Friday 30 June 2017

African Study Bible set to Launch in Nigeria

     No comments


For too long, African Christians have only had access to discipleship and biblical resources from a Western perspective. The heart and soul of Africa that influenced early Christ-followers from the Ethiopian eunuch to Augustine seemed lost in the past.

The concept of a study Bible specifically created for the needs of African Christians began in 2003 among African leaders, Oasis International and Tyndale House Publishers.

Missionary statesman Dr. Danny McCain led an effort to evaluate the understanding of the Bible by English-speaking church members in Jos, Nigeria and the potential impact of having the Bible in clear, modern language using African vocabulary.

Leaders from across the African continent in 2011 met and agreed on a study Bible, The African Study Bible to bridge the gap of cultural understanding   and relevance of the scripture to everyday life in Africa. The Bible is seen as a resource that speaks directly to the heart of Africans, revealing the truth and beauty of “God’s Word through African Eyes.”


Written in the New Living Translation of the Bible, the Africa Study Bible has over 2,200 notes and features that connects scripture to different cultures throughout Africa. Over 300 writers and editors, from 50 countries, from four major language groups, have all worked on this project to create the most ethnically diverse study Bible content to date. This historic collaboration has produced study notes for a Bible that truly reflect the many unique cultures that make up Africa—from Botswana to Egypt, from Kenya to Nigeria.

The Goal of the Bible is to have a Bible that:
  • Applies the Word of God to daily life.
  • Reclaims the African roots of Christianity
  • Explains Scripture in an African context, making it easy to understand.
  • Teaches an all-in-one course in Biblical content, theology, history, and culture.
At the launch in Sandton, Johannesburg, a gathering of Theologians from across the continent, president of the publishing company Oasis International Dr Matthew Elliott said “the idea was to publish a single-volume Bile resource by Africa for Africa would be a lot closer to the lived experience of Africans than the literature traditionally coming from say, the United States or Britain.”

“Africans from all over the continent were involved from inception to completion. In fact‚ South Africa was already represented at the first meeting in Ghana seven years ago. The result is a Bible that makes Scripture more relevant and applicable‚ and that reclaims the African roots of Christianity. To this end we have included unique content that highlight the role Africa has played in the Bible‚ and vice versa‚” said Elliott.

One of the Southern Africa contributors‚ Dr Elesinah Chauke‚ said that‚ to her‚ the project was an affirmation that the Bible was God’s message to all people‚ and that it was important that Africans would find themselves as they read and study the Bible.
The Africa Study Bible is distributed to the South African book trade by Christian Media Publishing‚ and is available to the public through CNA‚ other leading retailers‚ and online.

HYMNAL FRIDAY : There is a Redeemer

     No comments
 

There is a redeemer, 
Jesus, God's own Son, 
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, 
Holy One, 

Jesus my redeemer, 
Name above all names, 
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, 
Hope for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my father, 
For giving us Your Son, 
And sending Your Spirit, 
'Til the work on Earth is done.

When I stand in Glory, 
I will see His face, 
And there I'll serve my King forever, 
In that Holy Place.

Thank you oh my Father, 
For giving us Your Son, 
And sending Your Spirit, 
'Til the work on Earth is done.
There is a Redeemer, 
Jesus, God's own Son, 
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, 
Holy One, 

Thank you oh my Father, 
For giving us Your Son, 
And sending Your Spirit, 
'Til the work on Earth is done.
And sending Your Spirit, 
'Till the work on Earth is done.
Songwriters: GREEN, MELODY

Thursday 29 June 2017

ENHANCING YOUR USEFULNESS by Bishop Abioye

     No comments


In this kingdom, usefulness is enhanced by consecration.

Cleanliness proceeds usefulness.

While you require just faith to be saved, you require holiness to serve.

It makes no sense praying to God to use you – just prepare yourself to become fit for His use.

God determines your call but you determine your usefulness.

