TOPIC — Divorce: Not An Option [Sunday, 8th April 2018]

OPENING PRAYER:
Father, we rebuke every evil spirit and the peril of end time behind divorce in the name of Jesus Christ. (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

MEMORY VERSE: “But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” – Matthew 5:32

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 19:3-13 (KJV)

3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

INTRODUCTION:
Divorce is one of the major problems facing homes today. Divorce is granted to the unbelievers for many reasons such as adultery, cruelty, desertion, drunkenness, and neglect to provide, conviction of criteria, separation, bigamy, incompatibility etc. However, is divorce permissible for Christians? Let us approach this this lesson by attempting to an we a number of questions.

TEXT REVIEW:
Whatever thing which was not in the beginning was not from God because God was the beginning. His word was in the beginning. It was in the beginning God created all things including marriage. Gen. 1:1; John 1; Gen. 1:27,28.; 2:18. The “beginning” was not subject to human pressure like Moses who was pressurised by people to give a commandment, to give a bill or writing of divorcement to put the wife away. Matt 19:7-8. Deut 24:1-2 gave the details of the reasons for the bill. However, verse 4 of this chapter even considered certain aspect of the bills as “abominable to God and could lead the land to sin.” The “beginning” Himself said in Matt 19:8 ‘but in the beginning it was not so”. The consequence of doing what God did not say or commanded would be previous. Such act should be avoided. Jesus is the beginning- Rev. 1:8, Therefore, it is wisdom to do what was in the beginning – Prov. 1:7-8.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At The end of the lesson, students should be able to:

i. Discover some common questions raised on divorce and provide appropriate answers to them.
ii. Understand appropriate counsel for partners in shaky marriage.

TEACHING METHOD: Use Question and Answer method

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Some Common Questions and Answers

2. Counsel for Partners in a Shaky Marriage

SOME COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question 1:
Is there any scriptural ground for divorce?
Answers:
i. There’s one and only one reason and that’s fornication. Matt. 19:9.
Question 2:
What does the word “fornication” mean in this passage?
Answers:
i. The basic meaning is illicit sexual relationship with a third party.
Question 3:
Can the innocent partner in a divorce re-marry?
Answers:
i. The “innocent partner” should be ready to forgive the “guilty partner” Matt. 16:14-15.Prov.28:13.
ii. Divorce was not the original plan of God for human beings.
Question 4:
How long is a marriage contract?
Answers:
i. Until death breaks it. Matt. 19:6.
ii. In marriage, God performs a miracle when two individuals become one person.
iii. Only God is permitted to break that union by taking one of the partners in death.
Question 5:
Can the ‘innocent partner’ in a divorce re-marry.
Answers:
i. It’s doubtful if there is such a thing as an innocent partner in the sight of God.
ii. It’s most likely that the “innocent partner” had failed in some ways.
Question 6:
Why should people avoid divorce like a plague?
Answers:
Divorce represents a tragedy that has undermined the home, the very basic of society.
Misery always follows in its path, broken homes, bruised and broken hearts, bewildered, homeless children, delinquent youth, loneliness, tears and at times suicide or insanity.
The couple should consider the welfare of the children who would suffer most and the shame connected with divorce and the scandals that it engenders.
Many Christians look at divorce as sinful, regardless of the circumstances because it is a public admission of utter failure which belittles the power of Christ. Phil. 4:13
Economic disaster often follows divorce and it is the cause of lack of love and happiness in marriage.
Question 7:
Can there be love when there is no respect?
Answers:
i. The answer is yes, for God loves the unlovely sinner, whom He cannot respect.
ii. Love that is unselfish and Godly can be deep and powerful even with those whom we cannot respect.
iii. With such a love, our marriages would last for life. 1Pet.4:8.

Class Activity 1: Explain how love and respect can mutually grow together.

LESSON OUTLINE 2:
COUNSELS FOR PARTNERS IN A SHAKY MARRIAGE

Question: What biblical counsels are available for partners in a shaky marriage?

