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Tag: God

  • Boko Haram: Where is God?-Bishop

    Boko Haram: Where is God?-Bishop

    PASTORAL LETTER: A MESSAGE OF CONSOLATION TO THE PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS AND THE LAY FAITHFUL OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MAIDUGURI.

    May the God of all consolations console all of us.

    My dear people of God, the priests, religious and the entire lay faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, I extend my fraternal greetings to all of you especially at this trying moment in our life as a church.

    The menace of Boko Haram. To say that we are experiencing severe test of our faith in this diocese hardly requires an emphasis. We are thoroughly devasted by the Boko Haram attacks. All our parishes in areas such as Monguno, Gamboru Ngala, Bama, Pulka, Madagali, Mataka, Gulak, Kaya, Yaffa, Shuwa, Michika, Bazza and Betso are under Boko Haram control. As a result of this, thousands of our Catholic faithful have been displaced. Many of them are on top of the mountains, thousands are in the Cameroun, and thousands are in Yola as well as in Maiduguri city among others. There are over twenty of our priests who have been displaced and are managing with their brother priests in the Diocese of Yola (thanks to the kind gesture of Bishop Stephen Mamza) and a few of them are squatting with their friends elsewhere.

    Since the crisis began, thousands of people have been killed. There are hundreds of our women and children who have been adopted. Some of the men have been forcefully conscripted into the Boko Haram army. In the recent attacks which led to many of our people fleeing, a lot of our aged people have been trapped in these areas. Some of them have been killed by the sect members, while others have died of hunger. There are many of you whose family houses, shops and vehicles have been vandalized or burnt down. The animals and crops belonging to some of you have either been looted or destroyed. The destructions done to our church structures both in the cities and villages are enormous.

    Therefore as a church, families and individuals, we are wounded, traumatized and devastated. Each of us is experiencing a lot of pains and anguish, because we have lost our dear ones, our property, our wealth and our church structures. At this time a lot of questions are being asked by many of us including myself: where is God? Has God abandoned us?  Are we being punished because of our sins? How can God allow the agents of the devil to destroy his innocent children? Is God weak? Can evil triumph over good? Etc.

    As people in flesh and blood it is okay to ask these questions. Even Jesus Christ while on the Cross asked his Father as to why he abandoned him. While hanging on the cross and in terrible anguish Jesus said, “Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God why did you abandon me?” (Mk. 15:34). But did Jesus receive any response from his Father? No. It was the Father’s will that Jesus had to die on the cross in order to accomplish his mission – the salvation of mankind. And it was not until on the day of the resurrection that Jesus’ question was answered. On this Pope Benedict XVI emeritus says:-

    “Many times we ask God to deliver us from physical and spiritual evil – – – however, we often have the impression that He doesn’t hear us and we run the risk of becoming discouraged and of not persevering. In reality, there is no human cry that God does not hear – – – God the Father’s answer to His Son was not the immediate freedom from suffering from the cross or from death; through the cross and his death God answered with the Resurrection.”

    Vatican City, May 30, 2012, VIS).

    My dear people of God, we will not hear any response to our questions now, until God achieves his purpose through these our painful experiences. But for sure the ultimate result of our pains and anguish is for God’s name to the glorified and for our own purification and edification. Moreover, God does not need to take permission from us; before he brings any experience into our lives be it joyful or sorrowful. And this is what makes him God. As human beings, we can never comprehend the ways of the Lord. This is the reason why in the book of (Prophet Isaiah 55:8-9) Yahweh echoes; ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.”

    Keeping our Faith Alive. My dear people, let us keep our faith alive. We should never get discouraged. Our faith should make us see beyond the immediate experience and look at the future – that is, after this temporal life with its pains and suffering, we shall share in the eternal glory of our Lord. And so we need to have unshakable faith in God despite what we are experiencing. I always tell you my people that there are two precious gifts of the Lord that on no account should we allow anybody to separate us from them. And these are our faith and our souls.

    Therefore, don’t deny your faith no matter the forces around you. Even if it means death, die for your faith. How can you deny the Author of the universe because of the pressure from mere human beings?  How can human beings make you deny the One who has promised heaven for you? “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy but body and soul in hell.”  (Mt. 10:28-29). I want to thank God for these our members who have preferred to die with Jesus than to deny him. They are modern heroes and martyrs. As regards our souls, the book of wisdom reveals: “But the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment can touch them” (Wisdom 3:1). Even while in the hands of terrorists, place your souls in the hands of God the owner of your life.

    All that we need to do is to constantly trust in the Lord and his works.
    The Psalmist captures this well by saying; “I trust in God and I am not afraid; I praise him for what he has promised. What can a mere human being do to me?” (Psalm 56:4). The early disciples had great trust in the Lord to the extent that even when they were tortured for their faith they rejoiced. St. Paul in prison wrote the Thessalonian believers encouraging them to “be joyful always, pray at all times, and be joyful in all circumstances.” (1Thess. 5:16-18a). The experience of Job and his response to the disasters that Satan brought upon his family is edifying. On hearing the news on the calamities that had visited his family Job said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb and naked shall I go back there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

    But is it not because we are children of light that we are being hated? Jesus declares: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness; but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). As followers of Jesus we walk in the light. And those persecuting us are children of darkness. They are children of the world and so live in darkness. Darkness and light are never friends, and can never meet. Since darkness belongs to the devil, so his agents are carrying out his works – the destruction of lives and property. But ultimately Jesus the eternal light will drive away the devil (the prince of darkness) away from us.

