The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Maximizing the Blessedness of Kingdom Stewardship!

    Since this month began, we have been examining spiritual stewardship, which is the core of kingdom stewardship and it includes soul-winning, soul discipleship and kingdom-focused prayers and intercessions. We must understand that the demands of spiritual stewardship goes beyond outreaches; it also includes ‘up-reaches’ which is prayer stewardship (Luke 18:1).Prayer Stewardship entails praying concerning the salvation of men, and going on outreaches to witness the gospel that will convince them to accept Jesus. More often than not, we emphasize so much on the outreaches and fail in the ‘up-reaches’, which is what empowers the outreaches to produce.

    What ‘up-reaches’ does is to provide equal opportunities for the old and young to be part of Kingdom enlargement engagement (Luke 2:36-37). For instance, Epaphraslaboured fervently in prayer that the people may be perfect and complete in all the will of God. Also, Anna, an 84-year-old woman, served God day and night infasting and prayers (Colossians 4:12; Luke 2: 36-37). However, it is important to know that both ‘up-reaches’ and outreaches have the same reward.

    How do we inengage Prayer Stewardship?

    ¯       We Pray to see Souls Saved: The devil is holding the souls of men captive; however,when we engage in prayer stewardship, we break his hold and rescue them for the Kingdom(Luke 11:21-22; Ezekiel 36:37-38).

    ¯       To see souls Established: After they are saved, we travail in prayers to see Christ formed in them and for them to be established in the faith (Galatians 4:19).

    ¯       To see the will of God Established in their Lives: We pray for them to experience breakthroughs and have their needs meet (Colossians 4:12).

    ¯            We pray for the Church: We pray for the Word of God to have a free course as the ministers preach (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

    ¯       We pray for Signs and Wonders in the House of God:The Bible says:Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession (Psalm 2:8).

    In addition, we must understand that prayer is a closet ministry; but the reward is always in the open.Also, scriptures help us to understand that whatever good thing we do for others, we will receive the same from the Lord(Matthew 6:6;Ephesians 6:8).

    What, then, are the Wonders of Kingdom Stewardship?

    |            Among the blessings of Kingdom stewardship for the now is long-life. As it written:

    And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil (Exodus 23:25-26).

    This means that as part of our returns for serving God, His integrity is committed to fulfil the number of our days. There is no careless statement in scriptures; thus, when the Bible said God will fulfil the numbers of our days, it is guaranteed thatHe will make do His promise.

    Therefore, what number are our days?

    The Bible says:And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3; see alsoIsaiah 65:20).Furthermore, the Bible says: The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away (Psalm 90:10).

    That means God has given a baseline; 70 is the minimum and by reason of strength, it can be any number between 70 and 120. As horrific as death may appear, it is subjected to our choice (Deuteronomy 30:19).This means what we see is what we receive.

    For instance, David saw 70 by revelation and died at 70; Moses saw 120 and he passed on at 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7).

    However, let me show you two scriptural illustrations: Paul and Stephen were both stoned to death.When Stephen was stoned, he said:…Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:59-60).

    Paul the apostle was also stoned in Acts 14:19-20: And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

    Paul chose to retain his spirit and God granted it to him; we can do same.

    It is also important for us to know thatJesus conquered the one,who had the power of death, to rescue us from the assault and bondage of death.That means death can no longer determine our life span(Hebrews 2:14-15;Revelation 1:18).

    Therefore, as you engage the weaponry of prayer to see souls saved and established in God’s Kingdom, no devil can cut short the number of your days.Remember, we have victory over the sting of death and the grave through the resurrection of Jesus (Ephesians 6:16).

    However, it is only those who are born again that can partake of this long life heritage. Are you born again? This means, 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!”

    For further reading, please get my books: Wisdom that Works, Walking in Wisdom, All you need to have all your needs met, Winning Wisdom and Excellency of Wisdom.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • So long Peter Aduro

    The voice was low, unusually low. But there was no way I could miss the words which still linger as I write this- two weeks after. “Your friend is gone,” her daughter, Agatha, a medical doctor, had said, trailing off.

    The tears just came. It did not matter that I was in the office. Who says men don’t cry? “Gone?” I pondered. About a month ago when we spoke, he did not sound so bad even though he said he had to be rushed to the hospital because of the excruciating pain he was feeling in his stomach. How was I to know it was the last time I would be talking to my friend of 33 years?

