Topic: It May Not Make Sense [Tuesday 21, March 2017]

Memorise: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8

Read: 2 Kings 4:1-7 (KJV)

1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 20-21, Isaiah 65:13-25

MESSAGE:

Total obedience remains a major key to unlocking the doors of signs and wonders. In our Bible reading, when the man of God gave some instructions to the widow whose sons were about to be taken into slavery, she had every right to call them stupid instructions. He told her to go and borrow empty vessels from her neighbours. With the human understanding, one cannot see the relationship between borrowing empty containers and the money she needed. Also, she was asked to pour the oil in her little bottle into large containers. How can a small bottle of oil fill up one large container, not to mention several containers? That is exactly the point. Blessed are those who will not argue with God. If you ask about my greatest secret, it is simply that I do not argue with God. He has asked me to do many things that the rational mind with call “foolish”, and yet I never argue. Why? I discovered a long time ago that my brain is too little to understand this great God. The Bible in 1 Corinthians 1:27 says,

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;”

Many years ago, when God asked me to go to the current site of the Redemption Camp, which was still a dense bush then, I did not argue. I could have advanced several reasons for not going. I could have said it was the operational base of armed robbers, or that it was very far from Lagos, or that there was no electricity or water supply there. Back then, we needed a place where a lot of people could converge for our convention. By the grace of God, I did not argue. Today, the result is there for all to see. If you can be “foolish” enough to obey God completely, you will definitely become a candidate for signs and wonders. Many of the divine instructions that produce outstanding results do not make sense. It did make sense when an axe-head fell into the river and the servant of God sank a piece of wood into the river to make the axe-head float (2 Kings 6:1-7). It did not make sense when a single march of four helpless and hopeless lepers towards the enemy’s camp became the thunderous hustling of thousands of chariots and horses, thereby chasing away the forces that had besieged Samaria (2 Kings 7:1-7). It does not make sense when you are in need and God instructs you to give Him or His servant the last you have on you (1 Kings 17:10-14). It may not make sense to you, but it does to Him. The sooner you accept His “foolish” instructions the better for you. If you have to wait until it makes sense, then the miracle might be delayed indefinitely.

Key Point: God’s mode of operation may sound foolish, but it always gets the desired results.

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.

Water is precious. As the world’s population increases and water resources become scarcer, conservation efforts from everyone become ever more crucial.

Ford has established a global water strategy and manages to save water in its manufacturing facilities in every way possible. Between 2000 and 2015, Ford has reduced total global water use by 61%, or more than 38 billion litres. To celebrate World Water Day on 22 March, Ford would like to share tips for saving water around the house.

Drip, drip, drip…
If you’re looking for the culprit behind your waist-deep water bill at home, check for leaks. Ford conducts water leak identification programmes at manufacturing plants around the world to control water loss.

Simple savings
It’s easy to overlook simple ways to save water. If you have kids at home, stick some fun graphics around the house and encourage them to learn about the importance of water conservation.

Waste not, want not
Simple recycling like collecting water used to rinse veggies and fruits and using it to water your plants can make a big difference. Ford recycles water for further use including irrigating, floor cleaning, workshop water consumption, and more.

Gardening for the future
Rethink your garden. Ford has taken steps to reduce the need for watering by using native, drought resistant vegetation or other landscaping that requires less or no water.

Keep the hose in its holster
Instead of washing your car with a hose, try using a bucket soapy water before rinsing with a waste-reducing spray nozzle. While cleaning floors and outdoor areas, avoid using a hose when possible.

Buy efficient
Savings on water and electricity bills can make the purchase of greener machines a no-brainer in the long run, at home and in the factory.

Flush less
Try to avoid flushing away cotton balls or make-up tissues. Simply throwing them in a bin will cut down on the amount of water wasted with every flush.

Wash smart
Ford kitchen employees only operate dishwashers at full capacity. This is easily replicated at home – whether it’s a dishwasher or a load of laundry, strive to run it only when it’s completely full.

Computer crashes can sincerely be frustrating – one moment your PC seems fine and then next it’s down and takes your files along with it. However, as suddenly and seemingly unexpected computer crashes can be, they do give signs beforehand. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency reveals 6 issues your PC is likely to have before it crashes.

Hardware Conflict

Sometimes, two components of a PC will try to consume the same resource or perform the same task. This creates a hardware conflict which manifests itself in unusual behavior during certain tasks. An example of this is an audio conflict that might disable audio in some programs, but not in others.
These conflicts might not initially crash the system, but they tend to cause instability in the system which leads to a Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD) and/or a reboot.

To fix this, you should open the Windows’ Device Manager (you can find this in the Control Panel or via Windows Search) and check for hardware with a conflict. Hardware with a conflict typically appears with a yellow exclamation point next to it. You can re-install drivers for the malfunctioning hardware, or if you can’t stop the two components from interfering with it each other, try disabling one of them. If that still doesn’t work, then you probably have to physically remove one of the conflicting components (a technician should be able to help with this).

Random File or Program Corruption Issues

This is one of the classic signs of an imminent computer crash. This is when files that always worked suddenly don’t open, or only work on occasion. It may or may not be accompanied by an error message.  To fix this, you should first ensure your anti-virus is running and up to date. Then you should run a full system scan for malware. A virus can sometimes be the cause of this issue. Another cause is a failing hard drive, so you should also check this for problems. If this doesn’t reveal the problem, look for hardware conflicts in the Windows Device Manager. A driver issue might be the cause.

Slow, Unreliable or Noisy Mechanical Hard Drive

Though Mechanical Hard Drives have become reliable over time, they still contain mechanical components that eventually wear out over time. So, the failure of these parts is a reality that users should prepare themselves for.

If programs are taking a long time to load, files don’t always open, or the sound of the driver has become louder when it’s working, then it’s likely the hard drive is wearing out. You can check the drive for errors, but please don’t consider yourself problem free if the result shows no errors. It is better to backup data to be safe.

Noisy System Fan

If your PC fan is suddenly louder than normal it’s because its internals are too warm. This can eventually lead to a crash and even hardware damage. SpeedFan, a PC monitoring tool, can help you investigate the problem and give you information on the temperatures your CPU and GPU are reporting. If the problem persists, you can take your PC to a technician to open up your desktop and clean out its fan, or replace the cooling pad with a new one.

Random Software and/or Adware Launches

If software launches without your permission, it is likely that your PC is a victim of malware. Often, the programs that appear are linked to one advertisement or the other, but Trojan can allow this avenue of attack. Also, if certain hardware like the webcam tends to activate without your consent, this is also part of the issue. This tampering eventually leads to problems with your PC as your PC is slammed with unwanted programs or its files are corrupted maliciously.

Solving this problem is not very easy, but you can remove the malwares and properly clean up your PC after an attack. An easier solution would be to make sure your files are backed up and then perform a clean re-install of Windows.

Occasional Boot Errors

When your system occasionally shows errors when you are booting your PC, it’s one of the signs to consider. The error message is usually along the lines of “boot device not found”. The Windows might eventually fail to reboot after the message, but might work at a later time or immediately if you press the reset button.

Occasional boot errors are generally a sign that something is wrong with your hard drive, or that your Windows installation has become corrupt. The common and usually the only way to fix this problem is to replace the drive and/ or re-install Windows.

By Damilola Ojo
08101556883

Topic: Loving Your Wife The Bible Way! (3)

Dear Reader,

Welcome to yet another time of refreshing. Since this month began, we have discovered that the journey into marital fulfilment will only be a success, by walking in the light that comes from the Word of God.

Last week we started examining what must be in place, for true expression of love. Today, we shall be looking at the practical ways love can be expressed to your wife, in what I have titled: Loving In Thoughts & In Words!

Loving essentially starts from the heart, but eventually finds expression through the mouth and by actions. Therefore, beginning from the thoughts of your hearts, husbands, learn to love your wives. It is noted from God’s Word that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Thus, when your heart is full of loving thoughts, it readily finds expression in the words you speak.

If, for instance, you use abusive words on your wife, you have succeeded in convincing everyone that is a witness to it that you are speaking out of the abundance of your heart. Until you change the contents of your thoughts, you cannot speak otherwise.

Men initiate things and women respond to them. Husband, initiate the love relationship between you and your wife, and she will respond to you in love, for no woman hates to be loved. When you love your wife, you easily win her submission.

Furthermore, as a caring husband, you must learn to speak kind words to your wife. Words create the right atmosphere in the home. Express to her the nice qualities you like in her. Handle your wife with care by speaking kind words of appreciation to her often.

Your relationship with your wife started with the use of these three words: “I love you.” That means, it will grow by its continuous use.  Often, however, these words are forgotten after the euphoria of the wedding ceremony is over. Words are powerful, and saying, “I love you” over and over, spices up marriage. Just as it is necessary for rain to fall again and again for farmers to reap a bountiful harvest; so also, it is to say, “I love you” over and over.

The presumptuous claim that it is not necessary to say it over and over because, “She should know I love her”, is wrong. She needs to hear you express daily how much you love and appreciate her. My husband says it to me daily, and I never get tired of hearing it.

Even God’s Word points out the importance of voicing out what one believes in the heart (Romans 10:10). Give voice to your feelings; it is not a sign weakness, but of strength! The world was made by faith-filled words; therefore, let your “I love you” to your spouse be also full of faith. Even if your spouse is a monster, she would change to a marvel! That is how God won man to Himself. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, thus saying, “ I love you” to the people who rejected His love.

Some men find it hard to say, “I am sorry. Please, forgive me,” because of their ego. God’s Word says: And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places (Isaiah 32:18). That is, God’s original intent for the home is to be a place of peace and quietness. “Quietness,” not in the sense of silence, but of rest.

Therefore, any man who desires his home to be heaven on earth should not let ego stand between him and his wife, or children. Don’t give room to the devil to bring problems to your home. Learn to say “I am sorry”, when you offend your wife or you observe that she’s not just happy with you. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s never a sign of weakness but of strength, and it works!

Next week, I shall examine loving with actions. Meanwhile, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are incapable of demonstrating God’s kind of love. It is when you accept Jesus into your life that the love of God is shed abroad into your heart (Romans 5:5).

If you want to give your life to Christ, say this prayer with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through [email protected]; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)

Topic: Treasure In You [Tuesday, 21st March 2017]

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. – 2 Corinthians 4:7

A man who has encountered Christ, is a wonderful man filled with treasures to share with the world. We are jars of clay that the good Lord has poured water into, that is now turned into the best Wine, which we will share with the world to drink of (John 2:1-10). Nothing can stop the flow of the ‘best Wine’ that you have to offer the world.

Jesus also referred to this same treasure in John 7:37-39 as river of Living Water, which was in reference to the Holy Spirit. He called on those who are tasty to come and drink of that Water. The Holy Spirit is the treasure in you. He is your most prized Asset. He is the best Wine that men should drink of and be drunk in, like Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 5:18. With Him, you are of huge significance to the world.

Give free course to the expression of the Treasure that is in you. The world needs to experience the impact of the Treasure you have in you. Allow God’s Spirit to flow out to the world as river of Living Water, so they can drink of Him and be filled, and taste no more. The world actually need this Treasure. Don’t deny them the chance to experience Him.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Sweet Spirit of God, You are the Treasure in me that the world needs. You are the best Wine that the world should drink of. Find expression through me to reach out to a world in need of You, now and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Topic: The Dangers of Depression [Tuesday March 21, 2017]

Scripture: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 42:5

Thought For The Day: If the devil wants you to cry; laugh. If he wants you to mourn; dance.

The spirit of depression is one of the deadliest enemies of destiny; it sponsors oppression and opens the door for satan to wreak havoc on a person’s life. Depression frustrates discretion and reasoning. Whenever a man is depressed, he cannot reason properly.

Depression almost destroyed the life of Elijah. After he successfully executed the prophets of Baal with fire from heaven, Jezebel threatened to take his life. Elijah became discouraged, depressed and even preferred to die (1 Kings 19:4).

Depression also decreases momentum. A depressed person is always tired; he sleeps tired and wakes up tired.

Medically, depression is a psychiatric condition. When a person agrees to sink into depression, he has surrendered his life for destruction.

Beloved, fight depression. Disengage yourself from every negative association that tends to depress you. If the devil wants you to cry; laugh. If he wants you to mourn; dance. Make up your mind to be joyous at all times because an enthusiastic man is energetically vibrant. He is a man who sees possibilities and believes that God is up to something positive in his life.

I decree your freedom from every form of depression in Jesus’ Name.

Remember this: If the devil wants you to cry; laugh. If he wants you to mourn; dance.

Assignments:

1. Avoid the lifestyle of strife and competitive jealousy.

2. Pray for those who hurt you as you would pray for yourself.

Prayer: O LORD, I reject every spirit of depression. I live in the Joy of the Lord at all times in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DEADLY ENEMIES OF DESTINY.

Quote: An unstable heart is an unstable life, and a stable heart equals a stable life. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Numbers 32:1 to 33:39, Luke 4:31 to 5:11, Psalm 64:1 to 10, Proverbs 11:22

Today In History: 21/03/1990 – Namibia became independent of South Africa.

Amazing Fact: Goats have rectangular pupils.

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: Repentance Is Essential [Tuesday March 21, 2017]

Text: Jeremiah 14:13-22

Key Verse: “We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee” (Jeremiah 14:20).

A particular tribe in Africa has it in their proverb that if one realises his fault early before the cult of elders, he would not be asked to kneel down for long. The excuse that Jeremiah the prophet tried to give to God in defence of his people’s sins and their attendant deplorable state was not tenable before God. Enough warnings had been given to them about the prevalent false prophets who prophesy lies and the deceits of their heart.

Yet, these people bluntly refused to heed His warning. The judgment of God had taken its full course on both the deceiver and the deceived. Swords and famine had swung into operation in Jerusalem. God in His love now directed the prophet to mourn the more grievous experience of famine and sword that would come on them. This was hinged on the notion that his weeping might probably affect them and bring about a change. The prophet mourned, interceded on behalf of the people and expressed their total abhorrence of the gods of the heathen who could not give them rain.

Jesus Christ gives New Testament believers warnings concerning the deceptive activities of false prophets in these last days if they would be delivered from the great tribulation that will come upon the inhabitants of the world. They must be vigilant, sober and prayerful. The Lord has handed over this job of the watchman to us today. And He expects us to move into every area of the world to preach the gospel of salvation. The dying sinful world needs to be told that if they do not repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, the judgment of God would crash on them. Do not transfer the responsibility. Take it upon yourself to preach the gospel ceaselessly.

Thought for the day: God’s judgment is inevitable.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Samuel 20-22

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: Are Angels Just for Kids? [Tuesday March 21, 2017]

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? – Hebrews 1:14

Most of us heard about our guardian angel when we were just children. And, in those days, it was a comforting thought. With monsters lurking behind the closet door and creepy things crawling beneath the bed, it was good to know that someone was there to protect us when the light was out.

But, as the years passed, we outgrew our childhood fears. The imaginary creatures that had once seemed so real disappeared from our minds—and sadly enough, for most of us, the angels did too.

But angels are not just kid stuff. They’re powerful spirits sent forth to minister for us who are heirs of salvation.

The word salvation in Hebrews 1:14 is from the Greek word soteria meaning “deliverance, preservation…material, and temporal deliverance.” Just think about that! God has created vast numbers of gloriously powerful spiritual beings for the express purpose of protecting us and delivering us from the evils of this world.

And remember, according to Psalm 103:20, the Word of God is what puts those angels in action. So when you’re in trouble, don’t cower and cry about how awful things are. Speak the Word! Give your angels something to respond to. Then be patient and let them have time to work. They’ll get their job done.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 103:17-22

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: Refreshing Spring Rains [Tuesday March 21, 2017]

Read: Hosea 6:1–4, Bible in a Year: Joshua 7–9; Luke 1:21–38

He will come to us like the . . . spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3

Needing a break, I went for a walk in the nearby park. As I headed down the path, a burst of green caught my attention. Out of the mud appeared shoots of life that in a few weeks would be cheerful daffodils, heralding spring and the warmth to come. We had made it through another winter!

As we read through the book of Hosea, it can feel in parts like an unrelenting winter. For the Lord gave this prophet the unenviable task of marrying an unfaithful woman as a picture of the Creator’s love for His people Israel (1:2–3). Hosea’s wife, Gomer, broke their wedding vows, but Hosea welcomed her back, yearning that she would love him devotedly (3:1–3). So too the Lord desires that we love Him with a strength and commitment that won’t evaporate like the morning mist.

How do we relate to God? Do we seek Him mainly in times of trouble, searching for answers in our distress but ignoring Him during our seasons of celebration? Are we like the Israelites, easily swayed by the idols of our age, including such things as busyness, success, and influence?

Today, may we recommit ourselves to the Lord, who loves us as surely as the flowers bud in the spring.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You gave Yourself that we might be free. Help us to love You wholeheartedly.

Though we may be unfaithful to God, He will never turn from us.

Insight:

The message of the prophet Hosea is as powerful as it is persistent. His book is situated first among the Minor Prophets and is one of the oldest books in this section of the Scriptures. Hosea lived and ministered in the northern kingdom about a generation before the Assyrian captivity in 722 bc. The message of Hosea mirrors the message of the entire Bible. By commanding Hosea to marry a prostitute, endure her unfaithfulness, and buy her back out of her life of prostitution, God illustrates for Israel His message of love, mercy, and forgiveness. God’s offer of redemption despite our waywardness permeates all of Scripture. How does knowing that God offers redemption despite our sin encourage you? Discover how Hosea’s life mirrored God’s message to His people. Listen to discovertheword.org/2012/05/23/discover-how-hoseas-life-mirrored-gods-message-to-his-people.

This message was written By Amy Boucher Pye [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Satisfaction in Him [Tuesday March 21, 2017]

I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. — Psalm 17:15

Is it not logical to believe that the only one who can recreate us is the One who created us in the first place? If your watch were out of order, you wouldn’t take it to a blacksmith. If your car needed overhauling, you wouldn’t go to a machine shop. Our spiritual problems can be solved only by the God who created us originally. He created us in His own image and likeness; today, by the grace of His Son, He can recreate us in the likeness of His resurrection. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are recreated and become partakers of His life.

Prayer for the day: There is so much that is out of order in my life, Lord. Remake all the parts that need the infinite healing of your re-creation.

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.