Jose Mourinho, new Manchester United manager, addressed the press.
Read full transcript below:
Are you the Special One, the Happy One or something else?
"I don’t know, really. The other two times, I was arriving at the country, this is a different one. I was sacked by Chelsea and then I stayed in the same country, the same competition with the same faces in front of me so it is nothing new for me really it is just to arrive into a club which is difficult to describe, to find the right words to describe this club.
"I don’t like denomination people use like dream job, it is not a dream job, it is reality as MU manager but the reality is I think it is a job everyone wants and not many have a chance to have and I have it and I know obviously the responsibility, the expectation.
"At the same time I know the legacy, the history of this club, I know what the fans expect from me and I expect this challenge doesn’t make me nervous because my history in the last 10 years or more was always to leave with big clubs; expectation and I think it comes in the right moment of my career, I feel very prepared. Very stable and with a great motivation.
"I am where I want to me in this club, in this country, in the domestic cups, I feel a bit frustrated I am not playing Champions League. I don’t hide I chase Sir Alex’s record in the Champions League for matches as a manager I am around 130 matches.
Hopefully it is only one season I am not there. When I say we obviously the club is more important than myself, Manchester United is more important than myself and we have to make sure July 2017 this club is where it has to be in the Champions League."
Realistic aim this season? Compete or win?
"Depends on the way you want to face it. I was never very good playing with the words or hiding behind words and hiding behind philosophies. I never tried to be good at that.
"I was always much more aggressive in my approach with the risks that can bring and it would be easy and even honest and pragmatic to focus on the last three years on the fact that we don’t qualify for Champions League and so on and so on and be quite pragmatic to say let’s work and try and be back to the Champions League, try and be back to the top four, try and be back to the Europa League.
"I prefer to be more aggressive and say we want to win and I can anticipate any one of you will come later with a question about style of play and a question about what is before and I can imagine one of these questions is around the corner and I can anticipate by saying you can win a short competition, a couple of matches without playing well but you cannot win competitions without playing well.
"What is playing well? It is scoring more goals than the opponents, conceding less, making your fans proud because you give everything and you win. It is everything at the same time.
"It is an aggressive approach by myself. I want everything. Of course we are not going to get everything but we want to."
Do you have a point to prove after last season?
"There are some managers that the last time they won a title was 10 years ago. Some of them the last time they won a title was never. The last time I won a title was one year ago, not 10 years ago or 15 years ago so if I have a lot to prove, imagine the others.
"But the reality is that was never important for me. I play against myself. That is my feeling many times. I feel I have to prove not to the others but to myself. I would never be able to work without success. That is my nature and I have always to find the reasons why I have always many questions towards myself and the people working with me.
"That is my nature. I could approach this job in a defensive point of view by saying the last three years the best we did was fourth. I can’t go. It is my nature. I work in some big clubs before.
"Obviously Manchester United by the social point of view is a completely different dimension but the reality is that when people has year after year a certain kind of menu, the menu has to change for better or worse.
"Manchester United for many years success was just routine and in this moment the last three years are to forget. I want the players to forget. I don’t want the players to think we have to do better and finish fourth. Finish fourth is not the aim.
"This is what I do with myself. I am 53, I am not 63 or 73. Maybe you are tired with myself because I started at such a young level. I am a young manager. If I don’t go for big ??? I am in trouble. The reality I was in trouble for the last five months."
Are more changes needed?
"I don’t know. I think the third player is official or not yet? So the third player will be official, when? Soon. I can try to make you understand the profile. We made a nucleus of four priorities, four positions to give a certain balance to the squad, to give a certain push in terms of quality and the qualities I need and want.
"Especially the ones with more vision. I am more a manager that likes specialists and not so much the multi-functional players because I am very clear in my approach. Multi-functional players are like one or two, when you are in trouble you need someone who can fill but basically I want specialists.
"We decided four targets. From these four, we have three and until we don’t have the fourth, we are still working hard, myself, the structure, Mr Woodward, the owners, we are working hard. When we have the fourth. I breathe and then the market will be open.
"We are not going to get the fourth on the 31st of August, we will get the fourth before then. There is something for me, that the players I keep are all happy. Imagine first match I don’t select somebody, he gets disappointed he has the chance to go to another club. If he leaves, somebody else has to come in.
"There is a fundamental market and there is a supplementary market. We are doing well. We are getting the players we want and now we have the third."
How excited are you at the challenge of facing Pep Guardiola again – this time in the same city?
"I think Leicester’s legacy was not just the happiness around the country. The legacy was we are in a competition where 20 teams are fighting for the title. That is their legacy. Next season if you have another team who win the first five matches, you consider them candidates. It is over the time you say they will collapse in December.
"To speak about one manager, one club, one enemy, I hate the word in football and life, I don’t think it is right. It is one thing to be a in a two-horse race like I was in Spain or in Italy it was three teams fighting for the title, then that kind of approach makes sense.
"In the Premier League it doesn’t make sense at all. If you focus on one opponent, the others will be laughing so I am not going to be part of it. I am Manchester United manager with all the respect to all the other clubs in the country especially one that was my house for seven years.
"I share so many special moments with their fans. I am the manager of the biggest club in the UK. I am going to focus on our job and our club. Thanks to what Leicester did. One of their legacies is to change forever the competition."
You have a reputation for not promoting young players. Is that fair?
"I have no time to answer it. To answer it would take 10 minutes. I knew that was coming. You know how many young players I promote to the first team from academies? 49? Do you want to know who they are? I can give you that. I promote 49 players from the academies from the clubs and with two factors, sometimes you promote players because you don’t have another chance because you have so many injuries.
"That is one factor and the second factor is when you are not playing for big targets, it is easier to bring them up. My record of injuries is very very low. Even in many years from the CL studies about every team, my teams were many times the teams with less injuries.
"I never promote players because of need I did it because of conviction and decision. Last year was the only season of my career when I was not fighting for the title winning or finishing second or third once so it was never a situation of stability and no pressure to promote players. I did 49.
"Some of them are big names, they are today Champions League winners in the Euros, playing for national teams and 49 is a lot.
"So one lie repeated many times sometimes it looks true but it will never be true. 49. If you want the names, I give you the names."
Why did you let Ryan Giggs leave?
"About Ryan, let me finish. I never run away about my responsibility. It is not my responsibility that Ryan is not in the club. The job Ryan wanted is the job the club decided to give me. Ryan wanted to be Manchester United manager and the owners, Mr Woodward decided to give the job to me.
"Like 2000, I decide I want to be a manager. For many of us, we start as assistant coaches and for many of us, arrives the moment we make a decision. So when you are speaking about did I offer him a job. He could be what he wanted in the club. The club wanted to give him any important job in the club.
"Happened with myself in Barcelona in 2000, I had a contract for another two years. It was not easy to go to another fight. For Ryan it is not easy to go the step from assistant to manager, it is the step to leave his house of 29.
"He was brave, he is honest, so good luck so if one day he wants to come back when I am here, I will never say so and if one day the club offers him the chance to be manager, I think it will something natural and the consequence of his success in his career."
Any advice from Sir Alex Ferguson?
“Yes - bring the umbrella. Yesterday I couldn’t believe it was raining in the training ground. It was great advice. The second advice was to bring my typical bottle of wine. Now we are going to have many occasions to be together.
"At the moment Sir Alex is on a bit of a holiday at the Euros so I cannot see him this week but when his holidays are finished we will have lots of time to meet. He will always be welcome to the training ground and we will have a lot of time to share our personal stuff.
"His opinion is important to me, the same way so many legends love this club and they are in the pundits industry and every opinion will be important to me. I will try and learn from them."
How do you envisage playing Wayne Rooney?
“In football there are many jobs. There are many jobs on the field. The one that is more difficult to find is the guy who has put the ball on the net. The players change during the years their qualities, their characteristics.
"It is normal a player at their age change a bit but there is something that will never change which is the natural appetite to put the ball in the net.
"Maybe he is not a striker, not a No. 9 any more but for me he will never be a No. 6, playing 50 metres from the goal. You can tell me his pass is amazing but my pass is also amazing without pressure.
"To be there and put the ball in the net is the most difficult thing. For me he will be a 9, a 10, a nine and a half but never a 6 or an 8.”
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Wednesday, 6 July 2016
Open Heavens 6 July 2016: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Blameless Vessel
Topic: The Blameless Vessel [Wednesday 6, July 2016]
Memorise: Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. – Isaiah 52:11
Read: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Bible in One Year: Acts 27-28, Song of Solomon 8:8-14
MESSAGE:
One thing that anyone who wants to be used by God should bear in mind is the need to be blameless. This is the prerequisite for a child of God who wants to serve God at any level. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 3:1-2a:
“This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A Bishop then must be blameless….”
Being blameless has two advantages: Firstly, it saves the vessel the calamity of being destroyed by the User, the Almighty God. When a person volunteers to serve the Lord, it is dangerous for the fellow to be unclean, because the holiness of God destroys unclean vessels, just like electric current without insulation. There is a measure of holiness that God Himself bestowed upon man through obedience to His Word, which qualifies man to serve Him. The Bible says concerning Isaiah, how he admitted his sinful state, then God purified and cleansed him of his iniquity to qualify as a true prophet (Isaiah 6:5). Then, the angel of the Lord came and touched him with fire from Heaven and he was purged of his iniquity. Here, we see the mercy of God upon the vessel that He decided to use for His glory. There is a lesson we must learn from this scripture: the prophet admitted his sinful state and God came to his aid for cleansing. How wonderful would it be if those who profess to be children and ministers of God will be homely with the verdict of God concerning the Adamic nature of man and surrender to His holiness for mercy?
The second advantage of a blameless vessel is that his life glorifies the Almighty God. God is honoured in his life and He shows-off the fellow, then ultimately prospers and protects him eternally.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” - Job 1:8
Through Job suffered many trials, but just as the Bible says, his end was better than his beginning;
“So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning….” - Job 42:12
Action Point: Father, I want to be blameless, please help me to live a life of obedience to Your Word and let Your Name be glorified in my life.
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: Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. – Isaiah 52:11
Read: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Bible in One Year: Acts 27-28, Song of Solomon 8:8-14
MESSAGE:
One thing that anyone who wants to be used by God should bear in mind is the need to be blameless. This is the prerequisite for a child of God who wants to serve God at any level. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 3:1-2a:
“This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A Bishop then must be blameless….”
Being blameless has two advantages: Firstly, it saves the vessel the calamity of being destroyed by the User, the Almighty God. When a person volunteers to serve the Lord, it is dangerous for the fellow to be unclean, because the holiness of God destroys unclean vessels, just like electric current without insulation. There is a measure of holiness that God Himself bestowed upon man through obedience to His Word, which qualifies man to serve Him. The Bible says concerning Isaiah, how he admitted his sinful state, then God purified and cleansed him of his iniquity to qualify as a true prophet (Isaiah 6:5). Then, the angel of the Lord came and touched him with fire from Heaven and he was purged of his iniquity. Here, we see the mercy of God upon the vessel that He decided to use for His glory. There is a lesson we must learn from this scripture: the prophet admitted his sinful state and God came to his aid for cleansing. How wonderful would it be if those who profess to be children and ministers of God will be homely with the verdict of God concerning the Adamic nature of man and surrender to His holiness for mercy?
The second advantage of a blameless vessel is that his life glorifies the Almighty God. God is honoured in his life and He shows-off the fellow, then ultimately prospers and protects him eternally.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” - Job 1:8
Through Job suffered many trials, but just as the Bible says, his end was better than his beginning;
“So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning….” - Job 42:12
Action Point: Father, I want to be blameless, please help me to live a life of obedience to Your Word and let Your Name be glorified in my life.
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, 5 July 2016
Kwam 1 advises Rich people that they should spend their money
Here is he wrote! "Honestly we need to discuss this, why people use the word "OLOWO LOMA KUUREE". When I was a young man in my 20s, many things people just seeing me do today I have been doing.. like travelling abroad on FIRST CLASS or PRIORITY CLASS.. One thing I never liked in my life is, why I should have to wait until some class of people get out of an aircraft that took all of us to the same destinations... They would say "OLOWO LOMA KUUREE"
"When we used to travel those days in the past to places like London, Rome, Italy, France & Madrid in Spain... Very serious people studying HARD goes to Germany or USSR Soviet Union then but now Russia... Hmmmmm Oju tin laasiii. AMERICA is ORUN Kalo -Kabo..
Gone were the days my people...
I remember vividly one of my Holiday Trip to london England, I was to stay in my friends house then on Queensbridge Road London S.E ...Late Gabisiyu Alani Aderemi, may God forgive his soul, UK Immigration follow me to his house that evening to know whose Address I was trying to describe for them... That evening I felt proud when Alani came out with his wife then, my darling sister Hadja Basirat Abimbola Dada to say they were my host on that trip.. Why because, how come a man flying on First Class could not properly describe where he was going.. Honestly "OLOWO LOMA KUUREE"
But the truth of it is that, many has that money but either refused to spend it for a best reasons known to them or just out of "STINGYNESS"
Emii ole wa so owo ntemi ooo...
