It’s a Family Affair!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (New Living Translation) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

The family system remains God’s model for perpetuating his agenda here on earth. Paul in Ephesians 3:15 says the whole family not families in heaven and earth is named from Him. As the body of christ, we are God’s big family. The idea of him wanting to relate with us as father also suggest his intention and strategy.

This also explains the reason why there has been so much attack on the family institution in our world today where peoples definitions of family now varies and are completely different from the way God established it in his word. This onslaught of the enemy is to tamper with the way we see the family system so he can work against God’s agenda. We as believers, must therefore live by God’s standards and be the light to the darkness that is becoming prevalent in our world.

The scripture above points us to five benefits of connecting with one another as God’s family. Let me quickly mention these strong reasons here;

1. Success. Our ability to succeed multiplies when we choose to be interdependent and not independent. We help each other succeed when we are connected with one another. 2. Support. We are not infallible as human beings. We need the support of one another because we can grow weary as men or women. If you fall, a companion will lift you up. We cannot live life without support.
2. Stability. With support from God’s family, you achieve stability especially in warfare knowing that what you need the most in the middle of it is stability. The reason we have two legs and not one is to ensure stability.
3. Security. Safety is embedded in our connection to God’s family. No one will have your back when you are in isolation. Being a member of the body of Christ protects you from satan according to 1st Corinthians 5:1-5.
4. Sustainability. A triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Being together makes our success last. Jesus didn’t operate in isolation rather he partnered with his disciples and the mission which he started didn’t end with him.
   What are you still waiting for? Connect with us in carrying out the great commission by BLOGging* with us in any of our families. You will soar higher in 2023 in Jesus name. *BLOG means Being with Jesus, Love like Jesus, Go like Jesus.

CHILDREN’S CORNER
Obeying God at All Times
It pays to always obey God, even when we are in a very bad and ugly situation. Let’s look
at someone in the bible that obeyed God with all his heart.

FATHER ABRAHAM (Genesis 12:1-3) God told Abraham to go to a land he will show him and Abraham diligently obeyed God without questioning God and God blessed Abraham greatly. Obeying God is a good choice that we must make in order for us to receive our big rewards just like Father Abraham did. When we obey God, we please God and God loves all those who pleased him.

• You should always Obey instructions from your parents
• You should always Obey instructions from your teachers
• You should always Obey instructions from your elders
  
  Being obedient helps to build your character in a positive way that will come in quite useful in your daily interactions, safety and well-being.

DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Investment Without Returns
Investments are made with expectations right? More profit, more cash inflow and increase in revenue. Though filled with risk, no sane person would make investment decisions without the knowledge that it would yield profit.

Most Christian knows about the parable of ten pounds / talents. I’m certain you would agree with me that the people who invested theirs and got returns did a good job while the other one who went to stash his talent deserved the punishment he received.

Yet, I believe he must have thought himself wise. Better to save than lose it all, my master would be proud of me when he sees that the talent he gave me is safe – a man held back by the fear of losing it all.

Nobody likes an unworthy investment. Because it would yield no returns, result in loss and be a total waste of time and energy. I would have said “may we not be an unworthy investment” but it goes beyond prayers. We must work the works of he who invested in us. But remember investments is not restricted to monetary, it also includes Time.
Those plans, goals, visions that you have (the very ones you wrote at the beginning of this year), what are you doing about them? It’s time to invest energy into yourself, it’s time me to get to work!

BIBLICAL POETRY
Teamwork
Stand beside me and let worldly woes die Let the wind blow your fears away. Stand beside me and together we’ll cry When we look towards home as we pray.
I’ll stand beside you and fill in the gap A burden is lighter when shared. Four eyes are better for seeking out traps It’s a long road but others have dared.

Stand beside me and hold on real tight From our task let’s not be turned. Stand beside me when day turns to night And despite the heat, we wont be burned.

I’ll stand beside you as the Lord stands by me A solid rock never to move.
I’ll stand beside you and together we’ll be A force that can only improve.

So stand as a team in the face of the world Because two hearts are stronger than one. Stand as a team with God’s banner unfurled And the battle is already won.
Author: Peter the Poet

HEALTH CORNER
Understanding Prenatal Infection Prevention
Prenatal infection prevention refers to the different health measures taken to prevent the spread of infections during pregnancy.
Expectant mothers or planning-to-be-pregnant individuals are the primary audience for this topic, because they have a greater risk of contracting an infection during pregnancy. This audience group can prevent prenatal infections in any environment, whether it be at home, at work, or in the community.

Prenatal infection prevention methods should begin as soon as possible, after conception, and continue throughout the pregnancy. Prevention practices includes; washing hands regularly, taking care with food selection, avoiding contact with sick people, another person’s saliva and insect-borne illnesses, getting specific vaccinations before becoming pregnant, practicing safe intercourse, avoiding contact with rodents and minimising any contact with animal litter, especially cats. Pregnant women should also be aware of the risk of contracting prenatal infections during pregnancy. STIs such as: chlamydia, gonorrhea, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Group B Streptococcus (GBS), Hepatitis B and C. HIV, Listeria, Rubella, Toxoplasmosis, and Syphilis can cause serious health problems for both the mother and the baby. It is also important to receive prompt medical attention if an infection is suspected.

When left undetected or poorly managed prenatal infections can lead to serious health complications for both the mother and the baby, such as miscarriage, preterm labor, and birth-defects such as specific organ damage, growth retardation, and death. Some prenatal infections can be tested for and treated, while others can be prevented from spreading from mother to child during pregnancy and labor.

It is advised to practice hand washing before and after certain activities, such as touching raw foods, going to the bathroom, and touching animals. Alcohol-based hand gels can be used as an alternative when a sink is unavailable.

FUN FACT

1. A shrimp’s heart is in its head.
2. Wearing headphones for just an hour could increase the bacteria in your
   ear by 700 times.
3. Dreamt” is the only English word that ends in the letters “mt”.
4. There are only four words in the English language which end in “dous” tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.
5. The wood frog can hold its pee for up to eight months.

Heroes of Faith
Hebrews Chapter 11

CLOSURE:
Divine strategy is an indispensable tool in the life of the children of God. Every child of God must be able to walk in this reality as our Father (God) is known for His extraordinary strategies.
He takes care of the future in the now and proffer bespoke solutions to problems that might occur in the future.
Looking across the Bible, it is evident that God is an Extraordinary Strategist, and He is still capable of solving problems and providing solutions to any problem.