By Richard Thomas
Christians have been admonished to seek God daily through prayers, supplications, songs in hymn and thanksgiving in order to lead a life full of grace and testimonies.
The admonition was given by the Presbyter of the Methodist church Nigeria, Bodija, Ibadan, The Very Rev’d Davidson Olumide Aluko in his welcome charge during the 2023 Festival of Songs and Community Hymn Singing held at the church auditorium on Thursday.
According to him, the people will agree that the present state of things in the nation and some other parts of the globe is quite worrisome and disturbing, but their situation can be turned around when they put their hope in God through prayers and songs in hymn.
“Dearly Beloved, I heartily welcome everyone to this year’s all important programme tagged “Festival of Songs and Community Hymn Singing (FOSACHS). I give God all the gory, praise, honour and adoration I can muster at this time for the special privilege that He has bestowed on us to keep up the steam of this great event continually over the years.
“Obviously because it is our great God who conceived it and arranged it, you can be rest assured that rich blessings specially packaged from on high with this event as a channel shall locate you and in Jesus name.
“On this auspicious occasion, I’m prompted to share with you a charge with The Theme “The Believers Hope Today” with
Anchor text from Romans 5: 1, 3 – 4. And therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And not only that but we also glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance, character and character, hope”
“This revealing text can be described as an admonitory extract from Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian community in Rome which principally deals with his discourse on God’s plan of salvation and righteousness for mankind.
“Here in the passage, Paul presents the concept “Hope” as “a must virtue” for every true believer and which must be continually expressed alongside other virtues such as character and perseverance particularly in the midst of trials and difficulties
The clergy said virtually, everyday, news flash we keep receiving concerning things happening around us today are sometimes absurd, super terrifying and heart wrenching, but with hope in God alone we can have peace.
“However, I make bold to declare to you that by the reason of this spirit breathed event, all your fears shall give way to a renewed hope that there shall be a turnaround and all shall be well.”
According to him, the believer’s hope today can be said to be having confident expectation that God will come through for them and that it shall be well them you as they journey on in life.
He urged christians to get their bearing right in order to key into “Effective Prayers like Paul and Silas who sang Songs and Hymns Singing and the outcome of their action was something mind blowing.
“Let’s check this out as recorded in the scripture. “Suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundation of the prison were shaken and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. Acts 16:26.
In other words, we can glean that hope expressed via prayers and Hymn – Singing can turn situations around and change stories.
“It is in the light of this that, I make bold to declare that as many that are connected to this event at this time – be it Online or Onsight, whatever may have chained you to one form of pain or affliction shall give way in Jesus name.”
“Beloved, though it can be very disappointing when hard times and trials come our ways, nonetheless, I charge you to keep hope alive by embracing God.
He called on the people to lay aside every weight of sin that easily ensnare them and look into Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
“Therefore as a Believer let your hope be laden with a picture perfect attraction which keeps you glowing and radiant. It is the conviction that this “Hope shall not disappoint” because God has poured out His love into your heart by the Holy Spirit whom He has given to those who belong to him.
So hold on to this conviction continually and I can assure you that your destiny will blossom and your future shall be well secured.”
