LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT COLLECTS 82 UNITS OF BLOOD IN 8 MONTHS, SAYS IT HAS CAPACITY FOR SUPPLY OF SAFE BLOOD – LSBTS

06/09/23

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

PRESS RELEASE

EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: LAGOS HAS CAPACITY FOR SUPPLY OF SAFE BLOOD – LSBTS

…Collects 82,000 Units of Blood in Eight Months

Lagos State Government has said that it has the capacity for timely and adequate supply and access to safe blood and blood products in the event of emergencies and disaster occurrence in the State.

Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya who stated this today noted that the State Government through the LSBTS, has developed capacity to provide safe blood for emergency services during disasters. 

Speaking during the LSBTS quarterly management review meeting at the agency’s headquarters located within the premises of the Gbagada General Hospital, Osikomaiya explained that the State Blood Transfusion Service is designated to organize the emergency plan and coordinate actions to be taken by public and private blood banks, blood donation centres and third party logistics companies in times of disaster and emergencies.

She explained further that Lagos has 28 public blood banks, 126 private blood banks, network of blood donation centres, blood transportation and logistical support by ambulances, motorcycles, and third party blood logistic companies licenced under the supervision of The LSBTS for movement of blood from blood banks to hospitals and in times of disaster, and from the disaster site to the hospital where the transfusion is required. 

According to her, “the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service was established with a mandate to provide safe blood through the recruitment of voluntary blood donors, screening of every unit of blood for Transfusion Transmissible Infection, efficient processing of blood and appropriate clinical use of blood for all who require it”. 

She stated that the Agency has implemented the requirements of its mandate by progressively increasing the number of voluntary blood donors at the grassroots and ensuring that every unit of blood is safe for transfusion. 

Osikomaiya disclosed that her agency has designed protocol for constant stock of blood for emergencies and disasters, including for Blood Group O Rhesus negative blood which does not need to be cross matched before transfusion when the need arises for blood in line with the international standard of Emergency Blood Release. 

“We also have a database of voluntary blood donors and a rare blood donor register which is used to recruit voluntary blood donors if more blood than is available is required as well to replace the already used blood in preparation for other emergencies. 

“There is a pool of skilled health workers which include medical doctors, scientists, technicians, phlebotomists and blood donor organisers that are regularly trained and engaged in simulation exercises and drills on emergency and disaster preparedness, who are called upon to support in the provision of emergency services”, the Executive Secretary said.

She noted that the LSBTS through the impeccable support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has established standard communications systems enhanced with the provision of Closed User Group (CUGs) in LSBTS and public blood banks, and the screening and certification centres.

Osikomaiya added that there is a well organised communication channel with private blood banks through the Blood Bank Society of Nigeria and the Federal blood banks in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the regional National Blood Service Commission to ensure blood is available promptly during disasters stressing that there are contact numbers of LSBTS emergency officers located in different hospitals to enhance exchange of information.

While stating that Lagos State is the only State with a policy on automation in screening blood for transfusion transmissible infections like HIV I/II, Hepatitis B and C and Syphilis, the Executive Secretary disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu recently approved the screening and certification of blood using fully automated systems to ensure the highest quality of safe blood within a short time. 

“These screening and certification centres are mandated to offer daily 24-hour service with simultaneous production of emergency blood components like fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrates by the three LSBTS blood component production centres”, She said.

While referencing the Ita-faaji and BRT bus-train collision accidents, Osikomaiya stated that emergency preparedness plans in blood transfusion service are standard protocols implemented during public disasters. 

She added that the outcomes of the two accidents which involved well-coordinated blood transfusion service by LSBTS were well commended by the patients, management team and the citizenry of Lagos State, stressing that no lives were lost due to unavailability of safe blood. 

“During the BRT bus-train collision, 34 units of screened blood and 22 units of blood components were dispatched to LSBTS-LASUTH blood bank to meet with the emergency requests before the patients got to the State tertiary health facility where all patients were triaged and received emergency care. 849 voluntary blood donors were recruited and the LSBTS had appropriate professional capacity to attend to everyone who responded to news of the disaster”, Executive Secretary stated.

She noted that contrary to misinformation being peddled in some quarters about unavailability and access to safe blood during emergencies, the LSBTS have collected over 82,000 units of blood through its licensed private and public blood banks as at August 2023, a figure which reflects a 17% increase in the number of blood collected a year ago.

