The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Cleric calls for the revival of hymns

    The Senior Pastor, Praise Arena Lekki Lagos, Pastor Jummy Olagunju-Adetoyese, has called for revival and reawakening of the culture of hymn-singing in churches.

    Olagunju-Adetoyese said this at the launching of Hymn Culture album produced by Team Definition Studio at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) King Court, Victoria-Island, Lagos.

    The album titled Closer has 14 tracks which includes popular hymns such as “I need Thee every hour”, “No other plea”, “Fill my cup Lord” and a special rendition of the national anthem.

    Olagunju-Adetoyese said the Holy Spirit moves mightily in every form of song, particularly hymn and worship songs with the propensity to encourage, edify and connect men to heaven.

    He said that hymns don’t die and their messages are very powerful from one generation to another.

    Though some of the hymns were composed centuries ago, he pointed out that they are still strong, solid and spiritually impactful.

    He noted that the world needs the messages of hope, love and forgiveness contained in hymns.

    President of Team Definition, Gbenga Zachaeus, said that the album was to bring back the fast-fading culture of hymns in churches.

    He appealed to churches to take hymns as part of their services and not as religious rites that do not touch the soul.

  • Benefits of divine guidance!

    From scriptures, we understand that divine guidance is one of the greatest assets in the Kingdom because it is the highway to our greatness.  This implies that when we allow God to lead us in our endeavours, the future is secured and great. However, while one right step can lead to eternal pleasure and treasure, one wrong step in life can lead to a major crash of destiny; that is why the Bible says: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12). Thus, to avoid taking wrong steps that will crash our destinies, it is therefore of utmost importance to seek divine guidance so that we can be partakers of the benefits therein.

    What are some of the benefits of divine guidance?

    • It facilitates Divine Presence: We must understand that divine presence makes all the difference for those who are led by God. As it is written: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:17- 20; see also John 14:10).

    The most restful believers are those who follow divine guidance because God’s leadings guarantee His presence, which gives us all-round rest and makes us undefeatable. When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He went with them and the Bible records: The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters   (Psalm 114:3-8). They went out of Egypt carrying divine presence and all obstacles were destroyed!

    Also, the presence of God guarantees all-round rest.  Every beneficiary of divine guidance is confidently restful. Moreover, God takes extra step to dispatch angels to protect us when we follow His divine guidance. Please understand that no force in hell can stop a man who has discovered the plan of God for his life and is pursuing it, as angelic forces are on hand to fight on his behalf cutting off any adversary that dares to come near. As it is written: Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared (Exodus 23:20). Also, we must understand that every time we are off divine guidance, our spirit-man is tensed up but divine presence grants us peace that passes all understanding. For instance, when Paul was out of God’s will, his spirit-man was tensed up. This helps us to recognise that there is no greater asset in a believer’s life than divine presence, which grants dominion over life’s situations and circumstances (Exodus 33:14-15; Psalms 114:3; John 8:29; Acts 20:22; Romans 8:31).

    • He Backs You Up: God is behind the execution of every divine plan. Once we locate His plan for our lives and are following it, God stands strong and faithful, to accomplish it. As it is written: Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24). That is why to wander out of the course He has charted for us is to live a miserable life.
    • It Guarantees Supernatural Breakthroughs: When God leads, He grants supernatural breakthroughs to the led. When Jonah went back on course with divine plan, he encountered supernatural breakthroughs in ministry. As a result, there was an outbreak of the greatest revival recorded in scriptures, which involved humans and animals (Jonah 3:1-10). Furthermore, supernatural breakthroughs always answer to divine guidance because when God leads, our enemies are silenced, we become unstoppable and impossible doors open (Psalm 23:1, 5; Isaiah 45:1-3).

    Let’s recognise that divine guidance is the secret of the strength of God’s people and access to it will keep adding colour to our destinies. This is because when God guides, He envelopes the guided; he/she is human in appearance but divine in capacity. For instance, when Paul got to the place he was sent, he became a god in the likeness of men (Genesis 1:22-27; Deuteronomy 32:9-13; John 14:9; Acts 14:11).

    We must understand that God does not lead us into shame and reproach but to glory and virtue. As a result, we cannot be guided and be grounded at the same time, because God’s leading changes people’s level supernaturally and makes all things work. We must, therefore, set ourselves to access divine directives like never before and tune our lives to the correct spiritual frequency, so we can hear what God is saying clearly concerning our lives.

