The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • CCC Oko-Oba parish III adult harvest today

    The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Oko-Oba parish III (District Headquarter), 9b, Jonathan Coker New Oko-Oba Lagos will today hold its 34th adult harvest thanksgiving.

    Tagged: Harvest of unexpected blessing (Psalm 126:1), the service begins by 10am prompt.

    The Shepherd-in-charge, Venerable Most Senior Evangelist M.A. Gbiri, said that this year’s harvest will usher unexpected blessing from God from all four corners of the world.

    “This year’s adult harvest will turn to be a turning point of many people. God has promised us that He will make us well but many have lost faith on receiving God’s will.

    “That unexpected blessing will be for everybody and Nigeria will remain bless in Jesus name,” he stated.

    The bazaar sales will be anchored by Most Senior Evangelist G.O Ojediran, Honourary Senior Evangelist Olusegun Ogunbayo, Mother Celestial E.A Ayinde (JP), Honourary Senior Evangelist Adebayo Odemo, Leader Gbenga Atanda, Mother Celestial .C. Shobiye and others.

  • Encounter with Destiny from His Book!

    Encounter with Destiny from His Book!

    Welcome to October, your month of total recovery and the season of new beginnings. God will visit you in a special way this month and you shall not miss any of His blessings, in Jesus’ Name!

    This week, I shall be teaching you on how you can encounter destiny from God’s Holy Book, the Bible! Let us please understand that the Bible is a Book of visions for the redeemed and every encounter with the Word is an encounter with destiny. We also understand from scriptures that redemption entitles us to a glorious destiny and we are predestinated according to God’s purpose to obtain an inheritance. As it is written:

    In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will (Ephesians 1:11; see also Romans 8:29-30).

    Furthermore, every great testimony in the Kingdom is traceable to encounters with the Word. For instance, Abraham encountered the Word of the Lord, which made him the father of many nations and a symbol of trans-generational blessings. Jacob also encountered the Word of the Lord, which turned him to a nation (Romans 4:18-21, 22:1-18, Isaiah 9:8).

    Remember, God’s Word is the spiritual mirror that shows us God’s picture for our lives?who we are in Christ, what we carry, what we can do and how to do them (James 1:22-25).

    Let’s examine two pictures of who we are from scriptures:

    •Every child of God is redeemed a Spiritual Eagle: From scriptures, we have a picture of the Father God as an eagle. We also understand that we have been redeemed as sons of God and by the law of procreation, like begets like. If we are His children and we have an Eagle Father, then we are redeemed as eagles after the order of our Father.

    This connotes that we are redeemed to soar where others struggle; that is, ride in the high places of the earth, scale strange heights and enviable altitudes (Deuteronomy 32:9-13, John 1:12).

    However, we must see ourselves as spiritual eagles, before we can become one. God said to Abraham, “Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.” We also understand from scriptures that we are seeds of Abraham. Therefore, there is a demand on us, as seeds of Abraham, to see it before God can deliver it (Genesis 13:14-15, Galatians 3:29).

    For instance, in July 1977, I came across a devotional written by Oral Roberts, where I saw my picture as a spiritual eagle. From that moment, I refused to settle for anything less than high places. It is important for us to understand that whatever we cannot see, it is not permitted to be delivered. If we see ourselves as eagles and we are willing to align with the responsibilities, then we have committed God’s integrity to cause the eagle in us to be made manifest. However, although we have been redeemed as eagles and ordained to soar, it comes with a cost.

    I will continue with this teaching next week. The Exceeding Grace of God will culminate in His Strange Acts in your life this season.

    Friend, the grace and privilege to encounter destiny through His Book are available, but to the redeemed. Are you a born again? You become a child of God, by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You can be God’s child now, if you haven’t been, by saying this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, for saving me! Now, I know I am born again!”

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books: Walking in Wisdom, Ruling Your World, Commanding The Supernatural, and Operating The Supernatural

    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

  • The Fulfillment of Christ Covenant Church (C&S) celebrates

    The 10th anniversary of The Fulfillment of Christ Covenant Church (C&S) holds on Sunday October 12 by 11am at 199, Ebute Road, Ojuri area Ibafo.

