KNOWING JESUS AND HIS RESURRECTION POWER TO SAVE

BEFORE JESUS DIED, HE PROMISE HE WILL RAISE AND THEY SHOULD MEET HIM AT GALILEE
Mark 14:28 KJV
But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

THE ANGEL ANNOUNCE HIS RESURRECTION
Matthew 28:5-7 KJV
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

HE SHOW HIMSELF TO THE DISCIPLE
Mark 16:14-16 KJV
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. [15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

DO YOU TOO BELIEVE OR YOU ARE STILL DOUBTING ?
John 3:18 KJV
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD NO OTHER WAY
John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

JESUS HAS PROMISE TO TAKE US TO HEAVEN AS HE PROMISE TO RAISE THEN
John 14:2-4 KJV
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so , I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. [4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

ARE YOU STILL DOUBTING ?
John 20:24-25 KJV
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

JESUS PROVE TO THE DOUBTERS THAT HE HAS RISEN OF A TRUTH
John 20:26-29 KJV
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. [27] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. [28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. [29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

WHAT SIGNS ARE YOU STILL LOOKING FOR FRIENDS?
ALL POWER BELONG TO JESUS
Matthew 28:17-18 KJV
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

JESUS IS ALIVE AND HE IS WITH US
Matthew 28:20 KJV
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

JESUS IS CALLING YOU TO REPENT FROM YOUR SINS AND OPEN YOUR HEART TO HIM
Revelation 3:19-20 KJV
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

JESUS IS CALLING YOU
Matthew 11:28 KJV
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

JESUS WILL NOT REFUSE YOU
John 6:37 KJV
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

SINNERS ARE GOING TO HELL
Revelation 21:8 KJV
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

CONFESS YOUR SINS NOW AND ACCEPT JESUS IN TO YOUR LIFE
SAY THIS PRAYER
LORD JESUS, I BELIEVE YOU DIED AND ROSE AGAIN TO SAVE ME
LORD I GIVE MY LIFE TO YOU TODAY
I FORSAKE ALL MY SINS ANDS WORK
PLEASE FORGIVE ME ALL MY SINS
WRITE MY NAME IN TO THE BOOK OF LIFE
AND REMOVE MY NAME FROM THE BOOK OF HELL
PLEASE KEEP ME FAITHFUL TILL YOU COME AND TAKE ME HOME
THANK U LORD FOR SAVING ME TODAY
IN JESUS CHRIST NAME I PRAY
AMEN

Pastor Sells Off Church Property and Escapes With The Money; Arrested In Lagos

The General Overseer, Christ Citizen Glorious Assembly Church in Lagos, Pastor Ikechukwu Ezeiru has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for selling the church building and landed property located in Lagos and escaping with all the money realized from the illegal act.

The same Pastor Ezeiru had earlier been brought before the same court for defrauding member of his church identified as Ifeanyi Ohazurume of N7m.
Giving evidence in the latest case, Police said: 43yrs old Pastor Ezeiru sold the church building and land on Plots 9A and 9B, Family Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, after which he absconded with the proceeds of the sale.
The church trustees – Ifeanyi Ohazurume, Stella Johnson, George Ndubuisi and Ozuruonye Onwuka – reported the matter to the police and a manhunt was launched for the pastor since March 2013. He was caught in later April, 2014, and arraigned on three counts of fraudulent sale of property and stealing.
Pastor Ezeiru was said to have sold the church building for N7.5m, while the land was sold for N5m.

The charges read in part, “That you, Pastor Ikechukwu Ezeiru, and others at large, being the General Overseer of a church known as Christ Citizen Glorious Assembly Church, Plots 9A and 9B, Family Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, in the month of March 2013, in the Lagos Magisterial District with intent to defraud, did sell church building and land, property of Christ Citizen Glorious Assembly, represented by the trustees, Ifeanyi Ohazurume, Stella Johnson, George Ndubuisi and Ozuruonye Onwuka.

“That you being the General Overseer of a church known as Christ Citizen Glorious Assembly Church, Plots 9A and 9B, Family Estate Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, did steal the sum of N7,500,000, property of the church….”

Police prosecutors said the offences were punishable under sections 409, 324, 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011. But Pastor Ezeiru pleaded not guilty.
Chief Magistrate Mrs. A.A. Demi-Ajayi, granted him bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum.

He will remain in prison custody until he meets the bail condition. Full trial will commence on May 26, 2014.

Pope, Call Prophet TB Joshua To Order ––Ghanaian Priest

Nana Kwaku Bonsam believes T.B. Joshua's prophesies are cooked up:

Ghanaian fetish priest, Nana Kwaku Bonsam, has revealed to citifmonline.com that he would be meeting Pope Francis over Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua. He is set to leave the shores of Ghana on Friday 18th April to Italy where he hopes to meet the Pope, the most powerful Christian leader.

Nana’s move is to get the Pope to act against T.B. Joshua, whom he believes is defaming God:
“T.B. Joshua is not a man of God. When you are a spiritual man you can see that T.B. Joshua is not a man of God. If someone prophesies and it doesn’t come to pass you know he’s not a man of God. T.B. Joshua has good editors and they edit stuff and put on youtube and his TV station. I, Nana Kwaku Bonsam, has gone through the spiritual and I have seen that T.B. Joshua is not a man of God, he uses tricks….because of all these things, I want to go to the Pope and ask him why he is not taking action.
“Let’s look at the Ghana president. When you ask that who killed him I can say T.B. Joshua killed the Ghana president.”
According to him, T.B. Joshua’s misleading prophesies caused the death of late President John Atta Mills.

Nana Kwaku Bonsam says he wants the Pope to call T.B. Joshua to order. He explains that he wanted to get to T.B. Joshua spiritually but cannot do so because T.B. Joshua is not a spiritual person.

Among the issues he wants the Pope to address is what he called T.B. Joshua’s attitude of acting like Christ.
“In spiritual realms, if he had powers I could have talked to him but because he doesn’t have powers that is why I am going to physically to tell the Pope that T.B. Joshua the way he is doing the church…some people can think that if you go to church it’s not good.”

“He does things like he is Jesus Christ. When he speaks, when you look at his speaking, he does like Jesus Christ. But that is not the way Jesus came to do. So once I go to the Pope, the Pope can even call him to advise him, so that anything that he does he will come down small small so that everything will be successful.”

Asked whether he has already booked an appointment with the Pope, Nana revealed he’s not been able to but believes he would get access to the Pope once he gets to the Vatican.

The controversial Nana has advised African pastors and prophets to stop prophesying lies to their followers.

