Shwarji Samuel

Christian | Husband | Writer | Teacher | Preacher

[Judah Olorunmaiye @JudahMaiye]

I pray sincerely that my heart will not be corrupted by the illusion of virality and the deception of fame.

That truth will not become appealing to me only when it goes viral, but because it is from the lips and heart of my God!

That God will not need the voice of a celebrity to get my attention, because His word and His spirit are enough for me to honour.

[Judah Olorunmaiye @JudahMaiye]

Young ministers, please keep your souls from defilement.

The desire to "roll with the big boys" will corrupt you faster than you think.

Listen to faithful teachers and learn from leaders who inspire you, but an ambition to be found in the company of "Great and successful preachers" will not help your cause.

Protect your innocence,

Fight to retain a pure conscience that hasn't learned the guile of ministry diplomacy and compromise.

Let faithfulness be your priority, not fame or fortune.

May the Lord deliver you from decorated evils.

[Gideon Odoma @gideonodoma]

FEAR GOD o!

There really is no context where it is biblically accurate to say "Jesus is not better than the believer."

Jesus as the head of the church, for instance, is not an exact parallel to husband as head of the wife. Both the husband and the wife are creatures. But both Jesus and the church are not creatures. Jesus exists by the necessity of His own being. The parallel therefore, though incredibly illuminating, has colossal limitations.
No matter how you situate our relationship with Jesus, one critical difference is that whatever (attribute) Jesus gives or even shares with us, He has such attribute necessarily, but we have it contingently. Read it again.

Secondly, Jesus may give me His righteousness, yet I cannot transmit it to others, but He continues to be the only one who can transmit it. So, you see, righteousness in me is not an exact mirror of righteousness in Jesus. Also, righteousness in Jesus is not merely a status. It is exhaustive. Jesus' righteousness means that He can not do (I don't mean He will not do, but I mean He can not do) anything wrong, because His righteousness is not just a legal status. It is not imputed. Righteousness is grounded in His beign. I hope you know what that means. The believer however CAN do things that are unrighteous, even though she is legally righteous. So, while righteousness exists in both cases, they are not identical in every sense. More, Jesus is the explanation of the believer's righteousness, and yet the same Jesus is the explanation of His own righteousness.

Thirdly, I need Jesus to sustain whatever I receive from Him. I continue to need Him to keep me in His righteousness, in His grace, in eternal life, etc. If Jesus were to leave me at any point (blessed assurance, He will not), I will lose everything He has imputed to me. He upholds all things. I don't. I stand because He is able to keep and continues to keep me. He has no keeper. No one sustains Him in eternal life, or in righteousness. His righteousness does not need any support to stay intact. Mine needs to be sustained. It is wrong therefore to say His righteousness is NOT better than mine. More, I think it is meaningless to say so.

Besides, according to scripture, the root and the branches are not the same simply because they both share in a common life (sap). As Paul said in his Roman correspondence, "remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you." If you are being upheld by another – one who is self-sufficient and needs no upholding – it is both inaccurate and irresponsible to say your Supporter is not better than you, particularly with reference to the very attribute by which he holds you up.

It is also sloppy to say because Jesus is our righteousness, and our sanctification, He is therefore not better than us. That same passage says He is our Wisdom. Is Jesus better than us in wisdom or not? If you say 'Jesus is not more righteous than me,' can you say 'Jesus is not more wise than me'?

I saw someone making a money analogy. It fails. If I have ten thousand Naira and I give it to you, it is no longer available to me to give to another person. And if you, the recipient, are generous, you can gift it to your friend. Jesus being our ransom is something infinitely richer and different than the money analogy suggests. The same Jesus is the ransom for us all. He does not diminish through donation. But whereas I can give you the ten thousand I was given, if I chose to, I can not transfer the righteousness I've received. Nevertheless, Jesus can. How then can I be as delusional as to say He is not better than me, even in righteousness!?

Okay, "As He is, so are we in this world." Yes, but it is: AS He is; not WHO He is.

Heb 7:7 (NKJV) says, "beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better." We are the blessed. We are lesser than our 'Blesser.' And He – Jesus – is better than us.

Again, 1Pet 2:17 says you should FEAR God.

