Topic: The Trademark of a Disciple [Joyce Meyer Devotional 1 February 2019]
Jesus says that there is one way people will know whether we belong to Him or not, and that is our love for one another. I like to say that love is the trademark, the distinguishing sign or characteristic, of a Christian. It’s what sets us apart from the rest of the world.
Before you buy something, do you read labels or look for certain trademarks (brand names) that have a reputation for being good? That is what people should be able to do with us because we are disciples of Jesus Christ.
They should be able to look at us and say, “This is good. This is a person of quality!” People should be able to identify us not only by our talk, but also by our walk.
The world is looking for something to believe in, something real, something tangible. They are looking for love, and God is love (see 1 John 4:8).
Those of us who are Christians need to show them Jesus, and we do that not by merely wearing Christian jewelry or putting bumper stickers with Christian messages on our cars, but by walking in His love and demonstrating that love to others.
Many people have gone to church looking for God and instead been met with the rules and regulations of religion, and not even so much as a friendly smile. They left without encountering God.
Countless people are hungry for God, and God needs us to be His ambassadors, representing Him in every way, starting with His trade¬mark characteristic, which is love.
Prayer Starter: Lord, Your Word says we are Your representatives here on earth (see 2 Corinthians 5:20). I ask for Your help to display Your character—Your love—to everyone I meet. Let my life draw others to Your goodness every single day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the US state of Kentucky told a panel of federal judges on Thursday that Kim Davis from Rowan County should pay $225,000 (£171,000).
They are challenging a previous court ruling that the cost should be met by taxpayers. Her legal team had argued the elected court clerk had held a position of public office.
The case dates back to 2015 when same-sex marriage was legalised nationwide.
Davis – a devout Apostolic Christian – believed her name appearing on marriage licences would amount to an endorsement of gay marriage, and she refused all together to issue the licences.
She was ordered by a court to issue the licenses after being taken to court by couples represented by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Having refused to back down, she found to be in contempt of court and jailed for five days.
The case was eventually dismissed when state politicians passed a law removing the names of county clerks from marriage licences in the state.
Davis’ legal team has argued she should not have to pay the legal fees because, technically, she did not lose the case.
It is unclear when the federal judges will reach a decision.
Davis is no longer a court clerk after she was not re-elected to the post.
In episode 506, we discussed things former pastors missed from their time as a pastor. Today, we look at the other side of the coin and discuss things pastors don’t miss.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Trying to meet unrealistic expectations placed on you as a pastor is a pathway to burnout.
Evaluate your weekly meetings. Many of them could be shortened or even eliminated.
Congregational pressure is an acute pressure on pastors.
You’re not effectively ministering if you’re neglecting your family.
The seven things we discuss are:
The critics, bullies, and power groups
The stress of unrealistic expectations
Meetings
Being on call 24/7
Stress placed on their families
Dealing with church decline
Administration and leadership
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Episode Sponsors
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Michael Evans is forced to move to the small town of New Hope in the middle of his senior year. Thrust onto the basketball team just before the playoffs, Michael struggles to fit in, particularly with star player Lucas Green (Ben Davies,Courageous). Compounding the situation, Michael begins dating Jasmine Stone, the former girlfriend of Lucas’ brother Chase, whose suicide shook the entire town to its core. Capturing the life of the modern teenager, New Hope is a powerful story that openly deals with peer pressure, alcohol, sex, relationships, and acceptance.
Directed by Rodney Ray (Flag of My Father, Desires of the Heart), New Hope follows a young man’s fight to turn the other cheek, rise above his tormentor, and forgive a hurting soul. A well-crafted film with a strong Christian message, this inspiring drama reminds us that life’s troubles may test our faith, but God is watching out for us every step of the way.
Next to yams, plantains come second as the main staple source of food for Nigerians. I have written a couple of detailed posts on these two food ingredients, highlighting some of their nutritional benefits.
I love both ingredients and tend to continuously experiment with ways of cooking and serving them in a nutritionally balanced manner.
I love plantains in particular…. I do not tire of eating them! They are really easy to prep and simple to cook, either boiling, roasting, grilling, baking, etc. Read more about plantains here.
Of all the ways you can enjoy these fruits (yes they are actually fruits not vegetables), I prefer frying them the most. I know some people may have concerns about fried foods, yes I do share such concerns. From my experience, frying appears to give the most moist and succulent result. Fried plantains also have more flavour imparted from the fat it is fried in,,,,my opinion. The other methods tend to dry out the plantain.
