John 6:26, ‘Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.’
Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56; John 6:22-39
Jesus knew the hearts of all men and therefore, He did not commit Himself to this crowd. Just the day before, these same people tried to take Him by force and make Him their king, but He withdrew and spent the night in prayer.
This crowd looked like they were seeking Jesus, but they were actually trying to use Jesus to seek their own end. It is true that there are many personal benefits to be reaped through serving the Lord, but the benefits are never to become our object. In all things, Christ must have the preeminence (Col. 1:18).
Jesus exposed the true intentions of the people’s hearts by preaching a strong message of commitment. Those who were self-centered were offended and left while those who were willing to lay down their lives to experience God’s abundant life remained. Commitment to God Himself (not what He can produce) is what always separates the true worshippers of God from the false.
As Jesus began to explain in these verses that He was the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:6) and that they would have to come through Him, the people grew angry. It always angers the flesh to think that all our righteous acts can’t save us, but Jesus made it clear that our only part in salvation is to believe. Believe what? Believe on Jesus and His sacrifice – not ours. Salvation is a gift and cannot be purchased (Rom. 10:2-3).
Many times, we get so intent on seeking God in one area that we forget the greatest miracle of all, which is the love and redemption given to us from God through His Son. God loves us so much!
This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).
The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. — Revelation 11:15
Christianity is a Gospel of crisis. It proclaims unmistakably that this world’s days are numbered. Every graveyard and every cemetery testify that the Bible is true. Our days on this planet are numbered. The Apostle James says that life is only a vapor that appears for a moment and then vanishes (James 4:14). The prophet Isaiah says that our life is like the grass that withers and the flower that fades (Isaiah 40:6,7).
There is no doubt that nations also come to an end when they have ceased to fulfill the function that God meant for them. The end will come with the return of Jesus Christ. He will set up a kingdom of righteousness and social justice where hatred, greed, jealousy, and death will no longer be known. That is why a Christian can be an optimist. That is why a Christian can smile in the midst of all that is happening. We know what will come. We know what the end will be: the triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Prayer for the day: While the world around me is in such turmoil, Your peace lives in my heart, as I look for Your triumphant return!
Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.
Key Verse: “The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree”(Job 24:20)
MESSAGE:
It is obvious to the spiritually discerning minds that contemporary societal values and norms have become so perverted and corrupted that morality to many has become relative. No wonder, the concept of right or wrong is often based on what is generally accepted. Hence, many have dug up excuses to justify their misdeeds as well as pride themselves in their waywardness. Some even go on to ask why God has not been swift to judge, if He actually knows that they are evil. Some others claim that God’s love and mercy will not allow Him to judge His own creatures by casting them to hell. These positions clearly expose their ignorance of the Scriptures that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:18).
The text simply reveals some of the acts of man’s inhumanity to man and acts of sin against God. These include sinful practices such as prostitution, murder, adultery, burglary robbery etc. Sin has no other description than being the transgression of the laws of God and it will certainly be judged.
Have you been lost in the realm of contemporary philosophy where wrong is right? Are you justifying your sins because majority are involved? Are you under the illusion that God will not judge sin because many are involved? Are you deceived by the fact that things are going smooth with you despite your acts of rebellion against God? Wait! What if God should ask you now to account for your ungodly deeds? What if God should pass His verdict on your actions now? Have you counted the cost if your soul should be lost? Repent TODAY, repent NOW!
Thought For The Day: God’s wheel of justice may move slowly, yet it is steady.
The Bible In One Year: 1 Corinthians 1-4
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
It takes authority to affect authority; it takes influence to influence influencers.
SCRIPTURE: And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Isaiah 2:2
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It takes authority to affect authority; it takes influence to influence influencers.
Excellence is God’s ordained platform for the promotion of His children to the high places of the earth. The destiny of God’s people is a destiny of excellence, authority and influence. The Children of God are destined for the top and not the pit; the mountain is our place not the valley (Isaiah 2:2).
According to our anchor Scripture, children of God are destined for establishment at the top. This means, God has destined His children to be at the top in any field of human endeavour – be it science, politics, industry, economics, agriculture, education etc.
