The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Preach love, not hate, clerics challenged

    The President, Nigeria Region and Chairman of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Dr. Napo Emuchay has called on church leaders to preach messages of love, peace and harmony as against religious bigot that fuels violence.

     He said this at the third quarterly meeting of the OAIC at the Gospel Baptist Church in Nigeria and Overseas in Mushin, Lagos.

     Emuchay said at a time the world is battling with wars, crime, poverty, ill health, breakdown of moral values, religious teachers have the responsibility of promoting peace, love and compassion that typifies the life of Jesus.

    He said Christian preachers must encourage and emphasise religious tolerance, pursuit of peace and freedom of worship for all without any molestation or restriction.

    According to him: “We are living in a time which we desperately need peace, friendship and solidarity for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.”

    He lamented that some preachers were fond of inciting ethno-religious conflicts in the nation.

    Emuchay said: “We are called to be peace makers and peace builders and stabilitisers of our country during our preaching and public utterances as Christians.

     ”We are called to respond with convictions to the challenges such as entrenched poverty, ill health and the breakdown of African cultural and social systems that require groups to organise themselves to confront these obstacles.”

    Chairman OAIC, South West region, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, advised church leaders be more alive to their responsibilities of reaching the world for Christ.

     He said: “We need to seek for the power of God to be effective soul winners for Christ in this perilous time.”

    He reminded there are rewards for men and women who sacrifice time, energies, skills and opportunities for the sake of the gospel.

  • Group sensitises women on breast cancer

    A faith-based non-governmental organisation, Joyful Smile Foundation (JSF), last week organised a breast cancer awareness programme for no fewer than 50 women in Lagos.

    The awareness, which held at the Health Centre, Ojodu Abiodun was based on the United Nation Organisation declaration of October for breast cancer sensitisation.

    Executive director of JSF, Pastor Tola Kayode, said breast cancer was an avoidable health challenge with sufficient awareness.

    Women, according to him, can beat the breast cancer threat with enough knowledge.

    A public health educator, Mrs. Margaret Tijani, described cancer as an uncontrollable cells division of the body that could come out in lump form in the breast, armpit or shoulder.

    While stating that not lumps are cancerous, Tijani advised women to carry out breast self -examination though preliminary exercise.

    Monthly self-examination, according to her, should usually be five days after their menstrual flow.

    For women after menstruation, she advised they pick a date in the month for the examination.

    Lamenting the high incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria, Tijani stated that the condition is proving to be no respecter of age as many children have been discovered to be suffering from it.

    Tijani advised women to take prompt attention to lump in any part of their bodies and not be spiritual or religious about it.

    Some of the causes of breast cancer, according to her, are long use of contraceptives, multiple sexual partners, family history, obesity and junk foods, among others.

  • ‘Why I’m not a full-time Baba Aladura’ 

    ‘Why I’m not a full-time Baba Aladura’ 

    His Most Eminence, Dr Israel Akinadewo, is the Baba Aladura of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW) as well as Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos chapter.
    The forensic accountant spoke with Sunday Oguntola on a devotional he is working on and his ministry. Excerpts:

    You are the first Baba Aladura I know that is not full time. Why is this?
    I want to say one of the problems we have in Aladura movement is you see somebody with 10 members, who is a Baba Aladura without any source of income. The Baba Aladura will sit down and expect church members to feed him and take care of his financial needs.
    That makes them vulnerable to worldly affairs. One of the cardinal issues we have laid in our church is to make priests tent makers. You know tent-making used to be popular within the Aladura churches until the new trend.
    How can someone as young as I am, expect members, some older and some younger, to be bringing food to my table? I just can’t imagine it. A leader should not expect to be fed but learn to feed people. Jesus fed people even after preaching to them.
    Doesn’t not being full time take away from your concentration to spiritual things?
    It doesn’t at all. I can tell you I am as committed to spiritual things as those who are full-time. You can’t expect others to come and give you when God created you to be of assistance to the less-privileged. It is not right in this particular world. I have learnt in life that giving is the key to achieving successes and greatness in life.
    The more you give to people, the more God blesses you. When we get to heaven, it won’t matter whether one is full time or not. God is only interested in how many lives one could impact.
    One of my presentations recently considered tent making in ministry.
    I respect tent makers a lot.  They do not collect money from the church but rather bring in.  It has biblical backing and for me there is no distraction at all. It doesn’t stop me from performing and delivering divine mandate.
    You are a Baba Aladura, CAN secretary, an academic as well as a chartered and forensic accountant. How do you fit into all of these?
    I’m an introvert and I don’t go out. I don’t have time for social engagements. So, it is easy for me to make out time for most of these important aspects of my life.
    Being CAN secretary in Lagos state and Baba Aladura relate to my spiritual assignments. So, it is also easy to combine both.
    Most times, I just concentrate on reading, philanthropy and so forth. Anything that takes me out of these is nothing.
    How did you come about the idea of writing a devotional Daily Contact With God (DCWG)?
    The inspiration came last year when we were marking the anniversary of the death of the founder of the church. God spoke to me concerning the project and I got the title divinely. I remember I announced in the church at that time but I just left it at that.
    Then few months ago, one of our people that God is using in Diaspora encountered God through some of our publications. She suggested that we should have publications on periodic basis for people to learn from.
    She was just God-sent. It opened my eyes to what God already told me to do.
    There are already many devotions by denominations. Is DCWG also for members of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW)?
    You know Jesus Christ is the head of the church; Christ is not a messiah of some denominations. Christ is the head of all churches. Coincidentally, it is a Cherubim and Seraphim leader that is writing the devotional, but it is not meant for Aladura members alone.
    It is meant for all denominations, not even Christians alone. It is for people that want to learn more on how to get closer to God. If you look at what others have written, it means you are trying to copy but divinity is way above secularity.
    Are there features peculiar to this devotional?
    But there are two or three features common to this devotional. Every day, there is what we call Proverb for the day, you also have Psalms for the day and thoughts for the day.
    Thoughts for the day are not things people have said in the past. These are original thoughts inspired by the Holy Spirit.
    Is the devotional strictly just on spiritual issues?
    One thing that is very important is that no matter what we do, we require the direction of the Holy Spirit. Invariably, when you treat the spiritual aspect of life, it takes more than 90 percent of the entirety of what we want to do in this world.
    However, it is not about spirituality alone but it covers the areas of how to live, treat fellow humans and some others where we need God.
    Most Christians have devotionals they are already committed to. They will want to ask ‘why should I pick this to my list of devotionals for the day’.
    As a matter of fact, we always need more of God. I know there are many devotionals but we need more because the inspiration God has given to individuals is different.
    There is no devotional or church that has it all. Anything that can lead us into the way of the Lord cannot be enough.
    Aladura preachers are not known for what you are doing. If you are talking about visions or prophecies, people can understand. Why are you different?
    The word of God says ‘my people perished for lack of knowledge.’ If you look at the primary set up of the Aladura, you will realise that some uninformed successive members, changed the initial make up of the movement as founded by Saint Moses Orimolade.
    The Aladura of old, we were told, had to do with praying and taking people from darkness into light. There were no strange practices. Yes, the founder down to some generational leaders, were illiterates but they were truthful and obedient to the ministry as commanded by God.
    Nonetheless, being educated is advantageous in properly fulfilling the concept God has given one and structure it appropriately well. Sadly enough, because the early leaders did not have formal education and they couldn’t document the original formats, which gave rooms for many strange practices you find among some Aladura churches and members these days.
    Meanwhile, the reason for the devotion is to enlighten people the more. Aladura churches tend to focus more on helping people solve their problems. We do that so well but do not really prepare them for life hereafter.
    Many of us have woken to this challenge and I can assure you things have started changing for the better.
    Are you confident that Aladura members will embrace the devotional because people say that all they want is prophecy?
    This book is not meant for Aladura members alone. Let’s get that straight. It is simply written by an Aladura leader for all Christians and non-Christians.
    It is an interdenominational devotional book meant for those seeking to know God better. By God’s grace, I’m not just an Aladura leader and prophet but also a trained theologian with a lot of secular and academic experience.
    Is it true you are working on a public presentation for the devotional?
    Yes, it is true
    Why a public presentation?
    When Jesus Christ was on earth doing his ministry, he did everything in the open. He wasn’t doing all those things inside his inner house. Sometimes he went to the mountains, people followed him. That means he was well-known.
    He wasn’t an obscure leader. He wanted to reach as many people as possible. He knew he had something the world needed.
    It is the same with me. I am inspired by God to do this.
    So, how can you cook a good food and expect the aroma to stay inside the house? That’s the essence of this public presentation.
    However, it is not for pride. Writing a book is another form of evangelism.
    Imagine the number of homes that will get the devotional book and how it is going to transform their lives, with corresponding benefits to the larger nations.
    How long did it take you to write a 365-day devotional?
    It is difficult for anybody to research into it because it is an inspired book. If you are not doing anything, you can say you want to dedicate yourself in two or three months to write. But because it is divinely inspired, you have to wait for God to bring inspiration.
    Is this devotional an annual publication henceforth?
    Yes by His grace. It is a lifetime project that one will even pass on to the next generation.
    Are you sure you have enough materials, time, inspiration and resources to do it?
    The word of God is always new and the inspiration will always come. It is different from writing other secular books but when you are writing a devotional book, which is spiritual, it takes the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
    The Holy Spirit is always available. It is not about me but about God. As long as one is in Christ, and God liveth, this project will stand.

