Topic: Tossing and Turning [Our Daily Bread 24 Thursday May, 2018]

Read: Psalm 4, Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 22–24; John 8:28–59

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

What keeps you awake at night? Lately I’ve been losing sleep, tossing and turning on my bed, trying to work out a solution to an issue. Eventually I begin fretting about not getting enough rest to handle the challenges of the next day!

Sound familiar? Troubled relationships, an uncertain future, whatever it is—we all give in to worry at one point or another.

King David was clearly in distress when he penned Psalm 4. People were ruining his reputation with groundless accusations (v. 2). And some were questioning his competency to rule (v. 6). David probably felt angry for being treated so unfairly. Surely he could have spent nights stewing about it. Yet we read these remarkable words: “In peace I will lie down and sleep” (v. 8).

Charles Spurgeon explains verse 8 beautifully: “In thus lying down, . . . [David] resigned himself into the hands of another; he did so completely, for in the absence of all care, he slept; there was here a perfect trust.” What inspired this trust? From the start, David was confident that God would answer his prayers (v. 3). And he was sure that since God had chosen to love him, He would lovingly meet his needs.

May God help us to rest in His power and presence when worries threaten. In His sovereign and loving arms, we can “lie down and sleep.”

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for hearing me when I call. I surrender my worries to You and rest in Your power and presence.

We can entrust our cares to a wholly trustworthy God.

Insight:

David’s confident assurance of God’s care was the source of his ability to rest, and this theme of rest winds its way throughout the psalms. In Psalm 46:10 the psalmist says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” The phrase be still can be translated “relax.” It’s as if God is counseling the psalmist, “I’ve got this. Take it easy.” In the shepherd’s psalm, David reminds us, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2). What a wonderful picture of rest—and the source of that rest is the God in whom we confidently trust. This enabled one psalmist to share: “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you” (Psalm 116:7). Our ability to rest is directly related to our confidence in the Father’s love, care, and concern for us. So in times of anxiety and stress the child of God can look to the Father and know He’s got this. We can be at rest!

What can you entrust to God’s care? Bill Crowder

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

This message was written By Poh Fang Chia [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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Topic: Believe And Receive [TREM Devotional Thursday May 24, 2018]

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32

Revelation 21:8 says “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”. Topping the list of these bad guys are the fearful. Have you been fearful before? Have you ever been unbelieving? So, if the unbelieving would go to hell, you are going. The fearful, the unbelieving, the liars; they will find themselves in the lake of fire.

But look at John 20:19. “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” So, all the disciples should go to hell because they were afraid. They didn’t believe. Thomas didn’t believe. But when Jesus came, what did He give them? He gave them peace. He gave them peace because He is for us.

He has paid for and freely given us all things. God is for you. Is there anything you need? Whatever is a thing, there is an anointing to receive it, as long as it’s a thing. He who spared not His Own Son….

Beloved, He gave Him to us! Therefore, we are entitled to free things. That thing that is difficult is free. I tell you to remove all stops and speed breakers. Release your faith and believe. It could be a health challenge; it could be a financial challenge, a ministry challenge or a marital challenge. It could be emotional or academic! Whatever it is! It is available in Christ. We should not struggle for a lot of things we struggle for. We should not! All we have to do is to believe and receive it.

Further reading: Romans 8:31-39

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Chronicles 22-24; Evening- John 8:28-59

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read “TREM’s 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.

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Topic: Sure to Win in Him [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Thursday May 24, 2018]

Wherefore remember, that…at that time ye were without Christ…having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. – Ephesians 2:11-13

Have you ever really thought about what it truly means to be in Christ Jesus? Have you ever gotten a clear revelation of that? Once you do, it will revolutionize your life.

You see, it’s in Him that we’re raised up from our sins. It’s in Him that we’re made to sit in heavenly places so that God can show us the exceeding riches of His grace. It’s in Him that we’re made the righteousness of God!

If you want that revelation to explode in you, start searching out scriptures that refer to being in Christ. Watch for the words in Him, with Him, through Him or in whom. Mark those and meditate on them until the truth of them gets down into your spirit man. They’ll give you some powerful ammunition against the attacks of Satan.

