Man City 1-0 Chelsea De Bruyne stunner sinks champions

Manchester City lead Manchester United on goal difference at the top of the Premier League after Kevin De Bruyne superbly saw off Chelsea.

Kevin De Bruyne scored the only goal in sublime fashion as Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League with a deserved 1-0 win over champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Pep Guardiola's side made it eight consecutive wins in all competitions and dominated for long periods against Chelsea, whose limited attacking intent was further compromised by top scorer Alvaro Morata limping off in the 35th minute with an apparent left hamstring injury.

An exemplary showing from the home defence, in which Andreas Christensen was outstanding, meant City struggled for a regular flow of clear-cut chances despite their superiority.

That was until De Bruyne seized the moment, something his game-breaking goal against Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek demonstrated he is increasingly adept at doing.

The Belgium midfielder collected a return pass from Gabriel Jesus in the 67th minute before unleashing an unerring left-footed finish from outside the area.

The result places City ahead of Manchester United at the summit on goal difference, although their advantage in that regard was slashed to one by Jose Mourinho's men thumping lowly Crystal Palace earlier on Saturday.

Chelsea are fourth, six points off the pace heading into the October international break.

Conte preferred Cesar Azpilicueta to the more attack-minded Victor Moses at right-wing back but the Spain defender was involved when Chelsea crafted the game's first opening in the third minute.

Azpilicueta played in N'Golo Kante down the right channel and the midfielder's clipped cross was glanced over by Morata.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois restarted with a short goalkick in the 12th minute and dallied after receiving possession back. He was fortunate to see a clearance thud into City striker Jesus and go over the crossbar.

City were dominating possession but needed a brave headed clearance from Nicolas Otamendi in the 26th minute as Antonio Rudiger's cross threatened the near post, and Ederson scrambled to deny Azpilicueta on the follow-up.

The visitors sprung up the other end in slick fashion, only for Raheem Sterling to float a cross too far in front of Jesus and David Silva, who were queuing up to finish.

Silva took matters into his own hands as Courtois thwarted a stinging drive at his near post, before the Spain playmaker saw one of his compatriots in the opposition line-up depart early.

Willian's introduction in place of Morata meant Chelsea were operating without a recognised striker and City continued to make most of the running in attacking terms, with Courtois reacting magnificently to keep out Fernandinho's 44th-minute header.

Guardiola's men continued to zip precise passes around after the restart, with the Chelsea defence increasingly well-manned.

Sterling hooked a left-footed volley over in the 54th minute – a rare instance of an attacker finding space inside the home penalty area.

City's defence switched off and were bailed out by Ederson after the hour passed, the Brazilian denying Eden Hazard on the end of Cesc Fabregas' cleverly disguised free-kick.

Silva's decision to take a touch on the end of Sterling's 66th-minute cutback proved his undoing before he touched another ball from the England winger away from Jesus' path.

It fell to De Bruyne to give his fellow playmaker a lesson in how to be clinical when he lashed beyond countryman Courtois. 

Conte sent on Michy Batshuayi and Pedro in place of Hazard and Tiemoue Bakayoko to chase an equaliser but it was City who almost embellished a stirring victory when Rudiger headed Jesus' volley off the line in the 85th minute.

Chelsea XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Cahill, Christensen, Alonso, Kante, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Hazard, Morata

Subs: Caballero, Pedro, Moses, Kenedy, Zappacosta, Willian, Batshuyai

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Delph, De Bruyne, D. Silva, Sane, Sterling, Jesus

Subs: Bravo, Danilo, Gundogan, Mangala, Bernardo Silva, Zinchenko, Toure

Source: All Football

Today's Devotion (Saturday)

Forget Not His Benefits

PSALM 103:1-22

Key Verse:

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2).

The story was told of a young boy who was given writing materials to write everything God and Satan had done for him within an hour. He set out to write about the blessings he received from God. He kept on remembering new things to write about the goodness of God in his life, and by the time he was done with that, the entire time was taken. So he wrote at the bottom of his script "NO TIME FOR SATAN". It is difficult to itemize all benefits we receive from God as His children. David, in the text, listed several of them, but the list is endless: He forgives all our sins, heals all our diseases, redeems our lives from destruction, satisfies our mouths with good things, provides justice for the oppressed, shows mercy to people, and retains not His anger forever. Attention was then shifted to His throne in heaven, where the angels worship Him and do all His commandments. His dominion is universal and His Kingdom rules over all. David, the psalmist, wrote this psalm from his wealth of experience as Israel’s king. He could tell and sing of God’s mercies because he experienced it. He spoke from personal experience when God took him from following the sheep as a shepherd to set him up as king in Israel. He saved him from the many battles he had to fight to maintain as well as expand the nation’s territory. And when he fell into sin, with the devastating consequences on his family and kingship, he cried to God in penitence and received forgiveness. David knew that God’s kingdom is not like that of man. He reigns and rules over the entire universe. Like David, we should sit down and count our blessings, naming them one by one. We must deliberately focus our attention on the wonderful things He has done for us and stop worrying over the unresolved problems in our lives. As we praise God for His past mercies and blessings, we can be sure that He will arise and do more in our lives.

