Category: Worship

By Adeola Ogunlade

The Kwara Baptist Conference has challenged the Kwara State Government that the church will resist any move by the government to enforce wearing of Hijab in its schools.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the President of the Conference, Revd Dr. Victor Dada said no one, not the Kwara State Government, or even the Federal Government can force hijab on children in missions’ schools under its purview.

The conference was reacting to the attempt by the government of Kwara State to allow hijab wearing in missions school after pressure from the Muslim community.

But the conference in a swift reaction said it would not hesitate to use all legitimate means to protect its heritage. “We will defend our faith and protect our property. The government had no right to impose such culture on the schools.”

The body noted that the invasion of some schools in Ilorin on February 18 by some Muslim fanatics to enforce wearing of Hijab by their children in the Christian schools was the height of provocation stating that, “It took maturity and the wisdom of God for the issue not to degenerate into a free for all.”

It was the February 18 development according to the conference that made the Kwara State Government “plan to procure and enforce the use of uniform Hijab in all Public and Mission Grant Aided Schools in Kwara State.”

While noting that it is unfortunate that the state government is yielding to the desire and threat of Islamic fundamentalists to impose their religious code in the schools under its purview, the body said, “We Baptists in Kwara State, both home and abroad, state categorically and emphatically that we will not allow the wearing of hijab in all Schools established by the Baptists all over the State.”

The conference said all Kwarans have equal rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stating also that “Grant-Aid of Religious Bodies Schools in 1974 or any other school, i.e. Community Schools does not mean the total takeover of such schools and thus it is contrary to the spirit of the mutual agreement reached then.

The conference recalled, “For those who did not know, there was no compensation paid to the religious bodies.  It is unfortunate that some people inside and outside the Government think grant-aid of a School means total take over.

“For record purposes, even community schools Grant-aided still have a say in the running of their schools i.e. have to do with who heads the school and other ancillary matters. We stand by the term as agreed with us for Grant Aiding of schools since 1974.”

Venerable Henry Adelegan

Text: “….. If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove… this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 17:20-21)

It is an axiom of faith that a deviation from God’s set order or demand, which is a prelude to the fulfilment of His pledge, weakens the potency of His promises because He is a God of order and Lord of set patterns. It therefore behoves anyone who desires to enjoy full value of God’s promises to follow very strictly His commandments. His promises are not free as they are predicated on fulfilment of certain terms and obligations. To eat the good of the land, for instance, is not free; it is grounded on firstly your willingness and then your obedience to His command – any action to the contrary is an invitation to destruction. “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 1:19,20).

The pervasive lethargy across the length and breadth of the body of Christ to critically study (and not only read) the Holy Scriptures has however led to a gradual erosion of truth of His word and permanent tenancy with ignorance and falsehood. Paul told his adopted son Timothy that, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). There are lots of Scriptural facts that have over the ages been distorted by ‘microwave Christians’ – people that are desirous of having the shortest cut to everything in life. To receive anything from God beloved, kindly be informed that obedience to His order or command is very key (Deut.. 28:1-13 cf 1Sam. 15:1-23). If you want to enjoy your marriage as an example, submission to your husband in everything and to love your wife with all you are endowed with are non-negotiable (Ephesians 5:22-28). And, if you want to live long and be prosperous as a child, you must honour your parents (Ephesians 6:2-3) – any deviation from those set patterns is an invitation to crisis!

One of the maladies of the Christian faith is with regards to fasting which is now being bandied as a mantra for resolution of problems or challenges. It is very common nowadays for certain people in the body of Christ to quickly recommend fasting whenever any ignorant person comes up with an untoward issue of life.  Not only that, lots of congregation’s spiritual ego is massaged and lifted to high heavens when long days of fasting are declared either for a specific program, to climax a year or at the start of a new year among many others. There is no gainsaying the fact that fasting had been since time immemorial and has the endorsement of our Lord Jesus Christ; fasting activates miraculous happenstances and it is very necessary for Christian growth. It is however important to note that its effectiveness is hinged on compliance with His set order.

From the passage where we picked our text, a man brought a report to Jesus Christ concerning his son who was a lunatic and would usually fall into fire and water. The man brought his son to His disciples to heal him but all their efforts were in vain. With a word, Jesus Christ rebuked the demon and the son was healed instantly. The disciples now asked Jesus Christ why they were unable to heal the boy. Jesus told them, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. However, this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting. (Matt. 17:20-21).

For your fasting to have an effect on any mountain, and not serve as merely a hunger-strike, not be for weight reduction or serve as a means of detoxification, it is imperative to first belong to Him by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you must have faith in His name and acknowledge that He has power to save and deliver, for “..without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). Then, you can embark on the fasting and please note that fasting without prayers is incomplete hence it is imperative to lade it with regular and serious prayers.