    Be consoled my people:

    The unshakable love of God. My dear people, be consoled that the love of God for you and me is unshakable. What we are experiencing does not in any way imply that God is loving us less. It is in these sufferings that our Lord draws closer to us so that his tenderness and care will be felt the more. The Lord is assuring us that he will never let down any of us his children. The Lord through prophet Isaiah reveals; “Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I am with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire; you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you” (Is. 43:1-2).

    Be consoled my people for God the Almighty is with us. Even though we are suffering, but it is be short lived. For Yahweh our God asks. “But the people of Jerusalem say: ‘The Lord has abandoned us. He has forgotten us’.  ‘Can a woman forget her own baby and love for the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her children, I will never forget you. Jerusalem I can never forget you! I have written your names on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:14-16). With these assuring words from the Lord on his love towards us, let us remain confident despite our troubles.

    I say be consoled my people, for St. Paul who suffered greatly because of his faith, assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. He continues thus; “No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor  the world below – There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:37-39).

    The Role of Mary our Mother. My brothers and sisters, be consoled that we have a mother who never fails. Mary our spiritual mother who stood by her Son during his passion even to the very time his body was taken down from the cross is standing by us in this trying moment of our lives. Our Mother Mary, whom the devil and his agents dread, is making it clear to us her children that this battle is her own. She has already begun the fight on our behalf and will fight until she wins.

    The Virgin Mary is the Help of Christians. She is our Lady of Perpetual Help. And this is the title we have given to our Marian Centre in St. Louis Pastoral Area Mataka. There is no end to her assistance to us. Let us then not waste time in getting closer and closer to her. We must become true Marian disciples who are not only devoted to the Marian devotions, but spread these devotions among God’s children.

    My people, let us become more committed to the Rosary. Through the rosary procession, our Mother has intervened in the lives of her children whether as individuals, groups, families, nations or races. She has saved them from the claws of the enemy. May our Mother Mary be honoured, cherished, loved, blessed and praised in our lives both now and forever. Amen.

    Prayer remains the most powerful weapon. Be consoled my people, be consoled because we have the strongest weapon at our disposal, and that is P R A Y E R. We don’t have physical weapons such armored tanks, APC, Jet fighters, rocket propellers, rocket launchers, AK47 among others. The enemies trust in these arms, but we in the Lord. On this the Psalmist echoes: “Some trust in their war-chariots and others in their horses, but we trust in the power of the Lord our God. Such people will stumble and fall, but we will rise and stand firm. (Ps. 20:7-8).

    Therefore, do not grow weak in prayer; do not give up praying. This can be the devil strategy to cut the line of communication between you and your Lord. Jesus invites us to a life of constant prayer: “And so I say to you, ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For anyone who asks will receive, and he who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocked.” (Lk. 11:8-10). Let us continue to ask, seek and knock, and for sure the Lord will restore the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri to permanent peace.

    Draw closer to God. My people, be consoled that God is there for us. And so a big lesson we are learning from this crisis is that we need to draw closer to God. We have sinned in many ways against God and against one another. This is the time for us to avoid all circumstance of sin which separate us from our God. The admonishing of St. James is very pertinent: “So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will run away from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! Be sorrowful, cry and weep, change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” (James 4:7-10). For God to listen to our supplications, we need to struggle to live sinless lives.

    Praying for the forgiveness of the Terrorists. Again I say be consoled my dear people for the spirit of forgiveness God has implanted in our hearts. Forgiveness is the only thing we can give to the Terrorists and their sponsors. Forgiveness in this instance is very difficult. But we must forgive, since our Lord Jesus forgave his executioners: “- – -Father forgive them! They don’t know what they are doing – – -(Lk. 23:34). Jesus commands us to forgive those who hate and persecute us. This attitude gives Christians a distinct character. We are not like the gentiles, because we are taught not to take revenge on those who wrong us. The revenge is the Lord’s. No matter the magnitude of the harm these people cause us, let us still forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.

    Victory is already in sight Be consoled my people because our victory is at the corner. Terrorism will certainly disappear from our environment. This is so because the ones that are with us are more than those that are with them. Rejoice my people because God the Father is with us; God the Son is with us; God the Holy Spirit is with us. Be consoled because our Mother Mary is with us. The Arch angels and our patron angels are with us. The countless saints in heaven are with us. The modern martyrs, our brothers and sisters killed because of the persecution, have joined the triumphant army in heaven and are interceding for us daily.

    Be consoled, for I, as your servant (bishop) am with you in spirit wherever you are, whether in the forests or mountains, or caves or bushes, towns or villages, I am there with you sharing in your pains, troubles, anxieties and anguish.

    Let me say with St. John Chrysostom that, “- – – where I am, there also are you; where you are, there too am I; we are one body. The body is not apart from the head, nor the head from the body. We are separated only by space, but are united in love. Not even death can cut us apart. For even if my body dies, my soul will live on, and will remember my people.”

    Is it our property that have been destroyed? God will restore them back to us, both temporally and eternally. Be consoled my people and say with prophet Habakkuk: “For though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit appears on the vine. Though the yield of the olive fails and the terraces produce no nourishment. Though the flocks disappear from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God. (Hab. 3:17-18).  And so be consoled and rejoice in the Lord my people for our victory is at hand. The enemy is about to be overthrown.

    May Our Lady of Perpetual Help, be our Mother, our love, our refuge, and our rock.

    May she continue to extend her maternal care toward us her children in this diocese. May she shield us from the snares of our foes.

    Shalom!

    Yours in Christ,

    Most Rev. Dr. Oliver Dashe Doeme

    Bishop/Trustee

    Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri.

  • Nigeria is nobody’s personal estate, says Jonathan

    Nigeria is nobody’s personal estate, says Jonathan

    President Goodluuck Jonathan has noted that Nigeria is not the personal estate of anybody but for the generality of Nigerians.

    Although he did not mention the names of the politicians who see Nigeria as their personal estate, he noted that they make provocative statements that create division among Nigerians and could set the country ablaze.

    He spoke on Thursday during the Christmas service at the St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja.

    According to him, only the will of God will prevail on the forthcoming general elections.

    On the threat to form a parallel government in 2015, he said that those behind the threat and himself cannot say they will win the election as Nigerians will decide who will govern them at all the levels.

    He said: “It is a week to the end of the year, next year, from January, we will see all political actors campaigning and from the middle of February to the end, we will have the elections at the various levels.”

    “I believe we the politicians from our utterances, I am very sure that those of you who meant well for this country will never be happy with us.”

    “As a politician, you want people to elect you, to perform a responsibility. If you mean well for the country, the country is nobody’s personal estate but you want to serve. If people want you to serve, you serve, if they say no, you leave,”

    “Nigeria is nobody’s personal estate, Nigeria is nobody’s business enterprise, Nigeria is nobody’s father’s, property, it belongs to all Nigerians.”

    He went on: “I get embarrassed when we the politicians, maybe including me make provocative statements, statements that create division among Nigerians, statements that can set this country ablaze. I don’t think that is what a leader should do, I don’t think that is the kind of seed a leader should sow.

    “Those who take government by violence, look at African countries, those who kill to take power, they never end well, few cases, yes, probably in society not everybody goes the same way but on the average one has recently happened in West Africa.

    “If a politician wants to take power whether at the house of assembly level, at the House of Representatives or senate or governor or president, you don’t sow seed of discord and enmity because of course, it will consume you.

    “As a nation, we know that if anybody who has the privilege of being a governor of a state after serving, he becomes a senior citizen of that state, it is your duty to assist in-coming government.

    “If you happen to serve as the head of government or as a president of this country, infact at the national level, we have the highest authority called the council of state, the permanent members of the council of state are past presidents and past Chief Justice of the country. The idea is that they have vast experience in a number of things and they can bring their experiences to bear in terms of advising any president at anytime, that was why that body was created by the constitution.

    “But if we abuse ourselves, kill ourselves to be in office, then who will finish serving and still want to attend the council of state meeting for somebody who probably abuse you through life, it is not possible.”

    He urged all politicians seeking various offices to just talk about what they can do for Nigerians and not to sow the seed of discord.

    On the threat to form a parallel government, he said: “For a politician to stand up, who is even a Christian to say that if he fails election, he will form a parallel government. What makes him feel that he must win the election, even me as a serving president, what makes me feel I must win the election, no matter what I think I am. Nigerians will decide who will govern them at the state level, or federal level, state assemblies or the National Assembly in terms of the federal constituencies and the senatorial districts.”

    “It is not you who is looking for the office to think that you are the best person to be there. Are you the most qualified person even by certificate? Are you telling me your certificate is larger than that of others or you even have more certificate ? It is the chance of the people and the will of God.”

    He called on the Christian community to continue to pray for God to forgive politcians their sins as the only way to move the nation forward.

    “God should give us the wisdom to do what is right. All of us who by divine and the will of God are still holding sensitive offices, God should give us the wisdom and the courage to do what is right for our people.” he stated

    Stressing that Christmas is a special day for, he said: “I urged all of us who are Christians to imbibe the value of love and peace that Christ epitomized. The value of tolerance, fairness, selflessness and for us to live in peace.

    On security challenge, he said; “As a nation, we have our challenges, everyday we hear what is happening to some parts of the country, including Abuja, bombing by terrorists and extremists. These are temporary things, surely God will see us through. It will surely come to an end the way it started.”

    “All what I request from you is to continue to pray for the country as you have been praying. Pray for the victims of terror, we have widows, widowers and orphans, some children are just few days old and their parents killed, so what is their fate, their communities shattered, people have to run to different places but that is the handiwork of the devil. As a nation we will pull through.”

    He thanked religious leaders and all Christians who constantly pray for the country, the first family and the government.

