The Pastor-in-Charge of the Mount Carmel Model Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Delta 18, Jesus Vineyard Area / Zone in Udu area of Delta State, Pastor Friday Mala, have called on Nigerians, having successfully crossed over to the new year 2024, to lean unto God in faith through the act of thanksgiving.

Pastor Mala gave the charge during a thanksgiving service organised by the parish on Sunday, January 14, and which has as its theme "Our Soul Escaped" with Bible text taken from the Book of Psalms 124:6–8.

In his words, "When you look at 2023, since I was given birth, I have never witnessed the death rate in any of the year I have spent (at least I'm approaching 50) like we witnessed in 2023. Because God has kept us to see the new year, we need to thank God.

"Moreover I prayed to God that I will not bury any member of my parish. And to the glory of God, infact, since I was posted to that parish, there has been no loss—children or adult, which means our soul has escaped! Not that the enemies have not keep knocking but they have not succeeded.

"As David said in Psalms 124:6–8, 'Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.' And so, we need to thank God.

"It is not that we are righteous or by our power. But God did it. He made it possible for me not to conduct a funeral for any of my member. And when you appreciate God it is an application for more. That is the purpose of my thanksgiving apart from the RCCG's general thanksgiving," he revealed.

Speaking further he added, "My counsel to the church and to the entire world is that we should always cultivate the act and attitude of thanksgiving unto God. It doesn't mean you must give millions, just have a heart of thanksgiving.

"God referred to David as 'A man after my heart' not because of the wealth David acquired or brought to Him, but the praises David offered to God. What God need is praises. We did not enter 2024 by accident or incident but by God's grace and mercies," Pastor Mala proclaimed.

Major highlights of the thanksgiving service include the presentation of food items by worshippers, singing of praises to the Almighty God as led by the Mount Carmel Glorious Choir, the sharing of testimonies on the wonders of God, among others.

Also performing as guest artistes during the praise session is the saxophonist, Denye Sax, who thrilled members of the congregation with melodic tunes as they praised and worshipped God during the Thanksgiving service.

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