The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Martins sues for peace

    The Catholic Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, the Very Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins (DD), has called on leaders to foster peaceful co-existence among Nigerians irrespective of their religious and tribal affiliations.

    He gave the admonition during a Mass for the 20th anniversary and fund-raising ceremony for St. Michael Catholic Church, Ketu, Lagos.

    Martins said meaningful development can only prosper where there is peace.

    He stated: “A country without peace cannot develop its full potentials and the citizens will always be the worst for it.

    “It is only when a country has peace that meaningful development can take place. So, I enjoin all hands to be on deck in other for Nigeria to have peace.”

    He said the crisis in the northern parts is like a cancer that if not taken care of will eventually affect the whole body with disastrous effects.

    He commended the parishioners for their commitment and steadfastness at erecting a befitting edifice for the church, saying the last 20 years had witnessed steady growth.

    The Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mr. Ayodele Abolarin, said: “It is true we are celebrating our 20 years of existence as a community but our story dates back to 1976 when our early parishioners were gathering together at Mrs. Maria Oluwaremilekun’s car park.”

    Abolarin disclosed that the desire of the entire parishioners of St. Michael Catholic Church, Ketu is to dedicate the ultra-modern church building in 2013.

    He enjoined kind- hearted Christians across the country to help make the dream a reality.

    The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Sebastian Ngene, disclosed: “the construction work on the church started over ten years ago and the parish has spent over N300 million.

    “The project would have been completed if not for the challenges being faced as a result of the environmental factor and financial constraints.”

    Dignitaries present at the fund- raising were Lagos First lady, Dame Abimbola Fashola, Executive Chairman of GreenLife Pharmaceutical Limited, Dr. Obiorah Chukwuka, among others.

  • ‘Only the real gospel will change Nigeria’

    ‘Only the real gospel will change Nigeria’

    The general overseer of The Stone Church Ibadan, Oyo State, Pastor Alex Adegboye, is a no-nonsense preacher. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the church’s 20th anniversary and how the gospel can influence the nation. Excerpts:

    The Stone Church is 20. Did you imagine it will come this far?

    Yes, I must have believed we would come this far because I wasn’t doing my own thing. It is God’s calling and mandate. I think I am like Amos in the Bible who said ‘I wasn’t a prophet neither was I a prophet’s son but God called me and asked me to prophesy’. Like me, he had no pedigree; nothing to fall back on. I just stepped out in faith, trusting God will prosper His work if we remain faithfulness.

    So, how has the last 20 years been?

    It has been bumpy. It has not been easy at all in the sense that when you run a race like this, it will be very challenging. The devil will not just allow you to obey God. Every serious and committed minister is the devil’s worst nightmare because we help people to fulfill destiny. So, the devil will not just watch things grow.

    It’ll be good to recount some of those challenges

    At the very beginning, the problem was how to get a place of our own. We got a land and when we were about to build, some people came and said the land belonged to them. They were the National Council of Women; they were very powerful to the extent that the then governor sent soldiers to come and ‘capture’ us. They ‘captured’ me and took me to the governor’s house. Of course, they released me with a stern warning never to go to the land again. I took them to court; we won and got our money back.

    In 2003, I was attacked by armed robbers right inside the church. We were having an evening meeting when they came. They demanded for money and shot me. Of course, that took me out of job for over two years. I was in the UK for treatment until I returned. That experience gave birth to my book Scars of Faith where I recounted the whole thing. Of course, there were challenges of building structures that work and getting people to behave well. That was never easy. But, of course, we have emerged stronger from all of these because the Lord called us. If it were not that He called us, we won’t be here today.

    Can you recall remarkable divine encounters that keep swelling your heart and reminding you God is here?

    In the very first year of the church, we grew by leaps and bounds. We grew to about 1,000. That was surprising to me because I remember calling my family members before the church started and my 10-year-old daughter said, ‘Daddy, what if people don’t come?’ Of course, there was always that fear somewhere in one’s heart. I answered her and said, ‘What if they come?’ She thought hard and said, ‘Well, that is true. They might come.’