  • Nigeria will rise again, says cleric

    The Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Chosen Generation Parish Lagos, Joseph Noruwa, has stated the challenges facing the nation were long predicted by late British minssionary, Pa S.G Elton.

    Elton, according to him, in a prophecy said Nigeria will suffer direly but recover to become the envy of all nations.

    Noruwa spoke while hosting a cross section of VIPs, celebrities, government officials and businessmen during a service to mark the 56th independence anniversary.

    He said: “Pa Elton, regarded as the father of Pentecostal revival movement in Nigeria, had foreseen the current situations of things in the country as well as the subsequent restoration.

    “He had stated that afterwards, however, Nigeria will overcome the predicaments and all countries of the world will defer to it for its success and righteousness.”

     Specifically, he quoted Elton under whose wings several leading Pentecostal leaders in the nation grew in the 60s and 70s, to have said: “Nigeria/Nigerians will be known for corruption worldwide but the tide will turn and Nigeria will also be known for righteousness worldwide.

    “Many shall take hold of him that is a Nigerian, saying, we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you.”

     He urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and faithful because the prophecy will sure come to pass.

  • Adeboye tasks FG on AfDB grant

    General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has advised the federal government to judiciously invest the recent grant by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in financing developmental projects across the nation.

    He spoke at a special prayer and thanksgiving service for businessmen and artisans last Sunday at the National Headquarters RCCG, Throne of Grace, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos.

    Adeboye said: “I believe that government is taking the right step to revamp the economy with the recent grant by the Africa Development Bank which would help to cushion the numerous challenges in the productive sector”.

    Speaking through the Assistant General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Johnson Odesola, the popular cleric said government should make life more bearable to Nigerians through the grant.

    According to him: “Federal government should go ahead and access the ADB fund but modalities should be in place in the disbursement of such money since it belongs to those who have served the nation and they should not be denied of their money at the time when it is needed to support their lives.”

    On the proposed sales of national assets, he said: “I don’t subscribe to the sale of the country’s assets but we have assets that are lying fallow and are depreciating. Such can be sold to generate funds for development purposes.”

    Adeboye stressed:  “Generally speaking, I don’t subscribe to the sales of Nigeria’s assets. What is the essence of keeping economic assets when we don’t make use of them and there are businessmen locally and abroad willing to invest in such assets. It makes economic sense?”

    He advised businessmen to always conduct their transactions with the fear of God and avoid cheating anyone.

  • Remaining Chibok girls will soon be free, Korede assures

    The General Leader and District Chairman of Surulere District Worldwide of the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church Ayo Ni O, Special Apostle Sunday Korode, has assured the remaining Chibok girls will soon be released.

    He said the return of 21 of them days again is an indicator that those still left with Boko Haram fighters will soon regain their freedom.