    But Peter Aduro was not just a friend. He was a brother, a counselor, a confidant, a mentor. We met at the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Benin in the early 80s. I was in my second year while he was a freshman. But he was a mature student, already armed with a professional certificate in Nursing with a wife in tow. I never asked why he chose Theatre instead of a Degree in Nursing. We hit it off immediately.

    But it was in Lagos that our friendship blossomed prompted ironically by a health scare I had. It was perhaps his background in Nursing that made my wife to literally drag me to his modest apartment in Ire-Akari Estate. He listened attentively as I explained what happened expressing my fears and foreboding.

    His soothing word was balm to my sore soul and for the first time my wife was calm. He then directed us to a Matron I suppose he worked with in the past but at the time at Lagos General Hospital, CMS. Through her I was taken to a Consultant whose care and attention stabilised me till date. Without letting him know, I always felt I owed him my life.

    He would have been scandalised if I told him this, because for Peter Aduro, a devout Catholic of the purest hue and a fervent Charismatic, God is the only one worthy of such adulation no matter his role in what happened. His usual line is “Thank God.”

    Religion means so much to him especially his beloved Catholic Church. He would not for any reason miss the morning Mass or any programme of the Catholic Charismatic Movement. This was taken a notch higher when he moved to Minna, Niger State where he became not just a local leader of the Charismatic movement but a state and national leader.   He was a Catholic to the core and Charismatic to the marrow.

    Still, he gave a very unserious Christian like me my space. It was therefore easy for me to visit his home and stay for some weekends especially after I relocated to Abuja. Looking back now, I wonder how he felt when I complain openly at such visits that their family prayer done before everyone goes to bed that I am obliged to partake in was too long!

    Liberal as he was wont to be, he never chastised me. Instead, I am asked to pray sometimes. To compensate though, I would always attend the Sunday Mass with him but not the Charismatic programme which I find too loud and long.

    Serious as he seemed from the exterior, Peter Aduro had his light side. He loved action films and would switch to Mnet Action once he is done with his evening meals. This was the only point of disagreement between him and his amiable wife -Marie, an avid fan of African Magic!

    And he had a soft spot for his wife. This was amply demonstrated when she turned 50 as he pulled off a surprise colorful birthday party for her… His talent for fiction came to the fore when his entry was selected and published in the collection by defunct Liberty Merchant Bank Short Story Series. I took it upon myself to encourage him to write more so that he would have a published collection…

    Peter Aduro was a rare breed who crossed the line between religion and spirituality, an uncommon trait these days where religion is a mere fad for millions.  His zeal for the Church is only marched by his unbounded generosity. He gave the maxim “a friend in need is a friend indeed” real meaning and life. His voice was sure to reassure you in moments of doubt once you reach out to him; his bank account open to help out.

    How can I forget those bags of rice he usually sent periodically without being prodded and the crisp Naira notes tucked inside DHL branded envelopes? How can I forget his raucous laughter and banter? What of his gospel songs that he usually breaks into before any of his prayer sessions? What of the prayer itself in which he remembers every other person before his family and self, a sure sign of selfless service?  Departing now my friend is not fair. You should have forewarned me. Indeed, you should have let me know it is time.  What else can I say?

    So long Peter Aduro…

    • Onoko, an Assistant Director (PR) with the National Gallery of Art, wrote from ojionoko2007@yahoo.com

     

  • Chibok Pastor ‘grateful’ daughter didn’t deny Christ

    Chibok Pastor ‘grateful’ daughter didn’t deny Christ

    A Nigerian pastor has said that he’s grateful his daughter, who was one of the over 200 Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014, did not convert to Islam and died “for the sake of Christ” when the terror group forced her to choose between her life and her faith.

    A video clip of Pastor Enoch Mark, part of a BBC Panorama investigation that was originally published in June, captures the father revealing the details of his kidnapped daughter, Monica’s, death.

    Map of Nigeria locating suspected Boko Haram attacks since last week which have killed more than 200 people.

    “I was told that my daughter refused to change her religion. I was told that they dug a hole and buried her from the neck and stoned her to death,” the pastor says.

    “To die for the sake of Christ, that’s the happiest thing for me. I’m grateful that she didn’t change her religion. She trust[ed] in God.”

    His wife, identified only as Marta, adds: “I believe she died with dignity. Monica is now in heaven because she refused to convert.”

    The original BBC report highlighted how some of the schoolgirls, taken in a raid from Chibok in April last year, have been forced to join the Islamist militants.