Baa nowo kope kowo o tan
Bako baa nowo, kope kowo maa tann
Bibeli iwe Mimo tii soro "Asiwere N ko orojo, lai komo eniti yio maaa..
King of World Beat ( King Sunny Ade ) has said it in one of his beautiful songs & it goes thus
"OLOWO AA JOGUN OWO, AA JOGUN IYI, ATUN DII GBAJUMO LODE, ASIRI WON ONI TUU" conclusion my people, please spend your money well and remember you will not go to heaven with a kobo out of it..
Lastly "Maaa jaiye ooni ooo, mio meyin ola ooo,
Maaa jaiye ooni ooo, mio meyin ola ooo"
Have a good evening aboard Lufthansa Airlines flight from Newyork via Frankfurt to Lagos Nigeria.. AIYE SHI NLO Noni.....".
"When we used to travel those days in the past to places like London, Rome, Italy, France & Madrid in Spain... Very serious people studying HARD goes to Germany or USSR Soviet Union then but now Russia... Hmmmmm Oju tin laasiii. AMERICA is ORUN Kalo -Kabo..
Gone were the days my people...
I remember vividly one of my Holiday Trip to london England, I was to stay in my friends house then on Queensbridge Road London S.E ...Late Gabisiyu Alani Aderemi, may God forgive his soul, UK Immigration follow me to his house that evening to know whose Address I was trying to describe for them... That evening I felt proud when Alani came out with his wife then, my darling sister Hadja Basirat Abimbola Dada to say they were my host on that trip.. Why because, how come a man flying on First Class could not properly describe where he was going.. Honestly "OLOWO LOMA KUUREE"
But the truth of it is that, many has that money but either refused to spend it for a best reasons known to them or just out of "STINGYNESS"
Emii ole wa so owo ntemi ooo...
Baa nowo kope kowo o tan
Bako baa nowo, kope kowo maa tann
Bibeli iwe Mimo tii soro "Asiwere N ko orojo, lai komo eniti yio maaa..
King of World Beat ( King Sunny Ade ) has said it in one of his beautiful songs & it goes thus
"OLOWO AA JOGUN OWO, AA JOGUN IYI, ATUN DII GBAJUMO LODE, ASIRI WON ONI TUU" conclusion my people, please spend your money well and remember you will not go to heaven with a kobo out of it..
Lastly "Maaa jaiye ooni ooo, mio meyin ola ooo,
Maaa jaiye ooni ooo, mio meyin ola ooo"
Have a good evening aboard Lufthansa Airlines flight from Newyork via Frankfurt to Lagos Nigeria.. AIYE SHI NLO Noni.....".
Looking On the recruitment of 500,000 teachers
Written by the Editorial board of The Guardian Newspaper
The commencement of recruitment of 500,000 teachers by the Buhari administration is a commendable step towards raising trained and competent teachers for the nation’s school system. Unlike the crash programme of days gone by through which trained teachers were produced, the present scheme is more encompassing and likely to impact positively on the nation’s education system.
The programme resembles the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, which provides opportunity for tertiary institution graduates to serve the nation for one year. Given that raising teachers is at the centre of this programme, graduates with teaching qualifications should be given preference.
Coming at a time graduate unemployment has reached an alarming level, the scheme, if properly implemented, would provide relief to thousands of young graduates caught up in the unemployment mess. On that ground, the programme, tagged N-Power Teachers Corps, and part of the social support programme of the Buhari administration, should be supported in the national interest. President Muhammadu Buhari had promised during his 2015 campaign to provide social support to 25 million unemployed and vulnerable Nigerians and a sum of N500 billion provision was made in the 2016 national budget for this purpose.
The recruitment of the teachers is one of the three direct job creation and training schemes of the government. The others are N-Power Knowledge, which will train 25,000 Nigerians in technology and N-Power Build, which will train another 75,000 in building services, construction, utilities, hospitality and catering, and so on.
That gives a total of 600,000 beneficiaries out of the target 25 million. Some 35 million applicants have, however, reportedly hit the recruitment portal in a classic demonstration of how bad the unemployment situation is.
In a dysfunctional system like Nigeria’s without a database, therefore, there is an urgent need for the government to ensure that people who are registered in the scheme are those genuinely deserving of it.
The paid volunteer programme is for a two-year duration. All volunteers would be paid a stipend of N23, 000 monthly besides getting computer devices with information necessary for their specific assignments.
The scheme’s beneficiaries are expected to conduct teaching, instructional and advisory roles in primary and secondary schools. They would also service agricultural extension systems, public health and community education covering civic and adult education. The N-Power Teacher Corps is not designed to be a permanent employment scheme but merely an intervention that affords unemployed graduates the opportunity to acquire teaching skills needed in schools.
Nevertheless, the scheme has the capacity to instill confidence in the trainees and the training should be more useful than the stipend. There should, however, be an established way of implementing this programme. Since the scheme is not offering permanent employment to the participants, it is important to define what it is meant to achieve in the long run. Granted that those engaged may have the feeling of economic fulfillment, however temporary, what happens thereafter should be of major concern to the government.
More importantly, the Buhari administration has barely three years left in its first term, meaning that the programme can conveniently run out of steam in the government’s first outing. The critical worry now should be: can it be sustained beyond this term? These concerns need to be addressed in order to have a purpose-driven programme and one that etches the Buhari/Osinbajo administration in the hearts of Nigerians.
It would be meaningless to train 500,000 teachers without adequate arrangement for how to actually engage them in federal and state schools at the end of their training. Such open-ended schemes in place like National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) already throw graduates out after the service year and or skill acquisition period.
It may also be good to incorporate this new programme into the one-year NYSC. The three-week orientation period can be used to teach communication skills to the corps members before they are deployed to schools.
The Federal Government and the states should collaborate in order to work out a suitable framework for absorbing the trainees into the school system. Without such collaboration and arrangement, the scheme would be un-sustainable and its aim may be defeated.
The commencement of recruitment of 500,000 teachers by the Buhari administration is a commendable step towards raising trained and competent teachers for the nation’s school system. Unlike the crash programme of days gone by through which trained teachers were produced, the present scheme is more encompassing and likely to impact positively on the nation’s education system.
The programme resembles the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, which provides opportunity for tertiary institution graduates to serve the nation for one year. Given that raising teachers is at the centre of this programme, graduates with teaching qualifications should be given preference.
Coming at a time graduate unemployment has reached an alarming level, the scheme, if properly implemented, would provide relief to thousands of young graduates caught up in the unemployment mess. On that ground, the programme, tagged N-Power Teachers Corps, and part of the social support programme of the Buhari administration, should be supported in the national interest. President Muhammadu Buhari had promised during his 2015 campaign to provide social support to 25 million unemployed and vulnerable Nigerians and a sum of N500 billion provision was made in the 2016 national budget for this purpose.
The recruitment of the teachers is one of the three direct job creation and training schemes of the government. The others are N-Power Knowledge, which will train 25,000 Nigerians in technology and N-Power Build, which will train another 75,000 in building services, construction, utilities, hospitality and catering, and so on.
That gives a total of 600,000 beneficiaries out of the target 25 million. Some 35 million applicants have, however, reportedly hit the recruitment portal in a classic demonstration of how bad the unemployment situation is.
In a dysfunctional system like Nigeria’s without a database, therefore, there is an urgent need for the government to ensure that people who are registered in the scheme are those genuinely deserving of it.
The paid volunteer programme is for a two-year duration. All volunteers would be paid a stipend of N23, 000 monthly besides getting computer devices with information necessary for their specific assignments.
The scheme’s beneficiaries are expected to conduct teaching, instructional and advisory roles in primary and secondary schools. They would also service agricultural extension systems, public health and community education covering civic and adult education. The N-Power Teacher Corps is not designed to be a permanent employment scheme but merely an intervention that affords unemployed graduates the opportunity to acquire teaching skills needed in schools.
Nevertheless, the scheme has the capacity to instill confidence in the trainees and the training should be more useful than the stipend. There should, however, be an established way of implementing this programme. Since the scheme is not offering permanent employment to the participants, it is important to define what it is meant to achieve in the long run. Granted that those engaged may have the feeling of economic fulfillment, however temporary, what happens thereafter should be of major concern to the government.
More importantly, the Buhari administration has barely three years left in its first term, meaning that the programme can conveniently run out of steam in the government’s first outing. The critical worry now should be: can it be sustained beyond this term? These concerns need to be addressed in order to have a purpose-driven programme and one that etches the Buhari/Osinbajo administration in the hearts of Nigerians.
It would be meaningless to train 500,000 teachers without adequate arrangement for how to actually engage them in federal and state schools at the end of their training. Such open-ended schemes in place like National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) already throw graduates out after the service year and or skill acquisition period.
It may also be good to incorporate this new programme into the one-year NYSC. The three-week orientation period can be used to teach communication skills to the corps members before they are deployed to schools.
The Federal Government and the states should collaborate in order to work out a suitable framework for absorbing the trainees into the school system. Without such collaboration and arrangement, the scheme would be un-sustainable and its aim may be defeated.
Open Heavens 5 July 2016: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Power in the Holy Ghost
Topic: Power in the Holy Ghost [Tuesday 5, July 2016]
Memorise: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. – Acts 1:8
Read: Acts 4:31-33 (KJV)
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Bible in One Year: Acts 24:22-26:32, Song of Solomon 7:11-8:7
MESSAGE:
The only genuine source of power for children of God is the Holy Ghost. Any other means is not only a counterfeit but also counterproductive. When Jesus Christ was going to be with His Father, He told His disciples that they should stay back in Jerusalem until the promise of the Father came, only then would they have the power to go out and do the assignment that He had earlier given to them. It is unfortunate that many so-called children of God are gambling with their lives by engaging in the work of the ministry without adequate spiritual preparation.
“31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. ” - Acts 4:31, 33
There are lots of blessings which accrue from receiving the power of the Holy Ghost. For example, the Bible says we do not know how to pray but the Holy Spirit helps our inadequacy and with great groaning, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26). In other words, when we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, prayer will not be a difficult task for us. When we are endued with the power of the Holy Ghost, we become unstoppable by our detractors and their threats will not have any effect on our lives. The disciples of old, after they had been threatened by the Jewish leaders in Acts chapter 4, prayed in the Holy Ghost and became so bold that they preached the Word of God in the streets without fear.
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” - Ephesians 1:13
To be endued in the Holy Spirit, however, your salvation must be genuine. Without genuine salvation, you are prone to have a counterfeit Holy Spirit baptism and in turn, counterfeit power which will lead to a vexation of your spirit. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ name. Then, you must live holy and make up your mind to become obedient to the Word of God. You must abstain from whatever will grieve the Holy Spirit.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” - Ephesians 4:30
You grieve the Holy Spirit when you blaspheme Him or touch unclean things. You must be separated unto God (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon a reader of this devotional today in Jesus’ name.
Action Point: Father, send your promise of the Holy Spirit to me afresh today and don’t let me grieve Him as He comes upon me 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: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. – Acts 1:8
Read: Acts 4:31-33 (KJV)
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Bible in One Year: Acts 24:22-26:32, Song of Solomon 7:11-8:7
MESSAGE:
The only genuine source of power for children of God is the Holy Ghost. Any other means is not only a counterfeit but also counterproductive. When Jesus Christ was going to be with His Father, He told His disciples that they should stay back in Jerusalem until the promise of the Father came, only then would they have the power to go out and do the assignment that He had earlier given to them. It is unfortunate that many so-called children of God are gambling with their lives by engaging in the work of the ministry without adequate spiritual preparation.
“31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. ” - Acts 4:31, 33
There are lots of blessings which accrue from receiving the power of the Holy Ghost. For example, the Bible says we do not know how to pray but the Holy Spirit helps our inadequacy and with great groaning, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26). In other words, when we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, prayer will not be a difficult task for us. When we are endued with the power of the Holy Ghost, we become unstoppable by our detractors and their threats will not have any effect on our lives. The disciples of old, after they had been threatened by the Jewish leaders in Acts chapter 4, prayed in the Holy Ghost and became so bold that they preached the Word of God in the streets without fear.
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” - Ephesians 1:13
To be endued in the Holy Spirit, however, your salvation must be genuine. Without genuine salvation, you are prone to have a counterfeit Holy Spirit baptism and in turn, counterfeit power which will lead to a vexation of your spirit. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ name. Then, you must live holy and make up your mind to become obedient to the Word of God. You must abstain from whatever will grieve the Holy Spirit.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” - Ephesians 4:30
You grieve the Holy Spirit when you blaspheme Him or touch unclean things. You must be separated unto God (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon a reader of this devotional today in Jesus’ name.
Action Point: Father, send your promise of the Holy Spirit to me afresh today and don’t let me grieve Him as He comes upon me 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.