Answers:
i. The husband and wife should renew their solemn vow of, for better for worse till death do them part.
ii. Both should get it right with the Lord first by returning to the Lord in prayer.
iii. Both should get it right with each other.
iv. Both or offending partner should confess sin and genuinely repent.
v. Mutual sharing and understanding would help marriage work.
vi. Spending quality time in prayer both as individual and couple would work wonders. James 5:16
vii. Husbands should assume the status of responsibility and provide for the Family. 1 Tim 5:8.
viii. Wives should be subject to their husbands. Eph. 5:24
ix. Husbands and wives continue to be attracted to each other in genuine love.
x. Genuine love should be allowed to radiate all through the spheres of the marriage.
xi. Determine in godliness to allow the marriage to work despite odd is a good pill for a recovery.

Class Activity 2: Mention those counsels which couples should avoid or reject in marriage.

SUMMARY
Do not give room or consider divorce was a way out of marriage.

CONCLUSION
Genuine love in marriage covers multitude of sins and prevents eventual break up.

EVALUATION
I. Mention a few questions that agitate people’s minds on marriage
II. Mention right counsels for a shaky marriage.

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, let divorce be a thing of the past in our society. Please come and heal broken hearts and marriages.

ASSIGNMENT
Identify five (5) negative counsels which may ruin marriage. Give right counsel to counter such negative counsels.

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?

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Topic: Kidnapped By The Past!-2 [Our Daily Manna ODM Friday, April 6, 2018]

Basic Scriptures: Luke 23:34-43, Mark 11:24-25

It was Katherine Ponder who gave this wise advice: “When you hold resentment towards another, you are bound to that person or condition to an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” The devil is on a wild mission to hurt you, deceived you. And stop you from moving forward in life, family and ministry.

And one of thing he uses is STIRRING OTHERS TO OFFEND YOU! If he can’t stop you from praying, attending church meetings, fasting, giving, living holy and doing every good thing that you have leant to do, he is going to us the people that you love to get you. This is why forgiveness is important. Yes! It is extremely important! If you cannot be offended, there is nothing the devil can use to stop you.

If you refused to be hurt or offended by what people say or do to you or about you, You have become unstoppable. You Become A Hard Nut For The Kingdom Of Darkness To Crack! Hear the word of Jesus, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Even on the cross, he refuse to he refused to be offended! One time, they tried to stone him, but he refused to be offended. Another time, they said he was casting out demons using the devils power. He still refused to be offended. His trusted disciples and friends betrayed him, and then another one denied him. Yet, he refused to be offended!

His forgiveness may not have change those people, but if he did not forgive, he would not have being able to fulfill destiny. Hears the word of Louis SMEDES, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” Simply amazing! Refuse to be held in any kind of demonic prison of hurt and resentment as 2018 progresses. Let go of everything, forgive and move on with your life. Your future is brighter than every ugly thing that people have done or said to you in the past. I am led to repeat: DON’T BE KIDNAPPED BY YOUR PAST! Let go and let God!

Still give out extra copies of our daily Manna and New Children/teens ODM as into Someone’s life To Help Him/her To Achieve Victory over life battles In This Second Quarter of This Year. An Extra Copy Will Provoke More Decoration For You! The Lord Said This At The Last Word Anointing Night! Remember: God Will Make Happen for You, What you Make Happen for Others! This Is Your Year!

Prayer Points: Take song 1: TIS so sweet…

1. In your own words, pray about today’s word as led now.
2. I shall not be kidnapped by my past! I releases everyone who has hurt me in any way (mention the name of any one that has come to your mind now) I forgive them, I pray for their peace and welfare. (Pray this seriously)
3. I receive INTERNAL healings and peace from any kind of hurt today. In Jesus name. Pray about today as led. Now. See page 7 and pray the morning, afternoon and evening devotional prayers.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Manna ODM devotional HERE’’ https://flatimes.com/category/our-daily-manna-odm/

By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek)
Publisher/Writer Of ODM And

Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek)
Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.

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Topic: Nothing Can Stop You [TREM’s Devotional Friday April 6, 2018]

“For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die”. 1 Samuel 20:31 KJV

David was anointed by God to replace Saul. But the scriptures tell us that Saul will not give up. He wanted David dead. Every now and again, God will anoint you for something big but the enemy will not play dead. He knows you are destined for greatness, and so he will fight in order to limit you. I’ve come to announce to you that that devil is a liar! Whatever God has given you, there is no power, that will take it from you. No witch, no wisdom and no boardroom politics shall be able to take it from you. Surely, you will get to your God-ordained destiny.

Saul constituted himself into an obstacle and a hindrance, and he kept pursuing young David. But you see, David did not choose himself. He did not apply for the job. That is what favour does. You don’t have to apply; He just drops it on you. When favour is at work, you don’t qualify for it, you don’t earn it, He drops it on you. That is what will happen to you in the next few days. Something that you don’t qualify for will be your portion in the next few days. They will gather together and say that you are not qualified, but the God of all Grace will make it happen in your life. When it comes, don’t apologize for it. Just receive it and enjoy God’s goodness. Why do you apologize when God blesses you? You don’t have to apologize. It is grace! He could have done it for another person.

There are things in your life that you cannot explain because if care is not taken, you will be deceived to think that you achieved them by your efforts. Remember, it is God and God alone. Some people are upset about where you are now when you are just starting. Yes, I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that you are just starting. You are going to explode in every area! You will expand in every area!

Further Reading: Isaiah 54:15-17, Romans 8:28-31

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Samuel 4-6; Evening- Luke 9:1-17

“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: Devaluation – Satan’s Weapon For Attacking Great Destinies [Seeds of Destiny Friday April 6, 2018]

Scripture: But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

Thought For The Day: When you are being devalued, it is a sign that there is greatness in you.

It has been confirmed that our God is the God of value and worth; this is because all His works and creatures, including man, are creatures of value. None of His creatures was designed to be worthless. This is why anything that devalues the works of God cannot be God but satan.

Hence, one weapon of the devil’s attack on greatness is devaluation. I give you few examples:

Joseph had great potentials and dreams of great destiny but his brothers devalued him and sold him as a slave.

David was another man who was devalued; when it was time to anoint a king, no one called him because they thought he was not a personality for the throne; he wasn’t considered a royal material.

What about Jesus Christ the Creator of the universe? Judas Iscariot valued Him at thirty pieces of silver which was the value of a slave. What devaluation!

When I was in Primary 2, I was playing with my classmates one day, then our school teacher looked at me and said ‘Look at that one there; you are nothing’ (paraphrased). She concluded that I would not be anything in life by her assessment. But the good news is, the same old school teacher had come for aid many years later and was assisted.

Beloved, when you are being devalued, it is a sign that there is greatness in you. The truth is, no human being can accurately measure your value; no examination can measure your true potentials. The fact that you failed an examination does not mean you are not intelligent.

My counsel for you is, wipe out your negative devaluation by people from your mind. Renew your mind always with God’s Word and believe what God says about you.

Remember this: When you are being devalued, it is a sign that there is greatness in you.

Assignments:
1. Do not rely on human verdict concerning your life.
2. Reject every negative utterance made against you by people.
3. Renew your mind with God’s Word always.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the revelation of the true picture of my life and destiny. Give me the grace to believe Your Word concerning me, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: UNVEILING DESTINY (PART 1).

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 29:1 to 30:20, Luke 11:37 to 12:7, Psalm 78:1 to 31, Proverbs 12:19 to 20

Amazing Fact: Men get hiccups more often than women.

Today In History: 6/04/1875 – Alexander Graham Bell is granted a patent for the multiple telegraph, which sent two signals at the same time.

Quote: We live in a very wicked world; a world with an escalation of wickedness. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

DO NOT FORGET TO ATTEND: The Home Church tomorrow by 6pm. Invite your friends and loved ones.

