The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Commanding the supernatural through our declarations

    We understand from scriptures that we can command the supernatural by engaging our tongues effectively according to the terms of scriptures. Thus, every one born of the Spirit is designed for sound production (declarations) which is the switch that sets the supernatural in motion.  In order words, a cardinal step in the release of the supernatural is the production of ‘sound’ (declarations) based on the Word of God revealed to us which will compel supernatural forces to work in our favour.

    We must recognise that the mouth is the weapon of authority ordained by God to keep us in perfect dominion. It is an instrument for the exercise of supernatural authority. The night discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus reveals the dynamics of sound production. As it is written: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:6-8).

    Jesus said every one that is born of the Spirit is like the wind.  As we all know, when the wind blows, we hear the sound distinctly; that is the evidence that the wind is blowing. In the same vein, every one born of the Spirit produces sounds which must be heard for the supernatural to be released. So, we must declare with our mouths what we desire before we can see signs in that direction.

    Even God the father of the miraculous operated this way. Remember, the earth was without form and void and God said (declared), let there be light and there was light.  In order words, God ‘sounded’, the declarations triggered a sign and God saw that it was good. As it is written: And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 1:3-5).

    The same thing happened for every other thing God created. If God needed to produce sound to manifest His divine nature, then you and I have no choice if we must manifest same.  Remember, there was darkness upon the face of the deep but God called light out of it. This means that for every problem, there is a solution. But it takes a calling out for the solution to manifest. If you cannot produce the sound, don’t expect the sign.

    The truth is that if we say positive things based on the Word of God in our hearts, we will surely

    get positive results. The same is true for negative words.  No wonder Jesus said: …. “Because of

    your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this

    mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you

    (Matthew 17:20-21).

    This means if we will ‘sound’ to this mountain ‘be thou remove and shall not doubt, then that which we have ‘sounded’ must come to pass. Thus, what we sound determines what we see and what we cannot say, we cannot see.  This is why a closed mouth makes us victim of life.

    The Scripture also talking about Christ in prophecy and the price of redemption from Isaiah 53:7, records: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

    Jesus, the most anointed, the living Word of God, sent as a sign, was oppressed and afflicted because ‘He opened not His mouth.’ That means no matter our level of anointing, if we do not open our mouths to utter words of authority against our situations and circumstances, we stand the risk of being oppressed and afflicted. Though Christ did it to pay the price for us, it is very illustrative that as long as our mouths are closed, our destinies also become closed and we can never be in command of the supernatural.

    The reason many believers cannot manifest signs and wonders today is because they are too religious about it. They keep a closed mouth and a complaining heart. Watch a man’s language, you can easily tell where his life is heading to. For instance, when a doctor tells a patient that he has high blood pressure and the patient in turn keeps announcing it, the pressure will keep getting higher. This is so because the signs we command are the products of our words. Remember, the Bible says: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21; see also Mark 11:23). So, until we learn the mystery of sound, we never manifest as a sign and a wonder. It is the sign we produced today that determines the sign we see tomorrow.

    In conclusion, each time an unpalatable situation arises, the first thing we must do is to relax; if we become anxious, we won’t see God and we will have to go through it alone. As I have often said, there is no ‘unsolveable’ problem in the world if we engage the right sound. We can actually design the future we desire by the faith-filled sound we make. Whatever happens in our lives, whether positive or negative, is determined by the sound we produce.  Thus, every obstacle on our way is awaiting our sound command. The most hopeless situation will take shape at the instance of a sound that is drawn out of the depth of God. As you embrace this truth, beginning from this day, your life will not lack proofs.

    However, redemption is the foundation for making the right declarations that will produce the supernatural. 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: Commanding the Supernatural, Walking in the Miraculous, Operating in the Supernatural, and Releasing the Supernatural. 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

  • Christian, Muslim clerics unite against corruption

    Christian and Muslims last Thursday stepped up discussions and efforts to combat the scourge of corruption across the nation.

    They met under the auspices of Religious Leaders Anti-Corruption (RLAC) at a roundtable discussion facilitated by Acting United States Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs Amy Lillis.

    Corruption, they agreed, had been monstrous and requires surgical treatment from interfaith communities.

    Special Representative Lillis pledged the U.S. government’s continued support to the religious leaders as they work to find lasting solutions to stamp out the scourge of corruption.

    “The moral standing of religious leaders and the capacity of religious institutions to reach a broad cross-section of Nigerian society make RLAC’s work essential to the future of anticorruption advocacy.

    “Religious leaders are an essential component of the multi-faceted fight against corruption in this country,” she said.

