The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Unveiling the wonders of thanksgiving!

    Welcome to the month of June. It is our year of Exceeding Grace and all through the remainder of this year, thanksgiving shall not cease in your home!

    This month, we shall be exploring the mystery of faith which is what empowers the saints for dominion. According to scriptures, faith is the mystery that confers mastery. As it is written: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).

    Among others, faith empowers us for conquest in all the battles of life (Ephesians 6:16). Faith also empowers the fulfilment of prophecy. As it is written: “Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45).

    Therefore, faith is not a religious principle or a philosophy; faith is a mystery. Faith is not a belief system; it is a spiritual weapon and when our faith comes alive on any revelation of scriptures, we tap into virtues that turn it into testimonies (Ephesians 6:16).

    This week, we shall be exploring the mystery of faith that gives us access to the Wonders of Thanksgiving.

    First, we must understand that thanksgiving is loaded with virtues. However, it is our faith that empowers us access to the wonders embedded in thanksgiving.

    But, what is Faith?

    • Faith is not a principle, nor a strategy, it is a spiritual force (1Cor 2:4-5)
    • Faith is not a dormant force, it is a dominant force –Matt 14:22-33/2Kg 1:10-15
    • Faith is being fully persuaded of the truth, the prevailing circumstances notwithstanding, until the  truth triumphs (Romans 4:17-21)
    • Faith is a spiritual force within that determines the triumphs without                             – Mk 2:1-12 (5)   / Act 14:9-10 / Matt 14:30 -31 /Mk 11:23
    • As far as the Kingdom of God is concerned, faith is key to everything – Mk. 9:23

    Faith overturns sicknesses and diseases from the root. Faith can bring down any “wall of Jericho” that stands as a barrier on our paths (Mark 1:1-12/Hebrews 11:30).

    The mystery of faith explains the resurrection to life from death (Mark 5:35:36). This implies that faith is the most potent force in the whole universe. It is our access to the realms of unlimited possibilities (Mark 11:23). Every unwanted situation is reversible by faith. Faith is the answer to every impossible situation.

    How Faith Empowers our Access to the Wonders Embedded in Thanksgiving

    From the testimony of the woman with the issue of blood who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and the flow of blood stopped; according to Christ, her touch of faith drew virtue from Him which made her whole. This implies that every time our faith comes alive in any subject of the living Word of God, we tap into virtue that releases what that Word says. (Luke 8:40- 48)

    What faith does is to convert the Word into power, which turns it into testimonies. Even though thanksgiving is loaded with virtues, it is our faith in the mystery of thanksgiving that entitles us access to the wonders therein. We must therefore engage our faith in the mystery of thanksgiving, so that we can experience the wonders it promises. We must remember, it is to us according to our faith (Mathew 9:29).

     

    Friend, the access to the wonders of thanksgiving are the preserve of the saved. Are you born again? You can become a redeemed soul, by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You can be God’s child now, if you haven’t been, by saying this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan, to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, for saving me! Now, I know I am born again!”

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • ‘Insurgency affecting school children’

    The Boko Haram insurgency is making children in the country live in morbid fear, the principal of Christ the Redeemers College (CRC), Pastor Antoinette Omo-Osagie, has said.

    She advised the federal government to rescue the abducted school girls so as to inspire confidence among children again.

    Omo- Osagie spoke at the praise and prayer service organised by the school management to intercede for the abducted Chibok girls last week.

    She called on government to increase measures aimed at finding the abducted girls.

    The national coordinator of the youth wing in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mr. Ayo Bello, noted that Nigerians need prayer.

    He noted that though churches, human rights activists and women have prayed, the involvement of children in the prayer exercise will move God to act.

    He urged every child not to lose hope, adding that there is a great future for them regardless of current trends in the nation.

  • Nigerian-born pastor for TBN’s show

    Nigerian-born pastor for TBN’s show

    From the confines of Church of the Anointing (COTA) Los Angeles California, its Nigeria-born founder, Pastor Nelson Ugwuzor, is shaking the whole of America, winning souls and initiating well-received community projects.

    The prophetic preacher has become a household name in America. He is seen as a pastor to the celebrities and stars in Los Angeles, Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

    He led the city of Los Angeles in a prayer of victory for President Barack Obama, a week before his election at a gathering of over a quarter-million people during the city’s Taste of Soul Family Festival.