    The theme of the celebration is After He had patiently endured, He obtained the promised (Hebrews 6:15).

    The host, Senior Apostolic Mother/Prophetess Elizabeth O. Adeyoju (JP), said the celebration will afford the church the opportunity to thank God for a decade of impact and project for future achievements.

  • … Exercise caution, Atilade appeals

    … Exercise caution, Atilade appeals

    The South West Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Archbishop Magnus Atilade, has advised Nigerians to await conclusion of investigations into the $9.5million cash-for-arm deal before jumping into conclusion.

    Atilade spoke with our correspondent last week ahead of the 3-day national day of prayer and re-dedication by the body.

    The prayer session is slated for October 17-19 at Hoares Memorial Methodist Sabo-Yaba, Lagos with The Dr Chukwuemeka Uche as preacher.

    He condemned most reactions and statements on the arm deal that involved the private jet of CAN’s National President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, as sentimental and preemptive.

    He stated that all the attacks on Oritsejafor are unfair since investigations were still ongoing and no jury has found him privy of the flight to South Africa.

    Atilade said: “It is true that Pastor Ayo owns the jet, which he has admitted to but he also stated he already leased it to someone.

    “You are not always there to monitor what they do and I want to believe until I am proven wrong that Pastor Oritsejafor at anytime is not involved in this illegal arm deals.”

    Atilade, who lauded the intervention of security agencies in investigation, said: “I would appeal to everyone not to hastily jump into conclusion on this matter.”

    He added: “I appeal to Nigerians to be patient and let the case be concluded before we make our own judgment. I know the CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor will come out vindicated. Don’t crucify anyone.”

    He cautioned Christian leaders to be more careful and prayerful, stating that the church is being persecuted spiritually around the globe.

    Atilade, who assured the church of Jesus of great triumph over every foe, enemy and persecutor, said that no matter what the church will be victorious.

    On the national prayer and rededication service, he said it was informed by the dire need for divine intervention in the face of daunting challenges facing the church and the nation.

    He appealed for the cooperation of all churches during the exercise, which ends by 3pm on Sunday with prayers in all local assemblies.

    He informed that the body has decided all Christians should contribute N500 monthly to rebuild burnt churches in the north and enhance operations of CAN across the nation.

    Tagged CAN Trust fund, the contribution, he stated will be targeted at improving ecumenical efforts, especially in the north where many Christians have been displaced in the last four years.

  • Daystar kits over 3,000 students

    No fewer than 3,000 less privileged primary and secondary students last week received free educational materials, gadgets and foods ahead of resumption from the Benevolence Group of Daystar Christian Centre Ikeja, Lagos.

    Tagged Back to school upgraded, the event also afforded the church the opportunity to educate parents on the importance of godly upbringing.

    Some other items distributed to the excited students included school bags, sandals, socks, math sets, books, pens, cloths, food stuffs, noodles and refreshments.

    Head of the Benevolence unit, Mr. Akin Ademosu, said the concept was to demonstrate the love of the church to its immediate environments.

    “We have been doing this for the past five years and it is a non-stop annual project for us.

    “In addition to what you are seeing here today, we are also going to send out more items through our cell systems to minister to those who are not able to come here today,” he explained.

  • Discovery for women holds today

    Thousands will today converge at the Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju, Lagos for the last Discovery for Women rally in 2014.

    Hosted by Pastors Taiwo and Nomthi Odukoya, the rally is an inspiration of Pastor Odukoya to encourage women to stand in the proper place to work towards attaining the best for our society

    He explained that women are an important part of shaping the socio-political climate of the nation, stating any society that wishes to remain relevant can no longer hide behind the cultural prescriptions of traditional gender roles which have subjugated and relegated women over the years.

    The theme for the rally is for a moment like this.

    The guest artiste is award- winning gospel act, Anne Inyang.

  • Seventh-Day dispel report on fire outbreak in the church

    The President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nigeria, Pastor Oyeleke Owolabi, has described as untrue rumours that a building in the church headquarters was razed down by inferno last Tuesday.

    It will be recalled that  a  newspaper reported (not The Nation) that the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Nigeria headquarters, Maryland, Lagos caught fire.

