Founder and President of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has cautioned believers to guard their hearts against bitterness, stressing that it damages the person holding it far more than the one who caused the offence.
Speaking during the 30th anniversary celebration of Daystar Christian Centre in Oregun, Lagos, the bishop explained that bitterness obstructs spiritual progress and hinders believers from gaining access to God’s principles. His message comes amid heightened religious tensions in the country, following President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern — a move that has sparked debates among Christian and Muslim groups and raised concerns about national unity.
Preaching on the theme “Accessing the Ways of God” and referencing Psalm 103:7, Oyedepo highlighted that salvation grants believers entry into divine direction. He urged Christians to maintain purity of heart, saying, “Don’t harbour bitterness. It doesn’t trouble the person but you. Anybody who got anything wrong did not do so deliberately.”
He noted that the new birth opens the door to experiencing God’s love, peace, and guidance. According to him, “New birth is the gateway to His ways. When you are saved, God’s love comes alive in you. If you are saved, the peace of God will calm you in the midst of the storm. I have never had one sleepless night since Jesus called me into ministry.”
Emphasising the centrality of God’s fear in accessing divine wisdom, Oyedepo added that right standing with God is essential for righteous living. He also underscored the importance of joy and generosity in the life of a Christian, warning against depression.
“The joyful people access God. Beware of depression. It is a gateway to oppression. You are a bundle of joy. You have no relationship with depression. Without joy, you will be limited in access. You can’t draw without joy. Take delight in sharing. You don’t lack what you share, you only lack what you keep,” he said.
The anniversary, themed “A Mosaic of Changed Life, Celebrating 30 Years of Impact,” attracted top clerics from across the country. Among them were Pastor Yemi David, gospel singer Dunsin Oyekan, Rev Victor Adeyemi, Rev Samuel Olubiyo, Jimmy Odukoya of The Fountain of Life Church, and Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin, alongside several ministers from within and outside Lagos.
Running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event featured thanksgiving, testimonies, and reflections on Daystar Christian Centre’s three-decade journey.
In his address, Senior Pastor Sam Adeyemi recounted the church’s beginnings, explaining that it emerged from a divine instruction received on November 18, 1995. “The church was born out of the vision from God for the platform where I would help people to discover and release their potential and, in the process, they would become an example to others in the society,” he said.
Adeyemi noted that Daystar and his teaching programme, Success Power, both began in 1995. “That instruction resulted in two platforms in 1995. This February year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Success Power because my voice was on the radio for the first time on 8th February 1995.”
The celebration also featured testimonies from former Daystar leaders who have gone on to establish their own ministries, along with musical ministrations by Dunsin Oyekan and the Daystar Choir.
