PEACE BE UNTO YOU (Sunday 31-05-2015)

FOUNTAIN OF GRACE CHURCH OF GOD

MADRID-SPAIN.

HOST PASTOR: PASTOR DANIEL OBIDIEGWU.

TEL: +34632875301 (FOR COUNSELLING & PRAYERS.

Beloved, peace of God is the foundation of all Godly blessings, be it spiritual, physical or of the soul, love peace, live in peace and be an agent of peace in words and deed; Shalom.

Text: Luke 24:36.

Pastor Daniel

Today in these four  words the Lord is saluting us, absolving us from guilty feeling, reassuring us with His presence, blessing us and directing us. 

Jesus introduced Himself to His disciples saying, “Peace be unto you.” It was His good wish—more, it was His fervent prayer! He breathed peace upon them expressive of His goodwill, His love, His intense desire for their highest good.

 Peace is the highest gift He can impart. Said the apostle, “Grace, mercy, and peace be with all them that love the Lord Jesus Christ.” He had given them grace and mercy—He now gives them the highest benediction, peace! Did He not mean more than that? In a second light it was a benediction. “Peace be unto you.” He had been into the invisible world and He had returned from it—and He tells them that there was peace reserved for them. He had passed the veil with His own blood. He had offered up His sacrifice. He had said, “It is finished.” He had received the token that it was finished by His being raised from the dead. And now He comes to them with the marks of His crucifixion still upon Him, and He tells them there is peace—it is done—“The war is over, the conflict s concluded—My bloody sacrifice and glorious resurrection have made peace between you and God.” “Peace be unto you.” It is the declaration of what He had seen and heard of the Father as the result of His death; a benediction and a declaration.  

Peace be unto you from master Jesus is also an absolution of our sins which are many just as the disciples denied Him and went into hiding, yet He was able to absolve them in these words. Remember that these were them who had forsaken Him—there was one who had denied Him! Out of them all, there was no faithful spirit there at all who proved to be faithful in the hour of danger.

 Like cowards, each one had cared for himself and deserted his Lord. They had slept while He agonized. They had retreated while He advanced. They had, every man, left their Master to seek each man his own. And now what does He say to them? 

Do they stand as culprits? 

Is He about to accuse them? 

Do they stand as deserters? 

Is He, as a captain, about to condemn them? 

No, that one word seems to say, “It is forgotten. It is forgiven.” 

My only word to you is, peace, peace, peace. I know your weaknesses. I know your deep regret. I know how you lament that you served Me thus—regret no more, at least be not depressed with such regrets, for lo, My only return to you is this, I give you My, “Salem,” My salutation—My word of goodwill, My sweet word of love. I have not revoked My legacy, though I might well have destroyed My last will and testament. 

I said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you.” I confirm that will now, risen from the dead. You shall see I have not cut you off from My affectionate regard. I, risen from the dead, declare what I declared when your love was warm and your resolution was rather to die with me than to desert me. I give you the same as I gave you then, “Peace be unto you.”  

When did Jesus stand in the midst of His disciples? 

He came when they were quite unworthy of His coming-  Cowardly—they had deserted Him! But though there was no one there that could have even thought, much less said, “I deserve the Master’s company,” yet He came. 

Oh, I think we are, many of us, in the same plight. Looking back upon the past, we cannot feel that we deserve any love visits from the Savior. We dare not put up a plea on that ground. We are very unworthy—we are very unworthy—but that is no reason why He should not come. They were unworthy, but He stood in their midst and said, “Peace.”  

Now note, next, that they were very unprepared. They were not looking for Him! They had not come together that night with any expectation of seeing Him, you might have come without expectation but yet will He speak peace unto you today ?

Note, further, that our Lord came to them when they greatly needed Him. They had got into a disorganized, demoralized state as a group and they were, every one of them, almost ready to give up their faith. The third day had passed, and they had not yet believed in His resurrection, though it had been witnessed to them. They were foolish and slow of heart, and I do not know what they might have done the next day, for he that is slow of heart and unbelieving today may go to something worse, if worse may be, tomorrow! And they needed Him—they needed Him and there He was in the midst of them! 

