Our Daily Bread devotional, December 10, 2016 - Wounds from a Friend

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 10, 2016 - Wounds from a Friend

Topic: Wounds from a Friend [December 10, 2016]
Read: Proverbs 27:5–10, Bible in a Year: Hosea 1–4; Revelation 1
Wounds from a friend can be trusted. - Proverbs 27:6
 Charles Lowery complained to his friend about lower back pain. He was seeking a sympathetic ear, but what he got was an honest assessment. His friend told him, “I don’t think your back pain is your problem; it’s your stomach. Your stomach is so big it’s pulling on your back.”
In his column for REV! Magazine, Charles shared that he resisted the temptation to be offended. He lost the weight and his back problem went away. Charles recognized that “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted” (Prov. 27:5–6).
 The trouble is that so often we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism, for truth hurts. It bruises our ego, makes us uncomfortable, and calls for change.
 True friends don’t find pleasure in hurting us. Rather, they love us too much to deceive us. They are people who, with loving courage, point out what we may already know but find hard to truly accept and live by. They tell us not only what we like to hear but also what we need to hear.
 Solomon honored such friendship in his proverbs. Jesus went further—He endured the wounds of our rejection not only to tell us the truth about ourselves but to show us how much we are loved.
 Think of a time when a friend said something honest that caused you pain. Did it benefit you? Is it wise to accept everything our friends tell us?
  A friend is one who can tell you the truth in love.
Insight:
 Ephesians 4:15 is a New Testament counterpart of Proverbs 27:6. It refers to two virtues that we must learn to keep in balance—“speaking the truth” and “love.” The word “speaking” is actually not an explicit part of the original Greek text, but is translated from a single verb. Some translators have suggested that the verb might better be rendered “truthing it” or “truthifying it in love.” The verb, when joined with “in love,” implies a lifestyle of integrity where truth is united with love. If we emphasize truth without love, then we can brutally hurt another person. On the other hand, if we express love at the expense of truth, we can fail to caringly confront some sin or problem that genuinely needs to be faced.
This message was written by Poh Fang Chia [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Rerun Polls: APC Unleashes Full Weight of Federal Might on Rivers

Rerun Polls: APC Unleashes Full Weight of Federal Might on Rivers
This is election of our lives, says Transport Minister
• State govt declares Ganduje persona non grata
• Illegal withdrawal of my CSO has put my life at risk, Wike tells IG

 
Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) admitted yesterday that it came to Rivers State with the full complement of the federal might to ensure the success of the party in tomorrow’s federal and state legislative rerun elections in the state.
This came as the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, described the polls as “the election of our lives” and called on APC members and supporters to defend themselves if attacked on Election Day.
Addressing an APC mega campaign rally for the polls at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt yesterday, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, declared that the party brought the federal might to Rivers State ahead of tomorrow’s polls.
No fewer than 10 state governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly and other party bigwigs attended the rally.
APC state governors that attended the rally included Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi).
Also present were Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), as well as Ondo State Governor-elect, Rotimi Akeredolu, and his deputy, Hon. Ajayi.
Odigie-Oyegun said: “As you can see, we came in full force; the whole federal might is here. We have the governors here today. Our senators and other members of the National Assembly are here today. Our women leaders are here today to pass one message.
“That is because we respect you, our members in Rivers State. We respect the courage of our members in Rivers State; we are behind you. We want to let you know that we have heard your cries; we have seen your anguish.
“The message is simple: enough is enough, enough is enough. This is the beginning of the rescue mission in Rivers State.”
He stated that the situation of things in Rivers State had degenerated under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration and said the APC would come to the rescue of the people.
“We now have a blood-thirsty regime in Rivers State. I am glad with what I am hearing: if they push you, push them. If they snatch a result sheet, snatch it back,” he said.
Also addressing the rally, Amaechi called on members of the APC not to allow members of the PDP to intimidate them during the rerun elections.
He said: “This is the election of our lives. Before, I used to tell you, please, don’t fight. What I will tell you today is do not kill anybody but do not get killed. My friend in the army says if you hear the sound of a gun, it is not meant for you. The implication therefore is that if you allow them to shoot, you will die.
“It is not only them that have the right to life, you also have a right to life. I don’t want to hear that they shot me and took away result sheets. If they take result sheets from you, collect it back from them. You know I have never said anything like this before.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Legislative Rerun Election Campaign Committee of the APC and Kano Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, described Rivers State as the most corrupt in the country, adding that the APC was bent on changing the status.
“There is no peace in Rivers State. Peace is lacking, peace is dead. Rivers State is the centre, nucleus of corruption in Nigeria. That is why you have to vote APC candidates to apply the brakes to the drama that is taking place in the Rivers State Government House,” he said.
He also called on APC supporters to defend themselves during and after the elections.