Thought for the day: Don’t count your loses, count your blessings.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 & 3 JOHN

Today's Devotion(Thursday)

A New Strategy

JOSHUA 8:1-10

Key Verse:

"So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night" (Joshua 8:3).

The Battle of Midway against the Japanese imperial army is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, only six months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, and one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea, the United States Navy decisively defeated an Imperial Japanese Navy attack against Midway Atoll, inflicting irreparable damage on the Japanese fleet. Military historian, John Keegan has called it "the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare." Joshua and all Israel suffered a shock defeat at the hands of tiny Ai in the previous chapter because Achan had taken the accursed thing from the previous invasion of Jericho. From the text today, the Lord comforted Joshua and Israel after the problem of sin had been settled. He gave them a complete new strategy for the military invasion of Ai. Under this new plan, Joshua was to lead the attack with all the men of war in Israel instead of just three thousand men used in the earlier failed attack. An ambush was planned and the city was to be set on fire after their fighters were drawn away with a pretended retreat. There are many lessons we learn from a passage like this. The fear of failing again should not hinder a believer from making new trial. If we encounter failure in life, it calls for self-examination, confession of sin and cleansing; it also calls for a review of strategy like Israel did under God’s directives. Eventually, success will come when there is a new way of work and direction that will lead to the desired success, which can only be discovered when we think outside the box. Your next attempt might just be the clincher you have been waiting for. With divine presence, you are more than a conqueror.

Thought for the day: Take your failures in life as stepping stones to your success.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 PETER 1-3

Today's Devotion (Wednesday)

A Prudent Wife

PROVERBS 19:10-20

Key Verse:

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD" (Proverbs 19:14).

As a wife and mother in a small 18th century English parish, Susanna Wesley herself received little recognition for how she managed her household, raised and educated more than a dozen children and coped with an idealistic and occasionally difficult clergyman-husband. Yet, from her personal influence and loving home, came a son who would experience spiritual awakening and have a worldwide ministry. Indeed, it might be said that the movement called Methodism had its foundations in the home of Susanna Wesley. Solomon spoke so many useful proverbs under the influence of the Spirit of wisdom he received from the Lord. From the text today, many sayings are presented in form of comparisons and contrasts. Anger and wrath of the king is compared to a roaring rampaging lion, while his favour is as dew upon the grass. After speaking about the calamity of foolish sons and the problems of having a contentious wife, he revealed that the source of a prudent wife is God. We may get houses and riches through inheritance from our fathers, but a wife with good understanding and wisdom comes from God. It is true that advancement in technology has made transportation and communication faster and easier. With the creation of the Internet, it has become easier to search for and get information about anything within seconds. That life is now on the easy and fast lane proved by the reality of numerous dating sites where young people are encouraged to hook up with their life partners; we also have match-making radio/TV programmes that help arrange marriages. The question is, can prudent wives that fear God emerge from such a venture? Our young men and women should understand that God is still our Matchmaker and that He still leads His own to make the right choice of a marriage partner.

Thought for the day: Do not be anxious; God still leads.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 PETER 1-5

Today's Devotion (Tuesday)

Glory Of The Millennial Kingdom

ISAIAH 32:1-8

Key Verse:

"And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isaiah 32:2).

Biographers of Fenelon tell us that he lived in such intimate fellowship with God that his very face shone. Lord Peterborough, a skeptic, was obliged to spend a night with him at an inn. In the morning he rushed away, saying, ‘If I stay another night with that man, I shall be a Christian in spite of myself. Someone else said of him, ‘His manners were full of grace, his voice full of love, and his face full of glory.’ Isaiah spoke at length about the expected complete transformation of lives during Christ’s Millennial Kingdom in our text. He compared the nature and character of the unconverted man with the newness of life under Christ’s influence and grace. The world under the Antichrist will be so compromised with evil that the coming of Christ to establish the millennial reign will be a very welcome development. Under the present system, the world is polarized by diverse religions and faiths. But religion without righteousness has done more harm than good when we look at the present system. The fiercest wars the world has witnessed are the interfaith wars; the greatest threat now to world peace and security is the terror unleashed by religious extremists who go to the extent of killing and maiming as part of their religious duties. Life has become brutish and short in our world today because of the evil the human mind is capable of inventing. Yet, Christ did not die to establish any religion; He died to save mankind and bring about genuine righteousness. The Kingdom He will setup during the millennial reign is not about religion but true worship and righteousness of the transformed man. It is a dispensation everyone should look forward to.