    She explained that working against corruption was essential to many of the priorities of both the US government and the religious leaders, including constructing peaceful, secured societies and promoting prosperity.

    The National Publicity Secretary of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN), Bishop Emma Isong, said anti-corruption campaign must not be seen as a political party philosophy but a national agenda.

    He said it was essential that aspiring politicians undergo anti-corruption screening before winning elections as against the current practice of shielding themselves from prosecution once in offices.

    Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos State Chapter, Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo, said religious leaders should start showing members the consequences of benefitting from corruption.

    He said the anti-corruption battle must be institutionalised, not personalised to be successful.

    Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church Nigeria said religious leaders must be above board themselves to be able to confront corruption.

    He said the suffering in the land was a good opportunity to direct the “hunger and anger of Nigerians against looters in every sector and strata.”

    The Director, Strength In Diversity Development Centre Lagos, Imam Shefiu Majemu, said religious leaders must carefully peach, teach and empower members against corrupt practices.

    He pointed out that they must demonstrate the high costs of corruption and stop asking politicians for patronage during electioneering campaigns.

  • Christian elders: sustain calls for restructuring

    The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has added its voice to the agitations for restructuring of the nation.

    The body, in a statement by its chairman, Solomon Asemota, said only the practice of true federalism will address the many agitations in the nation.

    It said: “The ongoing debate on restructuring is healthy and NCEF hopes that it would quickly resolve the choice between regions or states as federating units.

    “NCEF calls on all Nigerians, as equal stakeholders, not to relent in the demand for true fiscal federalism and ensure that the issue is resolved as quickly as possible.”

    The body added: “The Christian Elders are saddened that once again, the nation is being driven to a needless and mindless conflict that, if not well managed, could conflagrate into war, destruction, and threaten the cohesiveness of the Nigerian state.

    “Presently, a lot of provocative statements, actions and inactions are taking place in the country.

    “The NCEF noted with concern the budding constitutional crisis in the country, the threat of another major ethnic conflict occasioned by the Independent People of Biafra’s (IPOB) call for secession and the response of Arewa Northern Youths for the eviction of the Ibos from the north, the agitations for fiscal federalism and resource control, amongst many other regional agitations.”

    Declaring that the nation is more ill than President Muhammadu Buhari, the Christian elders pointed out the ongoing war between the Presidency and National Assembly was costing the nation too much.

    They also demanded reversion of Christian Religion Knowledge (CRK) and Islamic Religion Knowledge (IRK) as standalone subjects.

  • ‘My journey into hymn composition’

    ‘My journey into hymn composition’

    Primate of St Peters Cherubim and Seraphim Band Nigeria and Overseas, Rev Apostle Albert Arojah, is arguably the most prolific hymn composer with over 400 to his name.  He speaks with Sunday Oguntola on the many myths surrounding the church and his sojourn into hymn composition. Excerpts:

    How did you come by the name Arojah? Is it your surname, an adopted name or a given name?

    It is not my surname; it is not an adopted name but a spiritual name. I heard that name when I was in a trance sometime ago but I didn’t take cognisance of it until around 1999. It happened that I went to a church in Alapere, Lagos. The church started under a coconut tree and I was privileged to be there.

    I went to play a game of draught with my friend, Eniola Adeomo. He is a pastor too and the man said ‘we thank God that you are here because we are having a special revival and the Lord said He’s going to send a visitor that will minister for us.’

    They begged me since the man was not around and my friend said I would take the ministration. The man looked at me because I was very young and I didn’t look like a pastor. I was just on a jean trousers and T-Shirt.

    He looked at me with scorn and I just dropped my face. He grudgingly said okay, since it was God that ordained that day for them. So I preached and the Spirit of God arrested people.

    For three days, the revival continued. Someone went on trance for 21 days and the woman hugged me, saying ‘don’t you know you are Arojah? That is your name. That is what they call you.’

    I kept the name in my mind because that was around 2002. Whenever I am in a secluded place and God needs to speak to me, that is what he calls me.

    What does it mean?

    It is a spiritual name. It is a combination of Aro and Jah but I don’t want to go too deeply into the meaning because when you say such, there are people who will begin to criticise you. It is so complicated and many things are involved in the name.

    No human flesh is qualified to hear that name but when God does, it means He likes you and wants to use you for a particular thing.

    How did St. Peters Cherubim and Seraphim band come to be?

    The church was founded by my late father who died in 1978 when I was ten years and I became the primate of the church at 19. We had elders in the church then, but based on prophecies, I was chosen. I didn’t want it because what I cherished most in life is education.

