Topic: Our Cross Bearer [Saturday 16, July 2016]
Memorise: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. – Ezekiel 18:20
Read: Ezekiel 18:1-4 (KJV)
1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 14:26-16:24, Psalms 10:12-11:7
MESSAGE:
The righteousness of God demands that the soul that commits sin will die (Genesis 2:16-17). The first man and woman disobeyed God and then became sinners doomed for prediction. When Jesus Christ was sent to come and die for mankind, He made a demand on man to carry his cross and follow Him. The cross being referred to isn’t just two pieces of wood put together. Rather, it may be the consequence of the sins someone has committed. This is why Jesus came to help us with the cross of sin. He said:
“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30
When we answer this call of Jesus Christ, He exchanges His light burden with our heavy load of sin. The Bible says that the reason Jesus Christ came to this world is that He may bear our burden of sin for us.
“4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” - Isaiah 53:4-5
Beloved, come to Jesus Christ today and He will carry your burden of sin for you. As a matter of fact, the cross He carried during His earthy ministry was for you and me. All you need to do is to confess your sin and accept Him as your Saviour and Lord. The Bible says if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and there is no truth in us. We deny ourselves the privilege of the Cross bearer if we refuse to come to Him and make Him as the Lord of our lives. He must not just be a Saviour; He should also be the Lord. My prayer is that whatever heavy burden you are carrying will be lifted in Jesus’ name.
Prayer point: Father, I bring my burden to you today in genuine repentance, please forgive me and help me lift this burden.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
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Saturday 16 July 2016
Femi Fani-Kayode freed
Ex-Spokesperson to the ex- President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode, has regained his freedom after spending over 65 days in detention for allegedly laundering of N4.9 billion.
His media aide confirmed the development. Recall that Mr. Jude Ndukwe, the Media Adviser to Fani-Kayode, on Monday, said Fani-Kayode has met all the bail conditions granted him by a Federal High Court in Lagos, last Tuesday. Fani-Kayode, former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman and three others charged with money laundering, were granted bail by a Federal High Court in Lagos, in the sum of N250 million. Ndukwe in a statement stated that Fani-Kayode has met all the conditions for his bail and the relevant documents have been duly filed and submitted at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
He however said Fani-Kayode was yet to be released owing to the delay by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to verify the filed documents.
The terse statement read: “Kindly be notified that Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has met all the conditions for his bail and the relevant documents have been duly filed and submitted at the Federal High Court in Lagos. “We are now waiting for the EFCC to verify the documents after which he would be released.
“Despite the fact that he has been locked up for the last 62 days, he remains confident, strong, healthy and in very high spirits. He misses his family very badly, especially his five month old son Aragon, and he looks forward to coming home to be with his family, friends and loved ones.”
Flatimes
His media aide confirmed the development. Recall that Mr. Jude Ndukwe, the Media Adviser to Fani-Kayode, on Monday, said Fani-Kayode has met all the bail conditions granted him by a Federal High Court in Lagos, last Tuesday. Fani-Kayode, former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman and three others charged with money laundering, were granted bail by a Federal High Court in Lagos, in the sum of N250 million. Ndukwe in a statement stated that Fani-Kayode has met all the conditions for his bail and the relevant documents have been duly filed and submitted at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
He however said Fani-Kayode was yet to be released owing to the delay by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to verify the filed documents.
The terse statement read: “Kindly be notified that Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has met all the conditions for his bail and the relevant documents have been duly filed and submitted at the Federal High Court in Lagos. “We are now waiting for the EFCC to verify the documents after which he would be released.
“Despite the fact that he has been locked up for the last 62 days, he remains confident, strong, healthy and in very high spirits. He misses his family very badly, especially his five month old son Aragon, and he looks forward to coming home to be with his family, friends and loved ones.”
Flatimes
Friday 15 July 2016
Turkey coup: military attempt to seize power from Erdogan as low flying jets and gunfire heard in Ankara
Coup attempt by parts of Turkish military against Erdogan
PM Yildirim: Nothing will harm Turkish democracy
Low flying jets and gunfire heard in Turkish capital
Both of Istanbul's bridges across the Bosphorus closed
Auto update
On
Erdogan 'safe'
A source from the presidential office has told Reuters that Erdogan is "safe".
Turkey's currency plummets
Turkey’s currency has suffered its heaviest fall in two months as investors took fright at a coup by the country’s military, Ben Martin reports.
The lira plunged as much as 3.8pc to 2.9901 against the dollar as money managers took fright at reports Turkey’s army had taken control of Ankara, the capital.
US Treasuries, a classic safe-haven investment, were in demand on Friday evening, with yields on American debt falling four basis points to 1.552pc. Bond yields move inversely to prices.
Timothy Ghriskey, of Solaris Asset Management, told Bloomberg: “The financial markets react very quickly to headlines like these, and it’s all about reducing risk.”
Telegraph.Uk
This is what transpired between Myself and Sen. Remi Tinubu says Sen. Dino Melayo
Take time to read full details and explained. It is my sincere pleasure to address you this morning. It wouldn’t have been necessary to address you on the subject matter am about to address you on but it has become expedient that despite the fact what I am addressing you transpired in the executive session of the senate but because of the misinformation by people of inundinate ambition out there. It has not only become expedient but it has become very, very paramount that I address you on this subject matter.
On Tuesday, the 12th of July, we had an executive session to discuss basically on the issue of forgery case in court and when I stood up to address and I want to say that on my honour as a christian on my honour as a father and on the oath of my office as a senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria I am telling you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have never being a coward, I will not start an apprenticeship programme now on how to become a coward. Whatever I say anywhere I can boldly repeat everywhere. When I stood up and I made my submissions that day in the senate, all I did was to pacify my colleagues and asked that the case in court be withdrawn because already there is a resolution of the senate that the rules of the senate were not forged and since there was a resolution of the senate that the rules of the senate were not forged then I said all those who have gone to court should go and withdraw their names from court and that if at the end of the day those who refused to withdraw their names from court we should penalised them by suspending them, I said that.
But I did not use any insolent abusive degrading or mannerless language. So there was no reaction from any of our colleagues as regards my presentation. After I spoke so many other senators spoke and I did not mention the name of any senators while I was making my presentation, unfortunately senator Oluremi Tinubu got up and was recognised to speak and immediately she started speaking she specifically mentioned my name even when in my presentation I did not mention anybody names I only appeal to the sensitivity of my colleagues and asked them to withdraw their case from court and reminded them already that there was a resolution of the senate that the rules were not forged. But because of reasons only known to senator Oluremi Tinubu she got up the first thing she said was that she’s being harrassed in this chamber by senator Melaye. I kept quite at that point, she went ahead to say that why will he come here and be threathening senators and there was a large chorus from senators how, when, where, senators reacted. At that point I was still very calm, she got up again and said that this thug must be tamed at that point I got up and I told her that she is very stupid. The next statement from her is that you are a dog. She called me a dog and when she called me a dog I stood up and I reacted and I told her that this is not Bourdillon and that she should look at my face, I am not one of those senators who normally come to prostrate to them in Bourdillon. And I told her I am from Kogi State, I am not from Lagos State and that there would never be a day that I will come to you for political assistance. This were my words and she went on shouting dog, thug.
I want to tell you gentlemen of the press for every reaction there must be an action. When I got up to address my colleagues she was not the only senators there. If I had used insolent language or foul languages you will know the type of senators we have they would have reacted and some of them would have even addressed you guys by now to say Dino insulted us. But because she acted in the manner she did not one seantor stood up in her defence when I was tongue lashing her. Even the senators from Lagos was there, Ashafa was there he didn’t stand up fro his seat. It is not true that anybody circled her because there was no need to. I did not leave the spot where I was sitting I didn’t get up from my seat. So there wouldn’t have being anybody to but somehow she got falsehood sold to the saharareporters. Nobody amongst those of us who spoke there actually talked about impeachment. Infact the issue of the presidency or president was not the subject matter we were discussing on how the senate can also come together and solve the forgery case. There wouldn’t have being any need to even discuss about Buhari or the Presidency but because of deliberate wickedness and satanic manifestations they brought in the issue of presidency to garnish their aim and purpose.