    However, the grace to benefit from divine guidance is available if 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. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”  For further reading, please get my books: Understanding Vision, Understanding Divine Direction and In Pursuit of Vision. 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., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 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

                                  

  • ‘My bittersweet experiences with the Nigerian church’

    ‘My bittersweet experiences with the Nigerian church’

    Widely travelled and vivacious, Prophetess Dr Donna Dandie has been in Nigeria in the last six months on divine promptings for some strategic assignments. The co-founder of Reach International in Cayman Islands, a small nation with 60,000 people located South of Cuba, West of Jamaica, and just an hour’s flight from Florida, US, speaks with Sunday Oguntola on why she is here. Excerpts:

    How did you hit on idea of coming to Nigeria?

    It’s actually my first time in Africa and it is amazing Nigeria is the first country to visit on the continent. November is my birth month and I usually wait upon the Lord in fasting and prayer for the next level. I did the same last year and God said ‘I want you to go to Africa’.

    Initially, He didn’t say where in Africa but eventually I understood He wanted me in Africa. But He didn’t say why He wanted me to come over as well despite my constant questioning. So, I accepted His way and I must say coming here is a journey of faith.

    This is because the ministry is self-funded. Virtually all my financing goes into the ministry, even back home. So coming here is a big step of faith for me because I didn’t have any sort of money anywhere to even buy a ticket.

    10 days before I came, God kept appearing to me physically to talk about the journey to Nigeria. Four days before I came, He confirmed He wanted to send me to the churches and that buckled my mind because I am aware of the demonic influences over here.

    In my mind, I saw the churches already dealing with that and I was wondering what I had to offer on that. God didn’t give me a message or anything more. The night that I came here in March, as the plane was descending, the Lord showed me a huge fountain of fire coming out of Nigeria.

    And He said to me, “This is what I want to return, restore and renew in Nigeria.” I kept it close to my heart because it was so vivid. If I was an artist, I could draw what I saw. It would affect Nigeria and spread through the entire Africa. I never forgot the vision.

    Then, what happened?

    So, I came and started ministering in some churches and I was so disturbed by what I found here. Coming from the Western side of the globe, I expected to find fire-packed, Holy Ghost services but I didn’t find that.

    I found instead of worship, noise and it disturbed me greatly. And I thought for a moment maybe I missed God. As I began to move around, I found out people were literally chanting during prayers. I would hear ‘fire’, ‘fire’ and ‘blood of Jesus’. It didn’t settle well with me.

    Why didn’t it settle well with you?

    It didn’t settle well because it would come as people were trying to deal with the issues of life. So, if they were praying for financial deliverance, there would be fire against something. I didn’t see that anywhere in the Bible. I am a kind of person who wants to hear truth that sets people free.

    As I began to preach, I would ask if there were people who had been coming to church for the same issue in the last two years without solution. You know what? Over 80 percent of the church would raise up their hands. It started bothering me and I would return home many nights, weeping.

    The majority of those individuals are unsaved. They have not heard the truth. They go out and live sinful lives, then return to church to fix their lives. They would be chanting ‘fire;, ‘fire’ and ‘blood of Jesus’.

    I began to realise that there is a certain mixture of Christianity and idolatry. That shocked me because I wasn’t expecting that and how to handle it. When that realisation hit, I started having demonic attacks. Then the Lord began to open my eyes to see in the Spirit’s realm than I used to before.

    I heard conversations among ministers and realised there is great segregation and lack of trust. It started bothering me. Also, the fathers of the land are disconnecting from the children. And because of the disconnect, the children are acting like prodigal sons and daughters.

    They have wandered from the truth that the fathers have set. I also realised that there are some ministers that as they climb the ladders of success, they separate themselves from those who need their years of experience and assistance. They are separating themselves from the responsibilities God has called them to.

    Every father, whether physical or spiritual, provides the right nourishment and nutrients for the children for them to become better. But I realised it is not like that in Nigeria. These are some of the issues really hitting me hard here. They are not necessarily unique to Africa but because of the size, it is more prominent and blatant.

    Then God showed me that the fire I saw when I was coming in was His intended glory for Africa. Twenty years ago, something happened that caused a serious shift in the spirit’s realm that nobody dealt with. Nobody would tell me what happened but they admitted something happened then that made Christianity take a nosedive in Nigeria.

    What have you been doing since then?

    Oh, I have been ministering in churches and calling ministers back to unity of the Spirit. I have been speaking on why they don’t need to just do deliverance without the word to sustain people.

    I began to hear about things like pastors wearing charms and joining the cult for power. The more I hear, the more my heart has been broken. Nigeria has been occupying my thoughts constantly, even while asleep. I am praying for God to send the remnants together who are not afraid of the truth.

    What positives have you found out?

    I realised that people are genuinely hungry and searching for God. There are a few ministers of the gospel that are up there without losing the substances. It is amazing that they are determined Nigeria must change. I have met some awesome ministers of God in this country.

