The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • ‘Governors should pray against another death’

    ‘Governors should pray against another death’

    The founder and spiritual leader of Christ Deliverance Ministries (CDM), Prophet Ekong Ituen, has appealed to the Governors Forum to pray seriously against the death of another member.

    Ituen said: “They should declare a solemn assembly with a day of fasting and prayer.

    “They should pray against the spirit of sudden death in their midst as some of them will die untimely before the end of their tenure.”

    He also predicted that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will lose the 2015 Presidential elections going by the level of division and disunity that an impending crisis will cause.

    Ituen spoke last week on what awaits the nation in 2013.

    The renowned prophet also urged Nigerians to pray and guard against a severe famine that will rock different parts of the nation.

    On security, he warned that there will be more bombing across the nation, stating, “I pray we should not get to the level of Afghanistan.”

    He advised President Goodluck Jonathan to be wary of praise singers who mean him no good.

    According to him: “The President should be more careful with people around him, especially some northern governors, who would not be there for him when he needs them most.”

    He urged Nigerians to intensify more prayers to avert disintegration of the country.

  • A missionary’s passion for change

    Armed with just N70 and a copy of the Bible, former juju maestro, Rev Idowu Animasahun, walked into Badeku, a sleepy village in the suburb of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, 25 years ago full of hope.

    Badeku, like most rustic villages, lacked electricity, pipe-borne water, good roads or any social amenity. Yet, the widely travelled Apola King was undeterred.

    He was just consumed with compassion and passion for souls. He was confident the mainly idol-worshipping residents would turn to God.

    Animasahun, who left behind a glamorous life as a celebrated musician, started a weekly fellowship in the muddy house he was offered on arrival.

    The fellowship gave birth to World Hope Ministry, a multi-faceted mission organisation that has since spread roots to other parts of Nigeria and Africa.

    As he was preaching, he was also doing good in the village. The enchanted villagers were amazed by the wonders of the gospel, turning themselves in large numbers to the gospel.

    Through Animasahun, the first private clinic in the village started. That was in 1998. World of Hope Maternity Centre became a huge succour for the village women.

    “There was a government hospital when we came here but it was not functional. On many occasions there were no doctors because of the distance. Sick people couldn’t get drugs and it was becoming a big challenge and that was why we decided to establish a clinic,” Animasahun explained.

    When The Nation visited the clinic, the midwife, Mrs. Olamide Onidare, said the institution takes between 10 and 15 deliveries every month.

    She added that even though fees charged at the clinic is low; most of the villagers still find it hard to pay.

    “We charge two thousand five hundred for every successful delivery, but most of the women who come here cannot afford it. There is nothing we can do because we are running this clinic to help the villagers and not to make profit,” she stated.

    The mission also established nursery, primary and secondary schools in the village. The nursery and primary school has over 100 students while the secondary school, which was established about four years ago, has about 70 students.

    While students in the primary section pay a meagre N2, 500, their counterparts in the secondary section are charged only N6, 500 every term. Yet, most of them cannot afford the meagre fees.

    Twenty five years down the line, Animasahun is impressed with the spiritual and infrastructural transformation in the village.

    But he is aware there are far more grounds to cover. If he had all the money in this world, he said he would provide better medical and educational services completely free for the indigent villagers.

    Like most mission agencies, funding remains a big challenge.

    “It has not been easy for us. We have to subsidise because these are poor people who cannot afford to pay for these services. At the hospital where many of them put to bed, they cannot even pay the token we charge them.

    “It is the same thing at the primary and secondary schools. They cannot pay and we cannot afford to send them away because they don’t have anywhere to go,” he said.

    He called on government, Christians and individuals to support mission works.

    “Missionary work is a collective responsibility. We must show concern for the plight of these people because that is what the gospel is about.”

  • Group seeks restoration of pastoral integrity

    AN interdenominational group, The Concerned Christian for Ministerial Integrity, has called on pastors and other ministers of the gospel to cultivate moral integrity and other virtues exemplified by Christ and the early Church.

    The group made the call last week during its three-day Ministers and Workers’ Conference in Lagos with theme “Who is on the Lord’s side?”

    Its President, Pastor Samuel Olutoye, said the rot in the Church today was due to the fact that many preachers have derailed from the foundations laid by Christ. Olutoye, a former President of the Kaduna Branch of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), called on such pastors to rededicate themselves to avert the wrath of God.

    “What we are seeing in the Church today is the direct opposite of what Christ and the early Church portrayed. Many pastors have derailed from the truth because of societal pressure and the quest for materialism.

    “They focus on prosperity messages because they think it is a quick way to acquire wealth. I am using this medium to call on such pastors to rededicate themselves to God,” he stated.

    The General Overseer of Peculiar People’s Ministry, Pastor Taiwo Ishola, also called on Christians to be watchful in their daily lives.

