The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Capt Hayes is 2017 Karis award winner

    The first Nigerian pilot of the defunct Nigeria Airways, Capt. Bob Hayes, has been named as the 2017 KARIS award winner.

    Karis award is an annual initiative of the Household of God church, led by Pastor Chris Okotie.

    It is dedicated to Nigerians who have contributed to national growth and development but have never been recognised by the government.

    Hayes will receive the award alongside charitable organisations like Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, the Sunshine Foundation, the Spinal Chord Injuries Association and the Strong Tower Mission.

    Each of the charities will receive N2million.

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will be the special guest of honour.

  • CAC Oke-Iye celebrates at 50

    President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, has appealed to Christians to make Christ alone their rock.

    He said those who depend on anything outside Christ are not believers or worthy of the Kingdom.

    Akinosun spoke at the 50th anniversary of CAC Oke-Iye in Lagos with the theme “discovering God’s personality.”

    Speaking on Christ our rock at the CAC Oke-Iye District Headquarters, Akinosun said: “Being an unshakable foundation that He is, only the home, house, life built on the Rock, which is our Christ, can stand forever during storms.

    “But other house that is not built on the rock is bound to be destroyed. Let us trust in Him and see Him as our strong tower.”

    He went on: “The Rock is a God that never changes. He is the rock that is with us when we walk in the valleys of death.

    “Only put all your trust in Him because He is our confidence, security and our rock of ages.”

    The District Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel Odugbesan, charged all members to “guard the evangelical traditions we inherited not only in CAC mission but also in the Christendom.”

    He called on the church to increase its mission efforts, saying “we are in an age when we church must think and plan strategically before we are swallowed up by the forces that are arrayed against us.”

    Itire District Coordinating Council chairman, Evangelist Ebenezer Bokode, said only those who discover the personality of God will rest assured of access to the floodgate of blessings.

    Itire District Coordinating Council Secretary, Pastor Segun Ojo, reacted to the tithing debate.

    Christians, he said, must obey biblical injunctions regardless of the inherent challenges.

    According to him: “If you really want the blessing of God, then you obey God’s injunctions. People should stop kicking against biblical injunctions.

    “All the same, nobody will force you to give offering but the bible says, give and it shall be given, whatever you give will also be given unto you.”

  • Engaging the wonders of praise for fulfilment of prophecy!

    Welcome to December, our month of fulfilment of prophecy.  Be rest assured that whatever is still missing in your life, God is more than able to complete it in Jesus’ name!

    All through this month, Praise shall be the focus of our teaching and as we engage with all our heart, we shall surely experience Supernatural Breakthroughs! Today, I want to take us through what I have captioned, Engaging the Wonders of Praise for Fulfilment of Prophecy! We recognise from scriptures that every prophetic word is a spiritual seed. According to the parable of the sower, the seed is the Word of God, which is also defined as the incorruptible seed. As it is written: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Peter 1:23; see also Luke 8:11).

    This means that every prophetic word is an incorruptible seed. Interestingly, every seed delivers on praise. As it is written: Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase… (Psalms 67:5-7; see also 2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, every prophecy requires praise to be fulfilled. However, it is important to know that every prophecy attracts oppositions. It is written: Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle (Deuteronomy 2:24; see also 1 Corinthians 16:9). Erroneously, for a long time, the church has seen warfare as principally engaging in prayer and fasting; but praise warfare is a principal factor in securing fulfilment of prophecies.

    Let us examine some scriptural examples where praise warfare engendered the fulfilment of prophecies:

    First, we must understand that praise is a platform through which God intervenes in the affairs of our lives. For instance, it took God coming down for His agenda to be fulfilled concerning the Israelites. Prior to that time, God said to Abraham: And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age (Genesis 15:13-15).

    However, since every divine agenda naturally attracts opposition from hell, the gods of Egypt withstood that prophetic agenda through a resistance from Pharaoh and the taskmasters. Thus, there was 30 years delay; but when God came down, that prophetic word was fulfilled. God did not only deliver them, He remained in their midst (Deuteronomy 26:8; see also Exodus 12:41-42; Psalms 114:1-7).

    The presence of God that dwelt with the Israelites was the big factor that ensured their entry into the Promised Land.  As a result of God’s presence with them, they enjoyed supernatural supplies in the wilderness for 40 years till they got to the Promised Land. To retain God’s presence is to see prophecies fulfilled without sweat; but to secure God’s presence, we must engage in praise as a lifestyle, which guarantees constant fulfilment of prophecies in our lives.

    Moreover, when Jehoshaphat inquired from God what they needed to do, to win the battle against their enemies, God instructed them not to fight but to engage in praise warfare. As they obeyed, God set ‘ambushment’ against their enemies and they were all smitten, thus fulfilling the prophetic word from the Lord. Furthermore, it was a combination of a ‘long blast’ trumpet and a ‘long blast’ shout of praise as instructed by God, that brought down the wall of Jericho (2 Chronicles 20:17-23; Joshua 6:20).