God has designed it this way so that the distinction of the Church would provoke the attention and attraction of the world. God’s plan is for our impact to produce evangelistic results. His Purpose for us is to take us to a point where we will become wonders to our generation.
Now, one reason God establishes His people in authority and excellence is so they can influence other people in authority, especially those who do not know God. You know, it takes authority to affect authority; it takes influence to influence influencers.
It is easier for a Christian governor to preach to a fellow governor than for his aide to preach to him. God wants to raise wealthy people from the Church who can preach and influence other wealthy people to follow God.
Beloved, to live in influence and authority, you must develop deep personal devotion to God. It is your devotion to God that will determine your distinction by God. Your relationship with God must be serious for you to have a serious future with God.
REMEMBER THIS: It takes authority to affect authority; it takes influence to influence influencers.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Decide to identify with God publicly; do not hide your identity in God.
Be devoted to God in prayer and in studying of the Word
PRAYER: O Lord, I declare that my days of mediocrity are over. I am going to the top level where I belong. I am a person of influence, excellence and authority that God is raising in this end time, in the Name of Jesus.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: EXISTENCE IN INFLUENCE AND EXCELLENCE
QUOTE: Integrity compels audacity and iniquity invites calamity. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche
DAILY READING: 1 Samuel 5:1 to 7:17, John 6:1 to 21, Psalm 106:13 to 31, Proverbs 14:32 to 33
AMAZING FACT: The blackest wood in the world is the Ebony.
TODAY IN HISTORY: 09/05/1907 – Kathryn Kuhlman, the great healing revivalist who was known for hosting healing services, was born to German-American parents. After a spiritual experience at age 14, several years later, she began itinerant preaching.
PROPHETIC DECLARATION/WORD: God shall make you a major influence in your generation as you embrace diligence for excellence in Jesus’ Name.
Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
TOPIC: Who Needs Deliverance? (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 9 May 2019)
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 7-9; John 1:1-28
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Lamentation 5:1-7
MEMORY VERSE: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
The MESSAGE:
Very early in His earthly ministry, Jesus clearly declared His manifesto on earth (Luke 4:18), which was mainly to set free those who have been captured by the devil and are oppressed by powers of darkness, and return God’s blessings to man and the earth.
Who are the captives and who are those oppressed? It is anybody whose life has been tainted, contaminated or defiled in any way by the devil and sin. Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Why? Because Adam’s disobedience and curse were naturally inherited by all men. Even before a man decides to disobey God, sin is already in his blood. Ever wondered where a child leant to lie? It is in the blood!
Some will tell you that the moment you give your life to Christ, you are saved and do not need deliverance. Unfortunately, like at the beginning, the devil is still in the business of deception and he is perfect at hiding in people’s lives in order to block their destinies.
Congratulations if you have given your life to Christ. But you still need to ensure that nothing is standing between you and your portion in Christ. So, who needs deliverance?
Check the status of your parents and ancestry. If for example, they were ever in the occult or worshipped idols or went to fake churches or practised polygamy or were ever in prison or into hard drugs or drunkenness or had insanity or were into gambling or were always fighting or are divorced, you need deliverance. If they have blood diseases (hypertension, cancer etc), you need deliverance. If you were conceived in adultery or fornication or your mother ever contemplated aborting your pregnancy or she was raped before she conceived you, you need deliverance. If you were abandoned by one or both parents, you need deliverance. If your mother had a difficult pregnancy or prolonged labour before giving birth to you, you need deliverance. If there is a history of poverty in your family or your father could just not make ends meet or keep a job, you need deliverance.
One or more of these issues constitute an open door for the devil to enter into your life in order to steal, to kill and to destroy, which Jesus says, is the devil’s manifesto. The good news is, Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil.
Beloved, you need to close all the doors of your life against the devil and stop the traffic of demons.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: GOD HAS MADE PROVISION FOR AS MANY AS RECEIVED CHRIST AND CALL UPON HIM TO BE ADOPTED AS HIS CHILDREN. NO EVIL CARRY OVERS.
