Tag Archive for 2011

President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign promises

January 25, 2013 #NigeriaDecides, #RSVP, #whataboutus, Elections, Nigeria Politics, The Future, Women No comments
President Goodluck Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan

Sources: February & March 2011 editions of Daily Trust, Champion, Punch, Thisday, Vanguard & The Guardian newspapers; February & March 2011 editions of The News, Tell and Newswatch magazines; transcript of Goodluck Jonathan lone TV debate [1] as obtained from African Independent Television (AIT); Inaugural Presidential address of Goodluck Jonathan.

><>This was released by the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria                           

 

Infrastructural development

  • To revive  the rail system in the country
  • To complete Lagos to Jebba rail project
  • To intervene and revitalize the moribund Nigeria Machine Tools and other infrastructure owned by the federal government.
  • Government has budgeted N50b for job development and infrastructure
    • To modernize the ports
    • To complete the second River Niger bridge before the expiration of the tenure
    • To make the Minister of Works to immediately start repairs of the road  leading to Murtala Mohammed International Airport
  • To transform all major routes in Damaturu to federal roads
    • To assist in resuscitating all the collapsed industries in Kano state
    • To work towards making Akanu Ibiam airport in Enugu an international airport
    • To seek alternative funding means to repair the Benin-Ore road.
  • To set up a committee to review Federal government landed properties in Lagos, hand over those that should and retain those that should be in possession of the Federal Government.
  • To give Sokoto-Kotangora road unfettered attention Read more

2011–12 UEFA Champions League quarter-final fixtures

March 16, 2012 Perspective No comments

27 Mar 2012

19:45 Apoel Nicosia v Real Madrid

19:45 Benfica v Chelsea

28 Mar 2012

19:45 AC Milan v Barcelona

19:45 Marseille v Bayern Munich

3 Apr 2012

19:45 Barcelona v AC Milan

19:45 Bayern Munich v Marseille

4 Apr 2012

19:45 Chelsea v Benfica

19:45 Real Madrid v Apoel Nicosia

17 Apr 2012

19:45 Benfica/Chelsea v AC Milan/Barcelona

19:45 Marseille/Bayern Munich v Apoel Nicosia/Real Madrid

24 Apr 2012

19:45 AC Milan/Barcelona v Benfica/Chelsea

19:45 Apoel Nicosia/Real Madrid v Marseille/Bayern Munich

Open Heavens Devotional: WISDOM IN MERCY Saturday, December 31, 2011

December 31, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG No comments

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 

MEMORIZE: “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” (Prov. 11:17).

 

READ: Proverbs 11:16-18

 

God’s wisdom is full of mercy (James 3:17). Matthew 5:7 says it is the merciful that will receive mercy. This means that mercy responds to the principle of sowing and reaping. If you want mercy, show mercy to those in need and you will reap its harvest. No wonder Proverbs 11:17 says the merciful is only being merciful to himself or herself. Has someone offended you and you feel like descending on the fellow with all your wrath? Remember that if only you can restrain yourself and show him or her some mercy, mercy will await you at your point of judgement. A lion was asleep one day when a little rat which was playing, mistakenly climbed over it and woke it up. Annoyed, the lion decided it would have the rat for breakfast. But the little rat pleaded for mercy reminding the lion that it might be its turn to save the lion someday. The lion was surprised at that rat’s effrontery and released it. The following day, while the rat resumed its play, it saw the lion in a serious pain, caught in a net. So, it chewed up the net and helped the lion to escape. The saying goes: ‘One good turn deserves another’. That housemaid, driver, cleaner, or messenger you do not regard today, may be your saving grace tomorrow. How merciful are you?

