PRESIDENT TINUBU ASSENTS TO ELECTRICITY ACT (AMENDMENT) BILL

PRESS RELEASE

SHINA JO

10/02/24


President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, into law.

The bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives on July 27, 2023, and the Senate on November 14, 2023, was sponsored by Honourable Babajimi Benson, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State.

The Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to address the development and environmental concerns of host communities, and sets aside five percent of the actual annual operating expenditures of power generating companies (GENCOs) from the preceding year for the development of their respective host communities.

The Bill further provides that the funds set aside for the development of host communities will be received, managed, and administered for infrastructure development in the host communities by a reputable Trustee/Manager to be jointly appointed by the respective GENCO and their host community.

CONTINUOUS INCREASE OF AVIATION FUEL THREATENS DOMESTIC AIRLINE OPERATIONS

10/02/24

VICTORIOUS TD

PRESS RELEASE

Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, has raised alarm over the continuous increase of Aviation fuel, Jet A-1 adding that it poses an existential threats to Domestic Airline Operations in the country.

In a statement, The AON’s spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo explained that the scarcity of Forex is skyrocketing price of Jet-from N800 toN1,300 per litre making it difficult to ferry Aircrafts due for maintenance to Overseas as it is now becoming a risk for operations.

The Airline Operators noted that the Aviation ecosystem is feeling the heat while the Handling companies and other Airports service charges have been jerked up which will create untold hardship on travelling Passengers who are already exhausted financially.

The association also expressed concern over the deposition of money with the central bank of Nigeria, CBN but cannot provide the needed Dollars for the Operators to carry out Operations smoothly.

Okonwkwo called for urgent intervention from the Federal Government through a special allocation of Dollars for their survival to carry out operations and maintenance as well as constant engagements with airlines at different levels.

GOSPEL CORNER:WHEN JESUS HEARD THIS, HE MARVELED AND SAID TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED HIM, “TRULY, I TELL YOU, WITH NO ONE IN ISRAEL HAVE I FOUND SUCH FAITH.”MATTHEW 8:10, ESV

10/02/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.”
Matthew 8:10, ESV

GREAT FAITH
In today’s Scripture, a Roman officer came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his dying servant. But rather than have Jesus come to his house, the officer said, “Just speak the word, and I know my servant will be healed.” No one had ever so believed in the power and authority of Jesus to heal, and it caused Jesus to marvel. This officer wasn’t Jewish or even a follower of Christ, yet he had more faith than the disciples. Having great faith is not about being a religious scholar or how long you pray. It’s about a faith that takes the limits off God.

Let’s be people who cause God to marvel over our faith and not over our doubt. Let’s be people who dare to believe and ask bigger, who dare to do something that causes God to be amazed. Whatever level your faith is at, it’s time to step it up and believe bigger. God is doing a new thing, but it’s not going to happen with a comfortable or average faith. God is looking for great faith.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father, thank You for being the God who only needs to speak the word and miracles happen, situations turn around, and lives are changed. Help me to believe and ask bigger. I want to be one of the ones who always believes that You can do the impossible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

Because of the completed work of our Lord Jesus, we can dwell “in the secret place of the Most High,” having free access into the presence of our Elyon, the Most High (Ps. 91:1). We can “abide under the shadow of the Almighty,” or Shaddai.

These two Hebrew names of God—Elyon and Shaddai—in the first verse of Psalm 91 alone help to put our problems in perspective, don’t they? In and of ourselves, our present challenges may appear insurmountable.

But when we are resting in the presence of El Elyon—God Most High, the possessor of heaven and earth (Gen. 14:19)—and abiding under the shadow of El Shaddai—God Almighty, the all-sufficient One—all of a sudden, our adversities don’t seem so intimidating after all!

My prayer for you is that your perspective of God will be enlarged as you see Him and His attributes in the Scriptures and discover the power of His living Word, as Carina from North Carolina did:

My grandson, Caylen, was born three months premature, weighing 1lb 7oz. He was in the hospital for almost six months. We were told that his survival rate was low. Even if he did survive, he would have significant development delays.

At the time of his hospitalization, his mother was asked if there was a Bible verse that she wanted to be placed above her son’s incubator. She gave them Psalm 91. I don’t know if my daughter had any idea of the power of putting that psalm above his incubator. I did not realize how powerful it was until later.

Caylen had surgery for his heart and also two more for his stomach. He did well in all his surgeries, so much so that the doctor commented, “I don’t think he realizes he is supposed to be sick.”

My grandson is now six years old with no developmental delays and advanced in almost every area. Praise the Lord!

God took little Caylen into that secret place where he was safe and received healing. I saw firsthand how the world could not harm him and he is now a walking testimony of the power and love of God.

