Topic: You are Called to be a Channel of Blessing [TREM Devotional 27 January 2019]
“As every man hath received the gift, even so, minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 KJV
Whatever your calling or profession is and whoever you are, you must see yourself as one called to be a blessing to others. Therefore, whatever you are doing that is blessing people, see it as a ministry. Let it go beyond ‘it is a job where I am being paid’. The will of God is for you to affect humanity positively. The Bible declares that “…unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…”(Luke 12:48 KJV). The Bible also says, “give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom” (Luke 6:38). The more you release, the more you receive. That is the secret!
When God sees you as a very profitable channel to bless humanity, the more He pours out to you and the more He opens up to you the mysteries of the kingdom. Blessing people is the will of God. We must have drivers that will carry people around the nation not just for the pay, but with a mindset of blessing humanity. We must have people who are sweeping the streets, making our streets clean because they want to be a channel of blessing to humanity. We all must see whatsoever that is adding value to the society as a ministry. That is the Kingdom dimension.
Whatsoever you do, do it as though it is God that is doing it. Sweep the street as though God is sweeping that place. Handle that computer as though God is handling it. Do that catering job as though it is God doing it. Don’t try to cut corners. You are called to be a blessing to humanity. Therefore, do it with the mentality of one who wants to add value to others. Remember, the ministry doesn’t stop when you step out of the church. You are perpetually on Kingdom assignment.
Further Reading: Genesis 12:1-3, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Exodus 16-18/ Evening- Matthew 18:1-20
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
Topic: The Mood Mender [Our Daily Bread 27 January 2019 Devotional]
Bible in a Year: Exodus 19–20; Matthew 18:21–35
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. – Psalm 94:19
Today’s Scripture & Insight: Psalm 94:2
As I waited at the train station for my weekly commute, negative thoughts crowded my mind like commuters lining up to board a train—stress over debt, unkind remarks said to me, helplessness in the face of a recent injustice done to a family member. By the time the train arrived, I was in a terrible mood.
On the train, another thought came to mind: write a note to God, giving Him my lament. Soon after I finished pouring out my complaints in my journal, I pulled out my phone and listened to the praise songs in my library. Before I knew it, my bad mood had completely changed.
Little did I know that I was following a pattern set by the writer of Psalm 94. The psalmist first poured out his complaints: “Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. . . . Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?” (Psalm 94:2, 16.) He didn’t hold anything back as he talked to God about injustice done to widows and orphans. Once he’d made his lament to God, the psalm transitioned into praise: “But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge” (v. 22).
God invites us to take our laments to Him. He can turn our fear, sadness, and helplessness into praise.
Today’s Reflection: Lord, I pour out my heart to You. Take my hurts and my anger, and grant me Your peace.
Topic: God Wants You Well [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 27 January 2019]
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord. – Jeremiah 30:17
God wants you well! Did you know that? He wants you healthy and strong in every single area of your life.
He wants you to be spiritually strong. Strong in faith. Strong in the Word. Strong in redemption. Strong in the love of God.
He wants you to be well in your mind, to be strong and stable emotionally.
He wants you to have a healthy will, a will that’s aligned with His will.
He wants your body to be well. He wants you free from the bondages of pain, sickness and care. Free from the worries and woes of this earthly life.
Your heavenly Father wants you well!
What’s more, in this day and hour, He needs you well. He needs you living in victory and healing so that you can teach others how to do it too. We’re stepping in to a time when that kind of knowledge is an absolute necessity. There’s no more time for the Body of Christ to limp along, uninformed and unprepared for the devil’s attacks.
In fact, here’s what the Lord has told me:
The further you go, the more dangerous things in the earth will become. People will have to grow in the realities of redemption and the “how-to’s” of living by faith in order to live in the great, overcoming way I have planned for them.
Jesus gave Himself in death so that we could be well. He was raised in life, ever making intercession for us now so that we can be well. And He wants us to be healthy and strong as a witness in these last days to a world that’s filled with terror—a witness of His love, His grace and His power.
