Matthew 13:25, ‘But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.’
Matthew 13:24-30
Satan has secretly infiltrated the Church with some of his followers for the purpose of hindering the influence of the Church. This has been a more effective strategy than direct opposition.
These tares that are spoken of refer to the Old World variety of darnel, which is poisonous. Virtually all grains are almost indistinguishable from tares when they send up the first blade from the ground. By the time the tares become distinguishable, they are so well rooted that, if growing in close proximity to a productive grain, uprooting the tares would also mean uprooting the productive grain. Therefore, verse 30 admonishes us to let both grow together until the harvest. The grains of the tares are long and black in contrast to the wheat, and are easily recognizable at harvest time. Many will profess Christianity, but ‘by their fruits ye shall know them.’
There will be those who are deceived and unaware that they are not born again, who will remain among the Church. Jesus warns us against trying to root them out especially since it is not always possible to discern other people’s hearts. In an effort to destroy these tares, we might offend one of Christ’s ‘little ones’ and cause his or her profession of faith to waver.
It is important, though, for our own personal benefit that we be aware that the children of the Wicked One are placed among the true believers. Our best defense is to preach the Word of God without watering it down. False brethren will not endure sound doctrine. They leave when the Word, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, begins to expose the thoughts and intents of the heart. Stick to the Word!
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).
“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”-Psalm 106:1 KJV
You would agree with me that God has truly been faithful to you. Despite the global economic downturn, the various natural and man-made disasters and diverse challenges, the Lord still preserved you. He has been your shield and buckler. Indeed, our God is worthy of all praise and adoration. Therefore, I encourage you to thank God. Thank Him for His loving-kindness and tender mercies towards you. Thank Him for preserving you! Thank Him because you are not in the best of hospitals. Indeed, He has done much more for you.
There is so much to be thankful for. If you can think, then you can thank. Take time to think of where you were this time last year and where you are today. Yes! You might not be where you aspired to be, but you are certainly not where you used to be. Touch yourself! You are still around! That is enough reason to give Him praise. You can never quantify His mercies towards you. God truly deserves incredible praise. Learn to praise Him at all times. Praise Him in all the languages that you know. Praise Him in tongues and in your understanding.
I believe without any shadow of doubt in my heart that as you develop a lifestyle of praise, your life will be filled with an incredible harvest.
God will exceed all of your expectations. Only the sound of rejoicing will be heard from your household. I’m so excited because I know that the Blessing of God is manifesting in every area of your life in an unprecedented way. So remain expectant. God will cause you to laugh and they that hear your testimony shall laugh with you in Jesus’ name.
Further Reading: Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm 106
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Samuel 22-24; Evening- Luke 12:1-31
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.
And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ (Romans 15:29).
The Apostle Paul, as he planned his missionary journey to the Roman Christians, was convinced he’d be carrying in him and with him, the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel. This is extraordinary. Some have said, “As long as you’re in the earth, you can never really have the fullness of God’s blessing”; but the Word shows otherwise. Paul had, and functioned in the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel. It’s about your consciousness of Christ; His life and power in you. Hallelujah!
The Apostle Paul had the audacity of faith to make such a bold declaration of the Word. He said he hoped to visit the Christians in Rome to impart to them some spiritual gifts. What does this mean to you even now?
Are you aware that you can, and should walk in the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ? The very thought of it, the understanding of it, will completely revolutionize your life. Consider Peter: he also understood this and functioned accordingly. No wonder he declared that we’re associates of the God-kind (2 Peter 1:4); we belong in God’s class of beings, and should therefore live with this consciousness.
John, writing to the Church, said, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). These men understood what it meant to walk in the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ. They knew what Christ had made us and they spoke and lived accordingly. The Bible says, “…Of His fulness,” talking of Christ’s, “have we all received…” (John 1:16).
You received the fullness of God’s blessing when you received Christ, because Christ is EVERYTHING! Discover Christ in you.
CONFESSION I’ve received the fullness of God’s blessings, being a partaker of the divine nature. I’m an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ; Christ in me is everything. I’m more than a conqueror, reigning by grace through righteousness, in the affairs of life. Blessed be God!
FURTHER STUDY: John 1:16; Ephesians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 13:22-35 & Judges 14-16
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 1:40-45 & Leviticus 13
Rhapsody of Realities 13th April 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.
TOPIC: The Arm Of The Flesh (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 13 April 2019)
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 22-24; Luke 12:1-31
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Esther 7:6-10
MEMORY VERSE: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” – Psalms 20:7
The MESSAGE:
Don’t trust in the arm of the flesh. Why did the Bible give us this stern warning and great admonition? The first reason is that the arm of the flesh will fail you.
The arm of the flesh is insufficient and limited in itself. It is not founded in God or dependent on God, but on man. The arm of the flesh is often opposed to God and glorifies satan. When you trust in your family connections, parentage, your good look, skills, talents and spiritual gifts rather than the ultimate Giver, you are trusting in the arm of the flesh.
