THE SECRET OF TRUE BELIEVERS.

By Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, Man of God.

12 June 1963-5 June 2021. Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations.

In ever thankful gratitude for his works, I transcribed his last programme, the SCOAN Sunday
Service, held just before his passing, later the same day, at 57, a week before his 58 th birthday.
The following are my notes, including transcripts of his words.

Anything close to Jesus are attacked. Stop seeing these as pain, agony, take blessings and
bitterness as they come. Hallelujah! Your heart must be at its best because the Spirit expresses
Itself through the heart. This is why you must have freedom at heart- a free, liberated heart.
You need to confidently feel the liberation of Truth in faith, because the Spirit expresses itself
through your heart. Your heart is His prayer room, His strong room. Say to yourself in
complete earnestness: Release my Spirit, Lord, to follow You. I have surrendered.

Tell your neighbour: The Spirit of God expresses Itself through my heart. This is your open
secret- let your trial be your joy. Hallelujah! In life, we have days, weeks, months, and years
that come with enormous challenges: Poverty, hatred, persecution, insults and so forth.

What do we do when they come? Watch and pray.

Believers have challenges, but unlike others, our challenges are to strengthen our desire and
determination for God. They are to improve us, not impair. When they come, the bible says:
Watch and pray. It means, you must discipline your heart before prayer. You cannot watch for
God without a disciplined heart.

How do we discipline our heart? Something that does not qualify for meditation, does not
qualify for conversation. Look at your own thoughts- that’s what are you meditating upon.
Tell your neighbour: What does not qualify for meditation, does not qualify for conversation. It
means, speak what you believe, say what you believe.

What does not qualify for your heart, does not qualify for your mouth. If the Man of God
says, stand up and pray, but if you don’t believe, don’t stand up. If you don’t believe and pray,
“In the name of Jesus,” and not believing, you say, “Amen.” The whole thing has now become,
national attack, worldwide attack. Faith is not a hobby. We cannot take our faith as a hobby:
There is no alternative for our faith.

How can we discipline our heart, when we submit to panic, and say, we are a believer? If I look
around and say, “there’s a liar somewhere there,” and you ask, “where?” Then I point,
“there,” and that one reacts, thinks, “where my bar?” From that moment on, when I say, “Let
us pray,” you will not be able to close your eyes for prayer again. Next time I say, “Let us
pray,” you just cannot.

We should be still and not, submit to panic. Okay, let us pray… [few respond]. Can you see?
We believe in majority instead of God’s authority! Let us stand up for prayer [more respond].
By what authority are you doing this? Authority from appearance- that I put on a suit, standing
in front of you, thinking, we should believe this man… Listen- WE SHOULD BE STILL AND NOT
SUBMIT TO PANIC. This is our problem- and we need to do the right thing.

1
It is when you are still and not panicked that you can begin to do the right thing. We should
take control of our situation instead of being afraid. Take control.

Listen to this [Song]:

Sometimes discouraged, but not defeated; Cast down but not destroyed;
There are times I don’t understand, but I believe it’s turning around for me.
I’ve had struggles and disappointments; There are times I felt so alone;
Some of my friends they let me down; but I still believe it’s turning around for me,
around for me, around for me… it’s turning around for me;

Chorus: Sing… Around for me, around for me; Around for me, it’s turning around for me;
See… I can see the breaking of day, God is making a way; A change is coming for me,
if I stand strong and believe. There’s no reason to doubt, I know He’s working it out.
It’s turning around for me, and even though it won’t always be like this; The Lord will perfect
that concerning me, and sooner or later it will turn in my favour. It’s turning around for me.

That song ‘hit’ you- you must take control of your situation instead of being afraid, because
satan himself, the cause of crises, the cause of challenges, has been defeated. Yes, that is what
you should know: The cause of the challenges you are facing- poverty, sickness, disease,
affliction, stagnation, temptation, persecution, opposition- the cause, satan, has been
defeated.

When adversity comes, as a true believer, welcome it! True believers treat adversity as a
friend, greet challenges as friends. Whatever it is, greet as friend! That you are a believer, you
may have affliction, you may have challenges- but your challenges are not like others. We
must learn that there is value in the challenges. And this situation that looks impossible, there
is value. There can be no promotion without examination. There is value in this situation that
looks impossible. That’s why people like me can be here today.