Thought for the day: Christ died to impart righteousness, not to establish religion.

Bible Reading in one Year: JAMES 1-5

Today's Devotion (Monday)

Leave Vengeance to God

JEREMIAH 18:18-23

Key Verse:

"Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me" (Jeremiah 18:19).

From the text, Jeremiah pleaded his cause before God. The people who hated him had formed an alliance and vowed to publicly discredit him. When Jeremiah heard of it, he prayed to God for justice. He asked God to judge his enemies since his ministry was for their good and profit but they repaid him with evil. He asked God to destroy them in His wrath. Some so-called Pentecostals shout ‘die! die!’ in prayers in our neighborhoods today. Some take references like our text from the Old Testament to justify their requests for their enemies to die. Others insist the death they meant in their prayers was intended for the spirits behind the problems – but spirits don’t die because they are not mortal. Under the New Testament economy, the believer is commanded to love all and hate none, including those who despitefully use and persecute us (Matthew 5:44). When we consider God’s vengeance, it’s also important for us to remember Romans 12:19; "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord". There will be times in our lives when people mistreat us and we’re tempted to seek revenge. Or, as we see the gross injustice done to millions throughout the world today, we may want to treat the perpetrators with the same measure of evil they have doled out to their victims. The desire for revenge is natural, but it is something we must offer to God, Vengeance is His job, not ours. Yes, we are to "act justly," and "love mercy". When we consider people who are being abused throughout the world today, and the victims of violence and injustice, with those trapped in human trafficking and slavery, we should ask God to bring to justice those who are hurting others for their own advantage and set free those who are oppressed.

Thought for the day: Vengeance is God’s.

Bible Reading in one Year: HEBREWS 10-13

Today's Devotion (Sunday)

Psychological Warfare

JOSHUA 17:8-18

Key Verse:

"But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong" (Joshua 17:18).

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said: "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them. Be of good courage." Christian courage may thus be described as the "undaunted audacity of a sanctified heart in adventuring upon difficulties and undergoing hardships for a good cause upon the call of God." From our text, the tribe of Manasseh and Ephraim received their inheritance in the land of Canaan; but they complained that the land was too small for them. After a listing of many border towns in the space occupied by both tribes, it appeared every attempt they made to create more space was resisted by the strong Canaanite neighbours who had chariots of iron. When the Ephraimites complained about the straitness of their inheritance, Joshua encouraged them to boldly move against the Canaanites in battle in order to acquire more territories, He boosted their morale and encouraged them to see themselves as winners. Courage moves us beyond our limitations by taking us to a higher level. It allows us to grow by making us stretch beyond what we are now, serve God to the best of our ability and reach our potential. As a believer, you should not allow the enemy to make you feel as if he has won the battle already before it begins. As Christians, we must understand that greater is He who is within us than he that is in the world. Those who claim the promises of God and confess their victory ahead of the battle are always victorious.

Thought for the day: You must first win the battle in your mind before it manifests.

Bible Reading in one Year: HEBREWS 5-9

Today's Devotion (Saturday)

End Time Deceivers

MARK 13:1-13

Key Verse:

"And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you" (Mark 13:5).

On November 18, 1978, in what became known as the "Jonestown Massacre," more than 900 members of an American cult called the Peoples Temple died in a mass suicide-murder, under the direction of their leader Jim Jones (1931-78). In the 1970s, following negative media attention, the preacher moved with some 1,000 of his followers to the Guyanese jungle, where he promised they would establish a utopian community. On November 18, 1978, while armed guards stood by, Jones ordered his followers to ingest poison-laced punch. Christ was asked questions in our text concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the signs of His Second Coming and of the end of the age. In reply, He warned about false prophets coming in His name to deceive many as a sign of His second advent. Wars and rumors of wars will characterize the period with earthquakes happening in quick successions in divers places. The persecution and killings of believers will then increase as the world demonstrates more hatred towards Christ’s followers just before He returns. He spoke about the gospel message reaching all nations before the end of the age comes. False prophets have been existing right from Bible days. They teach destructive heresies. Scripture tells us that false teachers introduce or bring in damnable heresies deceptively, quietly and secretly. False teachers are very active in every part of the world today and have penetrated the christendom. These are the very last days indeed. And the signs are pointing to the imminent return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Believers must rise to preach the pure gospel truth to counter the error being peddled by false prophets.

