RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL GRACE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE . Wednesday, January 21st . Pastor Chris

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Corinthians 15:10).

The Apostle Paul in the verse above celebrates the grace of God that was upon his life. From the human point of view, he never would have qualified to be an apostle. Nonetheless, he became such an outstanding apostle who laboured for the Gospel more than all the other apostles. He acknowledged the grace of God as the one factor that made all the difference in his life.

It brings to mind the encounter between Gideon and the angel of the Lord in the sixth chapter of Judges. The angel appeared to him and said, “…The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour…Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?” (Judges 6:12-14). Gideon, evaluating himself from the natural standpoint, didn’t believe he was a mighty man of valour; he considered the weak position of his family and said, “…Oh my Lord, where with shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15).

However, the grace of God made all the difference in his life. God said to him, “Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man” (Judges 6:16). Don’t look at your perceived physical inadequacies; trust in His ability. All that Gideon needed was to believe God’s Word, and be confident in God’s grace upon his life; thank God he eventually did, and as a result, he was mightily used of God to accomplish the deliverance of Israel from the Midianites.
God might have impressed it in your heart to do something for Him, and contrary thoughts may have been rising in your heart, making you feel you don’t have what it takes. But you need to realize that you have already been granted grace in superabundance (Romans 5:17). All you need do is to trust in God’s ability and walk in the light of His grace.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH GOD BY: PST EA ADEBOYE DATE : WEDNESDAY 21st JANUARY 2015

THEME :
GOOD SUCCESS
Memorise :
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. Proverbs 1:32
Bible Reading: Joshua 1:8,

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ISAIAH 61:64 and ACTS 13:6-25
Message :
The Bible classifies success into good success and negative or bad success. Of course, to the carnal mind, the idea of bad success is an irony. The Lord defined the type of success that emanates from Him in Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

In other words, if a so-called blessing is not from the Lord, certainly there will be some sorrow attached to it. This kind of success cannot be said to be good. Little wonder God Almighty prescribed what will bring good success to Joshua, as there are other type of success.
The blessing of the Lord makes you live long to enjoy the fruit of your labour (Psalm 91:6). The Lord who blesses is the same one who protects. If you are afraid of calamity after a breakthrough, maybe the source of that so-called breakthrough is not God. No man can temper with good success that emanates from God. Some people are afraid of success because of what people will say about them. You can go ahead and continue to run from success if the success is not coming from God, because it cannot be good success. However, when your breakthrough or success is directly from God, no witch, wizard or herbalist can tamper with it.

In Genesis 26:12-14, we read about a classical example of good success record by Isaac. This man was so blessed that even the king of the Philistines envied him. The secret of this good success is found in the Genesis 26:2-6. Isaac obeyed the voice of God, stayed where God asked him to stay and he became prosperous with good success.

Good success is not far from those who determine to obey God all the way. In today’s Bible text, God revealed the secret of good success to Joshua which every child of God must pay attention to. God told Joshua that for Him to have good success, the book of the law should not just be in his mouth, he was to meditate therein constantly in order to observe to do according to its contents. This truth is reinforced in James 1:25:

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
If you want to obtain good success therefore, be a doer of the work in God’s Word

The worms that invade your brain

Vital Signs is a monthly program bringing viewers health stories from around the world.

(CNN)Once you consume them, they can move throughout your body -- your eyes, your tissues and most commonly your brain. They leave doctors puzzled in their wake as they migrate and settle to feed on the body they're invading; a classic parasite, but this one can get into your head.

"It had moved from one side of the brain to the other ... very few things move in the brain," says Dr. Effrossyni Gkrania-Klotsas about a British man found to have a tapeworm moving inside his brain in 2013. This form of tapeworm had never been seen before in the United Kingdom.

The patient, who was of Chinese descent, had recently visited China, which along with South Korea, Japan and Thailand, has more regular occurrences of the parasite known as Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. Four years earlier the man had first experienced symptoms, such as headaches, which the team of doctors at Addenbrookes Hospital, in Cambridge, had treated as tuberculosis. But then he returned.

"When he reappeared, he had new symptoms," says Gkrania-Klotsas. The worm was now pushing on a new part of his brain, causing seizures and weakness in his legs. The condition associated with his infection was in fact Sparganosis. There is no known drug to effectively treat the infection meaning that upon diagnosis doctors had to be quick to remove the worm surgically.

 Just 300 infections of the Spirometra tapeworm were recorded between 1953 and 2013, but they're thought to be more common in parts of Asia. The rural nature of more affected populations means numbers are widely unknown and very little is known about the worms.

"These worms are pretty mysterious," says geneticist Hayley Bennett from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, in Cambridge, whose team recently sequenced the genome of the rare worm. "We know it has a very complicated life cycle."

