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Tag: word

  • His Word and Your World!

    His Word and Your World!

    • Text:  Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Ecclesiastes 8:4

    Words spoken are very potent in the determination of the course of human lives, families or nations, either towards the positive or the negative ends. (James 3:5,6). When words are uttered, they have the capacity to become altars in the world space. In the face of the confessed Word of God however, the hitherto established altars of human words are altered, and the world is made a best place. The world of the Shunamite woman was turned upside down when she lost her son but her weeping was turned into joy because she trusted the Word of God that it shall be well, and it was well eventually, as the boy came back to life (2 Kings 4:18-31). I therefore declare by reason of divine commissioning that God will fully restore all that are yours to your rightful state and positions in the name of Jesus Christ. Please remember that, words can build a nation and also has the capacity to destroy a land.

    Are you experiencing discomfiting issues in your world through your words? Aren’t things adding up for you as desired? Are you grossly discontent with happenings around the country, with regards to the economy and/or security and you have joined the faithless in our space? Are you finding it challenging to make ends meet at such a time in the country, and considering the option of eloping from Nigeria called “ja pa”? I have good news for you dear beloved brothers and sisters, through the grace of the positive confessions of the Word of God, your world and our corporate world shall be a better place. The economic situation of Nigeria shall be revived and the present insecurity, more pronounced in the North today, shall be a thing of the past. Nigeria shall rise again in the name of Jesus Christ.

    The substance of the power of words is largely a function of who spoke what. King Solomon, a man who knew lots about power of words and authority, a man who by his word gave several legislations in Israel as king and no person had the power to contradict or contravene it, declared from our text that the word of the king is power. He also said that wherever the word of the king gets to, his power is effectual there hence he asked rhetorically that: who can question the word of the king?

    It is very important to note that you have a King who is the king of kings. I mean, a king with global jurisdiction. The king who takes the prostrate of other kings. The king who with His word overrules the pronouncements and decrees of earthly kings. Lamentations 3:37 says that, “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?” The Almighty God is the King who can kill and make alive. He can bring down and He can raise up. He can make poor and make rich. He can raise the poor and needy from the dust to sit with nobles and inherit a seat of honor and glory (1 Samuel 2:6-8). When this King speaks, the mountains move; when He raises up His voice, valleys are lifted and when He orders, rough places are made straight. His words are law. He said in Psalms 50:10-12 that, “every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.”

    Read Also: Tinubu writes House, seeks repeal, re-enactment of Student Loan Bill

    To enable you get the benefits of His word, the King of kings said in Joshua 1:8 that, “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written inside it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shalt have good success.” Beloved, a wordless Christian is a deprived Christian who is tossed about by the wars of this world. A wordless Christian is an unknowledgeable Christian, unfortunate and challenged.

    What you need to do that will make you to tower above evil words, free you from the challenges of this world, make you live a prosperous life and provide the platform for you to enjoy the promised Full restoration of the Year 2024, is to ensure that His Words are always in your mouth and confess daily only what is written and not what you are seeing. You must meditate in the word of God daily and do all His biddings. Please come to Jesus at this time of Lent, accept Him as your Lord and Saviour, have faith in His capacity to turn things around for you and allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in your life and situation. As the Lord lives, you shall tower above evil words, be above the demonic wars of this world and you shall testify to God’s goodness and faithfulness in the name of Jesus Christ.

    Prayer: Lord, help me by the power of your Word and restore us fully, in the name of Jesus Christ

  • A word for Oyo opposition parties

    SIR: A hundred men will only make an encampment; it takes a woman to make a home. Politicians in Nigeria are a funny lot; they have started the race for 2019 general elections. It is fine! However, it is difficult to ascertain the sincerity of their action on the electorate. We have had enough of chicaneries in the land. Unfulfilled promises and outright lies have continued to abate for many years. Hopes have been dashed; bridges have been built across the desserts.

    Electricity supply has been extended to the bottom of our rivers. Fake boreholes are all over the place. But the reality is that Nigerians lot is getting worse by the day – like abundance promised us is utopian.

    It is on the heels of all these that the coalition of opposition parties in Oyo State has been meeting and planning how to wrestle power from the ruling APC in 2019. History teaches man but man has ever failed to learn from it. In 2015 and before, there was a similar situation but things fell apart in the PDP camp. It broke into many factions with many if not all forming or aligning with other political parties thereby rendering PDP and its candidates naked. They had lost the election before the election day.

