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The Efik version of the Bible does not contain the word "fasting" this is omitted not because the writers forgot but because they do not be lieve in the importance and in the role fasting plays in the life of an individual al. The omission is a deliberate act because the writers had rejected the Gospel.
The Efik version of the Bible does not contain the word "fasting" this is omitted not because the writers forgot but because they do not be lieve in the importance and in the role fasting plays in the life of an individual al. The omission is a deliberate act because the writers had rejected the Gospel.
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The Efik version of the Bible does not contain the word "fasting" this is omitted not because the writers forgot but because they do not be lieve in the importance and in the role fasting plays in the life of an individual al. The omission is a deliberate act because the writers had rejected the Gospel.
Droits d'auteur :
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Formats disponibles
Téléchargez comme TXT, PDF, TXT ou lisez en ligne sur Scribd
First Bible Lesson: Romans Chapter 4 verses 1 and 2
"What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hat h found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but n ot before God." Second Bible Lesson: Luke Chapter 5 verse 35 "But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." Golden Text: Matthew Chapter 17 verse 21 "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Look at my red garment. Listen to the Word of God. Receive the Word of God as yo ur bona-fide property and use it, for it is life and it is truth. Believe in God , for whosoever receiveth these words receiveth God, and such a person has everl asting life. Certain sections of the Efik Bible are condemned because facts of vital truths h ave been omitted. The Lord Jesus Christ said, whosoever therefore shall break on e of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the le ast in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same sh all be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew Chapter 5 verse 19). It is unfortunate to note, the Efik version of the Bible does not contain the wo rd "FASTING." This is omitted not because they forgot but because they do not be lieve in the importance and in the role fasting plays in the life of an individu al. The omission is a deliberate act because the writers had rejected the Gospel . The disciples of Christ asked him why they could not cast out the demon and He r eplied them saying, if they were to have faith like the grain of mustard seed, t hey would say to the mountain to be removed and it will be removed. (Matthew Cha pter 17 verse 20). He explained, they could not do this except through fasting a nd praying. If this power is tied to fasting, why is it, we do not have the word fasting in the Efik version of the Bible. It is because of the rejection of thi s word, there is no more power in the world. If you are following someone and th e person goes a step forward, you will also go a step forward. If he sits down y ou will also sit down. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Mediator. He has declared, all those who had come b efore him were thieves and robbers. (John Chapter 10 verse 8). He has also said, whosoever will follow Him will never stumble or fall. It is incumbent upon the whole world to follow him since He is the Mediator. Why is it, different denominations and individuals are seeking for power, but th ey reject fasting and prayer? Do you hear what the Lord Jesus Christ Himself sai d, he could not do this work except through fasting and prayer. Today, I am preaching to the whole world. Those who want to hear, if you do not fast and pray, it means, you do not honour Our Lord Jesus Christ and believe in Him. You say you are a Christian but you feel ashamed or afraid to fast and pray. Wha t type of Christian are you? The Lord Jesus Christ who is the King of kings, Lor d of lords, the head and leader fasted for forty days and forty nights. (Matthew Chapter 4 verse 2). Why can you not follow his examples? Remember a servant is not greater than his master. (Matthew Chapter 10 verse 24). If the Master, our Lord, King and Saviour fasted, why can you not fast? That is why, Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "He who is not with me is against me." (Matthew Chapter 12 verse 30). Remember what Jesus Christ said, "If you die with me, you will also resurrect wi th me." This is a period of time that the whole world has set aside to suffer tr ibulation in remembrance of him. This is therefore not the period for gluttony o r period to joke with. It is said, food is made for the stomach and the stomach is made for food but Go d will destroy both food and the stomach in the end. (1st Corinthians Chapter 6 verse 13). God did not create this body for fornication, for drunkenness, or for smoking. Why do you profess to be Brotherhood when you cannot fast from six in the mornin g to six in the evening? You should not wait for anyone to tell you to fast befo re you do so. It should be a standing rule. It has been said, a time will come w hen the bridegroom will be taken away from you, and in those days you will fast whether you like it or not. (Matthew Chapter 9 verse 15, Luke Chapter 5 verse 35 ). Do you remember that He had said, the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom t he Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all thi ngs to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John Chapter 14 verse 26). The Comforter will reveal all these to you. Fasting is not a thing someone should order you to do before you carry it out. I t is not something you tell people or broadcast on the radio or television that you are going to fast. It is something very vital to your life, which you must d o for and by yourself. Whoever is turned unto the Lord is one with the Lord and whoever is turned to a prostitute is also one with her. All