – Destroying the Horns of Oppression

If You’re wondering why I didn’t post anything about Day 4 of the 12DG, be rest assured it’s not because I didn’t attend the service, I did and I was right in front too.

It was Michelle McKinney Hammond again, and that woman est tres fantastique. You know how on Day 3 she got us thinking, it’s not about us, it’s about God? Well on Day 4, she was back with a perception theory. What is your perception of God? I’m not attempting to blog about Day 4 on here and I apologise. I guess I just assumed, being the first Sunday of the year, everyone would be getting a dose of the Word somewhere, plus it was a really hot Sunday. E ma binu. The good news however is I found the link to a COZA Newsroom where you can catch up.

Now Day 5 was a Monday you see, and it was the first Monday of the year apparently and coincidentally. My day had started off quite normally till the news everyone had been waiting for hit our corporate mails. Before now, it had appeared to be no more than a rumour but today it was true. 2014 was going to be different at my place of work and suddenly I understood why ‘Happy Days” was declared the theme of the year in COZA, it was a prophecy and not just a theme. Identify with me if you’re in low spirits even though it’s a new year. I almost was prior to the service.

My colleague and friend had a donation for the 12DG Zara Kitchen,* so we left for church really early. Even though we were in church early, we didn’t quite get to settle in for service till about 15 minutes into the service owing to drop off, car park and shuttle logistics. From the Car park however I could make out the voice of that brother Kayode Ariyo as he opened the service and the worship as it began to filter through the dome shaped structure where the church worships.

As usual, we worshipped and then we prayed and made declarations and then the preacher of the night was announced. Just so you know I never know who’s going to mount the altar each night and that just makes it so intriguing. Day 5 was Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo. Yep, the dark skinned, punk spotting, Senior Pastor of KICC.

‘This is a prophetic service’ He said, and a prophetic service it was. With the shake up at my place of work, the prospects of the year had suddenly seemed a little dim. But Mathew Ashimolowo prophesied that I would get to where God was taking me to. No limitation could stop me, especially not with the prophecies of Day 5. I was at Day 5 with more understanding and expectations. I became a full blown COZA member, I screamed ‘Amen’ when I could and just got caught up in the prophecies.

There was a passion with which Pastor Mathew delivered the prophecies. Before now, joining the 12DG was like a ‘let’s see what this brings’ activity, but with the event of the day, I was a different participant, thirsting and wanting the 12DG to be my point of succour and re-assurance, a place where I connect with God and secure my 2014. Thankfully, I had 7 more days to totally key in.

I learnt at Day 5 that certain circumstances just attempt to place an unknowing limitation on your expectations. But the good news is, you, me, and as many of us who believe are barrier-breakers and line-crossers. With our mouth we can create the future, we will have the last laugh, and we will celebrate. There will be no more hindrance to our dreams and every devourer of our peace is destroyed.

I guess my blog has gone all prophetic as well, but I can’t help it. In 2014, the blessings of the Lord will be on everything we do and it’s going to be a most unusual year.

The songs of praise that accompanied the worship session left me re-assured and refreshed. Even the Communion felt like one of victory. Day 5 had been a great blessing, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo had been a great prophet and COZA had been a great temple.

12DG 2014 – Come Let us Pray

(All images courtesy COZA Nigeria’s Facebook page)

*I’ve been told the ZARA Kitchen is there to provide food and things with which people can break their fast after each service

Michelle McKinney Hammond – It’s not about you!

By now you must know without my saying that I have no plans of missing any day of the 12DG. My plans are to go in quietly every day, get my strength renewed, and leave quietly. Because New Year’s Day was on a Wednesday, I had somehow managed to get the days of the week confused somewhere in my head and totally forgot it was a Saturday. Waiting on God on a Saturday was not as daunting as I had anticipated. The hours flew by so quickly I was almost late for the service. Fortunately I made it to ThisDay Dome just as the Choir began to lead the worship.