 

Any advice or strategy that abhors mercy is not of God. If it emanates from God, it will bear the nature of God – mercy. This is another way of testing if a counsel is from God or not. In addition, the wisdom of God is full of good fruits. If you are full of God’s wisdom it will show in the overflow of love, gentleness, joy, peace, etc., that will be released to the outside world (Gal 5:22-23). If you have wisdom, you will retain your joy. If you allow the troubles around to steal the joy inside you, your loss will be colossal! People have asked why I often laugh or crack jokes about the disturbing events taking place in our nation. The reason is, if you don’t laugh it off, you could develop hypertension. Learn to laugh about very disturbing events: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Prov. 17:22). The joy of the Lord is your strength. As long as you retain your joy, nobody can defeat you. The day you lose your joy, your vision, hope and future may go with it. Happy New year!

 

ACTION POINT

Your friends do not need your mercy; your enemies and offenders do; give it to them. Thank God for seeing the end of this year. Ask for grace to enter 2012 peacefully and victoriously.

 

Bible in One year: Gen 23-26

 

Open Heavens Devotional: AVOID FALSE DOCTRINES – Friday, December 30, 2011

December 30, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG No comments

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim 4:4).

READ: 2 Timothy 4:3-4

In His letter to the Church at Sardis, the Lord warned that they should be watchful (Rev. 3:2). Believers in Christ must watch against satanic wiles and temptations. Another area to watch against is false teachings and doctrines. In Acts 20:29-30, Paul warned the brethren that after his departure, some false teachers would rise up in their midst, targeting the flock. You would be amazed to know that many who are spearheading erroneous doctrines today, used to be sound in doctrine. They once wined and dined with genuine believers. They were numbered among the disciples of Jesus Christ. So, what brought about the change from truth to error? “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” (2 Tim 4:3). Those who go into error have their individual lusts-personal secrets they frolic with. If you find it difficult to accept the truth and instead of asking for grace, you decide to believe the alternative, you will end up in error. Besides, if you want to constantly apply common sense to interpret or understand God’s commands, you will end up with an alternative notion that runs contrary to God’s Word.

“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes” (SOS 2:15). The margin between truth and error is very slim. Unable to see why God will put His children in the fire for ‘mere’ disobedience, some teachers and preachers that propagate common sense refuse to accept the doctrine of hell fire as taught in Scriptures. Rather, they say that after an individual dies, he or she goes into eternal sleep or becomes extinct. Unfortunately, God will not recognize His eternal set-up based on the opinions of men. Hell is real and people are there right now. More people go to hell every day. If you do not repent, you will end up in hell. There are some people who were told hell and Heaven exist only on earth, and that the rich are in Heaven while the poor are in hell. After death however, they found themselves in hell. They are now convinced, but sadly, when they begin to repent and confess their sins, they were told it was too late. The door of mercy is forever closed to them. Avoid anyone who adds to or subtract from God’s Word. Avoid those who want to give you an easy gospel. The way of Christ is narrow.

ACTION POINT

Teachers of the Gospel must be careful with what they are teaching lest they mislead others. Thank God for seeing the end of this year. Ask for grace to enter 2012 peacefully and victoriously.
 

Bible in One year: Gen. 20-22

Open Heavens Devotional: CHRIST FOR YOU – Thursday, December 29, 2011

December 29, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG No comments

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

READ: Romans 8:31-33

There are different relational possibilities you can have by considering these phenomena: ‘Christ for you’ and ‘Christ with you’. Christ for you signifies divine approval or support. This has a tremendous implication because Romans 8:31 says, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us who can be against us?” When Christ is for you, no curse placed on you will work. When Balak tried to make prophet Balaam to curse the children of Israel, he met with a brick wall. In Numbers 23:8, Balaam confessed that it was impossible to curse the one God has blessed. If a Christian is affected by a curse, it is doubtful whether he or she has God’s support. If God is for you, there is no need to spend sleepless nights over enemies. Whenever I am faced with opposition, I turn to God to ask if I have His backing for what I am doing. As soon as He assures me that He is for me, I joyfully continue whatever I am doing. If God is for you, the whole world may be against you, yet you have nothing to worry about.