My friend, there is no doubt that there is power in the Word of God. There is healing power in the prayer of protection! I pray that you’ll also let His Word strengthen you and cause you to rest in the protection and might of our El Elyon and El Shaddai.

GOSPEL CORNER : PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH ARE LOOKING FOR GREAT POWER, BUT WHERE IS IT FOUND?

09/02/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

Today’s Scripture
Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions?”
1 Kings 18:21, NIV

STARVE YOUR DOUBTS
Doubt comes to us all. You have to guard your mind. You control the doorway to your thoughts. When negative thoughts come, have a “No Vacancy” sign. “Sorry, but there’s no room for you. My mind is filled with faith. I am healthy. I am blessed. I am anointed. I am victorious.” Don’t give any energy to the negative. When you dwell on those thoughts, and you start going down the road that things are not going to work out, you’re giving them life, you’re allowing them to grow. Start starving your doubts and feeding your faith. As today’s Scripture says, maybe you’ve been wavering between two opinions, going back and forth. One day you’re saying, “I believe it’s going to happen.” The next day you say, “It’s never going to work out.” You’ve been unsettled. That’s okay. Today can be a new day. You can set your mind. You can make the decision: “When I pray, I’m not just going to believe that it will happen. I’m going to believe that it did happen. I’m going to receive it when I believe.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I can let the message of Jesus dwell richly in me and fill my mind with truth. Thank You that I can be free from wavering between faith and unbelief and have a settled mind that believes. I declare to doubt that there is no vacancy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

People in the church are looking for great power, but where is it found? The book of Acts declares that where there is great grace, there is great power (see today’s Scripture)!

When the apostle Paul preached on forgiveness, healing miracles occurred as the people listened. When people hear the good news that all their sins have been forgiven because of the cross of Jesus, something supernatural happens.

Some years ago, a pastor in a church in Bergen, Norway, shared a testimony with me. One of his church members had developed the habit of viewing pornography in his hotel room during his many and frequent business trips.

Consumed with shame and condemnation, he tried his best to break the habit, employing all kinds of spiritual methods, but he just could not overcome the habit. Each time he had to leave his family for another business trip, his heart would be filled with dread because he knew what he would end up doing in his hotel room when no one was looking.

Then, one of his business trips brought him to Singapore, and he visited our church and got hold of some of my sermon CDs on the grace of God. After listening to the messages for about three weeks, he found himself completely set free from the unclean habit! Hallelujah!

Today, when this precious brother travels, he does not depend on his willpower to overcome any temptation to indulge in pornography. He just completely rests in the revelation that he is as righteous as Jesus by God’s grace.

And the more he is conscious that he is righteous, the more the temptation to sin secretly in his hotel room dissipates. “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin” (1 Cor. 15:34)! It is the grace of God that gives us true victory!

My dear friend, who’s also a pastor in Norway, shared with me about another miracle that had happened. A church member was completely healed of deafness in one ear after listening to recordings of messages that I had preached at a conference in his church.

As he was listening to one of my messages, his ear just popped open and he was healed! No hands were laid on him. No one prayed for him. He was healed just by hearing the gospel of Christ preached. All glory to Jesus!

That is the power of the gospel, my friend. It is the power of God unto your wholeness (Rom. 1:16)!

You can rely on your self-efforts and willpower all you want, but they can only bring you so far. On the other hand, the more you hear the true gospel that is unadulterated by man’s efforts, the more you will experience miracles and supernatural breakthroughs in your life.

It has pleased God to heal, rescue, supply, and deliver those who simply believe the gospel through the foolishness of preaching (1 Cor. 1:21). So keep hearing the gospel preached, and as His Word goes forth, when you believe that you are forgiven and righteous through Christ, you will be made whole!

I believe that right now, even as you are reading this devotional that is all about Jesus, you are being healed, being provided for, and being blessed!

GOSPEL CORNER : BEFORE THE CROSS, THE DEVIL HAD THE LEGAL RIGHT TO PUT A DEATH SENTENCE OVER YOUR HEAD BECAUSE OF YOUR SINS

08/02/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
1 Kings 19:12, NIV

GOD WHISPERS
In today’s Scripture, the prophet Elijah was in a difficult place, discouraged and defeated. He needed direction. God told him to go stand on the mountain, that He was about to pass. There was a great wind that tore the mountain apart, then a great earthquake, then a great fire, but God was not in any of those. After the fire, “There came a gentle whisper.”

