Category: Worship

By Adeola Ogunlade

The General Overseer of Gospel Power Ministry, Rev Friday Bekee has said that 2020 will be a better and fruitful year for Nigerians if only they can embrace Jesus and show selfless love that is expressed in His birth and death on the cross for the redemption of mankind.

He said this at the 2019 Chronicles of Nativity, an Extra Ordinary Christmas Concert organised by the church at Dansol High School, Ikeja.

He said that Jesus Christ remains the greatest gift from God to man as his birth opens up a new chapter of hope of making heaven after life.

He asserted that God will change the fortunes of Nigeria and the country will be a better place to live if we can appropriate the nature of God which is evidence in Christ.

He challenged the leadership in the country to embrace the grace of God into their lives and allow the word of God to guide them as they paddle the canoe of the country.

In her words, the Team Lead, 2019 Christmas Carol Concert, Njoku Patricia said that this year event focuses on Righteous people that lived in the land of Nazareth, with special emphasis on Joseph, the carpenter.

 Adeola Ogunlade

 

IT was a moment of celebration when couples gathered at the Praise Arena Kingdom Light Christian Centre in Lekki, Lagos to rekindle their marital vows.

Tagged Couples Day Out, the outreach featured many interactive games for participants at Twinwaters, Lekki, Lagos and the Beach.

Couples participants excitedly in games such as classics Pinball and PacMan to the contemporary Dance Revolution, Sports bar, Bowling Alley, Car Race game, the Fill in The Balls, skills game, air hockey, basketball, the Big Bass Wheel and beach volleyball.

Senior Pastor of the church, Pastor Jummy Adetoyese-Olagunju said that the event was to strengthen the bond of love and fellowship among couples in the Church.

He said the family remains the smallest unit in the society and the building block of the society and when it is fitly bonded together, the society will be better for it.

The cleric said that many challenges in the home can be addressed when the families find time to bond and play together.

He enjoined couples to create an atmosphere of relaxation; make out time to play, have fun and laugh indoors and outdoors, as well as brighten and lighten the mood around the home.

“A family that laughs together, sticks together,” he added.

Read Also: How to make your marriage succeed by Adetoyese – Olagunju

Responding, one of the couples said it was the first major time out since they got married seven years ago.

Adetoyese-Olagunju charged Christian couples to adopt Christ principles of love, patience, mutual trust and tolerance to make their marriages succeed.

He said that the institution of marriage was created by God and it can only work out successfully “if we follow the principles laid out by God in the scriptures for marriages.”

He stressed that it takes knowing Jesus to be saved but it takes knowing and following His principles to attain the desired success in all facet of life, including marriage.

He attributed the spate of divorce to noncompliance with Christ teachings, which he said are never changing and enough to make our marriages glow.

He argued that society ethos that run contrary to Christ principles for marriage will lead to divorce, broken homes, breed delinquent children and terrorism in parts of the world.

He added that stable homes make up stable societies because the “state of our homes will often time rub-off on the society.”

Adetoyese-Olagunju asserted that countries where basic principles of love and compassion are espoused and celebrated have less case of divorce because children are taught values for life, integrity, honesty and selflessness.

The cleric posited that husband should see his wife as helpmeet and reverence her at all times while the wife should honour and support her husband as they work together in fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives.

“Marriage is a union between two people; the husband and the wife coming from a different backgrounds with the expectation of living in harmony but when the foundation of their union is faulty, there is abound to be problems,” he said.

 

HAPPY New Year! Welcome to your year of Breaking Limits! I believe every one of us must have had definite encounters with God via sanctification in the course of the month of December, 2019. I pray that each of us will keep telling the story of our diverse encounters for life! Amen. This week, we shall focus on: Understanding the fundamental blessings of Prayer and Fasting!