    We have heard many miracles here too. I remember a lady who married here. Everything about her was here. She waited on God for several years but eventually got her miracle baby. We have had people healed of terminal cancer. There had been various promotions and all that. I remember a brother who did not even have the money to buy the form for a senatorial election. People contributed the N100, 000 he needed and won the election from here.

    If you were to do church again, would you do it the way you started 20 years ago?

    That is a very good question. No, because I have learnt a lot. I have learnt that you have to be careful choosing people for leadership because most of the problems in church emanate from there. If I had my way again, I would be more careful. And it wasn’t as if I was careful enough but I think I now know people a lot better. I would commit responsibilities to people much longer before putting them in leadership.

    I have also learnt how to trust God for money. As a businessman, a practitioner, I knew where to expect money from projects. But in church, you just have to trust God and in most cases, He will use people. Yet, you have got to learn how not to look at people but God. And that is tough, but I have learnt to do that better. If I look at people and our purse, we would not even start most projects we accomplished. An example is the new conference centre we just completed that has a 4,000- seater auditorium. Our next challenge is how to fill it up.

    How is that?

    That is simply because those of us in the headquarters church are not up to that. Of course, during the convention we would fill it up because our churches are coming from all over the world. After they leave, we continue using the facility.

    What is the wisdom behind the theme for the convention?

    The theme is life 360. Christ said I have become that they might have life in abundance. The concordance interpreted it as “life that is superior in all things; superabundant in quality”. So, it is being superior in all ramifications of life. This year, we are having the first female convention speaker in Apostle Nkechi Anayo.

    Is it that the church does not believe in female preachers?

    We do. We have female pastors but not as church leaders. They are departmental heads and associate pastors. We are just trying to be careful. I grew up in Foursquare Gospel Church founded by a woman. But we realise women have different issues and encumbrances and we are just trying to play safe. Some churches don’t even allow it at all but we are trying to strike a balance.

    When you think about Nigeria, do you feel like giving up?

    Of course I do. One is seriously tempted to. I don’t see us making progress at all. No turnaround yet. So, there is so much despondence and hopelessness in the land but because one is a Christian, we believe God’s hands are on this nation.

    Is the church doing enough to take Nigeria to the Promised Land?

    We can do more. The church should be preaching the uncompromised gospel but we are preaching church-friendly and people-friendly gospel. The real gospel does not have a mass attraction and appeal. We preach a need-oriented gospel because we want people to come. And it is very difficult for that kind of gospel to change a nation. The gospel that can change Nigeria is the real gospel, not people-friendly gospel. We have too many people in the church with little influence in the society. That is because of the kind of gospel we preach. When I gave my life to Christ, we had no representation in government circles. Churches were filled with people but only one or two cars. But today Christians are everywhere without impact because they have not embraced the full, real gospel. We are feeding on the gospel that tickles people’s ears.

  • The Prophetic ministry of biblical Isaiah(8)

    Brethren in the Lord, I thank God for sparing our lives till today to be able to share the Word together, May His grace and Spirit never leave us, Amen.

    We have for some weeks now been discussing on the ministry of one of the prophets of the bible – Prophet Isaiah, in which we take chapter by chapter, analysing the relevance of each chapter to the happenings in the contemporary world. Today, we shall commence from Isaiah Chapter Nine, which was the continuation of the planned punishment of God to the people of Israel for their unholy alliance with the enemies to wage war against their brothers in Judah.

    The chapter started with the exclusion of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali from the future punishment saying the ‘Future will bring honour’ to the two tribes. But God was more angered as to the arrogance, and the unrepentant nature of the people of Israel.

    Whilst Isaiah was still restating the anger of God, His likeness for the tribes in Judah that had continually kept to His commandments was not lost in verse 6 as to the reminder of the coming of the Saviour. It says ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace’. How gracious it was for David and his descendants for the privilege of having the Son of God coming into the world through them. It is another way of admonishing people to always put their trusts in God, and follow His commandments, for He will always remember and keep His covenants.