Egusi, Plantain & Prawns Platter
Plantain is mainly starch (complex carbohydrates, excellent source of slow release energy), I knowww……, so cooking it in fat may appear to raise the calorific count for the resulting dish. Not a good idea if you are watching your weight right?……
Anyway, I do not let all these “worries” affect the way I eat my fried plantain, I just apply a bit of care/logic to cooking and eating them:
I vary frequency of including plantains in my diet. (In a week, I might eat them twice or so. If I have to eat them more than twice, then I would consider eating them boiled or baked).
To prepare them fried, I use really healthy fats such as coconut oil, avocado oil or red palm oil (yes you read that right).
I tend to opt for shallow frying rather than deep frying.
I always drain off excess oil using a kitchen towel before serving.
I watch my oil usage in the other dishes am serving my fried plantains with so that the overall oil content in my meal is not unnecessarily higher than should be….
I watch my portions!
Today’s post is simple and so satisfying. Try it out…
peel the skin off and slice along the length and cut into 4 pieces.
Shallow fry (preferably using a griddle) for about 1 minutes.
Remove them and place on kitchen towel to remove excess fat.
To make the spinach
pick the tender leaves wash and blanch in some hot salted water for about 2 minutes.
Then heat up some oil in a sauce pan, and add some finely diced onions and red peppers.
Allow to sizzle till veggies soften then add some pre-made red pepper base sauce (get recipe here) and stir in.
Allow to cook through, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
To make the melon seed sauce
Add some stock powder to the ground melon seeds and mix well. Also add some water to make a thick paste.
Then heat up some oil in a sauce pan and add some finely chopped red peppers and onions.
Allow the veggies to soften then scope small dollops of the melon seed paste into the pan. Allow this to sauté for about 3 minutes and turn the dollops over to allow even cooking.
Then add some pre-made red pepper base sauce (get recipe here) and stir well.
Add the cleaned, de-veined kind prawns, add a splash of water to allow the prawns to cook through. Taste for salt. Simmer until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy.
As an alternative, serve the plantain with your efo riro or efo elegusi (get recipe here) if you prefer.
Topic: Understanding Our Heritage of Divine Health [Seeds of Destiny 1 February 2019 Devotional]
SCRIPTURE: Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. Isaiah 58:8
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Not to know one’s heritage in God is to become a victim of the negative circumstances of life.
It is very important to know that we live in a world where the devil is doing overtime in his destructive activities (Revelation 12:12). Apart from polluting humanity with sin, he also afflicts people with all manner of diseases. This is why we see the outbreaks and escalations of all manner of demonic diseases today such as kidney failure, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, etc.
Now, considering the dangers of these diseases, it is very important to know our heritage of Divine health. This is because, not to know one’s heritage in God is to become a victim of the negative circumstances of life. That will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name.
Now, I would like you to take note of the following key thoughts on health:
Divine health is the heritage of God’s children
As God’s Children, God created us to enjoy Divine health. We are wired at creation by God to be healthy. So, we don’t have to beg to be healthy (Mark 7:27).
Man was created in the Image of a sick-less and die-less God
Man was created in God’s Image (Genesis 1:26-27), and God is a sick-less and die-less God. As a creature in the image of the sick-less God, you are expected to live a sick-less and diseases-free life.
Jesus was absolutely sick-less and existed with an unbeatable strength on the Earth
While Jesus Christ was on earth, He was absolutely sick-less and existed with an unbeatable strength. By redemption, you are expected to function in the realm of the same strength as Jesus Christ. That is the kind of strength you were created to manifest as a Christian.
My counsel is, fight against every form of sickness and weakness in your life with this consciousness; make the choice to remain in the state of perfect health always by believing in God’s Word concerning your health.
Remember this: Not to know one’s heritage in God is to become a victim of the negative circumstances of life.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Read and study Scriptures on your heritage of Divine health in God.
Resist every affliction, sickness and disease in your life at the place of prayer
PRAYER: O Lord,”I thank You for Your plan to keep me healthy always. I reject every sickness, disease and affliction by the finished work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING: ACTIVATING THE FORCES OF DIVINE HEALTH
DAILY READING: Exodus 13:17 to 15:18, Matthew 21:23 to 46, Psalm 26:1 to 12, Proverbs 6:16 to 19.
