The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Always show empathy, urges cleric

    The Senior Pastor of Kingdom Light Christian Centre, Pastor Jummy Olagunju, has tasked Nigerians to always show empathy, mutual respect and value for human life as it remains the major panacea for a better society.

    Olagunju said this in an interview ahead of the church Praise Arena and Empowerment programme holding at Le-Real Hotel in Lekki, Lagos. He said that it is evident that the poorest nations of the world are the countries where human lives and human worth have been devalued and are not treated with respect while countries that are developing are countries that respect and appreciate human worth.

    He lamented that we live in a society where workers’ salaries are being owed for years and pensioners die after long queues in quest for their gratitude and public officers care less.

    He said it’s nothing but genocide when people are owed wages and denied their legitimate right.

    He noted that some countries developed not because they pray or fast more than Nigerians or they attend church services but they apply most of the key principles of Jesus and they make it to be a way of life.

  • Grace Family Church men’s conference

    The annual winning men’s conference of Grace Family International Church Lagos State commences on Friday.

    Senior Pastor of the church, Rev Yinka Ojo, said the three-day conference will feature word and music ministrations as well as a lecture.

    According to him, a novelty match holds on Saturday, January 20 at Agege Sports Stadium from 8am.

    A free medical checkup covering blood sugar, blood pressure, BMI and urinalysis comes next by 5pm followed by a special talk on men’s health.

    Throwing more light on the conference, which would be rounded-up next Sunday with a thanksgiving service, Ojo stressed that the special talk on Friday, entitled “The economic recession, opportunities and way forward” will be delivered by Mr. Boye Ademola, a partner at KPMG.

    Men’s health talk will be delivered by Dr M.A Ogunjimi, a consultant urologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    The theme of the conference is ‘commanded’.

    Deacon Femi Akintola, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, revealed that no stone would be left unturned to ensure people who attend the conference programme get restored to their original place of dominion spiritually, financially, physically, mentally and emotionally.

  • Cleric wants support for displaced southern Kaduna Christians

    The Executive Director of Stephen Children Home, Rev Isaac Newton, has appealed to Christians across the country to stand up and help the displaced southern Kaduna Christians live better lives.

    Newton said this at the Stephen Children Home in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    According to him, the displaced people in southern Kaduna have been traumatised and affected psychologically because of the ugly attacks and killing of their loved ones to the extent that they don’t trust anybody coming to the area anymore.

    He said: “We see the attacks as religious attacks because the five percent Muslims living in the communities were not touched, nor their people, houses, food or domestic animals. The number of people killed at the villages was counted to be forty-seven people, including women and children.”

    He cited the villages where the attack took place as Kishisho, Kigam, Unguwan Rimi, Kitakum, Unguwan Magaji, Unguwan Makera and Kiziti, whose inhabitants are ninety-five percent Christians.

    He noted that displacement also interrupted the education of children and removed their access to medical facilities.

    He declared that the needs of the people for now are food, clothes and blankets, while, he said, the Kaduna State government visited the communities but nothing tangible was given to them.

    He challenged the church to come to their aid with anything that will reduce their suffering.

    He quoted the scripture in Mat 25 v 35-36, saying ”For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me.

    He called on the federal government to build private ranches for the herdsmen so that the ceaseless attacks on innocent farmers and residents in these areas can stop.

  • PFN hails FG on FRC’s code

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has hailed the federal government for the suspension of the contentious Corporate Governance Code by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria.

    PFN’s national president, Dr Felix Omobude, said it was commendable the code was suspended because of its “all pervasive nature.”

    Omobude maintained: “In view of the inability of the FRC to achieve the necessary buy-in from concerned stakeholders on the code of governance and address legitimate concerns raised by many, it was wrong for it to have proceeded to enforce its implementation.”

    It expressed serious reservations “with respect to portions of the suspended code interpreted by some to have limited the tenure of pastors and other spiritual leaders.”

    Omobude, in a statement, added:  “While the PFN respects the right of the appropriate government agency to make laws for the good of all.

    “PFN states emphatically that she will not sleep on her right especially as it affects our freedom of worship.”

    The PFN appealed for calm, restraint and understanding on the part of all Christians and continued prayers in 2017 to be one of greater peace and prosperity for all Nigerians.

  • Engaging the power of sanctification for fulfilment of destiny! (3)

    Previously on this teaching series, we established that the Spirit of Holiness is what empowers us to have dominion over sin (Romans 1:4). Furthermore, we discover that the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Holiness and Sanctification, and our destinies can never be realised without Him (Malachi 3: 1-4; Romans 8:13;1:4; 15:16; John 6:63; acts 6:63; Acts 2:1-3).

    In last week’s teaching, we began to look at WHY WE NEED SANCTIFICATION? This week, we shall conclude this teaching series by examining another vital reason for sanctification which is:

    • For security of destiny: Many great destinies in scriptures crashed for lack of sanctification. Think of Achan, who saw a wedge of gold and coveted it. He took it into his tent, dug the ground and kept it there; and that ended his destiny, and that of his entire family (Joshua 7:19-26). This will not be your portion in Jesus’ name!

