Category: Worship

By Dr. David Oyedepo

 

Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Engaging Vital Approaches for a Profitable Fasting and Prayers!

First, let us understand that every instruction of scriptures is not for punishment but for our profiting. In order words, there is no instruction of scriptures that is designed for our punishment but for accomplishment, attainment and profiting. As it is written, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Essentially, fasting and prayer is one of such scriptural instructions ordained by God for the distinction of the saints. Remember, Jesus said,  …when thou fastest, and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:17-18). The Bible did not say ‘If thou fast’ but ‘when thou fast’. In the same way, the Bible says ‘When ye pray’ not ‘if ye pray’ (Mathew 6:7). This shows that prayer and fasting is not an option, but compulsory for every one that must fulfil destiny in grand style. However, it’s not just enough to engage in a fast. It is important to understand the correct principles to a profitable fasting and prayer. This is because there is more to prayer and fasting than just engaging in it.  Importantly, prayer and fasting is a weapon for contending with opposition but it is not enough to have a weapon in our hands; we must have a sound understanding of how it operates. That way, we won’t become victims but victor in battle.

Therefore, to set the stage for a most profitable engagement in prayer and fasting, we must note the following:

• Prepare in the Word to Approach the Prayer Altar: The throne of grace is the throne of judgment where the Judge of all the earth (God) is seated. It is also the courtroom of heaven where we produce our strong reasons in prayers (Isaiah 41:21; Genesis 18:25). However, it is on the basis of God’s Word that we plead our cause. This is because He grants us audience on the basis of His Word. Therefore, the stronger our reasons, the more assurance we have for answered prayers (Isaiah 43:26). We must understand that engaging God’s Word in prayer guarantees us audience with Him. This is why it is important to prepare in the Word before approaching God on the prayer altar because it is the scriptural basis for our demand that gives us audience with Him. That means God does not hear our prayers except we are asking Him according to His will, which is His Word.
• Genuinely Forgive Those Who Offend Us: We must be willing to forgive those who offend us because it qualifies us for automatic forgiveness with God. Moreover, if our trespasses are not forgiven, God’s hand cannot deliver answers to our prayers. Therefore, it is very important to willingly forgive, so we can clear the way for our own forgiveness and secure audience with God on the prayer altar (Isaiah 59:1-2; Mark 11:25-26; Matthew 6:12-15).
• Engage In Praying For The Needs Of Others: This is one of the facilitators of the heavyweight profiting we access in fasting. When we pray for the needs of others, we commit God to the release of ours. For instance, when Job prayed for his friends, in spite of his affliction, the Lord turned his captivity and gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10; Acts 12:5-17; Philippians 1:19).
• Approach the Throne of God with Full Assurance of Faith: We must approach the throne of prayers with full assurance of faith and a pure conscience because prayers are answered on the platform of faith. While approaching the prayer altar, we must understand that we have not come to try whether God will answer or not. However, we must believe that we have come to the prayer answering God to take delivery of our desires (Hebrews 10:22-23; see also Matthew 21:22; James 1:6-7). It is important therefore to build our faith in the Word before we approach the prayer altar (Romans 10:17).

In conclusion, God has made it clear in His word that nothing is impossible with Him. There is no insurmountable mountain in life, if only we know how to go about it.  However, God is not an abracadabra God! He is a God of principles, and His principles cannot be broken. We must understand that the blessings inherent in fasting and prayers are real, but the conditions must be met before we are qualified to enjoy the benefits. I believe with the knowledge contacted on the principles of prayer and fasting, our spiritual engagement will no longer be fruitlessness, but profitable. However, you must be born again. 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: Winning Prayer, Satan Get Lost and Born to Win!  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.

By Aderonke Sonaike

 

Nigeria is a chosen nation with a divine destiny that will blossom sooner than any one expects.

As the new year unfolds, Nigerians have been advised to flee any form of malice, envy, hypocrites and all evil speaking as Nigeria is been declare as a Chosen Generation.

Vice President, The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TCAN) and Chairman Lagos and Western /Northern Areas LAWNA Territory Pastor (Dr.) Emmanuel Awojide, stated this.

He spoke at the inauguration/dedication of The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TACN), Shagamu District, Ogun State recently.

