Cult group force residents to abandon homes in Ikorodu

Cult group force residents to abandon homes in Ikorodu

Ikorodu residents who chose to remain in their homes have formed small units patrol teams to protect themselves.

Some residents of Ikorodu, Lagos State, have been forced to desert their homes due to fear of being killed by the Badoo cult group.

Series of murders perpetrated by the cultists have left a lot of people feeling scared as there is no telling who might be struck next.

play A member of the Badoo gang in a blood-stained shirt.
(Press)

Even little kids are not an exception for a cult group that has ravaged the whole of Ikorodu community for months.

According to Punch News, many people have temporarily left their homes for a safer living space in other parts of Lagos.

Yemisi, one of such people told the newspaper company that she does not intend to risk the safety of her children following the cult group's warning of an imminent visit.

“For the past five days, we have not slept at night at Ori-Okuta because of the fear of Badoo.

"They wrote a letter and pasted the copies at strategic places in the neighbourhood, informing us of their imminent visit.

"Nobody has had peace since then.

“My husband is not in Lagos for now, so I cannot afford to take chances with the safety of my children and I," she said.

ALSO READ: Ikorodu residents speak to Pulse on their daily nightmare

play Three suspected Badoo members were burnt to death by angry residents.
(nigerianhive)

Those who have opted to remain in their communities despite the notification given by the group have reportedly organized themselves into patrol teams for protection.

This is according to Alhaji Kazeem Lawal, a community leader who spoke to Punch in an interview.

“Since the police have failed in tackling Badoo, we have to take charge of our security.

"It is true that many residents have fled their houses because they don’t want to die and nobody blames them; those of us who are still here cannot just fold our hands and say nothing will happen.

“We have formed ourselves into several groups, patrolling the entire neighbourhood at night.

"If you come to Ori-Okuta at night, you’ll think it is day time because the number of residents you would see outside will surprise you. We put our hope in God,” the community leader disclosed.

play Some Badoo gang members received jungle justice to mark their reign of terror.
(Press)

Punch News also reported that the Lagos State Police "have met with traditional rulers, herbalists, community leaders and other stakeholders in Ikorodu to discuss the security situation."

This convergence, which ended at midnight on Friday, July 7, 2017, was aimed at designing strategies to curb the Badoo menace.

7 Biblical Signs of the End Times

These are signs of hope, not despair.

The Bible presents a certain paradox when it comes to the end times. On one hand, we have Mark 13: 32, which tells us "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” So the angels in heaven don’t know when the end is coming. Not even Jesus, Himself, knows when He’s coming back, it seems.
Yet in Matthew 24: 5-8, Christ says, of the impending end of all things, that “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you dare not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”
So we’re told that we cannot know when the end will come, yet we are given definitive signs that foretell its coming. How can we make sense of this?
One way in which these signs can be useful is if we, instead of trying to predict the end through them, simply take them as hope-filled reminders that Christ is going to return and redeem all of creation. In this way, when we see these events transpiring, we can find hope instead of fear as we prepare ourselves to weather the storm.
To help you see these events for what they are, let’s take a look at 6 Biblical signs of the end times.

1                               Nation Against Nation (WAR)

In Matthew 24:7, Christ gives us one of the signs, saying that, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”
Since war has been raging ever since the Biblical Fall, we have to assume that this means something more—something far more destructive or significant than what we’ve yet seen. And knowing what we’ve already been through—things like WWII—it is difficult to imagine anything worse.
We may very well be about to enter this troublesome age. However, with world tensions again growing taut, and with most every country now possessing the most powerful weapons in history, this sign may be fast approaching.
Consider North Korea, and its boasts of nuclear retaliation. Think on Russia’s growing tension with the United States. Think of the myriad conflicts in the Middle East. And don’t forget that China, one of the world’s superpowers, is growing increasingly hostile with the West.
With all that’s going on, we can’t help but be reminded of Christ’s return.

 2                                   False Prophets (BIBLE)

In Matthew 24:24, Jesus warns of another sign, saying “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
These “false christs” will look like the real deal—they’ll preach like a Christian, be charismatic, and draw in many, many followers. Those followers will sincerely believe that, in following these people, they are doing the work of God.
But in reality, these false prophets are not of God at all. Their messages will be subtly corrupt. They’ll even perform miracles. This brings to mind many a corrupt religious leader.
But there is a way we can discern who is true from who is false—Christ, in John 14:21, says “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
If we steep ourselves in the study of Christ’s life, we can plainly point out those who are not like Him. So study up, and be prepared for the false prophets.

