Category: Worship

By 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: Engaging The Mystery Of Thanksgiving For Fulfilment Of Prophecies!

From scriptures, we understand that thanksgiving is an attitude of appreciation and gratitude to God for something received from Him or for what He has done. As it is written, It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High (Psalm 92:1; see also Psalm 100:4). By heaven’s protocol, thanksgiving precedes praise. Only a thankful heart can be praiseful. Thanksgiving is one of the major secrets of life. It is the cheapest way to live, it makes the devil crazy. Thanksgiving adds colour to our Christian experience and flavour to our Christian nature, as everything around us begins to respond positively. The enemy will then be forced to respect and honour us. Thanksgiving is not an outward show; it must first have its root inside us, before it can bear fruit outward. If you want God to give you any attention when you pray, then, you must be relaxed and show Him that you are satisfied by thanking Him for all He has done for you.

Furthermore, there’s an adage in my dialect that says ‘If you do not know how to think, you will never know how to thank’. Every time man is in problem, he tends to forget all the benefits he had enjoyed. The Bible says, Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalm 103:1-2). To forget God’s benefits is to provoke Him to anger and to grieve Him. If we forget His benefits, He forgets our welfare and our needs remain. Always take stock of God’s blessings and goodness. Our ingratitude is the reason for our undoing. If we cannot see what He has done, we stop Him from doing anything more. The God we insult cannot be the source of our blessings. When we give thanks to God for the things He has done, we remind Him of the things we do not have. When we forget God’s benefits, it makes God forget our needs. What we do to God determines what He does to or for us, for whatsoever a man sows, that will he reap.

Also, the Bible says, Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:3-5). These are daily benefits coming from the throne of God. But unfortunately, people are not aware; they are not conscious of these amazing wonders of grace. Our forgiveness cost Him His only begotten Son. To forget that and to disregard it is to grieve Him. Now, when did we bless Him last for forgiving us? But we have been blaming Him for not giving us a house, a car, children, etc. We have not blessed Him yet for what He has done, but we keep seeing those things He has not done.

How, Then, Can We Engage The Mystery Of Thanksgiving?

• Thanksgiving For Multiplication: For everything that must increase, God must be gracefully acknowledged. Jesus knew this spiritual technique and used it often during His earthly ministry. Anything we do not thank God for never increases. The Bible says, And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would (John 6:11). As soon as He gave thanks, food came from wherever it was and twelve baskets were gathered as remnants. It is time for our bread to multiply and it will take genuine thanksgiving. Thanksgiving as a lifestyle will establish us in a ceaseless flow of signs and wonders. The reason we are reducing is because we are forgetful.
• Thanksgiving For Miracles: In John 11:41-44, at the grave of Lazarus, Jesus repeated the same spiritual principle, showing us how significant this forgotten weapon is in the working of miracles, in effecting signs and wonders. He said ‘Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me’. That was what brought Lazarus out of the grave. Those who give thanks do not need to ask, neither do they beg, they simply call. We need the kind of Spirit of thanksgiving that operated in Jesus, so that before every obstacle of life, we operate that anointing that will break the prison gates and also bring the dead out of the grave. If we want our dead position transformed, we should learn to give God thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

In summary, when thanksgiving becomes the order of the day in our lives, our lives will have taste and it will have order. A life of thanksgiving is a life of sweatless and tasteful experience. When we give thanks for what He did yesterday, we will compel Him to act today. Give thanks for what He did last year and compel Him to act this year. However, to offer acceptable thanksgiving, 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: Understanding the Power of Praise and Wonders of Praise. 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.

Adeola Ogunlade

The Senior Pastor of Kingsword Ministries International Lagos, Pastor Kayode Ijisesan, has called on Nigerians to focus on God and depend on Him all time to overcome all forms of depression.

Ijisesan said this at the just -concluded annual convention of the church at its headquarters in Oregun, Lagos.

The event tagged rest roundabout attracted together thousands of Christian faithful from across the world which feature song rendition, drama and prophetic ministration

He said that there is an increasingly disturbing level of depression plaguing young people all over the world, which he said was borne out of many people not depending on God to help them to address their challenges.

The cleric noted that only God knows that how many Hollywood stars have committed suicide in the last two years because of depression even after making millions of dollars.

According to him: “Depression is beyond physical, it is spiritual and only focuses on God and his promises can help one to overcome depression in life.”

