AustineE1:
Only God knows how many more towns are still held by boko haram...a terrorist group we were told by Lai Mohammed & his Oga,that they no longer have the capacity to launch spectacular attacks,only to find out that they are holding some towns as part of their conquered territories.
Thanks to the focused multinational task force for a job well down,while our own soldiers and Oga Buratai are only busy shooting IPOB and Shiites,forming Rambo in Niger-Delta.

God will Deliver Naija

Multinational Task Force Seizes Town From Boko Haram

Cameroonian special forces killed 162 Boko Haram militants during a raid to regain control of Goshi, a town in northeastern Nigeria.

During the three-day operation that began Feb. 11, the Cameroonian force freed about 100 captives held by the militants, including Nigerians and Cameroonians. Two members of Cameroon’s military were killed, including a senior commander.

“The town of Goshi in Nigeria was formally identified as one of the Boko Haram posts, hosting factories for the manufacturing of bombs and mines,” said Cameroon’s communication minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary.

The town also served as a hub for holding the teenagers Boko Haram used for its suicide bombing missions, Bakary said. In the course of the attack, the soldiers dismantled four mine factories, burned down a training center and two vehicles, and seized at least five readied mines, hundreds of explosive holders, suicide vests, and triggers.

“Anything that can be regarded as a blow to Boko Haram, which will involve elimination of its resources for its terrorist campaign, is a good sign,” said Martin Ewi, a terrorism expert with the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, South Africa.

In May, Nigeria and neighboring Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and Benin established the 8,700-member Multinational Joint Task Force to combat the Islamic terror group. While the joint military operation successfully recaptured Goshi, experts say it’s an insufficient force to completely defeat the extremist group.

“The use of peacekeeping to respond to terrorism is not really an ultimate tool to combat and defeat terrorists such as Boko Haram,” Ewi said. “It would have to be combined with other counterterrorism strategies.”

Since the start of its six-year insurgency, Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced more than 2.1 million people within Nigeria. Attacks across Nigeria’s borders increased last year in line with the creation of the multinational task force.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/multinational-task-force-seizes-town-from-boko-haram/

Should a Christian run for political office?

Whether or not Christians should run for political office is one of those “hot-button” issues that provoke strong responses on both sides of the question. There are no direct references in the Bible to Christians running for political office. But there are Christian principles we can bring to bear on the decision whether or not to seek political office. Anyone considering running for office would do well to consider these principles and prayerfully seek God’s will for his/her own life.

There is no doubt that countries where political officials are elected by the citizens are countries that promote freedom. Christians in many countries in this world are oppressed and persecuted, suffering under governments they are powerless to change and governments that hate their faith and silence their voices. These believers preach the gospel of Jesus Christ at risk of their own lives. In the U.S.A., Christians have been blessed with the right to speak about and choose their leaders without fearing for themselves or their families.

The leaders we elect have great influence on our freedoms. They can choose to protect our right to worship and spread the gospel, or they can restrict those rights. They can lead our nation toward righteousness or toward moral disaster. Clearly, the more committed Christians that are part of government—whether at the local, state, or federal level—the more our religious freedoms will be guarded. Christians in politics can effect desperately needed changes in the culture. A prime example is William Wilberforce, a 19th-century English politician who campaigned for decades to end the abominable slave trade that flourished at that time. His campaign was eventually successful, and he is lauded today for his courage and commitment to Christian principles.

At the same time, there is an old saying: “politics is a dirty business.” Politicians, even those with the best of motives, are in danger of being corrupted by a system that deals in power. Those in political office, especially at the federal level, are courted by those who hope to gain favor in an effort to advance their own agendas. Wherever money and power are concentrated, greed and covetousness are always nearby. There is great danger for Christians who are involved in worldly political systems, and great care must be taken to be in that world, but not of it. Perhaps nowhere in life is it more true that “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33) than in the seats of political power.

Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). The kingdom of Christ is not connected with earthly political systems or national governments, all of which are in rebellion against God. The world Christians are to be concerned with is the spiritual realm, not the temporal. There is nothing wrong with Christians being involved in politics, as long as they remember that we are to be ambassadors for Christ on earth. That is our primary job description, and our goal is to appeal to others to be reconciled to God through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:20).

So should a Christian run for political office? For some Christians, the answer is a definite no; for others, a definite yes. This is a personal decision that requires prayer and the wisdom only God can provide and which He promises to grant to those who truly seek it (James 1:5). Christian politicians must remember that their duty to the Lord must take precedence over the duties of their office. Paul tells us that whatever we do, we are to do it for the glory of the Lord, not our own (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17). If a Christian does seek office, it should only be if he/she can faithfully execute the duties of that office to the glory of God and without compromising Christian principles.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/should-a-christian-run-for-political-office/

Not good

If Jesus were to be alive, will ge do it? Ask yourself this

Hope naija go learn frm dis.

Is it Ok for Christians to Curse: Hip Hop Artist Andy Mineo Sparks Controversy

Christian hip hop artist and producer Andy Mineo recently sparked debate and controversy on twitter with his question of whether it is okay for Christians to use profanity.

The Christian Post reports that Mineo, who has a history of not being afraid to bring up controversial topics, asked his twitter followers, “Do you guys really think if a person uses ‘profanity’ (words we’ve given meaning) in their music they couldn’t possibly be Christian? Why?”

It wasn’t long before twitter users began to weigh in with their opinions.

One twitter user cited Scripture, saying, “Well ‘blessings and curses come from the same mouth, this shouldn’t be.'”

Mineo responded with another question: “What are ‘curses’ in that text? The words in our culture we deem ‘curses’? His cultural words? Or actual CURSES?”

Another twitter user firmly disagreed that it was okay for Christians to curse.

“Why do you think it would be ok for set apart people to use words which don’t reflect our supposedly set apart nature?”

“Your making being ‘set apart’ synonymous with not using certain words. Who told u that was what it meant to be set apart?” Mineo challenged.

The twitter debate continued, with Mineo and followers going back and forth.

Eventually, Mineo also posted an article titled “On F Bombs and Christian Music: A Reflection on P.O.D.’s Newest Album, Murdered Love” to illustrate his points.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/is-it-ok-for-christians-to-curse-hip-hop-artist-andy-mineo-sparks-controversy/


My take: We are d salt of d earth and we are not expected to do this.

both the church and the woman are guilty. period. they should all repent. Jesus is coming soon.

Woman Sues Church after Failing to Receive Promised Money for Keeping Quiet about Affair with Pastor

A woman who allegedly had an affair with a pastor of a Florida megachurch is suing the church for failing to pay her the money they promised to pay her to keep quiet about the affair.

Christian Today reports that Arlene Miranda filed the lawsuit against Orlando Baptist Church, claiming that the church failed to pay her the $3,000 it agreed to pay her for keeping quiet about her affair with the church’s pastor, Dave Janney.

Miranda stated that she is going public with the affair and the lawsuit not because she wants the money, but because she is convicted about her sin.

"I committed a sin. The Holy Spirit really, really convicted me and I wanted to come clean,” she said.

In her lawsuit, Miranda claims that last September, Janney made sexual advances to her and began texting her about his sexual fantasies for her. The couple then had an affair at the World Hope office.

Janney reportedly continued to text Miranda.

"I wish we had a better place and a better time for today. You're more than I fantasised. Be proud of yourself. [A]nd now please give me a few days to work through my mind my heart and talk to my Lord. More than anything I want to be the man of God and your pastor,” Janney allegedly told Miranda.

Miranda, however, revealed the affair to Pastor Don Norman. Janney then sent her threatening text messages, demanding she keep quiet about the affair.

Janney and other church officials reportedly presented Miranda with a statement to sign which promised her $375 a week if she kept quiet. Miranda signed the statement, but says she never received payment.

Janney has since resigned from the church.

“Pastor Dave Janney resigned as the Senior Pastor effective Sunday, February 7, 2016, not because the allegations against him are true, but because he felt his resignation was in the best interest of the Church," said a statement from the church.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/woman-sues-church-after-failing-to-receive-promised-money-for-keeping-quiet-about-affair-with-pastor/

GREAT ACHIEVER.

What does the Bible say about Cheating in school?

Cheating is essentially acting dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain a personal advantage. Cheating disregards set rules in favor of personal success. When a selfish desire for victory or accomplishment outweighs a moral commitment to truthfulness and equality, cheating can become a temptation. But as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we can choose to refuse harmful temptations (Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Christians must strive to glorify the Lord with their thoughts and actions (1 Corinthians 3:16). Cheating goes against the goodness that will glorify Him. Dishonesty mars an individual’s integrity and reputation (Proverbs 10:9). Not presenting oneself truthfully is lying, and lying is a sin (Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 12:22).

Even though the world excuses dishonesty when it deems it trivial, God asks His followers to be truth-tellers all the time. If a student does poorly on a test because he didn’t study, his low grade is a natural consequence of a poor choice. God will honor that honesty, and the student can learn from his mistakes. A bad grade on a test may teach and motivate a student to study harder ahead of time or get a tutor or get enough sleep the night before. Grades in school should represent what has been learned in the class and the subsequent work of the student. Cheating seeks to bypass the learning process and manipulate consequences through dishonesty.

Followers of Christ need to walk in the light, and cheating prevents people from seeing Christ’s glory. Dishonesty taints the goodness the children of God should have (Philippians 2:15; Ephesians 5 V 8 ). If our own Heavenly Father condemns lying (Proverbs 6:16–19), there is no way a believer can justify even a “harmless” lie such as cheating.

Cheating is a selfish act that gives us an advantage over others who are facing the same challenge. As Christians, we should seek to help others fairly and justly while maintaining moral integrity and a godly reputation. Cheating simply does not help uphold that standard.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/what-does-the-bible-say-about-cheating-in-school/

13 Fascinating Facts About The Man Behind The Largest IPO In History



Do you know Jack?

Jack Ma, the 5-foot-tall Chinese man with a friendly looking face, is the chairman of Alibaba’s record-shattering $25 billion IPO, which now sits as one of the largest companies on the market. But how much does anyone really know about his amazing story of starting a small business in his one-room apartment to becoming one of the richest men in China?


Here are 13 fascinating facts from the legendary life of Jack Ma.

Jack Ma’s life is full of failures.


When he applied for admission to the Hangzhou Teacher’s Institute (now Hangzhou Normal University), Ma failed the college entrance exam twice. He eventually graduated in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in English.

By 1995, he decided teaching wasn’t for him, so he decided to try his hand at business. Around this time, he even applied to a job at KFC in Hangzhou, only to be rejected. Ma also started a translation company, and on a trip to Seattle, he discovered the internet, inspiring him to start his first legit business, China Yellow Pages. While it is regarded as China’s first internet-based company, China Yellow Pages was also a failure.

As we all know, however, Ma’s second company, Alibaba, is doing much better.
How Jack Ma learned English.

Ma wanted to learn English so badly that when he was 13, he would wake up at 5 a.m. and would ride his bike 45 minutes from where he lived in Hangzhou to the then Hangzhou Hotel just to talk to foreigners and take tourists sightseeing for free. Through this practice, he not only polished his English but also learned “Western people’s system, ways, methods and techniques.”
The time Jack Ma was threatened with a gun, kidnapped and taken to Las Vegas.

From the “Alibaba Saga” in Forbes comes a story of Jack Ma’s crazy West Coast adventure.

