Topic: Looking for a Cause? [Billy Graham’s Devotional Friday April 13, 2018]

Brethren . . . present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. — Romans 12:1

In a book called “The Age of Longing” we read that an American girl married a radical revolutionary in Paris. She had lost her faith at an American University—lost all the religious faith she had, and all the things her parents had told her. She was asked why she married him. She said, “He’s the first person I have ever known who believes something strong enough to die for it. Although I don’t believe exactly as he does, I was attracted to this man who had found a cause.” I find that young people today are looking for a cause, and they are not looking for something easy.

Some time ago a university student in Moscow told one of my colleagues, “You Christians say that you are going to win the world, but we’ve done more in fifty years than you’ve done in two thousand years. And do you know why? It is because you are not committed. We are. We will win, you’ll see.”

Want to be part of something bigger? Become a Search for Jesus volunteer and help share the Gospel—without leaving home.

Prayer for the day: I look at my dedication to You, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, and am ashamed—You gave everything for me. May I always live totally committed in love to 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.

The post Billy Graham’s Devotional 13 April 2018 – Looking for a Cause? appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Leaving the Pain Behind [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Friday April 13, 2018]

Love…is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. – 1 Corinthians 13:5, The Amplified Bible

Have you ever tried to forgive someone…and found you simply couldn’t do it? You’ve cried about it and prayed about it and asked God to help you, but those old feelings of resentment just failed to go away.

Put an end to those kinds of failures in the future by basing your forgiveness on faith rather than feelings. True forgiveness doesn’t have anything at all to do with how you feel. It’s an act of the will. It is based on obedience to God and on faith in Him.

That means once you’ve forgiven a person, you need to consider them permanently forgiven! When old feelings rise up within you and Satan tries to convince you that you haven’t really forgiven them, resist him. Say, “No, I’ve already forgiven that person by faith. I refuse to dwell on those old feelings.”

Then, according to 1 John 1:9, believe that you receive forgiveness and cleansing from the sin of unforgiveness and from all unrighteousness associated with it—including any remembrance of having been wronged!

Have you ever heard anyone say, “I may forgive, but I’ll never forget!”? That’s a second-rate kind of forgiveness that you, as a believer, are never supposed to settle for. You’re to forgive supernaturally “even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

You’re to forgive as God forgives. To release that person from guilt permanently and unconditionally and to operate as if nothing bad ever happened between you. You’re to purposely forget as well as forgive.

As you do that, something supernatural will happen within you. The pain once caused by that incident will disappear. The power of God will wash away the effects of it and you’ll be able to leave it behind you once and for all.

Don’t become an emotional bookkeeper, keeping careful accounts of the wrongs you have suffered. Learn to forgive and forget. It will open a whole new world of blessing for you.

Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-37

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’s Devotional 13 April 2018 – Leaving the Pain Behind appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Faith Calls Forth The Invisible [TREM’s Devotional Friday April 13, 2018]

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV

At times, your experience may contradict what the report of God says. In God’s Kingdom, you are not called to believe what you have seen; you are called to believe what you have not seen. That is where power is released. In Genesis 12:1-4 (KJV), God went to a heathen land and called out Abraham from an idol-worshipping background. “Get out of thy country and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee….” Initially, Abraham had doubts. That was why he went into Haggai and Ishmael was produced. Until God caused him to realize that he had to believe, in order for what He had promised to come to pass.

Romans 4:17 (KJV) puts this way, “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were”. Beloved, God knows how to make dead things come alive. There might be some dead things in your life right now, get ready, they are coming alive. You are called to call the things that be not as though they are.

Believers are all over the place calling the things that be as though they are. No! By faith, call the things that be not as though they are. That is the scripture! Presently, health is not, wealth is not, prosperity is not, but we must speak them into existence rather than affirm your current reality. That is how to receive your miracles. Do you desire a miracle? Stop calling the things that you are experiencing. Faith calls forth the invisible. That is, the things that you are not yet experiencing. Today, I call you blessed. I call you delivered.

Further Reading: Romans 4:16-21, 2 Corinthians 5:7

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Samuel 22-24; Evening- Luke 12:1-31

“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: The Lifestyle Of Greed – The Enemy Of Destiny [Seeds of Destiny Friday April 13, 2018]

Scripture: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

Thought: For The Day: The love of money is a destroyer of destiny because evil is rooted in the love of money.

Greed is an overwhelming desire to have more of something such as money than is actually needed especially in an unrighteous way. Greed is the bedrock of many human vices. That is why the lifestyle of greed is identified as one of the enemies of destiny. The lifestyle of greed manifests in the love of money or the spirit of covetousness.

Now, I would like you to take note of the following key thoughts on money:

i) Evil is rooted in the love of money
Even though money answereth all things (Ecclesiastes 10:19), the love of money is a destroyer of destiny because evil is rooted in the love of money. It was greed and the love of money that destroyed the lives and destinies of Lot’s wife, Achan, Gehazi and Judas Iscariot.

ii) Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible task master
Money can be used to do many good things but it also has the ability to control and take over people’s lives and actions and make them do unreasonable and dangerous things. Money drives people’s actions in the opposite direction to their destiny.

iii) The love of money is a killer of the love of God
The love of money, which is greed or covetousness, kills the love of God in the hearts of people. You can worship God with money but you cannot worship God and money (Matthew 6:24). Some people would not pray in the morning or attend church services because of business appointment or contracts.

iv) The love of money is the killer of conscience
This is why people trade in human parts, kill their fellow human beings by armed robbery, sell alcohol, do drug business and other life-destroying businesses for money.

Beloved, make up mind to worship God with money and not worship God and money; refuse to be enslaved by greed or covetousness in order to fulfil your destiny.

Remember this: The love of money is a destroyer of destiny because evil is rooted in the love of money.

Assignments:
1. Refuse to be enslaved by the love of money.
2. Avoid the lifestyle of greed and covetousness.

Prayer: O Lord, I refuse to be enslaved by the love of money. Help me to worship You with money and not to worship You and money, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DEADLY ENEMIES OF DESTINY (PART 1).
Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 7:16 to 9:2, Luke 16:1 to 18, Psalm 82:1 to 8, Proverbs 13:2 to 3

Amazing Fact: About 32 million bacteria call every inch of your skin home, but they are mostly harmless and some of them are even helpful.

Today In History: 13/04/1796 – The first known elephant to arrive in the United States from Bengal, India

Quote: To eat alone is to die alone. Culled from 21 UNCOMMON KEYS TO FINANCIAL OVERFLOW 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: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late…There is still hope, JESUS LOVES YOU!

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Topic: Godliness With Contentment [DCLM Daily Manna Friday April 13, 2018]

Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-12 (KJV)

Key Verse: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:6,7).

MESSAGE:

Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish born American wealthy manufacturer, said, “Millionaires seldom smile.” His fellow American, John D. Rockefeller, said, “Great wealth is a burden destroying the real zest of life and banishing peace from the heart.” Consider Nero, seated on the splendid throne of the Emperor of Rome, conqueror of the then world: the porches of his palace were a mile long and the ceiling of his banquet halls were arranged to shower perfumes upon the entertainers gathered from every corner of the world. His crown was worth half a million dollars. A thousand chariots accompanied him whenever he travelled. He never wore the same dress twice, but he was gloomy, miserable, unhappy and dissatisfied. He committed suicide later.

Godliness with contentment is great gain. We must therefore be content with things which we have the privilege to possess because they that seek riches at all cost will get into temptation and eventual loss of faith in God. The Scripture says, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase…” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). The unregenerate man gets his spiritual life choked while insatiably searching for riches.

Whatever we seem to possess is loaned to us just for a while. A moment after death, the Christless millionaire is no richer than a beggar. The grace to use riches as counselled by Scripture is given when one surrenders the totality of one’s heart to the Lordship of Christ and seeks righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness. The nature of covetousness is then removed and one is able to please the Lord with one’s substance.

Thought For The Day: Wealthy is he who lives with contentment.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Samuel 18-20, Psalms 11:59

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: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late…There is still hope, JESUS LOVES YOU!

The post DCLM Daily Manna 13 April, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Godliness With Contentment appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Susceptible Through Merriment [Open Heavens 13 April 2018, Friday]

Memorise: “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.” – Ecclesiastes 7:2

Read: Matthew 14:6-11 (KJV)

6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.

9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 22, 1 Timothy 1.

MESSAGE:

Today’s Bible reading narrates the sad story of how unbridled merriment can propel a man to do what he would otherwise not have done. The devil is a cunning old serpent. He knows too well that his chances of success are slim whenever he attacks a child of God directly. He therefore deploys tricks to attack people when they are in a vulnerable state, such as when the heart is merry and full of happiness. When you are light-hearted, be watchful so that it does not end in sorrow and regret. This is why the wisdom of God in Proverb 14:13 teaches us that

“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”

A quick lesson we should learn from the story in today’s Bible reading is that merriment outside of God will always end up in crisis. King Herod was very sorry for making the promise he had made to his daughter, probably under the influence of alcohol, but it was too late for him to take back the oath he had committed himself to in his light-heart mood. Another lesson we should learn here is that the enemy looks out for moments when you let your guard down, and then he strikes. Examples of such moments are times when you just won a victory and when you are in high spirits. Happiness often has the same effect as alcohol on the reasoning faculties of man, and so you need to watch it.

There is a type of laughter that is derived from pleasurable but sinful acts. The Bible refers to such laughter as the crackling of thorns under a pot (Ecclesiastes 7:6). The Israelites manifested such laughter and merriment when they made a golden calf for themselves as their god. Exodus 32:6 says:

“And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”

But for Moses’ intercessory prayers, they would have been wiped off the face of the earth by this foolish act. It is commonly said that “He who laughs last, laughs best.” The last and best laughter is the laugh in eternity with our Maker. Speaking about this laughter, Jesus Christ in Luke 6:21b says:

“Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”

When the Messiah shall return the second time, he shall put an end to all suffering, and there shall be everlasting laughter (Revelations 21:1-7). Ensure you don’t miss it!

Prayer Point: Father, help me not to indulge in any act that would give me temporary happiness and produce eternal sorrow.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Open Heavens 12th April 2018 Thursday — And Ye Shall Be My Witnesses’’

Hymn 5: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though- none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

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: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late…There is still hope, JESUS LOVES YOU!

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