This Minimum Wage represents 66.67% increase on the 18,000 minimum wage.

So if you are presently receiving 99k your pay now will be 66.67% X 99,000 = 66.003.3 increase

99,000 + 66,003.3 = N165,003.3 as the new minimum wage.

This is party and candidate criminality in the most important platform, the Election, the only driver of democracy. Quit unfortunate!!!

Remember - No Evil Deed Can Go Unpunished, Evil Done Between Man to Man Will Be Redressed, if Not Now, Certainly later, If not by Man Certainly by God! For the Victory of Evil over Good is just Temporary!!!

The Bible is the most important book ever written. The one true God chose to reveal Himself to us through the written word. Amazing and humbling!
Yet sometimes we get it wrong. We misunderstand or misapply the truth God has given us. Although there are countless causes, through my experience I’ve seen two primary problems crop up again and again.

Perspective - Too often we read God’s Word with our own purposes and goals in mind. But the Bible is all about God. When we read it with His eternal purposes in mind, we will better grasp the truth of His Word.

Context – The Bible may have unlimited applications, but its meaning never changes. It means the same today as it did when it was written. To understand the original meaning, we must pull back and understand the context – of the passage, of the chapter, of the book.

Here are 10 verses that are often misunderstood due to perspective, context, or both

1. 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Many Christians claim this verse as a “promise” that God will never allow them to experience more difficulties than “they can handle.” Yet, the larger passage (1 Corinthians 10:1-13) deals with temptation and our ability to withstand it. God promises He will always provide a way for us to say “no” to temptation. In fact, Paul learned by experience that God will allow us to face circumstances “beyond our ability to endure” so that we will learn to rely on Him (see 2 Corinthians 1:8-11).

2. Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Misunderstanding Proverbs 22:6 as a promise has led to grief for many parents. The book of Proverbs is wisdom literature, which offers general principles for successful living. A proverb is not a promise. Instead, let us use it as a tool for wise parenting and decision-making, and entrust our children to our faithful God!

3. Matthew 7:1
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
Is all “judging” wrong? Jesus did condemn a harsh, critical “judging” motivated by a self-righteous, hypocritical attitude. But in the whole of Scripture, God clearly commands Christians to lovingly point out sin and exhort each other to holiness. It is not our place to determine their motives, but it is our responsibility to gently identify behavior God has already judged to be “sin.” The goal is to reconcile that person with God and others and to keep the sin from spreading (Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:5-7, Hebrews 12:15, James 5:19-20).

4. Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
If I find joy in God, will He fill my life with all the things I value and enjoy? Wait – remember context and focus. In this psalm, David contemplated the age-old question of why evil people seem to prosper while the righteous often struggle. David wrote to encourage his readers – and us – to widen our perspective, to live in light of eternity and to set our hope in God’s everlasting purposes. When we commit ourselves (delight) to God’s capable hands, our desire for the righteous to prevail will be realized in His timing.

5. James 1:2-3
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
We would think that James meant we could find joy in Christ in spite of our trials. That makes more sense! Yet, James really did say – and mean – because of our trials. While God cares very much about our physical circumstances, James knew He uses trials to refine our faith and make us more like Jesus. That is something to rejoice about!

6. Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Considering just this verse, we might believe that Jesus is with us only when we are with other believers. But the context of the larger passage is church discipline. When another believer sins, if he will not listen to one, two or three fellow believers should bring the matter to the church (Matthew 18:15-20).

7. Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Does God control all the circumstances of our lives to make things turn out great for us? Let’s take a step back to grasp the glorious truth of Romans 8:28. First, this promise is not for all people, just Christians who love and follow Jesus. Second, in the larger context, (Romans 8:18-39), Paul reminds us that although we must temporarily endure earthly suffering, God works through it to continuously work out His greater, eternal plan for us (Romans 8:28-30). The “good” God is working towards is not temporary, earthly “success,” but the eternal purpose of us being “conformed to the likeness” of Jesus (Romans 8:29).

8. Habakkuk 1:5
“Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”
If we read this verse by itself, we might believe God is going to do something wonderful and glorious before our eyes. Well, He definitely did, but probably not what you’d expect. God sent the prophet Habakkuk to pronounce judgment on Judah for turning away from God. The amazing thing God planned was to send the brutal nation of Babylon to conquer His people and carry them into captivity. This verse should stand as a strong reminder that God does discipline His children.

9. Jeremiah 29:11
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
This verse is definitely a promise. But it’s a promise for a particular people in a particular time. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God promised that after Judah’s pre-determined exile in Babylon, He would bring them back to the Promised Land. We often misappropriate promises. And while God does make a lot of promises to all believers, this particular promise isn’t one of them.

10. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 is probably the most misused verse in the Bible. We pull it out of the surrounding passage and hold it out as God’s obligation to empower our plans and dreams. Yet, Paul was writing about being content no matter his earthly circumstances. He could endure any difficulty or physical need through the strengthening power of Christ. Oh yes, Philippians 4:13 is a great promise indeed! Jesus will give us the strength we need to endure desperate need. His empowering presence will be with us through every difficult circumstance.

My little note to Mr. Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Your Excellency,

The recent heart wrenching incident of late Mr. Edward Soje, a director in the Teaching Service Commission in Kogi state betrays every attempt to deodorize your administration. I cannot hide my bias to put the blame on the state government. All the blame.

I fully understand that taking one's own life is not the way to go, and that the pain and devastation it has on the people left behind should not be an object of lame and banal conversations. In fact, it should not be weaved into unnecessary political narrative. But no matter how we look and feel about it, his death is political. For it has got to do with;
1. How he, the deceased, was governed.
2. Who was governor when avoidable deaths swept through the land.
3. The general level of hope in our socio-political atmosphere, and perhaps more importantly
4. What lessons the government under your leadership, has learned from the tragedy.

For the purpose of 4 above, and without being cynical, there is so many Sojes out there who may have bought their suicide ropes - but merely holding on to vestiges of our shared humanity - as their hopes of your government ever paying them their salaries and pension was finally dashed in that compendium of falsehood. The 72 paged advertorial is the real suicide note. It is therefore instructive for your government to promptly stop scouting for remedies in the dishonest Press but in quality leadership - beginning from complete payment of pensions and salaries.

As things currently appear in Kogi, the extent of this administrative catastrophe is historic.

For if GYB says: I have paid everything. And,

This is what the rest of us has to say: You are owing us too many months.

