The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Enjoying a fulfilling family relationship (1)

    Enjoying a fulfilling family relationship (1)

    By Pastor Faith Oyedepo

    Dear Reader, peace and blessings be multiplied unto you, in Jesus name! I specially welcome you to another beautiful month. I believe God has wonderful things in store for you this month and grace to take hold of them shall be released unto you, in Jesus name! All through this month, I shall be teaching on having a Fulfilling Family Relationship.

    Let me begin by defining what relationship means; it is contact and interaction with people. It means to be involved. Whether it is relationship with your husband, wife, children or other extended relatives, God wants you to enjoy a fulfilling relationship. However, for this to happen, you must go about it in an appropriate manner.

    Clearly, there are some fundamental facts about relationship that you must know in order to have a most fulfilling one.  They include the following:

    God Relates

    God has vital relationship and believes in relationship. In the God head, there is a strong relationship between God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The Bible says, For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one (1 John 5:7). The statement ‘these three are one’ means that the three agree in one, or are connected; same way God wants us to agree and connect with other people.

    Man was created to Relate

    Man was created in the image of God. The Bible clearly shows us that God is relationship-oriented; therefore, man cannot but be relationship oriented.  Have you ever wondered who man was created to have fellowship with? He was created to have fellowship with God and his fellow human beings! The Bible says, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Revelation 4:11). To have a distinguished family life, you must have profitable relationships. Remember, Two are better than one… (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

    Relationships are built

    I want you to know that good relationships do not just happen; they are made to happen. This means that a good relationship requires investments. Whatever you sow is what you will reap. You have to sow good seeds into your marriage if you want it to work.  The Bible says, A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

    Marriage is the closest form of relationship that exist among men; understand that the best of marriage comes out of the best investment that goes into it. It is what you give that you get back! Therefore, you must be ready to give it your best.

    Relationships Influence You

    As married couple, you must understand that the other relationships you keep will always affect you and your marriage positively or negatively. If you associate with those who are not bothered about how their marriage turns out, you cannot have a fulfilling marital life and vice versa. The Bible clearly tells us, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1).

    The story of Amnon in 2 Samuel 13:3 clearly show us that bad relationship can bring shame, violence and untimely death in a family.  Ammon’s friend Jonadab used his subtlety to destroy him. Do not associate with the wrong people if you desire to have a fulfilling marital life. Also, if you are involved in any relationship that is averse to your marriage, now is the time to break it off!

    Having a fulfilling relationship with others, begins with your relationship with Christ, you must have Jesus Christ in your life. If you are not yet born again and you desire to do so right now, please pray this prayer with faith in your heart: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

    Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • COVID-19: Our Daily Manna publisher distributes food items

    COVID-19: Our Daily Manna publisher distributes food items

    Our Reporter

    Publisher/author of devotional booklet, Our Daily Manna (ODM) Worldwide, Bishop (Dr.) Chris Kwakpovwe and his wife, Rev. (Mrs) Flora have distributed food items to over 1000 in Lagos State to mitigate the harsh impact of the lockdown directives as part of measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The items, worth millions included bags of rice, garri, beans, cartons of noodles, tubers of yams, sacks of salt and gallons of palm oil, were presented to Lagosians, including the under-privileged widows, children and the vulnerable, who thronged the church located at Ogudu-Orioke, Ojota.

    The distributions were done in line with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC) guidelines on safety measures.

    Before the commencement of the distribution, all the beneficiaries were made to wash and sanitise their hands.

    The Bishop and his team used face masks and gloves for the process while also maintaining social distancing.

    Members of the Nigerian Police Force were also on ground to ensure strict compliance with the NCDC’s COVID-19 rules.

    Kwakpovwe, who is also the presiding minister of Manna Prayer Mountain, an inter-denominational ministry under the ODM publications, said he was concerned the pandemic has reached dangerous dimensions with spike in infection around the world and Nigeria.

    He said that the gesture was to cushion the effects of the lockdown arising from the pandemic.

    “We are in difficult times, but our hope is on the word of God which assures us that we are more than conquerors.