    Owolabi made this known at a press conference held over the week at the church headquarters in Maryland, Lagos, saying that the ugly incident that happened on Tuesday, September 23, in the premises of the church headquarters was due to human error, but we could see God’s intervention in the lives of His people.

    He said, “what actually happened: the accredited diesel supplier of the church came with supplies for the generator. In the process of transferring the diesel into the church storage faculty, the hose conveying the diesel from the supplier tank to the church storage facility suddenly pushed off. The diesel splashed on the exhaust of the pumping machine and it caught fire.”

    He added: our security system was put into action. Immediate contacts were made with fire security profiles in the neighbourhood. Oando and Conoil Filling stations responded swiftly. Others from Onigbonbgo community and passersby joined to battle the fire before men of the Lagos State Fire Service came to collectively put the fire out.

    Owolabi, who was full of gratitude to God because no live was lost, said “to the glory of God, nobody got burnt and no life was lost. The damages were limited to the vehicle that brought the diesel, the generator, and the generator house.  Providentially, the church building, the office complex, and the residential apartments were not affected by the fire.”

  • ‘Insurgency sign of end times’

    The General Overseer of the Wuse District of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Reverend Babatunde Idowu, has described the waves of insurgency blowing in the North eastern part of Nigeria and other countries of the world as a sign of the end time.

    He, however, advocated fervent prayers and spiritual intercessions by religious leaders as a way out of the crises.

    Idowu who urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to be deterred in carrying out his agenda for the country said the Church will continue to support him to “surmount the thick darkness and insurgency surrounding the country.

    “Nigerians should continue to seek God’s face, they should not relent in praying and have hope that one day, peace shall return to the country,”he said

    Speaking on the week-long transfiguration programme of the church which ended last week, the General Overseer said the programme with the theme, “positioned for glory” is aimed at winning more souls to Christ and giving hopes to Nigerians despite the various challenges confronting them.

    “The week of transfiguration programme is designed to give worshipers the opportunity to pray and intercede and to also involve in personal ministration while seeking the face of God”he said

    The programme featured  praises, evangelistic prayer meeting and anointing service for all members of the church for divine protection as the year draws to an end.

  • Marriage summit holds

    A one-day all night marriage summit of Holy Fire Overflow Ministry International Ogba, Lagos holds on Tuesday September 30th by 10.00pm.

    The theme of the summit is “Get married soon,…stay married & bloom”.

    The Chief host, Apostle John Ahamzie, said the summit was organised to speak to the mountains, break strongholds, and deactivate evil circles of demonic operations of delay and lack among singles and couples.

     

  • Evangelism group takes off 34 years after conception

    THIRTY-FOUR years after the he received the vision, Pastor Sule Bamgbola has finally launched church Missionary Media Ministry, which is dedicated to evangelism in Lagos.

    The group, according to Bamgbola, is determined “to be the leading source of knowledge and support to missionaries and emerging Christians who intend to fulfill the command of the Lord Jesus by taking missions as priority.’’

    The former accountant with the defunct New Breed magazine said God gave him the revelation of the ministry 34 years ago but he could not actualise it until now.

    “Ten years ago, we took some steps but they did not go down well. But in December last year, the Lord laid it in my mind that we must do something.

    “As far back as 1980, God told me to go into the missionary field. In 1984, we wanted to start, decades passed, another passed and another is passing.”

    He continued: “It is late but I believe the Lord will forgive me. In 1983, I was able to open eight churches in the north through crusades.”

    The guest speaker, Bishop Daniel Obioha, urged Bamgbola not to give up and be courageous.

    He said every ministry or church started from a humble beginning.

    “You have nothing to fear. The journey is long,” he stated.

    Recalling the story of Moses, who was ordered by God to return to Mountain Sinai, Obioha urged Bamigbola to be bold.

    “Look unto God. He is our sufficiency. Ministry is about sacrifice. It is sacrifice that gives birth to service.

    “Without it, there is no service. God is able to help you. If God is leading you to start a ministry, you don’t need to ask for a kobo. Without sacrifice, you cannot be useful to God.”

    The senior cleric advised that some ministries are vital for church growth and that members who have such a call should go for them.

    He however advised that the ministries should be made to abide by the doctrines of the church and asked to embrace holiness in their works and teachings.