http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/12/09/rerun-polls-apc-unleashes-full-weight-of-federal-might-on-rivers/

The calm after Ondo election

It is pleasantly surprising to note the peace and calm which have followed the gubernatorial election in Ondo State over the past weekend in spite of the heat and vapour that characterised the electioneering activities. This follows in the pattern of a similar election which took place in neighbouring Edo State only two months ago. But the Ondo election ended on a more pleasant note because the outgoing People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, congratulated the winner, Rotimi Akeredolu, the flag bearer of the arch rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is in spite of the fact that the candidate Mimiko supported, Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, has decided to seek justice at the Election Tribunal. The third placed candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Olusola Oke, also congratulated Akeredolu.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/calm-ondo-governorship-poll/

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 7, 2016 - Beautiful Unity

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 7, 2016 - Beautiful Unity





Topic: Beautiful Unity [December 7, 2016]
Read: Ephesians 4:1–6, Bible in a Year: Daniel 5–7; 2 John
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
 Seeing three large predatory animals cuddle and play together is extremely unusual. Yet this is precisely what happens daily in an animal sanctuary in Georgia. In 2001, after months of neglect and abuse, a lion, a Bengal tiger, and a black bear were rescued by Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary. “We could have separated them,” said the assistant director. “But since they came as a kind of family, we decided to keep them together.” The trio had found comfort in each other during their time of mistreatment, and, despite their differences, they live peacefully together.
 Unity is a beautiful thing. But the unity Paul wrote about in his letter to the believers in Ephesus is unique. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to live up to their calling as members of one body in Christ (Eph. 4:4–5). By the power of the Holy Spirit they would be able to live in unity as they developed humility, gentleness, and patience. These attitudes also allow us to lovingly bear “with one another in love” through the common ground we have in Christ Jesus (4:2).
 Despite our differences, as members of the family of God we have been reconciled to Him through the death of our Savior and reconciled to each other through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to grow in gentleness and patience toward others. Show me how to love others, even when we may have differences.
 We keep unity by being united in the Spirit.
Insight:
 The ancient city of Ephesus was large and diverse. In the first century, many philosophies and religions in Ephesus competed with Christianity, and this diversity presented some unique theological and ethical challenges to the Christ-followers who lived there. In his letter to the believers in Ephesus, the apostle Paul wanted to be sure they understood that peace with God could only be achieved through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. Other ideas might sound appealing, but salvation rests exclusively in Christ. Saving faith is not about converting to a religion; it is about receiving and then living out a new life from Christ that reflects God’s love, mercy, and wisdom.
This message was written by Marvin Williams [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Sanusi lied; CBN’s lending to FG is N1.467 trn – Presidency

Sanusi lied; CBN’s lending to FG is N1.467 trn – Presidency

By Omoh Gabriel, Business Editor LAGOS — New facts emerged yesterday that the CBN advanced the Federal Government the sum of N1.193 trillion as Ways and Means as at 2nd December 2016. Asanusi fact sheet of the accounts of the Federal Government with the CBN, obtained yesterday from Presidency sources disclosed that the Federal Government did not borrow above its limit from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The Presidency fact sheet showed that inflows into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account, TSA, as at December 2 stood at N4.4trillion. The figure also indicated that foreign exchange transfers into the account was N101.7 billion, giving a grand total of N4.574trillion. The fact sheet also showed government spent N1.913trillion. As a result, credit balance in the TSA as at December 2, 2016 was N2.66trillion. Again, according to the fact sheet, money lent to the Federal Government by the CBN through Ways and Means was N1.467trillion, far less than what Sanusi claimed. Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II had asserted last week that the account of the Federal Government, domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria, is overdrawn to the tune of N4.7 trillion by the Buhari administration. According to the traditional ruler, “CBN claims on the FGN now top N4.7 trillion — equal to almost 50 per cent of the FGN’s total domestic debt. This is a clear violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007 (Section 38.2), which caps advances to the FGN at five percent of last year’s revenues.” CBN-FG relationship His words: “The CBN-FGN relationship is no longer independent. In fact, one could argue their relationship has become unhealthy,” he said.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/sanusi-lied-cbns-lending-fg-n1-467-trn-presidency/

