The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Cleric tasks Nigerians on prayer for air safety

    The Founding President of the African Foundation for Peace and Love Initiative, Rev Titus K. Oyeyemi, has called on Nigerians to support the aviation industry with ceaseless prayers for an airspace free of disaster.

    Oyeyemi said this at the 19th Bi-Annual National Prayer for the Safety of Nigeria Airspace, organised by the African Children of Peace Club, ACPC, an affiliate of African Foundation for Peace and Love Initiative, held at the fellowship hall of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Fellowship hall at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The programme, tagged “riding on His wing”, brought together over 30 children from across Lagos State which was held in NAMA and NCAA on the same day. It featured prayers, thanksgiving service and prophetic ministration. Prayers were made for the president, management of the agencies, workers and other stakeholders in the industry.

    ACPC is a club that seeks to promote proactive peace and nation-building initiatives among children between the ages of 5-12. They have since March 2007 been involved in ceaseless prayers to God for airspace safety in Nigeria.

    According to Oyeyemi, there has been increasing report of air crashes in many parts of the world but God in his infinite mercy has made Nigerian airspace free of disasters.

    Oyeyemi said, “we are most grateful to God for faithfully answering our prayers and keeping Nigeria airspace free from disaster.”

     

     

  • Martins calls for love, true brotherliness at Christmas

    The Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on Christians and indeed all Nigerians to endeavour to extend the hands of love and true brotherliness to their neighbours during this yuletide season.

    Archbishop Martins believes strongly that it is through embarking on such acts of charity as exemplified by the teachings of Christ that the true essence of Christmas as a period of joy can better be felt and appreciated by all and sundry.

    In his 2016 Christmas Message made public through the Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, Archbishop Martins, while saluting Nigerians ahead of the yuletide festivity, noted that the present economic reality in the country has made it imperative for all to show more love and charity, especially to the less privileged as a way of bringing succour to them and also assuring them that God has not abandoned them even in these trying times.

    ‘Christmas is a season of love, joy and hope. It is a period when Christ our Saviour left the comfort of his heavenly home to dwell in our midst in order to redeem us from sin. We all know that many people have lost their means of livelihood as a result of the economic meltdown. And so we have a situation whereby so many people are likely to go hungry this yuletide except they receive help. This is why I am calling on all to remember the less-privileged during this season. The best way we can appreciate God for the great gift of Christmas is to share with our neighbours, especially the less privileged. I urge you to embark on acts of charity during this season by feeding the hungry, visiting those in prisons, those in hospitals and putting smiles on the faces of those in despair. That is the essence of Christmas.’

    Archbishop Martins admonished Nigerians not to give up hope despite the trying times, adding that ‘God would never forsake his children when they call upon him.’

    He called on President Muhammodu Buhari to be mindful of the economic hardship presently spreading across the nation, urging him to urgently put his house in order, infuse fresh blood where necessary and work towards stabilising the ailing economy within the shortest possible time.

    He also urged him to find alternative means to solving the problem of Fulani herdsmen as we saw it in South East and at present in Southern Kaduna.

  • Follow in His steps (8)

    There is the need to trust God as you follow Him; to do whatever He tells you. Most times fear keeps us from fully following God, especially when faced with some difficult situations and when He tells us to do seemingly difficult things which are contrary to our will and most times man tend to go by our his own understanding, even after knowing God’s will concerning a matter. The Scriptures says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

    After Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 men with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, He made His disciples get into a boat and go before Him to the other side of the Lake…the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves and the sea was turbulent. Jesus came to them walking on the water, they cried out for fear for they thought He was a ghost. But Jesus immediately spoke to them saying, “Do not be afraid!” then Peter said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come”, Peter came out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus. But he looked to the wind and saw that it was boisterous, he became afraid and began to sink, and then he cried out, “Lord save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” and when they got into the boat the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Jesus saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

    For me and you to follow our good shepherd, we need to trust Him fully and commit our lives totally to Him, give it all up to Him without fear. You see, as long as Peter trusted Jesus he was able to walk on the water but as soon as he gave his attention to the high waves tossing the sea, he became afraid and distracted from focusing on Jesus. Peter forgot Jesus’ word telling them not to be afraid, he doubted Him who bid him COME. At this point Peter disobeyed and he began to sink. Fear is contrary to faith- faith keeps you strong to trust God to do the ‘impossible’ but fear brings you down. Don’t give fear a chance, have faith in God. Follow fully Jesus’ command/will, therein lies good success.

