DECREED AND DECLARED

Anyone who knows AJAN Fellowship knows that our Pastor, Bishop B.T. Gage is passionate about the young people of our church.

His dream is that there is a godly generation that will do exploits for God.  Taking this dream seriously, our Pastor began declaring some things over our lives recently in one of our services.

He said that we are given by God for signs and wonders as declared by the prophet Isaiah and we are the last defence against unrighteousness.  We therefore have the responsibility of catching and carrying the baton from the older generation.
 

Our Pastor declared thus:
 

1. No devil will sift our young people
2. We will be empowered to bring down strongholds
3. Our eyes will be opened and anointed with salve 
4. We will hunger for God
5. The gifts in us will be stirred
6. We will be fit for the army
7. We will be risen up to become: 

• Skilled warriors,
• Defenders of the faith who earnestly contend for the faith
• Giant killers
• Fighters against principalities and powers

Editor's Note:

We have a lively heritage as young people of the Most High God and we are destined for great things.  God has big plans for us and they extend far beyond our greatest imaginations.

Nothing happens to us by chance.  It doesn't matter what state we are in or how far we have gone, as long as the soldier makes it back to base, the Captain can begin His work of redemption and healing.

We are called great.  Never lose sight of your inheritance and heritage in God.


It is God's desire that we all make it into His Everlasting Kingdom.  I pray that I make it and I pray that you make it.

It is done. God has spoken and let the church say

 

CAPTIVATED

From the depths of my being I call out to you
Longing just to be held in your arms


My mind fixed on memories that keep me alive
A place in time when my heart found solace in Your love

I am made alive by the mention of Your Name
Resurrected by the power that comes from grace


Made whole by my faith in You
Renewed by Your Everlasting Word

Author: Stephanie Sutherland Souza

MY KING'S LOVE FOR ME

In silence I sit...

My eyes lifted to gaze upon the splendor of your creation,

Oh how I have been blinded by the words of men and sin's deception.

Wasted time searching for what only You could supply,

Unconditional...

Unbroken...

Untainted LOVE





My heart burns for You,

The Living God,

My soul longs for Your refreshing

Oh, Living Waters.

For this parched and dying world,

Can no longer or ever did satisfy my hungry soul.

Jesus, my King,

I throw myself at Your feet,

Humbled by Your Grace and Love for a sinner like me.

Author: Stephanie Sutherland Souza

A YIELDED SOUL

As the sun brings light and warmth to this cold dark world,

Let Your Word bring life to my broken and battered heart,

Like the dew falls on the lilies and revitalizes its beauty,

Let the ashes and ruins of my life be transformed into something beautiful,

 

Let my soul be lifted up from out of the pit of disappointment and shame,

 

Let my strength be found when I call upon your name,

As a lover is captured by his mistress,

Let my heart be captured by your grace.

 

Author: Jnr. Minister Stephanie Souza

GOD'S WORKMANSHIP

Have you ever wondered, what else does God want from me? Why is it that there are so many "strictures"? Doesn't God want what's best for me?

Well, if you have ever been down that road, there is one simple answer, it is because he LOVES us.  God doesn't want to punish us and deprive us of what we want, he wants to protect and care for us and part of that care and protection is that we are spared from hurt and harm.  The fact is, if we are left to our own vices, we are deadly not just to others but to ourselves.

Our lives are not for our own self seeking purposes but to make God be  manifested in us so that others can be drawn to Him through us. Let's face it, WE ARE NOT OUR OWN.  Hence our lives cannot be about us.

Ephesians 2 verse 10 states "for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

God's laws and His ways are perfect, they are not meant to hurt us but to help us.  Take a look at this video and you'll see what I mean.

ARE YOU A SHEEP OR ARE YOU A GOAT?

Moses said that it was the presence of the Lord that distinguished Israel from all the peoples of the earth, and just as it was with Israel, it is the same case for AJAN Fellowship.

We are blessed with the presence and the voice of the Lord which provide instruction into righteousness.

Recently, our Elder Dearin shared the word, which jolted us back to the realization of who we are in Christ.

She made the distinction in a very simple but profound way by using two animals-the sheep and the goat.

DIFFERENCES

Physical Appearance. 

