The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Why Nigeria needs breakthrough, by cleric

    The Pastor-in-charge of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Lagos Province 25, Pastor DeboAkande, has explained why Nigerians need to pursue personal and national breakthrough.

    He said a situation where Nigerians suffer in the midst of abundance despite their great efforts was not ordinary.

    Akande, a lawyer, lamented that many Nigerians were toiling like elephants without any concrete proof.

    He spoke on Friday in a parley with reporters ahead of the annual breakthrough conference of the province slate for July 21-23 with the theme No more toiling.

    According to him: “Nigeria is greatly blessed and favoured but there has been mismanagement of resources through bad leadership.

    “This is why we are all suffering despite the massive human and natural resources in the country.

    “There are so many professional toiling without results and dividends. There is urgent need for God to step into the situation of the nation for His people to stop toiling.”

    The conference, which started in 2008, he said, is designed “for holistic touch of God in all facets of life. It is a platform for God to intervene in the affairs of His people.”

    It holds at the provincial headquarters KM 17, OtunbaRunsewe Estate, Ahmaddiya Lagos.

    Expected guest ministers are Bishops JideOrire and OheneAsare.

  • Activist, wife bag Knight awards

    Akure-based activist and lawyer Charles Titiloye has been decorated by the Catholic Church as knight of the order of Saint Mulumba.

    Apart from his various human rights activism, Titiloye is a renowned social critic.

    He is the founding president of Association of Catholic lawyers in Catholic Diocese of Ondo.

    He was honoured alongside his wife, Evelyn as a lady of the order of Saint Mulumba.

    Performing the installation at Akure, the Ondo state capital, Brother Francis Ogini, the metropolitan Grand Knight of Ibadan Metropolitan, urged him to work more for the humanity and defend the catholic faith.

    The Chaplain of Ave Maria sub- Council of Knight of St. Mulumba in Ondo Diocese, Rev. Fr Cajetan Famakinwa commended the knight of Saint Mulumba for their discipline and apostolate works in the Catholic Church.

    He urged the couple to continue his good work to humanity.

  • Motailatu awards suicide survivor full scholarship

    His father went straight down on his knees, praising God. TundeOlaniyan, the National Diploma student of Lagos State Polytechnic, Isolo couldn’t resist thanking God too. His mother, who sat to his left, too joined in the celebration.

    It’s been a 360-degree turnaround for the family. Less than two months ago, the accountancy student was just minutes away from death. He had taken a poisonous substance that made pass out for hours. It took critical medical attention before he could be resuscitated.

    The 21-year-old Tunde decided to take his life after pick-pockets made away with his N45, 000 ND 2 tuition. He left a suicide note for his parents before his immediate elder sister luckily walked in. His father, a driver and mother, a petty trader, had toiled day and night to raise the N45, 000.

    Tunde, who was homeless for the two years he was in school, had taken to working as a bus conductor himself to survive. “I didn’t think I would ever make that kind of money in my life. I just thought it was better to die,” Tunde told our correspondent.

    When his pathetic near-death case was reported in the media, it got attention of the Supreme Head and Prelate of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), DrIsreal Akinadewo.

    “I started thinking of what he could have gone through and what would have happened if he had died. I felt we must do something to give him a new lease of life,” Akinadewo recalled.

    Last Thursday, the church awarded full scholarship to Tunde. General Evangelist of MCCSW, Prof. Joseph Otubu, said the gesture was in continuation of the church’s commitment to raising the downtrodden.

    “By the grace of God, we will sponsor Tunde to any level he wants to gets to academically, even PhD level,” he announced to the excitement of those in the church’s auditorium.

    Otubu explained that the scheme will cover his tuition, accommodation, feeding, textbook and whatever “it takes to make his studies comfortable.”

    Akinadewo corroborated that the church will see to it that Tunde becomes a success in life. “That is what this church is all about,” he stressed.

    The church has issued a letter to that effect to the lucky Tunde.

    It reads: “In view of the recent communication with and your parents, please be informed that our church has decided to offer you a complete scholarship on your educational career and pursuits.

    “This scholarship covers through to any level of your educational pursuits.”

    Tunde’s father, Amos Olaniyan, who was wrongly suspended from the Nigeria Police 21years old, was elated.

    He said: “This is an unexpected favour from God. This is a complete miracle. I am grateful to God and the church. I never imagined this would happen to us.”

    Tunde said with the gesture, his life will never be the same again. According to him: “Money has always been the problem but since it is out of the way, I will stop at nothing to soar academically.”

  • Godliness aids academic excellence, says don

    Godliness with strong academic exposure is guaranteed to take Christian students to the top.

