Topic: Stillness Before God [Monday November 6, 2017]

The wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion. — Proverbs 28:1

One of the most important things we can learn in our world today is how to be still.

I believe that one of the most significant reasons so many of us are burned-out and stressed-out is because we don’t know how to be still. We don’t really know God and do not acknowledge Him. And it’s only by spending time getting to know Him that we learn to hear His still, small voice so He can direct our paths.

We need to learn to be quiet on the inside and stay in that peaceful state so we are always ready to hear the Lord’s voice. Many people today run from one thing to the next. Because their minds don’t know how to be still, they don’t know how to be still in their hearts.

If we’ll just slow down, and quiet our minds enough to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we can live in a place of peace, ready to respond obediently. It is easy to see that leading a peaceful, happy life, free from exhaustion and burnout, is not all that complicated as long as we remain still before God.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I recognize that You alone are God. I know that stillness before You is important, so show me how to remain settled and peaceful inside, always ready to hear Your voice.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: Love & Marriage (1)

Dear Reader,

I welcome you to a month of great testimonies and liftings. It is my earnest prayer that the remaining days in this year brings you joy and greater exploits. This month, I shall be discussing extensively on the topic: Love and Marriage.

As a way of introduction, I would start by defining love. The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines love as warm liking or affection. It is also described as affectionate devotion. Love is a major requirement for success in marriage. It is one of the ingredients required in building and transforming your house into a home. As someone rightly said, “Love is what makes a house a home.”

The kind of love I am referring to is not as the world professes, which is, “If you love me I will love you in return.” This kind of love is divine. It is from the Greek word “AGAPE,” which is unconditional. It is the kind of love that says, “In spite of your faults and shortcomings, I love you all the same.”

The Bible says: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Just as God did not wait for us to be perfect before sending His Son to die for us, we are not to lay down conditions for our spouse, children, friends and neighbours before we   love them.

Agape is the love God pours in your heart by the Holy Ghost, when you get born again (Romans 5:5). In a world where every man seems to be seeking only his own welfare, marriages disintegrate like a pack of cards, children are neglected and abused in various ways. The need for God’s love cannot be overemphasized as everyone needs it. The Lord proved that this is a healthy desire when He asked: Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? (John 21:15).

Love is never a magical or mysterious emotion that two people fall into or out of, for no apparent reason. The truth is: loving relationships must be nurtured. Love is care and consideration directed towards another person, not just an ethereal emotion.

The work involved in building and preserving marital bonds, is well worth the time and effort. Husbands and wives, who are committed to this positive process, often describe their mates as their best friends. This is simply another way of describing the kind of bond God desires for every marriage.

Husband and wife must learn to work together in marriage, showing respect and love to each other. Such an approach follows the biblical principles of wives submitting to their husbands and husbands loving and honouring their wives (Ephesians 5:22/25; 1 Peter 3:1/7). Establishing family in an atmosphere of love and respect, gives the newly married a foundation upon which to build their lives together.

It is my prayer that as you open your heart to receive and act on God’s Word concerning your marriage, today, you will experience a positive transformation in Jesus’ mighty name!

Understanding the place of love in marriage begins with having a personal relationship with God, the Originator of marriage. Do you wish to invite Him into your marriage? You need to be born again! This is done by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour of your life. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer in faith: 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 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: 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: Seeing Jesus Purifies — Tuesday 7, November 2017.

Memorise: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. – Malachi 3:3

Read: 2 Corinthians 3:15-18 (KJV)

15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Bible in One Year: Job 5-8, Joel 1, Hymn: Sing Hymn 6 – Deeper, Deeper

Open Heavens 7th November 2017 MESSAGE:

When you see Jesus, everything blocking your vision will give way. At the time I came into ministry, we served God selflessly. Nobody had to promise any of us a house, car, position or title. We just loved God and we were ready to serve Him no matter the cost. We were ready to take the shame and suffering that came along with our service. Furthermore, when we suffered, we did not grumble or complain, because our focus was on Jesus. This is where our focus should also be today. In Mark 10:17-22, a young man came to Jesus to find out what he needed to do in order to make Heaven. The Lord told him to go and sell all that he had and give to the poor, and then he should take up his cross and follow Him. This was too much for him to bear, and so he went away grieved. He thought he had met all the requirements, but the Lord told him what he lacked which he never knew of. Beloved, when you see Jesus, you will realise what is lacking in your life that you never thought about. When you see Jesus, you will be able to see yourself more clearly and deeply. Jesus is the mirror through which you see yourself for who you really are.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” – Isaiah 64:6

Coming up next: Open Heavens 8 November 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – When The Best Comes Last

It was after Isaiah saw the Lord that he realised he had been inviting God’s judgement on himself as well as on the people. He did not know that his lips, which he thought were anointed, were also unclean (Isaiah 6:1-7). He saw his true picture and he cried out to God for help. When you see the Lord, it will change your prayer point, and you will begin to pray more appropriately. Isaiah cried for help and God sent an angel to touch his lips with a coal of fire from the altar to purify his lips. Malachi 3:2-3 says the sons of Levi must be purified by fire. This is why servants of God should not be afraid of trials. When you go through very trying times, it is likely that God wants you to be purified. He wants to take out the dirt and anything that will not allow you to fully manifest the grace of God that is upon your life. It takes you seeing Jesus to know how dirty or unclean you really are. Seeing your true state through Him will motivate you to call on Him for help.

Key Point: Looking at Jesus, the perfect eternal mirror, makes you see yourself in the realities of eternity.

Sing Hymn 6: Deeper, Deeper

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.

Chorus:
O deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.

2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Chorus:

3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Chorus:

4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Chorus:

5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
Chorus.

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: Forsaking The Way? [Monday 6, November 2017]

Memorise: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.” – 2 Timothy 4:10

Read: Luke 9:57-62

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Bible In One Year: John 9-10. Hymn: Sing Hymn 4: Take My Life And Let It Be

MESSAGE:

In the Bible reading for today, the man who was invited by Jesus could not come because he had excuses, but on the day when we’ll all stand before God, there will no longer be any excuses.

Anyone who desires to please God and withstand the storms of life must not allow anything to hinder him from making it to the Kingdom. There are many things people do, which unknown to them, enslave them to the devil. Demas for example, forsook the faith because of his love for the world. Are you also forsaking God to look like the ‘happening’ guy/girl in your school? If others are deceived, you must not be a victim.

Anyone who seeks to be a genuine follower of Jesus Christ must be willing to deny himself and live above the temporary pleasures of this present world.

Prayer Point: Father, help me never to forsake You for anything in this world.

Sing Hymn 4: Take My Life And Let It Be

1. Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2. Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Open Heavens 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: Who Are You? [Monday November 6, 2017]

Scripture: And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? Acts 19:15

Thought For The Day: For witches and wizards to shut you up when you are praying is an indictment on your relationship with God.

Some time ago, while I was in medical school, something striking happened. Some brethren went out for evangelism and a mad person walked up to one of the them and said, ‘Others are coming and you came too?’ Incredible!

For a demon to question the mantle you carry is an abomination. For witches and wizards to silence you when you are praying is an indictment on your relationship with God. demons shall not tell you as they told the seven sons of Sceva, ‘Jesus I know, Paul I know but who are you’ (Acts 19:14-15).

The truth is, the strength of your conscience determines the weight of your spirit. Iniquity is a limitation; sin is a reducer. The buoyancy of your spirit determines the potency of your spiritual authority.

Sin punctures confidence and deflates enthusiasm. Compromise is a cracker and silencer of voice.

The matter is, the kingdom of darkness does not respect the weightiness of your title; they only respect the forcefulness and integrity of your mantle. Being a Deacon, Pastor, Reverend, Apostle or Bishop means nothing to demons if the mantle is lacking.

Thus, if your wife or husband does not know you as a Christian, then you are not; if your parents cannot affirm that you are a child of God, then you are not; if your colleagues, friends or neighbours cannot attest to the fact that you are a Christian, then, you are not, and if the kingdom of darkness does not recognize you as Christian, then, you are not.