• She said the sheep's tail is always down while the goat's tail is always up, unless the goat is afraid or in distress.  Lamb tails are usually docked (shortened) whereas goat tails are not.
• Most goats are naturally horned. Some goats have beards. Many breeds of sheep are naturally hornless (polled). Some sheep have manes. Goat horns are more narrow, upright, and less curved than sheep horns. Sheep tend to curl their horns in loops on the sides of their heads.
• Sheep and goats have numerous physical differences. Most goats have hair coats that do not require shearing or combing. Most sheep grow woolly coats that need to be sheared at least annually.



 Diet

Sheep are grazers- Sheep are grazers, preferring to eat short, tender grasses and clover and they like to graze close to the soil surface.
Sheep normally have a special diet

Goats are browsers- Goats are natural browsers, preferring to eat leaves, twigs, vines, and shrubs. They are very agile and will stand on their hind legs to reach vegetation. Goats like to eat the tops of plants and anything they get their mouths on including plastic, paper, clothes, garbage, just about anything.

 Characteristics

• Sheep are content to be led by the shepherd while goats are resistant and disobedient
• Sheep are dependent on the shepherds protection and need the fellowship of the flock while goats tend to wander off, away from the flock and the shepherd's care.
• Sheep have a stronger flocking instinct and become very agitated if they are separated from the rest of the flock. It is easier to keep sheep inside a fence than goats.
• Goat's are strong-willed and disobedient by nature.  They follow their own lead and are unpredictable and impulsive while sheep obey and conform to their master's will.
• Goat's tend to butt everyone, even their masters especially when they are being restricted while sheep tend to be mild and peaceful.

 

Our Elder asked us the most provocative question-Are we sheep or are we goats?

The Bible states that "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left." (Matthew 25:31-33)

SELF EXAMINATION

She encouraged us to examine ourselves to see if there are traits of the goat in us. 

The Lord is often referred to as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep while the body of Christ is referred to as his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Therefore, if we are God's people, we cannot be goats because God refers to us as sheep.

TRAITS OF THE GOAT ARE DEADLY

She taught that the traits of the goat are deadly.  Naturally goats are disobedient and resistant. This disobedience and resistance will ultimately lead to the death of the goat because by going against the shepherd, the goat is fair game for prey.  So if we are goats then we will die because we will wander away from the Shepherd and then we will be left to our own vices.

GOATS ARE ON THE LEFT HAND OF GOD

What's the difference between the right and left hand of God? A person on the right hand has high rank, honour, dignity and authority.  Therefore, those who are on God's right are in a position of authority and privilege which those on the left are not privy to.

It is best to be on the right hand of God because such a one would be known of God and known by Him.  If we are sheep we will know the voice of God and God himself.  We will be under his leadership and protection and eventually will be led by him and be given the positions of authority which God wants so desperately to give us.

SHEEP ARE EASILY PURGED

Sheep are normally sheared when their woolly coats get too heavy for them to handle. While the wool helps to keep them warm, various insects and and harmful elements get lodged into the coat which will harm the sheep.  

Additionally, a sheep with a woolly coat is easily cast  and when it falls on its back, it is not able to get up and without the help of the shepherd, that sheep will die.

As Christians, there are many things that need to be purged from us and though we feel comfortable with them, if we are left with them we will die.  In just the same manner that the sheep humbles itself to be sheared, we ought to humble ourselves to be purged from those things that might harm us eventually.

The shearing or the purging does not feel nice but it is important and necessary. The sheep might even feel some pain, but it is not in the heart of the Shepherd to inflict pain but to ensure that the sheep will live.

SHEEP WANT TO BE WITH EACH OTHER

The sheep always wants to be apart of the fold, if a sheep gets separated from the body he would cry and try to find its way back.  It should be the same situation with us, we should long for the fellowship in the body of Christ, we should yearn for the presence of God and yearn to see our brethren because we are one body.

If we find that we do not yearn for the presence of God or yearn for entering into his sanctuary we need to examine ourselves because the sheep need the Shepherd and his fellow brethren, just like the deer which pants for the waters.

If we find that we have the traits of the goats in us, let us ask God for a shearing and a purging, because it is necessary for our survival, it is necessary for our lives.

So, who are you? Are you a sheep or a goat?

                                                

PS: You can't be half sheep and half goat.  Scientifically, sheep-goat combinations are rare and the offspring of such a union usually DIES.

MY HIDING PLACE

CAST YOUR CARES

Life is quite a tricky affair and the popular saying is "life is not fair."  Just to live is an unending struggle, its a fight for survival and at the risk of sounding redundant, it is a fight for your life.

There are many times we go through life and it is one barrier and one baggage after another and it becomes unbearable and we feel like there is no point in living.

