The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Forgive Boko Haram members, cleric pleads

    The Senior Pastor/ District Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Omole Lagos, Pastor Dayo Adewunmi, has urged Nigerians to pity, pardon and pray for members of the Boko Haram sect.

    The sect, he said, needs sympathy despite numerous deadly attacks in the northern states and not condemnation or criticism.

    Adewunmi spoke with reporters last week ahead of the 25th anniversary celebration of the church, which commences today.

    He said the sect is motivated in its nefarious activities by sheer ignorance, saying the members deserve sympathy for not knowing any better.

    According to him: “What they are doing is borne out of ignorance. The right way to respond is to forgive them so that good can overcome evil.

    “Jesus is the advocate of peace at all costs and forgiveness is the answer to activities such as these.”

    He challenged Christians especially to demonstrate the love of Christ towards the sect, noting that the Apostle Paul was a terrorist too before he was converted and went on to become the greatest evangelist of the apostolic era.

    “Jesus’ love is so great that it can accommodate Boko Haram members despite what they are doing,” he stressed.

    The anniversary with the theme “unto a higher altitude” kicks off today with the dedication of the church’s ultra modern auditorium by the general overseer, Rev. Felix Meduoye.

    On Tuesday, the anniversary lecture with the theme “rekindling the embers of true gospel and disciple-making for end time revival” will be delivered by former Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Prof. Israel Adu, by 5pm.

    There will also be a fitness walk by the youth arm and outreaches to commercial motorcyclists and market women by the men and women wings of the church respectively.

  • Keshi, Atlanta gold medalists honour Oritsejafor

    Members of the victorious Atlanta 1996 Dream team will participate in a novelty match in honour of the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

    The match, which holds at the Warri Township stadium, is part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of Oritsejafor on the pulpit and the 25th anniversary of his church, The Word of Life Bible Church.

    It holds on Saturday November 3.

    The coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, is also expected to be part of the match.

  • Resist same-sex marriage, Okogie urges

    Former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Bunmi Okogie, has challenged Nigerians to resist calls for legalisation of abortion and gay marriage.

    He spoke last week while commissioning the St. Monica Orphanage Ejigbo in Lagos built by St. Peter Catholic Church Ejigbo.

    He lamented some people could clamour for legalisation of abortion, wondering: “Why do you get married? Why did God make us male and female?”

    He also called on government to be very sensitive in making laws and avoid listening to people with eloquent speeches.

    Okogie also berated Nigerians for always picking up practices while travelling abroad without caring whether they are good or not.

    According to him: “Our culture abhors these things. Those who are calling people albino; are they not human beings? Are we not created by God?”

  • Gloryland Baptist Church celebrates

    The 8th anniversary of Gloryland Baptist Church, Lugbe Abuja, continues today with a thanksgiving service at the church’s auditorium.

    The pastor-in-charge of the church, Rev. Sunday Ogundipe, said: “The Lord has been good to us in the past eight years as the church has witnessed tremendous growth”.

    The church’s publicity secretary, Mr. Sanjo Faniran, said there was an appreciation service for Ogundipe yesterday.

  • Power to set free (3)

    Dear readers, people runaway from deliverance as a result of past failed deliverance experiences or as a result of what they have heard. As a result of this, they are still in bondage. If you have been following this series you will know about what God says about deliverance Obadiah 17. Last month I taught on Power to Set Free (2). Satan also has a fake type of deliverance in order to oppose God and his righteousness. It is the word of God that casts out devils and not any magical demonstration or movements Zechariah 4:6b. I told you last month that Jesus is the only true deliverer. The Almighty God is in charge. This month I will be continuing the teaching on the Power to Set Free (3). Today I want to talk to you about “How does God execute deliverance?”

    Do you know you can minister effective deliverance on yourself? Yes, depending on the nature of bondage and your attitude to God and his word. What does it take to do this?

    1. Faith in Christ

    2. Obedience to God and his word

    3. Ability to speak to the problem

    4. Belief in your prayers to God

    5. Ability to receive your desire as you pray

    This is what I call self deliverance. It works! I am a living witness and others too.

    Now, how does God execute deliverance?

    God can effect deliverance in the following ways:

    1. By his servants

    2. By ambushment

    3. By the principle of substitution

    4. By righteousness

    1. By his servants: God can deliver you through his servants as seen in Acts 16:16-18. Paul cast out the demons by force. I want you to know that deliverance is not by might or by power but by the spirit of God. Demons are cast out by the word of God. Mathew 8:16. He sent his word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction. Psalm 107:20.

    2. By ambushment: When the Lord sees the enemies are stronger than you and there is no way you can defeat them, He will set them up against themselves until they absolutely destroy themselves. 2 Chronicles 20: 22-23, Proverbs 11:8.