As one who believes in the mandate of young people, I am constrained to ask you dear Mr. Governor what more credibility is there for my call for youth inclusion? Or more closely, 2020? And posterity? Several millions of Naira was reportedly spent on an ad. It yielded nothing to you and your government other than thorough embarrassment. The masses will, in the coming days, months and years, be more enlightened to be able to see through media messages and things that are not consistent with realities and truth. 2020 will be one of such years.

Your administration says it has defrayed all salary outstandings, Soje was until his unfortunate death owed some fifteen months. Even a Ponzi scheme would not claim to have paid its subscribers when it has not.

Observers within and outside the state have a consensus that the art of governance is at its worst under your administration. I have records of deaths traceable to your regime. People call it Adoza's ineptitude actually.

But I insist this is not ineptitude. It is an expert and deliberate way of inflicting untold pain, indignity, depression and death on the hapless Kogi population.

This is not good. This is not fair. This is fair-minus.

May it ring out loud to you dear AYB that the implications of this very strategic failure is quantum? It huge. It is systemic. And far-reaching!

First, the Almighty who allowed the window through which you emerged would be thoroughly disappointed - except if he brought you to punish the people, this I doubt - at the quantum of woes you are dishing to Kogi people.

You have also brought untold shame to us both Anebiras and friends who rejoiced greatly at your ascendancy. Your occupying the Lugard House was to us a period to have our son positively contribute to the greatness of our dear state, since it was 'insensitively' occupied by our Igala Brothers since the return to civil rule in 1999. I ask, dear Mr. Yahaya Bello, would you in all honesty say you have treated the Civil Service fairly? Do you think you have done well? Certainly not with the number of deaths your administration has supervised.

As a youth, the prospect of a young vibrant (and handsome) person becoming a governor was a toast. This vast demographic across the country rejoiced greatly. It was pretty much the same way we celebrated your boss Mr. Buhari when he became president, sadly he is so overwhelmed by the Nigerian project in Abuja that you and your ilks continue to wantonly govern, misgovern- without any recourse to the sanctity and dignity of human.

You have thoroughly disappointed us. And that is to say the least. In fact, you have killed many of our parents. You have now emboldened the stupid argument that the Nigerian youth is not leadership-ready.

You have botched our chances to certain aspects of our destiny. Thank God we have a God who remedies all situations.

You have not done well, bro.

On the family fronts, health conditions are daily being complicated, families no longer have the financial capacity to enjoy basic healthcare. Marriages are falling apart. Parents can no longer hand needed rules/instructions or enforce discipline over their children. Many daughters have gone a whoring. Many sons have gone a thuggin' because the parents are being owed countless months of salary. The headship of homes are becoming a mere figures.

You are simply owing these folks.

You are owing them a humble and repentant heart. You are owing them unreserved apology. You are owing them their paychecks. Let's face it.

Let us face it Your Excellency, if this form of repentance is beyond you, kindly hand us your resignation.

Please.

Oshaloto, Joseph Tade. Is a strategic communication expert, he plays, writes and travels.

22nd October, 2017

The following are some Salient issues at Senator Dino Melaye Recall Process in Kogi West:

1. Locals were deceived that they were going to be given loan.

2. Some were given N2,000, N1,000,N500, N200, and food stuff

3. PVC were collected from some and given money

4. Some signatures were forged

5. Others collected money, signed and abscond

6. Some dead people's name were on the list

7. Sharing formula for those ready to sign varies.

8. The whole process was sponsored with huge sum of money running to billions ......

AN OPEN LETTER TO PASTOR T. B. JOSHUA
May 20, 2017

PEDULUM By Dele Momodu, Email: dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com
THISDAY
My dear Prophet, I’m very certain this letter must come to you as a big surprise. But that is the nature of this column. It is in the character of Pendulum to swing in the direction least anticipated. Today, it has chosen to navigate itself towards you, my dear man of God.
For avoidance of doubt, please, permit me to quickly explain a point so that mischief-makers may not attribute spurious motives to this epistle. I’m not a member of your congregation. I have never been. You and I have never discussed religion or worship. I have never approached you for special prayers or miracles. But I have been a great fan of yours nonetheless, for very exceptional reasons. I shall explain in a jiffy why I admire you warts and all.
No human being is perfect, and I’m sure that includes you, despite being a man of God. I’ve read and heard torrents of good and bad tales about you. But didn’t I read and hear a deluge of fairy-tales about our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, your overall Master? It is normal for human beings to concoct true and imaginary tales about newsmakers. You have been a subject and victim of such incredible rumour-mongering over the decades that I have known you. Some have alleged that you are not a genuine disciple of God. They’ve alleged that you are fetish and use native jazz to heal miracle-seekers. Some have even called your miracles mere optical illusions. That you are nothing short of a magician but these myriad of detractors have never diminished your popularity globally.
I have continued to marvel at your awesome powers as demonstrated to the naked eyes on television, and two or more conclusions have emerged. If you use juju or whatever power to heal people, then it is positive healing. We all turn to doctors, pharmacists, surgeons and others in the days of medical challenges. The drugs we take emanate from herbs, local or foreign. The Indians and the Chinese in particular have been much wiser than us by developing their medicine to international standards. I have tried acupuncture in my adventurous days in Dubai and London. There is nothing wrong if God has given you special access to the secrets of herbs and roots. What makes it even more remarkable and extraordinary is that you escalate and amplify every miracle of yours with loud shouts of the name of Jesus. You’ve never called the names of other Gods or even witches and wizards on the pulpit. There are always local and international visitors to your synagogue of God. None has ever reported that he or she stumbled on an esoteric shrine perchance.
In fact, you have been a major source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria. It is difficult to imagine how many religious tourists pour into your church daily from different parts of the world. I’ve travelled extensively in Africa and beyond. There is hardly a flight I’ve flown on, especially in Africa, that I’ve not encountered your sworn and ardent followers. They love you endlessly and swear by your name. Many of them are distinguished personalities, well-educated and intelligent and not ignoramuses as many may wish to suggest. Presidents have attested to your miracles. I will mention one very good example that I am familiar with.
Long before the 2008 presidential election that ushered in President John Evans Atta-Mills in Ghana, you had called me one early morning to ask my opinion and projection ahead of the election. I remember telling you that Nana Akufo-Addo was tipped and favoured to win. Your response was that I was wrong and that God was going to perform a miracle for Professor Atta-Mills. True, the ways of God are not the ways of man. You went all out in your support for Atta-Mills, like you always do for people and causes you champion, and he actually won the election.
I was pleasantly surprised when you called me one early Sunday morning to invite me to the Synagogue. You said you remember how you had called me to support the aspiration of Atta-Mills and the useful tips I gave. Now that the man had won, he was coming for a thanksgiving service in your church and you felt it was only proper for me to be invited to attend. The service had ended by the time I meandered my way to Ikotun-Egbe, but I was fortunate and happy to meet Professor Atta-Mills in one of the private apartments you keep for your august visitors. I sat with Prof and probed him a bit about why he had travelled all the way to Nigeria in search of spiritual fortification. He told me in clear terms that he was not a buffoon and that as a Professor he was expected to act on empirical facts and not on raw sentiment or emotion.
Professor Atta-Mills said you had told him certain things that could never have been guess-work. For, example, he said you predicted with mathematical accuracy the unusual pattern and direction the election was going to take, the controversy that was going to come with it and the precise date the final verdict was going to be delivered, and they all came to pass. He said man being a natural doubter of things unseen should nevertheless not discountenance reality in the face of obvious facts. He said he was convinced that God was truly using you and he had no choice than to return to the Synagogue and publicly proclaim the power of God that had made the impossible possible through your intervention and intercession.
Let me now go to the relationship between us spanning nearly two decades. How did our paths cross? If my memory serves me right, I was approached by one of your media aides at the time, Jide Oshokoya, formerly of Today’s Choice magazine, who said you would like to meet with me. To cut a long story short, I accepted the invitation with mixed feelings. You had been much maligned by your traducers that I did not even know what to believe anymore. But as a good student of philosophy, I chose not to be as paranoid and sceptical as the French philosopher, Rene Descartes, who went to the extreme of doubting his own existence. I was prepared to meet you with an open mind but with every caution in case your intention was to turn me into a church member.
We met at the appointed time, after waiting for a while in a small restaurant on the ground floor before I was taken upstairs by your female staff. I felt a kind of tremor around you as everyone around was awestruck by you. The first thing I noticed was your simplicity and humility. You wore a round-neck t-shirt on top of jeans. We exchanged pleasantries and you told me how much you loved the creativity and originality that you saw in Ovation International magazine. I was flattered. You asked how much it would cost to be featured in such a high quality magazine and once we agreed on the figure you instantly booked 5,000 copies to be sent from our printers in London to the church. I was deeply touched because you did not beg for freebies. Many of our friends do not see media as business. They treat us as lambs of God who carry away the burden of the world, the main reason many media empires collapse ever before they are built.
Let me reiterate at this juncture that you’re a good man for being such a sympathetic benefactor. I never imagined the extent of your generosity until the magazines arrived from England and I asked when we could deliver to you. You shocked me to the marrow as you told me to send only ten copies and go ahead to distribute the remaining thousands of copies through our extensive network and make more money from it. What occurred to me immediately was your native intelligence. Only a sagacious and visionary person would have understood that it was better to spread the publication to every part of Nigeria than restricting it to only church members. Let me say thank you again for that huge support at a time we needed it. I do not forget favours, ever!
You have probably forgotten the next thing you did for us. Soon afterwards, I got another invitation from you, which I gladly honoured. As soon as we sat down, you told me you were in trouble with your beautiful and humble wife, and I asked why? You said your wife queried why she was not featured in the Ovation International magazine edition that had you on the cover. You told me you were surprised because she’s too introverted and had never asked for any form of publicity. I noticed that most of the time she was mingling freely with church workers and the congregation. She never acted like a Queen or First Lady of the church and this endeared her to me. You informed me the only remedy was for me to do another cover in our next edition for both of you. That was how you became probably the only family to feature back to back on our cover. I returned to London and produced an even better cover.
Our friendship grew in leaps and bounds. Though we did not see frequently, sometimes for years, we regularly phoned each other and bonded like brothers. Anytime you saw some wonderful news about me, you called to congratulate and appreciate me despite your breath-taking schedules. The most superlative of our encounters was in 2010 when you heard of my Presidential dream. You did not fold your arms to watch me from afar. I had just boarded a flight from J F Kennedy Airport in New York when my phone rang and you were on the line. “Alagba, where are you?”, you asked in your usual caring voice. I told you I was on a flight from America to London, and you told me to see you as soon as I arrived in Lagos. I was greatly humbled when you said you wished to discuss my presidential bid.
I visited you late one night and spent less than ten minutes, or so, with you. You told me I had no chance of winning the 2011 presidential election but encouraged me to go all the way. You assured me the experience would be very useful and that I would remain very relevant in the affairs of Nigeria, thereafter. Such a man of wisdom you are, Sir. You came in with two carrier bags and you told me they contained your financial contribution. Months later, you invited me again to your home and gave me further assistance despite knowing I could not win that election. You propelled me towards my goal and did not use the excuse of failure to discourage me. You earned my respect.
Let me give one more example of your uncommon love for fellow beings. About two years ago, I had to undergo cataract operations in London. The surgery went well and I was recuperating when suddenly, I received a call from you in the dead of the night. “Alagba, I have just heard about your eye problems.”, you said in that calm voice. I replied the operations were very successful and was grateful for your concern. You offered to offset the bills and I replied that few friends who heard about my ordeal, like Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Tony Elumelu, Femi Otedola and Tokunbo Afikuyomi had all offered to assist. You still insisted on adding your widow’s mite. You texted repeatedly to ask for an account despite my reluctance. God will never desert you.
I have written all these examples as my personal testimonial to you. In a country where many try to hide behind one finger, I wish to stand tall and tell the world that you are a good man, even if others think or say otherwise. I have read that you wish to abandon Nigeria and migrate to Israel. It will never happen. You cannot and should not allow your enemies run you out of town. God has been very kind to you. Just look back and see your journey from way back in Ondo State. What more can God do for any man who has served him loyally and fervently like you have done.
My dear man of God, I align my voice with those who plead that you remain in Nigeria. I have chosen to do so publicly because I believe it is necessary.
You will see me very soon at your door.
All the best, in Jesus’ mighty name…

N-Power Job Application Portal reopens May 29,2017 | Application Requirements and How to Apply


Federal Government will reopen its youth empowerment job application portal at portal.npower.gov.ng on May 29, 2017, Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige said on Thursday.

