After being greeted with rapturous ululations by sisters, priests and theology students at a high school in Nairobi’s suburbs, he offered a sombre warning on the dangers of a church driven by “ambition for wealth and power”.

“The church is not a business,” he said. “It is not an NGO. It’s a mystery. A mystery of Christ’s gaze upon each one of us.”

There have been concerns that some priests are attracted to the ministry by the vast resources of the church, which is a major player in Kenya’s education and health sectors.

Francis warned against succumbing to the impulse of joining the priesthood to accumulate wealth, and he told the gathered priests that they had to examine themselves to find out whether they had gone into service through the “door of Christ or the window”.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/26/pope-francis-urges-dialogue-between-religions-on-first-day-of-african-tour

Justdulla:
. This is Indeed Felas Best track ever, I listen to it almost every day, The Beat is Too Afrobeat and The lyrics is evergreen..... Overtake Don Overtake Overtake Abamieda

No doubt

Today’s passage instructs us, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18). That directive might seem easy when life is going well. But if painful situations arise, expressing gratitude can become difficult.

It’s interesting to note that this instruction to thank the Lord in all things was written by Paul—the apostle whose loyalty to Christ earned him severe persecution. You might wonder how he was able to be grateful to God.

While many situations weren’t to his liking, Paul knew that His riches in Christ Jesus far outweighed any earthly discomfort. Consider the blessings he so valued, which are available to all believers. First of all, we are invited to have a personal relationship with the one true God—the omniscient and omnipresent Lord of all creation. Second, our Creator loves us with an everlasting and unconditional love. Third, He sent His Son to die as payment for our sin debt so that we could spend eternity with Him. As a result, when we place our trust in Jesus, we are freed from the fear of death.

And the list of blessings keeps going: God adopts believers as His children and seals them with His Spirit (Eph. 4:30). He has a plan for every life—and bestows special gifts and empowerment to make it happen. He also promises to meet every need through His limitless resources (Phil. 4:19) and provides His Word and indwelling Spirit to guide us.

No wonder Paul was grateful! Today, make your own list of reasons to give thanks, and be sure to count Paul’s blessings as your own. Let God know how appreciative you are

Psalm 118:24
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Colossians 3:17
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Psalm 136:1
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

I see it from this angle.

In the UK, employing a black woman to do a front-line job is a big enough challenge. But having one with braids? It is a no go area for most.

Hardly, will u see any high flying black female with braids in the work place in the UK. what most do is, wear the weave for the interview, get pass the probation period, then start wearing the braids. Only the bold ones do that. Most shy away from the Agrooo.

Was this lady personally discriminated against?

Hmmmm. She shouldn't have taken it personal. It is just the way things are. THE CUSTOMER IS KING!

She should have conformed, work her way up, then her hairdo will not become an issue.

Her decision is admirable, but immature.

One of the earliest truths we learn as we mature as a Christian is that God is good. The simplicity of these three words masks the depth of such a remarkable attribute of the Lord. He is absolutely perfect and holy, which means that He alone is the standard of all righteousness. And since the expression of the Father’s goodness is revealed in His actions, all that He does is just and right,
because He cannot violate His own nature.

Also, God does not change. Therefore, it is His character, not our behaviour that determines how He deals with us. This means He is good to us even when we are living in rebellion. As a loving heavenly Father, He responds to our disobedience with discipline, which is designed to restore the broken relationship rather than crush the wayward child.

The Lord’s goodness is expressed in a multitude of ways. He is our Creator, and we are His people. Every breath we breathe is given to us by God. As our loving Shepherd, He watches over us and provides for all our needs. But the greatest expression of divine goodness is the cross of Jesus Christ. What humanly appeared to be the ultimate in cruelty and unfairness was the only way to rescue mankind and prevent eternal separation from the Lord.

Believing in God’s goodness is one of the pillars of our faith. This truth fills us with joy in happy times and grounds us with confidence during periods that feel hard, unfair, or painful. When we don’t understand what the Lord is doing, we can trust His heart and know that He cares for us.

Mark 10:18
And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

Psalms 100:5
“For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works
.
James 1:17
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

IT IS WELL GOD BLESS

Do you people really give this ranting EX CON a chance in hell to carry out this threat?

