Persecution Has Increased My Blessings – TB Joshua
General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua has said persecution brought him tremendous blessing. He said as he was being hounded by a few individuals in the society, thousands, especially the less privileged across the world, were praying for his wellbeing. Joshua said during a special Sunday Service at the Ikotun Lagos Headquarters of the church that many lives had been touched around the world through his ministry, who are also praying for increase of God's blessings on him.
The service also witnessed the reconciliation of some ostracized children from Abiakelibi Village in Akwa-Ibom State with their family members. The children, who were accused of killing their mother through witchcraft, were also given a cash donation by Prophet Joshua during the service.
He told the worshippers that God's blessings have increased in his life as a result of persecution he received while fulfilling his assignment on earth. “The more they persecute me, the more the favour of God upon my life. The more they persecute me, the more God will increase my blessing. Many people are praying that God should bless TB Joshua. There are thousands all over the world who are praying for Joshua, how many people are praying for you,” he said.
He said the open display of his donations to the less privileged people in the society was to encourage his members to do likewise to the needy in their midst saying that his intention was not to show off or attract praise. He urged the congregation to make giving part of their lives, noting that givers would always receive breakthrough from God.
“What we are doing is not to show off, but to teach the people to do what we are doing by helping the poor in the society. Giving is part of my life. The only problem is that people don't give out what they cherish. It is when you don't have that you can give what your life depends on.”
“You need prayers from orphans, widows, widowers, the fatherless and poor in the society. If widows and orphans pray for you, you will receive your breakthrough immediately. Life is all about giving and someone somewhere is in need of what you have. It could be your strength or your love – but in any direction you look, you will see those who are in need of your love,” he said.
Joshua, who gave N1.6 million for the rehabilitation of the children and the burial of their mother, also promised scholarships to them. Some members of the Abiakelibi community including Etim Okon Edem, the children's father who attended the service could not hide their excitement as they received their cash gift.
Narrating their ordeal to newsmen, 23 year old Asuquo Etim Okon, whose siblings were accused of witchcraft said the villagers abandoned their mother's corpse for six months before the intervention of The Synagogue Church. He said he decided to take his siblings aged 11 and 12 years respectively to the church to seek God's intervention and confirm if they were witch and wizard as alleged by the members of the community. He said not only did Joshua assure that the children were innocent, but that his visit to the church has opened a new chapter in the life of the family.
SOURCE: Daily Champion - Volume 22 No. 184 - Tuesday September 15 2009
Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com