Saturday Open Heavens Daily Devotional - Boasting Disallowed

MEMORISE: And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1ST Corinthians 8:2.

Saturday Rhapsody Of Realities - There's More To Life

There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body (Luke 12:23 MSG).

Living a comfortable life doesn’t mean that you have nice furniture, you ride a great car or that you have or live in a mansion, or you own a yatch etc. You can have all those things and not be at peace within. Meanwhile, someone can be in the pit, dungeon, or in prison, and be full of joy.

Relief As Doctors Now Have Permanent Cure for Sickle Cell Anaemia

                                 

Doctors at the University of Ibadan in partnership with the University of Illinois, Chicago, USA and University of Loyola, Chicago have discovered a permanent cure for Sickle Cell Anaemia.

Over five million Nigerians suffer from Sickle Cell Anaemia, a severe hereditary form of anaemia in which a mutated form of hemoglobin distorts the red blood cells into a crescent shape at low oxygen levels.

China to end one-child policy and allow two

 China has decided to end its decades-long one-child policy, the state-run Xinhua news agency reports.

Couples will now be allowed to have two children, it said, citing a statement from the Communist Party.

The controversial policy was introduced nationally in 1979, to slow the population growth rate.

Thursday Rhapsody Of Realities - Stay Positive

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

Thursday Open Heavens Devotional - Dangers Of Envy II

MEMORISE: And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. Genesis 30:1.

Fifa Presidential Election Candidates Confirmed

Seven candidates will stand in Fifa's presidential election on 26 February.

The candidates are: Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Musa Bility, Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino, Michel Platini, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa and Tokyo Sexwale.

Trinidadian ex-footballer David Nakhid was not included on the list, despite saying he had submitted his candidacy.

Older Women Getting Pregnant In Record Numbers Putting Strain On Midwives

                                   

The number of babies born in England and Wales to women aged 30-49 was up 6,859 last year. Record numbers of births to older mothers are putting maternity units under pressure - with the NHS short of around 2,600 midwives, a report found.

The number of babies born in England and Wales to women in their thirties and forties was up 6,859 in 2014, according to the state of maternity services report 2015 from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).

Improving Your Relationship

                                

"Don't be harsh with each other. Speak kindly and speak tenderly. Be kind and be tender. It bothers me when a wife or husband is kind to others but not their own. That is wrong on every level. Your spouse, your children, your family should always be your first concern. Not anybody else! Be respectful to each other, support each other. Don't criticise! Whatever you won't do to others outside, should NOT be done to your spouse or children.

Wednesday Open Heavens Devotional - Dangers Of Envy I

MEMORISE: A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 14:30.

Wednesday Rhapsody Of Realities - The Epistles Of Christ!

...Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart (2 Corinthians 3:1-3).

Tuesday Open Heavens Devotional - He Still Sends Angels

MEMORISE: Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? HEBREWS 1:14.

Tuesday Rhapsody Of Realities - There's Hope For You

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4).

President's Bodyguard Shot Dead

Sergeant N J Magwaza from president Zuma’s protection unit, has been shot dead. He was fatally shot in eNtumeni, Eshowe, at about 1.30am on Monday, October 26.

Monday Open Heavens Devotional - Help After Losing Hope

MEMORISE: For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. Ecclesiastes 9:4.

Monday Rhapsody Of Realities - The Word In You—An Inside Force!

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).

The Word of God wasn’t given to us just to reveal some things to us about God; the Word of God was given to us to live by. Some people only believe the Word; but “believing” isn’t enough; you believe and then act accordingly! You haven’t really believed the Word if you weren’t compelled to act accordingly, because when you believe, you’re compelled to action. We believe to do! We don’t believe the Word for nothing.

Sunday Open Heavens Devotional - Raising Godly Children?

MEMORISE: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4.

Sunday Rhapsody Of Realities - A Message Of Reconciliation!

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

UK Clock goes back 1 hour today

                                 

Winter time officially arrived at 2am this morning, as the clocks make their annual leap back one hour to return to Greenwich Mean Time.

The good news is that it meant an extra hour in bed and not waking up in the dark in the morning. But the bad news is that it means the dark winter evenings are here at last.

But we haven’t always had to cope with the clock change.

The idea of British Summer Time, otherwise known as Daylight Saving Time, was first introduced by English builder William Willett in 1907, in a bid to save people from wasting valuable hours of light during summer mornings.

The enterprising Briton published a pamphlet called ‘The Waste of Daylight’, attempting to persuade people that it was a good idea to get out of bed earlier by putting clocks across the nation forward at the start of spring.

Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy After 30

                                   

Women were not designed to get pregnant or give birth after age 30. That’s why there are more risks involved with childbirth after age 30. The reason women in their 40s have fertility issues is because the human body is not prepared for natural birth at that age.