    This was the submission of former vice-chancellor Redeemers University, Professor OyewaleTomori at the 25th valedictory service of the Christ The Redeemer’s College Christ Hill (CRC) Sagamu Ogun State.

    Tomori, who was the guest speaker, described the Abundant hope 2016 set as spiritual assets prepared for higher academic pursuits.

    He explained that the name of the set was chosen with serious thoughtfulness and sensitivity considering the state of the nation.

    According to him: “Only spiritual formation and good character will take you beyond your certificate.

    “We need abundant hope in these present times in the history of our country; our country is a nation perpetually at periphery of greatness.

    “We are a nation blessed with human and natural resources needed to make us a great country.”

    He noted that seeing the young ones, winning prizes and awards in technology, auto mechanics, drawing, painting, catering and craft and a lot of other basic subjects, shows that there was a blend of education and skills acquisition in the college.

    He said that the kind of exposure in the college would help the graduands as they move higher in their educational pursuits.

    He advised them to hold on to God and set their priority right as they embark on higher educational pursuit.

    The principal, Pastor (Mrs.) AntointteOmo-Osagie, encouraged the graduands to always remember service to humanity is their mandate.

    She said: “The school has equipped the graduands morally, academically and spiritually to strive for excellence in everything they do.

     “We have expanded their horizons beyond the academic and molded them through a wide range of entrepreneur programmes and experience to make them become leaders in a dynamic world.”

    Chairman board of Governor of the school, Pastor Adebayo Adeyemo, who described the set as fantastic owing to their   numerous academic and extracurricular awards said they will drive the nation’s economy in no time.

    The outgoing Council president, Onoh Chukwuemeka, said “It has been an enriching and memorable journey of six years.

    “I had the privilege to be the council president of this college. It was indeed a moment to learn principles of leadership.”

  • Ministry breaks new grounds in mission supports

    Praise of His Glory Ministry International (C-PHGM), a group of volunteer professionals, has been supporting and mobilising resources for the wellbeing of missionaries and mission agencies in Nigeria.

    Apart from full-time missionaries on its payrolls, the ministry commissioned in 2009, also donates support materials to mission agencies as well as the rural communities.

    In less than a decade, it has made silent but remarkable progress in advancing the frontiers of mission works across Nigeria.

    In 2011, it constructed a worship auditorium for Jesus Missions, Ikire-Ile community, Osun State. In 2012, the ministry donated five motor bikes to aid mobility in rural parts of Nigeria.

    Based on the visible commitment of the ministry, it attracted more resources and did much more in 2013 by constructing water borehole for Bode-Osi community in Osun State.

    It also donated a van to Jesus Missions, Bode-Osi before proceeding to Demo Geri, Niger state where it renovated a mission house for First Fruit Ministry.

    Peace Child Academy, Tunga Basuna, Niger State also benefitted from the construction of classroom building by the ministry.

    By 2014, the ministry completed two bedroom hostels for Tabitha Evangel Ministry, Miango, Plateau State. It proceeded to construct a 10-room hostel for GMB School of Missions, Gidan Ahmadu, Katsina State.

    Last year, C-PHGM constructed water borehole for Christian Missionary Foundation; 4-bedroom hostel for Tabitha Evangel Ministry, Miango, Plateau State; worship centre for Jesus Missions, Ile-Ogo, Osun State and donated two motor bikes to missionaries in rural areas.

    In 2016, it sponsored a farm project by Tabitha Evangel Ministry to mitigate feeding of 700 Internally Displaced Kids (mainly orphans). Five motor bikes have been provided to missionaries in remote areas while there is ongoing construction of a Mission House at Tugbudu community and PaikoBassa communities in Niger States.

    Beyond supporting with resources, the ministry also carries out medical outreaches in at least eight to 10 communities in Osun state every year and two others in Niger state.

    There is also the educational sponsorship for missionary children, which has seen two graduates already and 11 others in secondary and tertiary institutions. At the last count, over 33 missionaries/families are on monthly upkeeps of the ministry.

    International president of the ministry, Pastor Isaiah Okanlawon, told our correspondent there is more to do in the nation.

    “We feel privileged to have done a bit but there are many more lands to possess. There are many missionaries without support and resources.

    “By the grace of God and help of our supporters, we shall reach them with then needed support.”

  • YOWICAN demands justice over female preacher’s killing

    The Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), has called on the federal government to ensure that justice is done over the murder of Deaconess Eunice Olawale penultimate Saturday in Kubwa, Abuja during early morning evangelism.

    Its national chairman Daniel Kadzai said the culprits should be brought to face the law for committing such unacceptable and barbaric act.

    “We will not allow this to continue because nobody has the monopoly of violence. As such, we hope the youths will not be pushed to start reacting negatively.

    “We will keep reminding the government through the media to make sure that justice is done on this issue.’’