    To be honest, I have heard some revelations in Nigeria like I have never met anywhere in the world. I have been learning how to pray from some Nigerian ministers. I have seen the powers of God manifesting in amazing ways in this country.

    I was with Apostle Wole Oladiyun on a crusade in Ilu-Oluji and saw some mind-blowing miracles. It is encouraging some people are going to the villages to hunt for souls. I call them the remnants who have not sold out to anyone or thing. I know those are men God will use to restore and renew the fire.

    I consider myself Nigerian because my mother’s father’s family is originally from Nigeria.

    Really? Have you been able to trace your roots?

    Not totally, but we have been given some little information here and there that we are not sure of yet. But my father’s father is from South Africa.

    Nigeria has become such a spiritual part of me that I am determined to stay on my knees until the spiritual revival comes. I am thrilled the Vice President is a Christian. If we pray for the man, God would show up for His glory in this nation.

    How do you find Nigerians?

    I find Nigerians to be very humble, in some instances and very grateful people. They are also very aggressive but find it difficult to deal with the truth most times. I always marvel how an aggressive people will find it hard to accept the truth.

    Then, they are very hard working. You will find on the roads, young men and women selling one article or commodity to earn a living. If I look over my experiences in Nigeria, I will say that if I had to do it again, I would.

    God has warned that Nigeria has three years to get things right. If not, He would take the fire away to South Africa.

    If ministers will not repent, you will begin to hear of deaths from the pulpits. Church leaders will just start dropping dead. God protects His name. He would not allow men to destroy the things that He bought with the blood of Jesus.

    Any regrets being in Nigeria?

    I have no regrets at all, to be honest. Everything works together for those who believe. I have been through things since I came. It’s been bittersweet but I have no complaints whatsoever.

    God has used everything to make me a better place. I am grateful God found me worthy to go through those experiences. If I have to do it all over again, I would do the same to be honest.

    How much do you miss home?

    I miss my home and family so much. I talk to them every day. I don’t bore them with the details or unnecessary information, but I miss them a lot.

    Are you planning to come back here again?

    Sure, I will like to. I can’t tell when but I know the Lord will certainly bring me back to Nigeria. That’s for sure.

    What can Nigerians learn from Western Christians and vice versa?

    I think Western Christians are more trusting in the Lord. They have great expectations on the whole but if they don’t find it in the church, there is nowhere else to go. There are exceptions to the rule but the people who go to the church will just give up.

    That is something that I think Christians here can learn. Your power does not come from the world or the charm you wear. Don’t mix what is good with what’s bad. When you add anything to the gospel that you know, you contaminate it. That is what I want Nigerian Christians to know.

    For the Western Christians, they should know that demonic influences are real. They know about the devil but do not realise He has a vast Kingdom. He’s very organised and tidy. He knows what He’s doing. The physical manifestations are not as blatant as you see here but they should know he exists.

    So the Christians in the West should know there is a spiritual battle between light and darkness. They will do well to learn how to defeat the devil. If we bring both together, can you imagine how we will defeat the devil?

    I am going back home with a whole lot of experiences that I cannot even put a price now. I can’t wait to share with people back home.

    Do you believe Christians should criticise themselves publicly?

    You know, I wrote a book where I washed all my dirty laundry in the public. I spoke about divorce, rape, masturbation and all that. These were my struggles. I had a hard time writing the book but I did.

    If you have a wound and keep covering it, won’t it kill you? You have to open it up, get it out there and get healing. The church needs to stop hiding. There is so much going on in the church that we don’t want to talk about.

    Whatever issues the church has, the world has too. The world thinks we are hypocrites because we hide our issues and challenges. We cannot keep hiding our sins. When I minister, I am the first to wash my dirty laundry. I let people know I am not perfect, I have issues but God is still using me.

    I know Christians are the only soldiers that kill their wounded. But we cannot keep hiding. A dead man has absolutely nothing to hide. When Jesus hanged on the cross, He exposed himself. He had nothing to hide again. He exposed everything and that is what we should do.

  • Your Church, My Shrine: deceit of miracles

    The exciting story in Your Church My Shrine is set in a dual world of a barbarian land called Mbabama and a modern country called Nigara with its capital city known as Sogal. Now, the protagonist of Your Church My Shrine is Pastor Jeremiah Isaac, a charismatic pastor who makes waves in Sogal city.

    He was actually formerly one Muobundu Odoukpa, a young illiterate priest of a heathen deity called Odoukpa, before he got fed up with idolatry-ridden village life, went to the city, got educated and converted to Christianity.

