Topic: Right from the Heart [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Sunday June 24, 2018]

“For which one of you, when he wants to build a watchtower [for his guards], does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it?” — Luke 14:28

“What are you going to do?”

As a Christian leader, I’ve come to believe this is one of Satan’s favorite questions. I sometimes think he sends out special demons that have one specific task: to whisper this question in the ears of believers: “What are you going to do?” If you listen, the questions increase. The more they increase, the more negative and intense they become. Before long, you think of every possible obstacle on your path. You begin to feel as if nothing is right in your life.

That is Satan’s task. He and his helpers wage war on the battlefield of your mind. They want to engage you and other Christians in long, drawn-out, costly combat. The more questions and uncertainties they raise, the greater their chances for victory over your mind.

Jesus instructs us to “…not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’” (Matthew 6:31 AMP)

The first thing you need to remind yourself of is that you are living in disobedience when you allow anxieties to fill your mind. Jesus says, “Don’t do that.”

Second, remind yourself that when you worry, you’re looking at the wrong things. In school, most of us were shown pictures that were optical illusions. If we looked at a picture one way, we saw a woman’s face. If we looked at it differently, we saw a rose.

Think of that as a mindset. If you focus on Jesus and His loving arms stretched out to you, you live in peace. You know He’s with you, and if He’s with you, He will also take care of you. If you focus on the other picture, you see only problems, defeats, and discouragement. It really does depend on where you concentrate your attention.

The enemy knows that if he can feed your mind often enough and long enough with the wrong things, he can make you think about and feel only the wrong things. For instance, instead of being thankful that the Lord has been with you through many dark and troublesome times, you can begin to ask, “How did I get here anyway? What am I doing in this fix? If God really loved me…”

That’s not the end of it. Once Satan starts to win in the area of poisoning your mind, he moves on, and before long, you’re repeating Satan’s words—words that not only tear you down, but also hurt and tear down others. Then Satan has a double victory—he’s trapped you, and you’ve influenced others.

Jesus said to the people of His day, “You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things” (Matthew 12:34–35 AMPC).

Those are strong, powerful words. They remind us that Satan starts with a whisper—just the smallest word of doubt in your ear. If you listen, his words get louder and you hear more things. Soon you unconsciously listen for his misdirection. That leads you to speak the words in your heart, whatever they are. Once you speak, you move into action. You not only spoil your own relationship with God, but you become instruments to churn up doubts and fears in others.

There is only one way for you to win: Refuse to listen to Satan. As soon as you hear such words, you need to say, “Satan, the Lord rebuke you. Stay out of my mind.”

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for Your words that remind me of the importance of my thoughts and my words. I ask You to fill my heart with such an abundance of peace and joy that the enemy can never infiltrate my mind. May my words reflect Your presence in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

Topic — Love: Access to financial fortune!

Welcome to another exciting week of baptism in financial fortune in the teaching for this month! I hope you were blessed by the teaching for last week. Today, we shall focus on Love: Access to Financial Fortune!

According to scriptures, heaven is an epitome of wealth, splendour and beauty. The walls are made of jasper, the foundations of the walls of the city are of precious stones, the gates are made of pearl and all the streets of heaven are paved with pure gold (Revelation 21:11, 18-21). It is important to understand that the Church is ordained a ruling and super wealthy Church. God will be visiting the earth with heaven’s order of wealth before Christ returns. He will be releasing His wealth to His church, so she can rule in the midst of her enemies (Malachi 3:17-18, 4:1-4; Haggai 2:6-9; Psalm 110:1-3; Proverbs 22:7).

However, from scriptures, we understand that a genuine love for God and His Kingdom is the biblical foundation and our covenant access to heaven’s order of financial fortune.

What, then, are the Proofs of our Love for God?

If We Love God, We Will Love People: Our love for God naturally finds expression in our love for people. As it is written: If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? … (1 John 4:20-21). If we love God, we will naturally love people and be part of their joy. Moreover, we will love to see them rescued, delivered and blessed. So, if we don’t love people, then we don’t love God (Galatians 6:10; 1 John 3:17-18).

If We Love God, We Will Pursue Souls For Their Salvation, Deliverance, Breakthroughs and Restoration: Obeying God’s commandments is the biblical proof of our love for God (1 John 5:3; John 14:21). One of God’s commandments is commitment to soul-winning. We must understand that one of the proofs of our love for God is passion to see souls saved, established in the faith and living a new life in Christ. Jesus said: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: … (John 15:16; see also John 21:15-17). When we are not bothered about the salvation of souls, our love for God becomes questionable; particularly when we have the two-way opportunity of praying for souls to be saved and also reaching out to them. However, when we commit to seeing souls saved, we commit God to release His blessings on our lives and secure speedy answers to our prayers. Also, when we engage in soul-winning, we have committed God to manifest Himself to us. Thus, obeying the commandment of soul-winning is a proof of our love for God (John 14:21).

If We Love God, We Will Not Be Ashamed of Him or His Word: David, a man after God’s own heart said: I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed (Psalm 119:46). When we truly love God, speaking about Him to others becomes a delight. Paul the Apostle’s love for Christ was as strong as death (Philippians 1:21). He also said: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (Romans 1:16; see also Romans 8:35-39). Remember, Jesus said that if we are ashamed of Him and His Word, He will be ashamed of us before His Father and His angels (Mark 8:38; Hebrews 13:13; Psalm 69:9).

