The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Uche pleads with striking doctors to resume

    The Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Samuel Uche, has pleaded with striking doctors to abandon their industrial action to save innocent lives.

    He noted that many Nigerians have gone through harrowing ordeals during the action, saying it was high time it was called off.

    Uche also appealed to all parties involved at the negotiating table to arrive at a very just, transparent compromise quickly in the best interest of Nigeria.

    The Prelate, in a statement, called on stakeholders to work together a functional and affordable health care delivery service for Nigerians.

    He told the doctors to accept their services as a sacrifice to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

    ‘’Please let us give our very best services to all in every human endeavour so that we register our efforts on the sands of time at all times,’’ he pleaded.

  • ‘Nobody can Islamise Nigeria’

    ‘Nobody can Islamise Nigeria’

    Pastor Iruofagha James is the founding pastor of Glory Christian Ministries, Lagos. He spoke with reporters recently on the north, roles of the church and sundry matters. Adeola Ogunlade was there

    Do you see the ongoing insurgence in the north as a threat to national unity?

    My major concern is that innocent people are being killed on a daily basic. These are the days we need to cry for help. Consequently, what it portends for the unity of the country worries me a lot. Today, this insurgency seems to be restricted to a particular part of the country but once it succeed, in going to other parts of the country in the guise of religious connotation, it will be misrepresented as a tribal war or attack by other tribe.

    It will throw this country into something which we can never imagine. I was young but I saw with my own eyes some of the things that happened during the civil war. I will never want to relive those things again. I saw young men killed, stoned in my very eyes. These are my concerns for some of us who were old enough to see some of the things that happened and we will never want to see it again.

    Beyond unity, what are the challenges that it poses for us as a nation?

    I cannot say that the mutual suspicion, tribal suspicion aroused by the civil war, has faded off. Even several years after, these bombings are arousing similar tribal and religious hatred. The things we have seen in the Nigerian civil war has failed to die in this multi-tribal racial community called Nigeria.

    Recently, the Sultan of Sokoto called for amnesty for Boko Haram militants. Do you subscribe to it?

    The amnesty issues are very delicate issues. I will subscribe to Soyinka’s position who said something to the intent that amnesty without justice is not amnesty. But there are some people who are die-hard criminals. I don’t think amnesty may take care of the insurgency at the moment but what are we going to do with those who have lost their lives, families, property?

    What kind of amnesty are you going to give to them? I think it is more complicated. I thank God for the Sultan and again, he is one monarch that I respect so much. Thank God for his peace- loving misdemeanour. I think, however, in this particular case, amnesty must be matched with other kind of actions, not directly only to the militants but also to the victims of the militants.

    That is the only way true amnesty can be administered. You cannot ignore the victims needlessly, not connected with what the Boko Haram is fighting for. There is outright criminality and those perpetrating it must be disciplined.

    We must not prolong this because we still have children in captivity. We need to get a quick solution to this problem and fast. I am sure our leaders must be doing something and whatever they are doing must be done quickly.

    People are seeing this insurgency as a religious war, considering the demands of the sect. What do you think?

    I appeal to the Muslim leaders. We only appeal to people who are close to Boko Haram who have better understanding of the issues to into the matter as quickly as possible. Let them work with them for the sake of Nigeria. I don’t know whether they are part of it or not, we only appealing to them to do more than they are doing. Let them look at the innocent people who are being maimed and killed. People who have nothing connected with whatever Boko Haram is agitating for are being killed needlessly.

    What is God saying about these issues and other problems facing this nation?

    Today, I cannot say I have heard from God as God has not told me anything specifically about what we need to do as a country. But anyone in position of leadership cares. Life should be sacred. We don’t need to wait until we hear God speak. Whatever that needs to be done to end this crisis should be done. We should not stop praying to see an end to this problem. I have not heard anything from God.

    Are our leaders sincere?

    Every day that we allow this problem to fester, we must know that lives are being lost. If we had stopped this crisis last month, people who died this month would have been saved.

    Do you think there is a religious undertone to this problem?

    I know whoever is at the heart of this could be using religion to prosecute it purposely to do evil. I will not dabble into something I don’t know.

    But I think we also have our own problems as a church and we need to conscientiously deal with them. We may not get involved in criminality but in other areas, there are evils going on. The gospel is being taken to some ridiculous realm. Let us put our house in order.

    Are you in doubt of the mission of Boko Haram because they said they want to lsamise the nation?

    Personally, I may be wrong and I pray I am wrong. Whoever, the young man Shekau is should not be taken serious because I don’t have any regard for him. He will never succeed. Let all of them gather together, they will not succeed in Islamising Nigeria. It will never happen.

    Anyone making the claim should not be taken seriously at all and for the Christians to believe that notion would be wrong. That is the provocation that is being intended by Shekau. That will never happen and God will never allow it to happen. That is why we Christians are not taking up arms. It will not happen.

  • Keep hope alive, Adeboye charges

    Nigerians must never give up but remain confident of divine intervention, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has charged.

    He spoke last week at the dedication of Lagos Province 36, Jesus House in Ajao Estate, Lagos.