    Jonathan said: “The challenges of the moment but for your prayers, probably something else would have happened. God bless this country, even with the challenges, one would have expected the economy to collapse completely and of course if that happens, people working with government and some of the people with private sector would not have been receiving salaries or anything. God is with us and inspite of what is happening, we are forging ahead and we will pull through.”

    He said that his administration will continue to do more in the coming years.

    Delivering the sermon titled “The Jewish Messianic Expectations and 2015 Elections”, the Primate of the Anglican Church, the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh urged politicians to work towards the peace and progress of the country.

    Noting that the 2015 election would be a critical period in the life of the nation, he said Nigerians expect peace, freedom, security and general prosperity of the country.

    He therefore urged all politicians to ensure that the expectations of the people are met as they seek elective positions in the 2015 elections.

    The clergy also urged Nigerians not to play politics with the security situation in the country but to continue to pray for the country to overcome the problem.

    The President was accompanied to the Church Service by the First Lady, Dame Patience; his mother, Madam Eunice, Cabinet Ministers and other top government officials.

    At the end of the service, Christians and muslims in the FCT were led by the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed on homage to the President at the Presidential Villa.

    The President was presented with giant Christmas cards by the FCT Minister and Vice President Namadi Sambo.

  • I’ll serve God and our people, says Peterside

    I’ll serve God and our people, says Peterside

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, has said he will serve God and the people if elected next February.

    He spoke at a praise/dedication service at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt yesterday.

    Peterside said: “I am openly admitting that we acknowledge that power belongs to God.

    “We have chosen to begin from here because by divine unction and direction, we have come to understand that time tested truth that while ‘Some trust in chariots, and some in horses’: we are most assured when we’ remember the name of the Lord our God.”

    He added: “When on October 26, 2007, our governor took over leadership in our beloved state, we all agreed that power belongs to God. And so, we set our heart that if that faithful God would graciously give us an opportunity to serve Rivers people in any capacity, we would do so with all our heart and soul and strength and that at each point, we would raise an altar of Praise and Thanksgiving to His Holy Name. We are therefore, here today, to stand true to that vow.

    ”When by the grace of God and the decision of our great party, the All Progressive Congress, the mantle to take the baton of leadership fell on me, I  Dakuku Adol Peterside, your son, who grew up among you, watched over by the elders, decided that I would humbly invite my fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, friends and everyone in our state, to come join me praise the King of kings and establish Him as always as Lord and God over Rivers State.

    “Having worked closely with our leader, our brother, our governor and our friend , I have seen his passion for excellence and a new and better Rivers State. I have been challenged by this passion and believe that a greater Rivers State is possible if we all join hands.

    “Together I believe we can provide leadership that will accelerate the actualisation of a greater Rivers dream of improved middle class, first class safe environment, equal and more socio-economic opportunities and create a greater sense of community, a Rivers State that will be the pride of Africa.

    “On my honour, I pledge this day, before God and His priests assembled here, that when I am elected and sworn into office as Governor of Rivers State in 2015, I will serve God and our people. We will not sell our dear Rivers State to the devil. Not for anything!”

    The cleric, who gave the exhortation, Apostle Israel Alubah, an Ogoni, stated that Wike and his governorship aspiration had failed, with the refusal of his hired chopper to take him back to Port Harcourt from Bori-Ogoni last Thursday, during his “thank you” tour.

    Alubah noted that the PDP’s standard bearer flew in an helicopter into Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland, but to confirm God’s disapproval of his governorship aspiration, the chopper could not start after his campaign and he angrily returned to Port Harcourt by road, only for the helicopter to start shortly after Wike and his allies left.

    In his sermon entitled: “Our God can do it again,” the cleric described Peterside, an indigene of Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area and the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Petroleum (Downstream),  as a destiny child.

    Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi read the only lesson, taken from II Chronicles 7: 11-19.

    The dedication was attended by Amaechi’s wife, Dame Judith; Peterside’s wife, Elima; his running mate, Okorie Honourable Asita, and his wife, Patricia; the representatives of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Magnus Ngei Abe; and the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    Others in attendance were a member of the Board of Trustees of the APC, Sam Sam Jaja; Rivers Deputy Governor; Tele ikuru, an engineer; the Rivers Chairman of the APC, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya; the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, George Feyii, among other eminent personalities.

  • Kumuyi: 2015’ll be year of God’s visitation

    Kumuyi: 2015’ll be year of God’s visitation

    The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi, has declared that 2015 is the year of God’s visitation. He said God will give His people cause to celebrate in the new year.

    “God will visit you in the New Year; of everything holding you down, the Lord will break it. You will step into your promised land,” he said.

    Pastor Kumuyi made the declaration at the church’s National December retreat held at the Deeper Life Conference Centre (DLCC), Km 42 Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, at the weekend.

    He said: “Things will turn around in your life. It is not what you saw yesterday, it is not what you see today, a brighter day is coming; the coming days for you will be better than the good old days. The things of the past may be wonderful, the things of today will more wonderful.”

    The cleric urged all not to be like the complaining, critical and murmuring Israelites in the Bible. Instead, they must know “something better is awaiting them in the present day. Things are going to be better at this time,” he said, quoting copiously from the scriptures.

    He further urged all not to meditate on the past, but “look forward for a new day, with new promises from the Lord”.