    There are three forces that truncates destinies in the world (1 John 2:15-17).

    • The Lust of the Flesh: Think of Solomon: he loved many strange women and they turned his hearts away from the Lord; and he ended up in a shrine (1 Kings 11:1-6). If Joseph had fallen into the hand of Potiphar’s wife, he would have ended up in Potiphar’s kitchen. His prime ‘minister-ship’ destiny would have been destroyed on the laps of adultery (Genesis 39: 7-12; 41:38-44).
    • The Lust of the Eyes: Gehazi had the lust of the eyes. His eyes were on the money and the gift that Naaman brought; that made him leprous and he got separated from the human community. Someone who could have carried twice the double portion of Elijah, ended up as white as snow (2 Kings 5:22-27).
    • The Pride of Life: Ahithophel was the oracle of God by divine endowment, but he thought that it was his expertise and skills. When his expertise was rejected, he went and hung himself (2 Samuel 17:23). Pride is a killer; it goes before destruction (Proverbs 16: 18).

    CHANNELS THROUGH WHICH THE HOLY GHOST SANCTIFIES US

    • By the Impartation of the Spirit of Holiness: This impartation could come to us directly, as we crave and thirst for Him (Luke 11:13). We can also access impartation of that Spirit through apostolic and prophetic ministries (Romans 1:11).
    • By the Revelation of the Truth: It is so important for us to know that revelation empowers for sanctification and the Holy Ghost is our access to revelation. That means He enhances our access to sanctification (John 17:17; Psalm 19:7-9; Psalm 119:9-11).
    • The Holy Ghost releases the Spirit of Prayer and Supplications; so we can overcome all temptations: Prayer is a channel for overcoming temptations. In Matthew 26:41, the disciples could not pray because their flesh was weak. It is the Holy Ghost that empowers us on the prayer altar, so we can overcome temptations that lurks around us in the day and night. He also empowers us to pray the transfiguration prayer (Matthew 26:41-44; Ephesians 6: 18; Romans 8:26-27).

    In conclusion, please understand that destiny is at a risk without sanctification. Solomon lost it all. Samson became a toy in the hands of his enemies: they plucked out his two eyes and asked him to dance for them. Judas, an apostle, lost it. Achan lost his entire lineage. Ghazi became leprous. In weakness, they all crashed; but we shall not crash!  We shall all fulfil destiny in a grand style, in Jesus’ name! Remain ever blessed!

    Are you born again? If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, 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: Dynamics of Holiness, Overcoming the Forces of Wickedness, Conquering Controlling Powers, The Blood Triumph, The Forces of Freedom, Breaking the Curses of Life, Walking in Dominion, Winning Invisible Battles, Walking in Newness of Life 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

  • Many ministries to face persecution – Pastor Iginla

    Many ministries to face persecution – Pastor Iginla

    BROTHER Joshua Iginla senior Pastor of Champions Royal Assembly has declared that APC has served its purpose as the ruling party and it will begin to see major cracks this year. Speaking on this year’s prophecies, the Abuja based clergyman said that a powerful party will emerge before 2019 and will form strong alliance in 2017.

    According to him, It will become solid and stronger in 2018. ‘APC has served its purpose. It’s like a piece of paper thrown away after being used. APC has served its purpose. A new party that will take Nigeria to the next level will rise up and I don’t know how but I see this party consisting of members of the ruling party and opposition party fusing together causing what I call unwanted diffusion that will lead to a future catastrophe. But before it, there is going to be calm on the nerves of Nigerians’ he revealed.

    Iginla added that this year, there will be more pressure on President Buhari to sack the incumbent CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. It will take divine grace for him to remain in that office.

    He revealed that the storms are not over yet for the senate president, Bukola Saraki. ‘The Senate president should not think that the trials are over. I see more storms and trials that will take a new turn from his enemies and political distractors. They will scheme for his removal. He should be very careful because I see much betrayal of promise’.

     Contrary to the expectations of Nigerians that the economic recession will go in 2017. Iginla said, the hardship and poverty in Nigeria will increase and the dollar exchange rate will rise up above 600. ‘Mr. President will do all he can in his power to reshuffle some of his cabinet in order to rescue issues but because his administration has more enemies than friends, they will frustrate all his efforts. However, I see a light at the end of the tunnel but it will not free us from this hardship. Rather, it will increase, it will be strong but I have good news for you, those who know their God will be exempted.

    President Buhari he warned should pray for his health, and the Vice President will face strong opposition from some cabals that would want to unseat him. The attempt would not just be by political measures but an attempt through striking of his life as well.

    ‘This year I see the issue of flood resuming and heavy downpour.  Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Benue, Kaduna, Adamawa and Plateau States should pray against serious attacks like herdsmen, terrorism, radical extremist and religious attacks which will increase’.

