Topic: Heartfelt Cry To God — Sunday October 8, 2017.

Text: Psalm 119:145-152

Key Verse: “I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes” (Psalm 119:145).

People resort to crying and weeping when their burden seems to have become unbearable without any hope of reprieve. Their tears flow out of burdened hearts and restless souls. This often has a sobering effect and God is touched by the tears of His loved ones.

The Psalmist had been overwhelmed by oppression and anxiety. He had to rise up early to cry unto God, knowing that vain was the help of man. Most of the night, he was sleepless and troubled beyond what he could bear. Then, he sought help and hope through prayer and meditation on the Word. Praying and meditating on the testimonies and past deliverances of God gave him sustaining hope. He then asked God for a personal revival.

Those who had no regard or respect for the word of God were those who oppressed him. Every true believer should expect to be victimized or mocked at one time or other in the course of his Christian journey, since the values we hold dear contrast sharply with those of the world. Since oppression is anticipated, what matters therefore is our attitude during those trying moments. We should use the occasion to seek for personal revival from God and for a closer walk with Him.

We must never succumb to despair in the face of intimidating odds but diligently seek the Lord through entire consecration and prayer till He releases abundant rain of revival in our lives and in the land.

Thought for the day: Storms should not alarm anyone, for they have a short shelf life.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Kings 15-16

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.

LESSON SIX (6): DEDICATION [OCTOBER 8TH, 2017]

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty father, help me to do your will at all times.

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 11: 22-31

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

23. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

24. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26. In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

27. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

29. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

30. If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

31. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
Teacher’s to note the text Review.

MEMORY VERSE: “Jesus saith unto them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” John 4:34.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Dedication is an act of setting apart or consecration of a thing or being to a deity. Christians are expected to be devoted wholly and earnestly to God and purpose for which He has called them. Our Lord Jesus Christ was dedicated to His course for living, so also were the Prophets and Apostles of old (John 4:34). You too must prove to God that you are dedicated to Him.

TEXT REVIEW:

2 Corinthians 11:22-31.The eleventh chapter of 2 Corinthians shows practical examples of the cost of dedication. Apostle Paul presented his unbeatable credentials in V.22-23 as Hebrew, as an Israelites, as a seed of Abraham and as a minister of Christ. Those who carried these kinds of credentials, humanly speaking, were exclusively respected in their society. They should have access to the High Priest and the Authority- Act 25:21-23. Therefore, nobody could maltreat them. However, Apostle Paul narrated his long ordeal as if he was nobody. He was beaten several times. He suffered imprisonments, perils of robbers, several fasting, accusation from false brethren, etc , 2 Cori. 11:28-33. He became weak for the weak, he was burnt by fire of offences and glorified in the things which concerned his infirmities. 2Cor.11:28-33. He submitted himself to this hardship for Christ’s sake and did not accuse God for his travail, rather he blessed the Lord, “father of our lord Jesus Christ which is blessed for ever more” 2Cor.11:31. What a life dedicated to the cause of the cross.

LESSON OUTLINES

LESSON OUTLINE 1: What Is Dedication?

i. It is the yearning desire in Christians which makes them to pay all costs to do the work of God perfectly. 2 Cor. 12:15

ii. Dedication keeps the Christian standing and willing to do more when present assignment has not been completed and when in actual fact other fellows are tired. Eph. 6:13

iii. Dedication propels believers to pray, watch, fast often and die daily for the sake of Christ and his love for the kingdom assignment. 1thes.5:17; 1 cor. 15:31, 2 cor11:14-18

iv. Dedication is the believer’s wheel of progress that pushes him forward in patience till victory when other fellow would have tired. Phil.3:113-14; Hebrew 12: 1.

Class Activity 1: Identify those actions you can observe in your local parish to show whether people are committed to Christ or not.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: It Calls For Self Discipline

i. Dedication calls for high degree of self-discipline or self-control.

ii. To be self-discipline is to remain on your course when others are calling it quit. 2Cor. 9:24-27.

iii. Self-discipline keeps a fighter on the firing line or battle field until battles are won and remain steadfast when battles are now over. Rom 8:37-39; Phil 1:24-27.

Iv. Self-discipline helps the dedicated believer To control his passion, tongue and flesh to enable him/her finish strong. Prov 16:32; James 3:2, Rom 6:12.

Class Activity 2: What role does self-discipline play in a successful Christian life?