    Many believers in Christ Jesus act out of fear. I’ve heard many single ladies decide to adopt a child or just get pregnant and have a child/children out of fear. They reason and ask, ‘who will take care of me at old age and who will bury me when I die”? Some of those who acted thus out of fear ended up piercing themselves through with many sorrows- a lot of them in their old age have ended up being the ones still taking care of these ‘children’; feeding and housing them. Then again, I’ve seen parents who had many children seeing them as investments and retirement benefit but ending up losing those children- those children eventually abandon them.

    I have witnessed and read about women who had just one child or no children at all but not lacking anything; some of whom are being celebrated by children they didn’t physically birth all because they focused on following Jesus and doing His will. You can never loose when you obey God’s commands, don’t ever live your life by the expectation of the society but live your life according to God’s command to you. Seek to know God’s will concerning every matter and ask Him for the grace to submit to it, therein lies rest, peace, joy and good success- with no regrets at all because God is the one in control of your life- what a glorious place to be.
    Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.

    Note that as soon as Peter started sinking he called out to Jesus to save him and He saved him- this is a great lesson for us. Call upon Jesus in every sinking situation you find yourself and He will answer you.

    People of faith always did something:
    * Faith is active not passive
    * Faith is confident that God will do what He says
    * Faith follows God implicitly
    * Faith looks to God; it doesn’t trust in itself or in personal abilities or strength.
    * Faith takes God at His word and obeys without hesitation or reservation
    * Faith never panics
    * Faith leads one to: Claim a promise, Take a stand, Accept a difficult assignment, Surrender to go to a far-off land.

    TEXT: Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 37: 3-9.
    FROM: FAITH NWACHUKWU

  • ‘Gospel artistes must keep evolving’

    ‘Gospel artistes must keep evolving’

    Popular saxophonist, music teacher and celebrated gospel musician, Pastor Kunle Ajayi is head, Music Directorate of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
    He spoke with Tosin Adesile on the music sector, his album and sundry issues. Excerpts:

    Recently, your first son got married. How does it feel?

    We thank the God and it is the Lord’s doing.

     It has been a long time since you pushed out an album. Why the break?

    The world is gradually changing. Sooner or later, people won’t be subscribing to CDs again. People will look for their preferred music online and download it.

    So, every artiste should be looking forward to developing his/herself to fit into the new trend.  Also, contrary to your question, I have not stopped releasing albums.

    There is one we just finished working on and soon, we will release it and you too will hear about it.

    After the opening of your studio, how many artistes have you produced or signed on under the label?

    Well, the studio is an open place where Christians walk into for various kinds of production. I have someone that manages the place as I don’t do that directly.

    So, it won’t be right naming people who have been coming to do one or two productions. But sincerely, so many people come there to work.

    There is the opinion that the music directorate under your care has not been producing known artistes compared to other ministries. Is that true?

    That opinion is very wrong. We have many known artistes in RCCG. Are the likes of Nathaniel Bassey, Bukola Bekes not known as far gospel music is concerned? So, that opinion is very wrong. And by God’s grace, we still have lots of other gospel artistes doing fine in the ministry.

    What is your impression of the music industry?

    Well, a lot is happening in the musical industry. We have both secular and gospel ministries. Many gospel artistes need to surrender themselves under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. There a lot of proliferation in the industry.

    With this recession, are gospel artistes getting enough bookings again?

    We have been very busy round the year recession or no recession. God has paced a work in our hands and that has been our concentration.

    There has never been a time we were idle. So, recession has nothing to do with me. But on the other hand, the people who see gospel music as a way of making money might be the one that might have been affected by the recession.

    That is why I said gospel musicians need the direction of God. When you do God’s work wholeheartedly, money will come.

  • How the church can fight poverty, by clerics

    How the church can fight poverty, by clerics

    The church must be at the vanguard of poverty alleviation in all the nooks and crannies of the nation through several humanitarian initiatives.

    This was the consensus at the public presentation of Daily Contact With God (DCWG), a devotional by the Prelate and Head of Motailatu Cherubim and Seraphim Church Worldwide (MCCSW), His Eminence Dr Israel Akinadewo, last week in Lagos.

    Speakers after speakers said the church has the responsibility of responding to the rising poverty in the nation.

    The keynote presenter, Superior Apostle Sunday Korode, pointed out that the ministry of Christ was characterised by poverty alleviation schemes.

    He said churches must fall in line and stop seeing members as figures or crowd.

    According to him: “Churches shouldn’t just see the crowd or population but detached individuals with physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

    “We must feel as Jesus felt so that we can do as Jesus did. The church has to be at the vanguard of neglected in the society.”

    He said since Christ went about doing good, the church cannot afford to do anything less.