If We Love God, We Will Obey Him: Keeping God’s commandments launches us into realms of supernatural blessings (Psalm 112:1-3; 1 John 5:3). We must, therefore, be excited at every commandment that comes our way, take delight in keeping them and then, we gain access to realms of supernatural blessings.

Biblical Examples of how Love Empowers for Kingdom Wealth:

For instance, concerning Solomon, the Bible records: And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places (1 Kings 3:3; see also 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 13:13). After he reared that altar of sacrifice, God told him to ask whatever he desired and he requested for wisdom in ruling God’s people. This, also, was based on his love for God and the affairs of His Kingdom; as a result, God blessed him in return (1 Kings 3:13). In addition, Solomon overlaid the house of the Lord with pure gold and all the drinking vessels in his house were also of gold. The love of God was the launching pad of Solomon into the Heaven on Earth order of wealth and extraordinary abundance (1 Kings 6:21-22, 10:21). Furthermore, David was referred to as a man after God’s own heart and he emerged as a financial giant. He was virtually wealthier than the entire nation in his days (1 Chronicles 29:3-5).

We must also understand that our love for God and His Kingdom are the two-fold platforms where giants rise. It is also the covenant launching pad into a world of financial fortune. The Bible says: …But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:31-33; see also Psalm 102:13-15). No wonder all true lovers of God in Bible times, flowed supernaturally in financial fortune. Therefore, love-motivated stewardship is the platform for the rise of financial giants in the Kingdom. However, God’s love is not theoretical but practical. That is, it is impossible to love God and not know.

In summary, accessing heaven’s order of financial fortune through love is a reality if you are born again. 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: Understanding Financial Prosperity, Breaking Financial Hardship, Covenant Wealth and Hidden Covenants of Blessing. 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

Topic: Say What You Want

Prov.6:2 -Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Your words determine the direction of your life; therefore, learn how to talk. Wisdom demands that you speak the right things if you want to be justified. Speak God’s word; stop talking about your negative experiences and start talking about your positive expectations because what you say is what you will see.

Prov.13:3 -He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Watch how you talk because your tongue has creative power; it can create life and it can also cause death. It is therefore wisdom not to use your words against yourself.

If your confession must produce positive result; then you must store your heart with the word of God and learn how to talk because it is God’s word in your heart which you have meditated on to the point that it becomes so real to you than what is happening around you; that is the Word that will produce result in your life.

Matt.12:34 -O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Don’t say what is happening; always say what is written. Irrespective of the circumstance, what is written has the ability to change what is happening. There was darkness and God said, ‘Let there be light’ and there was light.

Prov.18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Until Paul said, ‘I’ve finished my course’, he did not die and until Jesus said, ‘It is finished’, HE did not die. If you use your mouth to say that food is finished in your house, it will finish. Be careful what you say. Start speaking only positive words in line with the word of God and you will see it manifest in your life in the name of Jesus the Christ –Amen.

God bless you

Click HERE to 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.

Topic: Dangers Of Over Eating [Teens Open Heavens 24, June 2018]

Memorise: Whether therefore yeah eat, or drink, or what so ever yeah do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Read: Proverbs 23:19-21 (KJV)

19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Bible In One Year: Job 1-3, Acts 7:1-19

MESSAGE:

As teenagers, we tend to love food. And this is not bad because at your age, you exert a lot of energy. However, you must do all things in moderation. An experiment was once conducted by some scientists. They had two group of rats, and they fed the rats in group A more than enough food such that they were looking fat and robust. But they only fed the rats in group B with the quantity of food they needed per day. The rats in group B were slim and not as robust as those of group A. Then the scientists injected all the rats with equal doses of disease. Before long, all the rats in group A were dead, while the rats in group B survived. When you overload yourself with food, all your organs are kept busy, such that if there is any challenge to them at any time, they will be too weak to respond, hence leaving them in danger.

Overeating is not always an evidence of good living. It could also be an evidence of dangerous living.

Key Point: A Christian who overeats will always be to heavy physically and spiritually, and will not be spiritually alert. A spiritually dull Christian is a dead Christian.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Teen Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye’’

Hymn 2:

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4.But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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: A Change Please [DCLM Daily Manna Sunday June 24, 2018]

Text: 2 Chronicles 10:1-16 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever” (2 Chronicles 10:7)

MESSAGE:

One day, a renowned scholar and his son tried to get a calf into the barn. The man pushed and his son pulled. But the calf stiffened its legs and stubbornly refused to leave the pasture. This continued without much result until their housemaid saw their predicament. She thought the calf wanted to suck or eat. So she put her maternal finger in the calf’s mouth and let the calf suck her finger as she gently led it into the barn.

King Solomon’s reign in Israel became very grievous and oppressive with hard labour. The people wanted his son Rehoboam to lessen their burden by a change of his father’s approach to leadership. He didn’t pray about the issue neither did he inquire from any prophet of God. Worse still, he rejected the wise counsel from the older people and threatened to intensify the burden of Israel. He preferred a method that made his father unpopular, which made him to lose ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel.

The world is already a bitter place and we must not be instruments of additional pain. That is why Jesus commands Christians to be salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). We are to apply suitable methods to everything we do. From soul-winning to child training and employer-employee relations, our approaches must never be oppressive or permissive. When plans and programs are not working, a change of approach sought prayerfully, should be the next move. Changing the styles we employ in life, leadership and work can enhance results and make things better if we follow biblical principles and godly counsel.

Thought For The Day: In the matters of principles, always stand like a rock.

Bible Reading In One Year: 2 Chronicles 10-12

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

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

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

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

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