November 2016-Flatimes

Wednesday 30 November 2016

Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily devotional November 30, 2016 – A Supernatural Encounter

Today's Scripture: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV

Topic: A Supernatural Encounter [November 30, 2016]

One of the most amazing transformations in the Bible happened when Saul—former persecutor of Christians—encountered God on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9). After his encounter, he was so radically changed from the inside out that even his name was changed to Paul. He began preaching the gospel, and eventually, went on to write much of the New Testament.

Education and the poor child

Child abuse, child trafficking, child slavery, prostitution, destitution, among others, constitute a deep sore on the soul of Nigeria which must not be allowed to fester any longer. And education is the key.

The depth of the problem was under-scored the other day when the Lagos State police command rescued 11 children being used for begging near a church in the suburbs of Ikorodu. This came only days after the interception of two other children begging on the streets and the arrest of a female “evangelist” within another church premises in the same Ikorodu who, as the story went, was the brain behind this scheme in which the children were nothing more than commercial items, either for sale or for use as money procurement agents. These cases not only illustrate the desperation into which poverty has driven many, they also advertise how such has robbed many of their humanity.

Long queues and delays are not new to commuters at the Nigerian airports. From the ticket stalls to the check-in counters and even canteens at the waiting area, travelers find themselves caught up in very long and slow queues which become not only intensely boring and monotonous as time rolls by but brings on aching feet.

The stress that comes with queuing has a tremendous impact on not just the travelers but on customer service as well. Usually, these unsatisfied travelers complain bitterly and even haul curses at the attendant at the counter with hope that it would spur them into working faster. Some even just leave the line all together for faster alternative moves.

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Receiving Eleventh Hour Miracle [30/11/16]

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? Matthew 20:6. Read: Matt 20:1-14

In the above scripture, Jesus told a story of a householder who went out early in the morning to hire labourers to work in his vineyard. He agreed with the first labourers a penny for a day. At about nine o'clock, he hired other labourers to work. By twelve o'clock, he hired other labourers whom he met idle. Then at about five o'clock, he met some labourers standing doing nothing. Why are you standing idle? They said unto him, because no man hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. At the end, both those that were hired early, third hour, sixth hour and eleventh hour all received a penny for the day. It doesn't matter who has gone ahead of you, God can make you equal with them or cause you to overtake them still.

Topic: Get Away with God [November 30, 2016]

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. — Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Topic: Mercy or Judgment? [Wednesday 30, November 2016]

Memorise: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. – Psalms 32:1

Read: John 8:10-11 (KJV)

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

Topic: The Danger of Unbelief [November 30, 2016]

Text: 2 Kings 7:15-20

Key Verse: "And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died" (2 Kings 7:19,20).

The Moody Church News had an account of a man who was walking by the sea shore. He was greatly perplexed about the doctrine of the Trinity. He observed a little boy with a sea shell running to the water, filling it and then pouring it into a hole which he had made in the sand. "What are you doing my little man?" asked the perplexed man. "Oh", said he, "I am trying to put the ocean into this hole!" The man learnt his lesson, and as he walked away, he said: "That is what I am trying to do. I see it now". Standing on the shores of time, he was trying to get into his little finite mind, things which are infinite.

Topic: Abide in the Word [November 30, 2016]

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

That word abide is so important. When Jesus told us to obey His commandments and keep His Word, He wasn't just telling us to follow a bunch of religious rules and regulations.

Topic: His Presence [November 30, 2016]

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings . . . — Philippians 3:10

W.C. Burns of India wrote, “Oh to have a martyr’s heart, if not a martyr’s crown.” Popularity and adulation are far more dangerous for the Christian than persecution. It is easy, when all goes smoothly, to lose our sense of balance and our perspective. The important thing is to walk with Christ, to live for Christ, and to have one consuming passion—to please Him. Then, whatever happens, we know that He has permitted it in order to teach us some priceless lesson and to perfect us for His service. He will enrich our circumstances, be they pleasant or disagreeable, by the fact of His presence with us.

Topic: What Are You Worth? [November 30, 2016]

Read: 1 Peter 1:17–23, Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 37–39; 2 Peter 2

It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed . . . but with the precious blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18–19

There is a story that in 75 bc a young Roman nobleman named Julius Caesar was kidnapped by pirates and held for ransom. When they demanded 20 talents of silver in ransom (about $600,000 today), Caesar laughed and said they obviously had no idea who he was. He insisted they raise the ransom to 50 talents! Why? Because he believed he was worth far more than 20 talents.

