Topic: Bring Down Revival II [Open Heavens 6th May 2018, Sunday]

Memorise: Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. – Ezekiel 3:17

Read: Nehemiah 8:1-10 (KJV)

1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 17, Hebrew 12:3-29

MESSAGE:

In the past two days, we have examined what causes the need for revival and the divine template God has established for obtaining revival from heaven. The question we will be considering today is this: Dose the Church of the 21st century need revival? I strongly believe the answer to this question is yes. You may wonder why I believe so. When you critically look around you with the eyes of the spirit, you will observe several things that have resulted in the Church falling short of the glory of God in this modern generation. You will also observe that it is increasingly becoming difficult to uphold biblical principles in the public arena in many nations of the world, especially in the western world. The mention of the Bible, reading of any portion of Scripture, and the observance of devotional prayers are outlawed in academic institutions at all levels, in offices, and in other public places in some nations that were previously proud to be identified as Christian nations just a few years ago. The Church has consequently toned down the commandments of God and stepped down Bible doctrines in many places whenever it is opposed by the acceptable culture or popular opinion of the people. The Church, including some very big denominations, has clearly departed from biblical doctrine on issues relating to salvation, mercy-killing, marriage, divorce, remarriage, abortion, homosexuality and many more issues.

As seen in today’s memory verse, in every generation, God is always seeking for watchmen who will speak His mind to the people, irrespective of the circumstance, warning them against doing things that are contrary to His will. Many Christians, including prominent Christian leaders, have openly abdicated this responsibility in the public place because of the fear of losing face. If we will please God, we must stand firm in the sound teaching of His word (Ezekiel 3:17-21). This is where the problem lies: many preachers and teachers of the word are no longer warning the Church against apostasy and wickedness because of the fear of losing “valuable” members. Our Lord Jesus Christ sent messages of warning to the seven Churches in Asia, and we also must do the same today (Revelation 2-3). We must stand firm on genuine repentance as demanded and witnessed in Proverbs 28:13, acts 3:19, 2 Samuel 12:13 and Psalm 51:3-4. Note that repentance is not limited to unbelievers alone; every sincere child of God will always engage in self-examination to avoid the presence of unconfessed sins in their lives (1 John 2:1-11). Finally, warring brethren must reconcile in line with Matthew 5:21-24 and Psalm 133:1-3. As you seek God’s face for revival today, He will answer you by fire in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to be a faithful watchman in this generation in Jesus’ Name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Open Heavens 5 May 2018 Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Bring Down Revival I 

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 6 May 2018 Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Bring Down Revival II appeared first on Flatimes.

TOPIC: Nehemiah [Sunday, 6th May 2018]

OPENING PRAYER: Father, remember my services to you and bless me. (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

Bible Passage: Nehemiah 2: 1-8 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.

2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,

3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.

5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;

8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

MEMORY VERSE: “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof “. – Nehemiah 13:14

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Nehemiah, the son of Hachaliah, was born at Babylon during the captivity-Neh. 1:1. He was according to some, of the race of the priests according to others, of the royal family of Judah and apparently a stepson of Queen Esther. He sustained the office of cupbearer to the Persian king Artazerzes Longimanus. Touched with the calamitous state of the colony of Jews, which had formerly returned to Jerusalem, he besought the king of Persia to permit him to go to Jerusalem and aid in rebuilding it. He directed his attention chiefly to rebuilding the walls of the city. He remained in Judea for thirteen years as Governor, carrying out many reforms, notwithstanding much opposition that he encountered-Neh. 13:11. Probably, he remained at his post as Governor till his death about B.C. 413 in a good old age.

TEXT REVIEW: NEHEMIAH 2:1-8
EVIDENCE OF COMMITMENT
i. Nehemiah was sad in full glare of the king. Nehemiah. 2:1
ii. He was not making merry with the King instead, he was in grief of fear and sorrow. Nehemiah. 2:2
iii. He advanced two reasons for his sadness:
a. The city of Jerusalem lay waste (has ilacn devastated). Nehemiah 2:3.
b. The gate had been broken down and burnt with fire. Nehemiah. 2:3
iv. Nehemiah had to seek God’s face in prayer to make his request known to the King. Nehemiah 2:4
v. He requested for favour to rebuild the city at Judah (Nehemiah 2:5)
vi. He requested for ample time for the work. Nehemiah 2:6
vii. His mind was on God’s work than serving wine to the King. Nehemiah 2:1-2
viii. He obtained authority or approval from the government (king) to embark on the building work. Nehemiah 2:7.
ix. He obtained materials from the government to build the city. Nehemiah 2:8
x. He obtained the mercy of the Lord to execute the project. Nehemiah 2:8
Nehemiah is a good illustration of commitment to divine assignment

LESSON OUTLINES

Lesson Outline 1: CHARACTERS AND ACHIEVEMENT

QUESTION:

What are some characters of Nehemiah?

