Category: Worship

The Senior Pastor Crown of Christ Victory Church Lagos State, Prophet David Ayilara, has advised Nigerians to live in unity, peace and embrace the fear of God to tackle insecurity and other challenges in the nation.

He assured that crimes such as kidnapping, armed banditry and others will disappear the moment Nigerians unite and fear God.

Speaking during a visit to headquarters of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation in Lagos last week, Ayilara said: “If we want to make Nigeria better, Psalms 133 explains how the anointing flowed from Aaron’s head downwards.

“This means that if this country will be okay, it has to start from the top; from our president to the least person in Nigeria.

Read also: Poverty alleviation panacea to insecurity – Amaechi

“The President and the Presidency must make sure that they allow the fear of God in their heart. They should seek God’s wisdom and make themselves one. If they are one, I believe that the country will change for better.”

He cautioned against greed, stating it leads to corruption and serious in-fighting.

“God is not a God of confusion; He is a God of unity and love. If you don’t know love, you don’t know God.

“Many do not understand the definition of love, what we take to be love is not love. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; we were not good before God gave us His son inured to reconcile us back to God.

“To express the love of God to anyone, you must not look at the side of that person and fill the gap where the person is lacking.

“Love is helping your fellow human being out of whatever challenge or problem the person has.

“To express love to anyone, do not expect the person to pay you back. This is the way we should practise love in this country because God loves Nigeria.”

He stressed the needs for Nigerians to be one, irrespective of tribe and culture.

“If we can join hands together with the leaders, things will go well with Nigeria.

“Christians have prayed a lot and fasted for Nigeria, we should not stop praying but we need to add action.

“I believe it will be well with Nigeria, there will be peace in Nigeria but let there be unity among our leaders and the followers,” he said.

On the church’s annual programme tagged 72 hours of marathon prayer with the theme breaking the seal, he said it was inspired for divine intervention.

It holds from August 14-16

Ayilara assured: “Be it the seal of bareness, poverty, singlehood, mental illness and every form of satanic seal will be broken by the power of God because there is no one else that can break it.

“The Lord told me about 15 years ago that we should be having the prayer meeting once in a year, we have been having results and we know this year will not be an exemption.

“God has been performing miracles and we believe He will do more.

“Everybody coming should come by faith, because everything has to be done by faith, anything that is not of faith is a sin. As you pray your expectation will be granted, believe God,” he said.

Welcome to the concluding part of this teaching. I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Unveiling the Mystery of Divine Wisdom for Conquest!

According to scriptures, the Bible is God’s wisdom bank. It is the wisdom of God in print. The Bible is the carrier of God’s wisdom treasure from heaven and every child of God has unlimited access to its unlimited treasure. The Word of God is a highly treasured seed (Luke 8:11). It is the most valuable gold anyone can imagine, because it launches us into realms of inestimable riches of God in glory. It brings us into a heaven-on-earth experience. God’s Word makes wise. The Psalmist said: Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me (Psalm 119:98). The Bible also says wisdom is justified of her children (Matthew 11:19). That means wisdom is the heritage of God’s children. It is wisdom that determines our victory in every battle of life because it is better than weapons of war (Ecclesiastics 9:18). Wisdom here connotes trading the truth of the Word of God for the supernatural triumph we desire in life (Matthew 7:24-25). The Bible also says: Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). So, the truth is what empowers us for triumph.

Also, we discover from scriptures that God-confidence is the biblical wisdom for conquest and fulfilment of destiny. It takes being God-confident to be more than a conqueror. Why? Confidence is the conqueror’s backbone and the security of our inheritance. That is why our confidence in God is the target of the enemy in battle. Therefore, it is important to build and sustain our confidence in God against the day of battle in order not to sellout (Hebrews 10:35). All the ‘more than conqueror’ personalities listed in scriptures were God-confident people. God-confidence makes a believer more than conqueror in the race/battle of life.

What, Then, Is God-Confidence?

• To be fully persuaded about the faithfulness of God and the integrity of His Word; the prevailing circumstances notwithstanding: It is to be fully persuaded that God is Who He says He is and can do whatever He says. The Bible said concerning Abraham: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform (Romans 4:20-21). That is confidence!
• It is making our boast in God against the circumstances confronting us: As it is written: My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad (Psalm 34:2). With confidence and a sling in his hand, David went after Goliath who the whole army of Israel could not dare and brought him down (1 Samuel 17:32-37). So, what defeated Goliath was the confidence David had in God.

Furthermore, God-confidence is the hidden mystery behind conquest. Nothing wins like God-confidence and that is what makes a believer more than a conqueror. Joseph was a clear picture of what it means to be more than a conqueror through the manifestation of divine wisdom. He was a bundle of misfortune because everything seemed to be against him, yet he arrived at royalty in grand style. All of God’s purpose for Joseph came to pass and the mystery behind it was his confidence in God (Genesis 41:15-16). Check any child of God that is in command, he is God-confident. We can never gain command until we become absolutely God-confident. That is why God-confidence is key to the fulfilment of prophecies. As we all know, it takes the hand of God to deliver His plan and purpose in anyone’s life. So, we must maintain absolute trust and dependency on God to take command of the affairs of life and to see the fulfilment of His plan and purpose in our lives. God-confidence is God’s wisdom for the fulfilment of our glorious destiny.

What Are The Characteristics Of God-Confident People?

They Are More Than Conqueror: They are unbeatable, unconquerable and undefeatable. The Bible says: And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it (Numbers 13:30; Philippians 4:13). When we are God-confident, we become more than a conqueror (Romans 8:35-38).

They See Situations Differently: They see beyond the natural into God’s ability and omnipotence. While others saw giants in the land and the Israelites saw themselves as grasshoppers, Joshua said, ‘No, they are bread for us’ (Numbers 14:6-10). God-confident people are not limited by what limit others.

They Always Size Up Situations With God: God-confident people are never harassed by situations; they always place them side by side with God.

In summary, the secret behind being God-confident is the genuineness of our love for God. Remember, the hotter our love for God, the stronger our confidence in Him. Why? Love is as strong as death (Songs of Solomon 8:6).  Every genuine lover is ordained to be more than a conqueror because with the love of God, his confidence is at its peak. With our confidence in God, we are sure to obtain the promise and arrive at what He has spoken (Hebrews 10:36). However, without being a child of God, this will be a mere illusion. 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 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 Wisdom, The Wisdom that Works and Winning Wisdom. 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: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/,  Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stated it is in partnership with churches and mosques in the promotion of financial literacy in the country.

The bank’s Director, Consumer Protection Department, Mr Kofo Salam-Alada made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Financial Literacy otherwise called financial education is a possession of skill or knowledge which allows an individual to make informed decisions with his resources.

Such persons also have wherewithal to deploy the resources for self- sufficiency, personal financial stability, ability to save as well as to have capacity to distinguish between needs and wants.

Salam-Alada said the apex bank had organised outreach programmes to educate members of some faiths based organisations with a view to educate them on the programme and the need to key into it.

He said for effective sensitisation, CBN decided to use such religious organisations because of the spiritual and religious nature of most Nigerians.

“CBN is now partnering with faiths based organisations like churches and Islamic organisations on the Train-the-Trainers to promote this programme.

“We are developing a lot of materials on this and we have also trained a lot of master trainers on this project.

Read also: LCCI urges CBN to reduce cash reserve ratio

“Financial literacy is important because it help individuals to make investment decision and equally help in planning for retirement,” he said.

The director also added that there was need for all work places to also key into the project and embrace the financial literacy programme by the CBN.

He said being financially literate was different from acquiring normal education as some people were educated but financially illiterate.

According to him, CBN is ready to work with any organisation willing to set up an in house financial literacy programme.

He further stated that when financial literacy was achieved, it would help to boost financial inclusion in the country.

 

A cleric, Prophet Dr. Solomon Olukunmi Ajao (JP) has commended the new traffic laws in Lagos state.

According to the founder and General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Warrior for Christ Mission, the new traffic laws will go a long way to curb excesses of motorists in the state.

Speaking with journalists at the headquarters in Ifako Ijaiye council area of Lagos State, Ajao however advised government to modify certain areas of the laws.

Under the law, a fine of N30, 000 awaits anyone smoking while driving.

Also, any driver under 18 years, motorists displaying fake number plates, failure to use seat belt and disobedience attract the same punishment.

Ajao coounselled Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu to revisit the area of heavy fines, stressing that traffic officials could enrich themselves through connivance with offenders.

Read also: Frail enforcement of traffic laws worsens the situation

He also argued the heavy fines could encourage offenders to offer bribes to LASTMA officials instead of paying to government coffers.

Ajao urged government to intensify efforts on rehabilitation of roads and explore other means of transportation like water and rail for decongestion and reduction of misnomers.

Annual Anglican juvenile retreat holds

The 4th edition of Juvenile/camping retreat of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) holds at the Deliverance village at Omu-Isoko, Ibafo in Ogun State.

The 4-day deliverance programme under the auspices of the Deliverance and Healing Ministry is slated for July 24-27.

President of the organising committee, Mrs. Ogochukwu Ekejiuba, said the theme of the retreat is ‘Jesus! The mighty deliverer’.

According to her, children from ages of 6 and 10 are billed to attend the retreat because they are the most vulnerable and easy prey for the dark kingdom.

Topics like drug and sexual abuse; consequences of immoral living among young ones; Depression and suicide and Godly seed in ungodly society will be treated at the camp.

About 1,500 children, adolescents and youth are expected from over 35 branches of the Anglican Communion in Lagos zone.

 

The church has a responsibility to hold political leaders, especially public office holders accountable.

This was the consensus at the 2019 International Conference of African Pentecostalism(ICAP) organised by the Redeemed Christian Bible College.

President of Trinity Seminary Accra, Ghana Professor Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu was the lead speaker at the conference with the theme “African Pentecostalism: Civic Roles and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)”.

Asamoa-Gyadu said it is the church’s civic role and CSR to hold political leaders accountable and ensure that they fulfill their campaign promises.