Receive Jesus’ healing power in every area of your life. Start applying it by faith right now. Commit yourself to getting well and growing strong in every area of your life today!
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: Satan’s Power Is Limited [Andrew Wommack Devotional 27 January 2019]
Luke 4:13, “And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.”
Text: MT. 4:1-11; MK. 1:12-13; LK. 4:1-13
The wording of this verse implies that Satan exhausted his arsenal of temptations on Jesus and then had to leave.
We have mistakenly given Satan too much credit. He does not have a limitless number of temptations that he can pull on us. As 1 Jn. 2:16 says, there are three areas where the devil tempts us: (1) the lust of the flesh, (2) the lust of the eyes, and (3) the pride of life. Jesus’ three temptations correspond to these.
By ascribing to Satan limitless temptations and abilities, we have built up our adversary to be bigger than he is. The truth is, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]” (I Cor. 10:13).
Satan would like you to think that he is tougher than he really is. One of his greatest weapons is intimidation, but he has been defeated. His teeth have been pulled. Now he can only roar as a lion seeking to devour uninformed souls who don’t know their authority in Christ (1 Pet. 5:8).
Today, realize that whatever Satan is fighting you with is only temporary. Don’t quit. In due season you will reap, if you faint not (Gal. 6:9).
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: Responsibility of Family [Billy Graham Devotional 27 January 2019]
Bless me and my family forever! — 2 Samuel 7:29 (TLB)
Apart from religious influence, the family is the most important unit of society. It would be good if every home were Christian, but we know that it is not so. The family and the home can never exert their proper influence while ignoring the biblical standard. The Bible calls for discipline and a recognition of authority. If children do not learn this at home, they will go out into society without the proper attitude toward authority and law. There is always the exceptional child, but the average tells us that the child is largely what the home has made him. The only way to provide the right home for your children is to put the Lord above them, and fully instruct them in the ways of the Lord. You are responsible before God for the home you provide for them.
Prayer for the day: Father, keep me from any word or deed that might hinder a child from loving You.
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.
Open Heaven 27 January 2019 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Mother of Miracles
Topic: The Mother of Miracles (Open Heaven 27 January 2019)
Memorise: “His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”- John 2:5
Read: Luke 5:1-6 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Bible in One Year: Luke 6, Isaiah 26:1-19
Open Heaven 27 January 2019 Sunday MESSAGE:
A mother is a vessel that brings forth new life. When a woman gives birth to a child, she becomes a mother. Similarly, miracles have a mother, and the mother of miracles is Mrs. Obedience. In today’s memory verse, we are introduced to the mother that gave birth to Christ’s first miracle: obedience to simple instructions. Obedience to simple instructions like “Only believe” can birth the healing miracle you have been expecting from God over the years, just as it happened to the ruler of the synagogue in Mark 5:36. The prophet Elisha also told Naaman to go and wash himself in River Jordan seven times for his leprosy to disappear. He complied and his leprosy became history (2 Kings 5:10-14).
In the story of Peter’s big catch at the Lake of Gennesaret, we have another example of obedience giving birth to a miracle. This miracle was conceived the moment Jesus commanded Peter to push his boat out a little from land so that He could preach from it, and Peter obeyed. Thereafter, it seems that Jesus told Peter to wait with Him in the boat until He finished preaching, to which Peter might have responded “Yes Sir”. Luke 5:4 captures what happens next:
“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
The instruction from the Lord which gave birth to Peter’s miracle of catch was a three-in-one command: launch out into the deep (not the periphery of the lake), throw in your net (for what?), and begin to draw the nets back, and they will be full of fish. This was all too much for an experienced fisherman like Peter to comprehend with his natural mind. Almost aborting the pregnancy of his miracle, he said to Jesus in Luke 5:5b,
“Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing:”
However, the story had a happy ending because he went ahead to obey the divine instruction even though his professional mind could not comprehend it.
Beloved, if you urgently need a miracle, you need to have the mother that gives birth to it. Obedience to the word of God is the mother of miracles. Having faith in God and believing His word are two ingredients that produce obedience in a person. No wonder Jesus said to Martha in John 11:40:
“…Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”
As you believe His word today, I decree, receive your miracle now in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 27 January 2019 Sunday Prayer Point:
Father, please give to me the grace to obey Your commands that will birth miracles in my life.
Open Heaven 27 January 2019 Sunday Hymn 3: Trust and Obey
1. When we walk with the Lord In the light of His word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey
Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear Not a sigh nor a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief nor a loss, Not a frown nor a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favour He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do Where He sends we will go Never fear, only trust and obey.
Open Heaven 27 January 2019 Sunday 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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 27 January 2019 Sunday Daily Devotional.
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.
A Glorious Beginning (Part 2) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Topic: A Glorious Beginning (Part 2)
Dear reader,
Peace and blessings in Jesus name! Last week we looked at some steps to take on the journey to a glorious family life and today we shall be considering others. As you consciously put all you learn from these series of teachings to work, I expect that everything in your life will begin to turn positively in your favour!
Let go of Bitterness
Bitterness is a very little thing that grows into a big mountain. Remember I said that bitterness is at the root of every unforgiveness. For instance, if your spouse or a family member did something to hurt you and you refuse to forgive him or her, every remembrance of the incidence brings pain to you. Watch it! That is bitterness springing up gradually. If it is not dealt with immediately, it will ultimately trouble you. The Bible says: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled (Hebrews 12:15). The term “springing up” connotes a thing that starts small, and then suddenly shoots up. Once bitterness gains access into your heart and it is not handled immediately, very soon, it will magnify itself and dominate you. That shall not be your portion in Jesus’ name.
Another thing about bitterness is that it actually troubles and estranges individuals. You lose your rest to bitterness. If you are bitter against your spouse, when he or she is in the sitting room, you will want to be in the bedroom; there is usually no rest within you.
The spirit of bitterness is what is plaguing so many families today. As you engage in spiritual clean-up, the spirit of bitterness has to give way so that the blessing of God can find its way in your family. The Word of God says: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalm 66:18). If you want to experience the blessings that God has reserved for this year, you have to do away with every form of iniquity in your life and family.
Bitterness also makes you fall short of the grace of God. That means, when you harbour bitterness, you are actually frustrating the grace of God in your life. And what are you without His grace? The Word of God says: But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). You need God’s grace to succeed in your family; so, watch that spirit of bitterness! The following steps will help you overcome the spirit of bitterness:
Confess your sins and ask God for mercy
Communicate your hurts with your spouse/family members
Take a loving approach when doing so
Be willing to forgive others and ask for their forgiveness
Ask for God’s grace to avoid the chains of bitterness in the future
Let go of Anger
Another thing that can hinder God’s blessing from reaching your family is anger. We all get angry at one time or the other, but the Word of God says: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27). By holding on to anger, you open the door to sin. If you are upset about the way your spouse or any of your family members does certain things at certain times, rather than exploding and speaking cruel words which can cause irreparable damage, control your emotions and take a walk or go to your prayer closet until your anger subsides. Anger is like a kettle of boiling water. As long as the fire is on, the water boils hotter. To cool the water, you will need to turn off the source of fire, place the kettle on a cool surface and give it time to cool down. Within a few hours, that formerly boiling water can be drunk straight from a glass. Anger is just like that. Watch it!
You need to be born again to receive the grace of God to do away with those things that can rob you of a glorious family life. If you are not yet born again and you desire to do so right now, please pray this prayer with faith in your heart: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and 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).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 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)
Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.
TOPIC: Christian Couples and In-Laws [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 27 January 2019]
MEMORY VERSE: “And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.” – Ruth 2:11 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 27 January 2019 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Ruth 1:1-18 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 27 January 2019)
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Christian couples are expected to live according to the dictates of God’s word. For instance, the bible tells us that a man should leave his parents and cleave to his wife. Gen. 2:24. This shows that a line must be drawn between the families from which both parents originated and the new family the couple is building. However, bible admonishes us to honour our parents. Exodus 20:12; Deut.5:16 and do good to all men especially the members of our household. Gal.6:10. It should be noted that in-laws are people related to us by marriage and we should deal with them with godly wisdom. James 3:17.
LESSON OUTLINES
BUILD A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP
THE THIN LINE
BUILD A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP
Let us learn from Ruth’s relationship with her mother in-law. She placed her in the position of her own biological mother.
We must treat our in-laws like our own blood relations. In relating with in-laws, Christian couples should therefore:
1 Avoid preconceptions: Do relate with your in-laws from a biased perspective. Be open in your dealings with them.(Rom.12:10, 16; 1 Peter 3:8)
2 Avoid acting like strangers: Do well to let your in-laws see you as another child of theirs and not a stranger.(Prov.18:24; John 15:15).
3 Avoid damaging rules: Make sure you avoid rules that can destroy the relationship with your in-laws.(Tim.5:1-2). Be wise in all decisions relating to your in-laws especially in speech.(Psalm 34:13; Col. 4:6)
4 Treat in-laws as important people and avoid strife.(Phil. 2:3). Exhibit maturity and patience with in-laws.(2 Cor. 6:4).
Always seek peace and pursue it. (Psalms 34:14; Rom.12:18)
THE THIN LINE
While it is important to establish a cordial relationship with in-laws, it is equally important that in-laws give some breathing space to their married sons or daughters to enable them build a godly home. There should be little or no external interference (Col. 3:21; Matt. 19:4-6). In-laws, especially parents of the couple, can counsel (Prov. 11:14; 19: 20-21) and prayerfully support their children in marriage without necessarily imposing their views.(Eph. 6:4). The married couple should be allowed to make their own decisions.
CONCLUSION: Christian couples must relate with their in-laws in love and as light/salt of the world(Matt. 5:13-14).
Live at peace and remain humble at all times (Heb. 12:14).
QUESTIONS:
Mention 4 ways couples can build a cordial relationship with their in-laws.
What roles should in-laws play in maintaining the thin line with their married sons or daughter?
ASSIGNMENT: Identity five (5) things that can cause disaffection between in-laws and their married sons and daughters.
For Further Reading: Matt. 5:14; 1 Timothy 5:13; Phil. 2:15; Ephesians 5:23-33. Luke 5:13.
The politician was jailed in May 2017 and found guilty of blasphemy over comments he allegedly made while campaigning for re-election.
In his defence at trial, he argued his comments addressed politicians who continuously pointed to a verse in the Quran to suggest that Muslims should not vote for him in the upcoming election.
Ahok had been in office since 2014 and was the first ethnic Chinese to be governor of Jakarta and the first Christian to hold the office in 50 years.
200,000 protesters marched against Ahok in November, 2016.
He lost his bid for re-election in 2017 as he dealt with the blasphemy allegation.
Benedict Rogers, Christian Solidarity’s East Asia team leader said: “We welcome the release of Ahok, although we believe his conviction and imprisonment represent a serious injustice and illustrate the dangerous misuse of the blasphemy laws.
“In light of this we call again on Indonesia to review the blasphemy laws, and we urge all candidates in Indonesia’s forthcoming presidential election to protect and promote Indonesia’s tradition of religious pluralism and take steps to counter religious intolerance, extremism and identity politics.”
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Being a first-time pastor or a pastor at a new church can be intimidating. Former pastor, Dr. Thom Rainer offers some advice to young pastors entering a new church for the first time.
When the budget is lagging, when staff and volunteers resign, and when the critics pile on, how we react in those moments should be governed by a moment yet to come. I want to hear “well done” when that moment comes. Commit in 2019 to, above all, please the One who called you to this task.
Once in a while, I get to know a church that genuinely seems “happy.” I know that term is subjective, but I trust you get my point – these churches are just different from the church that is dealing with dysfunction and turmoil. Here are some markers of happy churches:
It is hard to walk through a transition process without being awestruck at the sovereignty of God. People often speak of God opening a door of opportunity for a different ministry. But after multiple interviews, congregational meetings, votes of approval, real estate searches, and denominational credentialing, it is clear that hundreds of doors must be opened for the transition to take place.
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