Topic: Are You Occupying? [Teens Open Heaven 10, August 2018]

Memorise: And the Lord said, who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of mean in due season? – Luke 18:42

Read: Luke 12:42-48 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Psalm 88-89, Romans 10

MESSAGE:

A wise fellow can be identified by the kind of heart he/she has. Broadly speaking, there are two types of hearts – foolish hearts and wise hearts. The foolish hearted are those whose hearts reject wisdom. If your heart repels the thought of God and His Word, that heart is surrounded by foolishness. On the other hand, if your heart easily receives God’s Word and thoughts, that is a wise heart. The person who has made up his mind to believe that God does not exist has a foolish heart. Also, anybody who downplays God over crucial affairs in his/her life has a foolish heart. What kind of heart do you have?

Another way to identify a wise fellow is by his/her ability to occupy until Christ’s return. Unfortunately, many people because of a lack of wisdom have abandoned their Heavenly assignments for earthly tasks. Jesus says that the one who He meets doing His will is a wise servant. This means that only foolish servants of Christ will discontinue from service when He has not stopped them. Don’t be a foolish child of God! Spread the gospel. Don’t get tired of doing good.

Key Point: Any believer who allows anything or anyone to truncate his/her trip to Heaven is most foolish. He/she will pay for such foolishness eternally in hell.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 15:

1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, 0 won’t you believe It?
Wonderful story of love.

Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, Wonderful story of love.

2. Wonderful story of love,
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

3. Wonderful story of love:
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of Love.

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: Covenant [Joyce Meyer Devotional Friday August 10, 2018]

A covenant is a mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons.

Under the old covenant, our sin could be covered by the sacrifices of animals, but never removed. The sense of guilt connected to sin was always present.

But the good news is that God has made a new covenant with man. It is a better covenant—far superior to the old. The old covenant was initiated with the blood of animals, but the new was initiated with the sinless blood of Jesus Christ.

Jesus took the punishment that we deserved, and promised that if we would believe in Him and all that He did for us, He would forever stand in our place, and our responsibility to keep the law would be met in Him. The old covenant focused on what man could do, but the new covenant focuses on what God has done for us in Jesus Christ (see Romans 5).

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for sending Jesus and allowing me, by faith, to come into an everlasting covenant with you. There’s nothing I can do to earn it, but You want me to simply receive Your grace, peace, joy, and right standing with You.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

Topic: Be Ready To Stretch [TREM 10 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” Hebrews 5:8-9

Whenever God wants to take you to another dimension or another level He stretches you beyond your limit. To you, it is not right but to God, He knows He is taking you to another level. You may be feeling uncomfortable and wanting to resign to status quo but that will not take you to the dimension that God has designed. The bible says Jesus learnt obedience by the things He suffered and at the end, He became the author.

There are things that God want to birth through you that has never been seen before. You are a global phenomenon. The news media is waiting to cast your news. They are waiting to invite you for an interview. What God has put in you has to come out. When a woman wants to deliver she undergoes tremendous pain. Even under such intense pain, the instruction is to push. You can imagine how many babies and women have died in the labor room because they refused to push.

You have great dreams and great desires but are you ready to push? Are you ready to stretch? How do you get to the next dimension when you are not stretching? You cannot manifest the next dimension by maintaining the status quo. One of the things that you must make up your mind about this year is that you will stretch. There is light in every challenge. There is nothing in this world that does not have an answer. Everything has an answer. You may not have seen it. You may not have found it but I assure you that if you stay longer at it you will get the answer. You may have suffered a setback, but don’t ever see it as a failure. Rather, it is a retreat so that you can take off as an airplane and fly.

Further Reading: Isaiah 66:7-9, Hebrews 5:6-9

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 79-80; Evening- Romans 11:1-18

“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: The Crucial Judgments [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 12 August 2018]

MEMORY VERSE: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” – Hebrews 9:27 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 12TH AUGUST 2018 HYMN)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Revelations 20:11-15 (Sunday School STUDENT Manual 12 August 2018)

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

INTRODUCTION:

Judgment is one of the common destinies awaiting all men (Hebrews 9:27). Believers and unbelievers, the young and old, the rich and poor, will all face judgment. The judgment will not be corporate but personal. As there is more than one resurrection, there is more than one judgment. Some of the judgments the Bible speaks about include the believers’ self-judgment at the communion table (1 Corinthians 11:29-31), the judgment of the believers at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:32) and the judgment of the unsaved at the Great White Throne (Revelations 20:11). In this lesson, our focus is on the judgment of the believers and the judgment of the unsaved.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. The judgment of the saints
2. The judgment of the sinners

THE JUDGMENT OF THE SAINTS

Believers will no longer be judged for sin, as long as they do not go back to sin. The believers’ sins, which have been repented of and forsaken, have been judged in Christ at Calvary (Romans 8:1). However, there is a judgment the believers must go through. This is the judgment of the believers’ works for the purpose of rewards (Matthew 16:27).