‘Women should keep the spark in their marriages alive’

                              

Mrs. Saliat Bolanle Isola  is the Chief Academic Planning Officer, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja, former Family Support  Programme (FSP) chairperson, Abeokuta North Local Government and wife of  a  former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Isola. Here, she speaks with Toluwani Olamitoke  on  her life experience, marriage and fashion preference.

Strongest hurricane ever makes landfall in Mexico (Video)

                           

Patricia, the strongest hurricane ever recorded, made landfall on Mexico’s Pacific coast on Friday, a Mexican weather official said.

“The eye of the hurricane has already made landfall in Emiliano Zapata” in Jalisco state, near the major port of Manzanillo, National Water Commission director Roberto Ramirez told Milenio television.

Fantastic Job Opportunity In A Christian Organisation

                              

Kenneth Copeland Ministries Europe are currently looking for a full time multimedia designer who is passionate about graphic design, and would be excited about being part of their team.

Media aide to Gov Wike survives assassination attempt

                                 

Mr Opunabo Nko-Tariah, who is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Nyesom Wike, on thursday night escaped assassination attempt on his life.

Saturday Open Heavens Devotional - Instruments Of Deliverance

MEMORISE: But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Jeremiah 1:7.

Saturday Rhapsody Of Realities - He's The Limit-Breaker!

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Gunmen kill Pastor in Bayelsa

Unidentified gunmen have killed the Pastor of Land of Peace Ministry, Mr. Alawari Ogili, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Ogili was reportedly killed at his residence along DSP Alamieyeseigha Way, Opolo, Yenagoa, the state capital.

The Nation gathered that the gunmen scaled the fence of their target at about 2:00am on Wednesday, forced their way into his bedroom and killed him.

A security source, who spoke in confidence, said the assassins shot Ogili dead and fled the house without stealing any valuable.

Baltimore Mom Gives Birth to 'Incredibly Rare' Identical Triplets

                          

One’s company, two’s a crowd, and three’s a party -– Kristen and Tom Hewitt know that firsthand after giving birth to extremely rare identical triplets in Baltimore earlier this month.

Kristen Hewitt said that when the couple got their first ultrasound, the technician was abnormally quiet. To break up the silence, her husband jokingly asked “if there was more than one baby in there.” The tech laughed and broke the news that the couple had not one, not two, but three buns in the oven.

TalkTalk cyber-attack: Website hit by 'significant' breach

                                

TalkTalk chief executive Dido Harding has confirmed that their website has been attached and they wanted to take the precaution of contacting all of their customers as fast as possible. Police are investigating a "significant and sustained cyber-attack" on the TalkTalk website, the UK company says.

Friday Open Heavens Devotional - Wise In Your Own Eyes?

MEMORISE: Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Psalm 3:7.

Friday Rhapsody Of Realities - The Glory Of Our Kingdom

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory ; and his disciples believed on him (John 2:11).

UK Lifts Restrictions On Recruiting Nurses From Overseas

                               

Government announces temporary changes to restrictions on nurse recruitment from outside European Economic Area to ensure safe staffing levels across the NHS.

Restrictions on appointing nurses from overseas have been temporarily lifted to aid recruitment. Nurses will be added to the government’s Shortage Occupation List, which means nurses from outside the European Economic Area will have their applications prioritised.

Thursday Open Heavens Devotional - Worship: What State Of Maturity?

MEMORISE: Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Psalm 113:2.

Thursday Rhapsody Of Realities - You Must Go To Church!

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

Wednesday Open Heavens Devotional - Envy: Not Comely

MEMORISE: Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Psalm 37:1.

Wednesday Rhapsody Of Realities - A New Heart

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Tuesday Open Heavens Devotional - Angels On Assignment

MEMORISE: For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11.

Tuesday Rhapsody Of Realities - You’re Divinely Protected

And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them (2 Kings 6:16).

There’s a very inspiring story in 2 Kings Chapter 6.The King of Syria wanted Elisha, a prophet of God, arrested. The Bible says, “Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about” (2 Kings 6:14). When Elisha’s servant woke up, he discovered that he and Elisha were completely surrounded, and he became terrified: "...Alas, my master! how shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). He lamented!

South Africa universities close amid student fee protests

Protests over fee increases have forced the suspension of teaching at three of South Africa's top universities.

Protests have spread from Johannesburg's Wits University, closed last week after thousands demonstrated on campus, to the universities of Rhodes and Cape Town (UCT).

Wits University agreed to suspend a 10.5% tuition fee increase on Friday, pending negotiations with students.

Protesters argue that poorer, mainly black students would be worst affected.

A statement from Wits University said that a decline in state subsidy over the years, combined with inflationary pressures, were behind the fee increases in recent years.