    He advised Christian youths to remain calm and stay away from any form of protest as it could lead to religious violence and result to the shedding of more innocent blood.

    “We must rise up as youths to protect our properties; we must rise up and protect the church and the members therein; the church must unite.

    “As CAN, the first needful thing we sought to do was to pray with the family of the deceased and ask God to take over the irreplaceable loss.

    “We urge youths to trust God; everybody must be watchful because the days are evil.

    “We wish to appeal for calmness to all Christians, to seek proper permission for a peaceful protest against what happened and put any action on hold,’’ Kadzai said.

    Besides, the chairman called on all Christian youths and the church to stay calm and not to react to the murder until permission was obtained for a peaceful protest.

  • Understanding the unlimited power of faith!

    From scriptures, we discover that faith is one of the principal mysteries of the Kingdom. This is because as far as God is concerned, faith is key to accessing all that He has in store for us in His Kingdom. That is why Jesus said: …If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23; see also 1 Timothy 3:9).

    Also, when Martha told Jesus that Lazarus was already dead for four days and was stinking, He replied: …Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:39-40).

    Thereafter, Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave and he that was dead, came alive. That means, faith was the principal force that brought Lazarus back to life. Thus, resident in the Mystery of Faith is a dynamo that has the capacity to turn any negative situation around and deliver our desired results.

    “Mystery” in this context connotes Kingdom secrets imbedded in scriptures. It can also be defined as divine revelations from scriptures that are wrapped up in biblical simplicities. For instance, when the servants at the wedding in Cana poured water into pots as instructed by Jesus, it became wine that was sweeter than the ones bought. Also, when Naaman dipped himself in River Jordan seven times as instructed by Elisha, the Bible records that …his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean (2 Kings 5:14; see also Mark 9:29; John 2:5-9).

    The mystery of faith is simply doing whatever God instructs, through His Word, to prove that we believe Him to make good His promise. There is no chemical research that can unravel Kingdom mysteries and faith is one of such mysteries that is superior to science. It is a scriptural mystery that can neither be diagnosed nor disproved scientifically. That is why only God’s Word can unravel the mystery of faith.

    But, what is Faith?

    • Faith is a spiritual platform through which God’s integrity is committed for supernatural intervention: For instance, when the three Hebrew men were sentenced to the burning fiery furnace for refusing to worship a golden image, one of them said: If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (Daniel 3:17-18).

    This committed God’s integrity to perform because one of His commandments states: Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3; see also Exodus 20:1-6).

    As a result, God showed up in the fiery furnace, consumed the effect of the fire because He is the Consuming Fire and made it a cool room before the Hebrew men were thrown in (Daniel 3:19-30).

    We must recognise that when we engage the mystery of faith, we provoke God’s integrity for supernatural intervention when challenged. The moment we take a stand for God, we commit Him to deliver His promises. However, it is important to mention that God will only fight for us when we are still. For instance, despite the fact that the furnace was heated seven times more, the Bible records that the three Hebrew men walked majestically into the fire, trusting God and He stepped in. When we become still in any situation and circumstance of our lives, God takes over and when He does, the victory is sure (Exodus 14:14; Daniel 3:24-26).

    However, we must understand that being still in any situation and circumstance of life for God to intervene, begins with us accepting Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. When we do so, God becomes our heavenly Father, and we all know that no parent will watch his or her child suffer. This is one of the benefits, among many, that are accrued to you when you become born again. If you are yet to be born again and you desire to, you can 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: Unlimited Power of Faith, Born To Win, Breaking The Curse Of life and Winning Invisible Battles.

    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

  • Love: Most excellent way (5)

    LOVE FOR NEIGHBOUR- love for your neighbour and love for your enemies. To show that you know God you will love like He does. He sent His Son Jesus to die for ALL irrespective of who you are, your Religion, Tribe, Nationality etc. Jesus died for the whole world to set us free from the bondage and slavery of sin and to make us enjoy sweet fellowship with God now and forever. You only need to believe in the love God sent in the person of His dear Son Jesus Christ and you will enjoy peace with God. By so doing God showed us unconditional love in that while we didn’t love Him, we acted as His enemies yet He loved us and made a way to reconcile us to Himself, so we are to love our enemies.

    Jesus teaches saying: “You have heard that it was said. You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

    For if you love those who love you, what rewards have you? Do not even corrupt tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”. Wow! Loving this way makes one perfect- food for thought for those like me who desire to be perfect- it takes loving your enemies.

    Jesus came physically as man to show us the way to love- who while in great pain prayed for His enemies who crucified Him, He could have cursed and prayed death on them but He didn’t do that rather He prayed very good prayers for them, that God should forgive them. You and I haven’t experienced as much humiliation yet we find it difficult to let go.

