Pastor Alex Ogundipe of the Cherubim & Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church Worldwide, Daki-Biyu District, Kubwa branch, on Sunday, urged Nigerians to be optimistic about a better nation.

Mr Ogundipe, who is the leader-in-charge, gave the advice during the 19th Harvest Anniversary of the church titled: ”Harvest of Good Tidings,” in Abuja.

Fielding questions from journalists as the occasion coincides with the country’s 64th Independence Day celebration, the clergyman called on Nigerians to be hopeful irrespective of the current situations in the country.

He said the challenges facing Nigeria are not exclusive.

According to him, no country gets everything it looks for, therefore, it is important to know God.

Giving a biblical allusion, Mr Ogundipe said: “In Numbers, chapters 13 and 14, the Lord asked Moses to appoint 12 people to go and inspect the land of promise.

“12 of them went through the land and they came back. They brought a report that the land was beautiful.

“10 of them said though the products of the land were big and good, that land will consume all of us. They brought bad news.

“Meanwhile, they went through the land and it didn’t consume one person among them, but 10 of them said the land was bad, there were giants in the land; let us not go in there.

“Only two people said let’s go in and the Lord will deliver the land unto us.

“Those 10 spies never entered the promised land; except the two that brought good news; Joshua and Caleb, who said that though there were giants in the land, let’s go, that God has given us.

“God has given us Nigeria. This land is a land flowing with milk and honey.

“If you say good things about Nigeria, aligning with God , you will find the goodness of Nigeria.

“That’s the message,” he said.

The cleric, who said he was neither on government’s payroll nor working for government, urged Nigerians to always say positive things about the country.

He said “the essence of the celebration is to tell people that it is only God that can deliver.

“It is only God that can save and only God can ameliorate your situation.

“And that is the good news that will have, that will should go out there and let people know.

“Many do not know where to go, they don’t know the solution to their problems.

“Therefore, the essence of the harvest is to tell people that Jesus is the solution to all our problems.”

Pastor Ebenezer Bello, in a sermon, said there are laws that govern harvest.

“If you don’t know the laws that govern harvest, you may miss the result of the harvest.

“It is not about the celebration that matters but what you take home.

“In Ecclesiastes 3:2, the Bible says there is a time and season.

“There is a time to plant and time to harvest. If you don’t follow this law, you may not harvest,” he said.

According to Mr Bello, there are rules of engagement.

He said during the planting season, it may not be convenient.

“That time requires patient, persistent and hard work.

“One thing to also know is what seed are you sowing?

“You may have a good soil and everything good but if your

seed is not good, you can’t have good harvest,” he said.

According to him, your seed will determine how your harvest will be.

“Many of us today, we are what we are today because of the seed will be sowed. We are products of the seed we sowed some years ago.

“What seed are you sowing in your life?

“If you sow good seed, you will reap it and if you sow evil seed, you will reap it.

“And if anyone sows unto spirit, he will reap eternal life or life everlasting,” he said.

Prayers were offered for Nigeria, its leaders and the church.

(NAN)