PROPHETIC WORD: God shall give you rest from all your ancestral burdens.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
Lord Jesus, I thank You for the supreme sacrifice You made in order to rescue man from the wickedness of the devil, in the name of Jesus.
Here I am Lord, save and redeem me from the powers that afflicted and defeated my parents and ancestors, in the name of Jesus.
I renounce and denounce every covenant agreement and promise that my parents and ancestors entered with the devil, in the name of Jesus. EVENING
My Father, walk through my ancestry, destroy and block everything that is not found in Christ from having a say in my life, in the name of Jesus.
Blood of Jesus, run through my blood line and flush out every contamination, in the name of Jesus.
The Lord God of Elijah, release Your fire to consume every devil that entered my life through my parents and ancestors, in the name of Jesus.
I reject evil inheritance, in the name of Jesus.
MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Topic: You Can Stand Out [Open Heavens for Teens 9 May 2019]
Memorise: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” – James 1:14
Read: Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Bible In One Year: 1 Kings 19-20, John 2
MESSAGE:
The world we are in is very immoral. However, this does not give any child of God the liberty to live below the standard of Christ. In His letter to the church in Sardis, after stating their terrible state, God said that there were a few of them who were undefiled and would walk with Him in white on the last day.
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” – Revelation 3:4.
As horrible as Sardis was, there were a few people who held on to their faith in Christ. One revelation you need to hold on to from this is that your faith in Christ can triumph even in the most sinful environments. No matter the temptations or levels of corruption around you, no matter the pressure you are faced with, if you hold on to your faith in Christ, you will be a victor. Your watch word should be “others can, but I cannot”. You can be different. You can stand out for God. Be determined, and you will be undefiled.
Key Point: Don’t give up on your faith, God is counting on you as a worthy example to others. Stay in Christ!
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the Cross!
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The solemn watchword hear;
If while ye sleep he suffers,
Away with shame and fear.
Where’re yeah meet with evil,
Within you or without,
Charge for the God of battles,
And put the foe to rout.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armour,
And watching unto prayer;
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally.
Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.
Topic: Prosperous Through Wickedness (Open Heaven 9 May 2019)
Memorise: “The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.”- Proverbs 14:11
Read: Proverbs 1:24-33 (KJV)
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 11-12, Jeremiah 32:16-25
Open Heaven 9 May 2019 Thursday MESSAGE:
Today, the Holy Spirit is asking you if your prosperity is built on wickedness. As today’s memory verse says, it is dangerous to prosper through wickedness. One of my sons was delivered from being hooked by evil prosperity when he was offered a huge amount of money to defraud his organization. He refused to be part of the deal because he knew the spiritual implication of being unequally yoked with the wicked (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). The love of wealth makes a lot of people ignore God’s counsel, with devastating consequences. Such wealth will eventually grow wings and fly away. Proverbs 13:22 says that a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. In other words, if you manage to gather wealth by stealing, lying or other acts of wickedness, the Lord is saying that He will take that wealth from you and give it to the righteous. Are you tempted to gather wealth through acts of wickedness or enjoying wealth obtained through sin? God is saying to you today that He is willing to prosper you, but you have to repent from your life of sin.
There was once a famous surgeon who was very wicked. He used to charge his patients very high fees and was living off the misfortune of others. He eventually became very rich with many houses all over the place. However, he himself fell sick, and all the money he made through wickedness was spent to help him, but to no avail. He eventually died. Years ago, I went to the University of Ibadan, and after my ministration, my car won’t start. It was discovered that water had mixed with fuel in my car. The fuel tank had to be removed in order to separate this water from the fuel. After this was done, the car started working again. Likewise, for you to prosper, you must get rid of all ungodly elements in your business and work. Zacchaeus was wise enough to know that all the ill-gone wealth at his disposal must be gotten rid of. He said to the Lord in Luke 19:8b:
“Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
There was a very wealthy man in a city in South-western Nigeria who had a lot of houses but could not sleep well in any of them. He came for prayers, offering to give us all his houses if only he could begin to sleep well. Of course, we rejected his gift. Beloved, it is indeed foolhardy to “prosper” through wickedness. If you have accumulated riches through fraudulent and bloody means, repent today. Jesus Christ will forgive you and give you grace to restitute your ways like he did for Zacchaeus. If you know these things and do them, it shall be well with you.