those with Jesus Christ are crucified with Jesus Christ. All those who do no t practice his teachings, they have neither the Father nor the Son. But those wh o have Christ and abide by His teachings, have both the Father and the Son. Whic hever one you choose to do, you can do. Which is easier for you to do, to look at the sky for Jesus to come again or sim ply to fast and pray? Jesus Christ is here with you. It is left for you to fast and pray. Remember He had said, whosoever therefore shall break one of these least command ments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of he aven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in t he kingdom of heaven. (Matthew Chapter 5 verse 19). No child can do anything exc ept with the Father. All you need is the Lord Jesus Christ because he is the foundation stone. We do not worship Moses or Abraham, neither do we preach about the devil, but Our Lord Jesus Christ for He is the beginning and the end. He is the truth, way, and the life. No one goes unto the Father except through him. (John Chapter 14 verse 6) . It is known, at that time, there was food and every other thing, but Christ fa sted for forty days and forty nights. You now have no food, what stops you from fasting? Some of you say, all churches are one. How can they be one when one church is fa sting and the other is eating gluttonously? There is no other way which you can enter this kingdom except through fasting and prayer. If you like, give all your money to the poor, build sky-scrapers for orphans, pay tithes, go on in ministr y work, you will not please God. If you preach the whole gospel from January to December but you cannot fast and pray, you are preaching something else. If you give vision to people for ten hou rs each day, but you cannot fast and pray, your visions are of no use. The hidden wisdom in this kingdom is fasting and prayer, which some of you despi se, and regard same as a waste of time, and unnecessary self-denial. Put these w ords, this gospel, to test. Whether you are rich or poor, sick or well, fearful or fearless, pray and fast and you will see how everything will turn on well wit h you. As from today, define your hope as human beings, do not revenge anyone, just fas t and pray. If you live by the dictates of the spirit and use the spirit to mort ify the flesh, you will live. It is not an easy thing to fast where there are de licious foods in and around the house. But the Lord Jesus Christ had said, the k ingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and b uyeth that field. (Matthew Chapter 13 verse 44). If you are looking for God in the sky, in the moon, in the sun, in the stars or you are going from left to right, but you do not fast and pray you are wasting y our time. Do not take the two things separately. For example, fasting in America and praying in Lagos. The two are inseparable and must be done at the same time together. Fasting and praying are the same. The Lord Jesus Christ said, all things that the Father hath are mine. (John Chap ter 16 verse 15). If you do not kill the flesh, how will you be with the Father. If the grain of maize does not fall on the ground and die, it cannot germinate. (John Chapter 12 verse 24). Whoever is in this kingdom and does not know how to fast, such a person has not started to move with God. Call yourself what you wish, prophet, bishop, apostle, evangelist, visioner, elder, whatever name you like to call yourself. If you ca nnot subject yourself to fasting and prayer, all you do is null and void. Fastin g is spiritual discipline. If you do not crucify the flesh you are of no use. So me people distort this fact by dismissing fasting and prayer as not important; o thers look at them with disdain. Some of us here in Brotherhood cannot even fast from six in the morning to 12 noon, and if you ask them they say, "I cannot." O thers, when they fast from 6 AM to 6 PM feel completely exhausted and almost dea d. You know, the most important source of power in this kingdom is fasting and p rayer. And now, I want to decree for all the inhabitants of the world whether they are Moslems, Hindus, Jews, Christians: they must fast and pray. Whether you are a fo rnicator, evil man, good man, one involved in juju making, a thief, even a murde rer, as from now on it is incumbent on you to fast and pray. Whatever happens, l eave being sorrowful, mournful, sad, and put these words to test. When you fast and pray, you will see Jesus Christ in your life. Jesus Christ said, "But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken a way from them, and then shall they fast in those days." (Luke Chapter 5 verse 35 ). The Holy Spirit has come and you have to fast. He is the Sole Comforter. When you live with him and He lives in you, you have no problems. You will not be hungry when he lives in you, because He is your sufficiency and with him everything is alright. No one can enter into this kingdom, except throu gh prayer and fasting; and there is no way, you can refrain from sins, except th rough fasting and prayer. You are true witnesses to the fact, before we start any Pentecostal, here we hav e to go on three days dry fasting. That is the foundation stone of the power in this kingdom. This is for you and for me and for all those in the world. You do not need to go to America, London or travel from India to Calabar to fast . Fast wherever you are and you will receive the power of God. Are you a liar, a fornicator, thief, a sick person, or do you have any problem in life, be it fin ancial problems, spiritual, work or otherwise, just fast and pray and all your p roblems will be solved. You cannot worship God if you do not pray and fast. You are not fasting when you bear a grudge against somebody, angry or when you d rink water, when you fornicate or have any bad mind against someone. Fasting goe s with confession of sins and repentance. You do not have to drink, fornicate, b ear grudge, put your heart in man, woman or money or even have to do something t o indicate to people, you are fasting. That is