Topic: Dreadful News [DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday January 17th, 2018]

Text: 1 Samuel 3:11-21

Key Verse: “For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” (1 Samuel 3:13).

If the temple at Shiloh was ancient Israel’s most priced treasure, Eli the chief priest did not reflect this honour in the way he handled his sons’ contempt for the house of God. While the Lord found no fault eith Eli for allocating responsibilities in the temple to his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, He upbraided their father for not stopping them upon discovering their vileness.

Eli defaulted in parental guidance and discipline. It hurts to find that those who ought to be models of good conduct in God’s house are the source of defilement. This obviously was a worse display of disrespect for righteousness. God had to intervene. In 1 Samuel 2:27-36, He sent someone to warn the priest of the impending judgement that would bring an end to Eli’s priesthood and the death, in one day, of Hophni and Phinehas. Their family would also no longer be in the lineage of priests.

Finally, there was the prediction that Samuel would replace Eli. There are three key lessons to learn here. Firstly, it is not enough to claim to please God on the basis of merely being a worker in the vineyard of God. Second, God does not take dishonouring of His Church lightly because “he hath purchased (it) with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Finally, family and church members must be watchful to urgently discipline errant brethren in order not to bring down the entire fold when God moves to judge sin: for “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31). God will punish sinners on earth and in eternity. Repent now, forsake all your sins, receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour and live a holy lifestyle to escape God’s wrath.

Thought For The Day: Move from sin to avoid God’s move against sin.

Bible Reading in one Year: Genesis 16-18

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.

Topic: Handling Family Challenges (2)

Dear Reader,

You are most welcome to another interesting edition of these series of teachings. Last week, I started a teaching on the topic: Handling Family Challenges. I also defined some terms and gave an example of the challenge of unforgiveness and how to properly handle it in the family. This is  simply through unconditional forgiveness. This week, I shall be showing you another challenge and how to handle it for a successful family life.

There are millions of families hurting because they are ignorant of God’s plan for their family. Some are undergoing untold heartaches, breakdowns and physical combats; yet seeking for peace, joy and fulfilment and at the same time groping in darkness. Some end up breaking up the family only to experience hurts and wounds while others stay married because of the children but go through shameful and hurtful experiences.

God’s utmost desire for married couples and the family unit is peace, joy, fulfilment, expansion and increase. It is no secret that families these last days are under attack (I Timothy 4:1-3). However, God is not caught unawares, but has an escape route prepared for all who are willing to assume responsibility. Since He is the Sole Manufacturer of the union, whatever He says, if followed, produces the best result. The Bible says: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: (Deuteronomy 28:1).

When you refuse to harken to God’s commandment about a thing, it amounts to pride. It is written: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).That is why in this edition, I will be teaching on the danger of Pride in the family.

Challenges of Family Life

PRIDE

Pride and destruction are twins; they go hand-in-hand. Wherever you see pride, know that its companion, destruction, is also close by. The devastating effect of pride can be seen in the life of Lucifer. He was the son of the morning, the anointed cherub that covereth. He was beautiful, made of all manner of precious stones, a commander of a third of God’s angels, but the moment God spotted pride in him, He cast him down to hell (Isaiah 14:12-15).

Pride abases. It leads to a fall. It brings destruction. Anytime you give room to pride, you are indirectly inviting destruction. It sets God against a man, because God resists a proud man and if God resists a man, who can help him? The Bible says: Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). Pride is very devastating. It begins from the heart and has destroyed many homes. My husband often says, if you’re proud, you know it; you don’t need a prophet to tell you. Jesus, the pattern Son, never spoke proudly of Himself, He never boasted. Everything He said and did pointed to God the Father. The Bible says: …Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise (John 5:19). Jesus had cause to brag about His works, humility and kindness, but His eyes were focused on God and on the ones He had come to save.

It is pride that makes a man treat his wife as a slave, because he sees her as nobody but sees himself as the lord of all, and the “lion of the tribe of his home”. Every member of his family is scared of his presence. Some husbands also tend to get carried away with the things they provide in the house and are misled to think, “I am the breadwinner in this house, I do so and so, I give and give and give!” However, when you realise that you have, only because He (God) provided, your language will change. This is one great secret I have learnt from my husband. As we both acknowledge God as the Doer and keep walking in humility, God keeps supplying all our needs. That can become your own testimony too.

It is pride that makes a woman despise her husband, because she is better educated or paid. In fact, some ladies are not married yet, not because no man has shown interest in them, but because pride makes them see the men that come to ask for their hands in marriage as not being up to their standard. They look at them arrogantly and conclude that they cannot cater for them. She wants a man with a big car, a high-paying job, a house, etc. She is so full of herself and thinks she is too much for every man, and, therefore, looks down on them. But, the Word of God says: For who hath despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10). Pride will make such a lady a spinster for life. Walk in humility and God will visit you.

Some parents are stumbling blocks to their children’s marital breakthrough. They size up their daughter’s suitors and conclude that she cannot marry him, perhaps because of his “low” social or academic status. Beware, because pride is a major hindrance to a glorious home.

How Then, Can You Overcome Pride?

The Bible says: The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way (Psalm 25:9). God has nothing to do with the proud and arrogant. The cheapest way to having a sweet home is to make yourself of no reputation. Take on a meek spirit, not minding what name people call you. You have a lot to gain by being meek. God will not only guide you, He will also teach you His ways.