He made the declaration at press conference on the issue of minimum wage for Nigeria Labour Congress.

Currently, the N-Power scheme, one of the four cardinal programmes of Social Investment Programme, SIP, is engaging 200,000 Nigerian youths in the areas of N-Agro, N-Health, and N-Teach.

N-Power is said to have gulped billions of naira since it started making payment December 2016.

N-power's first phase of applications commenced last year, when 200,000 applicants were shortlisted.

The government called the first set of shortlisted beneficiaries "first batch" saying more 300,000 names would be released.

The online assessment test conducted was characterised by several technical issues of login and submission problems, though.

But with the latest news by the FG, it is obviously clear that no second batch list should be expected by those who wrote the first test, but were not shorlisted.


What does it mean for those who applied in 2016 but were not shortlisted? 

With the new announcement by the Labour Minister Ngige, it means records of those who didint make the first batch were no longer valid on the Npower application portal.

It means they are free to reapply again. It means they'll have to start all over again. They should get their papers ready this time and avoid the mistakes they made during the first application process.

Can married women apply? 

Definitely!  The programme doesnt segregate irrespective of your marital status.

How to avoid mistakes during application process
1. If you've changed your name as a result of marriage, please make sure to it reflects on the certificates you'll be using for application.

2. If you've not done change of name, then use the name as it appears in your papers and in your bank account.

3. Apply by yourself, don't give out your name to cyber cafe person to apply on your behalf.

Cafe attendants are fond of making mistakes when they aren't supervised. If cafe attendant must do it for you, be there to correct whatever mistakes he'll be making.

4. Check and cross check why applying before you make submission.

5. One of the most important things is to ensure that your account number is active, and it's linked to your active account number.

6. If you're above 35years you won't be considered.

7. In order to avoid the issue of unmatched name, unmatched bvn, etc make sure you fill the on-line application form as your names appear in your certificates and bank account number.

You could face issue of unmatched name if all your papers, and ID bear Azeez Adekola, but you go ahead to fill Abdulazeez Adekola while filling Npower application form.
If your name is Kola, let it be if that's how it appears in your documents, dont go fill Adekolapo during application.

We have found out that more than 70% of the current beneficiaries who are faced with one issue or other are those who use names that are slightly different in spelling, yet the same meaning and interpretation. Avoid it.

The pictures here,

Everything you did not notice in Buhari's latest photos

After three weeks of being away from the scene, President Buhari has finally made another Jum’at prayer appearance. He attended the Friday prayer service at the Aso Rock mosque wearing the crispiest white Agbada you’ll see all year.

If like us, you saw the video clip posted by Bashir Ahmad, personal assistant to President Buhari on new media earlier, then congratulations to you, you know the real deal.


You definitely saw the way he was staggering amidst his entourage as he greeted other worshippers – #fans – on his way out.

But if all you have seen are the pictures posted by the handle of the Presidency via Twitter, then we are certain you are all “awwwwns” and “ooooohhhs” over how clean and crispy things look. It also means that you probably did not pay as much attention as we have enough to analyse what everyone’s expression in the photos say.

Let’s help.

Let’s start with President Buhari…

Do you see his fingers? Especially the middle and ring fingers. Do you see how swollen they are? Something tells us someone has been searching for veins around those fingers.

Look at the ADC!

He’s the lieutenant in the military uniform behind the President. Do you see the smile on his face? That smile tells us he’s extremely happy to see the President. If our guess is right, then the President may not have been moving around much within the Aso Rock. This means we aren’t the only ones who have not been seeing him.

Do you see Abba Kyari? The Chief of Staff is the only person who looks bored about the whole situation. We believe this confirms his status as a member of the cabal. At the very least, he looks like the only person who is not excited to see the President which can be interpreted to mean that he’s been seeing him the whole time.

Babagana Monguno

That’s the National Security Adviser. He’s the second to the right in the photo (on the President’s right). The Manila envelope on his tells us he’s ready to get to business. The look on his face says he’s probably thinking: “okay, you have shown your face to them. Come let’s go sign important stuff (stuff like sign Babachir’s sack letter).

https://www.google.com.ng/amp/s/ynaija.com/presidential-blog-everything-not-notice-buharis-latest-photos/amp/



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c--BOu54MxM

In Kogi State, Local Govt. Staff are owed 40 months or more for others, apart from those unverified .... Like seriously the State Govt had a prolonged screening exercise spanning through 13 months, even FG no dea do such ...

Answer: If the Bible isn’t the Christian’s source for morality, then the question needs to be asked, “What should be?”
The
Christian worldview is based on two foundational axioms:
1) God exists, and
2) God has spoken to us in the Bible.

If these two presuppositions aren’t the starting point in a Christian worldview, then we’re just like everyone else, trying to find objectivity in a sea of subjectivity.

According to the Bible, man was created in God’s image. Part of that image makes man a moral being. We are moral agents who make moral choices and are able to differentiate between right and wrong. The basis upon which we differentiate between right and wrong is our knowledge of God’s law, and that knowledge comes from two sources—revelation and conscience.

Revelation is self-explanatory. God gave a commandment to Adam and Eve in the Garden. He gave Ten Commandments to the Israelites after the exodus in Sinai, and Jesus boiled those Ten Commandments down to two essential commandments—love God and love your neighbor. All of these represent God’s revelation of His law, which is simply a reflection of His moral character to His people.

The Bible also says that God wrote His law on our hearts (Romans 2:15 ). This is conscience. In other words, even without God’s revelation in the commandments, we intuitively know God’s law based on the fact that we were created in His image. However, due to the fall ( Genesis 3 ), that image is marred and disfigured, including our conscience. So even though we know God’s law through our conscience, we tend to distort it to our advantage. That is why we need revelation.

The Bible, which contains God’s revealed moral will in His law and commandments, is His revelation to His people. As such, the Bible becomes our source of morality because the Bible is the very Word of God in written form (2 Timothy 3:16 ; 2 Peter 1:21 ).

If the Christian wants to know God’s will, he turns to the Bible. If the Christian wants to discern right from wrong, he turns to the Bible.

What happens if the Christian doesn’t turn to the Bible as his or her source for morality? There are many ways to answer this question, but the bottom line is we all tend to trust our conscience, whether implicitly or explicitly.

The human conscience can be likened to an alarm system; it warns us when we transgress our moral standard. The catch is our conscience is only as good as the moral standard that informs it. If it’s not the Bible, then we inevitably inform our conscience by various other means.