    Pastor Kumuyi also urged Nigerians not to magnify present and past crises, but rather magnify the promises and plans of God.

    “For you to know that God has come to visit His people; nothing will stop you onward journey. God has not written you off. God has not forgotten you. There is a glorious day awaiting you; things will turn around… the bright future is starting today.”

    Pastor Kumuyi also strongly admonished his teeming adherents and other sincere seekers across the world to take insightful look into their lives and prepare for life beyond now; according to him, the return of the Lord is imminent.

  • ‘No one who obeys God regrets it’

    ‘No one who obeys God regrets it’

    Pastor Jacob Abimbola Asubiojo, Ekiti State Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Ado Ekiti, in this interview with journalists talks about the upcoming Deeper Life crusade in Ekiti State.

    No man who obeys God ends up regretting, do you agree to this and why did you come into the ministry?

    I actually agree with that statement that when you come to the side of the Lord you cannot regret it.  Personally, I can say that, because any time I look back into my life, I can see the direction of God, even while I was an unbeliever. I can see it was God who directed my path.

     When did you go into full time ministry and where did you start?

    My salvation was not in Deeper Life, it was inside the Anglican Church. I have been attending Deeper Life all along, I think since 1976. They came to do a retreat at Efon-Alaye in Ekiti State in 1978 and at Okitipupa in1979 at Ibadan during Easter retreat.  I used to attend their retreats but I came into the Deeper Life fully in 1983. 1984 when I went for my youth service, I served with the Deeper Christian Life Ministry and it was from that time I came into the church.

    Sir, how are you faring with the load of work in Ado Ekiti and the response of the people to the work of the Lord?

    It’s just like when the General Superintendent was speaking the other time; everything is by the grace of God. Once you surrender your life to God, the work of God becomes easy. You see, the brethren there, they are a gift unto us and they are to support us and help us, just like when God told Aaron, He has given the Levites as a gift unto him. So, by the grace of God we are to help them to develop their talents and utilise those talents in the work of the ministry and by the grace of God, God has been helping, they have been cooperating.

    Have people been responding to the gospel?

    By the grace of God, people have been responding to the gospel all over Ekiti State.

    Pastor W.F Kumuyi has been going from state to state, when is he coming to Ekiti?

    By the grace of God, he is coming from December 24 to 26, 2014.

    People stage-manage miracles. What is the place of miracles in Deeper Life?

     By the grace of God, in Deeper Life Bible Church, there are no stage-managed in miracles, because we ourselves want to see the reality. We believe in the reality of the supernatural and we don’t stage manage miracles. We want God to do it himself and that’s why before people come out for miracles to give testimonies, we do interview to authenticate that miracle is genuine and is from God.

    Of recent, the Nigerian economy was adjudged to be the biggest economy in Africa, do you see the reality of this in the lives of the poor masses as a man of God?

    Well, actually from my own point of view, I can see that truly Nigeria’s economy is growing because when you look at those  who are working, either they are working with government, or with companies or they are artisans working for themselves, you will see that their standard of living has improved compared with the past. In the past, very few had access to the good things or the social things of life that make life comfortable. But now, many people, whether you are farmer, once you are able to do your work and you are diligent, you will be able to make it in the country. The market has been expanded for people, anything you are doing in Nigeria now, do it well and you will make it, the economy is actually developing.

    As the 2015 elections are approaching and the electioneering campaigns have started, there may be violence and rigging. What is your advice to the electorate, politicians and the electoral commission?

    My advice to the electorate is that they should vote for people they know will be able to deliver the benefits of democracy to them and they should adhere to the electoral rules as given by INEC. They should not allow politicians to use them as thugs and hoodlums to disturb the peace of the nation and, for the politicians, my own advice is that they should play according to the rules of the game, instead of spending money to sponsor people to commit violence. They should concentrate on how they are going to develop the economy of the state, local governments, and of the nation in whatever position they are contesting for.

    That means, if we pray, something will happen?

    Yes, if we pray, something will happen. We have to pray until something happens.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Nigeria free of Ebola virus disease, what is your advice to the government and the masses in sustaining this declaration? Do you have any fear that this virus can resurface somewhere or we are completely free?

    There is no fear and we should not be living in fear. However, precaution, they say, is better than cure, so I will advise the citizens to follow all the rules of hygiene and other rules that have been recommended to keep away this disease. And then the government also should use this period to expand their health care delivery system so that they will be ready in case of any eventuality even though we are not praying for one.

  • Why bring God into our politics?

    Sir: There are many beliefs and sayings that are common in our clime which I consider not only fallacious but also counter-productive. I think they thrive because most people rarely pause to contemplate their import. It is even instructive to note that most of the fallacies are often deployed in the service of selfish and dishonourable ends. One of such is the idea that it is God who gives (political) power.

    Supporters of crooked politicians and non-performing public office holders when short of credible points with which to promote or especially defend their benefactors often try to silence critics with the admonition that it is God that put him/her there and therefore should be left alone or at most prayed for. Politicians sanctimoniously preach same to their sometimes more honourable opponents, even those sitting on stolen mandates cynically exhort their victims to eschew bitterness and strife, and look unto God since it is He that gives power to whom He wishes. As the 2015 electoral race gathers momentum, such calls would be heard even more often.

