Topic: Pyrrhic or Permanent Victory? [DCLM Daily Manna 24 March 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Isaiah 10:20-34 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction” (Isaiah 10:24,25).

MESSAGE:

The Pyrrhic War was fought between 280-275 BC. It was a war fought by Pyrrhus, the king of Epirus. History has it that Pyrrhus was asked by the people of the city of Tarentum in southern Italy to help them in their war with the Roman Republic. As a skilled commander, with a strong army fortified by war elephants, Pyrrhus enjoyed initial success against the Roman legions, but suffered heavy losses even in these victories. A Greek biographer and essayist quoted Pyrrhus confessing after the second battle of the war, “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.”

At the time of this prophecy by Prophet Isaiah, the Israelites had a fierce oppressor, an Assyrian king and commander who had an expansive war armoury and was ready to attack. Meanwhile, Israel had sinned against God as they always did and became helpless as a result. The enemy wanted to capitalise on their plight and take undue advantage over them. But God, who is rich in mercies, announced through the prophet that He was going to deliver the repentant remnants.

The enemy’s victory was compared to the temporary victory the Egyptians enjoyed when they thought they had caught the Israelite at the Red Sea. Just as God gave Israel a permanent victory over their oppressors at Egypt, He was also going to give them a resounding victory over the Assyrian oppressor.

Those who recognise the invincible God and maintain a living relationship with Him, certainly know that the enemy’s victory is at best short-term. Beloved, are you passing through some fearsome challenges and tribulations of life? Hold your peace for your Saviour has prevailed on your behalf. You will eventually rejoice over all the storms across your path.

Thought For The Day: God always has the final say and He gives permanent victory to all who love and obey Him.

The Bible In One Year: Deuteronomy 10-12

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

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

Topic Practise Doing Good [Open Heavens for Teens 24 March 2019]

Memorise: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10

Read: Luke 10:30-37

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Bible In One Year: Joshua 11-13, Luke 4:1-32

MESSAGE:

Doing good is more often talked about than practiced. Some teenagers even think that when doing good is spoken about, it involves their parents and not them. however, doing good should be more practiced than talked about, especially by teenagers. Acts 10:38 says Jesus went about doing good, and He expects us to do greater works than He did.

Doing good is being kind to everyone we come in contact with. It is giving without expecting anything in return. Doing good is meeting the needs of others when you can, it is carrying the burdens of people without judging them or using it against them. people who constantly do good, even when they don’t verbally preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, their actions actively pull people into the vineyard of God. Christ didn’t give anyone the mandate to be a Christian just by name; your actions must proclaim that you are a Christian and the only way that can happen is by constantly doing good to all.

Reflection: Are you a Christian by action or just by words?

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 15:

1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, 0 won’t you believe It?
Wonderful story of love.

Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, Wonderful story of love.

2. Wonderful story of love,
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

3. Wonderful story of love:
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of Love.

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.

Topic: Obey Today [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 24 March 2019]

He who, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed—and that without remedy. – Proverbs 29:1, The Amplified Bible

Some people have the mistaken idea that when the direction of the Holy Spirit comes to them, they can just ignore it for a while if they want to and then obey Him later in their own good time. They think to themselves, I know what I’m doing is wrong. I know my lifestyle isn’t right, but I’m just going to do it a while longer. Then I’ll get things straightened out with the Lord.

Let me warn you, that is an extremely dangerous thing to do. Because God says that when you refuse His guidance, your heart grows hard. It’s not that God’s grace doesn’t extend to you anymore. It’s not that He wouldn’t forgive you if you turned to Him. It’s just that sin will callous your heart to the point where you can’t hear Him calling.

That’s what happened to the children of Israel. God would tell them what to do and they wouldn’t do it. When He was trying to bring them into the Promised Land and He told them to go in and possess it, they flatly refused.

Of course, they thought they had good reasons for refusing. They were so full of fear and unbelief that they actually thought if they did what God said, they’d be destroyed. But, you know, it doesn’t matter how good your reasons are for disobeying God. That disobedience will still cost you. It will still harden your heart.

The children of Israel ignored God’s leading so often that He finally just sent them into the wilderness. They were so stiff-necked, He couldn’t lead them into the blessings He’d planned for them, and He had to just let them wander around until all but two of them had died. He had to raise up a whole new generation of softer-hearted people before He could take them into the land.

Take a lesson from that and don’t play around with sin. When God tells you what you need to do, don’t put Him off thinking it will be easier to do it later. It won’t be. It will be harder!

When the Spirit of God comes to correct you, follow His instructions—and follow them quickly. Keep your heart tender. Obey the Lord!

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 9:6-37

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.

Topic: About Those Scribes [Andrew Wommack Devotional 24 March 2019]

Luke 6:7, “And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day, that they might find an accusation against him.”

Text: Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:23-3:6; Luke 6:1-11

The scribes were copyists of the holy scriptures. They preserved in written form the oral law, and faithfully handed down the Hebrew scriptures. In New Testament times, they were students, interpreters, and teachers of the Old Testament. Their functions regarding the law were to teach it, develop it, and use it in any connection with the Sanhedrin and various local courts. They were ambitious for honor, which they demanded, especially from their pupils, as well as from the general public. This homage was readily granted them (Mt. 23:5-11).

Ezra was a scribe during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, and he was a very godly man. The office of a scribe was a worthy one, but the scribes of Jesus’ day were often rebuked by Him for having gone beyond the job of copying out the scriptures. They had a large volume of interpretations that they had added to the scriptures based on traditions, and had thus made “the word of God of none effect” (Mk. 7:13).

The scribes became an independent company of interpreters of the law and leaders of the people. Even they, themselves, sought to evade certain of their own precepts (Mt. 23:2-4). They clashed with Christ for He taught with authority and condemned the external formalism that they fostered (Mt. 7:28-29). They persecuted Peter and John (Acts 4:3-7) and had a part in Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 6:12). However, although the majority opposed Christ, some did believe (Mt. 21:15).

Later on, we’ll read how Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the scribes by dealing with issues of the heart. They appeared to be holy outwardly, but their hearts were far from God. It is important for us to keep our hearts tender and receptive to His Word, and give ourselves to Him in worship. Think about the good things he has done for you today and be thankful.

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

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: The Endless Love of God [Billy Graham Devotional 24 March 2019]

But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God. — John 1:12 (TLB)

Who can describe or measure the love of God? God is love. But the fact that God is love does not mean that everything is sweet, beautiful, and happy, and that God’s love could not possibly allow punishment for sin. God’s holiness demands that all sin be punished, but God’s love provided a plan of redemption and salvation for sinful man. God’s love provided the cross of Jesus Christ by which man can have forgiveness and cleansing. It was the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to the cross.

No matter what sin you have committed, no matter how black, dirty, shameful, or terrible it may be, God loves you. Yet this love of God that is immeasurable, unmistakable, and unending, this love of God that reaches to wherever a man is, can be entirely rejected. God will not force Himself upon anyone against his will. It is your part to believe. It is your part to receive. Nobody else can do it for you.

Prayer for the day: Your love overwhelms me, Father. In spite of my sin, Jesus’ death on the cross can cleanse me from all the past. Humbly I accept this gift, Lord.

“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.

Open Heaven 24 March 2019 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Word Prospers

Topic: The Word Prospers (Open Heaven 24 March 2019)

Memorise: “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”- Isaiah 55:11

Read: Isaiah 55:9-13 (KJV)

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Bible in One Year: Galatians 4-6, Jeremiah 4:19-31

Open Heaven 24 March 2019 Sunday MESSAGE:

Though Isaiah 55:11 we understand that the word of God has purpose, direction and the capacity to prosper. I pray that the Almighty will send His word to you today for the purpose of settling all that concerns you in Jesus’ name. Since the word of God has the capacity to prosper, it can therefore activate prosperity in the life of anyone it is working for. Unquestionably, the word of God is very powerful. In fact, God’s power is inherent in His word. To understand the power in God’s word, Hebrews 11:3 makes us to understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. The Holy Spirit also says in Hebrews 4:12:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Through this scripture, the Holy Spirit reveals to us that God’s word has the power to effect change in the spirit, soul and body of man.

However, in spite of the power that God’s word possesses, its capacity to activate prosperity does not work in the life of everyone. For this capacity to be activated, a person must first embrace and revere the word of God. You embrace God’s word by believing what it says, and you revere it when you obey what it commands and live by its principles. Unfortunately, many children of God who believe His word and desire to prosper are not prosperous because they refuse to revere the word. For example, the Word-made-flesh said in Luke 6:38:

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Only those who believe this word and act on it will prosper by the power embedded in it. It is not the hearers but the doers of God’s word that are justified (Romans 2:13). Prosperity will stay with them and overtake them all the days of their lives. Here is what the Holy Spirit says in James 1:25 concerning those who revere the word of God by obeying its commands and living by its principles:

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

I pray that you will begin to prosper by the word of God from today in Jesus Name.

Open Heaven 24 March 2019 Sunday Key Point:

You embrace the word of God by believing what it says, while you revere it by obeying what it commands and living by its principles.

Also Read: Open Heaven 23 March 2019 – Fasting Or Starving?

Open Heaven 24 March 2019 Sunday Hymn 1: There Shall Be Showers of Blessings

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Chorus:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

5. There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

Open Heaven 24 March 2019 Sunday 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 24 March 2019 Sunday 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.