Topic: Guarantee For Forward Movement [Monday October 2, 2017]

There is no plateau in the school of knowledge.

Unless you put behind what you ever know you’ll never access what you ought to know.

And if you don’t know what you ought to know you’ll never attain the height you ought to attain.

Stagnation results from obsolete knowledge but forward movement answers to current knowledge.

Currency of knowledge is what validates relevance, being current puts you ahead of others.

It is new things that makes news. Striving to know naturally catapults people forward.

Topic: The Blessing Of Solitude II [Monday 2, October 2017]

Memorise: “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.” – James 5:17

Read: 1 Kings 19:9-18

9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

Bible In One Year: Malachi 1-4. Hymn: Sing Hymn 1 – O Lord My God

MESSAGE:

Other blessings of solitary living include divine authority, divine revelation and divine direction. In our memory verse for today, we read that Elijah was a man who possessed a divine authority that controlled the weather. He commanded the rain to cease and it was so, when he felt it was time to release the rain, he commanded it to start falling and it was so! This did not come by careless and flamboyant living. This authority as a result of solitary living and a separated life. He had been in solitary confinement ever since he made the proclamation of the drought. We receive divine instruction when we are alone with God.

Unknown to Elijah, he was not the only prophet standing for God, hence he wanted to die. However, he was told that God Himself had preserved seven thousand prophets who had not corrupted themselves! What a revelation and a lesson. Never think you are the only one keeping the bounds of holiness, there are others unknown to you. So don’t give in to the deceit of Satan. God will never change and He will never lower His standards. God bless you as you continue with Him in holiness.

Prayer Point: Father, the grace to be separated unto You, not following the multitude, please give to me.

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: A Daily Process [Monday October 2, 2017]

He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. — Philippians 1:6

Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion. It is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ. When you start out, you start out as a baby. You must be fed on the simple things of the Bible, and you learn to walk in your Christian life gradually. At first you will fall down and make many mistakes, but you are to continue growing. However, there are many people who have stopped growing. They remain spiritual babes all their lives. I am afraid that this experience is all too common today. Perhaps it is yours.

Do you remember the day when you gave your heart and life to Christ? You were sure of victory. How easy it seemed to be more than conqueror through Christ who loved you. Thousands of Christians have struggles with themselves. The great need in Christendom today is for Christians to learn the secret of daily victory over sin.

Prayer for the day: Father, I fall so many times but how lovingly You give me Your strength to endure.

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: Base Your Relationships On God – Monday October 2, 2017.

Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Text: Matthew 24:12

The only reason that an abundance of iniquity would make anyone’s love for the Lord wax cold, is if he were not separated from that iniquity. As with Lot, a righteous man can vex his soul from day to day by hearing and seeing the unlawful deeds of the ungodly (2 Pet. 2:8).

We have to deal with the world’s system and those in it, but we need to be careful and maintain proper balance. We should shun relationships with those who influence us negatively more than we influence them positively.

Marriage is one area where this principle is especially true. There is no closer union in life than the marriage relationship. A believer who marries an unbeliever is directly violating this scripture and is toying with disaster. The Lord should be the most important person in our life. How could we possibly become “one” with a person who doesn’t love our Lord?

It is folly to think that after marriage an unbelieving spouse will accept the Lord. Although that does happen, it cannot be guaranteed. In fact, statistics are overwhelmingly against this happening. Regardless of that possibility, a believer who marries an unbeliever is directly violating God’s instructions here. It is not a good start to any marriage to spurn God’s Word.

Being unequally yoked with unbelievers just doesn’t work. Believers and unbelievers are as different as righteousness and unrighteousness, light and dark, Christ and the devil. One has faith and the other has none. One is the temple of God and the other an idol. Any Christian who doesn’t see this conflict is deceived.

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: You Are Invincible — Monday October 2, 2017.

Do you know that the believer is invincible? So the enemy cannot run rough shod over you. To be invincible is to be unbeatable, unconquerable, unshakable, and indestructible. But what makes us naked is ignorance. You must wake up in the morning and begin to declare who you are and you will see the back of the devil on a daily bases. Declare: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I am a new creation old things are passed away and all things have become new. I have been redeemed from the curse of the law. Christ has been made a curse for me, for cursed is he that hung on the cross.