[Spiricoco Twittter @SpiricocoNg]

Before certain apostles and ministers emerged on the Nigerian church scene, things were considerably more moderate.

Pastors were content with having just enough to meet their basic needs.

Ministers were fine with having no popularity or reach, as long as they were faithful.

Church growth was not tied to having high-earning, influential members.

If members were poor but pure, pastors rightly considered that ministry success.

Ministers were obscure. Nobody knew them, and they knew nobody.

And they were content with that state.

They had no friends in power, and pastors were content, resting in the fact that their Lord was sufficient.

Before these apostles, excellence was not sophistication.

Influence was not social media reach.

A large crowd was not ministry success.

A minister was not measured by how international they were.

And there was no obsession with aesthetics, appearance, and branding as core elements of ministerial ethos.

All these changed when they came and brought flashy new doctrines, delivered not with the glory of God on the face of Jesus, but a glory made from and of this world.

They came and taught that to have influence is to have friends in power.

One apostle even boasted about this.

They presented social media reach as influence.
The clout of the internet became the desire, not the cloud of glory that comes with the Presence.

These apostles added material achievements as part of the validation of true ministry.

Result was no longer the transformed lives of members, as Paul said:

“You yourselves are our letter of commendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.”
(2 Corinthians 3:2)

It was now things that will burn. Buildings, money, church branches, crowds, technological sophistication.

Faithfulness in ministry was no longer measured by obedience, but by how much material success was gained along the way.

It is why they pitched faithful men in the Bible against each other.

Elijah was compared to Daniel. They concluded Daniel was more “faithful” because he had “systemic impact.”

But Elijah was dismissed as just a desert man.

Yet the Bible never made this comparison.

Both of these men were faithful in their domains.

But these ministers introduced a measure that God never gave.

The measure for success in ministry is faithfulness, as the apostle Paul said:

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)

And this can exist with or without worldwide impact. There is one talent, and five talents.

Both will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Period.

But these men came and corrupted the knowledge of God. They darkened counsel.

They used their “results” to validate and justify carnality for younger ministers.

Their money became their letters of commendation, not the transformed lives of the sheep in their care.

The result is what you see in our landscape today.

A church without fire. We have lost our salt. Darkness erodes our land.

We can no longer speak truth against the evil in the land.

Look at us, especially here in the South. Ministry has become industry.

Crowd retention has replaced mass transformation.

Pastors are focused on growing material infrastructure instead of investing in the Spirit unto eternal life.

We no longer care for the poor. The poor are now treated like a stain on our precious branding and “aesthetics.”

Churches now discriminate between cars in their parking lots.

Only certain classes of cars are given certain access.

Evangelism is now strategic. Church must be managed tactically to attract members of the upper class in the society.

If you have poor members, you must be doing something wrong.

That is why some ministries spare no opportunity to post that popular celebrities are their members.

They give them front-row seats. They plaster their carefully curated images across social media.

Even though these same people live carnal lives, posting sexual content online.

That does not matter to them. The KPIs are being met.

Crowd is increasing.
Money is coming.
Branding is working.
Social media is spreading.

This is the reality.

We have said this in order to speak to you, believer.

Do not be like them. Do not join them.

Abandon these dark doctrines.

Holiness remains the hallmark of the faith.

Forget the money, the influence, the “growth,” the image. Leave all of that.

Stay faithful. The reward of the believer is never on this earth.

It is when He returns that we will begin to truly live. That is the reward. Set your mind on that, as the Scriptures say:

“When He appears, we shall be like Him…”
(1 John 3:2)

“…an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
(1 Peter 1:4)

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
(2 Corinthians 4:17)

May God be with you and His church.

Amen.

[Rasine Irem @RasineIrem]

How many people will you cohabit with before you find the perfect fit for you?

How long are you going to play the cohabitation game for?

Where will you draw the line?

God’s command is clear.

It says to flee fornication.

If you’re living with someone you are physically attracted to you will fornicate.

There is no ifs buts or maybes.

As a Christian, obeying God is more important than getting married.

