The Nation Newspaper

Tag: God

  • Nigerians must return to God, says Ajayi

    The President of Christ Apostolic Mission Church, Rev Adesoji Ajayi, has called on Nigerians to return to God in true repentance for realisation of the nation’s much anticipated growth and development.

    Ajayi spoke with reporters ahead of the 52nd anniversary of the church in Lagos.

    He recalled the economy was buoyant and God was backing the country and until FESTAC Arts and Culture festival in 1977 when everything nosedived after Nigerians chose to worship idols.

    “We faced Satan and took our eyes away from God since 77. Nigerians have not had it good since then,” he said.

    Ajayi, who is optimistic, stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari can be the save the nation because he has good intentions.

    “He is very transparent, thorough and accountable, which are qualities that Nigerian leaders need to move the country forward,” he said.

    He pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with Buhari till 2017 when the economic challenges would have abated.

    “There will be good fortune for Nigeria because it would have been 40 years after 1977 where God would have seen our suffering as big enough for him to forgive us.”

    He took a swipe at the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, who he said erred by not staying neutral during the last general elections.

  • God save the kings!

    God save the kings!

    For progressives who also embrace tradition and perceive no contradiction in so doing, there is much to inspire and encourage in recent news.

    Let me start with a fundamental question? Is there a contradiction with progressives embracing tradition? Or does a progressive have to defend embracing tradition? Not necessarily, especially if the idea of progressive traditionalism makes sense. By this I mean the deliberate and active encouragement of tradition moving with the times. It does make sense!

    I once had an experience with a member of the family of the late Onjo of Okeho, Oba Ereola Adedeji. It was Christmas holiday when I visited Okeho. As I drove around town I ran into a group of merry makers dancing on the street. I stopped my car in the middle of the road so they can pass by. But their leader would have me do more. He wanted me to come down from my car. I didn’t, and he considered it an insult and shouted some obscenities. I didn’t respond. He then invoked what he thought was the traditional right of a royal family which for him I had trampled upon.

    Before I got home, my father heard about it and went straight to Kabiyesi Adedeji. I had held a meeting with Kabiyesi earlier in the day on his interests in mobilising the elite for the development of the town. He was therefore embarrassed by what his younger brother had done and he called him to caution and apologise to me.  That was enough for me to want to do more for the town and for the monarch who was not going to turn back the clock of progress.

    The present Onjo of Okeho, Oba Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha, has also embraced progressive approach to tradition because it is the only way for tradition to endure.

    My experience with the traditional rulers that I have had contact with in Yorubaland has been nothing but positive and uplifting. From Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos whose thoughtful response to affectionate shout of “Kabiyesi” from admirers is “Olorun lo n je bee” (That is God’s title), to Oba Sikiru Adetona, the quintessential integrity model, to my foremost senior, Oba Alani Oyede, the Olota of Ota, I have seen the best in what tradition can be. Sure, there is always going to be some uninspiring stories. But that is true of all other social and political institutions and we don’t throw away their bath waters with the precious babies.

    I had not seen Oba Oyede since 1966 when he completed his Teachers Grade II programme at the African Church Teachers’ Training College, Ifako, Agege until he showed up at the public presentation of my book on December 21 last year. As those who were at the event witnessed, it was an emotional moment for both of us.

    Senior Oyede was an all-round student. He was the school goal-keeper, the captain of the volley ball team and the college librarian. He appointed me his junior librarian and I succeeded him as the college librarian in 1967, my final year. We lived in the same Joseph House, and as I mentioned to him during my visit to his palace in Ota recently, I inherited his bed in the House.

    That Oba Oyede chose to risk his frail health to honour my invitation was the height of affection which we mutually shared. And rather than expecting anything from me, he also made donation to the Foundation which I co-chair with my wife.On my visit to his palace, he presented me with invaluable gifts to last a lifetime. At that visit, he ensured that he invited one of my classmates, Bishop S. A. Odu and it was a great reunion. The Oloris, Chief Akinyemi, the Ajana of Ota, were friendly and pleasant hosts.