    I wanted to study, be a lecturer and a doctor. I just wanted to be so many things. I didn’t even know where I was going. I just cherished knowledge and loved education so much. But since I became primate, I couldn’t again. My mum practically forced me into the ministry.

    She kept saying I must serve God because it has been ordained by God. It had been prophesied that the first born of my dad was going to work for God. She was pleading and crying up to the point I said ‘even if I would be a pastor, it wouldn’t be in an Aladura church located in the village.’

    It started in a village?

    Yes, it started at Iwopin at Ogun waterside. The man ordained me and he forced me that I must come to their church. By the time I went to the church, I was already late but some miracles happened in their training. They spent six months in training but I didn’t resume until three weeks to the end.

    The last day they conducted the general examinations, I came first. I was the only one ordained as an Apostle then. I was just 19.When I came back, I said since I am going to do this work, I must do it. I started from Iwopin waterside.

    So how did you take the church from that little corner to where it is in Lagos?

    While I was there, I was just there because there was no electricity. We didn’t even have a radio. In fact our house was the worst in the village. You could see how wretched we were but I just comported myself.

    I was going to churches to minister when invited. But I could preach well. I could also sing and play any instrument…

    …were you taught how to sing and play instruments?

    I never had that opportunity, even for theological school. I could have done it but I just didn’t have the opportunity. Up till now I have not got any formal training. Even on the keyboard I play, I have never gotten any formal knowledge anywhere.

    Could it be hereditary then?

    I wouldn’t say, because I am a product of old age. My father was around 70 when he had me as his first child. I was ten years when he died.

    I loved him so much but I couldn’t say so much about him. It was only my mum I could say she was talented. My mum can recite 75 percent of the whole Psalms off hand. She sang hymns a lot but immediately I was ordained, she withdrew from every activity and handed over to me.

    So the headquarters of the church is still in Iwopin?

    Yes.

    And you have a camp ground there?

    Yes.

    On how many acres?

    It is on over an acre.

    Why are you still keeping your roots in Iwopin?

    That is the source of the church. In spiritual matters, source is very important. No matter what God does in Lagos, no matter how big we are, we can’t forget the place; it is still the headquarters.

    How many members do you have now and how many branches do you have across the world?

    Some people claim to be members of St. Peter C&S band but I am not really adopting them because I have seen so many challenges in the church. We had a church at Benin sometime ago but I have not been conversant with them and we have a prayer gathering in UK, even US. They are inviting me. You know when your loyal members travel abroad and they like your doctrine, they would like to have a part of your spirit with them.

    I do pray for them but I have not been going there. Even my wife has been there before to gather some people, preaching and counselling them overseas but I have not been there.

    Why?

    I don’t do things without asking God. I don’t think the chance is there for me to travel. I have never been permitted spiritually to travel out.

    But you have churches there?

    Yes, in U.K.

    You have in U.S?

    I can’t call it church because they are not registered. They just gather to pray.

    You have composed 412 hymns. How did the journey to composition of hymns start?

    I didn’t even believe I could sing. I had a lady friend around 1988. After the ordination, she kept pestering me to sing. I told her I didn’t have a good voice. But she liked it when I sang. She gave me the impression I could sing but the inspiration came when I was on a way at Ojuelegba.

    I was going to Barracks around 12 am and I was just singing. I recorded it and I said this is a hymn but I didn’t take cognisance of it. By the time I began to reason with it, I realised it was something. I have sung so many hymns. I have lost many manuscripts.

    You sing the hymns in the church?

    That is what we are really singing. If anybody sees any of my church members with wonders happening in their lives, it is the hymns they sing. They don’t even know how to pray but there is nothing they want that is not happening. They just sing hymns and go away. I don’t want people to call me some names.

    Like what?

    Like he is our Lord. You know when people want to flatter you, they want to praise a man of God. Some people can even call you Jesus and I don’t want such things. That is why I have been so sceptical, very reserved about some things. And some churches around us in Iwopin sing the hymns too.

    You have written two volumes of hymns. Are you planning another volume?

    Yes, because one of my church members browsed and said he has not seen anybody that composed as much as I have done. The best person we saw has about 87 compositions and he is the legendary Charles Wesley.

    How do you compose these hymns?

    If I want to compose songs, I will dedicate time for it. If I am alone, the inspiration comes and I will be the one to stop it because I don’t want it to be too much on me. I will be tensed somehow and I may be aggressive.

    I may not like to see anybody if I am in that mood and anybody that wants to come around me must have a lot of patience and must understand me. In three months time, I am packaging another volume. I have the tunes on my phone.

