Topic: Little Foxes that Spoil the Vine (Part 1)

Dear Reader,

Welcome to another wonderful month! This is the beginning of the second half of the year! All the beautiful packages God has for you this year shall be coming in succession. This month will mark the beginning of great days for you in Jesus’ name!

This month, we will identify those little foxes that can destroy a happy home and discuss ways to overcome them. Foxes are usually connected with destruction in Scripture (Judges 15:4); they are little, but are capable bringing down great things. In the same vein, there are some seemingly little habits and behaviours that look insignificant, but are capable of crumbling homes with great potentials.

Marriage can be likened to a vine with tender grapes. These little foxes cause destruction of all sorts in marriage and families, if not checked. I would be examining two this week; they are Anger and Bitterness.

Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance and hostility. It is human to get angry at one time or the other but it becomes abnormal when you allow your feelings to dictate your sense of reasoning; thereby, leading you to sin. God’s Word says.“Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26).This means that if you are angry, do not let it lead you into sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the day end with the anger still in you; get over it quickly. When you hold on to anger, you open the door to sin.

If you get upset about the way your spouse does certain things sometimes, instead of exploding and speaking cruel words which can cause irreparable damage, control your emotions and take a walk or go to the prayer closet, until your anger subsides. Anger is like a kettle of boiling water and as long as the fire is on, the water will boil faster. To cool the water, you need to turn off the source of fire, place the kettle on a cool surface and give it time to cool down. When this is done, the water that was formerly boiling will become cool enough, even to drink.

Some other people try to suppress anger. They get angry but they put a smile on their faces, pretending that everything is all right. They are like shaken warm bottles of Cocoa-cola; once the lid is opened, the hot liquid rushes out in torrents. Bottling up anger is very risky, as the explosion is only a matter of time.

You can let off steam by discussing the issues at the right time or better still, pray about it. Tell God exactly how you feel and allow Him to speak peace to your heart. Anger kills! A good example of this is found in Genesis 49:5, 7 which says,“Simeon and Levi are brethren… cursed by their anger, for it was fierce and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.”Anger also, is a higher level of foolishness as stated in Ecclesiastes 7:9 “…Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools!”It has the same consequences as murder (Matthew 5:22). Anger must be dealt with, if you want to avoid the shame that division and scattering brings to a family.

Another thing that destroys marriage is Bitterness. Bitterness starts from a very little thing that your spouse or any member of your family might have done to hurt you and you refused to forgive and forget. Every time you remember the incident, you are hurt all over again. Watch it! That is a root of bitterness springing up gradually. It will eventually lead to trouble if it is not nipped in the bud. The Word says, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15). Once bitterness gains access into your heart, it will magnify itself and begin to dominate you. Then, you lose your rest to troubles, malice and disagreements. For instance, if you are bitter against your spouse, when he or she is in the parlour, you will want to be in the bedroom. There is usually no rest within you.

Bitterness blocks every access to God’s blessings upon you and your family. It seeks to steal and frustrate the grace of God upon your life. It is an unholy act that rubs you of God’s presence and usually has the price as unforgiveness. The Word of God says,“Let all bitterness… be put away from you, with all malice”(Ephesians 4:3). To do this, you must forgive those who have offended you, forgive and forget completely so that you live a peaceful and burden-free life. The principle of instant forgiveness has helped me a great deal. My husband and I practise it and it has paid off for us. It pays to forgive!

There was a lady who after a decade of marriage decided that her marriage was a thorn in her flesh. She packed out of her home and filed for a divorce. However, in the process, she got born again and after reading my book, Marriage Covenant, and some other anointed books, she discovered she had been living in self-righteousness, bitterness and unforgiveness towards her husband. After this discovery, she forgave him and God miraculously healed her marriage. In her own words, she is having a honeymoon now. Honour and joy were restored once more to her marriage.

Anger and bitterness are little things that destroy marriage, home and family faster than you know it and the first person to seek help from is God. Help from God will come faster for you when you are born again, thereby allowing you to receive grace to combat off anger and bitterness. If you are already born again, rejoice because your case is settled. If you are not yet born again and you desire to do so right now, please pray this prayer with faith in your heart: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

“Please click HERE to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

Topic: God Is Not Mad At You [TREM Devotional Wednesday July 11, 2018]

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18

God is on your side. He’s not against you. He is not mad at you. He will never be mad at you again. We have an assignment and it’s the ministry of reconciliation. We are sent to begin to tell others that God is no more mad at them. In the past, He used to be but now He is no more mad at them. If God can reconcile the world that is spitting in His face, abusing, condemning and ridiculing Him, to Himself, how much more you that is in Him. How can He be mad at you? If He is busy reconciling the world, telling the world He is no more mad at them, how much more you. Think of it! Because if you can get it once and for all in your spirit that, no matter what, He has loved you with everlasting, unconditional and irrevocable love, then, the devil has lost you.

Even your sin can’t make God not to love you. It is an irrevocable love that nothing can change. He has decided to love you and nothing can change that. God was in Christ reconciling the world of sin to Himself. It is His initiative. He initiated the reconciliation. He initiated it in spite of you. He initiated it because He is good, because He loves you and because He is not imputing your sin unto you. That word “imputing” is an accounting word. It means not holding to your account your mistakes and your trespasses. Yes, you were a fornicator, an adulterer, but God is saying He has forgiven you. Will you receive His forgiveness and cleansing?

Technically, the whole world is saved, but salvation is for whosoever will receive it. What an awesome love! He has saved everybody in the world. But now it is left for you to receive the gift. Receive what has been offered.

Further reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 1-3; Evening- Acts 17:1-15

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

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.

Topic: Waiting Upon The Lord [Open Heavens 11 July 2018, Wednesday Daily Devotional]

Memorise:

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. – Psalm 27:14

Read: Job 14:7-14 (KJV)

7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;

9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:

12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!

14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 17-18, Acts 26:1-23

Open Heavens 11 July 2018 MESSAGE:

If there is a man that epitomized what it means to wait on the Lord, that man is Job. In spite of his unquantifiable loss, his wife’s taunts and the harsh, judgmental words of his friends, he could still declare these worlds in Job 14:14:

“If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.”

Irrespective of the contrary voices all around him, all he desired was to hear from God about his situation (Job 13:3). He was even willing to wait until the resurrection of the dead at the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to get an answer from God and experience a change of his situation (Job 19:25-27). Because he waited on God with all his heart, God indeed came to “reason” with him as he desired (Job 38:1-3), and his situation was turned around (Job 42:12).

Waiting on God leads to an atmosphere of expectation and confidence in God. It also makes us realize the inadequacy of our own judgment. Waiting on God is associated with patience, submission, dependence on God and contentment with His timing on delivering a pending and much needed divine intervention. For example, while the Psalmist anticipated God’s vindication against his enemies, he told his soul to wait patiently on Him (Psalm 27:12-14). Waiting upon the Lord is an act of faith that God will hear the prayers of His children and respond positively on our behalf. I pray that whatever you are waiting on God for, He will answer you speedily, and your expectations shall not be disappointed in Jesus’ Name.

Waiting requires patience and perseverance, and the word of God is clear that children of God sometimes need to wait on Him. Waiting is necessary when we are anticipating God’s judgment or hoping for His blessings. Children of God must not consider taking revenge or repaying evil with evil; rather they must wait for the Lord’s help and timing in all situations. Persecuted and oppressed Christians must never rely on human strength alone can do for them, they must pray earnestly with reliance on the efficacy of God’s word (Psalm 46:1). Finally, waiting upon God comes with many benefits. It builds up your hope, faith and trust in God (Psalm 5:3, Job 13:15, Jeremiah 32:27). Rest in God and wait patiently on Him. Although He will act according to His own will, it will be in your favor and for your benefit.

Action Point: Confess your trust in God and your determination to wait on Him for His intervention in every perplexing matter you have taken to Him that He has not yet responded to.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to Open Heavens 10 July 2018 Tuesday – There Should Be No Gap

Open Heavens 11 July 2018 Hymn 10: 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 Heavens 11 July 2018, 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.

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: Follow His Steps [DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday July 11, 2018]

Text: Matthew 17:22-27 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee” (Matthew 17:27).

MESSAGE:

Thoughtful people always consider how their actions will affect others and the society at large. One could be quiet on some issues or forgo to press one’s right in some areas in order to pursue peace. Sometimes, trying to press for one’s right may cause further strains. This is not considered foolishness or an act of weakness. It is rather being discretional to one’s environs.