    With the majority of the kidnapped schoolgirls being Christian, there have been several reports that the jihadists have been forcing them to convert to Islam, and have been marrying them off.

    One 17-year-old girl named Miriam who managed to escape Boko Haram after six months of captivity revealed that she was forced to marry one of the jihadists, and is now pregnant with his child.

    Miriam explained how she refused with four other girls to be married after they were first taken, after which they were threatened with their lives.

    “They came back with four men, they slit their throats in front of us. They then said that this will happen to any girl that refuses to get married,” the girl said. She added that after agreeing to their demands, she was repeatedly raped.

    “There was so much pain,” she said. “I was only there in body… I couldn’t do anything about it.”

    Boko Haram has killed at least 5,500 civilians in Nigeria since 2014 alone, and has been waging war on the country for close to six years now. The terror group has targeted Christians, trying to force them to leave the country, where they make up half the population, but has also massacred Muslims and all who stand in its way.

    Boko Haram has pledged allegiance and has been following many of the same tactics as terror group ISIS in Iraq and Syria, which has been beheading Christians who refuse to convert to its brand of Islam.

    • Courtesy: Christian Post
  • Adeboye condemnes same-sex marriage in US

    Adeboye condemnes same-sex marriage in US

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has condemned the recent United States Supreme Court ruling supporting same-sex marriages across the country as satanic and demonic.

    Adeboye made this known at a Special Prayer and Thanksgiving Service for security operatives held last week at the national headquarters of RCCG, Throne of Grace, Ebutte- Metta, Lagos.

    The theme, Divine security for the Nigeria Police Force and their family, brought together hundreds of police men and officers from across the country.

    According to him, the recent national approval given by the apex court on same-sex marriage in the US is from the pit of hell. He said it is unfortunate that America who started in the spirit is now living in the flesh.

    Pastor Johnson Odesola, speaking on behalf of Adeboye, said that the United States of America had long deviated from the fundamental foundation of God which their forefathers laid.

    He noted that America is on its way to the valley as backsliding, moral degeneration and ungodliness continue unabated in the country.

    He said: “It shows the end of time and level of degeneration. The same-sex marriage is from the pit of hell and a backsliding victory for America.”

    He challenged Africa to rise against any ungodly pressure from the West to legalise same-sex marriage, as it is against nature and unAfrican.

    He also called for prayers for the protection and fear of God for the police as they discharge their statutory duty of securing lives and properties.

    “You that are protectors also need divine protection, and even the best police in the world require divine protection,” the preacher said. He urged them to put their confidence in God who is able to build the wall of defence around them.

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arise, remarked that the security situation was gradually improving in the country, owing to the improvement of training of members of the force.

    Arase, who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Administration (Lagos), Ngozi Iloh, expressed appreciation for the programme, saying it would boost the morale of the officers.

    The Assistant Inspector General of Police-in-Charge of Counter Terrorism, Yahaya Garba Audu, described the programme as very rewarding.

    He advised the organisers to give the programme more publicity in the future so that the turn out will be more than what they saw.

    “If enough publicity is made for subsequent programmes, I quite believe that a lot of officers from all over the country would attend.” Audu added that the security agencies in the country were doing their best to nip terrorism in the bud.

    “Our challenge is that these terrorists are faceless, striking here and there. Today, they are in Maiduguri, tomorrow they are in Jos.

    “All we can do is to make arrest because if we embark on shoot-at-sight, innocent persons would be involved and we would be indicted for human right abuse,” Audu stated.

  • Makinde tasks Lagos state on development

    Makinde tasks Lagos state on development

    The Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Makinde, has appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to consolidate on the development strides of his predecessor.

    Makinde said this in an interview with journalists at the 2015 Peaceful Transition Thanksgiving Service organised by the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) held over the week at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The service, themed The Awesome God, brought together thousands of Christian faithful from the six blocks of The Christian Association of Nigeria: Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Women Wing of CAN (WOWICAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Oganisation of African International Churches, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), among others.

    He said that the development in Lagos State in the last 16 years is monumental and should be built upon by the new administration so that the state will continue to be the pacesetter for the country.

    Makinde said: “We need peace and even development in Lagos State. Lagos State is for all and every policy and programmes should capture the need and aspiration of everyone in the state no matter their ethnic, religious or language differences.”

    The cleric lamented recent cases of crime, kidnapping and violent activities in the state, which, according to him, should be looked into as a developmental challenge.