Cancelled California wedding becomes meal for homeless

 After a wedding in California was called off, the bride's family decided to invite homeless people to the reception meal instead.

The bride's mother, Kari Duane, said her daughter told her on Monday she and her fiance had decided not to go ahead with the event.

Rather than cancel, Ms Duane invited homeless people to the feast at Sacramento's Citizen Hotel.

About 90 turned up to enjoy steak, salad, salmon and other delicacies.

One of those who took up the invitation, Rashad Abdullah, arrived with his wife and five children.

"When you're going through a hard time and a struggle to get out to do something different and with your family, it was really a blessing," Mr Abdullah told local television station KCRA.

The bride's mother said she had mixed feelings about the day.

"Even though my husband and I were feeling very sad for our daughter, it was heart-warming to see so many people be there and enjoy a meal,'' Ms Duane said.

Part of the $35,000 (£22,631) non-refundable cost of the wedding was a trip to Belize. Ms Duane and her daughter left for Belize on Sunday.

Theresa May targets 'all those who spread hate'

                                

The home secretary has vowed to "systematically confront and challenge extremist ideology" as she detailed new curbs on those who "spread hate".

Radical preachers will be banned from posting material online and anyone with convictions for extremist activity will be barred from working with children.

Deradicalisation classes will be made mandatory for others deemed a threat.

But Muslim leaders warned the strategy "continues down a flawed path" and risks "alienating" Muslims in the UK.

Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey's condition 'has improved'

The condition of a Scottish nurse who contracted Ebola while working in West Africa has improved, according to the hospital where she is being treated.

Pauline Cafferkey was readmitted to a specialist isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London this month (Read here). 

She was being treated for complications after tests showed the infection was still present in her system.

Last week her condition was described as "critical", but the hospital said she was now "serious but stable".

Our prayers are with you and your family.

Source: BBC 

See inside photos of Linda Ikeji's new luxury Banana Island (Ikoyi) home

Linda standing in front of her house

Linda recently acquired a two-storey luxury house in the exclusive Banana Island area of Ikoyi, Lagos. She said "I still can't believe it. It's everything I prayed my house would be." The house is on 3 floors consisting of 6 en-suite bedrooms, a master suite with a separate walk-in closet/dressing room and a massive bathroom suite, 2 living rooms, media room, cinema room, gym room, laundry room, a fully fitted kitchen, with a large pantry. Two room boys-quarters, a gatehouse, garden, swimming pool, waterfall wall, changing room, cabana, and amazing water-view. Absolutely my dream home. Dreams do come true, you know! Click to see more photos of the house and read what Linda has to say to the young ladies...

Monday Open Heavens Devotional - When Help Is Volunteered

MEMORISE: Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32.

Monday Rhapsody Of Realities - Have A Strong Desire For Him

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD…(Jeremiah 29:13-14).

Immigration Bill 2015: Who will be affected

                               

The Immigration bill has passed it's second reading in the House of Commons and is now being sent to a Public Bill Committee. It received 323 votes to 274 with considerable opposition from Labour, Lib Dem and SNP MPs. Speaking of the large number of immigration changes that have been made since Theresa May has become Home Secretary they argued that it will not reduce illegal immigration and will damage social cohesion. See how this may affect various category of people after the cut...

Pharmacist Reveals What Constant Sex Will Do To You

A University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital pharmacist, Mr Lanre Alege, has confirmed some of the things to expect when one engages in regular sexual activities. According to Vanguard, the pharmacist earlier today, Sunday, October 18, charged many for lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). Talking on the topic:  “Minimising the Risk of BPH” at the monthly Keep Fit Exercise for members of staff of the UITH held at the Kwara Stadium, Alege said constant sex, nutrition, limitation of alcohol intake, exercise, sitting habit and dressing mode are what make up lifestyle changes.

Sunday Open Heavens Devotional - Wealth Transfer

MEMORISE: A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22.
Read Proverbs 13:21-22 - 21.Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

Sunday Rhapsody Of Realities - The Spirit Of Prayer

Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). There’s such a thing as a “spirit of prayer”; and by this I’m not describing necessarily a certain angel or spirit whose name is called “prayer”; no. I’m talking about when the Holy Spirit brings an overwhelming atmosphere and influence of prayer into your life such that the urge and need to pray is so uncontrollable that you can’t but pray. That unction rests on you and influences you over a period of time. Prayer becomes all that you think about, and that influence can stay on you for months, a year, or even longer.

Watch full interview with PMB about Boko Haram

Full interview: In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari about Boko Haram, alleged abuses by the Nigerian military and his leadership of the country.

Saturday Rhapsody Of Realities - Hold Yourself In!

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance... (2 Peter 1:5-6).

Saturday Open Heavens Devotional - Carriers Of Blessings

MEMORISE: Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:5.