We understand from scriptures that prayer and fasting is God’s commandment and a big-time business for high level profiting. Among others, it commands the flow of signs and wonders which covers all areas of human need. However, it is important to recognise that understanding is of utmost importance in accessing the blessings inherent in it. That is, it is impossible to make any more out of any venture beyond our spiritual understanding of it. This is because understanding is what makes outstanding and the deeper our spiritual understanding, the greater our command in life. For instance, we saw the catalogs of benefits of fasting and prayers listed in Isaiah 58:6-8, Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward. Nevertheless, the aforementioned benefits of fasting can only be potent at the instance of our understanding.  Jesus set an example of One who understood the purpose of prayer and fasting during His time on earth. As a result, He commanded such great signs and wonders (Matthew 13:54). Similarly, Paul the apostle who also understood the purpose of prayer and fasting said, …in watchings often… in fastings often… (2 Corinthians 11:27; see also 2 Corinthians 6:5). As a result, he was a man inbuilt with God’s power. No wonder it was said concerning him, …The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men (Acts 14:11). Thus, it is very important that we know the benefits prayer and fasting holds for us as believers and how to use them to our utmost advantage, so as to enjoy a victorious life.

What, then, are the Blessings Embedded in Prayer and Fasting?

• We Spiritually Transfer our Battles over to God: Judah waited on the Lord in a fast for three days and transferred their battle to God. As a result, God took over and all their enemies were destroyed. Likewise, when our battles are transferred to God, our victory is eternally guaranteed because He never loses any battle (2 Chronicles 20:5-17, 22-24).
• Fasting Engenders Divine Health: Among others, these happen in two ways:
• Revelation: Revelation is a veritable tool for our desired transformation. The altar of prayer and fasting is the altar of outbreak of revelation which culminates in our transformation, including healing. When we engage in a fast, there is a breaking forth of light and because infirmities are forces of darkness, when light breaks forth, they also bow out. However, when revelation graduates to illumination, authority is conferred and our dominion over sicknesses and diseases becomes unquestionable (Isaiah 58:6, 8, 60:1; John 1:5, 9).
• The Word of God: God’s Word is the Balm in Gilead. That is, God’s healing power resides in His Word and every encounter with the healing Word sets us free from every harassment and torture of sickness and disease. Furthermore, when the Holy Ghost explodes the truth of the Word in our hearts (revelation), our health springs up supernaturally (Job 33:21-25; Psalm 107:20; Jeremiah 8:19-22; Luke 5:17).
• Access to Continuous Guidance: Divine guidance is one of the greatest assets in the Kingdom because it is the highway to greatness. However, it is prayer and fasting that facilitates our access to continuous guidance, which is the mystery behind our change of levels (Isaiah 58:6, 11). For instance, Abraham excelled by divine guidance. Moses was addicted to fasting and according to scriptures; he fasted for forty days thrice. Thus, he was constantly guided by God. Apostle Paul was also given to fasting as a lifestyle and he triumphed by divine guidance. Therefore, our son-ship can only be manifested by divine guidance (Genesis 12:1-3, 10, 13:1-2; Exodus 7:1, 14, 19, 8:1, 16; Numbers 19:15-23; Acts 16:8-9; Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:5, 11:27). However, we must recognise that until we are in the Spirit, we cannot hear from God and fasting helps us to be in the Spirit, which makes hearing from God automatic. Therefore, we must be in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit to be led by God (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:25; Revelation 1:10).

In conclusion, by our understanding of these benefits, I believe we shall begin to succeed where others fail, conquer the obstacles others fear and generally do the impossible. We should all expect our open rewards in return for our faithful engagement all through the course of this prayer and fasting season, both as individuals and as congregations. Nevertheless, to see these blessings fulfilled in your life, 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.

 

 

Our Reporter

 

NIGERIANS have been advised to imbibe the ‘fruits of the Spirit’ and fear God as laid down by Jesus Christ “so that insecurity, joblessness, economic crisis, political and social upheaval can become a thing of the past in the country”.

Giving the admonition in Ondo, Ondo State last weekend was the founder of New World Church of Peace, Primate Samuel Akinyosoye.

He spoke at the investiture of the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Motailatu Church of God (MCG), Senior Superintendent Gabriel Akinadewo, as OMO JESU II of the church.

‘Omo Jesu’ (Son of Jesus) is the highest title in the church founded by Saint Isaiah Moyinlorun Akinadewo (Omo Jesu) in Ibadan on June 14, 1964.

Isaiah Akinadewo died on December 26, 2014 and was buried two days later.