However, for God to guide you and teach you His ways, you have to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour by being born again. To be born again, say this simple prayer in faith: 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 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 now born again and 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: God’s Choice [Andrew Wommack’s Daily Wednesday January 17th, 2018]

Luke 2:37, “And she [was] a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served [God] with fastings and prayers night and day.”

Text: Luke 2:36-40

Let’s suppose that Anna was fourteen years old when she married. She would have been 105 years old. Yet she was still fasting and praying night and day! Satan tries to convince us that God won’t use us. He may cite things like age or lack of abilities, or failures that we’ve had. But just like Anna, there are many scriptural examples of the Lord using those who would be considered unusable by worldly standards.

Moses was eighty years old before he began to fulfill God’s plan for his life and he worked right up until he was 120 years old. Abraham was in his nineties before he had the son that God had promised him.

Gideon was another one who looked unusable. He was hiding from the Midianites when an angel of God appeared and told him he was a mighty man of valor (Judg. 6:11-12). He couldn’t believe it at first and had to have the Lord confirm it three times.

Truly, …God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty… (1 Cor. 1:27-28).

If you feel foolish or weak, then you qualify. Let the Lord use you today.

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: Truth [Billy Graham’s Daily Wednesday January 17th, 2018]

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. — John 8:32

Ours is an age of philosophical uncertainty, and we no longer know what we believe. We stand uncommitted. Everywhere I go, I ask students, “What is controlling you?” When I was a student, I had to face Christ.

Who was He? He had made the astounding claim, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” I wrestled with the inescapable fact that either Jesus Christ was who He claimed to be, or He was the biggest liar, fraud, and charlatan in history. Which was it? Buddha said toward the end of his life, “I am still searching for the truth.” But here was Jesus who appeared and said, “I am the embodiment of all truth. All truth is centered in me.”

Prayer for the day: Thank You, Jesus, for my freedom—because You are the Truth!

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.

Topic: You Are Created For Good Works [TREM’s Daily Wednesday January 17th, 2018]

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

Good works are the things He pre-ordained before you were born. In other words, you are born for good works. So how dare you run yourself down and say because of your environment, you won’t tower above where you are. That is a lie from the pit of hell. Beloved, that environment will bow to you. Your city will bow to you. Your circumstance will bow to you because you are a new creation. What your body is telling you is not the truth. What your environment is telling you is not the truth. You are different. In Christ, you have what it takes.

If you think that the only reason you are born again is to go to Heaven, then the day you are born again you would have just gone to heaven. Why did God leave you here? It is because you are a game changer! You have what it takes to change the game. Stop looking down on yourself. You are loaded and dangerously dangerous against the powers of hell. Hallelujah! But often time we hear this word, we get excited in church and we go home and that is all. God showed me that the problem we are having as believers is that we do not understand how the kingdom operates.

Philemon 1:6 says “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” The word effectual is talking about energy. Which means it gives you spiritual energy when you acknowledge the good things in you in Christ. In Christ, we know nothing bad but only good. Stop looking for bad things in your life. You are good and everything about you brings out good. When you stretch your hands, it is good. He says you are blessed in the fruits of your body. So how dare you say you are bad? It is an insult to Christ.

Further Reading: Psalms 139:14, Ephesians 2:10-16

Daily Bible Reading: Morning-Gen 41-42 / Evening Matt: 12:1-23

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: Let God Do It His Way [Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Wednesday January 17th, 2018]

Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean. But Naaman was angry…. – 2 Kings 5:10-11, The Amplified Bible

So often we miss out on what God wants to do for us because He doesn’t do it the way we think He should. We work up an idea in our minds about how He’s going to heal us, for instance. We think He’s going to send some famous preacher to lay hands on us or that He’s going to knock us off our feet with a blast of His power. When He doesn’t, we let our faith drop and foul up what He had actually planned to do.

That’s what Naaman did. He went to Elisha expecting to be healed in a particular way. When it didn’t happen that way, the Bible says, he went away in a rage.

What Elisha told him to do was simple. Dip seven times in the Jordan. Naaman could do that. But it didn’t fit his idea of how his healing should take place. He thought Elisha would heal him by waving his hands around and calling on the Name of the Lord.

Naaman stormed away and he would have missed out on his healing if one of his servants hadn’t talked him into giving Elisha’s instructions a try.

I used to be like that. I wanted spectacular experiences from God so badly I was missing out on the experiences God had planned for me. Once I realized that, I quit looking for feelings and spectacular manifestations and just started expecting God to keep His Word.

I remember I went to a meeting one night with my ankle messed up terribly. The pain was so severe it went from my foot all the way up to my shoulder blades. But I went into that meeting expecting God to heal me.

During the praise service, I ignored the pain in my foot and just sang and worshiped with everyone else. When the preaching started, I got my Bible and got involved in the Word. Sure enough, sometime during that service I was healed. I don’t know when it was. I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t see any sparklers go off. I didn’t even realize I’d been healed until after the service. I got about halfway to the door and thought, Glory to God, my foot’s well!

Don’t let your own ideas of how God’s going to work rob you of your healing or your deliverance or your prosperity. Just trust Him and let Him do things His way. He will work mightily in you.

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 5:1-14

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.