Today, I read on the pages of newspaper that in Nation to be very precise that senator Borrofice calling me names. Unfortunately, this expatriate senator, absentee senator called senator Borrofice was not even in the Chamber and he has not being in the chamber for the past two months. He was not in the chamber, I was surprised maybe he has celestial powers to understand what happens in his absence. For him to open his gutter and pass insolent languages on me. I have never being a coward and I will never be, I fight my battles alone and I stand by it and there is nothing I say anywhere that I cannot repeat everywhere. If there are instances that I am not a super human being, if there are instances where as a human being I have reacted negatively I am also ready to be apologetic about it.
But in this particular instance, I have never mentioned anybody’s name, I never even used insolent languages but because they are here to heal from the wound of defeat of the election of the senate president and because of my key role in this exercise where she and her husband called me severally to appeal to me to backoff Saraki and I say I will not backoff Saraki, I will continue to support Saraki, Saraki is my brother, he is my friend and I will continue to support him and this will not change today, it will not change tomorrow, it will not change in this four years of our stay in the Senate.
Every human being can have ambition, it is not a crime to be ambitious. saraki had the ambition of becoming a Senate president and God endorsed it, president Muhammadu Buhari is an ambitious person that is why he contested for the presidency four times before God answered him. I am an ambitious person, I event want to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria very soon.
So it is not a crime to be ambitious. So if you go through the papers today there has been a lot of misinformation, a lot of lies, a lot of blackmail, planted stories just to discourage the person and personality of Dino Melaye but I want to assure everyone that I remain resolute in my compaternal convictions, I will continue to stand by the truth, I will continue to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, I will continue to be a voice to the voiceless and in reaction I heard that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu said my political career has come to an end. I want to say that Tinubu is no God.
I fear only the God almighty, I fear no soul I only respect souls. So far my political journey to the House of Representatives and the Senate have no political, financial or moral contribution of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the God who has brought me this far is mighty, strong and enough to take me further, what God has given me no man can give and what God has given to me no man can take. I want to assure you that this is the true story of what transpired. It is falacious, malicious and a lie that I said I will impregnate Mrs Tinubu.
Biologically it is even impossible to impregnate Mrs Tinubu because she has arrived menopause. If you also look at that statement for those of us who are intellectually mobile, how can you say you want to beat somebody and at the same time you want to impregnate the person if you juxtapose the two is there any correlation, does it make any logical sense. So, when they planted this falsehood they did not think deeply. I want to say that I will continue to uphold the culture the tradition, the values of the Kogi West Senatorial district and I will not abuse it. But it is absurd for a woman to look for her colleague and call him a thug and a dog when he has not personally addressed you. unfortunately I did not have the anointing to be quite when you are being insulted I replied accordingly. I repeat there is no reaction without an action. If she did not call me a dog or a thug there is no way I would have responded. I responded I have no regrets for responding and defending my person and if tomorrow or in the next 1hour, Senator Tinubu again called me any name I shall equally respond accordingly.
http://www.247nigerianewsupdate.co/2016/07/dino-melaye-finallyopens-up-what.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+247nigerianewsupdate/zVwK+(247+Nigeria+News+Update)&m=1
On Tuesday, the 12th of July, we had an executive session to discuss basically on the issue of forgery case in court and when I stood up to address and I want to say that on my honour as a christian on my honour as a father and on the oath of my office as a senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria I am telling you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have never being a coward, I will not start an apprenticeship programme now on how to become a coward. Whatever I say anywhere I can boldly repeat everywhere. When I stood up and I made my submissions that day in the senate, all I did was to pacify my colleagues and asked that the case in court be withdrawn because already there is a resolution of the senate that the rules of the senate were not forged and since there was a resolution of the senate that the rules of the senate were not forged then I said all those who have gone to court should go and withdraw their names from court and that if at the end of the day those who refused to withdraw their names from court we should penalised them by suspending them, I said that.
But I did not use any insolent abusive degrading or mannerless language. So there was no reaction from any of our colleagues as regards my presentation. After I spoke so many other senators spoke and I did not mention the name of any senators while I was making my presentation, unfortunately senator Oluremi Tinubu got up and was recognised to speak and immediately she started speaking she specifically mentioned my name even when in my presentation I did not mention anybody names I only appeal to the sensitivity of my colleagues and asked them to withdraw their case from court and reminded them already that there was a resolution of the senate that the rules were not forged. But because of reasons only known to senator Oluremi Tinubu she got up the first thing she said was that she’s being harrassed in this chamber by senator Melaye. I kept quite at that point, she went ahead to say that why will he come here and be threathening senators and there was a large chorus from senators how, when, where, senators reacted. At that point I was still very calm, she got up again and said that this thug must be tamed at that point I got up and I told her that she is very stupid. The next statement from her is that you are a dog. She called me a dog and when she called me a dog I stood up and I reacted and I told her that this is not Bourdillon and that she should look at my face, I am not one of those senators who normally come to prostrate to them in Bourdillon. And I told her I am from Kogi State, I am not from Lagos State and that there would never be a day that I will come to you for political assistance. This were my words and she went on shouting dog, thug.
I want to tell you gentlemen of the press for every reaction there must be an action. When I got up to address my colleagues she was not the only senators there. If I had used insolent language or foul languages you will know the type of senators we have they would have reacted and some of them would have even addressed you guys by now to say Dino insulted us. But because she acted in the manner she did not one seantor stood up in her defence when I was tongue lashing her. Even the senators from Lagos was there, Ashafa was there he didn’t stand up fro his seat. It is not true that anybody circled her because there was no need to. I did not leave the spot where I was sitting I didn’t get up from my seat. So there wouldn’t have being anybody to but somehow she got falsehood sold to the saharareporters. Nobody amongst those of us who spoke there actually talked about impeachment. Infact the issue of the presidency or president was not the subject matter we were discussing on how the senate can also come together and solve the forgery case. There wouldn’t have being any need to even discuss about Buhari or the Presidency but because of deliberate wickedness and satanic manifestations they brought in the issue of presidency to garnish their aim and purpose.
Today, I read on the pages of newspaper that in Nation to be very precise that senator Borrofice calling me names. Unfortunately, this expatriate senator, absentee senator called senator Borrofice was not even in the Chamber and he has not being in the chamber for the past two months. He was not in the chamber, I was surprised maybe he has celestial powers to understand what happens in his absence. For him to open his gutter and pass insolent languages on me. I have never being a coward and I will never be, I fight my battles alone and I stand by it and there is nothing I say anywhere that I cannot repeat everywhere. If there are instances that I am not a super human being, if there are instances where as a human being I have reacted negatively I am also ready to be apologetic about it.
But in this particular instance, I have never mentioned anybody’s name, I never even used insolent languages but because they are here to heal from the wound of defeat of the election of the senate president and because of my key role in this exercise where she and her husband called me severally to appeal to me to backoff Saraki and I say I will not backoff Saraki, I will continue to support Saraki, Saraki is my brother, he is my friend and I will continue to support him and this will not change today, it will not change tomorrow, it will not change in this four years of our stay in the Senate.
Every human being can have ambition, it is not a crime to be ambitious. saraki had the ambition of becoming a Senate president and God endorsed it, president Muhammadu Buhari is an ambitious person that is why he contested for the presidency four times before God answered him. I am an ambitious person, I event want to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria very soon.