Courage, then, my brother! You need Him—you may expect Him! Sister, you need Him.

More than that—on that occasion when He came, there were some of them who were testifying of what they knew. Two of them were telling how they saw Him in the breaking of bread at Emmaus. And while the two spoke, Jesus came! Now here stands one witness who can bear testimony that there is a living Savior, and a real one, and that His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit! And as you hear that testimony, and many of you are recording in your souls your, “Amen,” to it, I hope He will stand in our midst and again say in spiritual language, “Peace be unto you.” 

 Once more, though, I say they were in a low state—they were all lamenting their Master’s absence. I do not think, of all that company, there was one but what had a heavy heart and was sad because Jesus was not there. 

If you had turned to Peter and said, “Peter, would you like to see Him?” He would have said, “Oh, for another look on those dear eyes, even though it broke my heart again.” And John would have said, “Oh, for another leaning of my head upon that bosom, if I might be permitted such a favor.” And everyone, by dear remembrances of the past, would have said, “Alas, we have lost everything in losing Him! 

Take away the sun out of the skies, rather than take Christ out of the circle of our fellowship.” 

Now, dear friends, have you, you lovers of the Savior—have you missed Him and are you now saying, 

“Oh, that I knew where I might find Him”? 

Well, our mingled notes and praise shall reach Him and He will come and stand today in the midst of us, and we, again, shall rejoicingly honor and worship while the King sits at His table with His people.

What were the benefits of His visit?

1) He banished their doubt

2) He revealed Himself to them.

3) He opened their understanding of the scripture.

4) He refreshed their memory.

5) He showed them their true position as His witness.

6) His blessed presence created intense joy.

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday received the hand over notes from the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PERUSING THE HANDOVER NOTES AS PRESENTED BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN

BOTH PRESIDENTS DURING DURING PRESIDENTIAL VILA TOUR

The President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, arrived Aso Rock accompanied by aides and some members of the All Progressive Congress

The presentation was done inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after Jonathan conducted Buhari round the seat of power. Vice President Namadi Sambo had also similarly conducted the Vice President-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, round his wing of the villa.

He presented an executive summary of his hand over notes and a copy of the National Conference report to Buhari in the presence of All Progressives Congress chiefs who witnessed the event.

The outgoing President, who spoke after the presentation, said his administration had done its best for the country.

On his part, the President-elect said he would not make an official statement until after studying the handover notes. He commended Jonathan for conceding defeat in the March 28 presidential election.

Meanwhile, everything seemed to be set for the inauguration as the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari who travelled to the United Kingdom last Friday returned to Nigeria early this morning in company of some of his aides ahead of his inauguration as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria on Friday.

We gathered that Buhari and some of his aides arrived for the tour of the Presidential Villa at exactly 11:00 am scheduled time and was holding a meeting with the outgoing President his office preparatory to the commencement of the tour as at the time of filing in this story.

The tour is expected to be followed by inauguration dinner to be attended by the President elect, members of the diplomatic corps, the outgoing President and members of his cabinet among others later this evening.

The inauguration is gradually bringing life back to Abuja where social economic activities have been at very low ebb for some weeks now as a result of persistent scarcity of petroleum products.

Already, the Eagle Square venue of the inauguration has been a beehive of activities with the military perfecting their parades and other preparations for the various activities they will be engaged in during the inauguration.

Nigeria flags have been mounted on electricity polls in the capital city to signify the momentous occasion which will be attended by over 50 world leaders.
John Kerry, the United States Secretary of State who is leading the delegation from his country is expected to arrive in Abuja with members of his delegation.

President Barack Obama has last week released the list of the White House delegation which included Nigerian, basket ball star, Hakeem Olajuwon.
Other members of the presidential delegation include Hon. James F. Entwistle, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Department of State, Hon Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Department of State, and General David M. Rodriguez, Commander, U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) Others are Hon. Grant T. Harris, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council. Reports indicated that the US delegation is expected to arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in the afternoon.

