Topic: Jesus, Teacher And Savior [Andrew Wommack Wednesday April 4, 2018]

Mark 4:2, “And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,”

Text: Mark 4:1-12

The Greek word used here for “doctrine” means “teaching” and occurs a total of 30 times in the New Testament. The four gospels refer to Jesus teaching 43 times and preaching 19 times, and six verses refer to Him preaching and teaching in the same verse. This would indicate that Jesus spent twice as much time teaching as He did preaching. Jesus’ teaching is the basic building block of making disciples and a stumbling block to the religious.

Why is it that a person who is seeking so hard to please God can be rejected, while a person who has not sought God at all can come into a righteous relationship with Him? This is an important question and its answer is one of the most profound doctrines in scripture. The answer is faith and its object.

The Jews were zealous for the things of God, but their faith was in themselves. They were trusting that they could earn God’s favor by their acts of righteousness. On the other hand, the Gentiles had no holiness to trust in. So, when they heard the Gospel message that Jesus paid our debt for us, they readily accepted His “gift” of salvation, while the religious Jews could not abandon their trust in themselves for salvation.

The same problem exists today. Millions of church people are trying to live holy lives, but they do not have a true faith in Jesus as their Savior. If they were to stand before God and He was to ask them what they had done to deserve salvation, they would immediately start recounting all their acts of holiness such as church attendance, giving receipts, etc. Regardless of how good our actions are compared to others, they always come short of the perfect standard of God. The only response to this kind of question that would grant us entrance to heaven is to say, “my only claim to salvation is faith in Jesus as my Savior.” Let Him be the object of your faith today. He is all you need.

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 4 April 2018 – Jesus, Teacher And Savior appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Understanding Destiny [Seeds of Destiny Wednesday April 4, 2018]

Scripture: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11.

Thought For The Day: The right mentality is key to destiny fulfilment.

It is important to know that Destiny is one of the most misunderstood subjects today. Some people think that destiny means fate or misfortune. That is, whatever happens to a person is his destiny. For example, when a man marries and his wife runs away from him or he has an accident and one of his legs is amputated, people think that that is his destiny. No! far from it.

Destiny is not fate or misfortune. Our anchor Scripture makes it clear that whatever is evil cannot be of God; if it is not peaceful, it cannot be God and if it is not what is expected, it cannot be of God.

Now, we shall look at one key fact about destiny and man’s creation which is: man’s creation is God’s Decision and Design.

This means, your creation is God’s Decision and Design. Before God formed you, He knew you (Jeremiah 1:5).

This also implies that no one on earth is an accident of creation; you are not a biological accident. Even an illegitimate child who was born out of wedlock or a child whose parents are unknown is not an accident of creation. Even if your parents had told you that they had stopped child bearing before you came unexpectedly, still, you are not an accident of creation. Your parents might not have planned you but God planned and created you. This is very important because the right mentality is key to destiny fulfilment.

My counsel is, equip yourself with the mentality that you are God’s decision and design; this will make you pursue and fulfil your destiny.

Remember this: The right mentality is key to destiny fulfilment.

Assignments:
1. Debunk every negative information or misconception about your birth and creation.
2. Decide to understand what God said about you in His Word; believe it and pursue it.

Prayer: O Lord, equip me with the right mentality concerning your purpose for my life, in Jesus’ Name.

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

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1 to 27:26, Luke 10:38 to 11:13, Psalm 76:1 to12, Proverbs 12:15 to 17

Amazing Fact: The higher your IQ, the more you supposedly dream.

Today In History: 04/04/1687 – King James II orders that his declaration of indulgence be read in church.

Quote: When a man has future in mind, he operates with wisdom in the present. Culled from 21 FOOLISH THINGS PEOPLE DO 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!

The post Seeds of Destiny 4 April 2018 by Pastor Paul Enenche – Understanding Destiny appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Don’t Frustrate Your Leader [DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday April 4, 2018]

Text: 2 Kings 12:1-7 (KJV)

Key Verse: “But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house” (2 Kings 12:6).

