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SUNDAY REFLECTION: EMBRACING GOD’S STRENGTH IN OUR WEAKNESS

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MacDonald Ebere, PhD,KSJI
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Today’s Sunday readings offer profound insights into the nature of faith and the challenges we face in living it out. In Ezekiel 2:2-5, the prophet is sent to a rebellious house of Israel, equipped with the Spirit of God. This passage reminds us that even in the face of rejection and resistance, we are called to stand firm in our mission, trusting in the strength that God provides.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul shares his own struggles, speaking of a “thorn in the flesh” that keeps him humble. Despite his pleas for its removal, God responds, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This teaches us that our weaknesses and struggles can become conduits for God’s power and grace, transforming our limitations into opportunities for His strength to shine through.

The Gospel reading from Mark 6:1-6 shows Jesus returning to His hometown, where He faces skepticism and unbelief. Despite His wisdom and miracles, many doubt Him because of their familiarity with His humble origins. This story reminds us that faith requires openness and humility. It challenges us to look beyond our preconceptions and recognize the presence of God in our midst, even when it comes from unexpected places.

Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded of how God consistently lifts His people, ensuring that we bear fruits in our lives. This divine assurance is not just a promise but a living reality we witness daily. It is through faith that we find the strength to overcome obstacles and the wisdom to make decisions that benefit not just ourselves but our entire community.

I am deeply committed to fostering an environment where everyone can prosper and achieve their dreams. With God’s guidance, we, as a Government, will continue to work tirelessly towards the betterment of our community. It is through our collective faith and unity that we can build a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

May we embrace our weaknesses, allowing God’s strength to manifest in our lives, and may we support one another with compassion and humility, creating a ripple effect of positivity and progress.

 


-MacDonald Ebere, PhD,KSJI

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TikTok rejected me due to my dangerous miracles – Prophet Odumeje

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TikTok rejected me due to my dangerous miracles – Prophet Odumeje
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TikTok rejected me due to my dangerous miracles – Prophet Odumeje

Popular Nigerian cleric Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, widely known as Odumeje, has revealed that TikTok blocked his account due to his so-called “dangerous miracles.”

In a video circulating on social media, Odumeje addressed his congregation, explaining the platform’s decision to disconnect him.

According to Odumeje, his supernatural acts on TikTok were deemed to be beyond the platform, leading to the ban.

“Even Facebook and other social media platforms are rejecting my dangerous miracles,” he said in the now-viral video.

“They are not accepting it. Because of my dangerous miracles, TikTok rejected me. They disconnected me. They said this miracle is beyond them.”

TikTok’s community guidelines prohibit content that is harmful, illegal, or misleading. However, it’s yet to be determined if sharing videos showcasing “dangerous miracles” could result in the suspension of TikTok accounts.

Odumeje, known for his unconventional style and controversial teachings, has often attracted public attention, with many questioning the legitimacy of his claims.

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‘Abel Damina no longer representative of Body of Christ’ – Christian group

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‘Abel Damina no longer representative of Body of Christ’ – Christian group

 

Mr Damina denied the group’s claim that he said, “There is no heaven,” and advised the entire group to join his discipleship class to listen to his teachings.

 

A Christian group, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs, has berated a Nigerian cleric, Abel Damina for allegedly preaching gospel messages with an “alarming rate of theological errors and heresies.”

In an open letter to Mr Damina, dated 15 October, the group said Mr Damina’s messages constitute “hate speech and cybercrime against the Christian faith.”

“Dr. Abel Damina, you have crossed the line, and you are, therefore, no more a representative of Christianity (The Body of Christ) in Nigeria,” the group said in a letter signed by the secretary of its elders’ council, Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies.

Mrs Adesanya-Davies, a bishop and professor, said the letter serves as a disclaimer to the “heresy’s messages” spread by Mr Damina.

The letter was posted on Facebook.

“Heresy is a belief or opinion contrary to orthodox Christian doctrine and any belief, teaching or practice that explicitly undermines the gospel,’ she added, while citing several Bible passages to support their position.