The adult form of the Spirometra tapeworm only occurs in the intestines of cats and dogs but as these animals shed the worms' eggs in their feces the eggs can enter, and contaminate, water. The resulting juvenile form of tapeworm -- known as larvae -- can then stay in the water within certain small crustaceans or end up in frogs and snakes. As larvae they can invade humans through ingestion or direct contact with infected animals. The patient in Cambridge was thought to have accidentally drunk water whilst swimming in an infected lake, according to Gkrania-Klotsas. The worm then took hold.

"The larvae can encyst in the brain or somewhere else," says Bennett. The consequences of these cysts can be tissue damage, blindness, paralysis or even death. By sequencing the worm's genes, Bennett hoped to understand the inner workings of the worms to aid future diagnosis and treatment.

"Because it's such a rare infection it's not economically viable to create a drug just for this worm," she explains. "But by comparing it to other tapeworms we can see which other drugs might apply."

The team were given small samples of the worm, extracted from the infected patient, and their sequencing identified an exceptionally large genome and, importantly, genes which could help recognize resistance to drugs as well as act as future drug targets. "You could also develop a diagnostic test," adds Bennett.

Pork tapeworms

There are many forms of tapeworm, three of which can readily infect the brain. From a public health perspective, there's one in particular to watch out for. "It's mainly the pork tapeworm that's the main brain one," says Helena Helmby from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The pork species, known as Taenia Solium, can infect humans in two forms. The first is by eating undercooked pork from infected pigs, resulting in taeniasis -- an adult worm residing in the intestine. The second, in the larval form, through contact with the feces of an infected pig or human, which can go on to infect many tissues. If the larval worm enters the nervous system, including the brain, it can result in a condition known as neurocysticercosis. Infection of this kind can often cause epilepsy once inside the brain. Almost a third of epilepsy cases in countries where the disease is native are people who have previously had neurocysticercosis, according to the World Health Organization.

Neurocysticercosis infection arises from poor sanitation and hygiene. "You can actually infect yourself," says Helmby, as poor hygiene, such as failing to wash your hands, could result in you eating the eggs of an adult worm living in your intestine. "Self-infection is common."

The global distribution of pork tapeworms is widespread with high numbers across Latin America, Africa and Asia, according to the World Health Organization. As a result of its higher prevalence and due to increased international travel, Gkrania-Klotsas has three patients in her care in Cambridge who have previously experienced neurocysticercosis.

5 Irresistible Qualities Of A Woman Of God

Every man of God has certain qualities they find irresistible in a woman of God. Whether you are an unmarried man in need of discovering what you should look for in a wife, or a unmarried woman curious to know what qualities a man of God is searching for…this is for you!

1. A woman of God who values honor.
A woman who fearlessly honors others, values herself. To honor someone means to esteem them or show high respect. A woman who demonstrates this reveals her heart for people. Honoring up, down, and around is the rule to follow.

Honoring up means respecting those who are in authority over you, being able to accept their role and submit to their leadership. Honoring those below you includes those that look up to you, or work underneath you. Honoring those around you is respecting your friends, family, and colleagues. You know a woman who honors by the words she speaks to those closest to her. Finding the gold in someone is easy because they only desire to build that person up rather than tear them down. A woman who values honor adds value to everyone around her, which makes for an irresistible woman.

2. A woman of God who is interdependent.
A woman who is interdependent is not solely dependent on others, nor is she solely dependent on herself, but understands she needs others to thrive in life. When we come out of the womb, we are fully dependent on our parents, and the goal is learn how to do life
This quality is best seen in those that aren’t too prideful to ask for help or support, and are able to do the same for others. Every husband feels esteemed when their wives depend on them, but they treasure a woman they can depend on as well.

3. A woman of God who has identity.
A woman who knows who she is, and what her identity is in Christ will not be found falling into the traps set by the Enemy. When a woman’s identity is in Christ there are a myriad of things that will follow such as: confidence, consistency, resilience, humility, ability to change, and loving unconditionally.
When talking with my other male friends who are married and some still unmarried, they each said this was one of the most important qualities that drew them to their wives. This quality keeps you from competing, being jealous, or intimidated by others.

4. A woman of God who is a lover of God.
A woman who is a lover of God has not only found God, but has been found by God. She knows His heart, and He knows hers. This level of relationship requires grace, discipline, and sacrifice. When the bible says in John 14:23, “Anyone who loves me will obey my commands”, He is talking about lovers of God. A woman who loves God, bears the fruit of it by obeying Him. This quality is one that draws and keeps a genuine man of God. This was the quality I prayed for in my wife more than any other. I knew if she was a lover of God, then everything else would fall in line.

5. A woman of God who is holistically beautiful.
The term, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, is very true because everyone sees beauty differently. 1 Peter 3:3-5 eloquently states, “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”

Nigeria Fumes After Indonesia Executed Two Nigerians For Drug Offences, Summons Ambassador

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali, on Sunday in Abuja summoned the Indonesian
Ambassador to register Nigeria’s protest over the execution, by firing squad, of two Nigerians.

A statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Public Communication, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, said the executed Nigerians are Solomon Okafor (Alias Namaona Denils) and Daniels Enemuo (Alias Diarrassoube Mamadou) by the Indonesian government.

It said the Nigerians were executed for drug offences at the Island of Nusakambangu in Cilacap, Central Java Province, in spite of appeals by the Federal Government.

“The executions were carried out despite persistent pleas for clemency made by the federal government, including the National Assembly.

“The executions had taken place against the grain of the excellent relations that subsist between Nigeria and Indonesia.
“Thus, the foreign minister has summoned the Indonesian Ambassador to register Nigeria’s protest”.
It strongly appealed to the Indonesian authorities to exercise clemency for other 12 Nigerians on the death row in that country.

According to it, also executed with them were two women, one each from Indonesia and Vietnam, two Brazilians, and one Dutch national.

The statement said the federal government had expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased.

It also appealed to Nigerians to desist from drug trafficking which attracted capital punishment in Indonesia and in many other countries.

It said it would continue to engage the Indonesian authorities to negotiate and conclude a Prisoner Transfer Agreement.

The statement said the agreement might enable other convicted Nigerians to return home to serve their prison terms.

Indonesia, like Nigeria, is yet to abolish the death penalty although drug offences do not carry capital punishment in Nigeria.

Dangote, 6 Foreign Firms To Commence Mining Of Gold, Iron, Coal In Nigeria

Dangote Group of Companies will commence mining of gold, iron ore, coal and lead/zinc this year, the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) said on Monday.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the Director-General of the Office, Mohammed Amate, also disclosed that six foreign mining companies will commence work next year.

The companies, according to Amate, are Australian mining firm, Kogi Mines Ltd, Segilola Nig. Ltd, Mines Geotechniques Nig. Ltd. and Northern Numero Resources Ltd. Others are West African Polaris Investment Ltd. and Tongyi Allied and Mineral Services Ltd.

The MCO DG said Kogi Mines, based in Kogi State, had already concluded a four-year exploration programme and had delineated more than 500 million tonnes of iron ore. It would therefore commence mining of iron ore in Agbaja in 2015.

Segilola Nig. Ltd would also begin mining of gold in Iperindo area of the IIesha Schist belt of Osun State, as more than one million ounces of gold had already been delineated in the area after the company’s exploration programme, according to Amate,

Mines Geotechniques Nig. Ltd and Northern Numero Resources Ltd, also Australian companies, will both begin mining of gold in Kebbi.

Amate noted that the Federal Government had last year signed an agreement with the companies, to commence mining their discoveries.

Once Dangote concludes its coal exploration in 2015, it is expected to immediately commence mining of the resource in Kogi and Benue. The company holds mining titles covering limestone, coal and gypsum.

Chinese miner, West African Polaris Investment Ltd, would commence mining of tin and columbite in Nasarawa State, while Tongyi Allied and Mineral Services Ltd, another Chinese company, would begin mining of lead/zinc in Wasa, Plateau State.

With the Chinese companies having successfully delineated their reserves, Amate said the two companies would commence major mining operation in various locations in the two states.
He revealed that 169 Small Scale Mining Companies had already begun mining gemstone, gold, lead/zinc, columbite/Tantalite among others across the country.

US Committed To Credible Elections In Nigeria – Ambassador

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, has declared his country’s support for a free and fair election in Nigeria this February.

Entwistle said this while addressing Nigerian journalists on the need to refine and learn new techniques in election reporting, at a workshop entitled ‘Community Reporting for Building of Democratic Values in the Run-up to the 2015 general elections.’

“The United States strongly supports a free, transparent, credible, inclusive, and nonviolent electoral process in Nigeria. We shall continue to call upon all Nigerians to refrain from advocating, fomenting, or condoning violence before, during, or after the elections,” Entwistle said.

He therefore urged political parties and the government to ensure that all registered voters participate freely in a peaceful and transparent process. But they must create an environment where that can happen. He also implored the country’s political leadership and aspirants to refrain from the use of inflammatory rhetorics.

Speaking further, he said: “Journalists are expected to become experts who report on election rules, from how those rules govern the preparation of voter rolls to the tallying of final vote counts. Journalists in democracies have the vital task of reporting on the issues that voters want politicians to address, and helping to hold elected officials accountable for their campaign promises.”

“Good journalism, therefore is fundamental to an election process that protects the rights of all Nigerians to use the ballot box to reflect the views and concerns of their communities. Professional media are among the most powerful tools available to support a free, credible, inclusive, and peaceful electoral process in which democratic principles are adhered to by all parties, candidates, and institutions.