why, Jesus Christ said when you fast, you should anoint your head with o il, and appear bright not in grief. It does not do you any good to tell somebody , you are fasting. (Matthew Chapter 6 verses 17 and 18). Even in the office you work, do not tell anyone, you are fasting. Do not tell your wife, sisters, broth ers, sons, daughters: anybody. Let it be an agreement between you and your God. Some of you complain, you have been here for twenty years and you do not find an ything good, that is because you do not fast and pray. It is a sad situation to hear, some people hire some other people to fast for them. Know, the hired perso n is fasting for himself. No one can fast for another person. A bishop or pastor cannot fast for his church or anyone. This church cannot fast for the other chu rch. Every person must fast for himself. Brethren, let our first lesson be read. First Bible Lesson: Romans Chapter 4 verses 1 and 2 "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hat h found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but n ot before God." Did you hear that brethren? If you want to know whether the Holy Spirit has desc ended, fast and pray. You will see for yourself. There is no power in charms, ju ju or in concoction or anything diabolical, except in Jesus Christ alone. Give y our whole life to God. Whenever you have problems, in times of sickness, tribula tion, poverty or any obstacle in your life, fast and pray and these obstacles an d problems will pass away. Not many understand what I am telling you now. If you know, the way to the found ation of your power, the way to overcome problems and obstacles, the way to over come poverty and want is through fasting and prayer, why do you not do it? Even as I am speaking to you now, there are some who are skeptical of what I say, ask them the reason and the meaning of their being here. Fasting is the key. It is the water, sponge, soap with which you are washed and cleansed. It is oil, it is everything. As already said, if you cannot fast and p ray, you do not belong to this kingdom and you have not made an attempt to enter at all. Jesus Christ said, "offer your body as a living sacrifice which is acceptable to God." (Romans Chapter 12 verse 1). Go home with all your money or cheque which you were to give for the service of Fasting and Prayer. God does not need your m oney or your cheque. Prepare yourself for self-denial. Anyone who does not pray and fast cannot serve God. Many visioners here cannot fast from 6 AM to 6 PM, they cannot even fast t ill 12 noon. Some of you profess to love God and at times you hire somebody to f ast for you. Do you not know, each man shall bear his own burden. (Galatians Cha pter 6 verse 5). You have to bear your burden and I have to bear mine. If you do not fast even if you remain here for ten or twenty years, it does not profit yo u anything and you are not yet in this kingdom. Did Our Lord Jesus Christ not fast and pray. He as the Son of God, King of Kings , Lord of lords, who fasted for forty days and forty nights. Who are you then no t to fast? It is said the spirit took Him to the desert to be tempted by the dev il. (Matthew Chapter 4 verse 1). The flesh is always fighting against the spirit and such is the problem we have. The only solution for overcoming the flesh is to fast and pray. A person would say to you eat, drink, fornicate, steal, lie, do this or that sin ful act, but the spirit tells you, do not eat, do not drink, do not fornicate. B ut often you listen to the flesh and indulge in sin. Have you heard, no one can serve two masters? He has to love one and hate the other. (Luke Chapter 16 verse 13). It is a matter of choice. If you want to choose going with the Lord, you h ave to fast and pray. This is the moment of time kept for you and me to fast and pray. This is the time to fight against the flesh. There is no other power to u se and to fight against the flesh. There is no other power to use and to fight t he enemy other than to fast and pray. In times of stress, problems and difficult ies surrender your entire life to God. Fast and pray. When you fast, do not forn icate, drink or entertain any evil thoughts. Do not do anything that does not gi ve glory to God. Take Moses for example, before he received the Ten Commandments, he fasted for f orty days and forty nights on the mountains. This is what you have to do. Take i t as an assignment, fast and pray. Do it always and throughout your life. Food is so great to you, but it destroys the body. If someone kills a cow or a g oat and prepares food for you, do not think the person loves you; know, such a p erson is your worst enemy. Food and the Holy Spirit are incompatible; they are antagonistic to each other. The worst enemy of man is food. If you do not refrain from eating, you will not stop being sick, stop dying; and you will not be able to overcome your problems. The food you continue to eat brings problems, sickness, degeneration and death t o you. You are witnesses to the fact, right from the beginning of the world, God prescribed all tree bearing herbs and fruits to be the food of man. You are an enemy of God when you think of food all the time: in your home, your office, on the way, everywhere, you always concentrate your attention on food. No Word of God has ever touched the ground and gone empty handed without achievi ng the desired result. It is said, food is made for the stomach and the stomach is made for food but God will destroy them both. (1st Corinthians Chapter 6 vers e 13). Have you not heard, now we have started the Vegetarian Fellowship here. T hese are those who do not eat but they are kicking strong. Do you remember when the disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ asked him to go and dine with them and He told them, He had His own needs. The disciples talked amon g themselves and wondered if someone has secretly brought him food. He knew what they thought and He said, my food is to do the will of my Father. (John Chapter 4 verse 34). Do you not also remember when satan