Topic: Put the Rumor to Rest [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Thursday June 7, 2018]

And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt…but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. – Exodus 10:22-23

Years ago Satan started a rumor. He told a few Christians they had to live like the world, sharing all the same misfortune, defeat, poverty and failure as those around them. Well, the word spread. You may have heard the rumor yourself. But I am telling you right now that it is a crafty lie.

The Word of God says in Psalm 91:10, that evil can’t even come near your house if you are abiding in Him.

In John 16, Jesus Himself says He has deprived the world of power to harm you. And Exodus 10:23 says that when thick darkness surrounded the Egyptians, the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

By these and other scriptures, you can see that God never intended you to experience all of the junk that the world suffers. He’s always wanted His children to live above it, to stand out as light in a dark world.

In the Old Testament, God’s fame was established because of the miracles He had worked for His children. That same thing should be true today with you and me. We should be glorifying God by the miraculously victorious lives we live. People should be coming up to us and saying things like, “I’ve heard how God healed you.” Or, “I’ve heard how your children were delivered from drugs,” or, “God has really brought you out of a financial crisis.”

Can you see now why Satan would spread a rumor that would make you believe you have to suffer with the world instead of live as victor over it? He doesn’t want people running after you asking where you get your power, your peace, your health and prosperity.

But that’s exactly what God wants to happen. So, put the Word of God to work and dare to receive the blessings He has promised to you. Let the light of God’s power in your life put the devil’s dark rumors to rest!

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:1-16

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

Topic: The Sure Armour I [Open Heavens 7th June 2018, Thursday Daily Devotional]

Memorise: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; – Ephesians 6:14

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:7-11 (KJV)

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 21, Acts 7:23-43

MESSAGE:

Life is full of complex challenges which can be overwhelming. These challenges have frustrated some people to the extent that they despair of life itself. Leading them to take drugs, join the occult or even commit suicide, all in a bid to “escape” the reality of life’s problems. I pray that you will never be overwhelmed by the challenges of life in Jesus’ Name. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not say we would be immune from trials and tribulations in life (John 16:33); rather He provided us with the sure armor with which we can confront and triumph over everything the enemy throws at us. To be victorious in life, you need to first understand that life’s most devastating battles are not physical, but spiritual. Challenges that have their origin in the spirit realm have to be confronted with spiritual tools, which might appear foolish to the natural man. To help us triumphant, Ephesians 6:14 introduces two important components of our armour: Truth and Righteousness.

A life of truth is a transparent and honest life that is based on the word of God, which Jesus declared to be the truth (John 17:17). Living a life of truth is powerful (2 Corinthians 4:2). Lies of any form are of the devil, and so when you live a lie, the devil will have foothold in your life with which to afflict you (John 8:44). However, if your life is based on the truth of God’s word, the devil will find nothing in your life to use against you. This was the case with our Lord Jesus Christ on the night he was betrayed. The devil came to examine His life if indeed He was without sin before going to the cross of Calvary, so that he could accuse Him of it and destroy the work of salvation before the last lap even started. In John 14:30 the Lord said:

“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

Thank God Jesus had truth in His armor and there was no lie in Him. Little wonder He declared to Pilate that truth was the purpose of His life (John 18:37).

The breast plate of righteousness is another official part of our armor. 2 Corinthians 6:7 says:

“By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”

Righteousness is a gift that puts us in right standing with God and produces a life of uprightness in us (Romans 5:17, Ephesians 4:24). Having received the gift of righteousness, we are empowered to do the work of righteousness (1 Corinthians 15:34, Romans 6:18). Standing upon and walking in Christ’ righteousness defeats every rage of the devil against us. Are truth and righteousness part of your armour today?

Key Point: If the devil examines your life, will he find a lie that he can use as a foothold for his attack?

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heavens 6 June 2018 – Something More Than Gold

Hymn 2: I Need Thee Every Hour

1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Chorus:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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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.

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