Witch Hunter Helen Ukpabio Seen As Threat To Youngsters In UK

Remember Helen Ukpabio, popular for her Ministry, Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries. She also directed some Nigeria Movies like End of The Wicked, Kids are Angry among others.

Helen Ukpabio is the founder of the church Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries. She is popular for her movies and crusades geared towards stopping " Witchcraft".

The crusades earned her the title " Witch Hunter". The Nigerian "Witch Hunter" claims that any child who cries constantly is the devil's servant.

Her claims seems to be unacceptable to activists who are currently campaigning that she be banned from the UK. The campaigners say that her beliefs are harmful to the public and that she is a risk to the young children. They have written to Home Secretary requesting her ban.

According to Helen Ukpabio, She is offering help to people under witchcraft attack. It is alleged that the preacher was betrothed to the devil before she was delivered at the age of 17.

Only Competence Can Solve Nigeria’s Problems Not Prayer ––Prof. Wole Soyinka

When politicians want to deceive you, they begin to call the name of God. But it is these same politicians that are stealing billions everyday, EFCC has been prosecuting some of court for three years, no progress. Others are being protected from prosecution by their master(s) who benefited from their looting.

Anyway, Prof Wole Soyinka has a message for them. Following the latest spate of Boko Haram attacks in the country, various prominent Nigerians have expressed their viewpoints on the state of rising insecurity.

One of such people is the respected nobel laureate. He said:
Our security challenges could not be remedied by prayers, but by leaders capable of handling the issue without partisanship. He stated that in order for Nigeria to tackle the Boko Haram scourge effectively, the Presidency and its agents should be humble and learn from countries that had experienced similar crises and how to were able to defeat the evil.

Jehovah Witness Church Should Allow Us Marry Who We Love ––Members Cry Out

No matter how much a lady who's attending Jehova Witness church loves you, if you can't leave you church and become of member of their "assembly", she can't marry you. But the tradition is now affecting them:
Some members of the church have come out to condemn their church's stance against them marrying outside their faith. According to Jehovah's Witness' doctrine, members of the church are to only marry themselves and not from any other Christian faith. If they do, it's seen as an act of immorality. And people who marry outside the church are usually expelled from the church and treated as non-members.
But many of the members have cried out, saying this tradition has kept them unmarried for years and in some cases, get married to members who they are not attracted to...

Confirming the position to PM News, an elder in the church, Elder James Etop, says the church's position is in accordance with biblical instructions. He said that if members are allowed to marry anyhow their faith would be affected. He said the teachings from other churches are different from the ones they have and so they try to protect their members from being affected.

He took the case of heaven and earth teaching as an example:
"For instance, there is nothing like hell fire as propagated in many churches. Hell fire was mentioned just as an illustration by Jesus Christ when He was saying the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in the Bible. If a member marries such a person who believes in such doctrines which is against the teaching of the Witness, it will definitely affect his or her faith,” Elder James stressed.

According to Etop, members are not literally compelled to marry one another but if they marry outside of the church, the church would not honor such a union or an invitation to the wedding ceremony.

EXPOSED: The Woman who Coordinated the Abuja Bomb Blast

One name that sends fear across security and paramilitary boarders across Africa and the world is the White Widow Samantha Lawthwaite. She is married the mastermind of the popular 7/7 bomber. And since then, top security investigations have linked her to deadly attacks, including a shopping complex in Kenya.

Now back to the latest bomb blast in Nyanya, Abuja, that send many to their early grave. The White Widow has been linked to the terror attack. The huge explosion destroyed forty vehicles and left a sickening trail of death and destruction as fuel tanks on nearby vehicles also exploded amid the heat of the blast.

But while nobody has officially claimed responsibility, security sources, according to a report on DailyStar fear the bombing may have been a revenge attack...



What revenge? The death of Lewthwaite's mentor, al-Shabaab terror chief, Makaburi, aka Sheikh Abubakar Shariff Ahmed, two weeks ago.

A security source said agents across Africa are on high alert after the assassination of Makaburi - reportedly by the UK and US funded Kenyan Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) 14 days ago. Adding that Lewthwaite and her associates "wanted revenge".

In the words of the sources: "Makaburi was always believed to be at the very top of the hierarchy of terror organisation al-Shabaab. Intelligence suggests he introduced Samantha Lewthwaite to many influential figures within the al-Shabaab network. He guided her on her path to Jihad. His murder was seen as yet another act of war."

Lewthwaite, 30, is believed to be in Nigeria, Kenya or Somalia, where Islamist terror networks are closely linked, making it far easier for her to evade detection than in Europe. The daughter of a British Army soldier, she is already on Interpol's Most Wanted list in connection with seven murders as well as the siege of the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, in September 2013 which left 67 dead and nearly 200 injured.

She was reportedly caught at a checkpoint in Nigeria just six months ago - but bribed her way to freedom.

Popular Musician Yinka Ayefele's House In Ibadan On Fire

Gospel singer Yinka Ayefele has been hit by another sad incident as his house in the Felele area of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, is reportedly on fire. According to report, the fire started on Tuesday morning but there has been concerted efforts to put it under control and I hear the fire fighters are making progress.

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained, but the talented singer who is on wheelchair has said everything is under control even as he assured his teeming fans that he is safe and sound.

Yinka Ayefele became a household name after he was involved in a ghastly car accident in 1997, that led to a damage in his spinal cord, and paralyzed him from the waist down. Since then, he has been doing well in the music industry and thus financially, owning exotic cars and properties in choice areas.

His hit tracks such as "Experience" and "Transformation" are staple diets at parties in most Nigerian cities.

GEJ In Soup Over Gold-Plated iPhone 5 Souvenirs At Daughter's Wedding

Rumours have it that guests got gold-plated iPhone 5 phones as souvenirs at President Jonathan's daughter's wedding...

The gold-plated iPhone 5 phones
Nigerians on social media have taken President Goodluck to the cleaners after rumours of gold-plated, specially customized IPhone 5 phones given as souvenirs at the wedding of his daughter.

President Jonathan's daughter Faith over the weekend got hooked to Godswill Edward, son of a Cross River State monarch.

Citizen journalism platform Sahara Reporters, reported that a UK-based Luxury Jewelry Designer was behind the photos that started the controversy after tweeting from his account @malivelihood.

However, it appears that Michael A, also rumoured to be Tonto Dike's boyfriend, was coerced into deleting the pictures after public outcry based on speculations that taxpayers' monies were used to purchase them.

"[He] Actually Posted the photos of the gold-plated iPhones from his Abuja hotel room shortly before heading to the wedding reception to hand out his expensive gifts. He tweeted the photos including a customized gold plated wedding frame for the couple," Sahara Reported wrote.

Almost 24 hours later, the dust is yet to settle as Nigerians take to the social media to decry what some called corruption and other extravagance.

"Thank God the bride is just a foster/adopted daughter, if the girl happens to be the president's daughter maybe its oil- well/rig they will distribute as souvenirs. There's problem in the land," Dapo Law said.

"There's nothing like Photoshop here the item is real and authentic, but am disturbed seeing things like this from a man who one time in his life was shoeless," says Boniface Uche Ayotanze.

"The other day, it was the First Lady's ADOPTED mother that died, now it is the President's ADOPTED daughter marrying. And all our monies are ADOPTED for the occasions. Who knows how many more ADOPTIONS we are yet to hear of? After looting our treasury dry, they may as well relocate to their ADOPTED country. Or maybe this is even their ADOPTED country. Smh," Jackson Obuohien Ogboghodo

On Twitter, ‏@Fadarichy tweeted, "Jonathan's Insensitivity: Gold-plate iPhone as gifts for attending his adopted daughter's wedding. Millions are crying of hunger."

Also, ‏@Adesolape, srote, "Jonathan gave guests customized iPhone on daughter's wedding day, what happens to unemployment in Nigeria?"
However, a few people like Obon Udobong defended the President.

"Y'all are funny, can't stop laughing. How are you guys sure it's tax payers money? Anyone can take up that responsible for him, he can afford it himself as well. Again there is nothing wrong with criticism but be sure and learn not to insult him which God have place above you," he said.

Also comfortable with the gifts, Adeoti Samuel posted, "There is nothing bad in that is a President; customized gold platted iPhone, is it too much?"

Each of the iPhones reportedly cost between 3,000 pounds and 50,000 pounds says P.M.NEWS, an online news media.

GRAPHIC PHOTOS: Tears, Prayers, Blames... As Abuja Bomb Blast Kill Scores

Scores of people were killed after a bomb exploded at about 6:55 am at the busy Nyanya Mass Transit Motor Park, Abuja and Nigerians are still in mourning.

The social media has been awash with messages of hope, prayers, and some blame trading as Nigerians try to come to terms with the act of terror.

Following the attack, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim posted a sobering update on Facebook.

"People who woke up with dreams and plans for the week only hours before have been reduced to tattered remains strewn on the grounds. Law abiding citizens, husbands, wives, dreamers, boarding buses to work, to pursue their dreams. But some maniacs set off a bomb and kill people, kill dreams. What can we do, Nigeria? What can we say? RIP, the departed," he wrote.

Prayers were said for the departed.

"R.I.P to the Nigerians who lost their lives in today's bomb blast at Abuja. It's really sad," @mzz_Portable wrote.

"Abuja bomb Blast: May the Merciful Lord give the families of the dead and the injured and their families, the strength to bear this tragedy," @tyleye tweeted.

Also, @pastorNomthi, tweeted, "My heart goes out to the victims of the bomb blast in Abuja.May the Lord comfort their families &put an end to these explosions in Jesus name."

Some folks like @chasideho were quick to lay blames.

"The Abuja bomb blast, FG is on top of d matter. Na so dem go continue to dey on top of the matter until d matter go climb their head," he wrote.

The photo spree that followed the blast also drew the ire of some people like Abdullahi O. Haruna Haruspice who wrote:

"Those of us that rushed to snap the mangled and shred bodies of the victims, how are we different from the lunatic that denotes these bombs? What is your pride in these callousness? Ordinarily, people run from the scenes of bomb blast because there is always the likelihood of having another blast followed the first one. While you celebrate your photographic fantasies, watch your back as you may likely be the next victim."

The police say that the explosion affected as many as 16 high capacity buses and other smaller vehicles, most of which where loaded with passengers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several dead bodies and human parts littered the ground in and around the park following the blast.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan has cancelled his trips and assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will bring the Boko Haram issues to an end.

GRAPHIC PHOTOS/VIDEO BELOW!!!

Thank You For Birthday Wishes

IOI WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR MY BIRTHDAY WISHES

Thank You For Birthday Wishes

Firstly, I give all glory and honour to the mostly high God, the creator and the potter, the one who form me from my mothers womb, to him be all glory, Amen

This is a beautiful day! It is a great reminder how thankful I am for all the "beauty" I have in my life. Thanks for being apart of this great feeling friends
Thanks so much everyone for the birthday wishes

I just wanted to take a moment and say "Thank You" to everyone for all of the birthday wishes. It means a lot to me that you all took the time from your busy lives to wish me a happy birthday, and I feel very blessed to have each and every one of you as my friend.
Thank you very much for all the gift, text, care, calls and visit from far and near. This really mean a lot to me.
I feel very blessed to have such great people in my life, yesterday and today.
thank you for all your greetings, cards and time, It's definitely been a birthday to remember.

And I pray that almighty God will bless you honourably and the world will celebrate you in Jesus name. You and me will not miss heavenly kingdom in Jesus name.

Lastly I thank my dear wife, sweetheart, my love and my heart, thank you so much for all the treat and care, the blessing and all the love, am so grateful, we shall live to fulfill Gods purpose for our lives in Jesus name Amen
Love you all.

Today is my Birthday

IOI SPECIAL BIRTHDAY MEAL

TOPIC: TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY

Breathing, walking, beating, thinking, moving, eating, drinking, trusting, fearing, loving, parenting, laughing, singing, wondering, seeing, hearing, touching, talking life. This are what make me.

My First Breath.

I am reflecting on this same day, all those years ago, when I first took a breath of earth’s air.

Air. What a strange concept. I lived in my mother’s womb for nine months, fed by an umbilical cord connecting me to her resources, and immersed in liquid. A fish with a straw. That’s what I was. Only the straw wasn’t in my mouth; it was in my belly. How crazy is that. A fish with a straw in its belly, connected to its mommy. What a strange idea.

No, I was much more than a fish with a straw in its belly.

I was Creation. Carbon plus hydrogen plus oxygen plus myriad other elements. But not only that.

The elements were joined by something unseen, but no less real.

The breath of life. The life of God. The God of the cosmos. The cosmos of God.

An entire universe in a little, soft package. A universe with design. With consciousness. With meaning.

A human being. Silver soul mingled with crimson and carbon. Spirit and blood, water and flesh. Eyes opening, perceiving. Lips pursing and kissing. Ears hearing and waiting. Hands opening and fingers stretching.

All the little stretches, all the little struggles said – “I am alive.”


The Story in Which I Find Myself.

I’m reminded on this, my birthday, of a favorite passage in the book of Psalms from the Bible.

Psalm 139:13-18

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

I Was Made by God.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I am not ordinary. I am extraordinary. I was fashioned and designed by more than random evolution. I was made with intention and thought. Effort met love met art met majesty.

