The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Church of the Annunciation holds first mass wedding

    Catholic Church of the Annunciation Ori-oke Ejigbo, Lagos, recently recorded its first mass wedding.

    No fewer than 50 couples participated in the very important sacrament of matrimony.

    Priest-in-charge, Rev. Fr Pascal Aggrey, commended the couples for taking the bull by the horns to formalise their union.

    He admonished the newlyweds to live by the injunction of God as specified in the Bible.

    He reasons only those doing their own will and abandoning the injunction of God are finding it difficult in marriage.

    Marriage, as an institution established by God, he said comes with a lot of blessings.

    Aggrey advised people not to be thinking about lavish weddings aimed at impressing men but concentrating on obeying the will of God who knows all and sees all.

    “Marriage is not and should not be about fashion. It is not all about eating and drinking.

    “Rather it is about obeying the will of God who established it for the purposes of procreation, love, oneness and family upbringing.

    “When the focus is on fashion and food and dignitaries that will grace the occasion, you stand a chance of losing the substance which is maintaining a good relationship with God,” he submitted.

    A cross-section of the couples expressed delight for successfully normalising their marriages.

  • Group kicks against Jerusalem pilgrimage for Muslims

    A group, Christian Vanguard, has described the approval of Muslims for Jerusalem pilgrimage by Lagos State Government as unacceptable.

    Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, informed weeks ago that the approval was to enable Muslims visit the third holiest mosque in the city.

    Abdul-Lateef had said: “We also urge Muslims that from this month, we will be accommodating Muslims who intend to visit Jerusalem because Jerusalem is home to the third holiest Mosque.”

    But Christian Vanguard said the approval was inciting and provoking.

    In a statement by its president, Pastor Deji Adebayo, the group said allowing Muslims to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem amounts to “stoking religious fire.”

    It said: “Lagos State has enjoyed religious harmony because everyone is allowed to practise his/her faith without favour or harassment.

    “This recent approval is a threat to that longstanding peace. Everyone should practise his or her religion without meddlesomeness or government’s tactic support.

    “Why are Muslims interested in going to Jerusalem? Are they not pleased going to Saudi Arabia alone?

    “Will Christians also be allowed to go on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia to return the favour or Muslims will claim it is a Holy Land?

    “If Mecca is a Holy Land, so is Jerusalem. It is a Christian land and only Christians should embark on pilgrimage there.

    “To say Muslims can now go there is sacrilegious and unacceptable. We wonder what they would like to do there.

    “It is known worldwide that Muslims only go to Mecca for pilgrimage. How it was agreed that they can now go to Jerusalem is suspicious.”

    The group called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to order his officials to rescind the approval.

    The governor, it said, should not be misled by religious bigots to formulate policies that will hamper religious peace in the land.

  • Cleric canvasses faithfulness among pastors

    President of Fellowship of Christian Ministers Nigeria, Rev Isaac Ogundiran, has appealed to church leaders to remain faithful to God and the Great Commission.

    He spoke with our correspondent at the induction of the newly elected and returned National Executive Officers of the fellowship in Lagos.

    Ogundiran said faithfulness is one of the essential qualities of leadership especially for church leaders expected to live above board in all things.

    Anyone without it, he said, is unworthy of being addressed as a minister regardless of the titles, skills or talents.

    He lamented unfaithfulness among some ministers of the gospel, stating they will receive divine retribution if they don’t repent.

    He restated commitment of the fellowship to equip and prepare church leaders for greater service for the Lord.

    Grand Patron of the fellowship, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, challenged the newly inducted leaders to live and stand by the word of God.

    The word, he said, remains a sure refuge against any storm that may come their ways.

    He said: “As a servant to God, you are required to lead in your various communities and fight the common enemy Satan and all his forces in a spiritual warfare with armour of prayer, the word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit and holy living.

    “l have learned to stand by the Bible and the word of God as it has never failed me. I am bold and fearless because I stand by God’s word.”

    He said their election to the leadership positions in the fellowship was a higher calling that requires greater sense of responsibility and good moral.

  • Lagos church offers members homes, jobs

    Lagos church offers members homes, jobs

    When Mrs. Funmilola Adebowale left her 62, Lamina Street, Egbe, in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area for the hospital, her mission was to find out why she could not get pregnant.

    She was shocked by the result – fibroid, kidney and ovary problems.

    Her inability to afford the medical bills, even in government-owned hospitals, forced her to seek help elsewhere and The Saints Gospel Church of Christ (a.ka. The Hand of Fire) was her first bus stop.

    Mrs. Adebowole was just one of those battling with life-threatening ailments that got spiritual succour at the Church.

    They all relived how they traversed many hospitals, spending their life-savings without getting the desired relief.