When he tries to tell you, for instance, that you’re just a sinner and God doesn’t want to be bothered with your problems, you’ll know he is lying. You’ll be able to answer him boldly and say, “Thank God, I was a sinner, but now I’m the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I’ve been raised up to sit with Him in heavenly places. Now I’m in Him and you can’t touch me at all!”

Be prepared the next time Satan comes at you with doubt, unbelief and condemnation. Be ready to fight back with the scriptures about who you are in Jesus. You’re sure to win once you truly know you’re in Him!

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:1-14

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.

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Topic: The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit [Andrew Wommack Thursday May 24, 2018]

Mark 8:12, “And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.”

Text: Mark 8:11-13

The Greek word used here for “sighed deeply” means an intense grieving, inaudible prayer, or groan. This is intercession of the Holy Spirit, with groanings that cannot be uttered. Some Spirit-filled Christians believe this means groanings that cannot be uttered in normal speech and that this refers to speaking in tongues. However, this actually refers to a type of intercession different than speaking in tongues.

In John 11:33 and 38, Jesus groaned in the Spirit twice, and in those cases there were no words uttered. It was exactly as the Scripture states, a groaning in the Spirit. Everyone who has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit has or will have this happen to them. Paul was referring to this in Galatians 4:19 when he spoke of travailing in birth for the Galatians. This groaning of the Holy Spirit is not just a grief but a groan of anger and resistance against Satan’s devices in our lives. Many times, Christians don’t discern this because they think it is just their own grief over the situation. But, this is the Holy Spirit desiring to intercede with us against our problems.

Jesus drew on this ministry of the Holy Spirit. John 11:33 and 38 says, that Jesus groaned in the Spirit twice when He raised Lazarus from the dead. What infirmity did Jesus have that He needed this ministry of the Holy Spirit? Jesus had no sin, but He did have an infirmity. It was His physical mind.

Even a sinless human mind could not comprehend raising a man from the grave after four days. If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit to help Him when He didn’t know how to pray, then this should certainly be an important ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

“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).

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Topic: Count Your Blessings [Billy Graham’s Devotional Thursday May 24, 2018]

. . . when troubles come . . . sing his praises with much joy. — Psalm 27:5,6 (TLB)

Christians are not altogether immune from depression. The fact is: the trend of events and the mounting tide of evil are enough to give one sobering thoughts—Christian or not. David, the sweet singer of Israel, was not always on top of his depression. Sometimes his glad song was turned to a depressive mourning. “My tears have been my meat day and night, while continually they say unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted in me?” I find that the cure for depression is praise. In other words: be so busy counting your blessings, that thoughts of gloom and despair will be crowded out.

Prayer for the day: Thank You, heavenly Father, for the Psalms which help me see that even in the depths David talked with You. Whatever my circumstances, I will learn to praise You.

“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.

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Topic: Being Distinct – A Pathway To Destiny [Seeds of Destiny Thursday May 24, 2018]

Scripture: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee,”and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5

Thought For The Day: You cannot be your best until you be yourself.

Distinction means being different in nature or quality; it is the peculiarity or uniqueness of a person when compared to others.

It is important to know that to be distinct is to be a potential candidate for destiny fulfilment. You cannot be your best until you be yourself. To flow with the crowd is to be lost in the crowd. Many people have been rendered useless because of the attempt to be like others. So,”they follow the popular trend of the world per time; they live the sinful life of compromise because of the struggle to be like someone else. You can never become who God wants you to be as long as you keep struggling to be like who or what other people are.

To fulfil destiny, you must be distinct. Desire to become the person God wants you to be; be a positive role model, a pacesetter, a front-liner, a history maker and a road pointer.

Refuse to surrender your life to generational influence or societal perversion; it does not matter who does not like what you do, just go on doing it in your own unique way so long as it is the right thing. As long as it is the right thing, you owe nobody no apology for doing it. You do not need anybody’s approval to follow the right path.

Beloved, make up your mind to be different; do not let another person’s negative influence ruin your life.

Remember this”: You cannot be your best until you be yourself.

Assignments:
1. Understand your uniqueness and peculiarity.
2. Decide to do what is right even if others are not doing it.

Prayer: O Lord,”I ask that You help me not to follow and be lost in the crowd. Show me the uniqueness of my life and help me to fulfil it even if it looks unfamiliar to people, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE”: DESTINY CAPSULES (PART 5).