Author: Ese Ehimare Dave

Topic: Proof of Your Knowledge [Wednesday, 30th Nov. 2016]

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1 John 2:3

Knowing the Lord is one of the nicest things to do. And when we hear people say they have come to know the Lord, it brings joy to our hearts. But you see, most people think that knowing the Lord starts and ends with accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. While this is a good start, there is still more to knowing God. Having the life of God is not knowing God. Just like you can have a car and not know the component parts and their functionalities, so it is with having the life of God, and not knowing God.

Umahi’s Revolutionary & Bold Moves to Make Ebonyi a Healthy State

By Monica Ada C. Eze

Prologue

The great and respected world leader, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, once stated: “There is nothing I fear more than waking up without a programme that will help me bring a little happiness to those with no resources: those who are poor, illiterate, and ridden with terminal disease.”

In my search for a compassionate leader who have taken this statement of this great statesman not only to heart but in practice, God answered my prayer when I came across the Mission Statement of a new leader in Nigeria, Engr Dave Nweze Umahi, the indefatigable Governor of Ebonyi State, who has resolved to live out the stand of this great man when he stated: “Our mission is to enhance the welfare of our people, and empower all Ebonyians to be self-reliant, through the compassionate delivery of transparent and God-fearing governance, based on integrity and dignity.”

First new HIV vaccine trial begins in Africa

Ahead of the World AIDS Day 2016 on Thursday, scientists have launched the first Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) vaccine efficacy study anywhere, for over seven years, in South Africa.

According to the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the study, called HVTN 702, is to test whether an experimental vaccine regimen safely prevents infection among South African adults. It involves a new version of the only HIV vaccine candidate ever shown to provide some protection against the virus.

Reflections on a biting recession

Written by the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper

It is a gut-wrenching reality that the economic recession into which Nigeria lapsed officially a few months ago has continued to bite even harder than envisaged. Indeed, all measures, if any, adopted by the government of the day, to make the situation better have not proven too successful as attempts at amelioration.

Life remains painfully hard and the Muhammadu Buhari administration must act fast to improve the situation.Gross Domestic Product (GDP), inflation, unemployment, and capital formation data as well as the manufacturing performance index of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) then showed a terrible economic downturn.

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Forward Ever and Backward Never [29/11/16]

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. Jeremiah 7:24. Read: Deut. 28:1-14

In life, virtually everyone wants to make progress in all their endeavours, no one in his/her right senses desires or enjoys stagnation. We want to move forward continuously. But when you take statistics of those that desire progress, you will find out that not all actually progress, rather, while some are retardated others are stagnated. Few actually make progress as desired. Forward ever and backward never is a popular saying among us, but many disregard the principle that would actually activate that saying, therefore, they experience the latter. Many Christians are quick to claim the promises of God over their lives, yet break God's law. You cannot be breaking God's law and be claiming His blessings, it can't work. Amos 3:3

Topic: The Importance of Treating Others Well [November 29, 2016]

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption . . . — Ephesians 4:30

I take a verse such as Ephesians 4:30 very seriously—I certainly do not want to “grieve the Holy Spirit” and I know you don’t either. But how do we avoid doing it?

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Wisdom Will Sustain Your Home (4)

Dear Reader,

Last week, you were taught on how to communicate in wisdom. This week, we will be looking at Wisdom in Prayer. I make bold to say that there is wisdom in prayer. Instead of arguing or fighting over issues, take your challenge to God in prayer; it works!

The Bible says in Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. With prayer, you can present your request before God.

Topic: Fearless Messenger [Tuesday 29, November 2016]

Memorise: Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. – Jeremiah 1:8

Read: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (KJV)

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Topic: For His Glory [November 29, 2016]

Text: Numbers 16:1-11

Key Verse: "And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?" (Numbers 16:3).

In her autobiography, My Life, Mrs. Golda Meir, Israeli Prime Minister during the Yom Kippur War in 1993 relates moving stories of the patience, bravery and sacrifices of men and women of Jewish state in the face of the aggressions of its neighbours.

Topic: Don't Buy a Lie [November 29, 2016]

And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. - Deuteronomy 28:2

"Well, brother, in the end I'm sure you'll see these financial problems are actually a blessing in disguise." Have you ever heard anybody say that to someone who's hurting financially? Chances are, you have. It's a popular idea. The problem is, it's a lie used by the devil to keep believers down.