    She said: “I have to abandon my home because the doctors have told me that that one of my kidneys had gone bad and that the second one was also affected.

    “After weeks of sleeping and praying in the church without paying for my feeding and accommodation, God healed me. I went back to the hospital for another test which showed that my kidneys, ovaries and fibroid problems had gone.”

    Mrs. Ayo Ajayi, a resident of 21, Alagbelebu Street, Kudeinbu Estate, Ijegun, was in tears as she recounted how she relocated to the church after her family discharged her from the hospital where she was receiving treatment from acute diabetes.

    Her words: “After sometimes, the diabetes led to swollen legs to the extent that doctors recommended the amputating of my two legs. I rejected the doctor’s verdict and opted for spiritual solution.

    “Before I took that decision, I was admitted at a highbrow hospital in Lagos where I paid N500, 000 to do the registration apart from the heavy medical bills that I was paying.

    “It was when the hospital management insisted that that my legs would be amputated after paying N3.5 million that I settled for a spiritual solution. I was healed after intensive prayers in the church.”

    ‘Terribly ill’ Mrs Ade Omojuwa was rushed to the church. The people’s verdict was that she was going to die.

    She explained how she has been living in the church for 18 years with access to the basic things of life.

    Mrs. Abigail Onabanjo from Ibadan in Oyo State narrated how she was brought in to the church blind after paying over N4 million in conventional hospitals and spiritual homes without regaining her sight.

    ”It was an herbalist who could not restore my sight that brought me here. I give God the glory because it was four days after I got to the Hand of Fire. I had even brought a ‘dead relation’ here who was instantly raised.

    Wife of an Islamic cleric, Adejoke Olarinoye, relived how hard he tried to have a baby without success.

    She said: “It was the same month that I relocated to the church that I became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy.”

    The issue of barrenness also brought Mrs. Rachael Ige to the church. She explained how she got pregnant and the trauma she went through, thanking God for perfecting her miracles.

    ”Today, I am a proud mother of children,” Ige said.

    Pastor Jacob Sodeinde, who returned from the United Kingdom (UK) on August 14, 1992 to found The Saints Gospel Church of Christ, described church leaders living big on the tithes and offerings of their poor congregation as ungodly.

    Those who reside within the church premises confirmed that indigent members of the congregation live in the chalets free of charge.

    Many of them have been helped to secure jobs, either within the church or elsewhere with some women given free shops and take-off grants to start petty trading.

    Their children also enjoy scholarships from a scheme initiated by Pastor Sodeinde, who is the General Overseer.

    According to the cleric, his divine call and return from the UK was used by God to avert what he called “a 30-year civil war” that would have engulfed the nation after the June 12 1993 presidential election logjam.

    The Saints Gospel Church of Christ (a.k.a. Hand of Fire) may be demonstrating how the early missionaries applied church funds by attending to the physical and spiritual needs of members at its Lagos headquarters in Igando, a Lagos suburb.

  • Alao makes strong impressions with maiden album

    Alao makes strong impressions with maiden album

    If you are eager for danceable gospel music with strong biblical messages, Sore Titun (Do A New Thing) by Olajumoke Alao- a chorister with RCCG Lagos Province 10- is just tailor-made for you.

    The seven-track album covers interesting themes such as praise, priesthood of believers, deliverance, exemplary Christian living and others in music.

    It is obvious the singer is determined to make a big entry into the gospel music. She sings powerfully and passionately, finding a balance between entertainment and divine messages.

    Alao is bound to attract attention because of the originality of her songs and their strong appeals to the spirit and soul.

    While Mo gbe e ga introduces a new dimension to praising songs, Awa ni iran ti a ti yan emphasises the priesthood of believers and the needs to fulfill their calling.

    Gbe e jade is a passionate appeal to God to release overdue blessings and entitlements. Alao reminds God of how He did it for biblical figures, urging Him to replicate the same with bigger testimonies.

    Listeners will dance and learn basic biblical themes with this album. Alao is welcomed to the gospel music where she is certain to make strong impressions.

    However one wishes she sings more in English for non-Yoruba speakers. Only arresting the arrester is delivered in English, thereby shutting off millions of non-Yoruba speakers. Other than that, the album is a commendable effort.

     

     

     

  • Book on Adeboye’s testimonies out

    Book on Adeboye’s testimonies out

    A new book, stories of Pastor E.A Adeboye, has been released to mark the 75th birthday of the General Overseer Worldwide of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

    It tells the story of his amazing transformation from debilitating poverty into a powerful man of God revered by millions of people across the world.

    The 350-page book written by ace author and journalist, Bisi Daniels, reads like an autobiography of Adeboye based on stories he has shared over the years.