    Then in verses 11-12, it was revealed that God will turn the friends of Rezin (of Syria) against him, for having the audacity to join hands with Israel against Judah, and that both the Syrians and the Philistines would join hands together ‘discipline’ Israel. Verse 12 says ‘The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still’.

    The anger of God persisted for the people because of their refusal to repent, they did not humble themselves in His presence, they made friends with the enemies that God had forsaken, and did not deem it fit to ‘seek the Lord of hosts’ (vs. 13).

     

    Leadership problems.

    It was evident that most of problems of the people of Israel (Northern Kingdom) had a whole lot to do with leadership. This was said in verse 16 that ‘For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed’. The successive kings in Israel relied more on idolatry than the Holy one that brought them from the land of Egypt. King Ahab is a classical example of one of the worst kings Israel ever had.

    As far as his leadership and personalities was concerned, the decision and advice of his wife (Jezebel) was final and supreme. He fought the prophets of God, he chose what to believe, and downgraded prophesies from God.

    There can never be great Nations/Institutions/Companies without great leaders. You hardly can find godly nations without godly leaders. The direction and sincerity of leaders determine how the followers/subjects would be rated. The ordinary citizens of Israel would have fared better if they had not been misled by their leaders.

    Comparison of the leadership of Moses and Aaron

    Moses was a very decisive leader, he feared God, reverenced Him, he obeyed His commandments, when people murmured, he would listen so far it would not be against the commandments of God. He refused to listen or do things that would put him against his creator.

    While he was with the people of Israel (not yet separated into Judah and Israel) in the wilderness, the people believed in God and found it abominable to ask Moses to give them an idol to worship. But as soon as Moses came a bit late from Mount Sinai, the people requested from Aaron, the Idol to be worshipped, and he immediately hearkened unto them.

    Corrupt leaders bring corruption into their countries, but godly leaders bring greatness into their nations. The direction of a new born child will be determined firstly by the community where he is born, and by what he sees on a daily basis.

    Relationship of this chapter with contemporary nations of the world

    The African continent has been the worst hit among the continents of the world, as far as leadership is concerned. In as much as colonialism and enslavement is a great inhuman treatment, and should never be encouraged by anybody, but many of the elderly ones in Africa have been talking about how good things were under the colonial masters. To destroy an institution, just look for a self-serving leader, an arrogant person, he who does nothing than complaining about everything so far he is not the beneficiary, he who coerces to be honoured or recognised, to head such organization. This is really the problems of many nations in Africa.

    The citizens of Africa are suffering today not majorly because of their making, but because their leaders have failed them. The leadership of Israel as said by Prophet Isaiah failed their people, and the punishment became collective, this is then the reason why the citizens of this part of the world are terribly suffering with no solution in sight. But in no distant time, God will send the Moses of our time to deliver His people, Amen.

     

    To be continued.

    Prayer point

    Pray that God should help Africa, your country and your family from the devourer in human flesh.

    Comments and enquiries: +2348060572904; motailatusanctuarychurch@yahoo.com

     

  • Appreciate God always, Adeboye charges

    The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has charged Christians to always thank God regardless of the situation they find themselves.

    He spoke at a special prayer session for waiting and expecting mothers penultimate weekend at the national headquarters of the church in Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

    Adeboye said believers will overcome challenges of lives by acknowledging the power and might of God through heartfelt praises.

    Turning to the congregation, he said they must believe God will deliver them despite delays in child-bearing, failure in exams, persecution, sickness and affliction.

    According to him: “Let us thank God for challenges because they produce testimonies; for exams because they produce promotion; for enemies because it shows that we are making progress; for hostile people because it is then we can realise that we only have one friend who is Jesus.”

    He said the awaiting mothers should stay holy and rest assured on the scriptural assurance that they will give birth to many children.