The current reigning “competitor” to biblical morality in our society is social consensus . In other words, our morality is shaped and changed by the culture around us. It should be easy to see that if social consensus is our moral compass, then we have built our morality on a foundation of shifting sand.

Social consensus is just that—a consensus. It’s a picture of the general social mores of the day. A generation or two ago, homosexuality, divorce and adultery were still not accepted, even considered sinful. Nowadays, both homosexuality and divorce are normal and adultery isn’t as stigmatized as it once was.

Basically, what we have with social consensus is what happened to the Israelites a couple generations after conquering the Promised Land: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6 ).

The people abandoned God, and within two generations they were doing what was evil in the sight of God.

So why should the Bible be our source for morality?

Because without it, we are like ships adrift at sea. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord said these words: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built His house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25 ).

The Word of God, the Bible, is the only rock upon which to build morality.

LATENESS TO CHURCH Ever since I was born, I have not seen many people arrived late to the airport when the person is travelling.

In fact, when the plane is taking off at 11:00pm, the person will be at the airport by 7:00pm, wow! That's how much people value travelling overseas!!

But on a Sunday morning when Church has long begun that's when you see men and women with 'swag' gliding like a wounded tortoise to Church.

They know they are late, but because they have a new Armani suit on and the latest Michael Kors bag, they want everyone to see it. Church starts at 7:00 or 8:00am, but people will come at 10:00am, why? They think that the Rosary and meditation is for the uncivilized. Just take the test to call them on Monday at 5:30am, you'll realise they are already on their way to work and some will be there already.

Know this today, anytime you go to Church one minute late, you have NOT attended Church at all. If Christ is saying 'where two or three are gathered, I'm in their midst', you think He comes late? The time you give is the time He keeps. What does it mean to arrive late to Church

1) Disrespect to Christ

2) Betrayal of Christ

3) Disregard to the Church and the Pastor

4) Interruption of an eternal Program Now consider all these, and tell me they have not sin.

Remember, Eternity's Flight is not a flight taking you to overseas, it's a flight taking you to Heaven.

Don't miss it! There are a lot of people who are planning to go to Church late this Sunday. Let this message hit them. Remember its an appointment with destiny God bless.

What Makes a Great Sermon?

Think about sermons you’ve listened to in the past that how they have impacted you. What made that sermon memorable?
It’s important to understand what makes a sermon ‘good’ because, as you will discover by searching Google, there are a number of differing opinions on what a sermon focus should be, how to deliver a sermon, how to construct a sermon, etc. The goal here is to simplify the understanding of a ‘good’ sermon and how you can apply it this coming Sunday.
We have narrowed down our research into 5 key elements of a “Great Sermon.”
1. The message should arise naturally from the Biblical text.
This is probably one of the most fundamental disciplines that need to be addressed. Beware of messages that are based on opinion or personal revelation. Our responsibility is to organize all of the information and be able to clearly identify and communicate the key point of the passage.
2. It is well organized, easy to follow, with one clearly communicated main point.
You may not necessarily have to limit it to one main point, but the idea here is to leave your audience wanting more after the sermon rather than feeling overwhelmed.
3. The sermon efficiently uses storytelling and analogies to emphasize the main point.
Stories are useful to paint relevant images in the mind of your audience and help them relate to the point you are making. Jesus spoke in parables that were relevant to the listeners at the time so they would have the opportunity to understand what he is referring to.
4. Meets the/a need of the congregation.
You are reading this article because you want your sermons to have some type of impact on someone’s life.
5. Motivates hearers to take action.
Having a call to action at the end of the sermon is a simple way to help your listeners remember what they learned. By applying the lesson throughout the week, the hope is that the message will have a long-term effect helps them grow closer to God.

omsal84:
I did not receive December and January allowances and when they sent me a message to go to my state (ebonyi) npower office for the update, they collected 1k from everyone who had same problem and another 500h for what they called digitization. But till now they have not updated the profiles...

Aba .... I have not heard this from any state participant except Ebonyi, na Wa o? this is not fair at all ... please tell us the officials collecting money from you



The English Premier League is one of the most exciting football leagues in the world. Thus, it is unsurprising that many Nigerians are addicted to it.

Every weekend, viewing centres are filled out with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City among other EPL clubs. It is, therefore, near impossible to end the attachment of Nigerians to the premier league. Nonetheless, Jumia Travel identifies 5 reasons Nigerians should stop watching the EPL.

The Nigerian League is now exciting and better organized Since the league management body started managing the Nigerian League, they have made concerted efforts to make the league more exciting and interesting. They have ensured that the stadiums are TV friendly and the players and fans obey rules and regulation. Most importantly, the matches are on Pay TV. This has encouraged players to give out their best and you now see a Nigerian league player scoring a hat-trick.

You get real life stadium experience in the NPFL To watch a Nigerian League match is very affordable and inexpensive. You don’t have to break the bank. Except you have a deep pocket, you cannot travel the England to watch Arsenal. So, with the NPFL, you can watch Kano Pillars live in Kano or watch Remo Stars in Sagamu. You get the stadium experience.

You can support professionally run private clubs Unlike in the past when the 20 clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League are government owned, there are now privately owned clubs that are professionally managed. We have The Mountain of Fire Football Club, Ifeanyi Ubah FC, and Remo stars. You can support these clubs because they churn out EPL like football week in, week out.

Nigerian Stadiums are safe Many Nigerians have the mindset that whenever they visit the stadium, they will be harassed and waylaid. This is in the past. They are now safe because it is now incumbent on clubs to provide security for fans and players alike.

We will support our own Nigerians don’t seem to support their own. Like they have a knack for foreign products, it is the same for football. Even the Nigerian Super Eagles team is coached by a foreigner. We stop watching the premier league and support the Nigerian league by going to stadiums to watch their favorite Nigerian club.

He has only 100 to 120 days, within which he must recover else declare incapacitated

Former Arsenal winger, Robert Pires, has said the Premier League title race will be over if the Gunners lose to leaders Chelsea on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s men are nine points behind Chelsea(), after their shock 2-1 defeat at home to Watford on Tuesday.

Pires said there will be little room for error in the remaining 15 league fixtures this season.

“It will be very difficult after the last game that we lost against Watford. It was terrible,” he told reporters.

“We have another chance next Saturday. For me this is a big final for the Premier League. If Chelsea beat Arsenal I think the Premier League is done.