Those I love need to know me. Those I don’t love yet need to know me. It’s important for them to touch me, hear me, grow with me, cry with me, laugh with me. My design is not their design. We share a universe outside of us, but we perceive it differently because of the unique universe within each one of us.



I Am a Beautiful Gift.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Stand in awe (apparently) in light of who I am. Relax; that’s not my ego talking. That’s the verse above talking. I am “fearfully” made. Wonderfully, in fact – like a supernova or a circus imaginarium. No, wait. Not like them. I have the breath of life. That’s quite, quite different, I think. Stand in awe. Be in shock. Step back, take it in. Yes, I am a sign and a wonder. You’ll have to speak louder for me to hear you over the sound of my awesomeness. Now, you may awake from your fainting spell.

Actually, I know my place in the story. I’m not the big point, but I am a little one. One of the points, in the Story that surrounds us all. As we meet, your story (and mine) will change. I choose for your story to be better because you’ve met me. I am a beautiful gift; I want you to be excited when you touch that gift.

I Am Known.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Loneliness comes from a deep, foreboding sense that no one truly “knows” you. There is isolation. There is distance. There is a lack of recognition by another.

I will never be lonely. I am known. If I was on a desert island or thrust into the farthest vacuum of space, I would still be known.

My Life Has Meaning and Purpose.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Days were ordained for me. Purposed for me. Intended for me to live within them. This agenda, this schedule, was known. Known of. Known about. Known in a way that means my presence within these moments, minutes, hours, days, years, lifetime is not random. Accidental. Oops.

No. My life has meaning and purpose. I was meant to be here. I was meant to smile at you. I was meant to breathe and my heart to beat.

Welcome to the world we share – a life full of meaning from start to finish.


I Remain in the Thoughts of God.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18a Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand….

Here’s the beautiful part. I was not born, then left to live on my own. I am in the thoughts of God. Today, I wake up to You who have been thinking of me every moment of my life. Today, in fact, I am in your thoughts. So many thoughts.

What did you think the moment I made my first real decision? What did you think when I first thought of You, out loud and on the air? What did you think when I gave my heart to You? What did You think? What do You think of my life today? This moment? What do You think?

Today Is My Birthday; I Am with You.

18b…When I awake, I am still with you.

Today is my birthday, and I am with You. Nothing will ever, ever change that. As I remember my birth today, I will remember that I am awake, alive, in Your hands.

Your Story is my story, our story, and to live it large is my greatest dream.

Today is my birthday. Thank you for bringing me to life my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

RAPTURE A MYSTERY OF GOD

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL
. . . CONTINUE FROM YESTERDAY

TOPIC: RAPTURE A MYSTERY OF GOD

TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The Rapture was a mystery up until the writing of the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, informs us that our frail and broken human bodies will be CHANGED at the Rapture, in the TWINKLING OF AN EYE (less than a second), and we will receive NEW bodies which are incorruptible. What a day that will be!

Although difficult to do for many believers, including myself, we must wait patiently for the Lord's return and make each day count for the cause of Christ. I agree with the Apostle Paul, who said in Philippians 1:21... “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” I'm ready to go home to be with the Lord whenever He decides it is time; but until that moment I want to spend the remainder of my life preaching the Gospel and reaching others for Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us “why” the Lord hasn't returned yet...

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." —2nd Peter 3:9

Nevertheless, with all the false bibles on the market today (effectively perverting the gospel message), and with all the false prophets teaching a false gospel, and with the masses of this world showing their allegiance to Satan with hand signs and occult company icons—I am fully convinced that the Lord will return very soon. I am NOT making any predictions, I am just expressing my heartfelt opinion. The important thing is for us to keep in mind and heart the Words of Jesus in Mark 13:35-37 ...

"Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." —Mark 13:35-37

LET US PRAY
FATHER LORD IN JESUS NAME, LET YOUR MERCY SPEAK FOR US AND COVER US WITH YOUR KINDNESS TO BE AMONG THE SOUL THAT WILL BE CALL HOME AT THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET

GOOD MORNING BRETHREN

Naija Pastor On The Run After Impregnating Mother & Daughter

This is a file photo.
What is happening? Is it that Pastors have been committing these acts secretly before and they are just coming out now because of new media, or the negative "spirit" just started entering pastors? Very troubling!

As you read this, the pastor of a popular Pentecostal Church located along Nnebisi Road, Asaba, Delta State, identified as Pastor Sam, is currently on the run after impregnating a woman and her daughter.

They were introduced to the pastor around December 2013 and he promised to reverse the demonic attack on their lives and they have been consulting him regular for "spiritual cleansing" until last week when they both took ill and were taken to hospital in Asaba, where doctors conducted tests and confirmed both pregnant.

The mother confessed that the pastor "did it" with her. She thought that her daughter has a secret boyfriend and asked her daughter to mention the name of her boyfriend, but the girl said it's Pastor Sam...

The family is now in confusion. It was gathered that the woman and the daughter have been under evil spells after her husband died of inexplicable stomach problems and elders of the Illah community where they live, had consulted seers who accused the woman and her teenage daughter of having a hand in the death.

Pastor Sam, who hails from the east, impregnated the 45-year-old mother and her 14-year-old daughter under the guise of conducting prayers for them to deliver them of evil spirits that had been battling them.

When the news of the pregnancy broke, the pastor who smelt trouble, took off to an unknown destination as he left his church which used to be a beehive of "special prayer" for women, under lock and key.

Confirming the incident, an elder sister of the pregnant woman, one Elizabeth Agu said, “we tried to reach the pastor who they claimed is responsible, through his GSM line but it was switched off and his whereabouts are unknown while the church is also under lock and key.”

...Please, CAN should do something, this mess is really getting too much!

Pastor Tunde Bakare Says Anointing Oil Is Mere Mosquito Repellent

Ever controversial and not afraid of saying his mind, General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has kicked up another controversy when he compared the Christian Anointing Oil to a mere mosquito repellent, saying that the Jewish people actually use the oil to ward off insects.

Pastor Bakare, who was the running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari, on the platform of the Congress for Progressive, in the 2011 presidential candidate, says though he does not frown against the use of anointing oil by men of God, its use has been turned into a panacea for curing all forms of ailments.

In case you do not know, most pastors in Nigeria claim that the anointing oil can cure any form of sickness and some go as far as selling same for huge amounts of money to their gullible members.

See what the fiery Pastor Bakare said about the oil:

I am not against Anointing Oil. The thing is, its a Jewish culture.

They rub it on their bodies as protection against insects, like your mosquito repellents.