    He noted that the much anticipated growth and development in Nigeria can only be achieved in an atmosphere free of rancour.

    Makinde went further to appeal to the All Progressives Congress members in the national assembly to sheath their swords and ego and give peace a chance in Nigeria.

    Earlier in his words, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, applauded the thanksgiving service put together by CAN as commendable and noble.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs. Dimeji Ebunola Grace, said that thanksgiving is very germane as it is a pointer to the fact that God answer prayers. “Many thought that there would be war and bloodshed and they left Nigeria, but we waited and trusted God for a hitch-free exercise and God answered our prayers.”

    In his words, the Lagos State Chairman of CAN, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, said that the thanksgiving service was aimed at appreciating God for showing the people of Lagos mercy and granting petitions concerning a peaceful election and transition of power in Lagos State.

    “We have received a new dawn of greatness and progress in our state of Lagos. The church is rising again. We give God all the glory,” he said.

    Bambglola went ahead to appeal to the church to continue to love one another as the Lord Jesus commanded. “Without the true love of God, we will get nowhere in building the kingdom.

    “It is time for true unity in CAN in Lagos State. It is time for us to be one as our Lord Jesus desires. It is unity that God will send down his blessings upon us collectively and individually. It is time to pull together our God-given resources in Lagos and build his kingdom for him,” declared the cleric

  • Serving God pays! (2)

    Lasts week,we began this teaching series by identifying Kingdom stewardship is the most profitableventure in the world because it offers incomparable dividends and out-of-this world order of blessings. We also examined physical and spiritualstewardships, and their benefits. In addition, we looked at prayer and fasting as one of the ways through which engage spiritual stewardship. This week, I will conclude the series with another means through which we engage spiritual stewardship.

    We engage in spiritual stewardship by reaching out to the lost for their salvation: Soul-winning is a grand commandment that makes a grand commander of everyone that engages in it. By redemption, every believer is ordained a soul-winner. Jesus said: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (John 15:16).

    We must understand that God is glorified when we bear much fruits and it is a risk to be fruitless as believers. This is because fruit bearing secures our place in Christ (John 15:2, 8; Luke 13:7-9, 14:23).

    Moreover, every child of God is a Kingdom star and it is engaging in Kingdom promotion that creates the platform for the star in us to shine. As it is written: And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3; see also Proverbs 11:30).

    It is important to also note that though in all labour there is profit but nothing compares with the profits that accrue to us in spiritual stewardship, as it is the most profitable of all spiritual engagements in the Kingdom. As it is written: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:6, 18; see also Luke 18:28-30).

    It is also written:But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).

    In September 1976, God showed me the above scripture. I call it ‘the jackpot of life’. The Spirit of the Lord said to me, “Seek first My Kingdom and all its demands and all these things that others are dying to get will be added to you.”What a wonder to seek only one thing (God’s Kingdom) and gain qualified access to all other things.

    For instance, we understand from scriptures that when Israel made a covenant to serve the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and soul, He gave them all-round rest and the war ceased. A covenant to serve God and the pursuit of same is the gateway to a world of all-round rest and fulfilment. Therefore, seeking God and the interests of His Kingdom must be our priority for living (2 Chronicles 15:12-15, 19).

    Unfortunately, most believers are merely using God for their desires and not serving His interests in any form. We must understand that every commandment of scripture is absolutely to our benefit. Thus, God doesn’t need us for anything but we need Him for everything. Our serving God adds nothing to Him but adds everything to us. He is not looking for who to use but who to bless. Furthermore, God is not looking for who to burden but who to engrace with supernatural breakthroughs. It is simply a privilege for us to serve Him. Thus, the returns will show whether we are serving God or simply in pursuit of our personal interests (Malachi 3:18; Revelation 22:12).

    It is important to note that God is a reliable rewarder. This is why every genuine soul-hunter is enlisted among the army of pace-setters in the body of Christ, obtains express answers to prayers and gets on God’s payroll, among others. Remember the Bible says: And he that reapethreceiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together(John 4:36; see also Galatians 6:7-9).

    ‘Sowing to the Spirit’ simply means engaging in spiritual stewardship, which entitles us to reap eternal life, everlasting life and the Heaven on Earth kind of life in return.