    God will only come down in response to our praises, and until God comes down, prophecies may not be fully fulfilled. That means, until we engage in praise warfare, we may not experience full delivery of prophecies (Psalm 22:3).

    This was the weapon used by Paul and Silas. Though they prayed but at the instance of their praise, the foundation of the prison shook because of God’s presence in their midst and their liberty was established (Acts 16:25).

    Furthermore, when God promised Abraham that he would give birth to a son in his old age, the Bible records that: 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; see also Genesis 22:16-18).

    As a result, the prophecy was fulfilled with the birth of Isaac. However, before the arrival of God’s promise to Abraham, he was not a casual believer. Rather, he was fully engaged with God and was dedicated to Him. This shows that no prophecy will be fulfilled in our depressed state; rather, every prophecy must meet us actively engaged for them to deliver. Therefore, as you engage the weapon of high praises to secure God’s presence into your circumstances, you will experience ‘fearful’ fulfilment of every prophetic word concerning you in Jesus’ name! Remain ever blessed!

    Friend, no matter how hard you try, prophecy will never be fulfilled in your life, until you are 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 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 come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.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

  • BSN national quiz contest gets winners

    St Mary &Joseph Secondary School Nekede in Imo State has emerged winner of the 15th edition of The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) national quiz competition.

    The school garnered 120 points after three rounds to beat other schools which represented the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    The Shepherd School Port Harcourt with 115 points was runner-up followed by George Green Baptist College with 110points.

    Others schools that participated in the competition were: Ivan Private School, Maiduguri; Shepherd Academy, Kano and ECWA Good News Secondary School, Narayi, Kaduna.

    Marcel Chioma, an SSII student of St Mary & Joseph, and her colleague Ajah Oluebube, thanked God and BSN for organising the event.

    Chioma said it was the first time they were participating in the contest.

    She said they would gain tremendously from the competition.

    BSN General Secretary, Dr Dare Ajiboye, praised the contestants, urging the pupils not only to be comfortable with their prizes but also to learn some lessons from the competition.

    Chairman of the occasion, Col Michael Oladeji, said parents should always endeavour to make their children biblically literate.

  • Prepare men for heaven, cleric charges church leaders

    Associate Pastor of The Christian Brethren Church Lagos, Pastor Afolabi Oladele, has called on church leaders to focus more on teachings that will prepare men for heaven.

    He spoke at the ministers’ conference of the church tagged: Let’s blow the trumpet from Tishri to Tabernacles.

    Oladele pointed out that the coming of Christ is at hand, urging church leaders to prepare as many as possible for the day.

    “Today, the world is faced with incessant cases of war, prostitution, same marriage, kidnapping, incest, wickedness and wanton disobedience to parent by children; they are all indications that the end is near and eternity is so close that we can imagine,” he stated.

    Oladele argued the world is beginning to see trickles of God’s judgment in tsunami, destruction of coastal cities, oil spillage and growing insecurity, urging believers to always remember they will never live forever on earth.

    He appealed to churches to constantly warn sinners of the impeding judgment as well as the needs for repentance through the Lord Jesus.

    Oladele decried the increasing wave of prosperity preachers deceiving undiscerning members, adding that they will be disappointed after the rapture.

    “Many false teachers are in the world. They teach eternal security and set their members on a fast lane to hell while they amass wealth, fame, power and accolades from their members,” he said

    He challenged the body of Christ to redouble commitment to rural evangelism as there are lots of unreached and untouched communities begging for attention.

  • Achudume, wife renew vows 25 years after

    Not much seems to have changed. They still hold hands like love-birds and kiss so passionately. There is still the giggle that lovers experience on first sight.

    In a manner reminiscent of the good old days, General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC) Abeokuta, Ogun State, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, and his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Oluwafolakemi, renewed their marital vows last week.

    Before well-wishers and members of the church, they vowed to remain faithful and committed to each other 25 years after they were joined in holy matrimony.

    Wife of national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev Biola Omobude, commended the couple for deeming it fit to go through the marital vows again.

    Supervising the heart-touching, hand-written vows on the couple, she praised them for remaining true to their marital commitment and service to God.

    She, however, said there were still mountains to climb and lands to possess for the couple, urging them not to rest on their oars.

    “This is just the beginning. The first 25 years have been good but there are better days ahead.

    “God has not started with you. You have gone through a lot in the past but it’s nothing compared to what lies ahead,” Omobude declared.

    The ‘groom’, Achudume, thanked his wife for “managing me and bearing with me in these 25 years.”

    He added: “To marry me for 25 years is not a joke and I must say that you have tried indeed.”