SUMMARY:

Self-discipline is a vital tool for dedication.

CONCLUSION:

Christ requires from every believer commitment to the race. Such commitment has a huge cost which is attached and can only be paid through self-discipline.

EVALUATION:

What is the role of self-discipline in dedication?

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, help me to be self-disciplined.

Help me to remain focused and committed to Christ.

ASSIGNMENT:

Identify role does self-discipline in nation building.

Topic: God’s Kind Of Love — Sunday 8, October 2017.

Memorise: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (KJV)

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 7-9, Daniel 4:19-27, Hymn: Sing Hymn 2 – What A Friend We Have In Jesus

MESSAGE:

Today’s memory verse gives us a glimpse of what God’s kind of love is all about. This scripture reveals one truth about God’s kind of love, which is that it is unconditional. God loves unconditionally, and His love prompts Him to forgive unconditionally! If God had chosen to wait until we became saints before extending His saving love to us, no one would be saved. Some years ago, one of my sons illustrated the unconditional nature of God’s love. In his place of work, his secretary did something unprofessional, and so he moved him out of his office to another role within the department. While suspending this man from his role as secretary, my son strangely instructed him to hold on to the computer he had been working with, and told him to retain all the files that were on it. Some months later, he reinstated this fellow to his old role as secretary. Surprised at his reinstatement, this secretary was initially not comfortable at his former desk, but my son reassured him that he had been forgiven. He said to him, “I had forgiven you even before you asked for forgiveness. Why do you think I told you to hold on to the computer and keep all the files? I forgave you and restored you even as I was suspending you from office. I planned your reinstatement right from that day, and l didn’t want you to return and start from scratch, which is why I left the computer with you even though you were no longer my secretary. This secretary was dumbfounded.

Coming up next: Open Heavens 9 October 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Representing God?

In today’s Bible reading, we are enlightened on the characteristics of God’s kind of love. The Holy Spirit in these verses first declares the importance of this kind of love, without which life is worthless and meaningless. He then begins to list the characteristics of God’s love. Only God’s type of love suffers long and shows unusual kindness. God is sovereign and all-powerful, so He needs not envy anyone, neither does He need anybody to pump up His ego. God’s love contains no evil (James 1:13) Contrary to some people’s perception, God’s kind of love does not condone or rejoice in iniquity. Some pastors think that the best way of showing God’s kind of love is not to rebuke sinners. Nothing could be further from the truth! God’s kind of love is what Paul instructed Timothy to demonstrate in fulfilling his ministry, by reproving, rebuking and exhorting those he was ministering to with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2). My advice to you is that you embrace God’s love as personified by His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the whole world.

Prayer Point: Father, let Your love be shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit in Jesus Name.

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: Learn to Take Life As It Comes [Saturday October 7, 2017]

At once the father of the boy gave [an eager, piercing, inarticulate] cry with tears, and he said, Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my weakness of faith! — Mark 9:24

Like most people, I resist things I don’t like that I can’t really do anything about. One day the Lord said to me, “Joyce, learn to take life as it comes.”

I believe this is a lesson for all of us. What He was saying to me was that I needed to stop fighting the things I could do nothing about.

If we are traveling somewhere and suddenly find ourselves in heavy traffic due to an accident or bad weather, it doesn’t do any good to resist it. Only time or God’s supernatural intervention will change the situation. Why not relax and try to find some way to enjoy the time?

God has equipped us to handle life as it comes, which is why He tells us to only focus on today. He knows that if we spend time worrying about issues beyond our control, we will become tired and frustrated.

You don’t need to waste time trying to change and control things that are outside of your control. Set your mind to do what God has placed in front of you and let Him take care of the rest.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I realize that I can’t control everything, but I can trust You. Right now, I make a decision to do my best with what You’ve given me and leave the rest to You.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: Value People [Saturday October 7, 2017]

Wise leaders will always regard people as his greatest asset.

You will always need people, you cannot do without people. Therefore, value people.

If you don’t have value for people you can’t get value from people.

If you don’t respect them then don’t expect them to support you, if you don’t raise them, they will erase you.

If you trample upon them they will trap you.

Topic: Forever Linked [Saturday October 7, 2017]

. . . this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world. — John 4:42

History, philosophy, theology, and—in many centers of learning—even the sciences are being studied to discover what they have to say about Jesus Christ. The records of the Early Church are being reexamined for their testimony to Him. Archaeologists are digging to discover new evidence.