    He said even though the proliferation of churches has tainted the image of pastors, there are still genuine men of God who will never compromise the truth of the gospel.

    Other speakers at the programme also admonished pastors to emphasise holiness and other aspects of the gospel instead of just focusing on prosperity and other popular messages.

  • Gospel artistes bag awards

    Last year ended on a bright note for distinguished gospel acts who smiled home with awards at the 2nd edition of the Nigeria Gospel Music Awards (NGMA Awards).

    Some of the winners at the event organised by the Academy of Gospel Music in Nigeria include high-flying Frank Edwards who won three awards.

    Edwards won in the “artiste of the year”, “best male vocalist” and ‘song of the year” categories.

    Emmanuel Benjamin, popularly known as Eben, won “best gospel rock artiste and the “album the the year” awards.

    Other winners include Wole Oni (best music producer); Asu Ekiye (best indigenous contemporary category); Joe Praize (alternative category); Onos (best female vocalist); Henri Soul (new revelation of the year); Femi Oyeleye (best male artiste in the Disapora) and Lyn (next rated artiste) and Kayode Olusoji (traditional gospel act).

    Joe Praize said: “From now on you people should expect the very best of music from Joe Praize.”

    Onos described the honour a morale-booster, stating “in 2013 as I am preparing to release a new album and video, excellence will be my watch word. No mediocre works from me henceforth.”

  • ‘Nothing wrong with pastors using private jets’

    The Deputy General Overseer of the Gospel Faith Mission International, Pastor (Prof) Samuel Ewuola, has defended the acquisition of private jets by church leaders.

    He said there is nothing wrong with using latest automobiles to propagate the gospel.

    Ewuola spoke recently at the official dedication of twelve assemblies of the church and the foundation- laying ceremony of the Regional Headquarters of the Church at Magodo GRA, Lagos.

    He said: “Those shouting to the high heaven are wont to say that Jesus Christ rode on a donkey during his ministration while on earth but they forget it is difficult to compare the days of Jesus christ to these days because technology has greatly improved.

    “A donkey as at that time was one of the best “automobiles” for the movement of things in those days.”

    He added: “There is nothing wrong in using latest technology to propagate the gospel.

    “We all know the traffic situation of the country and the inherent dangers but what I am against is ostentatious lifestyle.”

    Ewuola, however, warned gospel ministers against display of opulence, saying such “will only make the people to turn away.”

    The Pastor of Region 12, Peter Awodimila, said the vision was borne out of the need to bring the gospel closer to the people, especially those in rural areas.

    The new churches include: New Era Assembly, Ogudu; Double Winner Assembly, Ogba; Miracle Assembly, Ketu; Magboro Assembly; Mercy Assembly, Ikorodu; Citadel of Mercy, Matogun Assembly; Lambe Assembly;‘ Mowe Assembly; Ibafo 3 Assembly; Elepe Assembly and foundation of Faith Assembly in Ogijo.

  • Breaking your family free from curses (1)

    By God’s design, the righteous and his seeds are blessed forever. The righteous and his children, even his children’s children are to show forth God’s goodness and blessings.

    Hear this: “He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.” (Psalms 107:38).

    God is not talking about the blessing you can work out. That is why it is supernatural.

    This is the blessing that comes from the very heart of the Father. The same way God desires that fathers are to break their families free from every curse so that they can experience supernatural overflow.

    The patriarchal prayers

    Children also need their parents’ patriarchal prayers and blessing. Consider these patriarchal prayers of David:

    “Make our sons in their prime like sturdy oak trees, our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers. Fill our barns with great harvest, fill our fields with huge flocks; Protect us from invasion and exile— eliminate the crime in our streets. How blessed the people who have all this! How blessed the people who have GOD for God!” Psalms 144:12-15 (Message)

    There are five very important prayers that every father must continually pray over their children as seen in Psalm 144.

    The prayer of a father

    1. Posterity – that our seed may be mighty. No devil shall pluck your seed.

    2. Prosperity – fill our barns with great harvest – this is supernatural harvest.

    3. Supernatural multiplication – fill our fields with huge flock.

    4. Divine protection – protect us from invasion.

    5. Deliverance from crime

    Fathers need to proclaim these prayers on their children daily because when they fail to do these, the devil will attack the family.

    The reason why Satan is out to cut off fathers is because.

    Fathers are shepherds over the family. So, when fathers don’t take their place spiritually, God raises a Deborah. She was the wife of Lapidoth, and that’s all we heard about the man Lapidoth.

    You may be reading this article now and you are thinking I don’t have a father anymore to speak into my life. I take the place of a father to you today and I speak into your destiny as one of the next generation

    § You shall not be destroyed

    § Your destiny shall not be shattered in the mighty name of Jesus.