    We must recognize that prophetically, we are in our harvest time as a church and the months of June are July are ordained as our harvest season, where the mystery of the Midst of the year will be fulfilled in our lives. It is not just a season for harvest of souls but also harvest of the testimonies of every prophetic word for the year. It is also a season ordained for spiritual awakening/revival that will usher us into next levels of grace and glory. Furthermore, all long standing challenges will be turned to testimonies and we will be launched into our high places in life (Habakkuk 3:2-19; Haggai 2:1-9).

    However, the key to experiencing the wonders of the Midst of the Year is to work for the Lord. Nothing advances us than our commitment to the advancement of the Kingdom. Thus, to secure a change of level this season, we must commit to the advancement of God’s Kingdom and engage in His business. When we do this, He becomes committed to our advancement and intervenes in our affairs. As you genuinely commit to the advancement of the Kingdom in this Midst of the Year season, you will experience strange liftings and breakthroughs in Jesus’ name!

    Are you born again? This means, 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!”

    For further reading, please get my books: Wisdom that Works, Walking in Wisdom, All you need to have all your needs met, Winning Wisdom and Excellency of Wisdom.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Israeli scientists create world’s smallest Bible

    Israeli scientists create world’s smallest Bible

    The Bible is known for many things. It is the most revered book for Christians, and it also contains sacred texts for the Jews. It is also the most widely translated book in the world, having been translated into 2,400 of the world’s 6,800 languages.

    Now, the Bible also holds the distinction as one of the few books to have a nano version—a version with text so small that it could fit on the tip of a pen.

    The world’s smallest version of the Bible, conceived by Uri Sivan and Ohad Zohar, was created by scientists from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, located in Northern Israel.

    How exactly was this diminutive version of the Holy Book made? The scientists created a very thin layer of silicon, with a thickness of less than 100 atoms, to which they placed a golden plating.

    Using a focused ion beam, a machine usually used in the semiconductor industry to etch surfaces, the scientists carefully engraved 1.2 million characters, one at a time, blasting away the gold plating to reveal the silicon beneath.

    Sivan, one of those who conceptualised the Nano Bible, said he wanted to spark people’s interest both in God’s Word and technology.

    “More than any other book, the Bible symbolises the transmission of human civilisation from one generation to another. We tried to connect to the device. We wanted to get people curious about the revolution that is taking place before their eyes,” he said.

  • RCCG holds crusade for change in Nigeria

    RCCG holds crusade for change in Nigeria

    There is no doubt that Nigeria is confronted with so many disturbing issues, especially as it affects politics in the country.

    The change that people clamoured for tends to be turning the other way round with the crisis going on in the National Assembly.

    This, among many others, calls for a sober reflection and serious prayers for divine intervention in the current situation.

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Lagos Province 40, Ajuwon zone, is organising a one-night special vigil with a theme: “It’s Time for my Manifestation” on July 17, 2015.

    Addressing a group of journalists at the church, Pastor in Charge of RCCG, Testimony Area, Ajuwon zone, Pastor Goke Aniyeloye, said the church organised a special prayer in February concerning the necessary change that is required for the nation to move forward, adding that the much-needed change has come but the ongoing political crisis is hindering it from manifesting, hence the call for another special prayer.

    According to him, the night is going to be a solution night to many problems and challenges confronting the country as well as individual lives, stressing that every Nigerian prayed for a change but the change they are witnessing currently is not the desired change they prayed for.

    “We all cannot sit down and fold our arms and allow a faction of the society in the name of lawmakers to distort our much-awaited change. Although we cried to God for a divine change and God granted our prayer request, what is happening now is not allowing the manifestation of that change,” he said.

    He said only God can touch the heart of the law makers to become submissive and adhere to rules and laws governing the national assembly. He stressed that if anyone, however, refuses to bow to the rules, God is in the best position to humble such.

    “I implore our leaders to be law abiding because the change we are waiting for is already here. The kind of change we need in this nation is integrity, uprightness and corrupt-free nation. People are crying there is no money in Nigeria but a group of people is sitting upon the money meant for the whole country, that is why I suggest that those who have stolen our money should be probed and be brought to book. They must not go away with such huge amount of money,” he said.

  • Serving God Pays!

    Welcome to the seventh month and the second half of this year. It shall be far more glorious than the first in Jesus’ name.It is important to know that Kingdom stewardship is the most profitable venture as it does not only pay, but pays the most and the best. This is because it offers incomparable dividends and out-of-this world order of blessings. As it is written: And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil (Exodus 23:25-26).