  • OPM opens free boutique, graduates 93 in oil and gas

    OPM opens free boutique, graduates 93 in oil and gas

    Indigent Nigerians can now simply walk to a boutique and pick clothes of their choice free of charge courtesy of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), a thriving church based in Port-Harcourt, capital of River state.

    Speaking at the commissioning of the unisex boutique, OPM’s general overseer, Apostle (Dr.) Chibuzor Chinyere, said it was opened to enable Nigerians who cannot afford clothes shop free.

    He explained that the initiative was motivated by the injunction of Christ to cloth the naked.

    Lamenting the plights of the less privileged, Chinyere said it was regrettable that many of them are going through life with any form of assistance.

    He said: “It is unacceptable for anybody to walk naked or in tattered clothes at this time and age. Everybody should be able to have something at least to cover his or her nakedness.”

    The cleric expressed his determination to continue to champion causes of the indigent at all costs, saying it was sad many churches were shying away from offering them helping hands.

    He assured there would always be supplies in the boutique, stating that plans have been perfected to have it always stocked.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Comfort Akpaelu, said: “I cannot thank God enough for what He is using His servant to do in the lives of the people.

    “I cannot imagine myself wearing this type of expensive clothes accompanied with expensive hand bags and shoes, God will continue to bless Apostle Chinyere for making my Easter a joyful one”.

    The church also graduated 93 out of the 450 students who underwent its free oil and gas training.

    The students received trainings in scaffolding, paint- making, barge- building, driving and tailoring, among others to enable them work in the oil and gas industry.

    Chinyere said their employability in the industry was not in doubt, stating that their competence will make way for them.

    Presenting them with certificates of completion, he explained they have been trained to international standard set by the Construction Industrial Training Board and in accordance to the act of the British Parliament – BS55973 of (1993).

    Miss Blessing Essien, a graduate of marine welding and fabrication said the scheme has honed her professional skills and placed her on the path of greatness.

    Mr. Chuks Iwuji, another graduate, said: “I can now compete in the oil industries. My hope of getting anything close to the training I got now was dashed but God through his servant Apostle Chinyere has made my life meaningful.”

  • Love Fever

    “No Madam, it can’t be patched.” The mechanic said. “You can’t take it home today.”

    Tosin frowned. “What? How do you expect me to get home?”

    The man smiled. “Madam, it’s not my fault. It’s because of the work I have to do on it.”

    Joe who had been listening to their conversation turned to the mechanic. “What exactly is the problem with the car?”

    Baba l’egba cleared his throat before answering. “The fuel pump is not supplying fuel, that’s one. I’ll have to service the carburator and -”

    Tosin looked at Joe for help. “Look Joe, what’s important to me is to be able to take the car home today.”

    Joe smiled and said gently, “Tosin, the car has to be fixed, there’s nothing you can do about it.” Joe said gently.

    “So, are you bringing it tomorrow then?” Tosin asked the mechanic.

    “I’ll try my best to bring it but if I don’t, you will get it on Wednesday unfailingly.”

    “Oh my God!” Tosin looked at Joe again for his opinion.

    Joe shrugged. “You don’t have much of a choice.” Then he faced the mechanic. “Does she have to give you money now to hasten the work?”

    “No, Madam is not a stranger to me. She can pay me later for whatever I buy.”

    Tosin looked at the man resignedly. “I will really appreciate it if it can be ready tomorrow.”

    “Madam, put your mind at Wednesday, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”

    “Okay.”

    The man left.

    Tosin sighed. “How do I get home?”

    “The same way you got home on Saturday.” Joe said.

    She immediately shook her head with a hand up. “No no, don’t worry. I can get one of my friends to give me a ride.”

    “I don’t mind. I can drop you off at your house.”

    “You gave me a ride on Saturday.”

    “And so what?”

    “It’s just that I don’t want to -”

    “Bother you.” He finished for her with a smile. “I know you don’t want to bother me, I volunteered.”

    She smiled back. “In that case, thanks for coming to my rescue, again.”