    Churches in Nigeria will go through serious persecution. Some major ministries will receive serious court judgement that will be unfavourable but God will keep such ministries. Let us pray to God to keep the church in Nigeria.

    The agitation of Biafra, the clergyman said will take another turn. He urged the people to pray so that it will not be bloody.  People should also pray for Kanu Nnamdi, the Biafran leader, he foresees a health challenge and agitation from south east.

  • Glitz at RCCG teens’ fashion show

    There was an impressive array of talented clothes on display at the Genesis Fashion Show organised by the Next Generation-Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of David Teen.

    The designs were top-range, showing designers’ immense talents that allowed them to create such beautiful clothes and accessories while juggling school and their other activities.

    The show, which was basically for teens, also marked the rebirth of the best of afro-centric focus in most of the designs.

    The designers, as young as 10 years, displayed love and pride in Africa and Nigeria.

    To complement them, more established designers also showcased their fashion lines.

  • You can enjoy God’s support, Lagos Speaker

    You can enjoy God’s support, Lagos Speaker

    Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has enjoined Nigerians to lift others to enjoy divine lifting.

    Speaking at the 14th anniversary/end of the year thanksgiving service of the Assembly chapel last week with the theme: “Divine lifting,” Obasa emphasised that divine lifting would not come to those who do not assist others.

    According to him: “The only way to enjoy divine lifting is by helping others.

    “Help your co-workers, neighbours, colleagues and friends. It is when you lift others up that God would lift you up,” he said.

    The Speaker also urged Nigerians to appreciate God for keeping them alive.

    He promised that the House would continue to organise the thanksgiving service every year.

    The Speaker said the Assembly is not just a parliament but an institution.

    The matron of the chapel for the year and the Minority Whip of the House, Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara, said the service was a way of showing appreciation to God for His mercies upon all in the Assembly.

    The guest minister, who is also the General Overseer of Triumphant Christian Centre Ikeja, Lagos, Reverend Samuel Olubiyo, spoke on ‘Releasing grace for divine lifting.’

    Olubiyo said divine lifting means the hand of God lifts someone up and nobody could bring you down.

    He said that whoever is serving God should not have a better yesterday and that every year should bring an improvement.

    “God has ordained your continual lifting. David said God raises the poor out of the dust.

    “Except the Lord helps a man, he cannot be lifted up. God told me that no man can ever lift you up above himself but God can lift you to the highest.”

    He said Nigerians should be prayerful, which he said is a sign of dependency on God.

  • Ashimolowo not involved in ponzi scheme – KICC

    Ashimolowo not involved in ponzi scheme – KICC

    The President of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Pastor Mattew Ashimolowo, has refuted the allegation that he was involved in Ponzi Scheme.

    A statement, issued by Chief Executive Officer, Dipo Oluyomi, stated that “We wish to state that the headline was unfortunate and misleading and has caused damage to the reputation of Pastor Ashimolowo.”

    The statement claimed that the sensational headline suggested that Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo lost $5million, when, in fact, he did not make the decision to invest.

    “Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is the Senior Pastor of KICC and not her trustee and has never been a trustee of KICC. As you are aware, from the Charities Commission’s report, the decision to invest was solely that of the U.K trustees without any involvement of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo. Importantly as the report states, it is the trustees who have the responsibility for investing Charity Funds and NOT PASTOR MATTHEW ASHIMOLOWO.

    “The investment referred to were made by former trustees on behalf of the Charity over SEVEN AND HALF YEARS AGO. They believed they were acting in the best interest of the Charity and they did not and have not benefited personally,” the statement disclosed.

    It further stated that “their actions were totally independent and were not influenced in any way by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo. Now that we have appraised the publisher(s) and author(s) of the report of these facts, we strongly encourage you to set the record straight by publishing this rejoinder immediately.

    “KICC is a Charity whose main aim is to advance the Christian religion in the U.K. and around the world as well as provide local communities with a great deal of counselling and support, including educational, bereavement and prayer support.”

  • 2017: Be positive, Akinadewo charges

    The Prelate of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), Elder (Dr) Israel Akinadewo (Omoeri), has called for optimism among Nigerians in the New Year.

    Nigerians, he said, should be positive in their thoughts and actions in 2017 despite the ongoing recession.

    The recession, according to him, is a temporary challenge that will soon go away.

    Akinadewo, in his New Year message, said: “There is no achievement that does not have its own associated pains and challenges.

    “We should look at the recession that has faced the nation, as a visitor that will soon evaporate into a thin air.

    “We should see it as one of the challenges that must come our way for the country to be able to attain the position of a developed nation.”

    He called Nigerians to allow God drive the nation in 2017 while also praying for religious and political leaders.

    “On behalf of Motailatu Church Cherubim & Seraphim Worldwide, we pray for President Buhari, Senators, House of Representative members, governors and other political leaders that God should grant them the wisdom, energy and other relative enablement to govern effectively well, for the growth of our beloved country in 2017,” he stated.