Signed

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo 

Director Public Affairs 

6th September, 2023

REDUCING INFANT MORTALITY: LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT UNVEILES PLAN

06/09/23

PRESS RELEASE

 

LAGOS UNVEILS, DISSEMINATES PLAN TO REDUCE NEWBORN DEATHS

 

 

Lagos State Government today launched a document which contains strategies to accelerate progress towards achieving the vision to reduce and end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths in the State titled: the Lagos State Every Newborn Action Plan (LaSENAP).

 

The document which was unveiled and disseminated to health sector stakeholders at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, was developed in line with the Nigerian Every Newborn Action Plan (NiENAP) and the Lagos State Strategic Health Development Plan II (SSDPII).

…..Restates Commitment to Elimination of Neonatal Mortality, Stillbirths 

 

Speaking at the launch of the document, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye noted that the LaSENAP document is aimed at scaling up evidence based and cost effective interventions that will serve as a concerted efforts towards translating global, national and state commitments into a meaningful change for newborns.

 

In his words: “The LaSENAP document contains the strategy of the Lagos State Government to accelerate progress towards achieving the vision to reduce and ultimately end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths.

 

The plan is aimed at not only fast tracking progress but scaling up evidence based and cost effective interventions that will serve as a concerted effort towards translating global, national and state commitments into a meaningful change for newborns while improving coverage targets in line with the global timeline for year 2030”.

 

While explaining that the LaSENAP document was developed in line with NiENAP and SSDPII, making use of 10 thematic areas and presenting the intervention packages required to improve newborn health through a four pronged approach, Ogboye opined that implementing LaSENAP will help reduce neonatal mortality in Lagos and Nigeria.

 

 

“It is expected that with the efforts and gains contributed from implementing the LaSENAP, neonatal mortality in Nigeria will reduce to 15 per 1000 live births or less by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target”, He said.

 

The Permanent Secretary disclosed further that Lagos State has made a significant progress over the years in improving maternal and child health indices stressing that this is consistent with the improvement of the State health system of providing quality maternal and neonatal care.

 

He added the significant progress recorded by Lagos is as a result of its strengths and opportunities which include strong political will, continuous engagement with professional bodies, active collaboration with the private health sector, continued human capital development of health workers, donor agencies and partner support, hardworking and committed health workforce and dedicated budget line for child health intervention.

 

“The State is not resting her oars in spite of the downward trend in the number of under- five and neonatal deaths in the State. Newborn deaths are a significant contributor of under-five mortality, and the three major causes of death in newborns are prematurity, perinatal asphyxia and neonatal sepsis which are largely preventable by good antenatal care, delivery by skilled birth attendants and good postpartum care”, Ogboye said.

 

 

While officially unveiling the document, the Permanent Secretary urged all relevant agencies of government, developmental partners, civil societies, private sector and other stakeholders to join hands with the Ministry of Health to mobilize necessary resources towards the full implementation of activities in the policy document.

 

 

“The goals for child survival and reduction of neonatal mortality cannot be reached without an increased focus on neonatal outcomes. It is imperative that all inter-sectoral stakeholders come together to overcome the bottlenecks and ensure quality and equitable newborn care for all neonates.

 

“Strong leadership will and institutionalization of appropriate policies and guidelines are needed to harmonize the implementation of interventions through an efficient monitoring and evaluation framework across the State”, Ogboye stated.

 

Earlier, the Chief of UNICEF  Lagos Field Office, Dr. Celine Lafoucriere noted that the launch and dissemination of the LaSENAP document is a significant milestone for thousands of Newborns in Lagos whose fundamental right to survival is about to take a positive turn.

 

She added that the development and dissemination of the plan is a testament to the Lagos State Government’s commitment to prioritizing children’s health and well-being and a positive move towards achieving the SDG target for reducing neonatal deaths in Nigeria

 

“By putting the health and well-being of children and newborns on the agenda through this tool for strengthening newborn care, we collectively give them a fair chance at a better and safer life. Healthy women and children are the backbone of a healthy and productive society, and Maternal and newborn health is critical for achieving universal health coverage”, Lafoucriere said.

 

While commending the Lagos State Government for its all-inclusive system of governance and collaboration with relevant stakeholders in improving the health of citizens, the Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office said that UNICEF is fully committed to working with the State Government to support the acceleration efforts as outlined in the action plan to reduce newborn deaths and provide quality, efficient and accessible healthcare for every mother and child. 

 

“Our goal should be to reach a level in Lagos State where no child dies from preventable causes, and all children reach their full potential in health and well-being. Achieving this goal requires a holistic approach that addresses inequities in health outcomes, strengthens the health systems, and promotes integrated, multi-sectoral policies and programs”, She noted.