James 4:8 says to get God’s support; you must learn to draw closer to God. If your service to God is just lip service, you may never have His support. You must engage your heart in God’s service. In addition, when offering your services to God, do not think or say that you are serving a particular Church, or the General overseer of the Church. No Church or GO. can adequately compensate you. Also, do not claim to be serving God because He needs you, because He has billions of people who would serve Him if you do not. You are only serving God for your own sake. How are you serving God today? You will easily know those who have misconstrued their purpose of service. If you are easily discouraged by men, location, lack of provision and challenges in the face of an assignment, it shows you do not yet know why you are serving. If you truly understand that serving God is only an opportunity to help you access God’s blessings on earth, and live with Him eternally, there is nothing anyone will do that will stop you. It was with this understanding that Paul asked: ‘What shall separate us from God’s love?’ Nothing except you.

PRAYER POINT

Father, because you are for me, reverse every curse placed against me and my family.

Bible in One year: Gen. 16-19

Pictures from Calabar Carnival 2011

December 28, 2011 Entertainment, Events One comment

Pictures via @calabarfestival

Open Heavens Devotional: NO FOOLISH SPEAKING! – Wednesday, December 28, 2011

December 28, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG One comment

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 

MEMORIZE: “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.” (Eccl. 10:12).

 

READ: Ecclesiastes 10:11-14

 

“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool” (Prov. 10:18). A mark of foolishness is slander. Engaging one’s lips in such a way as to damage the good opinions people hold about somebody through falsehood, is sin. God never gave you that tongue to pull down others but to build them up. Using your tongue to say false things about others, just because you want them to lose favour with those you are telling, is tongue abuse. It is only a fool who will lie against his or her neighbour. If what you want to say will not edify others, you are not under compulsion to speak: keep quiet! Gossiping, backbiting, and being talkative are injurious to the speaker. Ecclesiastes 10:12 says a fool’s mouth will swallow him or her up. It is a fool that is always having something to say even when there is nothing to say or reason to say it. Remember that you will account for every idle word that leaves your mouth (Matt 12:36-37). Many people are experiencing the limitations caused by their words (Prov. 6:2). Have you netted yourself up with such statements like, ‘I cannot achieve this or that?’ Release yourself today by speaking wholesome power-filled words, or else you will never get beyond that point your mouth has pegged you to.

 

In addition, the person who interferes in other people’s matter is a fool. Proverbs 20:3 says, “it is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling”. Some people are not at ease until they get involved in matters that do not concern them. A right thinking individual will happen on a scene and mind his or her business, but a busybody will come on the same scene and forget where he or she was headed. The distraction will suddenly become his or her major concern. It is foolishness. Are you a busybody? Do you get involved in matters that you were not invited into? Repent and mind your business. Get a direction for your life and apply your time wisely in achieving laudable goals. Stay out of foolish acts!

 

ACTION POINT

Father, erase the consequences of every verbal indiscretion in my life.

 

Bible in One year: Gen. 12-15

 

Open Heavens Devotional: GOD AND THE WISE – Tuesday, December 27, 2011

December 27, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG No comments

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6).

READ: 2 Chronicles 1:6-12

One thing we learn from the account in 2 Chronicles 1:6-12 is that wisdom is relative or comparative. This means, the wisdom of one person can be compared with that of another. If wisdom is relative, then it can grow. As a young boy, Solomon was wise enough to offer God an unprecedented sacrifice. He was wise enough to ask for wisdom. This is a display of unusual wisdom. However, by the time God granted his request, he had such wisdom that made him incomparable to other wise people across the globe. This means that if you are already wise, you can be wiser. You can never have too much of wisdom! The more wisdom you have, the more successful you will be.