    Korode spoke with reporters after conferment of Honorary Doctorate degree on him by the Church’s’ College of Divinity in Lagos last week.

    The 26th convocation of the Cherubim and Seraphim College of Divinity was for 2014, 2015 and 2016 sets with over 96 graduands awarded Diploma, Bachelor and Honorary Doctorate degrees.

    There were also special awards to Alumni of the college and those who have contributed to the growth of the college.

    One of them, Apostle (Hon.) Dave Salako, former House of Representative member from Remo Federal constituency, bagged an honorary doctorate degree.

    Korode, who is also the Lord Rector of the College said: “I think the release of the 21 Chibok school girls is a step in the direction of hope because for over 980 days we were hoping against hope.

    “Hope had become useless but by the time we heard that 21 of them has been released we are now having a rejuvenated hope that the others would also be able to come back”.

    On security, he said it is a major challenge but that with God on the side of the nation Nigeria will become another Goshen.

    “We believe that God will take over our land and Nigeria will become another Goshen and the Egypt of the world,” he stressed.

    To come out of economic recession, Korode said everybody must first of all get back to God, worship Him in Spirit and in truth and be selfless.

    According to him: “When you are selfless, you are God conscious and you start doing things anew for everybody’s interest, not your own interest and by the time you are on that frequency you are no longer under circumstance but under grace.”

    Korode challenged the graduands to use their training and certificate to further the frontiers of Christ kingdom.

    “Our challenge to them is not to just collect their degrees and awards for show and ceremony, they should use it to work for Christ and the kingdom.”

  • Cleric warns against hate sermons

    The president of Christian and Muslims Peace Advocacy and Enlightenment Initiative (CAMPAEI), Prophet Maurice Ogbu has challenged Christian and Muslim preachers to promote peace and unity through their sermons.

    He said hate preaching will set the nation on fire and force Nigerians to return to African religion.

    Ogbu told our correspondent last week that sermons that set people against themselves and promote violence cannot emanate from God.

    He said asking followers to defend God or go after those who are not of their faiths is a satanic agenda that will consume the promoters and executioners.

    According to him: “It is imperative for clerics to weigh all issues rationally and preach acceptable and upright messages that will promote love and unity among Nigerians instead of religious propaganda.

    “Nigerians will be better to go back to the roots of African religion, culture and tradition because they preach harmony and peace.

    “It is a shame that a nation with millions of Christians and Muslims is still far from being peaceful.

    “We are losing the values of these cultures and traditions because of the influences of Christianity and Islam.”

  • Catching a vision of God’s plan for your life!

    From scriptures, we recognise that by redemption, every child of God is a child of destiny. This is we are predestinated to share same order of life with Christ and the end product of our predestination is glorification (2 Peter 1:3; Romans 8:29-30).

    We also discover that we have a glorious, enviable, royal, prosperous and mountain-top destiny in Christ. Therefore, as children of God, we are not permitted to live as destitutes. However, every destiny in the Kingdom is vision limited. That is, vision is the spiritual access to our glorious destiny (Matthew 5:14-16).

    It is important to also understand that the Bible (God’s Word) is a Book of visions. That is, God’s Word is the custodian of God’s master plan (vision) for His people. As it is written: And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned (Isaiah 29:11-12).

    We must also understand that God’s Word is the spiritual mirror that reveals who we are in Christ. That is why the Word admonishes: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (James 1:22-25).

    That means, we must take covenant responsibility to translate the picture we see in the mirror of the Word into reality.

    Furthermore, the Word shows us what redemption has made of us. For instance, by redemption, we possess greater potentials than all the Old Testament saints. As it is written: Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (Matthew 11:11; see also Matthew 12:42).

    In addition, the Word shows us our content, what we can do through Christ and how to do them. It is written: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13; see also John 14:12; Philippians 4:13).

    It is also written: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12; see also Ecclesiastes 10:15).

    From the above, it is very clear that God’s plan for our lives is locked up in the Bible. All we need is to engage the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Blood of Jesus for continuous access.

    Let’s examine some pictures of our destiny in redemption

    v           We are redeemed to walk in dominion: ‘Dominion’ simply means living above life’s situations and circumstances. At creation, man was ordained for dominion after the order of God. After God created man, He said: …Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth (Genesis 1:28).