So it is not a crime to be ambitious. So if you go through the papers today there has been a lot of misinformation, a lot of lies, a lot of blackmail, planted stories just to discourage the person and personality of Dino Melaye but I want to assure everyone that I remain resolute in my compaternal convictions, I will continue to stand by the truth, I will continue to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, I will continue to be a voice to the voiceless and in reaction I heard that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu said my political career has come to an end. I want to say that Tinubu is no God.
I fear only the God almighty, I fear no soul I only respect souls. So far my political journey to the House of Representatives and the Senate have no political, financial or moral contribution of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the God who has brought me this far is mighty, strong and enough to take me further, what God has given me no man can give and what God has given to me no man can take. I want to assure you that this is the true story of what transpired. It is falacious, malicious and a lie that I said I will impregnate Mrs Tinubu.
Biologically it is even impossible to impregnate Mrs Tinubu because she has arrived menopause. If you also look at that statement for those of us who are intellectually mobile, how can you say you want to beat somebody and at the same time you want to impregnate the person if you juxtapose the two is there any correlation, does it make any logical sense. So, when they planted this falsehood they did not think deeply. I want to say that I will continue to uphold the culture the tradition, the values of the Kogi West Senatorial district and I will not abuse it. But it is absurd for a woman to look for her colleague and call him a thug and a dog when he has not personally addressed you. unfortunately I did not have the anointing to be quite when you are being insulted I replied accordingly. I repeat there is no reaction without an action. If she did not call me a dog or a thug there is no way I would have responded. I responded I have no regrets for responding and defending my person and if tomorrow or in the next 1hour, Senator Tinubu again called me any name I shall equally respond accordingly.
http://www.247nigerianewsupdate.co/2016/07/dino-melaye-finallyopens-up-what.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+247nigerianewsupdate/zVwK+(247+Nigeria+News+Update)&m=1
Terrorist Attacked In France leaves 73 dead
In what shows that many people's happiness were caught short! A gunman opened fire at a crowd celebrating French Independence day on July 14th and then got back into his truck and mowed down more people that were celebrating on the road. Death toll has been increased to 77 and hundreds injured. Watch the videos
Click the link below
LIB/BBC
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36800730
Click the link below
LIB/BBC
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36800730
Open Heavens 15 July 2016: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – A Partaker of Other People’s Sins?
Topic: A Partaker of Other People’s Sins? [Friday 15, July 2016]
Memorise: Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. – 1 Timothy 5:22
Read: 2 Chronicles 18:28-34 (KJV)
28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.
30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.
31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
32 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.
33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
34 And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 11:17-14:25, Psalms 10:1-11
MESSAGE:
There is an error now rampant among the children of God, which must be avoided if we will make it to Heaven. That error is partaking in other people’s sins, particularly the unbelievers! The reason for this development is connected with the unwillingness to take our stand in the midst of opposition and antagonism from the unbelieving people of this age. Children of God now conform a lot with the evil in our society because we do not want to be blacklisted, whereas, this is the nature of our calling. Jesus Christ said concerning the experience of His disciplines in this world:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved". - Matthew 10:22
It is unfortunate that those who indulge in aiding and abetting sinful ways do not know that they will also be partakers of the punishment:
“28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” - Romans 1:28, 32
In the Bible reading for today, we read about how Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah partook in the sin of his friend, the king of Israel and was almost killed but for divine intervention. He agreed to disguise to be the king of Israel, not knowing that it was the king of Israel that was being sought for destruction. In the same vein, many children of God make friends with ungodly people of the world only to discover that they share the punishment with the ungodly. This should not be so because the Bible says:
“2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.” - Psalms 125:2-3
Unless children of God cease from being partakers of the sins of the unbelievers, we may continue to suffer just because of our alliance with the wicked people of this world. For example, when a child of God enters into a business partnership with an unbeliever who refuses to pay his tithe, the business may collapse for this reason and the ignorant child of God suffers together with the unbeliever. May God have mercy on His children.
Action Point: Break all alliances with unbelievers and pray that the Almighty have mercy on you for previous alliances.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Memorise: Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. – 1 Timothy 5:22
Read: 2 Chronicles 18:28-34 (KJV)
28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.
30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.
31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
32 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.
33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
34 And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 11:17-14:25, Psalms 10:1-11
MESSAGE:
There is an error now rampant among the children of God, which must be avoided if we will make it to Heaven. That error is partaking in other people’s sins, particularly the unbelievers! The reason for this development is connected with the unwillingness to take our stand in the midst of opposition and antagonism from the unbelieving people of this age. Children of God now conform a lot with the evil in our society because we do not want to be blacklisted, whereas, this is the nature of our calling. Jesus Christ said concerning the experience of His disciplines in this world:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved". - Matthew 10:22
It is unfortunate that those who indulge in aiding and abetting sinful ways do not know that they will also be partakers of the punishment:
“28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” - Romans 1:28, 32
In the Bible reading for today, we read about how Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah partook in the sin of his friend, the king of Israel and was almost killed but for divine intervention. He agreed to disguise to be the king of Israel, not knowing that it was the king of Israel that was being sought for destruction. In the same vein, many children of God make friends with ungodly people of the world only to discover that they share the punishment with the ungodly. This should not be so because the Bible says:
“2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.” - Psalms 125:2-3
Unless children of God cease from being partakers of the sins of the unbelievers, we may continue to suffer just because of our alliance with the wicked people of this world. For example, when a child of God enters into a business partnership with an unbeliever who refuses to pay his tithe, the business may collapse for this reason and the ignorant child of God suffers together with the unbeliever. May God have mercy on His children.
Action Point: Break all alliances with unbelievers and pray that the Almighty have mercy on you for previous alliances.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Thursday 14 July 2016
Two lover birds as Tom Hiddleston is 'planning to propose' to Taylor Swift
According to US Weekly, Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston have no intentions of slowing down anytime soon as pals of the couple say the British actor is ready to propose and Taylor is going to accept the proposal after just one month of dating. Read the report from US Weekly below...
Taylor Swift is living her own love story. Life with boyfriend Tom Hiddleston “has been a dream come true,” a Swift source says in the new issue of Us Weekly. “He’s so romantic, classic and chivalrous, and he’s doing everything right.”
His grandest gesture has yet to come. After a whirlwind month of dating that included jaunts to England, Italy and Australia, a Hiddleston insider says the 35-year-old Brit is ready to upgrade his relationship status. “Tom is planning to propose very soon,” says the insider.
And the 10-time Grammy winner, 26, has her answer prepared. “She would definitely say yes,” says the Swift source.
Though the pair’s romance has clocked in faster than your average Bachelor courtship, the two have already checked off major relationship milestones. Days after their first official date in Rhode Island June 14, Swift whisked the Avengers star off to Nashville in her private jet to meet her parents. By the time he took her home to England days later, they had already swapped I love you’s.
Then, the weekend of Swift’s annual 4th of July bash, the normally private actor shared his feelings with the world — wearing an “I [Heart] T.S.” tank top and a temporary heart tattoo with the letter T in the middle — while splashing in the ocean July 3.
His devotion has floored Swift. “Taylor’s totally into him,” says the Swift source. “She is so swept off her feet.”
LIB
Taylor Swift is living her own love story. Life with boyfriend Tom Hiddleston “has been a dream come true,” a Swift source says in the new issue of Us Weekly. “He’s so romantic, classic and chivalrous, and he’s doing everything right.”
His grandest gesture has yet to come. After a whirlwind month of dating that included jaunts to England, Italy and Australia, a Hiddleston insider says the 35-year-old Brit is ready to upgrade his relationship status. “Tom is planning to propose very soon,” says the insider.
And the 10-time Grammy winner, 26, has her answer prepared. “She would definitely say yes,” says the Swift source.