“Chelsea play very well, they are a very good team, very compact. They have the Italian philosophy, they play together.

“Chelsea are maybe stronger but we need to believe in this opportunity. I think this is the last opportunity”, he added

STATEMENT
BY
H.E. SHEIKH PROFESSOR ALHAJI DR. YAHYA A J J JAMMEH
ON THE OCCASION OF THE ABUJA SUMMIT
ON HUMAN SECURITY DEVELOPMENT
AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE
THURSDAY, 27TH FEBRUARY, 2014

Your Excellencies, Heads of States
Delegates; Ladies and Gentlemen

It is with immense joy and pride that I congratulate my brother His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Government and valiant people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the auspicious occasion of your Centenary celebrations.
My delegation appreciates the warm hospitality and the excellent facilities put at our disposal for this all important event. I wish to express our gratitude to the Government and people of Nigeria for taking this bold and Pan-Africanist initiative to host a summit on such a critical and long overdue theme at this crucial milestone in the evolution of Nigeria as a geopolitical power House and in our common journey as Africans; about more than half a century since the advent of independence from colonial domination.
I commend Nigeria for the leadership role this great country has been playing in our pursuit of peace and security in Africa, especially in the ECOWAS sub-region. I recall that in May 2013 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU, we set ourselves the goal of ending all wars on the continent by 2020. It was during these celebrations in Addis Ababa that I proposed a decade of peace and reconciliation in Africa and my Government continues to advocate this position, because there cannot be any lasting peace in Africa if we do not reconcile our differences in a peaceful and harmonious manner. I am happy to note that the authority of Heads of States and Governments of the AU have adopted this proposal for a decade of reconciliation.
Therefore, it is indeed fitting that Nigeria has chosen such an apt theme as “Human Security, Peace and Development” for this summit. I take particular note of the fact that the sub-theme of security is qualified with the “human element,” because in a world that seems to be confused in its priorities, with some prioritizing the security and welfare of animals over that of human beings, it is about time that we as Africans set our priorities right. Human security cannot be attained, if we do not go back to the basics and reconnect with our cultural and religious values.
As Africans we have a golden treasure trove of cultural values that can sustain and enhance our security as a race existing harmoniously among ourselves and also with others. Therefore, we must reinforce our cultural renaissance by redefining our priorities, both in terms of the contents of educational curricula and the values we live for as individuals, societies and nations. I am glad to note that Nigeria happens to be one such country that is proud of her heritage and shine as an example for the whole world.
It is my ardent belief that negative external forces and influences mainly jeopardize the peace and security of our continent. It still baffles me that rebels on this continent that is associated with poverty are armed with the latest weaponry when our school children cannot get their basic educational tools in spite of lip service from world powers that pretend to care so much for our well-being that they emphasise the rights of a tiny minority bent on defying the laws of the Almighty Creator; over the welfare of Allah-fearing majority that chooses to live according to their cultural and religious values.
As I stated during the last Elysee Summit in Paris “Poverty can only be eradicated under a peaceful and secured environment.” Therefore, we should all continue to nurture the seeds of peaceful co-existence. Let me hasten to add here the need for a sharper focus on food security as well; in an increasingly dynamic and challenging global economic environment, food security is indispensable to national security. This being the case, regaining Africa's lost glory can only come about when we take full control of our Allah-given natural resources; process and sell them as finished products instead of continuing to export them as raw materials.
For this to happen, we must embark on industrialisation.It was a combination of the looting of Africa's Natural Resources and industrialisation that propelled Colonial Empires out of abject poverty into affluence. This can only be done, if we come together and speak with one voice ensuring that our resources are appropriated according to our own terms, and not on the dictatorial conditions of outside multinational institutions.
In conclusion, I once again salute President Jonathan and the great people of Nigeria on the occasion of their centenary celebrations. The Government and people of The Gambia will forever remain a sincere and grateful ally of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Black Africa's power house that has contributed so much for the liberation of the African continent and continues to use her resources to the benefit of less fortunate and less endowed African countries like The Gambia. We shall remain a true brother and genuine partner of this great country and her people.
For all the leadership role Nigeria has played in the liberation of the African continent from colonialism and apartheid to the maintenance of peace in the troubled hot-spots on our continent, we pray that Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'alaa continues to bless and protect this great nation. Nigeria has contributed immensely towards the maintenance of peace security and development in Africa and it has done so paying a high price in terms of both material and human resources. Africa and the civilised world will remain grateful to this country as a giant in the advancement of our civilisation.
We appeal to all Nigerians to reconcile their differences peacefully and maintain Nigeria as a strong and unified power house of Black Africa. There is no country in the world that is comprised of one region, one religion and one ethnic group. The beauty of Nigeria and any country for that matter lies in her cultural, religious and regional diversity. Our diversity should be a source of strength, unity and pride and not division, weakness and violence.
If religion is anything to go by, we as Muslims and Christians should understand that in the ultimate Kingdom of Allah, that is Heaven only the Almighty Allah would decide who enters Heaven.
Since our ultimate objective as Allah-worshiping Muslims and Christians is to be granted eternal bliss in Heaven, we must remember that we have no control over who we want to live with in Heaven. Therefore, we must accept that in this world, we should tolerate each other, accept our diversity, since it is the same Almighty who created all of us, despite our diversity.
The people of The Gambia, in particular, and Black Africa in general look up to all Nigerians to maintain and strengthen the unity, peace and prosperity of Nigeria as Africa's most populous Nation and Black Africa's power house. All Nigerians should understand that a divided Nigeria can only mean catastrophe for the entire black race. Please preserve the unity and peace of Nigeria and remember that Nigeria is bigger than any regional, ethnic or cultural considerations or interests.
May the Almighty Allah continue to Guide, Guard and Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I thank-you all for your attention.
-End-

Congratulations, what a great feat, she joins the likes of Stephen Keshi & others
But her own is AWCON not AFCON

It's unfortunate that this Jimoh Ibrahim intended candidacy was to narrow PDP chances, I have said it before his act at the eve of elections is tantamount to Kàkà ke Ku oje sese, aofi sawa danu ( it won't be yours or mine)...... Not the type of leaders Nigerians deserve and not the type of decision for our political emancipation .... It's evil, and the attributes of evil is betrayal but as Dele Giwa said: No evil deed can go unpunished, evil done between man to man will be redressed if not now certainly later, if not by man certainly by God ... For the victory of evil over Good is temporal .....