    Pastor Jeremiah was an assistant pastor somewhere before agitations started over materialism and privileges. “How come Pastor John owns four cars and you don’t even have a bicycle?” asks Deborah, Pastor Jeremiah’s wife. That is the beginning of Pastor Jeremiah’s epochal odyssey in Your Church My Shrine as he would later break away to form his own church named Miracle Maker’s Church of God in Sogal city.

    Life became good for Pastor Jeremiah and his wife. But miracles which people were looking for were not happening. And worshippers began to stay away from Miracle Maker’s Church. Again, it is Deborah, his wife, who pressured Pastor Jeremiah into finding the secrets of acquiring powers to perform miracles by all means.

    That is how Pastor Jeremiah finds himself in far-away Mbabama forest, claiming to go to America on missionary training, leaving his wife, church and everything behind in Nigara to seek magical powers to perform miracles. But the journey to Mbabama is not easy as the natives are not friendly to strangers. They are even cannibals. Would Pastor Jeremiah survive in this land of the barbarians?

    He arrives in Mbabama as a Christian missionary but his real mission is to meet Ngabamu, a dreaded powerful native doctor. Pastor Jeremiah slowly endears himself to the natives of Mbabama, learning to speak their language, organizing a church fellowship and teaching them the Bible while plotting how to get to see native doctor Ngabamu somewhere in a deep, secluded forest. In the course of grafting himself into Mbabama community, Jeremiah also engages in sexual affairs with Biwaki and Tumaki, two alluring native women, all through his stay.

    Eventually, Pastor Jeremiah gets to see the legendary Ngabamu in his fearsome dark enclave called zaza. This is where the pastor encounters the most outlandish experiences of his life in his quest to acquire powers to perform miracles.

    As part of the rituals, he butchers a new born baby, lies on a decayed corpse, gouges out the eyes of a blind child, destroys the legs of a lame and drinks blood. His empowerment demands the he must sacrifice a human being every year to renew his new powers and must call certain names of gods during services in church for miracles to happen.

    Pastor Jeremiah discovers that the names of the various gods he must call on to perform miracles sound like the language of ‘speaking in tongues’ routinely performed by Pentecostal pastors. His own version goes like this: ‘Agazzama-grabba-matta-patta-aramako-sakama-magama’. He wonders if names of dark powers are what some pastors use as ‘speaking in tongues’ back in Sogal city to bewitch people.

    By the time the newly empowered Pastor Jeremiah eventually leaves Mbabama, he has impregnated Biwaki, the native woman and he is taking her back to Nigara. How would he explain to his wife Deborah, church leaders and other people in Sogal who know him as a popular pastor?

    The fact that his marriage to Deborah has been childless does not help matters. Meanwhile, back in Sogal, Deborah too has been sleeping with Pastor Satin, an assistant to her husband. When Pastor Jeremiah lands in Nigara, he performs his first miracle of healing a paralyzed woman at the airport and the news spread like wild fire!

    The miracle-hungry people of Nigara rush back to Miracle Maker’s Church of God as Pastor Jeremiah resumes church services with diverse miracles happening. With the explosion of miracles comes a torrential flow of fortunes in offerings, tithes and gifts. Pastor Jeremiah turns a billionaire pastor, living large with his wife Deborah who is not initially happy with Biwaki, a strange woman that her husband brings back.

    What happens to Biwaki and her pregnancy? What happens to Deborah eventually? How does Pastor Jeremiah handle his marital complications and keeping the covenant with Ngabamu for the powers he is using to perform miracles? What eventually happens to Jeremiah himself in the story? It is a long, gripping story indeed, full of suspense and drama.

    • Onwumere is a cultural activist, book enthusiast and brand management consultant based in Lagos

  • Live out the gospel, Christians charged

    The Convener of Manifesting Him, Pastor Tunde Adebola, has charged Christians in the market place to use their gifts, talents, skills, networks and opportunities to promote the gospel.

    He spoke at the 2nd edition of Manifesting Him conference in Lagos.

    Adebola said Christians in the market place must realise their place of work is their primary place of assignment to preach and live the gospel message.

    “God is in search of men and women who will become icons for His purpose in the market place. Men that will light the gospel with their words and deeds in the market place,” he stressed.

    Adebola pointed out that the world will continue to grow in darkness and helplessness if Christians are laid back and indifferent in proclaiming Christ and His demands within their immediate environments.

    He lamented that there are many active Christians in church but their lives do not tally with Christ’s injunctions in the market place.

    “We are privileged to know God in all that we do. Let us celebrate Him and don’t hide Him in a corner.

    “It is in celebrating God that our life can fully experience full potential,” he said.