Topic: Satan at Work [November 29, 2016]

In whom we have redemption . . . the forgiveness of sins. — Ephesians 1:7

Satan is at work in our world. The Bible is my authority. He exists and he has control over thousands of young people, whose hearts have never been captured by Jesus Christ. He has hundreds of agents writing pornographic literature and producing sex movies to pollute young minds. He has intellectuals in high positions teaching a hedonistic and permissive philosophy.

Topic: I’m Rich! [November 29, 2016]

Read: Psalm 119:9–16, Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 35–36; 2 Peter 1

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. Psalm 119:14

Perhaps you’ve seen the TV ad in which a person answers the door and finds someone who hands over a check for an enormous amount of money. Then the amazed recipient begins shouting, dancing, jumping, and hugging everyone in sight. “I won! I’m rich! I can’t believe it! My problems are solved!” Striking it rich evokes a great emotional response.

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Secrets That Can Transform Your Marriage (4)

Dear Reader,

God has made provisions for marriage to produce good for you and I, but we have a responsibility to develop that plan. It is like the negative film of a picture. The photographer must spend time in the darkroom developing the negative and come out with a beautiful picture. A negative must be developed before it becomes enviable. This is the same thing with marriage. You must develop your marriage by doing those little things that you may think don’t really matter.

So far, we have seen the potency of the words that can transform a marriage. This week, God has another powerful secret for us which is, Touching & Giving of Gifts.

Author: Ese Ehimare Dave

Topic: Our Citizenship [Tuesday, 29th Nov. 2016]

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. Hebrews 12:22

Understanding where we are is very important for us to live out our full potentials in God. As we go to Christian gatherings, we have been inundated with the need to strive to enter into heaven - the beautiful place that God has prepared for us; but some questions readily come to mind. How does one enter where he is already staying? How does one become a citizen of a country he is already a national? Is heaven actually the goal that God has set for us? Is heaven the "mark" Apostle Paul talked about in Philippians 3:14?

The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress has alleged that with less than two weeks to the legislative rerun elections in Rivers State, Gov. Nyesom Wike appears to have thrown all caution to the wind as he goes berserk and launches a campaign of blackmail on everyone especially the APC, INEC and the Nigeria Police.

Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily devotional November 28, 2016 – Let God Arise

"Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered...” - Psalm 68:1, NKJV

Topic: Let God Arise [November 28, 2016]

Let me ask you today, what are you letting arise in your life? In other words, what are you focusing your words, energy and thoughts on? You might say, “Oh, Joel, it’s just so hard right now. I’ve lost some money.” “My health doesn’t look good.” “Somebody walked out on me.” No, you’re focusing on the wrong things. You’re letting defeat, discouragement and self-pity rise up. Why don’t you turn that around and say, “God is still in control. Somebody may have walked out on me, but I know God is going to bring me somebody better.” “I may be hurting right now, but I know God is the restorer of my soul.” “I may have lost money in the stock market, but I’m not worried. I know God is my provider. He is supplying all of my needs. He is fighting my battles.”

Topic: Choosing Positive Thinking [November 28, 2016]

How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! — Psalm 139:17

A confident person is a positive person. Confidence and negativity do not go together. They are like oil and water; they simply do not mix. I used to be a very negative person, but, thank God, He showed me that being positive is much more fun and fruitful.

Written by the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper

It was a good development that the Federal Government’s inability to pay salaries and allowances of former presidents in the last 10 months was not ignored by the news media.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who disclosed the development recently to members of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs in Abuja, said President Muhammadu Buhari could not approve the payments to the former leaders because of lack of funds. Those affected include Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Abdusalami Abubakar, Yakubu Gowon. They have been owed for 10 months.

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Persecuted, Yet Not Discouraged [28/11/2016]

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:9-10. Read: Acts 8:1-8.

From time immemorial, hatred without cause for God's children has been, but the more they're hated, the more they expand. When a King who knew not Joseph arose in Egypt, he was threatened by the growth of the children of Israel and decided to torment them, the more he tormented them, the more they waxed stronger and mightier, they grew geometrically. Persecution never reduced them, rather they increased. In their affliction and persecution, they were growing rapidly. Ex 1:7-12.

