Topic: Judging Or Teaching? [Open Heavens 21st June 2018, Thursday Daily Devotional]

Memorise: My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. – James 3:1

Read: Acts 28:1-6 (KJV)

1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 23, Acts 14:19-15:11

MESSAGE:

In a bid to evade the verbal chastisement of the word of God coming from the mouth of fellow believers, some Christians quote these words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1-2:

“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

Such Christians conveniently forget the words of 2 Timothy 4:2, which says,

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

While it is true that some Christians today are quick to judge others for the situation they are passing through, it does not mean we cannot declare the counsel of God whenever we are so moved by the Spirit of God to do so. The question is, what is the difference between having a judgemental attitude and declaring the whole counsel of God through teaching or preaching? Just like vengeance, judgement also is the prerogative of the Almighty God. As demonstrated in the story of the adulterous woman, He alone is the accurate and righteous Judge. From that story, we see that man’s judgement can be faulty, because the one judging others may be guilty of the same sin (John 8:7-9). Only God is without sin, therefore He alone is competent enough to pass judgement. Indeed, He has passed judgement through His word, and He will confirm this judgement through the Lord Jesus Christ on a day He has appointed (John 12:48, Romans 2:16).

To be judgemental is to judge wrongly. Many are prone to doing this, and this is the reason why we were warned not to judge. Paul’s experience in today’s Bible reading is a typical example of the error of man’s wrong judgement. The Lord had just spared the lives of Paul and those whom he was travelling with on account of Paul’s right standing with Him. While the apostle was gathering sticks to increase the heat of the fire that was keeping them warm, a poisonous snake caught him by the hand. Some of the native people of the land where they were shipwrecked jumped into the conclusion that Paul was evil and that was why nemesis was still after him, even though he had managed to survive shipwreck (Acts 28:4). How wrong they were! Let us therefore be cautious before drawing connections between events because our knowledge is limited. Let us allow the word of God speak the judgement of God by itself and not insert our own speculations and motives into the fray.

Action Point: Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heavens 20 June 2018 by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 7: Wonderful Story Of Love

1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.

Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.

2. Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

3. Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

Open Heavens 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: Don’t Hide The Light [DCLM Daily Manna Thursday June 21, 2018]

Text: ACT 13:14-44 (KJV)

Key Verse: “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down” (ACT 13:14).

MESSAGE:

According to a German national weekly newspaper, Zeit, a number of refugees in Hamburg said they felt unsafe and feared for their safety because of their faith. A particular Christian convert from Iran, spent years attending illegal Bible groups in her homeland. After making her way to Germany, she said she still lives in fear. Christians are heavily persecuted in many places in the world. But that is no excuse to hide one’s faith.

Paul and other Christians with him had come to a foreign land. Being a day of worship, they went into the Synagogue and sat down with others without revealing their identity until the ruler of the synagogue asked if they had any words for the people.

Paul stood up for Jesus. He quickly took the initiative to preach unto them the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Are there not many Christians who change their environment and hide their identity?

Are there not some who, because of fear of persecution, wrap their Bibles in bags and envelopes? Others disguise so that no one will know them in their communities. God counts these as denial (Matthew 10:22,23). We are admonished to stand up for Jesus and confess Him to everyone we meet at every place.

We should never hide the anointing to preach or live the Christian life. We have around us people who, though religious, have not believed that Jesus Christ had come to save them. Our lives are their epistles. We must beam the light of the Word so we can win them.

Thought For The Day: Live and tell the whole truth; and hide it not.

Bible Reading In One Year: 1 Kings 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9

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

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

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

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

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

Topic — Effective Time Management: A Proof Of Wisdom [Seeds of Destiny Thursday June 21, 2018]

Scripture: Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom. Ps 90:12 (NLT)

Thought For The Day: Poverty and lack of time management go hand in hand; the absence of wisdom is confirmed by the wastage of time.

Time is the unit of life, hence to manage time effectively is to live profitably.

It has been confirmed that the effective management of time is a proof of wisdom. Wise people value their time, but foolish people have no respect for their time. Rich people value their time while poor people have plenty of time to waste. Poverty and lack of effective time management go hand in hand.

I have come across some people who are high achievers, both in Ministry and in the corporate world, and I discovered that they are accurate time managers. For example, our father in the Lord, Bishop David Oyedepo, a great manager of time, maximizing both day and night for work.

Great and influential people have serious business with time. For instance, anyone who aspires to become the President of the USA should be prepared because it is said that an American president has around of 19 hours 45 minutes scheduled for him per day for work; the president would be told where he would be at a particular time. The remaining 4 hours 15 minutes is left for him to do whatever he likes with it. So, anything that makes anyone to vie for the presidency of the United States of America, either at the age of 40 or 75, positions the person for 19 hours and 45 minutes of brutal work daily for the nation of America. That is what it means to be the president of the United States of America.

People who make their mark on earth would not waste their time in profitless ventures; they know how to manage, utilize, subdue and discipline time. What they achieve in one day is some people’s weekly achievement or target.

Beloved, manage your time effectively; effective management of time is one of the greatest proofs of wisdom. That is why the absence of wisdom is confirmed by the wastage of time. One who has no control of his time is unwise. Stupidity is confirmed by the wastage of time.

Remember this: Poverty and lack of time management go hand in hand; the absence of wisdom is confirmed by the wastage of time.