God was showing us how He speaks. When your circumstances are loud, thoughts are telling you what’s not going to work out, and people are coming against you, it’s easy to get stressed and confused. You have to come back to that quiet place. The reason God whispers is because He’s close to you. You don’t whisper to strangers or people you barely know. You whisper to your spouse, to your child, to someone you know and love. That’s why God whispers to you. You’re His child. He loves you. He wants the best for you. He’s not going to shout, be loud, or be forceful. He’ll lead you by these gentle whispers, by the still small voice.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You know my needs and meet me in the place of my needs all along my life journey. Thank You that You love me so much that You whisper what I need to know and renew me with inner strength. Help me to be a good listener and doer of Your word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO


There is a teaching on the cities of refuge from the Old Testament that I believe will encourage you to take the Lord as your refuge and protector and run to Him.

The Lord told Joshua that when the children of Israel entered the land of Canaan, they were to designate six cities of refuge. Back in those days, if someone unintentionally killed a person, the closest relative of the deceased had the legal right to avenge him.

However, in His mercy, God appointed six cities and said, “Anyone who kills another person accidentally and unintentionally can run to one of these cities; they will be places of refuge from relatives seeking revenge for the person who was killed” (Josh. 20:3 NLT).

The cities of refuge were designed for people who had committed unintentional manslaughter, not for those who had carried out premeditated homicide. Deuteronomy 19 explains this, stating: “If someone kills another person unintentionally, without previous hostility . . . the slayer may flee to one of the cities of refuge to live in safety” (vv. 4–5 NLT).

The six cities of refuge are also a beautiful picture of our Lord Jesus, hidden for us to unveil. They are shadows that point to the substance—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, He is concealed. In the New Testament, He is revealed.

At the cross, our Lord Jesus put all our sins, including the sin of crucifying Him, under the category of “unintentional” when He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 KJV).

He was not just referring to Israel or the Romans; all our sins nailed Jesus to the cross. He chose the nails and offered us complete forgiveness. Can you see how good and merciful our God is?

Today, if you call upon the name of Jesus, you are qualified to run to Him and take Him as your city of refuge. Jesus is your city of refuge, and when you run to Him for refuge, the one seeking revenge (a picture of the devil) no longer has power over you.

My friend, we were all sinners and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Before the cross, the devil had the legal right to put a death sentence over your head because of your sins. But the good news of the gospel is that Jesus took that death sentence at the cross, and in Christ we can receive His forgiveness and His protection. Hallelujah!

HEROIC ACT REWARDED: FAVOUR IMEH AND DANIEL AYINDE HONOURED

07/02/24

OLABISI O. DENNIS

Yesterday, on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, I had the privilege of joining the Mainland 98.3FM, Lagos Team as we visited Anthony Village Senior High School to honour Miss Favour Imeh and Master Daniel Oluwaseyi Ayinde for their courageous act in saving the life of a Cart Pusher who suffered an asthma attack on January 31, 2024 in Anthony village, Lagos.

Following Miss Favour Imeh’s appearance on Mainland 98.3FM’s phone-in programme on Saturday, February 3, 2024, the Managing Director, Mr. Okengbenro Abiodun Idowu, was deeply impressed by their heroic efforts and generously rewarded them.

Miss Favour Imeh received N70,000 while her colleague, Master Daniel Ayinde, received N30,000. Additionally, Miss Favour Imeh’s Jamb form was graciously paid for by the Managing Director. DrOlabisi O. Dennis also paid for the Jamb Form of master Daniel Oluwaseyi Ayinde.

During the cheque presentation ceremony at the school, attended by various dignitaries including Mr. Nurudeen Adegbenro, Mrs. Oluwatumise Adeleye, and Mrs. Omobola Sandra from Mainland 98.3FM, as well as Mrs. Amaka Oto from Education District 2, Maryland, and the school principal, Mrs. Agboola, the importance of altruism and kindness was emphasized. Mrs. Agboola urged the students to emulate the exemplary behavior of their peers, reminding them that acts of kindness never go unnoticed.

Mrs. Amaka Oto commended the students for bringing pride to Lagos State and encouraged them to continue being positive role models. Mr. Nurudeen Adegbenro emphasized the value of good virtues, stressing their significance in shaping the students’ future.

In a heartfelt speech, both Favour Imeh and Daniel Ayinde expressed their gratitude and vowed to uphold their responsibilities to their school, families, and community.

As the event concluded, it was evident that the selfless actions of these students had not only saved a life but also inspired a community, leaving an indelible mark on all those present.

Written by Dr. Olabisi O. Dennis

GOSPEL CORNER : DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY THE SIZE OF YOUR DREAM. GOD DOESN’T GIVE BIG DREAMS TO SMALL PEOPLE. THERE IS GREATNESS IN YOU.

07/02/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.”
Nehemiah 1:11, NLT

SOMETHING BIG IN YOU
Nehemiah did not have resources, did not have a prominent position, did not have experience as a builder, but he had a heart to see the walls and gates of Jerusalem restored, and he dared to believe. He dared to go to the king of Persia and ask his help. He dared to pray bold prayers, and he saw one amazing answer to prayer after another.

