Topic: Destiny Helpers [Open Heavens 16 Friday February 2018]

Memorise: “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.” – Philippians 4:16

Read: 2 Samuel 23:8-23 (KJV)

8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.

9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:

10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.

12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.

17 And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.

19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.

20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:

21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.

22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.

23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 10-12; 1 Corinthians 3

MESSAGE

Everybody needs at least one destiny helper in his or her lifetime. In spite of the amount of wealth you may think you have, it is a grievous mistake to ever think you can be a lone ranger. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to accomplish the work of redemption, and yet He needed destiny helpers. Here is what the Bible says concerning Him in Mark 3:14:

“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,”

It is equally amazing to discover that even mighty angels require help in carrying out their assignment (Daniel 10:12-13). In our text today, a roll call of David’s destiny helpers is given. Even though David was a mighty man of valor, his destiny would have been truncated time and again, but for the intervention of these destiny helpers, especially when opposition, persecution and even death stared at him in the face. Read what the Scripture says about the impact made by one of his destiny helpers in 2 Samuel 21:15-17:

“15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. 16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.”

Just like David, apostle Paul also had several destiny helpers, even though he was highly anointed. He made reference to one of such helpers in today’s memory verse. You must never think of living life as a lone ranger.

Destiny helpers are those who assist you in accomplishing your God-given assignment in life. They hold up your hands when you are weary and cover up your inadequacies when you are weak. One common character with which you can recognize destiny helpers is their unflinching love towards the one they are meant to help. Against all odds, they are always there to help. Think about those you consider to be your destiny helpers; are they really destiny helpers or destiny destroyers? You must seek God’s face to provide appropriate destiny helpers for your life, and you must appreciate them as God’s gift and encourage them. Note that all of David’s destiny helpers became generals in his army when he became settled on the throne: don’t use and dump your destiny helpers.

Prayer Point: Father, please send me my destiny helpers today. Grant them grace to help me accomplish my assignment, and make them unrelenting in helping me fulfill my destiny in life.

Hymn 11: Oh God, Our Help In Ages Past

1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

2. Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

6. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

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!

Open Heavens 16th February 2018, 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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Topic: Be One Of God’s Heroes [DCLM Daily Manna Friday February 16th, 2018]

Text: Esther 8:7-17 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad” (Esther 8:15).

MESSAGE:

A true hero is not one who triumphed by force or strength but one who rose from the ashes of defeat and has the ability to continue despite challenges, troubles and trials. Such a person becomes a guiding light and encouragement to the downcast.

Mordecai was such a man. As a captive, his rights were limited, his opportunities for growth and development were little and he was seemingly doomed to a mediocre, uneventful life. But he did not forget where he came from nor who his God was.

By divine intervention, the plot of Haman to exterminate all Jews was upturned. Haman was hanged on the gallows he made for Mordecai and the king transferred his office and position to Mordecai. With Haman dead, his ring of power and authority was passed to Mordecai. Since the laws of the Medes and Persians could not be reversed, the king authorized Mordecai to issue a new order to replace the first law. To effect this, Mordecai had to set the day the Jews were to take vengeance on their enemies, on the same date Haman had set for the extermination of the Jews. Now, wielding much power and clad in royal apparel and crown of gold, he brought joy, gladness and new converts to the Jews. He triumphed, having paid the price.

Many people desire honour and success in life but they are unwilling to pay the price. Those who will triumph must enter into relationship with God through repentance and cleansing by faith in Christ’s blood and be ready to serve Him and fellow men faithfully. They must be ready to bear hatred and persecution, sacrifice their convenience where necessary and show unwavering commitment and loyalty to Him. Grace, godliness, courage, commitment, faith and faithfulness in wholehearted service for God and humanity will make you a hero.

Thought For The Day: Cowards die many times before their time, but God’s heroes live long after death.

Bible Reading in a Year: Leviticus 11-13.

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!

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.

Topic: Use Your Phone Wisely [Teens’ Open Heavens Friday 16th, February 2018]

Memorise: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Read: Ephesians 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Bible In One Year: Leviticus 22-23, Mark 1:1-2

MESSAGE:

Mobile phones have become a major part of our lives now. Practically everyone old enough to use a phone now has at least one phone. Phones are also used for almost every human activity possible, with a wide variety of applications being developed daily. People use their phones as maps, cameras, stopwatches, reminders, just to mention a few.

With a universal tool like the phone, it is fast becoming obvious that what you use your phone for is practically what you use your life for. Some use their phone to stalk other people on social media, some use their phone to snap picture every 20 minutes, or to watch pornography; whereas some others use their phones to read their Bible on the go, they use their phones to browse the internet for life changing information about how to succeed in school, work, et cetera. What do you use your phone for? Remember; what you use your phone for is practically what you use your life for.

Action Point: Use your phone wisely

Hymn 2:

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4.But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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.

Topic: Unquenchable Passion; A Key To Undeniable Manifestation [Seeds of Destiny Friday February 16, 2018]

Scripture: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:8

Thought For The Day: Your revelation is directly proportional to your desperation.

Yesterday, we saw how Mary’s eyes were opened to see the angels who told her that Jesus had risen. That revelation was made possible by the power of her passion for the Master. Some people would have been satisfied with the vision of angels, but Mary was not; she waited by the sepulchre.

Her passion to see the Master was unquenchable. Then something amazing happened. The Master appeared and Mary, thinking that he was the gardener, said, ‘Where have you kept him? Let me know’ And the Master said, Mary! And she answered, Master! When she rushed to touch Him, Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father (John 20:17). Jesus seemed to say, ‘Mary, you just interrupted a journey. I am heading towards the Holy of Holies to offer my Blood on the Heavenly altar as atonement for the sins of men. You cannot touch me now and corrupt the process. I only branched so you can see me because of your passion; your cry, your passion pulled me back. The intensity of your hunger interrupted this journey. I have to go to my Father first. Go and tell my disciples that I have resurrected’ (Paraphrased).

Someone may ask, Pastor, are you sure of this? Yes! 100% sure because subsequently, Jesus asked Thomas to touch Him (John 20:27) if he was still doubting His resurrection but when Mary encountered Jesus, He was not touchable because He was on His way to the Holy of Holies; the journey was only interrupted by Mary to confirm the impact of her passion. Your revelation is directly proportional to your desperation.

As you increase your passion for God, I see Him reveal Himself to you today in Jesus name.

Remember this: Your revelation is directly proportional to your desperation.

Assignment (S)

1. Increase your passion for God and remain patient when you are expecting His manifestation.

2. Refuse to be overwhelmed by the things of this world.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: POST RESURRECTION MANIFESTATION.

Prayer: Father, baptise me with an unquenchable passion and affection for You Lord. Let me see Your glory and experience drastic revelations that will change my level in life, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 1:1 to 3:17, Mark 1:29 to 2:12, Psalm 35:17 to 28, Proverbs 9:13 to 18

Quote: Persistent pursuit guarantees profitable rewards. Culled from 8 UNBEATABLE PRINCIPLES OF DESPERATE PEOPLE FOR WINNING IN DESPERATE TIMES by Dr (Mrs) Becky Paul-Enenche.

Amazing Fact: If you started with $0.01 and doubled your money every day, it would take 27 days to become a millionaire.

Today In History: 16/02/1937 – Wallace H. Carothers received a United States patent for nylon.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Home Church meeting by 6:00pm tomorrow at a Home Church near you. Also invite your friends and neighbours. God bless you as you do so.

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!

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.