It was used extensively in the old testament for Anointing, but it is the power of God that heals, not the oil!

Do you agree with Pastor Bakare?

No Religious Or Ethnic Group Is Target Of Counter-Terrorism Campaign—Nigerian Military

Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters has strongly denied a statement by the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) accusing the Nigerian military of engaging in the extra-judicial killing of Muslims and people of Fulani ethnicity. JNI’s statement was released today in Abuja, signed by the group’s secretary general, Khalid Abubakar Aliyu.

The military described the Muslim group’s allegation as spurious and inflammatory.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Major General Chris Olukolade, the Defense Headquarters the military voiced its reluctance to join issues with a respectable religious organization like JNI, but added that it was imperative to set the records straight.

The military spokesman asserted that the “Nigerian military remains non-partisan, non-sectarian and will continue to be the symbol of patriotism and a unifying factor in the face of threats to national sovereignty. If this wild allegation was meant to cause disaffection or brew disharmony within the military, then it has woefully failed as the Nigerian military does not operate along religious or ethnic lines.”

General Olukolade added: “Contrary to the false claims, no law abiding individual, faith, ethnic group or organization is being targeted as alleged by JNI. It is unfortunate that the unjust imputation is coming from [a] respectable and responsible organization like JNI. We urge the body not to join in the fray of propagandists bent on discrediting genuine efforts at finding solutions to the nation’s security challenges.

“The military will continue to be driven by patriotism and commitment to the cause of the nation and its law abiding citizens. All responsible organizations are requested to cooperate in the efforts at addressing the nation’s security challenges rather than compound the problem.

"Individuals with similar prejudices are advised to abandon such biases as the challenges at hand call for prayers and support of all well-meaning organizations and groups instead of trying to turn the public against the military. Rather, all responsible organizations should be more interested in seeking solutions to the nation’s security challenges.

"It must be noted that the Armed Forces comprises Nigerians from all religious persuasions and cannot be used against any particular religion as purported.

"The military will not be distracted by unfair imputations from any quarter.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian military and other security agencies do not have any policy, agenda or plans to perpetrate massacre or extra judicial killing of law abiding citizens.

"The authorities have no reason to take side or shield anyone from justice.

"Individuals apprehended in the course of counter-terrorism campaign will continue to have access to justice as provided by law."

THE LAST DAY

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: THE LAST DAY
. . .CONTINUE FROM YESTERDAY

Here are a couple Biblical references to the "Last Days" ...

2nd Timothy 3:1 — “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

2nd Peter 3:3 — “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts.”

Hebrews 1:1,2 — “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

The writer of Hebrews referred to his time as “these last days.” So we see that the term “Last Days” refers to the Church Age, i.e., from the time of Christ until present. Although it is disinheriting to realize that believers have been waiting for the Rapture for 2,000 years, one ought to feel a sense of joy and relief in knowing that the New World Order is upon us today. I think this is clear evidence of the imminent return of Jesus Christ to remove the Church from the world. After that event, the 7-year Tribulation Period will occur, and then The Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth to put down the Antichrist, judge the nations and establish His earthly kingdom from Jerusalem to reign for 1000 years.

The Bible states in 1st Corinthians 15:51-58 ...

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." —1st Corinthians 15:51-58
. . .CONTINUE TOMORROW

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES KEEP US FIT AND MAKE US READY DAILY FOR YOUR KINGDOM IN JESUS NAME
AMEN

GOOD MORNING BRETHREN

JESUS IS COMING SOON

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: JESUS IS COMING SOON

TEXT: “This know also, that IN THE LAST DAYS perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

There has never been a time in human history, since before the flood of Noah's time, when 2nd Timothy 3:1-7 was more relevant than it is today. The world has become a large cesspool of iniquity. People nowadays have become selfish, self-centered, self-conscious and self-righteous. Jesus told us in Matthew 24:12 that the love of MANY people would “wax cold” during the Tribulation Period because of injustice. We certainly appear to be nearing those times.

The Bible tells us in Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” This describes the woeful moral condition of the world prior to the flood. The “Days of Noah,” as the Bible calls them, were a time of horrible wickedness and indifference. In Matthew 24:37-38, Jesus gives us an important truth concerning His return for the Saints ...

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark.”

In Luke 18:8 Jesus makes a startling statement ...

“...Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

Jesus wasn't asking a question, He was making a rhetorical statement. The implied answer is “No!” By comparing Luke 18:8 with Matthew 24:37-38, 2nd Timothy 3:1-7 and Genesis 6:5, and a host of other applicable Scriptures, it is evident to me that the Lord's return in ever so near. The wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah cannot be compared to the evils in the world today due to advances in modern technology, enabling mankind to commit sin on an unprecedented scale.

I believe with all my heart that the Lord's return, i.e., the Pretribulation Rapture, is very near. Biblically, it would be heresy to set a date or to be dogmatic concerning the return of Jesus Christ; however, the Word of God does mention the “Last Days,” which is significant to the Christian believer who eagerly awaits the Lord's return

I will continue tomorrow. . .
brethren how prepared are you ?, Jesus may come any moment from now, don't be disturb and distracted away from the lord Jesus

LET US PRAY
FATHER PREPARE ME FOR YOUR COMING, DON'T LET ME SLEEP SPIRITUALLY AND MISS THE GLORIOUS CALL IN JESUS NAME

GOOD MORNING BRETHREN

JESUS IS COMING SOON

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: JESUS IS COMING SOON

TEXT: “This know also, that IN THE LAST DAYS perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

There has never been a time in human history, since before the flood of Noah's time, when 2nd Timothy 3:1-7 was more relevant than it is today. The world has become a large cesspool of iniquity. People nowadays have become selfish, self-centered, self-conscious and self-righteous. Jesus told us in Matthew 24:12 that the love of MANY people would “wax cold” during the Tribulation Period because of injustice. We certainly appear to be nearing those times.

The Bible tells us in Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” This describes the woeful moral condition of the world prior to the flood. The “Days of Noah,” as the Bible calls them, were a time of horrible wickedness and indifference. In Matthew 24:37-38, Jesus gives us an important truth concerning His return for the Saints ...

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark.”

In Luke 18:8 Jesus makes a startling statement ...

“...Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

Jesus wasn't asking a question, He was making a rhetorical statement. The implied answer is “No!” By comparing Luke 18:8 with Matthew 24:37-38, 2nd Timothy 3:1-7 and Genesis 6:5, and a host of other applicable Scriptures, it is evident to me that the Lord's return in ever so near. The wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah cannot be compared to the evils in the world today due to advances in modern technology, enabling mankind to commit sin on an unprecedented scale.