In 1995, Ma traveled for the first time to the U.S. on interpretation business. Part of his business included trying to collect a debt for a friend from an American businessman in Malibu, California. It turns out that this American didn’t want to pay back the debt and instead locked Ma in his house, trying to force him to cut a deal. This guy was clearly crazy. Jack Ma explained:

“At one point he started playing with his handgun. It was obviously meant as a threat.”

Scared of what he assumed was a trigger-happy American “cowboy,” Ma complied with his demands while trying to find any way to escape. We aren’t sure if Jack was forced to stay with the American, but a few days later, the American decided to take Jack to Las Vegas as a “routine showcase trip” for Chinese businessmen. It was clear that Jack was still his captive.

To make matters worse, Jack Ma had almost no money on him — so he decided to try his luck at the slot machines. Miraculously, Ma won $600; he managed to escape the businessman, left everything he had behind with him, went to the airport, and used his winnings to buy a plane ticket to Seattle where his friend was waiting.

“It was a terrible experience … Every time I think of L.A., I have a nightmare,” says Ma.

True story.

When Jack Ma first discovered the internet.

In 1995, while in Seattle visiting his friend, Jack first laid his eyes on a mysterious box-like device that he later learned was called a “computer.” His friend told him to try it out, and that’s when he discovered the world wide web. This inspired him to create his first business, China Yellow Pages, which he started with 7000 yuan ($1140) of his personal savings and a loan from a family member. Ma entered the world of dial-up internet.

“The day we got connected to the web, I invited friends and TV people over to my house … we waited three and a half hours and got half a page …. We drank, watched TV and played cards, waiting. But I was so proud. I proved (to my house guests that) the internet existed.”

How Jack Ma picked the name Alibaba.

Originally posted on Alibaba’s company forum, but no longer available, someone asked why Ma chose the name Alibaba. This is what Jack said:

“One day I was in San Francisco in a coffee shop, and I was thinking Alibaba is a good name. And then a waitress came, and I said do you know about Alibaba? And she said yes. I said what do you know about Alibaba, and she said ‘Open Sesame.’ And I said yes, this is the name! Then I went onto the street and found 30 people and asked them, ‘Do you know Alibaba?’ People from India, people from Germany, people from Tokyo and China… They all knew about Alibaba. Alibaba — open sesame. Alibaba — 40 thieves. Alibaba is not a thief. Alibaba is a kind, smart business person, and he helped the village. So…easy to spell, and global know. Alibaba opens sesame for small- to medium-sized companies. We also registered the name AliMama, in case someone wants to marry us!”

On the day Alibaba went public, Ma didn’t even ring the bell at the NYSE. Because Alibaba is supposed to be focused on customers, Ma had eight Alibaba customers ring the opening bell instead.


Jack Ma loves dogs and owns an Alsatian named Apollo.


Zhang Ying (Jack Ma’s wife) was there with him from the very beginning.


“Ma Yun [Jack Ma] is not a handsome man, but I fell for him because he can do a lot of things handsome men cannot do.”

Zhang Ying and Jack Ma met in school when they were studying to be teachers. They married shortly after they graduated in the late 80s. She remained a teacher while Ma was building China Yellow Pages and she eventually quit being a teacher to jump on Alibaba’s team from the very beginning as the company’s “political commissar.”

As the Commissar, she spent the early days cooking meals for clients and associates and apparently running odd errands. She eventually became Alibaba China’s GM. She now focuses on caring for the couple’s two children.
How Jack Ma told his wife how much money his company made.

A couple years after Ma started Alibaba, his wife asked him how much money the company had made. Jack responded by raising a single finger.

“Ten million yuan ($1.6 million)?” she asked.

“No.” Jack responded.

“A hundred million yuan ($16 million)?” she asked.

“No.” said Jack again. “One million yuan ($160,000) …” he said to his wife’s disappointment.

“… a day.” he added.
Jack Ma’s lifelong hero isn’t even a real person.

In his quirky, broken English, Jack Ma explains his love for Forrest Gump:


“I watched the movie again, telling me that no matter whatever changed, you are you. I’m still the guy 15 years ago, you know, I only earned like $20 a month. Today I can do that much.”

In all seriousness, Jack Ma has a beautiful soul.
How running Alibaba caused family trouble for the Mas.

Unfortunately, focusing on growing a multi-billion dollar company takes its toll when it comes time for family.

Zhang admitted in earlier interviews that they had effectively “sacrificed” their son, who was born in 1992, for the company. They put him in daycare five days a week, only seeing him on weekends, and their parental absence eventually led to his addiction to online gaming at internet cafes, where he spent most of his time rather than returning to an empty home.

Jack later asked his wife to step down from her role as Alibaba China’s general manager to become a stay-at-home mom for their then two children, a move she was very reluctant to make, but in the end she chose family over the money.

“She helps me a lot with my career and family,” Ma tells of his wife when it comes to balancing the success of Alibaba and his family.

Why Jack Ma leads his company by “not leading at all.”


In an interview with Xiao-Ping Chen, a professor at Washington University, Ma explained his very unique and humble management philosophy that mixes Tai Chi, Taoism and Buddhism.

“In Taoism, the best leadership is not leading at all … No teachers want their students to fail. So I never steal the spotlight from newly hired young people. If someone warns me about an employee who is trying to overstep me, I reply that I’m a teacher and that’s the way it should be.”

When Jack Ma was called crazy (a lot) for starting Alibaba.