Though the pair’s romance has clocked in faster than your average Bachelor courtship, the two have already checked off major relationship milestones. Days after their first official date in Rhode Island June 14, Swift whisked the Avengers star off to Nashville in her private jet to meet her parents. By the time he took her home to England days later, they had already swapped I love you’s.
Then, the weekend of Swift’s annual 4th of July bash, the normally private actor shared his feelings with the world — wearing an “I [Heart] T.S.” tank top and a temporary heart tattoo with the letter T in the middle — while splashing in the ocean July 3.
His devotion has floored Swift. “Taylor’s totally into him,” says the Swift source. “She is so swept off her feet.”
LIB
$200billion scam: EFCC seals off Abuja firm that paid for Buratai’s Dubai properties
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has sealed off The First Group Company in Abuja, a Dubai firm linked to properties purchased by Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, for alleged $200bn scam.
The anti-graft agency revealed this in a statement on Wednesday.
The firm is allegedly involved in the purchase of property in Dubai by Tukur Buratai, lieutenant general and chief of army staff.
EFCC in the statement said: “As part of the ongoing probe of the laundering of over $200billion loot in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by former political office holders, operatives of the EFCC today, July 13th 2016, stormed the office of a Dubai property firm, The First Group Company, in Abuja.”
“The EFCC team raided the company’s seventh-floor office at the Bank of Industry building in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory after obtaining a search warrant.”
“The company is also being investigated for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians by luring them to invest in real estate in Dubai.”
“A prominent Nigerian is alleged to have lost about $402, 000 in a phony real estate transaction with the company. Details later.”
The Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday evaded questions on the recent calls for the probe of the Chief of Army Staff for purchasing properties worth $1.5m in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
Flatimes
The anti-graft agency revealed this in a statement on Wednesday.
The firm is allegedly involved in the purchase of property in Dubai by Tukur Buratai, lieutenant general and chief of army staff.
EFCC in the statement said: “As part of the ongoing probe of the laundering of over $200billion loot in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by former political office holders, operatives of the EFCC today, July 13th 2016, stormed the office of a Dubai property firm, The First Group Company, in Abuja.”
“The EFCC team raided the company’s seventh-floor office at the Bank of Industry building in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory after obtaining a search warrant.”
“The company is also being investigated for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians by luring them to invest in real estate in Dubai.”
“A prominent Nigerian is alleged to have lost about $402, 000 in a phony real estate transaction with the company. Details later.”
The Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday evaded questions on the recent calls for the probe of the Chief of Army Staff for purchasing properties worth $1.5m in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
Flatimes
Open Heavens 14 July 2016: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Doing God’s Project
Topic: Doing God’s Project [Thursday 14, July 2016]
Memorise: Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, – Exodus 35:5
Read: Exodus 25:1-9 (KJV)
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
5 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:16, Psalms 9:11-20
MESSAGE:
One truth that children of God must embrace is that we are partners with God in His divine project. God created man in His image, by implication; man is superior to all other creation and is lord over the universe. God prepared man to occupy a position of junior partner with Him. This is why after He had created the Heaven and the earth and all that were in the earth, He put man in charge of naming, keeping and dressing them. The Bible says:
“And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” - Genesis 2:19
So, man had been charged with the responsibility of doing God’s project from the beginning and up till date, God has not withdrawn this responsibility from man, although at times, man fails to live up to God’s expectation. I pray for someone using this devotional; you will from now on live according to God’s expectation concerning Kingdom projects in Jesus’ name.
In today’s Bible reading, the Lord commanded Moses to take offerings from the children of Israel for the building of the Tabernacle. He told them to bring the offering willingly and joyfully. God is still making demands on us for His projects; missionary, infrastructural or administrative. It is left to us to respond according to our ability. One other truth we must learn from the story of the children of Israel is that everything God demanded from them was provided to them by God Himself. When the children of Israel were leaving Egypt, the Lord caused the Egyptians to send them away in a hurry with the riches of the land. The Bible says:
“35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.” - Exodus 12:35-36
Another lesson we must learn from this is that whatever blessing we are blessed with has a reason and the reason primarily is for kingdom projects. Therefore, I advise someone reading this devotional today to find out the areas where God’s project needs his or her urgent attention and go ahead to meet that need.
Prayer Point: Father, please help me not to fail you in Kingdom Business in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Memorise: Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, – Exodus 35:5
Read: Exodus 25:1-9 (KJV)
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
5 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:16, Psalms 9:11-20
MESSAGE:
One truth that children of God must embrace is that we are partners with God in His divine project. God created man in His image, by implication; man is superior to all other creation and is lord over the universe. God prepared man to occupy a position of junior partner with Him. This is why after He had created the Heaven and the earth and all that were in the earth, He put man in charge of naming, keeping and dressing them. The Bible says:
“And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” - Genesis 2:19
So, man had been charged with the responsibility of doing God’s project from the beginning and up till date, God has not withdrawn this responsibility from man, although at times, man fails to live up to God’s expectation. I pray for someone using this devotional; you will from now on live according to God’s expectation concerning Kingdom projects in Jesus’ name.
In today’s Bible reading, the Lord commanded Moses to take offerings from the children of Israel for the building of the Tabernacle. He told them to bring the offering willingly and joyfully. God is still making demands on us for His projects; missionary, infrastructural or administrative. It is left to us to respond according to our ability. One other truth we must learn from the story of the children of Israel is that everything God demanded from them was provided to them by God Himself. When the children of Israel were leaving Egypt, the Lord caused the Egyptians to send them away in a hurry with the riches of the land. The Bible says:
“35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.” - Exodus 12:35-36
Another lesson we must learn from this is that whatever blessing we are blessed with has a reason and the reason primarily is for kingdom projects. Therefore, I advise someone reading this devotional today to find out the areas where God’s project needs his or her urgent attention and go ahead to meet that need.
Prayer Point: Father, please help me not to fail you in Kingdom Business in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Wednesday 13 July 2016
Undiluted restructuring view about Nigeria by Prof. Osibajo
Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday reacted to criticism from those calling for the restructuring of Nigeria, after reports in some newspapers said that he dismissed the idea as unnecessary.
His office provided a transcript of what he said on a Live TVC programme, unvarnished.
Osinbajo:
Nigeria is a major concept, it’s a huge thing, there are many issues surrounding it. For example, I have always been a strong believer in fiscal federalism that is to say, that the states must have more resources and we went to the Supreme Court. I actually went to the Supreme Court as Attorney-General of Lagos State, no less than ten times on issues of fiscal federalism.
As a matter of fact, one of the things we said at that point was that we are trying to structure Nigeria’s federalism by court action. We went to court several times. For example on the issue of whether states have the right to certain degrees of autonomy, we fully supported that and said the state have right of autonomy with (regards) even to their resources.
VAT for example: we believe VAT must be a state matter, sales tax ought to be a state matter. I strongly believe in that and we’ve always fought for those issues.
State police: I strongly believe that we must have state police.
Dividing Nigeria, going back to regions and all of those kinds of things, I do not believe that at all. I don’t think that we need to go back to regions.
So, if there are people who believe that we must structure ourselves again along ethnic lines I don’t accept that that is the right way to go. So, when you say restructuring, even seated there with you (the interviewers on the tv set) I am sure that for many of us there are certain aspects of this restructuring that you may agree with or that you may not agree with.
But as a general position, Nigeria always needs to be re-engineered, we have to keep restructuring, re-engineering.
For example look at (some of the current) questions today, around whether or not a state should have rule over its resources. That is a major point.
Of course, states ought to have a good measure of control over their resources but we must have to agree how do you then ensure that the federal government itself functions. Do you need a federal government or do you not need a federal government?
But to say restructuring, I am sure that even Mr. Otitoju, with whom we ‘ve worked very closely will agree with me, even if he does not agree, I don’t think he wants Nigeria to be restructured along ethnic lines.
Is that the restructure we want?