    3. By the principle of substitution: You may be thinking, I can never be delivered because I sold myself to the devil, either through the process of looking for the fruit of the womb, a crave to be rich, through inherited covenants, etc. Isaiah 49:24-26 is the best example of how God can execute deliverance particularly in a situation where before you became born again you went into captivity or into the camp of the enemy voluntarily. Above all, perhaps you joined a secret society and now you are born again. You want to be free and they have refused. You are a lawful captive, because you entered into a covenant. They have threatened to kill you because you are part of them. According to Isaiah 49:24-26, God said if they will not let you go he will allow them to feed on their own flesh and drink their own blood. In cases where the captive is legally bound to the captor, and for God who is a just God to execute deliverance to such a captive, he will have to give the captor an alternative, “Let go or your life for his life”. For example Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego were substituted with those heating up the fire Daniel 3:22. Daniel was substituted with the family of his accusers Daniel 6:24. So shall it be in your case if the enemy refuses to let you go. Their lives for yours in Jesus name. Isaiah 43:4.

    4. By righteousness: God can also deliver by righteousness. No matter the power of the enemies and their terrible weapons against you, you will be delivered by righteousness. Righteousness means- doing what is right in the sight of God, Ezekiel 14:14. Psalm 18:19-24.

    God has promised deliverance as seen in Obadiah 17, Joel 2:32 etc. He cannot lie. Believe and hold firm to your faith in Christ, and as you read this message today, pray earnestly for your deliverance and it shall be yours in Jesus name, Amen. Next month I will be teaching on Power to Set Free (4).

    Salvation is the greatest miracle on earth. If you are not yet born again, pray this prayer of salvation.

    Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. I come to you. Forgive my sins. Wash me with your blood. Deliver me from sin and satan. I accept you as my Lord and personal saviour. Thank you Jesus for saving me, write my name in the Lamb’s book of life. Now I know that I am born again.

    I know you have been blessed by this teaching. Write and share your testimony with Pastor Amanda Ogunro. Rivers of Living Water Ministries, P.M.B 2854 Surulere, Lagos or call 018401701, or e-mail- info@rlwm.org . Visit our website on www.rlwm.org

     

  • Odufuwa is Vice-Lay President of the African Church

    Odufuwa is Vice-Lay President of the African Church

    The President of Lagos City Polytechnic, Engr. Babatunde Odufuwa, has been installed as the 4th Honorary Vice Lay President, Lagos Mainland Diocese of The African Church, Ebute Metta.

    The installation ceremony, which took place last Sunday, coincided with the fund raising of N100million endowment fund for evangelism in the church.

    The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Ola Ade Ajayi, described Odufuwa as worthy of the office, having proven to be a willing tool in the hands of God.

    Ajayi charged him to consider his installation as a call to higher responsibilities, urging him to strive to serve others always.

    He said: “You are to serve and not be served. Be humble enough to serve others. Let the interest of the Diocese be paramount in your heart”.

    The cleric listed the massive contributions of the Founder of Southwestern University, Okun Owa, Ogun State, to the church, stressing he is eminently qualified for the elevation.

    Odufuwa “joyfully accepted to serve in the vineyard of God.”

    Admitting the challenges are enormous, he pledged to overcome them with faith, saying “I am a man of faith and I believe everything is possible with God.”

    He offered to utilise his contacts and resources to uplift the church’s mission projects.

  • Kudos as Methodist Church clocks 170

    Kudos as Methodist Church clocks 170

    Lagos State governor, Mr. Raji Fashola and his Ogun counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, have hailed the contributions of the church to nation-building.

    The church, they said, has done so much to elevate the nation’s spiritual and moral standards.

    The governors spoke last week during the formal opening of a 3-day Sports Festival and other activities organised to celebrate the 170 years of Methodism in Nigeria and 50 years of autonomy.

    Fashola, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Rev. Sam Ogedengbe, said: “Methodist Church Nigeria has been a reliable partner in the building of a prosperous and spiritually healthy Nigeria.

    “As the first Church to come into Nigeria, Methodism has impacted the lives of many through socially responsible programmes, policies and actions.

    “The Church is a pioneer in providing quality healthcare services, good, sound and quality education and community-friendly welfare projects which have in many ways transformed the lives of many across the country.”

    Amosun, who was represented by his deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun, said: “there is no denying the fact that the Church has played a great role to play in the moral rebirth, value re-orientation and character modification which we so much desire in Nigeria today.”

    The Prelate of MCN, His Eminence Dr. Sunday Makinde, noted the church boasts of 95 nursery and primary schools and 72 secondary schools contributing to educational development in different parts of the nation.

    He said the Wesley University of Science and Technology (WUSTO) Ondo State, is also making a mark in the sector.