    Oba Akiolu, who also graced the public presentation of my book, is a modern progressive Oba in all respects. Some years ago, Oba Akiolu visited Maryland to see a young man, who was studying there. I met him at the airport and gave him a ride to his hotel. As I tried to open the back door for him so he could sit comfortably at the back, Kabiyesi went for the passenger’s seat in the front. My request for him to take the back seat was ignored. He then volunteered the information that having been a police officer; he was comfortable anywhere and under any condition. He loaded two pieces of luggage with food items for us all the way from Lagos. That is tradition combined with progress. For extreme traditionalists, an Oba does not give; he only receives.

    Money is the root of all evils, including the evil of belittling tradition and its keepers. What is pleasing to me is that I have not heard that any of our Obas is linked with Dasukigate or Anennihgate. Indeed, they have come out to deny categorically that they had no part in the booty sharing.

    The foregoing observations are pertinent as evidence of our coming of age in the progressive development of our communities and the enlightened reconciliation of tradition with progress. For all these, there is a good reason for optimism and pride.

    However, the recent news of the visit of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Arole Odua, to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Iku Baba Yeye, coming 79 years after the last such visit by an Ooni, is the foremost tradico-progressive news of the century. That Alaafin and Ooni shook hands openly, sat together and worshipped together in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Alaafin’s coronation is a story that must warm the hearts of all Yoruba worldwide.

    Why is it an indication of progress? There’s no denying the fact that the root of the crisis between Alaafin and the late Ooni drew the Yoruba back in the scheme of things. It prevented the public show of unity of Yoruba traditional hierarchy, which sent the wrong signal to others. If we cannot speak with one voice because our traditional rulers will not lead in that direction, can we blame anyone for marginalising us? That the foremost rulers of Yorubaland embraced peace and cooperation to push the Yoruba agenda is progress.

    Secondly, it is also not in doubt that self-centred politicians have benefitted from the division or misunderstanding between the two royal fathers over the years. And a number of them must have cheered them on while it lasted. Now, those politicians are enemies of the progress of the Yoruba and they have been shamed by the singular act of courage and patriotism on the part of the new Ooni and Alaafin.

    We must, however, not also forget that for every dancing iromi, there is a strategising drummer even if unseen and unappreciated. The drummers to whose beat the royal fathers gleefully danced know themselves and we also know them as foremost progressives. In the fullness of time, they will reap the rewards of their nationalistic and patriotic endeavours.

    I was almost ready to submit this piece when the news broke of the transition of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Kabiyesi Oba Samuel Odulana, at the ripe age of 101. A foremost progressive among traditionalists, his experience traversed all areas of the social and political life of Nigeria. An army officer, he fought in the war of the Greatest Generation, served in the parliament of the First Republic as well as in its executive branch as Minister of State. As a co-founder of the Ibadan Economic Foundation and the Ibadan Progressive Union, Oba Odulana championed the cause of progress and development even before he ascended the Olubadan throne. His life, which crisscrossed centuries and millennials, was full of notable achievements. That he lived to see the promise of leading Yoruba Obas coming together is a lasting tribute to the sweet memories of his life and times. He is already resting in peace.

  • God Will Help Us!

    The dialogue ended with no one proffering solutions, so someone sighed and said pontifically, God Will Help Us. I had a mind to ask if he had God’s word on the matter, just to be sure, like.

    In the days just gone by, the entire nation has been suffused in laughter, incredulity and pain. And so, our vision is somewhat clouded this week by matters such as the ‘missing 2016 national budget’ document, the $2.1bn armsgate, the needless pillages that go on in this country daily on Nigerian roads and in government, and so on. All of these heavily hang upon us, even as we take a somewhat somber look at our national philosophy.

    You know what that is, don’t you? It’s that field of study which opens unto you other fields of study without providing any definite answer to those fields of study that led you to that field of study, get my drift? What I love about it is that it is the only subject where you are permitted to ask more questions than you can give answers to, especially in examination scripts. For example, how do you know that you know what you know? Beautiful.

    This system is fraught with dangers, of course. Whenever steam threatens to blow out of my ears because someone’s action or inaction has lit of fire of rage inside of me, I treat myself with a simple mental massage: the action never really happened; I just imagined it. Better still: he/she does not really exist; I have been imagining him/her all along. The draw back in this law however surfaces when it is time to collect the monthly housekeeping allowance in the house. He just may decide that my dainty outstretched palm does not really exist; he is only imagining it.

