Topic: Overriding Doubts [Monday 1, May 2017]

Memorise: Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? – Isaiah 43:13

Read: James 1:5-8 (KJV)

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Bible in One Year: Number 30-31, Jeremiah 23:23-40

MESSAGE:

God can make you laugh when He decides to overrule your doubts. Going by the standard set in today’s Bible reading, if you are double minded over an issue you brought before God, you should not expect anything from Him. However, if you doubted God in a given situation and He overlooks your doubt and grants your petition, know for sure He is doing it solely because of His grace. In Genesis 18:9-15, when God visited Abraham and said his wife Sarah was going to have a baby in nine months’ time, she laughed. She could not believe that she could ever be pregnant at age 90. She laughed because she had never seen such a thing happen before. Are you laughing over God’s promises and declarations over your life? Are you laughing because you have never seen anyone who experienced that kind of miracle? Stop your laugh of doubt and believe God today! Why? If there is no precedent to follow, God can make yours the precedence that others would refer to.

A life of faith is so important to God that four different times in the Bible, He repeatedly said “The just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). However, as a manifestation of His sovereignty, He also says that whenever He makes up His mind to do something, nobody and nothing can hinder Him – not even your doubts (Isaiah 43:13). I pray that every good plan and purpose of God for your life shall be established in spite of your doubts in Jesus’ Name! We see this truth demonstrated in 2 Kings 4:8-17. When Elisha declared to the Shunammite woman that she would have a son after nine months, she replied, “Man of God, please don’t deceive me.” This meant that she did not believe him. Although Elisha did not say anything after that, God had already spoken, and so the matter was settled. She thereafter had her baby in accordance to Elisha’s declaration. This season, God will overrule your doubts and give you that expected miracle! There are some people who believe God’s promise for a little while and then fall into doubt again. Over the years, they have continuously swung back and forth between faith and doubt and so have not been able to receive God’s promise. This season, by the mercy of the Most High God, the Lord will override your doubts and make the impossible possible in your life in Jesus’ Name. God’s mercy will show up for you today! Your laughing season starts now.

Prayer Point: Father, in Your mercy, override my doubts and every stumbling block on my way, and cause my laughter to begin today.

Open Heavens 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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Topic: Claim God’s Word [Monday May 1, 2017]

Text: Psalm 119:81-88

Key Verse: “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word” (Psalm 119:81).

One of the mightiest men of prayer of last generation was George Muller of Bristol, England. When it was laid upon Muller’s heart to pray for anything, he would search the Scriptures to find if there were some promises that captured the case. And when he found a promise, with his Bible opened before him and his finger upon that promise, he would claim God’s word. He thus received whatever he asked for. It is amazing how believers sometimes imagine God to be a forgetful Being.

Using our human limitations as a yardstick, we reason that if God’s promises seem to linger from being fulfilled in our lives, He, probably, must have forgotten, got too busy or altogether become unconcerned about our state. This is the situation with the Psalmist in our text as he was being persecuted wrongly by his enemies, who dug pits for him. He was so discouraged and almost at the point of death that his soul fainted while waiting for God’s salvation and deliverance. Fortunately, he was able to still put his hope in God’s words.

Unknown to many, God’s word, His instructions, revelations, prophecies and promises are a reflection of His nature. He is immortal. He is unchanging. He is undying. Likewise His words. Once uttered, they hover around like living forces, until their missions are accomplished. God is not a man that He should lie or say anything He cannot or will not do. Man often proves his natural limitation, when he breaks an agreement. It is a reflection of his innate changeability. But God is ever faithful.

His faithfulness provides a sure anchor of hope and comfort for the true believer – an anchor that remains steadfast amidst the uncertainties and vicissitudes of life. So, child of God, look away from your natural limitations, the instability of your environment and the inconsistency of your fellow humans and abandon all your worries and cares in the mighty hands of the One so dependable. In His immutability lies your security. Trust Him absolutely and claim His unfailing words.

Thought for the day: Faint not, claim God’s Words.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Chronicles 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.

Topic: Break Through the Wall [Monday May 1, 2017]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. – Philippians 4:13

You’re running the race set before you, moving full-speed ahead with God’s blessing overtaking you at every step. Then suddenly, wham! You hit the wall. It may be a wall of sickness or financial trouble, of spiritual failure or family problems. But, regardless of the form it takes, the effect of “the wall” is always the same. It stops you cold.