He urged Nigerians to flee malice, envy, hypocrisy and speaking ill of others.

Speaking on the sermon titled “The characteristics of the church that Christ builds”, Awojide noted that the church are numbers of people whose name are written in heaven,  gathered together and separated from the things of the world and consecrated unto God.

He urged Nigerians to separate themselves from all forms of satanic acts and concentrate fully on God.

He assured that Nigeria will rise again, stating “We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people brought forth to show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Read Also: ‘Nigeria has rulers, not leaders’

 

“As recorded in Psalms 24, the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, Nigeria and they that dwell therein. If we can obey the doctrine of Jesus, fear the Lord as a church and nation, His covenant will be fulfilled in our lives,” Awojide added.

The dedication also witnessed the induction of Pastor Ebenezer Oluseun Abe as the first Area Superintendent under the chairmanship of Pastor Awojide.

Speaking on how he intends doing the work ahead, Abe pointed out that it is the Holy Spirit that will give him the enabling grace to do His will.

“It is not by power nor by might but by the spirit of God, Faithful is He that has called us, He will also do it,” he stated.

He noted some of the challenges so far, stating “the existence of TACN, Sagamu dated as far back as 1951 through the efforts of some members (indigenes) who came from outside the town but to the glory of God, we have about 32 churches that make up of the Sagamu area”.

By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

 

Retired Bishop James Akinola on Saturday advised the Southwest governors to stay focus in their resolve to use ‘Operation Amotekun’ stem the tide of banditry, robbery and other violent crimes in the region. Akinola urged the Governors to see to it that ‘Operation Amotekun’ does not only come to stay in Yorubaland, but also succeeds in keeping the region and her people safe from criminals. The retired Bishop of Igbomina, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), charged them to neither cave in to the antagonists of the regional security outfit nor be discouraged by the position of the Attorney – General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who declared it illegal.

He said “Operation Amotekun has come to stay” and give hope to the people of Southwest regarding their safety. The cleric, who gave the advice in Odogbolu, Ogun State, at the 10th Anniversary of the Ijebu South / west diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, Odogbolu, noted that the declaration of the outfit as illegal and unconstitutional by Malami was inadequate reason for anybody to ever contemplate of shutting it down. He maintianed that ‘Operation Amotekun’ remained the best solution to security challenges in the southwest, urging the governors to be unwavering in their determination to fulfill the constitutional obligation of securing lives and properties of the citizens.

He said if the regional security outfit was not accommodated in the nation’s constitution as argued by the AGF, the constitution should be amended to provide for such outfits to operate in collaboration with other conventional security agencies to combat crimes. He, however, called on the people in the southwest to support Operation Amotekun, insisting it remained the best thing to have happened to the region in recent time. Speaking on the service with the theme ‘Thanksgiving and Appreciation to God’, Akinola underscored the essence of giving thanks to God irrespective of one’s condition.

While felicitating with the diocese on its 10th anniversary, the cleric charged members of the diocese to always support the bishop in charge in his bid to take it to the enviable height. In his remark at the service, the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Babatunde Ogunbanwo, noted that the diocese had grown and engaged massively in the propagation of the words of God in the last ten years. He added that the Thanksgiving Service had become imperative in order to celebrate God’s mercy and the successes recorded by the Ijebu South/West Diocese since its creation in 2010.

By Sunday Oguntola

 

No fewer than 50 boys drawn from a slum in Fagba, a Lagos suburb in IfakoIjaye local government area received relief items and support from a Christian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Broken Vessels during the last festive period.

They were fed on Christmas and Boxing Day as well as given free clothes by the organisation.

On Christmas Day, they gathered at Progress College Oko Oba road for a party designed to give them a sense of Christmas.

President of Broken Vessels, Pastor (Mrs) Rita Azike-Ebube, said most of the boys, aged 12-17, were orphans wandering on the streets.

“They have no families or support system to fall back on. They are just wasting in the slums, scavenging for the next available meals,” she stated.

She said the foundation decided to receive out to them to give them a sense of belonging.

“Jesus died for them too. They are not excluded from the salvation package in Christ. So, we thought we should let them know about the birth of their Saviour who died to save them,” she added.

Speaking during the party, Pastor Frank Ebube, told the street boys of the essence of the love of God.