    From the above scripture, ‘Bless’ means sorrow-free blessings. That is, blessings immune to all kinds of sorrow. It is written: The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22; see also Exodus 23:25-26).

    We must recognize that there is no pay anywhere in the world that is sorrow-free, it is always inadequate. However, when God pays, it is always sorrow-free. Serving God (Kingdom stewardship) is what qualifies us for His irreversible blessings, which makes us ‘uncursable’ by the devil and his agents.For instance, Balaam, an anointed prophet of his time said: How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? (Numbers 23:8; see also Genesis 12:3; Numbers 23:20).Serving God and the interests of His Kingdom also entitles us to supernatural supplies, which delivers us from begging, lack and want. It is written: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures (Job 36:11; see also Exodus 23:25).

    Moreover, no one serving God is permitted to be barren or cast their young. That is, it secures posterity. It also procures longevity, health and vitality. Remember, Moses was still serving God at the age of 120 and the Bible records that his eyes were not dim nor his natural force abated. Also, Anna was an 84-year old widow serving with prayer and fastings, day and night (Deuteronomy 34:7; Luke 2:37).

    Furthermore, Kingdom stewardship entitles us to supernatural joy. When we are ‘on the go’, serving the interests of the Kingdom, we will always return with joy, which secures our harvest (Joel 1:12; Luke 10:17).

    Indeed, serving God is the master key to a life of fulfilment and sweatless triumph.

    But, what is Kingdom Stewardship?

    Kingdom stewardship is serving God and the interests of His Kingdom as a lifestyle. That is, commitment to the growth, expansion, enlargement and overall advancement of the Kingdom.Kingdom stewardship can be classified into two:

    Physical Stewardship: This involves our engagement in various service groups in the church.

    Spiritual Stewardship:We engage in spiritual stewardship in two main ways, among others:

    Prayer & fasting: This involves serving the interests of the Kingdom by engaging in Kingdom-promotion, Kingdom-advancement and Kingdom-enlargement prayers. We understand from scriptures that Anna was a widow, who served God in prayer and fastings, day and night, for the advancement of the Kingdom of God in her days. Also, when Jesus taught us to pray, He urged us to engage in Kingdom-focused prayers when He said we should pray thus: ‘…Thy kingdom come….’ (Matthew 6:9-10; Luke 2:37).

    Thus, we serve God through prayer and fasting by praying for salvation of souls, establishment of new converts in the faith, for church growth, effective outreaches and impactful services, among others. Furthermore, it includes praying for the rain of life-transforming Word and the good Word of the Lord that engenders strange order of testimonies among His people (Psalms 2:8; Isaiah 66:7-8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 4:12; Hebrews 6:5).

    The returns on Prayer and Fasting Stewardship include:

    Destruction of yokes:Is not this the fast that I have chosen? toloose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)

    Express answers to prayers: Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am… (Isaiah 58:9; see also John 15:16).

    Divine Direction: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not (Isaiah 58:11; see also Ezra 8:21-23).

    Supernatural Breakthroughs: It is written: Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?…And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not(Isaiah 58:6, 11; see also Isaiah 58:12, 14).

    Are you born again? This means, 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!”

    For further reading, please get my books: Wisdom that Works, Walking in Wisdom, All you need to have all your needs met, Winning Wisdom and Excellency of Wisdom.I will conclude this teaching next week.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

     

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • ‘How the church can help homosexuals, lesbians’

    Same-sex practitioners and promoters need love, not outright condemnation, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South West region, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, has stated.

    He challenged the church to treat homosexuals and lesbians as helpless sinners who need redemption.

    Atilade said the church should set up effective counselling mechanisms that will rescue same-sex practitioners, instead of the current trend of condemning them.

    According to him: “We should not condemn same sex advocates and practitioners.

    “We should show them love and understanding. The last thing the need is condemnation.

    “We should see rescuing them as part of our mission as a church. Some of them can’t help themselves.

    “The church should offer counselling and rehabilitation plans just as we do for drug addicts and prostitutes.”

    Atilade, a medical practitioner, said he encountered many homosexuals and lesbians while practising in the United States of America (USA).

    Giving insights into how they behave, he said: “By coordination, orientation and acclamation, some of them are conditioned to think like that.

    “They have psychological problems and cannot help themselves. We should expect what they do as a wrong choice but we shouldn’t condemn them,” he explained.

    He said the church should set up special rehabilitation units for same-sex victims so that they can be redeemed.