The investiture was supervised by Akinyosoye, Primate Adeolu Adesegha, Primate Ebenezer Agunbiade, Pastor David Adeoti, Special Apostle Ebenezer Akinboboye, Rev. Apostolic Mother Deborah Fatuwase, Senior Superintendent G.A. Boluwaji and Superintendent Apostle Sorimakin Akinlolu Joseph.

Other elders at the event were Special Apostle Godfrey Dottie, Special Apostle Victor Adelalure, Special Apostle Abayomi Daramola, Senior Apostle Isaac Akinfe, Apostle Adura Omolola, Elder Isaac Adegboyega, Elder Emmanuel Akinselure, Elder Yekini Hamzat and a popular Ondo lawyer, Rev. Yomi Oshodi who supervised the signing and presentation of Certificate of Investiture.

Officers of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) and Motailatu Organisation Worldwide also witnessed the epoch-making spiritual event.

Read Also: Cleric unveils five-year growth plan

To add colour to the installation were officers of the church from the Akinadewo family led by the Secretary to the Board of the church, Senior Superintendent James Akinadewo,

Superintendent General Apostolic Mother Serah Akinadewo, Apostolic Mother Cecilia Adesusi, Superintendent Hezekiah Akinadewo, Superintendent David Akinadewo, Superintendent Babajide Akinadewo, Senior Apostle Bodunrin Akinadewo and Senior Apostle Micaiah Akinadewo.

Members of the royal family from Ondo were led by Olori Abiodun Adekolurejo, wife of the late Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Robert Itiade Adekolurejo.

The new multi-million naira Cathedral of the church was also dedicated during the event.

Akinyosoye, who thanked God for the life of the founder for imbibing the fruits of the spirit in his children, said: “We can all see today how the founder, who is my spiritual elder, trained his children in the way of the Lord. All of them have continued where their father stopped.

“This event is instructive because today is the fifth year anniversary of the burial of their father and the eldest son is being installed as Omo Jesu II.

“There is crisis in Nigeria today because people are not ready to imbibe the spirit of God. When you have fruits of the spirit in you, spiritually and physically, your life will radiate love, peace, goodness, meekness and happiness.

“Pitiably, Nigerians don’t love themselves again. Even some men of God now behave worse than the devil. That is why you read stories of some aggrieved people attacking and burning churches. You also read the story of a so-called man of God using a fellow human being for ritual. Christ did not teach us these vices.

“I urge Nigerians to show love to their fellow human beings. Whether you are from the North, South, East or West, we are all Nigerians, created by God.

“And our God is a God of vengeance. If you treat your fellow Nigerians with evil, evil will follow you.

Addressing children of the founder, amid clapping and shouts of Halleluyah, Iye, Hossanah, Akinyosoye said: “I thank God for witnessing today’s event. Your father (Isaiah Akinadewo) worked for God and humanity. We can all see the reward today. You must continue with this legacy”.

With singing by choristers and dancing by the congregation, the investiture was conducted according to divine guidelines as instructed by the founder.

Members of the Army of Salvation led the procession with elders reading verses in the Bible.

Akinadewo, while receiving the certificate and staff of office, urged the laity, parishioners and elders of the church not to forget the advice of the Biblical Prophet Isaiah who said “if you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land”.

He also urged Nigerians to “retain God in your knowledge for peace to reign in the land”.

Describing 2020 as a year of Restoration, he declared that God will show mercy “to those with strong passion for the word of God”.

Akinadewo also conducted the yearly ‘Calendar Prayer’ of the church.

 

Our Reporter

Over 300 residents of Agege, a community in Lagos state benefited from the maiden free medical outreach programme organised by Kairos Inspirational Network.

The programme was part of the church’s support to the government in providing quality health care to the people and the start of their effort to give back to the society with plans to take it across different local communities.

Some of the services rendered at the event include health screening, counseling, dental examination, basic eye test, distribution of reading glasses and referrals for special cases by the doctors.

Senior Pastor of Kairos, Adeoye Abodunrin, said the initiative was based on clear directives from God to make a difference in the community.

He said the level of poverty in the country has affected most citizens’ access to health care.

“There is a health challenge in the country and this outreach is to provide means of succor to the people and it is not just to spread the word of God, we also want it to be tangible, something that can impart the people,” he asserted.