“You may have been rejected and brutalised by men. Government may have written you off as orphans and destitutes. But you are precious to God.

“He gave His only begotten son for you. He loves you so much He came to die for you. If you offer Him your life, you will be amazed what He will make of it,” he said.

Some of the boys responded to the love of God, committing their lives to Christ.

Azike-Ebube said Christians must learn to respond more with love to the less privileged among them.

The destitute they refuse to help today, she warned may become the thugs and criminals of tomorrow that will make life difficylt for them.

“We must learn to rescue these kids before they become a snare to us. We must not discard them as nonentities. God came for their likes.

“We must demonstrate the love of God by reaching out in every way possible to take them out of the streets,” she pleaded.

Senior Pastor House of Fresh Fire Ministry International, Apostle Samuel Aka, is an accomplished detective, lawyer, Banker and member of several organisations, including American Society of Criminologists and an author of over 51 books. He pioneered the first private detective firm in Nigeria before he started his ministry. In 1986 he became the first African to be a member of the World Association of Detectives. He talks with Omolara Akintoye on his life as a detective and author on his occasion of his 60th birthday. Excerpts:

 

How was life as a detective?

Detective work is not as glamorous, unlike when you are reading the book or watching the film. In real life, it’s not as glamorous as it looks. Once you are into it there is no going back, it’s a life and death issue.

We don’t detectives in Nigeria what we have are interrogators. Here we do more of interrogation. There is a difference between a detective and interrogators. We have forensic detective and other types.

But in Nigeria, we harass people to get information. We just arrest people but a true detective doesn’t arrest people to get information. You get information before the arrest. Even when it is glaring that the person is a suspect, you still go ahead and do your detective work.

Many years back I came back to Nigeria to set up the first private Detective Firm, S.F Investigations & Security Services but it was a pity that the Nigerian system does not accommodate such. Although it still exists but it is not as functional as it ought to be, then I discovered that setting up such an organisation in Nigeria is a waste of time.

Are you still practicing as a detective?

No I don’t because it conflicts with my pastoral work, which was one of the decisions I made when I gave my life to Christ.

How did you get into the ministry?

It was a very wonderful one. While I was doing my secret service works, I dabbled into a few things, which can be referred to as the hazards of the profession. I mean near- death issues. I’ve been shot a couple of times in London, New York, etc.

Those ones I managed but the worst of it was the health hazards that I brought upon myself when I spent about three months in Lagos Specialist hospital. I came back from the hospital worst. Then I was a bachelor living with my younger sister.

I was flown to New York, then to Sao Paulo.Over there, the doctor told me that there is no medical solution to my case. That I had just a few weeks to live and the best thing for me to do is to go back home and put my house in order.

Then I came back to Lagos. That particular day, I had made up my mind to commit suicide. As a detective, you must not be caught attempting to kill yourself. So, I had planned out how best to kill myself without people knowing. The moment I wanted to administer it, I heard my mum singing, encouraging me to give my life to Jesus.

So I stopped and I started weeping and crying to God to remove the cup from me. Suddenly I was lifted. I was no longer thinking of killing myself again. That was in 1988. Ever since I never looked back; then I was always at the New Estate Baptist Church at CMS Lagos, to attend their morning devotion, to pray, study the bible.

From there I went to Olorunda Baptist Church, Aguda. I was always there to pray. So in one month, it was as if I was born again for 20 years. That was how God spoke to me, to Him be the glory.

I’m 60 years now. I didn’t die at that time there is no trace of death in my system. I’m not a vegetable. Rather, I’m still going strong. To prove the medical people wrong I still went back to school and I’ve authored over 51 books.

What is your idea of mentorship as a Pastor, banker and a detective?

One thing about life, be it sacred or secular, is that mentorship is a continuous process. In following, there will be a process. Jesus also commanded Peter to follow him so that he can make him fisher of men. Mentorship, otherwise known as followership, is a continuous process. If you don’t have a root, you’ll have problems.

You need someone who has done over a thousand things that you want to do to guide you. He/she has made mistakes so that you don’t need to make such mistakes again. You’ll align yourself with him and he will give you directions (1Cor 11:1). Even if the person is too busy, you can follow him through his writings or his thoughts, messages or through personal contacts.

