The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • We need divine solutions to recession- clerics

    Nigeria needs to pay attention to divine ideas through men of God to beat the biting economic recessions hands down.

    This was the consensus at a three-day ministers’ summit tagged Apostolic and prophetic activation conference, which ended last week in Lagos.

    The interdenominational conference was organised by Triga outreach international in Apapa, Lagos.

    Speakers after speakers spoke of how famine was tackled through divine counsels in biblical days.

    To Rev Tobias Ozemenna, the nation’s economic experts must listen to counsels from genuine men of God on how to address the recession debacle.

    He said: “Listening to the voices of true men of God is the only solution in bringing Nigeria out of the economic woes.

    “The country cannot move forward if church leaders are not listened to. It is the prophets that make the kings. It is not the kings that make prophets.”

    He said if government and economic experts listen to genuine men of God, there would be definite turn-around in the downturn in the nation.

     “If the leadership can listen to the voice of men of God, even if the heaven is locked and there is famine, the men of God that are called after God will cry upon God.

    “If the leaders can leave their evil ways, God will hear from heaven and respond,” he reiterated.

    He expressed readiness of the body of Christ to partner with the government in building the nation.

    “Church is a major stakeholder in Nigeria, we don’t have any other country we can call our own except Nigeria.

    “If things are bad in this country, it is also bad for us vise-versa. However, the government should try and listen to the church leaders who are upright, honest and operate with integrity,” he emphasised.

    International president of Triga international outreach,Apostle Uche Ndubuisi, believes the nation needs prayer to experience positive changes.

    “The church needs to prophesy for the country and turn it around,”Ndubuisi stated.

  • FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS(2)

    Jesus was all out to affect the life of everybody He met positively, He offered His all including His own life for the love of mankind. Jesus didn’t need a resounding crowd to preach an outstanding message-all He needed was one man, every opportunity he had with just one person was always so glorious. He showed us the importance of one-on-one ministration. With and through one person you can reach the world- don’t overlook that one child by you, reach out to him, show him love (this may not be your biological child).

    Nicodemus came to talk with Jesus at night, a time He should be resting after a hard day’s work. Jesus’ time of rest was interrupted and He allowed it, knowing that their conversation would bring about a great message of salvation to the world. He gave up His rest to minister to this one man a powerful message of salvation that gave rise tothe most common passage in the Bible, a passage that even those who don’t believe in Jesus can quote, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.
    As I sat to write this message, a youth came to tell me she needed counsel which I didn’t quickly accept because I was busy, but the message in this write up struck me. I stopped writing, called her and we talked. By giving her attention my life too was powerfully impacted by our discussion. This young girl, I know is one of those God will use to positively impact her generation. I went back to writing only to be interrupted again by a mechanic we got for some repairs. I asked to see the item he bought for the repairs, only to find out he lied about the cost- he inflated the price; I bought the same item recently, Ialso found out he didn’t even buy a new one but used an old one. The common thing to do is to quarrel with him but I decided to ignore everything and get back to work; I was busyandhad a lot to get done.After all, he would get the repairs done, also knowing it is common with them (like we always say). But God helped me- I found myself talking about it and ministering to him about lying, its consequences and the blessings of obeying God…afterwards he was happy and thanked me- God cared about his soul. I still paid him the agreed amount. The word BUSY repeated itself in these two cases; my busy schedule would have made me miss this great opportunity to reach out to the man. We should be sensitive to know when God brings opportunities our way, these opportunities most times come through interruptions. Gloria Gaither says and I believe it, that God is in our interruptions- in fact the greatest encounters in life happen through interruptions. We can miss out of great opportunities if we are not sensitive to godly interruptions. The message God is speaking to me and you; is to care about everyone we come in contact with- the meat seller, pepper seller, driver, house- help, and bus conductor etc, even the cantankerous ones.

    Nicodemus didn’t believe Jesus was the Son of God, but went to talk with Him and his life was transformed. Jesus concentrated on reaching a lost soul who purportedly taught people about God but didn’t truly know God. Nicodemus sought signs but Jesus sought his soul. Let’s look at Nicodemus’ interview with Jesus and be transformed too:

    Nicodemus: Rabbi (Teacher), we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting
    miracles] that You do unless God is with him.

    Jesus: I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.

    Nicodemus: How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?