    READ ALSO:RTEAN distributes food items

    “As we continue to pray for an end to the pandemic, which has impacted Nigeria and other countries negatively, we are also concerned about its effects; hence, this is our own little way of supporting our communities.

    “One of the mandates of Our Daily Manna is to positively impact lives both spiritually and physically. We do this almost everyday even before the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    The ODM publisher further stressed that he was motivated to assist the needy because the government alone cannot carry the weight of the lockdown on the people.

    “Government cannot do it alone, religious and corporate institutions must continue to join hands with the state to mitigate the impact of the lockdown in the country and that is what we are doing.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Omoyele, a mother of four, said: “I was not expecting food today because I didn’t know how to feed myself and my children, but I thank the Man of God and the Our Daily Manna team for giving me food. Now I can feed my children.”

    Another beneficiary, Mrs. Eunice Nwachukwu, said: “Of a truth, it has not been easy for me and my children. But thanks to the man of God and his wife for the palliative, this will go a long way.”

    A Muslim, Mr. Muhammed Suleman, who could not control his emotions after collecting the foodstuff, said: “God will bless the bishop. This gesture came at the right time.”

  • Kyari’s death will of God- Fufeyin

    Kyari’s death will of God- Fufeyin

    By John Ofikhenua, Abuja

     

    The Founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry Inc. Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin has described the death of late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari as the will of God.

    Fufeyin condoled with the President and the Kyari’s family over the loss.

    Read Also: How Abba Kyari’s health relapsed hours before scheduled discharge

     

    Known for his charitable deeds and prophetic accuracies, the Prophet, in a condolence message made available to journalists, reassured Nigerians that the current outbreak of Covid-19 would soon pass by the grace and mercy of God.

    He said : “It’s the will of God that it happen. I commiserate with the President and Kyari’s family. My prayers is with the President and the family of the diseased that God give them the fortitude to bear the lost the loss.”

  • GOFAMINT donates relief materials to Ogun

    GOFAMINT donates relief materials to Ogun

    By Adejo David

    As part of plans to ease the suffering of citizens due to the stay-at-home order by President Muhammadu Buhari in combating the coronavirus pandemic, the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) has donated relief food items to residents of Ogun State.

    The Assistant General Secretary of the church, Pastor Olusegun Onayemi, who presented the items on behalf of the General Overseer Pastor (Dr) Elijah Abina at the office of the Governor in Abeokuta, said the mission feels the suffering of citizens following the lockdown order.

    The retired Permanent Secretary in Ogun State said: “We believe that our gospel message should be with some kind gestures. We have done that within our church congregation, trying to take care of the less-privileged in the church, by giving some items and cash money all over Nigeria and beyond and we believe that we should extend that same gestures to Ogun State citizens.”

    Read Also: Air Peace donates food items to indigent families in Lagos

    Asked why the church didn’t take the items directly to the needy, Onayemi said the government is in best position to distribute them.

    “The people who you want to meet are locked up in their homes, so you cannot reach them. Government knows how to distributes the items. Government knows the people who needs the palliatives. We are not the only organisation giving government this kind of gestures. By the time it is put together, some going to motherless homes,  ophanages and for ease coordination  of the items, the government has the responsibility and the way it should reach the people in need of it.”

    Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs. Amope Ajibola Chokor, thanked the church for the donation. She expressed the Governor’s appreciation for the kind gesture and urged other religious and corporate organisations who have the interest of the less-privileged in the state to support.”

    Commissioner for Special Duties, Femi Ogunbanwo, said that the State is prepared with well-equipped isolation centres of best standard.

    Some of the items presented by the church includes: 75 cartoons of tomato pastes; 30 cartoons of Noodles; 12 cartoons of vegetable oil; 15 cartoons of spaghetti and 21 bags of rice.

  • PHOTOS: Foursquare donates relief materials to Lagos

    PHOTOS: Foursquare donates relief materials to Lagos

     

  • Unveiling the prophetic place of success!

    Unveiling the prophetic place of success!