Similarly, there are two kinds of strength. The natural and the supernatural strength. The natural strength is the one possessed by youths. 1 John 2:14 says, “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one”. Natural strength comes from eating the right food and resting. Yet, there is supernatural strength. In Mark 5:1-4, the demons in the Gadarene demoniac so empowered him that no one could tame him. With bare hands he could tear chains and handcuffs apart. In the same way, the Holy Spirit can empower His own vessel like it happened to Samson. When a lion attacked Samson in Judges 14:5-6, the Holy Spirit came upon him and he tore the lion with ease.

God is wiser than the wisest men and His foolishness is higher than man’s wisdom. Daniel says, He is the One who gives wisdom to the wise (Dan. 2:20-21). If He gives wisdom to the wise, He should definitely have more wisdom than those He gives. Isaiah 40:28 says His understanding cannot be found out. He is far too clever for you to comprehend. When someone has a Ph.D. in Mathematics, he only knows so much about so little. However, God is the One who knows everything about every subject on the face of the earth; hence, He is the God of knowledge. He can give you knowledge and wisdom. Are you willing to receive from Him? Ask Him today!

PRAYER POINT

Ask God for unsurpassed wisdom, knowledge and understanding in every facet of your life.

Bible in One year: Gen. 10-11

Open Heavens Devotional: FORGIVE YOUR DEBTORS – Monday, December 26, 2011

December 26, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG No comments

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 

MEMORIZE: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matt 6:12).

 

READ: Matthew 6:9-15

 

The wisdom of God is pure, peaceable and gentle. Another attribute of divine wisdom according to James 3:17 is that it is easily entreated. That means it easily forgives. In the Lord’s Prayer recorded in Matthew 6:9-15, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke about forgiveness. Verse 11 and 12 are key here. Verse 11 says, “Give us this day our daily bread”. This scripture tells us how much we ought to depend on God. An outstanding truth here is that no matter your size or strength, without God’s assistance, you cannot provide yourself with your daily bread. This is why I always smile when I hear someone address a particular individual as the ‘bread winner’. If you want to go to work and God withdraws His support for your legs, they will not be able to function. There are many people who have legs but cannot walk with them. People say they have a stroke. If God withdraws His hand from your intellect, you will suddenly lose all your faculties. If you have even executed a contract and God withdraws His support, you may never be paid or you may not be alive on the date of payment. There are many people who staked all they had on a project only to be told there was no money after completion. God is the true Bread Winner, not your husband or wife or your parents.

 

 

The fact that you need Him everyday is the reason you cannot afford to live in un-forgiveness. Matt 6:12 says, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”. It did not say, ‘Help us to give’. If you want to forgive, it is in your power. The grace is available. The issue is whether you are willing or not. Contrary to the prayers of some, you do not require any further assistance from God to forgive. He has already put what you need to do so in place. If fail to forgive others, your sins will be recorded and held against you, starting from that moment you failed to forgive. In addition, you will observe that there is a tendency to begrudge those who owe you financially or materially. If someone has owed you some amount of money for several years, and your mind is still on it and you feel bad towards debtor all the time, it is time you wrote off that debt and ask God to pay you instead, so that your way to Heaven will not be unhindered? Many people may go to hell for holding grudges against their debtors.

 

KEY POINT

Is anyone owing you and causing you bitterness and resentment? Forgive the fellow and write off the debt.

 

Bible in One year: Gen. 6-9

 

Open Heavens Devotional: EARNEST IN PRAYER – Sunday, December 25, 2011

December 25, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG No comments

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.” (James 5:17).

READ: James 5:17-18

God expects a lot from His servants and true representatives. Leadership transcends title or honour; it is a matter of exemplary service in all areas of life. Apostle Paul was a good role model for Timothy hence, he instructed him to reciprocate such exemplary lifestyle in all activities (1 Tim 4:12-13). One veritable area that the Christian leader should not joke with is his or her prayer life. The prayer life of an ecclesiastical leader must be worthy of emulation by members of his or her congregation. A prayer-less pulpit is not only powerless but also useless. The progress the Early Church recorded in their day was because of the level of prayers they invested into it. Ministry, or any spiritual assignment, cannot move forward without the oil of prayer. How prayerful are you? To what extent do you pray for your family, Church members, leaders or ministry? Or have you stopped praying, hoping that you are totally covered by past prayer efforts?

