Politics – Naija Gospel Radio

Post-election: 3 things every Christian should remember

The 2019 general elections in Nigeria have come and gone. Although few seats are still being contested in supplementary elections, majority of the winners have been declared.

For some, our favourite candidates lost and for others, they won. This has been a time of despair and hopelessness for a lot of Nigerians. However, as Christians, a reminder of the past and a right perspective of the present are important as we move further especially in the political realm.

Here are 3 things every Christian should remember during this period.

God is sovereign

A. W. Pink once noted that to make mention of God’s sovereignty today, “is in many quarters, to speak in unknown language.” However, every page of the Bible reminds us that God is in total control. Sovereignty characterises the whole being and work of God.

He is sovereign in creation, salvation, operation, administration and leadership. Jesus reminded Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” Leaders have power because the ultimate source of power, God, has willed it.

For those who are disappointed, it is a time to ask yourself: “who do I really believe is regulating affairs on earth – God or the politicians?”

Hope lies in God, not in political structures

The first point might be a focus on those disappointed with the results. This point focuses on those pleased with it.

At the start of every new term, there is hope. We celebrate a new dawn. Finally, “the time has come when every of our economic and social maladies would be resolved,” we think.

How many a time have we been disappointed? Politics and political structures is a reminder that man cannot be trusted. We are filled with optimism, but in four years chances are that they would be dashed.

1 Peter 1:3-4 reminds us of a living hope safe and secure in God through Christ. The Christian hope is based on the historical resurrection of Christ. This reminds us that God has neither abandoned nor forsaken us. He is always with us and works with, and within us. We have every reason to trust Him.

Where does your hope lay – in God or political structures?

Pray and work

As Christians, we believe that God answers prayers. We also believe that praying does not negate our responsiblity to work with the resources he has given us and be faithful at that.

Hence, it behooves on us never to stop praying for our leaders – whether we agree with their policies or not. Paul writing to young Timothy said, “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men – for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…”

Nigeria needs peace and tranquility – peace in our land and peace in the hearts of men – without which development will be stunted. We should always pray for this.

As we look through the lens of today, the future might seem dim and hopeless. But we have a God who is fully in control. The past was in His hands, the present is being directed by Him and the future is known by Him. We can approach the next phase with this confidence.

God bless Nigeria!

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Adeboye Charges Politicians on Accountability

The General Overseer (Worldwide), The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has charged politicians on accountability.

Adeboye made this charge on Monday the International Conference on African Pentecostalism 2018.

He was represented by the National Overseer, RCCG, Nigeria, Pastor Joseph Obayemi.

The conference, with the theme; “African Pentecostalism: Probity and Accountability” took place at the Redeemed Christian Bible College, Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State.

Provost of the Redeemed Christian Bible College, Dr. Babatunde Adedibu, commended a book, “The changing faces of African pentecostalism.”

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Olumakaiye Inaugurated New Bishop of Lagos

Rt. Rev. Dr. Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye has been inaugurated and enthroned as the new Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

He succeeds Most Rev. Dr. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo, who left after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years, as Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus.

During his inauguration, eight Bishop of Lagos called on political leaders in Nigeria to give the younger generation a chance to rule the country.

According to him, “The only way we can move ahead in this country is to declare enough of recycling of older generation in political offices, because “It won’t help the greatness of this country, even as I have faith in the younger generation and I know that they will deliver.”

The former Bishop of Osun northeast, also enjoined Nigerian leaders to shun greed and embrace the fear of God, adding that there is still hope for everyone in the country.

“Our lives must mirror Christ and we should go back to the ancient path of obedience, dignity of labour, honesty, fear of God, love and also faithfulness in the things of God.

“By the time we walk on the path of righteousness, the light of God and the beauty of holiness will be seen in our lives by everybody and the society would be a better place for everyone to live,” he said.

The new bishop stated that as Bible-based Christians, The Anglican Church believes so much in the apostle’s teaching and the power of God in a Church of God, which must be spirit-driven.

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Udofia Accuses Leaders of Playing Irresponsible Politics

His Eminence, Most Revd. Emmanuel Josiah Udofia, Primate of the African Church and President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), has accused Nigerian leaders of playing politics with the lives of its citizens.

The clergy stated this in a chat with journalists from the Independent Newspaper.

According to him, “It is quite unfortunate that some of our politicians who claim to stand for fighting corruption in the country are caught in the same web. If by the way fighting against corruption as loudly announced in the country we still see this kind of things happening even from the league of people whom we think are fighting against corruption, then I can only pray for quick divine intervention in the country.