The question is, once you hit a wall like that, what will you do? You’ll be tempted to quit, to turn back in defeat. But don’t do it. Because God will enable you to break through that wall and keep right on going.

I’m not going to tell you it’s easy. The truth is, it’s tough. But you have to push on through the tough times if you’re ever going to have a breakthrough.

Ask any athlete. He’ll tell you that! Because if he’s a winner, he’s been there. He’s pushed his body to what seems to be the maximum. His side has hurt. His lungs have ached. He’s had cramps in his legs and thighs. And just when he felt like he couldn’t go on, he’s heard some coach yell, “Come on! Move it!”

Athletes call that “hitting the wall.” It’s a time when the body says, “That’s it. That’s all I can do. I can’t go any farther. I can’t go any faster. I quit.”

But the seasoned athlete knows that “the wall” isn’t the end. It’s a signal that he’s on the verge of a breakthrough. If he’ll toughen up and push himself a little more, he’ll get a second wind. Suddenly, he’ll go faster than before. He’ll reach a level of excellence he couldn’t have reached any other way.

When you feel the worst, when failure is breathing down your neck, press in to the Word as never before. You may meditate on a particular scripture for days and even weeks sometimes, trying to get a revelation of it, seemingly without success. Then suddenly, like the dawn of the morning, light will come pouring in. You’ll see the way to break through. All you have to do is punch one little hole in that wall of problems, dig one tiny hole in it with your faith and with the Word of God.

Then keep tearing away at that hole. Don’t quit! And, before long, the forces of God will come bursting through, demolishing every obstacle in their path!

Once that happens you’ll never be the same again. You’ll be hooked. It will only take one breakthrough like that to make a never-dying, never-quitting champion out of you.

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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: The Pathway to Distinction in Life [Monday May 1, 2017]

Scripture: Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs 22:29

Thought For The Day: Principles are behind the making of principals.

Many people want to become great in life but few know how to get there. One reason many people remain small in life despite their quest for greatness is the negligence of Divine principles. Principles are behind the making of principals.

One of the principles that make a man great in life is diligence. Diligence, the ability to keep doing it and doing it well, is the bridge between where you are now and where you should be.

I heard the story of a rich young lady who had everything she needed but was single – getting married was a challenge. One day, she travelled to London for a wedding. As part of her diligent disposition, she washed all the used plates used at the wedding and ran errands for the guests. Unknown to her, a man who also left Nigeria for the same wedding noticed her, called the host and asked, ‘Who is that lady?’ The host replied, ‘She is one of our sisters who came from Nigeria for this occasion.’ Then the man said, ‘I have found my wife.’ That was how they got married thereafter.

Beloved, diligence is the bridge between your present and your future.

Remember this: Principles are behind the making of principals.

For Further Understanding, Get This Message: Diligence.

Assignment (s)

1. Determine to be diligent.

2. Refuse to be lazy and idle.

Prayer: LORD, help me to be diligent in life. Deliver me from the lifestyle of mediocrity, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

Amazing Fact: Elephant trunks are stunted at birth, then rapidly elongate over the course of a few days.

Today In History: 01/05/1707 – England, Wales and Scotland were united to form Great Britain

Daily Reading: Judges 13:1to14:28, John 1: 29 to 51, Psalm 102: 1 to 28, Proverbs 14: 15 to 16.

Quote: The higher you want to fly in life, the harder you will have to work. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr Paul and Dr 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.

Topic: Questions for God [Monday May 1, 2017]

Read: Judges 6:11–16, 24, Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 10–11; Luke 21:20–38

Go with the strength you have . . . . I will be with you. NLT Judges 6:14, 16

What would you do if the Lord showed up in the middle of your workday with a message? This happened to Gideon, one of the ancient Israelites. “The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!’ ” Gideon could have responded with a wordless nod and gulp, but instead he said, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” (Judg. 6:12–13 nlt). Gideon wanted to know why it seemed as if God had abandoned His people.

God didn’t answer that question. After Gideon had endured seven years of enemy attacks, starvation, and hiding in caves, God didn’t explain why He never intervened. God could have revealed Israel’s past sin as the reason, but instead He gave Gideon hope for the future. God said, “Go with the strength you have . . . . I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites” (vv.14, 16 nlt).

