Topic: Separation From The Crowd [Seeds of Destiny 17 October 2018 Devotional]

Scripture: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2 Corinthians 6:17.

Thought For The Day: Conformity is the foundation for uniformity of calamity; to flow with the crowd is to be lost in the crowd.

Sometime ago, I heard the story of a high ranking Christian officer in the Nigerian army. One day, other officers were organizing a party and this high-ranking Christian Officer was invited to be part of it. In the course of the preparation, this Christian officer asked his fellow officers if alcohol would be served in the party and the other officers answered in the affirmative. Then he said, “If alcohol would be served, then I won’t be involved and my money would not be part of it.” Then after some deliberations, they said, “What is the use of even serving alcohol in the first place? We will not serve alcohol in the party. There is no need.’ They told the Christian officer. So, the Christian officer responded, ‘In that case, I will attend the party.’

The lesson from this story is: only one man changed the order of a major event because of solidity of Godly character. You too can change the sinful opinion or attitude of an overwhelming majority with your Godly character if you refuse to join them or compromise.

Beloved, your separation from the crowd guarantees your safety in life. Conformity is the foundation for uniformity of calamity; if you conform to the world, the same calamity that confronts the world will befall you. To flow with the crowd is to be lost in the crowd. That shall not be your portion in Jesus’ Name.

To be the best, you must be yourself. The desire to be like somebody is the reason for so many nobodies. You cannot make a difference in your generation until you are clearly different.

My counsel is, make up your mind to be different from other people.

Remember This: Conformity is the foundation for uniformity of calamity; to flow with the crowd is to be lost in the crowd.

Assignments:
1. Avoid the wrong company.
2. Determine to be clearly different for God wherever you find yourself.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask for mercy in any area I might have conformed to the world. I receive the grace to standout for Christ even in the midst of confrontations and contradictions Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: HINDRANCES TO A PURPOSEFUL LIFE

Quote: The voice of the person you listen to determines how you will end. To camp with the rest, is to end like the rest. Culled from 10 PRINCIPAL SECRETS OF PRINCIPAL PEOPLE by Dr Paul Enenche

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 30:1 to 31:26, 1 Timothy 2:1 to 15, Psalm 87:1 to 7, Proverbs 25:18 to 19

Amazing Fact: Lizards are born dumb and remain like that till they die.

Today In History: 17/10/1904, Bank of Italy (Bank of America) opened its doors

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: The Escape Route [DCLM Daily Manna 17 October 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Matthew 11:20-30 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest“ (Matthew 11:28).

MESSAGE:

Practical experiences during childhood reveals that, it isn’t all the threats or lies aimed at creating fear in the child that are real. Most times, an inquisitive child soon discovers that nothing like the foretold consequences happens. This often emboldens him/her to flout other instructions believing that there would be no serious adverse consequence after all.

This same scenario, no doubt, plays itself out in the attitude of most people concerning the stern warning of Christ to the religious, carefree and impenitent of the dire consequences of their sinful lifestyle. We need to understand that God is not a man. His words will ever be true and He has appointed a day for judgment of evil men and women. Many justify their rebellion against God on the grounds that many church leaders and religious people commit sin without any consequence.

The Scripture describes the unfortunate condition thus: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). It should, however, be noted that no sinner will go unpunished, because on the judgment day, God will not be swayed by money, emotion or any other factor.

The sure way of escape is repentance and faith in Christ as revealed through the solemn invitation in our text. Those who reject the invitation of Christ to repentance today will one day face the sordid reality of judgment in hell. Be wise to repent by acknowledging, confessing and forsaking your sins so that heaven can rejoice over you too. Pray for pardon.

Thought For The Day: The wheel of God’s judgment may drive slowly, but it is imminent.

Bible Reading In One Year: Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 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.

Kenneth & Gloria Copeland Devotional 17 October 2018 – Living the Love Life

Topic: Living the Love Life [17 October 2018]

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13

We often think of “laying down your life” for someone else in terms of dying. That’s what Jesus did. He loved us so much He laid down His life by dying in our place so that we could live.

But now, He’s asked us to lay down our lives in a different way. He’s asked us to show our love, not by dying for others, but by living for them.

Exactly what does that mean?