Ijisesan, who is also a pharmacist, said that depression most times crept into hormone and drain every ray of hope and purpose in life.

He cited the scriptures of God miraculous intervention in the lives of the patriarch of old, stating that no matter what lives throws at us, we must learn to depend upon the Lord.

He noted when Jesus was on a mission and there was storm in the boat, his disciples were anxious and worried but there worries could not still the storm until Jesus stepped in.

By Sunday Oguntola

 

Gospel ministers have been advised to build spiritual and relational capacity that will make them more effective in affecting lives.

The Chairman General of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo Ni O) Oko-Oba Lagos, Special Apostle Emmanuel Alogbo stated this last week in a chat with reporters.

He spoke ahead of the National Pastors Council Lagos/Ogun, which ends today in Lagos.

Alogbo said ministers have a responsibility to preach the truth at all times, knowing they will give account to God.

According to him: “We have to remember that God is watching us. We must deliver all the souls He has allocated to us.

“We cannot afford to be slack because the devil is always at work. The business of saving souls must be productive and profitable.”

Read Also: ‘Christians must play developmental politics’

Chairman of Lagos/Ogun Pastors Council, Pastor James Owolabi, urged ministers to make ministerial assignments the core of their lives.

He said when they handle God’s works well, God will have no choice than to make their issues his business.

Owolabi said: “Make the Shepherd work your work and the Chief Shepherd will make your life His project.”

He informed the workshop with the theme faith unto glory was designed to build the capacity of ministers in the church for greater exploits.

By Sunday Oguntola

 

Christians must play developmental politics built on good governance and responsive followership.

This was the thrust at the annual political summit of the New Heritage Baptist Church Lagos last week.

Speakers after speakers emphasised that Christians must never shy away from politics because it defines so much about their lives.

The theme of the summit was After Election what next.

Secretary of Transportation in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Hon Kayode Opeifa, described the much-talked #NotTooYoungToRun bill recently passed by the National Assembly as a fraud.

He argued age has never been a barrier to holding political office in the country.

He said elections are not won based on age but rather on active participation in political matters and antecedents built over a period of time.

He advised youths to make themselves more visible in political matters if they must be taken serious

“Nobody will yield power to you because you’re young. The fact is youths below the age of 30 have always played important roles in Nigeria’s political development, even before the bill was passed, so I don’t see what the noise is all about.

“Most of us joined politics at very tender age and contributed our quota. It was quite an easy transition for us because even at the university, we were quite active.

“We didn’t wait for older politicians to relinquish power because they also mentor us and saw our antecedents,” he added.

Chairman of the Planning Committee of the summit, Deacon, Olufemi Aladjebi, said the New Heritage Baptist Church is a non-partisan church that encourages members to participate in politics and fulfill their civic obligations.

H said the summit was to create awareness among church members, neighborhoods and Christians in generals so that they can participate in politics and make informed decisions on political matters.

Read Also: Three-day Baptist crusade

A former governorship aspirant in Lagos state, Jimi Agbaje, advised youths to engage more in digital activism as a way of bringing about the necessary change in political development.

According to him, democracy is built on certain principles that include free and fair election, political tolerance rule of law, freedom of expression and the accountability of political office holders.

He said these principles are still missing in the nation’s democratic system, urging youths to take advantage of the social media in bringing about the necessary change in the country’s political development.

Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, who was represented by Bashir Abiola-Are stated that the youths must play active roles in politics in deciding who gets what because of their huge population in the country.

“For many of us who always think those in government are not good enough of delivering good services to the electorates, we must know from today that a person get the type of government they deserve as long as the professionals, the technocrats, the good men and women cede the political space to those we have terms professional politicians,” he said.

Another speaker at the summit, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, posited that the electorates must demand more for good governance from those they have elected into positions of authority.

Oyewo, who is the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Oyo state, argued that political affiliations should not stop the youths or the electorates from demanding for good governance.

Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, argued that more women should be given roles to play in Nigeria’s political development.

According to her, with only eight senators out of 109 elected in the country, women are still being marginalised and must wake up from their slumber in other to be taken serious.

A three-day crusade by First Baptist Church Ikorodu, Lagos with the theme “the hand of God” kicks off tomorrow.

Venue is Ita – Elewa field opposite Post Office, Ikorodu while time is 6pm daily.