 

Speaking in the same vein, the Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara noted that the LaSENAP document embodies the collective wisdom and expertise of the State technical teams, civil society organizations and community leaders.

 

“This document emerged from meticulous scrutiny of the national versions, accompanied by a series of bottleneck analyses and validations at various levels. This patient and thorough process has yielded a well-crafted document that we believe will garner commitment from donors, philanthropists, development partners, and compassionate individuals”, She stated.

 

Oludara added that the State Government has also achieved remarkable milestones in caring for older children through targeted strategies including routine immunization, integrated management of childhood illnesses, home-based care, diarrhea control, infant and young child feeding amongst others.

 

Giving an overview of the LaSENAP document, the  Program Coordinator, Dr. Taiwo Johnson explained that the seven chapter documents presents interventions packages required to improve newborn health using four pronged strategy which include; the promotion of facility based deliveries at scale addressing equity issues; strengthening of community based intervention; strengthening facility readiness to provide quality care for newborns; and provision of quality care for newborn with a focus on labour birth and immediate care after birth during the first week of life.

 

Dr. Johnson noted that the vision of the document is to achieve a state where deaths of newborns are eliminated and every woman delivers safely with all newborns surviving and developed to achieve their maximum potential.

 

“It lays out Lagos vision of a State where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth celebrated, and women , babies and children survive, thrive and reach their full potential with no preventable deaths of newborns and no still births”, She said.

 

Signed

 

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo

Director, Public Affairs

5th September, 2023

GOSPEL CORNER: JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIESToday’s Word

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV

06/09/23

Today’s Scripture


Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV

Be a Stander
God is not necessarily looking for people who have great faith, but for people who simply stand with an attitude of faith. People who stand when the problem is not turning around, stand when your heart is breaking, stand when the bottom falls out—not bitter, not discouraged. God never said we wouldn’t have times of trouble. But He did promise that if you just stand, He’ll bring you out. He’ll defeat your enemies. He’ll give you beauty for ashes. He has joy coming in the morning. Don’t let those times of testing cause you to think that God is not for you.

The enemy cannot defeat a stander. He can’t defeat you when you stand in praise even when things are not working out. You stand in excellence and keep being your best in the middle of the trouble. You stand unmoved by what you’re up against, stand with your eyes on God, knowing that He has the final say, that He’s working behind the scenes, that what He promised you will come to pass.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for Your promise that You will work out Your plans for my life. Help me to stand firm in my faith in the times when nothing seems to make sense. You have never failed me in the past, and I know You’re not going to fail me in the future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

SECTION TWO


The Bible tells us, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.” This means that while there is wisdom in ungodly counsel, a blessed man does not depend on it nor walk in it. On the contrary, his delight is in the Word of God, which is the person of Jesus!

My friend, let your delight be in Jesus. See Him in every page of the Bible as you meditate on God’s Word day and night.

Beloved, whose counsel are you walking in today for your provision? Be wary of ungodly counsel that promises you quick short-term gains that could cause you to get into a debt trap. Conversely, as you meditate on Jesus daily, you will enjoy the blessings of abundance as a by-product of just being in His presence! As you delight in Jesus, you will bring forth fruit in season, your leaf (your health) will not wither, and whatever you do becomes abundantly blessed!

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES : Don’t Be Impatient For The Lord To Act ! Keep Traveling Steadily along his Pathway and in due Season he will Honour you with every Blessing Today’s Word

GOSPEL CORNER: Psalm 37:34 TLB

Don’t Be Impatient For The Lord To Act ! Keep Traveling Steadily along his Pathway and in due Season he will Honour you with every Blessing

Today’s Scripture

TRAVEL STEADILY


Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing.
Psalm 37:34, TLB


We all have things we’re waiting on—for the promotion to come, our health to improve, to meet the right person. When it’s taken longer than we thought, it’s easy to get discouraged. But just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. What God promised you is still en route. The waiting period is simply a test. Are you going to get discouraged and quit believing? Or are you going to keep traveling steadily, keep praying, keep thanking God, keep being your best at work, keep being good to coworkers?