    He restated the commitment of the group to help Christians in the marketplace maximise their impact through identifying, developing and deploying their God-given talents to help individual and corporate organisations derive values from Jesus.

    “We seek to be the leading purveyor of resources that would facilitate the identification, development and deployment of Christians who will make a positive generational impact in the marketplace by build an army of Christians who would relentlessly pursue the fulfilment of their God-given destinies in the marketplace,” Adebola stated.

  • Divine guidance guarantees breakthroughs in life!

    WE understand from scriptures that we have a glorious destiny in Christ that has its roots in our redemption (Isaiah 8:18). That is, as children of the Most High God, we belong to the high places of life; therefore, we are not ordained to struggle but to dominate our world (Genesis 26:13-14; Galatians 4:28). However, we need divine guidance to access our breakthroughs in life. People struggle  through life because they are not sensitive enough to the step-by-step guidance of the Holy Spirit to God’s ultimate plan for their lives. Thus, those who disregard divine guidance keep struggling and sweating without making progress (Genesis 1:21-27; Deuteronomy 32:9-13).

    It is important, therefore, to recognise that continuous guidance is a lifelong requirement for every child of God as it is the gateway to a world of exploits and supernatural breakthroughs. When we are guided by God, we are unusually confident and we don’t suffer stress (Psalm 23:1-6; Isaiah 48:21; Joel 2:1-11).

    Let’s understand that life is a book, made up of chapters and it is by divine guidance we move from one chapter to another (Isaiah 29:11).

    It is also important to note that while vision unveils God’s ultimate plan, divine direction is the step to its actualisation. Any vision that lacks divine direction in its pursuit will never deliver. For instance, through divine direction, God guided the patriarchs of faith, step by step, to their high places in life. Abraham had series of encounters with God that opened new chapters to his life and eventually made of him a great nation. The Bible also records how other giants of scriptures, such as Isaac, Moses, Gideon, and many others, were largely made by visions through divine directions. For example, when Isaac wanted to flee to Egypt because of intense famine in the land, God instructed him against going and gave him wisdom for irrigation farming, which made him the breadwinner of a whole nation. No doubt, divine guidance will always culminate in greatness. That’s why it is written: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 28:1; see also Genesis 12:1-2, 22:1-2, 26:1-2; Exodus 3:1-10; Judges 6:11-16).

    Moreover, when we follow divine leading, our enemies are rendered helpless because when God leads, He goes before us, goes with us, works with us, works through us and works for us. Thus, we become embodiments of divinity (Psalm 23:1, 5; Proverbs 4:18).

    Let’s examine four platforms through which God leads and opens new chapters to our lives.

    • Through raw divine encounters: This is God appearing by Himself to direct us concerning the next step, thereby opening new chapters to our destinies. He appeared to Moses through the burning bush, Gideon while threshing the corn and Isaac during famine as said earlier. The good news is that, God still appears to people today (Exodus 3:7-10; Judges 6:1-14; Acts 22:7-10/ 17-20).
    • Through the Revelation of the Word: Every time God unveils His Word to us, it opens new chapters to our lives. On September 12, 1976, I encountered the mystery of Matthew 6:33, which I call the jackpot of life, and that revelation is still giving shape and colour to my life till date. Also, in March 1982, by revelation (light), I got hold of the mystery of Kingdom prosperity from Deuteronomy 8:18 and I was set free from poverty, borrowing, lack and want. Remember that darkness can never stop light (revelation) no matter the demons behind it; rather, light will dispel darkness, any day, anytime and anywhere (Psalm 119:105; John 1:5).
    • Through Heavenly Vision: For instance, Jacob experienced this when he wrestled with an angel and that encounter gave him a change of name. Also, after Solomon offered a sacrifice to God, He appeared to him in a night vision and that encounter opened a new chapter to his life. Furthermore, Paul experienced a heavenly vision on his way to Damascus, which launched him into God’s plan and purpose for his life. Undoubtedly, we can encounter destiny through heavenly vision (Genesis 32:24-28; 1 Kings 3:3-13; Daniel 2:16-19; Acts 9:3-4, 26:12-19).
    • Through Rhema or the Voice of God: Most leadings of the Spirit are via the voice of God and access to His voice is one of our greatest assets in the Kingdom. Let’s understand that it is our right to hear His voice. Jesus said: And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers (John 10:4-5; see also John 5:30, 10:14).

    The voice of God is that of direction, instruction and correction. Therefore, it is important to know that God never leads backward but forward. This makes God’s voice the master key to our high places and access to it makes us a voice.