The Under Shepherd of the church, Revd. Ayodele Dahunsi, explained that “the crusade promises unforgettable experience of the power of God through spiritual and physical manifestations is in fulfillment of the desire to obey the Divine Commission to spread the gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, particularly at this end-time”.

He added the church will offer free medical check-up and consultation to all at the venue two hours before the crusade.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit at the weekend received founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) Prophet Temitope Joshua in his private jet.

The televangelist was in the country to offer special prayers for peace at the invitation of the president.

The President had sent Vice President Wani Igga to Nigeria to deliver an invitation to Joshua, offering him an advisory role in the government.

His visit was not unconnected to his role in South Sudan over alleged prophecy of a failed coup attempt against President Salva Kiir before the conflict erupted in 2013.

Upon arrival, he was received by the President and entire cabinet and he was driven to the presidential palace in Juba.

Joshua said his visit was for peace in the country, stating: “He who honours a prophet because he is a prophet receives the reward of a prophet.”

Bola Akande, daughter of legendary Yoruba film maker, Ishola Ogunsola aka Dr Isho Pepper, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on issues within the gospel film industry and others. Excerpts:

 

How did you come about the idea of an all-female cast for Behind the mask?

I honestly can’t remember the exact day I conceived the idea but it’s very much like the way God drops concepts in my mind. But I think it will be rooted in my interest in the female gender, which my father probably inculcated in me.

I grew up being encouraged and valued by my father as a female child. He loved all his girls. Even though my dad had male children, he wasn’t one of those who appreciate and celebrate male children more than the females. So, that gave me a good sense of value.

However, growing up, I saw that there were many challenges facing the female gender. Where men are the heads of corporations and doing great at many levels, the women are hardly mentioned in those areas.

Also as a young graduate, I saw some female friends trying to get a job and how they complained about either being asked to pay somebody a bribe or they were asked to sleep with them and I just wondered how would a woman be somebody if these challenges are there?

I went into film making with not many female film directors in Nigeria. I felt the need to encourage women that no profession is beyond the limit and I became more interested in addressing the challenges stopping women from attaining higher posts.

Another reason for this concept is because my father died early and I watched my mother struggle to keep the family together. The pains she went through even when all her intentions were pure, she was misjudged and called different names. I knew that the female gender needs and challenges can’t be overemphasised.

So, we should talk more about some areas hardly touched and that affects us. Women should not only be mentioned when it comes to fashion and sexiness but to look into other serious life issues affecting the female gender more directly, hence the film.

Just what are you trying to achieve with it? Boost feminism or discuss the pains of womanhood?

I think feminism is increasingly being boosted thanks to the information age that we are in. Women are beginning to find their voices and I don’t think we can overdo this because we still hear of cases where women are still considered inferior to their male counterparts and this isn’t only in developing countries but all over the world.

Data from America Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in year 2019, women still earn less than men at 79 cents to 1 dollar earned by their male counterparts, not to talk of in developing countries where there is need to educate and inform the society on these issues. So, if this film boosts feminism, I will be quite happy with that

However, my main reason I believe is to look into some unnoticeable pains that women go through daily. Being a woman, especially in this time and age, has very many challenges different from the common ones two to three decades ago.

You go to work just like your husband, you look after your family, you are the home keeper and extended family has expectations from you.

So, many women are suffering in silence whilst you are grateful that you have a family, you can’t complain otherwise those who do not have one will see you as being ungrateful. Women are developing depression and all manners of mental health problems and that again is stigmatized.

Women cover up to avoid the stigma and many of these challenges they face, which informed the title ‘Behind Her Mask’. This is not to say that the male gender doesn’t have similar issues but the movie is made with only women so that men, husbands, children can further appreciate the women in their lives and maybe understand why some things are the way they are and also to alleviate or avoid some challenges that are faced by women and to pinpoint some available support and solutions to some of these problems.

How profitable is gospel film making based on your experience so far?

I think it depends on what form of profit we are talking about. If it’s in relation to financial gain, in my own experience, I am yet to make money from it even though I strive for quality in my movies thereby spending more money than I would have if I just wanted to share the gospel in a basic film. But I am very keen on the quality of my movies, probably because I was raised in a family where I saw what quality production really should look like and I have been to film school in England.

I wouldn’t want to do something of low or below the standard quality. However, my main aim of making movies is not money. When I am planning, my first priority is how the message will bless lives. I always write in a way that the message can bless everyone, whether Christians or not.