    Dr. David Oyedepo

     

    WELCOME to another exciting week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. This week, we shall focus on: Unveiling the Prophetic Place of Success!

    From scriptures, we understand that prophetically, the end-time Church is ordained a reigning Church. It is written, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth (Psalm 110:1-3). We also discover from scriptures that the enthronement of the saints in success will be a weapon in the hand of God in reaping the end-time harvest. Scripture says, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you (Zechariah 8:20-23). That means God is going to herald the coming of His Son Jesus by distinguishing the Church. People will come running speedily to God because of the coming wave of supernatural distinctions in the body of Christ. God is going to make His people a showpiece on the earth by making them resounding successes. Remember, success speaks louder than words. It commands greater attention than the greatest oration any man can make, it is self-inviting and attractive. Success has a compelling force around it, drawing everyone to itself, whether consciously or unconsciously. That is why God has programmed to reap the end-time harvest through the outstanding and resounding success of His people. This underscores the fact that God is a Master strategist! In warfare, strategy not strength or resources, is the greatest asset. So, God’s end-time plan for the Church is to use the sickle of success (of the saints) to bring home the harvest of dying souls. He will use the supernatural lifting of His people as a force of attraction for pulling the dying world to Himself. There shall be such liftings in the body of Christ, the kind that the world has never known before and by such liftings, multitudes will be brought into the Kingdom of God without us going to them to say ‘Accept Jesus’. This is God’s agenda for the end-time Church!

    Furthermore, we are a people born in due season! Not because we are smarter than the past generations, but because in God’s agenda, He has planned that success will be the garment of the end-time saints and through it bringing many into the city of refuge. The Bible records, But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Micah 4:1-2). In addition, Isaiah 2:2-3 carries a similar prophecy, And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3).

    In summary, the success of the end-time Church shall be a compelling attraction and people shall flow into it. It will be so clear to the outside world that these men are actually on the highways of life. The highways of God are what will place the Church on the highways of success, the church shall always know what to do to succeed. God’s Word shall blossom in the end-time, bringing supernatural ways of flourishing to the people of God, taking them to supernatural heights in life. Every sinner out there shall begin to pant and run after such words because they can see the difference. Nevertheless, you can be a partaker of this prophecy of success that God will bestow on the end-time Church by being a bonafide child of God. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me! Now, I know I am born again! For further reading, please get my books: For further reading, please get my books: Ruling your World, Exploring the Secrets of Success, Success Strategies and Success Systems. I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280, or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org, Facebook: David Oyedepo Ministries International, Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin.

  • Cleric urges genuine prayers to defeat coronavirus

    Cleric urges genuine prayers to defeat coronavirus

     Oyebola Owolabi

     

    THE founder and General Overseer of the Gospel Saints Church, a.k.a Hand of Fire, Igando Lagos, Pastor Jacob Shodeinde, has urged Nigerians to seek God for solution to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Shodeinde, who praised front line workers for their efforts, reiterated that only a super power, God Almighty in this case, can heal the world.

    In a statement titled ‘A call to Prayer over the COVID-19 Pandemic’, he said: “I must hail the efforts of frontline workers who are toiling to keep the universe safe.

    “However, there is a need to acknowledge and seek the help of a greater power, a power that is beyond science, the power above all other powers. In times like this, we must turn to the creator, the maker of heaven, earth, and everything that lies in it.

    “From the inception of the world, the Church has been at the forefront of fostering world peace through the power of prayers.

    “From the time of the Israelites to the 21st century, the power of prayers has come through for humanity. “I believe that as individuals first, and as nations, we should retire into our closets, go on our knees, and seek the face of the Lord in this perilous time, in prayers and supplications. Let us intercede on behalf of each other to God for he alone is able to defeat this common enemy.

    “If we as a people are humble and turn to God, he will purge our universe, cleanse our countries, and heal our bodies of any infirmity that threatens our existence.

    “Together in prayers, we are stronger than any sickness. Together in one voice, the heavens shall hear us. Together on our knees, we shall prevail.