Dream on

At times people are bound by guilt long after the feeling should have been resolved. For some, this is appropriate because they refuse to give up the sin that brought it on. Others suffer the weight of false guilt because they harbour shame that doesn’t belong to them. Whatever the root cause of your self-condemnation, the battle plan remains the same.

Victory over guilt begins with understanding that the Saviour took our shame to the cross and paid our penalty. Without Jesus, this would have been impossible because there is no way that we could pay for our own sin. But we do need to honestly identify the source of our guilt and confess before God. That means we agree with His perspective on what we’ve done—in other words, we admit when we are wrong. Repentance goes a step further: We turn away from wrong and choose to do right.

Confronting guilt in this way replaces our burden of shame with peace and joy, which are far lighter and more freeing. And an amazing side effect is that we have wisdom to share. Openness about our past mistakes, consequences, guilt, burdens, and forgiveness can reveal the Lord to those in our sphere of influence. Through our witness, God may reach others who need their chains of guilt broken.

The battle to overcome guilt is one that should not be delayed. The feeling won’t just go away. Whether your condemnation is true or false, it needs to be dealt with quickly. Stop running, and face the source of your guilt. It’s time to end your captivity and start walking in the joy of God’s blessing.

John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Romans 8:1-2
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.…”

2 Corinthians 3:17
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

@Afro

u can drop ur fackbook link to enable me to generate traffic/awareness to ur Biz,

Good

Back to normality

Beats all those Brazilian dead pples hair anyday

The right mindset by putting others before yourself

God bless

The gospel’s effectiveness is greatly hindered by Christians who act differently at church than they do elsewhere. The way we live for God should permeate all areas of life. The workplace is no exception.

Our behaviour reflects our faith. So if we claim to be Christians, then our co-workers will equate our attitudes and actions with Jesus. Do those around you at the work see a positive reflection of God in your work ethic?

We should view ourselves as servants and be willing to put the needs of others before our own. Next, our true boss is Christ; therefore, we work diligently and with integrity, knowing that our reward is from Him (Col. 3:23). Then, since all authority on earth is God-given (Rom. 13:1), we should obey our superiors gladly—unless, of course, our human bosses tell us to do something that goes against Scripture. And finally, all those we work with and for have worth from the Creator, so we should treat them with respect (1 John 4:7-.

Think about the Golden Rule—do unto others as you’d have others do unto you—and how it applies here. Putting it a different way, imagine yourself as the boss and ask, How would I like my employees to work, whether I was watching or not?

We are to work as though God is our boss. That means doing tasks with joy, a servant attitude, respect for others, diligence, and obedience. Imagine what the workplace could be if all believers approached their jobs this way.


Colossians 3:23
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,"

Proverbs 13:4
"The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied."

Philippians 2:14-15
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,"

1 Corinthians 10:31
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

lordmizzy:
ur mama get am?

piss off

She lacks Senior management level experience in the public sector.However, her internal Auditing experience in the public sector should enable her to put some core control and checks systems in place which is obviously needed in Nigeria

How tempting it is to think we need very little improvement. Ask around, and you’ll hear many people concede they could probably use a little bit of “maintenance” on one or two problem areas, but preferably without being caused any discomfort. Yet most will add, “But I’m a good person.” Don’t be fooled—the Father refuses to settle for humanity’s inadequate vision of “good enough.”

We could say that God is our “interior designer.” God sees each believer as the person he or she will be when fully yielded to Jesus Christ. He then sets about achieving that complete renovation by transforming the individual’s present self into the image of His Son.
An essential step in God’s remodeling work involves removing whatever is unnecessary, damaged, or outmoded. In our case, what must go are the areas of self-will. I can tell you from
experience that being a man under construction is uncomfortable!

God targets habits, attitudes, and even relationships wherein we act independently of His purposes. He applies pressure to direct our attention to those places so we will surrender them to Him. Then the Lord even takes hold of interests that are dear to us. He does so until we ask a humbling question: “What would You have me submit to You, Father?”