    “My pleasure, and I’ll come to your rescue again if I have to.” He said then added, “Just call my name and I’ll be there.”

    They laughed.

    He got up. “I ought to be going now. Thanks for the coffee. Can I check you again?”

    “Anytime.” Tosin assured him.

    After he left, Tosin wondered about his visit. Why had he come? And there was a way he looked at her, with frank appreciation. She shrugged. There couldn’t be anything to it anyway. He knew she was married and he couldn’t be in want of ladies, many would consider him a good catch.

    But why did he ask if he could be checking her up for a chat? He probably was just being friendly, and what she needed right now was a friend, she concluded. But why did that strange feeling come upon her earlier on? This could be satanic!

    Wait a minute, her mind seemed to scream. This was about friendship not an affair. And she was a human being, a woman for that matter. She needed a friend to discuss with, someone to make her forget the problems in her marriage, someone who would understand her, even if Ladi didn’t. Joe seemed a nice man from the little time they had spent together, and the friendship would be platonic, wouldn’t it? Nevertheless, she prayed that God would help her to do His will.

    At the close of work, Tosin left with Joe in his car. They chatted non-stop until she got to her house.

    “Thanks. See you tomorrow.” She told him.

    “Goodnight.”

     

    **********

    When Tosin came out of the bathroom the following morning, Ladi asked her, “Has your car been repaired?”

    “No.” She answered curtly.

    After about two minutes silence, Ladi spoke again. “I will drop you at your office.”

    She didn’t reply.

    Some twenty minutes later, Tosin fully dressed, took her handbag.

    “I’m coming. I told you I’ll drop you.” Ladi said, getting up from the breakfast table.

    “I’ll find my way, after all, I did yesterday.” She said and bent down to kiss Tireni, who was sitting on the sofa in her school uniform, waiting for her food.

    Ladi’s mouth turned at the sides in amusement. “You are a woman.”

    “So you’ve just realised that? That explains a lot.”

    “I’ve always known that.”

    “That’s such a relief then.” She rolled her eyes comically.

    Ladi laughed. “You’re fully a woman.”

    Tosin snorted.

    Sade came in with Tireni’s breakfast.

    “I’m off.” Tosin told her. And to her daughter, she said, “Tireni bye.”

    “Mummy, bye-bye.”

    Ladi picked his jacket and followed Tosin out, after hugging and saying ‘God bless you’ to Tireni.

    Tosin entered his car looking unhappy but in her heart, she felt grateful for the ride. Ladi tried to make conversation, but when she answered in monosyllables, he stopped trying and drove on in silence. Tosin faced her side of the car and looked out, until Ladi pulled the car to a stop in front of Solid bank.

    “Thank you.” She said as she got down.

    “I won’t be able to come for you in the evening. I’m having a meeting with four of our partners from overseas at five.”

    “Okay.” You never have the time for me.

    He hesitated before asking, “Will you sort yourself out somehow?”

    “Definitely.” She answered with a grimace.

    “Have a nice day.” He said.

    “You do the same.”

    Joe came in the evening and volunteered to give her a ride home again which Tosin accepted gratefully.

    The following morning, she was taken to her office by Ladi.

    At half past ten, Baba l’egba came into her office, looking worried.

    “Baba l’egba, what about my car? Is it ready?”

    “Madam, I don’t know how it happened but I can’t find the key of the car. I’ve -”

    Her face changed as she cut the man off. “You can’t find what?”

     

    To be continued.

    For this novel and other books by the same author,

    Contact: 08023000773, 08058040949

  • ‘Nigeria may regret amnesty for Boko Haram’

    The Prelate of the First African Church Mission, Nigeria and Overseas, Primate Emmanuel Koya, has warned that the proposed amnesty package for members of the Boko Haram sect will backfire.

    He said amnesty should only be considered for repentant members of the sect willing to openly lay down their arms.

    Koya spoke with newsmen during the centenary celebration of the church in Lagos.