    However, you need to clear every limitation to encounter this level of the supernatural and be free from every curse. Limitations and barriers must be taken away from before you. And God has taken as a responsibility to do this for you as He has promised in Isaiah 45:2-3; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

    The reason why fathers need to rise and proclaim blessing upon their children is because curses which represent invisible barrier, limitation, delay, hindrance, obstruction, frustration and stagnation are also pronounced by the words of mouth. But the power of the blessing of God as pronounced by fathers will open the door that is locked. That blessing of God will multiply your family and your heritage. God arise on your behalf and that of your family in Jesus’ mighty name. look at this in Revelation 3:8; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

    Every door locked against you, your family and business is opened now in Jesus’ name. From today, no curse shall stop you or your family.

    God’s extravagant blessings will follow you this year.

    Every gate of brass is commanded to be opened in Jesus’ mighty name.

    The doors of blessing and freedom from curses are opened to you in Jesus’ mighty name.

    Enquiries and comments to: Archbishop Sam Amaga @ Salem Mission House, Mabushi Abuja.

    08023018836; 08074450763

  • Victory Life Church lifts members with car gifts

    Victory Life Church lifts members with car gifts

    The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC), Apostle Lawrence Achudume, last Sunday shocked the international headquarters of the church in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the donation of cars to three members.

    Members burst into rapturous joy, praising God as soon as Achudume announced what many of them described as “surprise New Year gifts”.

    The lucky owners of the Nissan Primera cars included Mr. Lekan Ilebiyi, Biliaminu Adelakun and Raphael.

    They were presented the vehicles already registered in their names during the first service of the Church in 2013.

    The donation under the Youth Empowerment Trust (YET) of the Church, according to Achudume, is to empower the beneficiaries and offer them economic lifeline.

    He said: “We want them to be able to fend for themselves and even employ others. That is why we are giving them the cars free of charge for commercial use.”

    He urged the beneficiaries to work towards buying another vehicle in the next 18 months since there would be no repayment or remittance of returns.

    The fiery preacher debunked insinuations that the gesture was to entice members, saying it was a gift with no strings attached.

    “Even if they leave today, they owe no one any explanation or returns. This is the least we can do to boost their economic status,” he explained.

    Lekan Ilebiyi thanked the Church and Achudume for the gesture, describing it as a fitting New Year gift.

    According to him: “This is a sign that this year is my year. God has decided to turn my captivity around. I am grateful to the church and our dear Apostle.”

    Adelakun said the donation marks the death of his romance with poverty.

    “I am saying goodbye to poverty. With this, I can set to flourish. I am so overwhelmed, so shocked that I am short of words,” he added.

    Achudume said the Church will embark on more of such empowerment drives as God enables.

  • Rains of miracles at Lord’s Chosen convention

    Rains of miracles at Lord’s Chosen convention

    There were diverse miracles and testimonies last week in Mgbidi, Imo State during the 2013 edition of the annual convention of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement.

    The theme of the convention that attracted thousands within and outside the country was “That His wonders may be multiplied”.

    The founder of the church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, encouraged Christians to be steadfast and faithful in their walk with God.

    Making comparisons with the experience of the Israelites in Egypt, the preacher said God sometimes permits Christians to encounter problems and suffering to manifest and multiply His wonders in their lives.

    “No matter what you are going through today, you must know that God is not asleep. You must not lose faith or give up hope. He is permitting it so that His wonders may be multiplied in our lives as His children,” he stated.

    Muoka said Christians must take it upon themselves to pray for leaders in line with biblical injunction.

    He said: “Every time we gather here, we just don’t pray for ourselves, we also pray for our country and leaders because the Bible commands us to do so.”

    There were amazing testimonies of healings, restoration, deliverances, miracle babies and marriages at the sessions.

  • The Prophetic ministry of Isaiah (5)

    In our last write-up, we discussed on the six woes’ statement, made by God through Prophet Isaiah, concerning the recalcitrant people of Judah, which had quickened their being taken into captivity in Babylon. Today we will continue on the prophecies of that great prophet of the old, as detailed in chapter six.

    Chapter six

    This chapter, which was where Isaiah was formally commissioned and called, is even more important because, a king in Judah, which God had exalted, who later became arrogant and disobedient, had just died. Verses 1-4 were on the happenings, when King Uzziah, the 10th king of Judah (the southern kingdom) died. He was just sixteen (16) years, when he was saddled with the responsibilities of succeeding his father. He was honoured, popular, and sought the face of God, but he could not differentiate between kingship and priesthood. He delved into priesthood and paid for it (check my book: Sanctuary Message Volume 1, for details about Uzziah, who was also called Azariah or Ozias; II Kings 14:21-22; Matthew 1:8-9; II Chronicles 26).

    Verses 1-4 say ‘In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King. The Lord of hosts”.’