    As an Aladura preacher, when are you going to modernise some primitive practices and doctrines of the sect?

    There is a lot to do on people in our character, beliefs and conducts. There is little to be done about the doctrines because those doctrines are spiritual.

    They have sources and their sources are spiritual and genuine. I can’t say we can go contemporary. I can’t change those doctrines but there are things that God has changed.

    As a prophet, how much do people have to pay before seeing you?

    You don’t need to pay anything. Even if they need candles or have spiritual baths, I have bought those things there.

    No consultation fee?

    No, not even money to buy bathing soaps. I bought candles that I change every week. The perfume we are using, though we don’t use coloured candle, I pray on them myself. I don’t even have prayer warriors. I have sent them to school because they may not understand what I am doing and can misconstrue it in the nearest future.

    Some people in the church’s neighbourhood said you are in the habit of feasting, suspecting it might be a ploy to attract people. They won’t be wrong, right?

    Heavens know there is nothing they have that I want to tap from. With due respect to every human being, I don’t think anybody has anything to offer me unless God sends you to me.

    You can’t see our church posters anywhere, you can’t see sign boards anywhere, not even at Iwopin.

    Why?

    It is because I don’t just want to make noise about myself. We don’t need bait to attract or entice people. I don’t even encourage anybody to join us, but if God says you are a member, you will definitely be.

  • Unveiling vital keys to unlocking the supernatural!

    According to scriptures, we understand that the supernatural is the natural habitat of every child of God. That is, every child of God is a supernatural being ordained to command signs and wonders. As it is written:  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).

    In essence, the supernatural is neither magical nor the exclusive preserve of a few, but the birthright of the redeemed. Furthermore, because we are ordained to function and operate in the supernatural, the events of our lives are designed to be ‘inexplainable’ but undeniable. Just as it is with God, we become a walking miracle, operating signs naturally and at will (Mark 16:17).However, it is important to recognise that we live in a Kingdom that operates principally on keys. ‘Key,’ here connotes a revelation of what we must do to take delivery of what has been provided for us in redemption. Unfortunately, many of us are disadvantaged because we are waiting for those things to be released.

    But, what are the Vital Keys to Unlocking the Supernatural?

    • A proven new birth experience: First, we must understand that unlocking the supernatural begins with a proven new birth experience. Let’s remember that God is no respecter of persons and the Scripture cannot be broken. If we are too big to be saved, then we are too big to operate in the supernatural. Thus, until we become born again, we can’t manifest or flow in the supernatural (2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 11:3).

    We must be Committed to developing our Faith: Let us recognize that even though we are ordained for signs and wonders, it takes faith to function in that capacity. This is because faith is the master key that establishes our command for operating in the supernatural. Furthermore, faith does not just grow on its own; rather, it is consistently built. Remember, Christ said we will accomplish more than He did by faith. To actualize this, we must grow our faith to operate in the same capacity as Jesus did and even higher than he did when he was on earth. (Hebrews 11:33-34; see also Daniel 6:23; John 14:12).

    Commitment to Spiritual growth and development: Spiritual growth and development is a non-negotiable requirement for anyone to operate in the supernatural. However, we must recognise that it is not about how long we have been there but how deep we are in the Word. In other words, maturity is not a function of age but depth. Therefore, to experience spiritual growth and development, there are two ways we must show commitment: feeding on the Word and prayers.

    Commitment to serving God and the interest of His Kingdom: When we are genuinely committed to serving God and the interest of His Kingdom, we become a wonder to our world. We must understand that we are not serving God for fun; rather, we are serving Him to secure our destinies, posterity and eternity. Therefore, we must be tireless with our engagement; because we can never serve God in vain (Luke 10:17; see also Luke 10:19-20; Daniel 3:28).

    • We must be committed to engaging biblical mentality in our approach to the issues of life: To operate in the supernatural, we must allow what God says about us to rule our minds. This is because until our minds are renewed, our lives cannot be transformed. The Bible says for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. For instance, at new birth among other things, the Kingdom of heaven was imported into our lives, the Bible says: the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; see also Proverbs 23:7; Ephesians 4:23).

    This is why we should not allow the devil deceive us about the simplicity of the gospel. The supernatural is real but until we see its reality, we remain in captivity. For instance, many years ago, Pastor Haggin told the story of a lion cub that was captured. This lion cub grew among the sheep, and invariably lost its identity. So, he began to eat what the sheep were eating, and went about like the sheep. Its identity was lost by virtue of the environment. Every time they went down for watering by the valley or the stream and sighted a lion, all the sheep would take to their heels, including the ‘lion-sheep’, because it had lost its identity. But one day, as he was drinking water from the stream, it saw its reflection on the surface of the water. Then it reasoned to itself, “I look like that thing we usually run away from.” So, the next time a lion showed up, while others ran, the lion-sheep crossed over to the other side. They wagged their tails and it was welcome back into the lion’s club.