The question now is, are you a Christian indeed? Can you speak on behalf of Jesus and demons will obey you rather than shutting you up?

Beloved, WHO ARE YOU?

Remember This: For witches and wizards to shut you up when you are praying is an indictment on your relationship with God.

Assignment(S):

1. Take a deep and sincere reflection on your life to know who you really are.

2. Amend your ways before God; confess every iniquitous act that has deflated your spiritual authority.

Prayer: LORD, I thank You for Your longevity agenda for my life. I resist every spirit of death after my life, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING GET THIS MESSAGE: WHAT SOUND IS YOUR LIFE PRODUCING?

Quote: When you have chosen the life of sin, you have sacrificed the Presence of God. Culled from WHO ARE YOU? by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 14:12 to 16:41, Hebrews 7:18 to 28, Psalm 106:1 to 12, Proverbs 27:4 to 6

Amazing Fact: The Amur Leopard is a speedy creature, able to run up to 35 miles per hour, faster than Usain Bolt!

Today In History: 06/11/1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th president of United States.

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr 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: No Revision, Please! — Monday November 6, 2017.

Text: Psalm 119:89-96

“I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad” (Psalm 119:96).

Man’s imperfection has reflected several times over in all the enterprise he has undertaken over the centuries. He would to jettison his writings and inventions for subsequent updated versions he calls the final solution. Yet, the updated version is discovered to have some dotted lines to be filled.

It is an endless cycle of revisions, amendments, rejections and replacements. This is not so with the Holy Bible, authored by God. He use several instruments ranging from lawgivers, prophets, military leaders and judges, kings, priests, fishermen, apostles and even women who all wrote in different ages spanning several centuries while exploring numerous themes that nevertheless led to one objective: the plan of God to save fallen man through Jesus Christ His Son.

The psalmist insists that only a perfect God could have welded such disparate writings into a work that stands out and would not admit errors requiring revisions. He declares in verse 89 of the text that God’s word which we call the Holy Bible is firmly established in heaven, the perfect abode of the perfect God. Armed with this knowledge, the psalmist declares that he has no fear of the tantrums of the wicked set to destroy him. He says he will rest in the safe promises of the Word to subdue evil people.

In other words, he will overcome the limitations of man-made inventions, decrees and threats with the boundless and matchless grace and power of God’s promises to protect those who believe in Him as revealed in His Word. God has not reneged on showing mercy to the penitent sinner who comes to Him for pardon and protection. He makes this explicitly clear in John 6:37. He will not reject those who come to Him and trusts His Word which “shall not pass away” without fulfilment.

Thought for the day: Count on God’s eternal Word for eternal life!

Bible Reading in one Year: Isaiah 22-25

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: God Has Qualified You In Christ — Monday November 6, 2017.

Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” (Colossians 1:12 NKJV)

For those of you who are reeling out your qualifications and saying that is the basis for which you want God to deal with you, I have some questions for you. What qualification did the thief on the cross have before he was taken to heaven? What restitution did he do? What works did he carry out? Did he do anything? That spoils some people’s theology. That spoils some Pharisees’ idea of how to approach God.

You know what? Our problem is that we want to do right before we become right. And God says No! You are getting it backwards. I want you to accept that I have made you right and then, you can do right. That is the way it is. He has already made us right. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) which says, “For he hath made him be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

The day you received Christ, He made you right. And until that becomes a revelation to you, you cannot do right. Right thinking, will produce right living. You are first right before you do right. Not do right to become right. No! You cannot do right and that is why Jesus Christ came to be your right. In Him, we have been made righteous. If you understand that Christ is your righteousness, you will love Him more. When you realize how much debt He has forgiven you, you will love Him more and more.

The grace of God found us just as we were. Empty handed! Consider Abraham, the father of faith. God reached out to him when he was still an idol worshipper. He did nothing. Grace just located him. Don’t fall out of Grace. The grace that qualified you, will sustain you. Don’t be intimidated, you cannot earn God’s love. Grace gave it to you free of charge. I bless you in Jesus name.

Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 3:20-28

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Jeremiah 37-39; Evening- Hebrews 3

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.