    He explained: “Amnesty is good but should only be given to repentant militants and not faceless groups who are showing no sign of repentance and are ready to cause more mayhem in the country.

    “I pray that Nigeria will not regret the amnesty package being offered to Boko Haram sect, which is done without the necessary steps in disarming them against the wide spate of killings, maimings and destruction of lives and properties.”

    He charged churches to continue to preach the gospel of peace despite the many attacks against them.

    On the significance of the celebration, the Archbishop of Lagos West, First African Church Mission, Most Rev Paul Onanuga, said it was a testimony to the faithfulness of God.

    The Chairman, Lagos House Committee on Transport, Commerce and Industry, Hon Bisi Yusuf, expressed delight to be part of the celebration.

    He said: “I am happy to be part of this centenary celebration of this church that has helped in spiritual, environmental and educational needs of the people in Ipaja area.

    “We only urge them to continue to do more for the betterment of the society”.

  • God’s Wisdom Works! (3)

    Welcome to your regular column. Last week, I showed you four kinds of wisdom, what wisdom is, why we need divine wisdom and what it takes to access it. Besides, I showed you what inspiration is and how to access it. This week, I will be teaching on what divine wisdom offers and how to access them.

    Recognize that God will never be more powerful tomorrow than He is today. He is ever set to deliver to each person, the encounters of their desire; but the day you are set becomes your day. In continuation of my series, let me start by showing you some of the things that divine wisdom offers.

    What Does Divine Wisdom Offer?

    •It Confers Supernatural Exploits: It is the custodian of mighty works. Divine wisdom has mighty work gene within it (Mark 6:2).

    •Long Life: You shall see your children’s children, if Jesus tarries to their fourth generation. Long life is one of the blessings that divine wisdom confers. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.(Proverbs 4:10).

    •Divine Direction: He leads you by the still waters, so you escape all the troublesome waters of life. One wrong step can wreck a great ministry; one wrong step can wreck a whole big business, but divine wisdom won’t let you go wrong.

    •Peace: God’s wisdom confers the peace of God on our lives; the more of that wisdom you access, the greater the peace of God manifests in your life. Not just peace, but great peace. Isaiah 26:3 says: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

    •Health: God’s Word is God’s wisdom in print. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh… (Proverbs 4:20-22).

    •Supernatural Promotion: Divine wisdom, among others, offers supernatural promotion. Supernatural promotion simply means dramatic change of levels (Daniel 6:1-3).

    •It Offers Supernatural Favour: So, this wisdom attracts favour. Watch this young man called Joseph, he got to the house of Potiphar, a slave and he became the heir of the family. They handed over everything into his hand. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison (Genesis 39:21).

    How to Access Divine

    Wisdom

    •Through the Fear of the Lord: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom… (Psalm 111:10). Job was a man that feared God, and eschewed evil (Job 1:1-3).

    •Gratitude and Praise: When you are at a cross-roads, burst into spiritual songs, singing in tongues and asking, “Which way Jesus?” The wisdom for your solution will be delivered to you. There must be a start-off point, and this comes with gratitude and praise. Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). This means you can’t start to draw without joy, and joy is a function of gratitude.

    •Through Prayers of Enquiry: Through prayer of enquiry, you activate the Holy Ghost. When you pray in the Holy Ghost, and in your understanding, He shows you the steps to take.

    •Standing Among the Fellowship of the Saints Expectantly: Psalm 73:16-17 says: When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. There is a need to understand the diving nature that is required of you, to make the most of your appearance in God’s presence. So, don’t sit down, just hanging on and waiting for something to happen; you dive to catch what is happening. Recognize that something is happening every moment! There is no dull moment with God!

    •Through Anointed books: There are people sitting down here today, who encountered some strange move of the Holy Ghost, while reading. I have heard many of them. I have seen the Holy Ghost just erupt as I begin to read materials. And I Daniel, understood by books (Daniel 9:2).