    Adeboye said the nation cannot achieve greatness without prayers.

    According to him: “No matter  what our past was or our present condition that looks so depressing, we must never give up as God is still able and powerful to turn things around as we pray in faith to him alone.”

    The cleric, who shared wondrous testimonies of divine protection, providence and preservation, said: “God has never changed; what He did in times past, He is still able to do the same today as we put our trust in Him.”

    He further charged Christians to continue preaching the gospel “because the challenges of insecurity, economic hardship, fear and despair ravaging the world can be taken away when we lift up Jesus Christ and tell of the story of redemption everywhere we go.”

    The Pastor- in- charge of Lagos Province 36, Pastor Tunde Netufo, who was full of gratitude to God for the successful completion of the building, said: “what we are witnessing today is the faithfulness of God to us as a parish, province and the Redeemed Christian Church of God in general.”

    He recalled that the church on a three-storey building collapsed on October 7, 2011 with no life lost after an inferno.

    Though it was sealed off, he expressed gratitude to God the building was reopened for the reconstruction.

    He noted that although the journey has been rough and tough God has proved His faithfulness.

  • Engaging the ministry of angels for signs and wonders!

    Angels are on assignment to serve our interests, as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ; but many people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). An understanding of angels and how to engage their angelic ministry, will help every believer to lead a life of exploits.

    …To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:13-14).

    Surprisingly, many people have never heard or read any material on angels. Also, many think angels are simply characters in Bible stories. That is why this week, I shall be examining what I have titled, Engaging the ministry of Angels for Signs and Wonders.

    But, Who Exactly, Are Angels?

    Angels are spiritual personalities with physical impact. They are divine agents of the supernatural that are ordained to serve our interest as sons and daughters of the Most High (Hebrews 1:14).

    Characteristics Of Angels

    •Angels are spirit personalities who operate as flames of fire: …And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire (Hebrews 1:7). Their fire is unstoppable and unquenchable. They possess the kind of fire that consumes fire. Angels are spirit beings — nothing escapes them and they excel in strength.

    •Angels are agents of divine rescue: They brought Lot out of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah into safety (Genesis 19:1-25). An angel of the Lord went into the prison and brought Peter out physically (Acts 12:7-9). Despite the fact that they are spirit beings, they generate equal physical impact.

    •They are also agents of divine judgment: An angel of the Lord went forth and smote Herod and he was eaten up by worms (Acts 12:21-22).  Also, an angel went forth and began to plague Israel till David reared an altar of sacrifice:

    Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord chase them.

    Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.

    For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.

    Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

    And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation (Psalm 35:5-9).

    •Angels are agents of divine protection: (Psalm 34:7) We are guarded and surrounded by the angel of the Lord to deliver us when confronted. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone (Psalm 91:10-12). Let us, therefore, be conscious of our angelic protection.

    •Angels are agents of supernatural church growth: In this end-time, we shall be engaging angelic harvesters. Angels will be invading the harvest field and bringing multitudes into the Kingdom. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels (Matthew 13:39).

    It is one thing to be endowed and another to engage your endowment. In 1 Corinthians 9:12, Paul said:  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

    It is one thing to have some power and another thing to know how to engage that power. So, power is powerless until it is engaged. Power has no relevance until it is engaged. Therefore, it is important for us to know how to engage angelic ministry so that we can walk effectively in the supernatural. These angels are all around us, but we must learn how to engage them otherwise, we will remain helpless as if they were not there.

    Friend, the power to benefit from the ministry of angels, is the preserve of those saved. You get saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, Jesus for saving me!  Now I know I am born again!”  This week, you are going to see amazing manifestations of angelic intervention! I will conclude this teaching next week. Stay Blessed in Jesus’ name!

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: Commanding the Supernatural, Operating In The Supernatural and Walking In The Miraculous.

    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

  • Obadare canvasses for fasting, prayer

    Pastor Paul Obadare, the first son of the late General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church(CAC), Prophet Timothy Obadare, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a three-day fasting and prayer on the various challenges confronting the country.

    Obadare, who is also the general overseer of the World Soul Winning Evangelistic Ministries (WOSEM), made the call last Thursday in a parley with reporters in Lagos.

    He claimed that God told him during a private prayer in May to ask Jonathan, as leader of the nation, to declare a fasting and prayer programme.

    He said: “The message is urgent and s from God, the highest Supreme. God instructed that Nigeria should confess all her sins and ask for forgiveness, particularly, the sins of shedding the blood of the innocents, corruption and idolatry.”

    Obadare added Nigeria must ask God to completely shut the door against civil and national war and have mercy on the nation.

    He added that Nigerians must pray against the wicked plan of darkness to cause bloodshed, especially as the 2015 general elections approaches.

    The nation’s woes, he stated, are more attributable to spiritual rather than physical forces.

    “God loves this country despite our short comings as a nation. God always reveals himself to us. He is asking us to pray and follow His instructions and if we do and forsake our sins, He will guide us right,” Obadare assured.

    He vowed that political leaders plotting against the nation would have God to contend with.