“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: Sorrow Not! [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Friday April 6, 2018]

The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and [grief] shall flee away. – Isaiah 51:11

Did you know that as a believer you’ve been redeemed from the curse of grief and sorrow by the blood of Jesus Christ? You don’t have to put up with them any more than you have to put up with sin or sickness or disease.

God started teaching me about this personally several months before my mother went home to be with Him in August 1988. Every time He’d show me something about it, I’d put it into practice. (You ought to do that with anything God is teaching you. Start practicing it now, and you can walk in it when the time comes!)

So, eight and a half months before my mother left, I began standing against grief and sorrow. I made a decision to “sorrow not.” Immediately the devil began to attack my emotions.

But I’d say, “No. I won’t receive that. I take authority over these feelings in Jesus’ Name. I’ve given my body as a sacrifice well-pleasing unto the Lord, and I won’t partake of anything but His joy.” Then I’d start speaking the Word and praising out loud.

I went through three rugged days of resisting until those sorry spirits were gone.

What I’m telling you is this: You’re going to have to stand against grief and sorrow. It doesn’t belong to you. It’s not from your heavenly Father. You may have to walk the floor all night long. But instead of worrying and crying, walk the floor and quote the Word until that heavy spirit leaves and the joy of the Lord comes.

Remember who you are. You’re the one who shall obtain gladness and joy. You’re the one sorrow and grief shall flee away from. You are the redeemed!

Scripture Reading: Psalm 97

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 6 April 2018 – Sorrow Not! appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Comfort Shared [Our Daily Bread 6 Friday April, 2018]

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:1–10, Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 4–6; Luke 9:1–17

Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. John 20:21

“God sent you to me tonight!”

Those were the parting words from the woman standing in front of me as we exited our flight to Chicago. She had sat across the aisle from me, where I learned she was headed home after several flights in a round-trip that day. “Do you mind if I ask why you had such a quick turnaround?” I inquired. She glanced downward: “I just put my daughter in rehab for drug abuse today.”

In the moments that followed I gently shared the story of my son’s struggle with heroin addiction and how Jesus had set him free. As she listened, a smile broke through her tears. After the plane landed we prayed together before parting, asking God to break her daughter’s chains.

Later that evening I thought of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1:3–4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

All around us are people who need to be encouraged with the comfort only God can give. He wants us to reach out to them with tenderhearted compassion, to share the love He has shared with us. May God send us to those who need His comfort today!

Prayer: I praise You for Your compassion for us at the cross, Lord! Help me to comfort others with Your kindness and love today.

God’s kindness meets our deepest need.

Insight:
We honor the “God of all comfort” (v. 3) when we offer compassion to others. Who needs comfort? Ecclesiastes 4:1 says, “I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter.” Scripture reminds us that from the victim to the oppressor, everyone needs the comfort God offers. Bill Crowder

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

This message was written By James Banks [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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Topic: Naturally Holy [Andrew Wommack Friday April 6, 2018]

Matthew 13:15, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

Text: Matthew 13:14-23

The word “waxed” means “to become gradually more intense or to increase” and shows that this condition of the heart is not something we are born with or that strikes us suddenly. It has to be nurtured over a prolonged period of time. This is why we should not violate our conscience, even in small things. Guarding our conscience will keep us sensitive to God and will stop our hearts from becoming hardened. If we will stay faithful to God, even in the small things, then we will be faithful in the more important things also.

Keeping the commandments doesn’t affect God’s willingness to love us, but it affects our awareness of how much He loves us. If we live in sin, our conscience becomes defiled and it condemns us. It’s not God condemning us, but our conscience. God still loves us. John was speaking of this same thing in 1 John 3:20, when he said, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” However, as far as this earthly life goes, our awareness of God’s love is everything. Therefore, we must keep Satan from blinding us to the love of God.

The most effective way of doing this is to give no place to the devil through sin. John went on to say in 1 John 3:21, “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” Holiness is essential in keeping our hearts assured of the love of God (1 Jn. 3:19). It’s the nature of a Christian to walk in the light and not in darkness. When you are rightly informed of who you are and what you have in Christ, holiness just naturally flows out of you. That’s your nature.

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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