    No doubt, the ‘lion-sheep’ had the lion nature in him but he lost it to its environment. It began to fear what others feared because he had lost the consciousness of his lion nature. Just like the ‘lion-sheep’, many believers have lost their redemptive consciousness to their environment, thinking that whatever happens to others must also happen to them.

    We need to understand that oppression has no power over us because we have been repositioned far above it. We need to be conscious of this truth in order to gain command.

    In conclusion, it is important to know that the clearer the picture of our new redemptive status, the clearer our command of the supernatural. Therefore, let us set ourselves for a fresh baptism of the supernatural as we engage the truth of scriptures to constantly think supernatural thoughts, take supernatural steps and speak supernatural words that make us live heavenly lives here on earth.  Nevertheless, to experience the reality of the supernatural, you must be born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me 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: Commanding the Supernatural, Walking in the Miraculous, Operating in the Supernatural, Releasing the Supernatural and All You Need To Have All Your Needs Met. 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.

  • Kidnapped Epe students will be released, says cleric

    he Senior Pastor of Praise Arena Lagos, Pastor Jummy Adetoyese-Olagunju, has assured that the six students of Igbonla Model College Epe will be released soonest.

    He urged the parents to put their minds at rest and resort to praising God in advance for the miracle of release.

    Adetoyese-Olagunju spoke with our correspondent at his birthday service and the special Mid-Year praise programme organised by the church.

    Emphasising the importance of praise in securing release of the students, the cleric said: “Although Nigerians are praying and we have sought the support of the security operatives for the release of the kidnapped children in Epe, let us turn to God by praising Him for their safe return.

    “When you praise God, He takes over your situation and makes impossibility possible.”

    He asserted that God can do all things and Christians must learn to praise Him, even in hard times because in due seasons He will show up in a big way.

    Adetoyese-Olagunju noted that the insecurity in the nation is worrisome but Nigerians must depend on God, the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria, who can secure anyone even when the security architecture in place fails.

    “When things are becoming hard, that is time to praise God. God uses every aspect of our praise to do the impossible,” he said.

    When Boko Haram activities were rife, the cleric said: “We prayed and praised God for the release of the Chibok school girls and God answered. The case of the Epe children will turn to testimonies.

    “I believe that militants involved in different forms of criminality across the country will be touched by God and they will confess and repent of their nefarious acts before it’s too late.”

    He noted when the Israelites praised God, the wall of Jericho fell down, saying that God will do the same for those who dare to praise Him today.

    Adetoyese-Olagunju said Nigeria is in dire need of honest, faithful and godly people who will take responsibility for the growth and development of Nigeria.

    He commended the whistle-blowing policy of the federal government, which according to him has stirred in many Nigerians the acts of compassion and honesty which is commendable.

    The cleric argued that solution to Nigeria’s problem do not reside in President Muhammadu Buhari alone but in every Nigeria who will take leadership of their homes, communities and the nation at large.

  • Christian group seeks unity among Nigerians

    A group, Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN), has called for synergy among Nigerians to tackle the rising challenges of Boko Haram insurgency, herdsmen attack and kidnapping, among others.

    CRUDAN Programme Officer, South-west, Fasehun Anthony, who spoke in Lagos at CRUDAN annual zonal lecture, urged Nigerians to see themselves as one.

    “We must love and respect each other irrespective of tribe or religion; we must not divide ourselves but we must come together to solve our problems.”

    Anthony urged Christians to be relevant in the community and wherever they find themselves.

    He said the church is a powerful force that is influential with large number of followers.

    “If we can get it right at the level of the church, members would go back to their communities and pass the message around.

    “If the church is sanitised and pure, it would reflect on the community as a whole. Church is not about deliverance alone but we must learn how to be responsible citizens and exhibit positive values for the nation to be a better place,” he stressed.

    CRUDAN Board Chair, Rev Eric Ighalo, said the lecture was to engage the church on the issues of their responsibility to the people, including Christians and Muslims.

    According to him, the church must see it as its responsibility to advocate for peace and intervene in the current challenges of the nation.

    Advocacy Manager, Tearfund Nigeria, Ben Osawe, said the Church should prevent societal decay, uphold integrity and support cultivation of appropriate ethical substructure upon which societies would build the superstructure of social, political and economic development.

  • THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (13)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The word of Truth

    You see, God has given you and me all that we need to be able to stand strong and live in victory on earth. Unfortunately, many neglect the very help God has graciously given and chase after the wrong things that can never make them victorious but be victims of all kinds of deceit by agents of darkness.

    I recollect my encounter with a lady and her friends in her shop in the market place; she told of a medical doctor’s counsel that the most important needs of a person in this life is first, to have a good medical doctor and secondly to have a spiritualist. This the doctor told her after narrating a disturbing story of someone who died mysteriously because according to her, she didn’t have a medical doctor to monitor her health and a spiritualist who sees beyond the doctor. This lady believed the doctor and took her counsel wholeheartedly; spreading it to others.

     

    I tried to make her know I don’t agree with her but she quickly cut me short saying, “I know you want to tell us we need God first” She and her friends are ‘Christians’ who feel comfortable to live in error. I perceived they see themselves as not qualified to seek, know, and hear God for themselves. I told them the importance of knowing and fellowshipping with God personally and that He is able to reveal great and mighty things to them as they seek Him whole-heartedly in total dependence, patience, and trust. This, they eventually agreed with me, as the best way and they desired such intimacy with God. I wish people would be discipled aright, being pointed to Jesus rather than to the worship of fellow humans and some fetish means to get their problems solved.

     

    We discussed the importance of studying God’s word for ourselves by creating time alone with God (Quiet time), in order to grow to know Him more and have Him speak to us directly through the Bible. The how of Quiet time was explained in the last edition. The earlier we begin to do the right thing the better for us, as delay will make things worse.

     

    God’s divine power has given us all things that pertains to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. As you seek to personally know God better and better, He will give you, through His great power EVERYTHING you need to live godly, such that you will have His divine nature which makes you live differently from the lust and corruption of this generation and you will enjoy more of His kindness and peace.

     

    True knowledge of God is found in the scriptures, for the whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. Note also that, the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The word capable of such glorious transformation of lives is in our hands, why won’t we cherish it and study it day and night? The devil knows the power in the word, so he will do everything within his power to prevent us from studying it for ourselves, so to remain in his bondage of deceit and defeat. Through God’s word, we get to know the victory Jesus brought us.

     

    Any country that begins to live by the teachings of the word of God in the Bible will prosper and have good success, the kind of success that leads to eternity in heaven. Nigerians need to know the word of God and live by its teaching; therein will our dear nation know peace, prosperity, and good success. The enemy of our progress is using people to fight against the true word of God; among them are those who use it to deceive.

     

    There are so many calamities in the land threatening to destroy our nation: corruption, kidnapping, child trafficking, terrorism, fighting, divisions/agitations, armed robbery, murder, lying, dishonesty, rape, child molestation, sexual immorality/perversions, homosexuality, and the like. These are on the increase; we need help so we are not totally consumed.

     

    The knowledge of a nation’s law and its outlined punishments to offenders cannot keep people away from committing crimes; it will not even stop criminals from committing more crimes. Although, some really want to obey the law but they cannot because they lack the power to do so, they try in their own strength but still find themselves going back to their old ways of breaking the law; their strength fail them. The ONLY solution to this is – believing in God’s Son, Jesus Christ whom God sent to set us free from the bondage of sin, giving us the power of the Holy Spirit to help us live righteous. As we follow Jesus through His teachings in the Bible, we shall never again walk in the darkness of sin but will walk in the light.

     

    The word of God builds our faith and this in turn leads to right living.

     

    TEXT:  Ephesians 6:10-18, 2Peter 1:2-4, Hebrews 4:12, 2Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:11, Mark 1:35, Psalm 119:105.

    FROM: FAITH NWACHUKWU

     

  • ‘Christianity under attacks in Nigeria’

    Pastor Bosun Emmanuel is Secretary Christian Elders Forum (CEF) and coordinator of CAN Trust Fund. He speaks with Sunday Oguntola on the imperatives of the Fund and dangers facing Christians in the nation. Excerpts:

    How did the idea of CAN TRUST Fund come to be?

    We realised the Nigerian church under the present dispensation, taking into cognisance the various acts of attack on Christians and Christian communities in Nigeria, particularly in the northern part of the country, would need to join hands to succour the Christian victims.

    There are families that have been scattered, families that have been devastated. There are children who have become orphaned. There are entire Christian communities that have been totally destroyed.

    On the basis of that, the Christian Association of Nigeria agreed to start a CAN TRUST FUND whereby every Christian in Nigeria will contribute some money on a monthly basis to a dedicated account to be managed by trusted Christians – laity and clergy- primarily for the purpose of helping Christian victim of insurgence.

