Topic: Untamed Character Flaws [DCLM Daily Manna Friday January 19th, 2018]

Text: Genesis 34:13-31

Key Verse: “And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.” (Genesis 34:25).

Scripture has proved that untamed or unchecked habits turn out to be fatal in the long run. Simeon and Levi were said to be “instruments of cruelty” (Genesis 49:5), who committed genocide in a city where they and the entire family of Jacob were strangers.

The word of God does not condone vices such as anger and vindictiveness. When Simeon and Levi resorted to mass murder and guile to retaliate for the rape of their sister, Dina, by Shechem the Hivite, they relied  on base instincts and ungodly measures to settle scores. Dina was wrong in the first place to have gone out to mingle with the unregenerate people of Shechem where she was desired and defiled. Her implacably angry brothers ought not to have lured Shechem into a false sense of security while planning to attack his people in their vulnerable condition.

The point was thus proved that man cannot have peace and harmonious relationship with fellow man if he is ruled by anger, lust, distrust, rivalry and vengeance. These sins are curable only through salvation and purity of heart and character. Christ shed His blood to cleanse everyone who sincerely prays for it. He rose again to empower every believer to live godly.

Christians who have thus had encounter with Christ abhor anything that elevates self, promotes conflicts or downplays biblical holiness. As believers, we must promote peace and peaceful coexistence among different peoples in the neighbourhood, community and everywhere we find ourselves.

Thought For The Day: Sinful habit is satan’s cord that weaves around the sinner’s soul: only Jesus can break it.

Bible Reading in one Year: Genesis 22-24

Deeper Christians Life Ministry, 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: Herod’s Folly [Andrew Wommack’s Daily Friday January 19th, 2018]

Matthew 2:13, “…for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

Text: Matthew 2:13-15

Herod had ruled over Judaea for nearly forty three years at the time of these events. He had the title of King conferred on him by the Roman senate at the recommendation of Antony and Octavius. His accomplishments included the building of the temple in Jerusalem which was one of the most magnificent structures in the world. Most people would have thought that Herod had it “made”.

However, history reveals that Herod was extremely paranoid. He actually killed his wife and one of his sons because he feared they would take the kingdom from him. All his power and fame couldn’t buy him the peace that the angels proclaimed (Lk. 2:8-14). His paranoia led him to kill the innocent children in Bethlehem. His insecurity was evident. He had everything and yet he had nothing.

In contrast, the King that Herod was trying to dispose of came humbly, not exalting Himself. He gained the acclaim of others by serving them, not oppressing them. The scepter of Jesus was righteousness; not tyranny. Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice; Himself, because of His great love for people.

Today, Herod’s only claim to fame is that he was the man who tried in vain to kill the King of Kings. Remember, it is worth nothing if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul (Mt. 16:26). Make today count for God.

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).

Topic: The Joy of Knowing [Billy Graham’s Daily Friday January 19th, 2018]

Happy is he . . . whose hope is in the Lord his God. — Psalm 146:5

Happy is the man who has learned the secret of coming to God in daily prayer. Fifteen minutes alone with God every morning before you start the day can change circumstances and remove mountains! But all of this happiness and all of these unlimited benefits which flow from the storehouse of heaven are contingent upon our relationship to God.

Absolute dependency and absolute yieldedness are the conditions of being His child. Only His children are entitled to receive those things that lend themselves to happiness; and in order to be His child, there must be the surrender of the will to Him. Man does not come to know God through works—he comes to know God by faith, through grace. You cannot work your way toward happiness and heaven, you cannot moralize your way, you cannot reform your way, you cannot buy your way. It comes as a gift of God through Christ.

Prayer for the day: Thank You, heavenly Father, for the gift of joy which comes from knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ.

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.

Topic: From Messes to Miracles [Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Friday January 19th, 2018]

A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. – Proverbs 18:7

We have what we say. As believers, we know that’s a vital biblical truth. We can see it in Mark 11:23, Matthew 21:21, James 3:2 and many other verses. Yet we often let it slip.