Also expected at the inauguration is President Alpha Condé of Guinea who is already in Nigeria, while Chinese President Xi Jumping’s Special Envoy, Agriculture Minister Han Changfu, will lead the delegation from China to attend the inauguration as announced by the Asian Foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, on Tuesday.

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is also expected to arrive in Abuja for the inauguration today.

Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, Chief Edem Duke, had revealed that over 50
Presidents and Heads of Government are expected in Abuja for the inauguration. Solomon Arase, the Inspector General of Police on Wednesday ordered his men to deploy tight security at the Eagle Square, hotels, key and vulnerable places within the capital city ahead of the inauguration.

In the same vein, the Police Chief also directed that Tactical Operation Points be mounted on all roads leading into and out of the FCT in a statement issued on his behalf in Abuja yesterday by the Force Spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu. On its part, the Federal Road Safety Corps said it has deployed 23,000 personnel to designated routes during the swearing-in.

According to the Commission, over 150 patrol vehicles, 15 ambulances, 35 motorbikes and seven towing trucks have been deployed to designated routes of Abuja as part of measures to ensure seamless traffic flow in Abuja during the inauguration ceremony.

FRSC added that it has also strengthened its collaboration with other security agencies along the Gwagwalada, Nyanya, Zuba, Lugbe and Kubwa corridor through routine patrols and rescue services in addition to traffic control on major intersections of the city.

President Jonathan to formally dissolve FEC today at Abuja

Abuja— In preparation for its final handing over formalities to the incoming administration, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, will be formally dissolved today.

The session which will be presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to witness a formal speech by the President, highlighting his achievements while in office since May 29, 2011.

Ministers are also expected to make speeches on their experience as members of the council under President Jonathan.

The meeting which is expected to commence by 11am will afford each minister an opportunity to relieve his experience while in office.

Jonathan is expected to round up the session with a speech highlighting his achievements in office while setting agenda for the in coming administration.

President Jonathan is expected to leave the Presidential Villa on Friday morning for Port Harcourt, enroute Otuoke, his ancestral home.

Already, the president has packed out of the main building of the Presidential Villa and members of his immediate family are expected to accompany him to Otuoke, Friday.

BREAKING: IFEANYI UBAH RISES TO END FUEL SCACITY IN NIGERIA- A RARE ACT OF PATRIOTISM

Ubah

There are still patriotic Nigerians among the political cadre as the Managing Director and CEO of Capital oil held a press release today to announce the resumption of loading of PMS at his jetty despite a collective sabotage by oil transporters to stop loading which resulted in the alarming strike hitting the nation now.Fuel is now bought at N200 in some states while some can’t even find to buy

"...Our facility has the capacity to load over 13 million litres of product before dawn. This comes to approximately 400 trucks of petroleum products. With this act, it is our belief that once again our citizens will begin to smile, return to normal family and work life... We are constrained at this point and have decided that two wrongs cannot make a right. We will not be part of this sabotage against our fatherland. Therefore from this minute, we shall take the risk of opening our facilities and commence swift loading and distribution of products Nationwide."

. Read his press release below:

Good day Ladies and Gentlemen of the press!

On Saturday 16th May 2015, we received an SMS ordering the suspension of loading activities in all depots from Monday 18th May 2015. We later realized that this directive was as a result of unpaid funds owed to transporters by oil marketers who in turn are owed by the Federal Government. This development has resulted in immense hardship to our fellow country men and women. We believe that a better solution can be pursued towards solving this problem in a way that does not adversely affect our dear citizens.

Capital Oil and Gas has watched with so much pain, the suffering and hardship our citizens have been subjected to as a result of scarcity of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and house hold kerosene. We are deeply pained to hear that hospitals cannot perform surgeries, laboratories are unable to carry out much needed tests especially for emergency patients leaving such patients at risk of dying, radio stations are shutting down, communication is being affected as MTN and other telecommunications company have announced an impending shut down while homes, offices and key facilities nationwide are experiencing blackouts. In some parts of the country, petrol is already selling at an all-time high of N1,000 per litre. Our citizens have left their homes and are now sleeping in fuel stations, facing the risk of robbery attacks and other attendant risk.