    “To qualify as the church of Christ, we must be doing good. We cannot continue to send people back home on empty stomachs.”

    Akinadewo, who is also Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos Chapter, said the body of Christ must respond to rising poverty within their communities.

    “There is hopelessness and want everywhere. People come to church not knowing where their next meals will come from.

    “We can no longer pretend we are just after spiritual needs. We must meet physical needs as well.”

    He said proceeds from the devotional will be handed over to Baba Aladura Motailatu Akinadewo Trust Fund in honour of by the late founder of the church.

    Chairman Lagos CAN, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, called on churches to do as much as they can to rescue people from poverty.

    “I don’t agree with those who say church is not charity. If you are not for-profit, then you are a charity.

    “As a charitable organisation, we must rescue the poor and give scholarship.

    “Whatever we can do to help people, we must do just as Christ told us.”

  • Bishop charges Nigerians to rededicate themselves

    Nigerians have been called upon to hold on firmly to God, shun violence, be dedicated more to God and re-dedicate their lives to God Almighty in order to move Nigeria forward.

    The Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, The Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji, said this at the re-dedication of the Church of the Pentecost, Anglican Communion, Festac, Town, Lagos.

    Odedeji, who expressed satisfaction with the works done on the project despite the fact that it started in November 2015, said “We need to gain souls for God and we also need to be truthful to both God and ourselves in whatever we do.”

    He said that lack of trust and lack of saying the truth when the need arises are what is causing major problems in our society today.  “Nigeria came to be as a plus; Nigeria came to be in existence because of unity. We must all put these in mind and let her regain her lost glory.”

    He also called on all Nigerians to be fully re-dedicated because the country needs peace, trust and unity at this crucial time of her economy.

    “Whatever can tarnish the image of the Lord must be avoided, no matter how small or big. The need to be our brother’s keeper must be paramount to all, irrespective of your background. Christians should always see themselves as the salt and light of the world,” he said.

    In his sermon, the Rt. Rev. Tunde Ogunbanwo, who is the Bishop of Ijebu South West Nigeria, admonished Christians to work towards re-examining themselves in order to have good news to tell God on the judgment day. He also said the people should use the re-dedication occasion to re-dedicate their lives after they must have re-examined it.

    “Our Christian lives must be checked and re-checked. Our mode of dressing should glorify God. We should be wise enough to build our house on the solid rock. Doing this will lift the nation and the work of God forward in all endeavours.”

  • ‘Don’t despair’

    The Presiding Pastor of Victorious Army Ministries International, Apostle Joseph Agboli, has appealed to church leaders to set up welfare development centres that would address the health, education and wellbeing of indigent youths within their communities.

    Agboli said this at the 2016 Bethel Victory Convention held recently at the church’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.

    The programme, My season of Favour, brought together thousands of Christian faithful drawn from across the country and beyond. It featured prayers, bible teachings, prophetic ministrations and songs rendition.

    He said that the church has a role to play in supporting the poor lead a normal life, especially as the economic downturn bites harder on the people.

    Agboli stated that the original intention of God for the church is to be the light and salt of the earth, in ways that it provides free and affordable health care services, free education at all levels, and proper welfare programmes for the hard to reach.

    He restated that the convention provides an avenue for God’s people to experience God’s power, presence, answers to prayers, breakthroughs and open heaven.

    He commended the effort of the government in fighting corruption, which, according to him, is laudable and encouraging.

    Among the guests at the convention were the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Dr. Mike Okonkwo; The President of Christian Life City in Hackney, United Kingdom, Wayne Malcolm; and the founder of the Jabula New Life Ministry, Tudor Bismark.

  • Godliness: God’s condition for greatness (3)

    Previously on this column, we discovered that greatness is one of our redemptive rights in Christ Jesus, but without godliness we cannot access same. Furthermore, we understood that our greatest battles in life are against the spirit of the world. As such, we cannot overcome the forces of sin without engaging the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Again, from scriptures, we understand that the spirit of the world manifests as: the lust of the eyes: wanting everything at any cost; the lust of the flesh: sexual perversion of all kinds, and the pride of life: a destroyer of destiny (1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 1 John 2:15-17). As we begin this week’s edition, let’s examine some Bible characters, who became victims of these manipulations.