The requirement is simple – purge yourself to make yourself fit for any and every occasion. Ps.4:3; Is.52:11; Jer.15:19-21; II Tim.2:20-22; Zech.3:1-5-9

Wednesday 28 June 2017

Saturday 24 June 2017

Satanic Topics in CRK Curriculum , CAN Speaks out

   , ,  No comments

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, recently, demanded a return to the old curriculum on religious knowledge, saying Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, was bent on imposing Islamic hegemony through the new curriculum being spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Kirk Franklin Headlines Tim Godfrey's fearless concert

     No comments

Tim Godfrey and Rox Nation in collaboration with House On The Rock Lagos have announced that this year’s edition of  Fearless Concert will hold on Sunday 13th August, 2017. “Fearless is a gospel musical concert borne out of the need to create a platform to celebrate the work of Jesus on the Cross and the victory it gives to believers.
The worship concert which made its debut in 2016 with Marvin Sapp as its headline artiste had about 6,000 ardent worshipers in attendance.
Fearless 2017, the second edition of the worship concert promises to be even more electrifying as world renowned gospel artiste Kirk Franklin will headline the event alongside multi-talented Gospel artiste, Tim Godfrey and his Xtreme crew at the Rock Cathedral of the House On The Rock Lagos.
The Senior Pastor of House On The Rock Churches, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, speaking on the collaboration said “Tim Godfrey is a son and one of the icons raising the banner of Jesus using the tool of music and we are excited to be part of an historic concert hosting Kirk Franklin at The Rock Cathedral”
Tim Godfrey, writer and producer of the popular song ‘Na You Be God,’ also went on to say, “We are built to be Fearless” and this year is special for me personally because my music has mirrored Kirk Franklin’s. He is one of the biggest influences on my musical career. It is a great honour to host the great gospel icon. I imagine that the city of Lagos and Nigeria will shake for Jesus and lives will be transformed”.
Fearless 2017 will be a concert with a difference and you surely do not want to miss out on this exhilarating time in God’s presence.
Date: August  13th
Time: 5pm
Venue: Rock Cathedral of the House On The Rock Lagos


Source: SelahAfrik

Friday 23 June 2017

Hallelujah Challenge is Not For Fame

     No comments


The Hallelujah Challenge is Not For Fame

In case you missed the Hallelujah Live brief with @nathanielblowearlier this evening – here’s a summary of what he had to say… The Hallelujah Challenge is not for fame, neither is it for personal gain. It is a mandate from God and he (Nathaniel Bassey) is just a vessel.

Bassey said he has no copyright on the Hallelujah Challenge and he certainly isn’t trying to start a church. The Challenge is purely from a heart that wants to serve – he only derives joy from seeing God take all the glory.

Bassey went further to say that beyond all the miracles and testimonies, God is doing something eternal – something that will outlive generations. Government policies are being influenced according to God’s agenda. The effects of this revival will be seen in future happenings. Amidst the breakthroughs, there should be a consciousness of a higher calling.

Heaven has asked us to give God a Hallelujah praise. The Hallelujah praise is the highest form of praise where we let our guards down and be reckless, unbothered about anyone. The focus is solely God.You don’t have to wait for midnight, let praise come from you throughout the day, saturate your whole being. When we do this continually, we become powerful.
Jesus is being glorified in secular media. There is a soul winning angle to this challenge. People are coming into the consciousness that the God of the Bible is real. The challenge has crossed interdenominational divides, even people of other religion are a part of the revival.
PS: There will be a Hallelujah Festival on the 27th or 28th in Lekki, Lagos. Venue will be made public soon.

Olowogbogboro greeting to you!

Thursday 22 June 2017

Horatio Spafford, our modern day Job.

   ,  No comments



The author of hymn "It is well", Horatio G. Spafford (1828-1888), was a Presbyterian layman from Chicago. He had established a very successful legal practice as a young businessman and was also a devout Christian. Among his close friends were several evangelists including the famous Dwight L. Moody, also from Chicago. 


Spafford’s fortune evaporated in the wake of the great Chicago Fire of 1871. Having invested heavily in real estate along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, he lost everything overnight. In a saga reminiscent of Job, his son died a short time before his financial disaster. But the worst was yet to come. 

Hymnologist Kenneth Osbeck tells the story: “Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters as well as wishing to join and assist Moody and [his musician Ira] Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in 1873. In November of that year, due to unexpected last-minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He expected to follow in a few days.
“On November 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors were finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, ‘Saved alone.’” 

Spafford left immediately to join his wife. This hymn is said to have been penned as he approached the area of the ocean thought to be where the ship carrying his daughters had sunk. 

Another daughter, Bertha, was born in 1878 as well as a son, Horatio, in 1880, though he later died of scarlet fever. After the birth of daughter Grace in 1881, Spafford and his wife moved to Jerusalem out of a deep interest in the Holy Land. There they established the American Colony, a Christian utopian society engaged in philanthropic activities among Jews, Muslims and Christians. 