NYSC releases statement addressing the death three corp members in bath B 2016

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has released a statement addressing the loss of three corp members in different camps across Nigeria, recently. The Management has promised to set up a committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes responsible for the loss.The statement reads;




The National Youth Service Corps regrets the loss of three Corps members, Elechi Chinyerum Nwenenda, Oladepo Ifedolapo and Asuquo Ukeme Monday, during the on-gong 2016 Batch 'B' (Stream I) Orientation Course in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States respectively.



The death of the trio followed brief illnesses and after medical teams in the camps battled to save them in line with established procedures. Their demise, coming in their prime time when they were bracing up for further roles towards advancing their respective families, the nation and the rest of humanity, came as a rude shock to us in the NYSC family.



On behalf of the Management, staff and Corps members nationwide, I wish to express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased Corps members. May the Almighty God grant them eternal rest and give their families and the rest of us the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.



While we mourn the demise of these Corps members, who, out of patriotic zeal, answered the clarion call to serve their fatherland, we are constrained to correct the impression of negligence being created in some quarters. Management wishes to state that the welfare of Corps members has always remained topmost in the priorities of the Scheme, and we have continued to strive to give our best in that regard. The policy of the Scheme regarding healthcare during Orientation course provides for the setting up of camp clinic manned by qualified Doctors and other Corps Health Personnel.



The clinics, which are also provided with drugs and other basic equipment, are detailed to render round-the-clock medical services on camp with standing arrangement to refer and ensure immediate movement of patients to more sophisticated health facilities when necessary. We want to inform the public that medical teams in our camps have always been guided by the procedures of practice and in the most professional ways possible.



However, in view of these unfortunate incidents in Bayelsa, Kano, and Zamfara states, Management has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the loss the Corps members.



Management appreciates the concern of stakeholders, and wishes to assure the general public, especially serving and prospective Corps members as well as parents and guardians that the Scheme will continue to take measures aimed at ensuring the security and general well being of youths enlisted to serve the nation on the platform of the Scheme.



Signed:
SZ Kazaure
Brig Gen
Director-General

ONDO ELECTION, 2019 AND THE BATTLE WITHIN APC : Pro-Buhari elements Vs Tinubu’s men

ONDO ELECTION, 2019 AND THE BATTLE WITHIN APC : Pro-Buhari elements Vs Tinubu’s men

Dayo Johnson, Akure Though peaceful, last weekend’s governorship election in Ondo State was seen by many observers as a ‘bazaar’ in which the highest bidder got the lion share of the votes. But, whereas all the major political parties allegedly took part in the undemocratic game, the way the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly went on spending spree put to question the anti-corruption crusade of the ruling government at the federal level. No fewer than six governors of the APC whose states’ civil servants are owed salaries for several months were said to be part of the ‘bazaar’ staged in the name of election. They were allegedly led to Ondo by the Chairman of the party’s Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha, who is the Imo State governor and a former governor of Ekiti State but now Solid Minerals Minister, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Security operatives and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were believed to be part of the alleged voters inducement as they pretended that nothing of such was going on. They looked the other way after they had allegedly been taken care off. It was an inducement allegedly done with impunity by all the political parties. Meanwhile, the alleged voters’ inducement was done in flagrant disobedience of the police authorities threat before the election that nobody should come to the polling units with more than N5,000 as such people would be arrested.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/ondo-election-2019-battle-within-apc-pro-buhari-elements-vs-tinubus-men/