Topic: As You Lay Your Bed! — Thursday 26, October 2017.

Memorise: The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. – 2 Timothy 2:6

Read: Proverbs 27:23-27 (KJV)

23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Bible in One Year: Titus 1-3, Philemon 1, Hosea 1, Hymn: Sing Hymn 10 – There Shall Be Shower Of Blessing

MESSAGE:

Insincerity is a terrible character flaw that has led to the undoing of different generations of mankind. Take for instance Cain. He had no reason whatsoever not to have known that it was the nature and attitude of his sacrifice that made the Righteous God reject his offering. Furthermore, there was no justifiable reason whatsoever for him to have gone ahead to murder his brother, after he had been told that his wicked intentions were known to the Omniscient God. However, because he was not sincere to himself, he did what he did and he forever lived with its consequences. One dimension of the insincerity of men is manifested when people speak or work against paying a labourer his due wages. If you are one of such people, please know that this character is not a part of God’s nature and His word is against it. In 1 Timothy 5:18, God said:

“…Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

Coming up next: Open Heavens 27 October 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Essence Of Spiritual Office

Some people envy hardworking colleagues who are being promoted. As it is generally assumed, promotion comes with its responsibilities as well as its attendant goodies and benefits. More often than not, people refuse to see the added responsibilities of a hardworking leader; they only see his or her derivable benefits. This attitude is not godly.

There are some valuable lesson on labour and reward which I would like to point out to you today. First, I want you to know that since God has said that He who does not work should not eat, the righteousness of God makes it imperative that he who works must eat, (2 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:18). Secondly, as you lay your bed, so will you lie on it. The more diligent you are in business, the more comfortable you will be after fulfilling all godly conditions. Thirdly, when you are diligent in your vocation, business or job, you will be promoted to lead, because Proverbs 12:24 says,

“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”

The fourth lesson I want you to note is that riches are not forever. However, they can endure on one condition: if you continue to be diligent at your business. The fifth lesson is that God must be factored into whatever you do. Remember that except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it (Psalm 127:1). This consideration has to do with being faithful in paying your tithes, offerings, vows and the first fruits of your increase (Malachi 3:10, Psalm 50:14, Proverbs 3:9). Beloved, the most needful of all these is that you give your life to Christ and accept the redemption which He used His life to procure for all mankind. It shall be well with you.

Prayer Point: Father, through the knowledge of Your word and Your Holy Spirit, help me to be sincere with Your principles which govern being blessed in this world and the world to come.

HYMN 10: THERE SHALL BE SHOWER OF BLESSING

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

[Chorus]
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops 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.
[Chorus]

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

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!
[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: Home Breakers! (4)

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the concluding part of the teaching on HOME BREAKERS.  In the previous editions, I taught on anger, bitterness, impatience and covetousness. These are some of those things that can break homes.  Consciously working on these weaknesses will bring about a quick turn-around in your life. This week, I shall conclude this teaching by examining the topic “Wrong Company.”

The Word of God in Proverbs 13:20 says: …He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.  A man doesn’t have to be completely foolish to be destroyed; all he needs to do is to walk with the foolish and soon, the folly in his friend will become part of him too. Walking with a foolish person is as bad as being foolish.

The company you keep either makes or mars you. It doesn’t leave you neutral. The major cause of problems in some homes today is wrong company caused by family members who keep receiving counsel and moving with people who always cause trouble in their homes. Wrong association will affect you negatively. It will make you do things that you may never have done on your own. You must be careful about your choice of company and friends.

A wise man once said “Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are.” Who is your friend? If your friend is one that is a liar, a cheat, one that beats his wife or one that is covetous and into adultery and you think you are not anything like him or her, then you are wrong. Very soon, the nature of your friend will begin to rub off on you and the end result will be destruction.

Anyone that constantly gives you wrong counsel against your wife, husband or family well-being will destroy your home. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says: Be not deceived: evil communication corrupt good manner.  A wrong company or association corrupts good manners. The basis for any association should be agreement (Amos 3:3). When the company or association you keep is not in agreement with the things you believe in, then you must quit your relationship with that company.

Remember, friendship as they say, is by choice and not by force!  Separate yourself from wrong friends. Be selective in your association.  Select your friends in wisdom. Do not allow wrong company to destroy your family and home.