MESSAGE:

Most times, leaders have wonderful agenda for their people. They come up with the sincere desire to make meaningful impact on the society. But a lot of times, we find them failing. A good look at this will show that the failures of these leaders are not mostly due to their weakness or unwillingness to perform; but the failures of their subordinates who deliberately fail to discharge the duties assigned them.

King Jehoash saw the need to repair the house of God, made arrangements on how to raise funds and instructed the priests to carry out the repairs. But the priests failed to carry out the instructions.

Leadership is a collective responsibility. The success of the good plans of the leader does not only depend on him, but also on all his subordinates and the entire citizens. We all have our roles to play in the success of our leaders, be it in the homes, churches or the society at large. We must see that we play our assigned roles well enough to bring about the success of our collective goals.

It is bad leadership when leaders assign duties but fail to check up on this. This negligence can result in the failure of the leaders. Whatever leadership privilege we have, we must ensure we don’t assign duties and totally abdicate our roles.

Ultimately, we take responsibilities for whatever happens under us. But we must know that the success of a leader is not all up to him; we should play our part well and see that we do not frustrate him by our own negligence. Whether we are leaders or followers, we should demonstrate diligence, faithfulness and accountability in all that we do.

Thought For The Day: An evidence of sonship in Christ is the possession of the servant attitude.

Bible Reading in one Year: Judges 13-15

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 4 April, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Don’t Frustrate Your Leader appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: God Has A Plan For Your Life [TREM’s Devotional Wednesday April 4, 2018]

“And the Lord said unto Samuel… fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth–lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.” 1 Samuel 16:1 KJV

David was tending his father’s flock at the backside of the desert when God sent the ancient prophet Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to anoint a king. This was because Saul that God raised up out of nothing had disappointed Him. But God has an alternative. You see, when you disappoint God, you really did not disappoint Him, rather you disappointed yourself. God has a plan for every one of us. God has a plan for your life. You are not an accident by birth. God allowed you to be born, but before you were born, He arranged a colourful future for you. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)

God’s plan for your future is colourful. Your future is bright and the beauty of it is that His design for you, no power can take it from you, except you. Beloved, your end is glorious. It doesn’t matter what you are encountering right now, your end is glorious and you will arrive at that glorious end. No matter your encounter, no matter where you are now, no matter the difficulties you are passing through, your end is glorious. God has already ordained your end ever before you were born. So, no matter what the enemy does in between, don’t forget that our God is still the Alpha and the Omega. He has the first and the final word. Therefore, no matter what the devil is doing, he does not have the final word. The final word belongs to our God.

I declare that your time has come. You will still testify. The enemy wants you garaged, but it will not stand because your time has come.

Further Reading: Jeremiah 1:1-12, 1Samuel 1:1-16

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ruth 1-4; Evening- Luke 8:1-25

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’s Devotional 4 April 2018 by Dr. Mike Okonkwo – God Has A Plan For Your Life appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Front-Porch Relief [Our Daily Bread 4 Wednesday April, 2018]

Read: Philippians 4:10–20, Bible in a Year: Ruth 1–4; Luke 8:1–25

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Philippians 4:12

On a particularly hot day, eight-year-old Carmine McDaniel wanted to make sure his neighborhood mail carrier stayed cool and hydrated. So he left a cooler filled with a sports drink and water bottles on their front step. The family security camera recorded the mail carrier’s reaction: “Oh man, water and Gatorade. Thank God; thank you!”

Carmine’s mom says, “Carmine feels that it’s his ‘duty’ to supply the mailman with a cool beverage even if we’re not home.”

This story warms our hearts, but it also reminds us that there is One who will “meet all your needs,” as the apostle Paul phrased it. Though Paul was languishing in jail and uncertain about his future, he expressed joy for the Christians in Philippi because God had met his needs through their financial gift to him. The Philippian church was not wealthy, but they were generous, giving to Paul and others out of their poverty (see 2 Corinthians 8:1–4). As the Philippians had met Paul’s needs, so God would meet theirs, “according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

God often sends vertical help through horizontal means. Put another way, He sends us what we need through the help of others. When we trust Him for what we need, we learn, as Paul did, the secret of true contentment (vv. 12–13).