True believers must have true determination not to listen [lightly clap hands for audience’s
attention] to the panic of the moment [that will lead to damnation]. BUT to find the quiet
voice of counsel… the quiet voice of counsel. Pause and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to
say concerning this matter.

That sickness may be to stop you awhile in order to prepare you for a new level in life. That
stagnation may be to re-prepare you, to redirect you, to improve you. It’s a transit point to
connect you- when you going for one place to another, you may have to stop at a point, to
connect you to your next flight. That is what challenges are- to connect you to the future you
desire. Trust it- transit point. When we listen to the Holy Spirit, He will protect us from the
pitfalls of every enemy. Continuously praying in the Spirit and listening to His voice, will
protect you from your daily challenges.

[Song] I know a place I can always run to in times of distress, confusion and fear;
But when my enemy surrounds me, Father I know-I know, I’m free;
For you lead me and guide me in the shadow of Your Wings; In the shadow of Your Wings,
I know I am safe; In the shadow of Your Wings, I find relief; For You will hold me, and You
guide me with Your righteous hand; I find rest, peace of mind, in the shadow of Your Wings.

2
Chorus: Let me sing, in the shadow of your wings, I know I am safe; In the shadow of Your
Wings, Lord, I find relief; For You will hold me, and You’ll guide me with Your righteous hand;
Your righteous hand; I find rest, peace of mind, in the shadow of Your Wings.

I AM saved, I am safe, in the shadow of Your Wings. Lord, I know, I’m saved now, I am safe in
the shadow of Your wings. I am safe in the shadow of Your wings.

Can you hear? In our daily challenges, you need to find enough calm, to think clearly and
react diligently. You need to think clearly, you need enough calm- not to submit to panic!
The challenges we are facing, is just this: Our heart is not in one accord with our mouth. And
when our heart is not in one accord with our mouth, whom are we talking to? It is when our
heart is in one accord with our mouth, then we can bring Jesus Christ into the scene; We can
bring the Holy Spirit, Spirit of Father into our hearts.

When we say, “Jesus…” and our heart is not in one accord with our mouth; “Amen…” and our
heart is not in one accord with our mouth; “Hallelujah...” our heart is not in one accord with
our mouth. So, can you see, all what you are doing? Ask your neighbour, “Did you pray for the
situation you are in today? Did you confess the situation you are in today? It is what we have
been saying- what you have been saying in the name of Jesus… is not such in your heart.
What you have been saying in the name of Jesus? Amen… Amen every day, and it is not such
in heart. So, this is what I mean, that in our heart, is not in one accord with our mouth. When
it comes to God’s Word, our heart, is not in one accord with our mouth.

Did you pray for this situation you are in today? This means, what you have been saying, in the
name of Jesus, is not such in heart. No, no, no…? Is not such in heart- you say, “in the name of
Jesus… Father bless me… Father give me this… give me that- what you are saying is different
from what you are saying in your heart!

We begin to bring Jesus on the scene, or bring the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Father into our
heart when what we are saying is in one accord with our heart. Like I said, as I look at true
believers, I do not forget the many insults, embarrassments, persecutions, hatred, temptation,
opposition they endure to maintain their Christian life. I salute them.

[Song] We are soldiers in the army; we have to fight or we have to die;

We have to hold up our Saviour’s banner; We’ve got to hold it up until we die.

The church is marching on, the church is marching on;

The gates of hell shall not prevail, the church is marching on; We are marching on.
We have to hold up our Saviour’s banner; We have to hold it up until we die.

As I look at true believers, I do not forget the many insults, persecutions, hatred, temptation,
opposition they endure to maintain their Christian life, to walk with the Lord. Anything close
to Jesus, receives attack. These challenges force us to look deeper. Tell your neighbour: These
challenges force us to look deeper. Say to your neighbour what they don’t want to hear, and
see what will happen. Okay, say to your neighbour, “your mouth is smelly.” These challenges
force us to look deeper, explore possibilities, increase our desire and determination for God.
Pray and dream of other ways that might have been ignored.