    How much is expected as donation from every Christian?

    If a Christian says all I have is N100, you can put it. If it’s N20, 000 you can put it. There is no limit to what you can give but the standard that we feel that no matter how, an average Christian will be able to part with on a monthly basis is N500. We feel with that, it won’t affect the financial obligation of members to their local assemblies as well as denomination. The truth is we are not in competition with churches and we are not trying to rob Peter to pay Paul.

    Some trustees of the funds were picked up for questioning sometime this year, generating a lot of uproar. Why were they picked up?

    To be candid, we do not know why the DSS or the SSS should do what they did. It was improper and inappropriate because the trustees did nothing wrong. The bone of contention from what we heard from the DSS chief is the video produced to promote the CAN TRUST FUND.

    It is a two- minute- fifty- seconds video highlighting the problem Christians are going through particularly in the north and soliciting the Christian support. It was on the basis of that they invited our trustees to carry the message home.

    We needed to reflect the five blocs in picking the trustees. When you are raising fund of this nature, people want to know who is responsible for it. So it was those trustees that were invited. Whether it was a mischief or a misunderstanding, some people thought the video was produced because of what happened in southern Kaduna towards the end of last year.

    The trustees had to explain it had nothing to do with Southern Kaduna. The video had been produced long before the incidents in Southern Kaduna. CAN TRUST FUND had been established in 2014, long before what happened in Southern Kaduna.

    They had to explain to the DSS that whatever your conclusion is was wrong and improper. In the first instance, to invite our trustees and ask them they are raising funding for Christians is wrong. Are they telling us by implication some people have the rights to attack Christians but Christians have no rights to defend themselves?

    So it was improper and eventually the national secretary of CAN wrote to the DSS and asked them to apologise because what they had done was improper.

    Was an apology tendered?

    No they didn’t apologise. Let’s just say they are still thinking about it or they are composing their apology. We will expect them to apologise but they haven’t till date.

    Some have accused the Christian Elders Forum of spreading what they call Islamophobia in the country. As secretary of the body, what will be your reaction?

    Islamophobia? That is not correct. Christians are killed. Boko Haram is targeting Christians and primarily Fulani herdsmen are attacking Christians and Christian communities. Today the worst terrorist group in the world operates in Nigeria – Boko Haram. The fourth worst terrorist group in the world operates in Nigeria – Fulani herdsmen.

    The issue has drawn international attention. On February 4, the United States Congress officially declared the worst country in the world for anyone to be a Christian is Nigeria. A group conducted a research in 2014 and discovered over 13,000 Christian churches in the northern part of Nigeria have either been destroyed or abandoned at the end of that year.

    The people doing this are doing it on the basis of Muslims against Christians. They believe they are fighting a Jihad. So in such a situation will anyone say there is Islamophobia? It is not right to use that word.

    There is genuine concern that some people have launched Jihad in Nigeria. That is the fact. So it has nothing to do with Christian leaders making statements. Every Christian has to be aware that this is not a ragtag group of people operating. This is well coordinated.

    For it to have been sustained for so long shows that there are conscious manners behind it and the question is who is providing the Fulani herdsmen with Ak-47? Who is teaching them how to make bombs? Who is funding them? Above all, who is protecting them from prosecution?

    So what should be the right Christian approach or response to these attacks considering some believe they must defend themselves while others say they shouldn’t fight back?

    We would not tell Christians to do what the Jihadists are doing. We also need to be careful to distinguish in all fairness between the Muslim who wants to live in peace, do his work, raise his family, go to his mosque and live a peaceful life from the extremist who believes whoever does not believe what he believes should die.

    The people we are dealing with here are extremists. We wouldn’t tell Christians to go and carry arms and start fighting like the extremists. In the first instance, it is not in our nature but self defence is legal, we would make that clear.

    Is it biblical?

    It is not a question of whether it is biblical or not. The first thing is that you are living in a secular society. If you are living in a Christian society where everything has to do with the bible, then the bible remains the constitution.

    But you have a constitution for a secular society and under that with the way Nigeria is going, if we don’t begin reconstructing, the nation will fracture. We need Christians to join that demand. Christians should join in the clarion call for implementation of the National Conference report that would solve not only insecurity but also corruption, unemployment, marginalisation and so on.

    But what would Jesus have done in this kind of situation?

    Jesus would have solicited for peace and call upon the government to do what it is supposed to do. He said we should give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give unto God what belongs to God. But Caesar too should give to the people what belongs to the people and give to God what belongs to God.