Thought for the day: False teaching is the poison of the soul.

Bible Reading in one Year: HEBREWS 1-4

Today's Devotion (Friday)

The Potter’s House

JEREMIAH 18:1-17

Key Verse:

"O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 18:6).

Jeremiah, the prophet, was commanded to visit the potter’s house. After observing the ease with which the potter maneuvered the clay which was helplessly marred in his hands, the message was now clear to Jeremiah: Israel had abandoned the theocratic arrangement and decided to be like other nations. They chose their gods and rebelled against the true Lover of their souls. God also threatened to break His earlier promise to protect them. Clay, in its natural state, was seldom fit for use. Several stages of preparation were usually necessary. The clay must be softened before it can be fashioned. The clay was mixed with water and sifted to remove any stones or foreign objects that did not need to be there. This was the process of refining the clay in order to make the very best vessel. A fine vessel that will harden and hold liquids and maintain its shape had to be exposed to a minimum temperature of 500 degrees. The beauty of a properly fired clay is that it will not breakdown and disintegrate, even if buried for thousands of years. God cannot use the natural man the way he is without first conditioning him to become suitable. First, there must be a new birth experience. Sin must be purged out in its entirety. The Lord will then allow us pass through the fire of persecution, trials and temptations for our complete refinement. Then, comes the sanctification experience where the heart is purged from dead works to serve the living God. Satisfied that all inner and outer defilements have been removed, He then pours His Holy Spirit upon us for our empowerment for service. We must be prepared to wait through all these experiences. It is only when we have been fully refined as gold that we can ever be fit for the Master’s use and made ready for every good work as vessels unto honour (2 Timothy 2:21).

Thought for the day: You must pass through the fire before you become gold.

Bible Reading in one Year: NUMBERS 35-36

British police make sixth arrest in London Tube bomb probe

A police officer stands guard at a police cordon near to a house in Newport, south Wales, on September 20, 2017. (AFP)

British detectives have arrested a 17-year-old youth in connection with a bomb attack on an underground train in London last week that injured 30 people, bringing the total number of arrests to six, police said on 
Thursday.

The young man was arrested in the early hours of Thursday in Thornton Heath, south London. The other arrests had taken place in Dover on the south coast of England, Hounslow in west London and Newport in Wales.

A home-made bomb went off on Sept. 15 during the morning rush hour on a packed underground Tube train at Parsons Green station, sending flames through the carriage, although it appeared that the device did not fully explode. It was the fifth major terrorism incident in Britain this year.

Fast-moving investigation

“This continues to be a fast-moving investigation. A significant amount of activity has taken place since the attack on Friday,” said Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.

“We now have six males in custody and searches are continuing at five addresses. Detectives are carrying out extensive inquiries to determine the full facts behind the attack,” he said.

The other men in custody in a south London police station are an 18-year-old, a 21-year-old, a 25-year-old, a 30-year-old and a 48-year-old.

Source: Al arabiya

Today's Devotion (Thursday)

Israel’s Infidelity

EZEKIEL 23:1-21

Key Verse:

"And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbours" (Ezekiel 23:5).

Latimer was raised to the bishopric of Worcester in the reign of Henry VIII. It was the custom of those days for each of the bishops to make presents to the king on New Year’s Day. Latimer went with the rest of his brethren to make the usual offering; instead of a purse of gold, he presented the King with a New Testament, in which was a leaf doubled down to this passage, "Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." In our text, God presented the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah with the metaphor of two unfaithful wives. Their unfaithfulness to God in departing from His statutes and the worship of the strange deities of the Assyrians is characterized as playing the harlot. And like a husband who is jealous over his wife, the Lord denounced the idolatry of Israel His espoused wife, who was imitated by her sister, Judah in departing from His ways. God promised to disgrace them and allow the nations to whom they had played the harlot to take them away in captivity. Adultery is such a sin against society that G. Campbell Morgan said, "The adulterer is the enemy of the state. My personal persuasion is that it is an act of treason to the state to allow adulterers and adulteresses to go free and unpunished. The greatness of a people depends upon the purity and strength of the people, and in every nation where the marriage relation is violated with impunity, the virus of death is surely and certainly at work." Immorality in the life of a member of the Church can tarnish the entire work of God. The alarm must be sounded against corruption in the body of Christ. God has promised that judgment must first begin at His house and everyone that names the name of Christ must depart from iniquity.

Thought for the day: Do not be deceived, God still judges sin.