    We do not need a political scientist to tell us that Accord, SDP and Labour parties were children of PDP in Oyo State. It was alleged that Satan, the invisible foe of man was the agent sent by the unknown forces to dismantle them.

    Now, what can the opposition parties do in order not to let history repeat itself?

    If a spell of dying in the forest is cast on a man, he should not go on a hunting expedition to avert it. Leaders of these opposition parties need to pocket their ambition if they truly want to occupy Government House, Agodi come 2019. If any of them takes a hard line posture, it is a failure “ab initio”. They should pray against the evil force that makes a man act contrary to the established norms. Truth never hurts its teller.

     

    • Olatunde Alao,

        Akata – Ogbomoso.

  • Engaging the mysteries in the word!(2)

    Engaging the mysteries in the word!(2)

    Last week, we began this teaching series by exploring the Mystery of the Communion as one of the Kingdom mystery in the Word of God that helps us to command mastery over the issues of life. This week, we will explore the components of the Communion and how it impacts on our spirit, soul and body realms. First, It is important to note that the Holy Communion is made up of the Flesh and the Blood of Jesus Christ (John 6:53-56).

    Let’s examine the wonders in the Flesh

    • The flesh quickens our mortal bodies to live like Christ: The flesh in the Communion carries quickening virtues that quicken our systems into fullness of life. These virtues are also available to keep us alive and well (John 6:48-58).
    • It is the miracle rod that swallows every poison in our bodies: The Communion swallows every poison and arrow of the wicked in our bodies. For instance, we saw from scriptures how the Rod of Aaron swallowed up the rod of the magicians. We also understand from scriptures that Jesus is the Rod that came out of the stem of Jesse.

    The flesh of Jesus in the Communion is the miracle Rod that swallows every arrow of the enemy tormenting any aspect of our lives or bodies. Thus, when we partake of the Communion, those arrows are swallowed up in victory (Exodus 7:11; 2 Kings 4:38-41).

    • It opens our spiritual eyes: The Communion bread, which symbolizes the flesh of Jesus, contains eye-opening virtue that heals and quickens our minds and intellects. The Bible records: And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight (Luke 24:30-31; see also Romans 12:1-2).
    • It infuses divine energy into our bodies: When we partake of the Communion, we are empowered to live like Christ and according to scriptures, whoever sees us has seen Christ (1 Kings 19:5-8).

    What are the wonders in the Blood?

    • The Blood establishes our spiritual union with Christ: For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11; see also John 6:54-56).
    • We share the same immunity with Christ by partaking of His blood: Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53).
    • The Communion is a spiritual transfusion of the pure blood of Christ (white corpuscles) that fights against every attack on our health: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death (Revelation 12:11).
    • The Blood of Christ purges our conscience and sanctifies our lives: The Bible says: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:23)

    However, it is important to also understand that the Holy Communion has a three-dimensional impact on man. Remember, man is a spirit, he has a soul, and he lives in a body. The Communion impacts on these three realms by sanctifying our spirit, soul and body, thereby making us whole. As it is written: And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23; see also 3 John 1:2).

    How, then, does the Communion impact on these three realms?

    • It enhances a healthy spirit: Sin is a sickness of the spirit. However, the Blood of Christ, shed for the remission of our sins, is its spiritual cure. Moreover, the Blood is God’s last card in our battle against sin and it has the power to terminate every bad habit. The Blood comes in through the Communion to purge our conscience of every dead works and empower us to serve the Living God (Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 26:26-28; Hebrews 9:13-14, 12:22-24).
    • A healthy mind: And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight (Luke 24:30-31; see also 2 Corinthians 4:4).

    The mind is the eye of the body and the Communion impacts on our minds by opening our eyes to know, understand and comprehend. When we partake of the Communion, we are empowered to think like Jesus because according to scriptures, we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Ephesians 1:17-18).

    • A healthy body: The Communion impacts our bodies with divine energy, health and vitality (Proverbs 4:20-22; Jeremiah 15:16; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Hebrews 10:5).

    In conclusion, all our inheritance in Christ and everything that gives meaning to our redemption are packaged in mysteries. However, how much access we have to these mysteries from scriptures determines our level of command. Remember, you cannot engage what you have not found. That is why we must have a revelation of the Word to access the mysteries that will empower us to gain mastery over life situations. Therefore, I decree that God will open your eyes of understanding to access the mysteries that will terminate the struggles of your life in Jesus’ name! Remain ever blessed!

    Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. 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: Miracle Meal, The Blood Triumph, Breaking The Curses Of Life, Overcoming the Forces of Wickedness and satan Get Lost.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, 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, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Engaging the mysteries in the word!