In today’s passage, Jesus was questioned with regards to the payment of tax. As the Son of God, He and His disciples were supposed to be exempted from paying such taxes. Though this was right, Jesus rather chose to do the expedient; that will not cause unnecessary strain in His relationship with the people. He refused to press for His right to avoid causing an offence. What an example He left for us!

While there is nothing wrong for a Christian to know what his rights are and to demand for them when such need arises, he should learn from Christ and follow the principle of expediency. What is best for the moment? What will better represent Him to others? What will reveal Christ to the world? These should be the concern of the Christian above what he may consider as his rights.

There will be less friction in the society if everyone is willing to place and promote the common good over their rights and conveniences. Christians must be at the forefront of exhibiting these traits. It will be unchristian for a believer to undermine the peace and tranquility of others, just to gratify self-interest. Christ did not please Himself. He rendered Himself prostrate, for the benefit of others. Believers will do well to act like Him.

Thought For The Day: What you gain in sacrificing is more than the sacrifice made.

Bible Reading In One Year: Amos 1-5

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: The Power Of Light And Insight [Seeds of Destiny Wednesday July 11, 2018]

Scripture: And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written… Luke 4:17.

Thought For The Day: It is those who have the Word that rule their world, because God controls this world by His Word.

The place of light and insight is non-negotiable in the fulfilment of destiny. Light guarantees direction and acceleration for destiny fulfilment. No one can be great in life who is buried in darkness; and no one can be greater in life than his level of insight. So, in order to fulfil destiny, God opens the door of light and insight to a person.

Now, the opening of the door of light and insight is a situation where God opens our eyes to see great depths of insight from Scriptures such as we have never seen before; it is accessing unusual insight from God’s Word (Psalm 119:18). God makes the Bible an open book when the door of insight is opened unto a person.

Now, what is the importance of light?
1. Light is key to flight (Isaiah 60:1, 8)
Light is needed in order to take a flight in any area of life.

2. Light is key to shining (Isaiah 60:1-4)
The fact is, people are not shining because they are lucky; they are shinning because they are lighty, that is, they have light; they have insight.

3. Light is the answer to the night
When light comes up, the night dies out. Light dissipates darkness.

4. Light is key to manifestation
There is a revelation behind every manifestation. So, if you want to step into dimensions of manifestation, then you need a higher dimension of light from the Word.

Beloved, the Word you access determines your worth in God; it is worded people that are worthy people in God. It is those who have the Word that rule their world, because God controls this world by His Word. Therefore, ask God to open the door of insight for you today.

Remember this: It is those who have the Word that rule their world, because God controls this world by His Word.

Assignments:
1. Ask God to open the door of light and insight unto you.
2. Study God’s Word consciously and consistently.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask that You open the door of light and insight unto me. Give me the grace to behold wondrous things out of Your Word, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DIMENSIONS AND DEMANDS OF OPEN DOOR (PART 5).

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 11:1 to 12:18, Acts 28:1 to 31, Psalm 9:1 to 12, Proverbs 19:1 to 3

Amazing Fact: The longest feathers ever seen were on a chicken in Japan. Its tail feathers measured 34.7 feet (10.59 m) long.

Today In History: 11/10/2008 – Apple released the iPhone 3G.

Quote: Light is the secret of might. Culled from GO IN THIS THY MIGHT by Dr. Paul Enenche.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Seeds of Destiny 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: Strangers Welcome Strangers [Our Daily Bread 11 Wednesday July, 2018]

Read: Leviticus 19:1–9, 33–34, Bible in a Year: Psalms 1–3; Acts 17:1–15

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. . . . Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. Leviticus 19:33–34

When my husband and I moved to Seattle to be near his sister, we didn’t know where we would live or work. A local church helped us find a place: a rental house with many bedrooms. We could live in one bedroom, and rent the others to international students. For the next three years, we were strangers welcoming strangers: sharing our home and meals with people from all over the world. We and our housemates also welcomed dozens of international students into our home every Friday night for Bible study.

God’s people know what it means to be far from home. For several hundred years, the Israelites were literal foreigners—and slaves—in Egypt. In Leviticus 19, alongside familiar instructions like “Respect your mother and father” and “Do not steal” (vv. 3, 11), God reminded His people to empathetically care for foreigners, because they knew what it was like to be foreigners and afraid (vv. 33–34).