ANSWER:

i. He was a man of prayer and action.
ii. He prayed before action not after.
iii. He was patriotic, brave and forthright.
iv. He was a man of undoubting faith in God to do whatever God wanted. Phil. 3:14.

QUESTION:

What do the following scriptures say about Nehemiah? Neh. 1:411; 2:4-5, 9; 4:4-5, 9.

QUESTION:

What are some of the achievements of Nehemiah?

ANSWER:
i. He led the people to rebuild the broken wall of Jerusalem. Neh. 6:15
ii. He fortified the city of Jerusalem and its wall which was destroyed In 586BC.
iii. After the completion of the wall, Nehemiah and Ezra called for public prayer and reading of the law. Nehemiah. 8:1.3, 8
ix. He signed first to the covenant to walk with God.
v. He made people to sign to the covenant to walk with God thereafter. Nehemiah 9:38
vi. He wrote the book of Nehemiah between 430-431 BC.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why do we have oppositions whenever we are ready to do the work of God?

LESSON OUTLINE 2: LESSON FROM HIS LIFE
QUESTION/TASK:

A. Teacher should ask students to mention those lessons to learn from Nehemiah.
B. Teacher should the lessons to learn from the life of Nehemiah after students’ response as outlined below:
i. Prayer should always precede any endeavour. Jas 5:17-18.
ii. God is always willing to help. Ps 46:1.
iii. Persistence combined with faith can accomplish great things. Jesus Himself exhorted persistency with
iv. His parable of the persistent widow and the judge. Luke 18:1-8.
v. Be single-minded in all that you do for God, and in all that you desire from God. Luke 9:62, James 1:5-8. God remembers and rewards good work. Neh.13:14, I Cor.15:58, Rev.22:11-12.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention the challenges the body of Christ may face if the wall of unity (in the body of Christ) is allowed to break down.

SUMMARY:

Arise and build the cracked wall in the body of your class, parish and Church as Nehemiah did.

CONCLUSION:

Nehemiah had an unrelenting zeal to rebuild the broken wall of Jerusalem. In spite of the opposition from Sambalath and others, he achieved his goal. What passion do you have for the things of God?

EVALUATION:

Mention lessons which you have learned and ready to emulate from the life of Nehemiah.

ASSIGNMENT:

Mention five roles which your class can play to ensure that the unity wall in your Parish is fortified.

Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

The post RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 6th May 2018 Lesson 36 – Nehemiah appeared first on Flatimes.

TOPIC: Nehemiah [Sunday, 6th May 2018]

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deedd that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof” – Nehemiah 13:14 (scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Nehemiah 2:1-8

1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.

2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,

3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.

5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;

8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

INTRODUCTION:

Nehemiah, the son of Hachaliah, was born in Babylon during the captivity (Nehamiah 1:1). He was, according to some, of the race of the priests; according to others, of the royal family of Judah and apparently a stepson of Queen Esther. He sustained the office of cupbearer to the Persian king Artazerzes Longimanus. Touched with the calamitous state of the colony of Jews, which had formerly returned to Jerusalem, he besought the king of Persia to permit him to go to Jerusalem and aid in rebuilding it. He directed his attention chiefly to rebuilding the walls of the city. He remained in Judea for thirteen years as governor, carrying out many reforms, notwithstanding much opposition that he encountered (Nehemiah 13:11). Probably, he remained at his post as Governor till his death (about B.C.413) in a good old age.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Character and achievements
2. Lessons from his life

CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Nehemiah was a man of prayer, patriotism, action, bravery and constancy. He always viewed prayer as a first action rather than a last resort (Nehemiah 1:4-11, 2:4, 4:4-5,9). He was persistent, with great faith in God and His ability to do anything he was asked (Philippians 3:14).