    For his efforts and spiritual insights, awards and recognitions have continued to pour in.

    The United States Senate and members of California State Congress have conferred several awards on him.

    The Mayor of Los Angeles, and former Governor of the State of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, also recognised Ugwuzor for his humanitarian role in the state.

    Awards and Certificates of Appreciation have also been bestowed on him by ministries, spiritual leaders and politicians across the globe for his ministerial inspiration and humanitarian service to the world.

    In 2012, Pastor Nelson, as he is popularly called, received the Stellar Award for his radio show, Spread the word, which airs every Sunday on Stevie Wonder’s legendary radio station in the US.

    The show attracts over one million listeners weekly.

    Born in Aba, Abia State to the late Mr. Ruben Ugwuzor and Chief Mrs. Pleasure Ugwuzor (a.k.a. Nneohaaba), Nelson was educated in Nigeria and the USA.

    He is a constant voice and face on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the world’s largest Christian broadcasting network.

    Come June 5, Nelson will be in Costa Mesa, California as special guest speaker on an upcoming edition of the “Praise the Lord” television programme on TBN.

    The episode will be broadcast worldwide and aired in Nigeria and Africa from June 6.

    On the numerous roles he is playing, Nelson said: “I am so humbled to be used by the Lord Jesus Christ to touch the hearts of men and women for God’s glory in a time like this.

    “I am thankful that God uses me to go from house to house, city to city, and nation to nation changing our world for good.” He believes that one word from the Lord can change your entire life.

  • Be faithful, Oshoffa charges clerics

    The Pastor and Spiritual Head of Celestial Church of Church, Pastor Emmanuel Oshoffa, has charged church leaders to remain committed to their ministry because they will render account of their stewardship on earth one day.

    He spoke at the funeral ceremony of the Late Superior Evangelist of Celestial Church of Christ, Calvary Parish, Dr Joshua Ogunorunlaiyede, at the church headquarters in Ogba, Lagos.

    Oshoffa said that the divine call of God on ministers to preach and disciple nations for Christ is not a guaranteed for making heaven.

    He charged them to ensure their lives and deeds align with Christ to secure their eternity.

    Oshoffa lamented that the unwholesome lifestyle of some pastors are at variance with the teachings and life of Christ.

    Such sinful living, according to him, will lead to utter damnation regardless of the titles such ministers answer.

    Oshoffa, who extolled the life of the deceased, described him as peaceful, cheerful and committed to the course of the Celestial mission.

    According to him: “His demise reminds us that death is inevitable for everyone and we must be prepared and ready with our life committed to God.”

    He advised Nigerians to keep praying and maintain good works for the resuscitation of moral in the country.

  • Boko Haram will not overcome, says Omobude

    THE radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, will not succeed in its quest to draw Nigeria back to the Stone Age, the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude, has declared.

    “PFN is resolute that evil shall not overcome our land. We categorically maintain that there is no place in Nigeria and there will never be for such an anachronistic and retrogressive philosophy which the so-called Boko Haram terrorists ignorantly espouse.

    “There cannot be accommodation for a misguided ideology which operates directly in opposition to civilisation, stands against education and seeks to relegate our women to the background,” Omobude reiterated.

    The PFN’s leader, in a statement by the body’s Director, Media and Public Relations, Simbo Olorunfemi, expressed outcry over the abduction of over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in Maiduguri over a month ago.

    He said: “We condemn, in the strongest terms possible, this callous act on the part of these rogue elements who claim to be motivated by a desire to foist on Nigeria their own perverted ideology.

    “They should be ashamed of their wickedness and desist forthwith from this meaningless waste of innocent lives and unwarranted shedding of the blood of Nigerians.

    “We are without any doubt whatsoever that the evil they have continued to perpetrate will find them out and they will be made to face justice soon.”

    Omobude appealed to federal and state governments to increase collaborations on security with a view to winning the terror war.

    He praised the Armed Forces for the courage to face the terrorists and called on them to “re-dedicate themselves to this cause and expedite action in ensuring the safe return of our girls.”

    While sympathising with parents and relations of the abducted girls, he urged them to remain strong, assuring them of continuous prayers for the safe return of their daughters.