1. The focus of the judgment: The quality of work, the motive behind every work and the level of faithfulness (1 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:20).

2. The candidates for the judgment: The resurrected ‘’dead in Christ’’ and the living who remain in Christ when He comes at rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

3. The place of the judgment: The judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).

4. The time for the judgment: After Christ’s coming at rapture, during the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Matthew 16:27; Revelations 19:9).

The result of the judgment:
Rewards and crowns for the faithful (1 Corinthians 3:14; 2Timothy 4:7-8).
Losses for those whose works lack the required divine quality (1 Corinthians 3:15).

THE JUDGMENT OF THE SINNERS

This is the final judgment that will climax the end of this age. The judgment of sinners is certain (Proverbs 11:21).

1. The candidates for the judgment: Those whose names are not in the Book of life (Revelations 20:15). These include the abominable (homosexuals, lesbians, etc.), all liars, sexually immoral, the friends of the world, idolaters, murderers, thieves etc. (Revelations 21:8).

2. The place of the judgment: The great white throne. God, the impartial and all-knowing God, sits on the throne (Revelations 20:11).

3. The time of the judgment: After the millennial (one thousand years), reign of Christ on earth (Revelations 20:5-6).

4. The result of judgment: Sinners shall be cast into the lake of fire (Revelations 20:15; Psalm 9:17).

CONCLUSION

Earthly judgment can be influenced and compromised, divine judgment cannot. It is judgment in righteousness and truth. The judgment of both the saints and the sinners is certain (Galatians 6:7-8).

QUESTIONS

1. Mention some people who will face the great white throne judgment.
2. Will some be judged righteous at the great white throne judgment?

Also Read: RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual August 5 2018 Lesson 49 – The Crucial Judgments

RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 12 August 2018 HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

Topic: Confess God’s Truth [Andrew Wommack 10th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

John 11:14 “Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.”

Jesus spoke of Lazarus being asleep instead of dead because that is really a much better description. Death, to their carnal minds, would be final; whereas the word “sleep” would not. When the disciples misunderstood what He was saying, He clarified the situation by saying plainly, “Lazarus is dead.”

This looks like a contrary statement to what Jesus was going to do (raise Lazarus from the dead) and indeed it would have been if He had left it at that. But He went on to say in verse 15, “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe.” This was referring to Lazarus being raised from the dead and it turned Jesus’ statement of a negative fact into a positive confession of faith.

Many people have been confused over this very issue. Many times people will refuse to speak of or acknowledge any situation that is contrary to a promise that God has given them. It is certainly desirable to avoid talking about our problems and there is scriptural precedent for this (2 Kings 4:20, 26). In this very instance, Jesus avoided using a word to describe Lazarus’ situation that would have instilled fear into His disciples’ hearts. But when dealing with people who didn’t understand, He didn’t deny the natural facts.

A true, positive confession doesn’t deny natural truth. It just refuses to stop at the natural realm and speaks forth the greater spiritual truth. This is what Jesus did and we should follow His example. Therefore, it is not wrong to acknowledge a physical problem such as sickness just as long as we acknowledge to an equal or greater degree the spiritual truth, “by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). Don’t deny that problems exist, just deny those problems the right to continue to exist in your life by confessing your faith in God.

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: A New World [Billy Graham Daily Devotional 10 August, 2018]

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. — 1 Corinthians 2:9

At the close of the Bible we encounter these words, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” A new world is coming! Each time we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come,” we should remember that that prayer will be answered. Heaven is described as a new creation in which we shall move in new bodies, possessed of new names, singing new songs, living in a new city, by a new form of government, and challenged by new prospects of eternity with social justice for all. The paradise that man lost will be regained, but it will be much more. It will not be the old one repaired, patched up, and made over. When God says, “Behold, I make all things new,” the emphasis is on all things. One day we shall live in a brand-new world. Centuries ago the apostles greeted each other with the word, “Maranatha”—the Lord is coming.

Prayer for the day: Use me, Savior, to hasten Maranatha, as I tell others that they, too, can be made new through Your divine love.

“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.

Topic: Conquering Through Wisdom [DCLM Daily Manna 10th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: Mark 12:13-17 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him” (Mark 12:17).

MESSAGE:

The Scripture says, “Wisdom is defence“. In no other life or ministry was wisdom and victory so manifested as Christ’s. The relentless efforts by Jesus’ detractors to undermine Him were frustrated by His superior wisdom which they could not countervail.