There’s power in doing the right thing consistently. You’re not moved by what’s not changing. You consistently have a good attitude. You’re consistently excellent at work, and it will get noticed. You may be dealing with many challenges, but you’re not complaining. You’re consistently praising God, consistently declaring His promises, consistently expecting His favor. That’s what it means to travel steadily. God never promised things will turn around instantly. Don’t be impatient. God rewards faithful people who keep doing the right thing.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that there is a purpose for times of waiting, whether I understand it or not. Help me to be patient, to keep traveling steadily along Your pathway, to be consistent, knowing that it’s all part of Your process. I believe that what You promised is still en route. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”


SECTION TWO

You don’t need a financial miracle when you are consistently walking in the wisdom of God. In other words, when you walk in His wisdom, you won’t be surviving from one bailout to another, nor be in a constant state of financial crisis and lack.

My friend, God’s provision of wisdom is abundant and I want to challenge you to tap into this powerful resource from heaven.

Before you make a career move, start a new business, or make a significant purchase or investment, involve Jesus. Don’t exclude the Lord. When someone pressurizes you to sign an agreement because the offer is “only valid for today,” take a step back. Don’t make an emotional decision and rush into it. Wait upon the Lord. Be prepared to walk away from this “great opportunity” if you don’t sense His peace and wisdom. Learning how to flow in divine wisdom will save you both precious time and money.

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY !

Regardless of age, race, sex, class or status, everyone uses herbs as food or as medicine!

Yes, the same herb that serves as food can be used as a herbal medicine for different diseases and medical conditions!

At what points, and under what conditions, can a culinary herb become a medicinal herb?

This, and lots more, will be addressed in this training.

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There is absolute time flexibility: – You can read and study the lectures at your convenience without missing anything.
There is an endless opportunity in this training: – You will get great values for every resource – money and time – you will spend on this programme.

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There is a special discount for group registration.

Act now.
Don’t miss this opportunity.

BOY WITH ALLEGED MISSING INTESTINES: GOVERNOR SANWO- OLU INTERVANES

04/09/23

PRESS RELEASE

OLADIPO DG

The Governor of Lagos State
Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday paid an unscheduled visit to Debola Akin-Bright at LASUTH After listening to his case and pledged to take over his medical care, by pulling all medical expertise from LASUTH and other resources to save Debola’s life.

The Management of the Lagos State University teaching Hospitals LASUTH has also clearified speculations surrounding the issue on

on Some Media Platforms about the said missing intestines of a young lad after surgery at the Hospital

In Press Statement made available Sunday, the hospital
empathized with the family of the patient, adding that financial assistance from any quarters for the Family will be in order but They should stop blackmailing the state government via the social media

According to the statement, the hospital management is cooperating with the state agency which is already investigating this rather unfortunate case.

The Hospital Management said their hospital is an excellent tertiary institution with highly knowledgeable and skilled medical consultants and also
equipped with state of the art facilities.

It noted that The patient in question was referred to their hospital after having two surgeries carried out in a private hospital and He required extensive optimisation in our facility before a corrective surgery could be carried out.

At the surgery, which was carried out by an experienced pediatric surgeon and her team , certain strange findings were discovered.

According to LASUTH Management,There is a video clip of these intraoperative findings as The mother was informed about these findings but she appeared to be in denial.

The hospital is in possession of a comprehensive report of the findings by a high powered panel that it quickly set up to look into all ramifications of this case.

The hospital said they carried out a corrective surgery and did not wilfully remove
any organ or structure.

GOSPEL CORNER:WE NEED TO BE CONSCIOUS OF WHAT WE WATCH AND HEAR ON A REGULAR BASIS.

04/09/23

I always encourage my church to be mindful of their eye- and ear-gates. Essentially, this means that we need to be conscious of what we watch and hear on a regular basis. The Book of Proverbs, which is chock-full of God’s wisdom, tells us, “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.”

God tells us to guard what we hear, what we see, and what is in our hearts. He wants us to have our ears full of the gracious words of Jesus, our eyes full of the presence of Jesus and our hearts meditating on what we have heard and seen in Jesus. That’s what “give attention to my words” means today in the new covenant, for Jesus is God’s Word made flesh. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace [unmerited favor] and truth.”

It is all about beholding Jesus, and as we behold Him, we are transformed more and more into His likeness, full of unmerited favor and truth! Don’t miss this powerful promise, my friend. The result of tuning our ear- and eye-gates to Jesus is that He will be life and health to us.

The Bible shows us that there is a direct correlation between hearing and seeing Jesus, and the health of our physical bodies. The more we hear and see Jesus, the healthier and stronger we become! Our mortal bodies become infused with His resurrection life and power!

If we are only feeding on the news media, magazines, or the unending stream of information on the Internet, it is no wonder that we feel weak and tired. There is just no nourishment for us there.

