Topic: How to Avoid Communication Breakdown (2)

Dear Reader,

Welcome to this exciting time in God’s presence. Last week, I started teaching on Understanding Communication as a foundation to be laid if you do not want your relationship to crumble. This week, I shall be looking at “Kinds of Communication.”

Communication can either be verbal or non-verbal. In verbal communication we are simply talking about passing across a piece of information using words while non-verbal involves the use of actions, facial expressions etc. The Bible says: Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3). Beyond what comes out of your mouth; your actions speak louder too.

Mastering the art of verbal communication is a major secret of success in family life. In verbal communication, it is wise to mention at this juncture that in a bid to air their minds, some people can say just anything and at anytime. This shows a lack of discretion. Weigh your words carefully before saying them because words are as fragile as raw eggs, once broken they cannot be gathered.

Some men call their wives and children all types of terrible names – particularly out of anger. Some women in turn are experts at nagging. But that is an abuse of your tongue. God did not create the tongue to speak evil words, rather it is an instrument of edification. The reason many people abuse their tongues is that its purpose is not known and when purpose is not known abuse is inevitable! The Bible says: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21). Also, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth (Proverbs 6:2).

Today, there are homes which are badly damaged and in big trouble because the tongue is not being controlled. They are victims of corrupt communication. But Ephesians 4:29 places the responsibility on us. It says: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth… So, it is your duty to control what proceeds out of your mouth.

Also, in non-verbal communication, there is a way you express displeasure without uttering a word. There is an adage that says, “Action speaks louder than words.” Just by watching your spouse’s body language, you can tell when he/she is angry, sad, excited, etc. The longer you live together with someone, the more you are able to read his or her body language. That is non-verbal communication.

Remember, communication is not only vital for husbands and wives, but for all members of the family. Therefore, keep the communication lines open. Don’t allow the enemy to tamper with it.

If you desire effective communication in your home, the right place to begin from is a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. If you want to start this relationship right now, you can 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: Live Free From Fear [Tuesday October 10, 2017]

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. – Psalm 91:1-3

Is it possible to live free from fear in this dangerous and unpredictable world? Yes, it most definitely is! Because protection is a solid promise of God.

But it’s not a promise that’s offered to just anyone. It is promised to those who abide in the Lord. To abide means “to dwell, to remain and to continue.” To abide in the shadow of the Almighty is to live in continual union with Him, keeping His Word and obeying His voice. Those who abide in the Lord can live without dread of what the devil will do.

Let me make this clear though—God’s promise of protection doesn’t guarantee that the devil will leave you alone! It means that God will give you a way of escape every time the devil rears his ugly face at you.

If you are afraid of the dangers around you, spend more time in the Word and in prayer until your trust in God overcomes your fear. Draw closer to the Lord until you are abiding in the shadow of the Almighty and—no matter how dangerous this world becomes—He shall surely deliver you.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 91:1-16

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: Satisfied by Righteousness [Tuesday October 10, 2017]

But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19

Man hungers for food, and God sends the sun and rain upon the golden fields of grain. The grain is made into flour, and flour into bread, and man’s physical hunger is satisfied. Man hungers for love; and God ignites the fire of affection in another heart, and two hearts are made complete in the bonds of holy matrimony.

Man hungers for knowledge, and God raises up institutions of learning, calls men to be instructors, puts it into the hearts of the rich to endow them; and men are satisfied in their thirst for knowledge. Man hungers for fellowship; and God allows him to build cities where men can share their industry, and their knowledge, and their skills.

Don’t tell me that God can supply man with an abundance of everything material and yet will let him starve spiritually! . . . God will satisfy the hunger and thirst of those who desire His righteousness because He loves the world with an undying affection.

Prayer for the day: You have abundantly supplied my greatest need, heavenly Father, for You have given me love.

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: Test The Gifts Of The Spirit – Tuesday October 10, 2017.

Luke 22:13 “And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.”

Text: Luke 22:13

When a true gift of the Spirit is in operation, things will always be as the Lord has said (an exception to this is if there are conditions to meet).

This is the ultimate test of whether or not someone’s words are God-inspired (Dt. 18:22).

We cannot be led by just our own feelings concerning the gifts of the Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, the apostle Paul gives us direction governing the use of spiritual gifts that must supersede any urge or leading that we feel.

The first test to apply to any gift of the Spirit is to ask, “Does it glorify Jesus?” That’s the point Paul is making. The Holy Spirit will never lead anyone to defame Jesus in any way. Jesus made it very clear that the Holy Spirit would only glorify Him. Any utterance or act that denies Jesus is not from the Holy Spirit.

In Paul’s day, there was a transition being made from Judaism to Christianity. Some Jews were teaching that keeping the Old Testament law could produce salvation. They violently opposed Paul’s teaching, that faith alone in Jesus could produce salvation. Paul considered any utterance like this as calling Jesus accursed and it definitely would not be from the Holy Spirit.

Also, the pagan religions of Paul’s day believed in many gods. Anyone who tried to make Jesus just another god or “a” way to God instead of “the” way to God would be calling Him accursed. The Holy Spirit would never inspire anyone to do this. Those who are truly moved by the Holy Spirit in their utterances will always glorify Jesus.

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 Secret of Revelation [Tuesday October 10, 2017]

Scripture: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Thought For The Day: Revelation is the secret of elevation; information is the secret of promotion.

Yesterday, we learnt that a man of knowledge is a man of strength. Knowledge imparts strength to phase out opposition; it resists oppression and gives strength to win battles. Revelation is the secret of elevation; information is the secret of promotion.

For example, when a doctor in a teaching hospital walks with audacity and about four or five doctors are running behind him, he is either a consultant surgeon, consultant gynaecologist, or a highly respected professor in his field. It is his knowledge that gives him that kind of audacity.

When a person lives without information or revelation, he gives up on God easily. But as long as there is one more revelation, there is always hope (Ecclesiastes 9:4).

Furthermore, it is worthy of note that when you get revelation from the Word of God or information concerning your career, your entitlements and possibilities become clear to you. This causes the upsurge of aggressive spirit which gives you the audacity to confront the kingdom of darkness and the outcome is restoration.

Beloved, increase your knowledge base to avoid stagnation in life. If you do not want to move in this world with timidity, left behind others, be knowledgeable about God and about what you do.

Remember This: Revelation is the secret of elevation; information is the secret of promotion.

Assignments:

1. Be knowledgeable about the Word of God and in your career.

2. Fight ignorance on a daily basis by reading the Word of God and other materials relevant to your field of endeavour.

Prayer: O LORD, open my eyes to the revelation that will transform my life and push me into fulfilment in life and destiny in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE MIGHT OF LIGHT

Quote: Where you are now is where your knowledge has permitted you to be! Culled from GO IN THIS THY MIGHT by Dr Paul Enenche

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 14:11 to 16:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:9 to 3:13, Psalm 80:1 to 19, Proverbs 25:1 to 5.

Today In History: 10/10/1845 – Naval School (now called US Naval Academy) opened at Annapolis.

Amazing Fact: A strawberry is not actually a berry, but a banana is.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Power Communion Services tomorrow by 4:45pm and 6:30pm for the preservation of your life and destiny. Invite your friends and loved ones.

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: Wake-Up Call! — Tuesday October 10, 2017.

Read: Revelation 3:1–6, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 34–36; Colossians 2

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Revelation 3:2

During the years when I traveled frequently and stayed in a different city every night, I always scheduled a wake-up call when I checked into a hotel. Along with a personal alarm, I needed a jangling telephone to help get me out of bed and moving in the morning.

The book of Revelation contains a spiritual wake-up call in the apostle John’s letters to the seven churches in the province of Asia. To the church in Sardis he wrote this message from Jesus Himself: “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God” (Rev. 3:1–2).

In the midst of spiritual fatigue, we may fail to notice the lethargy that creeps into our relationship with God. But the Lord tells us to “remember . . . what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent” (v. 3).

Many people find that scheduling some extra time each morning to read the Bible and talk to the Lord in prayer helps them stay spiritually alert. It’s not a job but a joy to spend time with Jesus and know that He prepares us for whatever lies ahead that day.

Prayer: Lord, enable us to hear and respond to Your wake-up call today.

Spending time with Jesus is a joy!

Insight:

The call for the Christ-follower to be spiritually alert rings loud throughout the New Testament. To the sleepy disciples, Jesus bemoaned, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Matt. 26:41). Peter, writing from his own failure (see Luke 22:31–34), cautioned: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him” (1 Peter 5:8–9). We are reminded to “put on the full armor of God” (Eph. 6:11, 13) and to stand firm with the truth of the gospel (v. 14; see 2 Tim. 3:14–17) and with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Those who have the law of God “in their hearts . . . do not slip” (Ps. 37:31). The spiritually alert “[delights] in the law of the Lord, and . . . meditates on his law day and night” (1:2).

How has “delighting” in God’s Word helped you remain spiritually alert? Sim Kay Tee

This message was written By David C. McCasland [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Height of Ingratitude — Tuesday October 10, 2017.

Text: Luke 17:11-19

Key Verse: “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger” (Luke 17:17,18).

Ancient Israel had no answer to the scourge of certain diseases, especially the disease of leprosy. Medical science offered little help in combating this dreaded condition which kept its victims away from decent society.

There was no relief except by divine intervention. Jesus told the ten lepers: “Go shew yourselves unto the priests”. This was because after a leper was cleansed of the disease, he was to present himself to a priest to be confirmed clean. Now on their way to the priest, they were cleansed. Overwhelmed by joy at this discovery, one of them turned back and came to Christ to give glory to God. The rest went away with their healing and forgot the Healer. It is good to note that the one who went back was a Samaritan whose nation the Jews regarded as sinful.

Believers are under obligation to return thanks to God for all His benefits and blessings. While one leper was grateful for his healing, the others showed no such appreciation. Their ingratitude pictures how many people often forget all that God bestows upon them both spiritually and physically only to continue to ask for more. How often do you say: ‘Thank you, Jesus’. And as it is in the spiritual, so it is in the physical; we must show appreciation for the good people do unto us.

An ungrateful “believer” is a blight to the Christian faith. We need to constantly show appreciation to God for His manifold blessings in our lives!

Thought for the day: An ungrateful heart is like a greedy grabber.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Kings 19-20

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: Talk Your way to Success!

We discover from Scriptures that success is God’s will for us and as such every child of God has been redeemed for all-round success. However, success does not fall on people’s laps neither is it obtained on a platter of gold. There is always what to do to enjoy every provision God has made for us in His Word. Among others, one important step to our success is to talk our way into it. It is impossible to encounter success without talking success. This is because the words we speak either make us or mar us. We determine the things that happen to us by the words of our mouth. Whenever we speak success, as contained in scriptures, we are speaking the right word that contains irresistible great forces that cannot go unheard.

As regards our success in life, many Christians don’t believe it is scriptural to be successful and as such they keep closed mouths. Remember, it is often said that ‘a closed mouth is a closed destiny’. In actual fact, they think it is pride to talk success. They prefer to be wretched Christians than to be associated with success. But Jesus did not teach us so, He said that we are the light of the world. In other words, we are redeemed to be Pace-setters, pathfinders and trail-blazers for the world to follow. He also said that we are the salt of the earth; that means we are designed to preserve humanity from decadence and to give taste to the tasteless world. In addition, Jesus said that we are cities set on hills which cannot be hidden. That helps us to recognise that every child of God is ordained for global relevance, influence and exploits. But as we all know, we cannot claim what we cannot proclaim, our inheritance notwithstanding. In other words, what we don’t believe, we are not empowered to become and until we say it, God is not empowered to deliver. If talking success is too big for our mouths, it would be too big for our hands (John 1:12; Genesis 13:14). Therefore talk success! Until we talk it, we can’t have it. This is my secret over the years and it is still working for me. Remember, the Bible says: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21; See also Mark 11:23). The words we speak are powerful and can affect us positively or negatively. Thus, to experience success through the words of our mouths, we must understand the following:

Our Words Are Seeds: The Words we speak are seeds, which bring forth fruits after their kind. As it is written: …the seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11). This means that how much of the word of God we express through our lips in any area of our lives, determines our harvest. Thus, when we feed our hearts with words of success and express them through our mouths, we are sowing seeds of success. Unfortunately, some people no matter how hard they work cannot enjoy success. This is because despite the fact that they are great givers and diligent workers, they sow seeds of failure with their mouths. This is why there are many great doers, but poor talkers. In spite of their great doings, they still remain small. We must recognise that God is not to blame for our failures as He regards what we say as the conclusion of our expectations. As it is written: … for ye shall have whatsoever he saith (Mark 11:23). Therefore, we should stop saying negative things about our present conditions; rather, we should start speaking what is written in God’s Word.
Our Words are Likened to Rainfall: Also, the words we speak are likened to rainfall from heaven. Just as the Word God sent forth out of His mouth never return to Him void, so also the words we speak never return void. They are like rainfall that causes a sprouting forth of whatever seed is sown in the earth. Remember, no matter how much seed a farmer puts in the ground, if there is no rain, the seed would perish in the earth. Likewise, the words we speak would either bring down rain to water the seeds sown or establish a drought that will destroy the seeds. It is time to begin to water the labours of our hands, by speaking the right kind of words (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Filling our Hearts with the Right Words: We understand from scriptures that: …out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Mathew 12:34). This implies that our mouths speak forth the overflows of what is in our hearts. When we become drunk with the words of success, we speak them naturally. As written in scriptures, life and death are in our mouths, so we should speak life, that we may enjoy success in life.

God is Committed:  In the school of success, what we say with our mouths is as important as what God says. Thus, God is committed to what we say, just as He is committed to what He says.  As it is written: That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers (Isaiah 44:26). Every one that serves God is His servants, and He is bound to confirm our words. So we must speak the right words so as not to lack results because God will confirm it. God is committed to whatever we say, whether it is said in the public or privately. He can’t act until we have uttered the words. So stop talking trials because what we talk is what we possess. Rather, start talking testimonies and we will stop seeing trials and failures.

However, God is only committed to what the redeemed say. Thus, if you are not saved, God will never confirm what you say. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

For further reading, please get my books: Success Strategies, Success Systems, Maximising Destiny, Exploring the Secrets of Success. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]

Topic: I Shall Not Be Poor — Tuesday 10, October 2017.

Memorise: All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. – Proverbs 19:7

Read: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (KJV)

9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 12-14, Daniel 5:1-12, Hymn: Sing Hymn 10 – There Shall Be Shower Of Blessing

MESSAGE:

Having tasted poverty and a little bit of wealth, I can tell you that wealth is better than poverty. If you are living in poverty, I prophesy over you that God will lift you out of poverty in Jesus’ Name. One of the reasons why I hate poverty so much is because of what Proverbs 14:20 says about the poor:

“The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.”

Coming up next: Open Heavens 11 October 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Be Of Good Cheer

In today’s Bible reading, we are introduced to a Bible hero who experienced poverty, but who was not hypocritical about his undesirable condition. This fellow was Jabez. His mother named him Jabez because she gave birth to him with sorrow. As Jabez grew up, he started experiencing the meaning of his name, and so, he decided to do something about it. it is unfortunate that many people, even some children of God, bear names with negative meanings and connotations, and yet they refuse to do something about it, even after they start sensing the negative influence of such names on their lives. My prayer for you today is that the Almighty God will give you a name that will wipe away generational curses plaguing your life in Jesus’ Name. What Jabez did to change his situation is a common thing that some people don’t consider necessary: he prayed.

There are many lessons we can learn from the life of Jabez, the first of which is that Jazez called on the God he knew was a prayer-answering God – the God of Israel. The question is, who are you calling upon? Psalm 5:3 clearly tells us who we should direct our prayers to:

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

A second lesson to learn from Jabez is that he did not ask for a small blessing; rather, he prayed that God should bless him indeed. Thirdly, he prayed that God would be with him in his prosperity and keep him from evil. It is an open secret that many rich people live in one calamity or the other. Jabez knew this, and so he prayed against riches that attract evil. What a great man who knew the ways of God! If you want poverty to be history in your life, you have to do something about it. Jabez can be classified as someone who was destined to die in penury, but he prayed himself out of poverty and God heard him. Jesus is the way out of poverty (2 Corinthians 8:9). The life that He gives and His principle will lift you out of poverty. Therefore, give your life to Him without further delay today, and poverty shall become history in your life in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, please bless me indeed with Your blessing that adds no sorrow.

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.