Bible Reading in one Year: NUMBERS 33-34

Today's Devotion (Wednesday)

God is Faithful

JOSHUA 13:24-33

Key Verse:

"These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward" (Joshua 13:32).

After hundreds of years have passed, the promise God made to Abraham that his seed would one day inherit the land of Canaan eventually came to pass. Though their unbelief delayed their journey for another forty years in the wilderness, God still kept His promise and brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey. There were still territories to be captured and numerous enemy enclaves to be conquered and destroyed but Israel had, nevertheless, gained general control of the land. The major battles had been won, the overthrow of pockets of resistance in different territories would be left to each of the individual tribes to whom that territory was allocated. The actual allocation of the land, although carried out by Joshua, was ultimately determined by God Himself by means of the lot, most probably using the Urim and Thummin. The distribution of the territories and the allocation of each portion was done in a transparent way. Territories already allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh were maintained. They were to have their inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jericho eastward. They eventually returned to their inheritance after all other tribes got their allocation. Again, the Lord fulfilled the promise to allow them have their inheritance on this side Jordan because the land was suitable for their cattle. No matter how long it takes, God’s promise to settle His children will eventually come to pass. It is important for every one of us to bear in mind that no matter what happens, God remains faithful to every word He has spoken. The picture of the various tribes of Israel entering into their inheritance is an encouragement to every weary pilgrim of Christ today. Just remain faithful and true to God and He won’t fail you.

Thought for the day: God’s faithfulness is as constant as the northern star.

Bible Reading in one Year: NUMBERS 31-32

Today's Devotion (Tuesday)

Not for the Unclean

-LEVITICUS 22:1-16

Key Verse:

"Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD" (Levi

Robert Murray McCheyne wrote to Dan Edwards after the latter’s ordination as a missionary that: "In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God". From our text, the Lord warned the house of Aaron against making unholy use of dedicated things. Specifically, the Lord commanded Aaron to ensure any of the priest’s children who had any uncleanness was disallowed from eating hallowed food dedicated by the Lord’s people until such a person is cleansed and cleared accordingly. The consequence of violating those commandments could lead to premature or sudden death. Strangers, visitors or hired servants (except those bought with money) are prohibited from eating holy things dedicated to the Lord. The lesson we’re learning here is that God is holy and therefore cannot bear with any one of His children who is spiritually defiled. Sin is evil and should be seen to be evil. The application today is that God will not give hallowed things to unclean, immoral and defiled servants of His. The scripture says: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine..." (Matthew 7:6). In the same vein, God will not receive money or donations from unclean and unholy sources. The fact that ceremonial laws have been done away with together with the Old Testament rituals is not an excuse for vicars, pastors and shepherds to encourage their children who are publicly accused of immoral and riotous behaviour to do any manner of service in the sanctuary of God. His moral requirement and His demand for purity, especially in the house of God, has not changed.

Thought for the day: A holy minister is an awesome weapon in the hand of God.

Bible Reading in one Year: NUMBERS 29-30

London Tube attack suspect identified as Syrian refugee Yahyah Farroukh

Farroukh was tackled by four undercover policemen outside a fried chicken restuarant. (File photo:

Police have identified Syrian refugee, Yahyah Farroukh, 21, as a suspect behind the London Tube attack on Saturday.

Farroukh was tackled by four undercover policemen outside a fried chicken restuarant.

The arrest was ordered after CCTV footage emerged showing a suspect setting up the attack.

The footage was filmed near a house in Sunbury-on-Thames, said the report. It shows the man in question carrying a bag on Friday morning, less than two hours before the bombing.

The refugee was fostered by Ron and Penny Jones. The couple’s Surrey house was raided on Saturday. Police have set metal screens around the Jones’ house. Some neighbors claimed that police found explosives on the premises, the report added.

The bombing, which left 29 people injured, was Britain’s fifth terror attack in six months and was claimed by ISIS.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced late Friday that the threat level had been raised to “critical”, and said troops would take over guarding key sites to free police officers for deployment elsewhere.

Source: Al arabiya

Today's Devotion (Monday)

Wicked Neighbours

JOSHUA 16:1-10

Key Verse:

"And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute" (Joshua 16:10).