Assignments:
1. Manage your time affectively
2. Allot specific duration of time to each schedule of your life.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask that You help me to manage my time effectively. Give me the discipline to allocate and follow the timing for each schedule of my life, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: PROFITABLE USE OF TIME.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 1:1 to 2:25, Acts 13:42 to 14:7, Psalm 139:1 to 24, Proverbs 17:19 to 21

Amazing Fact: Ears are more than just necessary for hearing; they also help you keep your balance.

Today In History: 21/06/1913 – Georgia Broadwick became the first woman to jump from an airplane.

Quote: You have to justify the reason why you use your leisure to study the Bible when others use their time to do other things. Culled from MAKING FULL PROOF OF MINISTRY by Dr Paul Enenche

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE 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: Telling Time [Our Daily Bread 21 Thursday June, 2018]

Read: Psalm 90:9–17, Bible in a Year: Esther 3–5; Acts 5:22–42

Make] the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

“Westerners have watches. Africans have time.” So said Os Guinness, quoting an African proverb in his book Impossible People. That caused me to ponder the times I have responded to a request with, “I don’t have time.” I thought about the tyranny of the urgent and how schedules and deadlines dominate my life.

Moses prayed in Psalm 90, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (v. 12). And Paul wrote, “Be very careful, then, how you live . . . making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16).

I suspect that Paul and Moses would agree that our wise use of time isn’t just a matter of clock-watching. The situation may call for us to keep a tight schedule—or it may compel us to give someone an extended gift of our time.

We have but a brief moment to make a difference for Christ in our world, and we need to maximize that opportunity. That may mean ignoring our watches and planners for a while as we show Christ’s patient love to those He brings into our lives.

As we live in the strength and grace of the timeless Christ, we impact our time for eternity.

Prayer: Father, You have given us all the time we need to accomplish what You have given us to do. May we use our time in ways that honor You.

Time management is not about clock-watching, it’s about making the most of the time we have.

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

This message was written By Bill Crowder [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Put the Word First [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Thursday June 21, 2018]

For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing…. Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her. – Proverbs 4:7-8, The Amplified Bible

I want to tell you the only real secret to getting ahead in this world. It’s simple. Put the Word of God first place in your daily life.

“Well,” you may be saying, “I’ve heard that before. It’s no secret.” But when you understand what I mean, it could be a revelation to you.

You see, the Bible is not just a textbook, a storybook or a history book. It’s a handbook for living. It’s the wisdom of Almighty God written down so that you can apply it to your everyday circumstances.

God says that wisdom is the “principal thing.” Principal means “first in importance.” That means the Word of God needs to occupy the place of highest importance in all of your activities. I know from experience what an impact that can have on your life.

Twenty years ago I decided to read the Gospels and the book of Acts three times in 30 days. It seemed an impossible task at the time. With two small children and my house turned upside down from a recent move, I couldn’t see how I could possibly spend that much time reading the Word and still get everything done. But I set myself to put other things aside and do it anyway.

Surprisingly enough, at the end of the first day I had accomplished more than I would have under normal circumstances. And by the end of that 30 days, I’d not only read the Gospels and Acts three times, I’d kept all my housework done, taken care of my children, and refinished several pieces of furniture to boot! I was amazed.

You’ll be amazed at what happens in your life too, if you give God’s Word priority. But let me warn you, don’t wait until you think you have the time. Satan will see to it that you never do.

Just do like I did and set other things aside. Invest your time in the Word first and that investment will soon be paying off in every area of your life.

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-9

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

Topic: God Made Flesh [Andrew Wommack Thursday June 21, 2018]

John 8:58 “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

Text: John 8:57-59

Jesus didn’t seek to clarify the Jews’ misunderstanding of His previous statements. Instead, He made a new statement that those who would not accept that Jesus was God in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16) could not possibly understand. “Before Abraham was, I am.” He not only said that He existed before Abraham, but He was again associating Himself with the great “I AM” statement of Exodus 3:14. This statement could leave no doubt that Jesus was claiming deity in the highest sense of the word.

Jesus proclaimed “I am.” This is how Jehovah identified Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14. When spoken under the anointing power of God, Jesus’ pronouncement that “I am he” knocked all of those who came to arrest Him backwards to the ground (Jn. 18:5-6). Jesus was the great “I AM THAT I AM” of Exodus 3:14 manifest in the flesh!

When the Jewish authorities heard Jesus call God “my (own) Father,” they immediately understood that Jesus claimed for Himself deity in the highest possible sense of that term. That claim was either blasphemy to be punished by death, or Jesus was who He claimed to be.

The purpose of the fourth gospel is clearly stated, “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (Jn. 20:31). The object of John’s gospel was to show that Jesus is “the true God” (1 Jn. 5:20) who was “made flesh” (Jn. 1:14).

“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: Tears of Repentance [Billy Graham’s Devotional Thursday June 21, 2018]

Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord. — Acts 3:19 (TLB)

There is a certain amount of sorrow involved in repentance that we don’t see much of today. That word means moaning and even groaning. I don’t mean that we have to have a great emotional experience, but I do believe that we need some tears of repentance. We need to be sorry for our sins, and to say, “Oh, God, I have sinned against You, and I’m sorry.” I am not an emotional person. I don’t know why, but I don’t cry easily. But of the few times I have cried in my life, some of them have been over sin that I committed many years ago.

The night I came to Christ, I didn’t have any tears. But later I went home and I looked out my window at the North Carolina sky and I cried over my sins. I said, “Oh, God, forgive me.” And the most wonderful peace swept over my soul. From that moment on, I’ve known that my sins were forgiven.

Prayer for the day: There is sorrow in my soul when I remember how I fail You, loving Lord. Forgive my frailties.

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.