Topic: Learn To Plead With God [DCLM Daily Manna Thursday April 19, 2018]

Text: Genesis 25:19-28 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived” (Genesis 25:21).

MESSAGE:

One of our greatest privileges as God’s children is the realisation of the ample provision for us to approach our heavenly Father with our requests. We come to Him with the full assurance that He is willing not only to listen to the catalogue of our complaints, but to proffer solution to them all. However, sometimes, He takes His time in answering such prayers.

Isaac knew this all too well, himself being a product of answered prayer. So, when he got married to Rebekah according to God’s will, he was unfazed when they experienced delay in childbearing. Aware of the paramount role of prayer when his parents suffered such fate, he began to entreat God passionately on behalf of Rebekah. As was the case with his parents, the answer was not forthcoming, but he persevered in his supplications for the next twenty years when eventually, Rebekah became pregnant. It was clearly a problematic conception as the babies struggled in her womb. Her enquiry from God revealed that she was to bear a set of twins who would be markedly different from each other. Soon after, she gave birth to Esau and Jacob. God answers prayers.

We must learn, like Isaac, to plead with God for our needs. No request is ever so small or too great to present to God. He wants to grant our requests and supply our needs, but He also waits for us to ask Him first. Sometimes, He answers the prayers promptly, but at other times, He chooses to withhold His answers. In the process, He desires that we properly articulate what we need, appreciate Him when the answers come and attach more value to the gifts. Whether the needs are great or small, we should pray till God answers us.

Thought For The Day: “Ask and it shall be given you”.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 18; 1 Chronicles 10

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.

The post DCLM Daily Manna 19 April, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Learn To Plead With God appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Covetousness [Teens Open Heavens 19, April 2018]

Memorise: And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. – Luke 12:15

Read: Luke 12:15-21 (KJV)

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 27-29, Luke 17:1-19

MESSAGE:

In the world we live today, focus has been shifted from pursuing righteousness to acquiring wealth. Most people no longer focus on spiritual things which have eternal value, they only pursue physical things that have expiry dates. This pursuit of physical things has given rise to deep covetousness and greed in the heart of Christians. Christians now long to have the things their neighbours have at all cost. As a child of God who is looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ, your focus should not be on the things of this earth, but on things of eternal value. Your priority should not be to acquire more and more earthly things, but your priority should be that you are saved, and that you lead as many people as possible to Christ.

Contentment is a virtue that every child of God should possess. Covetousness should be far away and should never be named near a child of God. We should learn to be content and thankful with whatever God has given us. Godliness with contentment is great gain!

Key Point: Things of this world will fade away, but things that are eternal will forever remain.

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

Hymn 7:

1. I am Thine 0 Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Chorus
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

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.

The post Teens Open Heavens 19 April 2018 – Covetousness appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Be of Good Cheer [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Thursday April 19, 2018]

And now I exhort you to be of good cheer. – Acts 27:22

What do you do when you’re in a really perilous situation?

If you’re like I used to be, you cry out to God in desperation. One afternoon when I was squalling to God about something, He interrupted me and said, Kenneth, did you know I don’t hear the cry of My children when they cry out in desperation?

“What?” I said. “I thought You did.”

He said, No, I hear the desperation cry of a sinner because that’s all he can cry about. But once you get born again, son, you ought to be crying out of faith. I hear the faith cry.

What is a faith cry? It’s calling things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17). It’s what the Bible means when it says, “…Let the weak say, I am strong” (Joel 3:10).

The Apostle Paul knew how to use the faith cry. That’s why, in Acts 27, he exhorted the men on that battered, sinking ship to “be of good cheer.” He was telling them to start acting by faith. Can’t you imagine what those sailors thought when he said that? Listen to that stupid preacher. We’re sinking and he says be of good cheer. We’ve thrown everything we have overboard and he says be of good cheer.

You may feel just like those sailors did, right now. You may feel like your ship’s going down. You may feel like crying out in desperation. But don’t do it. Instead, do what Paul said and be of good cheer!

Cry out to God in faith and say, “Lord, I’m not going to panic. I’m not going to despair. I’m going to be of good cheer because Your Word says You’ll deliver me from this situation” (Psalm 34:19).

Then start being cheerful. It may take more determination than anything you’ve ever done before, but God will give you the strength to do it. He’ll give you the power to be cheerful in the middle of the most ungodly darkness the devil can bring up.

Instead of crying out in desperation, take a faith stand. Sing and rejoice and praise God for your deliverance. Be of good cheer and you can be sure God will bring you through the storm just fine!