POWER SHARING
What do you mean by power sharing, you must be specific. Is it the rotation of the presidency? As far as I am concerned whatever the political arrangement the political party makes, wherever they want the presidency to go should be left entirely with the political parties and should be a political arrangement.
But I don’t believe that we should go and write it in our constitution that there must be… that the presidency must go from zone to zone. I dont think that should be a constitutional issue. I think we should leave that to the parties themselves.
If a party decides that we want zoning its a party thing, let it be so. But I don’t think we should go and write that into our constitution.
And I very strongly believe that the time will come when we will no longer be emphasizing geo-political zone and that is the kind of Nigeria I will like to see. I like to see a Nigeria where we are all able to work together, where we are able to de-emphasize ethnicity, de-emphasize geo-political zone. That is the kind of Nigeria that I’ll like to see.
I believe that sometimes, you know, we pre-occupy ourselves with some of these issues you know, but let’s take a close look at today when we’ve had problems in this country.
Whatever problems we had today, we have serious economic problems. Is it on account of geo-political arrangement that we have serious economic problems?
Corruption for example, which is crippling Nigeria, is corruption a geo-political problem?
Because what I have seen, just looking at the case files, what I have seen is that when there is corruption in Nigeria, any case of corruption, you will find federal character, every geo-political zone is represented.
If somebody steals today, if you find somebody stealing $200m or $2b as we see, you will find that everybody is represented. You will find Yoruba man, Housa man, the man from South-South, you find the Igbo man. There is equal representation. I think we must also interrogate our elites, Nigerian elites.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Let me say that you know, with respect to constitutional reform I’m one for continuously reviewing our constitution especially because there are many faults that are in the constitution. There are many different problems, many different issues.
I believe that we must continue to take a look at the constitution and look for ways of modifying it, we should not be shying away from constitutional amendment or revisiting our constitution but what I am against is anything that is vague.
You know for example, if you take a look at our constitution, and say well let us just look at it again. Some people say it is not our constitution because it does not originate from the people. Most constitutions as you see all over the world, are usually from elites. The elites come together draw up a set of rules and regulations, and everybody accepts it. There are very few places where even a man on the street don’t understand half of what you are saying in the constitutional document.
So what our elites and our representative ought to do is to provide for the people the very best that will ensure the welfare, the safety of the vast majority of the people. That is the responsibility of the elites.
I’m a constitutional lawyer, I know that regarding the constitution, generally speaking, how many people get involved? Even if you do a referendum you, you can’t do a yes or no on a constitutional document.
STATE POLICE
We have continued to advocate for state police. I continue to advocate for state police, I believe very strongly that we must have state police…Community policing, we can’t achieve it without a constitutional amendment. So I very strongly believe that we must have community policing.
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
Certainly that is something that I want to see -appellate jurisdiction of the court. Those interlocutory appeals must stop at the court of appeal. So you don’t have somebody because he wants to delay a case from going forward by appealing all the way to the Supreme Court.
Flatimes
His office provided a transcript of what he said on a Live TVC programme, unvarnished.
Osinbajo:
Nigeria is a major concept, it’s a huge thing, there are many issues surrounding it. For example, I have always been a strong believer in fiscal federalism that is to say, that the states must have more resources and we went to the Supreme Court. I actually went to the Supreme Court as Attorney-General of Lagos State, no less than ten times on issues of fiscal federalism.
As a matter of fact, one of the things we said at that point was that we are trying to structure Nigeria’s federalism by court action. We went to court several times. For example on the issue of whether states have the right to certain degrees of autonomy, we fully supported that and said the state have right of autonomy with (regards) even to their resources.
VAT for example: we believe VAT must be a state matter, sales tax ought to be a state matter. I strongly believe in that and we’ve always fought for those issues.
State police: I strongly believe that we must have state police.
Dividing Nigeria, going back to regions and all of those kinds of things, I do not believe that at all. I don’t think that we need to go back to regions.
So, if there are people who believe that we must structure ourselves again along ethnic lines I don’t accept that that is the right way to go. So, when you say restructuring, even seated there with you (the interviewers on the tv set) I am sure that for many of us there are certain aspects of this restructuring that you may agree with or that you may not agree with.
But as a general position, Nigeria always needs to be re-engineered, we have to keep restructuring, re-engineering.
For example look at (some of the current) questions today, around whether or not a state should have rule over its resources. That is a major point.
Of course, states ought to have a good measure of control over their resources but we must have to agree how do you then ensure that the federal government itself functions. Do you need a federal government or do you not need a federal government?
But to say restructuring, I am sure that even Mr. Otitoju, with whom we ‘ve worked very closely will agree with me, even if he does not agree, I don’t think he wants Nigeria to be restructured along ethnic lines.
Is that the restructure we want?
POWER SHARING
What do you mean by power sharing, you must be specific. Is it the rotation of the presidency? As far as I am concerned whatever the political arrangement the political party makes, wherever they want the presidency to go should be left entirely with the political parties and should be a political arrangement.
But I don’t believe that we should go and write it in our constitution that there must be… that the presidency must go from zone to zone. I dont think that should be a constitutional issue. I think we should leave that to the parties themselves.
If a party decides that we want zoning its a party thing, let it be so. But I don’t think we should go and write that into our constitution.
And I very strongly believe that the time will come when we will no longer be emphasizing geo-political zone and that is the kind of Nigeria I will like to see. I like to see a Nigeria where we are all able to work together, where we are able to de-emphasize ethnicity, de-emphasize geo-political zone. That is the kind of Nigeria that I’ll like to see.
I believe that sometimes, you know, we pre-occupy ourselves with some of these issues you know, but let’s take a close look at today when we’ve had problems in this country.
Whatever problems we had today, we have serious economic problems. Is it on account of geo-political arrangement that we have serious economic problems?
Corruption for example, which is crippling Nigeria, is corruption a geo-political problem?
Because what I have seen, just looking at the case files, what I have seen is that when there is corruption in Nigeria, any case of corruption, you will find federal character, every geo-political zone is represented.
If somebody steals today, if you find somebody stealing $200m or $2b as we see, you will find that everybody is represented. You will find Yoruba man, Housa man, the man from South-South, you find the Igbo man. There is equal representation. I think we must also interrogate our elites, Nigerian elites.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Let me say that you know, with respect to constitutional reform I’m one for continuously reviewing our constitution especially because there are many faults that are in the constitution. There are many different problems, many different issues.
I believe that we must continue to take a look at the constitution and look for ways of modifying it, we should not be shying away from constitutional amendment or revisiting our constitution but what I am against is anything that is vague.
You know for example, if you take a look at our constitution, and say well let us just look at it again. Some people say it is not our constitution because it does not originate from the people. Most constitutions as you see all over the world, are usually from elites. The elites come together draw up a set of rules and regulations, and everybody accepts it. There are very few places where even a man on the street don’t understand half of what you are saying in the constitutional document.
So what our elites and our representative ought to do is to provide for the people the very best that will ensure the welfare, the safety of the vast majority of the people. That is the responsibility of the elites.
I’m a constitutional lawyer, I know that regarding the constitution, generally speaking, how many people get involved? Even if you do a referendum you, you can’t do a yes or no on a constitutional document.
STATE POLICE
We have continued to advocate for state police. I continue to advocate for state police, I believe very strongly that we must have state police…Community policing, we can’t achieve it without a constitutional amendment. So I very strongly believe that we must have community policing.
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
Certainly that is something that I want to see -appellate jurisdiction of the court. Those interlocutory appeals must stop at the court of appeal. So you don’t have somebody because he wants to delay a case from going forward by appealing all the way to the Supreme Court.