    In conclusion, we must recognize that every step we take is either taking us closer or farther from our glorious destiny in Christ. Every decision we make is either to our advantage or disadvantage. Every step we take is either for our lifting or our downfall. Every move we make is either helping or hurting our destiny (Jeremiah 2:13-17; Isaiah 42:24-25; Psalm 32:8-10).

    The good news is that, no one ever gets grounded following His guidance, because His guidance will always culminate in the gushing out of blessings among others(Genesis 6:5-8, 13-18, 12:1-3, 26:1-14; Psalm 29:9). However, remember, you cannot benefit from the power of divine guidance unless 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. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”  For further reading, please get my books: Understanding Vision, Understanding Divine Direction and In Pursuit of Vision. 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., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 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

  • PLIN empowers ministers on finances, branding

    Ministries would be a lot easier with more resources and strategic branding, coupled with effective media exposure.

    This was the focal point at a one-day effective and impacting leadership workshop for gospel ministers last week in Lagos.

    The capacity-building workshop, which attracted hundreds of ministers, was organised by fast-growing Pastors Leaders Interceding Network (PLIN).

    Convener of the network, Apostle Jide Johnson, identified finances as a major ingredient for ministerial effectiveness.

    He said ministers must learn to trust God for provision while also strategically positioning themselves to attract support.

    To attract support, he said they must emphasise their gifts and talents as well as learn to sow seeds for abundance.

    Warning against covetousness and greed in ministries, Johnson, a former chartered banker, said gospel workers must show themselves approved before all men.

    He added that ministers must project themselves profitably and commit to excellence while also praying aggressively.

    Pastor Joshua Aderinola spoke on ministry branding, saying ministries must have strategies in place to build and maintain good reputation.

    Branding, he said, encourages commitment, creates royalty and allows ministries to maximise revenue and profit.

    He said churches can build brands by identifying targeted audience, communicating brand attributes and improve personal development.

    Dr Ben Efe said ministers must learn to preach short and impacting messages to get positive results.

    Efe said the most effective messages are those that have one point, urging preachers to cut down on illustrations and examples.

    He called for constant practice of messages, planning with a team and critiquing sermons for optimum results.

  • THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (15)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The Spirit of Truth

    I hated the word ‘born again’ because I looked at the lives of those who say they were and did not want to be like them; I did not want to look like them. Another reason could be that nature in most humans that will make them disbelief/disregard those truths beyond their reasoning. We are to believe every word of God and focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith who is also our perfect example to follow. We should not let the lifestyles of people who claim to be Christians but are not, to discourage us. The word of God (the Bible) should be our reference point as rightly interpreted.

    It was after I read in the Bible, Jesus’ explanation to Nicodemus, on the meaning of the word born again, and the need to be born again if one desires to enter heaven, did I understand this truth. I understood that the new life Jesus gives to those who believe and accept Him as their Lord and saviour is a ‘BORN AGAIN” life; the life I now have and live, I began to proclaim this truth to those I love and to those who want to enter heaven.

    The born again new life in Jesus Christ is a spiritual life, not a fleshly life. This spiritual life enables one to live a righteous life, without which it is impossible to be truly righteous. As you continually trust in Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to love Him and obey Him.

     

    Not by your power nor your might but ONLY by the Spirit of God, can you and I live righteous in this corrupt generation.

     

    Apostle Paul relates his own experience as a Christian; his struggles with his sinful nature and the reality of God’s victory to him and us through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. He narrated thus, “I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I cannot. I do what I don’t want to do, what I hate is what I’m doing.  I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, but I cannot help myself, it is no longer I who do it but It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things.

    I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn I can’t make myself do right. I want to but I can’t.  When I want to do good, I don’t; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.  Now if I am doing what I don’t want to, then it means that sin still has me in its evil hold.

     I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead I find myself still in bondage to sin. So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible situation I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly sinful nature?

     

    Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free. So there is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  For the power of the Holy Spirit which is mine through Christ Jesus, has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death.  We are not saved from sin’s hold by knowing the commandments of God because we cannot and do not keep them, but God put into action a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours (except that ours are sinful) and destroyed sin’s control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins.  So now we can obey God’s laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us.

    Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures (their flesh) live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God.  

     

    Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death(death comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter)because the old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obeys God’s laws and it never will.  That’s why those who are still under the control of their old sinful selves, bent on following their old evil desires, can never please God.

    But you are not like that. You are controlled by your new nature if you have the Spirit of God living in you. And remember that if anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ living in him, he is not a Christian at all.  Yet, even though Christ lives within you, your body will die because of sin; but your spirit will live, for Christ has pardoned it. And if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in you, He will make your dying bodies live again after you die, by means of this same Holy Spirit living within you. So, dear brothers/sisters, you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do.  For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds, you shall live.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. And so we should not be like cringing, fearful slaves, but we should behave like God’s very own children, adopted into the bosom of His family, and calling to Him, “Father, Father.”  For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God’s children.”

