Topic: Self-Denial [Teens Open Heaven 21 September 2018]

Memorise: “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24

Read: Matthew 16:24-25 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: 2 Corinthians 12

MESSAGE:

When we talk about self-denial, we are referring to fasting and praying when others are sleeping; studying your books or Bible when others are watching interesting T.V programmes and keeping quiet while others are talking.

Self-denial also means knowing your worth, yet ignoring it for the purpose of God’s Kingdom. Jesus denied Himself by making Himself of no reputation. It is pride that will make you exalt yourself, but when you know that you are nothing, it would be difficult to be angry when you are insulted. If you want to follow Him, realise that you are nothing without Him.

Action Point: Ask God for the grace to practice self-denial every day.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 7:

1. I am Thine 0 Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

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: Unity of Faith [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 21 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. – Ephesians 4:11-13

Till we all come in the unity of the faith. What this scripture means is simply this: If we’re ever going to become truly powerful in the kingdom of God, if we’re ever going to be any great threat to the devil, we’re going to have to grow up—together.

It won’t be enough for just a few of us to grow up on our own and say, “Too bad” about everyone else. It doesn’t work that way. We’re a part of each other. The Bible calls us one body…the Body of Christ.

Let me give you an example. When I began teaching God’s revelation on the laws of prosperity, I started getting an amazing amount of flack. Preachers started calling me and chewing me out because I wouldn’t borrow money and things like that. Finally God said to me one day in prayer, Don’t teach on the laws of prosperity anymore until I tell you to.

“Why not?” I asked.

There’s strife in the camp, He told me. Other preachers are mad at you and in strife over it.

I didn’t realize then that the level where we stopped would affect us all. I didn’t realize that even I wouldn’t be able to go on and operate in the additional laws of prosperity until the rest of the Body would go with me.

We’re not islands unto ourselves. I can’t do anything without affecting you. You can’t do anything without affecting me. We’re joined together by God but held together by one another (Ephesians 4:16). We can only grow up…together!

Learn to walk in love. Refuse to fall prey to division and isolation. Feed on the Word daily and encourage your brothers and sisters by feeding it to them too, so we can all grow up to be “a perfect [or mature] man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:13-28

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

Topic: Rebellion Is Punishable [DCLM Daily Manna 21 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: Numbers 16:23-35 (KJV)

Key Verse: “They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation“ (Numbers 16:33).

MESSAGE:

One of the strategies Satan employs to draw people away from following God is to make them focus on their present problems and inflate their unpleasantness. This was the case with Korah, Dathan and Abiram. While still on their way to Canaan, they saw more problems than the goodness of God; they lost sight of Him. Therefore, they rebelled against God by making weighty and false accusations against His servants.

God commanded the congregation of Israel to depart from the tent of these wicked rebels and the punishment for their rebellion was immediately executed. The punishment was unparalleled, terrible and severe upon them and all that appertained to them. They all went down alive into the earth, which closed up on them. The men who joined them were also consumed by fire. God does not condone rebellion of any kind among His children. Although we are under the dispensation of grace, we must know that “the wicked shall not go unpunished”.

Believers must never be involved in any form of rebellion. We must watch our utterances concerning our leaders and the church of God in order to avoid evil speaking and murmuring. Those who have been rebelling by secretly speaking against God’s servants should repent without delay and ask God for forgiveness and grace to make amends.

Thought For The Day: Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.

Bible Reading In One Year: Zechariah 1-7

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

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.

Topic: Unexpected Ways [Our Daily Bread 21 September 2018 Devotional]

Read: 1 Kings 19:1–12, Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 7–9; 2 Corinthians 13

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9

In 1986, five-year-old Levan Merritt fell twenty feet into the gorilla enclosure of England’s Jersey zoo. As parents and onlookers cried out for help, a full-grown male silverback, named Jambo, placed himself between the motionless boy and several other gorillas. Then he began to gently stroke the child’s back. When Levan began to cry, Jambo led the other gorillas into their own enclosure as zoo-keepers and an ambulance driver came to the rescue. More than thirty years later Levan still talks about Jambo the gentle giant—his guardian angel who had acted in a shockingly unexpected way, changing his perception of gorillas forever.

Elijah may have expected God to act in certain ways, but the God of gods used a rock-shattering wind, a powerful earthquake, and raging fire to show His prophet how not to think of Him. Then He used a gentle whisper to show His heart and to express His presence (1 Kings 19:11–12).

Elijah had seen God’s power before (18:38–39). But he didn’t fully understand the One who wants to be known as more than the greatest and most fearsome of gods (19:10, 14).

Eventually, that quiet whisper found fullness of meaning in the powerful gentleness of Jesus, who said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Then He quietly allowed Himself to be nailed to a tree—an unexpected, compassionate act by the great God who loves us.

Prayer: Father in heaven, please help us to find courage in Your whisper—and in the ways of Your Son. Have mercy on us for not seeing beyond Your power to a love we’ve barely begun to know.

God won’t shout if we only need a whisper.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Mart DeHaan [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: See Yourself As A Winner [TREM 21 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

“But despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us”. Romans 8:37 (TLB)

As a result of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, many believers still see themselves as ordinary, despite the enormous deposits of God in their lives. Many do not have a clear understanding of the finished work of Christ and the benefits that accrued thereof. When Jesus died, He paid in full. In other words, His death did not only deliver to you the gift of salvation, but every other thing you would ever need. It came as a total package.

Everything you would ever need to be all that God has ordained for you is already provided for in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’’ The Bible also makes me understand from 1 John 5:4-5, I am a world overcomer, because I am born of God. Maybe you’re wondering how I am born of God. Simple, I am a believer – I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Therefore, my question to you is, “Are you a believer?” If you are, then begin to see yourself as a world overcomer.