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-9

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.

The post Kenneth & Gloria Copeland Devotional 19 April 2018 – Be of Good Cheer appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Hurry Not [Our Daily Bread 19th Thursday April, 2018]

Read: Isaiah 26:1–4, Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 6–8; Luke 15:1–10

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

“Ruthlessly eliminate hurry.” When two friends repeated that adage by the wise Dallas Willard to me, I knew I needed to consider it. Where was I spinning my wheels, wasting time and energy? More important, where was I rushing ahead and not looking to God for guidance and help? In the weeks and months that followed, I remembered those words and reoriented myself back to the Lord and His wisdom. I reminded myself to trust in Him, rather than leaning on my own ways.

After all, rushing around frantically seems to be the opposite of the “perfect peace” the prophet Isaiah speaks of. The Lord gives this gift to “those whose minds are steadfast,” because they trust in Him (v. 3). And He is worthy of being trusted today, tomorrow, and forever, for “the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal” (v. 4). Trusting God with our minds fixed on Him is the antidote to a hurried life.

How about us? Do we sense that we’re hurried or even hasty? Maybe, in contrast, we often experience a sense of peace. Or perhaps we’re somewhere in between the two extremes.

Wherever we may be, I pray today that we’ll be able to put aside any hurry as we trust the Lord, who will never fail us and who gives us His peace.

Prayer: Lord God, You give the peace that passes all understanding, which is a gift I don’t want to take for granted. Thank You.

God’s peace helps us not to hurry.

Insight:

The word peace in Isaiah 26:3 is one of the prophet Isaiah’s favorite words; it’s used over twenty times in Isaiah. The word appears for the first time in Isaiah 9:6 where we find several titles for the promised Messiah, including “Prince of Peace.” Peace is a translation of the great Hebrew word shalom. While peace is certainly an acceptable rendering, more broadly shalom speaks of “welfare,” “prosperity,” “wholeness”—the comprehensive well-being of a person, people, or place. What isn’t immediately apparent in modern versions of verse 3 is that the word translated “perfect” is also the Hebrew word shalom. Thus a literal rendering of “perfect peace” is “shalom, shalom” or “peace, peace.” What’s in view is multiplied peace, true peace, exponential peace. Verse 3 helps us to see that peace awaits those who trust in the Lord as their eternal source of strength—their Rock (v. 4). Such peace allows one to exhale, to rest, to slow down. Arthur Jackson

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 19 April 2018 – Hurry Not appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Worship Is Warfare [Andrew Wommack Thursday April 19, 2018]

Mark 5:6, “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him.”

Text: Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-17; Luke 8:27-39

The word “worshipped” is taken from the Greek word “proskuneo” which means “to prostrate oneself in homage to; do reverence to; adore.” The fact that this tormented man ran to Jesus, and not away from Him, indicates that even “demon-possessed” people have a free will and Satan cannot control an individual without his consent.

Many battles have been fought over whether or not a Christian can be demon possessed. The Greek word for “possessed” literally means “to be demonized.” The Bible makes no clear distinction between degrees of demon activity (such as oppressed, depressed, possessed, etc.), but simply refers to people as being “demonized.” All Christians are fighting against spiritual powers. If we don’t put on the whole armor of God, Satan can certainly affect us or even control us.

The best way to administer deliverance is through God’s Word. As a person receives the Word, it will set him free and also help guard against this situation when the demon tries to come back in with seven other spirits. In severe cases of being demonized, the individual clearly needs the help of a believer, and that’s the reason why Jesus equipped all believers with authority over evil spirits.

Anointed praise and worship will also drive off evil spirits. One thing reserved for God alone is worship, and the devil has always sought that. If he can’t be the one to receive worship, then he seeks to turn others away from giving true worship to the most High God. Praise and worship to the Lord is such a powerful tool against Satan. He can’t stand to see God worshipped. Worship God today in spirit and in truth. The Father seeks those who will worship Him this way. He’s waiting for you.

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 19 April 2018 – Worship Is Warfare appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Depend on Him [Billy Graham’s Devotional Thursday April 19, 2018]

I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. — Galatians 5:16 (TLB)

To walk in the Spirit is a challenging and inspiring exercise, for it combines activity with relaxation. To walk means to place one foot in front of the other. If you stop doing this, you are no longer walking-you are standing still. Walking always implies movement, progress, and direction. Sin shall no longer rule or dominate you when you are allowing the Holy Spirit to live Christ’s life through you. It is living by faith, living by trust, living in dependence upon God.