Someone posted this anonymous prayer on the Internet: "God, Our neighbours have been torturing us for six years. They have shunned us, turned other neighbours against us, lied and lied and lied to us, to law enforcement, and to our other neighbours and others in the community. They have damaged our property and possessions. I pray for a miracle that we may find resolution and peace soon. We are at the end of our rope. We desperately need a miracle and ask for one now in Jesus name." From our text, Israel eventually inherited the land of Canaan after many years of wandering in the wilderness as a result of rebellion and unbelief. The children of Joseph were among the first to receive their inheritance, but had to put up with the notorious and stubborn Canaanites because they couldn’t achieve outright victory against them. While the Canaanites in Gezer were said to be driven out, the vast number of those remaining were accommodated and put under tribute due to the difficulty of removing them militarily. Of course, their presence within the inheritance of the children of Joseph, would be a ready source of ungodly influence because of their different cultural, social and religious leanings. The Canaanites constantly improved their military might in hope of subverting the Israelites whom they saw as occupiers of their land. Israel had to find a way of living side by side with these wicked neighbours. Some of us may be living with so-called friends that never show their true intentions; they are envious of our good fortune and success. They are quick to judge and condemn. As believers, we need wisdom, grace and courage to handle such neighbours with supplication to God to deliver us from all enemies.

Thought for the day: Only God can deliver from secret enemies.

Bible Reading in one Year: NUMBERS 26-28

Today's Devotion (Sunday)

Benefits of Meditation

PSALM 119:17-24

Key Verse:

"Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes" (Psalm 119:23).

The story goes that Henry Ford once hired an efficiency expert to evaluate his company. After a few weeks, the expert made his report, which was highly favorable except for one thing. "It’s that man, down the hall," said the expert. "Every time I go by his office he’s just sitting there with his feet on his deck. He’s wasting your money." "That man," replied Mr. Ford, "once had an idea that saved us millions of dollars. At the time, I believe his feet were planted right where they are now. From our text, the psalmist in presenting the many benefits of God’s word, highlighted the importance of meditating on it; especially when facing persecution and trials. The writer presents believers in God as strangers in the midst of proud and worldly sinners; whose only hope of survival is the daily reliance on the counsels of God. When it appears the psalmist was almost reaching a breaking point, he turned his attention to God’s word as a refuge in the time of storm. Meditation on God’s word gave him strength and hope. Meditating on God’s word enables us to see beyond the surface until we get to the rich depths wherein abide the real treasures that will give our souls the victory and the power to rule our worlds. We can easily turn our defense into attack through the confidence we get when we meditate on His laws. He keeps in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). The problem here is the discipline to keep our minds stayed on God. Sometimes in life, there are difficulties that cannot be overcome by willpower alone. Many of us have tried to achieve fulfillment and purpose by our own means, and have fallen short of what God has called us to. Through meditation on God’s word, we can discover our purpose for living and find the strength to achieve it.

Thought for the day: Meditation on God’s word enlivens and empowers.

Bible Reading in one Year: NUMBERS 22-25

21 Healing Scriptures

HEALING SCRIPTURES

1. Deuteronomy 7:15 says, “And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hale thee.”

2. Chronicles 7:14 Says, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

3. Psalm 91:10 says, “There shall no evil befall thee neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Because He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways, they shall bear you in their hands, lest thou dash your foot against a stone.”

4. Psalm 6:2 Says, "Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony."

5. Psalm 103:1-3 says, “Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy name. Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all His benefits. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.”

6. Exodus 23:25 Says, "And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee."

7. Proverbs 4:20-22 says, “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thy eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart. For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh.”

8. Psalms 41:4 Says, "I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee."

9. Isaiah 53:4-5 says, “Surely He has borne our grief; and carried out sorrow: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”

10. Jeremiah 30:17 says, “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.”

11. Malachi 4:2 says, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

12. Psalms 147:3 Says, He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

13. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “Who his own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

14.  Proverbs 17:22 Says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

15. 3 John 1:2 says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

16. Isaiah 38:16 Says, "O LORD, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live."

17. Exodus 15:26 says, “And said, if thou will diligent to the voice of the Lord thy God, and will do that which is right in his sight, and will give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have put upon the Egyptians, for I am the lord that healeth thee.”

18. The Acts 9:34 Says, "And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately."

19. Exodus 23:25-26 says, “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. [26] There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.”

20. James 5:14-15, Says, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  Vs 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

21. Psalm 105:37 says, “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”

Deparadigm

Today's Devotion (Saturday)

No Money, No Friends

PROVERBS 19:1-9

Key Verse:

"Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour" (Proverbs 19:4).

