Topic: Gateways to Contacting the Spirit of Faith!

Welcome to August! I believe everyone is still flowing in the realm of the supernatural as unveiled all through the month of July, 2018 and may we receive grace to maintain the flow! This month, we shall focus on the subject of faith as it relates to our lives as believers. However, this week, we shall examine the topic: Gateways to Contacting the Spirit of Faith! From scriptures, we discover that the Spirit of faith is one of the components of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:13). Also, it is the master key to a world of unlimited possibilities(Hebrews 11:33-34). It is also important to recognise that we need the Spirit of faith to fulfil our glorious destinies in Christ because the exploits that God will wrought in our lives cannot be handled by human imagination.

What then, is Unique about the Spirit of Faith?

It Empowers us to Believe All Things: It takes the Spirit of faith to believe all things and we are only empowered to become what we believe (John 1:12; Mark 9:23; Acts 24:14). It is important to understand that the spirit of fear cannot survive where the Spirit of faith dwells. Thus, it is the level to which the Spirit of faith is at work in our lives that determines what God does (Luke 1:45).

It is a Speaking Spirit: The Spirit of faith speaks the unspeakable through us to commit God to intervene (Matthew 10:20; 2 Corinthians 4:13). The Spirit of faith also speaks through us what our hearts cannot conceive. For instance, when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego determined not to bow to king Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, they were not the ones who spoke but the Spirit of faith (Daniel 3:16-18).

It is a transferable Spirit: It is important to understand that the Spirit of faith is transferrable from generation to generation. For instance, it was said about Elisha that “the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.” Also, as regards John, the scripture says that he shall go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah. Therefore, we can be imparted with the Spirit of faith from those who carry it (2 Kings 2:15; Luke 1:17). Thus, a crave for the Spirit of faith is vital to fulfilling our glorious destinies in Christ (Ephesians 6:16).

What, then, are the Gateways to Encountering the Spirit of Faith?

Coveting the Spirit of Faith: Among the nine gifts of the Spirit is faith. It is written: To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:9/31). The Spirit of faith cannot be purchased with money but can be acquired by coveting it earnestly. There was transference of Spirit from Elijah to Elisha because the latter desperately coveted it (2 Kings 2:9, 15). Therefore, if we locate anybody operating in the level of faith we desire, we must go after him/her to possess it.

Having a Genuine Thirst: Every empowerment of the Spirit demands a desperate thirst, a longing and a panting (Psalm 63:1-2; Isaiah 44:3-4). Therefore, we must desperately desire an encounter with the Spirit of faith before we can experience the impartation.

Feeding on the Word of God: We must understand that it is not enough to possess the Spirit of faith; we have a responsibility to keep that Spirit alive and working. The Spirit of faith can be likened to a bonfire, which must be fed with wood to keep it alive. Thus, we keep the bonfire of the Spirit of faith alive via God’s Word (Leviticus 6:12-13). When we do not feed the Spirit of faith, we starve and grieve it, and if we are not careful, it may be quenched. Thus, no Word-lazy believer can sustain the operation of the Spirit of faith because it draws its strength from the Word.

By Access to the Voice of God: This is a direct access to the voice of God. It is proven that no one hears God and still doubts Him. When God speaks, the Spirit of faith, which destroys all doubts, is fired into us. This was practically demonstrated in Exodus 14:15-16, when God told Moses to tell the children of Israel to move forward. Though Moses had never seen the sea part before, when God spoke, the Spirit of faith entered into him and brought him into the realm of peace that passes all understanding. As it is written: For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his (Hebrews 4:10). Also, we must realise that God speaks to us in three major ways:

Through the verses of Scriptures (Isaiah 34:16).

By His Spirit (Revelation 2:7; John 16:12-14).

Through His Prophets (Hosea 12:10; Luke 4:27).

In conclusion, the Spirit of faith is one of the best gifts of the Spirit. This is because it puts us in command of the issues of life, which are of concern to others. Also, the Spirit of faith is unquenchable by the forces of darkness because it is ever in charge of situations and circumstances. However, it is important to understand that faith is no cheap talk; it is hard work. This is why we must take personal responsibility to keep the Spirit of faith alive and active in our lives by constantly feeding on the Word daily. However, this can only be possible when you are a bonafide child of God. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood.

Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Unlimited Power of Faith, Exploits of Faith, Born to Win and Satan get Lost. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

Please click HERE to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo

Topic: When the Bottom Drops Out [Our Daily Bread 7th Tuesday August, 2018]

Read: 1 Kings 17:15–24, Bible in a Year: Psalms 72–73; Romans 9:1–15

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

During the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, more people were looking for work than there were jobs available. I was one of those job seekers. After nine anxious months, I landed employment as a copywriter. But the company soon fell on bad times and I was jobless again.

Ever been there? It seems like the worst is over when suddenly the bottom drops out on you. The widow at Zarephath could relate (1 Kings 17:12). Due to a famine, she was preparing the last meal for herself and her son when the prophet Elijah requested a bite to eat. She reluctantly agreed and God provided a continuous supply of flour and oil (vv. 10–16).

But then her son fell ill. His health declined until he stopped breathing. The widow cried out, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” (v. 18).

At times, we may want to respond like the widow—wondering if God is punishing us. We forget that bad things can happen in this fallen world.

Elijah took the concern to God, praying earnestly and honestly for the boy, and God raised him up! (vv. 20–22).

When the bottom drops out on us, may we—like Elijah—realize that the faithful One will not desert us! We can rest in God’s purposes as we pray for understanding.

For help on the topic of peace, read discoveryseries.org/q1126.

God is good in both the good times and the bad.

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

This message was written By Poh Fang Chia [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Put Your Imagination to Work [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 7th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8

If you have a desire to give, yet financial failures keep holding you back, you may be surprised to learn that what you need is not more money. What you need is a spiritual breakthrough. You need to take the Word of God and shatter the images of poverty and lack within you. You need to replace them with a vision of the sufficiency of God. Then more things, including money, will come.

How? By spending time thinking on the prosperity promises He’s provided for you in His Word. By meditating on them. By believing you receive those promises actually being fulfilled in your life.

Begin to see yourself, for example, being a generous giver to people in need. In your mind, see yourself as a giver instead of the one who is always in need. Each time you do, the promise of God will become more real to you and your faith will grow.

“Oh my, Brother Copeland, surely you’re not saying I should use my imagination!”

Yes, that’s precisely what I’m saying. What do you think God gave it to you for? Coupled with the Word of God, your imagination is a tremendous thing. However, never forget without the Word, your imagination will become worldly and bind you instead of feeding your faith.

Let me warn you though, sometimes creating such new images of hope is tough—especially when there are old images of doubt blocking the way. If you’ve been broke, for instance, all or most all of your life, it may take awhile for you to see yourself prospering in God. But you can do it if you stay in the Word.

Just keep meditating the Word of God. Eventually you’ll be transformed by the renewing of your mind. When that happens, financial failures will never be able to stop you again.

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-14

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: You Are Prepared For Glory [TREM 7 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

“And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” Romans 9:23

We are the vessels of mercy prepared unto glory. God is not dealing with us in judgment. He is dealing with us in mercy. He has glory prepared for us. So don’t expect anything other than glory. No shame, no disgrace, no embarrassment and no ridicule. They are not your portion. Glory is your portion!

Verse 24 of the same chapter says “Even us whom He had called not of the Jews only but also of the Gentiles”. We have been included. It is no longer the Jews only, but also we the Gentiles. We used to be Gentiles and so He included us. That is what the new creation is all about.

Verses 25 and 26 say: “I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God”.

In the same place where they have humiliated you, they will change their testimony. In the same place where it has been said you are finished, you will emerge in a new way. In the same place where you have failed, get ready you will succeed. God will disappoint their prophesies in your life. In the same place where they saw something that will kill you, you will live and not die. God is a merciful God. He is not looking for who to kill. He so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son. While we are yet sinners Christ died. What a love! He who spared not His own son and gave Him freely how can He not freely give us all things?

He has given you His all without withholding back. All things are already yours. Your responsibility is to take delivery of what has been given to you.

Further reading: Romans 9:22-30

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 72-73; Evening- Romans 9:1-15

“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: Living Godly Among the Ungodly [DCLM Daily Manna 7th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: 1 Kings 18:1-16 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly)” (1 Kings 18:3).

MESSAGE:

A Christian employee of an oil company was posted to a place where corruption was the norm. People watched keenly to see how he would cope and remain incorruptible. But by God’s grace and to their astonishment, he worked there without compromising his Christian convictions.

The case of Obadiah is noteworthy. He lived and worked in a sinful environment – in the household of Ahab and his idolatrous wife, Jezebel. Yet, he “feared the LORD greatly”. When Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, he hid one hundred of them and fed them.

Today, there are arguments in religious circles on whether a man can live a life free from sin or not. A question to ask is, did God create man for him to live in sin? God made man in His righteous image and he lived without sin until the devil came to introduce sin to Adam and Eve. But the Second Adam, Jesus Christ, came and paid the price for the sins of mankind through His death and resurrection and made salvation freely available to all.

The Church in Rome “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine delivered to [them], and being then made free from sin [they] became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:17,18). The mark of genuine salvation is freedom from sin, because “whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God” (1 John 3:9). God is honoured as His children remain blameless and harmless in a crooked and perverse nation among whom they shine as lights. This is the resurrected life every believer must live.

Thought For The Day: It is virtuous to be pure in the midst of ungodliness.

Bible Reading In One Year: Jeremiah 1-3

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 Tragedy of the Lifestyle of Iniquity [Seeds of Destiny 7 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Scripture: But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. Proverbs 6:32-33.

Thought For The Day: Iniquity reduces spiritual quality and your spirituality determines your destiny.

Our anchor scripture above confirms that iniquity is the ruin of great destinies. Adultery or fornication, for instance, has the capacity to abort a person’s greatness. Iniquity ruins the lives and destinies of those who indulge in it. Samson was a practical example of those whose destinies were ruined by the lifestyle of iniquity.

Now, I would like to give you few tragedies that trail the lifestyle of iniquity:

i) Iniquity reduces the quality of a person’s life and destiny
Just like impurity reduces the quality of gold, iniquity reduces the quality of life and destiny (Proverbs 6:26). A young lady may be beautiful today but iniquitous lifestyle would make her to look dilapidated, frustrated, battered, shattered and scattered.

ii) Iniquity attacks spirituality
The guilt of immorality reduces your spiritual life and makes the Presence of God difficult to access. Iniquity reduces spiritual quality and your spirituality determines your destiny.

iii) Iniquity attacks mentality
The mind that you need to strategize your destiny is now diverted into wasteful and unproductive thoughts by iniquity. Students who engage in immorality for instance usually fail their examinations in school.

iv) Iniquity diverts energy
Every time a man is given to iniquity, he relinquish his strength, energy, potential and destiny (Proverbs 31:3).
It was T.L Osborn who said, ‘When you sin, something dies.’

v) Iniquity increases vulnerability
Iniquity makes one vulnerable to sickness, satanic attacks and curses (1 Corinthians 6:16). For instance, curses, evil covenants, spells and sickness are transferred from one person to another in the course of immorality. Some businesses have died because of iniquitous conducts.

Beloved, having seen the tragedy of iniquity, my counsel is, flee from every form of iniquitous lifestyle.

Remember this: Iniquity reduces spiritual quality and your spirituality determines your destiny.

Assignments:
1. Ask God to forgive and help you if you are struggling with the lifestyle of immorality.
2. Flee from the lifestyle of immorality.
3. Avoid any act or association that could lead into the trap of immorality.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask that You deliver me from every trap of immorality set for me by the devil. Help me not to become a victim of immorality, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DESTINY CAPSULE

Daily Reading: Ezra 4:24: to 6:22, 1 Corinthians 3:5 to 23, Psalm 29:1 to 11, Proverbs 20:26 to 27

Amazing Fact: The Australian Mallee fowl, a bird, builds a nest 5 metres (16.5 feet) high and 11 metres (36 feet) wide.

Today In History: 07/08/1888 – Theophilus Van Kannel received a patent for the revolving door.

Quote: This is the season of the abundance of iniquity, with the love of many waxing cold, so we need to know what to do to uphold godly character. Culled from WHO ARE YOU? by Dr Paul Enenche.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Power packed communion service tomorrow by 4:45pm & 6:30pm. Invite someone as you come.

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: Turn From Sin [Andrew Wommack 7th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

John 11:5 “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

It is interesting to note that special mention is made of Jesus loving Martha. This is after the incident recorded in Luke 10:38-42 where Martha is caught up with serving instead of worshipping Jesus and her priorities are still not in order. Jesus was not rebuking Martha but rather exhorting her for her own profit. When the Lord deals with problem areas in our lives, it is always for our profit – not punishment and we should not take it as rejection. This is one way to discern God’s correction from the devil’s condemnation.

God convicts us of sin but He doesn’t condemn us. Conviction is solely for our profit with no malice while condemnation includes punishment. Satan is the one who condemns the Christian, but the Holy Spirit has given us the power to escape that condemnation. The way the Lord convicts a believer is through the inner ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is always done in a positive manner that encourages us to turn from sin rather than the negative way of condemning us for having committed the sin.

A Christian who still walks in condemnation is being condemned by the devil or is condemning himself. Only those who are living in the power of the Holy Spirit escape condemnation. Compare this to the law of gravity. Gravity is a law that never quits exerting its power, but it can be overcome. Through the laws of aerodynamics man can actually fly and send space ships beyond Earth’s gravity. But it takes power to do this. If the power is shut off, the law of gravity is still at work and will cause the vehicle to fall.

Likewise, the law of sin and death still exists. If a Christian shuts off the power of the Spirit of life and begins to walk in the power of his own flesh, Satan will use this law of sin and death to condemn him and ensure he crashes. It’s not God who condemns us.

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 Mind of Christ [Billy Graham’s Devotional Tuesday August 7, 2018]

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. — 2 Timothy 1:7

Many diseases of both body and mind are self-inflicted. For example, ulcers are often caused by worry and anxiety. Heart attacks are caused many times by overexertion. Unjustified worry, fear, prejudice, hatred, and envy can contribute to mental stress, which could lead to mental illness. So one way to have a healthy mind is to avoid those practices. But the Bible way to a healthy mind is this, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” If you have the mind of Christ, worry will be offset by trust, enmity by love, and fear by faith.

Prayer for the day: Fears sometimes seem as if they would overwhelm me, Lord Jesus, but then I remember Your gift of power, love, and a healthy mind. Thank You for the promise of healing and love, as I keep my mind on You, my beloved Lord.

“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.