    He commended Muslims who have spoken and acted against the sect’s demands, urging them to do “more in joining hands with all of us to checkmate this raging evil.”

  • Julianne Moore: Hollywood can make you feel empty

    Julianne Moore: Hollywood can make you feel empty

    JULIANNE Moore believes Hollywood lifestyle can ultimately make you feel “empty” because of the need for affirmation for other people.

    Moore  stars in David Cronenberg’s latest movie ‘Maps to the Stars’ as ruthless Havana Segrand, a fading star living among the Hollywood elite, and admits the character shows what can go wrong in the movie In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, she said: “Oh, I wouldn’t say she’s a monster, although it’s true she does behave monstrously at times. She’s one of these creatures that are very common in our industry, in that all of her self-worth and affirmation is projected from outside as opposed to inside. And the longer you live that kind of lifestyle, the more empty you become, until there comes a point when you just implode.”

    Moore – who is married to Bart Freundlich with whom she has son Caleb and daughter Liv – also says the film industry is too age obsessed, something she refuses to subscribe to.

    She added: “You know, maybe that’s a danger in any profession. But in the movie business it’s heightened because it’s all tied up with your face and how you look and the world’s perception of that. “But the only people who can affirm you are your family. They are the ones who are close to you. They’re the only ones who can really see you.”

  • Thandie Newton: ‘I gave birth on bathroom floor!’

    Thandie Newton: ‘I gave birth on bathroom floor!’

    SHE has access to the world’s best medical facilities. But Thandie Newton has revealed she gave birth to her third child, son Booker, ‘on the bathroom floor’ in March.

    During an appearance on the Today show last week, the 41-year-old said she also had her two daughters, 13-year-old Ripley and Nico age nine, at home because it just feels ‘normal’ to her.

    One of the reasons is because Thandie’s never been a fan of hospitals.

    ‘I had just associated hospital with being ill, and I felt beautiful and healthy and wonderful when I was pregnant, and being at home is the place I felt most relaxed and comfortable,’ the Crash star said.

    ‘So for me, it feels normal, but there was a time when everybody had their babies at home and it wasn’t such a big deal.’

    The English beauty used the same midwife for all three births, including most recently with her 11-week-old bundle of joy.

    Thandie also discussed how her two girls are excited to have a baby in the house and have taken on maternal qualities.

    ‘I think he thinks he’s got three mummies. He’s got a 13-year-old, a nine-year-old and a (cough cough) 27-year-old,’ the Mission: Impossible II actress said jokingly.

    The proud mother announced little Booker’s arrival on Twitter the day after he was born. She wrote: ‘Our baby boy is finally here! Booker Jombe Parker. Born joyously at home yesterday.’

    While busy raising her three kids with her husband of 16 years, writer/director Ol Parker, Thandie also stars on the DirecTV series Rogue.

    She plays a San Jose detective who goes undercover to bring down a crime boss on the show, which will have its second season premiere on May 28.

  • The other side of Taiwo Afolabi

    The other side of Taiwo Afolabi

    BUSINESSMAN and socialite, Taiwo Afolabi, is a man of many parts. Apart from his soaring profile of the head honcho of Sifax group in the maritime sector, he is very passionate about football.

    Afolabi, we gathered, has a team, Sifax FC, which he floated and nurtured. The club has also been winning laurels through the annual ships and ports maritime football competition.

  • Derin Agbaje rocks her world

    Derin Agbaje rocks her world

    SINCE her husband, Segun Agbaje, became Managing Director of GT Bank Plc, Derin has left no one in doubt that she greatly complements his towering corporate status. The better half of the bank chief also takes time to rock the social scene. Blessed with a gait and poise, she is savouring the delight of owambe and corporate events. She has now become a permanent fixture in top-rate social gatherings. Despite this, she has continued to prove that behind every successful man, there lies a certain woman of steel.

  • Adaobi Nwakuche in new romance

    Adaobi Nwakuche in new romance

    ADAOBI Nwakuche has been variously described as the first lady of the insurance industry because of her far-reaching prominence in that sector. While Nwakuche has had it well in many areas of her life, one sore point that stands out is her failed marriage to Fredrick Ken Nwaeme. But the news making the rounds is that the drop-dead gorgeous Adaobi has found new love.