Topic: Seek God First and He Will Add Everything Else [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Thursday May 17, 2018]

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. — 2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV

Matthew 6:33 tells us that when we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will give us everything we need. It is a matter of putting God first in our lives. Simple? Yes. Easy? Not necessarily!

Even though we want God to help us, it is sometimes difficult to consistently put Him first. It may seem easy to trust Him with your life when you’re in church on Sunday morning, but on Monday you may be tempted to take control again. Seeking God and putting Him first requires building an intimate relationship with Him that will sustain you every day of the week. God knows what we need better than we do, and He longs to provide it, but He requires that we make Him top priority in our lives.

Many years ago, when I began my relationship with God, I wasn’t really serious about it. Like many other Christians, I put in my church time on Sunday. I was even on the church board, and my husband, Dave, was an elder. The problem was, when I was at home or at work, it was hard to tell the difference between an unbeliever and me. I had accepted Christ, I was on my way to heaven, and I loved God. But I didn’t love Him with my whole heart—there were many areas of my life that I had not yet surrendered to Him. As a result, I was frustrated, and my life lacked victory and joy.

Finally, I cried out to God for help, and thankfully, He heard and answered my prayer. He began to show me that I needed to let Him out of my “Sunday Morning Box” and allow Him to be first in every area of my life. Since I did that, I am continually amazed at the ways that God provides for everything else I need.

Prayer Starter: Father, I know my relationship with You is the key to having peace, joy, fulfillment and a great life. Help me to put You first and love You with my whole heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

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Topic: God Loves You With An Everlasting Love [TREM Devotional Thursday May 17, 2018]

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore, with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

The people of God were in captivity in Babylon, but God assured them that they were coming out. They had been there for close to 17 years but God said to them that they will still go back to their country. In Jeremiah 31:3; God said, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love”. Do you know what that means? That means there is nothing you do that would stop God from loving you. God may not like what you did, but that does not stop Him from loving you.

When we are talking about the love of God; understand that it is not the love that says, “If you do this, then, I will love you.” No! The Lord says; I love you just the way you are and I want to help you, I want to make you happy, I want to change your life, I want to heal you and I want to deliver you. God’s love is such that He wants to go beyond Himself and do something. It is love that gives.

Understand that at the time God was speaking, Jerusalem had been ravaged. Israel had been destroyed by Babylon. They were scattered all over the place. God came to the captives; He said, listen, I love you with the everlasting love. And let me give you information you don’t know. He said: you see that place you left, you are going back there. It will still be inhabited. You will still hear sounds of joy in that place. There will be merriments in that place, and you will plant vines and will eat of them. In other words, don’t say your end has come. The fact that I have loved you is an indication that I will go beyond myself. I will do that which no one has done. I have loved you with an everlasting love.

Further Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-14, Romans 8:31-39

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Chronicles 1-3; Evening- John 5:25-47

“If you missed yesterday devotional click 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: Let It Drive You To Pray! [DCLM Daily Manna Thursday May 17, 2018]

Text: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3).

MESSAGE:

It is common with human to react with fear and panic during moments of crisis. In their panic, they would make so many frantic efforts in search of a new way out. Hardly does prayer become the first reaction of people in times of crisis. Yet, it is in prayer that the solutions can be found.

This is why the story of King Jehoshaphat is a challenge to all Christians. He was shaken one morning with the horrifying news of a coalition of great host coming against him. This meant that the life of Jehoshaphat and his entire kingdom were in the brink of extinction. That was enough to make him panic. Instead of allowing his fear to drive him into wrong actions, he allowed the situation to drive him to prayer. He summoned all the citizens to fast and pray, thereby expressing his total trust and confidence in God to grant them deliverance. Thankfully, He did! Jehoshaphat and his people did not raise a sword nor shoot an arrow, yet all their enemies were killed. God fought for them.

Those who do not have absolute confidence in God will react differently when they are faced with similar situations. Some will even get angry with God and murmur against Him. But that will only compound the problem instead of solving it. The best thing to do when situations we do not expect confront us is to pray. In praying, we express our absolute trust in God to handle the situation. If we pray about our circumstances, we will certainly get a miraculous deliverance Jehoshaphat.

Do not only pray; believe God and act on His Word. Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah did just as the prophet had told them and their faith and obedience were rewarded with great victory. Run to God in prayer; it is the safest place to hide in times of trouble and always.

Thought For The Day: When you have a great need, run to our great God in prayer.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Samuel 16-18

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: Seeing Beyond Skeletons [Teens Open Heavens 17, May 2018]

Memorise: Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

Read: Isaiah 3:10-11 (KJV)

10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

Bible In One Year: 2 Kings 18-19, John 6:22-44

MESSAGE:

When he was brought face to face with a valley full of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-10, Ezekiel was asked by the Lord; “can these bones live again?” He almost said; impossible! Because truly, what he was asked was humanly impossible.

There are several situations in the world today that appear to be saying that Satan is taking over, but never believe that lie. It does not matter what your present situation is saying, your tomorrow will be alright. Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones and they came alive. Rise up and prophesy into your seemingly impossible situations too and you shall receive your decree.

