Live A Fruitful Life By Bishop Mike Okonkwo

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Topic: Live A Fruitful Life

Dearly beloved, I bring you greetings in the name that is above every other name, Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God and our soon coming King. It is always a great pleasure to come your way every Sunday with a word from the Lord. We live in an hour and time where believers are paying more attention to miracles and the blessings of God rather than being fruitful in the Kingdom. Beloved, you were saved so that you could become an extension of the Hands of God in getting others saved and established in the Kingdom. My assignment today is to draw your attention to the infallible, errorless word of God.

He spake also this parable; a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and found none. Then he said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord let it alone this year also, till I dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. Luke 13:6-9 (KJV)

Also Read: Be Hopeful by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Based on our texts, we need to ask ourselves some sincere questions. Are we just ornamental plants, very pretty with a lot of flowers but no fruit? Ornamental plants can be good in our homes for decoration and beauty, but God has not called any of His children to be just ornamental, He has called us to be fruitful. Thank God for all the religious clichés, thank God for the nice dresses we wear to church, the beautiful time of praise worship and all that is good, but if that is where you stop, then beloved, it is time to wake up, because someone’s life is depending on you being fruitful.

The question I’d like to ask you this morning is whose life are you touching? Every day you meet unbelievers, how many have you spoken to about Jesus? How many have you led to accept Him as Lord and Saviour? You meet weaker Christians on a regular basis, how many have you strengthened? You know some of them, but rather than help strengthen and restore them in the faith, you keep quiet because you perhaps don’t want to miss the business opportunity that brought you close to the person. My question is who told you that the relationship you have with that person is all about business? Are you aware that God might have created that opportunity for the purpose of strengthening that brother or sister? I know that you might have tried to minister to the person without getting results, but that is not enough excuse for you to go your own way. No, take out time to pray for that person, because it is not about words alone. Learn to back up your efforts with prayers. Trust God for a change and a restoration in the person’s life.

Beloved, I come to remind you that God does not want you to use your faith only to receive material blessings, but rather use your faith to snatch people out of the hands of the devil and by implication, hell. Life is not all about what to eat, drink or put on, rather it is about transforming lives. The time has gone for the Pastor to come and preach you happy every Sunday while you just sit down and all you leave the church with, is “that was a great service”. No, it is time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. It is time to live fruitfully, impact lives and transform nations. That is what we are called to do and that is what we are going to do in Jesus name, Amen.

My prayer for you today is that in every area of your life, you shall be fruitful, you shall multiply and you shall replenish the earth in Jesus’ name, Amen. You are blessed!

Maranatha!

In His Royal Service
Dr Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop

Topic: Don’t Forget the Joy [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 15 May 2019]

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Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. – Philippians 4:4

Years ago, I decided I was going to walk by the Word of God. I told God that, as far as I was concerned, His Word was final and I’d confess it the rest of my life no matter what. That was the most important decision I’ve ever made.

Not too long after that, I decided that no matter what happened, whether I felt like it or not, I’d walk in love. Because the Bible clearly says “faith worketh by love.” It won’t work any other way.

Those two decisions—to operate by faith in the Word of God and to walk in love—are the two most important decisions I’ve ever made in my life.

Recently, though, God pointed out to me that there was something I’d been leaving out. The force of joy. He told me I have no right to walk by faith and love and just leave joy dormant in my spirit. It’s too important. As He taught me about it, I soon came to realize that joy is an essential part of a life of victory. Without it, I might have an occasional triumph now and then, but I wouldn’t be able to sustain them. They’d quickly slip away.

You see, joy is what gives you the strength (Nehemiah 8:10) to hold steady when the circumstances get rough. Joy gives you the ability to laugh in the devil’s face when he starts trying to knock you off your faith. It gives you a kind of staying power that will make you a winner again and again.

So make a commitment to God that you’re going to walk, not only in faith and in love but in joy as well. Make it a point to rejoice in the Lord always…and there won’t be anything the devil can do or say to steal your victory from you!

Scripture Reading: Psalm 84:1-7

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: Dieless Passion for God [Seeds of Destiny 15 May 2019 Devotional]

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A person dedicated to God never comes to the end of the knowledge of God.

SCRIPTURE: And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:29-30

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A person dedicated to God never comes to the end of the knowledge of God.

