Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua has opened up as to why his church does not have foreign branches despite his popularity abroad.<\/p>\n
The cleric, who spoke on Sunday 24th August 2014 at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), stressed on the need for God\u2019s character to be fully established before ministerial expansion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would have loved to have branches all over the world because people want T.B. Joshua everywhere,\u201d he told the congregation. \u201cBut it is not yet time because it will be too much for my character. When the load is too heavy for you, it will become a burden.\u201d<\/p>\n
He further added that he was not moved by pleas from people but rather relied on God\u2019s instruction. \u201cNot where they want me but where God wants me,\u201d he emphasised, adding that he was not in a haste or hurry and would not jump ahead of God\u2019s timing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you run before God, you cannot run after God,\u201d he continued, explaining that this had been the bane of many businessmen and pastors as their desire to expand superseded their level of character.<\/p>\n
His views stand in stark contrast to the popular notion that the amount of branches a church has is indicative of its level of success.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a situation where you become so great without God\u2019s character, it means the end is going to be bad,\u201d Joshua went on further to explain, reminding congregants of Jesus\u2019 words in John 14:27 that the world too could provide wealth and fame although with conditions attached.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you see someone who is great without God\u2019s character, don\u2019t admire him \u2013 pray for him because the beginner is not the owner but the finisher… The beginning and middle are off-record; the end is what will put the record straight.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cleric stated that it was even better not to have fame and popularity than to achieve what would eventually end in calamity.<\/p>\n
\u201cCharacter is the one that carries whatever we become. If your wealth is bigger than your character, that wealth will be spending you, not you spending it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua stated that one of the secrets of his ministerial success was not being driven by money, explaining that some worshippers were still under canopies in his church not because he lacked the financial capacity to expand but because he was waiting on God.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is money to build but money cannot dictate for me. We could expand this place (The SCOAN) and build the biggest church in the world but I allow the Source of money to tell me what to do, not the money itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua also bemoaned the way people complained about their problems as if they bore no responsibility for them, adding that their challenges were not a consequence of God leaving them but rather their choice to live contrary to His ways.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod does not want you to suffer but you want to suffer,\u201d he soberly stated. \u201cGod is always with you but you are not with Him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua, who has been the center of several controversies especially within the fold of Nigerian Christendom, added that if not for his persecutors, he would have remained a street-preacher.<\/p>\n
According to him, detractors motivated God to bestow more favour and mercy upon his ministry, adding that no billboard can be found advertising The SCOAN yet visitors flock from around the world<\/p>\n
\u201cIf God has called you, the more they block your way, the more that trouble and temptation, the more God\u2019s love is provoked\u2026 Each attempt to stop you asks for more evidence from God.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cleric concluded with some profound advice for Christians, calling on them to change their style of prayer. According to Joshua, prayers for blessing, healing and protection were redundant as God is fully aware of the challenges of His children and does not require reminding.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to block the avenue satan is using to afflict you \u2013 your weaknesses, \u201dJoshua counseled. \u201cYour prayer should be against weaknesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
He further clarified that prayer alone was not enough, stating that genuine desire to desist from bad habits and weaknesses was also essential.<\/p>\n
\u201cLive the life of your prayer,\u201d he told the congregation, citing an example that praying for God to help you stop smoking and then picking up a cigarette immediately was akin to hypocrisy. \u201cGod always leaves us to play our role before He comes to our rescue,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Source: Nigeriafilms.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua has opened up as to why his church does not have foreign branches despite his popularity abroad. The cleric, who spoke on Sunday 24th August 2014 at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), stressed on the need for God\u2019s character to be fully established before ministerial expansion. \u201cI would have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":13547,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[6,33],"yoast_head":"\n