Topic: Ashamed Of Your Faith? — Thursday 21, December 2017.

Memorise: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21

Read: Philippians 1:20-21 (KJV)

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 9-12, Zachariah 9, Hymn: Sing Hymn 1: My Faith Looks Up To Thee

MESSAGE:

Do you desire and seek rest for your soul? There is a rest in Jesus Christ that you can never find elsewhere. To access this rest, you must be ready to receive His yoke by denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Him daily. (Matthew 11:29). To find rest for your soul, you must reach a point where you are no longer ashamed of Jesus Christ. You must conquer shame or be dead to it with regard to your faith in Christ Jesus. To this end, Paul said this to us, from his experience:

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” – Philippians 1:20

Are you still ashamed to publicly declare your faith in Christ? Do you allow people to intimidate you concerning your faith in Christ Jesus? Get out of that pit of shame today and let everyone who cares to know be informed that you are a true child of God! Let your lifestyle support your confession and copy Jesus in all that you do!

A confirmation that you have conquered shame with respect to your faith in Christ is that you would be bold to face anyone, anywhere and say to them that you are for Jesus Christ. If you are not bold, it is because you are infested with fear. If you have fear inside you and you are not a baby Christian, please check your life for sin. Why? Proverbs 28:1 says,

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Sin always brings in some degree of fear to a person’s life. There is a relationship between sin and fear. In the same vein, there is a relationship between righteousness and boldness (confidence). When you live your life transparently in righteousness, you will be bold and courageous. You will also be able to muster increasing levels of faith. If you do not have faith in your prayers being answered, it could indicate the presence of sin in your life. Sin kills expectations and hope. When you live to please God, your expectations will be strong and your hope will be strong. Check your life today. If you are lacking in boldness, faith, hope and expectation, there just might be some sins you haven’t confessed lurking around the corner.

Prayer Point: Father, grant me boldness to declare my faith in every situation I find myself in this world.

Hymn 1: My Faith Looks Up To Thee

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

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.

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 — The Home: An Institution For Child Training (2)

Dear Reader,

Last week, we saw the home as the first institution for child-training. This week, we shall be examining some Scriptural examples, being the most powerful tool for child-training.

God’s instructions begin with the expectation that parents will accept and fully live by His commandments. One of the most powerful tools in child training is ‘example’. One practical example carries more impact than a hundred words. Words may be forgotten with time, but practical pictures will always stick.

The Bible says: And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

The above scripture explains that being an example is the most powerful teaching method of all; but that’s not all. God did not only tell parents to teach their children His ways, but He instructed them to do it diligently. He said it should be done throughout their days: when they are sitting, walking, going to bed or getting up in the morning.

Everything reproduces after its kind. Your children will prefer to do what you do, than what you preach or say. You should live a life worthy of emulation. The Bible says: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (I Timothy 4:12).

Parents are instructed to be examples not just in words but deeds. You need to watch what you say and how you act around your children.  Many times, out of anger, you may want to abuse your children; but if you let those words escape out of your lips, you have sown a negative seed. Don’t speak carelessly, not even when you are angry. Let your words be gracious, life-transforming and destiny-moulding.

Children are a reflection of their parents. Murmuring and complaining parents will definitely have the same attitude reflected in their children; just as stingy parents will have stingy children.

Do not expect a “do as I say” approach to bring success in child training. Nothing is more ineffective when a parent uses foul language but tries to correct his child for using same. How can a parent teach responsibility if his own actions are irresponsible?

Abraham was conscientious in obeying God, and his descendants – Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, also diligently followed same. Your own example is paramount in properly influencing your children because they are quick to notice discrepancies between what you ask them not to do and what you do yourself.

Paul pointed out this principle to the Jews, who were trying to influence the gentiles (non-Jews) but were hypocritical: Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written (Romans 2:21-24).

Regardless of what parents say, most young people will adopt their parents’ standards and lifestyles. In this case, actions do speak louder than words. Your children are watching the way you maltreat their mother and saying, “If this is what marriage is all about, I don’t think there is need for me to get married”. There are cases like that in our society today because of the negative examples parents have set before their children. I see a change coming your way today in Jesus’ name!

When children are properly taught Biblical principles, they become great people. When they go to school, they understand that morally upright people live by a code of conduct that requires them to act honourably and show respect to others. Thus, it is time to be a worthy example because you are not just dealing with children but destinies. Don’t be careless!

The grace to be a positive example to your children can only be given to you when you are born again. To be born again means to surrender your life to Christ. This is by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Raising Godly Children, Understanding Motherhood, Building A Successful Family and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

Topic — Family Dominion, How Possible? (2)

Dear Reader,

Last week, I taught on how seeking revelation and being positive will help you exercise family dominion.

However, this week, I will be examining Unity in the Family. The Bible says: …how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1). Doubtlessly, unity in the family fosters dominion. When you are united as a family, your dominion is unquestionable and visible.

Genesis 11:6 says: …Behold, the people is one… and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. This shows the strength in unity! Thus, to exercise dominion in your family, ensure there is unity in all that you set out to do. As the head of the family, there should be transparency to enable the members of your family know where you are leading them to. This makes it easy for them to follow and brings about the much needed unity that culminates in dominion.

It is quite unfortunate that even Christians, worshipping in the same church have challenges in their relationship with one another. The responsibility of living peaceably is not only on one person but on all members of the family. Ensure that peace reigns among you. Parents, teach your children how to live peacefully among one another; this should also extend to your in-laws.

Scripturally, envy and strife are not only sinful; they also bring evil in the family (James 3:16). Hence, the need to live peacefully with all people.

The Bible says: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled (Hebrews 12:14-15).

From the above scripture, if you do not live peaceably with those around you, three things are bound to happen:

The Grace of God will elude you

What is Grace? Grace is unmerited favour. It is something you receive without working for. God is the sole Custodian of grace and He says it will elude whoever will not obey His commandment. Anyone living in hatred, bitterness, malice, etc., has fallen short of the grace of God. Your family shall not fall short of the favour of God that makes for dominion!

Until you learn the act of living peaceably with others, the grace of God upon your life will not find fulfilment. Avoid anger, hatred and strife because they are little foxes that spoil the vine and frustrate the grace of God upon an individual’s life.

You will live in bitterness

When you are not living at peace with someone, bitterness automatically sets in and continues to build up in your heart towards that person. Bear in mind that you cannot find God where there is bitterness because God is love. Just like light cannot dwell with darkness; so also God cannot manifest His power where there is hatred. It doesn’t matter whether the person is a Christian or not, as long as you are bitter against anyone your prayers are hindered.

You get defiled

If you don’t live at peace with one another, you get spiritually, physically and mentally defiled. Your thought pattern towards that individual changes negatively and you forget all the good things they have ever done for you.

When you live peaceably with people and forgive them for any wrong done, you benefit greatly from it. Let the lifestyle of Christ reflect in your family, neighbourhood, career, business and everywhere you find yourself. Let people identify you with Christ (Matthew 5:16).

To effectively live peacefully with your family members and others, learn instant forgiveness. Also, be ready to ask for forgiveness when you are wrong. Make sure you effectively communicate with one another to avoid misconception. Let the Word of God be your guide and always pray in the Spirit.

If you need the Prince of Peace to manifest peace in your family, you can embrace Him by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you are set to do that, say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins.  Cleanse me with Your precious Blood.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Now I know I am born again!

Congratulations, you are now born again! Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through [email protected] or 08141320204, 07026385437.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Topic — Becoming A ‘Help Meet’ (2)

Dear Reader,

You are welcome to another wonderful time in God’s presence. I count it a great privilege to bring God’s Word your way again today. It is my prayer that your home and family will begin to experience the hand of God in Jesus’ mighty name!

Today, I want to focus on the woman, as a ‘help meet.’

It can be quite frustrating for a man to have a woman who does not know where God has placed her in the home; thereby struggling to take the place of her husband. Every woman needs to recognise her biblical position in her husband’s life. Lack of knowledge in this area is what has robbed many homes of honour, dignity and success. The Bible says: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

Every man has his own weaknesses, but it is the duty of the woman as a wife to assist her husband in those identified weak areas instead of using them to despise, disgrace or pull him down.

You are the primary answer to the word ‘help meet’ when God was confronted with the same challenge; hence, you have to live up to that expectation. Your family, society, the world at large and God Himself are watching to see how well you carry out this task. If his weaknesses remain the same and he is stagnated; then, it means you are not carrying out your responsibilities.

The reason many believe that a good wife is measured by the wealth of blessings a man acquires after wedding is because his wife assumes her role as a help meet.

Be a helper not a destroyer, an asset not a liability, a blessing not a burden and a soothing balm, not a thorn in the flesh. Woman, that high look, secret pride, arrogant talk, nagging spirit and the likes are not from God. You have to stop them if you desire success in your marriage!