Can't believe you're gone, you were an epitome of godly selfless service, dedication and passion were defined in your character ..... Growing up to know you was a rearly forgettable experience ..... RIP

Nigerians learn, if all our leaders offer is secret alliances and loyalty to themselves we must resist them from going further ...... Same Atiku that was Accused of destroying PMB government is been clamour to be President .... Learn Nigerians from the past .... Learn from US 2016 Presidential Election nothing is impossible if we want to change

@Poster, these are just title, tell us the contents
#fightcitizensignorance

May God save us from the hands of those in a profession that don't have or know any standard of activities....... They are many around like that, they can't up their work .... Like bricklayers, electrician, drivers, mechanics, laundry, if you ever had disappointing encounter with anyone of them, knowing their ignorance LIKE

Lord Lugard, the former governor-general of Nigeria, in 1926, wrote his unfiltered thought about Nigerians. From his book, The Dual Mandates, come these excerpts: "In character and temperament, the typical African of this race-type is a happy, thriftless, excitable person, lacking in self-control, discipline, and foresight. Naturally courageous, and naturally courteous and polite, full of personal vanity, with little sense of veracity, fond of music and loving weapons as an oriental loves jewellery. His thoughts are concentrated on the events and feelings of the moment, and he suffers little from the apprehension for the future or grief for the past. His mind is far nearer to the animal world than that of the European or Asiatic, and exhibits something of the animals' placidity and want of desire to rise beyond the state he has reached.
"Through the ages, the African appears to have evolved no organised religious creed, and though some tribes appear to believe in a deity, the religious sense seldom rises above pantheistic animalism and seems more often to take the form of a vague dread of the supernatural. He lacks the power of organisation, and is conspicuously deficient in the management and control alike of men or business. He loves the display of power, but fails to realize its responsibility - he will work hard with a less incentive than most races. He has the courage of the fighting animal, an instinct rather than a moral virtue. In brief, the virtues and defects of his race -type are those of attractive children, whose confidence when it is won is given ungrudgingly as to an older and wiser superior and without envy. Perhaps, the two traits which have impressed me as those most characteristic of the African native are his lack of apprehension and his lack of ability to visualize the future"
Guys lets discuss the thoughts of Lord Lugard. he had a supremacist view obviously. But is he right in the way he describes Nigerians and Africans in general? How many of the issues that he raises are valid?
Letz get some responses

Never thought of it that you want to work for or in private school as a graduate. Also having been fully aware of the Nigeria economic situation, that decision should have been planned before now.
An average inflow during NYSC is put at 25k/month. At that level and your background, your expenses should not be more than 10 - 12k every month. So you can save up to half of your inflow for starting up a business.
In fact you can save more, depending on what you want to invest in ......
I am a testimony of starting up your own business and you stop been in the waiting room of better job.
Working with private school may not help to grow your career ......

Is there a such thing as miracles? Do angels really exist? Science seems to have logical reasons for unusual occurrences that defy natural and scientific law, but for the people of faith, scientific explanations are not necessary.

Some people of other religions believe that this type of unexplained phenomena is the work of demons.
Here are 10 controversial religious miracles and mysteries that have continued to interest people from all over world. You be the judge.
#1. Our Lady of Akita
In 1973, a Virgin Mary statue in a church in Akita, Japan began to weep tears after a deaf nun named Sister Agnes Sasagawa claimed to see a guardian angel. Reports of stigmata and weeping from the statue continued for 6 years on 101 occasions. Sister Agnes regained her hearing ten years later.
In 1981, a Korean woman named Theresa Chun Son Ho had a terminal brain tumor. She was miraculously cured after her family and friends prayed for the intercession of Our Lady of Akita. The woman saw visions of the Virgin Mary during her recovery. Her case was documented by Dr. Joseph Oh of Seoul, Korea.
#2. Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin is claimed to be the cloth that Jesus Christ was buried in. The linen cloth has a faint imprint of a man's face and wounds consistent with the crucifixion. Its authenticity has been questioned for centuries.
In 1988, radiocarbon dating carried out by Oxford University found that the shroud was only 728 years old. But a new study claims an 8.2 magnitude earthquake in 33AD that actually caused the image to be imprinted may have also skewed the dating results by releasing neutron particles from crushed rock.
The new theory was published in journal Meccanica
#3. Virgin Mary in Cairo
On April 2, 1968, people in Cairo reported seeing an apparition of a woman walking on the roof of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Many claimed it was the Virgin Mary. The apparition was accompanied by dove-shaped lights and moved about at high speeds. Some who saw it claimed to be cured of illnesses they suffered prior to witnessing the apparition. Large numbers of unbelievers converted that year.
The event was even photographed, and skeptics couldn't find any evidence that the photos were manipulated. The head of the Coptic Church declared this event as a real miracle.
#4. Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City
A peasant named Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin claimed that he saw the Virgin Mary. She told him to have others build a church in her honor. She also asked him to bring flowers and place them on his apron and to set them on hillside. He followed her instructions. Afterwards, he lifted his apron and found an impression of the Virgin Mary.
In 1981, the apron Cuauhtlatoatzin wore was studied by Philip Serna Callahan with infrared rays. Callahan reported that Virgin Mary's face, hands and robe were painted in one step without sketches or paintbrush strokes.
In 1936, Nobel Chemistry prize recipient Richard Kuhn examined the apron and said that the coloring used was not from a vegetable, mineral or animal source.
Studies started in 1956 to 2001 by several ophthalmologists, including Dr. Javier Torroella Bueno and Dr. José Aste Tonsmann. They claim to have found images reflected in the eyes of the Virgin Mary after the photograph was amplified 2,500 times. Her pupils reflect a group of Franciscans and Native Americans...
#5. Six children of Medjugorje
On June 24, 1981, six children, Ivan, Jakov, Marija, Mirjana, Vicka, and Ivanka, in the small town of Medjugorje reported seeing the Virgin Mary. The children are considered visionaries and the Virgin Mary continues to visit them regularly to give each child a total of ten secrets or happenings that will occur on earth in the future. Once they each have been given all of her messages she will no longer appear to them.
A shrine in Medjugorje marks the spot where the Virgin Mary first appeared and has attracted 40 million visitors of all faiths since 1981. Countless stories have been reported of people who were physically or mentally ill prior to visiting the town and have since converted and healed from their illnesses.
#6. Miracle of the sun in Fatima, Portugal
In 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, some children claimed that they saw the Virgin Mary. They reported that she told them that a miracle would happen on October 13th of that year. Around noon of October 13th, the sun appeared to turn into a spinning disc as thousands of people gathered to witness the event.
Some say it was nothing more than a sundog, but that day was officially accepted as a miracle of by the Roman Catholic Church on October 13,1930.