After decades of benevolent activities, the Colony ceased to be a communal society in the 1950s, though it continued in a second life as the American Colony Hotel, the first home of the talks between Palestine and Israel that eventually led to the 1983 Oslo Peace Accords.
On a personal note, this was a hymn often sung on Sunday evenings in my congregation as I was growing up. Its somber and peaceful music, written by gospel songwriter Philip Bliss (1838-1876) and named after the ship that carried Spafford’s daughters to their death, was spellbinding to a young boy. Yet I had difficulties identifying with the text in many ways. 

The hymn came to life for me in the summer of 1981. I had taken a group of youth to Chicago to work in an inner-city church that housed several congregations of immigrant groups. I chose to attend the Vietnamese service, which I was told consisted of refugees from the Vietnam War—the famous Boat People who had fled Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975. 

I hadn’t been back to the Chicago area since I had graduated from a college in a nearby suburb in 1970. During my time in college, the draft was reinstated, protests of the Vietnam War were numerous and the riots surrounding the 1968 Democratic National Convention in the city were infamous. Returning to Chicago 11 years later, the memories of the Vietnam War were fresh on my mind. 

As the Vietnamese congregation gathered to worship, they sang the same song every Sunday to begin their worship, “It Is Well with My Soul.” I didn’t need the words in English as I had memorized them as a boy. I was amazed at how closely this text, written over 100 years earlier, coincided with the struggles of these immigrants as they fled a hostile Vietnam in frail ships, miraculously arriving in Australia and other places. 

As the Vietnamese congregation, now residing in Spafford’s hometown of Chicago, sang the final stanza, I understood the power of a hymn to transcend time and culture to address human tragedy with assurance. Though the hymn begins with loss, it ends in eschatological hope for the day when “faith shall be sight.”

Hymnal Friday : It is well

     No comments


  3. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
  4. When sorrows like sea billows roll;
    Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
    It is well, it is well with my soul.
    • Refrain:
      It is well with my soul,
      It is well, it is well with my soul.
  5. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
    Let this blest assurance control,
    That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
    And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
  6. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
    My sin, not in part but the whole,
    Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
    Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
  7. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
    If Jordan above me shall roll,
    No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
    Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
  8. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
    The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
    Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
    Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
  9. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
    The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
    The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
    Even so, it is well with my soul.

Wednesday 21 June 2017

Tuesday 20 June 2017

Handling awkward conversations about love and money

   ,  No comments


Whether you are seeing someone, are in a serious committed relationship, married, or remarried, money is one topic that will keep coming up either in conversation or certainly in your minds. Have you ever chatted about money, even occasionally? At a certain point in a relationship, it is clear that things are getting serious, and that your decisions are starting to really affect each other; this is the time to spend some time talking about money matters and your financial goals.

Money conversations don’t have to be awkward. There is so much to talk about. Of course, it will be very odd to ask about money on a first date or even the second or third, but there are important questions to ask and signs to look out for once a relationship seems to be going somewhere. Money matters are a fundamental part of a relationship and having some alignment in this area will help you build a future together. Here are some issues to consider:

Who pays for what?

Societal expectations appear to want to keep chivalry alive. With the man being expected to
pay regardless of how much he has, should the man always settle the bill or should his date pay
her way? Should she offer to pay at least sometimes? Who pays, who insists on paying, who offers to pay and who goes to the restroom once the bill appears, says a lot about their attitude to money!

Talk about your future aspirations 

This appears to be harmless, yet it is a revealing question. Knowing your partner’s aspirations and dreams for the future can be an indication of how much they expect to be earning in future or at least it gives you some indications of where they see themselves. Where they expect to live, the kind of education they plan for their children, these are all fairly strong indicators of aspirations. Remember, though, that aspirations remain no more than dreams, if the dreamer has no clear smart goals and a detailed plan to achieve them.



Talk about your money personalities

Is your partner an extravagant spender? Being a miser can be just as bad, so watch out for both extremes. Do you spend all that you have? Does she save at all? There are tell-tale signs that show you how your partner deals with money. Does she insist on travelling only business class even when she is in debt? Does he live in an awful slum, but is paying a hefty lease payment for a car that makes him “look the part” but that he absolutely cannot afford? Are you the type of person who makes a budget and sticks to it? Some red flags might range from being completely at odds about how much the wedding should cost, to the man insisting that the woman must give up her career immediately and stay at home to look after the kids. Are you risk averse and have carefully built your emergency fund, with security being a major priority for you, while he would risk everything to participate in a ponzi scheme like MMM or other deals that pay 30 per cent a month!