    This yo-yo system of questioning does not happen often in the sciences, for there, you cannot afford too many questions. Imagine what would happen if scientists monitoring the landing of a space craft, which they have just sent to space, begin to ask themselves such questions as ‘But how do we know that the craft we have sent really exists? What if we have merely imagined it?’ Were that to happen, I assure you there’ll be nothing to land in but hot soup.

    In most countries, goals are purposed and designed for the common good such that even the littlest person, e.g. the president’s little old lady, is given an identity within the confines of that philosophy. Call that philosophy an ideology if you like, and you will come up with different practices in different parts of the world that sound very much like what I am talking about. And so, you may come across the Welfarist hues of the West which means essentially that even the president may benefit from social welfare, no matter how badly he governs. The Socialist hues of the East practically guarantees that a president is obliged to share his palace with the people for the common good, never mind that no good is ever common. In the South of the world, however, the philosophy often disseminated is called ‘God Will Help Us’. Naturally. It means essentially that we, the people, do not get the opportunity to lift a finger to do anything for ourselves.

    When someone sermonized not too long ago that we should Ask Nothing of God, we all listened. Honest. But we promptly went back on our knees to do what we know best, Ask Everything of God. Why not?! Because He is about the only person we know who can make the oil to flow under our parcel of earth, provide buyers for the crude and then provide those who sell the refined stuff back to us. He is the one who helps us; and yes, he even brings food right round to us. God does help us.

    The other day, I watched in fascination as a large alligator slowly ambulated across the road. Many drivers pulled off the road on the instant, left their cars running and dived into the bush after the animal. I could not believe it, but close to eleven cars did the instantaneous parking thing that day…I then watched from afar as hefty men pulled at the retreating tail of the poor thing. Was that hunger or something? God Will Help Us!

    While traversing the land, you are assaulted by evidences of religiosity. When you call a price that the market woman does not want to hear, she tells you, ‘God forbid it’. When you accuse an artisan of cheating on the materials he has used on your work, he swears that ‘God is his witness’ if he has done any such thing. When a Nigerian asks you to rub his palm with a certain sum, he swears that but for the fact that he fears God, he should not do for you what he is about to do even if it is his job to do it. Do you now wonder why God is so busy? He has to keep tag of the things we ask him to forbid, reject, witness, bind, loose, claim, accept, and decree, even our non-military decrees. God Will Help Us!

    The other day, someone parked his car right in the middle of the turning to my house. Why? Just to enable him purchase an item from a nearby kiosk. This meant of course that no car could enter the street via that turning. A conversation then ensued among the very indignant occupants of my own car to wit: Nigerians are very selfish and inconsiderate; everyone thinks of himself only in every matter particular; no one has any respect for the law; yet Nigerians perform quite well in other climes. I only half-listened to all these, for I was more hungry than interested after a long day’s work. After proselytizing endlessly on the matter, the dialogue ended with no proffered solutions, so someone heaved a deep sigh, exhaled deeply and said pontifically, God Will Help Us. He said it with such authority I had a mind to ask if he had God’s word on the matter, just to be sure, like, so I could stop worrying about the whole thing.

    At yet another conversation, I listened and this time participated as the nation’s woes were dissected to wit: our president listens to no man but follows only his own counsel; everyone carries on national affairs without any thought for the children unborn; the fact that stealing is reducing the country to shreds without any intervention; and the fact that everyone knows the truth about this country but no one is willing to say it because those in powerful places just do not want to know. Then we sighed and exhaled: God Will Help Us. This time, I did ask if anyone had God’s assurances on the matter. No one answered me.

        Sometimes, I have listened to one gory tale after another of armed attacks on defenseless people who are merely in the business of transporting themselves painfully from one day onto the next with very little hope on the painful way. I listen and hear of a female youth whose fingers were laid on the tarmac and chopped off for not yielding what she had on her to highway robbers. God Will Help Us.

         Events since independence have reinforced more and more the fact that Nigeria as an entity remains only in the mind of Lord Luggard. That is why no one seems to be taking the issue of governance too seriously. And so, when disaster throws its grenades at us, we move from wringing our hands, to packing them on top of our heads, to dancing around the problem in circles, and then to waxing philosophical: God will help us. What the… Why, even in the matter of someone using N2.1bn for political advertisements, God Must Help Us.

     

    Note: This is an edited version of an article first published in 2006.

  • God, spirituality and science  

    We now live in an age of enlightenment, where information is easily available to anyone wishing to educate themselves on any subject of interest.  It is therefore no longer fashionable for any sane person to remain in ignorance, or to be fed with information that offers no help to their mind.

    What this global advancement of knowledge entails is that: we are now being challenged individually and collectively to re-evaluate our beliefs, to re-imagine our states of existence in order to prompt healthy growths in the various sections of life.  Interestingly, the survival and the progression of any society are largely strengthened by the givens patronized by the people of   that society. And so, it   is significant to consider the implications of what ideas make the greater role in the knowledge-base of a people.

    One idea that cannot be separated from mankind is that of God. Throughout the ages, various concepts of God and the meaning of living have been explored, accepted, debunked, and some   have   even   been   thrown   to   extinction.   On   and   on,   God   is   evidenced   by universal phenomena—scientific study being a link. While all possible chances are being explored, there is a general misconception about the compatibility between God and Science—the subject of science is not always allowed to match with God.

    Based on extensive researches, I wish to share my views on this topic. I would like to start by explaining that: God is the source of all manifestations, both visible and invisible, ranging from environmental forms to human cultures and what not; Science is the study of   these manifestations and their source, where its intelligence is perceived as ‘God’. Various logical links have been established between God and Science, which brings to the term ‘Spirituality’.

    Spirituality is the connection or communion with God or this Source Intelligence.  It   is   not   doubted   how   significant   Science   has   functioned   in   the   development   of   cities, medicine, and many other creative ventures. Considering that ALL knowledge emanate or belong to God, it is however ironic that Africans give little or no importance to Science—the focus on religion has not only handicapped the African people, it has held back beneficial inventions that come with keen exploration of science. An evidence of neglecting Science and Innovation is the sad state of education presently in use in Nigeria and other African countries. It is unarguable that the reliance on religion does horrible things to a system—not only is there deterioration in key sectors of the economy, citizens indulge in not accepting responsibilities for their lives. It is now common habit by Nigerians to hold God responsible for deaths that could have been averted by safe roads, functional health facilities, or by even safe eating habits.

    It must be reinstated that Science and God are compatible, that a godly or religious person can relate with Science. In Europe and America, for instance, during the early stage of them accepting religion, they equally made the mistake of discarding Science; though they have come to realize that Science plays a major role in the development of a society and the living standards of a people. The human brain or mind is an extraordinary resource given by God to be used optimally. It is   therefore   the   duty   of   human   beings   to   maximize   their   reasoning   and   intellectual capabilities. The essence of being human is conjoined to the ability to work out ideas, create, revolutionize, and solve problems. But when this resource is not put into purposeful use, it inevitably becomes atrophied.

    The way forward for us as a people is to begin to repair our mentality, in order to thrive in this 21st century. Nigeria will thrive, Uganda will thrive, South Sudan will thrive, and catch up with societies like Europe, America, Asia; but this is only possible when we embrace Cosmic/Spiritual   dispositions   that   will allow us to warmly embrace   Science.

    Cosmic spirituality enables people to take the responsibility of their lives rather than waiting for God. This is what obtains in most civilised societies. Because, we cannot thrive without Science. Proliferation of churches in Nigeria is never going to be a solution to myriads of problems facing us as a society; but rather developing our educational sectors and also empowering ourselves with dynamic scientific methodologies  and tools that would   pull us out of  the quagmire we have found ourselves. We are aware that Nigeria has not had any major breakthrough in Science and Technology.  We have continued to rely on countries like Europe, America, China and India majorly for the manufacture   and   supply   of   our   products, and we just   cannot   continue   with   this   trend.  Otherwise, our future generations are going to suffer!

    I would like to commend the position of the present Nigerian government in focusing on science and technology as the way forward for Nigeria to favourably compete with other advanced societies.  We must continue to support their effort in bringing sanity back to the system through focus on science and technology.  Fortunately, the present government has kindly agreed to award scholarships to students wishing to study science in our tertiary institutions.  Obviously, this is a step towards a right direction.

    • Oviawe-Jones, is a psycho-spiritual teacher and analyst based in UK

  • GKS: Keeping God’s Covenant

    Nigerians, from around the world trooped into the God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), Salem City in Warri, Delta State to celebrate the annual Christian Feast of Tabernacle in remembrance of God’s covenant with the Israelites, Adeola Ogunlade reports

    FROM  Sunday, December 13 to Sunday, December 20, last year, Warri, the commercial nerve centre of Delta State, was bubbling with thanksgiving to God. The worshippers stormed major roads in Warri. Mobile police ensured safety.

    Cultural groups sang majestic songs . The God’s Kingdom Society (GKS)  made the people dance to songs in diverse dialects – Urhobo, Isoko, Agbor, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Edo, Efik, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.

    It was all in remembrance of God’s covenant with the Israelites.

    There were other activities to mark the event: children and women presentations and donation of food items (rice, tubers of yams and gallons of oil and more) to the needy.

    The Chairman, Executive Board, GKS, Brother Godwin Ifeacho, expressed gratitude to God.

    “Glory be to God, Jehovah, creator of the universe, who enabled us to converge to this Feast,” he said.

    Ifeacho, while addressing the congregation on ‘A Man’s Life Consist Not in the Abundance of the things he Possess’, cited Luke 12:15 to campaign again the love of material things.

    He preached on the folly of man and covetousness.

    He said: “Officials of financial institutions corner the deposits of their customers and use them for their personal interest. And when the banks fail, most of the people are left empty-handed.”

    Ifeacho added that some people have taken over other people’s lands, wives, children and houses.

    “While others have made themselves beneficiaries of the inheritance of others leaving the rightful owners with nothing, others use things that are not theirs.”

    Citing Psalm 10:3 and Proverbs 1:10 to 19, he said:  “Unfortunately, many Church leaders today cannot teach their adherents to live godly, be diligent and to patiently continue in well-doing. Instead, they make people believe that gain is godliness or is evidence of blessing from God.”

    However, he reminded participants that they ought to have put aside all their offences before coming for the programme. He wrapped up his gospel with reference to Ecclesiastes 5:11-16. He assured believers that in life, a man’s comfort, happiness or well-being does not depend on affluence.

    From his word: “Is it not true that in several societies people shower underserved honour on anyone who is rich even though they know him to be wicked?

    The Chairperson of the National Women Fellowship, Mrs. Helen Bazunu, said the Sisters’ Assembly day was to educate the women fold on their attitude as peculiar Christians.

    “It is to cater for our homes and our relationship with people outside.”

    She emphasised that they preached on love among themselves, too.

    “Today, being the spiritual aspect – one of the speakers talked on the significance of Ruth and Naomi while the other spoke on ‘Love not the world.”’

    Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Rural Development and Peace Building and staunch member of GKS, Mr. Emmanuel Ogidi, urged Nigerians to brace up for hard times.

    “Nigerians should brace up for hard times, except the Federal Government removes subsidy and focuses on other sources of energy and the non-oil sector,” he said.

    Speaking further, the former Delta State PDP Chairman said that change had nothing to do with shouting slogans.

    “The real change is beginning in the state’s Peoples Democratic Party’s government as we are focused on making the state an investment destination,” Ogidi said.

    The former Commissioner for Higher Education, Delta State, Prof. Hope Eghagha, said the Federal Government must approach the problems of insurgency and political agitations with the knowledge that a federation was never imposed, but created by the willingness of participating regions, governments, persons, groups and races.

    “There are too many distractions in the polity. The Northeast is still boiling. The Southeast is threatening and there is also the Shiite threat.”

  • Don’t bribe God

    Don’t bribe God

    The story had it that Attahiru Bafarawa clucked with N4.6 billion for spiritual purposes. Quite a hefty sum for God, I thought. But it may have made sense if Jonathan won the election. Bafawara could have aped his Christian friends and yelled, To Allah be the glory. But the electoral loss means we could have spent the money well.