#7. The blood of Saint Januarius
The Cathedral of Naples holds a vial of blood from Saint Januarius, an early Christian martyr. People gather and pray while the resident cardinal holds the vial of dried blood that liquefies. This has happened 18 times each year for the past 600 years.
#8. St. Joseph of Cupertino
According to legend, in the 1600's, Saint Joseph of Cupertino hovered over a crowd as part of a religious trance. This happened multiple times. Saint Joseph was declared the patron saint of air travelers, astronauts, aviators, and people with mental handicaps... orward and said that they experienced stigmata, or injuries similar to that which Jesus Christ received during the crucifixion. Saint Francis of Assisi was the first recorded stigmatic in Christian history.
The most famous case was that of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. He suffered wounds that would bleed and heal and then occur again. Pio reported stigmata for fifty years and was studied by several 20th century physicians.
On June 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II declared Padre Pio a saint.
#10. Saint Bernadette Soubirous
Saint Bernadette Soubirous' fame began when she was just 14 years old. She reported seeing the Virgin Mary, now known as the Lady of Lourdes. The apparition appeared in front of her on 18 different occasions. The Virgin Mary asked her to have a shrine built, which is a popular Christian pilgrimage spot. It attracts millions of visitors each year. Some visitors have reported spontaneous miracles of healing.
In 1878, Saint Bernadette Soubirous died of tuberculosis. Her body was exumed three times as part of the canonization process in 1909, 1919, and 1925. Her body did not decay and she pronounced incorrupt by the church. Her body is on display at the Chapel of Saint Gidard at the Sisters of Charity in Nevers.
The incorruptible bodies of some saints are said to have a sweet scent, remain flexible and look very lifelike many years after their death.

The Padding Alarmist 001 of House of Rep and The Impregnating Rapist of Senate, both of Nigeria's National Assembly. I hail ooo ..... How ministry?

Hahaaaa .... Also in Edo PDP is recruiting APC members as agents ...... violent free election is paramount

Planning a Worship Service
We serve a God who is worthy of worship and praise, and we must wisely consider three factors in planning worship.

I've always loved worship.
As a failed worship leader (every church planter has to play guitar, right?), I found worship both meaningful and powerful. Some of those times are when I am by myself—worship dominates my personal prayer time. Then there is corporate worship, which can be a great opportunity, but also a great challenge at times.
For many of us, few things are as meaningful and formative as moments spent in corporate worship. Churches spend countless hours and dollars to create environments where voices can be raised in song and hearts lifted in prayer.
My church intentionally plans and, probably, so does yours.
The prominence of worship in our churches is no accident.
The prominence of worship in our churches is no accident. We serve a God who is worthy of worship and praise. In the Old Testament, they prepared and planned for worship and we should do no less. Often, though, these times of praise and worship become forums driven by consumerism rather than gratitude, and opinion rather than orthodoxy.
Much can be said about worship and I won't say it all here, but I've been thinking about some of the challenges in planning worship services. In my view, churches that embrace God-centered worship are thinking through ways to encourage people to engage in biblical worship.
To do that, I encourage you to consider three questions:
1. What does the Bible say to include in your worship?
Instead of asking, "What could we include?" start with what must be a part of corporate worship according to the scriptures (singing, teaching, reading of scripture, ordinances, etc.) and go from there. Worship is not just our whim—the Bible gives us instruction about what should be a part of our gathered worship expression.
Certainly, part of that includes the music we include and sing. That, too, requires consideration.
In seeking to determine what is the right music for a church, it is important that we apply biblical principles to evaluate our music. That is not always easy, as the Bible contains no music notes and God indicates no musical preferences.
It seems odd to hear Christians today insist that a certain style of music is best or act as if the recent "Worship Wars" were an anomaly in church history. Any Christian who knows our past would know that neither of those is the case.
One way we can avoid some of these conflicts is to educate our churches on exactly what the Bible says about worship and move from that shared foundation.
2. How can I engage in biblically commanded worship in culturally appropriate ways?
Rather than asking, "What would be trendy?" consider what would be appropriate for the culture in which God has placed you. Don't do a thing just because you can or because you always have, but do what you do in culturally relevant ways—musical style, timing, format, etc.
I appreciate pastors and worship leaders who find ways to incorporate creative elements into a worship service.
As one who enjoys worship in its many forms, I appreciate pastors and worship leaders who find ways to incorporate creative elements into a worship service. They find what is biblcal and commanded, do that, and then think through how to best lead people to engage in those practices. I appreciate efforts that hold history in one hand and current culture in the other, lifting both hands up to the One who was and is and is to come.
When you or your church is crafting worship and music, it is important that you think through the issues or contextualization and theology. There must be a balance in your music and your methodology. You may have the freedom to choose, but use discernment to choose wisely.
3. What will help people in this culture and time worship in Spirit and Truth?
Don't ask, "What do I like?" because it is impossible to please everyone. Ultimately, someone in your church is going to sacrifice their preferences so ask what fits best in your community and (after answering questions 1 and 2) go with that.
Disappointingly, music can be one of the most controversial issues in the body of Christ. Each person has his or her own unique taste. Christians listen to, enjoy, and are edified by all types of music. Yet when they demand their preferences over the preference of others, worship becomes about me rather than He.
In addition, many 21st century churches are torn between the generations present in their congregation and the culture outside of their walls. They strive to appeal to both, and often in their zeal to be relevant they lose sight of the object of their worship. Others choose comfort over culture and are content to turn a blind eye to the call to contextualize. It's a tricky balance, but one worth finding.
The purpose of our worship services
Any musical style or worship model must take into account that the audience of Christian worship and the object of Christian worship should be the same. If we craft our worship for a human audience rather than a Divine audience we often fall into worshipping the human rather than the Divine.
To avoid the pitfalls, connect with culture, remain biblical and point to Christ, it takes work. It's worth the time and planning, however, to do worship right. With a humble spirit focused on others, and a worshipful spirit desiring to honor God, worship can (and will be) biblical, meaningful, and powerful.