In a few days’ time, a new government headed by General Muhamadu Buhari will be sworn in. Apart from our citizens being unable to watch the handover on television and unavailability of transportation for attendees of this historic handover, the resulting chaos from this scarcity may shutdown the Nation and sabotage the efforts Nigeria has made to attain greater heights.

We are constrained at this point and have decided that two wrongs cannot make a right. We will not be part of this sabotage against our fatherland. Therefore from this minute, we shall take the risk of opening our facilities and commence swift loading and distribution of products Nationwide.

Our facility has the capacity to load over 13 million litres of product before dawn. This comes to approximately 400 trucks of petroleum products. With this act, it is our belief that once again our citizens will begin to smile, return to normal family and work life. We call on other petroleum marketers to follow suit and save our Nation from this impending economic and social crisis. This is a period that requires patriotism and service to fatherland. Let’s join hands to help our fellow citizens and save Nigeria. We also call on striking bodies to call off the strike action. Let us work together for the betterment of our people.

As we brief you this moment, our truck park, port reception facilities and our depot complex have been ordered opened. We are ordering and resuming discharge of products from vessels at our berths. We have ordered our trucks to commence loading of products and move overnight to every state of the Federation.

Most importantly, we wish to use this medium to thank NNPC and PPMC for their steadfastness in ensuring the availability of petroleum products. Current PPMC stock level in our storage tanks and buffer stock on vessels awaiting discharge at our jetty is capable of meeting the Nation’s need for 15 days.

Furthermore, we wish to emphasis that we have a total solution to the traffic menace on the oshodi apapa expressway. In the coming weeks, we hope to engage the Federal Government (Federal Ministry of Transport), Lagos State Government and other stakeholders in the affected area, to optimally utilize our truck park facilities which has the capacity to accommodate over 1,100 trucks per time and 5,000 on a shift basis.

Capital Oil and Gas continues to appeal to Nigerians to accept and support deregulation as this will curb corruption, enhance competition, lead to reduction of pump price for petroleum products and ensure constant supply to meet Nigeria’s demand.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah

Managing Director/CEO

Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited

Lagos, Sunday 24th May 2015.

MARY HAS CHOSEN THAT GOOD PART (SUNDAY 24-05-2015)

FOUNTAIN OF GRACE CHURCH OF GOD

MADRID-SPAIN.

HOST PASTOR: PASTOR DANIEL OBIDIEGWU.

TEL: +34632875301 (FOR COUNSELLING & PRAYERS.

Pastor Daniel

Beloved, I declare in the name of Jesus that you receive grace to study, meditate and apply the word of God in your life-Amen.

Text: Luke 10:42.

Brethren I will start this sermon by sharing a story that was credited to John Maxwell.

John Maxwell writes in his book, Partners in Prayer; "In the summer of 1876, grasshoppers nearly destroyed the crops in Minnesota. So in the spring of 1877, farmers were worried. They believed that the dreadful plague would once again visit them and again destroy the rich wheat crop, bringing ruin to thousands of people. 

The situation was so serious that Governor John S. Pillsbury proclaimed April 26 as a day of prayer and fasting He urged every man, woman and child to ask God to prevent the terrible scourge. 

On that April day all schools, shops, stores and offices were closed. There was a reverent, quite hush over all the state. The next day dawned bright and clear. 

Temperature soared to what they ordinary were in midsummer, which was very unusual for April. 

Minnesotans were devastated as they discovered billions of grasshopper larvae wiggling to life. For 3 days the unusual heat persisted, and the larvae hatched. It appeared that it wouldn't be long before they started feeding and destroying the wheat crop. 

On the fourth day, however the temperature suddenly dropped, and that night frost, covered the entire state. 

Result - it killed every one of those creeping, crawling pests as surely as if poison or fire had been used, It went down in the history of Minnesota as the day God answered the prayers of the people." 
That is an awesome story! 