    Jesus: What I am telling you so earnestly is this- Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.Men can only reproduce human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven; so don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again! Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it will go next, so it is with the Spirit.The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

    Nicodemus: How can these things be possible?

    Jesus: You, a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I am telling you what I know and have seen-and yet you
    won’t believe me. But if you don’t even believe me when I tell you about such things as these that happen here among men, how can you possibly believe if I tell you what is going on in heaven? For only I, the Messiah, have come to earth and will return to heaven again. And as Moses in the wilderness lifted up the bronze image of a serpent on a pole, even so I must be lifted up upon a pole (the cross), so that anyone who believes in Me will have eternal life. For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no eternal doom awaiting those who trust Him to save them. But those who don’t trust Him have already been tried and condemned for not believing in the only Son of God. Their sentence is based on this fact: that the Light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the Light, for their deeds were evil. They hated the heavenly Light because they wanted to sin in the darkness. They stayed away from that Light for fear their sins would be exposed and they would be punished. But those doing right come gladly to the Light to let everyone see that they are doing what God wants them to.

    After this encounter with Jesus, Nicodemus’ life never remained the same, he became a transformed man and of course this encounter is still transforming lives today. I hope it transforms yours too.

    TEXT: John 3: 1-21.

  • Understanding the healing covenant!

    Understanding the healing covenant!

    From scriptures, we discover that Jesus introduced Himself as the Great Physician. As it is written: But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:12-13; Jeremiah 8:19-22).

    Interestingly, Jesus’ healing ministry covers all manner of sicknesses and diseases, and all through His earthly ministry, He never referred any case brought to Him. That is what makes Him the Great Physician.

    However, we must understand that healing, health and wholeness are exclusive reserve for the redeemed. That was why Jesus called it the “Children’s bread” when the woman of Canaan requested for her daughter’s healing. The Bible says:

    Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour (Matthew 15: 25-28).

    If healing is the children’s bread, then we, as children of God are entitled to it because no parent would see his/her child hungry, yet say: “I will give you food tomorrow.” Instead, he/she would feed the child immediately. In the same vein, God would not postpone our healing because just as food is “now” to a hungry child, healing is also “now” to a sick believer.

    Also, we serve a loving and responsible Father, Who is hurt when we are sick and wants us healed instantly. That is why He said:

    For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me (Jeremiah 8:21).

    Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ, I decree your “now” healing package delivered!

    Furthermore, we recognise from the opening scripture that the Balm in Gilead is the great prescription of this Great Physician.

    But, what makes this Balm so great?

    We understand from scriptures that God’s Word is the Balm in Gilead. It is written:

    My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22).

    Again, we saw in scriptures that everyone who heard Jesus preach was made whole, instantly:

    And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all (Luke 6:17-19).

    However, it is not enough to know the great prescription of the Great Physician, we must administer it as prescribed before we can enjoy the benefit therein. This is because buying drugs prescribed by the doctor from the pharmacy does not guarantee one’s healing; it is taking it that does. Similarly, finding the Word does not guarantee our healing, it is putting it to work that releases the healing virtues therein.

    Furthermore, it is important to know that every provision of scriptures, including healing, health and wholeness are delivered based on covenant. That is, certain conditions must be met before they can be fulfilled and until our part is played, God is not committed. Remember, knowing what the provisions are, is mere information. However, knowing what to do to actualize them is revelation and that is what establishes a covenant with God.

    What, then, is a covenant?

    A covenant is a deal enacted by God, based on well-defined terms, and sealed with an oath. It is God swearing by Himself that if we would do as commanded in scriptures, He would make available to us the provisions therein. In other words, engaging a covenant simply means knowing the terms of acquiring scriptural provisions and committing to same for their delivery. When these terms are met, we commit God to perform.

    For this teaching, let us explore the vital terms attached to the healing Covenant

    • We must be born again: Redemption is our guaranteed access to the overcomer’s world. This is because whatever is born of God overcomes every issue of life, including sicknesses and diseases (1 John 5:4; John 1:12; John 3:7).

    Also, as stated earlier, healing is the children’s bread and as such, it is not our entitlement until we become God’s children, which is what being born again is all about. Remember, just as no one can access an inheritance in a family he does not belong to, we cannot access God’s healing virtue until we become part of His family (1 John 3:1-2).