Do you ever wonder why God has allowed suffering in your life? Instead of answering that specific question, God may satisfy you with His nearness today and remind you that you can rely on His strength when you feel weak. When Gideon finally believed that God was with him and would help him, he built an altar and called it “The Lord Is Peace” (v. 24).

There is peace in knowing that whatever we do and wherever we go, we go with God who promised never to leave or forsake His followers.

What could be better than getting answers to our why questions? Trusting a good and powerful God.

Insight:

Today’s text provides some insight into how we should view situations for which we feel inadequate. Gideon did not feel prepared to go into battle against the Midianites who were oppressing Israel. Responding to Gideon’s understandable concern, God sent the angel of the Lord to encourage him. He said that Gideon should “go in the strength” he had (Judg. 6:14), but he also said, “I will be with you” (v. 16). When God calls us to take on a difficult task, we can rely on His strength and power to help us accomplish it.

Are you facing a situation for which you feel inadequate? Ask God for His strength to help you.

This message was written By Jennifer Benson Schuldt [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: God, the Peacekeeper [Monday May 1, 2017]

He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! — Isaiah 26:3 (TLB)

You have an ego-a consciousness of being an individual. Of course, you do. But that doesn’t mean that you are to worship yourself, to think constantly of yourself, and to live entirely for yourself. Common sense tells you that your life would be miserable if you followed that course. God is infinitely more concerned about your happiness than you could possibly be. He says, “Deny yourself, and follow me.” There is many a person in the insane asylum today who thought excessively about himself, to the exclusion of God and others. Hypochondriacs who have a fanciful anxiety about their health will never be well, regardless of their physical condition.

Prayer for the day: Keep my mind on You, Lord, and help me to discipline the thoughts of self which crowd out Your peace.

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.

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Pretentious Sympathizers [30/04/2017]

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. Mark 5:38. Read: Mk 5:35-43

The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Only God that searches the heart knows what is in it , which is the major reason you must trust God for everything and everyone. You will make a grievous mistake to trust man direct, you only trust the grace of God upon a man’s life. There are many that pretend to be friends but are enemies in disguise, they show great concern towards you but green snake under the green grass. You must select your friends wisely and pray that God should reveal to you all your unfriendly friends.

From the above story, the ruler of the synagogue had sympathizers but pretentious ones. The Bible says, they wailed greatly. When Jesus said to them, the child is only sleeping, they shouldn’t have laughed but believe or say nothing, but they laughed Him to scorn. Many in their hearts don’t want you to leave that sick bed, some delight in you coming to beg them always, but God Almighty will disappoint them as He will deliver you in Jesus name.

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Father, every unfriendly friends pretending to care, expose, displace and dislodge them in Jesus Mighty Name.

Topic: Your Heart, Your Destiny [Sunday April 30, 2017]

“… keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life…” – Prov.4:23

The state of your heart determines your place on the earth.

It takes an open heart to open up your earth.

If your heart is closed, your earth will be closed.

The purer the heart, the greater your possession on the earth. Matthew 5:8.

To the pure all things are pure and to the impure, all things are impure.

What the engine is in a car is what the heart is to a destiny.

Destiny will crash if the heart is broken.

The race of life will slow down and be scuttled if the engine is not sound.

Everything that is wrong in life has its root in the heart.

You cannot possess a right heart and end with a wrong destiny.

Keep your heart to secure your destiny. – Proverbs.4:23

Topic: God’s Boundaries [Sunday April 30, 2017]

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The word stress was originally an engineering term used to refer to the amount of force a beam or other physical support could bear without collapsing under strain.

In our time, the word has been expanded to refer not only to physical pressure but also to mental and emotional tension. As human beings, you and I are built to handle a normal amount of stress. God has created us to withstand a certain amount of pressure and tension. The problem comes when we push ourselves beyond our limitations, beyond what we were intended to bear without permanent damage. But like so many people, because I have things to do, I just keep pushing myself even though it is causing me physical damage.

Of course, when sickness tries to come on Dave or me, we immediately pray for healing. But if you become sick as a result of running your body down by pushing it beyond the limits God set for you to operate in good health, you need rest as well as prayer to restore your health. The boundaries He has set for us are for our own good.