    God created institution of government to maintain law and order in the society. Where there is a breakdown of law and order, it simply means the government has failed in its statutory responsibilities. So our call is for government to fulfil its role.

    Jesus would rebuke the government. He would tell the government ‘you have failed in your responsibilities. Go and offer protection because government has the resources.’ There is no way Fulani herdsmen or Boko Haram can be more powerful than the Nigerian security forces. It is not possible. It means somebody somewhere is doing his work.

    A school of thought within the church believes persecution is inevitable but people like you are fighting it through advocacy. What do you say to them?

    We must try in all things at all time to maintain balance in our theology. I am not going to say because Jesus says we would go through tribulations and persecution, therefore I am going to sleep at night and leave the door to my house unlocked. I won’t leave the gates wide open.

    I won’t leave the keys in the ignition. That is taking it to the extreme. We know persecution will come but when you have a breakdown of law and order, it is not persecution. This is breakdown of law and order in which some people think they have the prerogatives to kill others.

    The fellow who says the Bible says we would go through persecution, would he volunteer to be the next victim of Fulani herdsmen? Would he volunteer his wife should be raped? Would he volunteer his children’s heads should be split open with cutlass?  He would tell you immediately God forbids because he is down south.

    Yes there is persecution but God did not say we should die foolishly, neither did God say we should die cowardly. Whoever says that should also remember Jesus said whoever has no sword should sell his jacket and buy a sword. To use it for what?

    That is self defence. Self-defence is legal under the law. It is legal and Christians should take measure to defend themselves.

    But can Christians defend themselves against aggressors and feel good the next morning?

    I don’t know who is saying that, but I know there are Christian soldiers and they shoot people to kill. There are Christian policemen and they shoot people to kill and they don’t feel anything because the man is doing his work.

    Believe me, if you have a pistol and you see a thief trying to enter your door, your first instinct would be to blow him off. You can go and ask for forgiveness later but you will blow him off. The good thing about a Christian ideology is that we are taught to follow peace with all men as much as it is within us.

    We follow peace with all men but when the situations get into breakdown of law and order, government has to help the society because there is limit to what people can endure and people can take.

    Even in the north, it got to a point people started fighting back and they called it reprisal attacks. There is a limit to which you push people. If you push people to a particular limit, you force them to react. And at that point you can’t determine what their response would be.

  • Bishop launches campaign to bring back ‘departed’ Anglican

    The new Bishop of Diocese of Ekiti West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Rt. Rev. Rufus Adepoju, has launched a campaign to bring back members who left for Pentecostal churches and other denominations.

    Adepoju disclosed this while delivering his maiden sermon shortly after enthronement as bishop at the Cathedral

    Church of Christ Ijero-Ekiti, the seat of the diocese.

    He ministered on “God of our fathers” with texts taken from Psalm 48:14.

    Unfolding the policy thrust of his administration, Adepoju said bringing back the “departed Anglicans” is achievable if the clergy and the laity cooperate with him to make the dream a reality.

    The bishop explained that he would embark on open air crusades, evangelism and vigorous outreaches to achieve the target.

    He declared that Anglicans in the diocese who had left for other denominations “are on sabbatical and would soon come back when they see the demonstration of God.”

    Adepoju said: “We are not going to compromise on the vision and mission of the Diocese of Ekiti West.

    “Our slogan has now changed to ‘With God, All Things Are Possible’ and the focus will now be on massive and vigorous evangelism.

    “If you are a member of the Anglican Communion, come back home, the door is open for you to come back because you are on a sabbatical there.

    “Evangelistic fellowship shall be introduced in Ekiti West Diocese through Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC).

    “We shall partner with the Bible Society of Nigeria, Anglican Youth Fellowship and Church Missionary Society. Everything that is biblical and evangelical shall be allowed.

    “From July 2, together with my priests, we shall embark on open air crusades, the type we did in Ilukuno some years back where they attacked me as a Reverend but I am going there now as a Bishop.”

    Speaking on the state of the nation, Adepoju stressed that the social, economic and political problems afflicting Nigeria are not beyond divine solutions.

    He urged Nigerians to put their trust in God and the political leaders to be sincere in the discharge of their duties.

    He said: “In this country, we need sincerity in leadership because we speak too much grammar in Nigeria.

    “We have many programmes and policies capable of changing this country but we have failed.

    “Let all of us be sincere in tackling our problems in Nigeria and there will be a way out.

    “If all Nigerians can trust God with our present predicament and problems, there will be solution.

    “No problem is greater than God our Creator; we should hang our problems on him and fear him because the Bible says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

    “That is the message of God to all Nigerians, they should fear not because it shall be well.”