Thailand Government Shutdown Facebook And Youtube in theC

As culled from LIB, Yesterday, a Thai courted ordered all Facebook pages and Youtube videos with elements of Royal Insults and inappropriate content to be shut down.

According to Takorn Tantasith, Secretary-General,  National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) “web pages with alleged royal insults were among a total of 965 pages deemed illegal, with others containing violence, copyright issues and other inappropriate content'.

Takorm continued to say,

 '“among the 965 pages, 569 of them were on Facebook and 373 on YouTube. “Although nearly 100 percent has been blocked, the NBTC has instructed ISPs [internet service providers] to keep monitoring online content."

Open Heavens 14 June 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Entering His Rest

Topic: Entering His Rest [Wednesday 14, June 2017]

Memorise: Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. – Hebrew 4:11

Read: Hebrews 4:7-11 (KJV)

7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 23-24, Jeremiah 48:45-49:13, Hymn: Sing hymn 2

MESSAGE:

Psalm 23:1-6 is a very powerful psalm which speaks of the relationship between the sheep and the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. God’s sheep enjoy many benefits, one of which is the entitlement of rest. If you are a bona fide sheep of Jesus  Christ, His rest is made available to you. When the Psalmist says “He makes me to lie down”, he simply speaks about entering into God’s rest. The rest that the Good Shepherd offers His sheep can be at several levels. Some people are labouring so hard in search of the salvation of their soul. They want to be free from sin, and yet the more they labour to be free, the more entangled they find themselves. If only they can come to Jesus today, they will find the salvation they have been seeking. Jesus Christ is the final destination for everyone who genuinely desires salvation.

Another kind of rest that the Good Shepherd offers is bodily rest. Ordinarily, after a hard day’s work, by the time you hit the bed, you should fall asleep. However, do you know that there are people who find it so difficult to sleep? They stare at the ceiling all night until the following morning. This continues for days, weeks or even months. Psalms 127:2 says if you are beloved of God, you will surely have rest through sleep. Do you suffer from insomnia? Has it been so difficult for you to get a good night’s sleep? That sleeplessness is terminated today! From now on, you shall access God’s rest in Jesus’ Name!

In addition, the Good Shepherd offers rest to those who labour continuously without rest.Matthew 11:28 says,

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

One way the devil has led some people into their ultimately death is by heaping so many problems, burdens, debts and heavy responsibilities on them which they cannot carry, thereby frustrating their efforts to enter into financial freedom. The more they labour, the further they drift from success. If you are in that situation, do not give up or think of ending your life. Just come to Jesus with all your heart and He will give you rest. Finally, today’s Bible reading talks about the eternal rest that we have access to as sheep of the Great Shepherd. Nobody can enter Heaven except through Jesus Christ. If you are saved and you continue to follow Jesus Christ, obeying Him every step of the way, you will surely enter into His rest. Are you qualified to enter His rest?

Key Point: To enter into rest in any area of life, faith in Jesus Christ, the Giver of rest, is required.

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.

Inspirational Message You Must Read

*_8 THINGS TO CARRY LIKE A CRATE OF EGGS._*

Friends, there are things we must carry and handle with extra- carefulness, because these things are fragile.

Once broken, it is not easy to put back together, and once some of these things get broken, they can lead to huge damage, and destiny wastage.

Let me mention 8 of those things you must carry/handle with carefulness, as if you are carrying a crate of eggs.

1. _Your Name:_

Your name is very important and fragile.

There are names that stinks in the ears of people, simply because those who bear those names spoilt the name.

The way to handle your name with carefulness,​ is to be careful of your doings.

Your actions can rubbish your name. A good name can open doors for you, & for your children and generations after you.

Carry your name with carefulness. It is a huge asset.

Read one of the quotes written by *_Shakespeare_*:
_'Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;_
_'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;_
_But he that filches from me my good name,_
_Robs me of that which not enriches him,_
_And makes me poor indeed'._

2: _Your heart:_

Many hearts are broken, shattered, wounded and bitter today.

One of the factors responsible for this is because many of these hearts' owners were careless with their hearts.

You can guard your heart from being broken and bitter.

Run away from people, and things that are bent on breaking your heart.

Carry your heart like a crate of eggs. You need a whole heart before you can be said to be fully whole!

3. _Your Wife:_

When you put too much pressure on your wife, you will break her.

Handle your wife with carefulness, and tenderness.

Let tenderness flow in your manliness. Don't be wicked to your wife.

Carry her like a Queen. She is strong, powerful and wise, yet, she needs to be protected, cared for and handle like a crate of eggs. Treat her like that.

4: _Your purpose:_

Your purpose is your destiny. If you don't handle it with utmost carefulness, it can slip off your hands and gaze and get broken.

So many things can come like pressure on this crate of egg of purpose.

Discouragement, lack of fund, delayed breakthrough, etc.

These are things that may want to come like pressure on your purpose to break it. Don't allow them! Carry it with care.

Carry your purpose away from people, and things that may want to put pressure on it and break it.

5: _Your health:_

You have only this body as a vehicle that will carry you through your journey of destiny in this life.
Handle your health with carefulness. No matter how big your vision is, once you are dead, nobody can really run the vision like you!

Fight for your health. Avoid things that can destroy your health. Wealth is useless when your health becomes useless. Don't kill yourself before your time.

Do your best to stay alive. We still need you here.

Don't use your fork and your spoon to dig your grave.

Watch what you eat. Always pray for divine immunization against sickness, and diseases.

6. _Your Marriage:_

So many people handle their marriage like a carton of Indomie Noddles.

Let me remind you sir/ma. Your marriage is fragile. Handle it like a crate of egg. It must not break!

A broken marriage is not easily put back together, because, when a marriage breaks, many things get broken with it.

Husband and wife, please, carry your marriage like an egg. It must not break!

7: _Your words:_

Your worth is attached to your words.

Be careful with words. Once broken, you can't gather it up again.

Many people are careless with their words. They speak violently. They make empty promises and break it.

Some say things they later wish they never said. Guard your words. Be careful with it.

8: _Your eternity:_

Those who are running up and down to fulfill destiny here on Earth without thinking of their eternity are not wise!

Friends, the matter of eternity is not something you should handle with levity.

Think about where you will spend eternity. You will die one day. I will also die one day.

All that we are and have in this world are vanity upon vanity.

Take the matter of your end very serious.

Stop living carelessly as if you have extra life.

Think about eternity. Don't live for the pleasure of this present[truncated by WhatsApp]

Ondo lawmaker, Olamide George, elected AFN VP

A member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olamide George, has been elected as the Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

George who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Youth and Sports, defeated Falilat Ogunkoya, Dr fatula and a Professor to the South West slot on the AFN.

The victory came today at the ongoing elections into Nigerian Sports Federations in Abuja.

He contested at the national having survived the Zonal with Mary Onyali former African record holder, polling 43 votes against Mary Onyali's 3 votes.

I Won’t Receive Any Salary Until All Ondo Workers Have Been Paid – Ondo State Governor Says

As culled from ARA,
admin | June 13, 2017 |
 

Upcoming Talents Wanted in Benin City: Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Movie Directors, Script Writers, DOPs and Music Producers





Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, will not be receiving his salary until all workers in the state have been paid their salary arrears.



The Governor made the promise on Sunday at the third session of the 11th Synod of Diocese of Akoko, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) where he was represented by the Government House Chaplain Venerable Benjamin Babalola; PUNCH reports.


He said, ”By the special grace of God, our administration will soon offset the salaries owed the workers. The salary arrears owed workers by the previous administration amounted to N38.57bn, while N41.5bn was owed to retirees as gratuities.

“And to the workers, let me say it loud and clear once again that I am resolute in my commitment to make your welfare the priority of the administration.

“I am aware of your pains and agony. I feel your pains and what you are going through and I can see your suffering. But faith in God, I am re-affirming my promise that I will not collect a dime until civil servants are fully paid their salary arrears.”

Open Heavens 13 June 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Soul-Winning and Signs

Topic: Soul-Winning and Signs [Tuesday 13, June 2017]

Memorise: For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! – 1 Corinthians 9:16

Read: Acts 8:5-8 (KJV)

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 22, Jeremiah 48:28-44, Hymn: Sing hymn 13

MESSAGE:

During a time of famine, the Lord instructed Elijah to go to Kerith Brook, stay there and a raven would continuously bring him food there (1 Kings 17:2-6). He said, “Yes sir” and obeyed. He did not hesitate or question God. He did not even ask God to show him where ravens ever brought food to anyone in the Bible. He obeyed instantly. Instant obedience is strong evidence of faith. Anyone who would work signs and wonders in these last days must be a man or a woman of faith. Do you have enough trust in God to the extent of obeying Him without hesitation?

Moreover, in addition to faith, the fellow who wants to operate in the miraculous must be an incurable witness for Christ. He or she must be a soul-winner. In today’s Bible reading, Philip did not wait for Peter to come and conduct a crusade in Samaria. He went there himself because he believed in God’s command to go out and preach the gospel. People who are diligent in soul-winning usually have their prayers answered speedily. People often ask me what I do to get God to answer my prayers speedily aside from living holy. I tell them soul-winning and instant obedience. Even if you are going to kill me, I will still share the gospel of Jesus Christ with you. I do not look at faces to determine who I witness to or not. If I am attending an occasion and you make the mistake of giving me the microphone, you will hear about Jesus.

Some years ago, I received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ibadan. It was a serious gathering with eminent personalities of the political elite, traditional title holders and academicians all gracefully adorned in their beautiful gowns. At some point, they gave me the microphone and told me I had five minutes to say something. I thanked them for honouring me and quickly added that I could not have received this honour but for Jesus. I further said that there is an honour waiting for some people in Heaven and that if they do not give their lives to Jesus, although they can be honoured here on earth, they will lose the labour of Heaven. I then gave an altar call. Beloved, witnessing for Jesus is our assignment wherever we go. Talk about Jesus everywhere you go and He will repay you with signs and wonders. When last did you win a soul to Christ? How many souls have you won to the Lord since the beginning of this year? You were saved and chosen for this reason. Are you fulfilling God’s purpose of winning the souls of the lost?

Key Point: As God works with evangelists, He will always confirm their words with signs and wonders in order to convince unbelievers. That’s a key to the miraculous.

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.

*AKEREDOLU NAMES DEMOCRACY PARK AFTER MKO*

*THE HERALD MEDIA*

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has re  named the Democracy Park in Akure after the winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.


Governor Akeredolu who made the disclosure at a public lecture organised by the state government to commemorate the late MKO in akure called on every Nigerians to work towards ensuring the unity of the nation.

A human right lawyer, femi falana in his lecture noted that Nigeria remains one entity and called on everyone to be united in the fighting her enemies.


While expressing the belief that June twelve will soon be celebrated by all states in Nigeria, Falana maintained that Ondo State has contributed more to the struggle  than any other states.

Also, another guest Speaker jiti ogunye in his lecture entitled 24 years after the annulment of June 12 1993, will Nigeria survive, called on the south west governors despite party affiliation to build a monument in honour of chief mko Abiola.

*TheHeraldMedia*

Donald Trump to be Sued For Voilating US Constitution

Donald Trump is set to face two lawsuits today after being accused of violating the US constitution. The lawsuit is to be filed today by the attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia (both Democrats), and it alleges that foreign payments to the president’s businesses violate the US constitution.


A similar lawsuit that was brought against Trump in January by plaintiffs including an ethics non-profit group but this recent lawsuit stands a better chance being the first government action over allegations that Trump, a Republican, violated the constitution’s so-called emoluments clause.

Democrat attorney generals have been at the forefront in litigating against Trump’s policies, for instance, successfully blocking executive orders restricting travel from some Islamic countries. They are also resisting efforts to roll back environmental regulations and insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

The January lawsuit filed by an ethics non-profit, restaurant group and hotel events booker alleges that Trump violated the Constitution’s ’emoluments’ clause, which bars him from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval, by maintaining ownership over his business empire despite ceding day-to-day control to his sons.

LIB

Open Heavens 12 June 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Don't Be A Prey!

Topic: Don't Be A Prey! [Monday 12, June 2017]

Memorise: Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. –Proverbs 7:23

Read: Proverbs 7:7-23 (KJV)

7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 20-21, Jeremiah 48:9-27, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:

A negative experience many people have had to contend with is captivity. Captivity can mean bondage, slavery, imprisonment, detention or a lack of freedom. Captivity also comes in various forms. It can occur as a consequence of being captured in a battle, like it happened to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 1:1-7). In this particular case, King Nebuchadnezzar invaded the nation of Israel and carried away some of the people into captivity. From that moment, these captives became slaves in a foreign land. Similarly, some people enter into captivity by falling into a trap set by the enemy. For instance, inJudges 16:4-5, the lords of the Philistines used a beautiful woman as bait for Samson. Today, there are several “hunters” of destiny and life all around, setting all kinds of traps to get their prey. May you never be one of their victims!

One common trap people fall into today is the trap of adultery and fornication. The devil has several agents and means to use as bait, and believe it or not, he catches a lot of prey. He may use beautiful ladies like he did to Samson. Today’s Bible reading describes how a prostitute sets a trap and catches her victim. She could also use her seductive attire which reveals her curves and exposes sensitive parts of her body. She could also use her sweet flattering words, seductive make-up, perfumes or gait just to get her prey. When he finally yields, she leads him like an ox to the slaughter slab.Proverbs 7:23 says

“Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.”

Anyone being lured or enticed into lust should realise that it can never really be for his or her own good. Today, several female students have become easy prey for sugar daddies and evil horny lecturers because they erroneously think that they are getting something of value in return. How much can a man pay you to allow him to destroy your destiny or kill you? What score will a lecturer award you in exchange for your life? The victims of lust, immorality and adultery are really trading their precious lives for pittance. Are you in captivity of adultery, thinking it benefits you because you are getting rapid promotion in your place of work? Don’t be deceived! You are truly paying with your life! Repent, come to Jesus and cut off all hunters from your life! Break that relationship if your partner is pressurising you for sex as a basis for friendship. It is not worth it! Ask God to deliver you from every trap of the devil.

Prayer Point: Father, deliver all our children, teens and youths from sexual immorality.

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.

Christiano Ronaldo Is Now A Father!

Good news as Real Madrid football star,  Cristiano Ronaldo, has reportedly become the father of surrogate twins.

According to Portuguese TV channel SIC and LIB  who described the news as 'a secret', the children, a boy and a girl, named Eva and Mateo, were born last week Thursday.

 

'Mateo and Eva, those are the names of Cristiano Ronaldo’s twins,' the channel claimed. 'The boy and girl were born to a surrogate mum. It’s a secret that Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t yet revealed to the rest of the world.' 

Although, in March 2017, a UK newspaper reported that Ronaldo was due to become the father of twin boys.

So far, there is no official confirmation from his agent or the footballer who is currently enjoying his Champions League glory, but several Portuguese websites and newspapers including leading Portuguese daily Correio da Manha have published the story.

Ronaldo, who is presently dating Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez, has a six-year-old son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, who is rumoured to have been born by a surrogate mother also.

Davido Is Building House For Loyal Fan Called Utibe

David Adeleke aka Davido has taken to social media to show off the house he’s building for Utibe, the Akwa Ibom boy whose ‘IF’ video recently caught his attention.

Here’s what the singer wrote, as he shared photos of the new building he’s building for the boy and his family;

“Utibe loving the new house I’m having being built for him and his mother!! Can’t wait to visit when I’m back home!! OBO GOT U FOR LIFE!!!

KemFilani

South Africa Edged past Nigeria with 2 goals to Nill

As culled from LIB, Yesterday  evening, the Nigerian Super Eagles kicked off their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a shocking loss against South Africa.

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa defeated Gernot Rohr’s men 2-0 at the Goodswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State with goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau.

This win is officially the first time South Africa will defeat Nigeria in a competitive game in 13 attempts.

Nigeria will meet Seychelles in the next qualifier and Gernot Rohr, Nigeria's Franco-German tactician will have to motivate his team ahead of the next game if they aim to be present in the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Cameroun in 2019

The Super Eagles of Nigeria‎ are in Group E, along with Libya, Seychelles and South Africa.

More photos below...

Open Heavens 11 June 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Accepted Time

Topic: Accepted Time [Sunday 11, June 2017]

Memorise: (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) – 2 Corinthians 6:2

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (KJV)

1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Bible in One Year: Joshua 18-19, Jeremiah 47:1-48:8, Hymn: Sing hymn 4

MESSAGE:

God is never late for any appointment. He is always on time. Looking at the experiences of different people in the Bible, this has been shown to be true over and over again. For the man who had been sick for 38 years, when his appointed time finally came and the once-in-a-year miracle platform God had put in place could not meet his need, Jesus personally picked him out from the crowd and healed him by His own will (John 5:1-6). Also, when the appointed time came for the woman who had been bent over for 18 years, the Lord healed her without her asking for it (Luke 13:10-13). Habakkuk 2:3says,

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

One thing you should learn from this is that God has a timetable, and His timetable may be completely different from yours. He has a set time for every event in the lives of His children. It is like setting an alarm clock to a particular time; when the alarm rings, God will address the issues at stake.

Another lesson worth learning is that until God’s appointed time for a particular matter to addressed dawns, God may appear silent on the issue, even when He has all the facts and figures of the situation at His disposal. If He knows what an individual is going through, and He chooses to watch carefully and quietly, He may just be doing so in order to see how the fellow will respond to the situation. Would he stand in faith and resist the devil, or give up his faith and cling to doubt, fear and unbelief? Would he draw nearer to God or go further away from Him? Would he down tools and stop serving God, or would he continue serving God in the midst of no divine response to his problems? When God keeps quite at such times, He may want to test your faith to see how elastic it is. It may be very frustrating when God is silent on an issue, but never get to the point of thinking or believing that He does not know what you are going through. He knows it better than you do. He sees what you see and what you don’t see within the circumstance. Just trust in Him and hold on to Him in faith. Love Him more, worship Him more, serve Him more and keep trusting Him more. In the end, you will be victorious.

Prayer Point: Father, give me grace to endure till my appointed time, and when it dawns, let me see the manifestation of my good expectations.

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 10 June 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Sin Brings Death

Topic: Sin Brings Death [Saturday 10, June 2017]

Memorise: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. –Matthew 1:21

Read: Matthew 1:18-21 (KJV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 15-17, Jeremiah 46:13-28, Hymn: Sing hymn 11

MESSAGE:

Today’s memory verse clearly states that the reason why Jesus Christ came to this would was to save His people from sin. Many people fail to realise the horrors of sin, hence they toy with it. If only they knew how terrible sin is, they would maintain a great distance from it. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death. This “death” is not limited to physical death but also extends to every area of life. Do you know that sin can lead to physical death? Going by the laws of many countries today, if a man is convicted of killing a fellow human being, he might have to pay with his own life. In this case, the sin of murder has led to physical death. Beyond physical death, sin can also bring about material death, marital death, spiritual death, and more. Do you know that for failing to comply with the divine commandment on tithes and offering, some people who once enjoyed a boom in their businesses have had to face dryness of the worst kind – almost to the point of begging for food? This is how sin can bring about material and financial death. It can also attract emotional death. A man or woman cheating on his or her spouse will bring about emotional death in that relationship. In any way you have attracted death to yourself, may the mercy of God intercept judgement and turn its sword away from you in Jesus’ Name!

As far as God is concerned, there is only one penalty for sin, and that is death (Ezekiel 18:20). It is important to note here that this death is separation from God. If you were brought before the judgement throne of God, accused of just one act of sin, you would not be made to face a sentence of three months, one year or even five years imprisonment; God’s judgement for every size of sin is the same – death. Today, we categorise sin according to our understanding. We call some sins “high crimes” while some others are seen as harmless. However, whether a sin is so light or so “innocent” that everyone approves of it does not matter to God. All sins fall short of His standard and are all punishable by death. We are created to live our lives fully connected to God, but when sin comes in, it separates us from our only Source and Sustainer. If the Blood of Jesus is not applied to wash away a person’s sins, the drift away from God continues until physical death occurs and the fellow is forever banished to Hell. In what way is your sinful lifestyle bringing death upon you today? Rise up and run to the cross of Jesus Christ, asking for forgiveness of sins and cleansing by His Blood. Invite Him to come into your heart, and thereafter keep a great distance from sin.

Prayer Point: Father, in Your mercy, reverse every form of death I have brought upon myself.

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.