If prayers were evaluated, you would discover that not everyone who prays receives result. A leader who prays like just any other member may have very little to show for his or her efforts. God calls us to earnest prayers like that of our Lord Jesus Christ. To get results, leaders must arise and pray earnestly, forcefully, purposefully and productively. At the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lord gave us an example of earnest prayers, although He had followed that pattern all through His lifetime. Earnest prayer involves the spirit, soul and body. It enables you to bear serious burdens and present them to God through intensive intercession. You will know when you are engaged in this kind of prayer because it will take something from you. Your body must pay a price whenever you engage in this kind of prayer. At Gethsemane, the Lord’s body emitted sweat as thick as blood while engaged in this kind of prayer.

In other words, Jesus had started shedding His blood while engaging in earnest prayer before He went to the Cross. Jacob lost a leg while wrestling with God during such a prayer. Elijah also had to pay a price during such fervent prayers. It is a type of prayer that when you are through, you will need to pray to God to be able to recover what you have lost. Earnest prayer reaches Heaven at the fastest speed. How often do you do this?

ACTION POINT

Believers are not just called to pray but to pray in a way that Heaven cannot turn down their requests. How do you pray? Lead a soul to Christ today!

Bible in One year: Gen 3-5

Open Heavens Devotional: OIL BATH? – Saturday, December 24, 2011

December 24, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG One comment

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jer. 1:5).

READ: Jeremiah 1:4-5

“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen” (Matt. 20:16). The chosen is on a higher level than the called. Not everyone who is called will be chosen but everyone who is chosen has been called. When the Lord invited His disciples to meet Him on the mountain in Mark 3:13-15, they were all called. However, only a few of them were ordained [chosen], twelve to be precise. One thing to note here about the chosen few is that they were not chosen after their biological birth or the new-birth experience. Ephesians 1:3-4 says their divine selection predates their physical existence, back to a period before God laid the foundations of the earth. There is very little anyone can do about a choice God made before the foundations of the world. So, you were not chosen because of your eloquence, stature or effort. If God has chosen you before the world began, you must truly be unique.

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jer. 1:5). Today, there is much fuss and struggle for physical ordination. What many fail to appreciate, though, is that physical ordination is only a confirmation of an ordination which took place in the spirit realm in ages past. For your ordination to be effective, the spirit ordination must blend with the physical one. Yet, many who lack spiritual ordination still manipulate their way into physical ordination. The oil used for such ordination will be of no significance in their lives. As a result, some who have earthly ordination but lack heavenly ordination will only serve an unholy purpose that will end up destroying them. My father-in the Lord, Pa. Akindayomi, the Founder of the RCCG, visited Jerusalem in 1975. While praying that first night the Lord told him his successor has arrived. I joined the church in 1973. The Lord told him to ordain me immediately he returns to Nigeria. It was not the custom of the church to ordain someone who has just joined the Church, so he secretly ordained me. The one he ordained before me had been in Church for fifteen years. The oil is not the ordination. Gallons of oil may be poured over your head but if God has not ordained you, it will amount to an oil bath. Has God ordained you?

KEY POINT

If Heaven ordains you, one way or another, in God’s set time, the earth will equally ordain you.

Bible in One year: Gen. 1-2

Open Heavens Devotional: THE FLESH IS WEAK – Friday, December 23, 2011

December 23, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG One comment

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:41).

READ: Romans 7:15-19

If you are able to identify Satan’s wiles, it will be difficult for you to fall into the pits of destruction he has carefully laid out for you in Matthew 4:1-11, the Lord Jesus Christ carefully compared Satan’s suggestions with God’s Word and easily found him out. If you learn to subject satanic suggestions to the Bible, you will hardly be his victim.