3
Can you see the value in the crises, value in the challenges? Say to you neighbour: Hey! Please
will you smile? I say, what do you tell your neighbour who is not a Christian? By what they say,
you will know he is not a Christian- but see now, he is a Christian. Tell your neighbour: Now,
you are a Christian. Let challenges come and see whether you are a Christian. Challenges force
us to look what? Deeper! Tomorrow, just look for your best friend, give him a test. Just come a
say, “Huh! I never knew you were a thief.” Your friend, offended, “I am a thief- I am a thief?! I
am taking you to the court!” Then you smile and say, “No, not like that- challenges force us to
look deeper. I never knew you were not my friend.”

Without being tested, as a Christian, our genuineness cannot be determined. Tell your
neighbour: Your genuineness cannot be determined without being tested. Test by what? Joy-
Food-Blessings? Tell your neighbour: Without being tested, as a true believer, your
genuineness cannot be determined.

You are not here today because of miracles… you have sinned so far… you are not here
because of prophecy… this crusade all over the world. You are here because after sitting down,
you saw what this man has gone through, all the challenges… seen for yourself, here is a Man
of God, no human being has gone through all that he did, and succeed. You are not here
because of miracles, prophecy or what you have seen so far. You are here because after you
sat down and you saw, you saw and you said, “Hah… he’s not a human being. That man is
Spirit.” Without being tested, as a Christian, your genuineness cannot be determined.

As a believer, we must understand that when times are stable, and the sea is calm and secure,
no one is really tested.

[Song] When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with You above the storm;
Father- You are king over the flood; I will be still and know You are God.
When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with You above the storm;
Father- You are king over the flood; I will be still and know You are God.
Oh… hide me now under Your Wings; Cover me within Your mighty hand.

Yes, we must understand that when times are stable, and the sea is calm and secure, no one is
really tested. Because many have abandoned their faith, because of challenges. Many running
helter-skelter, go to this side and that because of trouble- then can you see? Where is your
God? God of crises? Of challenges? God of tribulation? God of stagnation? God of joblessness?
None of these are God. In contrast, poverty, hardship, sickness, disease, stagnation, just name
them- so on and so forth. Just face them and declare: Force us to come face to face with who
we really are and what we can become.

Tell your neighbour: Apply yourself to your duty. Apply yourself to your work, as a Christian
soldier. What do I mean? Match your actions with your words if you want to succeed in life.

[Song] I am no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God.

Are you a child of God… Sing: You unravel me with a melody; You surround me with a song.
A song so clear, yes hear me say… of deliverance from my enemies, till all my fears are gone.
I am no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God.

Thank you, Hallelujah.

4
Apply yourself to your duty. Apply yourself to your work, as a believer, as a Christian soldier.
I mean, match your action with your word. Your action is different from your word.

The action is heart; the word is mouth. Your heart is different from your mouth. That is why
your life is like this. You find yourself in the situation you are in today because your heart is
different from your mouth. Match your action with your word. Tell your neighbour: Match
your action with your word. You go on, “In Jesus’ name… Jesus is this, Jesus is that…” are you
what you are saying? “Aaamen!” You mean it? “Aaamen… Jesus, you be healed…” do you
mean what you are saying? Match your action with your word, then apply yourself to your
duty, to your work, as a Christian soldier.

Viewers, thank you for your time. I want to bless you.

Now, you know your position when you come to challenges.
You know your position when you come to temptation.
You now know your position as a Christian when you come to tribulation.
Now you know your position when it comes to stagnation.

Here you are: Temptations, challenges, are your friends. It is time now for you to see the value
in the challenges. See the value in the situation that looks impossible. There is value there.
I am a good example. Here I am.

Those of you, in the past, who were, are crying for me in the past, the past…now you can see.
Cry no more. You never knew my position, was never a demand for cry. Your sickness is to
force you to look deeper. Look deeper when sickness comes. When hardship comes, look
deeper; Whatever you are facing, look deeper. It is time to explore possibilities. These things
that increase our desire and determination for God.

Pray, and dream of other ways that might have been ignored.
I bless you. Thank you.

Scriptures [New International Version, NIV]

James 1:1-4
1 James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the
nations: Greetings. 2 Trials and temptations, consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith
produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything.

2 Corinthians 11:23-29
23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked
much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed
to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was
shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move.
I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in
danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in
danger from false believers. 27 I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep;
I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and

5
naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

Matthew 10:19-20
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time,
you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your
Father speaking through you.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you
know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are
saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a
pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in
darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and
children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be
like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at
night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be
sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For
God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.