By the time the Senior Pastor, Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo came up to lead the prayers right after the worship, I knew there was about to be a paradigm shift. I obeyed every instruction, I prayed like my life depended on it. My life will not be cut short I prayed, I won’t be put to shame, the voice of weeping shall not be heard in my house. I believed I was securing my 2014 by these words. The prayer points just felt like some spiritual incantations. Don’t tell, but at some point I took a peep to be sure I was in COZA and not MFM.

Attending 12DG 2014 seems like it’s going to be one of my best decisions of 2014. I was wide eyed when Michelle McKinney Hammond was announced as the preacher for the day. This church called COZA had gone all out with the calibre of preachers gracing the altar every evening. I knew Michelle as someone who emphasised a relationship with God. What better time to be reminded about a relationship with God than at the beginning of a new year.

She started off with literal worship. ‘I worship You’ and made us sing ‘we worship you’. I had tears in my eyes. It was true worship; there were no other words, just confirmation of our worship.  ‘He loves it when we worship him’ she said and I believed it.

Michelle’s message was almost a drama of sort. Michelle told the story of Hannah with modern time scenarios. I caught myself and a few others with sad expressions as her sonorous voice took on an emotion laden tone to convey Hannah’s worries. The bottom line was God can’t use us when it’s all about us. Whatever we have or don’t have is based on God’s knowledge of what we can handle right now. I was intrigued to discover that the way we think our life should be becomes an idol when we get so focussed on those things that we omit to see the blessings God has surrounded us with. The summary of Michelle’s message was; it’s not about you; it’s all about God.

The Communion was shared. it was dedicated to the expectation of a miracle. I happily gave my first tithe of the year and my third offering (smiling) and Yes I’m counting.

So happy to have been part of Day 3, my strength has been renewed. And finally if you’re following my posts, I think it’s time you join in as well, let’s enjoy happy days together in 2014. xx

12DG 2014- Come Let us Pray

(All images courtesy COZA Nigeria’s Facebook page)

Pastor PK Olawale – Leftover not Left Out

I didn’t stop at Day 1 of the 12DG. I was at the ThisDay Dome in Abuja for the second Day of COZA Nigeria’s 12DG. This time, the hall filled up much quicker with sky high expectations. ‘Expectation is mother of Manifestation’ the young man whom I have come to know as Kayode Ariyo quipped. After yesterday’s experience, I was convinced this was very true.

So I joined the worship as the choir led. My expectations were sky high. I worshipped like I had never done before, I sang a new song to the Lord, and thankfully the words were projected on the screen. Soon enough it was time to pray according to the theme for the programme and pray we did, as one prayer leader received the baton from the other.

At the point the preacher of the day was announced, I didn’t know when I screamed. I absolutely love Pastor P.K. Olawale, and he was right here in Abuja in COZA. I was definitely at the right place. Pastor PK launched into a stream of worship. At some point he requested that we all go on our knees and that was just the most celestial of moments for me. He called God names that made my heart tremble in adoration. For instance he said God is the amazing wonder that makes the 7 wonders of the world look like a lie. That was deep. Because come to think about it, if you ever wondered at the existence of the 7 wonders of the world, it’s nothing compared to the existence of the incomparable God.

This is the year to push the limits of your trust in God. No man can volunteer to help you except God’s hand is upon him. Pastor PK’s teaching was exciting. There was a way he employed descriptive words and made the right movements to emphasise his points. I learnt about the Alabaster box offering, the offering which connects the destiny of the giver to the destiny of the receiver. I learnt about obedience – this year is a year to trust and obey and I learnt about the doors of time, presence, revelation and time. I think the most important quote of the night for me was if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go with people’, but more importantly, February was declared my month of Help, and the Communion; a Communion of Help.

As always, there was joy over the people who decided to give their lives to Christ. Thereafter so many cases were specifically prayed over. The Communion was taken, prophecies were declared, anointing was released and Day 2 was a wrap.

If 12DG Day 2 represents the month of February, then my February 2014 would definitely be a month to remember.

12DG 2014 – Come Let us Pray!

(All images courtesy COZA Nigeria’s Facebook page)