Don’t be intimidated by the size of your dream. God doesn’t give big dreams to small people. There is greatness in you. There are new levels in you. There is a world changer in you. There is a history maker in you. That’s why God put something big in you. He knows what you’re capable of. As with Nehemiah, He has people who will fund your dreams, people who will use their influence to open doors, people who will go out of their way to be good to you. You’re going to accomplish dreams bigger than you thought possible. Don’t talk yourself out of it. Pray bold prayers and give God permission to bless you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father, thank You that the dreams You have put in my heart are always possible because no one is more powerful than You. Thank You that I can dare to pray big, to ask big, and to believe big. I believe that You are already moving the right people into place to help me as well. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

Most people would have given up on Jacob, the scheming deceiver and manipulator. But not God.

One night, while attempting to appease the brother he had stolen from, Jacob met the Lord. He grabbed hold of the Lord and for hours, tried to wrestle a blessing from Him.

What did the Lord do? He touched Jacob’s hip socket and put it out of joint, so that Jacob wound up helpless before the Lord.

The Lord changed Jacob that night. He showed Jacob how it was only when Jacob’s grabbing and wrestling finally stopped that His grace was able to flow. That night, God changed Jacob’s name from “deceiver” to “prince” (Israel), and added to him blessings that were beyond his own efforts.

You see, we cannot try to wrestle blessings from God. It is when we give up on our scheming, deceiving, and manipulating to get ahead in life, and completely trust His grace alone that His provision flows unabated.

GOSPEL CORNER: BELOVED, IF YOU ARE NOT REGULARLY ATTENDING A LOCAL CHURCH, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE PLANTED IN ONE. AS YOU DO SO, MAY YOU, YOUR CAREER, YOUR MARRIAGE, AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD FLOURISH IN EVERY WAY!

06/02/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”
1 Samuel 16:19, NKJV

VINDICATED
When King Saul suffered from bouts of depression and spiritual attack, his staff told him he needed a young man named David to play music for him and it would help him feel better. The Scripture says that Saul sent the message to Jesse, not to David. That’s significant because Jesse was the very one who left David out in the shepherds’ field when Samuel came to anoint one of his sons as the next king. Jesse had discounted him, overlooked him, thought he wasn’t talented enough. Imagine Jesse seeing the king’s officials at the door calling for the son he didn’t think would amount to much.

God sees you. Others may push you down, but God will lift you up. Others may leave you out, but God will call you in. Others may ridicule you, but God will vindicate you. Just do as David did and keep being faithful in your shepherds’ field; don’t complain or slack off or talk badly about someone. Be your best when no one is watching, and promotion will come knocking at your door.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You have given me gifts and a calling that no one can take from me. Thank You that You are taking me through a preparation process and will lift me up and vindicate me. I believe that I will pass the faithfulness test of being my best and get to where You are taking me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

SECTION TWO


I received this praise report from a couple who attends our Grace Revolution Church in Dallas, Texas. It’s a beautiful example of how we walk in His protection and restoration as we are planted in the house of God.

This couple shared with me how their marriage had gone through a very challenging period, and how the church and the pastoral leadership had helped them through that difficult time.

It took us some time to realize that we needed to focus more on Christ rather than on ourselves and on our problems. What ultimately saved our relationship was focusing vertically on our Lord Jesus and not horizontally on each other.

We were declaring, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus,” which gave us a sense of how much God loves us and wants us blessed. Knowing that we are the righteousness of God through Christ is what healed our broken marriage.

Being able to rest in all that Jesus has done, and being able to hear and meditate on the Word, has been the best thing for us. He truly is the vine and we are the branches.

We now know that in every situation and circumstance, Christ is supplying our every need. He is the vine that will keep us supplied and where we need to be.

Knowing that “if it matters to me, it matters to God” was the last piece of the puzzle. We learned that there is no matter too small or too inconsequential to the Lord. Neither is there anything too big for Him to tackle for us.

My friend, can you see how important it is to be planted in a local church? In this couple’s case, being in a church that preached the truth of the gospel and having the wise counsel of leaders who walked the journey with them saved their marriage.

And can you sense their joy in knowing that the Lord Jesus is their vine who supplies their every need, and to whom nothing is too big or too small for them to bring? Read today’s verses from Psalm 92.

Bearing fruit in old age speaks of preservation, protection, and long life. God wants you not only to have long life, but to have quality of life and still be strong, healthy, and fruitful in your old age. And the way to have all of that is to be planted in the house of the Lord.

Beloved, if you are not regularly attending a local church, I want to encourage you to be planted in one. As you do so, may you, your career, your marriage, and your household flourish in every way!