    In contemporary world, there are three main means of acquiring political power. They include the ballot in a true democracy, rigging and thuggery in a pseudo-democracy and the gun in the case of military dictatorship. Now one may argue that God uses the voters to give power to whom He wishes. And I will ask, does He also use rigging and thuggery to give power to those who come into power through that means, and does He use the gun to bestow power on the military dictator?

    Did God also give power to Adolf Hitler, Stalin, Pinochet, Idi Amin, Mobutu, Mugabe, and the rest? If God gave power to the many brutish rulers that history has recorded, why then should anyone condemn or rejoice at their fall? If God gives political power why should any man including those who preach the idea call for the removal of a bad ruler? One may argue that when a leader becomes bad, then God also uses people to remove him. The implication, however, is that God gave him power not knowing that he would turn bad; in that case He made a mistake. Is that the case?

    One belief that has hampered the advancement of Africa and Nigeria in particular is fatalism. The idea that everything or most things has already been destined by God and happens the way He chooses is not only the product of lazy minds but also recipe for backwardness. To say for instance that God uses the voters to give power to whom He chooses means that the voters are mere puns being manipulated. What then happens to freewill? The freewill is one of the major attributes that separates humans from lower animals. Why would anyone be so careless as to attempt to toss back this wonderful gift, what makes him human back at his creator?

    Peoples that have made remarkable advances appreciate that God has already empowered them to make their choices and also face the consequences of the choices. With courage they set out to create their world. In addition to becoming masters of their fate they also learn responsibility. On the other hand even though many of us read the Bible passage where man is exhorted to subdue and dominate the earth we still run back to God seeking that He do exactly the same things He has empowered us to do. We ask Him for wealth, to build our infrastructure, run our economy, maintain peace and security, and now thoughtlessly attempt to shift to Him the responsibility of choosing our political leaders. Well, the earlier we appreciate that God does not arbitrarily intervene in the affairs of men as we have hitherto assumed the better for us. As the 2015 elections draw closer, may we have it in mind that the choice of who runs the country is in ours and not God’s hand and it is we who will bear the consequences of the choice.

    Nnoli Chidiebere

    Aba, Abia State.

  • Playing god

    •Except for foreign loans, the Federal Government cannot interfere in transactions between state governments and local banks

    It is true that the downward plunge in the international price of crude oil has had very serious negative implications for Nigeria’s economy. Indeed, so critical is the situation that the crude oil price benchmark of $78 per barrel, adopted for the 2015 budget projection, has been lowered to $73 per barrel.

    Yet, it is no less true that no level of government can exonerate itself from part-responsibility for the profligacy and fiscal irresponsibility that have made Nigeria ill-prepared to absorb the shocks, resulting from dipping international oil prices.

    This is why the Federal Government’s grandstanding and ‘holier-than- thou’ attempt to hold other levels of government responsible for the unsavoury economic situation is most unhelpful, to say the least.

    The Federal Government’s latest stance in this regard is its reported directive to banks in the country to obtain the approval of the Federal Ministry of Finance before granting loans to any state government. This measure is purportedly to check alleged abuse of the money market by some state governments.

    Of course, we appreciate the responsibility of the Federal Government for the overall coordination and management of the national economy. However, the government at the centre is entirely deluded if it assumes that it has managed its own share of accruals to the national treasury with a higher degree of discipline and transparency.

    Today, the Federal Government is statutorily entitled to 56% of all revenues remitted to the Federation Account and distributable to all tiers of government. On the other hand, the 36 state governments and the 774 Local Government Councils share 44% of accruals to the Federation Account.

    The implication is that each state and local government accesses less than one per cent of funds shared from the Federation Account. Yet, neither the Federal nor most of the other levels of government can show any appreciable level of development commensurate with the quantum of funds they share at their monthly allocation jamboree.

    No level of government is, therefore, qualified to try to paint the others black as the Federal Government tries to do in this instance.  This is even more so because the Federal Government’s failure to effectively discharge its responsibility of securing the country’s oil supply pipelines has considerably worsened the economic crisis.

    Thus, despite yearly contracts worth N5.06 billion awarded to former Niger Delta militants to protect oil pipelines, the theft of the country’s crude oil continues on an astronomical scale; with the consequence of drastically reducing the funds remitted to the Federation Account.

    The revenue accruing to states thus continues to fall monthly, with many states now owing a backlog of salaries to workers. Therefore, to make it virtually impossible for states to access the money market for short-term loans for development purposes, which is the implication of the new Federal Government directive, can only inflict further injury on the national economy.

    The Federal Government’s directive to banks, as regards loans to state governments, negates the spirit of federalism. As an agency of the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Finance has no business guaranteeing domestic loans to state governments. Such powers can easily be abused in an immature and overly partisan political process like ours, with negative implications for development.

    Rather, the country’s money market should have clearly stipulated guidelines and regulatory laws for granting loans to private and public entities, including the Federal Government. The operations of the money market must be guided by the laws of supply and demand, rather than the partisan proclivities of any arm of government.