    Obadare reasoned all the challenges in the land should drive Christians to their knees

    “There is deep division, security challenges, poverty and joblessness across the land. But we believe rather than give way to depression and despondency, it is a challenge to all Christians to pray and entreat God for mercy,” he stressed.

    He said rather than lose hope since the country had not realised her full potential, Nigerians must continually pray for divine intervention.

  • Knights of St. Mulumba elect officers

    Johnny Ngonadi has been re-elected Grand Knight of the Lekki Sub council of the Knights of the Order of St Mulumba.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Anthony Idigbe, emerged Deputy Grand Knight while Dominic Nkwopara was elected‘ as secretary.

    Other elected officials are: Brother Peter Unuode, advocate; Eddy Okolie, chancellor; Brother Obinna Anyanwu, treasurer; Brother Peter Iwegbu, financial secretary; Brother Laz Iloka, auditor; Brother Nicholas Ananyi, warden while Brother Emmanuel Odey was appointed physician.

    Ngonadi commended all the elected officials and charged them to strive towards positioning the council as light to the world.

    He also charged the newly elected officials to be spiritually awake when the nation is passing through troubling times.

    The prayer for Nigeria as instructed by the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria in 1993, according to him, is still relevant.

    “The prayer written in 1993 touches all the troubling issues in Nigeria today.

    “This period call for sober reflections and spiritual awakening. It is a crucial period for us as Knights of the church to rise and shine as lights in a decadent world,” Ngonadi charged.

  • Church prays for release of Chibok girls

    Members of Pray Through Church of God, Sango-Ota, Ogun State last Sunday interceded for the safe return of over 200 Chibok girls still in abduction.

    The prayer session was the climax of activities marking the fourth anniversary of the church.

    The theme of the anniversary was God of speedy promotion.

    Members raised their voices in agony, invoking angels to orchestrate the release of the girls in abduction for over three months.

    The general overseer of the church, Pastor Taiwo Ayeni, led the prayer session.

    He said: “I know that His angels are already at work in Sambisa forest or wherever the children are being held.”

    Delivering a sermon at the anniversary, Pastor Victor Odigie from Christ Living Spring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM), canvassed for prayers to overcome the challenges of life.

  • Church visits orphanage at one

    Church visits orphanage at one

    The Realm of Glory International Church Abuja recently visited Saint Theresa Orphanage home in Gwarinpa as part of activities marking its first anniversary.

    The pastor of the church, Mr. Emeka Igwe, challenged Christians to offer hands of fellowship to the less privileged in the society.

    He said the last one year has been fruitful and challenging.

    Igwe stated that the church should not be measured by its numerical increase but by how far it has gone to transform lives.

    On the other programmes lined up for the anniversary, he said there will be a TV talk and a road show on Thursday, July 24.

    A musical show holds on Friday while the thanksgiving service is slated for the church auditorium at SOAR Plaza off 1st Avenue opposite Agete hotel, Gwarinpa.

  • ‘Only northern leaders can stop Boko Haram’

    The National Coordinator, Voice of Christian Martyrs Nigeria, Rev Isaac Newton-Wusu, has called on Muslim leaders, clerics and the governors in the north to go beyond condemning the deadly and calculated attacks on innocent Nigerians in the region.

    He challenged them to quench the “fire” of insurgency that is fast spreading by talking to the insurgents themselves.”

    He also described the activities of the Islamic sect as a threat to the nation.

    Newton-Wusu expressed dismay at the nonchalant attitude of political leaders on the abducted girls.

    He said the release of the girls in the captivity of Boko Haram should be the focus and not the 2015 elections, which he regretted has become the preoccupation of political leaders.

    He spoke in Lagos at a briefing on the state of the nation and the graduation ceremony of the children of the martyrs who have lost either of their parents to the insurgency in the north on the 23rd of July.

    On the activities of the organisation, which has been working relentlessly to ameliorate the hardship of children orphaned by persecution over the decades, he said: “The first batch of children brought from Kaduna State to Abeokuta was eight in number. Without funding and support, we increased the number to 14 and then to 20, later to 50.

    “We later brought children from Kano, Bauchi, Jos and Maiduguri. Now, there are 424 of such children here. Each of them lost one of the parents or both in the religious uprising in most part of the north.”

    He added: “Today, we have had 118 of them graduated from the college. Over twenty of them are in various universities being supported by the generosity of concerned Nigerians.”

  • RCCG dedicates Edo headquarters

    The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has dedicated the provincial headquarters of the church in Edo State.

    The Pastor in Charge of Region 13 (PICR), Pastor James Dagunduro, performed the ceremony on behalf of Adeboye.

    The event attracted leaders and workers in the church as well as the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, who donated the land on while the building christened divine pavilion was built.

    Dagunduro applauded the contributions of all members in ensuring the successful completion of the building through the help of God.

    He said: “As we dedicate this church today our message is that all the members will get their lives dedicated to God because if their lives are not dedicated to God we will discover that all their services will go in vain.”

    The Pastor- in- charge of the province, Pastor Adedapo Oluwaniyi, described the feat as wonderful.

    He said: “It has taken long to dedicate the church because you know that to get funds was somehow difficult but thank God that He intervened and things began to fall in line.