Riches can be a blessing or curse depending on how they are acquired and how they are spent. In our text, some of the verses talked about the contrasts between wisdom and folly - while wisdom and knowledge lead along the path of integrity and divine favour, foolishness generally incurs the wrath of God. A greater part of the discussion is focused on the contrast between the rich and the poor. While the rich easily makes friends through his many gifts, the poor is neglected even by his own family and neighbours. Our society values how much a person has; God values how much a person gives. When your earnings increase, do not increase your standard of living; rather, increase your standard of giving. When Jesus watched the people giving in the temple, He praised the widow who cast in just two mites – a fraction of a penny – because that was all her earnings. Though money itself is not evil, loving money leads to all kinds of evil. Our problem with money and possessions is not how much we have. When we love money, no matter how much or how little we have, it can take on a personality of its own and begin to govern our lives. Some unprincipled communities often throw away their values and eulogize rich people without taking the time to find out how they made their money. The best protection we have against the sorrows that come from loving money is to cultivate generous hearts. Look for opportunities to use the resources God has given to you (even if they do not seem to be great) for the benefit of others. Let your heart be occupied by the love of God and not the love of money.

Thought for the day: Raise your standard of giving not your standard of living when your earnings increase.

Bible Reading in one Year: NUMBERS 19-21

THE POLLUTED ENVIRONMENT By Dr. D. K. Olukayo

#WednesdayMannaWaterService
September 13th, 2017.

THE POLLUTED ENVIRONMENT

Key Vrese: 2 Kings 2:19-22

Minister: Dr. D. K. Olukoya (G. O. MFM Worldwide)

“And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. And he said, bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters (meaning that the waters were sick); there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.” 2 Kings 2:19-22.

THE LAMENTATIONS FROM THE ALMIGHTY
1. Many of God’s people are operating below their breakthrough and destiny level.
2. There is a network of witchcraft and graveyard spirit that has caged so many people.
3. A lot of people are living a life of silent cleverly hidden oppression.
4. Environmental prison has dispossessed many of God’s people.
5. Many virtues of people remain buried under the earth.
6. Many are living in what we can called environmental graveyard.
Ninety percent of the houses in this Lagos for example, were not built by born-again Christians and you never can tell what is in the foundation of that place where you are living.
7. Many princes are trekking while the servants are on their horses.

Click to watch: MFM PROPHECY FOR THE YEAR 2022 AND DAILY PRAYERS TO BE PRAYED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

===> This is why I am decreeing into somebody’s life that before you leave this place tonight, all the servants that are riding on your horse shall summersault and release it in the name of Jesus.

• The way out of all these is SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION. God’s people must understand how to cleanse their environment. There is plenty of pollution in our environment now; sometimes you wake in the morning you see bloodshed in the street, it is a very serious matter.

• Five pastors were sent to a particular location in the country, the first pastor took two additional wives; making three wives(he went there with just one wife), the second pastor went with one wife; he married two more wives when he got there making three wives.

• The third pastor took one additional wife, the fourth pastor impregnated one single girl and one widow in that environment. As they were planning to send them there; they were misbehaving, they were withdrawing them and bringing new people. The fifth one was a tragedy; he became herbalist there in that land.

The question now is this: what kind of land is this? Where:
~ prophets become parrots.
~ teachers became traitors. 
~ pastors became past tense.                                            

~ evangelists are converted to emergencies.
~ champions become prisoners.

Recommended Books From Dr. DK Olukoya📘

•PRAYER PASSPORT

•101 Weapons of spiritual warfare

•MFM Delivrance Bible:

•Deliverance From Spirit Husband And Spirit Wife (Incubi And Succubi)

•The Mystery Of Water Cure

•Healing Of Diseases And Infirmities

• Is it that we should fully blame all these pastors? Was it that they were not well trained?
Is that they lack the baptism of the Holy Ghost? Is that they did not go to Bible College?

• Surely, they must have studied Homiletics, Soteriology, Angelology, Pastoral Theory etc. They must have learned all these things, but it appears that all those things that they have learnt in the Bible College were powerless against the forces of that environment. What was their problem? They lack insight to their spiritual terrain and so they became victims of the swallowers inside the land.

• There are lands that swallow people, there are houses that swallow people, there are houses that you came in with plenty of things and you go out with nothing. If you have lived in a particular house for 20 years and your life is not moving forward, move out or you go and build your own. There are lands and houses that swallow.

===> That family house that has swallowed your parents and is now trying to swallow you shall vomit you in the name of Jesus.

===> And I decree into your life that if your dwelling place has already swallowed you, be vomited now in the name of Jesus.

===> If you are currently living in what you called a house, but spiritually it is an environmental graveyard, receive your deliverance in the name of Jesus. (A 10-fold Amen!)

There are:
-- devouring lands
-- tormenting lands
-- miscarriage lands
-- dispossessing lands
-- killer lands
-- limiting lands
-- shrinking lands
-- demoting lands
-- sacrificing lands
-- polluting lands
-- land serpents
-- backsliding lands

• Many have used their destinies to prepare deliciously enticing food(s), but the environment in which they are is like serving the food in a place containing maggots and excreta.