Furthermore, another area you must watch against is that of temptations. Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”. To overcome temptations, it is important to understand the nature of human beings. The flesh is too weak to resist the power of temptation. Flesh attracts flesh. Whenever the devil uses the opposite sex to tempt someone, that fellow comes under a strong pull to yield. Some people are so confident to themselves that they boast in their flesh. They may say, ‘I have never done this and will never do it’. If that boast is in the flesh, do not be surprised to see that individual doing what he has vowed never to do. Paul struggled with his flesh for so long, and got to a point of frustration—seeing himself at the point he had vowed never to be. Eventually and fortunately for him, he got the secret of victory. Are you struggling with temptations? The Lord will give you lasting victory today.

Furthermore, to overcome temptations, you must perform two activities, involving your spirit and body. You must watch. You must be careful what you see, touch, hear, smell or taste. Watch over your five senses. Watching directly engages your body. Being watchful means deliberately eliminating your chances of being tempted. If you, for example, sense that your boss is lusting after you, deliberately keep him at an arm’s length. Ensure you are not alone in his company. If you are being drawn towards pornography, avoid the internet or ensure someone is around you when you browse. Watch! To watch is to select discretely the television programmes you watch. To watch is to avoid anyone who is capable of luring you into sin. To watch is also to pray. Prayer directly affects your spirit and toughens it against temptation. Pray. Don’t be tired of praying. Pre-pray to avoid unforeseen temptations. Ask for grace to overcome! Frustrate the tempter’s expectations concerning you. Know when to run.

ACTION POINT

The flesh always wants to yield to sin. Ask God to deliver you from the desires of your flesh.

Bible in One year: Psa. 119

Open Heavens Devotional: HOPELESSNESS HAS LOST ITS GRIP! – Thursday, December 22, 2011

December 22, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG One comment

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 

MEMORIZE: “The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.” (Prov. 14:32).

 

READ: Daniel 4:28-37

 

God is unchangeable (Malachi 3:6) Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever”. What He has done in the past, he can repeat today. This is simply because He has a bearing on hope and controls tomorrow. In addition, because He is unchangeable and can do the impossible, with Him there are no hopeless cases. Job 14:7-9 says if a tree is cut down but still retains its roots, the moment it contacts water, it will begin to grow again. Ecclesiastes 9:4 says “For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion”. The lion is king in the world of animals but if it is dead, it loses all its worth. An animal of little or no value which is still alive, is worth more than the dead lion. Are you alive? There is hope for you! Were you knocked down? There is hope for you. Did you fail that crucial test or examination? Don’t give up! There is hope for you. It shall be well with you. The Lord who controls tomorrow says your tomorrow shall be okay.

 

We have an interesting story about Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:28-37. For 7 years, the king walked about naked. His companions were beast and he ate grass like other animals. Humanly speaking, there is a level of insanity that a mad man would get to that everyone would conclude he is irredeemable. While the king was away, it is possible that some of his chiefs who held on to power could have maltreated his wives. However, because with God, there is no hopeless case, He brought King Nebuchadnezzar back on his throne. Such erring chiefs were probably penalized! After Joseph became Prime minister, one place that would have interested him would be Potiphar’s house. If I were in his shoes, that would be the first house I would have visited, not to fight but to see the woman bow to me. If the hair of Samson can grow again, your case is not hopeless. Proverbs 14:32 goes further to say that the righteous has hope even in his death. This means that even when the expectation of the righteous is not met in his or her lifetime, it is not over! It can still be met even after death! Every good expectation of your life shall be granted. Hopelessness has lost grip over you because God is unchangeable!

 

PRAYER POINT

Oh lord, let every feeling of hopelessness and helplessness disappear from my life.

 

Bible in One year: Psa. 146-150

Open Heavens Devotional: MEETING HIS TERMS? – Wednesday, December 21, 2011

December 21, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG 4 comments

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.” (Rev 3:15).