Flatimes
Open Heavens 13 July 2016: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Subduing the Flesh
Topic: Subduing the Flesh [Wednesday 13, July 2016]
Memorise: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. – 1 Corinthians 9:27
Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (KJV)
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 5-7, Psalms 9:1-10
MESSAGE:
One of the three expressways to sin is the flesh. Our first parents did not take note of this and so they fell into the trap of the flesh. The Bible says: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food…”she fell for the lust of the flesh. It should be recalled that it was food that made Esau lost his birthright. The greatest birthright, of course, is the place Jesus went to prepare for the elects and no child of God should trade his Heavenly mansion for a morsel of food. It is written.
“16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” - Hebrews 12:16-17
This is the categorisation John the beloved Apostle made in his first general epistle when he wrote:
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” - 1 John 2:16
There are terrible products of the flesh as listed in Galatians 5:19-21 which will not allow anyone enter into the Kingdom of God. Paul, another apostle of Jesus Christ did not underplay the havoc the flesh can do and determined to keep his body under and subject it to spiritual authority, so that he could make it to eternity with his God. It is not a surprise that Paul decided to subject his flesh because he knew the evil it perpetrated against his soul as revealed in another of his epistles where he lamented:
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” - Romans 7:24
He however found solution to the devastating effect of the flesh in Jesus Christ, as he wrote further in Romans 7:25a.
The lesson we can readily learn from Paul’s experience is that we can overcome the negative influence of the flesh if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Our annual resolution to live a godly life cannot help in this regard. Only with the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ can any man overcome the flesh. This is why Jesus is calling everyone, particularly a reader of this devotional; He says:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28
As Paul overcame, we can also overcome the flesh and we shall be able to say like him:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” - 2 Timothy 4:7
May the Lord give us victory over the flesh in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Father, help me to uproot every seed of sin that the devil has planted in my life, and give me victory over my flesh in Jesus’ name. Pray for Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, that the grace and anointing of God in her life will continue to multiply year after year.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Memorise: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. – 1 Corinthians 9:27
Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (KJV)
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 5-7, Psalms 9:1-10
MESSAGE:
One of the three expressways to sin is the flesh. Our first parents did not take note of this and so they fell into the trap of the flesh. The Bible says: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food…”she fell for the lust of the flesh. It should be recalled that it was food that made Esau lost his birthright. The greatest birthright, of course, is the place Jesus went to prepare for the elects and no child of God should trade his Heavenly mansion for a morsel of food. It is written.
“16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” - Hebrews 12:16-17
This is the categorisation John the beloved Apostle made in his first general epistle when he wrote:
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” - 1 John 2:16
There are terrible products of the flesh as listed in Galatians 5:19-21 which will not allow anyone enter into the Kingdom of God. Paul, another apostle of Jesus Christ did not underplay the havoc the flesh can do and determined to keep his body under and subject it to spiritual authority, so that he could make it to eternity with his God. It is not a surprise that Paul decided to subject his flesh because he knew the evil it perpetrated against his soul as revealed in another of his epistles where he lamented:
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” - Romans 7:24
He however found solution to the devastating effect of the flesh in Jesus Christ, as he wrote further in Romans 7:25a.
The lesson we can readily learn from Paul’s experience is that we can overcome the negative influence of the flesh if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Our annual resolution to live a godly life cannot help in this regard. Only with the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ can any man overcome the flesh. This is why Jesus is calling everyone, particularly a reader of this devotional; He says:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28
As Paul overcame, we can also overcome the flesh and we shall be able to say like him:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” - 2 Timothy 4:7
May the Lord give us victory over the flesh in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Father, help me to uproot every seed of sin that the devil has planted in my life, and give me victory over my flesh in Jesus’ name. Pray for Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, that the grace and anointing of God in her life will continue to multiply year after year.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Tuesday 12 July 2016
Open Heavens 12 July 2016: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Get out from among them
Topic: Get out from among them [Tuesday 12, July 2016]
Memorise: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. – Psalms 1:1
Read: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 1-4, Psalms 8
MESSAGE:
Right from the Garden of Eden, there have been two categories of people in the world – the godly and the ungodly. Ungodliness didn’t just start in the 21st century; it is an age-long problem. Therefore, all conscientious children of God must make up their minds to watch out for ungodly groups and do everything possible to avoid keeping their company. The difference between the heroes of faith and other people that lived in their generations is that the heroes of faith refused to be influenced by the lifestyle of the ungodly. The Psalmist in our memory verse for today said;
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” - Psalms 1:1
An example of a hero of faith who distinguished himself in godliness is Noah. The Bible says that as perverted as his world was, he decided to live in the fear of the Lord with his household;
“9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” - Genesis 6:9, 6
It is very important that the lovers of God abstain from all appearances of evil. In our Bible reading for today, an Apostle of Jesus Christ admonishes us not to keep company with the ungodly; he sees no resemblance in the life of the godly and that of the ungodly. The difference is clear and Apostle John spells it out by saying;
“9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” - 1 John 3:9, 10
The world is full of the ungodly, sinners and enemies of God. We live among them and they want to keep our company. They entice us to keep their company also. The Almighty God is speaking to us today to come out from among them. And for those who have come out in genuine repentance but are thinking of going back; don’t do it. For those still in sin, the command of God to you today is to get out of your life of sin. You stand to be blessed if you will obey the voice of God today. As a matter of fact, the evil you plan to execute today may be your last action on the face of the earth if you don’t repent.
Action Point: Look at your life and the company you keep. Does this company glorify the Name of your God? If not, get out of that company, Thought, action and habit today.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Memorise: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. – Psalms 1:1
Read: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 1-4, Psalms 8
MESSAGE:
Right from the Garden of Eden, there have been two categories of people in the world – the godly and the ungodly. Ungodliness didn’t just start in the 21st century; it is an age-long problem. Therefore, all conscientious children of God must make up their minds to watch out for ungodly groups and do everything possible to avoid keeping their company. The difference between the heroes of faith and other people that lived in their generations is that the heroes of faith refused to be influenced by the lifestyle of the ungodly. The Psalmist in our memory verse for today said;
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” - Psalms 1:1
An example of a hero of faith who distinguished himself in godliness is Noah. The Bible says that as perverted as his world was, he decided to live in the fear of the Lord with his household;
“9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” - Genesis 6:9, 6
It is very important that the lovers of God abstain from all appearances of evil. In our Bible reading for today, an Apostle of Jesus Christ admonishes us not to keep company with the ungodly; he sees no resemblance in the life of the godly and that of the ungodly. The difference is clear and Apostle John spells it out by saying;
“9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” - 1 John 3:9, 10
The world is full of the ungodly, sinners and enemies of God. We live among them and they want to keep our company. They entice us to keep their company also. The Almighty God is speaking to us today to come out from among them. And for those who have come out in genuine repentance but are thinking of going back; don’t do it. For those still in sin, the command of God to you today is to get out of your life of sin. You stand to be blessed if you will obey the voice of God today. As a matter of fact, the evil you plan to execute today may be your last action on the face of the earth if you don’t repent.
Action Point: Look at your life and the company you keep. Does this company glorify the Name of your God? If not, get out of that company, Thought, action and habit today.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
I so muh believe on law and order! Donald Trum
Donald Trump proclaimed himself the “law and order candidate” Monday, emphasizing increased threats to police and declaring only he can keep Americans safe in a nation reeling from gun violence. “I am the law and order candidate,” the Republican party’s presumptive presidential nominee said in a speech in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The declaration, reminiscent of remarks made by former president Richard Nixon, came as Trump highlighted recent killings including the horrific shooting deaths of five Dallas officers in a gunman’s sniper-like assault.
“The attack on our Dallas police is an attack on our country. Our whole nation is in mourning,” Trump said, as he pledged to “fight” for law enforcement personnel and ensure they have Washington’s full backing. “Without safety we have nothing.” Trump, who veered from his speech on veterans issues to discuss the violence, also stressed that he is the candidate of compassion. “But you can’t have true compassion without providing safety for the citizens of our country,” Trump said.
