Topic: The Ability to Believe [Billy Graham’s Devotional Tuesday April 17, 2018]

. . . believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead . . . — Romans 10:9

It is impossible to believe anything into existence. The Gospel did not come into being because men believed it. The tomb was not emptied of Christ’s body that first Easter because some faithful persons believed it. The fact preceded the faith. We are psychologically incapable of believing without an object of our faith. The object of Christian faith is Christ. Faith means more than an intellectual assent to the claims of Christ. You are not called upon to believe something that is not credible, but to believe in the fact of history that in reality transcends all history. Faith actually means surrender and commitment to the claims of Christ. We do not know Christ through the five physical senses, but we know Him through the sixth sense that God has given every man—the ability to believe.

Prayer for the day: As I keep my eyes on You, Lord, my faith does not waver. Too often I look down and stumble. Let me comprehend today afresh the power that raised You from the dead.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

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.

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Topic: Peace In The Midst Of The Storm [Andrew Wommack Tuesday April 17, 2018]

Mark 4:37-38, “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master carest thou not that we perish?”

Text: Matthew 12:46-50; 8:23-27; Mark 3:31-35; 4:35-41; Luke 8:19-26

Considering the fact that the boat was filled with water, it is amazing that the disciples had to awaken Jesus. This was not a large ship with cabins below deck but rather a small, open boat and Jesus was, no doubt, “soaked to the bone.” This reflects Jesus’ humanity and how tired He must have been. It also shows that Jesus must have been in a very deep sleep. Medical science has discovered that the deeper we sleep, the more rest our bodies get. This is a clue as to how Jesus could maintain the grueling pace He kept, along only with an occasional all-night prayer time. He was receiving the maximum benefit from His sleep.

Jesus did not say “Let us go out into the midst of the sea and drown in a storm.” He was going to the other side. This shows that the disciples still didn’t understand Jesus’ authority. They were committed to Him as their Messiah, but they hadn’t yet realized that Jesus was Lord even over the physical elements. Many Christians still do this today. They receive the spiritual benefits of salvation but have not reaped the physical benefits of health and prosperity, which are also part of our salvation.

Whichever we focus upon – the storm, or the Lord in the midst of our storm – will determine how we manage the storms we face in life. He is not asleep concerning the things you face in this life, He’s right there in your “ship,” resting, because He knows you’ll both get to the “other side.” His peace is yours. Believe His Word. Rest in His love.

“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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Topic: No Offense [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Tuesday April 17, 2018]

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. – 1 John 2:10

Whenever you find yourself stumbling into failure or sin, check your love life. Sit down with the Lord and ask Him to show you if you’re in strife with anyone or if you’ve taken offense. If you have, the devil can come in and trip you up.

As a preacher, I’ve seen that happen countless times. I’ll be preaching about something and some believer will get upset with me about it. He’ll decide I’m wrong and go off in a huff—and first thing you know, he’s in trouble.

Mark 4:17 tells us the devil uses those kinds of offenses to steal the Word from our hearts. He causes us to get crosswise with each other. Then he’s able to pull the plug right out of us and drain the Word like water from a bucket.

Don’t ever let that happen to you. If you hear a preacher or another believer saying something that rubs you the wrong way and you catch yourself getting offended say, “Oh no you don’t. You’re not stealing the Word out of me, you lying Devil.” Then get right down on your knees and repent before God.

Search the Word and listen to the Spirit within you and find out what you should do. If you still feel what that person said to you was wrong, pray for him.

Remember, taking offense never comes from God. He says we’re to be rooted and grounded in love. So reject those feelings of offense. Give yourself to that person in love and in prayer. You’ll be able to walk right on through that situation without ever stumbling at all.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:1-11

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.

The post Kenneth & Gloria Copeland’s Devotional 17 April 2018 – No Offense appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Learning to Know God [Our Daily Bread 17th Tuesday April, 2018]

Read: John 6:16–21, Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 1–2; Luke 14:1–24

But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” John 6:20

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a mother. I dreamed about getting married, getting pregnant, and holding my baby in my arms for the first time. When I finally got married, my husband and I never even considered waiting to expand our family. But with each negative pregnancy test, we realized we were struggling with infertility. Months of doctors’ visits, tests, and tears followed. We were in the middle of a storm. Infertility was a bitter pill to swallow and left me wondering about God’s goodness and faithfulness.

When I reflect on our journey, I think about the story of the disciples caught in the storm on the sea in John 6. As they struggled against the waves in the dark of the storm, Jesus unexpectedly came to them walking on the stormy waves. He calmed them with His presence, saying, “It is I; don’t be afraid” (v. 20).

Like the disciples, my husband and I had no idea what was coming in our storm; but we found comfort as we learned to know God more deeply as the One who is always faithful and true. Although we would not have the child we had dreamed of, we learned that in all our struggles we can experience the power of His calming presence. Because He is there powerfully working in our lives, we need not be anxious.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that I do not have to face the storms in this life without You. Thank You for Your calming presence and power carrying me through whatever I face.

We can experience God’s powerful presence even in the storms of our lives.

Insight:

The story of Jesus meeting His disciples on the sea paints a vivid picture of how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises. In Bible times, the sea was seen as a terrifying force of chaos. Only God could walk on the sea (Job 9:8; Psalm 77:19). And in Israel’s central redemption story—their deliverance from slavery—it was God’s power that brought Israel through the sea, leaving Egypt behind (Exodus 14:21).

So when John describes Jesus walking on the waves, we can understand the disciples’ terror (John 6:19)—they were seeing God. Jesus’s response, “It is I” (literally “I am”), confirmed His unity with God, the “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58). By bringing the boat “immediately” to shore (John 6:21, 25), Jesus not only delivered the disciples but also likely pointed to the good news of another exodus from the “sea.” His death and resurrection would bring His people out of bondage into freedom (Galatians 5:1).