    Stephen’s life of love even in the face of death struck me. He was arrested out of envy; they lied against him and accused him of blasphemy. While they wouldn’t believe in Jesus they hated and killed those who believe and follow Him. As they stoned Stephen to death, he knelt down and cried out to God saying, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And he fell asleep (died).

    After this event came the conversion of Saul, one of those who saw to the death of Stephen. I believe that the prayer of Stephen brought about the salvation and conversion of Saul, for if he had prayed death or cursed them- it would have been so (of what benefit will it be to you to see anyone, even your enemy in a cursed condition).

    Saul and others would have all perished and that would have been a great loss to the world, we would not have had Saul/Paul’s great exploits and revelations that are of tremendous help to us today. Of the 27 books of the New Testament in the Bible, 13 are attributed to Paul. Most of the greatest evangelists we have today were once the enemies of God. Pray for your enemies without giving up. By loving and praying for them you may be preserving helpers for yourself, your generation and your descendants. Remember that at one point in your life or even now you were an enemy of God and someone’s enemy. What if God had allowed you to die in your sins, what if He answers YES to every prayer calling for death on our enemies? Am sure by now there will be no human being on earth.

    I am not saying it is so easy to love your enemies but if God says we should then it’s possible; in your strength you can’t do it. Jesus gave us a helper- the Holy Spirit to help us. Love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit; it’s the Holy Spirit that can actually live this life of love through you and me. It was said that Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, then he said to his accusers, ‘look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” they blocked their ears cast him out and stoned him – he may have been grateful to them for hastening his journey to the glorious home, so he prayed for them. If we know all that God has prepared for us, we will have so much joy in us that we would hardly notice the acts of those who hate us. Stephen being full of the Holy Spirit didn’t focus on the aggression in the people, he wasn’t seeing the hatred in their eyes; he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus. The Holy Spirit will make you look on Jesus not on the pain, hatred, persecution, suffering they are meting out on you. We need to be full of the Holy Spirit to see beyond the hatred around us every day.

    And the fruit of the Spirit is: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. As I look at this fruit critically all I see is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all through. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of love unconditional. We need Him to be able to love our enemies and by so doing we will attain perfection.

    Nigeria is in dire need of this true, unconditional love. Let it start with you and me- So help me Lord!

    PRAYER/SONG: SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD

    Spirit of the living God,
    Fall afresh on me. 2x
    Break me, mould me, fill me and use me.
    Spirit of the living God,
    Fall afresh on me.

    TEXT: Matthew 5: 43-48, Acts 7: 54-60, Galatians 5:22-23.

    FROM: Faith Nwachukwu.

  • Lagos shuts 70 churches, others over noise pollution

    The Lagos State Government last week shut down 70 churches, 20 mosques, 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours in a bid to reduce noise in the state.

    The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Bola Shabi, disclosed this.

    He said that henceforth the state government would no longer allow make-shift buildings to be used as places of worship.

    Shabi said: “Precisely about 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours were shut and we’ve given them some directives to follow.

    “We’ve been so strict now that we are not going to even allow make-shift churches in the state any longer.

    “What I mean by make-shift, using tents and uncompleted building, we are not going to allow that any further in the state.”

    Shabi added that his agency’s goal is to reduce noise in the state to 70 percent this year and to zero percent by the year 2020.

    “As at today, we are only able to reduce the noise level to about 35 per cent. That is not a pass mark yet.

    “So, until we reach that target of 70 to 80 per cent, we will continue the enforcement. Enforcement is a continuous exercise and we have set a target for ourselves.

    “We want to ensure that Lagos is noise-free by the year 2020. With our status as a mega city by year 2020 we will be free of noise,’’ he said.

  • I’m still a Christian, Ayefele cries out

    I’m still a Christian, Ayefele cries out

    Popular gospel singer, YinkaAyefele, has debunked the rumourthat he has converted to Islam.

    His publicist, David Ajiboye, maintained that the ace gospel crooner is still a Christian and has no reason whatsoever to renounce his faith.

    Ajiboye explained: “We believe the rumour must have emanated from the annual Ramadan lecture, which Fresh 105.9FM Ibadan owned by Ayefele, organised on Tuesday.

    “Our station had invited popular Islamic preacher, Alhaji Muideen Ajani Bello, as the guest preacher at our annual Ramadan lecture, which had over 4,000 people in attendance and because of this, some naïve minds went to town to spread the rumour about Ayefele’s conversion.”

    Ajiboye stated further that the station exists for the benefits of all, regardless of religion, race or colour.

    “We believe it is part of our social responsibility to organise such a spiritual rebirth programme to sensitise our Muslim listeners on the ideals of Islam most especially in this holy season,” he said.