Prayer: How might God be prompting you to meet the needs of others? In what ways and through whom has God met your needs? Spend time thanking God for His provision.

God’s provisions are always greater than our problems.

Insight:

In addition to today’s text, other Scriptures reinforce how God uses fellow believers to meet our needs. When Jesus sent out His disciples to minister, they were to trust God to provide for their needs through other people (Matthew 10:9–11; Luke 10:4–8). Jesus received help from Martha (Luke 10:38). A group of women traveled with Jesus and His disciples “to support them out of their own means” (8:1–3). And the apostle Paul had the practical support of many churches he ministered to (Romans 15:26–27; 2 Corinthians 8:1–6; 11:8–9).

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

This message was written By Marvin Williams [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

The post Our Daily Bread (ODB) Devotional 4 April 2018 – Front-Porch Relief appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: God Is Greater Than The Giants! [Our Daily Manna ODM Wednesday, April 4, 2018]

Basic Scripture: Numbers 13: 25-33

Welcome to today’s devotional encounter with the God who never lie. You need to understand that no matter how beautiful and glorious your Promised Land is, there are certain giants that are waiting to swallow you up! Yes, there are giants, walls and fortresses standing between you and your beautiful Promised Land.

But THAT IS NOT ALL! God is with you and He is going to pull down those walls and bury those giants right before your presence this year. Oh, see Jeremiah 20:11- “But the LORD is with m as a mighty terrible one. Therefore, my persecutors shall stumble and they shall not prevail. They shall be greatly ashamed, for they shall not prosper Their everlasting confusion shall not be forgotten.”Oh, I feel like dancing right now! No matter what you have passed or are passing through so far this year, hear this 5 things again concerning the giants, enemies or battles confronting you:

1. THEY SHALL STUMBLE!
2. THEY SHALL NOT PREVAIL!
3. THEY SHALL BE GREATLY ASHAMED!
4. THEY SHALL NOT PROSPER!
5. THEY SHALL END IN EVERLASTING CONFUSION!

The 5 things above will happen because the LORD IS WITH YOU AS THE MIGHTY TERRIBLE ONE! He will not show MERCY to those who are showing you FIRE! Wow! Oh, lift up your hands and praise Him now! Ah! Just dance now, because those who are determined to stop your decoration this year shall stumble and their bus-stop shall be called “GREAT SHAME” along the popular street called EVERLASTING CONFUSION!”

Yea! The God who is with you is stronger than the walls separating you from your Promised Land. The God who is living in you (THE MIGHTY TERRIBLE ONE) is mightier and wiser than all the enemies of your destiny! Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” This is your year! Hold on because who is for you is greater than the giants who are against you! Amen!

ALWAYS DO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS A GREAT FAVOUR WHICH WILL KEEP THE FIRE BURNING IN YOU AGAINST THE HAMAN OF YOUR DESTINY BY KEYING INTO DAILY READING OF ODM DAILY. BY DOING THAT, YOU ARE SOWING A GREAT SEED IN A LIFE. HELP THEM TO WIN!

Prayer Points: Take a song of worship unto God as led.

1. In your own words, pray for yourself now as you have been touched by today’s devotional.
2. Declare Jeremiah 20:11 again 7 times today!
3. Father, arise in all your might and silence every giant that has come to stop and swallow me up this year! Pray about today as led.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Manna ODM devotional HERE’’ 

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

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

The post Our Daily Manna ODM devotional 4 April 2018 — God Is Greater Than The Giants! appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Sower Of Eater [Teens’ Open Heavens 4, April 2018]

Memorise: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into you bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

Read: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (KJV)

1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

Bible In One Year: Joshua 12-14, Luke 9:37-62

MESSAGE:

Being the son of a farmer, I grew up learning the principles of farming, and I have discovered that those same principles are very relevant to our own lives. In those days, I realised that the quantity of seed that you could sow was determined by the size of your farm and the proportion of the harvest you were willing to sacrifice. The reason some people were richer than others in my village was because they were willing to sacrifice large portions of their harvests for sowing, they also had bigger farms than others.