Topic: A Faithful Steward? [Monday 28, November 2016]

Memorise: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. – 1 Corinthians 4:2

Read: Luke 16:1-8 (KJV)

1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Topic: Faith Not Feeling [November 28, 2016]

Text: Genesis 26:1-5

Key Verse: "Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father" (Genesis 26:3).

On November 19, 1863 during the United States Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a graveyard oration that lasted only a few minutes. Known as the Gettysburg Address, the speech has been hailed throughout the ages for its nobility, brevity and capacity to hold out hope in dreary situations, This God-fearing American leader earns more accolades for his speech when it is considered that as he spoke, he was surrounded by famine, death and sorrow. Many still wonder if blessing, life and prosperity can emerge from famine and hopelessness?

Topic: Beautiful [November 28, 2016]

Read: Luke 7:36–50, Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 33–34; 1 Peter 5

She has done a beautiful thing to me. Mark 14:6

Picture two teenage girls. The first girl is strong and healthy. The other girl has never known the freedom of getting around on her own. From her wheelchair she faces not only the emotional challenges common to life, but also a stream of physical pains and struggles.

Topic: Imitate the Faithful [November 28, 2016]

Remember your leaders and superiors in authority, [for it was they] who brought to you the Word of God. Observe attentively and consider their manner of living...and imitate their faith. - Hebrews 13:7, The Amplified Bible

Apart from the Word of God itself and prayer, nothing can do more for you than watching and imitating a real man of faith. I found that out in a big way many years ago when I was a student at Oral Roberts University. As co-pilot on the airplane that transported him and his staff to his healing meetings, I had the opportunity to study Oral Roberts up close. I followed him around. I heard him preach. I watched him lay hands on the sick.

Topic: The Sufficiency of God [November 28, 2016]

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. — John 10:10

In God’s economy, you must go down into the valley of grief before you can scale the heights of spiritual glory. You must become tired and weary of living alone before you seek and find the fellowship of Christ. You must come to the end of “self” before you can begin to live. The happiest day of my life was when I realized that my own ability, my own goodness, and my own morality were insufficient in the sight of God. I am not exaggerating when I say that my mourning was turned to joy, and my sighing into singing. Happy are they that mourn for the inadequacy of self, for they shall be comforted with the sufficiency of God.

Prayer for the day: Almighty God, You have given me real life through Jesus Christ. My soul praises You.

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.

Winning Wisdom: Advocate Peace

Author: Ese Ehimare Dave

Topic: Advocate Peace [Monday, 28th Nov. 2016]

Follow peace with all men...Hebrews 12:14

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is the Ruler and Advocate of peace and peaceful co-existence. One of the things He came to accomplish with His death, burial and resurrection is the establishment of peace, that was in the beginning, between God and man; and He went further to establish peace between humans - Jews and Gentiles - so that, as we individually have peace with God, we can also be at peace with one another.

The Rivers governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections, Dr Dakuku Peterside has congratulated Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN of the APC for winning the Ondo State governorship election.

Chief Akeredolu defeated the candidates of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others in a keenly contested election that has been adjudged free, fair and credible.

With the trouncing of Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in the governorship election in Ondo State Saturday, the Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, is asking the governor of Rivers State to immediately retrieve and return the sum of N2bn of Rivers money he donated to the Ondo State branch of the PDP.

Making the demand Sunday afternoon was the Rivers State Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senibo Chris Finebone while addressing APC supporters in Port Harcourt shortly after the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC as the winner of the 2016 Ondo governorship election.

Today’s Scripture: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” - (Ephesians 6:18, NIV)

Topic: Seeing Potential in Others [November 27, 2016]

It’s easy to be someone’s friend when they’ve got it all together, when they’re walking in blessing and prosperity. Anybody can believe in people after they’re successful, after they graduate, after they’re promoted, after they get their big break. But, people need our prayer and support the most before they get their breakthrough. They need us to look past their faults and failures and see their potential.

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: We Won't Stop [27/11/16]

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20. Read: Acts 4:16-21

In last Sunday Open Heavens Devotional, (THE VISION OF HEAVEN) Pst E. A. Adeboye said, the reason why his father never built a house with bathroom and toilet was because he had never seen any of such house before, so he was not motivated to build one. There is always a difference between having an encounter with Jesus than being told about Him (though being told about Jesus is not bad, but you must move to the level of having a personal encounter with Him because it will determine how you will relate with Him).