• They are like a golden shield inside debris or you are like a shining gold inside the dungeon (dustbin). This is a very serious matter!

Click to watch👇Prayers to kill the killing Powers

FOR MORE PRAYERS SERMONS CLICK TO WATCH AND PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE COMMENT AND SHARE

• This is what this water (manna water of tonight) is for; spiritual environmental sanitation. Not only human beings that can be sick, lands can be defiled or made sick.

• Many times, the great Apostle Ayo Babalola had to face serpents and powers occupying lands and enslaving people; he had to engage and deal with them.

• Our ancient fathers with their demonic wisdom they hand over lands in  very bad places to the missionaries(to build churches). If you travel to interior areas in villages, you will see those churches; they are always small; they never grow and you will see a cemetery by their side; as they are killing people there they bury them in the cemetery.

• If they want to expand and grow beyond this small size; they quickly kill some people off and they bury them beside the church. There is a GRAVEYARD there.

===> I am praying for somebody if that house you are living is a swallowing house, be vomited in the name of Jesus. (A 10-fold Amen!)

• Some people’s problem is not where they are born, is not by whose they were born, is not from where they have come, but their physical location. Where they were at a given time.

• Those who moved in and they are living in the new city of Jericho, they suffer the consequences of a cursed habitation; their habitation became their bondage, as a matter of fact both the human beings and animals miscarriage in Jericho.

• There are houses where you will never hear the crying of a new baby there, there is a miscarriage spirit there. It has nothing to do with personal curses or the sins of the father’s house, the problem is with their present accommodation or location.

• This now explains the reason why some very good business, just collapse and you will not hear of them anymore – they environment has swallowed it.

• Curses in the foundation of houses because of the occultic involvement of the owners and builders can be the source of real problems.

• I have seen many people whose poverty continue until they leave a particular house, I have seen some people who never conceived, but when they leave a particular house they conceived.

• There are two solutions to problems like these if you cannot move away, then you take a prophetic action (like what we want to do today).

• Some sins and their attached judgments are better avoided by relocation.

• Our forefathers were godless people, they were inspired by the devil to dedicate our lands to idols, they built altars on their lands for idols; they therefore bring a covering of darkness upon the land.

• Our forefathers have sold their lands and inheritance to satan, it is the duty of you and I to begin to break this band of wickedness out of our environment.

• Lasting prosperity cannot take place on lands where the government of darkness has not been dismantled.

If you are here today before you move to a new house; pray over it. It must be:
• dedicated.
• sanctified.
• purified spiritually.
• spiritually fumigated.
• The territorial covenants over that environment must be broken.
• The arrester their (in that environment) must be arrested

Why? It is because you don’t know:
+ the identity of the former occupant.
+ spiritual activities of those who were (living) there before.
+ spiritual configuration of that place.

===> I pray one more time that if there is anyone here that your virtues have been sucked like an orange and buried in that your habitation, recover them in the name of Jesus. (A 10-fold Amen!)

There are some places where:
• the people there will suffer from spiritual weakness (they won’t be able to pray).
• the children there are always rebellious .
• the people there always have sleeplessness.
• the people there oversleep.
• there is always continuous fighting, quarreling and argument.
• there is lack of peace.
• there is unexplainable bondage to sin.
• ghost or demonic appearances
• there is an evil sound at a particular time of the night
• there is foul and unexplainable odour
• there is spiritual heaviness
• there is continuous headaches
• there is closed heavens when it comes to prayer
• there is children killers
• there is regular armed robber attacks
• it is a place of grace to grass.
• it is a place of backsliding

 There is a serious situation and we need to deal with it; this is why I am trying to explain this to you tonight.

Do you want to do the environment sanitation (spiritually)? Then you need to:
1. accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
2. bring quality repentance to the Lord.
3. take spiritual inventory of your life.
4. renounce the enemy over that environment.
5. consecrate that environment.

PRAYER POINTS
{Prayer points 1 and 2 are specific prayers, put whatever you want in them like career, business, health, marriage etc.}
1. Heavens over my ..............., open by fire in the name of Jesus.
2. Heavens over my ..............., tear in the name of Jesus.
3. My habitation, hear the word of the Lord, receive the fire of God in the name of Jesus.

Click to watch👇Prayers to kill the killing Powers

FOR MORE PRAYERS SERMONS CLICK TO WATCH AND PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE COMMENT AND SHARE

Source: MFM H/Q Sermons