If we look to our own resources, our own strength, or our own ability, as Peter did when he walked on the water, we will fail. You cannot live the Christian life by yourself. The Holy Spirit must live in you and express Himself through you. Living for Christ is a day-by-day experience. It is a continuous dependence upon the Spirit of God. It is believing in His faithfulness.

Prayer for the day: Lord, so often I have walked on my own instead of walking in Your Spirit. Guide my footsteps this day, I pray in Jesus’ name.

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.

The post Billy Graham Devotional 19 April 2018 – Depend on Him appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: It Shall Come To Pass [TREM’s Devotional Thursday April 19, 2018]

“Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:” Exodus 3:16 KJV

When God raised Moses as a deliverer for his children, He gave him an encounter at the backside of the desert and told him that He was going to use him to bring His people out of Egypt. He then commanded him to go and inform the people. He said to them, “…The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob…” has sent me to you. Notice that He said the “God of Abraham”. That speaks of covenant! Remember it was Abraham God first spoke to, that his descendants were going to be in captivity but that He will bring them out. God cut a covenant with Abraham at that time, to assure him that what He said will come to pass.

I don’t know what God has spoken concerning you; it shall come to pass in your life. Stop doubting! Yes, the enemy will resist you, but the plan and purpose of God concerning you will be accomplished. God will certainly establish you and the enemy can do nothing about it.

I have discovered in life that the only obstacle capable of stopping you from fulfilling destiny is you, and not the devil or any other person. Many times, we tend to give all sorts of excuses and point fingers to other people being the reasons for our predicaments. But you know what? Your excuse is inexcusable.

I laugh when believers talk about witches disturbing them. Why do we give credit to the devil when God has placed him under your feet? You are a superior spirit and have overcome all the works of the enemy. As one who shares in Christ’s flesh and blood, His very life flows through you, and the devil is afraid of you. Beloved, The Word can never fail. It will surely come to pass. Hold on to it.

Further Reading: Jeremiah 33:17-26, Psalm 89:34-37

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 2 Samuel 6-8; Evening- Luke 15:1-10

“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.

The post TREM Devotional 19 April 2018 by Dr. Mike Okonkwo – It Shall Come To Pass appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Choosing To Die With Your Enemy? [Open Heavens 19 April 2018, Thursday]

Memorise: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21

Read: Romans 12:9-21 (KJV)

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Bible in One Year: Judges 9, 2 Timothy 2.

MESSAGE:

The simple and expected response to the thought-provoking question in today’s topic is “no”. In practice however, this may not be the case. It is true that the people of this world can be terribly wicked, so much so that one may find it difficult to let go when the opportunity presents itself to pay them back in their own coin. Nevertheless, this is contrary to the nature of God that we bear as Christians. Speaking to us about this in Romans 12:19, the Holy Spirit says:

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

The story of Samson is a good example of someone who chose to die with his enemies. Although he was born a Nazarite to God, he had many flaws in his character, the most lethal of which was vindictiveness. When a person is vindictive, such a fellow will be unforgiving, merciless and absolutely cruel. When his enemies bound him in chains and plucked out his eyes, instead of calling on God for the forgiveness of his sins, he chose to pray to God to avenge his eyes. Judges 16:28 says,

“And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”

When one listens to the prayers of some people who ordinarily should be on their face asking God for mercy, one cannot but wonder if they are not praying to die with their enemies. Such people ask God to avenge them of their enemies, when they are the ones whose sins empowered the enemy to buffet them. No doubt, God will honor His word to recompense the evildoer. However, what do you stand to gain if your enemies die as a result of the evil they did to you, but you also die in your sins? That is not a wise thing to do. This is the reason why Romans 12:17 warns us that we should not repay any man evil for evil, but rather, we should overcome evil with good. When someone offends you and you decide not to settle with him or her, what you are indirectly saying is that you are ready to die with that enemy. You put the forgiveness of that fellow on hold and yours will not be released to you either. Mark 11:26 says,

“But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

We need to forgive those who wronged us for our own sake because the Scripture is clear that unless we do, we are in danger of preferring to die with our enemies instead of saving ourselves from the judgment to come upon this world.

Prayer Point: Father, please forgive my trespasses as I have forgiven those who trespassed against me.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Open Heavens 18th April 2018 Wednesday — Forgetting The Past

Hymn 12: Take My Life, And Let It Be.

1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

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 19 April 2018 Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Choosing To Die With Your Enemy? appeared first on Flatimes.