     

    It was when Paul began to look beyond his own ability in obeying the law and started looking to Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit within him, did he gain victory over his sinful nature. Knowing God’s provision for his deliverance through Jesus and the Holy Spirit he regained his strength and victory over sin.

     

    Though our old sinful nature will always want to rear its head; seeking to control us, we should always put it to death through faith in the victory Jesus obtained for us and in the power of the Holy Spirit choosing to obey the Spirit of Truth.

    My utmost heart desire is to be a spirit controlled woman, this is my daily prayer.

     

    TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-18, John 8:32, John 3:1-21, Romans 7:15-25, Romans 8:1-17.

    FROM: FAITH NWACHUKWU

     

  • ‘Why pastors hardly influence politicians’

    ‘Why pastors hardly influence politicians’

    The General Overseer of Revelation of Christ Chapel International Ibadan, Apostle Oluwakayode Caleb, speaks with Sunday Oguntola on how politicians are buying over pastors and sundry issues. Excerpts:

    How did God call you?

    I was working with African Newspapers Plc, popularly known as Nigerian Tribune, since 2003 but I left in January 2011. I was working as the Personal Assistant to the Managing Director until I resigned for full-time ministry.

    While working, God has been using me for people in the area of healing and deliverance. But from October 2010, I lost my peace and didn’t enjoy the job again. I embarked on a 30-day fasting and prayer to know the next step. I tendered my resignation letter in November 2010 and the following month someone gave me a car.

    The Lord then told me it was an evidence of what He would do in my life if I gave in to Him. I left in January 2011 and have been in full-time ministry since then.

    What mandate are you running with?

    God said He called me to prepare people for the second coming of Christ. All we are doing is to build people that will reflect Christ in all that they do. We are into discipleship but God also gave me the prophetic gift.

    A prophet, to me, is an expander of the Word through Logos or Rhema. The ministry started as an interdenominational outreach in 2006. We were just meeting for prayers and fellowship. But the church started in 2011 after I had resigned.

    You said somewhere that the big challenge of Christianity is the influence of politics. What exactly do you mean?

    It has really been a burden in my heart because you realise that politicians are always seeking to influence and corrupt the church. A friend of mine was in Abuja where he met a senator who boasted of having many prophets on his payroll.

    When he told me, I was baffled. How can politicians be paying ministers of God? For what? What service are they rendering to them? I believe they are asserting influence over ministers of God. They determine what they preach and do.

    Why would it be wrong for politicians to pay men of God? Are they not human beings or church members too?

    I believe it is wrong because it is never with a good intention. No politician gives you anything without seeking for something in return. Men of God must realise that God is responsible for their upkeeps, not politicians.

    When they err, men of God will not be able to correct them. The moment you receive anything from a politician, he or she starts wielding influence on you. There are no two ways about it.

    But can’t God use politicians to bless a man of God?

    Yes, God can use them to fund the ministries or programmes. But it is a misnomer when they put a man of God on the payroll. It is more or less like they have employed the men of God. And when you employ somebody, you are in charge of the person’s time and life.

    Yes, they can give occasionally, but to be paying salaries of men of God is totally wrong and unacceptable. They will have power over you and cripple the grace of God upon your life. Yes, we have politicians in church but we hope to get real Christian politicians.

    I believe that when we have the real Christians in politics, things would be different. We won’t have the kind of environment we have now.

    But politicians will say it is pastors like you that do not tell them the truth…

    …You can only tell them the truth when you are not compromised or on their payroll. Once you get involved with them, you are gone. But when politicians feed pastors, they will not tell them the truth.

    Otherwise, you won’t fear them if you are not dependant on them. It is a pity that we have many pastors today who cannot tell their members in politics the truth.

    But some pastors will say we are telling them the truth but they won’t listen…

    … That is another thing entirely. If you tell them the truth, then you are free. But if you don’t for any reason, then you are at fault. But many politicians are always seeking pastors that will tell them what they want to hear, not the mind of God.

    So, you don’t hobnob with politicians?

    I have access to some of them, by God’s grace, but I am very careful. I always follow the instructions of God in dealing with them. When God says, ‘collect’, I will collect but when He says don’t, I stay away.

    You remember how Elisha rejected the gift of Naaman, the great soldier? That’s how we should relate with them. There are some gifts that we should never collect from politicians. Besides, we shouldn’t be greedy. When God asks us not to collect, we must never collect from them.