“I just want to encourage the true and genuine Christians as we prepare for the general election in 2019 to please perform their civic responsibilities by voting according to their consciences.

“I would like to charge our leaders and the security agencies to be plain and stop playing politics with people’s lives, we should value human lives and be committed to keeping them safe above everything else. A country that is not secure cannot enjoy the best from its citizens, please let us all join hands to fight insecurity without any tribal sentiment.”

He called on Christians to be responsible citizens by getting involved in and playing active roles in the electoral process.

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You Can be a Christian and Politician – Okeowo

The convener of Believers in Politics, Evangelist Kolade Segun Okeowo, has said that a Christian can be a politician without having a shaking faith, citing himself as an example.

He stated this at the inauguration of the Advocates for Right Leadership Association, known as Believers in Politics, Oyo chapter, titled The Emergence of Credible Political Office Holders: Our Joint Responsibility, held at RCCG Jesus Palace, Ikolaba Estate, Ibadan.

The Evangelist added that he has been in the political field for nine years and it has not affected his Christian life.

“I have been there for nine years and my faith is still intact. It is possible. I do my ministry, I do my calling as a Christian and Evangelist and I do politics. I believe strongly that a Christian can do politics and have his faith intact. It could be difficult, but it is possible,” he said.

He reiterated that the Believers in Politics is about sensitization and changing the orientation of Christians particularly those who think that politics is a dirty game and are nonchalant to it.

“We are going out to sensitize people that politics is not essentially a dirty game, but those who play it might be dirty. We are not particularly interested in any political party, we are non-partisan, we are interested in getting more people to actively participate in politics,” he added.

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Governor Wike Calls on Christians to Get Involved in Politics

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has urged Christians to be more involved in politics in order to facilitate the development of the nation.

Governor Wike send this over the weekend while speaking at a regional programme of Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Stressing that Christians should no longer be apathetic towards political issues the governor said,

“The Church must begin to talk about development, social, political and economic challenges facing the country. The Church must be involved in governance.

“The time has come for the Church to rise. If you keep quiet and anything happens, even Christ will not be happy. If you talk, you will die. If you don’t talk, you will die one day. So talk for the revival of the country.”

The event also included a conferment of life membership of the body on the governor and his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Banigo by the national president of the body, Mr. Ifeanyi Odedo.

Jeremy Lin Reminds Christians of God’s Sovereignty

As politics and sports continue to collide in the US, Brooklyn Nets point guard Jeremy Lin has urged Christians to pray that “we would treat each other with grace and love” and offered a reminder of God’s sovereignty saying, “nothing we see or go through is out of God’s control.”

The 20-year-old Christian athlete, who monthly sends emails titled “Jeremy Prayer Requests” to a group of subscribers who want to pray over his requests and send their own, began by saying that he’s thankful for his health, the chance to be a Brooklyn Net, and the fact that he gets to be in the NBA.

“Prayer requests for our team is that we would gel quickly (with many new faces on the team this is important), continue to further cement a culture built on team success and for Jesus to be a big part of our organization (that souls would be saved and disciples would deepen their faith),” he said.

This summer, something that Lin said has “really caught” his attention is how politics and sports are colliding. Over the past several weeks, hundreds of NFL players and athletes from other sports have opted to kneel instead of stand for the U.S. anthem at games, in protest against racial violence in America. The move has been criticized as “disrespecting our country” by many, including President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

“I’m grateful to be able to live in the US and be a part of a democratic nation and I pray that our country would unify instead of divide during this time,” Lin said. “Please pray for those in power to make wise decisions, and that despite our differences, we would treat each other with grace and love. At the end of the day, nothing we see or go through is out of God’s control and that’s a reminder I need to tell myself at times.”

Jeremy Lin also asked for prayer as he recently launched basketball schools in China in hopes of “promoting the game of basketball through great training, pushing the idea of being a student-athlete and sharing my values to the kids playing basketball in China.”

“Please pray that the schools would run smoothly, that the kids would love playing the game and that we would be able to touch and impact lives in a way that changes their character and mindset for life,” he said. “Thanks for all your prayers! It’s crazy, next time I sent out an email the season will have started already…Go Nets!!”

Last month, Lin told the New York Post that in the current “scary” political climate, he’s trying to figure out how to use his platform for good.

“It’s something that’s scary. It’s something that’s very serious. I’m not big into politics, but right now, I really am in terms of learning and trying to figure out how do I use my platform and my voice to take a stand? Because at the end of the day, we see a lot of injustice still, and things aren’t the way we thought they should be in America, or aren’t the way they wish they could be.”