READ: Revelation 3:15-16

After we are saved, for our service to be acceptable to God, there is a need to find out exactly what He wants. Too many of us are serving God on our own terms, not His. Such a service may go unrewarded. In 1963, before I was converted, I kept some girl friends. Those days, I would like to impress them. One of them came visiting one day and I wanted to impress her. So I prepared hot pounded yam with chicken and fish stew. As we sat on the table, I uncovered the plate and she saw stew and pounded yam already set. Instead of appreciating the meal, she was disappointed. Unhappy, I asked what was wrong. Then she asked: “Don’t you have garri (Cassava meal)?” It became obvious to me that to make the desired impression on her, I should give her what she likes, not what I hoped she would love. Do you know that if you are to make a lasting impression on the King of kings, you need to find out what He wants and then take steps to satisfy Him? People are still presenting their own idea of service to God. If you fail to meet His expectations or standards, you are only wasting your time. To be close to God, it is either you give all or nothing.

In Acts 5:1-11, a couple met their death the same day just because they sold their land, but brought part of the money to the church. Can you imagine one being killed by one’s own gift? Do you know that, that couple would have lived if they had decided not to sell their land? They, however, decided to play games with God and paid for it with their lives! Revelation 3:15-16 says it is either you are hot or cold but not lukewarm. Some gifts can cost the givers their lives. The Almighty God who wants you closer to Him is absolutely perfect. He does not compromise with sin at all. If you have made up your mind to give to Him, do not give below His expectations. Also, do not get into playing smart with Him. For instance, some people play games with God when it comes to tithes. They are joking with fire. Be straight in your dealings with Him. Let your ultimate goal be to please Him who has called you to be a soldier of the cross.

KEY POINT

Heaven has a shocker for those who want to serve and obey God according to their own dictates. Seek and meet, His term only.

 

Bible in One year: Psa. 143-145

Open Heavens Devotional: SEE BEYOND THE LIMITS – Tuesday, December 20, 2011

December 20, 2011 Open Heavens, RCCG No comments

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27).

READ: Romans 4:17-21

If you will live a victorious Christian life on earth, it is pertinent that you engage your spiritual senses. This is done by faith in God and in His Word. Why? It is because the only currency available to the believer to run the Christian race is faith. No wonder Habakkuk 2:4 says one way of recognizing the just is by faith he or she lives by. God is not a talkative. When He speaks once on an issue, that is it. If He repeats it, it is grace. If He says it for the third time, it is amazing grace. Yet, God said ‘The just shall live by faith’ four times (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb. 10:38 and Hab. 2:4).

“For we walk by faith, not by sight:” (2 Cor. 5:7). At one extreme is faith and at the other end is sight. Sight is synonymous with doubt and unbelief. Those who walk by sight are only open to earthly resources which, in most cases, because of their unbelief, may be inadequate. If, however, you operate by faith, not only will earthly resources be available to you, heavenly resources will also be at your back and call. If you want to benefit from miracles, you must learn to ignore your prevailing circumstances. To receive help from Heaven, you must not focus on your limited physical abilities. Look beyond your account that is in the red. Look beyond the physical or biological challenges or limitation. Grab His Word and say, ‘If God said it, then it is settled’.

When it was time to roof the arena of the Redemption Camp, my situation made no sense. I was calculating how to probably invite a thousand people to dinner who would give a million naira each. If that had been done, that would be a billion naira, which would not be enough for the foundation level. But the Lord told me not to take any special offering for the project. He said it’s between just the two of us. The way the Lord did it, nobody can share in His glory. Today, many people are calling the Redemption Camp the Redemption City, but God said the city He wants to build is yet to come. Has the Lord said that you shall be great? Look beyond your circumstance or present level. Hold on to His Word and He will bring it to pass. The Word of God always makes a difference where it is believed and given due honour.

KEY POINT:
A man of faith refuses to see the hindrance staring at him in the face; he chooses to see the invisible solution.

Bible in A Year: Psalm 138-142

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