[Gideon Odoma @gideonodoma]

LAST GBAS-GBOS (for now)... WITH A PERSONAL ANGLE

One of the recurring problem on CT–Naija is due to many saints not having allowance for significant disagreement on secondary points so that they can still consider the other (dissenting) side as legitimately Christian – enough to be accepted into genuine fellowship.

I have a lot of non-Pentecostal friends and mentors. A man I admire greatly and have learnt a lot from, is a cessationist.

In fact, I was a card carrying member of a non Pentecostal church till around COVID. I only fully embraced the Pentecostal label about 5 years ago. I grew up in a non Pentecostal church while being discipled in a Pentecostal 'fellowship.' It is why people like me can be at home on both sides of the isle.

Understanding where we disagree, and accepting that they are on non-essentials, make for healthy, respectful relationship and fellowship. I don't agree on all points of doctrine even with my Pentecostal friends and teachers. We know where we disagree, and we occasionally debate them, sometimes for long hours. But we agree that our disagreements do not touch on the heart of the Christian faith. We believe alike per the historic, essential doctrines of the faith. So, we share fellowship.

When I attend prayer meetings in certain circles, I try, out of respect for others, not to be heard blasting away in tongues, but my non Pentecostal friends knowing that I pray in tongues, don't feel violated if they hear (catch) me utter prayers in tongues, while they utter theirs in English language. Yes, because these are small group settings, even though my prayers are in muffled sounds (when the prayer leader says, "let's all talk to the Lord concerning XYZ..."), they definitely would hear me praying in tongues occasionally. They know I am not projecting. And they understand.

Here on CT, it is different many times. Every subject is easily stretched into an absolute, essential, make-or-mar issue. I even saw someone posit that if you believe in the 'Pentecostal' teaching of "Subsequence", you believe "another gospel". These things break my heart. And they weary the soul. Vehement disagreement can exist on the non essentials of our faith, but locating Subsequence at the heart of Christianity is ridiculously un-called for and uncharitable. But CT rolls like that some times... in fact, too many times.

Again, Pentecostals here are more generous to, and accepting of other legitimate blocs than can be said of our Calvinists/Reformed non-Pentecostal friends. This observation, by the way, has also been made by Reformed folks on this app. It is not an unwarranted generalization. And, we could all do better. Gbas–Gbos is not hard. But it is not always helpful. We can continue to disagree where needed, without being disagreeable while at it.

[Shwarji Samuel @ShwarjiSamuel]

@RasineIrem Ah!

This one needs oriamo cord ooo

[Soulpee Gambo @soulpeegambo]

IT’S TODAY!
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
— Psalm 118:24

It’s finally here!
The day we’ve prayed, planned, and waited for.

Come ready to rejoice, dance, and celebrate God’s faithfulness with us.
Let the sound rise!
#TheSoundConcert

[Shwarji Samuel @ShwarjiSamuel]

@acebenji I do. I disciple a group of young people and children, having as many copies as possible will greatly enhance their learning.

Thank you.

[Shwarji Samuel @ShwarjiSamuel]

Something good the Lord has made.

#HappyFather
#ProudHusband

[Soulpee Gambo @soulpeegambo]

3 DAYS TO CIKA MU
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
- Luke 11:13

[Soulpee Gambo @soulpeegambo]

School is resuming in two weeks, and we are preparing to send our children back.
Since it’s a new session, we are adding more students & providing new textbooks, notebooks, uniforms, and other writing materials.
If you would like to be part of this work, we welcome your support.

[Shwarji Samuel @ShwarjiSamuel]

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary

[Shwarji Samuel @ShwarjiSamuel]

"My name is Gideon and I am reporting for duty..."

[Zonia Chris @D_unveiledbride]

Apostle @gideonodoma once said- "oh Lord, put a sickle in my hand."
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Add yours
@yanshine39 @Thatnsukkaboy_ @EntinaSamuel @KingdmHeritage @lekan_olayinka1

[Shwarji Samuel @ShwarjiSamuel]

@D_unveiledbride @gideonodoma @yanshine39 @Thatnsukkaboy_ @EntinaSamuel @KingdmHeritage @lekan_olayinka1 "my name is Gideon, and I am reporting for duty..."