God surely answer prayers but unfortunately some Christians are not praying enough. Ever wonder why? That's because their minds and hearts are not completely in tune with God. 
You see, if you regularly memorize and meditate scriptures it will be difficult not to focus on God. You'll always in sync with Him. (culled from memory delight)

The story of Mary and Marta shows the futility of active service which, because it is not based on attentive listening to God’s word, and nourished by such listening, becomes mere busy-ness. When Jesus says to Martha, “You are anxious and worried about many things,” he is not criticizing her for performing the duties of hospitality, but for doing so without first attending to his word. Martha, we might say, is the kind of person who likes to go about doing good, especially the kind of good that requires a lot of going about.

The story in today’s gospel does not ask us to chose between being a Mary or a Martha. The true disciple of Jesus must be both. Mark’s gospel tells us that when Jesus called his twelve apostles, he called them for a dual purpose: “to be with Him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message” (Mark 3:14). Which is more important: to be with Jesus, or to proclaim his message to others? The question is unanswerable. Both are important. If we ask, however, which must have priority — the relationship or the work — then the answer is clear. Our relationship with the Lord must come first. If we are not willing to spend time with him, sitting at his feet like Mary of Bethany and listening to his words, then all our efforts to do his work are just spinning our wheels. Luke gives us this story to challenge our priorities; to help us see that being with the Lord and hearing his word must be the basis of all we do for him.

The entire bible is the word of God, the earth and all that is within it was created by the word of God Genesis 1:3, God declared that His word cannot be separated from Him and whatsoever thing the word is sent must be accomplished Isaiah 55.11, Psalm 138:2b,  God sent the word to bring salvation to mankind John 1:14, Acts 2:37-41, Today many who hear the word of God surrender their life to Jesus, God sends His word to heal the sick and deliver them from their destruct ions. Psalm 107:20. 

The word of God is life and is Spirit and is powerful. God said in John 6:63 that it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life. The book of Hebrew 4:2a says for the word of God is quick, and powerful...

Nobody can serve God without His word, it is like trying to live our life without oxygen, the essence of God, His personality, His nature, His purity, His power, His purpose, His promises, His salvation etc are encapsulated in His word, God reminds anybody He calls to take time to study and obey His word Joshua 1:8, Jeremiah ate the words like food Jeremiah 15:16,  as well as Ezekiel the prophet Ezekiel 3:3, Timothy was asked to study it to show himself approved of God 2 Timothy 2:15, the early apostles gave themselves continually to the ministry of the word Acts 6:4, Paul though in prison was still ordering for his books because even the prison could not  separate him from the word of God 2 Timothy 4:13.

 What is your attitude towards the word?

If our lives as believers are dependent on the word, why then do many believers neglect the word to their own detriment? Why do we record poor attendance to bible studies in our churches? Why is it that believers will always wait for the time of sermon to visit the toilet or converse with their friends, I think we will have our individual answers to these questions, but whatever our reasons may be one thing stands out clear that we do not know the God we serve, neither do we respect, fear or tremble at His word, genuine and serious believers are eager to hear the word of God and apply it to their life.

We cannot love Jesus and hate His word because Jesus is the word and the word is Jesus, are you a worker in the church? You have done well to work and serve in the Lord’s vine yard, the question is, what do you do when the word of God is read? What do you do during Sunday school or during weekly bible study? Do you feel tired and impatient or even sleepy during the sermon? Our attitude to the word of God is a measure of our love for Jesus, if our answers to these questions are negative, then we do not love Jesus who we claim to serve.

Many believers want to exercise spiritual power and authority without the right attitude to the word, yet power is in the word, many who desire to be prayer warriors and demon bulldozers without the knowledge of the word of God always end their effort in futility.

Let us today change our attitude to the word for good, like Mary let us listen to God’s word, it is a testimony of our humility and faith, believers who are busy doing their own thing during sermon are prideful and disrespectful to God, believers who cannot study the word of God are powerless and their life is at the mercy of Satan and his demons.

GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU OBEY HIS WORDS IN JESUS NAME: AMEN

ESAN PEOPLE, CHIEF TONY ANENIH AND EDO STATE GOVERNMENT.

Buhari

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu, Director, Media & Publicity, APC Nigeria, Spain Chapter.

The head of a camel would eventually pass through the eye of a needle for any Edo central`s candidate to be able to convince the Benins and the Edo North people to concede the governorship seat to Edo Central (Esanland) on the basis of  justice and fair play. Tell the prophet or prophetess that he/she lied to you politically anchored upon the Nigeria`s political perspective!