Conforming our will to God’s changes who we are. In the midst of our transformation, pain from His tools may temporarily obscure the beauty of His design. But nothing is more splendid to God than a committed, obey-at- all-costs follower. Submit to Him so that He might remake you into the son or daughter He desires.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Time wasters

Finance Commissioner
Ogun State Government
July 2011 – Present (4 years 5 months)Abeokuta

Managing Director
Quo Vadis Partnership
June 2010 – June 2011 (1 year 1 month)
Strategic consulting in financial management and investor relations.

Managing Director
Chapel Hill Denham Managment
September 2002 – March 2010 (7 years 7 months)

Senior Manager Global Risk Management Solutions
Price Waterhouse Coopers
March 2000 – October 2002 (2 years 8 months)London, United Kingdom

Manager Internal Audit
Prism Consulting (London Borough of Southwark)
1996 – 2000 (4 years)London, United Kingdom

Manager Internal Audit
London Underground Limited
1994 – 1995 (1 year)London

Audit Senior
Goodman Jones
1990 – 1993 (3 years)London, United Kingdom

Accounting Assistant
British Telecom plc
1989 – 1990 (1 year)London

Education

University of London

Postgraduate Diploma, Public Financial Management
2013 – 2015

University of East London
BSc, Applied Economics

Organizations

Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales
Member
Institute of Chartered Accountants Nigeria
Member

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-adeosun-bb72bb26

If you are not involved in a personal accountability relationship, then you are missing out on one of life's greatest gifts. Scripture often gives examples of this relationship: Jesus is accountable to the Father (John 8:28-29), the church is subject to Christ (Eph. 5:24), and Paul felt answerable to the church at Antioch (Acts 14:27). When we have someone with whom we can share our failures, weaknesses, successes, and deep longings, we benefit in several ways.

In our accountability to a Christian Brother or sister, we develop a sense of responsibility, which leads to improved performance in all we do. Giving an account of ourselves promotes integrity and protects us from misusing our freedom as believers. What’s more, learning to examine ourselves and evaluate others guards us from unhealthy relationships and, in God’s hand, becomes a tool for our spiritual maturity.

Because an accountability partner can see our blind spots and weaknesses, he or she is in a good position to offer counsel, encouragement, or a loving rebuke. To choose the right person, we must look for a Spirit-filled believer who will offer godly wisdom based on Scripture. Also, we want to be accountable to a person who accepts and loves us just as we are, but who also possesses the courage to confront us when we are wrong. It is important to find someone who will truly be looking out for our best interest.

So where will you find such a person? In the pew at church or among your friends. Begin to pray today for an accountability partner, and ask God to clearly reveal the right one.

Galatians 6:1-5
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Romans 14:12
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Loneliness will creep into every life at some point. But believers are never truly alone because God has given us a permanent companion—the Holy Spirit. He is the Helper who is with us forever.

No one can truthfully promise to always be available to another person; the realities of time, distance, and even death can separate two people who would rather face difficulties together. Thankfully, by sending the Holy Spirit to live inside of us, Jesus Christ keeps His promise to never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). This means that the relationship with our Companion is greater than any human relationship we have. Since God’s Spirit is a person of the Trinity, He is able to meet our every need. His foreknowledge allows Him to prepare our hearts and minds for any situation.

Human beings weren’t meant to live alone. God designed us to be complete only when we are indwelt by His Spirit, which occurs upon our salvation. We can choose to ignore the Holy Spirit however. For example, some people stubbornly attempt to live the Christian life in their own strength or skip Bible reading when they find meditating on the Word inconvenient. That kind of life is marked by discontent: Peace will be fleeting, and loneliness will feel like the heart’s permanent resident.

The Holy Spirit is our companion who “walks beside.” If we hold Him at arm’s length, we distance ourselves from the Father as well. But if we ask the Spirit to guide our steps and open our minds to God’s ways, He is available.

John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Isaiah 11:2
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Not one single news paper or Media House in the uk is carrying this news.( I stand to be corrected )

All this is just the rant of a frustated lady needing attention

Rubbish

If you got no papers, go back to Nigeria.

Abi na your papa land.

I don't get it all all.