But there is hope.  It is hard to overcome when you have been down so many times.  It is hard to look up when you are down in the depths of the pit but there is hope.

We sometimes feel like Jesus does not care and we often ask, like the disciples, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:38) but 1 Peter 5:7 invites all of us to cast all your cares upon him; for he careth for you."

God cares and even when we don't feel Him, HE is still right there.  He never leaves us.

Take a look at this video, we hope it will speak to your heart and encourage you if you're burdened by the cares of this life.  Keep believing in God, He will come through for you.

I KNOW WHO I AM (MY IDENTITY IN GOD)

A chief objective of our Bishop and Pastor, Bishop B.T. Gage is to ensure that the heritage of the church is preserved and that there is a next generation that is equipped and enabled to take up the mantle when the elders can no longer carry on.

Recently, he has been teaching us about Paul and Timothy and the manner in which Timothy was faithful to him and the work of the Ministry to the point that he was sent to the church in Philippi, highly recommended by Paul.

PHILIPPIANS 2:19-20 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

Our Pastor has lofty dreams for us as young people and based on the teaching and the leading of the Lord, we ought to be great men and women, mighty in the Lord and the things of God.

However, in order for us to accomplish the things that God has for us, there are certain things that we must do.


1. We have to know who we are and our purpose in God.

"When we know who we are, we become the most potent force ever existed"- Bishop Gage

• We are warriors of God
• We are the Lord's battle axes, His weapons of war
• We are conquerors and anointed to conquer

2. We have to give attendance to reading

In 1 Timothy 4:13- Paul urged Timothy to give attendance to reading.  Why is reading so important?  The Bible says "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6). 

By reading the Word of God we are edified and built up in Christ.  We know first hand what God says about us and what he has promised us.  Therefore, we are not easily swayed by every wind of doctrine.  Our Pastor states that "the discipline to read is the difference between success and failure."

Hence it is critical that we know the word for ourselves so that we won't have to succumb to the wiles of the enemy.




3. We must not forget the prophecies that were pronounced over our lives

Our Pastor reminded us that when God called us, there were some prophecies that were declared over our lives.  It was not that God had not spoken, but it is that we have forgotten.

Whenever we forget those things that God has spoken over us, we lose direction, focus and ultimately purpose.


4. We must not neglect the gift that is within us

Paul urged the young man Timothy not to neglect the gift that is in him that was given to him by prophecy and laying on of hands by the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14)

Our Pastor urged us to think about the gifts that have been made barren within us because of neglect.  He stated that neglect of the gift causes us to lose sight of our purpose to the extent that we no longer have any vision or sight of it which ultimately leads to barrenness and aborts our purpose.

What are the gifts that have been deposited in you that have become neglected?  In what ways have you become barren?

The good thing about this gift is that it never disappears totally, it is beneath the surface and all it takes is a willingness to remove the blockages and allow it to resurface.  Whatever your gift, it can still bare fruit, as long as you are alive and willing to dig deep and let God.


CHARGED TO FIGHT


The warfare that faces us is intense but we can win and we can defeat the enemy of our souls, all it takes is a desire and a willingness to fight.  We won't overcome easily but if we are willing to fight we will be victorious because God is with us.

Whatever your circumstance, whatever your situation, FIGHT.

 

If the enemy plagues your mind, FIGHT

If he plagues your family, FIGHT

If there is sickness, FIGHT

If there is poverty, FIGHT

If there is depression, FIGHT

If you're weak, FIGHT

Fight in prayer

Fight in praise

Fight in fasting

Fight in tears

 

JUST TO SAY "I LOVE YOU"

From the break of day

To the darkness of night

From the narrowest of ways

To the path of flight

 

From clouds, rains and thunder

To wind, warmth and glorious rays

From the sounds of nature and wonder

To smiles on every face

 

From the crash of the great waters

To the steady, flowing stream

From the low-lying pastures

To the mountain's mighty beams

From the days of sadness, trials and woe

To times of joy, light and bliss

From places of solitude and feelings low

To times of survival, an unending list

 

I made them all, perfect and entire

To complete and fashion the breath I blew

I created them all, for you to acquire

And just to say "I Love You."

MY FATHER'S GIFT

We need the patience to know that our Father will give us the desires of our hearts.  It may not be packaged the way we desire but it is His will to give us just what we need.

 

God's gifts are often in disguise. 

 

Have patience, wait on the Lord and whatever he gives to us, even if we do not want it, still accept it as a loving gift from a loving Father.