    Engaging the mysteries in the word!

    We live in a Kingdom that is governed by mysteries and it is by these mysteries that we command mastery over the issues of life. As it is written: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:7-8; see also Matthew 13:54; Mark 4:11).

    But, what are mysteries?

    Mysteries are simply divine secrets embedded within scriptures. Paul the Apostle said: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8).

    Interestingly, mysteries are mostly authenticated by testimonies. Jesus said:

    If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him (John 10:37-38).

    Most of these mysteries may not be explainable, except by the proofs that they engender. For instance, how do we explain our translation into the Kingdom of His own dear Son? Simply by proofs! It may be inexplicable scientifically, but the proofs of our repositioning cannot be denied (Colossians 1:13).

    It is also important for us to know that mysteries are mostly wrapped up in biblical simplicities. That is, they seem too simple to be true. This is why many complex minds miss out on the blessedness of the mysteries of the Kingdom. As it is written: But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).

    However, every mystery must be received, believed, and put to work for maximum delivery. It is written: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

    It is also written: And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord (Luke 1:45; see also Deuteronomy 28:1).

    One of such Kingdom mysteries is the Holy Communion.

    What is the Holy Communion?

    The Holy Communion is a Kingdom mystery ordained in redemption for our total health and vitality, among other things. We understand from scriptures that Jesus is the Great Physician and the Communion is His great prescription that will always deliver the miraculous. Jesus said:

    I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world… Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed (John 6:48-51, 53-55; see also Matthew 9:12; Luke 4:23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

    By reason of the manna from heaven supplied to the Israelites, they knew no sickness or disease for 40 years. However, Jesus, the ‘Bread’ from heaven in a figure, carries greater virtue than the manna the Israelites partook of in the wilderness. This is why it is impossible for sicknesses or diseases to resist the efficacy and the authority of the mystery of the Holy Communion (Deuteronomy 8:4).

    The Communion is also a Kingdom toast for strength, health and longevity. It is written: For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (1 Corinthians 11:29-30).

    That means when we partake of the Communion without an understanding of the mystery or believing in its worth, it offers us nothing. However, when we take it worthily, we are expected to be strong, healthy and enjoy longevity.

    Furthermore, it is an eternal life medication that swallows up our natural life and infuses us with divine life, which is the God kind of life. Moreover, it is ordained for our justification against the accuser of the brethren (the devil) and it always leaves us with something to show (1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 12:9-11).

    Therefore, there is no medication on the earth that compares in virtue with the Flesh and the Blood of Christ from the Communion. This is because everything we need to stay alive and well is contained in it. However, to be counted worthy to partake of the Communion, one must first be born again. Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. 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: Miracle Meal, The Blood Triumph, Breaking The Curses Of Life, Overcoming the Forces of Wickedness and satan Get Lost.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, 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, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Engaging the wonders in the word! (2)

    Previously, we established that the Kingdom of God is governed by mysteries that guarantee our command over life’s situations and circumstances. However, these mysteries are divine revelations from scriptures that are wrapped up in biblical simplicities. That is why we must receive, believe and put them to work before we can take delivery of the wonders therein (Luke 8:10-11; Mark 4:11; Ephesians 3:1-5; Colossians 1:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:3; James 1:22).

    Furthermore, we discover that God’s Word is a spiritual mirror that shows us who we are, what we are worth and what we can do. When we catch a glimpse of who God says we are from the mirror/glass of scripture and practice same, we are guaranteed profitable living in Christ Jesus (James 1:23-25). Last week, we examine one of the scriptural pictures that validate our triumphant destiny in Christ Jesus.  This week, we shall explore more scriptural pictures which include:

    • At redemption, there was a change of position: The Bible says: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).

    When Jesus rose from the dead, every redeemed child of God became a part of His resurrection and is seated with Jesus in heavenly places, far above principalities and powers (Ephesians 1:20-21).

    Thus, by redemption, we are above the realms where principalities and powers torment people. When we catch the picture of our new position in Christ from scriptures, our confidence in God and in confronting the powers of darkness, is enhanced (Colossians 1:13; Psalms 119:130).

    • God is a consuming fire: From scriptures, we understand that our God is a consuming fire. We also understand that God’s Word, is God in print. This helps us to understand that God’s Word is a consuming fire that has unlimited capacity to destroy all forms of evil stubbles on our paths (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29; Daniel 3:17-28; Jeremiah 23:29).
    • Jesus is the Stone in Zion: From scriptures, we understand that Jesus is the Chief Corner Stone. It is written: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20).