    In health, he said there are hundreds of hospitals in Nigeria, helping to safeguard well-being of Nigerians.

    He said the church will not relent in making Nigeria a better nation in every way possible

  • Akiniyi chairs laity council

    Prince Clement Akiniyi has emerged unopposed as chairman of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ipaja, Lagos.

    He will lead an 18-man executive committee for another two years.

    Akiniyi was elected during an exercise conducted under the auspices of the officials from the Agege Deanery Laity council of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

    He thanked the councillors and delegates for giving him the opportunity to serve the church again.

    He expressed determination to foster peace, unity, love and inter-relationship among all societies and associations in the parish, promising to also give a resounding support to the clergies.

    Inaugurating the new executives, the parish priest, Very Rev. Fr Daniel Adayi, who doubled as the Episcopal Vicar for the Religious of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, urged them to consolidate on the gains of the past administration.

    Other officers elected include: Carol Ehiogue, Vice Chairman; Tony Akinbolaji, Secretary; Emmanuel Ntewo Treasurer and Moses Uvietevsimi Financial Secretary. Others were Clementina Akiniyi, Social Secretary; Agatha Osinde, PRO and a one- time Vice Chairman, Mrs. M.K Bamidele as ex-officio.

  • Abina marks 50 years in full-time ministry

    •As GOFAMINT commissions micro-finance bank

    It was double celebrations for members and well-wishers of the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) last week.

    The church commissioned Chronicles Micro-Finance Bank conceived to improve the financial status of members and stakeholders at its camp ground on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The commissioning took place on the same day the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Elijah Abina, celebrated his 50th anniversary in full-time ministry.

    Abina said the bank is a dream come true, acknowledging the church has been nursing the idea for some time.

    He expressed optimism that the bank will soon operate branches and empower the church financially.

    The cleric called for the support of members to make the project a success by operating accounts with the institution.

    The church’s senior accountant, Pastor (Dr) Johnnie Udofia, said the institution is affiliated to Zenith Bank and urged members not to consider Chronicles’ assets ‘national cake’ to be shared.

    Abina attributed his 50th anniversary in full-time ministry to the grace of God.

    He said the anniversary was not about him but God’s faithfulness, stressing he couldn’t have ministered for so long without Him.

    He chronicled the numerous challenges he faced as a minister, saying he took faith to step out in faith 50 years ago when it was not fashionable to be a full-time pastor.

    He advised up-coming ministers to depend on God, saying “if God could be so faithful to me, He can do the same to anybody who will be faithful and dedicated to Him.”

  • Cherish the teaching of his word

    As your words are taught, they give light; even the simple can understand them (Psalm 119:130, NLT).

    There is nothing in this world that is as precious as the word of the Lord. It is the light to our path and the lamp to our feet. It is by the word of the Lord that we walk in the light. It is the food that nourishes our souls; it is the water of life that refreshes our spirit. Job declared that he esteemed the words that came out of the mouth of God more than his necessary food. Jeremiah summed up what should be the attitude of every believer in Christ to the word of the Lord, when he said “thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was the joy and rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).

    We are to search out the word of God until we find, or discover or get to know, and understand it. When we do, we will find the strength we need to run the race set before us, victoriously. When the word of the Lord is revealed to us, the joy of the Lord will fill our hearts.

    This is why it is important for you to locate yourself in a Church where the word of God is being faithfully expounded and taught everyday. A Church like that will do you a wealth of good and help you to connect a glorious destiny in Christ.

    Whenever you sit under the teaching of the word of God, you should open up your heart to absorb the light that the word is bringing. You should open up your Bible to follow through with what is being taught, and you should open up your notes to write down whatever insight, understanding, direction, or instruction that is coming to you from the word of the Lord.

    Never should you be casual in your approach to the word of God. It is the food by which you live. The teachings of the word that you are receiving is not a vain thing, it is your life (Deut. 32:46-47). By them, you discover the precious promises of God by which you connect with your inheritance in Christ.

    Child of God, your regular attendance in the house of God where you are fed with God’s word should be a top priority in your agenda. Make sure you are consistent and regular, receiving daily the word of the Lord. Make sure you rejoice to receive God’s word and to apply them in your daily life. And make sure you support that Church where you are fed with the word of God with your prayers, your service, your tithe, your offerings and your goodwill.

    If you exalt the word of the Lord in your life and walk in the light it brings, you will prosper in all your ways.

    Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Ps. 1:1-2).

     

    For further information, counseling and prayer, please contact me on telephone number: +234 816 308 7780, +234 816 363 6364 or send an email to bishopwaleoke@sotsm.com. You may also write to P.M.B 60, Agodi Post Office, Ibadan.