Monday, 4 July 2016
Open Heavens 4 July 2016: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Prayer of Decrees
Topic: Prayer of Decrees [Monday 4, July 2016]
Memorise: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. – Mark 11:23
Read: Zechariah 4:6-9 (KJV)
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Bible in One Year: Acts 22:22-24:21, Song of Solomon 6:10-7:10
MESSAGE:
Prayers are of different types and they are also in categories. Today, we shall discuss the prayer of decrees. There is a level you get to in spiritual warfare that prayers of supplication or intercession may prove inadequate. Our Lord Jesus Christ in our memory verse for today assures us that whatever we command shall obey us. In Mark 11:24 He said:
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
A prayer of decree is a prayer that creates; it does not take “No” for an answer. At times, such prayers do not sound like prayers; yet they are prayers that come in the form of prophecy. More often, only those in an intimate walk with God engage effectively in prayers of decrees. The Bible says;
“Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.” - Isaiah 45:11
A classic example of a prayer of decree is found in Ezekiel chapter 37. The prophet was moved by the Spirit of the Living God to prophesy to dry bones in a valley. He Prophesied in the Name of the Lord and there was a miracle of restoration of life. I decree that every mountain threatening the fullness of your joy is removed now in Jesus’ name. According to our memory verse, when we tell a mountain to be removed, and be cast into the sea, it shall come to pass. A couple trusting God for the fruit of the womb came to me years ago for prayers, and after they had the assurance that their prayers had been answered, an argument ensued on whether the expected baby should be a boy or a girl. So, I intervened by decreeing that in order to settle the argument permanently, the expected miracle babies should come as a set of twins, a boy and a girl. They keyed into this prayer of decree and as the Almighty would have it, in nine months time; the couple had twins – a boy and a girl. I decree to someone using this devotional; your expected miracle shall come this season in Jesus’ name.
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:16
For us to effectively engage in prayers of decree, we must live in holiness and perfect obedience to the Word of God. Jesus Christ said:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” - John 15:7
Prayer Point: My Father in Heaven, I decree according to your Word, every mountain threatening my destiny is removed now 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: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. – Mark 11:23
Read: Zechariah 4:6-9 (KJV)
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Bible in One Year: Acts 22:22-24:21, Song of Solomon 6:10-7:10
MESSAGE:
Prayers are of different types and they are also in categories. Today, we shall discuss the prayer of decrees. There is a level you get to in spiritual warfare that prayers of supplication or intercession may prove inadequate. Our Lord Jesus Christ in our memory verse for today assures us that whatever we command shall obey us. In Mark 11:24 He said:
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
A prayer of decree is a prayer that creates; it does not take “No” for an answer. At times, such prayers do not sound like prayers; yet they are prayers that come in the form of prophecy. More often, only those in an intimate walk with God engage effectively in prayers of decrees. The Bible says;
“Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.” - Isaiah 45:11
A classic example of a prayer of decree is found in Ezekiel chapter 37. The prophet was moved by the Spirit of the Living God to prophesy to dry bones in a valley. He Prophesied in the Name of the Lord and there was a miracle of restoration of life. I decree that every mountain threatening the fullness of your joy is removed now in Jesus’ name. According to our memory verse, when we tell a mountain to be removed, and be cast into the sea, it shall come to pass. A couple trusting God for the fruit of the womb came to me years ago for prayers, and after they had the assurance that their prayers had been answered, an argument ensued on whether the expected baby should be a boy or a girl. So, I intervened by decreeing that in order to settle the argument permanently, the expected miracle babies should come as a set of twins, a boy and a girl. They keyed into this prayer of decree and as the Almighty would have it, in nine months time; the couple had twins – a boy and a girl. I decree to someone using this devotional; your expected miracle shall come this season in Jesus’ name.
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:16
For us to effectively engage in prayers of decree, we must live in holiness and perfect obedience to the Word of God. Jesus Christ said:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” - John 15:7
Prayer Point: My Father in Heaven, I decree according to your Word, every mountain threatening my destiny is removed now 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, 3 July 2016
Shocking! Military medical doctor sacked for having sex with a colleague's wife who came for consultation
For having sex with his colleague's wife, a Nigerian military doctor, identified as Lieutenant Musa Mustapha Bature has been sacked by the Nigerian Army court-martial.
Known for his notorious sex life, 38 year old Lieutenant Bature from Kebbi state, reportedly took advantage of one of his colleague's wife who came to him for consultation.
While in his office, he sexually stimulated the newly married woman and then had sex with her. He asked her to come to his house in the evening to collect an ointment for her ailment and then had sex with her again.
The woman, out of guilt, reported the matter to the barrack's chaplain who forwarded her complaint to his superiors.
At the Army court-martial on Wednesday, June 29th, Bature was found guilty on a two count charge of illicit sexual relationship and unprofessional conduct.
He confessed to the crime at the court marshal. His fate would be finally decided by a military council, which statutorily ratifies such sentences. Among the punishment prescribed for such offences includes jail term and dismissal from service with dishonour.
KemiFilani
Known for his notorious sex life, 38 year old Lieutenant Bature from Kebbi state, reportedly took advantage of one of his colleague's wife who came to him for consultation.
While in his office, he sexually stimulated the newly married woman and then had sex with her. He asked her to come to his house in the evening to collect an ointment for her ailment and then had sex with her again.
The woman, out of guilt, reported the matter to the barrack's chaplain who forwarded her complaint to his superiors.
At the Army court-martial on Wednesday, June 29th, Bature was found guilty on a two count charge of illicit sexual relationship and unprofessional conduct.
He confessed to the crime at the court marshal. His fate would be finally decided by a military council, which statutorily ratifies such sentences. Among the punishment prescribed for such offences includes jail term and dismissal from service with dishonour.
KemiFilani
Shocking! Military medical doctor sacked for having sex with a colleague's wife who came for consultation
For having sex with his colleague's wife, a Nigerian military doctor, identified as Lieutenant Musa Mustapha Bature has been sacked by the Nigerian Army court-martial.
Known for his notorious sex life, 38 year old Lieutenant Bature from Kebbi state, reportedly took advantage of one of his colleague's wife who came to him for consultation.
While in his office, he sexually stimulated the newly married woman and then had sex with her. He asked her to come to his house in the evening to collect an ointment for her ailment and then had sex with her again.
The woman, out of guilt, reported the matter to the barrack's chaplain who forwarded her complaint to his superiors.
At the Army court-martial on Wednesday, June 29th, Bature was found guilty on a two count charge of illicit sexual relationship and unprofessional conduct.
He confessed to the crime at the court marshal. His fate would be finally decided by a military council, which statutorily ratifies such sentences. Among the punishment prescribed for such offences includes jail term and dismissal from service with dishonour.
KemiFilani
Known for his notorious sex life, 38 year old Lieutenant Bature from Kebbi state, reportedly took advantage of one of his colleague's wife who came to him for consultation.
While in his office, he sexually stimulated the newly married woman and then had sex with her. He asked her to come to his house in the evening to collect an ointment for her ailment and then had sex with her again.
The woman, out of guilt, reported the matter to the barrack's chaplain who forwarded her complaint to his superiors.
At the Army court-martial on Wednesday, June 29th, Bature was found guilty on a two count charge of illicit sexual relationship and unprofessional conduct.
He confessed to the crime at the court marshal. His fate would be finally decided by a military council, which statutorily ratifies such sentences. Among the punishment prescribed for such offences includes jail term and dismissal from service with dishonour.
KemiFilani
Shocking! Military medical doctor sacked for having sex with a colleague's wife who came for consultation
For having sex with his colleague's wife, a Nigerian military doctor, identified as Lieutenant Musa Mustapha Bature has been sacked by the Nigerian Army court-martial.
Known for his notorious sex life, 38 year old Lieutenant Bature from Kebbi state, reportedly took advantage of one of his colleague's wife who came to him for consultation.
While in his office, he sexually stimulated the newly married woman and then had sex with her. He asked her to come to his house in the evening to collect an ointment for her ailment and then had sex with her again.
The woman, out of guilt, reported the matter to the barrack's chaplain who forwarded her complaint to his superiors.
At the Army court-martial on Wednesday, June 29th, Bature was found guilty on a two count charge of illicit sexual relationship and unprofessional conduct.
He confessed to the crime at the court marshal. His fate would be finally decided by a military council, which statutorily ratifies such sentences. Among the punishment prescribed for such offences includes jail term and dismissal from service with dishonour.
KemiFilani
Known for his notorious sex life, 38 year old Lieutenant Bature from Kebbi state, reportedly took advantage of one of his colleague's wife who came to him for consultation.
While in his office, he sexually stimulated the newly married woman and then had sex with her. He asked her to come to his house in the evening to collect an ointment for her ailment and then had sex with her again.
The woman, out of guilt, reported the matter to the barrack's chaplain who forwarded her complaint to his superiors.
At the Army court-martial on Wednesday, June 29th, Bature was found guilty on a two count charge of illicit sexual relationship and unprofessional conduct.
He confessed to the crime at the court marshal. His fate would be finally decided by a military council, which statutorily ratifies such sentences. Among the punishment prescribed for such offences includes jail term and dismissal from service with dishonour.
KemiFilani
Open Heavens 3 July 2016: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Guilty of Injustice?
Topic: Guilty of Injustice? [Sunday 3, July 2016]
Memorise: Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. – James 5:6
Read: Amos 8:4-10 (KJV)
4 Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,
5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?
6 That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
7 The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
8 Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.
9 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.
Bible in One Year: Acts 20:17-22:21, Song of Solomon 5:10-6:9
MESSAGE:
Injustice has been in existence with mankind since the fall. The unfortunate thing is that God hates injustice because He is the God of justice and equity. In our Bible reading for today and in several others verses of the Bible, we see that God vehemently abhors injustice. This injustice is all-inclusive, because it is found among traders through false measure, the employers of labours who do not pay the correct wages or delay it unnecessarily and the employees who cheat on their employers by not putting up their best for the wages they earn. James 5:4 says:
“Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.”
It is injustice when an employer keeps the wages of the labourers unpaid or holds back some of the wages meant for the workers. God says He will not take it lightly with whoever is guilty of this act. In the same vein, when an employee uses the time meant for his employer to do something else, it is injustice. This is why many employees do not have anything tangible to show for the wages they earn. When a man works for fifteen days put together in a month and he is given a salary of thirty days worth, at the end of the month, the value of what he will use the money for will not be more than his actual wage for fifteen days. Many traders are fond of using false measures to sell their merchandise. Only ignorance makes people indulge in such practices, because the God of justice will always bring judgement upon such businesses.
“35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. 36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.” - Leviticus 19:35-36
The consequence of the above injustice is written in our text for today:
“7 The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works 10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.” - Amos 8:7, 10
Beloved, beware of injustice of any kind so that you are not found guilty of practicing that which the Lord hates. The Bible says:
“Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.” - Proverbs 20:23
Action Point: Examine your life; if you are in any way indulging in injustice, repent today and restitute your ways.
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: Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. – James 5:6
Read: Amos 8:4-10 (KJV)
4 Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,
5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?
6 That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
7 The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
8 Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.
9 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.
Bible in One Year: Acts 20:17-22:21, Song of Solomon 5:10-6:9
MESSAGE:
Injustice has been in existence with mankind since the fall. The unfortunate thing is that God hates injustice because He is the God of justice and equity. In our Bible reading for today and in several others verses of the Bible, we see that God vehemently abhors injustice. This injustice is all-inclusive, because it is found among traders through false measure, the employers of labours who do not pay the correct wages or delay it unnecessarily and the employees who cheat on their employers by not putting up their best for the wages they earn. James 5:4 says:
“Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.”
It is injustice when an employer keeps the wages of the labourers unpaid or holds back some of the wages meant for the workers. God says He will not take it lightly with whoever is guilty of this act. In the same vein, when an employee uses the time meant for his employer to do something else, it is injustice. This is why many employees do not have anything tangible to show for the wages they earn. When a man works for fifteen days put together in a month and he is given a salary of thirty days worth, at the end of the month, the value of what he will use the money for will not be more than his actual wage for fifteen days. Many traders are fond of using false measures to sell their merchandise. Only ignorance makes people indulge in such practices, because the God of justice will always bring judgement upon such businesses.
“35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. 36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.” - Leviticus 19:35-36
The consequence of the above injustice is written in our text for today:
“7 The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works 10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.” - Amos 8:7, 10
Beloved, beware of injustice of any kind so that you are not found guilty of practicing that which the Lord hates. The Bible says:
“Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.” - Proverbs 20:23
Action Point: Examine your life; if you are in any way indulging in injustice, repent today and restitute your ways.
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.
Saturday, 2 July 2016
Be patient! “Our priority is to rescue Chibok girls unharmed” – Buhari
Hope is not lost as President Buhari reiterated his determination to rescue the remaining abducted Chibok girls. He stated this at the breaking of Ramadan fast with members of the diplomatic corps Thursday night in Abuja.
According to the president, the priority was to rescue them alive and unharmed. ”We are not letting up our efforts to rescue the Chibok girls, our priority is to rescue them unharmed”, he said.
While assuring that he would continue to tack the security challenges, the president regretted that the Boko Haram activities had rendered many Nigerians orphaned and homeless, saying “our main focus is to ensure their safe return to their homes and rehabilitation of their communities”.
The president also bemoaned the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region, reassuring the diplomatic corps that the issue was being addressed. He however stated that “no amount of militancy shall distract us from engaging with the region”.
He said his administration was committed to addressing the issue of unemployment, poor infrastructure and ecological problems, saying “Our doors are open for business”. Speaking on corruption, the Buhari showed appreciation on the international cooperation the anti-corruption war had received especially on the recovery of looted funds.
Also speaking, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, thanked the President, noting that the breaking of fast meeting was an opportunity to interact with the president. Dean of Diplomatic Corps, the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahima, thanked the President for hosting the diplomatic corps, the second time in the year. He said “We wish for eternal peace for Nigeria and may your efforts in the shortest time bring prosperity to our people. “Be reassured that the international community will continue to provide the necessary support”.
According to the president, the priority was to rescue them alive and unharmed. ”We are not letting up our efforts to rescue the Chibok girls, our priority is to rescue them unharmed”, he said.
While assuring that he would continue to tack the security challenges, the president regretted that the Boko Haram activities had rendered many Nigerians orphaned and homeless, saying “our main focus is to ensure their safe return to their homes and rehabilitation of their communities”.
The president also bemoaned the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region, reassuring the diplomatic corps that the issue was being addressed. He however stated that “no amount of militancy shall distract us from engaging with the region”.
He said his administration was committed to addressing the issue of unemployment, poor infrastructure and ecological problems, saying “Our doors are open for business”. Speaking on corruption, the Buhari showed appreciation on the international cooperation the anti-corruption war had received especially on the recovery of looted funds.
Also speaking, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, thanked the President, noting that the breaking of fast meeting was an opportunity to interact with the president. Dean of Diplomatic Corps, the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahima, thanked the President for hosting the diplomatic corps, the second time in the year. He said “We wish for eternal peace for Nigeria and may your efforts in the shortest time bring prosperity to our people. “Be reassured that the international community will continue to provide the necessary support”.
Open Heavens 2 July 2016: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Subduing the threatening giant
Topic: Subduing the threatening giant [Saturday 2, July 2016]
Memorise: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalms 27:1
Read: 1 Samuel 17:45-50 (KJV)
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
Bible in One Year: Acts 18:18-20:16, Song of Solomon 5:2-9
MESSAGE:
There is a threatening giant mightier than Goliath that we must overcome if our lives will be meaningful and highly fulfilling. This giant is no other one than the devil. As a matter of fact, Goliath in our Bible reading for today was just an apprentice in the school of Satan. The Bible says that the devil is a roaring lion walking about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). This was exactly what Goliath did, he roared at the children of Israel and they trembled before him.
“8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.” - 1 Samuel 17:8-9
How did the children of Israel overcome the threatening giant of their lives? They overcame him through their representative, the young David, who knew the God that he served. The giant came, cursing David by the name of his gods and David returned the curses by giving a deadly prophecy against the uncircumcised Philistine in the name of his own God:
“This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” - 1 Samuel 17:46
One lesson we learn from this story is that battles of life are beyond the physical. Even the giant did not rely on his strength alone; hence the reason he cursed David by his gods! David was up to the task, so he replied, not in the same way but in a greater dimension by condemning the host of the Philistine carcases to the beasts, not only the Champion’s. This is why the Bible says.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” - Ephesians 6:12
This is equally why we must put on the whole armour of God to be able to withstand the giants of our life, particularly in our Christian lives. Another lesson is that, since our weapons are not carnal, we must not attempt to fight against the giant with our senses or physical weapons. When King Saul gave physical weapons to David, he rejected them because he knew they would fail. He confidently challenged Goliath with his God. I encourage you to take hold of the Name of the Lord in your battle against the giants in your life and you will subdue them all. However, you must have a cordial relationship with the bearer of the Name through holiness and perfect obedience to His Word.
Prayer Point: Father, I come against all the giants of life threatening my destiny and I destroy them completely today in Jesus’ mighty 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: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalms 27:1
Read: 1 Samuel 17:45-50 (KJV)
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
Bible in One Year: Acts 18:18-20:16, Song of Solomon 5:2-9
MESSAGE:
There is a threatening giant mightier than Goliath that we must overcome if our lives will be meaningful and highly fulfilling. This giant is no other one than the devil. As a matter of fact, Goliath in our Bible reading for today was just an apprentice in the school of Satan. The Bible says that the devil is a roaring lion walking about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). This was exactly what Goliath did, he roared at the children of Israel and they trembled before him.
“8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.” - 1 Samuel 17:8-9
How did the children of Israel overcome the threatening giant of their lives? They overcame him through their representative, the young David, who knew the God that he served. The giant came, cursing David by the name of his gods and David returned the curses by giving a deadly prophecy against the uncircumcised Philistine in the name of his own God:
“This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” - 1 Samuel 17:46
One lesson we learn from this story is that battles of life are beyond the physical. Even the giant did not rely on his strength alone; hence the reason he cursed David by his gods! David was up to the task, so he replied, not in the same way but in a greater dimension by condemning the host of the Philistine carcases to the beasts, not only the Champion’s. This is why the Bible says.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” - Ephesians 6:12
This is equally why we must put on the whole armour of God to be able to withstand the giants of our life, particularly in our Christian lives. Another lesson is that, since our weapons are not carnal, we must not attempt to fight against the giant with our senses or physical weapons. When King Saul gave physical weapons to David, he rejected them because he knew they would fail. He confidently challenged Goliath with his God. I encourage you to take hold of the Name of the Lord in your battle against the giants in your life and you will subdue them all. However, you must have a cordial relationship with the bearer of the Name through holiness and perfect obedience to His Word.
Prayer Point: Father, I come against all the giants of life threatening my destiny and I destroy them completely today in Jesus’ mighty 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.
Open Heavens 2 July 2016: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Subduing the threatening giant
Topic: Subduing the threatening giant [Saturday 2, July 2016]
Memorise: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalms 27:1
Read: 1 Samuel 17:45-50 (KJV)
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
Bible in One Year: Acts 18:18-20:16, Song of Solomon 5:2-9
MESSAGE:
There is a threatening giant mightier than Goliath that we must overcome if our lives will be meaningful and highly fulfilling. This giant is no other one than the devil. As a matter of fact, Goliath in our Bible reading for today was just an apprentice in the school of Satan. The Bible says that the devil is a roaring lion walking about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). This was exactly what Goliath did, he roared at the children of Israel and they trembled before him.
“8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.” - 1 Samuel 17:8-9
How did the children of Israel overcome the threatening giant of their lives? They overcame him through their representative, the young David, who knew the God that he served. The giant came, cursing David by the name of his gods and David returned the curses by giving a deadly prophecy against the uncircumcised Philistine in the name of his own God:
“This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” - 1 Samuel 17:46
One lesson we learn from this story is that battles of life are beyond the physical. Even the giant did not rely on his strength alone; hence the reason he cursed David by his gods! David was up to the task, so he replied, not in the same way but in a greater dimension by condemning the host of the Philistine carcases to the beasts, not only the Champion’s. This is why the Bible says.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” - Ephesians 6:12
This is equally why we must put on the whole armour of God to be able to withstand the giants of our life, particularly in our Christian lives. Another lesson is that, since our weapons are not carnal, we must not attempt to fight against the giant with our senses or physical weapons. When King Saul gave physical weapons to David, he rejected them because he knew they would fail. He confidently challenged Goliath with his God. I encourage you to take hold of the Name of the Lord in your battle against the giants in your life and you will subdue them all. However, you must have a cordial relationship with the bearer of the Name through holiness and perfect obedience to His Word.
Prayer Point: Father, I come against all the giants of life threatening my destiny and I destroy them completely today in Jesus’ mighty 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: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalms 27:1
Read: 1 Samuel 17:45-50 (KJV)
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
Bible in One Year: Acts 18:18-20:16, Song of Solomon 5:2-9
MESSAGE:
There is a threatening giant mightier than Goliath that we must overcome if our lives will be meaningful and highly fulfilling. This giant is no other one than the devil. As a matter of fact, Goliath in our Bible reading for today was just an apprentice in the school of Satan. The Bible says that the devil is a roaring lion walking about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). This was exactly what Goliath did, he roared at the children of Israel and they trembled before him.
“8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.” - 1 Samuel 17:8-9
How did the children of Israel overcome the threatening giant of their lives? They overcame him through their representative, the young David, who knew the God that he served. The giant came, cursing David by the name of his gods and David returned the curses by giving a deadly prophecy against the uncircumcised Philistine in the name of his own God:
“This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” - 1 Samuel 17:46
One lesson we learn from this story is that battles of life are beyond the physical. Even the giant did not rely on his strength alone; hence the reason he cursed David by his gods! David was up to the task, so he replied, not in the same way but in a greater dimension by condemning the host of the Philistine carcases to the beasts, not only the Champion’s. This is why the Bible says.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” - Ephesians 6:12
This is equally why we must put on the whole armour of God to be able to withstand the giants of our life, particularly in our Christian lives. Another lesson is that, since our weapons are not carnal, we must not attempt to fight against the giant with our senses or physical weapons. When King Saul gave physical weapons to David, he rejected them because he knew they would fail. He confidently challenged Goliath with his God. I encourage you to take hold of the Name of the Lord in your battle against the giants in your life and you will subdue them all. However, you must have a cordial relationship with the bearer of the Name through holiness and perfect obedience to His Word.
Prayer Point: Father, I come against all the giants of life threatening my destiny and I destroy them completely today in Jesus’ mighty 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.
Friday, 1 July 2016
Open Heavens 1 July 2016: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Present Help
Topic: The Present Help [Friday 1, July 2016]
Memorise: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalms 46:1b
Read: 1 Kings 17:12-16 (KJV)
12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
Bible in One Year: Acts 16:16-18:17, Song of Solomon 4:9-5:1
MESSAGE:
Bible writers under the influence of the Holy Ghost wittily qualified or limited significant nouns common to human experiences. For example, in Psalm 103:4 when the Psalmist decided to qualify the kindness and mercies of God upon his life he wrote:
“Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;”
In other words, the kindness he received from God was not ordinary but the loving type. Also, the mercies were not the harsh type but the tender ones. My prayer for you is that this will be your own experience too in Jesus’ name.
In our memory verse for today, we read about an attribute of God that is noteworthy for our advantage; “The very present help in trouble.” Going by this testimony of the Psalmist, God is help personified, and He is never a belated help; He is always on time. But for this attribute of God, the widow of Zarephath in today’s reading would have eaten up her last meal before the messenger of the God of multiplication arrived.
“And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” - 1 Kings 17:12
As I always tell my congregation in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, I strongly believe that the woman was saying that she was going to prepare the last meal, eat it with her household and then commit suicide but help came for just on time. However, before the Present Help can come to your aid, you need to have the same spiritual conviction of the widow in our Bible reading for today. One of the virtues of this widow is that she believed in the God of Prophet Elijah. Another thing about this widow is that she believed that the God of Elijah was alive. This helped her to respond positively to the instruction of the prophet by going ahead to do what the prophet said, and there came the miracle of multiplication. The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 20:20:
“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”
Beloved, if you believe in God as your Present Help, it will show in your way of life. For example, you will not live in doubt of His promises and so you will respond in faith to his directives. You will not cut corners in order to achieve your desires, because you know that the Present Help shall always be there for you. This woman in our Bible reading had faith in the God of Israel and this she showed by according respect to the man of God. Do you have regard for God? It will show in how you regard you pastor and his words. May the Present Help be there for us always in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: O, Present Help, please help me today to solve all my problems.
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: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalms 46:1b
Read: 1 Kings 17:12-16 (KJV)
12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
Bible in One Year: Acts 16:16-18:17, Song of Solomon 4:9-5:1
MESSAGE:
Bible writers under the influence of the Holy Ghost wittily qualified or limited significant nouns common to human experiences. For example, in Psalm 103:4 when the Psalmist decided to qualify the kindness and mercies of God upon his life he wrote:
“Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;”
In other words, the kindness he received from God was not ordinary but the loving type. Also, the mercies were not the harsh type but the tender ones. My prayer for you is that this will be your own experience too in Jesus’ name.
In our memory verse for today, we read about an attribute of God that is noteworthy for our advantage; “The very present help in trouble.” Going by this testimony of the Psalmist, God is help personified, and He is never a belated help; He is always on time. But for this attribute of God, the widow of Zarephath in today’s reading would have eaten up her last meal before the messenger of the God of multiplication arrived.
“And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” - 1 Kings 17:12
As I always tell my congregation in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, I strongly believe that the woman was saying that she was going to prepare the last meal, eat it with her household and then commit suicide but help came for just on time. However, before the Present Help can come to your aid, you need to have the same spiritual conviction of the widow in our Bible reading for today. One of the virtues of this widow is that she believed in the God of Prophet Elijah. Another thing about this widow is that she believed that the God of Elijah was alive. This helped her to respond positively to the instruction of the prophet by going ahead to do what the prophet said, and there came the miracle of multiplication. The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 20:20:
“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”
Beloved, if you believe in God as your Present Help, it will show in your way of life. For example, you will not live in doubt of His promises and so you will respond in faith to his directives. You will not cut corners in order to achieve your desires, because you know that the Present Help shall always be there for you. This woman in our Bible reading had faith in the God of Israel and this she showed by according respect to the man of God. Do you have regard for God? It will show in how you regard you pastor and his words. May the Present Help be there for us always in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: O, Present Help, please help me today to solve all my problems.
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, 30 June 2016
Olisah Metuh offers to returns #400M that was traced to his account
Full text of his statement offering to refund the money below
Why Our Client (Chief Olisa Metuh) is Offering To Refund The N400 million – Counsel
In the light of the circumstances regarding the case of our client, Chief Olisa Metuh with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), we want to explain the reasons for our client's proposal to refund the N400 million released to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan, and which was expended on a project approved by the ex-President on national issues relating to his Presidency and the Federal Government at that time.
1. We want to restate that at the time the money was released to him after his presentation to the ex-President, our client had no knowledge of the source, a fact that is now obvious from the evidence of the prosecution and defence witnesses. Our client had every cause to believe that the money was from the ex-President to whom he made a presentation, received directives and rendered report and accounts accordingly.
2. When the matter first came up, and Chief Metuh was invited to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in December 2015, he requested to know the source of the money and expressed his readiness to make refunds if it was from government coffers, not minding that the money had been expended as directed by the former President. Officials at ONSA never got back to him as they promised, until his arrest by the EFCC in January 2016.
3. It was however while in court that a document was brought regarding the source of the money and since then, our Client has made manifest his willingness to refund the money and has indeed approached his family, friends and associates to mobilise funds to refund the entire N400 million to the government regardless of the fact that the money had been expended based on the directives of the former President and that part of the money had been recovered from one of the prosecution witnesses.
4. We want to confirm that since then, we have been in talks with the Ministry of Justice, the EFCC and other necessary bodies on how to refund the money and resolve the issue.
5. Our client occupied no government office. His commitment and dedication to his official duties have been confirmed by even prosecution witnesses. In this whole saga, he has been an unfortunate victim of circumstances. His refunding the money, therefore, goes to show his support for the anti-corruption war as well as serve as a testament to his sincerity, integrity and honesty in this matter.
6. There is no doubt that the prosecution has considerably embarked on some expenses in the course of this case. It is hoped that by not discounting the sum already recovered, whatever cost so far incurred would have been defrayed. By this, a critical objective of recovery of funds would no doubt be achieved.
7. It is pertinent to restate our client's continued support for the anti-corruption campaign, which is necessary to ensure probity in the affairs of Nigeria to the extent that it is conducted within the rule of law.
8. Finally, it is our client's prayer that this nation shall come through this difficult time by the grace of the Almighty God.
Signed:
Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN)
Counsel To Chief Olisa Metuh
Why Our Client (Chief Olisa Metuh) is Offering To Refund The N400 million – Counsel
In the light of the circumstances regarding the case of our client, Chief Olisa Metuh with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), we want to explain the reasons for our client's proposal to refund the N400 million released to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan, and which was expended on a project approved by the ex-President on national issues relating to his Presidency and the Federal Government at that time.
1. We want to restate that at the time the money was released to him after his presentation to the ex-President, our client had no knowledge of the source, a fact that is now obvious from the evidence of the prosecution and defence witnesses. Our client had every cause to believe that the money was from the ex-President to whom he made a presentation, received directives and rendered report and accounts accordingly.
2. When the matter first came up, and Chief Metuh was invited to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in December 2015, he requested to know the source of the money and expressed his readiness to make refunds if it was from government coffers, not minding that the money had been expended as directed by the former President. Officials at ONSA never got back to him as they promised, until his arrest by the EFCC in January 2016.
3. It was however while in court that a document was brought regarding the source of the money and since then, our Client has made manifest his willingness to refund the money and has indeed approached his family, friends and associates to mobilise funds to refund the entire N400 million to the government regardless of the fact that the money had been expended based on the directives of the former President and that part of the money had been recovered from one of the prosecution witnesses.
4. We want to confirm that since then, we have been in talks with the Ministry of Justice, the EFCC and other necessary bodies on how to refund the money and resolve the issue.
5. Our client occupied no government office. His commitment and dedication to his official duties have been confirmed by even prosecution witnesses. In this whole saga, he has been an unfortunate victim of circumstances. His refunding the money, therefore, goes to show his support for the anti-corruption war as well as serve as a testament to his sincerity, integrity and honesty in this matter.
6. There is no doubt that the prosecution has considerably embarked on some expenses in the course of this case. It is hoped that by not discounting the sum already recovered, whatever cost so far incurred would have been defrayed. By this, a critical objective of recovery of funds would no doubt be achieved.
7. It is pertinent to restate our client's continued support for the anti-corruption campaign, which is necessary to ensure probity in the affairs of Nigeria to the extent that it is conducted within the rule of law.
8. Finally, it is our client's prayer that this nation shall come through this difficult time by the grace of the Almighty God.
Signed:
Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN)
Counsel To Chief Olisa Metuh
PDP releases statement! FCT Court did not sack Sheriff – Oladipo
As culled from LIB, Ousted chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff has dismissed the report of his sack by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, describing the report as “false and a clear misrepresentation of the ruling of the court.”
This was contained in a statement signed by Professor Adewale Oladipo, the National Secretary, who said the court delivered its judgement on certain amendments, which have nothing to do with the leadership of Sheriff.
The statement reads in part:
“Our attention has been drawn to reports circulating in the media that a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ousted the National Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff.
“This is completely false and a clear misrepresentation of the ruling of the court as it never gave any ruling ousting the National Chairman.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the court only heard and delivered judgment on a matter concerning certain amendments in the PDP constitution, which has nothing to do with the election of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman or even that of his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.
“Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was duly elected as the National Chairman of the PDP. He still holds office as the National Chairman and has not been removed by any court.
“We therefore urge those misleading the media and the unsuspecting public to desist from such. The media is also urged to always crosscheck their facts before going to press,” he stated.
This was contained in a statement signed by Professor Adewale Oladipo, the National Secretary, who said the court delivered its judgement on certain amendments, which have nothing to do with the leadership of Sheriff.
The statement reads in part:
“Our attention has been drawn to reports circulating in the media that a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ousted the National Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff.
“This is completely false and a clear misrepresentation of the ruling of the court as it never gave any ruling ousting the National Chairman.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the court only heard and delivered judgment on a matter concerning certain amendments in the PDP constitution, which has nothing to do with the election of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman or even that of his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.
“Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was duly elected as the National Chairman of the PDP. He still holds office as the National Chairman and has not been removed by any court.
“We therefore urge those misleading the media and the unsuspecting public to desist from such. The media is also urged to always crosscheck their facts before going to press,” he stated.
An Abuja Court dismisses Modu Sheriff as PDP chairman
An Abuja High Court has declared as “null and void” the process that produced a former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The judge, Valentine Ashi, faulted the amended PDP Constitution in 2014, which led to the emergence of Mr. Sheriff as the party’s chairman, after the resignation of former Bauchi State governor, Adamu Muazu.
The amendment had zoned the office of the national chairman of the party to the North-East.
In his ruling on Wednesday, Mr. Ashi said the amendment was a violation of the Electoral Act and described the actions of the PDP leaders who partook in the amendment as illegal.
Mr. Sheriff has been locked in a battle with Ahmed Makarfi, a former governor of Kaduna State, for the chairmanship position of the party.
Mr. Makarfi was appointed chairman of a caretaker committee, backed by state governors and national lawmakers.
Mr. Sheriff had won more support in recent days, and had rejected Edo State governorship election primaries conducted by the Makarfi-faction.
Flatimes
The judge, Valentine Ashi, faulted the amended PDP Constitution in 2014, which led to the emergence of Mr. Sheriff as the party’s chairman, after the resignation of former Bauchi State governor, Adamu Muazu.
The amendment had zoned the office of the national chairman of the party to the North-East.
In his ruling on Wednesday, Mr. Ashi said the amendment was a violation of the Electoral Act and described the actions of the PDP leaders who partook in the amendment as illegal.
Mr. Sheriff has been locked in a battle with Ahmed Makarfi, a former governor of Kaduna State, for the chairmanship position of the party.
Mr. Makarfi was appointed chairman of a caretaker committee, backed by state governors and national lawmakers.
Mr. Sheriff had won more support in recent days, and had rejected Edo State governorship election primaries conducted by the Makarfi-faction.
Flatimes
Open Heavens 30 June 2016: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – God’s Watchman
Topic: God’s Watchman [Thursday 30, June 2016]
Memorise: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. – 2 Timothy 4:2
Read: Ezekiel 33:7-9 (KJV)
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Bible in One Year: Acts 14:1-16:15, Song of Solomon 4:1-8
MESSAGE:
As a watchman over the souls of men, it is our responsibility to preach the Word. What word? The Word of life; the Truth that sets a person free from the bondage of sin. Today, there is a scarcity of the Word of God in some quarters. We have been given the mandate to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to unbelievers. But it is unfortunate that many are not carrying out this instruction. There are ministers of the gospel who are preaching other things outside the Word of God. Because all men will stand before the judgment seat of the Almighty God, it is imperative that we proclaim the life-saving gospel to them. We are to preach the Word and the Word alone. We are not to preach the theologies and philosophies of men. We are not to preach the ideals of the western world, but the living Word of God. There are people living in sin today because the watchmen are no longer at their duty posts to reprove them. The Word of God is not what you preach when it is convenient for you alone. Necessity is laid on us all to continue to reprove and rebuke sinners and encourage them to embrace the path that leads to life and godliness.
We live in a world where people are no longer content with the Word of God, they have abandoned the Word of life and they are searching for fables. They are like sheep in search of a meal that will not profit them. God’s Word is the wisdom of God for humanity. The problem with the present day Church is a lack of balanced spiritual diet for the growth of the flock. Potentially sound believers are not sound after all because they lack the wherewithal to grow to maturity despite the fact that they are genuine seekers of the truth.
We should take time to examine the level of pollution in the Church today by the modern and post-modern philosophers who have turned themselves to Bible scholars, thus, misleading the people of faith with their power of logic, oratory and academic tenacity. We need God’s watchmen to put an end to the scarcity of truth in all our assemblies. We need to constantly remind ourselves that the thoughts of western civilisation should not be superior to the Word of God. As watchmen, we need to keep people informed about the correct knowledge of the Word of God. We need to constantly remind ourselves of the beauty of Christian living as the best way of life. We must cast down imaginations and every high knowledge that exalts against the knowledge of God and not allow heresies to thrive in the body of Christ. Your role in the church should put an end to the famine of the Word of God. Don’t join those who only make noise and appeal to the emotions of people with the mind of leading them to hell. To be a watchman unto the souls of men is a divine mandate that must be carried out with urgency. The voice of the watchman must be clear and distinct so that the people that God wants to reach through His voice can hear the warning for the hour. If you want to serve God, serve Him with all of your heart. Let your path be straight. Always be ready to change when there is a need for it. You must be a good example to your hearers. You must be a fire brand for the Lord.
Prayer Point: Father, help me do the work of an Evangelist with diligence.
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: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. – 2 Timothy 4:2
Read: Ezekiel 33:7-9 (KJV)
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Bible in One Year: Acts 14:1-16:15, Song of Solomon 4:1-8
MESSAGE:
As a watchman over the souls of men, it is our responsibility to preach the Word. What word? The Word of life; the Truth that sets a person free from the bondage of sin. Today, there is a scarcity of the Word of God in some quarters. We have been given the mandate to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to unbelievers. But it is unfortunate that many are not carrying out this instruction. There are ministers of the gospel who are preaching other things outside the Word of God. Because all men will stand before the judgment seat of the Almighty God, it is imperative that we proclaim the life-saving gospel to them. We are to preach the Word and the Word alone. We are not to preach the theologies and philosophies of men. We are not to preach the ideals of the western world, but the living Word of God. There are people living in sin today because the watchmen are no longer at their duty posts to reprove them. The Word of God is not what you preach when it is convenient for you alone. Necessity is laid on us all to continue to reprove and rebuke sinners and encourage them to embrace the path that leads to life and godliness.
We live in a world where people are no longer content with the Word of God, they have abandoned the Word of life and they are searching for fables. They are like sheep in search of a meal that will not profit them. God’s Word is the wisdom of God for humanity. The problem with the present day Church is a lack of balanced spiritual diet for the growth of the flock. Potentially sound believers are not sound after all because they lack the wherewithal to grow to maturity despite the fact that they are genuine seekers of the truth.
We should take time to examine the level of pollution in the Church today by the modern and post-modern philosophers who have turned themselves to Bible scholars, thus, misleading the people of faith with their power of logic, oratory and academic tenacity. We need God’s watchmen to put an end to the scarcity of truth in all our assemblies. We need to constantly remind ourselves that the thoughts of western civilisation should not be superior to the Word of God. As watchmen, we need to keep people informed about the correct knowledge of the Word of God. We need to constantly remind ourselves of the beauty of Christian living as the best way of life. We must cast down imaginations and every high knowledge that exalts against the knowledge of God and not allow heresies to thrive in the body of Christ. Your role in the church should put an end to the famine of the Word of God. Don’t join those who only make noise and appeal to the emotions of people with the mind of leading them to hell. To be a watchman unto the souls of men is a divine mandate that must be carried out with urgency. The voice of the watchman must be clear and distinct so that the people that God wants to reach through His voice can hear the warning for the hour. If you want to serve God, serve Him with all of your heart. Let your path be straight. Always be ready to change when there is a need for it. You must be a good example to your hearers. You must be a fire brand for the Lord.
Prayer Point: Father, help me do the work of an Evangelist with diligence.
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, 29 June 2016
Deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu writes US Congress, EU Parliament, foreign missions Over alleged forgery
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has written a 2-page letter to leaders of the United Nations, European Union, United States’ Congress, European Union (EU) Parliament, governments of United States, United Kingdom and other foreign missions, over what he described as an attempt to truncate Nigeria’s democracy, clamp down on opposition and silence him as the leader and highest ranking member of the opposition in the country, all in the name of prosecuting an alleged forgery case. He wants the international community to decide whether or not the trial he and Saraki are facing was justified or if it's one purely borne out of political vendetta.
Part of Ekweremadu's letter titled “Re: Trumped up charges against the presiding officers of the eighth Senate: Nigerian democracy is in grave danger,” reads;
“I wish to forward to you the court summons containing the trumped up charges preferred against my person; the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Bukola Saraki and two others. I also wish to appeal to you to kindly find time to read through the annexures- petition by members of the Senate Unity Forum, statements by persons interrogated and the police report- to see if our names appeared anywhere in these documents.
You may, thereafter, judge for yourself whether the Federal Government, acting through the Attorney-General of the Federation, has any justification whatsoever to generate our names for trial. The list of the accused persons appear to have been politically generated because you cannot by the documents attached, relate any of our names to the offence for which we are now being charged.
Moreover, the rules and principles of fair hearing have not been adhered to because the police have not interacted with me or the President of the Senate as at the time of writing this letter. You may also wish to judge for yourself whether this trial orchestrated against me is not a political trial, calculated witch-hunt, barefaced intimidation, and a clear attempt to emasculate the parliament and silence me as the leader and highest ranking member of the opposition in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, it could also be recalled that an attempt was made on my life on November 17, 2015. The Nigerian security agencies did nothing, even though the incident was duly reported. This is for your information and reflection”.
LIB
Part of Ekweremadu's letter titled “Re: Trumped up charges against the presiding officers of the eighth Senate: Nigerian democracy is in grave danger,” reads;
“I wish to forward to you the court summons containing the trumped up charges preferred against my person; the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Bukola Saraki and two others. I also wish to appeal to you to kindly find time to read through the annexures- petition by members of the Senate Unity Forum, statements by persons interrogated and the police report- to see if our names appeared anywhere in these documents.
You may, thereafter, judge for yourself whether the Federal Government, acting through the Attorney-General of the Federation, has any justification whatsoever to generate our names for trial. The list of the accused persons appear to have been politically generated because you cannot by the documents attached, relate any of our names to the offence for which we are now being charged.
Moreover, the rules and principles of fair hearing have not been adhered to because the police have not interacted with me or the President of the Senate as at the time of writing this letter. You may also wish to judge for yourself whether this trial orchestrated against me is not a political trial, calculated witch-hunt, barefaced intimidation, and a clear attempt to emasculate the parliament and silence me as the leader and highest ranking member of the opposition in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, it could also be recalled that an attempt was made on my life on November 17, 2015. The Nigerian security agencies did nothing, even though the incident was duly reported. This is for your information and reflection”.
LIB
Open Heavens 29 June 2016: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Dancing unto the Lord
Topic: Dancing unto the Lord [Wednesday 29, June 2016]
Memorise: Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. – Psalms 150:4
Read: Psalms 150:1-6 (KJV)
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Bible in One Year: Acts 12:6-13:52, Song of Solomon 3
MESSAGE:
There are many people who think that it is only when they pray to God that help comes down. The greatest victories that the children of Israel experienced manifested in an atmosphere of praise. There is always a point where you don’t know what to do again, especially when you have done all you can. This is the time when you should begin to dance to the Lord and praise Him. Paul and Silas were unjustly thrown into the prison, when they did not know what to do next, they turned to praise. The next moment, all the doors leading into the prison flung open, not for them to escape, but for the people to know the potency of the God they were praising. Are you in prison? Do you think there is something the enemy has stolen from you? Have you just lost something very precious to you? Have you just received a sack letter or a negative medical report? Whatever your case is, just begin to dance before the Lord. This is a way of committing God to rise on your behalf.
The moment you begin to dance in the midst of your situation and circumstances, you are simply telling the whole world that you are not a victim. You are provoking God to action and when He rises on your behalf; you become the talk of the town. There are some people who cannot mind their business, they are always wondering why people dance the way they dance. When they see a rich man forgetting his wealth and dancing before His Maker, they continue to wonder why the man has forgotten who he is. The question is who are you before the Almighty God? You are nothing. If we remove God from your life, there is nothing else to see. David understood this and he danced and praised God. Dancing shows gratitude to the Almighty God. Dancing is loaded with blessings, when we dance unto the Lord; He turns our mourning into joy. There are people who only dance when the Lord has given them a testimony to share, but those who understand better will continue to dance even before the arrival of their miracles.
When you dance before God and you praise Him with the whole of your heart, you will begin to enjoy divine favour and there will be a divine acceleration of your place of celebration. When you praise God, all your enemies become silenced because your dance will provoke God to rise in your defence.
It is not the dance of everyone that God will rise for. It is only the dance of those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Sin is the only thing that can stop Him from rising on your behalf because He is too pure to behold iniquity.
Prayer Point: Father, please remove everything that will stop You from rising on my behalf.
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: Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. – Psalms 150:4
Read: Psalms 150:1-6 (KJV)
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Bible in One Year: Acts 12:6-13:52, Song of Solomon 3
MESSAGE:
There are many people who think that it is only when they pray to God that help comes down. The greatest victories that the children of Israel experienced manifested in an atmosphere of praise. There is always a point where you don’t know what to do again, especially when you have done all you can. This is the time when you should begin to dance to the Lord and praise Him. Paul and Silas were unjustly thrown into the prison, when they did not know what to do next, they turned to praise. The next moment, all the doors leading into the prison flung open, not for them to escape, but for the people to know the potency of the God they were praising. Are you in prison? Do you think there is something the enemy has stolen from you? Have you just lost something very precious to you? Have you just received a sack letter or a negative medical report? Whatever your case is, just begin to dance before the Lord. This is a way of committing God to rise on your behalf.
The moment you begin to dance in the midst of your situation and circumstances, you are simply telling the whole world that you are not a victim. You are provoking God to action and when He rises on your behalf; you become the talk of the town. There are some people who cannot mind their business, they are always wondering why people dance the way they dance. When they see a rich man forgetting his wealth and dancing before His Maker, they continue to wonder why the man has forgotten who he is. The question is who are you before the Almighty God? You are nothing. If we remove God from your life, there is nothing else to see. David understood this and he danced and praised God. Dancing shows gratitude to the Almighty God. Dancing is loaded with blessings, when we dance unto the Lord; He turns our mourning into joy. There are people who only dance when the Lord has given them a testimony to share, but those who understand better will continue to dance even before the arrival of their miracles.
When you dance before God and you praise Him with the whole of your heart, you will begin to enjoy divine favour and there will be a divine acceleration of your place of celebration. When you praise God, all your enemies become silenced because your dance will provoke God to rise in your defence.
It is not the dance of everyone that God will rise for. It is only the dance of those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Sin is the only thing that can stop Him from rising on your behalf because He is too pure to behold iniquity.
Prayer Point: Father, please remove everything that will stop You from rising on my behalf.
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, 28 June 2016
Open Heavens 28 June 2016: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – In Jesus’ Name
Topic: In Jesus’ Name [Tuesday 28, June 2016]
Memorise: If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. – John 14:14
Read: Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Bible in One Year: Acts 10:1-12:5, Song of Solomon 2:8-17
MESSAGE:
The Name of Jesus is God’s password for answered prayers. There is something very unique about the Name of Jesus. It carries so much power and authority. It is not just a Name like other names; it is a seal of authority that commands results for the children of God. There are several reasons why the Name of Jesus is very distinct. The moment you put the Name to work, things are bound to yield to your request. At the mention of the Name of Jesus, there is a release of immeasurable miracles. A believer that has an understanding of this will enjoy the boundless riches that the power in the Name of Jesus can perform in the lives of those who commit the Name to action.
“If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” - John 14:14
This promise to the apostles was to reassure them that whatever they requested within the will of the Lord would always be granted. The Name of Jesus is the only medium of communication with the Father. At the mention of that Name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess; Jesus is the door to every breakthrough in life. Every sinner comes to the Father through Him; He is the door into wealth, health and well-being. The Name of Jesus is the door to protection from all the evils and troubles of life.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” - Proverbs 18:10
The Name of Jesus is the door into every rest, because He said and is still saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Today, I decree into the life of a user of this devotional, there will be rest for you in every area you have experienced trouble in Jesus’ name. The power in the Name of Jesus can deliver you from any form of sickness, infirmity or problem. Cancer disappears at the mention of the Name of Jesus, the blind receive their sight through the Name. The power in the Name of Jesus can raise whatever is dead in your life, because death has no legal right to take away any child of God prematurely. I decree that in the Name of Jesus, you shall not die but live long to fulfil all that God has planned for you.
For this Name to work for you, you must surrender to the lordship of Jesus. We live in a time when all men should confess Jesus as Lord and submit to His will. The same Name that is capable of doing all that we can ever request is the same Name that will judge the world. A time is coming when it will be too late to submit to the Name. Let the fear of God and the love of God be your primary motivator for life. Whatever motivates the request you make to God will determines if your prayers will be answered or not. The angels of God also move towards the direction in which the Name is being mentioned in spirit and in truth, so as to receive orders on someone’s behalf.
Prayer Point: Jesus, let the power in Your Name set me free.
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: If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. – John 14:14
Read: Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Bible in One Year: Acts 10:1-12:5, Song of Solomon 2:8-17
MESSAGE:
The Name of Jesus is God’s password for answered prayers. There is something very unique about the Name of Jesus. It carries so much power and authority. It is not just a Name like other names; it is a seal of authority that commands results for the children of God. There are several reasons why the Name of Jesus is very distinct. The moment you put the Name to work, things are bound to yield to your request. At the mention of the Name of Jesus, there is a release of immeasurable miracles. A believer that has an understanding of this will enjoy the boundless riches that the power in the Name of Jesus can perform in the lives of those who commit the Name to action.
“If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” - John 14:14
This promise to the apostles was to reassure them that whatever they requested within the will of the Lord would always be granted. The Name of Jesus is the only medium of communication with the Father. At the mention of that Name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess; Jesus is the door to every breakthrough in life. Every sinner comes to the Father through Him; He is the door into wealth, health and well-being. The Name of Jesus is the door to protection from all the evils and troubles of life.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” - Proverbs 18:10
The Name of Jesus is the door into every rest, because He said and is still saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Today, I decree into the life of a user of this devotional, there will be rest for you in every area you have experienced trouble in Jesus’ name. The power in the Name of Jesus can deliver you from any form of sickness, infirmity or problem. Cancer disappears at the mention of the Name of Jesus, the blind receive their sight through the Name. The power in the Name of Jesus can raise whatever is dead in your life, because death has no legal right to take away any child of God prematurely. I decree that in the Name of Jesus, you shall not die but live long to fulfil all that God has planned for you.
For this Name to work for you, you must surrender to the lordship of Jesus. We live in a time when all men should confess Jesus as Lord and submit to His will. The same Name that is capable of doing all that we can ever request is the same Name that will judge the world. A time is coming when it will be too late to submit to the Name. Let the fear of God and the love of God be your primary motivator for life. Whatever motivates the request you make to God will determines if your prayers will be answered or not. The angels of God also move towards the direction in which the Name is being mentioned in spirit and in truth, so as to receive orders on someone’s behalf.
Prayer Point: Jesus, let the power in Your Name set me free.
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.
Monday, 27 June 2016
What's Next for Niger Delta Avengers as tough time awaits them.
Information reaching is that Tough time awaits Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militants in the Niger Delta region following take-off of a new military outfit, Operation Delta Safe (ODS) in the region at the weekend.
A naval commander, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, took over the operations of the ODS as pioneer commander at the outfit’s headquarters in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Prior to his new assignment, Okojie was the Flag Officer, Commanding, Naval Training Command, Apapa Lagos.
Okojie took over from the Commander of the defunct Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield (OPS), Major-General Alani Okunlola, who was moved to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters recently scrapped the OPS as part of the federal government’s efforts to safeguard oil facilities and ensure improved security in the region.
