Understanding the Anointing! By David Oyedepo

Topic: Understanding the Anointing!

Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Understanding the Anointing!

Anointing is a divine enabling. It is an outflow of the Holy Spirit through a human vessel. There is a difference between the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the anointing. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is just the beginning of the race. It is the matriculation ceremony into the school of anointing and power. It is like an initiation into spiritual depth. Initiation brings about identification; and it is in the course of identification that we receive an overflow –a higher dimension of the Holy Spirit. Let us explore the different levels of the Holy Spirit.

A Well: The Bible records: Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life(John 4: 13-14). In the above scripture, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well and asked her to give Him water to drink. The woman was astonished, because the Jews didn’t have anything to do with the Samaritans. As a result, Jesus tried to show her that He was more than just a Jew; He had something more to offer her that she knew not of –a well of living water flowing from inside her. This illustration is talking about our encounter with the Holy Spirit at new birth, for no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. This experience is compared to a well of water. The level of the Holy Spirit in us at conversion is likened to a well of water.

Also Read: Understanding Our right to Health in Redemption! By David Oyedepo

A River: It is written in John 7:37-39: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified. This scripture talks about the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is received by those who already believe. This experience is likened to a river of water.

The Rain: In the Scripture, the anointing is likened to rain. It is written: Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field (Zechariah 10:1; see also Joel 2:23). These scriptures clearly refer to the anointing. This is the rain of God’s power from above. Rain is the life wire of the well and river. It determines their welfare and is the only way by which they are filled up. The function to which a river is put is determined by the level of water it has and this level of water is dependent on rain.

What qualifies us for the Anointing?

Be Righteous: Jesus loved righteousness and hated wickedness; that was why He never ran out of the anointing. He was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above His fellows. It follows therefore that anyone who will receive the anointing must love righteousness and hate iniquity. We should not be deceived; sin places a limit on the anointing. If we are ignorant of this fact, we may continue to sin and not be able to grow in the anointing. Moreover, the level to which we love righteousness and hate iniquity determines the level of our anointing. The Bible says: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (Psalm 45:6-7)

Walk in Love: All issues of life emanate from love. This also goes with the anointing. A man that will flow in the anointing and demonstrate the power of the Spirit must be a man of love. The Bible records: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18). Every time Jesus was moved with compassion, there was a release of anointing which gave birth to signs and wonders. So, anointing is basically for service.

Live a Praiseful Life: Nothing short circuits anointing more than a life void of praise and worship. Murmuring and complaining keeps anointing far away from our territory. The more we praise, the more the unction; the more the worship, the more the anointing. God is fearful in praises. It is written: Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders (Exodus 15:11). He manifests Himself in an atmosphere of thanksgiving. Jesus never complained, neither did He murmur. He was never offended in God. No wonder He never lacked the anointing. Praise keeps the anointing flowing and destroys every yoke in our lives.

In conclusion, righteousness has its price. God has paid His own price by sending His dear Son to die on the cross of Calvary. Therefore, you need to play your own part too by being a bonafide child of God. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

For further reading, please get my books: Anointing for Breakthrough, Understanding the Anointing, Anointing for Exploits, Release of Power and Manifestation of the Spirit. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

Please click HERE to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo

David O. Oyedepo is a Nigerian Christian author, architect, preacher, and the founder and presiding bishop of the mega church, Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel

Sanctification: Platform For Wonders by David Ibiyeomie

Topic — Sanctification: Platform For Wonders

Romans 8:19 (KJV) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Christianity is not a religion; but a call to manifestation. The whole world is waiting for your manifestation and not your explanation. The only way to prove to the world that Jesus is alive is by the signs and wonders we command.

John 4:48 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto him, except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

John 14:12 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

As a child of God, working in signs and wonders is your birthright. To be born-again is to be born into signs and wonders. However, sanctification is what gives you the platform and foundation for a life of signs and wonders. Before Jesus could operate in signs and wonders, He had platforms of holiness, purity and sanctification. So to operate in signs and wonders, you must live a holy life.

Also Read: Divine Power by David Ibiyeomie

Joshua 3:5 (KJV) And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a regenerated Christian that purifies, quickens the conscience to be alive and destroys the quest for sin. Until you are sanctified, you cannot see wonders. Sanctification is essential for every child of God because it guarantees divine intervention.

Psalms 45:7-8 (KJV) Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

God anoints you for wonders when you forsake sin.

Also sanctification enables you have a relationship with God.

John 8:29b (KJV) …For I do always those things that please him.

Factors that Guarantee Sanctification:

1. New birth- When you are born-again, your spirit rules over the flesh. John 3:3 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

2. The Use of the Will-Power- 1 Corinthians 9:27 (KJV) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

3. The Help of the Holy Spirit- Romans 8:26 (KJV) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The Holy Spirit helps us through His voice and when we pray in other tongues.

Consciously walk in purity from today and be launched into an endless season of signs and wonders in Jesus Name – Amen!

God bless you

Also Read: Other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

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.

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 18 November 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Reforming The Deformed Man

TOPIC: Reforming The Deformed Man (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 18 November 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Genesis 1:1-5

MEMORY VERSE: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” – Psalms 139:14

The MESSAGE:

Before creation, the Bible tells us that the earth was without form, void and covered in darkness. God visited the earth and reformed it. After the reformation, God said everything He created was good, including man and woman. A day came when the serpent visited the woman that God created. The devil deceived them, and they disobeyed God’s law, which led to their expulsion from the garden. The merciful God began to look for a way to reconcile man to Himself and finally, sent His only beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent as part of the creation to reform the deformed man. I pray that everything that is deformed in your life will be reformed by the power in the name of Jesus.

To reform is to rectify, to restore, to connect, to rehabilitate and to recreate. To deform on the other hand, is to spoil, to change a good thing to bad, having a shape that is not normal. A deformed person is one spiritually restructured by satan. The methods satan uses to spiritually deform people are:
(i) By subtraction
(ii) By addition and
(iii) By making ineffective

Satan can destroy by adding what God did not provide, or by removing what God has put there for a purpose or making a life ineffective. Adam and Eve were spiritually deformed when the serpent visited them. We were once told of an old man who went for prayers and suddenly, cockroaches were coming out of his head. This is an example of a negative deformation by addition. Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.” Jesus came to reform the deformed man. He did so much in His earthly ministry, and the work of reformation of man still continues. A deformed man is disobedient, captured, disabled, afflicted, stagnant, barren, oppressed, and does not glorify God. Even one’s business, career, destiny, labour, ministry and other valuable things of life that are supposed to move one forward can also be deformed. Today is your day of reformation, in Jesus’ name.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
REPENTANCE IS LIKE SOAP; IF YOU DON’T APPLY IT, THERE WILL BE NO CLEANLINESS WHICH SHOULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO PERFECTION.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Every destroyed circumstance in your life shall be perfected now.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Powers prophesying doom and destruction for my life, die, in the name of Jesus.
2. Powers placing embargo on my advancement, I am not created to be stagnant, die, in Jesus’ name.
3. Every curse issued on me in the past, now deforming my life, break, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. Every yoke introduced to my life as a baby that has deformed my life, break by fire, in Jesus’ name.
5. Every agent of destruction in my life, your end has come, die, in Jesus’ name.
6. Light of God, appear in my situation now and reform me, in Jesus’ name.
7. O Lord, as from today, give me whatever shape you want me to have, for my best to manifest, in Jesus’ name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

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: There For A Reason [Teens Open Heavens 18 November 2018]

Memorise: …and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? – Esther 4:14b

Read: Esther 4:10-14 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 17-19, Hebrews 13

MESSAGE:

In Esther 2:13-17, so many young and beautiful virgins entered in for a beauty pageant and Esther emerged winner and became queen. She initially did not know the purpose of her new status, but much later, when the Jews had their existence threatened, she worked hand in hand with Mordecai to bring about their deliverance. A non-Jewish virgin could have won the contest, but because God needed a vessel to facilitate the deliverance of His people, He chose Esther.

As a child of God, you were not chosen for yourself but to satisfy He who chose you. You were appointed to take care of God’s interests wherever you find yourself. Why are you pursuing your personal interests? Have you cared to find out from God why He brought you to the place you are? If you ask, He will reveal it to you. And when this is done, that revelation will be the drive that motivates you to achieve what He chose you for. May you not disappoint God. The Lord will open your eyes to see why He has put you where you are, and give you the grace to do His bidding.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to fulfil Your purpose for bringing me to where I am. May I never disappoint You in Jesus’ name.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 5:

1. Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the Royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banners go!

Chorus
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!

2. At the Sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!

3. Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
All one body we
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.

4. Onward, then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, praise and honour,
Unto Christ the King;
This, through countless ages
Men and angels sing.

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: Holiness [DCLM Daily Manna 18 November 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Psalm 101:1-8 (KJV)

Key Verse: “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart“ (Psalm 101:2).

MESSAGE:

Sometimes, people wonder what constitutes holy living. “If I say I am holy, what does this mean?”, they ask. To some, holiness is a kind of abstract experience which is difficult to grasp or explain. They think it only exists in the heart and in dogma, but impracticable. They rule out the possibility of holy living in this present world.

Our passage however gives us a practical definition and demonstration of holiness. It shows that it is a reality and quite possible in the life of every Christian. King David made a clear decision backed up by a strong determination to be holy. His holiness affected his association and relationships. He had nothing to do with the ungodly who is wicked, deceitful and boastful. He only kept company and did business with the faithful who walk in a perfect way.

Though the Lord has graciously made adequate provision for our holiness, we can not possess it without our willingness and determination. Holy living is the practical responsibility of every believer. We must make a daily determination to be holy both in our secret and public lives.

We cannot expect to be holy in our minds and thoughts if we continually gaze on unclean things on the TV, Internet, handsets or literature that we read. Holiness will not only affect our attitude, character and conduct, but also our associations. We cannot successfully maintain a daily holy life if our intimate associates are ungodly. Their sinful lifestyle will certainly rub off on us. When we seek close friendship only with the Christlike, it helps us safeguard our experience. However, we must understand that salvation precedes holiness and without it, the holiness experience becomes a mirage.

Thought For The Day: God’s grace and personal resolve promote holy living.

Bible Reading In One Year: Acts 7-8

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.

Open Heaven 18 November 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – An Altar of Memorial

Topic: An Altar of Memorial (Open Heaven 18 November 2018)

Memorise: “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”- 1 Corinthians 11:25

Read: Exodus 17:14-16, Luke 22:17-20 (KJV)

Exodus 17:14-16:
14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:

16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Luke 22:17-20:
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 13-15, Luke 23:18-43

Open Heaven 18 November 2018 Sunday MESSAGE:

An altar could mean a lot of things depending on who built and the purpose for which it was built. Here in today’s Bible reading, we realise that an altar might be built not only to worship and sacrifice to the Almighty God, but also to serve as a memorial. Man is susceptible to forgetting what the Lord has done in times past, and for this reason, an altar can be built as a means of remembering God’s works and faithfulness. Many times, God commanded the children of Israel to never forget Him, His ways and His works (Deuteronomy 8:18, Exodus 20:8, Psalm 105:5-6). May you and your children never forget God or what He has done for you in Jesus’ Name.

Not only do altars of memorial bring us to remember what God has done in the past, they also bring God to remember His promises and covenant with His people, especially when they are at crossroads. After securing victory over the Amalekites, Moses built an altar for the peculiar reason stated in Exodus 17:15-16:

“15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: 16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

Generations after, we see God remembering what He had sworn to do against the Amalekites. 1 Samuel 15:2-3 says:

“2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. 3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”

I pray that God will remember His covenant and promises to you today in Jesus’ Name.

Beloved, as Christians, we need to build memorial altars. One classic example of a memorial altar is the altar of Holy Communion. Our Lord Jesus Christ instructed us to continually partake of it in remembrance of Him. When we do this, we remind Him of His finished work on the cross of Calvary, and this activates His power against anything that negates this finished work in our lives. Do you partake of this meal? Do you call to remembrance the death and resurrection of our Lord in your home by sharing this meal with your family? If you have not been doing so, begin to do it from today and watch God arise to enforce His covenant over your life.

Open Heaven 18 November 2018 Sunday Action Point:

Call God to remembrance over anything in your life and family that negates the benefit of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ offered with His Body and Blood.

Also Read: Open Heaven 17 November 2018 – Arise and Eat

Open Heaven 18 November 2018 Sunday Hymn 11: O God, Our Help In Ages Past

1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

2. Under the shadow of Thy throne,
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure

3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same

4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away:
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

6. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

Open Heaven 18 November 2018 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 18 November 2018 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.

Topic: Obedience and Righteousness – Activation Keys to the Blessing [Seeds of Destiny 18 November 2018 Devotional]

Scripture: For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalm 5:12

Thought For The Day: The Blessing travels in the direction of the obedient.
Previously, we saw the power of the Blessing and its impact in the life of the blessed. It is also important to understand how you can activate the power of the Blessing so as to experience the practicality of the Blessing.

Now, the first key that activates the Blessing is, Obedience to God and righteousness.

In the Book of Deuteronomy 28:1-2, the Bible says, ‘…if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God,… all these blessings shall come on thee….’

So, obeying the Voice of the Lord is a trigger for the Blessing. The Blessing travels in the direction of the obedient. Abraham obeyed God and he was blessed. Obeying blessing-provoking instructions from the Scripture and prophetic instructions from the prophet God has placed over you, is a doorway to the blessing.

Also, according to our anchor Scripture, the Bible says, For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. So, the righteous are positioned for the Blessing. Righteousness attracts the Blessing but crookedness and wickedness kill the Blessing. Righteousness involves living a God-pleasing life; a life devoid of sin.

Beloved, as you obey God and work in the path of righteousness, you will experience God’s Blessing, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember this: The Blessing travels in the direction of the obedient.

Assignments:
1. Study the Bible consistently and continually; locate Blessing-provoking instructions and follow them tenaciously.
2. Avoid the way of crookedness and iniquity.
3. Get and listen to the message titled The Tragedy of Evil Money by Dr Paul Enenche.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE POWER OF THE BLESSING.
Prayer: Lord, I make demands on the grace to walk in righteousness. Cause Your Blessing to rest on me and my family, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 37:1 to 38:23, James 1:19 to 2:17, Psalm 117:1 to 2, Proverbs 28:1

Quote: When you begin to enjoy sin, God turns His eyes away from you. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: Birds can recognise landmarks, which they use to help them navigate.

Today In History: 18/11/1493 – Christopher Columbus first sights the island now known as Puerto Rico.

Prophetic Parental Blessing: I declare the arrest of any form of pain, affliction, disease or distraction in your life now, in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Click HERE to read Other Inspirational Messages by Pastor Paul Enenche

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: Don’t Stop Building! [Our Daily Bread 18 November 2018 Devotional]

Read: Ezra 5:1–5, Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 8–10; Hebrews 13

The eye of their God was watching over [them] . . . and they were not stopped. Ezra 5:5

When an opportunity came to take on a new role at work, Simon believed it was a godsend. After praying over the decision and seeking counsel, he felt that God was giving him this opportunity to take on bigger responsibilities. Everything fell into place, and his boss supported his move. Then things began to go wrong. Some colleagues resented his promotion and refused to cooperate. He began to wonder if he should give up.

When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem to build the house of God, enemies sought to frighten and discourage them (Ezra 4:4). The Israelites stopped at first, but continued after God encouraged them through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (4:24–5:2).

Once again, enemies came to hassle them. But this time they persevered, knowing “the eye of their God was watching over [them]” (5:5). They held on firmly to God’s instructions and trusted Him to carry them through whatever opposition they’d face. Sure enough, God moved the Persian king to support the temple’s completion (vv. 13–14).

Similarly, Simon sought God’s wisdom to discern whether he should stay or find a new position. Sensing God calling him to remain, he relied on God’s strength to persevere. Over time, he slowly gained his colleagues’ acceptance.

As we seek to follow God, wherever He places us, we may face opposition along the way. That’s when we need to keep following Him. He will guide us and carry us through.

Remain strong, for God’s eye is on you.

INSIGHT
It was a Persian king by the name of Cyrus who ordered the release and return of Israel from Babylonian exile (Ezra 1:1–7). Israel had been waiting for a national deliverer who would be a descendant of King David. Yet according to Isaiah, God had called Cyrus to be his servant and shepherd (Isaiah 44:21–45:6). Is it possible that long before Jesus, God was giving us reason to never give up on His ability to come to our rescue in the most unexpected ways?

Mart DeHaan

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Leslie Koh [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Do You Know What to Ask For? [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 18 November 2018]

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. – Mark 10:51

All of us know what it’s like to go round in circles. To pray our way through one financial disaster only to be met by another. To receive healing for one illness just in time to be knocked off our feet by the next.

Oh, we try. We pray. We exercise our faith. But we keep getting caught in the same old problems over and over again. Why? Because all too often, we don’t actually know what it is we need to be praying for.

I can almost hear your reaction. “Believe me, Brother Copeland, that’s not my problem. I know what I need. It’s getting that need met that’s got me running in circles.”

That’s what most other folks think too. So they spend all their time working on getting. They waste their energy praying for things they don’t really need and asking for things they don’t really want. Then they wind up going nowhere fast.

Look with me at Mark 10, and I think you’ll see what I mean. Blind Bartimaeus sat by the roadside begging when Jesus passed by. “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me…. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way” (verses 47, 50-52).

Now I want you to think about something for a moment. In the light of what the Scriptures tell us, how many needs did Bartimaeus have? Did he have just one? No! He wasn’t simply a blind man, he was a beggar. He probably had more problems than you could shake a stick at, and all those problems would have seemed like legitimate needs to Bartimaeus. But it was sight he needed. If he could obtain his sight, all the rest would fall into line.

He knew that. So, when Jesus said, “Bartimaeus, what do you want Me to do for you?” he knew exactly what to ask for and he got it.

Jesus is just as available to you today as He was to Bartimaeus. He’s just as willing to meet your need. The question is, do you really know what to ask for?

Think about that. Pray about it. Let the Lord Jesus open your eyes and show you what you really need. If you do that, your prayers will take on a whole new power. Instead of hitting around at the edges of your problems, they’ll go straight to the heart—and solve them. And you won’t have to waste your life running in circles anymore.

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:46-52

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.