I am not asking you to become an ignoramus or to live in a cave. What I am saying is this: Know whatam is good for the wholeness of your body and mind. Be wise—don’t overdose yourself on information and knowledge that does not infuse you with God’s life and power.

Please hear what I am saying. It is all right to keep yourself abreast of current world events and be in the know about what is happening in the Middle East, trends in the economy and developments in the political arena. Such information may even be necessary for the industry that you are in.

GOSPEL CORNER:THE BEST WAY TO KNOW IF YOU ARE EMBROILED IN THE THINGS OF THE WORLD IS TO BE OBJECTIVE AND ASK YOURSELF THIS: “IS MY HEART TROUBLED?

03/09/23

The best way to know if you are embroiled in the things of the world is to be objective and ask yourself this: “Is my heart troubled?”

I believe that the number one killer in the modern world is stress. Medical doctors in my church have told me that if a patient has high blood pressure, they can advise the patient to cut down on sodium.

They can also advise their patients to cut down on other excesses such as sugar or cholesterol. But as doctors, there is one thing that they cannot control in their patients, and that is their patients’ stress levels.

Doctors tell us that certain physical symptoms are “psychosomatic” in nature. That’s because these symptoms are brought about by psychological problems such as stress. Stress is not from God. Peace is from Him!

I trust that you are beginning to understand why Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Now, Jesus would not have used the word “peace.” The Greek New Testament renders “peace” as eirene, but since Jesus spoke Aramaic-Hebrew, He would have used the word “shalom”—”Shalom I leave with you, My shalom I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”

I personally believe that the physical root cause of many medical conditions today is stress. Stress can produce all kinds of imbalances in your body. It can cause you to age prematurely, give you rashes, cause gastric pains and even lead to abnormal growths in your body. To put it succinctly, stress kills!

In the Hebrew vernacular, “shalom” is a very rich and loaded word. There is no English word that can accurately encapsulate the fullness, richness and power contained in the word “shalom.” Hence, English Bible translators were only able to translate it as “peace.” But while the word “shalom” includes peace, it means so much more. Let’s look at the Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon to get a better idea of what Jesus meant when He said, “Shalom I leave with you.”

The Hebrew Lexicon describes “shalom” as completeness, safety, soundness (in body), welfare, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment, peace used of human relationships, and peace with God especially in our covenant relationship. Wow, what a powerful word!

This is the shalom that Jesus has bequeathed you: His completeness, His safety, His soundness, His welfare, His health, His prosperity, His peace, His quietness, His tranquility, His contentment, His peace in human relationships, as well as His peace with God through the covenant made at the cross. All these, my friend, are part of your inheritance in Christ today!

Can you picture the full implications of what it means to experience Jesus’ shalom in your life? Can you picture your life being free from regrets, anxieties, and worries? How healthy, vibrant, energetic, and strong you will be! Thank Him for this blessing today and start enjoying Jesus’ shalom in every area of your life.

GOSPEL CORNER: HE IS LIKE A TREE PLANTED ALONG A RIVERBANK, WITH ITS ROOTS REACHING DEEP INTO THE WATER

02/09/23

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES

Today’s Word

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water—a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green, and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8, TLB

ROOTS THAT GO DEEP
God says that if you trust and hope in Him, you are blessed no matter what your circumstances are. You’re like a tree that is not affected by a drought. You keep on producing even in famine, you outlast the opposition, and you accomplish dreams bigger than you imagined. He has provided you with everything you need to succeed. The bad breaks, the people who walked away, and the unhealthy environment you may have been raised in cannot hold you back because your faith roots go deep. The illness, the child who is struggling, or the business that has slowed is not going to stop you. God is going to take what was meant for your harm and turn it to your advantage. It was meant to stop you, but if you keep believing, keep thanking God, and keep doing the right thing, you’re going to come out with luscious fruit—stronger, healthier, better than you were before. All the forces of darkness cannot keep the greatness and the purpose God put in you from flourishing in amazing ways.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that every day I can live my life rooted in my relationship with You. Thank You for planting me in the streams of Your living water that all the opposition and negative circumstances cannot diminish. I look forward to the abundance You are producing in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

PSALM 34, one of David’s most powerful psalms, was written by him in the cave of Adullam.

I find it really interesting that David wrote it during one of the most challenging seasons in his life. It’s by no stretch of the imagination for us to see that this was one of the lowest points in David’s life—on the run from King Saul, full of fear and groveling in the presence of the king of Gath, then hiding in a cave. How the mighty had fallen!