I believe with all my heart that the Lord's return, i.e., the Pretribulation Rapture, is very near. Biblically, it would be heresy to set a date or to be dogmatic concerning the return of Jesus Christ; however, the Word of God does mention the “Last Days,” which is significant to the Christian believer who eagerly awaits the Lord's return

I will continue tomorrow. . .
brethren how prepared are you ?, Jesus may come any moment from now, don't be disturb and distracted away from the lord Jesus

LET US PRAY
FATHER PREPARE ME FOR YOUR COMING, DON'T LET ME SLEEP SPIRITUALLY AND MISS THE GLORIOUS CALL IN JESUS NAME

GOOD MORNING BRETHREN

EXPOSED: Military Chiefs Working With Boko Haram ––Soldier

A soldier has revealed that he witnessed incidents that suggested some military chiefs in Nigeria are working with the dreaded Boko Haram sect to wreck havoc in Nigeria's North-East.

The soldier also told the Voice of America Hausa Service how his military unit in Borno State was ambushed by Boko Haram members.
He said the commander of a nearby military unit in Bama recently sought assistance from his unit in carrying out a raid. The soldier said when the two military units joined up, they were given different uniforms. The Bama unit commander, according to him, gave his own troops green uniforms while his unit received tan “desert camouflage” uniforms.
When the troops reached the battle area, the soldier said the commander of the better-equipped Bama unit suddenly withdrew his forces, leaving the remaining troops to fend for themselves against Boko Haram fighters.
Making further revelations, the soldier said:
“We had only light arms and our men were being picked off one after the other,” he spoke in Hausa.
The soldier said he recognised some of the Boko Haram fighters as his former military trainers in Kontagora, a town near Abuja. “We realised that some of them were actually mercenaries from the Nigerian army… hired to fight us,” he said.

The soldier also claimed that many of his colleagues were deserting the army because of their frustrations with what he said was the politicisation of the fight against the militants.

“I swear by Allah, there are soldiers who are coming out of the forest after they were abandoned; several of them dropped their weapons and just went home. There were more than 20 of them from this battalion in Kwanduga. Even me that is talking to you now, I am preparing to leave. I just want to tell the world so that they will know what is happening. These people are doing this secretly,” he said.

He also claimed that there was a deliberate attempt to further impoverish the North preparatory to the 2015 general elections.

10,000 soldiers not in Maiduguri
The soldier dismissed claims that there were up to 10,000 troops in Maiduguri. He added, “I swear, even now, there are boys in the forest where we are coming out from.

“They (Army) keep saying they are sending soldiers, it’s a lie. They claim that there are 10,000 soldiers in Maiduguri but it is a lie. If we have 10,000 soldiers, Boko Haram would have ended. How many members does Boko Haram have?”

Soldier fighting for B’Haram killed
The soldier’s claim seemed to have been corroborated as a lance corporal has been killed by Special Forces during an encounter with insurgents in Borno State. It was learnt on Sunday that the military high command was investigating soldiers suspected to be involved in conducts that could compromise national security.

The lance corporal was said to have been killed while assisting in the training of Boko Haram fighters.

Investigations revealed that the soldier was ‘competent’ and trusted enough to be a trainer of Special Forces at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora.

One of the soldiers who took part in the operation recognised the body of the lance corporal who dressed in military camouflage. The soldier was said to have called the attention of his commander to his discovery that one of the corpses was that of a soldier well known to him as a trainer of special forces in Kotangora.

It was learnt the commander ordered a search on the body of the lance corporal and a current pass permitting him to leave his location at the training centre in Kontagora was found on him.

A top source said, “A soldier who trains Special Forces at the Nigerian Army Training Centre in Kontagora, Niger State, was among those who were killed. The man was not among the Special Forces; he was obviously leading the attack for the insurgents but he got killed."

But Surprisingly:
When Punch contacted the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, he said he did not believe that the person who granted the interview to VOA was a soldier of the Nigerian Army. He said that the person claiming to be a soldier could be an insurgent trying to create a false impression to promote the activities of Boko Haram.

He said, “The person that granted that interview on the VOA; we believe he is not a soldier, he could just be one of those simulated on the other side to give some false impression to support the insurgents.”
Anyway, those who know are insisting there is deliberate plot to turn the North into a battle field ahead 2015.

Islamic Cleric Says Nigerian ‘Infidels’ Have Launched War Against Northern Muslims’

caption:
Sheik Tukur Adam Al-Mana
By Saharareporters, New York

In apparent reference to Christians, a Northern Nigerian Islamic cleric, Sheik Tukur Adam Al-Mana, has stated that Muslims in the country are facing a war by ‘infidels’ running its affairs.

In a leaflet being distributed in Abuja, translated from Sheik Al-Mana’s original message in Hausa, the cleric argued that the infidels after finishing urban towns of Muslims have now taken their war to Muslim-dominated areas.

“There is doubt that infidels both prominent and low key ones that include their politicians, security personnel, elders and youths have now launched war against Northern Muslims in reality and not just talking. God has stated it that it is this kind of suffering that is being used to ascertain Muslim’s faith and separate them from tribulations,” he said

He said the opponents commenced with the urban towns but have now they have shifted especially to Fulani villages, and have destroyed the economy in the towns. He cited the example of cattle, which he said are being rustled with big vehicles to Southern Nigeria and Igbo land.

“Daily they are killing Fulani and burning down their huts, and also [shooting] the cattle. Are we going to fold our arms or just be watching? If we don’t find solution, our children and grand-children will not forgive us and they will not even have rights to practice Islam. Prophet Mohammed SAW has said it that anyone who runs away from war, and did not struggle will die like cowards. May God make us succeed against our enemies, not with our power but power of Allah.”

SaharaReporters has gathered that the security agencies are studying the leaflets.

Trials Allow Us to Comfort Others

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: Trials Allow Us to Comfort Others
      
TEXT: “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” 2 Corinthians 1:4

Bellow is an experience of a Christian family

“Your baby has a hole in his diaphragm and no lungs, so he cannot breathe on his own without machines. Even with advanced medical treatment, he has only a 5% chance of survival.”

Those were the devastating words they heard when their son David was born.
Why does God put His children through such terrible situations? Is there a purpose for our trials?

Life is Not Always Happy

Life does not always turn out the way you expect. After 8 months in the hospital and many surgeries, this christian parent approached their sick son David’s first Christmas with very little joy or hope. They watched their little boy David struggle to breathe, realizing how easy breathing was for them, and how they took it for granted. They were so tired of seeing their baby suffer.
Then the father “heard” a voice in his heart saying, “I know how you feel. I watched my Son suffer, too.”