    What the emergent frightening economic scenario calls for, from all levels of government, is greater discipline, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

  • God designed your home for success (3)

    I want to provoke you to pragmatic thinking! I’m not out to expound theories to you. John, the Beloved, said in the opening of his epistles: And our hands have handled, of the Word of life; That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus

    Christ (1 John 1:13).

    The things I have handled, seen and heard are what I will be sharing with you in this week’s teaching.

    Last week, I said, marriage is what you think it to be, and that your perspective makes your marriage what it becomes. Let me also say here that your expectation shall not be cut off. In Genesis 2:18-25, we see God initiating the idea of male and female relationship, in which both will serve as succour to each other.

    The purpose of God in marriage is to create a help that is suitable, adaptable and complementary, to establish unity and for procreation. Daily, we see men and women seeking after soothsayers and seers, to know whom to marry. Some highly placed and educated young men and ladies creep stealthily into the dingy abodes of herbalists to know the cause of their marriage delays.

    Also, it is not a common thing to see couples running after palm readers, fortune-tellers and astrologers, just to find out what the future holds for their marriages, and how they can be guided into glorious homes.

    But, for us at the other side of Jordan, we have a reason to thank God. He doesn’t leave us to guess and grope through life. That is why He said: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).

    Nobody builds a tower without an adequate preparation and a strong foundation. You must first desire a tower, before you can build one. Do not enter into a marriage covenant without an expectation. If you expect the best, it will be yours (Proverbs 23:18).

    God has promised to grant your expectations, whether good or bad. So, let your expectations be based on God’s Word, for it is higher than any evil experience or information you may have had or heard about marriage (Proverbs 10:24).

    If you are already married, there is still opportunity to change all negative expectations. As a couple, discuss your positive expectations and I guarantee that things will work out more smoothly in your home.

    The scripture says in Hebrews 3:4: For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.  God is the Almighty Programmer of marriage; hence, He had created all that it would take to make it glorious. Man on his own part needs to abide by God’s principle and implement His plan.

    For instance, God has said: Husbands, love your wives … and to the wives, He said: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husband (Ephesians 5:22, 25). Thus, if you and your spouse want to experience success in marriage, then you must do what God says, without circumventing His laid down rules.

    Unmarried ladies and young men, what do you expect in marriage? Your expectations shall not be cut off! Before we got married, my husband and I made discoveries from God’s Word that made us expect a hitch-free marriage. Our testimony today: Those expectations have not been cut off!

    I believe you have been mightily blessed by this teaching. So, as I pray for your family, believe God for a unique touch in your home. You will have a testimony!

    In the Name of Jesus, I ask for the hand of God to rest heavily on your home. I declare that from today, you begin to enjoy God’s goodness and honour in your home!

    The power to accept the responsibility of marriage can be given to you, by surrendering your life to Christ. If you are ready to surrender your life to Christ, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood.  Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

    Congratulations! You are now born-again! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: counselling@faithoyedepo.org, Contact@faithoyedepo.org; Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437.

     

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • God designed your home for success (2)

    You are welcome to this glorious day!  Perspectives are very important in man’s quest for family success. It is a man’s perspective that determines his height. That is why the scripture says: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he … (Proverbs 23:7). The thought of a man makes a man.

    Having seen God’s blueprint for a successful home last week, this week, I will be teaching on, Your marriage is what you think it to be.

    As the society becomes more complex, marriage as an institution is either positively or negatively affected. The world we live in is a press-button world of quick result, and anything that does not produce at the touch of a button is disregarded. Marriage is not left out. If a man is not experiencing fulfillment in marriage, it is not because God did not create it to be fulfilling, but because the man’s perspectives of it are wrong.

    Marriage is not what your unbeliever friend says it is. Marriage is not what you read in carnal books. Marriage is what the Word of God says it is. It is good, and like most precious metals, one must invest time and resources to secure it and fashion it into a jewel of great price that makes for success.

    Marriage is not a necessary evil as some would think; your perspective of it makes it what it is to you. God designed and programmed your marriage for success, but how you see it will determine whether it works for you or not. You must agree with God that when you enter into holy matrimony, you are stepping into a better way of life. Most couples lack this understanding, so they groan about marriage, instead of enjoying its covenant benefits.

    My husband said, “Your mind is your greatest asset in the realization of your goal. Whatever your mind cannot grasp, even though it is yours by heritage, your hands will never handle.” So, what becomes of your marriage is a product of your perspective. Your thoughts play a major role in your marital life, because every imagination ultimately becomes a manifestation. That is why I believe every glorious marriage and family is a product of a covenant mind-set rooted in scripture.

    Marriage is not evil, it is good. Think it as good. What you think of it today, is what it becomes for you tomorrow. Marriage is good; it is precious by God’s design. But God works in collaboration with His children to establish His will on earth. Therefore, you must know and understand that there is profit for you in marriage. This understanding will flush out every carnal thought about marriage on your inside. That is why the scripture says: Man that is honour and understandeth it not is like the beasts that perish (Psalm 49:20).

    Nature abhors vacuum. If you don’t fill your mind with good things about your family, the devil will fill it up for you with evil thoughts. Remember the Bible says: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and it there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

    It is the thoughts of man that make a man. What you think of your marriage and family makes it what it is. You can’t think obstacles in your marriage and have miracles. You can’t think of marriage as a necessary evil, and experience a glorious marriage, because sweet marriages and homes are basically provoked by your thoughts.