I want everyone to be able to engage with my movie so I plan it in a way that the quality will attract people with high taste in film as well as those who don’t really care about the quality of a film but just want content that will bless them. It is after I have satisfied that then I will start thinking of distribution and how to make money, especially so that I can reinvest into the ministry and make another high-quality movie.

And with regards to distribution, I am working with some other people on an online platform, a video- on- demand website where quality gospel movies and other morally sound movies will be available on demand. We hope to re-launch around this Christmas.

But if the profit is that are lives been blessed, I will say yes by God’s grace. We have a lot of positive feedback and testimonies from our movies coming from Christians and even atheists and that for me is highly rewarding while we await the financial blessing, God willing.

Would you say gospel films are at par with secular films in terms of production, technical inputs and aesthetics?

I believe Gospel movies in Nigeria are doing well and steadily coming up despite the fact that we don’t have a lot of money to spend on our projects like the secular sector because investors and sponsors support the secular productions.

So, I am appealing to everyone that likes good work of art that will do more than entertain, movies that will touch your soul and change your moral reasoning and also help you to change for the better leading to fruitful family lives and better societies to please invest in our projects.

Christian movies can be entertaining but must never lose the main aim of preaching the good news and changing people. A genuine Christian writer doesn’t just research and write but he or she will prayerfully write the mind of God and trust God to use the message to touch those whom it is meant for.

However, we are coming up. Since 2016 by God’s grace, I have made movies that are cinema quality, 4K resolution and technically and aesthetically sound. I have received feedback from cinema film distributors who have commended them.

However, we are yet to receive a theatrical release because we have not featured popular faces since cinemas companies are concerned about the box office returns for their business. But, I am determined to move on and trust God for the needed breakthrough.

Why do you prefer cinemas to VCD distribution channel?

I grew up seeing my parents put their movies in the cinema so I never wanted anything less. Also, I really loved going to see movies in cinemas when we were growing up. I love seeing the larger than life pictures, so deciding to go in that direction becomes easy when I became a filmmaker.

I also want my movies to be available on all platforms and I know that once i have a good story inspired by God and I ensure that it is well written all I need to do is to invest more time and money and God has been so gracious to me. I believe that I have not even started. I have a dream, I have a vision and I am trusting God to bring it alive so that my movies will be seen in great and uncommon places.

Are gospel film makers supported enough to do more?

Financially I don’t think so yet and that maybe because we are not reaching out to sponsors yet. They don’t see us as a business venture yet and I don’t see why not. I understand that making a film for profit has been very challenging in Nigeria, especially with the issues of piracy.

Nobody wants to borrow money to make a film only for it be pirated and lose investors’ money but i think things are changing, there are more platforms where you can realise the money back. Like any business, investors only need to weigh the risks and see the viability and I think it is viable. There is a huge gap for gospel movies to fill worldwide, which is why Hollywood studios were making Bible-themed movies.

I think gospel filmmakers need to create awareness and seek financial support to increase our visibility on all platforms. The Kendrick brothers were supported by their church when they first started now their budget is huge and comparable to secular independent or even some Hollywood studio movies.

Mel Gibson didn’t get funding from the studios because they were scared of his contents being ‘Christian, anti-semitism’. But I’m sure that those studios would have regretted not funding Passion of the Christ because up till date it’s still the highest-grossing R rated movie ever made.

Do you feel this path is good enough to sustain and keep you going for the rest of your life?

Absolutely! It is good enough for me. I believe that this is exactly the reason why I am made. I have absolute fulfillment in doing it. Also, I am not in it for money. I don’t think money is everything. I am not in it for fame. I don’t need to be famous to live a good life.

I love the life that God has given me. I don’t have money stashed in my bank account but I am not in lack of anything good. If all these come, fine, I will appreciate it but they are not my main purpose.

If I have more money it means more high-quality movies and I will also be able to bless others and give back to society more and of course better life.

Our Reporter

 

Mr Mensa Otabil, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Bishop Tudor Bismark and others will speak at the 2019 Kingdom Life World Conference (KLWC) of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), which kicks off today.

The conference with the theme: ‘Love that passes knowledge’ holds at TREM International Headquarters, Obanikoro Anthony-Oke Gbagada Expressway.

Read Also: Three-day Baptist crusade

In its 30th edition, major highlights of the convention include graduation ceremony of the God’s Army Bible College on Friday, November 22nd and a special Praise evening service tagged “Zamar Concert” featuring various gospel artists.