Leader of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Pastor Evelyn Joshua, has declared that difficult times do not amount to divine rejection.
She therefore challenged Christians to continue to trust in God in troubled situations because he will certainly fulfil his promises to them.
The cleric spoke in Brazil as the government of the State of São Paulo and the church praised her for her humanitarian activities and contributions to global evangelism.
Consequently, the government of São Paulo and the church honoured her with two awards for her impact on humanity and global evangelism.
The state award was presented to the Nigerian cleric by Bruno Zambelli, Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo, while Pastor Willy Acosta presented the second award by the church. The awards were given to her at the end of her Brazilian crusade at the weekend.
In a press statement released by the church yesterday, the SCOAN leader thanked the people and government of Brazil for the honours.
In her sermon, Pastor Joshua urged Brazilians and other worshippers not to mistake God’s silence in difficult moments for rejection, assuring them that His promises remain certain despite their circumstances.
She encouraged the congregation to hold firmly to faith, truth, love and obedience, stressing that God, who created the good things of life, also desires His people to experience healing, fulfilment and happiness.
During the second day of the event, the cleric said, “Every good thing of life you see today was created by your Heavenly Father. If it is sinful for you to have them, God will not create them and promise that you may have them. God promises that you will be physically healed, fulfilled and happy.”
Citing Ecclesiastes 10:10, she charged the people to embrace wisdom and contentment. The SCOAN leader particularly addressed those who may feel forgotten because their prayers appear unanswered. “Christ never rejects anyone who turns to Him again,” she declared.
“Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Whatever your situation may look like, do not misinterpret God’s silence for rejection.”
Drawing from the biblical account of the woman with the issue of blood, she said, “The God that removed the garment of shame, sickness, affliction from the woman with the issue of blood, He will remove your shame and sickness, in Jesus’ name.”
According to her, receiving God’s promises requires obedience, love and truth, as well as a personal relationship with God.
She urged the people to obey His commandment to love Him and others, to embrace the truth, and to ask for their needs in the name of Jesus Christ, while remaining committed to their faith.
Reading from Numbers 23:19-20, she emphasised the certainty of God’s promises, urging the congregation not to allow present circumstances to undermine their faith.
“Whatever God has decreed will always come to pass, no matter how many promises He has made,” she said, calling on the people to rejoice over the blowing of the “winds of glory.”
Pastor Evelyn Joshua also challenged the worshippers to change the way they speak about themselves, particularly regarding weakness, illness, and limitation.
“God’s Word is a balm to our spiritual being,” she said. “Jesus Christ has conquered all, having broken every chain over our lives. Stop talking at the level of your old life of weakness, illness, limitation; learn to speak the good language, for the word you speak dominates you.”
She urged the congregation to remain committed to God, explaining that those who have devoted themselves to Him are not superhuman but have demonstrated complete faith.