The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen.Rabe Abubakar,said that the OPS was replaced with ODS to deal with the new threats arising from the region.
Yesterday, the OPS flag was lowered and the ODS flag hoisted signaling the resumption of a new operation under a new outfit.
In his remarks, Okunlola said during his stint as the OPS commander, the defunct OPS recorded a number of achievements.
“We came, we saw, we conquered. Nigeria expects everybody to do their duties and I have done mine in the Niger Delta,” Okunlola said.
He said the challenges in the region were numerous, pointing to the Niger Delta terrain and threat to security in the region.
He said: “The terrain of the region itself is a challenge. It is a very difficult challenge and of course you know all the threats to security in the environment which we have been contending with.
“And of course, you know logistics can never be enough but the federal government has done enough to support us and with the support we had, we were able to achieve the milestones we achieved.
“One of the biggest achievements is that we arrested a number of vessels, big vessels that were involved in illegal bunkering, we busted some kidnap cases.
“We destroyed numerous illegal refining spots. We were able to an extent curtail illegal oil bunkering and illegal oil refineries.”
He urged Nigerians to pray for the repose of the souls of soldiers who died in various operations in the region.
Okunlola described Okojie as a very seasoned military officer saying he was once his boss.
He said: “Okojie is my boss because I have worked with him before.
“I know the stuff he is made of and I know that with somebody like him at the helm, the operation will move forward.”
Okojie said his leadership would plug into where Okunlola stopped to ensure seamless operations in the Niger Delta.
He vowed that in line with the mandate of the Operation Delta Safe, he and his colleagues would rout criminalities in the region.
Flatimes
A naval commander, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, took over the operations of the ODS as pioneer commander at the outfit’s headquarters in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Prior to his new assignment, Okojie was the Flag Officer, Commanding, Naval Training Command, Apapa Lagos.
Okojie took over from the Commander of the defunct Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield (OPS), Major-General Alani Okunlola, who was moved to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters recently scrapped the OPS as part of the federal government’s efforts to safeguard oil facilities and ensure improved security in the region.
The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen.Rabe Abubakar,said that the OPS was replaced with ODS to deal with the new threats arising from the region.
Yesterday, the OPS flag was lowered and the ODS flag hoisted signaling the resumption of a new operation under a new outfit.
In his remarks, Okunlola said during his stint as the OPS commander, the defunct OPS recorded a number of achievements.
“We came, we saw, we conquered. Nigeria expects everybody to do their duties and I have done mine in the Niger Delta,” Okunlola said.
He said the challenges in the region were numerous, pointing to the Niger Delta terrain and threat to security in the region.
He said: “The terrain of the region itself is a challenge. It is a very difficult challenge and of course you know all the threats to security in the environment which we have been contending with.
“And of course, you know logistics can never be enough but the federal government has done enough to support us and with the support we had, we were able to achieve the milestones we achieved.
“One of the biggest achievements is that we arrested a number of vessels, big vessels that were involved in illegal bunkering, we busted some kidnap cases.
“We destroyed numerous illegal refining spots. We were able to an extent curtail illegal oil bunkering and illegal oil refineries.”
He urged Nigerians to pray for the repose of the souls of soldiers who died in various operations in the region.
Okunlola described Okojie as a very seasoned military officer saying he was once his boss.
He said: “Okojie is my boss because I have worked with him before.
“I know the stuff he is made of and I know that with somebody like him at the helm, the operation will move forward.”
Okojie said his leadership would plug into where Okunlola stopped to ensure seamless operations in the Niger Delta.
He vowed that in line with the mandate of the Operation Delta Safe, he and his colleagues would rout criminalities in the region.
Flatimes
Open Heavens 27 June 2016: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Good Parenthood
Topic: Good Parenthood [Monday 27, June 2016]
Memorise: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4
Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (KJV)
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Bible in One Year: Acts 9, Song of Solomon 2:1-7
MESSAGE:
Effective parenting must be properly planned if you will be really rewarded by God at the end. There are many people today who are leaving the responsibilities of parenting to strangers, and at the end of the day, the children also turn out to be strangers. Godly parents do not leave their responsibilities to chance; they make deliberate sacrificial choices, having an expected end in mind. Today, it is increasingly becoming very difficult to raise godly children because Western culture and ideas have infiltrated our background. God is longing for fathers who will love and care for the home. God is longing for mothers who will help the children become the best that God wants them to be. One of the people I will eternally be grateful to God for is my mother. She did a great job on me, she would never allow me gallivant around like others were doing. There is always a need for parents to re-adjust their lives in order to accommodate the demands of their children. Most men in the world do not understand the unique role that God wants them to play in the home and this is why you see all kinds of children today, who are causing problems all over the world. Parenting must be intentional, no good act of parenting happens by accident. There is always a price to pay.
Who is helping you to nurture your child today? Who is responsible for the growth of your children? It is the mandate of God for parents to produce righteous and godly offspring within the context of marriage. The nation of Israel was in trouble because they had abandoned their covenant with God. They were engaged in ungodly practices that were disrupting God’s plan for their children. Every parent who loves God should be concerned about how to go about raising godly children who will be great vessels of honour in the hands of God. Don’t allow your children to follow the instructions of the world system that contradicts the Word of God.
God is assuring parents that when they train their children in the right way, they will serve God for ever and they will give peace to them. There are many parents who do not know peace as a result of the trauma their children bring to them. There are parents who have been defrauded by their children. Parents are to train their children to possess good characters and godly behaviour. Children should be exposed to the wisdom of righteous living; however the father should not become a tyrant or a dictator in the home. There is nothing good in creating fear and anger in your children just because you want them to know that you are in charge. Every child should have a loving relationship with their parents. You have to open the lines of communication with them, so that they can share the challenges of the different phases of their lives with you and with this, you can guide them through the Word of God and you will be amazed at how they will respond to the love of God.
Key Point: You owe it to God and your children to be a good parent.
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: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4
Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (KJV)
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Bible in One Year: Acts 9, Song of Solomon 2:1-7
MESSAGE:
Effective parenting must be properly planned if you will be really rewarded by God at the end. There are many people today who are leaving the responsibilities of parenting to strangers, and at the end of the day, the children also turn out to be strangers. Godly parents do not leave their responsibilities to chance; they make deliberate sacrificial choices, having an expected end in mind. Today, it is increasingly becoming very difficult to raise godly children because Western culture and ideas have infiltrated our background. God is longing for fathers who will love and care for the home. God is longing for mothers who will help the children become the best that God wants them to be. One of the people I will eternally be grateful to God for is my mother. She did a great job on me, she would never allow me gallivant around like others were doing. There is always a need for parents to re-adjust their lives in order to accommodate the demands of their children. Most men in the world do not understand the unique role that God wants them to play in the home and this is why you see all kinds of children today, who are causing problems all over the world. Parenting must be intentional, no good act of parenting happens by accident. There is always a price to pay.
Who is helping you to nurture your child today? Who is responsible for the growth of your children? It is the mandate of God for parents to produce righteous and godly offspring within the context of marriage. The nation of Israel was in trouble because they had abandoned their covenant with God. They were engaged in ungodly practices that were disrupting God’s plan for their children. Every parent who loves God should be concerned about how to go about raising godly children who will be great vessels of honour in the hands of God. Don’t allow your children to follow the instructions of the world system that contradicts the Word of God.
God is assuring parents that when they train their children in the right way, they will serve God for ever and they will give peace to them. There are many parents who do not know peace as a result of the trauma their children bring to them. There are parents who have been defrauded by their children. Parents are to train their children to possess good characters and godly behaviour. Children should be exposed to the wisdom of righteous living; however the father should not become a tyrant or a dictator in the home. There is nothing good in creating fear and anger in your children just because you want them to know that you are in charge. Every child should have a loving relationship with their parents. You have to open the lines of communication with them, so that they can share the challenges of the different phases of their lives with you and with this, you can guide them through the Word of God and you will be amazed at how they will respond to the love of God.
Key Point: You owe it to God and your children to be a good parent.
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, 26 June 2016
The Brexit nightmare by Reuben-Abati
What has the United Kingdom just done to itself, its people and the future of its youth? It is difficult to fully understand why a country in taking a decision about its future will decide on a false option that seems to negate long-term interests. And this, just because a total of 17.4 million people out of over 61 million chose to vote against the United Kingdom’s continued membership of the EU. More than 50% of these pro-Brexit voters are actually between the age bracket: 50-70, thus an ageing class of voters has taken a decision to undermine the future of the younger generation. Pro-EU Prime Minister David Cameron said he was “courageous and optimistic” when in January 2014, he tried to justify the need for a referendum.
His words then: “I think the overwhelming majority of the British people say they want to be in Europe but they want some changes to that relationship and they would like to be given a say. It is not something that we should be frightened of. It’s something we should embrace.” Cameron is now a study in political miscalculation and how over-confidence can make a political leader misread the people’s moods and expectations. He has been praised for his “courage” in quickly accepting the people’s verdict and for tendering his resignation, but I guess he won’t possibly be talking about courage. He must be full of regrets for presiding over the United Kingdom’s exit into a nightmare. Britain is better off remaining in the EU.
But on June 23, 2016, the people of Great Britain spoke and their verdict has been accepted as the status quo, except a miracle happens and the current petition by the pro-EU protesters results in a second referendum. As things stand, the people have rejected continued membership of the European Union. The implication is that the majority of the people believe that the United Kingdom is better off on its own. What is quite clear is that this British exit (Brexit) is more about the rise of xenophobia, bigotry and isolationism. It is not new. Britain has always looked backward and in-out in the course of its membership of the EU, oscillating between its commitment to a greater Europe and the need to preserve British identity and sovereignty.
The British public mind has been driven in recent years by loud, perpetual carping about too much control from Brussels, and the need to project Britain first. The ultra nationalists nursed fears about their great country becoming a colony within a EU empire. They are uncomfortable with the apparent globalization of British demographics, turning Britain into a country of many racial colours, with the influx of so many immigrants who are empowered by EU laws to be free citizens of a united Europe.
The call for a referendum on this matter has now given the Brexiteers, who just want their country to be left alone by outsiders, the opportunity they have always wanted. PM Cameron apparently underestimated their resolve. The Leave EU activists campaigned more vigorously, and deployed every possible means including blackmail and sentiments. They had the vibrant support of many political leaders including former London Mayor Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, and fire-eating UKIP leader, Nigel Farage. In the event of an intense campaign that divided the country right down the middle, we witnessed the mainstreaming of xenophobia and bigotry. Labour MP Jo Cox who was murdered by an irate Eurosceptic for her pro-EU stance will be remembered as the symbol of how a straightforward, for or against, political debate turned into hate campaign and a national referendum became an act of terror. There are many lessons to be learnt from this instructively low moment in Britain.
What has happened is actually a referendum on the British establishment and the EU. The EU faces a crisis requiring urgent introspection and reform of its processes, if it must continue to serve its purpose. Britain is not the first country to avoid membership of the EU but whereas countries like Switzerland and Norway can hold out on their own, Brexit comes at great cost to the British. At hand is the triumph of emotions over reason, and the triumph of right wing populism. In many countries of Europe and even at the moment in the United States, the ultra-conservative political bloc seems to be in the ascendancy. Questions are being asked about regional integration and globalization. The basis for this is largely the manner in which regional groupings such as the EU disappoint the people. This is made worse by the failure of the leadership elite and sitting governments. When people are not happy with their governments or their circumstances, they are ready to make any choice that looks like an alternative. Opposition and anti-establishment politicians understand this game too well.
All they need to do is to demonize the establishment, tear the government of the day into pieces, call names and tell the people that the time has come for change. Those who claim that they best know how to save a nation, armed with populist rhetoric in an election time, and have the best support of the people, in the long run stand a better chance of winning. Democracy in that fashion is a play-field of emotions, not facts. It is the same scenario that made Bernie Sanders so popular in the recent Presidential nomination process in the United States, and also led to the emergence of Donald Trump as the presumptive Republican Presidential candidate. Political leaders who don’t want sad outcomes only have to provide good leadership and meet the people’s expectations.
It is also clear that democracy may not produce rational outcomes in so far as it awards triumph on the basis of percentages: in Brexit, the difference is just 4%, 58-42, but the rule of the game is that majority carries the day, and as in most cases, the winner takes it all. But should the economic and political destiny of a people be determined in such formulaic manner? Brexit has left the United Kingdom in a more divided shape that it was before the referendum.
The entire country is in turmoil. The taste of change doesn’t quite seem so sweet anymore, less than 72 hours after the vote. Young Britons may no longer be able to move freely across Europe and the experts have predicted rising costs and expectations and greater economic hardship. If Brexit stands, more than half of the population will be thrown into a winter of discontent, wondering why just about 1.3 million voters (17.4 million (for), 16.1million (against) should have been allowed to mislead a country. Many Britons will no longer be able to find jobs so easily across Europe. Hyperdemocracy has resulted in British discombobulation.