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 4:1 to 6:23,”John 13″:31 to 14:14,”Psalm 119″:17 to 32,”Proverbs 15″:31 to 32

Amazing Fact: The world’s longest lasting light bulb,”the Centennial light in California, has reportedly been burning since 1901, with a few interruptions during power failures.

Today In History: 24/05/1738 – The Methodist Church is established.

Quote: You will not be rewarded by how similar you are; you will be rewarded by how unique you are as a person. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP 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.

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Topic: Beware Of Profanity [DCLM Daily Manna Thursday May 24, 2018]

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 (KJV)

Key Verse: “What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not” (1 Corinthians 11:22).

MESSAGE:

In this passage, Apostle Paul offers a glimpse into how the early Church celebrated the Lord’s Supper. He expressed concerns also about unbecoming manners in the Corinthian church on how they observed ordinance. Finally, he lamented the absence of unity and solemnity in their midst. He could not commend them.

Hundreds of years earlier, God had also spoken through Prophet Hosea about the lacklustre worship the nation of Israel gave Him, despite all the good He had done to them. God is not interested only in our large assemblies; more than that, He is eager to know the content and quality of our worship. To be precise, He calls for a celebration of holiness when we gather to adore His holy name.

When our religious meetings are characterised by sinful traits, then we are not different from the world. The world exhibits carnality, division and promiscuity at its convocations. But believers are called out of the world to display a higher level of spiritual comportment that befits holy gathering unto the Lord.

Believers should ensure solemnity in their gatherings such as wedding, naming and burial ceremonies, as God would not brook any blemish. When we come together in the name of the Lord, we should conduct ourselves in a way that will promote unity among brethren and grateful spirit unto the Lord.

Thought For The Day: Let all things be done decently and in order.

Bible Reading in One Year: Psalm 108-110

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.

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Topic: Observing The Times & Seasons? [Open Heavens 24th May 2018, Thursday]

Memorise: Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. – Matthew 24:42

Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-9 (KJV)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Bible in One Year: 2 Samuel 23-24, 1 John 4

MESSAGE:

In the realm of the spirit, being watchful means being alert to the current needs of the Christian race and being prepared for future happenings that will impact your eternal destination. The most prominent of all future events predicted in the Bible is the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, which will precede the eventual end of the world. In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus responded with a detailed explanation of the events that will signal His impending arrival. In today’s Bible reading, children of God are advised to get ready for perilous times, false doctrines, deceivers, false prophets, high-mindedness of men, physical and spiritual warfare, increase in knowledge and technological advancements, worldliness and apostasy. In addition, all of humanity is enjoined to get ready for the judgement to come. I pray that you will not be left behind when the rapture occurs in Jesus’ Name.

“35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” – Mark 13:35-37

The admonition of our Lord to us in times as this is to watch. Current happenings around the world show clearly that we are in the end times. As children of God, we cannot afford to lose focus for a moment. Our hearts must be kept with all diligence under constant watchfulness. We must be on the lookout for the crafty approach of the enemy to attack the authority of the Bible. We must watch against worldliness and the quest for ungodly pleasures. We must watch against deception, false prophets, the introduction of another “gospel”, sexual immorality and societal acceptance of sinful practices. On a personal level, you must be sober and vigilant in watching against temptations such as pride, high-mindedness, self-righteousness, complacency, lukewarmness, backsliding, spiritual barrenness, stagnancy, and rebellion against constituted authority. You must not be confounded by the negative news on wars, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, economy meltdowns, national tragedy and civil unrest around the world. You should rather respond appropriately as one who has been adequately informed and is therefore well prepared for the rapture. The Lord expects you to be sober, vigilant and very consistent in prayer. You must pray for your leaders, the Church of God, your community and your family. My desire is that if the trumpet should sound today, you will be raptured in Jesus’ Name.

Key Point: What concrete steps have you taken this year to prepare for Christ’s second coming?

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heavens 23 May 2018 Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Total Submission

Hymn 9: The Old Rugged Cross

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

4.To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

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.

The post Open Heavens 24 May 2018 Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Observing The Times & Seasons? appeared first on Flatimes.