tempted Him saying, "If thou be the Son of G od, command that these stones be made bread." He replied saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew Chapter 4 verses 3 and 4, Luke Chapter 4 verse 4). This then is the fullness of time when everyone has got to live by the words tha t come out from the mouth of God. That is why, I tell you, you have to destroy a ll flesh inside you and be ready to take in the spirit, which is pumped into you through the Word of God, since your body is the building of the spirit. It is i ncumbent on all the churches to empty their houses first. Whatever your status i n life is, empty your body first. Empty yourself by fasting and prayer, for He h as come in person, surrender your entire self to God and your problems and tribu lations will be gone. Let our second lesson be read. Second Bible Lesson: Luke Chapter 5 verse 35 "But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." Who said these words? It was none other than Jesus Christ. Was the bridegroom no t taken away from them? Is this not the time for you to do fasting? Here, nothin g is required for fasting, no candle, no perfume, no money. Our Lord Jesus Chris t fasted and wants others to fast. No craftiness or cunning can take this away. All churches, healing homes and secret societies are fasting, but they are doing it indirectly. Fasting means severing yourself from external influences, forsak e eating, drunkenness, fornication, lying, smoking, cheating and other vices. If you do not cut off yourself from all these influences, God will not hear your p rayers and your fasting will be null and void. When fasting, the husband should keep away from the wife, each not even telling the other, he or she is fasting. This is to show you the knowledge of God which passes all understanding. If the Comforter had not come to lead us to the knowle dge of truth, the whole world would perish completely. Only the Holy Spirit is p roviding the way to salvation for us. If you are bloodless, fast and you will have blood, if you have too much blood, fast and your blood will be reduced. If you are sick, fast and you will become w ell, whatever your problems are, fast and pray and they will vanish. No matter your status in life, whether you are a king, a servant, trader, soldie r, prince, princess, or a farmer, fast and pray and your problems will all be so lved. When you fast, you have completely killed your flesh, the spirit takes ove r control and you become yourself again. When you fast and pray, you are in spirit, you are elevated and as such you cann ot die. You are filled with grace, peace, the spirit of God, glory, and you are filled with truth. As from today onwards, do not go to any person to pray for you; see visions for you; or direct you on what you should do. You have the power through fasting to do anything you want by yourself for yourself. Jesus said, your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die . (John Chapter 6 verses 49 and 50). Our Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday , today and forever. (Hebrews Chapter 13 verse 8). You do not fast and pray, tha t is why, you think there is no power in the world. Do not compare yourself with someone who fasts and prays for such a person is filled with great power. People admit, there is power in Brotherhood and I confirm this to be true. This power comes from fasting and prayer. Tell all other church denominations to fast and pray and they will have power equally as we have here. The Efik version of the Bible does not say anything about fasting. It is a delib erate omission because they do not want to commit themselves to fasting. Our Gol den Text will now be read. Golden Text: Matthew Chapter 17 verse 21 "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Do you hear that brethren? When in your gluttony you fill the whole stomach with food, where do you want the power you are seeking to occupy? You have eaten you r food and have drunk your wine and you go to a preacher to pray for you, what t ype of prayer is that? Why do you not fast, if you need power? I have imparted this recondite wisdom to the entire world so people may not go t o the trees, rivers, rocks, forest, deserts or water to look for power. Power ca n be got through fasting and prayer. God has given all powers to man; it was not given to the animals, fishes, trees, or rocks; but to man, so, he can even comm and this pillar to move and it will move. Do not burn incense, light candles, do this or that, it negates the effect of fa sting and prayer. This is the period of grace for the whole world. If you are si ck do not tell anyone, just fast and pray. Whatever you need, (power, children, riches, recognition, examination, promotion, success), fast and pray, and you wi ll get them. You do not have to be angry, bear anyone grudge, merely confess you r sins and set your mind right before your God. You may notice that after the 72 hours dry fasting here, you always get power. Y ou are not told to go back to fornication, lying, stealing, smoking and drinking . Many people say, they cannot come to Brotherhood because of fasting. But fasti ng here is voluntary. Submit yourself to fasting voluntarily for spiritual stren gth. Some people think, if they do not eat for days they will die. This is not so, Go d loves us and he imposes different types of fasting on us. Sometimes you run ou t of food in the house, or there is no water to prepare the food; thus, you are forced by such circumstances to stay without food. This is one of the ways God h as used to make you fast, whether you like it or not. This is the time for you to fast and pray in order to get what you want. Even if you are in a thick forest or on the high seas and you do not know how to help y ourself, fast and pray and you will have the help you need. If you do not get wh at you want after fasting and praying, know these words are not delivered by God . I do not want to be tedious with you. A stroke of the cane is enough for the wis e. May God bless His Holy Words. Amen! THANK YOU FATHER.