    • Be filled with the Holy Spirit: We must be filled with the Holy Spirit before we can enjoy God’s healing, health and wholeness. As it is written: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (Romans 8:11).

    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 will conclude this teaching next week.

    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

  • Alao: if Buhari fails, we’ve all failed

    THE Supreme Head of Cherubim &Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Prophet Dr. Solomon Alao has called on Nigerians to unite and pray for President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed with his economic reforms.
    Prophet Alao made the call while delivering his keynote address at the 91st Seraphim day anniversary with the theme “I have set the Lord always before me” at the Seraphim Land, KM 40, Lagos/Ibadan expressway last week.
    He said Nigerians have no option than to pray because if Buhari fails with his economic reforms, the entire nation has failed.
    He explained further that Nigeria will be worst off for it if Buhari fails.
    According to Alao: “Buhari needs our collective prayers. If he fails, we have all failed but if he succeeds and the economy becomes buoyant, we will all reap the benefits.
    “So, there is the need for all us to cooperate with him for our own benefits.”
    Alao, who advised Nigerians to patronise locally-produced goods to strengthen the naira, said political leaders must also look inwards.
    He said government must go back to the drawing board and learn from the country’s founding fathers, who despite religious and tribal sentiments enthroned peace and economic stability in all the regions.
    He said the country is destined for greatness, stressing that Nigerians must change their present attitudes of deep rooted tribal sentiments as well as religious intolerance.
    Baba Aladura explained that God is the only way out of Nigeria’s predicaments.
    Nigerians, he said, must strive to stand on the path of truth, respect for human dignity and love towards fellow human beings.
    He also tasked Christians all over the country to shun corruption, especially members of the C&S Unification of Nigeria.
    Alao warned that any member of the church found to have corruptly enriched himself/herself would be ostracised.
    While enjoining all members to be fully involved in the development of the Moses Orimolade University, Omu Aran, the cleric urged all members of Cherubim & Seraphim family worldwide to come together in unity.
    He said unity of the church remained a crucial cause that must be pursued fervently.
    He also added that they must also shun all forms rituals, saying all sacrifices are diabolical and against the teachings of Jesus Christ.

  • ‘How churches can best fight terrorists’

    ‘How churches can best fight terrorists’

    General Overseer of Divine Prayers and Prophetic Ministry Asaba, Delta State, Rev Divine Okwara spoke with EVELYN OSAGIE on why Nigerians should arise against incessant attacks on churches and clerics. Excerpts:

    What is your take on birthday celebrations?

    I recognise two very important dates in a man’s life – when a man’s born and when he dies. Both dates should be taken seriously. For me, my birthday reminds me of where I am coming from.

    It is one of the happiest days of my life because it is a time to appreciate God for adding another year to my life. And that is why I often celebrate with orphans and widows because I once experienced and knew the language of poverty. I never wore dippers as a baby.

    My poor mother used ordinary clothes and napkins. I know what it means to struggle, be in need. Things were extremely difficult until God rescued me. So I understand the plights of the poor.

    And to give orphans and widows a sense of appreciation and love, I visit every year and also assist them in my own little way.

    What would you say about the social-economic situation in country?

    It is no news that our country is going through hard times and it looks like an evil wind is blowing. Nobody is being spared. Both the wealthy and the poor are all feeling the heat. There is so much hunger, suffering, deprivation and crime is on the increase. We need divine intervention.

    My take has been that if we are to have sustainable development, the oil sector is no longer profitable. We have to diversify, explore and develop other areas like agriculture. Now is the time for us to embark on a full length agricultural production. And we must take it seriously.

    We need to put in place strategies that will help alleviate hunger and solve the problems Nigerians face on daily basis. We can’t continue like this. We must take proactive actions to change the present economic situation.

    What is your take on incessant attacks, particularly on Christian and churches in the North?

    It is most traumatic. This is the time for the generals of God to stand firm and pray. We have to seek the face of God. Everyone, not only Christians, must take up their ‘weapons of war’ and stand in the gap for our brothers and sisters in the troubled spots, because although Christians and most churches are under attack, the attacks are not limited to them alone.

    And it is not a conventional war where people will fight with arms and ammunition. I am talking of a holy war. It had happened before in the Bible on several accounts.

    So what sort of ‘holy war’ do you mean?