In 1999, Jack Ma founded Alibaba after raising $60,000 with 18 friends in his one-bedroom apartment. He started his humble e-commerce company in an attempt to connect small Chinese businesses with global markets. As the underdog going up against an already established and expanding eBay in China, many people called him crazy. Ma told Xiao-Ping Chen:

“I gave a speech at Harvard in 2002. After my talk, a CEO from a foreign company said that I was a mad man. He said he had been in China for many years, and didn’t believe that my way of managing a company would work. I invited him to visit Alibaba. After a three-day stay, he said, ‘Now I understand. Here you have 100 mad men just like you.’ ”

15 years later, Alibaba now holds the record for the largest IPO ever in U.S. history at $25 billion with a market cap of $231.44 billion, more than Amazon’s $153.08 billion and eBay’s $65.04 billion combined. Alibaba trades on the NYSE under (BABA).

Underdogs do win after all.

Source: http://nextshark.com/13-fascinating-facts-about-the-man-behind-the-largest-ipo-in-history/

What is holy yoga?



Holy yoga or Christian yoga is a movement that combines yoga with Christian practice, attempting to adapt the spiritual content of yoga to a Christian worldview. Yoga has been practiced for decades in some Catholic, Episcopal, and mainline Protestant churches; in more recent years, holy yoga has made inroads into some evangelical churches.

In the Eastern world, yoga is an overtly spiritual practice connected to the worship of the Hindu gods. In the West, yoga is basically Hinduism masquerading as physical exercise or stress management. The goal of yoga is to acquire deep knowledge of the Self and to unite the Self with the impersonal, all-pervading Brahman of Hinduism. Holy yoga tweaks that goal so that it sounds more “Christian”; the goal of holy yoga is to acquire deep knowledge of the Self in Christ. During holy yoga sessions, Christian music is played in the background, and the chanting of names of Hindu deities is changed to the chanting of Bible verses. All of this is an attempt to use yoga as a Christian worship experience to deepen one’s faith in God.

The origins of yoga are undoubtedly pagan. The question becomes, can yoga be transformed into something of spiritual value to Christians? Can yoga be turned into holy yoga? No, it cannot, for the following reasons:

Yoga’s focus on Self is inherently unbiblical. The Bible never tells us to focus on ourselves; rather, we are to die to self and follow Christ (Matthew 16:24). Our focus is to be on our Savior, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). We concentrate on the Creator of heaven and earth, not on His creation.

The intrinsic philosophy of yoga that we have everything we need within ourselves—and that we ourselves are god—is also unbiblical. Such a philosophy cannot be “Christianized.” God is transcendent; He exists outside of ourselves, and we are told to seek Him (Zephaniah 2:3).

Connection with God does not come through yogic meditation, concentration, or the disassociation of one’s senses from one’s Self. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the only way to “connect” with God (John 14:6), and the Word of God itself is sufficient to guide us through life (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Reading the Bible and praying may sound too mundane to some, but those are the means God has given us to know Him better. Holy yoga is a form of Christian mysticism that exalts experience and devalues traditional Bible study and prayer.

Holy yoga depends on the false notion that breath control and the position of the body are somehow related to spiritual and mental health. There is absolutely nothing in the Bible to suggest such a relation. In fact, the Bible says that we can be “wasting away” outwardly, yet “renewed day by day” inwardly (2 Corinthians 4:16; cf. 12:7–10). We can control our minds and grow spiritually even if the condition of our bodies is far from ideal. Yogis often speak of an “emotional body” or a “spiritual body,” but those concepts are foreign to Scripture. The soul is not a “body.”

Teachers of holy yoga promote the practice of meditation as understood in New Age and Eastern mysticism. Yogic methods such as visualization, controlled breathing, and chanting are recommended to help practitioners clear the mind, calm the body, and connect with God. In holy yoga, the image visualized might be a candle, a cross, or a picture of Jesus; the problem is, such visualization is not taught in Scripture and is exactly the method used in transcendental meditation and other mind-altering New Age techniques. Also, Scripture warns against the empty repetition of words (Matthew 6:7), and clearing our minds is not a biblical command.

Brooke Boon, a prominent promoter of holy yoga, wrote, “Yoga can be thought of as a philosophy. It’s the idea that by bringing a union of focus between mind and body, while simultaneously making the mind and body stronger and more flexible, we become more authentic people, able to hear God and experience Him in previously impossible ways” (Holy Yoga: Exercise for the Christian Body and Soul, New York: Faith Words, 2007, p. 8–9; quoted by Elliot Miller in “The Yoga Boom: A Call for Christian Discernment,” Christian Research Journal, volume 31, number 02, 2008). Examine carefully what Boon says: if holy yoga allows Christians to “hear God and experience Him in previously impossible ways,” then why is the Bible silent about yoga? Why is it that Hinduism provided us with the means to “become more authentic people” and truly know God? Why would God withhold from us the best method of connecting with Him?

Yoga, with its roots in Hinduism, is a spiritually dangerous practice and is not something that Christians should be involved with. Simply changing the intent of the practice does not negate its inherent theological problems. Holy yoga’s reliance on pagan notions of man’s nature, its linking of physicality with spirituality, its support of contemplative prayer, and its embrace of ecumenism are all reasons to avoid the practice.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/what-is-holy-yoga/

What is the origin of Valentine’s Day, and should Christians celebrate it?




The first Valentine was posted around 1806. Almost one billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year on or near February 14 with females purchasing 85% of the cards. This is second only to the number of Christmas cards sent. The history is somewhat murky as to how Valentine's Day has come to be what we now know and celebrate. Saint Valentine served in third-century Rome. Emperor Claudius decided that single men made better soldiers. Therefore, Claudius banned soldiers from being married. One version of the story is that Valentine continued to perform the weddings of young soldiers who were in love, and Claudius had Valentine imprisoned. While imprisoned, Valentine reportedly fell in love with the jailer's daughter. Valentine sent her a card and signed it, "Love, your Valentine." Another version is that Valentine defied Claudius by helping Christians escape the torture of the Romans.