    Glorious marriages are no chances; they are choices. You can choose what happens to your marriage and family, by the way you think. You have the mind of Christ, the miracle mind, and miracle minds don’t think obstacles in marriage or consider obstacles in the home. So, do not carry obstacle thoughts when looking for a life partner. Do not think impossibilities, when you are looking up to God for miracle babies. The two don’t go together.

    Do you know that most couples could not build matrimonial homes, because of obstacle thoughts? Many don’t even eat good food, because they don’t know where tomorrow’s meal will come from. Some couples think of nothing good about their families, but obstacles. Hence, they wallow in abject failure and frustration, without knowing that a man’s thoughts today make him what he would be tomorrow.

    Someone once came to me for counselling. She had been having a very tough time in her marriage. As she spoke, I discovered that the root cause of her problems was her wrong perspective about marriage. She had expected grief and calamity, so when the storms rose against her marriage, she began to cry, saying, “They told me it will be like this.”

    Any marriage outside Christ cannot escape difficulties and troubles. No wonder, married unbelievers see themselves as trapped. If you are not born-again, you are not entitled to the success and fulfillment in marriage that God has reserved for those who love Him.

    But, God’s grace is the carrier of salvation. If you respond to it today, you will escape the distress, which most couples are facing. If you desire to be born again, please say this prayer of faith with me: Dear Lord Jesus, I accept that I am a sinner worthy of death. But I now understand that by inviting You into my life, I will be pardoned of all my sins. Forgive me of my sins, and come into my heart right now. Take my life, Lord and mould it. I turn my back on Satan and the world. Thank You for coming into my life, in Jesus’ Name!

     

    Congratulations! You are now born-again! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: counselling@faithoyedepo.org, Contact@faithoyedepo.org; Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • God designed your home for success

    Dear Reader, you are most welcome to another inspirational edition of Family Forum.  All through this month, I will be taking you through a topic which I titled: God Designed Your Home for Success.

    It is God’s desire that you succeed in your marriage and family life as a Christian. Success in all areas of life is God’s will for you.  But it does not come by chance, neither is it an accidental occurrence.

    This week, I will be sharing with you, God’s blueprints for a successful home. The Word of God says: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). God wants you to succeed. Whether you’re preparing for marriage and a family, already married with a family, or the single head of a household, there are certain principles you must understand, in order to achieve that success. They are His blueprints. Let us examine some of them:

    Marriage was God’s Idea

    I want you to know that God was the One who brought the idea of marriage. It is His desire to see your marriage succeed. For the first time in scripture, we notice God saying something in creation was not good (Genesis 2:18). This scripture clearly shows that marriage was God’s idea. At this time, Adam didn’t even realize he was alone. If marriage is God’s idea, then it must be good, honourable, and possess the ability to work well.

    The Word of God says: And the Lord said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him (Genesis 2:18). This means that what God wants in your marriage is nothing but good. “VERY GOOD” should be the description of the experience you are having in your home and family life as a Christian.    However, some families feel that God has forsaken them, that He does not care about their case and that all hope seems lost. Well, I have good news for you. God is not against you, and your situation is not hopeless. It is important for you to know that God delights in the family unit and He has designed it for success.  This is evident because He (God) instituted marriage and family life.

    When He did so, His plan was for a peaceful and fulfilling home. It was clear from the Word of God that family life is not only meant to be just a good experience for the Christian, but a very good one. The Word of God says: And God saw every thing that he had made (including family life), and, behold, it was VERY GOOD… (Genesis 1:31).

    Marriage Is God’s by Design

    After God allowed Adam to recognize that he was alone, the scripture revealed God’s design for the marriage relationship. Adam realized where his wife came from, that she was a part of him, and that she was given priority above everything else other than his relationship with God.  The Word of God says: And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man (Genesis 2:20-22).

    After God made man He knew man needed a companion. So, He said to Himself, “It is not good that man, should be alone; I will make a helper fit for him”.

    The Word of God says:  So the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord had taken from the man he made into woman and brought her to the man.” Then the man said, This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore a man leaves his Father and Mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2: 18, 21-24).

    Marriage Is Designed To Work

    God created marriage, He also provided a set of instructions to go along with this product. If we follow the instructions in the manual (The Bible), we can be sure that the product will work, and provide years of satisfaction to those who follow them. The Word of God says: Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body (Ephesians 5:21-23).

    Marriage is a Gift from God

    Marriage is the oldest institution known to man. It dates back to creation and the Garden of Eden. God Himself performed the first marriage ceremony. He also gave away the first bride. On the sixth day of creation, having made the world a home for man, God said: … Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth (Genesis 1:26).

    Your home is designed for success.  This truth must be appreciated, in order for it to be appropriated. God bless you. Stay blessed till next week!

    Success in marriage begins by surrendering your life to Christ. If you are ready to surrender your life to Christ, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood.  Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

     

    Congratulations! You are now born-again! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: counselling@faithoyedepo.org, Contact@faithoyedepo.org; Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).