Some say that Jesus Christ is a myth, and He never existed in history. Others say that He was merely a man, that there was nothing supernatural about His birth, and that His resurrection was a hallucination. Others talk about a Christless Christianity. Some say that no matter what one thinks about Christ, it does not affect Christianity. They are wrong!

Christianity is forever linked with the Person of Christ. Carlyle recognized this when he said, “Had this doctrine of the deity of Christ been lost, Christianity would have vanished like a dream.” The historian Lecky remarks, “Christianity is not a system of morals, it is the worship of a Person.”

Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, You are the living Christ whom I love and revere.

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: How To Esteem Others More Than Self – Saturday October 7, 2017.

Matthew 25:40 “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Text: Matthew 25:32-46

When a kind act was done to someone in need, Jesus said it was done unto Him. The Lord deeply feels our hurts. When someone is neglected, Jesus says He is also being neglected. We have a high priest who is touched by the feelings of our infirmities (Heb. 4:15). When we hurt, He hurts. When we are blessed, He is blessed. The God of the universe is intricately involved with every detail of our lives.

How can we esteem others better than ourselves when really we think we are better than others? Some people are better athletes than others. Some are better businessmen than others. Some are better speakers than others, and so forth.

First, we need to recognize that our accomplishments don’t make us better than others. There is a difference between what we do and who we are. Better performance does not make a better person. A person’s character can be severely wanting even though his performance is good.

Secondly, to esteem someone better than ourselves simply means to value them more than we value ourselves. To some that may seem impossible, but it isn’t.

That is exactly what Jesus did. If Jesus, who was God in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16), could humble Himself and value our good above His own welfare, then we should certainly be able to do the same. It can happen when we die to self and live to God.

If we think only about ourselves, we will be selfish. If we get out of self and think more about the benefit of others than the benefit of self, then we will be selfless. It’s a matter of focus.

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: Leave Foolishness Behind [Saturday October 7, 2017]

Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. – Proverbs 13:21

Satan has had us in a poverty mentality so long that it’s tough for us to grasp just how intensely God really does desire to prosper us—even though He’s demonstrated that desire again and again.

Take Abraham, for example. God made him an extremely wealthy man. Genesis 13:2 says he was rich in cattle, in silver and in gold.

Then, of course, there was Solomon. The Bible says he surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

God’s servant Job possessed such great wealth that he was called the greatest of all the men of the East. That was before Satan put him through the wringer. Afterward, God blessed him with more than twice what Satan had stolen.

The problem is, just the thought of the kind of wealth God gave to those men scares most believers today. They’re afraid it would destroy them.

God has said that “the prosperity of fools shall destroy them” (Proverbs 1:32).

But that doesn’t mean you should avoid being prosperous. It means you should avoid being a fool!

I challenge you, this week, to go to the book of Proverbs and find out for yourself what God says about the characteristics of a fool. Let the Holy Spirit search your heart. If you see ways in which you’ve been a fool, repent and make a firm decision not to be caught in that trap again.

Let the Word of God inspire you to leave foolishness behind and stir within you the faith to reach out and receive what you, as a redeemed child of the living God, have a divine right to—not the curse of poverty, but the blessing of prosperity!

Scripture Reading: Genesis 15:1-6

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.

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: You Are Redeemed To Do Exploits [07/10/2017]

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do EXPLOITS. Daniel 11:32. Read: Ps 1:1-3

Just as we discovered yesterday that we’re redeemed to shine forth the life and light of God in us, we must also understand that every redeemed of God through the light in him or her is to live a lifestyle of exploits. Exploit is the birthright of the redeemed of the Lord, nothing short of that. Daniel says, the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. When you are saved, you are given the privilege to know Him through the studying of His word because Jesus Christ said in John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me”. And through the studying of the Bible, we draw nigh to Him and Him to us. Jas 4:8. When we know God through His word, we do not only become strong and do exploit, we also have Him (being the greater) live in us. 1 Jn 4:4

As a redeemed of the Lord, you must not live a beggarly lifestyle because it doesn’t befit the saved. You must not live a stranded and confused life because there is an excellent spirit inside of you. The Holy Spirit is with you to guide you through. But God lamented and said in Isaiah  5:13, “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst”. Your liberation to do exploit is in the word of God, study it, eat it, meditate on it and take action.

#BiblePromisesAction

* Your exploit in life as a redeemed is directly proportional to the level or amount of God’s word inside of you.