AMAZING FACT: The human feet have 500,000 sweat glands and can produce more than a pint of sweat a day.
TODAY IN HISTORY: 01/02/1884 – The first portion, or fascicle, of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), considered the most comprehensive and accurate dictionary of the English language was published.
QUOTE: Revelation is key to preservation and truth is a secret of triumph. Culled from 22 LAWS OF LIFE by Dr. 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.
MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 1 February 2019 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Twisting God’s Arm
TOPIC: Twisting God’s Arm (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 1 February 2019)
Bible In One Year: Exodus 27-28; Matthew 21:1-22
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Exodus 4:9-17
MEMORY VERSE: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” – 1 John 5:3
The MESSAGE:
God did not want to send Aaron along with Moses originally. Moses’ complaint made God give him Aaron. Moses saw himself as a stammerer and thought he needed to draw God’s attention to that. His handicap or disability or inability …impossibility. All these will disappear if you believe God and trust Him fully. God created the mouth, eyes, ears and so on and can make them work perfectly.
Aaron did turn out to be a source of problems for Moses. Aaron instigated the worship of the golden calf, fashioning the calf himself and building the altar himself (Exodus 32:1-6). Aaron’s sons blasphemed God with impure offering (Leviticus 10:1-7).
At one point, Aaron openly led a mutiny against Moses (Numbers 12:1-8). God gave Aaron to Moses as a partner because God was angry with Moses’ unwillingness.
Moses’ excuse or complaint was, “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” In Acts 7:22, the Bible says that Moses was learned in all wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and deeds.
What does this tell us? We should be careful not to become guilty of twisting God’s arm. What this means is that when God makes His original intention or perfect will known to you, accept it with faith because His commandment is not grievous or burdensome (1 John 5:3). If you reject His perfect will and opt for His permissive will, you are not better than a disobedient child. The burden and pain that Aaron constituted to Moses show the consequences of twisting God’s arm. Later in life and ministry, Moses who was once a stammerer became very eloquent. Acts 7:22 describes him as being mighty in words and deeds. You should avoid the mistake Moses made in this regard. When God sends you on a divine assignment, He will equip you with all you need to succeed. He that made the mouth can also give eloquence of speech. He proved this in the life of Moses. Believe Him; nothing is impossible with Him!
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: THOSE WHO LEAVE EVERYTHING IN GOD’S HAND WILL EVENTUALLY SEE GOD’S HAND IN EVERYTHING.
PROPHETIC WORD: I decree that you shall not fall out of the divine will of God for your life.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
Lord, make Your will convenient for me to do, in the name of Jesus.
Holy Spirit, order my step at all times in Your word, in the name of Jesus.
Anything in me working against the perfect will of God for my life, die, in the name of Jesus. EVENING
Let the serpent of the Lord swallow the serpent of my Pharoah, in the name of Jesus.
Lord, let Your healing balm flow into my life, in the name of Jesus.
Lord, release unto me the rain of Your power, in the name of Jesus.
I cast every bondage off my shoulder, in the name of Jesus.
MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)
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: You Can Be Unstoppable [DCLM Daily Manna 1 February 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Nehemiah 6:15,16 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God” (Nehemiah 6:16).
MESSAGE:
In all ages, men have always constituted themselves as opposition to the work of God. They have always waged relentless war against His will and purpose. But the truth is that in spite of their threats, the counsel of the Lord shall stand.
Regardless of all the opposition, Nehemiah and those faithful people who worked with him, accomplished their goal. Expectedly, the enemies were disheartened when they saw the work. They knew that if under that great opposition, the Jews were still able to complete the work of building the walls, then nothing could stop them.
Believers must not lose sleep over the offensive push from enemies. They are the descendants of Tobiah and Sanbalat who never wanted to see the progress of the Jews.
Every God-given assignment that is destined to glorify Him is always a subject of contention. It provokes a fierce battle from the kingdom of darkness. Even the devil himself and his cohorts know that every God-given destiny carries potentials that are capable of paralysing the activities of his kingdom. Therefore, he will always fight to see that such tasks are never accomplished.
A winner cannot emerge without battles. You cannot be a champion without experiencing myriads of life challenges and battles. Just as our redemption did not come without battles, no good victory will come without a battle.
As you go about your business today, always remember God’s promises. He said, “Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake” (Isaiah 54:15).
Thought For The Day: Think less of the devil’s limited power but more of God’s limitless power.
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: Whatsoever Things Are True [Open Heavens for Teens 1 February 2019]
Memorise: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17
Read: Philippians 4:8
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Bible In One Year: Exodus 27-28, Matthew 20:23-46
MESSAGE:
Your mind is the seat of decision. What your mind spends time thinking on will influence the decisions that you will make. This is why it is important that you only think on the things advised in Philippians 4:8
A thing is true when it is correct in every form. The opposite of ‘truth’ is ‘lie’ and the devil is the father of all liars (John 8:44). Everything the devil says is lies and these lies are posed to rob us of the things the Word of God promises.
From our Bible reading today, we see that the Word of God is the truth and John 1:14 says that Jesus is the Word. This therefore means that we must always think on the Word of God. Anything outside the Word of God is a lie and you must not allow it dwell in your mind.
The truth says that you will be head and not be the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). So never believe that you are a failure. The truth says that God is with you always (Matthew 28:20), so never believe that you are going through anything alone. The truth says that no weapon fashioned against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17), so never believe that anyone can harm you.
Read your Bible regularly so that you can know the truth, then think on the truth that you know.
Action Point:
When the devil whispers lies into your ears, reply with the Word of God which is the truth.
1. I am Thine 0 Lord, I have heard Thy voice, And it told Thy love to me; But I long to rise in the arms of faith And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord, By the pow’r of grace divine; Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, And my will be lost in Thine.
3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour That before Thy throne I spend, When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God I commune as friend with friend!
4. There are depths of love that I cannot know Till I cross the narrow sea; There are heights of joy that I may not reach Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Open Heavens 1st February 2019 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: Hope for the Widows and Orphans [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 3 February 2019]
MEMORY VERSE: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” – James 1:27 (scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 3 February 2019 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Timothy 5:3-16 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 3 February 2019)
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
A widow is a woman who has lost her spouse by death and usually has not remarried. Orphans are children whose parents are dead, or for whatever reasons are not there in their lives(unknown, or have permanently abandoned them).
God loves and cares very deeply for widows and orphans. He, therefore, commands us to protect and care for these people in our churches and communities. Psalms 82:3.
LESSON OUTLINES
GOD’S DISPOSITION
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
GOD’S DISPOSITION
God is highly concerned about orphans and widows. He is called ‘the father of the fatherless and protector of widows’. (Psalms 68:5). God does not want them to be afflicted or badly treated. He hears them when they cry (Exodus 22:22-24).
God says anyone who maltreats them may invite His wrath. To maltreat could be to ‘neglect, abuse or take advantage of’. God wants us to defend them( Isa. 1:17). He sustains and relieves the widows and orphans.(Psalms 146:9).
God makes provisions for them in His law( Deut. 10:18; 26:12-13). He preserves the orphans and expects widows to trust Him. (Jer. 49:11).
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Widows and orphans are usually vulnerable and need to be helped Family members and the church as a body have a crucial role to play in the well-being of orphans and widows.
Family members are enjoined to take care of orphans and widows so that they will not suffer. This is seen a proof of their commitment to God. (1 Tim. 5:4).Orphans should not be abused or enslaved but should be helped. The bible makes it clear that our service to God is not complete if we neglect the care for orphans and widows (James 1:27). Therefore, Christian should identify with the orphans and widows in the church by giving them necessary support (Galatians 6:10). A special welfare scheme should can be instituted for widows and orphans as done in the early church (Acts 6:1-6).
However, widows that are still physically strong and mentally active should not resign to fate, rather, they should get busy to meet the needs of the family (1 Tim. 5:9). They should be good examples to younger women in the family. Young widows are encouraged to remarry (1 Tim. 5:14). They should desist from social or moral vices that could tarnish their image(s) and that of the church. (1 Tim.5:13).
CONCLUSION: Do not close your ears to the cry of the widows and orphans. Assist them in church and around you. Widows and orphans should not be lazy. They should also learn to trust God.
QUESTIONS
What is God’s disposition to widows and orphans?
Describe your responsibilities to widows and orphans.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention ten (10) ways by which widows and orphans could be helped, and select one for implementation.
For Further Reading: Deuteronomy 14:28; 24:17; Proverbs 15:25.
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