[Soulpee Gambo @soulpeegambo]

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
- Jeremiah 33:3
#NaKira #MaiTaimako #LoveGraceFellwoship #LiveRecording #iamkakaki

[dele osunmakinde @deleosunmakinde]

To the prophets and teachers i write.

There is a tension in ministry that must be addressed

On one side, prophets are blowing trumpets.
The warfare is intensifying. The heavens are heavy. Something must be broken in the spirit.

On the other, teachers are standing firmly on Scripture.
Christ already won. We are seated. Confess the Word. The devil is defeated.

Each camp sees something real.
But the body is weakened when we act like we must choose between the two.

This is not a contradiction—it’s a coordination issue.

The problem isn’t prophecy.
The problem isn’t teaching.
The problem is isolation. The solution is Antioch.

Antioch: where the Spirit wrote a blueprint for alignment

Acts 13 verse 1 says,
"Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers..."

Don’t rush past that line—it is pregnant with divine strategy.

Antioch was not just a location. It was a launchpad. A prototype. A prophetic-teaching convergence that birthed apostolic power.

This was not a prophetic conference.
This was not a doctrinal school.
This was a local church—a real congregation.
And right there, prophets and teachers ministered under the same covering, at the same altar, hearing the same Spirit.

They didn’t just co-exist—they co-laboured.
They didn’t compete for the pulpit—they built the same house.

Let the teacher find a prophet. Let the prophet find a teacher.
That is what births apostolic Christianity—men that can be separated for the work.

Until this alignment happens, there will be no true sending, no apostolic thrust, no accurate commissioning.

And moreover, like Antioch, we can be both—prophets that teach and teachers that prophesy.
We do not have to live in divided categories. The same Spirit that gives utterance also grants understanding.
Some are called to carry both fires. Some will weep over the now and explain the why.
Some will see the mystery and steward it through instruction.

So what did they do together in Antioch?

They fasted together.
There was spiritual hunger, not ego hunger.
The prophet didn’t think fasting was just for spiritual warfare.
The teacher didn’t reduce fasting to doctrinal symbolism.

They prayed together.
They didn’t pray in silos.
The prophet stirred the atmosphere. The teacher guarded it with the Word.
Together, they hosted divine instruction.

They ministered to the Lord together.
They weren’t building platforms—they were hosting presence.
Prophetic flames burned, and doctrinal altars stayed steady.
The atmosphere wasn’t weird. It was weighty.

They heard the Holy Spirit together.
"Separate unto me Barnabas and Saul..."
Prophets didn’t override teachers. Teachers didn’t silence prophets.
The Spirit moved where both graces were honoured.

And again, I say—let the teacher find a prophet. Let the prophet find a teacher.
Because what God separates for the work flows out of what he first joins in fellowship.
That is apostolic order. That is divine strategy. That is how movements are born.

And others could come—because the house was whole

The unity of prophets and teachers didn’t just bless Antioch internally—it made Antioch magnetic.

People like Agabus, a respected prophet, could come in and out freely.
He was not seen as too prophetic to be welcomed.
And he didn’t look down on structure.

Even Gentile believers, untrained in Jewish law or temple patterns, were discipled and empowered there.

Why?
Because Antioch wasn’t a camp—it was a kingdom model.

It was solid enough for teachers.
It was spiritual enough for prophets.
And it was safe enough for the outsider.

This is what happens when the fire and the foundation dwell together.
This is what happens when we don’t split the house by giftings.
This is what happens when the Spirit is not grieved by doctrinal pride or prophetic arrogance.

Final charge: build the house right—the world is watching
Antioch teaches us this:
Prophets and teachers must not just tolerate each other—they must trust and train with each other.

[Joshua Agunbiade | The Publisher @drjoshagunbiade]

Back home from Pakistan.

We saw souls saved, healings happen, and diverse measures of the power of God to deliver the oppressed.

Thank you to everyone who stood with us in prayer, fasting and giving as we stepped out to push the frontiers of the kingdom and equip the saints.

God bless you all.

[Soulpee Gambo @soulpeegambo]

It is foolishness to see the ark of God moving and not join in just because you don't like the Noah He is using.

[Shwarji Samuel @ShwarjiSamuel]

@soulpeegambo Hmmmmm!

Zahiri!