    “Let’s pray to God with these bible passages for seven days – 1 Corinthians 5:6-7; Isaiah 53:5; Job 3:17-18; 2Chronicles 7:14; Mathew 7:7 and Revelation 22: 1-2 – that the God of Passover heals the planet.

    “Let the blood of Jesus wash away every sin and bring repentance to the world. By the grace of God, this pandemic will disappear.”

  • COVID-19: Churches must help the needy, says C&S leader

    COVID-19: Churches must help the needy, says C&S leader

    Our Reporter

     

    THE Supreme Head, Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Solomon Adegboyega Alao, has called on religious leaders to provide palliatives to the vulnerable in the society as the effect of lockdown is biting hard in some States.

    He also called on the government to be more transparent in the distribution of palliatives and expand the scheme to accommodate more.

    The clergyman in his goodwill message to celebrate this year’s Easter Sunday also urged Nigerian leaders to emulate Jesus Christ who sacrificed himself for the redemption of human kind.

    He said the world would have been a better place if leaders have been leading by example and are ready to make sacrifices especially at this period when the whole world is on trial.

    Prophet Alao said Jesus Christ had shown us unprecedented love, the reason why he paid the supreme price that brought salvation to human kind.

    In a statement by the Chief PRO of the church, Apostle Muyiwa Adeyemi, the Head of the C & S worldwide said “As the whole world is currently working together irrespective of creed or race to find solutions to the corona virus pandemic, so also I expect them to work together to find solutions to hunger, starvation and sicknesses in many countries and nations in the world.”

     

     

  • COVID-19: Hallelujah pop up channel to replace church experience

    COVID-19: Hallelujah pop up channel to replace church experience

    Our Reporter

     

    A new pop up channel, Hallelujah channel, will provide church experience to Christians as movements and religious gatherings have been prohibited to curb the spread of coronavirus.

    Hallelujah channel will give subscribers of DStv and GOtv an immersive ‘church at home’ experience with praise and worship sessions, sermons, choir ministrations, prayers and another wholesome family programming from well-known churches in Nigeria.

    According to a statement from Multichoice Nigeria, viewers will enjoy soulful ministrations from churches such as RCCG City of David, Daystar Christian Centre, Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM), Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC), The Elevation Church, Diplomats’ Assembly, Kornerstone, Salvation Ministries and more.

    “The global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 is not only affecting the way we live and work but has also disrupted the ways religious activities are conducted. We are staying in tune with our customers’ new realities and have expanded our religious programming to cater to the different denominational groups, keeping them connected during these challenging times,” said Martin Mabutho, Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria.

    Hallelujah pop up channel, Mabutho further said, will run for one month.

  • Hallelujah pop-up channel launched on DStv, GOtv

    Hallelujah pop-up channel launched on DStv, GOtv

    Our Reporter

     

    TO cater for the spiritual needs of subscribers, following the restriction of religious gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a pop-up channel, Hallelujah Channel, has launched on DStv and GOtv.

    Hallelujah Channel which launched April 9, will run for a month and be available on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Confam, Family, Yanga and Access packages, as well as on GOtv Max, Jolli and Plus packages.

    The channel will provide DStv and GOtv viewers the opportunity to have a ‘church at home’ experience with praise and worship sessions, sermons, choir ministrations, prayers and other family programming from well-known churches in Nigeria.

    Viewers will enjoy ministrations from churches such as the City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Daystar Christian Centre, Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM), Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC), The Elevation Church, Diplomats’ Assembly, Kornerstone, Salvation Ministries and more.

    “The global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 is not only affecting the way we live and work, but has also caused a disruption to the ways religious activities are conducted. We are staying in tune with our customers’ new realities and have expanded our religious programming to cater for the different denominational groups, keeping them connected during these challenging times,” said Martin Mabutho, Chief Customer Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria.

    For more information on this and other DStv and GOtv programming, visit www.dstvafrica.com  and www.gotvafrica.com. Also, download the MyDStv app or MyGOtv app from the iOS and Android store for self-service options.