    Look, for instance, at Lagos. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode spent N4.7 billion to protect 16 million Nigerians. He invested it in a series of helicopters, gunboats, fleet of cars and motorbikes as well as communication gadgets. We are feeling the impact in Lagos now. The devout will say Ambode spent his money on mammon while Bafarawa and Jonathan spent on God.

    Mammon seems well now that their project has failed with Jonathan’s loss. The 16 million Lagosians will appreciate the money more than marabouts and other places where the money might have gone. Lesson: don’t’ bribe God. When the people rejoice, N4.6 billion as offering meets brick wall of heaven.

  • God, ultimate physician, says Adeboye

    God, ultimate physician, says Adeboye

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said God is the ultimate unchanging physician.

    He added that there was no sickness in heaven and that it is possible for God to heal everyone.

    The cleric spoke at the on-going Holy Ghost Congress at the Redemption Camp on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    In his sermon, healing flood, he said God has the power to heal one by one and to make whole, warning the congregation to steer clear of sin when they are healed.

    Pastor Adeboye said: “He can make your hands healing hands and whatever and whoever you touch will be healed.

    “But you cannot swim in sin and expect God to heal you. Obey his commands always.”

    Bishop Wale Oke and Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo led the congregation in prayers.

    Quoting various  Bible passages, Oke said God is able to do much more than we can ask or think, describing him as an all sufficient God.

    Ashimolowo urged the gathering to magnify God.

  • Unlocking the supernatural!

    We recognize from scriptures that every redeemed child of God is ordained a sign and a wonder to his world; but it takes the understanding of who we are to be empowered to become what we have been redeemed to be. This is because destiny is essentially a product of identity. Therefore, to actualize our glorious destiny, we must be able to answer the following questions: Who am I? Where am I from? and What am I worth? Interestingly, we can also discover God’s plan and purpose for us from His Word. This is because God’s Word is not just a book, but a spiritual mirror that reveals our actual worth in redemption (Isaiah 14:24). However, it takes accessing our true picture from the mirror of the Word to operate in the realm of signs and wonders (James 1:22-25).

    What are our true pictures in redemption?

    • We are redeemed as spirit beings in human flesh: Remember, when Adam’s spirit was alive, he was a supernatural being. After the fall of Adam, his spirit man died. However, when a man is born again, his spirit is re-born and he becomes a new creature. We must understand that the supernatural is domicile in the spirit realm; but, until we are born again, we cannot manifest in that realm (John 3:5-6).
    • We are redeemed as spiritual lions to prevail where others travail: Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah and He said: As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world (John 17:18; See also Revelations 5:5). This means, we share the same DNA with Christ and as such, we possess the same Lion nature in Him. We need to recognize our picture as spiritual lions who have been redeemed to live above fear (Proverbs 30:29-30; Philippians 1:28; 2 Timothy 1:7). However, the freshness of the lion is in the freshness of the food it eats. Moreover, hunger is the greatest threat to the destiny of the lion. Thus, it takes fresh revelation from God’s Word to keep the lion in us alive (Psalms 34:10).

    In addition, we understand from scriptures that the Word of God is likened to water that reflects our true identity in Christ as we study God’s Word. A story was told by Kenneth E. Hagin of a lion cub that was captured and made to grow among sheep. It lost its “lionic” identity by virtue of its environment until the day it saw its reflection on the surface of the water. That day, it regained its identity and confidence. As a result, when other sheep fled at the appearance of a lion, it didn’t. This illustration helps us to understand that when we look into (study) God’s Word and believe what it says, He confers us with dominion over every torment of the wicked (Ephesians 5:26; Proverbs 27:19).