    The holy war, I mean, is not the one you fight with the guns, machetes or clubs: all God’s generals should stand up and fight for justice and cleanse the land of corruption. What is happening now is like when James and Peter were killed and the church came out to fight a holy war.

    If the entire body of Christ does not rise up against these ills, it will persist. The church needs to rise up on their knees before the attacks gets to its generals.

    The land has been defiled. Nigerians have to wake up from their spiritual, go on their knees and beg for forgiveness from God. We have no other country but Nigeria and it is our duty to salvage it. We must unite to fight these Armageddon of continuous hideous attacks.

    Many people, especially Christians, attribute the violence and brutality to fulfillment of biblical ‘end time’ prophesies. What is your opinion?

    Indeed, this is an era of fulfilling what is written in scriptures. We are actually coasting towards the end time as predicted in the Scriptures – and anything can happen. As we have genuine Christians, so we have those who are not sincere. However, God has raised His preachers and prophets at this time to stand in the gap and seek for solutions to man’s travails.

    How come churches are springing up on daily basis, yet evil deeds are in the increase?

    As I have said it is a sign of the end time. It is important for the body of Christ to understand that it is not all who call God that are God’s own. That why I tell people that in anything they do, they should seek God’s face first and know God in all they are doing.

    Naturally, one would expect that with the increase in the number of Christian faithful and outreaches preaching the gospel today, there would have been peace, harmony and love among men but unfortunately, that is not to be. Instead, what we see is a harvest of evil deeds on daily basis.

    These are perilous times. Now, you must test all spirits to know which one is of God.  The tragedy is that the more churches spring up, the more iniquity abounds in our land. Of course, this is biblical. But of course, those who truly have the mantle will emerge and God will vindicate His children.

    What is your advice for the widows?

    I advise them to ensure that their children are well-brought up so that their future will be bright and beneficial to their mothers and the society at large. Widowhood is so challenging that the women cannot afford to lose their husbands and lose their children to either negative societal influences or crime. They should endeavour to inculcate good values in them.

    Parents have a vital role to play in the upbringing of their children. I have seen parents who neglected their roles because of hardship; especially by allowing their daughters become commercial sex-worker because of the money they get. It is sacrilegious and bad to make your child a money-making venture by being wayward. Such parents will regret and account for their actions one day.

    Aside widows, parents should train their children with morals and imbibe the fear of God in them. Children should be monitored at all stages of their life. Parents should strive to provide the basic needs.

  • Give priority to God, clerics charge

    Nigerians must place God above personal, tribal, political and socio- economic interests to experience meaningful changes.

    This was the consensus among clerics from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) at the maiden edition of a three-day programme titled: ‘Alpha and Omega’ in Ikoyi Mountain, Osun state, recently.

    Speaking during the programme, which coincided with the 80th anniversary of the mountain, the clerics said Nigeria is passing through one of its worst moments in history.

    They stated that only divine intervention can change the tide positively.

    The clerics include: District Coordinating Council (DCC Oke- Osun), Pastor Alalade; Pastor Akinloye(DCC, Akure, Ondo state) and Pastor Akpan(DCC, Ilorin, Kwara state).

    The President, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun and General Evangelist, Prophet Samuel Abiara were represented at the event.

    Alalade, who doubles as chairman of the mountain, said the theme was a reflection of the happenings in the country.

    He said many Nigerians, including clergymen, are not really seeking God.

    According to him: “For the Nigeria to achieve greatness, its citizens must genuinely seek God.

    “How can we explain a situation, in which a clergyman is using demonic powers to perform miracles?

    “How can we explain a situation, in which Christian faithful failed to pray, fast and live a holy life in order to connect what he describes as the raw power of God?

    “How can we explain a situation, in which leaders at various levels are seeking their own and not God?”

    He said Nigeria would change for better once the citizens decide to put God first in whatever they do.

    Akinloye said true worship comes from the heart.

    He said it was high time backsliders went back to God in humility.

     

  • RCCG parish targets more souls at 10

    RCCG parish targets more souls at 10

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Christ The Lord Peace Parish, Mushin Lagos will commence activities marking its 10th anniversary from September 28.

    A revival service holds from September 28-30 at the auditorium of the church 9, Agoro Bogunbolu Street, Ilasamaja by 6pm.