JEHOVAH JIREH-THE LORD THAT PROVIDES

THE FORGIVING AND FAITHFUL FATHER

SAVING THE NEXT GENERATION

Judges 2:10 states "After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel." (New International Version (NIV)).

This Scripture depicts a sad state of affairs which existed in Israel.  After Joshua and other leaders and that whole generation died, a generation rose up that knew not the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.

These are the people of God whom he had brought from the land of Egypt by his mighty hand.  They had witnessed the miracles of God, his glory and his wrath but yet a generation of children grew up without knowing the Lord.

This must not be so in AJAN Fellowship.  We believe that the mighty acts of the Lord must not be kept a secret from our children.   It is our heritage and it must be transferred to them.

It is the vision of our leaders that the generation to come is preserved and that they will know the Lord and the power of his might and also declare his works.

The works of the Lord must not die with the previous generation but must live on in the next.  The next generation must be equipped and designed to take up the baton that has been left.

OUR VISION FOR OUR CHILDREN

It is well known that children live what they learn and for our children, it is our vision that they will:

• know the Lord and serve him exclusively
• not be like their forefathers- a stubborn and rebellious generation 
• be successors in the kingdom and the work of the Lord
• remain in the house and presence of the Lord
• be a righteous generation that will counter the attacks of the enemy

OUR STRATEGY: REHEARSAL

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua." (Exodus 17:14)

Training and reinforcement of that training is critical to preserving a righteous generation for the Lord.  In the same way that the Lord commanded Moses to rehearse the book of memorial in the ears of Joshua, we are committed to doing the same thing for our children.
 

There must be a righteous remnant for the times that lay ahead so that a generation may be preserved.
 

The fact is that we do not have much time.  As evil increases and the distractions and immoralities abound, the time to act is now.
 

We have to act in our homes first, we have to act in our church and then we can impact a whole community and by God's help the entire nation.
 



THE IMPORTANCE OF A SHOUT

A servant of the Lord from North Star Pastoral Ministries in the United States of America visited our church last year and shared with us the importance of a shout.

Psalm 47:1 commands us to "clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph."  Sometimes all we have left is a shout but if we can shout to God, a shout is all we need.

 

WHY IS SHOUTING SO IMPORTANT?

Why is shouting so important you may ask?  Well, shouting is important if for no other reason but to get some attention.  If someone is drowning, and they give a shout, once someone is in the same vicinity they can render some kind of assistance.

Shouting essentially is crying out.

Shouting defeats our enemies

Shouting is everlasting

TYPES OF SHOUTS

There are various types of shouts.  There is:

• The Victory shout
• The Shout of Lamentation
• A Shout for Help
• The Shout of Happiness for success etc

BENEFITS OF A SHOUT

• Shouting is a mighty weapon- Isaiah 42:13-

 Can you imagine the countless forces of darkness that we tear down just by shouting a praise or calling on the name of Jesus?  Can you imagine how the Lord wages war for us starting with a shout?  It is beyond imagination what happens in the spiritual realms when we shout.

Vow that you will never keep silent ever again.

• 

  Shouting brings down walls- Joshua 6

The Israelites were commanded to march around the walls of Jericho for six days without a word.  But on the seventh day when they marched they were commanded to "Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city." (Joshua 6:16). 

The walls of Jericho fell flat because their victory was tied to them having the faith and shouting.  The enemy knows this and so sometimes he tries to muzzle us so that we do not say the things that God would want us to say.

• Shouting is praise

2 Chronicles 5:13 shows the joy and the lifting of praises of Israel when the house of the Lord was built.  Everyone lifted their instruments and voice to make one sound in praise and thanksgiving to God.  There are times when you are so grateful to the Lord that one cannot help but lift your voice to give a shout that echoes not only on the earth but also in the Heavens.

If God has done something for you and you want to shout about it let no one hinder you because shouting is praise and God inhabits the praises of his people.

• Shouting brings victories and miracles

Amos 1 verse 14  states that the fire of God will devour the palaces of Rabbah with shouting as in the day of battle.  Soldiers in war normally shout as they advance to the enemy somehow this lifts their spirits and confidence, allowing them to know that they can overcome. 

As in the case of Joshua and his Jericho wall, shouting made the walls fall.  We can obtain the same victories and miracles with our shout.

So the next time that you feel the need to shout to the Lord, don't hold back and if persons look at you weird just tell them that God shouts and so can I.