It is very necessary to note that for fasting to be effective, you must ensure that you don’t have sin in your life and you must have also genuinely forgiven all that have erred against you ( Is. 1:15-18, 59: 1-3; Matt. 6:12-14). When you have done these, whatever mountain before you shall be lifted up at your command. And, this shall be your portion, as you embark on this fasting, in the name of Jesus.

As this fasting season continues, kindly ask yourself if you are merely observing a religious ceremony or you are on a personal hunger strike or you don’t want to eat in other to cut down on your excess weight or you are fasting indeed? If your intention is to fast, please take note of the fasting requirements and it shall be well with you in the name of Jesus Christ. He who has ears to hear, let him/her hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Prayers: Oh Lord, help me during this time of lent to do your will, and do not allow me to fast in vain, in Jesus’ name.

Venerable Henry Adelegan

Text: “….the sons of God came ….. and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.” Job 2:1

In ancient days, most Yorubas considered Offa, a town in Kwara State, to be very far so they would say that “Offa jin amo Oje (a defunct town after Offa) tun Jina ju Offa lo”, meaning that Offa is far but Oje is farther than Ofa. As they moved beyond Oje however, they discovered many more towns and lands such that they could not cover everything so the elders changed their words to “Ohun ti n mbe leyin Offa o ju Oje lo”, meaning that the things and places that are farther from Ofa are more Oje. What this proverb means contextually is that there is more to life than knowledge, that there is more to a matter than what is seen or known or that things aren’t always what they seem.

It is commonplace, for instance, that in some cases, bad things happen to good people (Eccl. 10:5-7). One of the challenges that believers face in this spiritual world is with the devil and his cohorts, that is, his agents, his companions or his recruits who are people that we encounter daily in our places of work, commissions and assignments. The devil recruits people daily and places them on assignments to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10a). Ephesians 6:12 says that we are in a battlefield and the warfare is not against any human being but with the devil and his cohorts, who operates as principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places (Psalms 56:1,2,5,6). Not only that, 1 Peter 5:8 says that the devil is the adversary of believers and he walks about as a roaring lion in daily search of whom to devour. In Revelation 12:10, Jesus Christ revealed him as the accuser of the brethren who is always looking for offenses.

From our text, we are faced with an upright man called Job, a man who was uploaded with the nice things of life by God but was offloaded of all by the devil using his cohorts. It is unfortunate that the destinies of lots of believers are destroyed and offloaded on a day such as the Valentine’s day. A day set aside primarily to showcase the love of God to humanity and to remind all that love shall be the basis of judging the world but which the devil has hijacked for amorous relationships aimed at shortchanging destinies. On a night such as the Valentine’s day, lots of spiritually ignorant men and women lose their spiritual guards for few minutes and they consequently transfer their glories to the devil and his cohorts, and when they woke up in the morning of the following day they have become destitute of destiny for life.

Kindly be informed beloved that the devil is after children and people of glory to offload the uploaded benefits and blessings. Following the first accusation, the hedge of Job was removed, he became defenseless and his joy turned to sadness. One day, he lost his oxen, donkeys and servants to the Sabeans who were cohorts of satan, same day fire burnt his sheep and servants, same day, the Chaldeans who were hobnobbers of the devil, took away his camels and killed his servants and that same day, a great wind, an accomplice of the devil, came from the wilderness and snuffed life from his sons and daughters.

Beloved in Christ, kindly be informed that zeal for God amounts to nothing before the devil if there is a spiritual gap (Revelation 3:1). Also note that, Religiosity without power of the Holy Spirit is empty as there is a difference between Christian religiosity and spiritual maturity. While Religion energizes your pace to the church, spirituality turns your face to the cross. It is also worthy of note that before any day on earth there must have been a day in heaven and that your ‘coat of many colours’ and your dreams of life purpose shall attract the enmities of the devil and his cohorts.

Are you having issues with your education, economy or marriage; are your children not doing well, are you experiencing strange sicknesses, unbelievable errors, delay in marriage, unfruitfulness after marriage, intractable marital squabbles over nothing, thoughts of divorce or separation, no employment etc, it is surely not over with you. Despite the severe travails of Job, in Job 19:25, he exclaimed that “I know that my Lord lives”, and in Chapter 42, the devil removed his hands from him and he was restored double.  Beloved in Christ, it is for such a reason that the son of man was made manifest to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Psalm 30:5 says that ‘weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning’. I congratulate you for this is the advent and morning of your surprising victory because for every destiny destroyer, there is your God, He is a destiny restorer. His name is Jesus Christ. He is the Captain of your salvation, He is your shield and our Buckler, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the Great One of Shekinah glory. Your season of rejoicing is here. There shall be peace in your home.  Enough of complaining and weeping, this is your season of joy. You are going to shine. The glory of God shall be seen upon you. As the Lord lives, that Prince of Persia in your father’s house and mother’s house shall let go of your blessings.