We allow ourselves to begin talking like the world instead of talking the Word. And eventually we get what we’ve been asking for—a big mess.

If that’s happened to you, remember, whatever you have in your life is a product of what you’ve been saying. In order to change what you have, you must change what’s coming out of your mouth. To head your life in a different direction—from death to life, sickness to health, failure to success—you must take charge of your words.

That’s a lot easier said than done. But that’s the key: It must be said in order to be done!

How do you start?

First, realize that it can’t be done just in the natural. This is a spiritual law, so it must be handled with spiritual power.

James 3:7-8 says the tongue can’t be tamed with the same power with which man tames animals. It takes God’s wisdom from above. God’s Word is His wisdom (Proverbs 2:6). He also said His words are spirit and life. That means it takes God’s words to tame our tongues.

Second, repent before God for ever allowing your tongue to be used by anyone except the Holy Spirit. Then give Jesus your tongue. Be determined to speak His words of love, faith, joy, peace and grace. Words of faith stop the fiery darts of hell.

The third thing to do is what Jesus said in Mark 4:24: Take heed, or listen, to what you hear. Listen to yourself! Think, Do I want what I just said to come to pass? If the answer is no, then stop and correct yourself right then. Replace those negative words with praise (Ephesians 5:4).

If you’ve gotten sloppy about what you say, change your course today by changing your words. Ask God to help you set a watch over your mouth (Psalms 141:3). Put the power that’s in your tongue to work for you instead of against you. Stop using it to make messes, and start using it to make miracles. There is a miracle in your mouth!

Scripture Reading: James 3:1-13

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.

Topic: Singled Out For Multiple Blessings! [Our Daily Manna ODM Friday, January 19th, 2018]

Basic Scriptures: Genesis 49:15-24

Share with me the flood of rain/blessings as sent below:

“Good day bishop (Dr) Chris, I want to praise the lord for his many blessings in my family. I have been an ODM user since 2007. I participate in the daily worship, prayers and send seed sowing, fasting and prayer programmers (21 and 14 days). It has been a marvelous experience as seen below:

• In January 2015, I prayed, believed God and went for a spinal surgery in Abuja, Nigeria and it was successful.
• Again in July 2015 I had a successful knee replacement surgery in Abuja, Nigeria. For the bills God provided helpers.
• In 2017 my daughter who has been seeking for the fruit of the womb for eight years has been blessed with triplets.
• One of the people petitioning God for in respect of the fruit of the womb is currently pregnant.
• My son who had a serious road accident some years ago has been healed.

All these and many more has been my prayer points. I sowed the 2017 EVIDENCE POSSESSION SEED (EPS) and received my prophetic prayer psalm (PPP) which I prayed for seven weeks. God is faithful and to him be the glory for the results – (Mrs. G.U.I [email protected]) I bless God that he is no respecter of persons. What he has done for one, he can do for another! Whatever are your prayer points in this fasting program, they shall come to pass because I agree with you and command a blessing upon your prayers today.

Helpers shall locate you! When you call one person, hundreds and thousands shall answer you! You will meet people that have answers to your questions this year! HARVEST EATERS will run mad! Bad news and misfortune shall pass over your address! The wrong doctor, nurse, pharmacist will not meet you! There shall be no medical mistakes around your life this year! Like Joseph you shall be called a fruitful vine (today’s scripture VS 22)! Your testimonies (YOUR HARVEST) shall run over and CANNOT BE WASTED!

Always follow prophetic instructions in this commission! Sow your CHANGE OF GARMENT seed, pray your DECORATION PSALM seriously and come with a dress you can afford to tear after prayers to the Tafawa balewa square, Lagos for the world anointing night of January 26th! It is your night! It is your year! Amen!