Talk about your financial obligations

This is an area that can cause much friction. Are either or both of you in debt? It is useful to know how much is owed; what is the status on car loans, mortgage loans etc. Usually, a person is responsible only for his or her own debts, so if you did not sign the contract or loan agreements for your spouse’s debt, you usually should not be liable for that debt. In reality, however, things can be very different and debt collectors have been known to arrive at the family home to cart away personal effects including the car and furniture or even seal up the house! What are your responsibilities towards the extended family including aging parents and siblings? Will they move in to live with you? Is there regular child support and alimony to be paid from previous relationships, if any? 


Talk about your financial roles

Decide how you are going to share financial responsibilities, such as paying monthly bills and monitoring spending habits. Will you operate joint accounts, separate accounts or a combination of the two? Will you create a budget together or is it going to be “every man for himself?” Observe both your reactions when the money conversations come up. How are you going to split household costs? Is it going to be fifty-fifty or pro-rated and based on income? As a woman, will it bother you if you are the primary earner?

Money matters are often cited as being a leading cause of friction, separation and divorce as
matters are left to fester until irreconcilable differences set in. If you are planning to get married, discuss money matters early. Try and get a full understanding of each other’s money personality and financial situation. This will help you navigate your financial lives and help you avoid future disagreements about money. Outward appearances can be very deceptive; find out all you can before you tie the knot. There will still be surprises, but at least you can try to limit them.



Culled from Punch Newspaper Online

Monday 19 June 2017

Spiritual Classes of Food

     No comments


6 Classes of Spiritual Food


Living healthy requires we eat balanced diets from the 6 food groups in the same vein spiritual health needs to be balanced on spiritual diets also. It is important we do not focus on one food group or our favourite. We need to take a look at the spiritual diets and see if it’s balanced.

Below are 6 classes of spiritual food that will really help you grow well in life:

1) CARBOHYDRATE/Prayer and Fasting 



For Spiritual Energy. The energy needed for victories Christian living is gotten in the place of prayer. The life of a Christian is seen as race in Eph 9:24-27. Runners need energy to race the race to victory, this energy to our Spiritual life is Prayers and Fastings. They provide us with Spiritual Energy.

2) Protein/The Word Of God

For Spiritual growth we need to feed on the word of God. If in a day we cannot afford to eat our regular food it also behooves on us to feed on the word daily. Our growth in Christ is The Word dependent. 1Peter2:2 says “as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow”.

3) Vitamins…. The fruit of the Spirit (builds you spiritual antibodies).



4) FATS and OIL…. The anointing .More on your HEAD, less in your BODY. Too much of it in your stomach causes cholesterol which is pride.


5 VEGETABLES… Worship, keeps you spiritually fresh



6) Water … The HolySpirit. (Aids digestion of the word)


Thursday 15 June 2017

CNN SPEAKS ON #HALLELUYAHCHALLENGE

     No comments


It is perhaps an unlikely setting for a praise and worship session. But every day at midnight, thousands of worshippers around the world have logged on to Instagram to lift their voices in praise and prayer, united by one hashtag: #HalleluyahChallenge.

More than 60,000 people have joined in the Instagram praise and worship in an hour long midnight gathering, which is the brainchild of Nigerian gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey.
It all started with a simple post on his Instagram page on the 31st of May, where Bassey signaled his intention to start a 30-day midnight praise challenge throughout the month of June.
Even Nigeria’s expensive internet data costs have seemingly not deterred eager worshipers who have flocked to the livestream on his Instagram and Facebook pages.
At its peak on Monday, CNN observed that around 68,000 people joined the Instagram livestream, while over 50,000 joined the Facebook livestream.
Statistics from Evolve Press reveal 10,000 posts with the hashtag “#HallelujahChallenge” and over 18,000 with the hashtag “#olowogbogboro” making it the number one trend in Nigeria.
Bassey said he did not imagine the movement would become so popular on Facebook and Instagram.
“I had a sense which is the leading of the spirit to praise God the whole of this month,” Bassey told CNN
“Against the backdrop of the challenges in the world today especially in our nation, with the scourge of terrorism and the recession … it has brought a sense of hope and respite. It is a reflection of the desire and hunger for answers and for hope,” he said.
Bassey frequently shares testimonies of participants who say taking part in the challenge has yielded results and a change in their circumstances.
“He’s on course to build the largest congregation ever with 1 phone and Instagram /Facebook” said Facebook user OO Nwoye.
“One lesson I have taken away from the success of this #hallelujahchallenge is have a specific/consistent theme and go live at a time the audience would not be distracted. This has helped in the pulling together the mass compared to others who have tried adhoc live streaming.” he added.
The #Halleluyahchallenge has also gained the attention of popular Nigerian celebrities like Funke Akindele, Don Jazzy and Toke Makinwa who have also shared the hashtag with their followers.