What you need to do is to surrender your life to Jesus and renounce all association with the devil and his agents, be spiritually vigilant and put off carnal works of darkness (I Peter 5:8), cry to God for help (Psalm 56: 9), put on the full armor of God (Proverbs 21:31), resist the devil (James 4:7) and avoid negative thoughts (Proverbs 4:23). Please note that this season of Lent is the advent of your victory over the devil and his cohorts. There is therefore no plan of hell and there is no scheme of men that can and shall be able to abort your divine plan and purpose in the name of Jesus

Prayer: Lord, deliver me from the manipulations and control of the devil and his cohorts, in the name of Jesus.

By Paul Ukpabio

An American Pastor Abu Zacharia is in Nigeria to rescue and replace Leah.

Zacharia, an American missionary who came in company of an American based human rights advocate, Barrister Emmanuel Ogebe, said this is his third trip to Nigeria in the last few weeks and he is making efforts to meet with Book Haram leaders so that they can take him to replace Leah.

Supporting Pastor Zacharia’s intention, Barrister Emmanuel said that this week is significant because there are two memorable anniversaries one being the third year of the abduction of Christian heroine, Leah Sharibu, who was taken from her school in Dapchi on February 19, 2018 and the second being the anniversary of the Agatu Massacre in Benue State which occurred in 2016 where over 300 lives were lost.

Meanwhile the American Pastor Abu Zacharia claims that this is not the first time that he has offered to replace a prisoner.

Zacharia said “am here in Nigeria, my third trip in four months to negotiate the release of Leah Shuaribu with Boko Haram. What am offering to them is to exchange Leah for myself and I will go into their captivity”.

“So that is what am planning to do, once they find out that am here, I have already had one meeting with the government official, asking his assistance to have a meeting with Boko Haram. Wherever she is, am willing to go there and exchange myself”.

He continued “the basic of this is John 15:13 in the gospel “Greater love has no man than a man lays down his life for his brother and his sister. So I am here to, with the permission of my wife of 41 years and five children and nine grand-children, see if I can negotiate her release. And they will release her and take me instead. And that is my goal.”

“I have been doing full-time religious freedom work and international Christian humanitarian work in the war-zones. I have been to places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Jordan, Gaza, Sudan and Cuba, among others.

Clad in a grey suit with a pastoral collar, Zacharia looked determined and resigned to fate and he walked away briskly by the side of Barrister Emmanuel into the airport lobby where he met with the press.

Our Reporter

The Senior Pastor of Faith Family Bible Church, Dr. David Aboderin has urged President Buhari to restructure Nigeria toward true federalism or risk break up of Nigeria.

Abodenrin said this in an interview with The Nation over the week in Lagos, said that the drum of disunity is hitting hard in Nigeria because leaders across political and religious divides are tribalistic and, nepotic in their style of governance.

He noted that Nigerians cannot live together in unity if the head is exhibiting ethnicity and is carried away with tribal and religious sentiments.

He noted that the need for the President to listen to the  voice of reasoning and pave the way for restructuring on the path of regionalism is germane for an indivisible country.

He stated further that Nigeria is a country blessed with immerse human and mineral resources but it’s development has been hindered due to selfishness, tribalism and unpatriotic leaders that has governed Nigeria over the years.

“A nation so bless but the people live in penury. We have had it enough. Our children are living in drone to other countries for greener pastures. We have to wake up and shun partisan politics and selfish tendencies to make Nigeria work again”, he said.

He posited further by admonishing the church to continue to pray and light the gospel of Jesus every where at this time.

He said “the church cannot stop but pray for the nation. The power we have is prayer. Live the life of holiness, preach the gospel because the gospel of Jesus remain a veritable tools that can transform lives.

“We have seen prostitute change, drug addict over power addiction, hodlums and deliquent children become change persons through the power of the gospel”, he said.

Aboderin berated the church and church leaders for encouraging and promoting materialism, infrastructure, crowd and ego above the primary calling and purpose of the church.

He said that the church supposed to impact, affect and make a difference as light to shine brighter and brighter, but reverse is the case as darkness has pervaded every area of our society and the light is struggling to lighten the darkness because, it has lost his position and primary purpose.

