The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Living Faith: Securing your high places (2)

    Living Faith: Securing your high places (2)

    Last week, I said you should not lean on your own understanding, because you have no access to the future. Only God knows the end from the beginning. In all your ways, acknowledge that God is the only One who knows tomorrow.

    We looked at what makes God’s leading. When God leads, He goes before the led(Isaiah 45:1-3), He goes with the led (Matthew 28:20), He works with the led (Mark 16:20), He works through the led (John 14:10),He protects the led (Exodus 23:20) and He works for the led (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

    In continuation of our subject matter, this week, I shall be looking at your fruitfulness, when God is the One leading you. The Word of God says: Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you or among your cattle (Deuteronomy 7:14). This means, you shall be fat and flourishing; you shall be fruitful beyond bearing children. You will be scaling heights in businesses, careers and everything about you will be fruitful.

    Recognize that every seed of Abraham is ordained for all-round fruitfulness. It is important to become knowledgeable of God’s will to flourish on all sides. You become defeated in life, when you lack the knowledge of His will concerning you.

    God’s Word says: And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out (Isaiah 48:21).When you subscribe to God’s leadings and instructions, you are on your way to greatness. Then, you will realize that there is nothing in any far country that compares with what is in your God. He has given to you everything you will ever need (Deuteronomy 32:9-14; 2 Peter 1:3).

    HOW GOD LEADS US:

    •Through Rhema: This is the voice of the Spirit. Any time you say,‘God said,’ it is the Spirit of God speaking to you on God’s behalf.Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

    He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you(John 16:13-14).

    Every child of God has access to His voice, but your spiritual ears must be open to hear Him, because He is the voice of the Spirit.Therefore, you must become a man of the Spirit, to connect with it (Isaiah 42:18-24).

    •Through the Voice behind the Word:God’s Word is God’s voice in print (Isaiah 34:16). Every Word of the scripture is as commanded and inspired by God. So, behind every statement of the scripture is God’s voice, which places you in command of every situation (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    •Through Heavenly Visions: The Lord guides you through heavenly pictures interpreted by Him. It takes a man of the Spirit, who lives and works by the Spirit to encounter visions from the Lord (Revelation 4:1).

    Friend, the power to be led by God is available, if you are born again. You are born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are set for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan, to serve the Living God. From today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!

     

    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

  • Tell political leaders the truth, cleric urges preachers

    The South East Coordinator of Fire Pentecostal Ministries, Rev Chukwuorji Monday, has called on ministers of God to shun sycophancy.

    He tasked them to boldly speak the truth, especially to public officers so that they can work in the interest of the masses.

    Monday spoke with newsmen last week sequel to the conclusion of a weeklong activities marking the 2013 Youth week of the church.

    He castigated some preachers who have turned themselves to supporters and praise singers of political leaders, saying such attitude ridicules the church.

    According to him: “The duty of religious leaders is to pray, counsel and sometimes speak out publicly when things are going wrong in the society.

    “But today, most religious leaders don’t tell the truth to our politicians. They sing praises of politicians whether they deserve it or not.

    “As far as they get patronage from such politicians, everything is well. If the country is burning, it is not their business.”

    Such attitude, he said, has not helped good governance in the country.

    “A minister of God is supposed to be a fearless activist and say things as they are; he is not meant to be a sycophant. He is supposed to look at the President, Governor, Senate President, Speaker or local government chairman in the eye and say ‘our people you are suffering. You are not getting it right in so and so sector.’

    “If half of the ministers of God in a given state speak the truth to a governor, tell me why such governor won’t change and look into their complaints?

    “He knows that the minister of God can convince his congregation to deny him support.”

    He went on: “But the problem is that most ministers of God have lost focus and are only after worldliness.

    “When he visits any political leader and an envelope is packaged for him, he delivers a prophecy for the political leader that he will win the next election and would move to a higher office in future. That ends it.”

    He canvassed for massive empowerment schemes for youths to rid the society of restiveness and violence.

  • Churches need succession plan, says Adeyemi

    Churches need succession plan, says Adeyemi

    Most of the first and second generation Pentecostal churches in the country may not exist in another 50 years, the senior pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Oregun, Lagos, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has warned.

    This, he explained, is because many of them lack effective succession plan that will take them to the next century.

    He spoke last week at the official inauguration of the Church Administrators Society of Nigeria (CASON) in Lagos.

    Adeyemi pointed out that the body of Christ has suffered from previous inabilities of churches to outlive their founders.

    This, he said, does not only stop the flow of God but also damage sustainable efforts in the kingdom.

    He lamented that mighty divine encounters and exploits have been stopped by failure to successfully transit to the next generation.

    According to him: ‘If we are not careful, most of the churches we see today may not exist in another 50 years, especially the first and second generation Pentecostal churches.

    “And this will not be down to spiritual attacks, religious persecution or witchcraft but simply because of lack of good succession plan.”

    He said it would be highly lamentable for thriving churches of today not to die with their founders and general overseers without affecting the next generation.

    To avert such likelihood, he called for evolution and commitment to a good succession plan among churches to impact the next generation.

    He justified the establishment of CASON, saying churches must embrace professionalism and skills for greater impact.

    “Our churches,” he argued, “must be well-run and organised. We need specialists that will take them to the next level.”

    The visioner of CASON, Pastor Seyi Oladimeji, stated that the body has trained over 200 administrators for churches since inception in 2008.

  • ‘Churches must help girl-child, women’

    The General Overseer of Disciples of Christ Ministry, Pastor Elizabeth Osa, has called on the church to be promote values that will help in the development and empowerment of the girl- child and womanhood.

    In a chat in her church’s headquarters in Egbeda Lagos, Osa lamented the increasing spate of child marriage, rape and other forms of deprivations facing women.

    She called on churches to support girl-child and women through different empowerment programmes.

    According to her: “When women are empowered, they will transform the world for Christ.

    “Now is the time for every girl-child to have the education and opportunities needed to unleash her potential and the church must help.’’

    She explained that with the roles of women as wives, mothers, companions, prayer warriors and help mates, they remain critical to the survival of the nation.

  • ‘How to make marriages work’

    Dr Vic Victor is a practising lawyer based in Houston, Texas and host of International Relationship Conference, which holds in Nigeria, South Africa and the United States of America annually. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on matrimonial affairs. Excerpts:

     

     

    Why are families packing up these days?

    There are several reasons for the mass failure of marriages in our society. Some of these reasons are specific to nations, cultures and subcultures. For instance, some experts posit that there is a direct correlation between the movement for emancipation of women under the various women liberation and the failure of marriages.

    I agree with this conclusion to the extent that women have always been the preservers of marriages and families. Anything that affects women and how they view themselves is bound to affect our marriages and family units. Women endure and sacrifice a lot for the family to remain intact.

    Another historical reason is that we have seen in cultures that were previously oppressed is what we in Twogether for ever call “the wusification of men”.

    “Wusification” is the policy of the oppressor (the slave master, the colonial master, the economic master) to take away the manhood of the oppressed men. This is very evident among the African Americans of the United States, the blacks in the Caribbeans and the Southern Africa.

    In those cultures, the role of men and the psyche of men were deliberately redefined to reduce threats of rebellion and violence. The net result of that are men who are less of “KuntaKinte”, the epitome of the brave African man.

    Now you have absentee fathers, deadbeat dads and baby mamas who are not interested in making a good nest for the children before they have them.

    Other reasons, which are perhaps more specific to the culture in Nigeria, are the influence of western education and culture. It is amazing how Africans adore bad American and British cultures. The things that I see on our televisions in broad day light in our eateries and public places are things that cannot be shown anywhere you have children.

    Add to that the domino effect of a culture that has been thoroughly messed with and redefined in the US and Europe. These are the underlining causes of divorce and separation.

    The more visible symptoms are money matters, lack of communication and couples’ inability to nurture their marriages. I see Nigerian and Middle Eastern women and their children in the best vacation spots in the world. I always ask where are their fathers?

    The fathers are at home, at work or just not part of the deal. The problem here is that we want to copy the westerners without copying the whole thing. No American woman will haul five children to Kenya or Disney World without their dads. Vacation time is family time to bond, refresh and regroup.

    Submission has been largely controversial. To what extent should a wife be submissive to her husband?

    I will like to be politically incorrect here and hopefully scripturally correct. A woman should submit to her own husband at all times. We always advise young women to make sure that the man they are marrying is big enough, smart enough and strong enough to earn and command their respect.

    The Bible did not qualify the responsibility of wives submitting to their own husband. What the Bible contemplated is a husband that loves his wife so much that he is willing to die for her. Any man who has that much love for his wife should demand that his wife submit to him. At the end of the day, the man is working to make the woman and the children happy. I think about it if a man is working for the welfare of his wife, who is the boss? Submission is not a dirty word; it is a directive that saves marriages and keeps families together. You cannot have two captains in one ship.

    Is love enough to make a marriage work?

    It depends on how you define love. If a man defines love as doing all that he can to make his wife happy, encourage her spiritually and play his role as a father, husband and pastor of the house, then that kind of love can sustain any marriage.

    If love means being the best wife to her husband then that love can sustain a marriage. Love is an action work. If it is backed by responsive actions, the answer is yes.

    What is your forthcoming conference all about?

    The International Relationship Conference is an event that holds annually in Nigeria, Houston, Texas and Johannesburg, SA. The idea is to prepare singles and courting couples on the art of marriage before the event starts.

    It is said that prayerful preparation prevents a poor performance. We have a mandate to equip couples on how to enjoy their marriage and not endure it. There is a statistic that says that it takes five generations of corrective actions to restore a marriage broken down because a divorce leads to several divorcing threats in a family and society.

    The circle will definitely continue with some of the children unless broken. An abusive father will raise children who are abusive. If we have not taught them, we cannot blame them. Twogether For Ever through the international conference on relationship is teaching relationships.

    What do you imagine would have happened after the conference?

    This conference is a date with destiny. I imagine that destiny keepers who attend the conference would have made an investment of a lifetime. Destiny is an irresistible path that one must take. Participants will be equipped to understand relationships and make informed decisions about life.

    This conference will remove all confusions and guess works about relationships. Participants will be empowered to walk with confidence in life.

    What will be unique?

    The International Relationship Conference is the mother of all relationship conferences that combines learning life skills with a touch of red entertainment.

    The curriculum for the seminar was drafted from real life experiences gathered from counselling pre- and post-marital couples, television interviews, radio interviews and conferences questions. The conference also boasts of guest speakers who have distinguished themselves in specific areas of relationships in the “Nigeria context.”

    The red carpet event is a formal relaxing evening of entertainment and fun hosted by our own comedian extra ordinarie, Holy Mallam. Any comedian can crack a joke but not all comedians can keep their audience cracking and righteous at the same time. We will be joined by Houston’s own gospel recording artist, Stacy Egbo, who will be ministering that evening.

    Couples will get a chance to renew their vows and strengthen their relationships. Singles and courting couples will not be left out. There will be a meet-and-greet for interaction and fun.

     

  • OPM commissions free ICT-based school

    OPM commissions free ICT-based school

    •Offers free meals, textbooks, others 

    Omega Power Ministries (OPM) upped its novel humanitarian activities last week with the commissioning of a free ICT-based free nursery and primary school in Port-Harcourt.

    The school situated at the church’s headquarters on Olusegun Obasanjo airport road, Port-Harcourt boasts of state-of-the-art facilities such as well-equipped scientific laboratories, basket ball court, internet-ready computers and a department of phonetics.

    The commissioning also coincided with the graduation of 20 pupils from the school.