While not all of us as followers of God today have experienced literal exile, we all know how it feels to be “foreigners” on earth (1 Peter 2:11)—people who feel like outsiders because our ultimate allegiance is to a heavenly kingdom. We are called to create a community of hospitality—strangers welcoming strangers into God’s family. The hospitable welcome my husband and I experienced in Seattle taught us to extend welcome to others—and this is at the heart of being the family of God (Romans 12:13).

To whom can I show hospitality?

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

This message was written By Amy Peterson [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Expect Results [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Wednesday July 11, 2018]

Ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss. – James 4:2-3

Are all your needs met today? If not, why not?

According to the Word of God, it’s either because you’re not praying about them at all or because when you do pray, you’re praying wrong.

What does it mean to pray wrong? In many cases it simply means to pray without expecting results. Many believers do that, you know. They use prayer as a kind of spiritual wishbone. They just play around with it. This probably won’t do much good, they think, but who knows? It won’t hurt to give it a try.

If that’s been your attitude, then change it! Start getting serious about prayer. Stop praying just because it’s proper. Stop praying just because you always pray at this point in the church service. And start praying to get results.

Start praying in the Name of Jesus, according to the Word of God, and expect to receive what you ask for every single time. Isn’t that a little presumptuous? No, but it is bold, and you have a scriptural right to be bold.

According to the Word of God, you have a standing invitation from your heavenly Father to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that [you] may obtain” (Hebrews 4:16). That word obtain is a word of certainty. The dictionary says it means “to get possession of.”

So pray, expecting to get possession of what you need, not just once in a while, but every time! When prayers do go unanswered, don’t just wander away saying, “I guess you never know what God’s going to do.” Tackle the problem with both hands! Go to God in prayer and in the Word and find out where you missed it and get the problem corrected.

When you go to God in accurate, Word of God-based, Spirit-inspired prayer, you do know what He’s going to do. He’s going to answer you. He’s going to meet your need exactly as you asked Him. Start expecting Him to do it today.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:4-15

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: Be Filled [Andrew Wommack Wednesday July 11, 2018]

Luke 11:13 – “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

The Holy Spirit is a gift (Acts 2:38). You cannot be good enough to earn the gift of the Holy Spirit, but you do have to ask. This is speaking of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is subsequent to the born-again experience.

The Holy Spirit resides in our spirits, and once He comes, He doesn’t leave (John 14:16). There is an initial filling when the Holy Ghost first comes. However, His control and influence over our souls and body does fluctuate proportionally to how well we have our minds renewed to His will (Rom. 12:2).

In that sense, we can be more full of the Holy Ghost than at other times, although in our spirits the presence and power of the Holy Spirit does not come and go. Therefore, even after we receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, there will be times when our souls and bodies stray from the leadership of the Holy Spirit and we need, once again, to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

In Ephesians 5:18 believers are commanded to “be not drunk with wine…but be filled with the Spirit.” Being filled with the Holy Spirit is in the present tense, making it a continual command for the believer. In the book of Acts, the same people who were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost were filled again. Most people don’t get drunk on just one drink.

Likewise, being filled with the Holy Spirit is not just a one-time experience. There is an initial filling of the Holy Spirit, but many subsequent fillings. Just as drunkenness can change a person’s personality and make him or her act totally different, so being filled with the Holy Spirit can make us act just like Jesus. Be filled with the Spirit today.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Andrew Wommack’s Daily Devotional HERE

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: Encouragement [Billy Graham’s Devotional Wednesday July 11, 2018]

Looking for that blessed hope . . . — Titus 2:13

One of the best ways to get rid of discouragement is to remember that Christ is coming again. The most thrilling, glorious truth in all the world is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When we look around and see pessimism on every side, we should remember the Bible is the only Book in the world that predicts the future. The Bible is more modern than tomorrow morning’s newspaper. The Bible accurately foretells the future, and it says that the consummation of all things shall be the coming again of Jesus Christ to this earth. If your life is dismal, depressed, and gloomy today, Christ can turn those dark clouds inside out. The sunlight of His love can still shine into the darkest part of your life.

Prayer for the day: Longing to see Your face, Christ Jesus, I rejoice in the anticipation of Your coming again!

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.