Valentine died in approximately A.D. 270. Others claim the church may have decided to celebrate in mid February to "Christianize" the pagan Roman celebration Lupercalia. The first Valentine sent in the United States was in the 1840's by Esther Howgald. Most of us enjoy "spoiling" a loved one on Valentine's Day. Sending gifts and cards conveys love, affection, and friendship.

There is no biblical reason why Christians should not celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving their loved ones flowers, candy and/or cards. As with celebrating any holiday, the decision should be between the individual and God. Some people feel very strongly that observing any secular holiday is wrong, while others see it as harmless. The important thing to remember is that celebrating or not celebrating holidays should not be a cause for pride or division among Christians.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/what-is-the-origin-of-valentines-day-and-should-christians-celebrate-it/

Teenage Girl Refuses to Carry out Boko Haram Suicide Bombing

A teenage girl who was kidnapped by Boko Haram militants and forced to carry out a suicide mission has escaped her captors, aborted the mission, and is sharing what she knows of the militants’ plans.

The Guardian reports that the teenage girl was strapped with a suicide vest and instructed to detonate it in the midst of the Dikwa refugee camp in northeast Nigeria.





The girl, though fearing her captors, also feared killing the refugees, especially since she knew her father was among them.

Though fearful, she decided to abort the mission. She threw off her suicide vest as soon as she was out of sight of her captors. She also attempted to persuade two of her fellow captives to do the same, but the other two girls went through with their mission, killing 58 people, as well as themselves.

The girl was later found by local security forces.

Modu Awami, a self-defence fighter who questioned the girl about her mission, said: “She said she was scared because she knew she would kill people. But she was also frightened of going against the instructions of the men who brought her to the camp.”

The girl has revealed what she knows of Boko Haram’s other plans of attack and security at the refugee camp has been increased.

Boko Haram has brought terror to Nigeria and beyond its borders for six years now, killing 20,00 people and making 2.5 million homeless.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/teenage-girl-refuses-to-carry-out-boko-haram-suicide-bombing/

New Study: Couples Who Attend Worship Services Together are Happier

A new study has revealed that couples who attend church together are happier than couples who don’t.

The Christian Post reports that the study, conducted by The Institute on Family Studies, found that 78 percent of couples who attend church together report that they are “very happy” or “extremely happy.”

Conversely, the study found that only 67 percent of couples who do not attend church reported being happy, while only 59 percent of couples in which only the wife attends church reported being happy.

“Clearly, shared attendance and his attendance are linked to higher self-reported relationship quality,” the study concluded.

The study also found that having the man in the relationship attend church greatly affected the overall happiness of the relationship, more so than when only the woman attended church services.

The reason for this is suggested that churches and other places of worship often encourage men to take care of their families.

“Our findings suggest that men’s religious attendance is particularly beneficial to their relationships, perhaps in part because churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples are some of the few institutions in American life that devote sustained attention to encouraging men to invest in their families,” said the study.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/new-study-couples-who-attend-worship-services-together-are-happier/

What does the Bible say about daughters?


Instead of referring to children as “children,” the Bible often refers to them as “sons and daughters.” In the Old Testament genealogies, daughters are mentioned infrequently compared to sons, because the family line, with its blessings and cursings, was carried on through the male. But in most other places, sons and daughters are mentioned together when children are referenced.

A common metaphorical phrase in the Old Testament is daughters of Zion or daughters of Jerusalem, which refers to Israel in general and the loving, patient relationship God has with His chosen people (e.g., 2 Kings 19:21; Isaiah 62:11). Jesus uses the same phrase in Luke 23:28. Daughter in the context of the metaphor daughter of Jerusalem implies that God is a loving Father to His people.

Women in many cultures (and certainly in ancient Jewish culture) were considered the guardians of family life and the home. Isaiah paints a poignant picture of how women and families are affected during a time of destruction or judgment: “Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon” (Isaiah 16:2). Since women are the source of a people’s continuance and the key to fertility, a specific reference to the daughters of a society suffering judgment carries a connotation of loss of life and heightens the feeling of danger.

In the New Testament, the daughters of Philip had the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:9). On the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit was poured out on all believers, a fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2:28–32: “Your sons and daughters will prophesy. . . . Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy” (Acts 2:17–18). Both men and women are vessels for the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The word daughters, like the word sons, is sometimes used figuratively in Scripture to refer to people with a spiritual attribute or character quality modeled after someone else. For example, wives who submit to their husbands are called Sarah’s “daughters” in 1 Peter 3:6, because they are following the godly example of Sarah, who obeyed her husband, Abraham.

The Lord wants us, both men and women, to approach Him as our Father. Just as loving daughters respect and honor their earthly fathers with pure conduct and joyful, thankful hearts, so God’s spiritual daughters honor Him. God’s daughters, along with their brothers, are God’s temple and His home (Matthew 23:8; Mark 3:32–33; John 14:23).

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/what-does-the-bible-say-about-daughters/

Is gambling a sin? What does the Bible say about Gambling/Lottery/Betting?

The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to “get rich quick” (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches.

What is wrong with gambling? Gambling is a difficult issue because if it is done in moderation and only on occasion, it is a waste of money, but it is not necessarily evil. People waste money on all sorts of activities. Gambling is no more or less of a waste of money than seeing a movie (in many cases), eating an unnecessarily expensive meal, or purchasing a worthless item. At the same time, the fact that money is wasted on other things does not justify gambling. Money should not be wasted. Excess money should be saved for future needs or given to the Lord’s work, not gambled away.