Today, the proportion of the money you are willing to sacrifice will determine how wealthy you will be in the future. As a teenager, this is the best time to start sowing into your future. Put some money aside for a skill acquisition course, sow into God’s work, open a bank account and save money there, sow into the lives of already successful people. Be more willing to sow than you are to eat, and you will see the great harvest that will come in the future.

Key Point: What you sow may leave your hand for a while, but it will return in many folds soon.

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

Hymn 3:

1. There shall be showers of blessing
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing
Sent from the Savior above

Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drop ’round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

3. There shall be showers of blessing
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us a refreshing;
Come now and honour Thy Word.

4. There shall be showers of blessing
Oh that today they might fall,
now as to God we are confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

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 4 April 2018 – Sower Of Eater appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Time To Show Your Face [Open Heavens 4 April 2018, Wednesday]

Memorise: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” – Isaiah 60:1 (Scroll down for Open Heavens Hymn)

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-19 (KJV)

1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 1-2, Colossians 1:24-2:15.

MESSAGE:

Hiding our identity or deliberately putting ourselves in obscurity does not serve our interest or that of our Father in heaven. Some people misrepresent humility by thinking that being extremely introverted is a Christian virtue. Going by the command in today’s memory verse, this is not so. Some said the reason why the conjunction ‘and’ is not found between the words ‘arise’ and ‘shine’ in Isaiah 60:1 is because the rising and the shinning form a ‘simultaneous equation’. The rising presupposes a prompting to shine at the same time. In other words, there is no time lag between your rising and your shinning. A failure to shine while rising has certain implications. When you rise, the Lord knows that your light has come and that He has bestowed His glory upon you. It then follows that if you refuse to shine while the glory of the Lord is arisen upon you and your time passes away, you would have failed God and missed a great opportunity He gave you. May you not miss your opportunity in Jesus’ Name. Our Lord Jesus Christ in John 9:4-5 said:

“4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

This statement should bring to your remembrance that a time will come when Christians will no longer be in this world. Therefore, it is time for us to show our faces. We children of God have been in hiding for too long a time; we must now show ourselves in the areas of education, commerce, politics, the military, transport, agriculture, science and technology, and in all other sectors of life. God needs His children to serve as lights everywhere. The good thing is that the time He wants us to do this is now. For this reason, I told my children during our annual thanksgiving service at the Redemption Camp that they should become active members of the political associations of their choice.

In today’s Bible reading, we see how Elijah the prophet exhibited cowardice just after his exploits for God on Mount Carmel. Because he was afraid of Jezebel, the powerful queen, he ran for his life and hid in the wilderness. After encountering God on Mount Sinai, the Lord commanded him to continue his assignment as prophet. 1 Kings 19:15a says

“And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus:”

In other words, he should hide no more. He had to show his face and complete his assignment as the prophet of God. Hiding our faces as children of God cannot help this generation. Some of us exhibit cowardice and are reluctant to face up to this challenge. We must show our faces by confronting ungodliness in all spheres of life if we will make meaningful impact in our generation.

Action Point: Study the characteristics of a city set on a hill, light and salt (Matthew 5:13-16), and begin to exhibit these characteristics.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Open Heavens Devotional 3rd April 2018 Tuesday — Bringing Down His Glory’’

Hymn 16: Stand Up! Stand Up For Jesus

1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the Cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day!
Ye that are men, now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger,
And strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone:
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armour,
And watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.

4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of Glory
Shall reign eternally.

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!

The post Open Heavens Devotional 4th April 2018 Wednesday — Time To Show Your Face appeared first on Flatimes.