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ONE of India’s leading super specialist hospitals has expressed interest to set up a branch in Zambia and tailor-make exchange programmes in different medical specialties for doctors and paramedics under its capacity-building programme.
Apollo Hospitals have described Zambia as an ideal destination being earmarked for the health institution’s presence in cost-effective specialised health care.
Paying a courtesy call on Zambia High Commissioner to India Darius Bubala at the Zambia High Commission in New Delhi yesterday, Apollo Hospitals deputy general manager for marketing Abhijit Majumder, noted that Zambia and India ejoyed cordial relations which provides a platform for collaboration in the health care industry.
According to a Press release from First Secretary for Press at Zambia High Commission in India, Bwalya Nondo, Ambassador Bubala observed that Apollo had won international credibility for the medical excellence that continue to be a motivating factor for India being preferred as a destination for medical tourism.
He thanked Apollo for giving self-sponsored Zambian patients who came on limited budgets, considerable discounts on their treatment costs.
Mr Bubala said it was the desire of Zambia to see Apollo establish a branch in Zambia as this would enable more people access specialised treatment which, at the moment, may not be readily available in Zambia because of limited equipment and expertise.
The Zambian envoy said President Rupiah Banda’s administration had facilitated construction of health facilities across the country which needed to be complemented with specialised staff and more diagnostic equipment.
Mr Bubala said Zambia had a lot to learn from India’s medical excellence and welcomed the initiative for tailor-made medical exchange programmes that would benefit Zambian health providers.
In another development, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)has picked India as the global host country for the World Environment Day which fell on June 5 in recognition of sustained efforts to conserve natural resources and green the environment.
This is according to the India-Africa Connect, an online publication of the Information Department in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
As part of commemorating the Day, India had embarked on mass community mobilisation to enlist the participation of people in tree-planting as part of the “Green Revolution” the country has embarked on.
Mr Nondo said given Zambia’s commitment to fighting the effects of climate change and inculcating a sense of environmental stewardship among the citizenry, India‘s approach of community-mobilisation in tree-planting and other environmental practices that were key to sustainable development, was worth emulating.
The theme chosen for this year by UNEP is “Forests: Nature at your Service”.
The theme underlines the intricate link between quality of life and conservation of natural resources.
Mr Nondo said the theme was also in conformity with this year’s UN International Year of Forests which seeks to draw international attention to the role forests play in protecting water catchment areas, supporting biodiversity, and providing carbon sinks to mitigate against the effects of climate change.
Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girassoli about to get in his official vehicle
VATICAN Ambassador to Zambia Apostolic Nuncio Nicola Girasoli has said the Catholic Church will not support the Patriotic Front (PF) in this year’s elections as it will remain non-partisan and work with the Government of the day.
Ambassador Girasoli said the Catholic Church would not endorse any candidate butt it would be up to individual Church members to choose whoever they wanted to support.
Ambassador Girassoli said after the occasion to mark the blessing and launch of Saint Lawrence Catholic Church in Kamwala South that the Government and the Catholic Church were partners and had been implementing several development projects together.
He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that insinuations by some sectors of society that the pastoral letter read out in Catholic churches on June 5 this year was meant to campaign for PF leader Michael Sata were unfounded.
Ambassador Girasoli said people should be careful to separate individual comments and the official position of the Church on political issues.??He said that the official position of the Catholic Church was to allow individual members to make free choices on who they wanted to elect.
He said the Catholic Church would remain committed to providing its services to the Zambian people through implementation of different projects in education, health and other sectors.
He urged Zambians to embrace the ‘One Zambia One Nation’ slogan as the country heads towards the elections, saying people should always remain untied and peaceful.
Chief Mwanachingwala waves at President Banda's chopper when he arrived at his palace in Mazabuka
CHIEF Mwanachingwala of the Tonga people of Mazabuka in Southern Province has warned that Zambia risks being turned into a despotic state if Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata is voted into power in the forthcoming tripartite elections.
And an entire ward consisting of 350 people from about 14 villages in Mazabuka Central in Southern Province have ditched their traditional party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), and the Patriotic Front (PF) to join the MMD with a message that they are tired of being in the opposition.
The chief said Mr Sata has the propensity for disregarding advice and the views of other people, and is good at dictating his way to meet his desires.
