Topic: Grossly Misunderstood! [DCLM Daily Manna 23 March 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Matthew 11:1-15 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another” (Matthew 11:2,3).

MESSAGE:

Sometime ago, a village lacked good drinking water. The villagers would go miles just to get clean water in a faraway stream. There was a cabinet maker in the village, who though could have been wealthy through his vocation, yet chose a parsimonious path. He neither married nor raised children. He was a laughing stock amongst the villagers. Then, a tragic thing happened; the man died! The people decided to bury him in his rather modest apartment. After his burial and while going through his belongings, they found a Will written and a note directing them to a chest full of money and some precious pearls he had kept from his youth. He had willed his entire life savings to the village to enable them build a water reservoir to solve their water problem. He had been living for them to have more comfort.

No other person is the history of mankind had been greatly misunderstood like Jesus. He came to live and die to give man the greatest of all comfort – eternal bliss with Him in heaven. Yet, He was grossly misrepresented by the very people He came to save.

John the Baptist, who had earlier announced the coming of ‘the Lamb of God’, also briefly misinterpreted the ministry of Christ and what He was to accomplish. Being in prison, he sent his disciples to know if Jesus was truly the expected Messiah. The Jewish nation had thought the Messiah would raise a political crusade against the Roman government occupying their land at that time.

Today, Christ is still being misunderstood. When we hear His words and turn a deaf ear, we misunderstand His love and patience. When we need His miracles more than His mercies, we also misunderstand Him. How we need to have a balanced appreciation of He who came to save!

Thought For The Day: Grace misapplied turns into sinful disgrace.

The Bible In One Year: Deuteronomy 7-9

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: Break Free

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. Thank God for His keeping grace, His everlasting mercies towards us. This morning, I’ve come to challenge you out of your comfort zone. I know that God has truly been faithful in your life but the question is do you think this is the best you can ever be? Do you like where you are right now? Are you in the best place you desire? Do you think you have attained God’s height for you? Beloved until you get fed up of Satan’s maneuvers against you, you will never be free. You will remain under his control for as long as you are comfortable where he has kept you.

I believe without any shadow of doubt in my mind, that God has a better place in store for you. Beloved, God has a greater purpose for your life. No matter how high you have climbed on the ladder of life, there is a higher place and no matter how low down the ladder you are, God is ready to bring you out, in-spite of the challenges you may be going through.

Let us look at the story in Genesis 27:30-40, and draw some lessons from it. We are told that Esau lost the blessing, but notice that before this he had sold his birthright out of fatigue. When it came to the time of blessing, Jacob got the blessing. Please realize that the birthright always goes before the blessing. When you lose your heritage, don’t expect the blessing that goes with it. When you disregard the ancient landmark, please notice that the blessing will certainly go with it. Having lost all, the father said to him that his way was not going to be an easy one. He was going to live by the sword and serve his younger brother.

Also Read: The Blessing and Supernatural Abundance by Pastor Paul Enenche

“…You will live by your sword, hand to mouth, and you will serve your brother. But when you can’t take it any more you will break loose and run free.’’ Genesis 27: 40(MSG)

The New International version says “When you become restless…” Today we see Christians who just accept the challenges of their life as their lot rather than grow restless and break off the yoke. They sit contentedly in that position and just give excuses “this/that is my lot”. Beloved poverty is not your lot, childlessness is not your lot, sickness and disease is not your lot. You can break free from it today, but only when you become restless.

You need to get fed up and angry in the spirit. You need to get fed up of the devil robbing you of what rightly belongs to you and when you do you will rise up in anger and throw off his yoke from your neck. All truth is parallel, when people get fed up of something, they become creative and do something about it. The Living Bible version of that same scripture says “but you shall hew your way with your sword. For a time you will serve your brother, but you will finally shake loose from him and be free.”

Child of God, I have come to challenge you today to get fed up with that ugly situation in your life. No matter the lies of the devil, God wants you free. God has not given us the spirit of bondage to fear, but He has given us the spirit of love power and of a sound mind. He expects you to be fruitful in all your ways and He expects that you will overcome whatever stumbling block or hindrance the enemy may have placed on your pathway. He expects you to take the bull by the horn and go to war with the various prophecies that have gone ahead of you. God wants you to rise above the situation, challenge and give the devil a black eye.

Don’t wait until a general fast is called before you push the table aside and let the devil know that you are not going to take ‘no’ for an answer. The devil is a liar, he never gives up easily, but you have all that it takes to bring him to submission. All you need to do is enforce the victory of the cross. When Jesus rose up He declared “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto me, go therefore…’’ In other words, go in the strength of the authority that has been delegated to you. You have the name of Jesus, you have the blood, you have the word, you have everything that you need to enforce the defeat of the devil. I encourage you to arise, get fed up and walk into liberty. I will see you at the top. I bless you.

Maranatha!

In His Royal Service
Dr Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop

Please, click HERE to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Dr. Mike Okonkwo

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: Coming Together [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 23 March 2019]

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. – Ephesians 4:13

If you know how to listen to the voice of God, you can hear Him calling throughout the Body of Christ today. He is calling for unity. He is calling us to lay down our disagreements and come together in preparation for Jesus’ return.

Just the thought of that scares some believers. “How can I unify with someone from another denomination?” they say. “I’m not going to give up my doctrines and agree with theirs just for unity’s sake!”

What they don’t realize is this: scriptural unity isn’t based on doctrine.

Winds of doctrine, according to Ephesians 4:14, are childish. Winds of doctrine don’t unify. They divide and blow people in every direction. The Word doesn’t say anything about us coming into the unity of our doctrines. It says we’ll come into the unity of the faith.

In the past, we’ve failed to understand that and tried to demand doctrinal unity from each other anyway.

“If you don’t agree with me on the issue of tongues,” we’ve said, “or on the timing of the Rapture…or on the proper depth for baptismal waters, I won’t accept you as a brother in the Lord. I’ll break fellowship with you.”

But that’s not God’s way of doing things. He doesn’t have a long list of doctrinal demands for us to meet. His requirements are simple. First John 3:23 tells us what they are: to believe on the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another.

Once you and I come to a place where we keep those requirements and quit worrying about the rest, we’ll be able to forget our denominational squabbles and come together in the unity of faith. We’ll grow so strong together that the winds of doctrine won’t be able to drive us apart.

When that happens, the devil’s going to panic because the unity of the faith of God’s people is a staggering thing. It’s the most unlimited, powerful thing on earth.

Right now all over the world, the Spirit is calling the Church of the living God to unite. Hear Him and obey, and you can be a part of one of the most magnificent moves of God this world has ever seen.

Scripture Reading: Psalms 132:13-18, 133

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: God or Man Pleasers [Andrew Wommack Devotional 23 March 2019]

John 5:43-44, “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?”

Text: John 5:28-47

This is in reference to the fact that Jesus came in the power and authority of His father to point men to Father God. Jesus existed before His advent on this earth in the form of God and was equal with God. Yet, He humbled Himself and became a servant while here on earth (Phil. 2:6-8).

He did not come to promote Himself but to give His life to provide the way to the Father (Jn. 14:6). In the same way, the Holy Spirit does not exalt Himself, but points all men unto Jesus. Jesus came, meek and lowly, totally submitted unto and seeking only to please the Father.

This is radically different from the way so called “great men” present themselves. The Roman Caesar of Jesus’ day proclaimed that he was God and demanded worship. Lesser leaders ruled by exalting themselves over the people they governed; but, Jesus showed us that “whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:26-28).

If we are concerned about what people think in an attempt to gain their approval (or honor), we will never take a stand in faith for anything that might be criticized. This one thing has probably stopped as many people from receiving from God as anything else. You cannot be a “man-pleaser” and please God at the same time. Commit your all to Him – every thought, word, and deed.

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: Jesus Never Changes [Billy Graham Devotional 23 March 2019]

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. — Hebrews 13:8

The Bible says, “It is appointed unto men once to die,” and to the average person this seems a stark and hopeless situation. Hundreds of philosophies and scores of religions have been invented to circumvent the Word of God. Modern philosophers and psychologists are still trying to make it appear that there is some way out other than the path of Jesus. But people have tried them all, and none of them leads anywhere but down. Christ came to give us the answers to the three enduring problems of sin, sorrow, and death. It is Jesus Christ, and He alone, who is also enduring and unchanging, “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” All other things may change, but Christ remains unchangeable.

In the restless sea of human passions Christ stands steadfast and calm, ready to welcome all who will turn to Him and accept the blessings of safety and peace. For we are living in an age of grace, in which God promises that “whosoever will” may come and receive His Son. But this period of grace will not go on indefinitely. We are even now living on borrowed time.

Prayer for the day: Jesus, even if loved ones, friends, acquaintances change, You are always the same. Thank You for Your unchanging love.

“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 23 March 2019 Saturday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Fasting Or Starving?

Topic: Fasting or Starving? (Open Heaven 23 March 2019)

Memorise: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”- Psalm 37:25

Read: Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Bible in One Year: Galatians 1-3, Jeremiah 3:24-4:18

Open Heaven 23 March 2019 Saturday MESSAGE:

There is a clear-cut difference between fasting and starving, just as there is between trekking and strolling. For instance, it is good if one chooses to stroll in order to keep fit, but it is undesirable to have to trek for lack of better means of transportation. One day, as I was taking my usual prayer-walk, one of my children drove by and offered to give me a lift in his car. I told him I was strolling and not trekking. In the same way, while it is good to fast, it is no one’s wish to starve as a result of poverty or famine. My prayer for you today is that if you ever go hungry, it will be because you are undertaking an enjoyable spiritual exercise of your own choosing. In other words, you will not fast compulsorily or because you lack what to eat irrespective of your current situation, this will come true because God’s word has declared it in today’s memory verse. Nevertheless, there is a fundamental truth in this scripture that you must embrace if you want to engage in faith and not self-deceit. The declaration in that verse only applies to the righteous. Are you righteous, and are you living a righteous life?

The promise of God is not just that we will be fed, but that we will be fed even in the time of famine. He said in Psalm 37:19:

“They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.”

Today’s Bible reading further reveals to us how to make this promise a reality in our lives. The secret is to choose the Lord as our Shepherd. When the Lord is your Shepherd, you will have all that you need. There are lots of things the Good Shepherd does for His sheep, and first of these is that He leads them to green pastures and to still, untroubled waters. He also restores or reinvigorates their souls when they are tired. To sustain these benefits, the Good Shepherd also leads His sheep on the path of righteousness that only He knows, because sin destroys relationships (Isaiah 59:1-2).

Some people only engage in emergency fasting. In other words, they only fast when they are in trouble. More often than not, such troubles are the result of them engaging in their own lust (James 1:13-15) to worsen the situation, their emergency fast is not accompanied with repentance. Such people are just out to use God, and they are starving and not fasting. A godly and acceptable fast produces results that bring comfort, restoration and revitalization to the body, soul and spirit, like it did in Nineveh (Jonah 3:6-10). Our Lord Jesus Christ recommended fasting as a means for us to experience the supernatural (Matthew 17:21). From today, I encourage you to begin to engage in fasts that are acceptable in the sight of God.

Open Heaven 23 March 2019 Saturday Prayer Point:

Father, grant me the grace to fast voluntarily as a spiritual duty in seeking Your face in worship and supplication. Never allow me to starve in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heaven 22 March 2019 – How Prepared Are You?

Open Heaven 23 March 2019 Saturday 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 23 March 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 23 March 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.