Controversial message titles

The cleric highlighted some message titles allegedly preached by Mr Damina, which her organisation has issues with. The messages include “There is no heaven”, “You don’t need God to Succeed”, “Jesus is not coming back”, and “Heaven is scam.”

The cleric said that most of the topics are mere “fallacies and heretics,” laced with unsound arguments, targeted at attracting an audience to Mr Damina through “content creating hype rather than being correct and spiritual.”

Unlike the two main Christian groups – the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs is relatively new in the country, and it is not clear when it was founded.

Two clerics in Akwa Ibom State, Ifiok Essien and Emmanuel Udoatta, told PREMIUM TIMES they had never heard of the name before.

They are bunch of jokers seeking relevance, Damina fires back

Mr Damina, the founder of Power City International in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State is known for stirring controversy through his Christian teachings.

In a live Facebook video, responding to the allegations against him, Mr Damina said he had served as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria National Youth President for eight years and that he had never heard of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs.

He said the group did not send him the letter directly, but someone drew his attention to it based on his response so that the public is not misled.

“I am not even aware of its existence. It is a situation of notice me by force,” he said, describing the group as a “bunch of jokers” seeking to be relevant.

Mr Damina said the entire group needed to join his discipleship class to listen to his teachings because their conclusions mean they have never listened to any of his teachings completely.

“They are looking at how to malign me. They said I am heretic; therefore, they have decided that I am no more a representative of the Body of Christ in Nigeria. What a laugh – what an effrontery – what audacity.”

Mr Damina refuted the group’s claim that he said “there is no heaven”, emphasising that he never said so.

“I have never said there’s no heaven. I only said the heaven the Bible teaches is not the heaven in the sky. The heaven the Bible teaches is the heaven of the immaterial. So, for this body to say I said there’s no heaven it means this body is a bunch of jokers.”

He also refuted the claim that he said “Jesus is not coming back” and offered explanations to what he said.

“I never said that Jesus is not coming back but I took time to explain the concept of Jesus’ coming back as an appearance. The Bible says He will appear. They who seek for the Lord, the Lord shall appear. We that are with him shall appear with Him in glory and I took time to explain the appearance of Christ which is what we called the rapture or the second coming of Christ,” Mr Damina said.

“They said that I also said you don’t need God to succeed. Yes, I said that but that is the conclusion of the argument and the explanation was that when it comes to material things and material wealth God doesn’t get involved in making people succeed.

“Because when you said it is God who made people materially rich and others materially poor, therefore, it means God is responsible for class in society and we never saw such teachings from Jesus nor did we see such teachings from the apostle.

“They also said that I said heaven is a scam. I never said that. What I said is that heaven at last is a scam. Again, they are quoting me out of context and saying what I never said. They are a bunch of unserious people,” he said.

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RCCG suspends two pastors over homos£xuality allegation

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RCCG suspends two pastors over homos£xuality allegation

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has suspended two pastors following allegations of homos£xuality that spread across social media.

The church announced the suspension in a memo dated October 28, 2024, and signed by Sunday Akande, its national overseer.

The letter, addressed to the special assistant to the general overseer of administration, ordered a thorough investigation into the allegations against the pastors.

The memo further stated that the church’s doctrine does not allow or tolerate any act of homosexuality, citing biblical references.

Akande disclosed that the accused persons have been temporarily relieved of their responsibilities within the RCCG.

He added that an investigation would be conducted within two weeks.

The memo reads: “This memo serves to inform you of serious allegations of homosexuality against…

“In accordance with our mission’s commitment to upholding the teachings of the Bible, we must address these allegations with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

“As you are aware, the doctrine of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) does not allow or tolerate any act of homosexuality. This stance is firmly rooted in biblical teachings, including but not limited to: Leviticus 18:22: ‘You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an bomination.’

“1 Corinthians 6:9-10: Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality.
“In light of these allegations, you are now directed to conduct a thorough investigation.

Furthermore… and all others who are alleged are to be temporarily relieved from all of their responsibilities in all mission organs pending the outcome of this investigation, which is expected to be concluded within two weeks.

“It is crucial that we handle this situation with care and integrity, and in accordance with our values as a church. Please ensure that the investigation is conducted confidentially and with respect for all parties involved.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

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