The idea of applying biblical principles is often misunderstood. It’s not simply a process of HEAR, BELIEVE, APPLY—as if one were putting on a new doctrine like a borrowed overcoat. Two steps are missing between believe and apply: EXPLORE and DISCOVER.

EXPLORE
To explore a biblical principle means studying Scripture to understand what the surrounding context is, what the principle means for us, and what it reveals about God. Furthermore, we must consider how this lone principle relates to the rest of the Bible. Digging into the Word softens hearts and minds so that the new doctrine can be planted deeply.

DISCOVER
As we plow further into Scripture to explore, the new concept rises off the page and becomes real to us. We discover how the principle works and the proper way to apply it to our lives. As we do so, the rich truth becomes our own. It isn’t simply tacked onto our actions as an external influence; rather, we take the truth into our hearts and minds, enabling it to impact us from the inside out.

Making God’s principles an integral part of our lives is a delightful experience. Instead of feeling a passing fancy for a new concept, people who make an idea their own rejoice in it. And they dig back into the Word to learn more of the Lord’s statutes.

A believer who has little to say about God’s work in his life is probably not applying Scripture. Simply hearing and believing doesn’t make a concept yours. A principle is yours when you explore the truth, discover its place in your life, and apply the concept so that God can make. it work

2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 119:11
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

A man bought his grandchildren a new toy. After a brief glance at the directions, he set the booklet aside and got busy building. A few frustrating hours later, He humbly opened the instructions again and followed the steps to put the toy together. Soon he was done, and the grandkids were playing happily.

He knew that the manufacturer had a plan for assembling the toy. But he’s a smart fellow and assumed he could figure it out on his own. Many people take the same approach to Scripture that this man took with those directions. Instead of treating God’s Word like a manual to live by, they glance at it only when they aren’t sure what to do next.

The Bible is like the Father’s diagram of Himself. He teaches believers who He is, what He thinks, and how He acts. Knowing the ways of the Lord ensures that we can make wise decisions that honour Him.

The Bible is also God’s instruction book for living. I emphasize that it should be read every day because believers cannot be spiritually successful or victorious without it. In today’s passage, we read that if a person wants to be righteous, his or her life must comply with scriptural principles. Of course, the only way to know what those principles are is to read, study, and meditate upon the Word.

God’s Word is our most valuable possession. Casting it aside is as foolish as tossing away a wallet full of money. Among the Bible’s riches are stories teaching us how to serve the Lord and principles about pleasing Him. It also contains a wealth of instruction for building a righteous and meaningful life.

Jeremiah 23:29
"Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

John 12:48
“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

Ephesians 6:17
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13
“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

From Scripture, we see the importance and effectiveness of praying with spiritual authority. Elijah, for example, boldly challenged the prophets of Baal because he knew the Lord would hear and answer. And King Jehoshaphat sought God for direction and strength—and called upon the nation to do the same.
Their examples teach what is required for prayer to be powerful:

DEPENDENCE ON GOD

The petitions of both men showed deep reliance upon the Lord. Knowing that victory over Israel’s enemies was beyond their own abilities, they asked God to intervene.

A FOCUS ON HIS PLAN
Elijah did things God’s way against tremendous odds and at great personal risk (1 Kings 19:1-2). Jehoshaphat called for the nation to fast as he sought to discover the Lord’s plan. Because they looked to God for a strategy, they both had a clear goal that led them through the difficulties they faced.

PURITY OF MOTIVE
Both leaders had God-cantered intentions and a goal of furthering His purposes. They weren’t trying to gain anything for themselves.

CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Neither man hesitated to ask publicly for divine help. Elijah told the plan to the 450 enemy prophets, and Jehoshaphat called upon all of Israel to join him in intercession.

If your prayers seem to be having little impact, ask yourself, Have I been relying upon my own strength to resolve matters? Is there a selfish basis for my request? Am I lacking confidence in God (James 1:5-7)? If so, turn to the Lord, confess, and seek to follow the example of Elijah and Jehoshaphat.

1 Chronicles 16:11
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Psalm 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

God has given His children the privilege of calling upon Him for all they need, and what’s more, He’s promised to respond. He has also included the right to petition Him on behalf of others. In fact, Scripture tells us that the prayers of a righteous person can accomplish much (James 5:16).

To be righteous in the Father’s sight, we must accept His offer of salvation. Before redemption, we were unrighteous people under His judgment (Eph. 2:1, 3). Through faith in Christ as our Saviour, we are made new and declared holy in His sight. Then, after we are able to approach Him as righteous people, we must align our prayers with His will—that’s the only way for our petitions to be powerful and effective (1 John 5:14-15). And the key to aligning our requests with His plan is getting to know our heavenly Father’s character and priorities.

Elijah is a good example of someone who prayed with authority. The Lord sent him into battle against the evil king Ahab and the 450 prophets of Baal. This was a spiritual conflict to prove who was the real God—Baal or the Lord of Israel. Elijah’s weapons were his knowledge of the Father’s plan and the authority he had in prayer as a prophet of God. His request—that Jehovah would make Himself known, voiced publicly before his opponents, matched the Lord’s will (Ex. 7:5; 1 Kings 18:37). And when God responded to Elijah’s prayer, the people declared, “The Lord, He is God” (1 Kings 18:39).

Are you a child of God? If so, you can pray with spiritual might by making sure your requests are in agreement with His will.

Proverbs 10:28
The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

Joshua 1:7-16
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for theLord your God is with you wherever you go.” And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that theLord your God is giving you to possess.’

Philippians 1:20
As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Proverbs 24:14
Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Exhaustion is a by-product of overcommitted schedules and never-ending responsibilities. In an effort to accomplish all that is expected, we often try to move faster and cram in more by multitasking. But in the process, we end up emotionally and physically fatigued. The Lord offers a radically different mode of living and grants renewed strength and stamina.

Those who wait upon the Lord are promised His supernatural energy. In fact, Scripture says it will surpass the natural strength and endurance of the young. Access to this divine power is achieved not by moving faster but by going slower—stopping to take time to focus on the Father, seek His direction, and ask for His strength to accomplish what He is calling you to do.

Impatiently pushing ahead, trying to do things in your own way and own time is not the way to go. Learn to pause and humble yourself, admitting that you have no strength without Him, The Lord has the ability to sustain you with both emotional and spiritual energy. There is no earthly explanation for what God is willing and able to do in a yielded human being. His Holy Spirit is like the wind beneath our wings, enabling us to soar like eagles.

The next time you are at the point of exhaustion, take some time to focus on the Lord. Are you walking in step with Him, or have you gone ahead on your own? Align your pace with His, taking the time to rest when He wants you to, and receive the energy He freely offers to those who walk obediently in His will.

Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.”

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Tolatutu:
Yorubas got the best portfolios

iI hope she promotes professional ethics to the accounting profession and the ministry she is heading.

Good luck to her

On the road of life, crucial decisions are like intersections that call for us to choose which way to go. If we barrel through without seeking the mind of Christ, the road we pick may lead to regret and heartache. Although the Lord is ready and willing to offer clear direction, He doesn’t always give it quickly. Knowing that He has good reason for withholding immediate instruction can help us wait patiently at the intersection for His guidance.

At times, God leaves us in our confusion because He wants to get our attention. When everything is running smoothly, we tend to forget the Lord. But uncertainty draws us back to Him like a magnet. By aligning our steps with His and walking in submission to the Spirit, we open our ears to hear His voice.

Our waiting period is God’s preparation time. In bringing about His sovereign purposes, He may put us on hold while He coordinates events to line up with His will. Sometimes the Lord has work to accomplish in us before we are ready to handle what He’s planned for our future. Also, waiting helps strengthen us spiritually. If we instantly received His direction, we would rarely have the opportunity to exercise our faith. Christian maturity becomes evident in the ability to wait in peaceful confidence, trusting that in God’s time, we will know what to do.

If impatience tempts you to jump ahead of the Lord’s timing, you risk stepping outside of His will and missing His blessings. But by waiting until He gives clear direction, you will walk in His peace with certainty, instead of stumbling around in anxiety and confusion.

Isaiah 40:31
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary ; and they shall walk , and not faint .”