“The time is now for the church and church leaders to be humble and broken, lay down their personality ego, titles, position and denominational doctrines to put faith in action as the light for the purpose of the gospel, recovery of our land and generations from the throng of darkness”, he advised.

Aboderin emphasized that, the government of Nigeria could not get it right, because, Christians who are the light has not taken their position to lighten up the darkness.

He stated further, “it is unfortunate, many pastor go about with anointing oil without knowledge of the word, while others build on gimmick.

He added that some Christians, pastors and church leaders are directly involved in crime perpetuated and committed in higher places of government.

These days, pastors leads robbery operation, involve in rituals and killings; engaged in kidnapping, adultery, aiding and abbetting criminal activities because, many came into the ministry without understanding the purpose of the ministry and their calling as light, lightening the darkness and make a difference”, he said.

By Joseph Eshanokpe

The Faith Revivalists Christian Mission (Aladura), Fola Agoro, Somolu, Lagos has celebrated the Valentine’s Day with a call on Nigerians to love one another. It said the day was not being properly marked as it is veering towards mercantilism and lust.

Its Shepherd, Pastor Alfred Bamidele Taiwo, made these observations last Sunday during the church’s 12th Walk in love as part of activities marking Valentine’s Day.

Pastor Taiwo, who with his wife Elizabeth spoke at the event, claimed Valentine, a cleric, after whom the day was named, refused to recognise Caeser as Lord, although the Romans revered him as such. Rather, he gave the honour to God. As a result, he was imprisoned and murdered. Painfully, he said, not much is being attributed to God in the celebration of Valentine today as the day had been hijacked by non-Christians.

The senior cleric asked: “God is love. Are we walking with Christ? Man was created in God’s image; that is why He loved him. But do you or I really love Him as we should?”

On the objective of the event, Pastor Taiwo said it was to remind the people of the imperatives of the love in the family, church and the country. He noted that love was dying in the community; that is why there were many separations, divorces, deceit, leading to a dysfunctional society.

Pastor Taiwo, who is married for 51 years, said many marriages had failed because of the lack of love by the couples. He warned that any marriage that is not rooted in God and love would fail.

His wife Elizabeth advised the youth to listen to their parents when they were about to choose their life partners. He said the great Samson’s marriage failed because he refused to the advice of his parents.

A marriage counselor Mrs Wunmi Oyewole also said many marriages collapsed because the couples did not cross the necessary t’s and dot the i’s before their wedding. From experience, she said most couples did not know themselves too well before they tied the nuptial knot. She advised them to be careful in their choices as an innocent-looking sheep could actually be a wolf partner.

Nigerians, irrespective of political class or tribal affiliations, have been charged to obtain religious fasting, as an antidote to duly arrest their problems or challenges, what so ever, more importantly as an antidote against crime.

These remarks were contained in the Sermon of the Archbishop of Lagos Methodist Church Nigeria, the Most Revd, Dr Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, marking the 2021 Annual Ash Wednesday Devotional Service at the Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo Lagos.

He said that fasting come with a very great sacrificial love, kindness and soberness in our relationship with God and Mankind, thus displaying such transparency, to genuinely appreciate God’s very meaningful covenant to the universe and turning around of their challenges to the greatest  and enduring everlasting glory at all times to his name.

He noted that in addition, they were also assured and reminded of God’s unlimited mercy and profound appreciation in such regards as a genuine means of soberness to his dictates, thereby maintaining holiness, respect for human lives and constituted authority, to make the universe the very best to happily live in at all times, as well as to make Nigeria the very best to happily live in.

Reiterating on the highlight of  the 40-Day Sojourn Fasting of the Suffering and the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ especially on the Cross of Calvary the eminent Seasoned Cleric, charged the entire universe especially the Christians world over, to permanently renounce from sins, as well as to be genuine Light Bearers of Christ, in their respective callings and also in their Thoughts, Words and Deeds, with the ultimate sober reflections to God and Mankind.

Olawuyi, professed “Lent is a period for all Mankind, more importantly, Christians, to willingly submit to the Lord Jesus, to humbly rededicate themselves to God.

“It is a time to deliberately deny yourself of some pleasures of life, to seek the face of God in prayers. It is also a time to sacrifice for others in good works, it is also a time to show mercy to others and also help the needy.” He passionately pleaded”, he said.

Reiterating on God’s love genuinely in mankind, the Archbishop of Lagos, quoted from several Biblical Injunctions to heartily plead with the Congregation and other Nigerians, to be very fervent in their continued prayers for a lasting enduring peace in the Nation and the World over.

He posited further by calling for a healthy synergy between all, especially to dutifully flush out the unfortunate criminal Fulani Herders and other Insurgents, militating against the Nation’s continued peaceful co-existence at all times.