God gave us our talents for a reason and when we use them to touch our family, neighbourhood and the world at large; everyone takes note.
I have always known that my dear friend Kike Adesina, has such a powerful God given voice. The few times I have heard her lead praise worship, the strength of her voice commands a total focus on the lyrics of the song and creates and awareness of the very presence of God.
Kike Adesina took her first trip to the studio recently and came out with this proclamation of God's love. I hope it captivates you as much as it did me and let me know what you think...
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Monday, December 17, 2007
The Redeemed Church and It's Auditorium
The News of 11th December 2007 wrote an article under the above caption last week tuesday. The article has generated extensive debates and drawn significant ire from Nigerians who in typical fashion love to debate, deliberate and adjudicate. Nothing wrong with that and I will like to make my own contributions by stating what I consider to be the facts below:
1) I have tried to get the source of this N7.7b (which The News did not quote). I don’t have it yet. And so I realize that it is based on this unsubstantiated figure many have passed judgment already. (If you are reading and you have a verifiable source, please do let me know)
2) The report says, the auditorium is floored with Marble! I was there on Saturday; I looked for marble but found none. What I saw was - a few metres just in front of the altar floored with Interlocking stones. The rest of the auditorium (about 90%) wasn’t even floored at all; except to say it was floored with sand – red earth. How do I know, I had to wash my dusty feet when I got home.
3) The structure of the auditorium is simply – Pillars, holding up a roof, no walls, no partitioning. This same space has been used for the church convention for many years; the only difference is that now it is covered – at the top – to keep out the sun in the afternoon and some of the cold at night. Also there are enough lights for everyone to read and see clearly. I looked at the whole structure again; I am neither an architect nor a builder, so pardon me; but I did not see N7.7b.
4) Some people have said that RCCG and Adeboye do not need one million people to gather together for any sound reason…. And I tend to agree.
But Maybe God does have a reason. The world has the same millions who gather in the world today as they worship football, Hollywood idols, music stars, and other false Gods. These same millions that Revelation 4: 11 declares are created to worship God.
The only thing we can give to God is worship. In heaven that is what they do now, and that is what we will do when we get there. I strongly believe God is pleased when tens, hundreds, thousand or millions of those who love Him, gather together here and give him pleasure by worshipping him.
5) Whatever amount was used on this building, some believe it should have been used to feed the poor. That’s what they told Mary too when she bought expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus feet. They would have preferred if she had brought the money to them so they could give it to the poor. But Jesus immediately rebuked them and confirmed his right to receive worship, even if it costs money.
In addition to this, I am glad to say that the church does take care of the poor – scholarships, rehabilitation of Area boys/ prostitutes, rent and so on, are provided from the centre and by each Parish to the best of its ability.
I respect Pastor Adeboye for one major reason – his humility. I have heard him preach a message and come back months later to say that He now has a deeper understanding and retract what he earlier said. I have seen people give him gifts and have seen him immediately give them out to others who need them more. I see the simplicity of his lifestyle, his dressing and his possessions. Until I knew him, I thought a preacher had to shout and demonstrate before power can follow his messages; but this man speaks simply and gently and men are moved to repentance and seeking their creator.
No one is perfect and so I would rather pray for him,
1) I have tried to get the source of this N7.7b (which The News did not quote). I don’t have it yet. And so I realize that it is based on this unsubstantiated figure many have passed judgment already. (If you are reading and you have a verifiable source, please do let me know)
2) The report says, the auditorium is floored with Marble! I was there on Saturday; I looked for marble but found none. What I saw was - a few metres just in front of the altar floored with Interlocking stones. The rest of the auditorium (about 90%) wasn’t even floored at all; except to say it was floored with sand – red earth. How do I know, I had to wash my dusty feet when I got home.
3) The structure of the auditorium is simply – Pillars, holding up a roof, no walls, no partitioning. This same space has been used for the church convention for many years; the only difference is that now it is covered – at the top – to keep out the sun in the afternoon and some of the cold at night. Also there are enough lights for everyone to read and see clearly. I looked at the whole structure again; I am neither an architect nor a builder, so pardon me; but I did not see N7.7b.
4) Some people have said that RCCG and Adeboye do not need one million people to gather together for any sound reason…. And I tend to agree.
But Maybe God does have a reason. The world has the same millions who gather in the world today as they worship football, Hollywood idols, music stars, and other false Gods. These same millions that Revelation 4: 11 declares are created to worship God.
The only thing we can give to God is worship. In heaven that is what they do now, and that is what we will do when we get there. I strongly believe God is pleased when tens, hundreds, thousand or millions of those who love Him, gather together here and give him pleasure by worshipping him.
5) Whatever amount was used on this building, some believe it should have been used to feed the poor. That’s what they told Mary too when she bought expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus feet. They would have preferred if she had brought the money to them so they could give it to the poor. But Jesus immediately rebuked them and confirmed his right to receive worship, even if it costs money.
In addition to this, I am glad to say that the church does take care of the poor – scholarships, rehabilitation of Area boys/ prostitutes, rent and so on, are provided from the centre and by each Parish to the best of its ability.
I respect Pastor Adeboye for one major reason – his humility. I have heard him preach a message and come back months later to say that He now has a deeper understanding and retract what he earlier said. I have seen people give him gifts and have seen him immediately give them out to others who need them more. I see the simplicity of his lifestyle, his dressing and his possessions. Until I knew him, I thought a preacher had to shout and demonstrate before power can follow his messages; but this man speaks simply and gently and men are moved to repentance and seeking their creator.
No one is perfect and so I would rather pray for him,
- that God will keep Him from ever going astray;
- that God will give him more wisdom to execute the daunting task of leadership and
- that God will continue to make him a respected voice in this generation.
CREATED TO WORSHIP
Last week was hectic for me at work and I couldn’t take the full opportunity of a retreat that the annual Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God usually affords. But I was there on Saturday evening for a few hours and I saw - - - a glimpse of heaven.
No I didn’t fall into a trance, neither did I see a vision. What I saw was a picture of what i think heaven will be like. I saw scores of people raise their hands together to the one true God in worship. I saw people dance with ab
andon, somewhat close to the famous King David’s dance – a dance that may draw the contempt of men but draws applause from God. I saw people fall on their face and cry out their love for their creator.
Just before the close of the program, the 1000 large mass choir left their seats and rejoiced in front of the altar. (Picture here) You could almost touch the joy that gathered like a cloud in the atmosphere.
One of the climatic moments was when we all sang
Awesome God, Mighty God
We give you praise
Awesome God
You are highly lifted up Awesome God
You are highly lifted up Mighty God…..
As I stood and watched the unfolding events, the word that dropped in my heart was – Heaven and just then I remembered Revelation 7:9-12.
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
I realized that we doing the one thing we were created to do – to WORSHIP.
No I didn’t fall into a trance, neither did I see a vision. What I saw was a picture of what i think heaven will be like. I saw scores of people raise their hands together to the one true God in worship. I saw people dance with ab
andon, somewhat close to the famous King David’s dance – a dance that may draw the contempt of men but draws applause from God. I saw people fall on their face and cry out their love for their creator.Just before the close of the program, the 1000 large mass choir left their seats and rejoiced in front of the altar. (Picture here) You could almost touch the joy that gathered like a cloud in the atmosphere.
One of the climatic moments was when we all sang
Awesome God, Mighty God
We give you praise
Awesome God
You are highly lifted up Awesome God
You are highly lifted up Mighty God…..
As I stood and watched the unfolding events, the word that dropped in my heart was – Heaven and just then I remembered Revelation 7:9-12.
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
I realized that we doing the one thing we were created to do – to WORSHIP.
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