Thursday 8 June 2017

The Significance Of Pentecost

     No comments
 Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, in this article we learn the Significance of Pentecost to a christian.

The Significance Of Pentecost In The Life Of Every Christian

After Jesus Christ our Lord resurrected from the dead after three days, he stayed with his disciples for 40 days. That is after Easter the lord dwelt with His friends for 40 days before ascending to heaven but on that fateful day (Ascension), He said, ‘But now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you’. John 16:5-7. He was speaking about the PENTECOST
In the same vein, in Acts 2:16-18, Peter said to the crowd, “No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘ In the last days, God says, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT on all people; your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.…” Acts 2:16-18.
Today, Christians across the world celebrate Pentecost. although not all Christians recognize this  HOLY DAY. But it is generally honored in liturgical churches (Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, etc.), in Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, and in many other Protestant churches as well. Pentecost is not as well-known or as popular as the Christmas and Easter, though it commemorates a watershed event in Christian history. It many ways, Pentecost is the birthday of the church.

efore the events of the first Pentecost, which came a few weeks after Jesus’ death and resurrection, there were followers of Jesus, but no movement that could be meaningfully called “the church.” Thus, from an historical point of view, Pentecost is the day on which the church was started. This is also true from a spiritual perspective, since the Spirit brings the church into existence and enlivens it. Thus Pentecost is the church’s birthday.
Acts 2:3-4 ‘Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of a fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.…’
I want to share The richness and goodness of this Great Paraclete, Counselor, Comforter through these seven gifts he gives among numerous others:

Wisdom: It is the capacity to love spiritual things more than material ones; it also means the want to understand God. It is the perfection of the theological virtue of faith.
Understanding: In understanding, we understand how we need to live as followers of Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live. The gift of understanding perfects a person’s speculative reason in the apprehension of truth. It is the gift whereby self-evident principles are known.

Counsel (right judgement): With the gift of counsel/right judgment, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Jesus Christ. It is the perfection of the cardinal virtue of prudence.
Fortitude (courage): With the gift of fortitude/courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risks as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or physical harm. The gift of courage allows people the firmness of mind that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil. It is the perfection of the cardinal virtue of the same name.
Knowledge: With the gift of knowledge, we understand the meaning of God. The distinction between wisdom and knowledge is that wisdom gives the desire to know the things of God, whereas knowledge is the actual power by which such things are known. The gift of knowledge is more than an accumulation of facts, it also helps us to choose the right path through life.

Piety (reverence): With the gift of piety/reverence, we have a deep sense of respect for God and the Church. A person with reverence recognizes our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, it is the perfection of the virtue of religion.Piety is the gift whereby, at the Holy Spirit’s instigation, we pay worship and duty to God as our Father, as Aquinas writes.
Fear of the Lord (wonder and awe): With the gift of fear of the Lord/wonder and awe, we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. This gift is described by Aquinas as a fear of separating oneself from God. He describes the gift as a “filial fear,” like a child’s fear of offending his father, rather than a “servile fear,” that is, a fear of punishment. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is the perfection of the theological virtue of hope.
According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, four of these gifts (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and counsel) direct the intellect, while the other three gifts (fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord) direct the will toward God.
(The Seven gifts was gotten from the Catechism of the Catholic Church).

Jesus’ in Couple’s Pre-Wedding Shoot

   ,  No comments

‘Jesus’ Appears at Couple’s Pre-Wedding Shoot

A Christian couple decided to involve ‘Jesus’ in their marriage by getting ‘him’ to be a part of their pre-wedding shoot. Lol. Do you agree that the concept is “too Christian” or you think there’s nothing wrong with it? See pictures below…



Monday 5 June 2017

Photos: Gov. Seriake Dickson And Wife Dedicates Their Quadruplets In Church

   No comments

Gov. Seriake Dickson And Wife Dedicates Their Quadruplets In Church

Bayelsa state Governor Seriake Dickson and wife, Rachael dedicated their quadruplets at the King of Glory Chapel in the Government House, Yenegoa.
Gov. Seriake Dickson and wife welcomed the quadruplets (1 boy and 3 girls) in September last year after several years of marriage.
See  pictures below: