Mind Your Confession – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Sunday 7th July

MIND YOUR CONFESSION BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Proverbs 6:2

Read:
Numbers 14:26-31
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Numbers 14:26

How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Numbers 14:27

Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Numbers 14:28

Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Numbers 14:29

Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. Numbers 14:30

But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. Numbers 14:31

Open Heavens Message
Every seed sown has its time to speak. There are situation you may find yourself that only your seed will speak for you. At such a time may your account in heaven be found in credit. Some years ago, I had a friend who was a great support to my ministry. While praying one day, the Lord said, ‘Son, your friend is about to die within the next one week in London: go to him now’ I immediately bought a ticket and went to London to see and pray with my friend. It has been over 14 years since that incident and he is still alive because he had some credit with God. This is why irrespective of what anybody says, you cannot afford to be a bench warmer in God’s house.

Similarly, I had another friend who was also very supportive. Sometime in 1995, he heard in his ear that he should go and put his house in order because he was about to die. When he told me, I laughed it off because I knew I could talk it over with my Daddy that I still needed my friend’s support, being so useful to me. More than 16 years after, he still lives. Do you have a solid deposit with the bank of Heaven that you can draw from today? If not, take steps to build one.

A great lesson to be learnt from the Shunammite woman recorded in 2 Kings 4:18-26 is the need to be careful of what you say especially when going through a trying period. When this woman’s only son died, she was saying ‘All will be well’ and from there graduated to ‘All is well’. And all became well. She did not start to lament over her problem. Be careful with your tongue because it contains the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).

Even when good may be coming your way, you can use your tongue to turn it off; your tongue can also become a snare (Proverbs 6:2). No wonder God asked Moses to tell the Israelites that it is what they said into His ears that He will do to them (Numbers 14:28). In those days, when it was difficult for us to make ends meet, I used to tell my wife that things will not continue to be tough for us, and that our tomorrow will be alright. What are you confessing about your tomorrow and today?

Bible In One Year:
1 Timothy 4-6

Action Point
Most of the things that come our way are products of our confession. Stop calling negative things to yourself!




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Half Nigeria Half Canadian Teen WondaGurl, New Jay Z Producer

She is half woman, half wonder. She is half Nigerian, half Canadian. But she is a full music producer. Ebony Oshunrinde, a 16-year old Canadian-Nigerian girl, known as WondaGurl, has been listed in the credits for Jay-Zs new album, Magna Carta Holy Grail. Ebony, who resides in Brampton, southern Ontario, was credited for the track ‘Crown’.

“It’s a really good feeling. I want to show young people that they can do it. Anybody can be successful. It doesn’t matter where you’re from” the elated beat maker expressed her delight on being featured by one of the greatest rapper in the world.

The teenage self-taught producer is reported to have started making her own beats after watching a video showing Jay-Z and mega producer Timbaland working in the studio together on the album. “It inspired me and I wanted to do the exact same thing that he did,” she said.

I love hearing stories like this. All of mankind has such potential like hers but only a few a able to conquer challenges and reach their full potentials. More power to your elbow girl.

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Creativity knows no boundary. Some photoshopping pranksters got really creative by swapping the faces of some celebrities to create some truly bizarre and funny characters. A website has been set up dedicated to the craze which can be created on people's mobile phones using face detection technology. Some of the celebs who have felt the full effect of the disturbing face swap include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian as well as Justin Bieber and a fan. Its funny in a creepy way lol! Which is your favourite?

Creativity knows no boundary. Some photoshopping pranksters got really creative by swapping the faces of some celebrities to create some truly bizarre and funny characters. A website has been set up dedicated to the craze which can be created on people's mobile phones using face detection technology. Some of the celebs who have felt the full effect of the disturbing face swap include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian as well as Justin Bieber and a fan. Its funny in a creepy way lol! Which is your favourite?

The last picture scares even me lol

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The Benefits Of Forgiveness In a Relationship, Learn To Forgive

For any relationship to work, the parties involved must learn to forgive each other. Now note I said any relationship. Forgiveness is vital sustaining element of any relationship be it boy/girlfriend, husband/wife, parent/children, between siblings, regular friends, work colleagues, etc. Granted from time to time one party will wrong the other knowingly or unknowingly, the parties involved need to learn to forgive if they value that relationship. It’s easier said than done I know but it’s better done than not.

Recently I reached a hand of fellowship to someone, a friend that has wronged me so much. I felt like burden was lifted off my shoulder. Forgiveness is the key to freedom of the mind. Forgiveness is a priceless relationship guidance tip.

What Is The Significance Of Forgiveness In A Relationship?
Why does it matter? Forgiveness is a sign that one is willing to trust. If one cannot forgive, that indicates the person will never trust his or her partner again. Everyone makes mistakes. Some make bigger mistakes than the rest of us. Forgiveness becomes important when a person who has committed the mistake realizes the blunder and is truly sorry for his or her actions. Trust and forgiveness go hand in hand in every relationship.

Why Do You Forgive A Person You Are In A Relationship With?

1. The primary reason is love. We forgive because we love the person and are willing to forgive out of love.
2. It also means we do not take the other person’s actions personally.
3. Willingness to forgive shows we have control over our anger and we can handle crisis situations.
4. It is a sign of maturity that allows one to behave with tact and act in a magnanimous manner.

Understanding
Couples need to learn to forgive as it can make life easier for them. Living together becomes easy when a partner is willing to understand and forgive. Living together holding a grudge can make it impossible to continue the relationship. Some people cannot handle being hurt and seek revenge. This is not good for the relationship. To continue living in a healthy relationship forgiveness has to come at the right time.

Implications Of Forgiveness
Forgiving is never easy. How does one forget the trauma and pain caused by the partner? Yet forgiving has healing powers, it is healthy. Being able to forgive helps you cope better with stress. It removes anger and is considered as good for your cardiovascular health according to experts. Forgiveness reduces stress levels.

How To Learn To Forgive?
Some people forgive easily while for some it is an art that they have to master. Here are some tips that can help a person to forgive –

1. Learn to recognize your partner’s shortcomings. We are all humans and none of us is perfect. We all have our own flaws. Coming to terms with your partner’s flaws can help you forgive your partner. 
2. Focus on the action not on your partner. What your partner does to you could hurt you. Do not let the hurt take away what you share. If you cannot forgive your partner’s action, you end up putting your whole relationship at stake. Ask yourself if it is really worth it? 
3. Remember the good times you have had and the special bond that you share. Memories of better times make forgiveness easier. 
4. Reflect on what really transpired. Think whether the reason really deserves your anger and hatred forever.

In Conclusion
If you want your relationship to work, you would need to forgive. Forgiving does not mean you are scared or you accept what your partner has done. It means that you want to give your relationship another chance. It means that you hold the love that you share in higher esteem than the things that hurt you. It means that you are a strong and mature adult, capable of handling situations that life throws at you, instead of hiding behind anger.

We love happy endings. Live happily ever after as you learn to forgive.

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Sweetners Reduce Health Benefits Of Milk

Sweetners Reduce Health Benefits Of Milk

As a kid I loved sweetened milk more than anything. I hardly take pap, but once you prepare my pap with peak condensed sweetened milk, I’m drinking that pap with glee. Little did I know I wasn’t drinking a healthy milk. Sweetners reduce the health benefits of milk I don't do that anymore though.

According to The Inquisitr;
Milk is touted as an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients. The USDA recommends children and adults alike drink two to three cups of milk a day or at the very least to supplement with other dairy products like yogurt and cheese in order to attain the health benefit.

However, milk, both regular and chocolate, may not be doing a body good, especially if you are drinking down a cold tall glass of added sweeteners. The sugars used to enhance the flavor of most low-fat store-shelf dairy products can negate the health benefits, according to Harvard pediatrician David Ludwig.

Ludwig is the director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital.

“Americans are consuming billions of gallons of milk a year, presumably under the assumption that their bones would crumble without them,” Ludwig wrote in an article published in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics. On average, the US dairy industry produces 20 billion gallons of milk annually.

Nigeria imports $1million worth of milk daily!

Drinking reduced fat milk has been recommended as a way to meet dairy intake guidelines and avoid saturated fat. But when the fat is reduced in milk or yogurt products, it’s often replaced with sweeteners, which makes it taste better but also adds sugar and calories, reports TODAY.

“The worst possible situation is reduced-fat chocolate milk: you take out the fat, it’s less tasty,” Ludwig says. “So to get kids to drink 3 cups a day, you get this sugar-sweetened beverage.”

One cup of low-fat chocolate milk is 158 calories, with 68 calories coming from solid fats and added sugars. One cup of unflavored, reduced-fat 2 percent milk is 122 calories, with 37 calories from solid fats and added sugars.

Several other studies have addressed the use and impact of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners on one’s health – finding them addictive and causal to metabolism related diseases and disorders.

People are better off eating other calcium-rich or calcium-fortified foods as a healthier substitute in lieu of drinking sweetener-laced milk. These foods are easier to find with a growing number of adults becoming lactose intolerant.

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Be His Friend – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Saturday 6th July 2013

BE HIS FRIEND BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15

Read:

Genesis 18:17-18
And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Genesis 18:17

Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? Genesis 18:18

Open Heavens Message
The God we serve is not only a God of choice and promise but also a friendly and loving God. Genesis 18:17 says,

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?”

By this, God meant that because of his friendship with Abraham, it has become difficult for Him to hide certain future event from him. As high as God is, yet is He not ashamed to make the works of His hands His friends. Our Lord Jesus Christ also exhibited the same character. In John 15:15, Jesus declared:

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” 

In other words, when you newly give your life to Christ, He may keep some secrets from you until He tries you out and sees you are ready and worthy of being trusted with divine secrets. In the Kingdom, a child is seen as no different from a servant until he grows into maturity (Genesis 4:1-2).

If you are wise and move on from being a child who may or may not obey Him, to being His bond servant – who would always obey Him, you will begin to learn His trust and confidence. Then, He will start to share some secrets with you, and would wait to see how you handle such privileged information. When He has tested your level of commitment, love and loyalty, and He is satisfied, He will upgrade the relationship by making you a friend. Abraham was a friend of God and Christ’s disciples were also elevated to become His friends.

From that moment onwards, He told them virtually everything the father revealed to Him. At what level are you operating? Becoming His friend has nothing to do with the number of years spent in the Kingdom. There are believers of 5, 10, and 20 years or more who are still children and hence like servants. They have not been able to upgrade their relationship to friendship status; yet there are converts of six months or one year of whom the Lord is almost finding it difficult to do without. They are already operating as His friends, enjoying lots of divine secrets. Locate yourself where you are and move up.

Bible In One Year:

Psalm 40-42

Key Point
God wants to upgrade you to the level of friendship but it will take your cooperation and willingness.



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My Freedom Of Press Threatened By An Informant

Monday June 17 2013
It's another Command the Morning Prayer session at church. By God's grace I attended. Truth be told I enjoyed this session more than the last Monday. It was so powerfully delivered by Bro. Johnson. All the song really moved/ministered to me. I felt connected. The rain drizzled a little bit the pave way for the sunshine. I washed my curtains and went to work.

Just before getting to the office my boss called me and then let it rip What is this blog I hear you set up and you talking about everyone in the family, grandma, business, etc. When you get to the office we discuss. I was like what just happened? In that little time before I got to the office I pondered on the meaning and implication of this. What could I have said that is getting bad press? I'm like Kanye West on this, bad press or good press, any press is an okay press. So who is actually reading my blog? Immediately I got to the office the blog brouhaha took center stage. I knew immediately who his informant was. It’s a piece of cake for an IT aware person to know who the snitch was. I'm guessing he has some sort of spider crawling the web for any mention of his website. I mentioned his website yesterday and his trouble started the next day. It's no coincidence.

I never said anything extraordinary. I didn't say anything slanderous. Last time I checked I'm entitled to my opinion. My boss was dead concerned about it based on how upset the guy was. He went through the post and it was not as bad as the guy painted it to him but he warned me sternly not to publish anything sensitive. Initially in his fit of rage he said I should take the blog down. In my mind I was like No Way! All I have to do is remove whatever statement responsible for the tension. If this guy was Gen. Sani Abacha or Idi Amin, I wonder what fate await me.

Later he was like, I noticed you like IT stuff, why not blog about IT which will add value and probably make you money instead of my personal diary which nobody gives a sh*t about. He's got a point. I do have an IT blog but the challenges of keeping it updated is very challenging. It takes a lot man hours, internet time, etc to research some topics. I removed what I said about the informant and his site link from my blog. Freedom of speech or press suffered a painful defeat on my blog. That closed that chapter.

I did some office work. Ifeanyi breezed in towards the evening. He asked to help him promote a Facebook page. I almost did it. Then at the corner of my "google-conscience" eye, I saw a mean ugly looking spirit of Google AdSense TOC clutching a hammer the weight of Mt. Everest when placed on a scale waiting to slam down on me mercilessly like they always do should I post something promoting a betting site. I took a moment of silence to reflect on my next option of action left to me. I told Ify dude I can't do this, the implication is heavy.

On a final note, 

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