    Also, when the Chief Priests and the Pharisees challenged the authority of Jesus in the temple, He said to them: …Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner… And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder (Matthew 21:42, 44).

    According to scripture, every believer is sent after the order of Christ. That means by redemption, we are made lively stones after the order of Christ and as such, we are turned into a rock of offense. Thus, anyone who dares to stop us shall be broken to pieces and those we confront, shall be grinded to powder (John 20:21; 1 Peter 2:5).

    We also understand from scripture that Jesus is the living Word of God. That means the Word of God is the Stone in Zion. When we operate in that revelation, the Word turns us into rocks of offense in Zion. This gives us another picture of our triumph in Christ by the Word of God.

    However, it is not enough to recognise the wonders in God’s Word; we must identify the channels of impartation that guarantee our triumphant destiny in redemption.

    What, then, are the Channels through which scriptural wonders flow?

    • Prophetic proclamations: The Bible says: Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy… (1 Timothy 4:14; Hosea 12:13).
    • Laying on of hands: We can experience impartation of grace and transference of spirits via laying on of hands (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
    • Through the prophetic mantle: God’s prophets do not only carry the anointing on their bodies but it also overflows to their garments. The Psalmist, speaking of Jesus in prophecy said:

    All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad (Psalms 45:8; Matthew 14:35-36).

    However, to access the flow of wonders in God’s Word through the mantle, we must engage the following:

    • Believe in God’s prophet: It is our sense of value that determines the flow of virtue. As it is written: And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward (Matthew 10:42).
    • Believe that the prophet is sent to us for a change of story (Luke 4:25-27).
    • We must believe that the prophet occupies a higher place than we do in God: Remember, water never flows uphill but downhill (Psalms 133:1-3; Hebrews 7:7).

    When we submit ourselves to these demands, we tap into the flow of virtue through the prophetic mantle of God’s anointed prophet.

    In conclusion, we must understand that every book in the world is made up of letters, only the Bible is made up of wonders. However, until we receive, believe and practice the demands therein, we are not entitled to the wonders embedded in God’s Word. It is, therefore, my prayer that you will be imparted with grace for a diligent search of scriptures, for the wonders therein to be visible in your life! Remain ever blessed!

    Are you born again? If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. 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: The Force Of Freedom, Breaking The Curses Of Life, Born To Win, Exploring The Riches of Redemption and satan Get Lost.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, 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, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Consent is a three-letter word

    THE International Women’s Day celebrated last Wednesday, among other things, provided several insights into sexual relationships between people of the opposite sex. There were several platforms of social change campaign on that day. The talks were so thought-provoking that the issue of rape or sexual assault does not exonerate legally married couples, let alone other forms of attractions. I learnt that even a marriage does not take away the emotional right of a woman neither does it impair her right of choice. The tagline is: ‘as much is your wife is yours, she is only yours for the asking’.  Therefore, you need a YES from a woman to cross over to that land, even though when signing the dotted line, she had ceded it to you.

    The magic word is YES. You may choose to call it accord, agreement, permission, approval, assent or in other parlance; password, gate pass, access code etcetera, they all point to consent and its three-letter word brother – YES.

    By the way, an incident occurred in the Big Brother Naija House last Sunday that resulted in the dismissal of brawny housemate, Kemen. He allegedly groped TBoss while she was asleep. This occurrence came handy for the organisers of the show to educate the other Housemates through a seminar titled ‘Consent is Sexy’.

    The two-woman team of facilitators took the Housemates through a lesson on effective communication and how learning to listen to your conversation partner was key to understanding each other and forging a meaningful relationship.

    I heard words like ‘saying yes to one thing does not amount to yes for others’ and I reason that a man needs as many yeses as possible to take a woman from foreplay to orgasm and vice versa.

    It was assumed that although TBoss allowed Kemen on her bed, put her head on his shoulder, got him to give her a massage, the latter should not have assumed that the former had agreed to his sexual advances. When the video of Kemen’s hand movement was screened to TBoss the next morning, she broke down in tears, saying she had been violated.

    Kemen was said to have crossed the line, as TBoss’ consent to him was not total. Indeed, she had declined his sexual advances on several occasions, and only lowered her guard to create room for an avuncular mien.

    The ex BBN Housemate agreed he crossed the line when he said, “I overplayed my game” in a public apology rendered to TBoss, other women and his fans on International Women’s Day.