    His wife said she married the cleric with faith and determination to make the union work.

    “All I saw in him was passion and love for God. He’s so much in love with His works. He didn’t have anything in terms of material possessions because the sitting room had nothing, not even furniture, but he had vision.

    “That was enough for me. It was all I was looking for. I knew we would make it big in a matter of time,” she stated.

    She said the testimony is that God has not failed the family in any aspect, saying the journey has been challenging but worthwhile.

    Friends, well-wishers and clerics at the vow renewal service attested to the bliss in the union, urging them to remain steadfast and shinning lights for upcoming ministers.

  • Saint Joseph ordains two female apostles, others

    Saint Joseph’s Chosen Church of God (SJCCG) has ordained two new female apostles.

    The ordination was highpoint of the 70th anniversary of the church at the St. Joseph Conference Centre Sapele-Warri expressway, Ikwewu Community near Amukpe roundabout in Delta State with the theme; “A new cycle of growth”.

    The two new female apostles were part of the six pastors elevated at the anniversary, which featured lectures geared towards healthy and church growth by experts on different fields.

    They are: Mrs. Charity Ogbonna and Mrs. Clara Aibangbee, who were not originally scheduled but consecrated based on their dedication to the service of God and humanity.

    The remaining new apostles were: James Abache, Friday Inekhomon, Daniel Iwuoha, Godson Emulo.

    Wife of the Spiritual Leader, Apostle Hayford Alile in 2015 became the first female apostle of the church founded by an unlettered Apostle Joseph Anyanwu (1913-1998) in a farm settlement, Cowan Estate, Ajagbodudu.

    Responding to the needs of a growing institution, seven apostles were upgraded and decorated with red cape garment.

    They were: the church’s General Secretary, Apostle Levi Ogbonna; wife of the Spiritual Leader, Apostle Pat Alile; James Ogbu; S.N. Emofonmwan; Emmanuel Nmalagu; Gideon Irerhievwie and Abraham Amadi.

    37 pastors were also decorated with staff and 24 new pastors and several hundreds of other ministers were also ordained in preparation for greater harvests.

    In his charge to the ordainees, the Rector of the church’s bible college, admonished them to be steadfast at all times because when God calls a man, He positions him for specific assignment and only the dedicated can excel.

    “I want us all to return to the old time church. We have allowed worldly things to influence our conducts in the church and when the unexpected happens we will begin to blame others,” he warned.

    He stressed that God doesn’t call people because of their qualifications or background.

    According to him, when God calls a man, He humbles the man, adding “the Church is made for the meek and the humble. God demands from His ministers’ faithfulness and truthfulness. God didn’t give man dominion over man, He gave man dominion over all things.”

    Spiritual Leader of the church, Apostle Harford Alile, said:  “Having sailed through the different seas of life, with my empirical understanding of the corporate world, to the spiritual enlightenment from ecclesiastical, I have come to discover that, the beauty of life is not in the duration but in the donation.

    “It is really not what you get out of life, but rather, the value you add to it. This is the St. Joseph’s story today.

    “We are a selfless ministry and take pride as a people predominantly led by the Holy Spirit, who is the executive head of the church.”

  • Suma celebrates 20 years of charity to humanity

    The 20th anniversary of Support Missionary AID (SUMA) International holds on Saturday December 2 in Lagos.

    Tagged supernatural release, the celebration will feature Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of Fountain of Life Church, Rev. (Mrs.) Mercy Ezekiel of Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM) and Bishop Humphrey Erumaka of Word-Based Church as guest ministers.

    SUMA started its missionary activities in 1997 with evangelism to the Koma Hills in Adamawa State where members climbed several mountains of about 5,500 feet high above the sea level to reach the enclaves of an uncivilised community of naked people that still wore leaves as clothes in the 21st century.

    In addition to ministering the gospel to the Koma people, the organisation gave clothes, foods, toiletries, beverages and medical aids to the people.

    Its founder/president, Rev (Mrs) Blessing Jibuike, said: “Our successful missionary visit to the people on the Koma Hills opened our eyes to more mission fields.

    “These include the Old Peoples’ homes, Schools of the Blind, Refugee Camps, victims of terrorism/religious riots and communities in disasters.

    “We have taken our rescue missions to the Old People Home, Lagos, Schools of the Blind, Abia State, Nigeria and in Ghana, Refugee Camps and Boko Haram victims.”

    She noted that SUMA has also extended its missions to Ghana, Benin Republic, Cote D’voire and South Africa, among other Africa countries, where the organisation visited and distributed foods, clothes, toiletries, beverages, funded schools and offered medical aids in addition to preaching Christ to the less privileged in those countries.

    The celebration will feature presentation of awards of appreciation by the missionary organisation to some distinguished personalities and corporate organisations for their support to SUMA.

  • Sustaining the anointing!

    From scriptures, we recognise that the anointing of the Holy Spirit, among others empowers the redeemed to command exploits. For instance, Jesus Christ was a carpenter’s son for 30 years without an identity. However, when He returned in the power of the Holy Spirit, He was loaded with divinity and the Bible records that His fame went throughout all Judea and to the entire regions roundabout. We also saw from scriptures how 120 fearful disciples, who hid in the Upper room after the death of Jesus commanded exploits in Jerusalem and around the world after being empowered by the Holy Ghost (Luke 4:18-John 20:19-22; Acts 2:1-41).

    However, as we all know, the reason many precious things don’t last with us is because we don’t know how to maintain them. For instance, it is not enough to acquire a car but we must also understand the need to maintain it, if it must keep serving us. Likewise, it is one thing to be anointed; it is yet another to sustain it. People who do not know how to maintain the anointing will eventually lose it. While some people only manage to sustain the unction upon their lives for 5 years, very few retain it for 15 years. There are men who used to be renowned in times past, but who have lost relevance because their anointing is stale.

    Unfortunately, when the anointing leaves a man, he loses relevance and as such everything about him is affected. But that is not God’s plan for the redeemed. In actual fact, God’s plan for us is not only for the anointing to last our lifetime, but to outlive us, just as experienced by Elisha. Remember, even when Elisha was in the grave, his bones could revive a dead man placed in the same grave with him. That means, he carried his anointing with him to the grave. Jesus who also did same was quickened from the dead by the Spirit of God. As it is written: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (Romans 8:11).

    With this, we understand that it is possible to sustain the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Nevertheless, there is no short cut to maintaining the anointing as there are vital forces for preserving it; when they are engaged, we will remain freshly anointed all the days of our lives.

    But how do we sustain the Anointing?

    • It takes consecration: Consecration is the first vital price to pay to preserve the anointing. It is impossible to sustain the anointing when we are living in sin. Sin stinks and sinks. Thus, once we become comfortable with it, we are on the way to losing the anointing. So, it is wisdom to do something definite to arrest the sin that easily besets us, or it will hinder the flow of the anointing upon our lives like it did to Samson. We saw how Samson the anointed, became a toy in the hands of his enemies as a result of the sin of adultery. This shows that sin is a trap that destroys great destinies. Beware!
    • It takes fellowship: A fellowship centre is a place of fire. Remember that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. But if by chance that candle goes out, when we come into a fellowship centre where the fire is burning, the fire can be rekindled(Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:25).
    • It takes Kingdom Service: Serving God and the interest of His Kingdom offers unmatchable returns, which in turn, sustains our anointing. That means, we are bound to be anointed with fresh oil when we are dedicated with Kingdom service.
    • Fasting and prayer: Fasting and prayer is another platform for sustaining the anointing. It is important to understand that while we pray to be empowered, we need fasting to walk in power. On the other hand, fasting and prayer enhances our access to the Word which in turn, sustains our anointing.
    • It takes the Word: What wood is to fire is what the Word of God is to the Anointing. When we stop putting in the wood, the fire is bound to go out. So it is with the Word of God. Remember, no Word; no Anointing! So to always maintain the fire of the Holy Ghost already kindled in us, we must constantly engage the Word of God. Staying anointed requires that we stay in the Word.  Every moment we spend in the Word will count in sustaining the anointing.

    Nevertheless, sustaining the anointing begins with being born again, otherwise, your effort to sustain it will be wasted. 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: Anointing for Breakthrough, Understanding the Anointing, Anointing for Exploits, Release of Power. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.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.

  • Reconciliation‘ll restore Nigeria’s glories, says Ojo

    The Senior Pastor of Grace Family International Church, Lagos State, Rev. Yinka Ojo, has called on Nigerians to pursue reconciliation, righteousness, love and restoration for national restoration.

    He spoke at the annual international convention of the church in Lagos recently.

    Ojo urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and allow God into their hearts.

    The cleric noted the convention with the theme ‘pursue, overtake, recover all, drawn from 1 Samuel 30:8 said Nigerians should be kind to one another.

    He declared that those who give to the needy and for evangelism would be vindicated as they shall successfully pursue, overtake and recover all that had been stolen or lost.

    Ojo appealed to every Nigerian to put Jesus Christ at the centre of all their daily endeavours for God to carry out His purpose of recovering all that the country had lost to corruption, maladministration, kidnapping, assassinations, devastations, political crisis, tribal and religious wars.

    ‘‘For the country to recover and become a better society, Nigerians should be righteous, remain steadfast, be humble before God, live a holy life and cleanse their hearts of sins and inequities,” he stressed.

    The cleric charged every Nigerian to draw a lesson from 1 Samuel 30:23, when David directed the people to give to everyone the plunders from the Amalekites, who raided the land of Judah.