Dedication to God means giving one’s body, heart and soul wholeheartedly to God. It is living to give God pleasure with one’s life. To be dedicated to God is to spend one’s life, time, energy and resources for God.

In order to know if a man or a woman is dedicated to God, there are proofs and evidences to look out for in his/her life. Knowing these proofs will also help improve our dedication to God.

Now, one major proof of dedication to God is die-less passion for God. (Psalm 63:1-2). This refers to an unquenchable hunger or passion to God. It is hunger for God that cannot be conquered. This is coming to the point where nothing in this world can take the place of your love for God – no amount of worldly possession or height of earthly attainment. A dedicated person demonstrates permanent hunger for God.

A person who is dedicated to God never comes to the end of the knowledge of God. The more you know Him, the more you want to know Him. That a person that is restless, who is passionately yearning and longing to know more of God (Psalm 42:1-2). That is the passion of a man who is truly and genuinely dedicated to God.

Beloved, to have a heart that is comfortable with apathy and lethargy towards the things of God is a spiritual challenge. Make up your mind to be interested in what interests God.

REMEMBER THIS: A person who is dedicated to God never comes to the end of the knowledge of God.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Be dedicated in serving God using your time, resources and giftings to honour God.
2. Be dedicated to the service of God in church.

PRAYER: O Lord, I dedicate my life in service to You. I release my time, resources, giftings for Your service, Lord in Jesus’ Name

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: PROOFS (MARKS) OF DEDICATION

QUOTE: Nothing compels the attention of the multitude like proofs. When the proof is not strong, the pull is not strong. Culled from MAKING FULL PROOF OF MINISTRY by Dr Paul Enenche

DAILY READING: 1 Samuel 17:1 to 18:4, John 8:21 to 30, Psalm 111:1 to 10, Proverbs 15:11

AMAZING FACT: Charles Finney, the great revivalist, was a masterful orator; he addressed the audience as sinners and prayed for them by name. He prolonged his meetings until early morning and even carried his meetings to factories and as a result won innumerable souls for God.

TODAY IN HISTORY: 15/05/1957 – Evangelist Billy Graham launches his “crusade” in front of 18,000 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

PROPHETIC DECLARATION/WORD: A fresh baptism of hunger for God is upon you today. Proceed with fresh fire in Jesus’ Name.

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.

Topic: The Spirit And The Word Are One [Andrew Wommack Devotional 15 May 2019]

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John 6:63, ‘It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’

John 6:40-71; 7:1

Jesus is stating that our spirit, not our flesh, is where our life comes from. These people were so dominated by their physical lives that they were missing all the spiritual significance of His words. Although God’s Word does benefit our physical man, the Word is spiritual and must be understood through the spirit. God’s Word is spirit and it takes our spirit to illuminate its truths to our minds.

The Word of God is not paper and ink. Jesus is the Word, and He existed in spiritual form long before any words were inspired to be written down by the Holy Ghost. The Bible is simply a physical representation of Jesus and spiritual truth. It is inspired of God and therefore, totally accurate and reliable, and yet, until we receive the Spirit expressed in these words the Bible will not profit us. This is why many people have read the Word, maybe even memorized it, and yet aren’t reaping its benefits.

Just as our physical man receives life from the food he eats, so our spiritual man receives life as we partake of Jesus, the ‘bread of life. Jesus plainly stated that the words He spoke were spiritual – not physical.

If we want to know what spiritual truth is, we must believe the Bible, for it is spirit and life. If we want to be led by the Spirit, then we must follow God’s Word. If we want to hear from the Spirit of God, then we must listen to what God says in His Word. The Spirit (Holy Spirit) and the Word (Jesus – Jn. 1:1) are one.

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).

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 15 May 2019 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Godly Sorrow versus Worldly Sorrow

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TOPIC: Godly Sorrow versus Worldly Sorrow (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 15 May 2019)

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 22-23; John 4:31-54

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Psalm 51:1-19

MEMORY VERSE: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10

The MESSAGE:

The day we all give our lives to Christ, the first step we are required to take is that of repentance. It means we are asked to review our past wrong doings, regret all of them, and turn over a new leaf, with the resolve to never go back to the old ways. No wonder Jesus’ very first message, immediately after His baptism and overcoming the devil in the wilderness, was for all to repent (Matthew 4:17). No wonder too that the Bible says that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things have passed away and all things are new. That is what it means to be born again (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The majority of Christians gave their lives to Christ because they were told that it is the way to find a solution to problems in their lives. For some, repentance is being sorry that they were caught in the wrong doing. They do not care about the impact of their wrong doing on God or their fellow men. For others, repentance makes them see the filth in their lives and run to Jesus for cleansing. It was David’s genuine repentance after the adultery and murder of Uriah that made him compose Psalm 51.

The difference between the reactions of Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot to their individual betrayal of Jesus Christ is a good illustration of what repentance is, and what it is not. On one hand, Peter saw what fear made him to do to his Lord and Master, he regretted, went out and wept bitterly, changed his heart and ways, and never betrayed his Lord again, even when he was being crucified upside down. On the other hand, Judas felt disgraced, and selfishly killed himself, thereby falling into unforgivable sin. Peter’s repentance is Godly repentance which 2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us will lead to a changed heart and life that leads to salvation and no regrets. As against Judas’ worldly repentance which produces death.

What kind of repentance is yours in Christ? Are you genuinely sorry for the sexual immorality or deceit or drunkenness or anger or love of money or whatever it was that got you into trouble before you gave your life to Christ? Or you have just suppressed them and any little thing pushes you back into them.

Beloved, our God is a God of new beginnings. The humiliation, suffering and death that He went through at Calvary was to ensure that we are free from sin forever.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
JESUS HAS GIVEN US ALL SHOES OF IRON TO TRAMPLE ON THE SERPENTS AND SCORPION OF SIN.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Receive the power to resist the devil and put him to flight.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. Eternal King of Glory, I thank You for the salvation of my soul and the peace and freedom that it gives, in the name of Jesus.
2. Merciful God, I confess all my sins (name them), repent, and plead for forgiveness and the power to resist the devil by all means, in the name of Jesus.
3. O God my Father, I am still struggling with the following sins in my life (name them), Help me to overcome them, no matter the cost, in the name of Jesus.
   EVENING
4. O God my Father, kill the following sins of my parents (name them, if you know them), I refuse to inherit evil, in the name of Jesus.
5. I barricade my life against the spirit of Judas, in the name of Jesus.
6. Covenant keeping God, I dedicate, covenant and consecrate my life afresh to you, in the name of Jesus.
7. You that stubborn affliction that has vowed to make me go back, receive the fire of God and die, in the name of Jesus.

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

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.

Topic: Love Despite Ourselves [Billy Graham Devotional 15 May 2019]

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. . . all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags . . . —Isaiah 64:6

The Bible teaches that all our righteousness—falling short of the divine standard as it does—is as filthy rags in the sight of God. There is absolutely no possibility of our manufacturing a righteousness, holiness, or goodness that will satisfy God. Even the best of us is impure to God. I remember one day when my wife was doing the washing. The clothes looked white and clean in the house, but when she hung them on the line they appeared soiled and dirty, in contrast to the fresh-fallen snow.

Our own lives may seem at times to be morally good and decent; but in comparison to the holiness and the purity of God, we are defiled and filthy. In spite of our sins and moral uncleanness, God loves us. He decided to provide a righteousness for us. That is the reason that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross.

Prayer for the day:
My life is like a gray pall beside the whiteness of Your purity, Lord Jesus. Cleanse me this day.

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: A Wise Response [DCLM Daily Manna 15 May 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

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Text: Luke 11:14-28 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges” (Luke 11:19).

MESSAGE:

A renowned wise man in a community was once confronted by an inquisitive boy who was out to test the depth of the wise man’s wisdom. The boy was holding a live butterfly and wanted the wise man to tell him its state; dead or alive. Reasoning that the boy could mischievously squeeze the butterfly to death irrespective of his answer, the man simply responded, “it is in your hand”. The curious boy was so astonished and overwhelmed by the wise man’s impeccable answer that he nodded in affirmation of his exceptional wisdom.

In furtherance of His good works, Jesus Christ performed a landmark miracle of delivering a mute demon-possessed man. However, rather than glorifying God and appreciating His power, the people at the scene resorted to character assassination. They maligned the anointing of God in Him by their unwholesome and provoking remarks that “He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of devils”. Instead of joining issues with them, Christ simply referred them to their own children who performed such miracles too.

Quite instructive are these wise responses of Christ to the statements of provocation and praises to men. It underscore the imperativeness of the believer’s need of the Spirit-inspired speech. In our pursuit of God’s assignments, we might be misunderstood, abused or castigated by individuals or groups. Some people might even engage us in a mischievous dialogue with a view to provoking us and defiling our priesthood. At such crucial moments the believer needs an immediate presence and power of the Holy Spirit for a tongue of the learned that produces wise responses such as demonstrated by Christ.

Thought For The Day: Wise response is a key to ministerial success.

The Bible In One Year: 2 Corinthians 5-9

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.

Rhapsody of Realities 15 May 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – We Live In The Spirit

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Topic: We Live In The Spirit

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

As Christians, we don’t go in and out of the Spirit; we live in the Spirit. There’re two expressions for being in the Spirit: one is to be in a trance or in a vision. In that sense, your physical senses are more or less suspended, and that’s a temporal experience.

The other and more important expression of being in the Spirit is being born into the Spirit. This is when you become aware and alive to the spirit-realm through the Word and the Holy Ghost, and live in that consciousness even though you’re in this world and your physical senses are conscious of your natural environment. Howbeit, you’re living with the mindset and consciousness of the heavenly being that you are. You see the same things with other people, but you have a different interpretation and a different understanding.

Our theme scripture admonishes that if we live in the Spirit, we should also walk in the Spirit. In other words, since you’re born into the realm of the Spirit, since you live in the Spirit, act accordingly. Act with the consciousness that you’re in the Spirit and let that consciousness dictate your physical condition.

For example, when the children of Israel left Egypt, the Bible tells us that they carried their own atmosphere with them: “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night” (Exodus 13:21). They had the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. The biting cold at night, and scorching heat by day, didn’t affect them because they were in the Holy Ghost atmosphere.

Today, we live in the same Holy Ghost atmosphere, in Christ. The Holy Ghost lives in you, and you carry Him everywhere. Therefore, you have His atmosphere, which makes you different. That’s why you can come into a place, where everybody is sad and depressed, and things change; because you came in with the atmosphere of joy. People are under the spell of darkness and failure, and you come in there with brightness and victory, because you’re the light of the world. Hallelujah!

Dominate your environment with the atmosphere of the Spirit. Walk in the Spirit, for that’s the realm from which, and into which, you’re born of God.

PRAYER
Thank you precious Holy Spirit for being my peculiar atmosphere and advantage in life; you’ve made my life very different and beautiful. I rule and dominate my world with the atmosphere of joy, peace, success and victory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 7:1-24 & 1 Kings 15-17

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 10:23-31 & Numbers 18

Rhapsody of Realities 15th May 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.

Topic: Retreat [Open Heavens for Teens 15 May 2019]

Memorise: “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.” – Luke 9:28

Read: Luke 9:28-36

28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Bible In One Year: 2 Kings 12-14, John 5:25-47

MESSAGE:

Going by the experience of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, prayer is the key to a divine encounter. Just as God can reach out to man, so also can man reach the invisible God through prayer. To get the kind of result recorded in Luke 9:29, the Lord Jesus first separated Himself from everything around Him so that He could access the throne of grace.

You are not too young to have a retreat for yourself where you leave everything behind and shut yourself from the world so that you can fervently pray to God. The hustle and bustle of the world is a great distraction, hence you must form the habit of retreating to be alone with the Lord from time to time. If you don’t, you will realise that the relationship you have with God is just on surface level. To access a deep level of encounter with God, you will have to sometimes drop everything and just put all your focus on Him. Never be too busy to deepen your relationship with God. This season, you will encounter His glory and your life will be transformed in Jesus’ name.

Action Point:

Schedule a date for your next retreat and make sure you keep to it, most likely a day that you are not going to school.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 16

1. Christian, seek not yet repose
   Hear thy gracious Savior say;
   Thou art in the midst of foes:
   Watch and pray.
2. Principalities and power
   Mustering their unseen array
   Wait for the unguarded hours:
   Watch and pray
3. Gird the heavenly armor on,
   Wear it ever night and day;
   Ambushed lies the evil one:
   Watch and pray.
4. Hear the victors who o’ercame,
   Still they mark each warrior’s way;
   All with one sweet voice exclaim,
   Watch and pray.
5. Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
   Him thou loves to obey;
   Hide within thy heart His word:
   Watch and pray.
6. Watch, as if on that alone
   Hung the issue of the day;
   Pray, that help may be sent down:
   Watch and pray.

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.

Open Heaven 15 May 2019 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Don’t be Intimidated!

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Topic: Don’t be Intimidated! (Open Heaven 15 May 2019)

Memorise: “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”- Matthew 5:15

Read: 1 Samuel 17:22-31 (KJV)

22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.

26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 24-25, Jeremiah 35:12-36:3

Open Heaven 15 May 2019 Wednesday MESSAGE:

In Colossians 2:18, the Holy Spirit warns us to beware of those who will try to intimidate us against doing what God has laid on our hearts to do in furtherance of the gospel. Using accusations and eye-service, some people resorted to emotional blackmail to deter zealous children of God from their passion. Unfortunately, such behavior is usually rooted in envy and jealousy, and it exist even among children of God. For example, when a child of God chooses to bless his or her pastor, or decides to single-handedly execute Church projects, some people would accuse them of bribing their way into the pastor’s heart for undue advantage. In the face of such accusations, unless such a child of God is well rooted in God, he or she may chicken out of doing the good work the Lord has ordained him or her to do. Beloved, beware of doing things to discourage other believers from putting their God-given gifts to use in advancing the cause of God’s Kingdom. I suffered this when my wife and I newly became born again and were zealously working to redeem the time we had wasted before knowing Jesus Christ. It seems to me that the “brethren” who engage in acts as this are not aware of what the Lord said in today’s memory verse.

Before David triumphed over Goliath, he also faced discouraging accusations from his brethren. By God’s divine arrangement, David was sent by his father to his brothers on the battlefield. When he got there, he heard Goliath insulting the host of the Lord’s army, and he could not take it because of the Spirit and anointing of God upon his life. God had actually prepared him to give Israel victory against the Philistines. He therefore began to make enquiries as to how he could enlist in the army to fight on behalf of the God of Israel. Amazingly, his eldest brother, Eliab, became very angry with him for this! David’s response to his anger shows the mind of someone who knew his life had a purpose (1 Samuel 17:29). Children of destiny should learn from this and also from the fact that David turned away from his brother’s envy-driven anger and talked with someone else, until news about him got to king Saul. Beloved, do you know the God that you serve? Do you know why he made you who you are? Do you allow people to deter you from your God-given assignment? Remember, everyone will give account of the talent given to them by the Master (Matthew 25:14-30, Romans 14:12). Therefore, use your all to advance the cause of God’s kingdom on earth, and you will receive commendation and reward when the Master returns.

Open Heaven 15 May 2019 Wednesday Action Point:

Use every gift and opportunity God has given you in life to advance the cause of His Kingdom.

Also Read: Open Heaven 14 May 2019 – He Makes and Unmakes Kings!

Open Heaven 15 May 2019 Wednesday Hymn 13: I Am A Victor

1 Yes, I know I am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes

CHORUS:
Jesus loves me and I love Him
Together we rule the world
Christ with me I will overcome
By His Blood, His Name, His Word

2 Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than demons I am
To Satan I am a terror
I am free, o yes, I am

3 Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than lack, poverty
All my needs Jesus provides for
I have life abundantly

4 Yes, I know I am a victor
Barrenness no more indeed
Fruitful is the God I live for
All my dreams shall be fulfilled

5 Yes, I know I am a victor
By His strength I shall succeed
No more loss and no more failure
Glory to glory proceed

6 Yes, I know I am a victor
No more sorrow, no despair
Jesus Christ is my own Succour
Tomorrow is joy and cheer

7 Yes, I know I am a victor
Very soon I’ll reign with Him
His promise is my sure anchor
He’s coming to take me home

8 Jesus loves me and I love Him
We rule this world together
As He is so right now I am
Hear me shout Halleluyah

9 Jesus loves me Halleluyah
Hear me shout Halleluyah
Halleluyah, Halleluyah
Glory be to God on high

Open Heaven 15 May 2019 Wednesday 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 15 May 2019 Wednesday 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.

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