Again, Nigeria’s curious population figures

Written by the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper

The incredible population figure that Nigeria’s colonial masters fed the world with more than five decades ago came into sharp focus again recently when the Director-General of the National Population Commission (NPC), Ghali Bello, announced that Nigeria’s population now is 182 million.

Bello who disclosed the figure in Abuja, said the latest estimate was based on the population of 140 million recorded in the last census a decade ago, using a yearly growth rate of 3.5 per cent and weighed against other variables such as rising life expectancy and declining infant mortality rate.

Topic: The Blessings of Meditation [November 27, 2016]

My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of Your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. - Proverbs 4:20-22

In these verses, the writer used the words, attend to my words, which is another way of exhorting us to meditate. I love the fact that God not only frequently tells us to meditate—to ponder seriously His Word, but He frequently promises results. It's as if God says, "Okay, Joyce, if you meditate, here's what I'm going to do for you."

Topic: A Liberal Heart? [Sunday 27, November 2016]

Memorise: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. – Luke 6:38

Read: Proverbs 11:25 (KJV)

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Topic: Forgiveness Is Divine [November 27, 2016]

Text: Exodus 21:12-25

Key Verse: "But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die. And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death" (Exodus 21:14,15).

An Iranian woman who was blinded and badly disfigured by an acid attack by a spurned suitor recently pardoned her attacker. The woman was severely disfigured in the 2004 incident, when a bucket of acid was poured on her face and body and ultimately went through at least, 17 operations. In a court-ordered retribution, as a doctor was about to put several drops of acid in one of his eyes in a hospital operating room, the man who attacked her waited on his knees and wept. "What do you want to do now?" the doctor asked the 34-year-old woman, who suffered the attack. "I forgive him, I forgive him", she responded, asking the doctor to spare him at the last minute in a dramatic scene broadcast on Iran's state television.

Topic: Occupy Till Jesus Comes [November 27, 2016]

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:13-17

The Bible teaches that as believers, you and I are to occupy until Jesus comes. Occupy is a military term meaning to hold possession, or control, of conquered troops and territory. If we're to do that effectively, most of us are going to have to change our attitudes. We're going to have to recognize that Jesus has already won the victory.

Topic: Realities of Life [November 27, 2016]

Casting down imaginations . . . and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:5

Thousands of people have made plans to escape from the realities of life. A new word has come into common usage the last few years. That word is “escapism.” The dictionary defines it as “a retreat from reality into an imaginary world.” The escape of imagination. Solomon spoke of the unregenerate heart as one which is inclined to excessive fantasy. The dream world Satan promotes always ends with disillusionment. Thousands of people live in an unreal dream world, while shirking their responsibilities toward their families and toward God. The Bible teaches that with Christ in your heart, you can face the realities of life. Even though they are hard, the grace of God will give you greater joy and pleasure than any dream world to which you try to escape.

Topic: The Red Hackle [November 27, 2016]

Read: Psalm 92:12–15, Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 30–32; 1 Peter 4

They will still bear fruit in old age. - Psalm 92:14

Several years ago I stumbled across a bit of fishing lore in a second-century ad work by the Greek writer Aelian. “Between Boroca and Thessalonica runs a river called the Astracus, and in it there are fish with spotted skins [trout].” He then describes a “snare for the fish, by which they get the better of them. They fastened crimson red wool round a hook and attached two feathers. Then they would throw their snare, and the fish, attracted by the color, comes up, thinking to get a mouthful” (On the Nature of Animals).

Nigeria and 2016 World Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims

By Chude Ojugbana

Truly, life has its special way of producing reasonable and unreasonable coincidences or even a mix of both, depending on how one’s lenses are polarized. Specifically, about a week before the November, 20th commemoration of 2016 World Day of Remembrance, WDR for road crash victims, as the Management of Nigeria’s lead agency on road safety, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC was busy effectively co-ordinating activities in respect of annual memorials for road crash victims and drawing public attention to the huge preventable road deaths, suddenly, a worrisome headline appeared in many Nigerian newspapers “Missing Nigerian Journalist Found Dead”. According to a major online media, Sahara Reporters, “Mr. Adeparusi left his Kugbo, Abuja apartment on his motorcycle at around 1:00 p.m on Sunday. After not returning home, Mr. Adeparusi’s neighbours, friends and colleagues placed several calls to his mobile phone that went unanswered. His employers, Naij.com noted that this was unusual, as Mr. Adeparusi was a “very professional and clear-headed individual; not the kind of person to wander off.” He was subsequently declared missing and found dead on Tuesday in an apparent motorcycle accident”.

Author: Ese Ehimare Dave

Topic: Truth Trumps Fact [Sunday, 27th Nov. 2016]

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 1 Corinthians 1:20

We appreciate experts in all fields and we hold their opinions in high esteem, because they put in painstaking effort into their research and findings. And, yes, they come up with facts. They've birthed facts in medicine, economics, etc. And these facts, from human perspective, cannot be disputed. But not with us - sons and daughters of God, because we do not live our lives based on facts, we live our lives on Truth. And we derive our truth from God's Word. No matter how succinth these facts are, the truth of God's Word trumps them anytime, any day.

Lecture Presented At The University Of Nigeria By Dakuku Adol Peterside, Ph.D

Introduction

I am most grateful to the Department of Management and the authority of this great university for their kindness to invite me to deliver this lecture, even when I am not privileged to be "a Lion". Returning to the university campus to rub minds with fellow students is always a gratifying experience for me; more so, as learning is a continuous process. I would like to say that I am at the early stages of my own adult learning experience, learning from the multiverse of the larger society. The regulatory Agency,NIMASA, I currently serve is a special learning experience that could qualify for a University degree.

Chief Ikanya condemns flag-off for NDDC ongoing road projects by Gov. Wike

As the governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike undertakes what he calls road project flag-off in Rivers State, the State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief [Dr.] Davies Ibiamu Ikanya has advised the governor not to create crisis in the State by embarking on flag-off for roads awarded by the federal government through the Niger Delta Development Commission [NDDC] for which work is presently ongoing.

“We in APC are surprised that Gov. Wike suddenly woke up to embark on road project flag-off for roads which were awarded by the NDDC that are already under construction.

The Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has described the bail granted Hon Ojukaye Flag-Amachree by the Court of Appeal on all counts as the “triumph of light over evil and end of wickedness from Rivers State Government House.”

He stressed that the judiciary has once again risen to its bastion as the last hope of the oppressed and those unjustly persecuted by power mongers.

Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily devotional November 26, 2016 – Already Blessed!

Today’s Scripture: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." - Ephesians 1:3, NIV

Topic: Already Blessed! [November 26, 2016]

God has blessed you! Past tense—He’s already done it! Now, you may not feel blessed, you may not look blessed; in fact, all the circumstances may tell you that you're not blessed. But you've got to be bold enough to say, "No, I see it right here in God’s Word—I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ!”

Topic: Don’t Stay Angry [November 26, 2016]

Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself—it tends only to evildoing — Psalm 37:8

The Word tells us another way to resist temptation: When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him] (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Topic: Hearing from God [Saturday 26, November 2016]

Memorise: Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: – Hebrews 3:8

Read: Hebrews 1:1-3 (KJV)

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Topic: Unsend [November 26, 2016]

Read: 1 Peter 3:8–12, Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 27–29; 1 Peter 3

Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 1 Peter 3:10

Have you ever sent an email and suddenly realized it went to the wrong person or it contained harmful, harsh words? If only you could press a key and stop it. Well, now you can. Several companies offer a feature that gives you a brief time after sending an email to stop it from leaving your computer. After that, the email is like a spoken word that cannot be unsaid. Rather than being seen as a cure-all, an “unsend” feature should remind us that it’s extremely important to guard what we say.

Topic: What's Your Name? [November 26, 2016]

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. - Colossians 3:17

Did you know your name has been changed? It's no longer the same as it was before you were born again. You gave your old name away when you made covenant with Jesus.

Topic: Whose Son Is He? [November 26, 2016]

Now you are happy with the inexpressible joy that comes from heaven itself. — 1 Peter 1:8 (TLB)

Christians are to enjoy life and enjoy one another. When children see no joy in their home, no joy in your Christianity, they will not be attracted by it. When they see you excited about going to a ball game, or watching television, and then dragging around to do spiritual things, they will soon get the idea that Christianity does not mean much to you. Your attitude will rub off. My wife says that the best way to get a child to eat his food is to see his parents enjoying theirs. Our children will not be attracted to Christ if we make Him seem dull.

Wednesday 30 November 2016

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Monday 28 November 2016

Sunday 27 November 2016

Saturday 26 November 2016