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

EasternLionn:

Hundreds of people in southern Nigeria have been protesting about the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, an activist who supports the creation of a breakaway state of Biafra.
The director of Radio Biafra was arrested last month and is still being held despite a court order to free him, his mainly ethnic Igbo supporters say.
The government says his station has been operating without a licence.
Biafran secessionists fought a three-year civil war that ended in 1970.
More than one million people lost their lives before the uprising was eventually quelled by the military.
Secessionist groups have attracted the support of many young people in the south-east in recent years.
The BBC's Abdussalam Ahmed in the southern-eastern city of Enugu says in reality they do not want a repeat of the civil war but are keen to draw the attention of the central government to some developmental challenges the region faces.
Africa Live: BBC news updates
Our correspondent says the peaceful protests started on Friday in the oil-rich Delta state and has since taken place in five other major cities in the region.
The demonstrators are mostly young men holding Biafra flags and banners with pictures of Mr Kanu, who is also a leader in the secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Tuesday's march is taking place in the city of Owerri in Imo state a day after the region's biggest market in the city of Aba was reportedly shut down by protesters.
A Pro Biafra protester in southern Nigeria on Sunday 8 November, 2015



Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of Nigeria's intelligence agency for more than three weeks
"We won't give up until our director Nnamdi Kanu is released," one protester told our reporter during a protest in Enugu.
The Biafra activists say a court in the capital, Abuja, ordered the release of Mr Kanu but authorities have refused to comply despite all the conditions set being met.
It is not clear where Radio Biafra is based but it mainly broadcasts to the Igbo-speaking south-east of the country.
The Nigerian government began jamming its signals in July but it is still available online and via mobile phones by a dialling a local number, our reporter says.
An IPOB leader, Uchemna Madu, told the BBC that the group was fighting against the "injustice and inequality" ethnic Igbos faced in Nigeria.
"We believe in Nigeria, we have businesses everywhere in the country but we are getting nothing apart from political and social marginalisation," he said.
"Our lives and properties are not secured, we want to live on our own."
The Nigerian authorities have always maintained that most of the issues the Biafra activists are complaining about are not unique to southern part of the country.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34777835

Cc Lalasticlala, Obinoscopy

MORONS

When you listen to someone speak, what gives his or her words weight? How do you decide to listen to what’s being said? Most often, we measure a person's message against his or her experience, dismissing words that don’t match the speaker’s story.

Therefore, when we come to the apostle Paul’s discussion of God’s sufficiency, we ask, “Is this something Paul can really talk about?” And we are able to read the Word and see that the answer is a resounding yes.

Paul’s personal testimony recounts some of the hardships that confronted him (2 Cor. 11:22-28). He was imprisoned, beaten, threatened, stoned, ship-wrecked, robbed, and chased throughout his entire ministry. On top of all this, he had a persistent, unrelenting “thorn” oppressing his body (2 Cor. 12:7-.

You’d think that God would keep His best servants in perfect condition and optimal health. Yet, here we see that although Paul prayed for relief, God’s answer was not what he expected. Rather than receiving a grand, sweeping cure, Paul was given a deeper answer: “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor. 12:9).

Through that difficulty, God taught Paul a vital lesson: It does not matter how weak we think we are, or how oppressed or downtrodden. In God’s hands, our weakness makes room for His strength. And it is through His power—and His power alone—that we can do amazing things.

Perhaps you struggle with your own “thorn.” If so, instead of praying for a quick fix, ask God what He wants to accomplish through your weakness. Your human frailty just may be the vessel through which God can display His unlimited power to the world.

2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Hebrews 4:16
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

John 1:16
“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

When the difficult times come into your life, what is your response? While it may seem tempting to look for a shortcut out of the discomfort, that’s not the kind of attitude God desires from us. Instead, He wants His children to remain submitted to Him, though that may not end the affliction. But it is the Lord’s will that we hold our heads high and press on through the pain.

This comes as a shock to many new believers. After placing their faith in Jesus, they are often surprised when some unexpected hardship appears. However, it’s a misconception to expect an easy life once we trust God’s Son as Lord. In fact, the Bible assures us of quite the opposite. Jesus Himself declared that if we are found in Him, the world will give us great trouble and heartache (John 16:33).