    Sharing the apology via his Instagram account, he said further: “I knew that everybody was playing the game in the house at the same time competing for the prize. I realised that I overplayed my game which brought about my disqualification”.

    This was just as other housemates apologised to TBoss for their initial reaction when Kemen was sent packing. Kemen had dropped parting words that suggested he was innocent and the other housemates thought he was being framed-up by TBoss.

    Meanwhile, the facilitators sealed the day off with some pizza for all, and then left the Housemates reciting the ‘Consent Is Sexy’ pledge.

    It was the same feel everywhere last Wednesday. For example, an organization called Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), addressed the high incidence of rape and sexual violence of all young girls and women.

    Some notable male celebrities lent their voices to the Foundation’s campaign theme for 2017: “Be Bold for Change”, helping to raise awareness, educate and advocate for social change as it concerns women and young girls.

    One of them, Uti Nwachukwu wrote: “Women should be loved. Women should be cared for. Women should be treated with respect. Women should be adored. Women are the future. My name is Uti Nwachukwu and I stand against any form of violence and discrimination against women.”

  • Engaging the wonders in the word!

    Engaging the wonders in the word!

    God’s Word is pregnant with wonders. It is written: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Psalms 119:18).

    However, until we believe what the Word says about us, God is not committed to perform it. As it is written: And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord (Luke 1:45; see also Genesis 13:14-15; Deuteronomy 28:1-13).

    It is also important to know that the Kingdom of God is governed by mysteries, through which we command mastery over life’s situations and circumstances. However, we must understand that mysteries are divine revelations from scriptures that are wrapped up in biblical simplicities. That is why Jesus, while explaining the Parable Of The Sower to his disciples, said: …Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God (Luke 8:10-11; Mark 4:11; Ephesians 3:1-5; Colossians 1:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:3).

    In other words, God’s Words are mysteries that we operate to gain mastery over life situations. However, we must receive, believe and put them to work before the wonders therein can be delivered. That is why the Bible admonishes: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only… (James 1:22).

    It is also written: Meditate upon these things (God’s Word); give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all (1 Timothy 4:15).

    “Profiting” in the above scripture means wonders. It is important to know that Christianity will remain an adventure in frustration without commitment to Word practice. This is because only the Word we put to work guarantees profitable living (Wonders), not the one we preach or reverence (James 1:25).

    But, what are these wonders embedded in God’s Word?

    First, we must understand that God’s Word is not just full of revelations, but also of spiritual pictures. This is because the Word of God is a spiritual mirror that shows us who we are, what we are worth and what we can do. As it is written:

    For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (James 1:23-25).

    When we catch a glimpse of who God says we are from the mirror/glass of scripture and practice same, we are guaranteed profitable living in Christ Jesus. That is why the Bible says: Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14).

    Based on the above scripture, one of the wonders embedded in the Word is triumphant living. That means when we access revelation (knowledge) from God’s Word, we are divinely illuminated and empowered to triumph over every challenging situation of life.

    Let us examine one of the scriptural pictures that validate our triumphant destiny in Christ Jesus. 

    • We are turned to spiritual illuminants: By revelation from God’s Word, we are turned into spiritual illuminants and thus empowered to dominate the powers of darkness. For instance, when we turn on the light in a dark room, darkness disappears automatically. Similarly, when we walk in the reality of God’s picture for us from scriptures, we triumph over the powers of darkness, cheaply (John 1:1-5, 9).

    It is written: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. …Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? …By walking in that light, A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time (Isaiah 60:1-3, 8, 22)

    “Light” in the above scripture connotes the Word of God and “flight” means supernatural breakthrough. This means, walking in the light of scriptures empowers us for a flight and launches us into realms of supernatural breakthroughs. However, before we can begin to access light from God’s Words, we must first accept Jesus as our Lord and personal Saviour. This is what it means to be born again. Are you born again? If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. 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: The Force Of Freedom, Breaking The Curses Of Life, Born To Win, Exploring The Riches of Redemption and satan Get Lost.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, 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, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • True to their word

    True to their word

    True their word, the Benson Idahosa University (BIU) Law students have won the 6th International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition held at the Lagos State University (LASU). EVERISTUS ONWUZURIKE reports

    They kept their word. As they left their campus for the competition, they promised to return with the trophy. Students of Benson Idahosa University (BIU) won the Sixth International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition held at the Lagos State University (LASU).

    The five-day contest was organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). There were participants from 10 universities. They engaged in intense legal crossfire in mock trials presided over by a panel of judges.

    The participating schools include BIU, LASU, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Bayero University, Kano (BUK), University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and University of Jos (UNIJOS).