    General overseer of OPM, Apostle (Dr.) Chibuzor Chinyere, said the school was conceived to offer free, qualitative education to children from the slums.

    Chinyere recalled how his parents could not afford his educational needs owing to abject poverty, pointing out there are many of such children on the streets as against classrooms today.

    He stated that the modern facilities in the school are to expose pupils from poor background to contemporary knowledge so that they will not keep lagging behind.

    Aside the free tuition in the school, he announced that pupils will also be offered daily lunch packs to enhance learning.

    He assured that only pupils from poor homes drawn from across religious and ethnic groups will attend the school.

    The cleric also promised that free text books, school bags and other writing materials will be provided to the pupils entirely free of charge.

    He appealed to other churches and religious organisations to consider the plight of the less-privileged in their activities.

    Parents at the graduation praised the church for the gesture.

    Mrs. Chinasa Alozie said she could not imagine her child would ever learn in such a conducive environment.

    Madam Favour Chukwudi thanked Chinyere and the church for taking her child through such a wonderful learning experience.

  • Securing your high places

    Welcome to your regular column. Last week, I taught on some scriptural steps to double portion restoration. I showed you what happens, when God leads you. Also, I showed you how to access divine guidance.

    This week, I will be teaching on Securing Your High Places. In this world of gross darkness, divine guidance is one of our greatest assets (Joel 2:2). When you miss God’s leadings, you run into crises. Don’t lean on your own understanding, because you have no access to the future. Only God knows the end from the beginning. In all your ways, acknowledge that God is the only One who knows tomorrow.

    Today looks great, but will tomorrow also be great or greater? Only God knows. Your understanding is inadequate to guiding your steps into the future. No one knows tomorrow like God; you must acknowledge this consistently, for you to walk free from the crises of life.

    Recognise that every child of God is a candidate for the high places of life. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14). You are ordained for the top! You are redeemed to reign as a king on the earth.

    There is a special price on your life. So, you are a special citizen on the earth. But you cannot be made until you are led. God’s leadings are the gateways to your makings. Until you allow Him to lead you, He cannot make you.

    For instance, the Israelites knew no lack when God led them. They had plenty of peace, health, food, dignity, protection. Every good thing accompanied them as they were led by God (Isaiah 48:21).

    Many times, God’s leadings may not agree with your thoughts, but they are the highways to your high places (Isaiah 55:8). When God leads, strange doors are opened.

    What Makes His Leading?

    •When God leads, He goes before the led (Isaiah 45:1-3): When God goes before you, all gates must lift up their heads. There is no global barrier against the man led by God. When God leads the way, you become unstoppable, unshakeable and immoveable.

    •When God leads, He goes with the led (Matthew 28:20).

    •When God leads, He works with the led (Mark 16:20; 1 Corinthians 3:9).

    •He works through the led (John 14:10).

    •When God leads, He works for the led (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

    •When God leads, He protects the led (Exodus 23:20).

    •When God leads, He renders the enemies of the led helpless.

    How to be led by God?

    • You must desire to be divinely guided (Proverbs 3:5-6): What you don’t desire, you don’t deserve. What enhances your desire is your understanding of the role of divine guidance in securing your glorious destiny in Christ.

    • Meekness: This is one of the virtues that entitle our access to divine guidance (Psalm 25:9). It takes meekness to access divine guidance.

    Benefits of Divine Guidance:

    •Supernatural Empowerment (Judges 6:14): When God leads you on a particular mission, He supernaturally energizes you to deliver. You are awake intellectually, you are alive emotionally, and you are strong physically.

    •Divine protection (Psalm 105:13-15): This is the entitlement of everyone led by the Lord (Exodus 23:20).

    •Supernatural Insight (Isaiah 48:17): When God leads, He is committed to teaching the led how to be profitable.

    •Supernatural breakthrough (Genesis 26:1-2, 12-14): This is one very outstanding benefits of divine guidance.

    Friend, the power to benefit from divine guidance is the preserve of those who are connected to God. You get connected by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set for it, 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. Now, I know I am born again! I will continue this teaching next week.