TODAY IS DAY 14 of this 21 day fasting programme. Turn to page 64 of the “WAR AGAINST HAMAN-13 booklet for today’s special prayers and be at the TBS Lagos on January 26th 7pm till dawn. Bring a dress you can afford to tear during prayers!

Prayer Points: Take song 3: Because he lives….

• Thank God for today’s word and pray as you are led
• OH lord single me out for a special testimony this year
• Every HARVEST EATER or conspiracy against my testimony concerning 2018 ; scatter in Jesus name. I loose testimonies for those doing this 21 day fasting program worldwide!
• Pray about today seriously and any other issues as led now.

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

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

Topic: By the Spirit’s Power [Our Daily Bread 19th Friday January, 2018]

Read: Zechariah 4:1–7, Bible in a Year: Genesis 46–48; Matthew 13:1–30

What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Zechariah 4:7

What do you do when there is a mountain in your way? The story of Dashrath Manjhi can inspire us. When his wife died because he was unable to get her to the hospital to receive urgent medical care, Manjhi did what seemed impossible. He spent twenty-two years chiseling a massive gap in a mountain so other villagers could get to the local hospital to receive the medical care they needed. Before he died, the government of India celebrated him for his achievement.

Rebuilding the temple must have looked impossible to Zerubbabel, one of the leaders of Israel who returned from exile. The people were discouraged, faced opposition from their enemies, and lacked resources or a big army. But God sent Zechariah to remind Zerubbabel that the task would take something more powerful than military strength, individual power, or man-made resources. It would take the Spirit’s power (Zechariah 4:6). With the assurance of divine aid, Zerubbabel trusted that God would level any mountain of difficulty that stood in the way of rebuilding the temple and restoring the community (v. 7).

What do we do when there is a “mountain” before us? We have two options: rely on our own strength or trust the Spirit’s power. When we trust His power, He will either level the mountain or give us the strength and endurance to climb over it.

What challenges stand in your way? How will you trust the power of God’s Spirit in your life? Share it on Facebook.com/ourdailybread.

Human power is inadequate to accomplish God’s purposes.

Insight:

What keeps us from finishing the work entrusted to us? Eighteen years had passed since Cyrus, king of Persia, told Jewish captives of Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of their God (Ezra 6:3,14). Now the prophet Zechariah urged completion. This temple, like the Messiah who would someday enter its courts, represented the heart of God for the world. Anything done for His honor—and for the good of others—is done in His Spirit. Mart DeHaan

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

Topic: The Word Is Constant [TREM’s Daily Friday January 19th, 2018]

“Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89 (KJV)

Yesterday, from the parable of the sower, we saw that it was the same seed (the word) that was planted but different results because of the type of soil which is the heart. The result you will produce is determined by what you do with the word you hear. Many don’t spend the time to think or meditate on the word of God they hear. It just falls on them and then it goes. The bible says the word should not depart from your mouth. When the Word of prosperity comes to you meditate on it.  Speak it to yourself day and night. Then you will observe to do what is written. And then you make your way prosperous and have good success. God is saying that the issue is not the word but what you do with the word.

So, the variable is your heart. The word is constant. It is not subject to change. The Bible tells us that the word of God is incorruptible. In other words, it cannot be destroyed and it cannot perish. It is errorless, infallible and impregnable. It is bound to produce. But your heart must receive it. No matter the situation you face, don’t give in thinking that it is too strong for you. No, you serve the God who is more than enough.

In addition, don’t believe your environment above the word and don’t be a double-minded fellow. We have a guarantee that the word will produce. Be fully persuaded about it. Stand on it and watch God honour His word.

The number one thing that will help you to be fully persuaded is to open your mouth and begin to speak it into yourself. The bible says in Roman 4:17 that God calls those things that are not as though they were. The things that be not, call them as though they are. That is the key. Call it! It may look stupid and silly but call it. Give voice to your faith.

Further reading: Joshua 1:8, Proverbs 18:20

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Genesis 46-48/ Evening- Matthew 13:1-30

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.