Sometimes it means giving our lives by spending time in prayer for someone. Other times it means giving of ourselves with love and understanding. Many times it means laying down our own selfish desires in order to meet the needs of another.

Romans 15:1 puts it this way, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

When you lay down your life, you live to please God instead of yourself. You let your life be guided by His love. If love leads you to the person next door, you follow. When love calls you to intercede for someone in need, you yield.

Commit yourself today to lay down your own life—and take up the love life. Say:

“Father, in Jesus’ Name, I see from Your Word that You were willing to give of Yourself, in the person of Your Son, for all men. I understand that because Jesus is Lord of my life, I, too, am called to give myself to others. I choose to accept that calling today.

“I’ll give of my time. I’ll give of Your love in me. I’ll be strong and lift up those who are weak. I’m willing to be available to be used of You so that those around me might experience the abundant life You have provided.

“You have loved me, Lord, with the greatest love there is. I count it a privilege now to share that love with others. I thank You for it in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:22-26, Galatians 6:1-3

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.

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Wednesday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – Ready-Made Provision Or Trap?

Topic: Ready-Made Provision Or Trap? (Open Heaven 17 October 2018)

Memorise: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”– Proverbs 14:12

Read: Proverbs 7:6-23 (KJV)

6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 3-4, Luke 7:36-8:3

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Wednesday MESSAGE:

In these perilous times, life is so full of struggles and hard labour that do not always result in success. All around the world, people invest precious time and money into obtaining high school and college education, only to graduate and discover that jobs are nonexistent. In some cases, people invest years into specialized training in various crafts and trades, only to graduate and begin to source for financial backing and start-up capital without success. There are some who manage to gain employment with private companies or who succeed in starting small scale businesses, but some years down the line, they find themselves back in the labour market due to harsh economic realities. These hardships have made the availability of ready-made provision very attractive to the average person, especially in developing countries like we have in Africa. The dire economic situation in different parts of the world has led some Christians to wrongly assume that every opportunity that comes their way is God’s providence, not realizing their error until contrary events begin to happen to them in the process of exploiting this “opportunities”. I pray that no matter the prevailing conditions in your community, the Lord will divinely open doors of genuine opportunities to you in Jesus’ Name.

In Africa and several developing countries, the difficult political and economic situation coupled with security challenges have led a lot of people, especially youths, into traps that initially appeared like ready-made provision. These traps could come in form of employment with very attractive pay packages, “juicy” marriage offers, ‘fantastic’ business opportunities or even invitation to travel abroad. Hidden behind these seemingly great offers are vices like prostitution, drug trafficking, criminal syndicates, fraud, occultism and the like. For example, many young people have honoured invitations to travel abroad only to get trapped in sex trafficking or being used as drug couriers. Some people have entered neck deep into what they thought was an ordinary business relationship, only for them to later discover that they have been initiated into powerful cult groups. Many vulnerable youths are enticed into armed gangs which eventually result in untimely death for so many. As seen in today’s Bible reading, you must recognize that the devil’s ready-made provisions are nothing but deadly traps. God has assured you that He will provide for all your needs and settle all your problems (Hebrews 13:5, 1 Peter 5:7). Therefore, beware of the devil’s trap!

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Wednesday Prayer Point:

Father, preserve me from ever falling into the trap of false opportunities, in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heaven 16 October 2018 – Paid in Full!

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Wednesday Hymn 5: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though- none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Wednesday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Wednesday Daily Devotional.

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

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

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

Billy Graham Devotional 17 October 2018 – Searching for Peace?

Topic: Searching for Peace? [17 October 2018]

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee … — Isaiah 26:3

Are you searching for peace? Are you longing for it? You thought you would find it if you made a lot of money, but you didn’t find it. You thought you would find it in getting and accumulating a lot of knowledge, so you got all the degrees you could, but you didn’t find it, this peace.

You’ve searched the religions of the world, but you haven’t found it. There are a thousand ways you’ve turned, trying to find peace, but you haven’t found it. When you come to Christ by an act of faith, He gives you the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit of the Spirit and gives you the peace that passes all understanding.

Prayer for the day: Your presence fills my mind with peace, Lord, bringing into perspective all that I need—You, my heavenly Father.

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.