But that is democracy: it includes the people’s right to make mistakes, that is – the right of the simple majority to make mistakes at the expense of the minority, who may have lost the vote due to poor turn out or other matters of logistics. Leadership counts. The truth is that the leadership elite in Britain has also not always being too clear about where Britain should stand in relation to the rest of Europe. Even the pro-EU political leaders do not really object to Britain holding on to its national currency, the Pound, as opposed to the Euro, and Britain opting out of the idea of being a Schengen border. Britain also did not join the European Economic Community until 1973, 16 years late. Two years later, there was an exit referendum similar to this one, won by the pro-Europe campaigners. Nothing forecloses the possibility of another referendum in the not too distant future to reverse the present decision. What has happened is perhaps all correctly British, in the final analysis: a nation yet to come to terms with certain modern realities, caught between nostalgia and the future.
This is precisely what the copycat plebiscites should understand, particularly in Africa where some commentators have been saying that some African countries on account of Brexit may begin to raise questions about the relevance of the African Union. The AU is modeled after the EU and it receives substantial funding support from it, but it has not been as remotely relevant in addressing the people’s expectations. In my opinion, there is nothing to fear in terms of a copycat effect in Africa; most Africans are indifferent about the AU anyway, they are not even aware of its existence. But as most development aid received by African countries come from the EU, this may be negatively affected with the exit of a major country like Britain, and a post-EU Britain may also be compelled to adjust its trade relations, immigration rules, and development support for countries in Africa. This, I think, is all there is to it at this end.
Closer home, the more strident call is for a referendum on the Nigerian union. In the last few days, I have for example, seen a strange Nigerian invention called “Biafrexit”. This must be a joke, symbolically thrown up by those who must know that no Nigerian government will allow such a vote. The Brexit vote was not about disintegration, even if Scotland is now insisting on its independent right to be part of the EU; rather the vote was more about national and economic identity. Nigeria is still at the level of debates: we can hold as many conferences as we like, adjust the Constitution at mutually agreed terms, but a referendum that could lead to the dissolution of this country is not what we need, and it is certainly not the lesson from Brexit.
Nigeria Army explains how Gen. Buratai acquired his property
The Nigeria Army has confirmed that the family of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, indeed, owns two properties in Dubai, but said they were paid for installmentally through personal savings three years ago.
An online story had alleged that the Chief of Army Staff and his two wives are joint owners of a Dubai property that was paid for in one transaction.
The army described the allegations which it said are not new as “baseless and incorrect”. It however agreed that General Buratai and his wives own the two properties.
It said the properties, along with other personal assets, have consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Assets Declaration Form as Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force and as Chief of Army Staff.
“It is a fact that the Buratai family have two properties in Dubai that were paid for instamentally through personal savings three years ago.
“This, along with other personal assets have consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Assets Declaration Form as Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Commander and as Chief of Army Staff, the Army said in a statement signed by its acting director, public relations, Colonel Sani Usman.
Below is the full statement:
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to another round of campaign of calumny against the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and his family by some unscrupulous elements as contained in Sahara Reporters story titled “Revealed: Buhari’s Chief Of Army Staff, General Buratai, Wives Own Dubai Property”, alleging that Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Tukur Buratai, and his two wives are joint owners of a Dubai property that was paid for in one transaction posted on the website, this evening.
It is important to know that these baseless allegations were not new. In March this year, some groups of individuals under the aegis of “Concerned Citizens”, tried same smear campaign to their disappoinment, it could not fly, because it is not true.
You will recall early this week, there was similar campaign of calumny by yet another online news medium, The Cable, in which among other things, it alleged that wounded in action Nigerian Army personnel were abandoned by the Army, government and the nation which is not true.
Therefore, the latest round of smear campaign by Sahara Reporters is one of the series of campaigns of calumny by these faceless individuals to malign the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army. Yet, typical of blackmailers and mischief makers despite failures, they did not give up, hence they now found a willing accomplice reputed for muckraking like the Sahara Reporters. The online news medium this evening uploaded another campaign of calumny allegedly based on a petition by obviously fake and non-existent group it described as “Concerned Soldiers and Officers From the North East”.
The allegations contained in the Sahara Reporters write up are baseless and not correct. It is a fact that the Buratai family have two properties in Dubai that were paid for instamentally through personal savings three years ago. This, along with other personal assets have consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Assets Declaration Form as Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Commander and as Chief of Army Staff.
It is pertinent to state that the Chief of Army Staff does not have any account with Skye Bank as alleged, let alone making deposits in the imaginary bank account to the tune of the amount stated in the write up. Similarly, he has not been involved in any form of shady or dishonest transaction, not to talk of “contract scam”.
In addition, General Buratai was never near either Defence Headquarters or Army Headquarters in 2013. It is pertinent to also note that he was never a Director of procurement in Army Headquarters as alleged. As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Army never had a Directorate of Procurement till when he established one last year when he became Chief of Army Staff.
In a bid to rubbish the hard earned reputation and good name of the Chief of Army Staff, these blackmailers will stop at nothing hence all these kinds of mudslinging.
It is really worrisome that some people could condescend so low to fabricate baseless allegation against the Chief of Army Staff for reasons that could best be described as mischievous. It is equally worrisome that Sahara Reporters could lend space for this obvious mischief. We really do not believe that it is because the price is right.
Consequently, the public and indeed all well meaning persons should disregard this round of campaign of calumny against the Chief of Army Staff and similar ones because they are baseless and unfounded.
For the unscrupulous elements and their cohorts, these campaigns would prod the Nigerian Army and indeed the Chief of Army Staff to continue to serve the nation diligently and with utmost zeal.”
Flatimes
An online story had alleged that the Chief of Army Staff and his two wives are joint owners of a Dubai property that was paid for in one transaction.
The army described the allegations which it said are not new as “baseless and incorrect”. It however agreed that General Buratai and his wives own the two properties.
It said the properties, along with other personal assets, have consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Assets Declaration Form as Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force and as Chief of Army Staff.
“It is a fact that the Buratai family have two properties in Dubai that were paid for instamentally through personal savings three years ago.
“This, along with other personal assets have consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Assets Declaration Form as Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Commander and as Chief of Army Staff, the Army said in a statement signed by its acting director, public relations, Colonel Sani Usman.
Below is the full statement:
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to another round of campaign of calumny against the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and his family by some unscrupulous elements as contained in Sahara Reporters story titled “Revealed: Buhari’s Chief Of Army Staff, General Buratai, Wives Own Dubai Property”, alleging that Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Tukur Buratai, and his two wives are joint owners of a Dubai property that was paid for in one transaction posted on the website, this evening.
It is important to know that these baseless allegations were not new. In March this year, some groups of individuals under the aegis of “Concerned Citizens”, tried same smear campaign to their disappoinment, it could not fly, because it is not true.
You will recall early this week, there was similar campaign of calumny by yet another online news medium, The Cable, in which among other things, it alleged that wounded in action Nigerian Army personnel were abandoned by the Army, government and the nation which is not true.
Therefore, the latest round of smear campaign by Sahara Reporters is one of the series of campaigns of calumny by these faceless individuals to malign the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army. Yet, typical of blackmailers and mischief makers despite failures, they did not give up, hence they now found a willing accomplice reputed for muckraking like the Sahara Reporters. The online news medium this evening uploaded another campaign of calumny allegedly based on a petition by obviously fake and non-existent group it described as “Concerned Soldiers and Officers From the North East”.
The allegations contained in the Sahara Reporters write up are baseless and not correct. It is a fact that the Buratai family have two properties in Dubai that were paid for instamentally through personal savings three years ago. This, along with other personal assets have consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Assets Declaration Form as Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Commander and as Chief of Army Staff.
It is pertinent to state that the Chief of Army Staff does not have any account with Skye Bank as alleged, let alone making deposits in the imaginary bank account to the tune of the amount stated in the write up. Similarly, he has not been involved in any form of shady or dishonest transaction, not to talk of “contract scam”.
In addition, General Buratai was never near either Defence Headquarters or Army Headquarters in 2013. It is pertinent to also note that he was never a Director of procurement in Army Headquarters as alleged. As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Army never had a Directorate of Procurement till when he established one last year when he became Chief of Army Staff.
In a bid to rubbish the hard earned reputation and good name of the Chief of Army Staff, these blackmailers will stop at nothing hence all these kinds of mudslinging.
It is really worrisome that some people could condescend so low to fabricate baseless allegation against the Chief of Army Staff for reasons that could best be described as mischievous. It is equally worrisome that Sahara Reporters could lend space for this obvious mischief. We really do not believe that it is because the price is right.
Consequently, the public and indeed all well meaning persons should disregard this round of campaign of calumny against the Chief of Army Staff and similar ones because they are baseless and unfounded.
For the unscrupulous elements and their cohorts, these campaigns would prod the Nigerian Army and indeed the Chief of Army Staff to continue to serve the nation diligently and with utmost zeal.”
Flatimes
Open Heavens 26 June 2016: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Joint Heirs with Christ
Topic: Joint Heirs with Christ [Sunday 26, June 2016]
Memorise: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: – Romans 8:16
Read: Romans 8:14-17 (KJV)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Bible in One Year: Acts 8-9, Song of Solomon 1:11-2:7
MESSAGE:
As joint heirs with Christ Jesus, we are to live according to the direction of the Spirit of God because we are the children of God. This will involve having absolute faith in God. It is only those who have submitted to the will of God that can be identified as joint heirs with Christ. Those who allow the flesh and human emotions to rule over them cannot be called the children of God. As joint heirs with Christ, it is Christ that determines the direction of our lives.
As joint heirs, we have tremendous privileges. We have been adopted by Jesus to have glorious experiences in life. The implication of this is that all that God makes available to Jesus can be equally accessible to us. This is why you need to have a closer relationship with Him, because it is the extent of your relationship with Him that determines your placement in life.
“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God” - Psalms 92:13
You can be anything you want to be before the Almighty God. You can step beyond the level of being called a servant to becoming a son. Sons have tremendous opportunities that servants don’t enjoy. When you are a son to Jesus, you can be sure that all His goodness and mercy shall follow you, because those are part of your eternal rights in Him.
Jesus is the original king maker. While others may be reigning, He will allow you to rule. While others are struggling to occupy positions, He may just choose you to become relevant in the scheme of things. This we saw in the life of Daniel. Daniel was never a king, in fact, he witnessed the reign of three rulers, yet, he was the one calling the shots. He had access to divine and hidden secrets of the Most High God. While in Egypt, Pharaoh was the king, but Joseph was the one in charge. Even in Potiphar’s house, everyone was living at the mercy of Joseph. Jesus can make you reign over affairs of men; this is why you must not allow anything to stand between you and Jesus Christ. If you have gone astray, He is waiting to take away your filth as a sinner and cleanse you to present you as a saint. Calling Abba father implies you trust in Him, your reliance upon Him and the fact that you seek your direction from Him. With this, we will have the witness of the Holy Spirit that we are truly the sons of God. We are children of covenant and every covenant of God concerning you shall be fulfilled in Jesus’ name. No matter what we go through, we must never deviate from Him because if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.
Action Point: Are you a son or a servant?
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: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: – Romans 8:16
Read: Romans 8:14-17 (KJV)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Bible in One Year: Acts 8-9, Song of Solomon 1:11-2:7
MESSAGE:
As joint heirs with Christ Jesus, we are to live according to the direction of the Spirit of God because we are the children of God. This will involve having absolute faith in God. It is only those who have submitted to the will of God that can be identified as joint heirs with Christ. Those who allow the flesh and human emotions to rule over them cannot be called the children of God. As joint heirs with Christ, it is Christ that determines the direction of our lives.
As joint heirs, we have tremendous privileges. We have been adopted by Jesus to have glorious experiences in life. The implication of this is that all that God makes available to Jesus can be equally accessible to us. This is why you need to have a closer relationship with Him, because it is the extent of your relationship with Him that determines your placement in life.
“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God” - Psalms 92:13
You can be anything you want to be before the Almighty God. You can step beyond the level of being called a servant to becoming a son. Sons have tremendous opportunities that servants don’t enjoy. When you are a son to Jesus, you can be sure that all His goodness and mercy shall follow you, because those are part of your eternal rights in Him.
Jesus is the original king maker. While others may be reigning, He will allow you to rule. While others are struggling to occupy positions, He may just choose you to become relevant in the scheme of things. This we saw in the life of Daniel. Daniel was never a king, in fact, he witnessed the reign of three rulers, yet, he was the one calling the shots. He had access to divine and hidden secrets of the Most High God. While in Egypt, Pharaoh was the king, but Joseph was the one in charge. Even in Potiphar’s house, everyone was living at the mercy of Joseph. Jesus can make you reign over affairs of men; this is why you must not allow anything to stand between you and Jesus Christ. If you have gone astray, He is waiting to take away your filth as a sinner and cleanse you to present you as a saint. Calling Abba father implies you trust in Him, your reliance upon Him and the fact that you seek your direction from Him. With this, we will have the witness of the Holy Spirit that we are truly the sons of God. We are children of covenant and every covenant of God concerning you shall be fulfilled in Jesus’ name. No matter what we go through, we must never deviate from Him because if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.
Action Point: Are you a son or a servant?
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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