    Daniels, in a statement, said: “Pastor Adeboye is a great believer in the power of testimony. He is himself a living testimony of the power of God.

    “His sermons always contain stories about how people have experienced the power of Jesus Christ in their lives.

    “This book is a collection of those testimonies, which reads like his biography right from his birth in Ifewara in strange circumstances to the present moment.”

    The book includes testimonies on RCCG, faith, salvation, miracles, marriage, fruit of the womb, temptation, unforgiveness and others.

    Daniels feels  privileged and honoured “to work on this great book of a very great man of God; a rare person of our times, who so many people around the world are grateful to be alive to see at work for God.”

    He added: “I have written many books but this is the most important and most impactful of them all, with the promise to touch lives of many people around the world.

    “Sometimes I get the sense that I was specifically prepared by the circumstances of my life in the last nine years to write this particular book.”

    Vice President Yemi Osibanjo wrote the foreword of the book, which he strongly recommends.

    He wrote: “Most of Daddy’s ‘stories’ are indeed miracles, used to illustrate his sermons and show the power of God, rather than his own achievements.

    “Having been a member of the church for many years and now a pastor, I have seen the efficacy of this style of preaching.

    “Testimonies not only enhance the faith of others but also honour God. This book of some of the testimonies of one of the greatest servants of God in this generation is worth reading and learning from.”

  • Avoid ungodly relationships, youths advised

    The Associate Pastor of Kingsword International Church Lekki Lagos, Oluyele Olubiyi, has advised Christian youths to shun all forms of ungodly relationship capable of distracting them from God’s purpose.

    Olubiyi spoke at a seminar by the Youth Fellowship of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Higher Ground Parish, Alakuko, Lagos.

    The event tagged Rethinking Relationship featured prayers, bible teachings, song rendition and networking session, among others.

    She lamented many youths have lost focus and purpose in life because of wrong relationships.

    Any relationship that does not have its root in Jesus Christ, she stated, is prone to abuse, heartache and disappointments.

    “We are not unwanted pregnancies. God was not distracted when we were conceived. So, we must involve God in all that we do, especially in the relationships that we keep.

    “We must love God and when we are in love with someone, we do all in our power to make them happy and fulfil their hearts’ desires. It’s God’s heart desire that we stay pure and remain a virgin till we get married.”

    Olubiyi advised young people confused and bound by pressure to do wrong: “You need to speak with someone. Don’t be ashamed. You are not the only one struggling to live a life of purity.”

    Staying sexually pure for Christian youths, she said, was not just an old time tale but God’s command.

    “You can decide to use your background as a reason to wallow in self pity and bad decisions or you can choose to make something good with your life. The choice is always with the individual,” she said.

  • Obasanjo speaks on corruption at convention

    Obasanjo speaks on corruption at convention

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will on April 8 speak at a special seminar during the annual convention of Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC) in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State.

    He is expected to be the lead speaker at the seminar with the theme role of the church in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

    Time is 10am and venue is Victory life Bible Church, Km 9 Olabisi Onabanjo Way, opposite OGTV, Ajebo, Abeokuta.

    The seminar is part of the church’s convention slated for April 2-9.

    Guest speakers include Dr Felix Omobude, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Rev. Kunle Adesina and Bishop Tim Gbasha.

    The convention holds by 9am and 5pm daily.

  • Engaging the mysteries in the word!

    Engaging the mysteries in the word!

    We live in a Kingdom that is governed by mysteries and it is by these mysteries that we command mastery over the issues of life. As it is written: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:7-8; see also Matthew 13:54; Mark 4:11).

    But, what are mysteries?

    Mysteries are simply divine secrets embedded within scriptures. Paul the Apostle said: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8).

    Interestingly, mysteries are mostly authenticated by testimonies. Jesus said:

    If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him (John 10:37-38).

    Most of these mysteries may not be explainable, except by the proofs that they engender. For instance, how do we explain our translation into the Kingdom of His own dear Son? Simply by proofs! It may be inexplicable scientifically, but the proofs of our repositioning cannot be denied (Colossians 1:13).

    It is also important for us to know that mysteries are mostly wrapped up in biblical simplicities. That is, they seem too simple to be true. This is why many complex minds miss out on the blessedness of the mysteries of the Kingdom. As it is written: But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).

    However, every mystery must be received, believed, and put to work for maximum delivery. It is written: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

    It is also written: And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord (Luke 1:45; see also Deuteronomy 28:1).

    One of such Kingdom mysteries is the Holy Communion.

    What is the Holy Communion?