Although a lot of people are still arguing that they don’t need any mentor, that they are just following God, we are all a product of help. We are all working out our salvation with fear and trembling but mentorship is absolutely important both in secular and sacred world.

For instance I came into the banking industry as a young guy but I rose through the rank through mentorship. Then I was working in Central Bank in 1966 at the Exchange Control Department. I always get to work 6.05 am. So one day, my Director called me and gave me letter of promotion.

I did my CIB then it was AIB, he was there mentoring me encouraging me to further my studies. Then I was a small boy. He later told why he gave me the position I was occupying then (it was a position in the Exchange Control Unit) was because whenever he came into the office, he always asked for the attendance book.

He discovered that I was always punctual. He saw that consistency and decided that someone that is consistent will be someone with integrity. I discovered within a short period, I was very rich even as a young man, but without knowledge, while my boss was mentoring my career, he forgot to mentor me on how best to invest the money. Mentorship is very important.

What is your experience like on the mission field?

Every day is like a plus. I’ve mentored so many young pastors with several challenges on the field such as conflicting doctrines. Because I came from death to life, everything to me was new, funding is another major challenge.

Things have changed generally in the body of Christ and a lot of things have changed with young people coming into the system. So far God is helping us concerning the ministry.it is growing in leaps and bounds.

Where is Nigeria missing it?

We have never had leaders. We have had rulers. The problem we have is our value system. If we had a good value system from the beginning we would have gone far. It is the same system that has been producing them. We have never had a true patriot leading us and the people are selfish because it’s the same value system that is producing them.

The good news is that this geographical area called Nigeria is going to be better than America. It’s hard to believe but it will come to pass.

General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Mission Church (CAMC), Pastor Adesoji Ajayi, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on why Nigerians should support efforts to fix the nation and other sundry national issues. Excerpts:

 

There are so many apprehensions about 2020. What should Nigerians expect?

Nigerians should expect a very good year. The nation shall gain back a lot of things lost and there is nothing any anybody can do about it. The only problem we have is unemployment and as far as Buhari is concerned the administration is really trying.

You seem to have a soft-spot for President Buhari. But why has he been unable to fix the economy?

Rome was not built in a day. When you talk about the economy, many things are involved. Nigeria is the biggest black nation on earth. Nigeria has various problems, problems that have been created over the years by the military and by the past administrations.

Some of our factories are no more. It is a major aspect of what is creating problems for this nation. There are three types of people in the economy; the rich the middle class and the poor. The middle class has been eroded in the scheme of things. It used to be the buffer between the rich and the poor.

It has been eroded and they have come to poverty level so the few people that are rich are holding tight to that wealth because they don’t know will happen and again the majority of those in that class got their wealth through the military and past civilian administrations.

The question is where are the factory workers of yesteryears? They are jobless now. The factory workers of factories that were closed and sold off were 80% of what the workers we used to have. Where do you want the people that were laid off to work? There is no magic to an economy. It has to be worked over the years.

Buhari does not have magic and again if he wants to practice what the developed countries practiced, then it means we will not have any money to spend. Nigeria is broke and it is Buhari that is beginning to tell us the truth. If President Buhari should behave like the past people, we shouldn’t have any development project at all.

The money we used to earn was spent on salaries and what have you. But this is a man who has decided to build roads rail lines, roads and who has decided to bring up the economy. It is not easy and if Buhari wants to do like some European countries do to create some money for the jobless then we won’t have anything to spend.

But what about issue of human rights violations? Why didn’t the President obey court orders on Sowore, Dasuki and El-Zakzakky?

You want to hear the undiluted truth? Every country has a peculiar problem. If Obasanjo did what Buhari is doing now, quote me anywhere there won’t have been Boko Haram today. If El- Zakzakky had been allowed, another Boko Haram would be brewing.

If a man says revolution now and you know him to be an activist and you allow him to have his way then you are playing yourself to the gallery. So before things get out of hand some things should be put in place.

Sowore is not an easy person so those judges are doing it the way they felt it should be done but those who can see beyond their noses will know that doing it the way the judges say it should be done can trigger off a difficult thing to control.

Buhari knows Dasuki very well. He has many friends in the military and he has money. I’m taking seriously. If not for this kind of nation, if these guys do these things in countries like Russia, India, China or Pakistan, they would have been forgotten long time ago but when it comes to Nigeria, we claim human rights and all those lawyers shouting human rights would be having their pockets swelling.