Read this testimony carefully:

“My marriage has been plagued with a lot of challenges because I did not understand my role as a ‘help meet’ as I was a busy career woman. My husband also started having extra marital affairs due to my tongue and this led to him issuing me a divorce notice. Each time we were to have a hearing; it was always postponed because we couldn’t go to court.

I read your book, Making Marriage Work, and by the ministration of the Holy Spirit, I longed for my marriage to be restored. Lo and behold, my husband is committed to giving this marriage a second chance. To God alone be all the glory!” – V. Kwoba

In the husband-wife relationship, submission is the major key that opens the door to peace, joy, and success in marriage. Submission can be instrumental in effecting changes in the home, as there is no man that would not respond positively to a submissive wife.

This is also a commandment from the Almighty God, Who demands that submission to your husband be absolute (Colossians 3:18). Don’t just submit in some areas that suit you, but in all. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10).

Submission may be the missing axe-head that is responsible for the problems in your home. Once that is in place, your husband will not stop loving you as commanded by God. Wherever you have opened the door of your home to the devil through your nonchalance and negligence of duty, I pray for your restoration now in the name of Jesus Christ!

There is no woman who does not desire to be loved by her husband.  However, you can only reap a harvest of love, if you sow the seed of submission. I have discovered that the more I stand in my God-ordained place in my husband’s life, the more love I receive from him.  Everyone close to us knows that my husband loves me.  But frankly, I want more love.  So, I stand firmly in my place, and keep surrounding him with assistance.

You need the grace of God to play your role effectively in the life of your husband; but it is the exclusive preserve of God’s children. If you desire grace, then you must accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you are ready for this, please say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins.  Cleanse me with Your precious Blood.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Now I know I am born again!

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name! Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through [email protected] or08141320204, 07026385437.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

Topic: Make No Room For Sin — Thursday December 21, 2017.

Text: Judges 1:21-36

Key Verse: “And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day” (Judges 1:21).

The children of Israel treated with levity, God’s warning on the long-term destructive effect of allowing cohabitation with the heathen whose ways are at variance with His. The Lord told them that once they got to Canaan, they should drive out its wicked inhabitants, eliminate them and make no room for their culture or religious practices. God did not want His holy people to be corrupted. But the Israelites failed to flush out the Jebusites.

Centuries after centuries saw these Jebusites constituting themselves into a thorn in the flesh of Israel. A case in point was when King David sought to enter Jerusalem to complete his hold on Judah. He overran everywhere except Jerusalem, the land of the Jebusites. Its inhabitants sent a word to David that they would resist him even with their blind and lame citizens (2 Samuel 5:6). The Bible records that it was only with the help of God that David overcame the Jebusites.

The children of Israel could have saved themselves and the future generations these avoidable troubles and wars if they had heeded God’s wise admonition to drive away the natives upon entering Canaan land. God’s ways are superior to the thinking of man with all his presumptuous attitude of knowing it all. Man fails to recognize that God Himself is Wisdom.

It is the same challenge of contemning God’s laws the sinner has. He does not deal decisively with the sin problem in his life when the gospel of Jesus is preached to him. God expects him to promptly renounce sin, part ways with any association with unrighteousness and ask for forgiveness after confessing Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. The lesson is that sin, whether at the initial stage or at an advanced point, ought not to be allowed any space of existence in anyone anxious to make peace with God.

Thought for the day: Give no room to sin no matter how minute.

Bible Reading in one Year: Proverbs 1-3

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: The Deliverance Power Of Prayer [Thursday December 21, 2017]

Scripture: I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4

Thought For The Day: Prayer is key to rescue from danger and key to safety in life.

Sometime ago, I heard an incredible deliverance testimony of a young lady who is a member of our church. While she was on a journey from Abuja to Lokoja, the vehicle she boarded had a fatal accident. The last thing she remembered was that she was bleeding from her nose and her ears. While in that condition, she wrote on a paper the phone number of her home cell leader and passed out.

Then, from the junction of eternity, she saw me, her home cell leader and members of her cell praying for her survival. She also began to hear my recorded tongues of fire from the background. Suddenly, she coughed and came back to life. Hallelujah!

Now, what she saw was the exact thing that happened physically – the home cell brethren gathered in Abuja and were praying for her. They called and asked that the phone be placed on her ear while the tongues of fire played for her spirit to listen, then she jerked back to life. She was the only person who survived that accident; every other person on board the ill-fated vehicle died.

Beloved, prayer is key to rescue from danger; prayer is a major preservative of life and destiny. It is key to safety in life.