    This chapter was where seraphs were mentioned in the bible, and it showed the importance of the two angels that are called twin-angels, for they perform similar roles in the presence of Almighty God. In book of Genesis, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were sent out from the Garden of Eden, and Cherubs were detailed to guide Eden. The same function was performed by the Seraphs, when king Uzziah disappointed God through disobedience.

    Meanwhile, have we as individuals and nations not disappointed God? Let us consider these cases:

    Case 1: A man was looking for work, he sought the face of God, and God provided what he desired for him. After he has got what he wanted, he started making excuses behind his not coming to worship God regularly again. How he has now been promoted, and he could not afford to fail his boss, yet he can afford to fail God, by not having the time to serve Him.

    Case 2: A poverty-stricken man prayed that God should shower mercy upon him, he cried to God, and became very rich. After becoming wealthy, he used his money on paganism, performing all kinds of rituals, so he can have ‘dominion over his enemies and live long’; he spends millions on weekly parties, blocking the roads from other users; spending his money on prostitution; complains that the churches and mosques in his street are now noise makers, disturbing his peace; he encouraged his children to be disorderly in the society etc. He has forgotten where he started from. He no longer remembers to contribute to work of God, and questions the rationale behind the payment of tithes for ‘it is the pastors that will spend the money’

    Case 3: A woman that has been married for many years without issues, prayed to God, and she became a mother. Thereafter, he pampered the children for ‘I knew what I went through before getting these children’. ‘It is not compulsory that the children should be mandated to serve God’. This is because, ‘we are in the modern world’ – ‘the century when children are allowed to decide on their own, even how and when to serve God’. She has indeed forgotten where she was coming from.

    Meanwhile, whilst the seraphs came out to worship God, to proclaim to the world His awesomeness and omnipotence, Isaiah that had felt disturbed saying he was unclean and should not have been privileged to see the King of kings, was now commissioned to serve as the prophetic mouthpiece to send messages to the people of Judah. In verse 6-8, one of the seraphs with a live coal in his hand, flew to Isaiah, and put the item taken from the altar into his (Isaiah’s) mouth, for cleansing. Thereafter, God requested from the prophet, the man that would be available to go to the people of Judah to warn them, in which prophet Isaiah answered ‘Here am I, Send me’.

    In the subsequent verses (9-13); God was already annoyed with the people of Judah; He wanted to make their heart like that of Pharaoh; He wanted them to pay for their lack of trust in Him; He wanted them to know that He has been the one saving them from the hands of the Syrians, Amalekites and Philistines of this world; He wanted their hearts hardened, so they can serve the imminent punishment, as it was done to Uzziah.

    Relationship of this chapter with contemporary nations of the world

    Have we all not forsaken God of hosts? America and European countries of today, allowed the freedom of their society to encourage immoralities like homosexuality, lesbianism, as against the commandments of God, but one thing is very sure, America can never ignore the nation called Israel. They have utilised their God given gift to improve the welfare of ordinary American. Nigeria is a blessed nation, with mineral resources, but what have we achieved with such divine gifts? Morally, we are better than many European and American nations; but why have those moral standings and religious beliefs not assisted us in fighting corruption and wastefulness in governance. Do we need to be told that, God has made us in this black nation, to embrace Christianity more than those that brought it to this side of the universe? Then why has this not transformed into physical purity. The reason is that, we have been speaking from both sides of our mouth. In Philosophy, there is what is called ‘Intellectual Midwifery’, meaning ‘all has knowledge, but only need to be guided’. Who will now guide us to properly utilise our God-given resources to the benefit of the populace? May we not be punished like the old nation of Judah, Amen.

    To be continued

    Prayer point

    Pray that God should not allow the earthly things to take you away from His Kingdom.

    Comments and enquiries: Tel: +2348060572904

    motailatusanctuarychurch

    @yahoo.com

  • Don’t give up, Udofia charges Nigerians

    Don’t give up, Udofia charges Nigerians

    Regardless of the numerous challenges facing the nation, Nigerians should never give up but continue to cling on to God, The Primate of the African Church, His Grace, The Most Reverend Emmanuel Udofia, has declared.

    He said 2013 will usher in a fresh air of victories and accomplishments.

    Udofia spoke with newsmen last week on expectations for the New Year.

    He said: “We cannot afford to give up now. We must continue to keep faith alive. The fact that we are still alive is an indication that God is not done with us.

    “Irrespective of what comes our way, victory is sure because God is for us.”

    He tasked the government to increase efforts to spread dividends of democracy across the nation, lamenting the mass poverty and deprivations in the nation.

    According to Udofia: “Government must provide amenities that will make living comfortable for Nigerians. There is no excuse tenable enough.

    “God has given us everything we need. It is left to God to harness them and make sure Nigerians enjoy them.”

    He also charged church leaders to continue to insist on godliness and accountability from political office holders.

    This, he said, will keep them on their feet and make Nigerians to enjoy more dividends of democracy.