The Pharisees and Herodians had to put their irreconcilable differences aside to unite against “a common foe”. They felt threatened by His pure truth and righteous teachings. Their question as to whether they were to give tribute to Caesar or not was actually designed to implicate Him and “to catch him in his words” (verse 13). Their sarcastic remark that Jesus was “true and carest for no man… but teachest the way of God in truth” (verse 14) is actually true. His response that they should “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” threw them off balance.

Christ’s masterful handling of both friends and foes shows He is actually “a teacher come from God”. Even at a time when some officers were sent to arrest Him, they came back empty-handed, testifying that “never man spake like this man”. Interestingly, He has also given the Church the promise of this irresistible wisdom (Luke 21:15).

No Christian, especially those in leadership, should remain ignorant. Wisdom is the principal thing. It is by it that kings rule. Moreso, believers have been made “kings and priests unto God”. The wisdom that abstains from all manner of unrighteousness, makes one watchful, prayerful, heaven conscious and rapture ready is the beneficial wisdom every Christian must have.

Thought For The Day: Divine wisdom is needed in the application of the Scriptures.

Bible Reading In One Year: Jeremiah 10-13

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: The Cure for Depression [Seeds of Destiny 10 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Scripture: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

Thought For The Day: Living in one room apartment with joy is better than living in a duplex with depression.

Depression is a long-term state of mind characterised with extreme unhappiness and inability to visualize a happy future. It is a powerfully negative mood that interferes with daily life. Depression is more than sadness. Depressed people feel sad, empty, despondent, disinterested and lethargic. That shall never be your portion in Jesus’ Name.

Depression is a major destroyer of life and destiny. It is a major sponsor of oppression. Depression opens the door for oppression because satan is at work where depression is. Depression is doorway to the destruction of destiny. People commit suicide not when they are excited but when they are depressed.

Depression also frustrates discretion; it affects reasoning. Whenever a man is depressed, his reasoning pathways are blocked. He lacks the capacity to find solution; he is too depressed to think about a way out because depression blocks the mind.

Having seen the dangers of depression, what then is the cure for depression?

1. Fight depression
Fight the spirit of heaviness; fight depression (Isaiah 61:3).Refuse to be depressed despite the prevailing circumstance. Let God’s Word fuel your joy – Jeremiah 15:16.

2. Rejoice in the Lord
Rejoice when the devil wants you to cry; sing when he wants you to mourn and dance when he wants you to lie down. Do the opposite of what the devil wants from you, and he will run mad (Philippians 4:4).

3. Watch your environment
If you do not want to be depressed, watch your environment. There are depression-provoking pictures you should avoid and houses you may have to move out from in order to maintain your joy in the Lord. Living in a room apartment with joy is better than living in a duplex with depression.

Beloved, you must guard your joy with jealousy; avoid depression.

Remember this: Living in one room apartment with joy is better than living in a duplex with depression.

Assignments:
1. Disengage from depressive people and environment.
1. Fight the spirit of heaviness
2. Choose to rejoice in the Lord always.

Prayer: O Lord, I reject the spirit of heaviness. I ask for the grace to maintain my joy always, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DEADLY ENEMY OF DESTINY (PART 3).

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra10:1 to 44, 1 Corinthians 6:1 to 20, Psalm 31:9 to 18, Proverbs 21:3.

Amazing Fact: Frogs breathe through their skin in hibernation.

Today In History: 10/08/1881 – Thomas Edison’s exhibit opened the Paris Electrical Exhibition.

Quote: There are many people moving around very powerless, weak, unable to pray, unable to deal with even one tiny devil, all because they are too depressed. Culled from 21 FOOLISH THINGS PEOPLE DO by Dr Paul Enenche.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Home church meeting tomorrow by 6pm at the centre nearest to you. Come with your friends and loved ones.

Also Read: Seeds of Destiny by Pastor Paul Enenche

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: A Living Example of Love [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 10th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. – Romans 5:5

Don’t ever worry about not having enough love inside you. The Word says God’s love is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost. God’s love is in you. What you need to do is make a decision and let it flow.

Pray this prayer today.

In Jesus’ Name, I make a fresh and strong commitment today to live the life of love, to let the tenderness of God flow through me and heal the wounded hearts of those I meet.

Father, teach me to love even when things go wrong. To be patient and kind when the children are underfoot. To overlook the spiteful words of an angry spouse. To rejoice when someone at the office gets the raise that I thought I needed. Teach me to talk in love, to lay gossip quietly aside and to take up words of grace instead.

Lord, Your Word says that Your love is already inside me…that it has been shed abroad in my heart. So today, I resolve to remove every obstacle that would keep that love from flowing freely into the lives of others. I put resentments behind me, and I forgive all those who’ve done me wrong.

In the days ahead, cause me to increase and excel and overflow with Your love. Cause me to be what this world needs most of all…a living example of love. Amen.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:7-17

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.