    The participants displayed their knowledge and understanding of International Humanitarian Law from the preliminary stage to the final. Each of the school was represented by a team of three students.  BIU’s team comprised Jane Iheaturu, Edward Osike and Love Babajide, all 500-Level Law students.

    At the final stage, BIU team was unanimously declared winner by the judges’ panel.

    Recounting her experience, Jane said the team faced stiff challenges during the competition. She said: “On the first day after the opening draw, we felt we had lost, because we were to compete with OAU team, which has history of good performance.”

    But according to Jane, the BIU team’s performance was enhanced by the encouragement given by the president of the school, Bishop Emmanuel Idohosa. The BIU team won in five rounds to qualify to the final.

    “Our success was a combination of grace and hard work, because we had already made up our minds to win the contest,” she added.

    Love was excited about the victory, saying: “We invested a lot of efforts, time, dedication and prayers into the competition.”

    He added: “We did not give in to intimidation brought about by the name of other participating schools, because we had the affirmation within us that we were going to win the competition. At some point, we became depressed, unhappy and almost gave up. But, we did not subject ourselves to a situation that would make us surrender. We argued out points, discussed the issue and proffered the way forward.”

    ‘’We learnt from the mistake of other teams and effected the correction into our argumentum and this made us improve by the day.

    ‘’It wasn’t an easy exercise, we had several sleepless nights during the entire period at Lagos State University (LASU), but we thank God for vesting on us the robe of success’’.

    Edward could not hide his joy over the feat. He said the competition presented a “great opportunity” for him to write the school’s name in gold.

    The lecturer, who supervised the team, Dr T.U. Akpoghome, hailed the university management for supporting the team, noting that the students’ “brilliant performance” raised the bar of excellence for which the school is known.

    Bishop Idahosa praised the team for bringing honour to the school. He said the feat would take the university to greater heights.

    He said: “We have now arranged a presidential banquet for the team to meet with the Vice-Chancellor (VC) and top management members. We will always celebrate students that are making the school proud.”

    In his reaction, the Deputy VC, Prof Sam Guobadia, said the achievement was an indication of the quality of teaching offered by the school.

    He said: “The management is excited about this and we must leverage on it for more achievements. I have always referred to our law programme as our pride and it goes out to show the world that we are doing great things here. With the feat, I strongly believe that the students would bring more laurels in future contest.”

    For the feat, the BIU team will represent Nigeria at the Africa Moot Court Competition in Arusha, Tanzania later this year.

  • Printed word beyond the spoken story

    The gripping collection of 10 short stories, Blood Will Call by Sola Osofisan, aptly depicts a committed soul laden with the call of writing by blood.

    Sola showed early promise while living in Nigeria with the unprecedented double-barreled winning of twin Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) prizes in the same year. He achieved the feats through the manuscripts he submitted which beat published books to the coveted awards.

    The books were eventually published by Heinemann Nigeria in 1991 as The Living and the Dead and Darksongs. The publishing outfit Malthouse also released another  of Osofisan’s book Darkvisions. It is noteworthy that Sola now resides in New Jersey, United States after his family won the American Visa Lottery.

    Sola’s vision as can be gleaned from the titles of his books is dark. In the new short story collection, Blood Will Call, darkness still rules the roost. The first story, “A Mother Screaming” is a heart-rending tale of a mother going into labour in the forest with her five-year-old daughter Ebitimi totally helpless. The stricken woman asks her poor daughter to flee with her new blood brother before the advent of the evil men of the wild who ensure that “she was dragged upright and added to the end of the jangling chain link” of the slave traders. Ebitimi bears witness to a reality that can unman the strongest of men thus: “Only the patch of drying blood on the ground was left of her mother.”

    The title story, Blood Will Call props attention from the oral to the scribal and even to the audio-visual. The story starts ominously at a time that “was not a Storyteller’s night” because the moon “clung desperately to the night, seemingly fearful it would lose its grip and plummet in shame like a fallen god …” Itanpadeola, the acclaimed Storyteller of storytellers, comes to the village of Ifeoloju to tell his stories only to end up in bitter disappointment. His lament rings true: “Time has moved on…” He opens up to his brother Ogunbodede that the modern times have overtaken them, stressing: “How can one out-talk the radio, out-dance their television, out-run their motor car and in the same breath out-electrify electricity? If you know the secret, pray share. Tell me, how?” It is in accepting the book of stories, Tales My Father Gave Wings, authored by his son Itangbemi who had gone to the city that he learns that “more people may be reading it and hearing his son’s words than he had performed before his entire lifetime on the road.” Crucially the one message the son sent to the father is just a word: Forever. For the celebrated storyteller of yore, the city beckons.