    •Inspiration: This is your capital access into Divine wisdom. And all scripture is given by the inspiration of God…(2 Timothy 3:16). That means, all of God’s wisdom is accessible by the inspiration of God. Your access shows in the proofs of profitability; it changes every aspect of your life. Inspiration can be defined as the move of the Holy Ghost within our faculties, enabling our access to the deep things of God. It is Holy Ghost-generated insight.

    Friend, the power to access divine wisdom is available, if you are born again. You get born again as you confess your sins and accept 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. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for saving me! 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 us through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Protecting your family heritage (4)

    Where are certain things that make the covenant blessing work in a family. One of such things we shall discuss in this issue is the fear of the Lord.

    Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Psalms 112:1-2

    The fear of the Lord is a holy reverence for God. It is not the fear of terror. It is such a reference that you want to please Him at all times, whether in good or bad times.

    It is that holy reference that makes you keep away from secret sins which your spouse or children may not know. Your parents may not see you but you fear God because He sees you.

    Joseph feared God so he refused to commit adultery with his master’s wife.

    Daniel also feared God and he purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king’s meal.

    So those who go around defiling themselves with men, women, with all manner of evil cannot partake in the family covenant blessings.

    Those who fear God don’t come late to God’s presence. If you cannot go late for your interview appointment for job, how do you come late into God’s presence?

    The fear of God makes you not to defile God’s house and God’s presence. There are leaders, ministers, church people, church workers defiling themselves and defiling God’s house. Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself (Daniel 1:8).

    WHAT ARE THE BLESSINGS IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD?

    1. The fear of God makes you live clean before God (Psalm 19:9).

    2. The fear of the Lord grants you access to God’s secrets (Psalm 25:14).

    God has secrets my friend. God’s secrets can protect you and make you great in life. It was God’s secrets that job discovered that made him prosper wonderfully (Job 29:3-6).

    Those who lay hold on God’s secrets will outshine every darkness and every storm in life.

    When you lay hold on God’s secrets – nothing will be impossible to you. When you catch God’s secrets, you lay hold on God’s presence and friendship. This is when the covenant of family generational blessing will come on you.

    3. God rescue those who fear Him in the times of affliction

    Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psalms 33:18-19

    The Message translation puts it this way; Watch this: God’s eye is on those who respect him, the ones who are looking for his love. He’s ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times he keeps body and soul together.

    Parents you need to flow in these blessing. Children need to flow in these blessings. Parents keep blessing your children daily. Children keep obeying your parents daily.

    4. Children who will be blessed with the covenant generational blessing must be ready to listen to instructions of parents.

    The Message translation of Proverbs 13:1 says; Intelligent children listen to their parents; foolish children do their own thing

    Some children do not have Godly parents to speak Godly future into their destinies. Such children need to be planted under strong spiritual parents who will speak to their destinies and will not exploit and use them for selfish purposed.

    I put the name of the lord upon you to bless you.

    The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:23-27

    I put the name of the Lord upon you all my readers and your family; and you are blessed in Jesus’ mighty name.

    Contact: Archbishop Sam Amaga @ Foundation Faith Church, Salem Kado Life Camp Extension, Abuja.

    E-mail: salemmissionhouseabuja@yahoo.com

    Phone: 08023018836

  • ‘Amnesty cannot stop Boko Haram’

    ‘Amnesty cannot stop Boko Haram’

    Bishop Josef Bassey is President of Cross River State Christian Leaders’ Forum and Bishop of God’s Heritage Centre, Gloryland Calabar. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on terrorism and other issues. Excerpts:

    One has not heard from you lately. Are you hiding or something?

    No, we are not hiding. We are doing our job. We are speaking but probably you have not been in places where we talk.

    How is the church doing?

    We are doing well, trying to look at our core values. We are trying to restore our core values of humanity.

    Are you in support of the proposed amnesty programme for members of the Boko Haram sect?