Action Point: Ask that the breath of life from God should blow over every dead situation in your life today.

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

Hymn 1:

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour 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 Saviour, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

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.

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Topic — Serious Mindedness: Key To A Glorious Destiny [Seeds of Destiny Thursday May 17, 2018]

Scripture: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. – Ecclesiastes 9:10

Thought For The Day: It takes a serious approach to life to have a serious outcome in life; those who take life casually would end as casualties.

Some time ago, I heard the story of an unusually playful boy. The boy was too playful to take his life seriously and as a result, he ended up as a casualty.

Many times, he would playfully shout, Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! His parents would then run to his aid thinking that there was a wolf that came to devour him, but surprisingly, they would discover that there was no wolf.

So, one day, a wolf actually came and the little boy shouted, Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!… but the parents thought that he was joking as usual and turned deaf ears to his call for rescue, then the wolf rushed and devoured the child. What a disaster!

Beloved, the lesson is, it takes a serious approach to life to have a serious outcome in life; those who take life casually would end as casualties. Casualness to life is the reason for casualties. To take life casually is to be a victim of negative circumstances.

Anyone who is not serious with life cannot have a serious outcome in life.
There are people who are not serious with their relationship with God, church attendance or anything until life passed them by.

Beloved, be serious-minded in all you do. Let the devil confirm that you are a serious person. If you will serve God, serve Him wholeheartedly, dedicatedly, aggressively and passionately. If you will give, give generously and aggressively. If you are a worker, work passionately and diligently. When you are serious, nothing can take you for granted. Doing it seriously is key to ending gloriously.

Remember this: It takes a serious approach to life to have a serious outcome in life; those who take life casually end as casualties.

Assignments:
1. Refuse to play with your life and destiny; be committed to your assignment diligently.
2. Decide to be serious; maintain a serious approach to life generally.

Prayer: O Lord, I refuse to be a casualty of life; help me to cultivate and maintain a serious approach to life, Lord, in Jesus Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DESTINY CAPSULES (PART 3).

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 20:1 to 21:15, John 9:1 to 41, Psalm 113:1 to 114:8, Proverbs 15:15 to 17

Amazing Fact: Your eyes contain 7 million cones which help you see colour and details, as well as 100 million cells called rods which help you to see better in the dark.

Today In History: 17/05/1877 – The first telephone switchboard burglar alarm is installed by Edwin T. Holmes.

Quote: Take the Word of God seriously. Culled from THOU ART MY BATTLE AXE 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: Walk in the Light You Have [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Thursday May 17, 2018]

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. – 2 Timothy 3:14

If you’re born again and have the Word of God in your heart, you can live in victory. You may not have all the answers. There may be a great many spiritual things you don’t understand. But it’s not those things that are most likely to destroy you. It’s the things you know to do—but don’t—that usually make you fall.

Just think about walking at night down a dark, unfamiliar path in the middle of a jungle. The guide up ahead has a flashlight to keep you on the right path. But then, you just decide to wander off into the darkness by yourself. What do you think will happen to you? You’ll probably stumble and fall. Very likely, you’ll get hurt.

That’s exactly the same thing that can happen in your walk with the Lord. He knows what’s ahead and He shines just enough light for you to take one step at a time. You have to continue walking in that light in order to get where you’re going.

You may not know why He’s leading you a certain way. You may not understand all the things involved. But God will make up for your ignorance by the Holy Spirit. He’ll see to it that you have victory if you continue in what you know.

It’s good to keep studying. It’s good to keep learning. But, remember, it’s not the great revelation you haven’t yet had that will cause you the most trouble. It’s failing to walk in the ones God has already given you. So be faithful in those things. Continue in them day after day after day. You’ll make it through just fine!

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:2-11

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 Spirit And The Word Are One [Andrew Wommack Thursday May 17, 2018]

John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

Text: John 6:40-71; 7:1

Jesus is stating that our spirit, not our flesh, is where our life comes from. These people were so dominated by their physical lives that they were missing all the spiritual significance of His words. Although God’s Word does benefit our physical man, the Word is spiritual and must be understood through the spirit. God’s Word is spirit and it takes our spirit to illuminate its truths to our minds.

The Word of God is not paper and ink. Jesus is the Word, and He existed in spiritual form long before any words were inspired to be written down by the Holy Ghost. The Bible is simply a physical representation of Jesus and spiritual truth. It is inspired of God and therefore, totally accurate and reliable, and yet, until we receive the Spirit expressed in these words the Bible will not profit us. This is why many people have read the Word, maybe even memorized it, and yet aren’t reaping its benefits.

Just as our physical man receives life from the food he eats, so our spiritual man receives life as we partake of Jesus, the “bread of life. Jesus plainly stated that the words He spoke were spiritual – not physical.

If we want to know what spiritual truth is, we must believe the Bible, for it is spirit and life. If we want to be led by the Spirit, then we must follow God’s Word. If we want to hear from the Spirit of God, then we must listen to what God says in His Word. The Spirit (Holy Spirit) and the Word (Jesus – Jn. 1:1) are one.

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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