Ellab trusted in his height, Kingly look and position as the first born in Jesse’s household. All these made him arrogant and made his heart impure. He trusted in the arm of the flesh and God rejected him. Similarly, Goliath trusted in his giant physique, his years of experience as a warrior, his superior weapons and his gods. David trusted in Jehovah, the Lord of Hosts. Goliath was killed. The arm of the flesh failed him.
Are you a very beautiful lady or a handsome man? I thank God for you, but don’t trust in your look. If you do, it will fail you. There are many beautiful ladies who have no suitor and are unmarried and there are so many handsome men who are yet to make a headway in life, all because they trust in their physical look. I encourage you to amend your ways in this regard. Put your trust absolutely in God. Are you a genius? Are you rich? Beware of the deceitfulnes of riches
Paul boasted in the Lord. His confidence, trust and boasting were in the Almighty. I encourage you to always look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Any personality, institution or object you repose confidence in outside God is an arm of the flesh. It is bound to fail you. I encourage you to put your trust in God always. You will never be put to shame, in Jesus’ name.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.
PROPHETIC WORD: I decree upon your life that your little effort will yield big harvest.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
Lord, I thank You for Your love and mercy, in the name of Jesus.
I reject any backward journey, in the name of Jesus.
Agents of shame, assigned against me, die, in the name of Jesus. EVENING
I paralyse the activities of household wickedness over my life, in the name of Jesus.
I quench evil negative fire ignited against me, in the name of Jesus.
Lord, give me power for maximum achievement, in the name of Jesus.
O Lord, give me the confronting authority to achieve effortless results, 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.
Key Verse: “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuttest his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:28).
MESSAGE:
Most of the troubles in the world today are caused by an unbridled tongue. A mark of wisdom is to think before we speak. Unfortunately, some people speak before they think and eventually, more often than not, they end up regretting. A man could prove his wisdom by the good control of his tongue. However, God can not be deceived by our silence because he knows the heart and the folly that is bound there.
The text parades a catalogue of the conduct of fools. The Lord refers to the wicked as fools. A fool acquits the guilty and condemns those that are innocent. The fool wrongs his family and is quickly angry. He lives above his income and finds himself frequently in trouble because of unbridled tongue. He makes his parents sad very often. He gives bribe to avoid being punished. He does not have any regard for the word of God and is unreliable and inconsistent. He nags, insults, blackmails, slanders and exaggerates. He is full of false promises and makes a series of unredeemed vows and pledges.
The believer is expected to be careful of what he says, how to says it, where he says it and when he says it. A believer should be careful of what he says before the enemies and in evil times. He should be of few words when passing through difficult times. A believer should not be rash in speech and should not be garrulous or loquacious.
The obvious fact is that the unregenerate man cannot control his tongue. It is therefore sacrosanct that he needs to visit Calvary for Christ to touch his tongue. Even a believer may still be found guilty of this and it is an indication that he needs the second touch of Christ for total purging and inward cleansing of the stings of the tongue.
Thought For The Day: Never allow your speech to master you.
The Bible In One Year: Acts 11-12
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.
2.Thank You, Father, for first loving me, in that while I was yet a sinner, You gave Your only son, Jesus, to die for me, at Calvary.
3.Father, wipe away the errors of my past, and in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, have mercy, forgive me and grant me complete restoration, in Jesus name.
4.Father, release upon my life the garment of ceaseless praise and thanksgiving, and the grace to preach the gospel of Christ, daily, in Jesus name.
5.Father, let every comment, advice or counsel, contrary to my well-being and meant to discourage people from helping me, be rendered inconsequential, null and void, in Jesus name.
6.Father, please, single me out for Your favour and elevation, in all areas of my life and ministry, today, in Jesus name.
7.Father, restore unto me all that the enemies have stolen and let all those who have been looking down on me, begin to look up to me, in Jesus name.
8.Father, heal my wounds, without leaving a scar, grant me divine health for the rest of my life, and restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, in Jesus name.
9.Father, restore unto me all the years that I have lost in the wilderness of sin, to fruitlessness, to wasted efforts and captivity, in Jesus name.
10.Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, and perfect everything concerning his life and and ministry, in Jesus name.
11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus name.
12.Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.
13.Your Personal petitions. (Philippians 4:6)
14.In Jesus name I pray. (John 14:13-14; 15:16)
15.Thank you Father for answered prayers. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.
Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye’s book Ministry, in Jesus name.
Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 13 April 2019 – God of Complete Restoration
Topic: God of Complete Restoration (Open Heaven 13 April 2019)
Memorise: “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.”- Jeremiah 30:17
Read: 2 Samuel 9:1-7 (KJV)
1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 3-4, Jeremiah 16:14-17:13
Open Heaven 13 April 2019 Saturday MESSAGE:
God is sovereign over all things. He holds supreme power and authority over all creation, yet He is a merciful God. Most importantly, He is love personified. The story of Adam and Eve in genesis chapter3 shows that whenever His children go astray, this loving and merciful Father immediately sets plans in motion to achieve their complete restoration. In spite of mankind’s fall into sin through disobedience, the Father manifested His love by arranging their restoration through the ultimate sacrifice of His only begotten Son. He also provided coats of skin to cover their nakedness and protect them from the effects of contrary weather (Genesis 3:15&21). These acts reveal the true character of the God of complete restoration. What a merciful and loving Father He is!
Restoration is the power of God that returns something or someone to a state that had previously existed, through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Restoration is said to be complete when the recipient is returned to perfect condition, like the healing of a wound without leaving a scar. Many people erroneously consider faith and prayer to be the secret of complete restoration. Without a doubt, faith and prayers can lead to restoration; thanksgiving is the secret of complete restoration (Luke 17:12-19). Giving testimonies of what God has done and witnessing about Jesus Christ and His works are powerful ways of appreciating God, and they are forms of thanksgiving. Why is thanksgiving so important to complete restoration? It is because complete restoration is a result of undeserved and unmerited favor from God. In the Name that is above every other name, as you begin to praise and worship God today, you will experience complete restoration in your health, finance and marriage, and you will also experience it spiritually in the area of worship, prayer, Bible study and anointing.
In Joel 2:25-27, God showcased His power to do the impossible by declaring to the children of Israel complete restoration of the years lost to fruitlessness, wasted efforts and captivity. This led them into a new era of joy, peace and prosperity that did not come by their labor. Rather, God had blocked every source of losses in their lives. Most importantly, God is a restorer of lost souls, and He does this with so much compassion and completeness for anyone who calls upon His Name. One of the thieves crucified with Jesus received last-minute grace and assured a place in paradise, despite his sordid past (Luke 23:39-43). This can be your own story too. Receive complete restoration now in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 13 April 2019 Saturday Prayer Point:
Father, please wipe away the errors of my past and completely restore me in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 13 April 2019 SaturdayHymn 8: My Faith Looks Up To Thee
1 My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
2 May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
3 While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
4 When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!
Open Heaven 13 April 2019 Saturday 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 13 April 2019 Saturday 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.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law Thursday that bans abortion when an unborn baby’s heartbeat is detected, although he acknowledged legal challenges will decide its fate.
“It is the right thing to do,” DeWine, a Republican, said at the signing ceremony.
The bill, SB 23, passed the Ohio House of Representatives 56-40 and the Senate 18-13 this week, sending it to DeWine. Republicans control both chambers. The previous governor, John Kasich, had vetoed such a bill, saying he supported the concept but that it would be struck down as unconstitutional, as has happened in other states.
The bill says “no person shall knowingly and purposefully perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman before determining… whether the unborn human individual the pregnant woman is carrying has a detectable heartbeat.” Ohio Right to Life says an abdominal ultrasound can detect a heartbeat between eight and 12 weeks of a pregnancy.
“Governor DeWine continues to prove his commitment to the most vulnerable among us, including the unborn” said Stephanie Ranade Krider, vice president and executive director of Ohio Right to Life.
DeWine made a similar argument during the signing ceremony.
“The essential function of government is to protect the most vulnerable among us, those who don’t have a voice,” DeWine said as he signed the…
‘We Have No Regrets’: Hong Kong Pastor Facing up to Seven Years in Prison Shares His Testimony before Court
After Pastor Chu Yiu-ming and eight others were convicted on Tuesday of crimes related to being a part of the pro-democracy Occupy Central with Peace and Love Movement and the Umbrella Movement protests, he stood in a Hong Kong courtroom and gave the sermon of his life.
According to Christianity Today, Chu – who is the leader of the Chai Wan Baptist Church and a pro-democracy advocate– shared his personal testimony before the court recalling how his difficult childhood lead him to Christ, to a life in ministry and to fighting for human rights.
According to an English translation of Chu’s testimony published in the Hong Kong Free Press, the pastor said, “I am a Christian minister committed to the service of God. I have resolved to live a life of friendship with the weak and the poor, praying that God’s justice be manifested on earth as it is in heaven, and that the gospel of love and peace be proclaimed among the people.”
He continued, “But today, old and grey, I find myself in the Defendant’s dock, making a final plea as a convict. It looks so absurd, if not outright shameful for a person holding holy office.
“And yet, at this very moment, my heart tells me that with this defendant’s dock, I have found the most honourable pulpit of my ministerial career. The valley of the shadow of death leads to spiritual…
Pelosi-Backed Bill Would Force Schools to Let Boys Play on Girls’ Teams
The LGBT-themed Equality Act sparked immediate controversy when it was introduced in the House of Representatives last month.
But the pushback is only intensifying now that its implications are becoming clear.
House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat and co-sponsor, acknowledged this month that the Equality Act would force public schools to allow transgender athletes to compete in the sport of their preferred gender. The bill has 241 sponsors or co-sponsors — 238 of whom are Democrats. That is more than enough votes to pass the Democratic-controlled House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is one of the sponsors.
“Arguments about transgender athletes participating in sports in accordance with their gender identity having competitive advantages have not been borne out,” Nadler said. “Sports have positive impacts on physical, social and emotional well-being, and we should not be denying transgender athletes those opportunities simply because sometimes they may win. Nor should their occasional success be used as a roadblock to advancing civil rights legislation for LGBT people as a whole.”
In Connecticut, biological male athletes have won track and field state championships.
The Equality Act(HB 5) would amend several laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity…
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