    Violence and desolation are twice-told stories of the oil-rich Niger Delta as limned by  Osofisan in “Shifting Sand”. Kalada is the tragic prop of a terrain besieged on all fronts as he bears the heavy burden of post-imprisonment: “Kalada pushed himself to his feet, still reeling from the ailments that had gnawed away at his flesh in prison. Each bone in his body cracked reluctantly awake to feel the half-blind sun. It had been a while since he had witnessed the morning a free man. He swallowed two pills from the small stained envelope the prison nurse had shoved indifferently into his hand as he was released the previous day.”

    The celebration of the so-called American Dream is never within the hemisphere of the characters that dominate Osofisan’s stories set in the United States. The American Nightmare suits their bill as in the story “Fallen” in which a Nigerian immigrant who speaks in “my carefully cultivated African American accent” is promptly laid low by the shady racist David Marone with the note: “You are not black American.”

    The longest story in the collection “Don’t Come To America, Emeka” is hip and contemporary, starting out with the exchange of text messages between two medical doctor friends, Dr Emeka Asike in Nigeria and Dr Uche Ofoegbu in the United States. Uche’s advice to Emeka goes to the heart of the matter: “Don’t come to America, Emeka. If you must come, follow the example of the Northerners; they fly in for a brief spell to study, negotiate a big deal or purchase equipment for their factories and before the temptation to remain here germinates, they are back home in Nigeria. I can’t say I have encountered a single Hausa man in the African markets or on a bus in the time I’ve been here. Not one. It may be that my current psychological state keeps me from the circle within which they thrive, considering they tend to have deep pockets and I don’t. Nevertheless, stay in Nigeria where your wife treats you like a king and looks to you to provide for the family.” He of course defies the warning and comes to America, but fails for a fourth time to pass the America medical license exam, thus becoming a woe to his wife Martha who is a rich qualified Nurse and family breadwinner. He hits the wife in frustration but the wife does not call the police. The poor soul cannot wait long enough to quit America and his wife and kids for trouble-strewn Nigeria, only he has no money to buy the return ticket…

    Osofisan has a gift for the demanding art of the short story. He can do arresting dialogue and delineates his diverse characters adroitly. Blood Will Call deserves celebration.

  • My word for Buhari next time we meet—Emzor Pharmaceuticals CEO Stella Okoli

    My word for Buhari next time we meet—Emzor Pharmaceuticals CEO Stella Okoli

    Dr. Stella Okoli is without a doubt one of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria and one of the most prominent members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). At more than 70 years old, Mummy, as she is fondly called by admirers, has not lost any of the traits that endeared her to many who have come to regard her as a role model. As far as such people are concerned, she is the Amazon of the Nigerian corporate sector.

    Okoli’s distinctive taste for clothes and accessories should ordinarily rate her among the stars of the nation’s high society. But for a woman whose main concern is how to make the nation’s healthcare industry better, her fashion sense, social life and style are often eclipsed by her concern for business.

    Of course, her sense humour is always on display whatever the situation. This much was the case when our correspondent encountered the woman behind the success of one of Nigeria’s biggest pharmaceutical companies, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited.

    From time to time, she would bring up a joke that would lead to prolonged laughter. But at the end of each session of laughter, she never missed the point. She would go back to the question as if there was never a break.

    Every sentence she made was interspersed with an admonition on the need for one to love one’s country and make it great. In fact, she is of the opinion that patriotism should be taught in schools in order to inject its spirit into young Nigerians.

    “Patriotism should be taught in schools,” she said. “This will make the people to know what it is all about. It is the same with corruption. The curriculum should explain to the children that some actions could lead to corrupt practices.

    “You see, some of these young kids don’t even know which action leads to corruption and which one is not. We need to begin with them very early in order to inculcate the sense of patriotism in them. We must end this cycle of failure.”

    Asked to explain her fashion style and how she has been able to combine brain and beauty attracted a loud laughter before she said: “It is the grace of God. But let me share a joke with you: they say if you are going out on a political campaign, you need to look good and beautiful in order to win. However, the truth is that the Lord has been very good to me. For everything He has done for me, I am really grateful. In everything that I do, I glorify God. You see, I’d always ask myself, ‘what is it that I do that He has been so good to me. I am sure the beauty you are seen is the grace of God upon my life,” she said before breaking into another round of laughter.