    Amnesty for Boko Haram? What is Boko Haram? What cause are they fighting? They burn churches and kill Christians yet we are talking about amnesty! Is it because of the utmost restraint that kept Christians from retaliating? So, if there is amnesty for Boko Haram, what becomes of their victims? The government that pledges to protect the existence of the nation should not be giving amnesty to a group that threatens the very existence of that nation.

    But don’t you think since the sect has done its worst, isn’t it time to just forgive them and move on?

    Yes, they have done their worst but we are missing something. While they were killing and burning churches, a lot of efforts were going on on the part of Christians to pacify and restrain them from avenging. It takes two to have a war situation. What they have been doing is a direct attack on Christianity; they were burning churches and bombing worshippers during services. All that was required was a response, which we did not do.

    We are not cowards and it is not as if we are incapacitated. There is no religion that has monopoly of violence. There is enough provision in the scriptures for us to fight and protect our faith. That we pursue the path of peace at a great cost, trying to protect the nation and keep it as one, does not mean we are timid. So, when you turn around to grant amnesty without justice, then you are really provoking us.

    Some people are saying since Christians preach forgiveness all the time, isn’t it time to demonstrate it?

    Amnesty is not forgiveness. When government begins to grant amnesty without qualifying it, then there is a problem. There are prisoners who are repentant across the nation, they are the ones government should grant amnesty to, not unrepentant terrorists. Boko Haram members do not deserve amnesty because they are bloody terrorists.

    I hear people saying the Niger Delta militants and Boko Haram members are similar. I beg to disagree. What the Niger Delta militants were fighting was well known. If you have a people who are being unfairly treated by the deprivations and degradations in their environment through explorations, they deserve to protest.

    But I agree how they protested was wrong because there were killings and kidnapping. But we all knew what they were fighting for; we knew the cause. Then, the struggle did not begin one day. The likes of Isaac Boro and Ken Saro- Wiwa died during the struggle. So, let Boko Haram articulate its cause; let it be appreciable and genuine, then we can talk about amnesty, provided they are willing to dialogue.

    But these people are fighting a religious cause. They are aggrieved because they want everyone to be Muslims. They believe non-Muslims are infidels and unfit to live.

    But isn’t it time to give peace a chance having taken them on militarily?

    No, they haven’t really taken them on militarily yet. You need to know what happened in the case of the Niger Delta. There was war in the entire region. There were shoot-outs for days. Many villages were run over by the Armed Forces. None of that has taken place in the north. There has been no meaningful military engagement in the north up till this point and then you turn around to say there should be amnesty? Please, the whole exercise is unfair and painful. In the Niger Delta case, it turned to guerrilla warfare. And there was wisdom because the soldiers were killing people of an entire region without much success. Ordinary people were also buying into the struggle. So, they needed to halt the offensive attacks. But we don’t see that in the north.

    So, the situation is totally different with Boko Haram. These people are pursuing total Islamisation of the nation. We have been seeing this pattern before independence. Boko Haram is just an offshoot of that agenda.

    I admit we have good Muslims who do not believe in their extreme agenda. Some of us believe there are many good Muslims, which is why we are engaging them. These Boko Haram guys are giving Islam a bad name and we believe Islamic leaders should call them to order. They should dissociate themselves from these blood-thirsty jihadists.

    So, amnesty will not work?

    It is a failure in progress. It cannot work. What these people want is impossible to achieve. They want Islamisation at all costs. And that will not work. There will always be Christians and Muslims in this country. Boko Haram members do not believe in amnesty. It is like asking Christians to deny their faith at the point of death. That will never happen, no matter what. It is the same with these Boko Haram members. You don’t dangle amnesty like a carrot before them. They don’t believe in it. They have an agenda and will not back down. No amount of inducement or appeasement will deter them. Amnesty is bound to fail.

    What will work then?

    I believe it is up to Islamic leaders to talk to these people. They are the ones that can dissuade them. They have to engage them and show them how what they are doing is denting the Islamic faith. That is the only way I see it. They are their subjects and should be able to debrief them from the radical views they have embraced.