Having this kind of mind will help you guard against the false teachings that are going on all around. Some of them say let us go and deliver you from the curse of the first born. The last time I read my Bible, the first born is the one who is the heir of the family and therefore carries the anointing of the family and royalty. So why do you accept as the first born that you are cursed. In the scriptures the first born is honoured and respected and so where did you get the idea that as the first born, you should go for deliverance?.

I see so many posters all around and people are running here and there thinking that is where power is. It is ignorance. The devil doesn’t mind you running here and there, just going about struggling because he knows that when you finish you will come again. The person the devil fears, is the man with understanding and revelation. Jesus said upon this rock I will build my church. What rock? It is the rock of revelation. The devil fears the church that understands who they are, their ability, where they are and what they can do in Christ.

Further Reading: John 8:31-32, Romans 8:28-39

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 14-16; Evening- Ephesians 5:1-16

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: Bless the Lord [Monday October 2, 2017]

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

It’s wonderful to know you’ve been set free from the law of sin and death. It’s glorious to know you never again have to submit to the slavery of sin. But what do you do when, in spite of those wonderful, glorious truths, you still miss the mark? What do you do when you stumble and fall into sin?

Run to your Father and repent!

That sounds simple. But oddly enough we often do just the opposite. Instead of running to God, we let fear and guilt drive us further and further from Him. We start thinking things like, Well, I’ve missed it now. I might as well forget the rest of it and live like the devil.

Don’t make that mistake. Don’t let Satan talk you into sinning in one area of your life just because you missed it in another. When you get off track with God, just confess it and get right back on.

“But, Brother Copeland, I feel so guilty when I tell God what I’ve done that it’s hard for me to make myself do it.”

I know. I used to feel that way too. Then, one day, God said to me, Kenneth, when you confessed that sin wasn’t when I found out about it. I knew about it all the time! When you confessed it is when you got rid of it, when you were cleansed of its effects in your life.

When you make a mistake, when you miss the mark, remember, you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous (1 John 2:1). Run to Him! He knows what you are going through. You don’t need to be afraid. He didn’t tear you apart for the sins you committed before you made Him Lord of your life, did He? Then how much more merciful and loving do you think He’ll be now that you’re His own? Now that you’re reaching out for Him and have a heart for Him?

Don’t run from God. Run to Him. Receive His forgiveness. Receive His cleansing. No matter how badly you’ve sinned, He’s eager to forgive and to cleanse you of all unrighteousness.

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 12:1-13

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: The Perfect Prayer Partner — Monday October 2, 2017.

Read: Romans 8:31–34, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 14–16; Ephesians 5:1–16

[Jesus] is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34

Few sounds are as beautiful as hearing someone who loves you praying for you. When you hear a friend pray for you with compassion and God-given insight, it’s a little like heaven touching earth.

How good it is to know that because of God’s kindness to us our prayers can also touch heaven. Sometimes when we pray we may struggle with words and feelings of inadequacy, but Jesus taught His followers that we “should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). God’s Word shows us that one of the reasons we can do this is that Jesus Himself “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Rom. 8:34).

We never pray alone, because Jesus is praying for us. He hears us as we pray, and speaks to the Father on our behalf. We don’t have to worry about the eloquence of our words, because no one understands us like Jesus. He helps us in every way, presenting our needs before God. He also knows when the answers we ask for would not be good for us, handling every request or concern with perfect wisdom and love.

Jesus is the perfect prayer partner—the friend who intercedes for us with immeasurable kindness. His prayers for us are beautiful beyond words, and should encourage us to always pray with thankfulness.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for interceding for me with love. Help me to love and serve You with my prayers today.

There’s no greater privilege than praying with Jesus.

Insight:

From its opening affirmation to its closing declaration, Romans 8 is a powerhouse of encouragement for the follower of Christ. Today’s devotional highlights the reminder that Jesus Himself intercedes for us as we pray (v. 34). But there is even more help for us. Verse 26 tells us, “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Imagine—the Son and the Spirit help us as we pray. What great reassurance that gives!