I am not saying Buhari is perfect but he is learning from the experiences of the past. Imagine blocking the road when the army chief was passing and you want that to continue? Then your guess is as good as mine. So Buhari is somebody who knows what he is doing.

Must Nigeria be plunged back to the cycle of debts?

Where do you think the money for the rail line is coming from? The roads are being built to last for 100 years. You need loans to execute some projects.

Are these loans being well appropriated? Are we sure we can pay back? Are the loans being used for what they were taken for?

If you need loans, even those giving you will look at it if it is feasible. Go to Brazil, they took loans, today go to Brasilia, go to Rio you will think you are in central Europe. You can see what they have used the loans for. If you have a good project and somebody is ready to give you loan with a very good repayment plan wouldn’t you obtain it?

Again, regardless of the loan, our amount with the World Bank is still there. You have N30bn and you are taking N50bn. Those giving you know what they are doing. It is better you borrow and get the work done and not just getting the applause of the people. Forget about those applauding you and do the work.

I am not a Buhari apologist but I admire his lifestyle and there are six of them I so admire. I can compare him to Baba Jakande, Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Balarabe Musa, Akanu Ibiam and others.

The President claims to be fighting corruption but critics allege he is surrounded by corrupt politicians who helped him to power…

…If you ask President Buhari, he will tell you that is one of the most difficult problems not after he leaves office but the problem he is having now. There are people he cannot look at their faces and say I am not supporting you.

They helped him to power even those who gathered money to get him his form. We don’t know what agreement they had but a lot of them clamoring are looters to say the least. I am not mentioning names but by their antecedents.

How do you live in a world surrounded by looters and you are seen as so upright?

Joshua didn’t know Israelites had sinned. They went to Jericho and had victory. They went to AI, a small city, they thought they would overrun them not knowing Israelites had sinned. They were defeated before they ran to God who told them this is this and that is that.

If Buhari can go to God in his capacity and ask God for guidance, God in His infinite mercy and love for Nigeria will have mercy. Those who think they will live up to 2023, I’m not praying for their death, but a lot of things can happen.

If you would ask me for my opinion in the interest of this nation, I wouldn’t want a northerner or a southerner. I want it to go to the east in the interest of this nation and of peace. If we do not give them the benefits of the doubt, we should forget about peace in this country.

Some northern governors have not been giving Cof O to churches under President Buhari that you have talked about so well. How do you as a church leader address this imbalance?

Before you can understand a man and enjoy him you must understand his background, the person he is and his antecedents. If we want to understand our Muslim bothers we must understand them well. Islam is not like Christianity.

Christianity tells you if a man slaps you, you should turn the second side that is Christianity. Christianity is not Islam, it is not Judaism. Forgiveness is there in other religions but not to the extent of Christianity. So let’s understand them the way they are. In Christianity we will agree and give them Cof O if we are the ones in charge because of brotherliness and what the religion entails- love and mercy.

You have led this church for almost two decades, how do you cope with the physical and spiritual expansion?

Anything you keep into the hand of God is securely kept. The Bible says I will keep him in perfect peace those that have trust in me because they have their confidence in me. Any prayer you pray without adding anything to it, God will answer.

We don’t have any security here and there is nothing that is coming that God doesn’t reveal. And the Lord is my witness I don’t think there is anything people say they use amulets or whatever, I have never seen such a thing but this place is kept, we give glory to God.

If you want divine security then put your hope and trust in God. He said anything you ask in His name, He will do.

What about your fasting life? What about your health? You don’t eat anything salt or oil during the fasting, why?

I was having a perfect experience during that time because I was directed, I fasted 333 days. I fasted for 200 days and I fasted when the Lord says. The day this mission was founded, it has spiritual connotation, this time around for the growth of the mission He said I should fast for 100 days.

He said you will not have salt, oil, after the 100 days. He said I should continue 40 days for myself for spiritual empowerment and the growth of the church so after that I didn’t even know when I ended it. If the Lord directs a thing there won’t be any problem. There are some doctors who said it is not possible but with God all things are possible. It is a divinely controlled thing. I did it in 1999 because the Lord ordained it.