God Understands Our Suffering

God sent his Son to suffer for me. Jesus’ suffering started at Christmas his birth when the God who created the universe confined himself to a human body. “Though he was God… he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” Philippians 2:6-7. How strange for Him to have to breathe, to feel hungry and uncomfortable, to depend on less-than-perfect parents to meet his every need. This world was a prison of limitations to His divine qualities. But he endured all this, and the pain of the cross, for you and me. “This High Priest (Jesus) of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15

God Promises to Be With Us

God never promises to take away suffering, but He does promise to always be with us. “Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” Psalm 23:4.

God was with them in that hospital room, and because of that experience they have been able to understand and comfort others in ways they never could have before.
Your testimony of God’s strength and hope through difficult times can speak to people who might not otherwise listen.

So when you experience trials….“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus….Who endured the cross because of the joy awaiting him.” Hebrews 12:1-2

LET US PRAY
MAY GOD GIVE YOU AND ME GRACE AND POWER TO OVERCOME AND STAND STRONG IN THE FACES OF TRIALS IN JESUS NAME

GOOD MORNING BRETHREN

A TRUE FRIEND

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: A TRUE FRIEND

TEXT: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

Today, I want us to think together about yet another aspect of true friendship. As our passage tells us, a true friend is one who builds you up. They will try to help you become a better person! how?

1. A true friend encourages you.

A true friend will help you do what you have to do!

They will seek to bring support to you.

Each of us has times in life when things come upon us that we wouldn't choose to go through, but we, nevertheless, find we have to go through. It is at times like that we need true friends. True friends who will encourage us and help us do what we have to do by supporting us in the midst of it all.

Often times, this doesn't even require us to say anything. It is simply enough that we are there.

A young boy was sent to the corner store by his mother to buy a loaf of bread. He was gone much longer than it should have taken him. When he finally returned, his mother asked, "Where have you been? I've been worried sick about you."

"Well," he answered, "there was a little boy by the side of the road with a broken bicycle who was crying. So I stopped to help him."

"I didn't know you knew anything about fixing bikes," his mother said. "I don't" he replied. "I just stayed there and cried with him."

Encouragement means coming alongside to impart courage to another. This is what a true friend does for us when we find ourselves facing things that we have to go through, whether we like it or not. They come alongside us to lend support to us.

A newspaper in England gave a reward for the best definition of a friend. Thousands answered, and the winning entry was this: "A FRIEND IS ONE THAT COMES WHEN EVERYONE ELSE GOES."

A true friend encourages you.

2. A true friend exhorts you.

A true friend will help you do what you ought to do.

They will seek to bring strength to you.

Other times in life, we find ourselves facing things we would really rather not have to deal with, but which we know we ought to deal with. Things that we may not fell we have the strength to face, but we nevertheless need to face.

It is at such times that a true friend shows his or her true colors. A true friend will seek to strengthen you so that you might tackle those difficult things in life that you know you ought to do, but cannot somehow find the strength to do.

General Ulysses S. Grant had a man who was a true friend to him like this. His name was John A. Rawlins. He was the General chief of staff. It was to Rawlins that Grant gave his pledge that he would abstain from alcohol. When he broke his pledge, Rawlins went to Grant and with great earnestness pleaded with him and successfully persuaded him to reaffirm his commitment to turning away from liquor.

Today, in front of the capital building in Washington, D.C., there stands a monument to General Grant, sitting on his horse in dramatic pose. At the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue and a little to the south, is Rawlins park, where there is another statue. A very ordinary, commonplace looking statue of John A Rawlins, the man responsible for keeping General Grant from falling off his horse!

Dealing with the crippling effects of alcohol abuse in his life was something that Ulysses S. Grant knew he ought to do, but couldn't find the strength to do on his own until a friend help

Are you a true friend? How many people have you help without pay? What is your purpose of friendship? Though you are a friend, but How many people can call you a TRUE friend?
Do you know that someone need you as much as you too need somebody?
Be a good friend today as Jesus was a good friend

LET US PRAY
FATHER MAKE ME A GOOD FRIEND THAT PROVIDE SOLUTION AND BRING PEACE IN TO PEOPLES LIFE

GOOD MORNING FRIENDS

SSS Arrests Rev. Fr., Kingpin For Buying & Stealing Young Kids

SSS Arrests Rev. Fr., Kingpin For Buying & Stealing Young Kids

Officials of the State Security Service paraded a Catholic priest and 20 others for their alleged involvement in child theft in Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday. SSS Deputy Director, Fubara Duke, said Rev Okono Joseph of St Peter’s Parish of the Owerri Catholic Diocese in Imo State, was arrested for buying two boys (three and four years) at N900,000.

Fubara Duke, who spoke at DSS headquarters in Uyo, said the self-styled man of God bought the children in a secret deal from an agent sponsored by one Uche Joel Canice Onyekedru from Ogiri in Imo State.

He said the kingpin of the syndicate, Onyekedru, can't even remember the number of kids he has sold:
"He usually operates in conjunction with agents, who liaise with government officials in children homes and maternity hospitals. The investigation took our men to Abia, Imo and Ebonyi states before they arrested some of the suspects. Over 20 children were rescued.
"Though some of the suspects are still at large, efforts are being intensified to ensure that they are all arrested."
Other suspects are: Mercy Etim; Collins Edet; Caroline Nkwonna; Cecilla Ngene; Eleka Okoye; Nwaonu Okoro; Adaobi Onyeke; Elizabeth Onubogu, Umeh, Ebele Nwadika, Florence Onyodobi, Emenka Anaefuna, Nnamdi Onuchukwu, Ifeoma Gladys Nweze, Chiyneyen Roseline, Idam Vivian Ogbona and David Ogbuagu.

The Assistant Director said in the last eight months, over 60 children had been stolen from their family and sold. He advised parents to be very wary of strangers in and around their vicinity.

Fight Your Battles on Your Knees

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: Fight Your Battles on Your Knees

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-40

I. Introduction: Some struggles are external—such as your finances or job. Others take place within you. Internal enemies like anger, unforgiveness, or insecurity can hinder your walk with God. How can you find victory? Fight your battles on your knees, and you will win every time.

II. What does it mean to fight our battles on our knees? Simply this—that you and I lay our petitions before the Lord. We must spend time in His presence, listening for His answer.

III. Why should we fight our battles on our knees?

A. It is the biblical pattern. Throughout Scripture, we see God's servants falling on their faces before the Lord.

B. When we turn to the Lord, we are no longer battling on our own.
No one can help you more than the Sovereign of the universe (Ps. 103:19). He acts on behalf of those who trust in Him (Isa. 40:31).