Do you struggle with your prayers? Knowing that divine help is available encourages us to keep praying—even when we aren’t sure how. Bill Crowder

This message was written By James Banks [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: The Blessing of Praise [Monday October 2, 2017]

Scripture: Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. Psalm 67:5-7.

Thought For The Day: The pathway of praise is the highway of the blessing of God.

Yesterday, we looked at the products of a blessed life or nation. The blessing of God is indeed needed to make impact in life.

Today, we want to establish a fact that one of the easiest ways to access the blessing of God is to exist as a person of praise. The pathway of praise is the highway of the blessing of God. To follow the way of praise is to be greeted with the blessing of God. Those who understand the language of praise, never struggle to be blessed.

Praise positions the praiser in God’s Presence and to be in God’s Presence is to attract Divine Blessings.

Now, let us take a look at two categories of blessing a praiser experiences when he/she is positioned in God’s Presence by praise:

1. Rest: The Presence of God is the secret of rest. That is, a praiser experiences deliverance from stress and anxiety.

2. Pleasure and Prosperity: The Presence of God is the secret of pleasure and pleasure is the twin of prosperity. The Presence of God brings Divine pleasure along with Divine prosperity.

Beloved, my counsel is, refuse to live a life of praiselessness. This is because, anytime the devil wants to fight your blessings, he causes you to murmur and find faults with God.

Praise God in the beauty of holiness (2 Chronicles 20:21), not in iniquity. Whatever is contrary to the Will and Word of God destroys your praise.

Remember This: The pathway of praise is the highway of the blessing of God.

Assignments:

1. Engage in midnight praise as frequently as possible.

2. Praise God for what He is yet to do in your life.

Prayer: O LORD, I praise You for all You have done for me. I will praise You all the days of my life, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: Every time you are given to worship, Jesus Himself is the One that will fight your battles for you’ culled from ‘ALABASTER BOX’ by Dr (Mrs) Becky Paul-Enenche

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE BLESSING OF PRAISE.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 66:1 to 24, Philippians 3:4 to 21, Psalm 74:1 to 23, Proverbs 24:15 to 16

Amazing Fact: Right-handed people tend to chew food on their right side.

Today In History: 2/10/2006: Doctors Craig Mello and Andrew Fire were awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine. The two genetics specialists pioneered research on RNA interference, and brought greater insight into gene expression.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Healing and Deliverance Service tomorrow by 9:30am. 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: Avoid Unnecessary Fear — Monday October 2, 2017.

Text: 1 Samuel 22:6-10

Key Verse: ” That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? ” (1 Samuel 22:8).

As a man thinks of himself, so he is. The fears within will reflect in our outward disposition and conduct because action speaks louder than words. From our text, Saul conjectured that Jonathan his son had made a league with David to dethrone him. He also accused his servants of disloyalty for not revealing the alleged treason.

It was of course impossible for any of the servants to have shown what did not exist, for there was no such league between David and Jonathan. Due to insecurity, Saul’s sense of reasoning had become beclouded. He had become a hostage to needless fear, a product of his own making. Doeg was mentioned in verse 7, for now he steps forth as a key actor in the drama.

Where there is a scheming leader, there is likely also to be scheming followers. Doeg was such a man. He shamelessly lied to secure a better standing with the king above others. Saul’s conduct and decision reflected that his heart was out of tune with God’s word. Even if the high priest had been guilty, it was illegal to punish the whole family for the father’s crime (Deuteronomy 24:16). Eighty-five priests of the Lord, with the entire population of Nob as well as the farm animals were cruelly wiped out as a result of a needless fear.

It is imperative that we allow God to direct our path instead of making plans that will work against us in eternity. We must look inward to rid our lives of unfounded fears that can result in ungodly acts such as evil speaking, envy and jealousy which are capable of grieving the Holy Spirit. Perfect love casts out fear and the believer has not been given the spirit of bondage again to fear anymore.

Thought for the day: Fear weakens but faith strengthens.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Kings 3-4

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.