In this lifetime, we don’t always experience the full restoration we long for (2 Corinthians 5:4), but we do experience the power that will one day transform all things (4:16–17). Because of Jesus, we don’t need to be afraid (John 6:20).

What fears do you need to place in the all-powerful hands of Jesus? Monica Brands

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

This message was written By Karen Wolfe [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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Topic: Be Creative [Teens Open Heavens 17, April 2018]

Memorise: So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. Genesis 1:27

Read: Exodus 35:31 (KJV)

31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 22-24, Luke 16:1-18

MESSAGE:

Being creative means to use your imagination to generate an original idea. To be creative means to do something that you have not seen anywhere else before. God made us in His image, and our God is very creative. The whole world as you see it is God’s creative idea. All the animals in their different forms, the diverse kinds of trees, the mountains, the human beings and everything you see in nature was creatively done by God. If your Father is so creative, and you were made in His image, then you have the innate ability to create new things too. The way to unleash the creative abilities in us is to use our imaginations often. For everything you do, always think of a new and better way to do it. Task your brain to develop new ideas and you will be surprised to see how creative you are.

As a child of God, you should be the most creative person around. God still has lots of creative ideas, He will release these ideas to you. I get a lot of creative ideas from God regularly, and that has made me stand out amongst my colleagues. Link up with God for creative ideas and you will begin to stand out among your peers.

Action Point: Make it a habit to regularly task your brain for creative ideas.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Teen Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye’’

Hymn 6:

1. Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:

2. Under the shadow of your throne
Your saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is your arm alone,
And our defense is sure

3. Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received its frame,
From everlasting you are God,
To endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages in your sight
Are like an evening gone
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Soon bears us all away;
We fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

6. Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Still be our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home!

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.

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Topic: Proofs Of True Surrender [Seeds of Destiny Tuesday April 17, 2018]

Scripture: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:37

Thought For The Day: God deserves the best out of you.

We live in a world where the majority of people claim to have surrendered their lives to Christ, yet their conducts still question their profession. You have not really given your life to Christ if your actions are not in consonance with your confession.

Previously, we noted that if a person has given his life to Christ, it will be reflected in the way he manages his time, relates with people and conducts his life.

Today, we want to look at other areas of life that Christ must control if we have really surrendered our life to Him as our Lord:

i)Your Energy
God must be the Owner of your energy if you have truly given your life to Christ. When God owns your energy, you deploy it to the work of God both in church and at your workplace. You do everything with the mentality that you are serving God to glorify Him. You give your best to any task.

ii) Your Ability
God must be the Owner of your wisdom, talent, capacity or capability if you really belong to Him. Deploy your skills like Bezaleel who used his craftsmanship to advance the kingdom of God (Exodus 31:2). Let your training, wisdom, expertise be used to God’s glory.

iii) Your Resources
God must have full control of your money if you have really given your life to Him. What you have is not yours but the Lords; therefore, use the money you have to serve God. Let God dictate the use of your resources.

Beloved, when you can confirm to God that He owns your energy, ability and resources, then you have truly surrendered your life to Christ.

Remember this: God deserves the best out of you.

Assignments:
1. Deploy your energy, skills and resources in the service of God.
2. Hold nothing back from God.
3. Give God the best of your talent; be the best at what you do.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the grace to deploy my energy, skills and resources to worship and serve You in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 15: 1 to 63, Luke 18: 18 to 43, Psalm 86: 1 to 17, Proverbs 13:9 to 10.

Amazing Fact: The only part of your body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It gets its oxygen directly from air.

Today In History: 17/04/1810 – Pineapple cheese was patented by Lewis M. Norton.

Quote: Deficiency and shortage in life is a product of existing independent of God. Culled from 21 FOOLISH THINGS PEOPLE DO by Dr Paul Enenche.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The two power-packed communion services tomorrow by 4:45pm & 6:30pm.

“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: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late…There is still hope, JESUS LOVES YOU!

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Topic: Will To Conquer [DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday April 17, 2018]

Text: 2 Kings 13:14-21 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice” (2 Kings 13:19).

MESSAGE:

King Joash had the privilege of reigning simultaneously at the time of Elisha. On his last visit to the prophet, he had the golden opportunity which would have earned Israel manifold victories over Syria but he missed it. He was instructed to smite the ground with his arrows, which he only did thrice. He was then informed that he would only defeat Syria thrice. In essence, King Joash quit the battle before he started the fight.

The world is a battlefield. Job states: “Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:6,7). No one is insulated against the pangs of the world’s troubles and travails of its battles – you must fight or be overpowered. If you choose to remain passive, the enemy will move against you and take you captive. The visible troubles, problems, trials, obstacles and conflicts that fill this world are the surface results of on-going battles for the soul.

If you want to fight, you must know how. Since this war is not visible or conventional, the weapons are not the usual mechanism and devices of invincibility. As true children of God, our weapons are “mighty through God”. Elisha demonstrated this when he asked Joash to smite the ground prophetically. Winners of life’s battles are those who engage the enemy from the Lord’s side fully armed with the whole armour (Ephesians 6:10-18). Sinners in the rebel’s army cannot fight from within the satanic fold. They must cross over to Jesus, leaving their sins behind and persistently continue with Him. The devil’s weaponry is no match for the believer’s armoury, provided the believer is ever ready for battle and willing to be victorious.

Thought For The Day: The will to conquer is the first condition of victory.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Samuel 25-27

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: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late…There is still hope, JESUS LOVES YOU!

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