3                           Moral Decay

In 2 Timothy 3:1-4, Paul writes of a sign: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Again, since human beings have always been all of these things, we must assume that these traits will occur at an unprecedented level—more brutal, more heartless, and more greedy and proud than ever.
The fall from God-inspired morality to relativity is a mark of the postmodern age. Ours is a society that has become suspicious of anything labeled “truth,” and this may very well be the beginning of this sign. Moral relativism allows for the creation of personal codes of morality, of personal interpretations of truth—everything is up to the individual. This may eventually allow for the extreme behaviors listed in this sign.
Remember the fruits of the spirit— love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Live by these, and you’ll avoid the trap of moral decay that so many are destined to fall into.

 4                        Signs in the Stars

In Luke 21:25-26, Christ speaks of the sky, saying, “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
This is an interesting one, and appears in several places in the Gospels. Some of the other verses speak of “roaring” in the heavens, as well as some kind of trouble in the seas.
One thing that’s certain—this sign will not be one to be missed.
It’s possible that this sign is simply speaking of human weaponry—satellite-based defenses capable of firing on the planet, missiles and bombs that streak down from the sky, and whatever other objects of destruction the human mind will contrive in the coming years.
Alternately, this could, as we see in Matthew 24:29-32, be the great sign that accompanies Christ’s return.
Whatever the case, when the sky darkens and the stars disappear and the moon becomes red as blood, you will know that Christ is near.

5                              A Great Tribulation

The Great Tribulation is a bit of a contentious sign. Some interpret surrounding scripture to mean that believers will be taken up into heaven and spared this difficult time. Others believe that they will not be taken up until after.
Of this time, Christ says that "For then there will be a Great Tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall." This Tribulation will be set off by an action of the Antichrist and conclude with the coming of the true Christ.
The Book of Revelation gives us a few details about what this time period will entail: God’s wrath will be on the earth, the Beast will be revealed, and plagues and suffering will occur throughout the earth.
It may be that this Tribulation is the combined effect of all the other signs—a world torn by war, inhumanity, natural disasters, and heavenly disturbances would certainly qualify as a “tribulation.” Whatever the case, and whatever you believe about this troubling time, keep your eyes open for it, and make sure your heart is prepared for the coming of Christ.

6                        Earthquakes in Many Places

Earthquakes play a big role in Biblical prophecy. In Matthew 24:6-7, Christ says that “there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” when the time is near for His return.
Notice the “various places.” We cannot point to every earthquake that happens and think the end is coming—this sign is something different, something more widespread.
Like many of the signs, this will be something we’re familiar with, but greatly intensified—these won’t be just any old earthquakes, but something that rocks the very foundations of the earth, and so do in many places at once.
These quakes are mentioned five times in the Book of Revelation, with the final earthquake corresponding with the seventh bowl of God’s wrath being poured out on the earth. This is described as “a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.”
This is another sign that will be difficult to miss, but take care to interpret it correctly. These signs are merely the “birth pains” of Christ’s return, as Christ, Himself, says. Even in these frightening times, there is hope for a better world.

Earthquakes play a big role in Biblical prophecy. In Matthew 24:6-7, Christ says that “there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” when the time is near for His return.
Notice the “various places.” We cannot point to every earthquake that happens and think the end is coming—this sign is something different, something more widespread.
Like many of the signs, this will be something we’re familiar with, but greatly intensified—these won’t be just any old earthquakes, but something that rocks the very foundations of the earth, and so do in many places at once.
These quakes are mentioned five times in the Book of Revelation, with the final earthquake corresponding with the seventh bowl of God’s wrath being poured out on the earth. This is described as “a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.”
This is another sign that will be difficult to miss, but take care to interpret it correctly. These signs are merely the “birth pains” of Christ’s return, as Christ, Himself, says. Even in these frightening times, there is hope for a better world.

Earthquakes play a big role in Biblical prophecy. In Matthew 24:6-7, Christ says that “there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” when the time is near for His return.
Notice the “various places.” We cannot point to every earthquake that happens and think the end is coming—this sign is something different, something more widespread.
Like many of the signs, this will be something we’re familiar with, but greatly intensified—these won’t be just any old earthquakes, but something that rocks the very foundations of the earth, and so do in many places at once.
These quakes are mentioned five times in the Book of Revelation, with the final earthquake corresponding with the seventh bowl of God’s wrath being poured out on the earth. This is described as “a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.”
This is another sign that will be difficult to miss, but take care to interpret it correctly. These signs are merely the “birth pains” of Christ’s return, as Christ, Himself, says. Even in these frightening times, there is hope for a better world.

Earthquakes play a big role in Biblical prophecy. In Matthew 24:6-7, Christ says that “there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” when the time is near for His return.
Notice the “various places.” We cannot point to every earthquake that happens and think the end is coming—this sign is something different, something more widespread.
Like many of the signs, this will be something we’re familiar with, but greatly intensified—these won’t be just any old earthquakes, but something that rocks the very foundations of the earth, and so do in many places at once.
These quakes are mentioned five times in the Book of Revelation, with the final earthquake corresponding with the seventh bowl of God’s wrath being poured out on the earth. This is described as “a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.”
This is another sign that will be difficult to miss, but take care to interpret it correctly. These signs are merely the “birth pains” of Christ’s return, as Christ, Himself, says. Even in these frightening times, there is hope for a better world.

7                     Prepare, Don't Despair

Christ tells us the importance of the signs when He says, “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.”
That’s it. That’s the essence of why we’ve been made aware of the signs—so that we might know that Christ is near and take heart, and so that we might also prepare ourselves.
So keep an eye out for these 6 major Biblical signs of Christ’s return—you might just be able to see a few already.

9 Lies We Believe About God

1                             These falsehoods keep us in the dark.

Of all the subjects in the world, the most misunderstood, perhaps, is God. We impress upon God our own human ambitions and ignorance, often making Him out to be something very different from the deity scripture actually describes.
When Christians do this, when they believe lies about God, they cannot present Him accurately to the rest of the world. Instead, the world gets a muddied image of God that repels them.
And just as badly, Christians, themselves, suffer for these misbeliefs. The idea that God doesn’t like you, that He’s ashamed of your humanity, or that He supports your individual causes can be incredibly destructive.
The truth, though, as John 8:32 says, will set you free. When we look to scripture to build a mental image of the God we serve, rather than relying on our own preconceived notions and wishes, we come as close to truth as is humanly possible.
Sometimes the truth about God is difficult, but there’s always a hidden joy behind it—God is for us, loves us, and His character is goodness, itself. To help you discover what this means, let’s take a look at 7 lies we believe about God, and dismantle each so that you can truly be free.

2                   God is of My Denomination

 

So many of us feel that we own the truth. We simply take for granted that this or that denominational interpretation of the Bible—and subsequently, the character of God—is the “right” one. Because of this, we assume that God is firmly in our denomination of the Christian Church.
This couldn’t be more wrong.
While the fracturing of the Church into denominations isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can build walls between Christians when people believe that God is confined to their own group. It is this attitude, not the existence of denominations, that truly fractures the Church.
In reality, God doesn’t belong to any denomination. He isn’t Baptist. He isn’t Methodist or Presbyterian or Catholic. He’s not even Calvinist or Arminian. He is God. He is above these man-made structures.
2 John: 9 reads, “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” So whatever flavor a church’s doctrine is, as long as that church embraces the essentials of Christ’s teachings, God is happy with it.
God is not confined by our denominations—He is far too big for that.

3                        God is a Prude

 

Oh, boy—this one is going to be tough for many readers, but bear with it.
God is not a prude. He’s a realist. Let’s unpack what this means.
Many Christians view sex as something dirty—and by extension, they view their own human biological wants and urges as sinful and disgusting.
But the truth is this: God built us to be able to have sex. We’re made for it—both for reproduction, and for pleasure. Even the much-maligned Puritans knew this, and embraced a wide range of sexuality within the context of marriage.
That last bit is the key here—within marriage. See, God isn’t some frowning headmaster who yells at us when He catches us making out in the corner. He’s a concerned Father who knows that if we cheat on our spouses or create a baby outside of marriage, we’re only hurting ourselves. He has our best interests in mind, not our suppression.
So, no—your sexuality is not dirty. It’s not gross or taboo. And within the right context, it’s not sinful. God certainly doesn’t look down upon you for it—He is the creator of sex, after all. Just take a look at Song of Solomon if you have any doubts.
That's hardly the work of a prude.

4                  God Hates Us

This lie is heartbreaking. It is a weight that bends the backs of so many Christians, and repels unbelievers from the faith like nothing else.
But hear this: God does not hate you. In fact, He loves you. No matter what.
In Ezekiel 18:23, God says something incredibly important: “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?”
And then there is the famous John 3:16. Pay attention to the first six words—“For God so loved the world.” The entire world. Everyone. God does not only love, He is love. In our closest, most intimately loving moments with the people we hold dearest, we catch but a dim glimmer of what God is.
And because God does not change, that love is eternal. Even when we sin, when we fall away, when we refuse to believe, that love is there. Even when we, in the end, choose to separate ourselves from Him forever, that love is there.
God loves you, in all of your flaws and broken humanity. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

5                           God is in My Political Party

 

This lie becomes particularly virulent around election time, and it is one that can destroy relationships and burn bridges. A few Christians find themselves believing that God supports their political party, whatever that party may be.
But this isn’t true—spiritual concerns are not the same as political concerns, and so no one can claim that God is “with” their particular party. Rather, all Christians are of the same “party”—those who follow the teachings of Christ and the edicts of God.
God does not endorse or condemn societal constructs such as capitalism, economics, socialism, liberalism, or conservatism, but He does call on us to make intelligent, scripturally-based choices about how we act when engaging with these systems. We are to love others as we love ourselves. We are to aid the poor. We are to preserve our environment. We are to protect life. There are elements of these scriptural ideas in both of our main political parties—neither holds the upper hand, and both have their problems.
In the end, though, when we believe the lie that God is with a particular party, we begin to blindly follow that party, treating it as God. And that is a mistake.
Instead, we should make the choice of which party to support based upon scripture. It’s hard, but it’s the only way to dispel this particular lie.

6                                     God is Religious

There’s no getting around it—this is going to sound sacrilegious.
God is not religious.
That’s right. Take a breath, let that sink in, and realize that there’s more to this than you think.
The Pharisees were religious. In fact, they were the religious elite—the teachers and leaders of Christ’s day. But all of their convoluted, manmade doctrine failed in the face of Christ’s teachings.
Here’s what Jesus had to say to them.
“They pile heavy burdens on people’s shoulders and won’t lift a finger to help. Everything they do is just to show off in front of others. They even make a big show of wearing Scripture verses on their foreheads and arms, and they wear big tassels for everyone to see. They love the best seats at banquets and the front seats in the meeting places. And when they are in the market, they like to have people greet them as their teachers.”
These Pharisees—and many of our religious leaders today—fail because they think that they can work their way into God’s graces by adhering to laws that they, rather than God, created.
But there is a difference between manmade religion, based on human preconceptions and ideals, and the Christian Church, established by Christ and continued on through the centuries. It is in recognizing this distinction that this lie is broken—in recognizing the difference between a relationship with God, and a relationship with laws.
Is it in the first that you’ll find true Christianity.

7                             God Thinks Less of Women

This is an incredibly contentious issue in the church, and a major front in the war between sacred and secular communities. This is one of those areas, though, where the secular community gets it right far more often than the Church does.
God does not think less of women, nor did He place woman lower than man. The mistreatment of women is a result of the fall.
This lie begins, for most people, in Genesis 3:16, when God tells Eve, after the fall, that …”you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you."
Many read these words as a commandment for women to submit to the greater authority of men, but this isn’t the case. This line, spoken by God, isn’t a curse.
It’s a prediction.
God didn’t force woman into subordination. He simply warned that, because humankind chose its own rulership over that of God, things weren’t going to work right. People were going to subordinate people, in spite of God’s will, not because of it.
The original Hebrew word for “helper” as it is applied to women in Genesis 2: 18 is also applied to God when He assists the Israelites, and to neighboring armies giving aid to those in need. It doesn’t imply subordination—quite the opposite, in fact.
Pulled from Adam’s rib, woman is made of the same stuff as is man and is equal in the eyes of God. Of that, there can be no doubt.

8                             God Does Not Exist

This lie is usually the accumulated result of all the other lies on this list. If you try to follow a God made of falsehoods, one who hates you, who demeans you, and who supports certain groups of Christians and not others, your faith isn’t going to work out. God is just going to feel wrong, and many people translate that “wrong” into “doesn’t exist”.
But if you can find your way back home from this belief by just looking around you. Consider life, itself—the trees, animals, and the very atmosphere and earth that support it all. Is this chance? Was it by accident that the Earth is located on a peaceful arm of the Milky Way, safe from the horrors of black holes and planetary collisions?
The chances of life forming as it has, all on its own, are incredibly low—all signs point toward an intelligent designer.
That designer is God.
So if you find yourself doubting, caught in the web of lies we tell ourselves about God, just open your eyes. You’ll find Him soon enough.

9                                               Open Your Eyes

When we figure out who God really is, we’re better able to not only be His representatives to the rest of the world, but our own spiritual lives are healthier. Examine your own preconceived notions and ideals for these falsehoods, and weed out what’s not truly scriptural.
Do this, and you’ll find God.

Eight Ways to Balance Your Life

Finding Balance in Life Beats Moderation

Eight Ways to Balance Your Life

 

The concepts of Moderation and Balance are often used interchangeably, but they are actually very different. A life of moderation is one without excess - a little exercise, but no hard workout - enough food, but never overeating - the slightest bit of excitement, but minimum stress. Moderation is not a bad way to live. It is certainly far superior to a life of excess or a life of deprivation. However, constant moderation has somewhat the character of uniform grayness.
Think of a life of balance like an old-fashioned balance scale, with opposites weighed against each other. Living in balance, one indulges in the occasional hot fudge sundae, but balanced with a few bowls of oatmeal and small portions. The occasional hard run balanced with an afternoon sprawled in front of the television football game. An afternoon at the bungee-jump or zip-line balanced with time drifting on a placid lake. Rather than the constant grayness of moderation, a life in balance has points of interest and variability.
There is certainly a place for moderation in a balanced life. Although one could consider a life of extremes to be in balance, few of us could live successfully by balancing days of dangerous mountain climbing with days of floating in a pool. Balancing variability with constancy is another important aspect of a balanced life.
Here are eight ways to add balance and perspective to your life...
1. Balance activity with serenity. Exercise and rest are both essential to a healthy and joyful life.
2. Balance wealth with simplicity. The best things in life truly are free, but there is also a place for material accomplishments - both for your own sake and for the sake of the world. Avoid the clutter of collecting excess possessions, but treat yourself with a few special items, trips, and other benefits of the modern world.
3. Balance persistence with innovation. Albert Einstein is sometimes quoted as saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Practice, patience, and persistence are essential to success in life, but recognize when the time comes to stop what you are doing and to search for a different route toward your life goals.
4. Balance community with solitude. Life success requires teamwork with a community of like-minded companions, yet you must also allow time for solitude - time for contemplation, time for relaxation, and time to be your own self with no pressure to conform or to please others.
5. Balance familiarity with adventure. Adventure is like the seasoning on your meal - life is monotonous and boring without adventure, yet there is also a crucial place for the familiar. Physically and emotionally comfortable surroundings are essential to your wellbeing. There is no place like a comfortable home from which to launch your adventures and to which you return - either as the victorious hero or in shameless defeat, ready to recharge and set out on the next adventure.
6. Balance constancy with change. Tradition lends a comforting structure to life. Imagine if at each meal you had to decide on which side of the plate to place the fork. Doing what our parents did before us and their parents did before them, creates a stability and eases the small details of life. However, constancy is also habit, and there is a time to question all old habits - perhaps consciously renewing them, but hopefully often deciding to make new choices.
7. Balance leading with following. There are times to follow, but also times to raise your own torch and lead, as well as times to choose to disengage. Life is too short to fight all the battles. Choose your causes wisely, and then choose whether you need to become a leader of the cause.
8. Balance being of service - both to this generation and to generations yet unborn - with renewing your vitality by play and celebration. A life without service is not likely to be fulfilling, but you must charge your own batteries - physical, mental, and emotional - before you can inspire, motivate, and serve others.
Let all of life find a welcome in your heart: the smiles and the tears, the mind and the spirit, the knowing and the unknowing.

Daily Inspiration - Daily Quotes

 Daily Inspiration - Daily Quotes
 Insights for living with joy and purpose


To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Change must always be balanced with some degree of consistency.
- Ron D. Burton

A time for everything: a time to relax and a time to be busy,
a time to frolic and a time to lay up food for the winter,
a time to receive and a time to give,
a time to begin and a time to finish.
A time for work, a time for play -
balance in all things.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

We have an obligation to live in harmony with God's creation.
- Bruce Babbitt

One has to find a balance between
what people need from you
and what you need for yourself.
- Jessye Norman

The ending of a job or a relationship
may appear as the darkest night,
but it is merely the Winter season -
the time of renewal and rebirth
that precedes the new planting -
the beginning of the next great cycle.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Science Says Eating Chocolate Helps Your Brain

After surveying the research, these Italian scientists say they've started 'eating dark chocolate every day.'

By Bill Murphy Jr.

 

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CREDIT: Getty Images

It was Ben Franklin, founding father and all-around incredibly successful person, who reportedly once said, "Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy."
Now, some Italian scientists have discovered a corollary--especially if you're the kind of person who likes sweets as much (or more) than booze.
Writing in the academic journal Frontiers in Nutrition, a quintetto of researchers in Rome and L'Aquila, Italy say they've demonstrated a clear link between consumption of a natural compound found in cocoa and chocolate, and stronger brain function.
Nobody is claiming that chugging through chocolate bars makes you a genius of course. But, the researchers say they believe they've shown that eating chocolate can have a real effect on brain power, especially for people who are sleep-deprived, or who face other cognitive challenges. Here's what they found.

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The review and the findings

The researchers combed through 10 previous studies to determine what happens to people's brains in the hours after they consumed compounds called flavanols, which are commonly found in cocoa and chocolate.
In nine of the 10 studies, involving a total of 467 subjects, according to the Italian researchers' synopsis, participants who ingested measured doses of cocoa or chocolate (and thus, of flavanols), had at least some increased proficiency on cognitive tests:

Although still at a preliminary stage, research investigating the relations between cocoa and cognition shows dose-dependent improvements in general cognition, attention, processing speed, and working memory. Moreover, cocoa flavanols administration could also enhance normal cognitive functioning and exert a protective role on cognitive performance and cardiovascular function specifically impaired by sleep loss, in healthy subjects.

Among their key findings:

• For women especially, ingesting cocoa after a night of "total sleep deprivation" was actually able to "counterac[t] the cognitive impairment (i.e. less accuracy in performing tasks) that such a night brings about." The researchers were especially jubilant that this finding might help people who endure chronic sleep deprivation as a result of working night shifts (to say nothing of sleep-deprived moms everywhere).
• The bigger the cognitive challenges subjects faced, the more consumption of cocao flavanols helped. Older women who were suffering severe sleep deprivation saw more dramatic results from eating chocolate or cocoa, for example, than younger people who had endured only minor or moderate sleep deprivation.
• Daily chocolate consumption also had a measurable positive impact on cognitive abilities over longed time periods (counting from 5 days to as long as three months), according to the researchers. Again, the positive effects were most measurable in those subjects who needed it most: " older adults with a starting memory decline or other mild cognitive impairments."

Putting the results into practice

Is it good news? Of course. Does it mean chocolate is suddenly a health food? Keep dreaming. The researchers were careful to point out that there's an obvious downside to chocolate consumption: the high calories, high sugar content, and low nutrient value of chocolate (notwithstanding the current research).
However, they also point out that consumption of "cocoa and cocoa-derived products... have been clearly shown to exert cardiovascular benefits." And as with just about every other study you've ever read on anything, the researchers say further study is needed.
But even while we're waiting for "further research [that would] include complex experimental designs ... and directly compare immediate versus long-lasting cognitive effects," however, the researchers in this study say they're not taking any chances.
Having finished their current study, they said they're personally increased their chocolate intake. As they said in a press statement: "Dark chocolate is a rich source of flavanols. So we always eat some dark chocolate. Every day."

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50 Wise Quotes That Will Inspire You to Success in Life

Get inspired by these wise words and make the very best out of your life.

By Peter Economy

The Leadership Guy@bizzwriter

CREDIT: Getty Images

Life is a gift that has been given to you. It is in your hands to make the best out of it--dare to believe that you can. Through the ups and downs, you'll find a lesson to learn that will make you a better person. Each experience--good and bad--makes you grow. Get along with life and surely, things will become easier for you. Live for today and enjoy every moment. Capture the best that life has to offer you.
Here's a collection of valuable quotes about life to inspire you to make the best out of it:
"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Abraham Lincoln
"The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up." John C. Maxwell
"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." Soren Kierkegaard
"What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives, we need to stretch our minds." Wayne Dyer
"Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it." Lou Holtz
"Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact." William James
"The only disability in life is a bad attitude." Scott Hamilton
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Leo Buscaglia
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." Confucius
"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." Dalai Lama
"There are three constants in life...change, choice and principles." Stephen Covey
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?" Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them--that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." Lao Tzu
"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." John F. Kennedy
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." Albert Einstein
"When life is too easy for us, we must beware or we may not be ready to meet the blows which sooner or later come to everyone, rich or poor." Eleanor Roosevelt
"God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well." Voltaire
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill
"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Maya Angelou
"Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life." John F. Kennedy
"There is no passion to be found playing small--in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." Nelson Mandela
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." Jim Rohn
"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." Michael Jordan
"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." Oprah Winfrey
"Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become." C. S. Lewis
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young." Henry Ford
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." Thomas A. Edison
"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward." Amelia Earhart
"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built." Eleanor Roosevelt
"Remember your dreams and fight for them. You must know what you want from life. There is just one thing that makes your dream become impossible: the fear of failure." Paulo Coelho
"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits." Thomas Jefferson
"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." Vince Lombardi
"Communication is a skill that you can learn. It's like riding a bicycle or typing. If you're willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life." Brian Tracy
"Today is life--the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto." Dale Carnegie
"The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of your life. If you don't, life controls you." Tony Robbins
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." Robert Frost
"We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon." Franklin D. Roosevelt

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"Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner." Les Brown
"Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all." Helen Keller
"The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival." Aristotle
"Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out of it alive." Elbert Hubbard
"Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent." Billy Graham
"Each person must live their life as a model for others." Rosa Parks
"My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose--somehow we win out." Ronald Reagan
"Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce." Vivian Komori
"Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It's a journey of discovery--there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair." Rick Warren
"Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive." Matt Cameron

Daily Bible Reading

Revelation 5:1-10

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And I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I wept much that no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to into into it. Then one of the elders said to me, "Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth; and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; and they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth."

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/daily-bible-reading.aspx#XkixAhSWd20mDZBF.99

Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote

    Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote ...    Insights for living with joy and purpose

He who is contented is rich.
- Lao Tzu


He is richest who is content with the least,
for content is the wealth of nature.
- Socrates

Wealth consists not in having great possessions,
but in having few wants.
- Epictetus

A good life isn't measured in material goods.
There is no quicker path to misery than coveting your neighbors' stuff.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie.

National Youth Success Camp (NYSC) 2017

 National Youth Success Camp (NYSC) 2017

 

The National Youth Success Camp is a yearly program organized by the Deeper Life Bible Church towards improving both morally and spiritually the wellbeing of the youths nationwide....

This year success camp is themed;-
"POWER FOR THE UNCONQUERABLE YOUTHS"

Come and receive the power to be unconquerable, untouchable and unstoppable......

Come and discover the secrets for living a life that makes even your enemies flee... U can't just afford to miss it....

This program features the following👇
➡ Free Accommodation, and feeding.....
➡ Singspiration
➡ Heart impacting and Spirit filled messages
➡ Deliverance
➡ and lots more..............

Come ad feel the impact of the Holy Spirit....

This year NYSC is dated from "Tuesday 22nd - 26th of August 2017.....

Venue:- The headquarters venue is KM42, Lagos Ibadan Expressway others include
Deeper life Bible Church Opebi, Allien Roundabout, Ikeja-Lagos State........ 

 Deeper life Bible Church Obehie Region, Abia State........
Or any Deeper Life campground close to you..... (Other venues shall be disclosed later)....

Ministering:- Pastor W.F. Kumuyi and other anointed ministers of God

Come and be made UNCONQUERABLE!!!!!

Come one, come all........

Courtesy: Deeper life Bible Opebi, Allien Roundabout, Ikeja-Lagos.....
➡➡. Deeperlife Youth Ministry, Lagos State
➡➡ Deeperlife Bible Church Worldwide


Don't miss it!!!!!!

Countdown!!!!!! ⬇⬇⬇⬇
Some days to go!!!!!!
Don't miss it..........
For any Question Please drop your comment below.