Chief Mwanachingwala said in an interview yesterday it is not surprising that MrSata has failed to call for a convention so that he can be challenged because he does not believe in democracy.
He said with the tripartite elections coming soon, one expected the PF to have held its national convention, but that has not happened because its leader does not believe in elections.
Chief Mwanachingwala said that Zambians should not forget that MrSata has a vicious political background that left prominent citizens politically maimed when he was at the helm of the MMD.
The chief said the people of Southern Province are awake to the fact that the UPND cannot win the elections this year and are defecting in large numbers to the MMD.
FIRST Quantum Minerals Limited (FQM) says it intends to list its Zambian depository receipts on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) by the end of July.
Depository receipt is a negotiable financial instrument issued by a bank to represent a foreign company’s publicly traded securities. The depository receipt trades on a local stock exchange. It makes it easier to buy shares in foreign companies because the shares of the company do not have to leave the home state.
“First Quantum Minerals Limited, a global mining and metals company, is proud to announce its intention to list its Zambian depository receipts on the Lusaka Stock Exchange by July 2011,” the company said in a statement availed to the Mail yesterday.
“The listing is in recognition that Zambians are important stakeholders of First Quantum and creates another way for Zambians to identify with and participate in the growth of the company,” the statement read.
The statement says the company’s depository receipts have since been registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission for possible listing on the local bourse.
First Quantum’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the London Stock Exchange. With this move, First Quantum becomes the first mining company to list on the LuSE.
The company, which owns 80 percent of Kansanshi mine in Solwezi in the North-Western Province, says the depository receipts will be listed on the local bourse and can be purchased only through Zambian stockbrokers by institutional and retail investors in Zambia.
“The depository receipts have been registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia, and are expected to be listed on the LuSE and traded freely, like any other security listed on that exchange,” the statement added.
It says each depository receipt will represent a certain fraction of a common share of the company which will be determined prior to the listing.
The statement says the common shares underlying the depository receipts rank paripassu (on equal footing) with all other common shares of the company.
Renaissance Capital is acting as sole sponsoring broker of the listing, while the Bank of New York Mellon will act as depository in relation to the receipts.
It says First Quantum will carry out investor road shows in Zambia to engage with targeted audiences in a build-up to the listing.
The company says any potential investors are advised to exercise caution in relation to the listing and are advised to consult with their stockbroker, financial or legal advisor or other professional advisor before investing in the depository receipts.
First Quantum Minerals Ltd is a growing mining and metals company currently operating two mines and developing five projects worldwide.
The company currently produces London Metal Exchange grade “A” copper cathode, copper in concentrate, gold and sulphuric acid and is on track to become a significant nickel producer in 2012.
First Quantum’s current operations are the flag carrier Kansanshi Copper-Gold mine in Zambia and the Guelb Moghrein Copper-Gold mine in Mauritania.
Some fishermen in Chiengi District, Luapula Province, are reported to be highly engaged in illegal fishing methods.
The fishermen are said to be using mosquito nets on Lake Mweru.
And Luapula Province Minister, Besa Chimbaka has since described the vice as unfortunate saying the mosquito nets are instead distributed for the anti-malaria crusade.
Mr. Chimbaka has warned of serious consequences against all the perpetrators of the vice.
[ MUVI ]
Children in Sinazongwe district
Over 1.4 million working children from five to 17 years old in the country are exposed to hazardous conditions.
This is according to last year’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) global report on Child labour.
Labour Minister Austin Liato noted that child labour is a social, human right, and economic issue which should be fought holistically.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Liato called on all stakeholders dealing in child welfare related issues including child labour activities to partner with Government in addressing the problems of child labour.
He stressed that the role of Government is mainly to provide policy direction and road map while stakeholders are the main actors and implementers of various child labour related programmes.
This was in a speech read for him by Labour Acting Permanent Secretary Arthur Chobe during the commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour in Lusaka today.
The Minister further announced that Government with its stakeholders created 22 District Child Labour Committees in all strategic districts covering all the nine provinces.
Mr. Liato explained that the structures are meant to engage all relevant stakeholders, Government institutions,and social partners in the fight against the scourge at District level.
He also noted that a statutory instrument on hazardous labour has also been developed and that it will be enforced once a legal opinion being sought from the Ministry of Justice is finalised.