While the Bible does not explicitly mention gambling, it does mention events of “luck” or “chance.” As an example, casting lots is used in Leviticus to choose between the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat. Joshua cast lots to determine the allotment of land to the various tribes. Nehemiah cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem. The apostles cast lots to determine the replacement for Judas. Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”

What would the Bible say about casinos and lotteries? Casinos use all sorts of marketing schemes to entice gamblers to risk as much money as possible. They often offer inexpensive or even free alcohol, which encourages drunkenness, and thereby a decreased ability to make wise decisions. Everything in a casino is perfectly rigged for taking money in large sums and giving nothing in return, except for fleeting and empty pleasures. Lotteries attempt to portray themselves as a way to fund education and/or social programs. However, studies show that lottery participants are usually those who can least afford to be spending money on lottery tickets. The allure of “getting rich quick” is too great a temptation to resist for those who are desperate. The chances of winning are infinitesimal, which results in many peoples’ lives being ruined.

Can lotto/lottery proceeds please God? Many people claim to be playing the lottery or gambling so that they can give the money to the church or to some other good cause. While this may be a good motive, reality is that few use gambling winnings for godly purposes. Studies show that the vast majority of lottery winners are in an even worse financial situation a few years after winning a jackpot than they were before. Few, if any, truly give the money to a good cause. Further, God does not need our money to fund His mission in the world. Proverbs 13:11 says, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” God is sovereign and will provide for the needs of the church through honest means. Would God be honored by receiving donated drug money or money stolen in a bank robbery? Of course not. Neither does God need or want money that was “stolen” from the poor in the temptation for riches.

First Timothy 6:10 tells us, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Hebrews 13:5 declares, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Matthew 6:24 proclaims, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/is-gambling-a-sin-what-does-the-bible-say-about-gamblinglotterybetting/

Former Drug Addict and Homosexual Commits Life to Christ, Becomes Pastor

Kegan Wesley used to be a drug addict living a homosexual lifestyle without God in his life, but he recently shared the story of how God took hold of his heart and called him to ministry.

Christian Today reports that Wesley recently shared his story in an interview with CBN’s “700 Club Interactive”

Wesley, who is now a pastor, said that he was “taken advantage of” while attending a birthday party in fourth grade. That experience scarred him for many years.

Wesley says he was a “confused little boy” and what happened at the birthday party just confused him more.

To bury this experience, he turned to drugs and to a homosexual lifestyle.

"I didn't know where to go or who to go to, and if I went to somebody, what was I gonna tell them," Wesley said during the interview. "I also didn't know if they would believe me, so I began to believe that lie so I put it in my heart and hid it at the back of my brain and just didn't deal with it."

After trying to drown out his hurt and pain for years, Wesley encountered God at a Christian concert.

“To make this love story short, I went to the altar that night, didn't know what to say, or how to pray, and I asked Jesus to come into my life, and it was an unforgettable experience for me," Wesley recalled.

"It was like in a moment, God's love hit my life. And I remember crying and falling to the ground because I felt so much love. I've never felt that in my life... He really changed me," he added.

Wesley is now a pastor and has traveled all over the world sharing the hope that he found in Christ.

Although he said he still struggles with temptation, Wesley knows that God is working in his life.

"Temptation, you can't escape. Jesus had temptation. Temptation comes, but it's not what temptation comes that defines me, but what I do with... I just want to be more like Jesus and less like myself," he said.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/former-drug-addict-and-homosexual-commits-life-to-christ-becomes-pastor/

What do I need to do to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” when I arrive in heaven? How can I be a good and faithful servant?

In Jesus’ parable of the talents, the Lord tells of two faithful servants who used what they had been given to increase the master’s wealth. When the master returned from a long absence, he rewarded his two faithful servants and said to each of them, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21, 23). Every Christian longs to hear those words from Jesus’ lips someday in heaven.

We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), but we are saved “to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus spoke of laying up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20), and His parable of the talents hints at various rewards for those who faithfully serve Him in this world.

To hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” from Jesus, first make sure you are saved. The unbelieving will never hear those words, for “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). And recognize that Jesus is not only your Savior; He is also your Lord (see Luke 6:46). “Serve the LORD with gladness!” (Psalm 110:2, ESV).

Here are some ideas on ways you can serve the Lord:

1. Share the gospel. The Lord Jesus desires us to make disciples, teaching others of the nature and character of God and sharing the meaning of His death and resurrection (Matthew 28:18–20).

2. Help the disadvantaged. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19–31, the rich man is condemned because he doesn’t help Lazarus and because he trusts in his wealth too much. Don’t put self-gratification before the needs of others. First John 3:17 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”

3. Forgive others of their offenses. This isn’t the same as reconciliation or trust, but it means you renounce vengeance. The Lord Jesus modeled forgiveness: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to [the Father] who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).

4. View your position of authority as an opportunity to help the people under you, and view your position of subservience as an opportunity to submit to your authority, just as Jesus submitted to the Father’s authority. Either way, you can be Christlike, because Jesus was both master and servant to different people. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

5. Seek to know the character of God better through church fellowship, listening to sermons, studying the Bible, praying, and chronicling how He seems to have been involved in your life. 6. Recognize that every advantageous position you’re in is because of God, the Source of every blessing: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17).

7. Be willing to be unpopular, displaying rare courage like the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable (Luke 10:30–37). Do what the Bible says is right, always. “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29, ESV).

8. In introspective moral judgment (evaluating your own character), look at the character of Jesus as a measure rather than rationalize your questionable actions and attitudes. Show humility.

It all comes down to this: love God more than anything, and love others sincerely (Mark 12:30–31). At the judgment seat of Christ, those who are faithful to the Lord who saved them will hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” No true servant of the Lord could ask for more.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/what-do-i-need-to-do-to-hear-well-done-good-and-faithful-servant-when-i-arrive-in-heaven/

Researchers Scramble to Find Zika Vaccine Amid World Health Crisis

In early February, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus a global health emergency. The decision, considered an international distress signal, likely will trigger an onslaught of aid and research to quell the outbreak.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/researchers-scramble-to-find-zika-vaccine-amid-world-health-crisis/

What does the Bible say about tattoos / body piercings?

The Old Testament law commanded the Israelite’s, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). So, even though believers today are not under the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23–25; Ephesians 2:15), the fact that there was a command against tattoos should raise some questions. The New Testament does not say anything about whether or not a believer should get a tattoo.

We do have this command in 1 Peter 3:3–4: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Granted, this passage is directed at Christian women, but there is a principle here that may be apropos: namely, a person’s external appearance should not be the focus of our attention. Much effort goes into “elaborate hairstyles” and “fine clothes” and jewelry, but that’s not where a woman’s true beauty lies. In the same way, tattoos and body piercings are “outward adornment,” and we should be careful to give more effort to the development of the “inner self,” regardless of our gender.

In relation to tattoos and body piercings, a good test is to determine whether we can honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless and use that particular activity for His own good purposes. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The New Testament does not specifically command against tattoos or body piercings, but it also does not give us any reason to believe God would have us get tattoos or body piercings.

An important scriptural principle on issues the Bible does not specifically address is if there is room for doubt whether it pleases God, then it is best not to engage in that activity. Romans 14:23 reminds us that anything that does not come from faith is sin. We need to remember that our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. Although 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 does not directly apply to tattoos or body piercings, it does give us a principle: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” This great truth should have a real bearing on what we do and where we go with our bodies. If our bodies belong to God, we should make sure we have His clear “permission” before we “mark them up” with tattoos or body piercings.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/what-does-the-bible-say-about-tattoos-body-piercings/

1,700-Year-Old Turkish Church is Damaged in Fighting between Government Forces and Kurdish Separatists


A 1,700-year-old church in Turkey has been damaged by recent fighting between Turkish government forces and Kurdish separatists.

Christian Today reports that St. Mary Church, a Syriac Orthodox church in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir, was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade during fighting on Jan. 28.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/1700-year-old-turkish-church-is-damaged-in-fighting-between-government-forces-and-kurdish-separatists/

Phoenix City Council Replaces Prayer with Moment of Silence to Accommodate Satanists

The Phoenix City Council has voted to do away with opening prayer at meetings and replace it with a moment of silence in which people of any religion can pray silently. The Associated Press reports that the council decided on the new measure in order to prevent members of The Satanic Temple from praying out loud at meetings.

More than 50 people testified in regard to the decision, some claiming that to allow members of The Satanic Temple to have their turn praying out loud before council meetings would be to invoke evil powers, while others lobbied for including minority views.

Ultimately, Councilwoman Thelda Williams offered the compromise that before each meeting the council observe a moment of silence in which members of any and all religions can pray to their preferred deity.

Stuart de Haan, a Tucson lawyer and member of The Satanic Temple, claimed that the group doesn’t actually worship any deities, including Satan, but they were seeking equality for their religion and stood against religious tyranny.Phoenix City Council has voted to do away with opening prayer at meetings and replace it with a moment of silence in which people of any religion can pray silently.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/phoenix-city-council-replaces-prayer-with-moment-of-silence-to-accommodate-satanists/

Church Says 84-Year-Old Woman Cannot be Buried Next to her Husband.


An 84-year-old Minnesota woman has been told by the church she attended that she cannot be buried beside her husband.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/minnesota-church-says-84-year-old-woman-cannot-be-buried-next-to-husband/

Man Arrested for Dressing as Priest, Stealing from Parishioners for 20 Years


A man has been arrested for dressing as a priest a stealing thousands of dollars from parishioners in multiple churches.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/man-arrested-for-dressing-as-priest-stealing-from-parishioners-for-20-years/

France Bulldozes Refugees’ Church, Mosque

A church and mosque in France’s “jungle” camp for migrants and refugees have been destroyed, despite authorities’ reportedly promising not to demolish the places of worship.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/france-bulldozes-refugees-church-mosque/

Are all sins equal to God? Is all sin the same?

In Matthew 5:21-28, Jesus equates committing adultery with having lust in your heart and committing murder with having hatred in your heart. However, this does not mean the sins are equal. What Jesus was trying to get across to the Pharisees is that sin is still sin even if you only want to do the act, without actually carrying it out. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day taught that it was okay to think about anything you wanted to, as long as you did not act on those desires. Jesus is forcing them to realize that God judges a person’s thoughts as well as his actions. Jesus proclaimed that our actions are the result of what is in our hearts (Matthew 12:34).

So, although Jesus said that lust and adultery are both sins, that does not mean they are equal. It is much worse to actually murder a person than it is to simply hate a person, even though they are both sins in God’s sight. There are degrees to sin. Some sins are worse than others. At the same time, in regard to both eternal consequences and salvation, all sins are the same. Every sin will lead to eternal condemnation (Romans 6:23). All sin, no matter how “small,” is against an infinite and eternal God, and is therefore worthy of an infinite and eternal penalty. Further, there is no sin too “big” that God cannot forgive it. Jesus died to pay the penalty for sin (1 John 2:2). Jesus died for all of our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). Are all sins equal to God? Yes and no. In severity? No. In penalty? Yes. In forgivability? Yes.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/are-all-sins-equal-to-god-is-all-sin-the-same/

Do Christians sin?

Before exploring whether or not Christians sin, let’s define a couple of terms. Regardless of how tattered the word Christian has become throughout history, the biblical definition of a “Christian” is one who is a Christ-follower, a disciple of Jesus (Acts 11:26). A Christian is NOT someone who has ascribed to a particular set of religious beliefs or practices, joined a church, prayed a prayer, or participated in certain sacraments or rituals. A Christian is a person who has responded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 6:44) by putting his or her whole faith in the finished work of Christ for salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:15–18). Christians are those who have repented of their sin and have made Jesus Lord of their lives (Romans 10:9–10; Acts 2:38). They are born again by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:6–7).

