Fuel scarcity without end

By The Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper

The recurrent spectacle of petrol scarcity in Nigeria in recent times should be seen as an embarrassment that should be dealt with immediately. President Muhammadu Buhari has underscored this national shame with his meeting with all stakeholders a few days ago after which the government acknowledged the scale of the problem.

However, lamentations are not enough. In addition to the new mandates for more imports, the Buhari government should set to work immediately on a long-term scheme that will not only end scarcity but ensure the refining of enough petroleum products for Nigerians’ consumption.

As usual, the recurrent challenge that is apparently disruptive to the economy is attributed to the controversial billions of Naira in subsidy being paid to some importers and oil marketers. The issue has often generated heat and altercations and some of the marketers are still in court over charges of economic crimes against the state.

Open Heavens 21 March 2016 Monday daily devotion: THE PEACE OF GOD

THE PEACE OF GOD 

Memorise: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

Read: John 14:23-27 (KJV)

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Bible in One Year: Judges 5:1-6:35, Job 39:26-40:14

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 14 March 2016 Monday daily devotion: ASSURANCE OF SONSHIP

ASSURANCE OF SONSHIP 

Memorise: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: – Romans 8:16

Read: 1 John 3:7-10 (KJV)

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 13:8-15:63, Job 36:17-33

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 11 March 2016 Friday daily devotion: JOINT-HEIR, JOINT SUFFERER

Open Heavens 11 March 2016: Friday daily devotion

JOINT-HEIR, JOINT SUFFERER

Memorise: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:  – 2 Timothy 2:12

Read: Romans 8:12-17 (KJV)

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 7:1-8:29, Job 34:31-35:8

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 9 March 2016 Wednesday daily devotion: AUTHORITY OVER DEMONS

AUTHORITY OVER DEMONS 

Memorise: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; – Mark 16:17

Read: Luke 9:1-2 (KJV)

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 1-3, Job 34:1-15

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 8 March 2016 Tuesday daily devotion: HE KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING

 

HE KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING 

Memorise: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. – Revelation 22:13

Read: Jeremiah 1:1-5 (KJV)

1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Bible in One Year: John 19:17-21:25, Job 33:19-33

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 22 February 2016 Monday daily devotion: APOSTATE OR REFORMER?

APOSTATE OR REFORMER? 

Memorise: Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. – James 5:4

Read: 1 Kings 18:41-46 (KJV)

41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.

42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,

43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

45 And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

Bible in One Year: Luke 14:25-17:10; Job 27:1-12

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 19 February 2016 Friday daily devotion: Beware of Deceivers I

Beware of Deceivers I 

Memorise: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: – 2 Timothy 3:16

Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-8 (KJV)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Bible in One Year: Luke 9:21-10:42; Job 24:9-20

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 16 February 2016 Tuesday daily devotion: TIME TO FIGHT I

 

TIME TO FIGHT I 

Memorise: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Read: I Timothy 4:1-6 (KJV)

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Bible in One Year: Luke 4:16-6:16; Job 22:12-30

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 15 February 2016 Monday daily devotion: COMMANDED TO REJOICE

COMMANDED TO REJOICE 

Memorise: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. – Jeremiah 29:11

Read: Philippians 4:1-7 (KJV)

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Bible in One Year: Luke 2:22-4:15; Job 22:1-11

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 5 February 2016 Friday daily devotion: REVIVAL BY THE WORD OF GOD I

REVIVAL BY THE WORD OF GOD I 

Memorise: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Read: Nehemiah 8:1-10 (KJV)

1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Bible in One Year: Matthew 26:68-28:20; Job 16:1-17

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 3 February 2016 Wednesday daily devotion: REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT

REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT 

Memorise: Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? – Psalms 85:6

Read: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (KJV)

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

Bible in One Year: Matthew 23:37-25:30; Job 15:17-21

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 2 February 2016 Tuesday daily devotion: INTIMIDATED?

INTIMIDATED? 

Memorise: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: – 1 Peter 5:8

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-4 (KJV)

1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.

3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Bible in One Year: Matthew 21:28-23:39; Job 14:18-15:6

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 1 February 2016 Monday daily devotion: LOOKING UNTO JESUS II

LOOKING UNTO JESUS II 

Memorise: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; – Hebrews 12:2a

Read: Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Bible in One Year: Matthew 19:1-21:27; Job 14:7-17

MESSAGE

The phrase "Looking unto Jesus" contains three very important words of salvation, encouragement and direction for daily Christian living. Nicodemus, in his search for the true God and eternal life like every human being, approached Jesus for possible understanding. Jesus made the new birth very plain by using an Old Testament illustration of the fiery serpents of brass put on a pole for the Israelites to look upon as recorded in the book of Numbers 21:8-9.

Open Heavens 4 January 2016 Monday daily devotion: DAY FOUR MIRACLE

DAY FOUR MIRACLE 

Memorise: And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. - Genesis 1:16

Read: Genesis 1:14-19 (KJV)

14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 22:22-24:25; Psalms 146

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 22 December 2015 Tuesday daily devotion: Whose voice?

 

Whose voice?

Memorise: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.  - Isaiah 30:21

Read: Ezekiel 14:1-5 (KJV)

1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.

2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 14:26-17:18; 2 Peter 2

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 21 December 2015 Monday daily devotion: NOT ORDINARY HANDS

NOT ORDINARY HANDS 

Memorise: I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. - 1 Timothy 2:8

Read: Exodus 17:8-13 (KJV)

8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 11:16-14:25; 2 Peter 1

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 18 December 2015 Friday daily devotion: MISSION DISCOVERED

 

MISSION DISCOVERED 

Memorise: And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? - 1 Samuel 17:29

Read: 1 Samuel 17:28-30 (KJV)

28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 1-3; 1 Peter 2:13-3:7

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 14 December 2015 Monday daily devotion: LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES

 

LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES 

Memorise: Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:19

Read: Isaiah 43:15-19 (KJV)

15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Bible in One Year: Psalm 119:113-126:6; James 3:13-4:17

MESSAGE

Open Heavens 11 December 2015 Friday daily devotion: DIVINE VISITATION

 

DIVINE VISITATION 

Memorise: Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. – Joshua 10:12

Read: Luke 1:26-33 (KJV)

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.