It should be cleared to the Esan people (Edo central) that the leadership of the APC would like to zone the governor seat to Edo South Senatorial district, though political analysts are yet to deduce from the body language of the governor who succeeds him. It is obvious that only Governor Oshiomhle and he alone can determine the next governor from the array of aspirants scrambling for the seat. No two ways about it.

The 2016 governorship election is going to be direct fight between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Interestingly, with the victory of the APC in the 2015 polls and the massive defections that have confronted the PDP in Edo state plus the alignment and re-alignment of famous politicians and party big wigs who where hitherto in the other side of political divide, and their supporters engaging in what could be regarded as political re-alignment under the APC platform; joined with  the APC in the state to win majority of the state House of Assembly seats in the just concluded general elections make the party the preferred platform for aspirants who want to succeed Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole because the battle can best be viewed at the favored direction of APC`s candidate securing enough supports and votes at the poll results  of  Edo state governorship election, 2016. 

For Edo central to gain, we must lobby or ask for the seat of a deputy governor that will be best positioned as a credible governorship candidate after the tenure of his principal. Without doubt in my mind, the deputy governor will do his or her best to bring development to Esan land just as our deputy governor today, Odubu who is commitment to the development of his local government in particular and attracted a number of road projects, pipe borne water, electrification projects and the construction of the Ogan/ Ugo/Orhomikhe /Urghonigbe 57 kilometer stretch of road to his people.  This must be our concern now or never as Esan people must know that the era of playing politics blindly or non-digital is over, we cannot afford to play the role of opposition to any ruling government at this modern day Nigerian politics, as the political wind blows, we must follow in order to gain unlike the era of late Prof. Alli and Jakande, when and where opposition to the ruling party gained. We must have concrete plans to project and position ourselves accurately.

We should remember our icon in politics in Nigeria, Chief Tony Anenih, founding member of PDP just resigned from active politics and his enormous roles he played in the party for the past 16 years both in the human and political development in Esan land and Nigeria in general must be emulated by any person or persons that will ever rise to such height in Nigeria politics. Ironically, some major clan or clans in Esan land must desist from the myopic reasoning that they only can produce a very better person for Esan development; any clan should be allowed enough playing fields politically for any rising Esan person or persons into the State and Nigeria politics. Saul was known to be at longer head with Christians but later turned to Paul and a leading member of the Christian family.

2016 governorship election turns out to be a joker card for edo central inhabitants and must be handled maturely. It is now or never as where two elephants fight, the ground suffers.

IG’s squad arrests five policemen, 98 others over Edo cult war.

Crack team 

BENIN—FIVE police officers were arrested Saturday in Benin, following their alleged attempt to shield some suspected cultists from arrest.

This came as the crack team of detectives sent by the Inspector-General, Solomon Arase, to Edo State over the cult war in the state looked set to prosecute 11 kingpins of different cult groups, including a medical doctor, an engineer and some public servants for cultism, fingered in conspiracy and murder of 10 persons.

The five policemen were arrested by men of the IG’s crack team.

Loud News Today learned that problem started at Oliha Market, where some youths engaged themselves in a free-for-all as two persons, including one identified as Castro, were allegedly stabbed, while several others, including market women, sustained various degrees of injuries.

It was further learned that the fight was part of the battle for the control of ticketing in the market by two different youth groups, one of which came with some police officers for protection.

Discovery:

However, after the fight, luck ran out on the policemen who escorted the youths to the market, as they ran into the men of the special squad from Abuja, who accosted them and insisted that their vehicle be searched.

Their colleagues in Benin informed the IG’s squad that they should allow the boys go. But the squad engaged them in a heated argument and eventually searched the vehicle.

Four cut-to-size guns and two short-barrelled guns were found in the vehicle.

Consequently, the IG’s squad accused their colleagues in Benin of being cultists since they were protecting the suspects and subsequently disarmed and arrested their Edo colleagues.

Loud News Today  learned that they were locked up at the state police headquarters on the orders of the IGP.