How and where should you choose your friends? Your friends must be selected prayerfully. There are some people that may appear good on the outside, but within, they are full of cankerworms. You must engage the Holy Spirit to lead you to who you should be close to. Do not just discuss your family affairs with anybody, but find out if such a person has the Spirit of God in him or her.

The ultimate help is from above and not from any human. If you need help in your home run to God. However, help from God will come faster when you are born-again. If you would like to be born-again, please say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today acknowledging that I am a sinner who needs Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and rose again on the third day. Forgive me my sins, wash me with Your Blood and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of life. Thank You Lord for saving me.”

Congratulations, you are now born-again! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now 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, and 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: Diligent Work: A Condition For Divine Health [Wednesday October 25, 2017]

Scripture: By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. Ecclesiastes 10:18

Thought For The Day: Rest belongs to those who work; to rest without work is to rust.

It has been established that for every provision in scriptures, there are conditions to follow. When these conditions are ignored, the outcome is failure and frustration.

There are conditions in scriptures needed to live in Divine health, free of sicknesses and afflictions. One of these conditions is working diligently.

Hard work assists healthy life; diligence assists longevity. Idleness equals decadence and indolence equals degeneration.

Our anchor scripture tells us that …By much slothfulness the building decayeth… and 1 Corinthians 3:9 refers to us as God’s building. This means that we are God’s building, and if we refuse to work, we begin to degenerate.

There is dignity and energy in labour. God’s servant, Bishop David Oyedepo once said that it is not hard work that wearies people; it is wrong work. Rest belongs to those who work; to rest without work is to rust.

Now, how does work enhance health?

1. Productive work releases the body’s potential and energy. There is vitality that is released by dynamism.

2. Idleness invites the curse (Amos 6:1). In fact, there is no greater curse than idleness and indolence.

3. God works with workers; He moves with movers (John 5:17).

Beloved, live productively. Pour your life’s energy into something productive for life and eternity. Let your life be filled with the excitement of assignment. A life that is not productively busy is a burden. A life that is not working is not worthy.

Remember This: Rest belongs to those who work; to rest without work is to rust.

Assignments:

1. Engage yourself in profitable and diligent work.

2. Shun every form of idleness and indolence.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the grace to work diligently in order to remain healthy in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: CONDITIONS FOR DIVINE HEALTH (PT 1-10).

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 48:1 to 49:22, 2 Timothy 4:1 to 22, Psalm 95:1 to 96:13, Proverbs 26:9 to 12.

Quote: Your work determines your worth. Culled from, 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Facts: A tarantula can live without food for more than two years.

Today In History: 25/10/1760 – George III becomes the King of Great Britain.

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: Live As Christ’s Epistle — Wednesday October 25, 2017.

Text: Ephesians: 4:20-27

Key Verse: “But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:20,21).

A well-known owner of a chain of hotels endeavors to render the best of service to his guests. He often says to his employees, “Remember, my reputation is in your hands!” In a sense, Christ’s reputation is in the hands of believers. Others will judge Him by those who profess to know Him and serve him.

This explains why someone once said: “The devil is willing for a person to confess Christianity as long as he doesn’t practice it”. Our meditation today enumerates some anomalies which are not supposed to be found in the lives of true disciples of Christ. Lying, anger, animosity, stealing, laziness; corrupt discussions, grieving the Holy Spirit, disobedience, bitterness; wrath, clamour, evil speaking, malice, etc. should not be found in any heavenly-minded Christian.

The true believer is one whose spirit is renewed to conform to the nature of God’s righteousness. He manifests truthfulness and upright walk, kindness, tenderness of heart and forgiveness. The Christian life is a glorious and enjoyable one if only we abide in the teachings of Christ and follow Him daily, laying aside every conduct we have not learnt from Him.

Only then will the ideal reputation of Christ be seen by the world around us and they will be drawn to accept and serve Him as their Lord and personal Saviour. So, let your lives and lips express the holy gospel you profess, and let our words and actions show the way out of the pollutions of the world.

Thought for the day: True disciples follow the steps of the Master.

Bible Reading in one Year: Ecclesiastes 4-7

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.