    The Holy Communion is a Kingdom mystery ordained in redemption for our total health and vitality, among other things. We understand from scriptures that Jesus is the Great Physician and the Communion is His great prescription that will always deliver the miraculous. Jesus said:

    I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world… Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed (John 6:48-51, 53-55; see also Matthew 9:12; Luke 4:23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

    By reason of the manna from heaven supplied to the Israelites, they knew no sickness or disease for 40 years. However, Jesus, the ‘Bread’ from heaven in a figure, carries greater virtue than the manna the Israelites partook of in the wilderness. This is why it is impossible for sicknesses or diseases to resist the efficacy and the authority of the mystery of the Holy Communion (Deuteronomy 8:4).

    The Communion is also a Kingdom toast for strength, health and longevity. It is written: For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (1 Corinthians 11:29-30).

    That means when we partake of the Communion without an understanding of the mystery or believing in its worth, it offers us nothing. However, when we take it worthily, we are expected to be strong, healthy and enjoy longevity.

    Furthermore, it is an eternal life medication that swallows up our natural life and infuses us with divine life, which is the God kind of life. Moreover, it is ordained for our justification against the accuser of the brethren (the devil) and it always leaves us with something to show (1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 12:9-11).

    Therefore, there is no medication on the earth that compares in virtue with the Flesh and the Blood of Christ from the Communion. This is because everything we need to stay alive and well is contained in it. However, to be counted worthy to partake of the Communion, one must first be born again. Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of 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: Miracle Meal, The Blood Triumph, Breaking The Curses Of Life, Overcoming the Forces of Wickedness and satan Get Lost.

    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

  • The Strong Belt of Truth (5)

    “…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” A sin exposed is a sin defeated; do not hide sin. The unfruitful works of darkness are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, etc.- these works belong to the kingdom of darkness, with Satan as the head of this kingdom.

     

    There is another kingdom, which is the kingdom of God; it’s also of Light. Being evident by these lifestyles: Love (for God and neighbour), joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Those who live thus belong to this kingdom and are the children of God.

     

    Where one belongs is known by the kind of life one lives. Someone’s lifestyle tells it all. Hmm, the Good News remain that God has made a way of escape for all of us; in that He sent His dear Son Jesus Christ to die, in order to deliver you and me from the kingdom of darkness and its unfruitful works and be converted; be born into the kingdom of God.

    God says, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with ALL your heart”. If you will sincerely call on Jesus to set you free from the kingdom of darkness and its unfruitful works, He will. The kingdom of darkness is doomed forever, it’s a place of everlasting torment in hell fire, God does not want anyone to be there- please escape for your life. Know that only those who believe and accept Jesus as their Lord and saviour will inherit the kingdom of God; a place of everlasting life in heaven.

     

    Jesus said, “…you shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free, he who the SON sets free is free indeed! This is so reassuring, satisfying, and complete. Knowing it was God Himself who planned it all, that those who believe and accept the salvation/deliverance His son JESUS offered will be FREE from the bondage of sin. They will remain free as they follow Him.

     

    The people of Old had to offer animal sacrifices again and again for their sins to be forgiven, yet they continued to struggle in their sins and continued sinning. That never stopped them from living in sin. God sent Jesus to lay down His life once and for all to end the animal sacrifices and set you free, giving you and me complete victory over sin. He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us, to give us the power and divine assistance we need to live righteous, obeying Him always. Do not keep enjoying sin; do not hide your sin- CRY OUT TO JESUS WITH ALL YOUR HEART TO SET YOU FREE FROM YOUR SIN.

     

    I was once in the kingdom of darkness. I did not fully understand the significance of the death of Jesus; I only had head knowledge of the story and believed it my own way. The full knowledge of my sin, its guilt, and consequences changed all of that, for I continually cried out to Jesus in my sin to set me free, I trusted Him completely for my deliverance, and He delivered me. I had an encounter with Him that forever changed my life. Now I can boldly say ‘there is power in the blood of Jesus’ because…He touched me and made me whole. Now I am in the kingdom of God, I belong to the family of God. I was blind but now I see, I was dead but now I live!

     

                   SONG:        AT CALVARY

    1.       Years I spent in vanity and pride,
    Caring not my Lord was crucified,
    Knowing not it was for me He died
    On Calvary.
    Chorus:     Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
    Pardon there was multiplied to me;
    There my burdened soul found liberty,
    At Calvary.

     

    2.       By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
    Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
    Till my guilty soul imploring turned
    To Calvary.

     

    3.       Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything,
    Now I gladly own Him as my King,
    Now my raptured soul can only sing
    Of Calvary.

     

    4.       Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
    Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
    Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
    At Calvary!

     

    TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-18, Ephesians 5:11, John 8:32, Jeremiah 29:13.

    FROM: FAITH NWACHUKWU