    What will people find in your church that might be difficult to find elsewhere?

    One, we expose our people to the sound teachings of the Bible. If you look at how things are going these days, you will realise that prosperity is taking over everywhere.

    When you follow the principles of the Bible, you will prosper. But many churches just tell people they will prosper without following rules. But we expose people to the basics and principles of God.

    Two, we give rooms to the operations of the Spirit. We are not into diabolical, manipulative or controlling spirits. But we allow God to have His ways without taking advantage of people and their circumstances.

    Lastly, we teach our people about the second coming of Christ. Many churches are forgetting about this. But we emphasise it every time that Christ is coming again.  We get them prepared and all that. Those are the things that make us unique and special.

    What’s the next level for the church?

    The next level is whatever God wants to do with us. We cannot do anything except He moves us. We are His church and we belong to Him. He has been leading us lately to mass evangelism. That we have been doing so well. When we are done with that, we will move to the next level.

    Are you thinking of expansion?

    Expansion is good but sometimes God may not allow you to expand if it will derail you. I am not saying expansion is not biblical but it has to be sanctioned by God.

    What I know is sometimes God may restrict and limit you to a geographical location instead of expanding. What matters to Him is the impact you are making with people. How do you measure church growth?

    A church must grow spiritually, numerically and geographically. But you cannot have numerical and geographical growth without spiritual growth. If you check the intentions of those growing churches, they are basically after numerical and geographical growth. If the new branches are not remitting as much as they want, won’t they close them down?

    But God has been helping us to run the church without stress. He’s the one funding our operations. We are just His partners.

    How well embraced is the discipleship slant of the church as against the quest for prayers?

    It is difficult, my brother and pretty frustrating. You know when you confront people with the truth, the tendency is for them to resist or run away. I have seen cases where we tried to discipline people found in errors and before you know it, he or she is somewhere else.

    It is not easy but if you are dishing out the mind of God, you don’t care much. If you teach the word of God to certain levels, people marvel if it is possible to please God. Church attendance may increase today and decrease tomorrow but we are not bothered.

    Why are you not bothered?

    Attendance is good but it is not everything. It is not about multitude, but the impact of your works. Jesus invested in only 12 people and you see what we are worldwide.

    If it is only 100 people we can disciple, we are fine and satisfied. Most of the people in our churches are just audience, not soldiers. When persecution and troubles come, many of them will turn their backs against God. We are not just after multitudes but the quality of their lives. Discipleship takes time and it is rigorous. So, we are not bothered it is not attracting much people now.

    We are raising trained soldiers who can fight for the Lord and stand wherever they find themselves. The question in my mind is whether we will be able to find Christianity in the next ten years. So, we are not after multitude but soldiers ready to surrender and die for God. Normally, the ratio of soldiers to civilians is always low. So, what we are doing is for the masses, but the chosen ones.

  • Cleric advocates 24-hour national economy

    Nigerians sleep too much, leading to low productivity and stunted national development, the Vicar of St. Barth’s Anglican Church Aguda Lagos, Venerable Ben Nwanekwu, has stated.

    He spoke with reporters last Wednesday ahead of the 60th anniversary of the church.

    Nwanekwu, who lamented the parlous state of the economy, attributed it to the fact that Nigeria does not run a 24-hour economy.

    He said major cities such as Lagos, Kano and Abuja should never go to bed but run bubbling night life with massive economic activities.

    While noting that insecurity was a major reason for the early closure of businesses, Nwanekwu also pointed out Nigerians sleep too long.

    He explained the massive poverty in the nation was due to the fact that Nigerians sleep too much.

    According to him: “Nigerians sleep too much. There is no reason why Lagos cannot run a 24-hour economy like it is done in developed nations.

    “Banks, offices and other businesses should work without sleep. We are sleeping giants. We are poor because we sleep too much.”

    He also lamented Nigerians are poor because the wage structure is too poor.

    Nwanekwu said Nigerians are paid salaries instead of wages that would have offered them better quality of life.

    “We deserve wages, not salaries. Workers should be paid weekly, not monthly as it obtains,” he stated.

    On the anniversary with the theme That they may be one, the cleric said the one-year schedule will run from August 20-27 with activities such as novelty match, family seminar and banquet.

    The match holds on August 23 at Albati Barracks between the church and All Saints Church.

    The grand finale on August 27 will witness confirmation of members and post-mortem as well as service awards.

    The guest preacher will be Rt. Rev Dapo Asaju, the Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.

    In 60 years, Nwanekwu said the church has planted six parishes and granted scholarships to indigent students.

    On community services, he said the church fills potholes and bumps with Aguda in addition to establishment of security posts.