Read Also: Yuletide: Lagos residents hail FRSC

Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Akintoba Akintayo, said the initiative was welcomed by them as it was obvious that government cannot do it alone and there is the need to collaborate with organisations interested in delivering good health to the people.

He said so many persons cannot afford health care services due to the economic situation of the country which makes it necessary for government to partner with those interested in affecting people’s lives positively.

Dr. Shola Abodunrin, head of medical missions, said they embarked on the outreach as part of their contributions to the development of the society and creation of wealth as only health humans can create wealth.

A beneficiary, Ibrahim Adegoke, thanked the organisers for the initiative, saying it was what they have been hoping for.

He said meeting freely with a specialist doctor at the outreach was a thing of joy to him as his needs were met and he was given drugs to take care of his ailments.

By Ganiu Olaitan

 

METHODIST Church Nigeria Archbishop of Lagos Diocese Most Rev. Isaac Ayo Olawuyi has held an Eucharist thanksgiving as part of activities marking his 60th birthday.

The event, which held at the Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Apongbon, Lagos attracted dignitaries from within and outside the church.

They included the Prelate Emeritus Most Rev Sunday Ola Makinde, Most Rev Ayo Ladigbolu (rtd) and Archbishop of Enugu Diocese Christopher Edeh.

Others were former Oyo Governor Chief Christopher Alao-Akala and chairman of Lagos Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Apostle Alexander Bamgbola.

The Prelate of Methodist Church Dr Samuel Uche, who was on episcopal tours, and Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu sent representatives.

The three-hour service was a combination of praises, special number rendition, thanksgiving, scripture reading and Holy Communion.

In his sermon, Most Rev. Ladigbolu spoke on thanksgiving and the need for sober reflection by Christians.

Noting that God ordained celebration, he urged Christians to find time to celebrate.

He said God created the Sabbath and the Jubilee, among others, as compulsory celebrations for His people to relax and enjoy themselves.

On thankfulness, the octogenarian said: ‘’The Bible reminds us that everything we own came from God,’’ adding that for this debt Christians should put God first in their lives.

Read Also: Yuletide: Lagos residents hail FRSC

The Most Rev. Ladigbolu, who came from Ogbomoso, advised the celebrator to do four things: backward, inward, forward and upward, saying that each of them would enable him to understand His creator and life very well to better appreciate God’s goals.

The preacher, who had earlier praised Most Rev. Olawuyi for bringing tremendous changes to the Diocese, specifically, Wesley Cathedral, added: ‘’If you look up to God, he will guide you, lead you and always answer you.’’

He added: “Your responsibility, Ayo, is to lift up Jesus so that He can use you to draw all men to Himself.’’

Congratulating the celebrator, the senior cleric urged him to sing the popular song: ‘’Lift Him up higher, the Lord is good, I will up higher anywhere I go, I will lift up higher.’’

Most Rev Olawuyi did. He was later joined by his wife and the congregation.

During the service, the Archdiocese presented the celebrator with a large-size portrait.

In his response, Archbishop Olawuyi, who read earlier Psalms 103, expressed satisfaction with the gift and the turnout at the service.

He said: ‘’It is not me that you have honoured, it is the God in me. For that, the honour of God will not depart from you.

“All the churches in Lagos diocese and even outside Methodist, thank you for your love. And God will bless you.’’

A former Methodist Lay President Sir Remi Omotoso described Most Rev Olawuyi as ‘’result-oriented, an emblem of the good lord, a man of progress and a leader of par excellence’’.

Dr. David Oyedepo

 

Welcome to the concluding part of this teaching! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Maximising the Wonders of Godliness!

From scriptures, we understand that godliness is not a state of perfection but a tireless ‘press’ towards it. It is written, For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8). This means that maintaining a life of godliness is a lifelong battle for every believer and we cannot overcome without the fight of faith. Therefore, we must keep pressing because when the press stops, our victory is truncated (Matthew 5:6). It is also important to understand that godliness is a highly profitable two-way virtue that guarantees eternity and ensures all-round profiting on the earth. That is why we must put up a fight against every form of ungodliness or we live under the oppression of sin perpetually.