    A special street rally aimed at evangelism tagged One man, One soul, One Jesus holds on October 1 by 8am.

    The anniversary thanksgiving service is on October 2 by 8am in the church’s auditorium.

    A statement by the parish pastor, Amaechi Okafor, said Evangelist Ilesanmi is the guest minister throughout the celebration.

  • Atilade seeks support for IDPs

    Atilade seeks support for IDPs

    The South West chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Archbishop Magnus Atilade has called on faith-based civil society groups and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to initiate concrete programmes aimed at alleviating the suffering of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the north east.

    He told our correspondent it is sad majority of the IDPs are homeless, requiring support to lead a normal life.

    He pointed out the federal government cannot salvage the current situation, urging churches and CSOs to rally round the threatened IDPs to achieve self-sufficiency.

    “The federal government has done so much yet it looks so little. We need faith-based organisations to help out at the IDPs camps.

    “Let’s provide food stuff, clothing, drugs and other essential to help them out because we are of the same humanity and heritage,” he stressed.

    The IDPs, Atilade stated, are in dire needs of skill acquisition for relevance in the 21st century.

    Atilade, who is also the Chairman of Chairman Nigeria Opportunities Industrialisation Centres (NOIC), stated every youth needs basic education and industry-related skills for employability.

    He noted that skills such as tailoring, auto mechanics, catering, computer application, bead making, cleaning and carpentry are necessary for immediate employment in the productive industry.

    “Things are getting harder in our country day by day and anything that can boost self-employment should be encouraged and supported by everyone,” Atilade stated.

     

  • Return to the farms, Adeboye charges men

    Return to the farms, Adeboye charges men

    The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has charged men to go back to farms and stop waiting for elusive government or white collar jobs.

    He spoke at a special prayer and thanksgiving service for men at the National Headquarters RCCG Throne of Grace, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

    The programme tagged a new thing attracted thousands of Christians from across the nation.

    Adeboye said since God has blessed Nigeria with land and numerous mineral resources, men should consider how to leverage on them.

    According to him: “”There are creative things that we can do. There are so many jobs available. I know it difficult but there are possibilities for people who open their minds.”

    “Let us go back to the lands. White collar jobs are fast fading away but the green collar jobs are intact. Instead of looking for jobs, we can create one around agriculture.”

    Adeboye, who spoke through the Assistant General Overseer, Pastor Johnson Odesola, added: “Nigeria needs water to drink, foods to sell. If you are determine to be live above board in the midst of austerity, connecting to God still bring about creative ideas.”

    He stressed “any-man who has no work should not attempt marriage because husbands should be bread winners and providers for the family. God gave a man a job before he gave him a wife.”

    The popular preacher wondered how Nigeria will survive should the oil reserves dry up.

    He lamented over- dependence on oil over the years has become the nation’s undoing, noting that diversification of our economy is not only important but also urgent to get out of the wood.

    He called on government at all levels to review policies on agriculture that would provide enabling environments for embrace the sector.

  • Daystar empowers 5,000 students with bags, sandals, others

    Daystar empowers 5,000 students with bags, sandals, others

    No fewer than 5,000 less privileged students penultimate Saturday received free bags, shoes and other educational materials from Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos.

    The gesture was courtesy of the Back to School project of the church aimed at providing free educational supports to students ahead of resumption from long vacation.

    Senior Pastor Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos, Rev. Sam Adeyemi has urged government at all levels to invest quality resources into building the nation’s future.

    This, he said, will assist the students to learn in conducive atmosphere and discover their full potentials for greatness.

    Adeyemi said the essence of a government is to make learning easy and smooth for students to assimilate.

    “How will a student cope in school when he or she does not even have a school bag or writing materials?” he wondered.

    The host of Success Power broadcast explained the church’s gesture is a benevolence aimed at equipping less privileged students with educational materials to help maximise their academic experiences.

    Head Daystar Benevolence unit, Akinwande Ademosu, said: “This is an annual initiative for us. We do not just talk giving, we do it.

    “We strongly believe investing in these students amounts to investing into Nigeria’s future.

    “As these students resume in the coming week, we are sure they will have materials to settle down for academic excellence. We will do more as God empowers us.”

    Most of the parents expressed gratitude to God and the church for the assistance.

    They said it will go a long way in helping their kids settle down well in the new season.