    • We are redeemed as spiritual eagles to soar where others struggle: According to scriptures, God is our Eagle Father, so we are His eagle children. Therefore, we are spiritual eagles, redeemed to soar where others sweat; remember, like begets like (Deuteronomy 32:9-13). No arrow can target an eagle successfully because it flies beyond where it can be reached. Likewise, no force of the wicked can truncate our glorious destiny in Christ (Ephesians 1:20-21).
    • We have been redeemed to operate in the realm of unlimited possibilities: We are spirit beings redeemed to live above human limitations. Jesus said: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father (John 14:12; See also Philippians 4:13). We need an understanding of our redemptive rights in Christ; otherwise, we will become cheap preys to the devil. Remember, before the fall of Adam, his spirit man was alive and he flowed naturally in the supernatural. The Bible records that he named all the animals and they bowed to his authority. Hence, our spirit man is the platform for operating in the supernatural. It has to be kept alive, agile, active and buoyant for us to flow in the supernatural. Interestingly, we build capacity into our spirit man largely by the revelation of the Word. Just like we cannot live a healthy life without good nutrition, similarly, we cannot maintain a healthy spirit without the Word of God. The Word is our spiritual nutrition that builds our spirit man to flow in the supernatural (Genesis 1:26-28; Jeremiah 15:16: Acts 20:32).

    However, to flow in the supernatural, you must first accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. Are you born again? If you are yet to be, please say this prayer and you shall be born again: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

    For further reading, please get my books: Walking In The Miraculous, Operation In The Supernatural, Releasing The Supernatural, Commanding The Supernatural and All You Need To Have All Your Needs Met.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

     

     

     

  • Rule with fear of God, Anglican diocese urges leaders

    Rule with fear of God, Anglican diocese urges leaders

    The Diocese of Omu-Aran, Anglican Communion has asked leaders to rule with the fear of God as well as initiate and implement masses-oriented programmes.

    The Diocese said elected leaders must work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them to remain worthy before men and God.

    The church stated these in a communiqué at the end of third session of the second synod of the diocese.

    The communiqué was signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev. Philip Adeyemo and chairman, Communiqué Committee,

    Mr. J.S. Bamigboye (SAN).

    It lauded the federal government for its anti-corruption and

    anti-terror efforts and urged it not to relent.

    It also decried the deaths of Muslims pilgrims during the stampede at Mecca and pleaded with the Saudi Arabia authorities to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.

    The synod also urged Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah

    Ahmed to concentrate efforts on the development of rural areas to enhance adequate food production and create jobs for the jobless youths.

    It also called on the state government to improve the salaries of teachers and civil servants.

    The communiqué said: “The Synod notes that a strong weapon in our bid to stamp out corruption is by compelling public officers to make their declaration of assets open to the public for general scrutiny.

    “It commends the worthy examples of the President and his vice and enjoins others to follow suit.

    “The Synod notes with concerns the call for fresh National Conference by ex-political office holders under the Northern Re-Awakening Forum.

    “Rather the Synod calls on the Federal Government to implement the Report of the 2014 national conference in which about 500 eminent Nigerians participated. The implementation will assuage all grey areas militating against our unity as a nation.”

  • ‘Happy to give back to God’

    ‘Happy to give back to God’

    Heaps of consumables here, some livestock and hand-made items there, parishioners in Aba, Abia State gave freely at their end-of-year harvest service, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    one woman rimmed her unfurled umbrella with crisp N500 notes. A man sweated as he wheeled in a barrow-load of huge tubers of yam and a bunch of plantains. Behind him, another laboured under the weight of a sack of rice. Further behind, more yams were on the way. That was not all. Some self-employed parishioners had no qualms bringing to the Lord a set of workshop-fresh furniture or factory-made footwear.

    It was remarkable harvest and thanksgiving service at Christ Holy Church International (CHC), Aba, Abia State which was attended by home and Diaspora members.

    Livestock, beverages, perishables and non-perishables were in good supply.

    General Superintendent of the church, Most Rev. Daniel C. Okoh quoted Psalm 117 as he harped on the need to always give thanks to God with a pure and thankful heart.

    Some of the parishioners who spoke to our correspondent said that they were happy and would not hesitate to give back to God during harvest, adding, though, that there is no gift to repay God for all He has done for them all through the year.

    They noted that there were people who had plenty but were no longer living to either enjoy their wealth or offer part of it to God. They described the opportunity of being partakers in the 2015 harvest ceremony as a privilege that they would ever cherish.