Attempts to get reaction of Edo State police command proved abortive as neither the Police Commissioner, Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi, nor the spokesman in the state took calls to their phones.

11 cult kingpins.

Meanwhile, the IG’s squad is set to prosecute 11 kingpins of different cult groups, including a medical doctor, an engineer and some public servants for cultism, conspiracy and murder of 10 Nigerians.

Also, 98 other suspects, including students from higher institutions in the state, arrested by the police in connection with cult violence in the state, have been detained in the state.

They were said to have been arrested as they converged on Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, for an initiation ceremony.

Briefing the media on the update of investigations into cult killings in Edo State, Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the cultists and their gang leaders murdered innocent persons between April 5 and May 5 this year.

He said: “I am presenting before you some persons suspected to have played ignoble roles in acts of terror, vicious inter and intra-cult conflicts that have led to avoidable loss of lives and destruction of property in Edo State.

“The cult group’s membership is not limited to students but also include artisans, civil servants, businessmen, public office holders, and professionals.”

Names suspects.

Giving a breakdown of some of the kingpins and the group they belong to, Ojukwu said: “Engineer David Olukoga, 36, is of the Eiye; Dr. Salako Adebowale, 43, Black Axe; Osunde Aigbedo, 48, is of Black Axe; Ahunwan-Id Orlando, 39, Black Axe, and Uche Chukwuma, 36, Eiye.

Others are Adebo Eguaoja, 46, Buccaneers; Totti Omonuwa, 42, Eiye; Earnest Amadasun, 49, Black Axe; Isobor Larry, Norsemen; Felix Evbodi, Black Axe, and Joshua Ehiabhi, 36, Jurist.

Items recovered

He listed items recovered from the suspects to include cultists’ sculptors inscribed with Eiye slogans, template guidelines of Black Axe, minutes of NBA black axe meeting held in Edo State in 2014, 17 All Progressives Party, APC, membership cards, 34 APC registration forms, one bag containing various NBM confraternity documents, among others.

Ojukwu said: “The successes recorded in the arrests and investigation of the cultist are clear testimonies of the dedication of the IG to promptly respond to issues of crime and criminality that affect the quality of life of the citizenry in every part of the country.

“The same level of intervention shall be deployed wherever and whenever the need arises.”

Suspects’ story:

Asked to comment on allegations against them, two of the suspects, Dr. Adebowale and Engr. Olukoga, admitted to being members of some cult groups, but noted that they had never been involved in violence.

They said their involvement had always been to assist the police checkmate criminal elements and miscreants.

Adebowale said: “I joined in 1998. I never killed anyone. I was never involved in violence or terrorism. I came out to assist the police when I was arrested.”

Olukoga said: “Our confrater-nity is a registered body. We try to foster peace; it is also for the emancipation of the black race. We also do charity work.”

JESUS IS THE WAY (Sunday 17-05.2015 )

FOUNTAIN OF GRACE CHURCH OF GOD

MADRID-SPAIN.

HOST PASTOR: PASTOR DANIEL OBIDIEGWU

TEL: +34632875301 (FOR COUNSELLING & PRAYERS.

PASTOR DANIEL OBIDIEGWU

Text: John 14:6

Apart from few atheist many people believe in the existence of a supreme being but differ in their ways of approach to Him. The quest of finite man to gain access to infinite God has in the ages past and also in this present time given rise to many religion and the icons of these religions are reverenced and seen in many religion as the personality through whom one can get to God Proverbs 14:12.  

Does every religion lead to God?  Perhaps you’ve heard people say that all religions lead to God. This idea is called religious pluralism. Pluralism comes in two forms. First is the fact that we live in a society that has many cultures and many religions, and we are to treat each with respect. That is true, and good. We should be tolerant, but that does not mean that we have to agree with everyone. Religious pluralism goes beyond this—it says that all religions are equally valid. What about it? Could all religions be valid paths to God? no, pluralism is a naïve way of trying to avoid religious fanaticism that bleeds violence and wars.