Natures of Sin

• Sin is Enticing: The word ‘entice’ connotes pleasure or attraction. It implies that sin is attractive and pleasurable in nature. For instance, the Philistines engaged Delilah as an agent to subdue Samson by enticing him. No wonder the Bible admonishes, ‘My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not’. We must, therefore, avoid the attractions of sin by being content with what we have; for godliness with contentment is great gain (Judges 16:4-5; Proverbs 1:10; 1 Timothy 6:6; James 1:13-15).
• Sin is Secretive: After David committed adultery with Bath-sheba, God said to him, For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun (2 Samuel 12:12; see also Psalm 90:8). That was God’s judgment against David. Therefore, until we break the secrecy of sin, we will never walk in liberty (Psalm 139:23-24; 2 Kings 5:20-27).

How, Then, Do We Break the Trap of Sin?

• By Seeking Sin-cleansing Words: This can be gotten through anointed books and electronic media such as CDS, DVD, etc., that deals with issues of ungodliness. God’s Word carries sanctifying virtues and every genuine encounter with the Word liberates us from sin (Psalm 119:9-11; John 15:3, 17:17; Ephesians 5:26). Therefore, just as the presence of light subdues darkness, it also takes the Word to subdue sin (1 John 3:9; Luke 8:11).
• Through Commitment to Continuous Fellowship: The church, which is referred to as Mount Zion in the New Testament, is a holiness service station where our spiritual lives are serviced. Among the happenings in Zion is the spiritual sprinkling of the Blood for our cleansing (Hebrews 12:22-24). We must understand that the farther we are from church, the more vulnerable we become to temptations. That is why to live a godly life, we must be addicted and committed to fellowship because we are strengthened when we appear before God in Zion (Hebrews 3:13, 10:25; Psalm 84:7; Obadiah 17).
• By Seeking Impartation Of Relevant Spiritual Gifts: Spiritual gifts enhance our establishment as it is impossible to live a godly life without the Spirit of God at work in us (Romans 1:11). This is why we must seek relevant spiritual gifts to live godly lives (Romans 8:13).

Some of these relevant spiritual gifts include:

• The Spirit of Obedience: It takes the Spirit of obedience to live a triumphant life and this Spirit enables us to keep God’s commandments without stress (Ezekiel 36:27).
• The Spirit of Holiness: This is also called the Spirit of the fear of the Lord and it is the cure for every attack of filthiness. Jesus knew no sin because this Spirit was at work in Him. Therefore, when we are filled with the Spirit of holiness, our dominion over sin is established (Isaiah 11:2; Romans 1:4; John 8:46).
• The Spirit of Grace and Supplication: We need the Spirit of grace and supplication to subdue the weakness of the flesh and excel in our prayer lives. It is this Spirit that empowers us for effectiveness, intensity, and productivity on the prayer altar (Romans 8:26-27; Zechariah 12:10). To be ‘prayerless’ is to easily yield to temptation and we cannot be prayerful without the Spirit of grace and supplication actively at work in our lives (Matthew 26:41). Therefore, the hotter our prayer lives, the more godly we become.

What are the Benefits of Godliness?

• Godliness Guarantees Divine Protection: It takes godliness to dwell in God’s presence where the seal of protection is and we cannot, (Psalm 91:1-4, 15:1-3). Joseph was a man that feared God and it was impossible for him to be killed. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, they became indestructible because they were men that feared God. Furthermore, Daniel feared God, so when he was thrown into the den of lions, he could not be harmed. This means that with the fear of God, the righteous are not permitted to be hurt (Genesis 37:19-27; Daniel 3:16-20, 6:16-23; Psalm 125:1-3; 1 Peter 3:13).
• Godliness Guarantees Access To Peace That Passes All Understanding: Peace that passes all understanding flows freely into the lives of the righteous because Jesus is the Prince of peace. The Bible says, When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only (Job 34:29; see also Isaiah 32:17-18). When God gives us peace, it cannot be disrupted. However, righteousness is our access to that realm of peace (John 14:27; Isaiah 59:8).

In conclusion, everyone who genuinely walked in the fear of God in scriptures became a wonder among men. This is why we must guard against any pleasure that seeks to rob us of our glorious future (Proverbs 21:17). Therefore, receive grace to walk in godliness as a lifestyle! 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: Walking in the Newness of Life, Conquering Controlling Powers and The Blood Triumph. 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.