Speaking on behalf of ILO Country Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique Martin Clemesson, ILO Area Office Director Johanna Silvarder noted that the ILO Convention No. 182 requires immediate action.
Mr Silvarder said the instrument does not allow exceptions and prohibits the engagement of children in exploitative forms of labour.
At the same event, Zambia Federation of Employers Mukubesa Sanyambe pointed out that Child labour issues should be everyone’s concern, especially countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where about 30 percent of the total number of working children are found.
Government has said with increased agricultural activities in the country, people will become self sufficient and not rely on relief food and that it will result in continued export of food to neighbouring countries.
Science and Technology Minister Peter Daka said Government has placed agriculture on top of its agenda as the sector is contributing to development in rural areas and people are able to earn an income from it.
In an interview with ZANIS today, Mr Daka said Government wants people in rural areas to remain there and be productive by utilising the resources available instead of rushing to urban areas to scramble for little resources.
He said continued good policies put in place by Government like the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) contributed to last season’s bumper harvest and this period’s.
Mr. Daka who is the incumbent Member of Parliament for Msanzala Constituency in Petauke District in Eastern Province explained that in last year’s bumper harvest Petauke district recorded a surplus revenue of K 66 billion and that Government is expecting the figure to double this year.
He added that Government is committed to developing the country.
Power Dynamos are the new leaders in the Faz Super Division after beating Nchanga Rangers 2-0 away in Chingola on Saturday.
Beston Chambeshi’s side scored two goals in each half of their week 11 game played at Nchanga Stadium through Lottie Phiri and Joseph Sitali in the 5th and 85th minutes respectively.
Power are on 21 points from 11 games played and are two points head of Zanaco who beat struggling Lime Hotspurs 3-0 at Sunset stadium in Lusaka on the same date.
Zanaco crushed John ‘Butcher’ Mwanza’s Lime with three unanswered goals scored by Charles Siyingwa who opened scores from the penalty spot.
Lottie Nyimbili added a in the last six minutes of the game.
Results
FAZ SUPER DIVISION
11/06/2011
WEEK 11
Forest Rangers 2-Nakambala Leopards 1
Nkana 2- Kalewa 0
Nchanga Rangers 0-Power Dynamos 2
Green Eagles0 -Konkola Blades 0
Nkwazi 1-Roan United 1
A hot spring in the kafue flood plains in Itezhi-Tezhi district in Southern Province and its part of the district's tourist attraction area
By Chapandongo Lungu
Fish has for a long time been the lifeblood of Itezhi-Tezhi, an almost obscure district tucked away in the vast Kafue Plains hosting the Kafue River and ItezhiTezhi Dam. But beyond the bowels of the river and the dam is one economic activity which the locals are famed for – agriculture, especially pastoral farming, which has been practised from the beginning of times, the inhabitants believe. Itezhi-Tezhi has transitioned from the murky waters of a food deficit district only a few years to the lofty heights of food security.
FRANCIS Lubasi has in the past few years worked hard to turn around the agricultural fortunes of Itezhi-Tezhi, a district whose economy revolves around fishing.
While fishing remains central to the lives of most residents, the district is fast diversifying into other forms of agriculture, with crop cultivation being the most vibrant.
Mr Lubasi, the district agricultural co-ordinator, has not only seen the turnaround but has also been part of it. He believes Itezhi-Tezhi has potential to be the breadbasket for Zambia.
As Zambia celebrates unprecedented yields in the past two seasons, Mr Lubasi says Itezhi-Tezhi has credentials to gatecrash the party, and proudly so.
CROPS
The district was predominantly food-insecure only five years ago. It was one of the districts prioritised for food relief. Agency Adventist Relief was contracted to facilitate relief supply, especially in the hinterland where need was pressing the most.
“But production has changed, now we’re a food surplus district. In the 2009/2010 season, we produced surplus of 500,000 by 50kgs of white maize and the Food Reserve Agency bought 324,605 by 50kgs,” Mr Lubasi said, wafting through his records in his modest office.
Another page on M rLubasi’s records book shows that farmers collected a whopping K21 billion. That is a huge figure that can turn the economy of the district around.
Private buyers such as ITT Milling bought 46,000 bags from small-scale farmers. These figures are in comparison to 60,915 bags bought by the FRA and 69,000 purchased by the private sector during the 2007/2008 season.
Mr Lubasi said the marked improvement in the 2009/2010 season is due to the fact that Government entered the market early and farmers’ confidence in FRA improved.
For the 2010/2011 season, there is a forecast of 459,520 bags, showing a slight drop from last season.
“The drop in crop production is due to adverse weather conditions – floods caused by excessive rains in the first quarter and drought in the second quarter,” Mr Lubasi said.
[pullquote]Another page on M rLubasi’s records book shows that farmers collected a whopping K21 billion. That is a huge figure that can turn the economy of the district around.[/pullquote]
To avoid such pitfalls in the future, farmers have been advised to diversify, mainly to tubers such as sweet and Irish potatoes as well as cash crops such as cotton and tobacco.
And because of that, the number of tobacco farmers has risen from 80 in the 2008/2009 season to 223 in the 2009/2010 season, with a production of about 129 tonnes.
“The increase is due to attractive prices offered to farmers by an outgrower – Leaf Zambia Company,” Mr Lubasi said.
Cotton is also one of the widely cultivated crops in the district, as there are 926 farmers now compared to 526, accounting for 1,061 tonnes. Like for tobacco, the increase is attributed to attractive prices.
The boom in agriculture is credited to Government’s good policies such as subsidised prices of inputs and organisation of farmers into co-operatives.
Under the farmer input support programme, the district last season received support of 144 packs for 7,450 small-scale farmers.
Mr Lubasi said his office has organised farmers into 205 co-operatives through increased extension services and rise in other service providers such as seed and chemical suppliers.
But there is a low level of private sector participation. There are very few agro-based firms in the district, mainly due to the location.
“As a ministry, we know that it’s because of the physical location. We’re in the Kafue Flats and some farm blocks get cut off from the town from November to May. This means production areas are cut off, limiting presence of the private sector,” Mr. Lubasi said.
And because the district is new, its road network is still in a poor state, which makes service delivery a challenge. Government has, however, provided field staff and most of the camps are now manned with transport available.
Where there are challenges, Government has allocated funds to procure motorbikes.
With the immigration of farmers from Kalomo, Mumbwa and Namwala, ITT, as the district is locally called, is destined for greater heights in crop production.
The challenge now is crop storage as there are only three storage structures although there are 17 satellite depots.
He said slabs have been constructed at some satellites through the FRA and communities. About 168,000 bags are still available in some satellites across the district. This grain, he said, would be moved to safer storage sites and made available to communities-relief and cash purchases at a reduced price of K50,000.
LIVESTOCK
Livestock production has increased exponentially from 35,000 heads of cattle in 2005 to 68,000 in the last census, yet again cementing the fact that Ilas are the best herdsmen in the country.
MrLubasi said the growth in numbers is as a result of increased extension services to farmers by the department of veterinary and livestock production.
He says there is an integrated approach for enhancing veterinary service provision to traditional livestock farmers.
Under this project, which started in 2007, over K1 billion was released for implementation.
“Key under the project was implementation of early warning systems in which a radio system was established in all camps and field transport procured for both veterinary assistants and community livestock auxiliary workers,” he said.
The officers also introduced early diagnostic tests and treatment under which a mobile laboratory and a motor vehicle were procured to undertake the tests.
The last and major output was the establishment of a vector control and handling facilities under which six dip tanks were constructed – one in each chiefdom. Six crush pens and loading bays were constructed alongside the dip tanks.
These, he said, have helped reduce tick-borne diseases and enabled officers to undertake regular vaccinations.
But the availability of livestock services such as drugs have remained a challenge as there is only one service provider (Farmers Warehouse).
The other challenge is that of disease – trypanosomiasis. What compounds the situation is that ITT is in game management area of the Kafue National Park.
HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT
“There is a serious challenge of human-wildlife conflict. Communities in Shezongo and Musungwa chiefdoms have experienced serious crop losses due to elephants eating their produce. This is attributed to the large number of elephant population in the Nkala management area. This has been reported to higher authorities for intervention,” Mr Lubasi said.
FISHERIES
ITT is endowed with abundant water resources through the Kafue River and Itezhi-Tezhi lake and dam, where various species of fish breed.
People’s livelihoods are, therefore, dependent on fishing and fish trading. The three water bodies stock fish to the brim, providing protein to both locals and surrounding districts.
In order to manage fish, extension services have been established through fisheries co-management structures to community.
Mr Lubasi said communities directly monitor fishing activities. He said the fish farming practised in the district is capture fishing (open water fishing) as there are few aqua activities.
He said the bream and kapenta planted in the river and dam have continued providing alternative protein far and wide, including in Copperbelt, Lusaka and North-Western provinces.
Mr Lubasi said, however, that monitoring of fishery activities has remained a challenge for the department.
Illegal fishing methods such as using small size nylon nets have been reported although extension services have put the illegal activity under check in this district brimming with agricultural potential.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Petauke Central Dora Siliya has expressed happiness with works that have so far been done on the Water Reticulation Project which will cater for 25 000 residents in the district at a cost of K14 billion.
Ms Siliya who is also Education Minister noted that with the new functional equipment in place for the water system, diarrhoeal
diseases will be a thing of the past.
ZANIS reports that Ms Siliya said when she conducted a tour of the newly built water pumping station and kiosks in Petauke yesterday that a lot of community publicity needs to be done to let people be aware of the project.
The MP noted that this will teach people to be responsible and take care of the kiosks and other equipment being put up.
And Eastern Water and Sewerage Company (EWSC) Managing Director Wamuwi Changani disclosed that
11 water kiosks have been placed in Petauke district to help address water shortage there.
Mr Changani said the kiosks have been placed in different points to cater for 1,500 households.
He also disclosed that the ongoing Petauke water reticulation project will cater for all the 25 thousand residents in the district.
Mr. Changani explained that the quality of water has to meet the set standards by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
He noted that this will reduce water borne diseases that used due to lack of clean water.
MMD Spekesperson and Education Minister Dora Siliya
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Spokesperson Dora Siliya has refuted a story published in one of the tabloid newspaper yesterday stating that the MMD has received no applications for the Chiengi Parliamentary seat in Luapula Province.
ZANIS reports that Ms Siliya who is also Education Minister told Journalists in Petauke in Eastern Province yesterday that a lot of people have shown interest in contesting on the MMD ticket in Luapula Province and that the party cannot fail to produce enough candidates to field in the coming elections.
Chief Puta of Chiengi district of the Bwile people is reported as saying the MMD has no candidates in the area as long as area MP Katele Kalumba is not freed from his corruption charges.
Meanwhile, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy Petauke Central Constituency Executive in Eastern Province has nominated its Member of Parliament (MP) Dora Siliya to recontest the Parliamentary seat in this year’s general elections.
The executive which comprises 21 members from different wards nominated Ms. Siliya via a voting system that was conducted and where she poured 18 votes with her nearest rival getting only two votes.
Ms. Siliya expressed happiness with the results saying she appreciates being first choice in the area and that it is now up to the National Executive Committee (NEC) to make the final list of who will stand in this year’s general elections.
FLASHBACK: PF and UPND youths during youth day celebrations when the parties where in the defunct PACT
THE UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) says the Patriotic Front (PF) has become irrelevant and is no longer a factor in Zambian politics.
UPND national youth co-ordinator Brian Hapunda said the PF has lost popularity hence resorting to blaming the UPND for its failures.
Mr Hapunda said Zambians have realised that the PF and its leadership are unreliable and have nothing to offer.
He said in an interview yesterday that the PF should consider not contesting in this year’s general elections as it is evident they are headed for defeat.
Mr Hapunda said it would be pointless for the PF to contest this year’s tripartite elections as it has already conceded defeat to the ruling party.
“We wish to commend PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba for his bold stance to confess to the nation that his party will not win this year’s general elections because of the UPND.
“We welcome Mr Kabimba’s confession and urge the PF to now start preparing for the 2016 general elections as it is clear that they are in this year’s elections just for formality,” Mr Hapunda said.
He said PF should concentrate on re-organising its party structures in preparation for the 2016 general elections.
Mr Hapunda said the battle for the presidency in this year’s general elections is between the MMD and UPND.
“It is very clear that PF will come out number three in this year’s presidential race. No amount of image-building of the PF will redeem them as the battle line has already been drawn between UPND and MMD,” Mr Hapunda said.
He said the UPND-PF pact was the only avenue which PF president Michael Sata would have utilised to get to State House.
“The PF only has itself to blame for destroying the pact as it was the only platform on which Mr Sata and the PF would have ever seen the doors of State House.
“We urge PF to stop crying loud over the demise of the pact as it has become a nuisance to the Zambian people who are not interested in its selfishness, inconsistence and greed as was evidenced in the pact that crumbled because of the aforementioned,” he said.
Mr Hapunda alleged that the PF has become irrelevant to Zambians because of selfishness and inconsistence.
“So we urge young people and senior citizens out there to rally behind the UPND and its leader HakaindeHichilema as it is the only opposition party that can offer alternative leadership,” Mr Hapunda said.
PRESIDENT Banda says the people of Zambia have gone through enough social and economic difficulties and that time has come for them to start benefitting from the economic gains the country is registering.
And President Banda says he is expecting an economic boom in the country soon after the general elections this year.
President Banda said although he has been head of State for about three years only, there is evidence that his administration has delivered the promises made.
The President said he will not listen to his political opponents who have been criticising him from the time he was elected head of State in 2008 but will continue to focus on working for the people.
Mr Banda, who yesterday toured some selected Lusaka roads currently under rehabilitation, said there is no time selected for implementing economic development programmes.
He said all the time, be it in an election year or not, Government is obliged to continue working for the benefit of the citizens.
He was speaking to journalists yesterday at State House after touring some selected roads in Libala, Kamwala, Matero and Kabanana townships.
[pullquote]“I foresee great things after elections this year. I foresee a big boom and this will allow us to look at improving the infrastructure in tertiary institutions. We are going to fix those that are in a bad state and we will build new ones,” President Banda said.[/pullquote]
“If we imagine that the opposition political parties will stop criticising and stand on top of the roof and proclaim that all is well, we would be unrealistic. They have to find something to criticise but I will not stop working for the people because they are disparaging me. Every time is good for development. The people of Zambia have gone through enough hell. What has kept me going despite the criticism is the belief that what I am doing is right and is benefitting the people,” Mr Banda said.
President Banda said Zambians should not forget that he has been head of State for about three years and that it would be unfair for Zambians to expect him to finish and meet all their aspirations.
The President said he has not been among the privileged leaders who have had their full five-year mandate but that the elections this year will give him the five-year term during which he hopes to perform better than he has.
He said had he failed to implement the development programmes currently in progress, the opposition would have gone into chorus condemning him.
“We have to clean up our country ourselves. The United States of America government has been here and is happy with the economic progression we are making. They have said all the good things about Zambia and when they said they wanted to meet the opposition political parties, I said that is good. They have to meet the opposition because they are Zambians,” Mr Banda said.
President Banda told the Road Development Agency (RDA) that he did not want to be told that the roads are being done but that he wanted to check on the work on the ground.
President Banda said he also took a drive in the communities to get reactions of the people on the rehabilitation of the roads.
“The people are grateful that the roads are now being worked on and the value of their properties will increase once the roads are completed. We the Zambian people can together develop this country,” President Banda said.
And President has said Zambia will be in an economic boom soon after the tripartite elections this year.
President Banda said his Government will concentrate on the development of tertiary education having invested so much in the construction of basic and high schools across the country.
Mr Banda said he will concentrate on transforming colleges and universities in his second term so as to improve the learning environment in higher institutions of learning.
“I foresee great things after elections this year. I foresee a big boom and this will allow us to look at improving the infrastructure in tertiary institutions. We are going to fix those that are in a bad state and we will build new ones,” President Banda said.
“…Lift up now your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward”
(Genesis 13:14, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God has a place of victory in store for you today! You may be facing challenges. You may look around you and see impossible circumstances. In the natural, it may look like things won’t ever change. But God is saying today, “Quit looking at your circumstances and look up! Lift up your eyes of faith and look beyond where you are because there is victory as far as the eye can see!
Remember, those things you are facing today are only temporary, but God Almighty is eternal. He’s the God who spoke the world into existence, and He’s the God who set the stars in space. He is more powerful than every obstacle, bigger than any setback, and He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond what you could ever imagine. Today, look beyond your circumstances and set your focus in the right direction. Lift up your eyes and look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, today I choose to lift up my eyes of faith toward You. Thank You for surrounding me with Your goodness and mercy. Thank You for believing in me and for preparing a good future for me. Fill my heart with Your peace and confidence as I continue to trust You in every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