He stressed the needs for the church to be informed about public issues, nothing it won’t be able to effect change without it.

“We need to challenge our political leaders; we should not wait for God to solve the problems we created for ourselves. The church has democratic capability and public significance.

“We must engage in public advocacy by making our voice heard on public issues. God wants the church to make the difference in the life of others and we do this by public advocacy and CSR.

“We have to be educated and be well informed about politics, engineering, education and all sectors, because we cannot talk on CSR if we are not in the public space.

“CSR is our religious mandate; it is the democratisation of our involvement in public life. The gospel of Christ is about the kingdom of God; our core business as church leaders is to preach the gospel, other things we do are secondary.

“It is the responsibility of government to address the economic issues; whatever the church does is to support the government,” he stressed.

Princeton Theological Seminary Princeton New Jersey, United States of America, Professor Afe Adogame, who delivered the second lead paper, noted government, followership and the church have failed Nigeria.

“If you fail to call your leaders to order or to advise them and take your destiny in your hand, the country cannot work.

“Many Nigerians patronise the leaders, we do not raise our voices and this is where the role of the church is important.

“When it comes to the point the leaders are misbehaving, churches should not be quiet but the church is not talking because we are comfortable in our comfort zone.

“Until we raise our voices to condemn and critic bad behaviours among our leaders, we cannot attain a system where accountability will exist,” he argued.

According to him, there are resources in Nigeria but they are not properly managed.

“The church has a voice but we are not speaking loud enough. Rather, we have shifted our responsibility to God.

“Many churches pray and fast for people who have no jobs, I am not saying it is bad but the church while praying and fasting should also teach people how to do the needful.

“We should teach them what to do to get the jobs; teach them how to write CVs and attend seminars on how to start businesses and how to take their destinies into their hands.”

A Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, Professor Helen Labeodan , emphasised the needs for women to be in leadership positions across all sectors in the country, noting that no nation can exist without women.

According to her, women empowerment is required for the development of the society, the church and the family.

“When a woman is empowered her children will not suffer and the children transcends to the church, the community and the nation at large,” she stated.

She stressed the need for women to be encouraged to take risks, noting that women must be educated and empowered as they are the key to economic growth.

The Principal of Christ The Redeemer College Christhill, (CRC) pastor Antoinette Omosagie has advised its graduating students to keep hope alive where ever they go.

Speaking at the 18th Valedictory service for the class of Divine Hope 2019, the principal said the students have learnt the art of leading organised and focused life.

“We have taught you to respect others and be of service to people around you.

“The light of Christ has been deposited in you to shine where ever you find yourself in your academic pursuits.

“Seventeen sets ahead of you have made us proud. As you stand out in all your efforts and maintain the standard you have learnt from the college, you have being grounded spiritually in faith not to move away from the hope of Christ”.

She explained the vision and mission statement of the school is total commitment to academic excellence and entrepreneurial life skills.

On the next steps for them, he said: “Dare to be different and stand up for the light.

“The college has equipped you with sellable and sustainable life skills in a biblical integrated environment.”

Prof. Daniel Gberevbie who represented Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, urged the graduating students to put all they had learnt in the course of their studies to good use.

Read also: Be the light of the world, graduating students urged

In his speech titled: lnstilling hope in a generation in times like these, Gberevbie explained success in life calls for focus and hard work.

“Every One has the capacity to strive to get the best in life. People will only patronise you when they know you have a what.

“As you are graduating from the college to pursue your degree in the university, be focused and upright. Choose your friend wisely.”

One of the graduating students, Asobi Favour, said the college has impacted moral and academic values in them.

“We have been prepared to face the challenges of world. I have not only passed through the college, the college has impacted me. My six years in CRC have been interesting and memorable. We have been taught to shine as light and keep the hope alive.”

Political and Christian leaders last Sunday poured encomiums on General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev Felix Meduoye whose biography was presented to the public.

Meduoye, they said, is a church leader imbued with integrity and fear of God.

They described him as a selfless leader with great impact and humble disposition.

They spoke at the Yaba National Headquarters of the church during the presentation of Footprints of an Apostle of Grace authored in honour of Meduoye.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said he just took a liking to Meduoye, who he described as a friend and brother.

Osinbajo said he cannot recall ever turning down any invitation from the celebrator even for events outside the nation, describing him as a lover of peace and God.

“Rev Meduoye is a good Christian leader with the servant’s heart. He is someone I just took a liking to. I cannot explain why but I just like this man.”

Read also: Save more, invest more, Osinbajo advises women

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Meduoye is a man of honour worthy of commendation.

He said the fact the he had successfully led an organisation as massive as Foursquare Gospel Church in almost a decade eloquently attests to his capacity and leadership prowess.

The governor congratulated him for attaining 70, stating he has joined the class of elder statesmen whose advice and counsel will remain vital to the nation.

Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, who was chairman of the occasion, stated that Meduoye has remained a leader with a humble spirit.

He stated that the Foursquare Gospel Church general overseer is one of the fading specie of silent leaders with great impact.

Meduoye thanked the leaders for finding time to celebrate him, a mere son of a fisher who grew into significance through grace.