“Sin” is any thought, word, or action that is contrary to the character or law of God. We all sin (Romans 3:23), and even what we consider good deeds are often tainted by selfish motives or pride (Isaiah 64:6). Left to ourselves, it is impossible to please God or to be completely free from sin (Romans 3:10; Ecclesiastes 7:10).

When we come to Christ by faith and trust Him to forgive and cleanse us of all our sin, we are in that moment born again (John 3:3). That new birth of the spirit results in a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). God gives the repentant sinner a new heart that is now turned toward obeying and pleasing Him rather than self (2 Corinthians 5:9; Romans 8:5–6). Whereas we were formerly slaves to sin, we are now “slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:16). Sin’s control has been broken by the power of Jesus (Romans 6:6; Titus 2:14).

However, we still live in the flesh, and the flesh is prone to want what it wants. In Romans 7:21–23, Paul admits the battle between flesh and spirit in his own life: “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” Each battle with temptation is won or lost based upon how fully we are surrendered to the control of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16–17).

The book of 1 John was written to Christians. The apostle says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). It is clear from this passage that even those who have been born again and redeemed by the blood of Jesus will still sin. Through thought, attitude, or action, we will “grieve” (Ephesians 4:30) and “quench” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) the Holy Spirit at times. But this passage also reassures us that God offers continual, ongoing grace whenever we agree with Him about our sin and ask for His cleansing.

However, other passages clarify the boundaries of this ocean of grace. First John 3:6 says, “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” Verse 9 says that those who have been “born of God” will not continue to live sinfully. The implication is that this is not a matter of trying harder. Rather, it is the equivalent of saying, “A fish cannot remain on land for long because its nature is to seek water.” A fish could flop onto the shore and survive for a short time. But it was not made for land and cannot continue there. When we are born again, our natures change, and we cannot continue in sin. Christ not only erases our past sin; He also transforms our hearts so that we no longer desire it (Colossians 2:13–14).

Paul asked, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1–2). Although Christians will still sin after being saved, the heart change that the Holy Spirit brings will result in a new attitude toward sin. Sin cannot continue being a lifestyle choice if we have surrendered our lives to Jesus. That’s what it means to say that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9; Colossians 2:6). We have a new boss. We cannot be followers of Christ and followers of sin at the same time. They are going in opposite directions (Luke 9:23; 14:33). Romans 12:2 instructs, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Renewal can take some time, but it is a process that produces a change of behavior.

When a true child of God goes astray, our Father administers discipline to bring him back into obedience. Hebrews 12:7–8 says, “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” If a professing Christian can choose a lifestyle of sin without experiencing enough discipline to bring them to repentance, then according to this Scripture, it is highly unlikely that that person is a child of God.

Do Christians sin? Yes. Do they willfully continue in sin? No. Scripture indicates that, while we will always “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), we have the hope that the power of God is at work in us to “make us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NLT).

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/01/do-christians-sin/

How should a Christian respond to a bad economy?

When faced with a bad economy that threatens job security and savings accounts, it is natural to feel trepidation and some degree of insecurity. That said, a Christian can be at peace during times of economic downturn. Here are three good ways for Christians to respond when the economy is less than ideal:

Continue to practice wisdom.
The Bible is filled with wise principles about money and work. Laziness is never a good thing; we know that a lazy man who refuses to work will have nothing at the time of harvest (Proverbs 13:4; 20:4). Diligence is rewarded with wealth (Proverbs 12:27), but massive wealth brings its own trouble (Proverbs 13 : . Gaining little by little over time is wiser than gaining a large sum all at once (Proverbs 13:11), but toiling and laboring endlessly to gain wealth is not the action of a discerning man (Proverbs 23:4). All of these principles, plus many more to be found in Scripture, are tried and true and will be useful in a bad economy as well as a good one.

Remember God’s economy.
Certain principles will always be true, regardless of one’s economic situation. Cheerful generosity will bring a harvest—although the reaping may have to wait until the world to come (2 Corinthians 9:6–7). Giving to the needy carries a reward (Matthew 6:4). God never promises that we will be wealthy in this world, or even that we’ll always have as much as we want, but He does promise to supply our needs, along with giving joy, peace, and spiritual productiveness to those who have His Spirit (Galatians 5:20–21; John 7:38). If we seek first the kingdom of God, all necessary things will be added to us (Matthew 6:33). Our priority should always be spiritual. Christians are compared to soldiers in a war; soldiers are not concerned with civilian pursuits while they are engaged in combat (2 Timothy 2:3–4). A bad economy will not be of too much concern for a soldier, because his mind is on other things. This is the attitude a Christian should have toward money matters. Of course, we are to manage money wisely and be generous, but it is foolish to place trust in money or anything else in this world that is so easily destroyed and lost (Matthew 6:19–21).

Trust in God’s provision.
When savings accounts begin to dwindle as a result of an economic downturn, we can easily be tempted to fear, wondering how we will be provided for in the future. However, God has promised to provide for us, no matter what economic situation we are in. He fed Elijah with food delivered by ravens (1 Kings 17:4–6). He caused the widow’s cruse to not run dry and her bin of flour to always be full (verse 16).God even cares for the sparrows and feeds them; He will not fail to feed His children (Matthew 6:25–27).


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/01/how-should-a-christian-respond-to-a-bad-economy/

Pastors in Nigeria Fall Prey to Kidnappers

Two Nigerian pastors have been abducted this month in Kogi state, as kidnapping cartels that have plagued the central state the past three years directed their aim at Christian leaders.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/01/pastors-in-nigeria-fall-prey-to-kidnappers/