In James 1:2, we are instructed to consider our struggles as a source of “pure joy” (NIV). This makes sense only when we see our difficulties through God’s eyes, as opportunities for growth. An untested faith is weak and ineffective. Just like our muscles, our faith must be exercised against some resistance. When we face trials with wisdom and endure them with godly perseverance, we will find blessings we never thought possible.

At the end of the struggle, we will see God standing with our reward: the crown of life (James 1:12). To use an example from the world of sports, the “crown of life” is essentially God’s gold medal for a job well done. Do you want the Lord’s recognition of your spiritual victory? Then press on through the hardship and discover what lies just beyond the trial.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:16-17
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

For many believers, Sunday morning goes something like this: Beat the alarm clock into submission. Oversleep because Saturday’s late-night fun wasn’t compatible with Sunday’s early-morning responsibilities. Crawl out of bed and hit the shower. Yell upstairs to make sure the kids are up. Run through the house, simultaneously dressing children, , eating a bowl of cereal, and making lunch plans with the in-laws or friends. Herd the family into the car. Argue with the spouse, who asks, “Why are we always late?” Screech into the church parking lot. Run through the front doors of the sanctuary. Plop down in a pew. Elbow the spouse, who made another crack about being late. Open a hymn book. Sing some songs. Hear a sermon. Leave church to meet the in-laws or friends at the restaurant. Go home and take a nap
.
Sound familiar? There’s obviously something wrong with this all-too- common Sunday scenario: Where is the worship? Sure, this family made it to the service, but the time set apart for praise and study of the Word was just something on their list of Sunday activities. It was something they did because they felt they had to do it. There was no room for an encounter with God, because the time of worship seemed to be an interruption of their Sunday, not the focus of it.

Psalm 100:1-5 instructs us to “enter...His courts with praise.” Does this describe your entrance into worship each week? Remember, worship is not something you have to do; it’s something you get to do! So, plan ahead and prepare your heart, mind, and family to meet the King.

John 4:23
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

John 4:24
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Psalm 29:2
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

This kind of relationship won’t happen accidentally. It requires continual, deliberate decisions that reset your priorities in order to make room for the pursuit of God. Intimacy with Him is not something that can be achieved in an inspiring weekend conference, nor can it be accomplished by reading a chapter or two in the Bible and praying for 10 minutes a day. Seeking God is a persevering lifetime commitment—day by day, decade by decade.

Too many believers are satisfied to have a shallow, superficial relationship with the Lord. They’ll approach God for relief from suffering or fulfillment of other needs but are unwilling to sit quietly for an extended period of time just getting to know Him through prayer and His Word. Yet the most important pursuit in a believer’s life is building a relationship with God. To forfeit this great blessing is a tragedy.

God doesn’t need anything from you, but He desires your loving devotion and intimate fellowship. Ask yourself, Is this what I want, too? If your answer is yes, are you willing to make the necessary commitment? Seeking the Lord cannot be something you hurry through. It will cost you time and effort, but the rewards are worth any sacrifice.

Matthew 6:31-33
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

The runners in a marathon must all follow a clearly marked course. Suppose one of the athletes decides to pick his own path. He keeps to the 26.2-mile race standard and sets his finish line in the same spot as the official one, but he runs through neighbourhoods with fewer hills and across less crowded parks. His plan seems excellent to him, but when he crosses the finish line, there will be no medal or ribbon waiting.

That would certainly be a silly thing to do. Yet believers fall into this very trap when they decide the course for their lives instead of running the race God sets. By submitting to His will—doing what He says and going where He leads—we remain on the right path. But the moment we revert to our old habits and start making decisions based on our own wisdom, we go far afield.

Whether believers run the race God’s way or their way, the finish line is the same—namely, heaven. However, the difference is what we have to show for all the energy expended getting there. No one wants to look back and realize, I didn’t really accomplish anything of value. Regardless of how grand a legacy someone leaves, the only truly lasting and worthwhile deeds are those done for the Lord in the power of His Spirit.

Thankfully, no matter how far off course we veer, the Holy Spirit is still present. He reminds us of the right path—as well as the power available to get back on it and persevere. Your route is set; your choice clear. Run the race set before you and finish well.

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS