Topic: Why Believers Fail To Receive [TREM Devotional Monday May 21, 2018]

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

God so love the world! If He so loves the world, is it His church He would hate? If He so loves the world, how dare you think He will leave you without meeting your needs. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. His love is so much that He says; I’m willing to give My Son, the only one I have. Let Him go because I want to show these people that I love them. That is the extent of the love of God. The interesting thing is that if you were the only sinner on earth, Jesus would still have died for you.

One of the reasons believers don’t receive is because they always focus on self. Take your eyes off yourself and focus on the finished work of Calvary. It is all about His love for you: It is because He loves you, that’s why He will heal your body, give you a baby. give you a job, open doors for you and give you a husband or a wife. The book of Romans 5:6 lets us know that we can’t help ourselves, so Jesus had to help us. There was no way out unless He helped us. When we were without strength, Christ died for the ungodly. He didn’t say until you become good. I’m trying to paint the picture for you so that when you are approaching God, you will approach Him based on His own merits, and not yours. You don’t have any merit at all.

While we were yet sinners; Christ loved us so much that He died on our behalf. You can put it this way: While we were yet sick, Christ died for us to be healed. While we were yet poor, Christ became poor that we might be rich. He didn’t tell you: “Help yourself!” Because He knew you could not help yourself. If when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, now that we are reconciled, guess what? Everything is yours.

Further reading: Jeremiah 17:1-8, Romans 5: 1-10

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Chronicles 13-15; Evening- John 7:1-27

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM’s Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

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.

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Topic: Let Him Make The Difference [DCLM Daily Manna Monday May 21, 2018]

Text: 2 Chronicles 15:1-15 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him” (2 Chronicles 15:9)

MESSAGE:

It has become very fashionable today for people to follow trends. It appears that there is the fear of being different from the pack. Most people pick up habits, lifestyle and behavior, just following what they see others do. The advent of Information and Communication Technology has made the world to become so shrunk such that vogues get across the world in no time at all.

God sent Prophet Azariah to give King Asa the condition of enjoying His abiding presence and support. Following the instruction of the Lord, he purged the land of idol worship and gathered the people to the Lord. The light of difference that glowed through his life attracted others from neighbouring tribes. They saw in practical sense that God was with him.

We cannot win the world by being like the world. Perhaps, the reason many of us are unable to attract and win our neighbours and colleagues over to the Lord is because they are yet to see the difference between our lives and theirs. The only way we can make the difference in our world that is so filthy and corrupt is by walking so close with God and living by His Word. This will make everyone around take note of this difference and His presence in our lives.

The way we live and go about our daily business should show that we have a meaningful and unique relationship with God and that He is with us. Start today to make that difference. Let God be seen in you. Live as light and salt of the earth. Make the word of God the standard by which you live and conduct all your affairs and not by the popular world norms, customs and practices. When we do these, God will be honoured in our lives and manifested in all that we do for all to see. God in you will make a world of difference. Let him!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: We cannot win the world by being like the world.

Bible Reading in One Year: 2 Samuel 22-23; Psalms 57

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE“

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.

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Topic: Provoking Divine Wisdom For Conquest Through God’s Word!

Welcome to another fruitful week! I believe you have been impacted with the wisdom of God through the teaching of last week. Today, we shall focus on the topic: Provoking Divine Wisdom for Conquest through God’s Word!

The Bible is God’s wisdom bank; that is, the wisdom of God in print. Also, it is the carrier of God’s wisdom treasure from heaven and every child of God has unlimited access to its unlimited treasure. The Word of God is a highly treasured seed (Luke 8:11). It is the most valuable gold or ruby anyone can imagine, because it launches us into realms of the inestimable riches of God in glory.

Furthermore, concerning the Word of God, the Psalmist said: Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me (Psalm 119:98). This helps us to understand that God’s Word makes wise which determines our victory in every battle of life because it is better than weapons of war (Ecclesiastics 9:18).

But, what is Divine Wisdom?

Divine wisdom is trading the truth of the Word of God for the supernatural triumph we desire in life. Jesus once said: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man… (Matthew 7:24-25). It is also written: now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). So, the truth of the Word of God is what empowers us for triumph.

However, we discovered from scriptures that God-confidence is the biblical wisdom for conquest and fulfilment of destiny. As we all know, it takes being God-confident to be more than a conqueror. Why? Confidence is the conqueror’s backbone and the security of our inheritance. That is why our confidence in God is the target of the enemy in battle. Therefore, it is important to build and sustain that confidence against the day of battle in order not to sellout (Hebrews 10:35).

All the ‘more than conqueror’ personalities listed in scriptures were God-confident people. For instance, Joseph was a clear picture of what it means to be more than a conqueror through the manifestation of divine wisdom. He was a bundle of misfortunes because everything seemed to be against him, yet he arrived at royalty in grand style. Please understand that all God’s purposes for Joseph came to pass and the mystery behind it was his confidence in God (Genesis 41:15-16).

Check out any child of God that is in command, you will discover that he is God-confident. This connotes that you can never gain command until you become absolutely God-confident. That is why God-confidence is key to fulfilment of prophecies. As we all know, it takes the hand of God to deliver His plan and purpose in anyone’s life. So, we must maintain absolute trust and dependency in God to take command of the affairs of life and to see the fulfilment of His plans and purposes in our lives. God-confidence is God’s wisdom for the fulfilment of our glorious destiny!

What, then, is God-confidence?

This implies being fully persuaded about the faithfulness of God and the integrity of His Word; the prevailing circumstances notwithstanding: It is to be fully persuaded that God is who He says He is and can do whatever He says. The Bible said concerning Abraham that he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform (Romans 4:20-21). That is confidence!

It also means compound faith: It means being steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the service of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). The three Hebrew boys (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) said to king Nebuchadnezzar that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us and He will deliver us; even if He does not, we are super confident in Him and His Word and God showed up (Daniel 3:17).

It is making your boast in God against the circumstances confronting you: With confidence and a sling in his hand, David went after Goliath who the whole army of Israel could not dare and brought him down (1 Samuel 17:32-37). So, what defeated Goliath was the confidence David had in God. God-confidence is the hidden mystery behind conquest. Nothing wins like God-confidence and that is what makes a believer more than a conqueror. With your confidence in God, you are sure to obtain the promise and arrive at what He has spoken (Hebrews 10:36). So, no matter what our situations look like or we are being mocked by people about our New Dawn package for the year, God will show up this month and give us a change of story!

Nevertheless, without salvation, you don’t have access to the wisdom of God. So, to operate the wisdom of God, you need to be born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Walking in Wisdom and The Wisdom That Works.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

Please click to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo

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Topic: The Force Of Focus Versus The Enemy’s Strategy For Distraction [Seeds of Destiny Monday May 21, 2018]

Scripture: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23

Thought For The Day: Focus determines the future; maintaining focus on God makes you a focus on earth.
It is important to know that life is full of distractions. Distraction is one of the greatest strategies of the devil to derail people from the path of destiny fulfilment.

When Jesus went to the mountain to fast for forty days and forty nights, satan came to distract Him in order to make Him lose focus of what He was there for (Matthew 4:1-4). Many people have lost a glorious destiny because they have succumbed to the distractions of the devil.

Now, what is the secret of avoiding distraction in life? It is the maintenance of clear focus. Focus determines the future; maintaining focus on God makes you a focus on earth.

One major form of distraction the devil uses to derail people’s focus is criticism. When you try to go forward in life, satan tries to distract you by sending critics to criticise you. Critics come to question you: where do you think you are going? Who do you think you are? And if you are not careful, you begin to respond critics to the point of getting distracted, losing your focus, and eventually, your destiny. Giving ear to your critics is losing your destiny.

Beloved, I counsel you to maintain singleness of focus; face your front and refuse to be distracted.

Remember this: Focus determines the future; maintaining focus on God makes you a focus on earth.

Assignments:
1. Refuse to respond to any form of distraction.
2. Maintain a steady focus on God and your assignment.
3. Do it well; do not validate the criticism of your critics by indolence and mediocrity.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the grace not to respond to any form of distraction. Give me Lord, a dogged focus in life, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DESTINY CAPSULES (PART 4).

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 29:1 to 31:13, John 11:55 to 12:19, Psalm 118:1 to 18, Proverbs 15:24 to 26

Amazing Fact: The sun is actually white when seen from space because its light is not scattered by our atmosphere. From venus, you wouldn’t see the sun at all because the atmosphere is too thick.

Today In History: 21/05/1790 – Paris was divided into 48 zones

Quote: As a Christian, your firm focus on God is a rebuke on the unbeliever’s scattered focus. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Healing and Deliverance service tomorrow by 9am. Invite someone as you come.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Seeds of Destiny by Pastor 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.

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Topic: A Prayer of Forgiveness [Our Daily Bread 21 Monday May, 2018]

Read: Luke 6:27–36, Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 13–15; John 7:1–27

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27–28

In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges was the first African-American child to integrate an all-white public elementary school in the American South. Every day for months, federal marshals escorted Ruby past a mob of angry parents shouting curses, threats, and insults at her. Safely inside, she sat in a classroom alone with Barbara Henry, the only teacher willing to instruct her while parents kept their children from attending school with Ruby.

Noted child psychologist Robert Coles met with Ruby for several months to help her cope with the fear and stress she experienced. He was amazed by the prayer Ruby said every da

y as she walked to school and back home. “Please, God, forgive them because they don’t know what they’re doing” (see Luke 23:34).

The words of Jesus spoken from the cross were stronger than the hatred and insults hurled at Him. In the most agonizing hours of His life, our Lord demonstrated the radical response He taught His followers: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you . . . . Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:27–28, 36).

This remarkable approach is possible only as we consider the powerful love Jesus has given us—love stronger than even the deepest hatred.

Ruby Bridges helped show us the way.

Prayer: Father, You have so graciously forgiven us. Help us today to forgive others who have wronged us.

Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you.

Insight:

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive [someone] who sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21). In that day, if you forgave a person three times, you we

re considered magnanimous. So Peter must have thought he was a super saint to forgive an offender seven times. Jesus corrected him, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (v. 22). Jesus is saying that when it comes to forgiving another, you can’t keep score. We never reach a limit when we can say we have forgiven enough. Although forgiveness doesn’t excuse an offense, we can choose to “be kind and compassionate to one another, [forgive] each other, just as in Christ God forgave [us]” (Ephesians 4:32).

Is there someone who needs your forgiveness today, yet again? K. T. Sim

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By David C. McCasland [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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Topic: Possess Your Promised Land [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Monday May 21, 2018]

When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you…and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. – Numbers 33:51-53

God has given you a promised land. It’s a place flowing with milk and honey, where your every need can be met. A place where you can keep sin underfoot as you rule and reign with Christ. A place where no weapon formed against you will prosper. A place where you are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above principalities and powers—far from oppression.

As you study the Word of God, you’ll find that’s an accurate description of the kind of victory you should be experiencing in Christ—not in the sweet by-and-by—but right here, right now.

You may say, “Yes, that sounds nice in theory, but I’m dealing with reality here. The rent is due, and all I see is sickness, oppression and fear. This doesn’t look like much of a promised land to me.”

That’s because you’re still letting the devil live there! He’s not going to just pack up and go home, you know, just because God has promised you victory. You have to kick him out.

But don’t let that scare you. God has given you the power to do it. Remember what Jesus said? He said, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

What’s more, the devil is totally unarmed! Colossians 2:15 says, “[God] disarmed the principalities and powers ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in…[the cross]” (The Amplified Bible). You have absolutely no reason to cower before the devil. Jesus defeated and disarmed him through His death, burial and resurrection. The devil can’t defeat you unless you let him. All he can do is make empty threats.

But beware! Empty threats can stop you cold if you believe them. So don’t. Believe the Word of God instead. Use the Word and the Name of Jesus to drive the devil out of every last detail of your life.

Don’t let him dwell in your territory. Force him to pack up and go home. Start possessing your promised land!

Scripture Reading: Mark 16:17-18; James 5:7-9

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.

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Topic: Our Hearts Control Our Bodies [Andrew Wommack Monday May 21, 2018]

Mark 7:15, “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.”

Text: Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23

All of the Old Testament dietary laws were shadows (or pictures) of spiritual truths which would become realities in the New Covenant. These Pharisees (as well as many Christians today) missed all of the spiritual significance of these laws and saw only the physical act.

The real spiritual meaning that these Old Testament dietary laws symbolized was that we were supposed to be holy (separated) unto God in everything – even what we eat. Under the Old Testament law, it was forbidden to eat or to touch certain animals, not because there was anything wrong with the animals, but to illustrate the point of being separated unto God and to serve as a constant reminder of this separation. Under the New Testament, we see that no animal is, or ever was, unclean of itself. The Old Testament designation of certain animals as unclean was purely symbolic, and this is why Jesus could make this statement.

Jesus’ statements here refer to more than just the clean and unclean beasts of the Old Testament. He said nothing which enters into a man through his mouth can defile him. This statement cannot be interpreted, however, as condoning any type of abuse we would like to give our body such as gluttony, drug abuse, etc. Rather, Jesus is simply explaining that the condition of the heart of man should be given preeminence over the physical body. The heart of man controls the body of man, not the other way around. Sin doesn’t make our heart corrupt, but a corrupt heart makes us sin. God looks on our hearts, and our cleanliness or defilement in His sight is dependent solely on whether or not we have been made clean in our spirits by the blood of the Lamb. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Andrew Wommack’s Daily Devotional HERE

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).

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