    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

  • Catholic men plan faith convention

    Catholic men plan faith convention

    The Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) of the Lagos Archdiocese will hold a faith convention aimed at addressing immoralities in the society.

    President of the organisation, Chief Emeka Asoegwu, told newsmen that homosexuality, gay marriages abortion, religious fanaticism and corruption will also be discussed at the conference.

    He assured that other spiritual, family, economic and business issues that will reawaken Catholics in the archdiocese will be at the front burner at the convention.

    It holds 3rd-5th October at St. Leo Catholic Church, Toyin Street, off Allen Avenue Lagos.

    Rev. Fr. Maria Ozele, Rev Fr. Joseph Atado, the host, Monsignor John Aniagwu and the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev Dr. Martins Adewale will minister at the event.

    There will also be a business clinic to be handled by Dr. Imo Itsueli, Charles Iluegbunam and other entrepreneurs at the convention.

  • Group celebrates women, confers awards on Ajimobi’s wife, others

    A group, Peace Tabernacle Ministries, has concluded a 3-day conference in Oyo town to appreciate the contributions of women in public service and governance.

    It also empowered no fewer than 35 women and conferred awards on the First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, and her personal assistant, Rev(Mrs). Adefolaju.

    While Adefolaju was conferred with the Good Women of Impact award, her principal, Ajimobi, bagged the Excellent Women of Impact award.

    The theme of the conference was women of the day.

    There was also a motivational talk by the wife of the former Police Public Relations Officer, Pastor Bimbo Longe.

    Longe advised women to embrace tolerance, submission, perseverance and love regardless of the tribulations they might be passing through.

    The graduate of Chemistry recalled how her in-laws ganged up against her for giving birth to only four daughters and no males 27 years after marriage.

    She stated that her steadfastness and humility saw her through the storms.

    According to her: “All the female children are today graduates and excelling in their various callings.

    “This is because I remained contented, endured and persevered, that moment of sadness disappeared and my joy comes back till today.’’

    The founder of the group, Pastor Bola Aderibigbe, stated that issues affecting women are fundamental and must be resolved.

    She said: “Considering their indispensable roles in the society as mothers, custodians, and shapers of the society, we are of the conviction that empowering women is empowering the nation.

    “This is why we provide micro finance scheme for the women to enhance their status in the society.”

    The president of the Youths, Mr. AkinpeluDolapo, said all those awarded will be inducted into the Ministries’ Hall of Fame.

  • Cleric institutes essay competition for students

    Cleric institutes essay competition for students

    A cleric with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church (MFM), North Central Region, Pastor Lawrence Olasehinde, has instituted a character-moulding essay competition for Senior and Junior Secondary Schools in the nation.

    The competition holds under the auspices of the Pastor Lawrence Olasehinde Youths Development Foundation (PLOYDEF).

    Ernest Ezekwere emerged the winner of the competition in the senior category.

    Bolaji Oluwaseun was the runner-up.

    In the junior category, Omeiza Ozauize won while Offering Ogala and Happiness Williams were second and third respectively.

    Speaking at the inaugural prize-giving ceremony at the region’s headquarters in Utako, Abuja, the Chairman/Coordinator of PLOYDEF, Dr. EtimAmba, stated that all the activities of the foundation are designed to create avenues for fostering desirable character traits and grooming youths to become competitive and formidable soldiers of the faith.

    The Senior Regional Overseer, South-South 1 Port-Harcourt, Pastor Lawrence Olasehinde, who was the pioneer pastor of North Central region Utako Abuja, stated that youths are confronted with enormous challenges such that without proper guidance and tutelage, many of them may not fulfill their destinies.

    He lamented that the nation is building a society where the right moral values, norms and ethics needed to nurture children to responsible adults are eroded.

    He hinted that the annual competition will expand to other areas such as capacity development, skill acquisition, career counselling, academic coaching and recreational activities.