C. Prayer connects us with the Holy Spirit and His power.
If you have trusted Christ as your personal Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within you. We can accomplish nothing for God apart from the Spirit's power.

IV. What can you expect if you fight your battles on your knees?

A. Comfort and assurance

B. Encouragement

C. A new focus: The Enemy wants us to dwell on our problems—how we can defend ourselves or get revenge. Victory, however, is found in turning our eyes to God. He operates on behalf of those who are willing to trust and obey Him (Isa. 40:31).

D. Supernatural peace: Believers who turn their struggles over to the Lord have peace even when circumstances don't change (Phil. 4:6-7).

V. How can you fight your battles on your knees?

A. Set aside time to be alone with God. Find a quiet place and devote yourself to the One most capable of helping you.

B. Listen quietly. The Lord desires to have an intimate relationship with each one of His children. But you will never know Him better unless you take the time to listen for His voice.

C. Expect Him to bring up other issues in your life. He may want you to deal with rebellion, unforgiveness, or bitterness in your heart. Until you repent and surrender to the Lord, sin will keep you from experiencing God's best and enjoying a close relationship with Him.

D. Remember that in a battle, there can only be one general. Freely express your desires, but don't expect God to take orders from you. As you surrender to His guidance, He will engage His supernatural power on your behalf.

E. Know that battles are God's tools. Some put their trust in themselves and pursue relationships, accomplishments, or possessions instead of a relationship with the Father.

1. The Lord has taught me to see all adversity as allowed by Him. This truth will protect you from bitterness towards those who wrong you. Romans 8:28 says, "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"

2. In a battle, you and I may lose money, pride, or control over a situation. But if the struggle brings us to the point of total surrender to the Lord, we will always win spiritually.

VI. Conclusion: What are you battling today? Does it seem as if God doesn't see your pain or understand your heartache? Let me assure you He knows exactly what you are going through. Sit in the Lord's presence today, and offer this prayer:

"Lord, I don't want anything in my life that displeases You. Take my bitterness, resentment, and anger. I give You this battle, and trust that You will turn it for my good in Your way and in Your timing." Release your problems to almighty God, and you will find victory

GOOD MORNING BRETHREN

4 Suicide Bombers Killed, Many Feared Dead As Multiple Explosions Shake Maiduguri

Borno State - Defence Headquarters in Abuja have issued the statement saying four suspected suicide bombers were killed in separate explosions while trying to attack a NNPC facility along Maiduguri-Damboa federal highway.

According to the statement signed by Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, three of the four explosives-laden vehicles were demobilized by soldiers' gunfire at a major checkpoint in Mulai, a community along the Damboa-Biu road. Five soldiers have been reported injured.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse, Borno State police spokesman Gideon Jibrin reported that one car exploded at 7:50 a.m., killing 3 civilians. Ten minutes later, a bomb hit a police vehicle, killing 5 officers and 3 another persons who are yet to be determined either as civilians or Boko Haram insurgents.

Sources at the scene say that the suicide bombers, driving four Volkswagen golf cars laden with improvised explosive devices rammed into two military patrol vehicles. Others indicate the attackers were trying to speed past the checkpoint to set off the blasts at the petrol station, which was backed up with vehicles because of fuel shortages across Nigeria.

Immediately after the blast, 7 Division men of Nigerian Army, mobile policemen and vigilante youths mobilized to the scene and cordoned off the area to prevent any further attacks. Residents of Molai and Damboa road are fleeing their homes.

It would be recalled that an emergency rule has been imposed onto the Northern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in May, 2013. Recently, the Nigerian military reclaimed the Maiduguri Giwa Barracks, capturing and killing several members of the Boko Haram sect insurgents.

More details later.

HOW TO GET YOUR PROBLEM SOLVED

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: HOW TO GET YOUR PROBLEM SOLVED
TEXT: JOSHUA 6:1-21

ISRAEL HAD A PROBLEM

A. Jericho is known as the oldest city in the world, in Joshua's day, it was surrounded by a system of two massive stone walls. The outer wall was 6 ft. thick and about 20 ft. high. The inner wall was about 12 ft. thick and was 30 ft. high. Between the walls was a guarded walkway about 15 ft. wide. Israel's problem was that they had a city to conquer, but there were some extremely huge walls in the way.

B. As we go through life, we have obstacles that we face as well. Perhaps it is a lost loved one we would like to see the Lord touch and save, a lost community over which we are burdened, a ministry from the Lord that we feel inadequate about, family trouble that tears at our hearts and leaves us wondering what to do, financial trouble that stresses us to the limits of our patience and faith, a besetting sin that constantly crops us in our life, or any of other a million things!)

C. We must learn not to look upon our obstacles as dead-ends, but as opportunities for the Lord to work in our lives!

The great Apostle Paul had such an obstacle - 2 Cor. 12:7-10 - This attitude is foreign to us this morning. Yet, we must come to realize that the power of God is best revealed in and through us when we are unable to handle life. God is more clearly visible when we are totally out of the picture! In a sense, that is what He did with Israel here. As we will see, He completely removed them from the equation! The victory at Jericho was all God!)

I. Israel Had A Problem

v.2 ISRAEL HAD A PROMISE

A. As Joshua and all the men of war stood looking at those walls around that great city, God had a word of comfort for their hearts! Here, God promises Israel the victory before they ever attack Jericho! He lets them know about the conclusion before they ever enter into their battle!

B. As we face our obstacles, whatever they may be we can do so with confidence, because we have the Lord's promises as banners to march under:

1. We Have His Promise That Our Weapons Are Powerful Through God - 2 Cor. 10:4-5.

2. We Have His Promise That Our Battles Have All Been Arranged By The Lord - Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor. 4:17.

3. We Have His Promise That Our Ability Is Limited Only By Our Faith - Phil. 4:13; Eph. 3:20.

4. We Have His Promise Of Power In The Day Of Battle - Eph. 6:10.

5. We Have His Promise Of Ongoing Victory - 1 Cor. 15:57.

6. We Have His Promise That We Will Never Fight Alone - Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20.

7. We Have His Promise That When The Battles Are Ended, We will Celebrate The Victory In His Presence - John 14:1-3.

C. As we face the walled cities in our lives, we need to learn to believe the Lord, to take Him at His Word and trust Him for our victories! (Rom. 4:21; 2 Cor. 1:20)

I Jesus did not save you for you to be defeated! He saved you for the victory and He will be there all the way to help you secure it for His glory! Will there be trials? But, there will also be victory - Luke 22:31-32.)

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME, LORD TEACH ME WHAT TO DO NEXT TO BE TOTALLY DELIVER IN JESUS NAME

GOOD MORNING BRETHREN