I prophesy on you the injection of fresh passion for prayer. I declare your deliverance from every calculated accident, calamity, tragedy or danger organized by the enemy for you in this December, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: Prayer is key to rescue from danger and the guarantee of safety in life.

Assignments:

1. Connect to the prophetic cover of the mantle to fight your battles

2. Cultivate a life of prayer.

Prayer: LORD, I connect to the mantle of deliverance on the life of my pastor and prophet. I receive the grace to cultivate the lifestyle of prayer. I escape every trap of disaster or tragedy set for me and my loved ones this season Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THE MESSAGE: THE PRESERVATION POWER OF PRAYER

Quote: If the devil cannot succeed against your prayer, then his defeat is confirmed in your life. Culled from PRINCIPLE AND POWER OF PRAYER by Dr Paul Enenche

Daily Reading: Zechariah 1:1 to 21, Revelation 12:1 to 17, Psalm 140:1 to 13, Proverbs 30:17

Amazing Fact: Horse hooves are made from the same protein that comprises human hair and fingernails.

Today In History: December 21st – Winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, today is the beginning of summer.

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.

Topic: Submission Is Not Weakness — Thursday December 21, 2017.

‘’And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the gentiles by his ministry’’ Acts 21:19.

One major factor that enabled Paul to achieve that measure of success in Ministry that we read about today was that he held himself accountable. He was submissive to authority. No matter how highly placed you are, there must be someone you submit to, who can help you to ensure that you are building according to a pattern. You cannot grow like a wild bush and expect the beauty of the Lord. Jesus, our perfect example, submitted Himself to John the Baptist. If Jesus did, why won’t you?

Submission to a constituted authority or an accountability partner is a secret of every successful person. It is not weakness to submit to authority. Everyone who wants to be all that God has ordained him or her to be must be ready to submit to authority. Don’t be a law unto yourself, you cannot know everything and your opinion is not always right, that is why God has surrounded you with people at different levels. No one achieves greatness alone. There are deficiencies and vacuums that God allowed in you as a person that can only be filled by another person. So you need somebody in your life that can correct you and call you to order when you are missing it. You need an adviser; you need a mentor; you need a true friend.

If there is anyone that should be arrogant and cocky, it should be Paul. Remember, he is learned, secondly, no one preached to him. He had a direct encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus – Acts 9. But even in that situation, when he asked, “what wilt thou have me do?” in verse 6, he got no direct instruction, rather he was directed to the city “… and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Did you see that? No man, no matter your level of anointing or relationship with God, He will never leave you as an island. Remember, iron sharpens iron.

Further Reading: Acts 13: 1-4; Prov. 11:14; Prov.15:22.

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Micah 4-5; Evening- Revelation 12

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.

Topic: Home for Christmas— Thursday December 21, 2017.

Read: Genesis 28:10–17, Bible in a Year: Micah 4–5; Revelation 12

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. Genesis 28:15

One year Christmas found me on assignment in a place many of my friends couldn’t locate on a map. Trudging from my worksite back to my room, I braced against the chill wind blowing off the bleak Black Sea. I missed home.

When I arrived at my room, I opened the door to a magical moment. My artistic roommate had completed his latest project—a nineteen-inch ceramic Christmas tree that now illuminated our darkened room with sparkling dots of color. If only for a moment, I was home again!

As Jacob fled from his brother Esau, he found himself in a strange and lonely place too. Asleep on the hard ground, he met God in a dream. And God promised Jacob a home. “I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying,” He told him. “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring” (Gen. 28:13–14).

From Jacob, of course, would come the promised Messiah, the One who left His home to draw us to Himself. “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am,” Jesus told His disciples (John 14:3).

That December night I sat in the darkness of my room and gazed at that Christmas tree. Perhaps inevitably I thought of the Light that entered the world to show us the way home.

Prayer: Lord, no matter where we are today, we can thank You for preparing a place for us to be with You. And we have the presence of Your Spirit today!

Home is not so much a place on a map, as it is a place to belong. God gives us that place.

Insight:

Sometimes our perceptions of God get a startling adjustment. That was the case for Jacob in today’s passage. From our perspective we know through the Old and New Testament Scriptures that God is everywhere and is always with us. But Jacob’s knowledge was limited. His statement in Genesis 28:16 hints that he thought he was out of “God’s area.” How comforting it must have been to Jacob to realize that though he had left his family and his home, he was still in the presence of God.

How does knowing that God is always present comfort you? J.R. Hudberg

This message was written By Tim Gustafson [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]