The billionaire political neophyte’s reaction to the latest US events has been closely scrutinized in recent days. Often quick to lash out on Twitter or offer scathing critiques, Trump has largely steered clear of aggressive criticism after the deaths of two black men last week at the hands of police officers. He halted his campaigning for a day after Thursday’s Dallas police murders, as did his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
But on Monday Trump insisted he was uniquely prepared to back the nation’s police forces, and hammered Clinton as “weak, ineffective” and pandering. “America’s police and law enforcement personnel are what separates civilization from total chaos and the destruction of our country as we know it,” Trump said.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a former 2016 presidential candidate and a potential Trump running mate, was on board with Trump’s message. “We need a president who once again puts law and order at the top of the priority of the presidency of this country,” Christie told the crowd shortly before Trump spoke.
Trump’s declaration echoed the pronouncements of former president Richard Nixon, who as a candidate declared he would be tough on crime. “I pledge to you, we shall have order in the United States,” Nixon said in a 1968 campaign ad.
Flatimes
The declaration, reminiscent of remarks made by former president Richard Nixon, came as Trump highlighted recent killings including the horrific shooting deaths of five Dallas officers in a gunman’s sniper-like assault.
“The attack on our Dallas police is an attack on our country. Our whole nation is in mourning,” Trump said, as he pledged to “fight” for law enforcement personnel and ensure they have Washington’s full backing. “Without safety we have nothing.” Trump, who veered from his speech on veterans issues to discuss the violence, also stressed that he is the candidate of compassion. “But you can’t have true compassion without providing safety for the citizens of our country,” Trump said.
The billionaire political neophyte’s reaction to the latest US events has been closely scrutinized in recent days. Often quick to lash out on Twitter or offer scathing critiques, Trump has largely steered clear of aggressive criticism after the deaths of two black men last week at the hands of police officers. He halted his campaigning for a day after Thursday’s Dallas police murders, as did his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
But on Monday Trump insisted he was uniquely prepared to back the nation’s police forces, and hammered Clinton as “weak, ineffective” and pandering. “America’s police and law enforcement personnel are what separates civilization from total chaos and the destruction of our country as we know it,” Trump said.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a former 2016 presidential candidate and a potential Trump running mate, was on board with Trump’s message. “We need a president who once again puts law and order at the top of the priority of the presidency of this country,” Christie told the crowd shortly before Trump spoke.
Trump’s declaration echoed the pronouncements of former president Richard Nixon, who as a candidate declared he would be tough on crime. “I pledge to you, we shall have order in the United States,” Nixon said in a 1968 campaign ad.
Flatimes
Monday 11 July 2016
Portugal shocked hosts France to win the EURO 2016
Victory they say is sweeter than sugar as A brilliant strike by Eder clinched Portugal's first-ever major title, as the nation prevailed over hosts France 1-0 to take the Euro 2016 trophy.
Fernando Santos' men suffered a blow early on when Cristiano Ronaldo was taken off injured, and Rui Patricio made a string of excellent saves to keep France at bay.
But in the second half of extra time Eder swooped to smash home a perfect low shot, leaving the sizeable Lusitanian support delighted as they celebrated victory.
Fernando Santos' men suffered a blow early on when Cristiano Ronaldo was taken off injured, and Rui Patricio made a string of excellent saves to keep France at bay.
But in the second half of extra time Eder swooped to smash home a perfect low shot, leaving the sizeable Lusitanian support delighted as they celebrated victory.
Open Heavens 11 July 2016: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Help from Above
Topic: Help from Above [Monday 11, July 2016]
Memorise: My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. – Psalms 121:2
Read: Psalms 121:1-8 (KJV)
1 (A Song of degrees.) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Bible in One Year: Romans 13:7-16:27, Psalms 7
MESSAGE:
When there was a national calamity of famine in Samaria, a woman conspired with her friend to take turns to kill their children for food. After the other woman had helped her friend to eat her son, she refused to surrender her own son for food. The foolish woman cried to the king for help but the king’s reply is a food for thought in our devotional reading for today. The king said:
“…If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? Out of the barn floor or out of the winepress?” - 2 Kings 6:27
The Psalmist was right when he said, in our memory verse, that his help comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Genuine help can only come from above. The strength of man is bound to fail. The Almighty God is the present Help in the time of need; He is ever ready to send help to whoever solicits for it. He said:
“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” - Psalms 50:15
When five kings united against the Gibeonites because they made peace with the children of Israel, they cried unto Joshua who in turn cried unto God for help. The Lord sent help from above and the five kings perished by the hand of Joshua.
“And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.” - Joshua 10:11
Many people put their trust in mortal beings and always end up disappointed. The Bible discourages us from putting our trust in men (Jeremiah 17:5). Whereas, the same chapter says:
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.”
Many years ago, someone heard that I was building a house and volunteered to help in the supply of blocks since he was a block manufacturer and that I should pay at the convenient time. It was a mistake that I never made again. The moment this man realised that I was doing the roofing of the house he began to pester me for his money. I reminded him that he was the one who volunteered to help but he continued all the same to pester me for his money. I cried to God for help with a promise that I will never make such a mistake again. Beloved, I prophesy to your life, the help that will not expose you to ridicule will come your way this season in Jesus’ name. However, you must always put your trust in the Lord; you must not choose to have a “Plan B” in your relationship with the Present Help, the Almighty God. More importantly, you must surrender your life to Jesus Christ and abstain from all appearances of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
Prayer Point: Father, please send me help from above today and don’t let me be put to shame in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Memorise: My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. – Psalms 121:2
Read: Psalms 121:1-8 (KJV)
1 (A Song of degrees.) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Bible in One Year: Romans 13:7-16:27, Psalms 7
MESSAGE:
When there was a national calamity of famine in Samaria, a woman conspired with her friend to take turns to kill their children for food. After the other woman had helped her friend to eat her son, she refused to surrender her own son for food. The foolish woman cried to the king for help but the king’s reply is a food for thought in our devotional reading for today. The king said:
“…If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? Out of the barn floor or out of the winepress?” - 2 Kings 6:27
The Psalmist was right when he said, in our memory verse, that his help comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Genuine help can only come from above. The strength of man is bound to fail. The Almighty God is the present Help in the time of need; He is ever ready to send help to whoever solicits for it. He said:
“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” - Psalms 50:15
When five kings united against the Gibeonites because they made peace with the children of Israel, they cried unto Joshua who in turn cried unto God for help. The Lord sent help from above and the five kings perished by the hand of Joshua.
“And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.” - Joshua 10:11
Many people put their trust in mortal beings and always end up disappointed. The Bible discourages us from putting our trust in men (Jeremiah 17:5). Whereas, the same chapter says:
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.”
Many years ago, someone heard that I was building a house and volunteered to help in the supply of blocks since he was a block manufacturer and that I should pay at the convenient time. It was a mistake that I never made again. The moment this man realised that I was doing the roofing of the house he began to pester me for his money. I reminded him that he was the one who volunteered to help but he continued all the same to pester me for his money. I cried to God for help with a promise that I will never make such a mistake again. Beloved, I prophesy to your life, the help that will not expose you to ridicule will come your way this season in Jesus’ name. However, you must always put your trust in the Lord; you must not choose to have a “Plan B” in your relationship with the Present Help, the Almighty God. More importantly, you must surrender your life to Jesus Christ and abstain from all appearances of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
Prayer Point: Father, please send me help from above today and don’t let me be put to shame in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Sunday 10 July 2016
Official statement from Nigeria Army as Troops repel terror attack on their base in Rann, Borno state
The Nigerian military Friday evening repelled a terror attack on its base in Rann, Borno state. Below is a statement from the Nigerian Army:
"Yesterday evening remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in their numbers attacked our troops location at Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.