After such a demeaning episode, in his darkest hour, David could have indulged in self-pity and condemnation, but instead he chose not to be defeated by his circumstances. Rather, he chose to bless the Lord and let the praises of the Lord be continually in his mouth. Was he fearful? Absolutely! However, despite his fear that King Saul would capture him or that the king of Gath would slay him to avenge Goliath, he sought the Lord in worship in that cave.

And God in His faithfulness did not just deliver David from all his fears, but He also transformed all the men who were gathered in the cave with him. They went from being distressed, in debt, and discontented to becoming fearless warriors, giant-slayers in their own right, and faithful, mighty men who served David all the days of their lives (2 Sam. 23:8–39).

Today, do you believe that God loves you and is faithful to deliver you? It doesn’t matter if you are feeling fearful, if you are in distress, in debt, or discontented. Believe right. Believe that when you seek the Lord in worship as David did, the Lord will indeed hear you, deliver you from all your troubles, and transform you.

Worship is one of the easiest, yet most powerful ways of being free from self-occupation. Look away from the painful symptoms or the fearful circumstances that are bothering you and worship Jesus. Be occupied with Him and everything will work together for your good.

Would you do me a favor? I would like you to visit josephprince.com/power, where I have included a worship video of me leading my church in singing the words of David in Psalm 34. I want to demonstrate to you through the video how worship is one of the quickest ways for you to focus on Jesus and overcome your feelings of defeat.

I am believing that as we worship the Lord, you will be completely free from any trouble or area of defeat that you are struggling with today. Let’s agree together that your body will be healed, that all your fears will disappear, and that all your addictions will be gone in the mighty name of Jesus.

Come magnify the Lord with me, come worship Jesus with the words of David, and experience His goodness and deliverance!

GOSPEL CORNER : WHY DON’T YOU START SAYING WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT YOU? “I’M TALENTED. I’M SUCCESSFUL. I’M PROSPEROUS. I’M FREE. I’M VALUABLE. I’M A MASTERPIECE.”

01/09/23

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
John 1:22, NIV

WHO ARE YOU?
Imagine someone asking you what the Jewish priests asked John the Baptist, “Who do you say you are?” What kind of answer would you have? John’s response was to quote the words of Isaiah, “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord.” Rather than say what he felt or what other people were saying about him, John said what God said about him. Is that how you would respond?

Why don’t you start saying what God says about you? “I’m talented. I’m successful. I’m prosperous. I’m free. I’m valuable. I’m a masterpiece.” What you say about yourself is going to become a reality. What you say gives it the right to come to pass. Now quit saying negative things about yourself. “I’m so undisciplined. I’ll never get out of this neighborhood. I’ll never break this addiction.” You’re going to become what you believe. You don’t have to feel it, you just have to believe it. If you believe it long enough, you’ll not only feel it, but you’ll see it.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You alone have the right to define who I am because I am Yours. Thank You that You call me blessed, redeemed, forgiven, healthy, overcomer, and a masterpiece. I will call myself what You call me and become who You say I am. In Jesus’ Name, Amen


SECTION TWO

Under the new covenant of His amazing grace, your Father in heaven isn’t looking to judge you for your failings because He has already judged your every failing, mistake, and sin in the body of His own Son, Jesus Christ.

The name that Jesus came to reveal in the new covenant of grace is “Father.” Today God wants to reach out to you as a caring and loving Father.

Do you know the extent of His heart of love toward you?

Did you know that it was His idea to send Jesus to be punished at the cross for you?

Read the most famous passage in the Bible and personalize it so that you can see God’s heart for you: “For God so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son, that you who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn you, but that you through Him might be saved” (John 3:16–17).

Know beyond the shadow of a doubt today that your Father loves you and sent His own Son to save you.

Understand that we are not belittling the work of Jesus at the cross when we talk about the Father and His love for you. The truth is Jesus came to reveal the love of the Father to you. God so loved you that He sent His one and only beloved Son to pay the heavy price at the cross to cleanse you of all your sins.

Do you know that God loves Jesus dearly? Jesus is God’s darling Son, the apple of His eye. Now, if your Father in heaven didn’t withhold His precious Son, Jesus Christ, and sacrificed Him for you, how much do you think He loves you? You cannot begin to comprehend the intensity and sheer magnitude of your Father’s love for you until you realize how much the Father loves Jesus—because He gave up Jesus to ransom you.

I hope you are beginning to experience and see for yourself just how loved you are by the Father and how precious you are to Him! Don’t fear Him—see the heart of your Father’s love unveiled through Calvary’s cross.