He went to Jerusalem where the city wall was broken down, and with a single minded purpose persevered until the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt (Nehemiah 6:15). The rebuilding of the wall enabled Jerusalem to become a fortified city once again, nearly a century and a half after its destruction in 586BC. After the wall was rebuilt, Nehemiah and Ezra called the people to prayer and the public reading of the law (Nehemiah 8:1-3,8).

He was one of the first to sign his name to a covenant agreement among the people regarding walking in God’s law (Nehemiah 9:38). He wrote the book of Nehemiah (430-431 BC).

LESSONS FROM HIS LIFE

1. Prayer should always precede any endeavour (James 5:17-18).
2. God is always willing to help (Psalm 46:1).
3. Persistence combined with faith can accomplish great things. Jesus Himself exhorted persistency with His parable of the persistent widow and the judge (Luke 18:1-8).
4. Be single-minded in all that you do for God, and in all that you desire from God (Luke 9:62, James 1:5-8).
5. God remembers and rewards good work (Nehemiah 13:14, 1Corinthians 15:58, Revelations 22:11-12).

CONCLUSION:
Nehemiah had an unrelenting zeal to rebuild the broken wall of Jerusalem. In spite of the opposition from Sanballat and others, he achieved his goal. What passion do you have for the things of God?

QUESTIONS:
1. Describe the man, Nehemiah.
2. What lesson can you learn from his life-style?

Click to read previous RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual April 29th, 2018 Lesson 35 — A Scriptural Approach To Family Planning

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

The post RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual May 6th, 2018 Lesson 36 — Nehemiah appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Keeping Close [Our Daily Bread 5 Friday May, 2018]

Read: Deuteronomy 6:1–9, Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 19–20; Luke 23:1–25

Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Deuteronomy 6:8

My mile-long walk home from dropping off my daughter at her school gives me the opportunity to memorize some verses from the Bible—if I’m intentional about doing so. When I take those minutes to turn over God’s Word in my mind, I often find them coming back to me later in the day, bringing me comfort and wisdom.

When Moses prepared the Israelites to enter the Promised Land, he urged them to hold close to God’s commands and decrees (Deuteronomy 6:1–2). Wanting them to flourish, he said they should turn these instructions over in their minds and discuss them with their children (vv. 6–7). He even said to tie them to their wrists and bind them to their foreheads (v. 8). He didn’t want them to forget God’s instructions to live as people who honored the Lord and enjoyed His blessings.

How might you consider God’s words today? One idea is to write out a verse from Scripture, and every time you wash your hands or take a drink, read the words and turn them over in your mind. Or before you go to sleep, consider a short passage from the Bible as the last act of the day. Many are the ways of keeping God’s Word close to our hearts!

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for giving us the Bible, which is a wellspring for life. Help us to read and digest it today.

Surround yourself with God’s Word.

Insight:

Today’s reading contains the Shema—the centerpiece of Israel’s belief in one God. It’s based on the Hebrew word for hear: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Verses 6–9 emphasize how we are to make the Scriptures a vital part of our lives so they will affect what we do and what we think about. It’s the meditation of the mind and application of the heart that translates divine truth into transformed living. Dennis Fisher

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

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

The post Our Daily Bread (ODB) Devotional 5 May 2018 – Keeping Close appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: God’s Options Or Ours? [Andrew Wommack Saturday May 5, 2018]

Matthew 14:27-28. “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou bid me come unto thee on the water.”

Text: Matthew 14:22-33

It is important to analyze Peter’s statement. Peter was overwhelmed when he saw Jesus walking on the water, and he wanted to do the same. While there is really nothing wrong with his desire, the request he put before Jesus was totally wrong. He didn’t ask the Lord if he wanted him to walk on the water, or if his faith was up to it. Instead he said, “If it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” What was Jesus going to say, “It isn’t me. Don’t come.”?

There are no other examples of someone walking on water in the Word of God. Jesus had a definite reason for walking on the water; however, Peter simply wanted to see if he could do it. God will permit us to do things that are not His perfect will for us.

Many times we hinder our own prayers by the way we ask things of God. We say, “Do you want me to do (a) or (b)?” The Lord may not want us to do either one. We should offer Him a third choice – (c) none of the above. We should trust God’s wisdom and even allow Him to select the options.

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).

The post Andrew Wommack’s Devotional 5 May 2018 – God’s Options Or Ours? appeared first on Flatimes.