Open Heaven 9 May 2019 Thursday Action Point:
Prayerfully restitute any wealth you acquired through falsehood immediately.
Open Heaven 9 May 2019 Thursday Hymn 5: Let Others See Jesus In You
1 While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2 Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3 Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Open Heaven 9 May 2019 Thursday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 9 May 2019 Thursday Daily Devotional.
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Boko Haram Terrorist Group Kidnaps Pastor, Several Church Members Delivering Aid
A pastor, Christian relief worker and members of Living Faith Church have been kidnapped by alleged members of Boko Haram two weeks ago in Borno State.
Abraham Amuta, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, and Pastor Oyeleke of Living Faith Church were among the people kidnapped. The group was traveling from Maiduguri to Chibok to give supplies to displaced people in the region when they were attacked.
Rabiu Aminu, the Borno State Coordinator for NYSC, explained to the Christian Post that all corps members must receive approval from their employer and a zone inspector before traveling. Amuta, however, did not.
Amuta’s housemate, Success Ezeanya, told Punch, “[Abraham] is a very strong guy; the guy has guts.”
The police are working to find the group. “We visited the Church, and the Commissioner of Police called us on Friday over the incident and assured us of their total support to address the situation,” Aminu stated.
The church told Ezeanya that Boko Haram has demanded a ransom of about $55,000.
According to Christian Post, it’s unclear how many church members were kidnapped. The Punch reports three other members.
Located north east of Nigeria, Borno State is the original home of Boko Haram. The terrorist group began in its capital in 2002. In 2014, Boko Haram militants kidnapped over 250 teenage girls from a boarding…
Evangelical Russians Suffer Most from Law Restricting Religious Freedom
Religious persecution has grown in Russia since the country’s ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2017 with Russian Evangelicals feeling the pressure. Last year, over 100 Russian individuals and 50 organizations were prosecuted for any type of religious activity.
“Believers don’t understand what they can and can’t do,” lawyer Mikhail Frolov told Forum 18, a news service covering religious freedom in Russia and surrounding countries. “Because of heavy fines, they don’t want to take the risk and therefore significantly reduce their activity, especially in public.”
According to Christianity Today, Russian officials have interrupted worship services, charged pastors for hanging signs with church meeting times, and punished Baptists at a bus stop for discussing their faith.
In 2016, Putin signed the Yarovaya laws, intended to prevent terrorism that also set tight restrictions on religious freedoms. Any person or organization accused of “missionary activity” can be prosecuted. Though the law strictly forbids “missionary activity”, officials are prosecuting any religious activity, including prayer meetings and church services.
“There are potentially very wide-sweeping ramifications to this law,” Joel Griffith of the Slavic Gospel Association said in a Mission Network News report when the law was first introduced. “It just depends on,…
‘Bring Your Camera’: Abby Johnson, Pro-Lifers to Rally at Bully Rep.’s Planned Parenthood
A video showing a Democratic state representative harassing an elderly woman outside a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood clinic has sparked a backlash from pro-life leaders, who have scheduled a protest Friday outside the same clinic.
The “Pro-Life Rally Against Bullying” will include some of the top pro-life voices in the country, including Live Action’s Lila Rose, author and activist Abby Johnson, and conservative writer Matt Walsh.
Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Sims, a Democrat, posted a video last week of himself harassing a peaceful pro-life woman he labeled an “old white lady.” Sims threatened to find her address and also told her she had no “moral right” to be there. She stood silent and clinched her rosary beads as he continuously circled her.
The rally, organized by Live Action and other pro-life groups, will take place 11 a.m. Eastern Friday in front of the Planned Parenthood at 1144 Locust Street in Philadelphia.
“This is a peaceful, winsome demonstration of brotherly love to sidewalk counselors, women, and Rep. Brian Sims,” Live Action announced. “We hope more lives are saved. Changed minds save lives.”
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