The terrorists came with Motorcycles Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (MCBIED), Anti-Aircraft Guns and other weapons at about 5.00pm and the exchange of fire lasted for some hours before they were overwhelmed by the troops firepower.
Unfortunately, one of the terrorists' suicide bomber detonated himself at a gun truck killing the driver and the gunner. The truck and the mounted weapon were also damaged beyond repairs. In addition 2 soldiers were wounded in action while 3 others sustained minor injuries.
The troops killed 7 of the attackers instantly while quite a number escaped with gun shot wounds. During clearance operations this morning, the troops discovered 9 more Boko Haram terrorists dead bodies in the surrounding areas. Therefore the total number of terrorists killed was 16.
The troops also recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, Rocket Propelled Grenade, ammunitions and captured 2 of the terrorists alive. The bodies of the 2 fallen heroes and the wounded in action soldiers have been evacuated to Maiduguri, while reinforcement was sent from Gomboru Ngala.
In a related development, troops have also discovered and safely detonated 2 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along Gomboru-Rann road. It is believed that the IEDs were planted yesterday to prevent troops reinforcement to Rann while the attack lasted.
The Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion has visited the troops and held durbar with them. He commended them for their doggedness during attack and also urged them not to lower their guards.
Despite the incident, troops morale remains very high and they have continued with their clearance operations.
LIB
"Yesterday evening remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in their numbers attacked our troops location at Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.
The terrorists came with Motorcycles Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (MCBIED), Anti-Aircraft Guns and other weapons at about 5.00pm and the exchange of fire lasted for some hours before they were overwhelmed by the troops firepower.
Unfortunately, one of the terrorists' suicide bomber detonated himself at a gun truck killing the driver and the gunner. The truck and the mounted weapon were also damaged beyond repairs. In addition 2 soldiers were wounded in action while 3 others sustained minor injuries.
The troops killed 7 of the attackers instantly while quite a number escaped with gun shot wounds. During clearance operations this morning, the troops discovered 9 more Boko Haram terrorists dead bodies in the surrounding areas. Therefore the total number of terrorists killed was 16.
The troops also recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, Rocket Propelled Grenade, ammunitions and captured 2 of the terrorists alive. The bodies of the 2 fallen heroes and the wounded in action soldiers have been evacuated to Maiduguri, while reinforcement was sent from Gomboru Ngala.
In a related development, troops have also discovered and safely detonated 2 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along Gomboru-Rann road. It is believed that the IEDs were planted yesterday to prevent troops reinforcement to Rann while the attack lasted.
The Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion has visited the troops and held durbar with them. He commended them for their doggedness during attack and also urged them not to lower their guards.
Despite the incident, troops morale remains very high and they have continued with their clearance operations.
LIB
A woman was hacked to death in Abuja while preaching
According to ChannelsTv, Mother of seven, Deaconess Eunice Olawale, was butchered to death by some unidentified persons while preaching in the morning at Gbazango community in Kubwa satellite town in Bwari council area, Abuja in the early hours of yesterday July 9th.
her husband of 16 years, Pastor Elisha Olawale, said
"Two of my sons who are footballers went to the field to play. They just came back to tell me that they heard some footballers saying that they butchered a woman preaching the gospel early this morning. When they told me, I trekked down. When I got there, I didn't see anybody but I saw blood on the ground. I then asked a policeman about a woman who was butchered to death. He said yes its true and they have taken her to the police station. When we got to the police station, my wife was at the back of the pickup. They removed her head and two legs. We have taken her to the mortuary"he said.
Meanwhile the Abuja police command say some arrest have been made in connection with the murder.
LIB
http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/07/photos-mother-of-7-butchered-to-death.html?m=1
her husband of 16 years, Pastor Elisha Olawale, said
"Two of my sons who are footballers went to the field to play. They just came back to tell me that they heard some footballers saying that they butchered a woman preaching the gospel early this morning. When they told me, I trekked down. When I got there, I didn't see anybody but I saw blood on the ground. I then asked a policeman about a woman who was butchered to death. He said yes its true and they have taken her to the police station. When we got to the police station, my wife was at the back of the pickup. They removed her head and two legs. We have taken her to the mortuary"he said.
Meanwhile the Abuja police command say some arrest have been made in connection with the murder.
LIB
http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/07/photos-mother-of-7-butchered-to-death.html?m=1
Open Heavens 10 July 2016: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Pray Until Something Happens
Topic: Pray Until Something Happens [Sunday 10, July 2016]
Memorise: Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. – John 16:24
Read: John 16:23-28 (KJV)
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
Bible in One Year: Romans 9:30-13:6, Psalms 6
MESSAGE:
Children of God must cultivate the habit of persistent prayers so that they may attain their full potentials. The importance of prayer cannot be overemphasised when we consider what those who take time to pray gain. The Bible say;
“17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” - James 5:17-18
The prayer of Elijah that brought about the rain was not just a five-minute prayer. He prayed and prayed again before the rain fell. When a man of God prays for a few minutes in the public and miracles begin to happen, one should not be deceived that it is the few minutes of prayer that instigated the miracles. The fact is that, the man of God had prayed long hours in private before the pubic show of God’s miraculous deeds. God, in His Word, commands us to “Pray without ceasing.” The One who commands us to pray, definitely will answer our prayers, if only we will obey command. God is interested in listening to our petitions and responding accordingly. Our Lord Jesus Christ in our text for today says,
“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” - John 16:24
In other words, we must not stop asking if we have not received an answer to the petitions that we put before God. At times, answers to our prayers are double-crossed by the agents of darkness like in the case of Daniel. The following importune prayer of Daniel eventually saved the day:
“12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” - Daniel 10:12-13
Hannah prayed until something happened in her life and so did Jabez. We must begin to pray until the attention of God is drawn to our petition. The Psalmist said in Psalms 30:2 that when he cried to the Lord, the Lord healed him. This is another testimony of someone who believed in the God that answers prayers. My prayer for someone using this devotional is that as you cry unto God today, He will answer you as He answered Hannah, Jabez and Elijah in Jesus’ name.
Action Point: Set aside quality time to pray today and you will receive unprecedented answer to your prayers.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Memorise: Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. – John 16:24
Read: John 16:23-28 (KJV)
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
Bible in One Year: Romans 9:30-13:6, Psalms 6
MESSAGE:
Children of God must cultivate the habit of persistent prayers so that they may attain their full potentials. The importance of prayer cannot be overemphasised when we consider what those who take time to pray gain. The Bible say;
“17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” - James 5:17-18
The prayer of Elijah that brought about the rain was not just a five-minute prayer. He prayed and prayed again before the rain fell. When a man of God prays for a few minutes in the public and miracles begin to happen, one should not be deceived that it is the few minutes of prayer that instigated the miracles. The fact is that, the man of God had prayed long hours in private before the pubic show of God’s miraculous deeds. God, in His Word, commands us to “Pray without ceasing.” The One who commands us to pray, definitely will answer our prayers, if only we will obey command. God is interested in listening to our petitions and responding accordingly. Our Lord Jesus Christ in our text for today says,
“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” - John 16:24
In other words, we must not stop asking if we have not received an answer to the petitions that we put before God. At times, answers to our prayers are double-crossed by the agents of darkness like in the case of Daniel. The following importune prayer of Daniel eventually saved the day:
“12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” - Daniel 10:12-13
Hannah prayed until something happened in her life and so did Jabez. We must begin to pray until the attention of God is drawn to our petition. The Psalmist said in Psalms 30:2 that when he cried to the Lord, the Lord healed him. This is another testimony of someone who believed in the God that answers prayers. My prayer for someone using this devotional is that as you cry unto God today, He will answer you as He answered Hannah, Jabez and Elijah in Jesus’ name.
Action Point: Set aside quality time to pray today and you will receive unprecedented answer to your prayers.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
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