    However, man lost his dominion to sin but Christ died to restore it to us by the mystery of righteousness. Thus, every child of God is redeemed to walk in dominion by staying on top of life situations and circumstances.

    Moreover, at redemption, we were raised up together with Christ and made to sit together with Him in heavenly places. That is, redemption is our translation from the earthly realm to the heavenly realm, which is located far above where all principalities, powers and circumstances of life dwell (Ephesians 1:20-21, 2:6).

    However, we must understand that the secret behind our dominion is walking in the revelation of the truth. As it is written: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising (Isaiah 60:1-3).

    Just as natural light has unquestionable dominion over natural darkness, likewise, spiritual light has unquestionable dominion over spiritual darkness.  Thus, walking in the light of scriptures establishes our dominion on the earth. It is applied revelation as discovered from the Word that establishes our dominion over all life situations and circumstances. This is because God upholds all things by the Word of His power and our dominion is function of our depth of God’s Word. Therefore, the deeper our insight, the higher our level of dominion (Psalms 110:2; John 1:1-5; Hebrews 1:3). However, access to the living Word that guarantees our dominion begins with being born again. Are you born again? 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!”

    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

  • ‘Only divine intervention can defeat recession’

    The Badagry District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Henry Ogbonnaya, has said divine intervention is inevitable to rescue the country from its current predicaments.

    He spoke ahead of a four-day convention, which ends today.

    Ogbonnaya said the current economic woes assailing Nigerians is attributable to neglect of God in their lives.

    Waxing philosophical, he said if as an individual you choose to follow Mormon rather than God then you have yourself to blame when things go wrong.

    Justifying the theme of this year’s annual convention tagged: ‘Season of divine restoration’ Ogbonnaya said: “What Nigerians need right now is to allow God to redirect our lives, especially our leaders to know what to do.

    “The leadership seems all too confused in the midst of it all. If we can revert back to God, then all our worries can be overcome. That’s the promise of God.”

    While advising the government, specifically he said: “The government needs to look at their policies regarding job creation.

    “We need to revisit the flaws in our constitution because there are so many grey areas, which the government needs to address to turn things around for good. That is where I believe the change should start from,” he stressed.

    The church, he reiterated, has always been at the forefront of vanguard for change, stressing that Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs should see this clarion call to return to God as a divine admonition.

    Chairman of the eight-man organising committee, Rev. Okechukwu Solomon, said the convention played host to over 100 churches, which make up Badagry District.

  • Kolade is McPherson University’s chancellor

    Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade, has been unveiled as the new chancellor of  McPherson University, Ogun State owned by Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria.

    He was unveiled at a dinner with partners of the institution last Sunday in Lagos.

    The board room guru takes over from the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II.

    General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, Rev Felix Meduoye, said Kolade was chosen for the assignment because of his Christian credentials and contributions to mankind.

    In Kolade, Meduoye assured, the church has found a worthy chancellor whose wealth of experiences will help to move the institution forward.

    Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Oludapo Akinkugbe said: “I have no doubt you have found a viable asset in Kolade that will move the university forward.”

    With the new chancellor, the renowned pioneer  vice chancellor of University of Ilorin(UNILORIN) said: “I suspect McPherson University will rank among the top ten in Nigeria and Africa in few years to come.”

    Kolade, who described the appointment as the first of its kind in his illustrious careers in the media, corporate and diplomatic sectors, pledged to give it his best shot.

    According to him: “I consider this appointment as another opportunity to learn and serve God as well as humanity.

    “I feel God is asking me to add values to the thriving works in the university.”

    He said he consulted God for wisdom because taking the appointment, saying he had no doubt the institution will soar higher.

    According to him: “I’d do the best that I can to serve this university so that when my tenure expires, it will be said justifiably and truthfully that he left the place better than I met it.”

    Vice chancellor of Mcpherson University, Prof Adeniyi Agunbiade, said the institution has treated not less than 2,000 patients in its host community in the health centre.

    Adeniyi also reported it has built a community hall for the Seriki-Sotayo community as well as attracted a mobile substation to the host community since inception.