    • Achan: He was caught with the goodly Babylonian garment and a wedge of gold. Though he confessed and repented, it was too late. The Bible says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us; but it was too late for Achan. I pray that it will not be too late for you to repent from that sin in the name of Jesus! (Joshua 7:20-21 &25).
    • Judas: This man already had his name written in the Book Of Life but satan got him (Luke 22:3). In Matthew 27:3-5, he also repented but it was too late.
    • Solomon: He loved God so much that God came from heaven in response to his offering (1 Kings 3:3-5). But in 1 Kings 11:1, the Bible says: ‘…Solomon loved many strange women.’ You will agree with me that it would take some level of demonic influence to have 700 wives and 300 concubines. That was why Solomon ended his journey in vanity (1 Kings 11:1-4; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2).
    • Samson: Samson was a one-man winning army but when he went after Delilah, he ended up in horror and his eyes were plucked out. Thereafter, he became a toy in the hands of the people he had once conquered. God will always forgive us for anything, if our repentance is not late (Judges 16:1-31; Isaiah 55:6).

    How to overcome the spirit of this world

    It is important to know that we cannot overcome the spirit of the world without engaging the Spirit of God. This is because the Spirit of God, which is also the Spirit of Holiness, is the only cure for the filthiness of the spirit and the flesh. As it is written: Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). From the above scripture, it is clear that Jesus needed the Spirit of Holiness to operate in the Spirit and not in the flesh, all through His ministry on earth. Therefore, if we must overcome the spirit of the world, we must engage the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Who is only accessible to those who are born again. 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: Walking in the Newness of Life, Overcoming the Forces of Wickedness, Walking in Dominion, Conquering Controlling Powers, Winning Invisible Battles and Force of Freedom.

    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

  • Church leaders task on welfare programmes,

    The Presiding Pastor of Victorious Army Ministries International, Apostle Joseph Agboli, has appealed to church leaders to set up welfare development centres that would address the health, education and wellbeing of indigent youths within their communities.

    Agboli said this at the 2016 Bethel Victory Convention held recently at the church’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.

    The programme, My season of Favour, brought together thousands of Christian faithful drawn from across the country and beyond. It featured prayers, bible teachings, prophetic ministrations and songs rendition.

    He said that the church has a role to play in supporting the poor lead a normal life, especially as the economic downturn bites harder on the people.

    Agboli stated that the original intention of God for the church is to be the light and salt of the earth, in ways that it provides free and affordable health care services, free education at all levels, and proper welfare programmes for the hard to reach.

    He restated that the convention provides an avenue for God’s people to experience God’s power, presence, answers to prayers, breakthroughs and open heaven.

    He commended the effort of the government in fighting corruption, which, according to him, is laudable and encouraging.

    Among the guests at the convention were the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Dr. Mike Okonkwo; The President of Christian Life City in Hackney, United Kingdom, Wayne Malcolm; and the founder of the Jabula New Life Ministry, Tudor Bismark.

  • Nigerians are hungry, Atilade tells Buhari

    The Chairman, South West Christian Association of Nigeria, Arch Bishop Magnus Atilade has advised the President Buhari to do more to alleviate the suffering of the poor in our society as Nigerians are hungry.

    Atilade made this known in an interview with the Nation over the week at his office in Surulere, said that Nigerians are crying and suffering as economic bites harder on the people and the federal government must be sympathetic and work assiduously to address the suffering of the people.

    He lamented the play game and excuses given by the federal government on the state of economic in 2016 which according to him will not be acceptable in 2017 as the people expect more from the government in taking the country out of this present recession.

    He said “government must be sympathetic to the poor and the weak in the society. 2017 may be filled with massive protest, agitation and unhealthy tension if the government refuses to address some of the mirages of economic problems facing the country”.

    He added that leaders and politicians should be more honest and stop deceiving the people that there is peace or hope, when there is none.

    He said “we have peace of the graveyard. We must work hard so that the tension in the land will not gravitate to violence, conflagration, mass protest and other unrest in the politic.

    He added that we are in delicate situation. If a man does not eat, a rich man cannot sleep. A hungry man is an angry man and is a mad man. You cannot predict what an idle man will do. An idle man is a useful tool in the hand of the devil. He would if possible fight if the need arises.

    He called for the reshuffling of President’s Buhari’s cabinet by putting the right people in the right place for Nigeria to move forward

    Although he opined that the President may have good intention to move the nation forward, Atilade said “putting the right people in the right place and removing all institutional impediments to growth is imperative”.

    “President Buhari may have good intention but the people implementing it are the problem.  Buhari has good intention but when development  programmes are sabotage by his trusted allies, then it will dents his image and affect  his credibility”, he said.

    He also appealed to Nigerians to be patience with the leadership of the country and work honesty in their daily activity because there is dignity in labour.

    “Nigerians should be patience with the leadership of the country and work more honesty and deal with people fairly. The unemployed should develop the innate abilities so they could be better place for employment opportunity.