 

Some people believe that all the religions in the world are basically the same. But that simply is not true. Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe in a personal God who has revealed Himself to mankind. Buddhists and Hindus believe God is impersonal and unknowable. But God cannot be both personal and impersonal -- both concepts cannot be correct.

But Christianity is also different from all other religions of the world in one other vitally important concept -- the idea that God reached out to man to save him because man was helpless to save himself.

Every other religion in the world is based on man's efforts to reach God. These world religions teach that man must somehow do righteous deeds or perform religious service in order to become good enough for salvation. In order to be saved a person must pray a certain number of times, in a certain manner, facing a certain direction. Or he must wear a particular type of religious garment. Or he must visit a certain religious shrine or temple. Or he must worship in a particular way.

Some religions require sacrifice and even the infliction of pain upon a believer in order to become holy in the sight of God. Some extreme religions require adherents to beat themselves with whips or rods to show their devotion to God. Some require pilgrims to crawl on their knees a certain distance in prayer in order to earn righteous points with God. Some religions require worship on Friday; others on Saturday; and others on Sunday. 

But in all of this, the striving after righteousness is based on the religious activity of the man or woman. In every other religious system besides Christianity, a spiritual scale hangs over the head of the individual, with all of the sins they have committed on one side and all of their righteous deeds on the other. The person never knows whether they have been good enough, or prayed enough, or worked hard enough to earn the righteous points needed to counter their earned sins.

But the Christian Bible teaches that man is a sinner and could never earn salvation by what he or she did.

As the Scriptures say, "No one is righteous—not even one." (Rom. 3:10, NLT)

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Rom. 3:23, NLT)

We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. (Is. 64:6a, NLT) 

The apostle Paul makes it clear that salvation is available only through the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made when he carried the sins of the world on the cross. For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21, NLT)

Jesus never sinned. So He was the only one who could pay the price and carry the sins of all people who ever lived upon himself on the cross. He was the sacrificial lamb who took upon himself the sin of the people.

This salvation comes only through the grace of God toward man, and we can only receive it by faith -- not by any deed that we could ever do. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9, NKJV)

No matter how good you are; no matter how religious you are; no matter what you do for God, you can never be good enough, or holy enough to earn salvation. 

Any plan of salvation that is based on the efforts of man is doomed to failure. But the Bible tells us that salvation has been made available to us because Jesus came to earth and bore our sins on the cross.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, NKJV)

All we have to do is believe and receive what Jesus did to bring salvation to us. God has given us the grace to receive salvation; all we have to do is open the door by faith.

Is Jesus the only way to Heaven? 

Yes, Jesus is the only way to heaven there is no other way to salvation than through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is not a way, as in one of many; He is the way, as in the one and only. No one, regardless of reputation, achievement, special knowledge, or personal holiness, can come to God the Father except through Jesus.

Jesus is the only way to heaven for several reasons. Jesus was “chosen by God” to be the Savior (1 Peter 2:4). Jesus is the only One to have come down from heaven and returned there (John 3:13). He is the only person to have lived a perfect human life (Hebrews 4:15). He is the only sacrifice for sin (1 John 2:2;Hebrews 10:26). He alone fulfilled the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). He is the only man to have conquered death forever (Hebrews 2:14–15). He is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). He is the only man whom God has “exalted . . . to the highest place” (Philippians 2:9)

The apostles’ preaching focused on the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Peter, speaking to the Sanhedrin, clearly proclaimed Jesus as the only way to heaven: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Paul, speaking to the synagogue in Antioch, singled out Jesus as the Savior: “I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin” (Acts 13:38–39). John, writing to the church at large, specifies the name of Christ as the basis of our forgiveness: “I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name” (1 John 2:12). No one but Jesus can forgive sin.

Eternal life in heaven is made possible only through Christ. Jesus prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). To receive God’s free gift of salvation, we must look to Jesus and Jesus alone. We must trust in Jesus’ death on the cross as our payment for sin and in His resurrection. “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22).

        At one point in Jesus’ ministry, many of the crowd were turning their backs on Him and leaving in hopes of finding another savior. Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:67, ESV). Peter’s reply is exactly right: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68–69, ESV). May we all share Peter’s faith that eternal life resides only in Jesus Christ.