See yourself in your inner man and not in the flesh. See yourself as God sees you – a winner, a victor, an overcomer and not a failure. You are the head and not the tail. Stop seeing your human weaknesses and frailties, but rather see yourself attaining to great heights through Christ. Never get to a point in your Christian experience where you are overwhelmed by challenges. No matter what comes your way, you should always know what to do. Can you imagine Jesus ever getting stuck with challenges and not knowing what to do? Was there any situation in scripture where He became overwhelmed or confused? No, you will never see that in scripture. He knew who He was and what to do at all times, and in every situation. If Jesus was never confused, then you also have no business getting confused. I declare you blessed.

Further reading: Deuteronomy 28:13, 1 John 5:4-5.

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ecclesiastes 7-9; Evening- 2 Corinthians 13

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

Topic: Marriage Is For This Life [Andrew Wommack 21 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

Luke 20:33-34 “Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:”

Text: Luke 20:27-40

It is very doubtful that the situation that the Sadducees were relating ever took place. It is more probable that they were stating a hypothetical case to complicate the understanding of the resurrection and thereby discredit it.

If you accept their basic supposition (marriage continues in heaven), then their reasoning was correct. It would not be possible to administer marriage in heaven with multiple mates as their story described. Their reasoning wasn’t flawed, but rather the “facts” that their reasoning was based on were not scriptural.

The scriptures speak of two becoming “one flesh” in marriage, and angels are not flesh. Paul said, “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 15:50). Therefore, marriage is an earthly institution limited to flesh and blood mortals and will not exist in heaven. Marriage, as is death, is temporary for mortals while they are on earth. This is why a person whose mate has died, is free to remarry. Marriage pertains only to this life.

That is not to say that a couple who have loved each other deeply here on earth will love each other less in heaven. God forbid. They will love each other infinitely more, but it will be God’s “agape” love (not romantic love) and it will not be limited to just one person. We can be sure that heaven will surpass any expectations that we may have so that no one will be disappointed.

Today, many people use logical reasoning to try to discredit God’s Word. But Jesus said, “They err because they do not know the scriptures.” Therefore, their arguments have no merit; only reasoning based on scripture has any merit.

Also Read: Andrew Wommack Daily Devotional

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).

Topic: The Mysteries of God [Billy Graham Daily Devotional 21 September 2018]

Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of his existence and great eternal power . . . — Romans 1:20 (TLB)

If you try to rationalize God exhaustively, you will fail. There are mysteries about God that we will never understand in this life. How can the small and finite, limited to time and space, understand an infinite God! We should not think it strange that it is impossible to explain many mysteries in the realm of matter.

Who can explain why objects are always attracted to the center of the earth? Who can fathom the law of gravity? Newton discovered it, but he could not explain it. Who can explain the miracle of reproduction? . . . Thus many evidences and many arguments could be advanced to indicate there is a God.

Yet the plain truth is this: God cannot be proved by mere rationalization. He cannot be contained in a tiny man-made test tube or confined to an algebraic formula. If God can be fully proved by the human mind, then He is no greater than the mind that proves Him.

Prayer for the day: Lord God almighty, although my finite mind cannot comprehend the magnitude of Your greatness, I have felt Your presence in the quiet of my heart and I am gladdened.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

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.

Open Heavens 21 September 2018 Friday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – Not Your Subordinate

Topic: Not Your Subordinate (Open Heavens 21 September 2018)

Memorise: “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”- Genesis 2:18

Read: 1 Peter 3:7-9 (KJV)

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Bible in One Year: Ecclesiastes 8-12, Mark 11:1-19

Open Heavens 21 September 2018 Friday MESSAGE:

The way some men relate with their wives is unbecoming of a child of God. Some husbands deal with their wives like a highhanded boss would deal with an employee. When one beholds such sights, one begins to wonder whether it was love that brought them together in the first place or something else. They talk to their wives as if their wives are nonentities. Husbands who behave in this manner do not understand the essence of a woman in a man’s life Genesis 2:18 says it all:

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”

What led to this divine decision, seen in Genesis 2:20, is equally intriguing:

“And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.”

We need to note some points from these two scriptures first of which is that as fearfully and wonderfully made as Adam was, he needed a helpmate, of which none was found amongst other creatures. God then decided to create a woman customized and tailored to meet this need. Secondly, men do not seek help from an inferior entity; at best, they look in the direction of an associate that is at least equal to their status. Thirdly, if Adam needed help, he required a quality helper to render it, and this was exactly what God provided. Therefore, any man who treats his wife as an inferior being does not know Gog and cannot appreciate God’s gift in the woman God has given him. This is an unfortunate situation. The word “weaker” used when describing women as vessels should not be taken to mean “inferior vessel”; rather, it is best interpreted as flexible vessels. Indeed, women are flexible, and they must be if they would serve the purpose for which they were created as helpmates of men. It is however, unfortunate that some men take advantage of the flexible nature of women to extort and manipulate them. The consequence of this terrible act is seen in Malachi 2:14:

“Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.”

Furthermore, note that God is angry with domestic treachery and unfaithfulness. It has negative effects on your spirit and on the children of your union. If your marriage is experiencing difficulties, may God restore peace to it today in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens 21 September 2018 Friday Prayer Point:

Father, please help me restore and maintain peace in my home, as I give due regard to my spouse from now on in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heavens 20 September 2018 – Don’t Gamble with your Life

Open Heavens 21 September 2018 Friday Hymn 17: God Give Us Christian Homes

1. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the master’s
Will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty thy love hath wrought;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

2. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

3. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in queenly quest
Strive to show others thy way is best
Homes where the lord is an honoured guest;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

4. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!
Amen.

Open Heavens 21 September 2018 Friday 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 Heavens 21 September 2018 Friday 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.