    For the mother of three, being in the presence of the Lord gives the most joy. Aside this, she says she loves it whenever an opportunity presents itself for her to help someone in need.

    “As a business woman, whenever you step into the factory, you are always distracted by one noise or the other. If it is not the noise from the generator, it could be you thinking of how to grow the business. But for me, whenever I am in the presence of the Lord, I realise that all these don’t make any meaning to me. I am at peace with myself and everything about me is peaceful. Believe me, that gives me the most joy.

    “Another thing that gives me joy is to help someone in need. Recently, I got a note that one of the children of the security man with us was in coma for two weeks. Unfortunately, the man did not bother to tell us. I asked my people to get a doctor so that we would know what was wrong with the child. What we found out was that the expertise to handle the case was not even in that hospital. And the child had been in coma for two weeks.

    “We took steps and transferred the child to another hospital where proper attention and care were rendered. You needed to see this man. He was happy. It really gave me joy that God used me to save the child’s life and to put a smile on the face of the father. It was an opportunity and I thank God for it. It is very important for you to be a problem solver and a change agent.”

    In furtherance of her dream to expand the scope of her company, Okoli said she was focused on ensuring that Emzor Pharmaceuticals moved some steps further by investing in research.

    “Our plan was to have started the research programme by now. We are still eager to make sure that the programme takes off. It is something that we need to do in Nigeria in order to move the pharmaceutical industry forward,” she said.

    According to her, the determination to be a change agent was behind her decision to award scholarships to students in secondary and tertiary institutions. This, she disclosed, is in addition to her donations to the less privileged in the society and consistent support for several non-profit making organisations.

    The Chike Okoli Foundation is one project that is very close to her heart. The Foundation was set up in 2006 to raise awareness on cardiovascular disease and promote entrepreneurship.

    “To date, the Foundation has set up the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and has trained over 1,600 entrepreneurs/students in the science and spirit of entrepreneurship. It has also reached over 5,000,000 people across Nigeria on lifestyle interventions,” she said with a sense of pride.

    Despite her seemingly tight schedule and education, Okoli is not one to disregard her people’s culture and ways of life. Among the Igbo, it is the tradition that grandmothers visit their children when the latter are delivered of babies and spend some time. In Igbo land, the tradition is called Omugwo.

    “I have gone for Omugwo. It is the practice whereby a grandmother goes to care for her grandchildren. Don’t forget that I am a grandmother. However, things have been simplified now. You find that children these days are so independent that even if you are with them, they may not allow you to do much.

    “But the truth is that tight schedule must not stop you from doing what is expected of you. If you look at it, you must find time to do what is important to you.”

    Asked what her question would be if she were to meet President Muhhamadu Buhari, she said: “I would say good to meet you again Mr. President. I met him during the PTF (Petroleum Trust Fund) days when I was introduced to him as the president of the pharmaceutical group. The first thing he asked my predecessor who did the introduction was ‘Why did you allow a lady to beat you?’

    “But I will congratulate him for having many women in his cabinet. I will also tell him that his wife, Her Excellency, Aisha Buhari, is a wonderful PR for him. And finally, I will say to him, economy and manufacturing can be fixed and that we must join hands and do the work, no matter how daunting it looks.”

    Born in Kano to the family of Chief Felix Ebelechukwu and Princess Margaret Modebelu of Nnewi, Anambra State, young Stella attended the All Saint Primary School, Onitsha between 1954 and 1959. She proceeded to Ogidi Girls Secondary School, from where she went to the Federal Science School, Lagos.

    Dr. Stella Okoli, OON is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, an indigenous group she founded 33 years ago, which has remarkably grown to have footprints in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

    Her romance with pharmacy took a strong foothold when she later proceeded to the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. She followed up with an MSc in Biopharmaceutics from the University of London, Chelsea College in 1971.

    Her love for pharmacy got even stronger when she began work in Middlesex Hospital as a Ward/ Clinical Pharmacist. She followed this with a brief stint as a pharmacist at Boots Chemist London.

    But the pull for the young Okoli to return home to practise what she had learnt was too much to resist. On her return home to Nigeria, she worked at popular Massey Children Hospital in Lagos before she eventually moved on to join a pharmaceutical manufacturing company as a sales manager.

    At that time, her entrepreneurial skill began to manifest. In 1981, she delved into drug importation and began the sale of ethical and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. This, she said “was intended to meet the health needs of Nigerians on quality drugs.”

    In 1984, three years after she started her drug importation business, she incorporated Emzor Pharmaceutical.