Topic: God’s Perfect Plan [Sunday October 1, 2017]

To another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit. — 1 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)

“God has a perfect plan for your life!” We’ve all heard that phrase, but I don’t think many of us really believe it. Maybe it’s the word “perfect” that troubles us. Nobody is perfect, and the idea of being perfect just adds pressure and stress to our lives.

Perfection seems impossible. And guess what? It is!

God’s plan isn’t perfect because we’re perfect. The plan is perfect because God is the One who designed it. The perfection comes from Him, and He alone is perfect. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He has designed and set into action a plan specifically engineered for our lives.

Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6 that God saved us and started a good work in us, and His work in us will come to full completion.

As we think about God at work in us, we must remind ourselves that as imperfect as we are, God is perfection. Nothing we can ever do will be good enough to satisfy God’s perfection. Only Jesus, the Perfect One, is good enough. And because we are in Christ, God’s perfect plan is possible for us!

Prayer Starter: Dear Lord, I know that I am not perfect, but thankfully Your plan for me depends on Your perfection, not mine. Thank You so much for developing a good work within me. I trust You to complete it.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: The Blessing Of Solitude I [Sunday 1, October 2017]

Memorise: ” And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” – Matthew 14:23

Read: Genesis 32:23-30

23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Bible In One Year: Zechariah 11-14. Hymn: Sing Hymn 1 – O Lord My God

MESSAGE:

One of the characteristics of the eagle is its lonely lifestyle. Its solitary lifestyle is worth imbibing because more of often than not, the crowd can be distracting. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in our memory verse for today demonstrated the need to withdraw and be alone with God periodically.

In our text for today, Jacob was facing a frightening situation and he needed to sort some things out with his Maker. So, he sent his family before him. There are many lessons to learn from this story; firstly, to be alone with God we mist separate ourselves from the crowd. Secondly, to be alone with God requires denying ourselves the luxury of family fellowship and affection. There is a mighty reward for solitary living: being alone with God pays a lot. As you choose to separate yourself unto the Lord and away from the world, I pray that the blessings of the Lord shall characterize your separated life in Jesus’ Name.

Action Point: Decide to dedicate some solitary time for prayer and have a meaningful fellowship with your Maker.

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: The Works Of The Flesh — Tuesday 3, October 2017.

Memorise: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. – John 3:6

Read: Galatians 5:16-21 (KJV)

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Bible in One Year: Romans 9-10, Daniel 2:31-45, Hymn: Sing Hymn 6 – Deeper, Deeper

MESSAGE:

As Christians who are Heaven-bound, the works of the flesh are things we should watch out for, so that they do not bring our soul into damnation. We must do all we can to cherish the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). If we continue to stir up the fruit of the Spirit in our lives daily, it will be difficult for the flesh to have dominion over us. On a daily basis, our thoughts, words and actions must be guided by this scripture which says:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8

Open Heavens 4 October 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – In Need Of Tender Loving Care

If you give your heart to these words, it would be difficult for the flesh to have rule over your mind, and consequently, the works of the flesh will not find expression in your life. Such sins as hatred toward others, envy for what is happening in other people’s lives, pride and arrogance will not have a hold on you because you are walking in the Spirit of God.

All those who engage in the works of the flesh have no place in the kingdom of God. If you want to please God, the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lust for materialism, all of which do not allow the word of God to find its rightful place in the hearts of men, will have to go. God commands us to run the Christian race with patience (Hebrews 12:1). There are many who have turned sin into sport. They believe that they are very smart and cannot fall victim of sin. This was the same thinking that Adam and Eve had when they allowed the voice of the serpent to override God’s instructions for their lives (Genesis 3:1-6). Samson also had an idea of the destiny he was meant to fulfil on earth, but he gambled with the anointing of God on his life and died with his enemies (Judges 16:28-30). These examples are there for us to learn from and be wise. As a child of God, you have to drop those weights of sin that easily drag you down. Don’t allow the works of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the mundane things of life to deny you of God’s plan for your life. The moment you decide not to walk in the Spirit, you have resolved in your heart to be independent of God, and from that moment, the real life in you dies! This is a deadly path to take. No one who took this path has ever had a good story to tell, but that will not be your lot in Jesus’ Name. You have to be watchful, prayerful and engage in spiritual discipline from time to time, so as not to fall prey to the wiles of the devil manifested through the works of the flesh.

Key Point: The flesh profits nothing, but the Spirit gives life.

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: The Most Needful Thing — Monday 2, October 2017.

Memorise: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. – Proverbs 4:7

Read: Proverbs 4:5-9 (KJV)

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Bible in One Year: Romans 7-8, Daniel 2:17-30, Hymn: Sing Hymn 9 – On The Hill Far Away

MESSAGE:

King Solomon is considered to be the wisest king that ever lived. How did he become so wise? When God gave Him a blank cheque to ask for anything, in 1 King 3:9, he said:

“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”

Open Heavens 3 October 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Works Of The Flesh

He chose to ask for something that the average person of his time would consider inconsequential: wisdom. Solomon feared that he might misrule God’s people and thereby incur God’s wrath, and so he asked God for wisdom. Indeed, in Proverbs 9:10, he later wrote:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

It is unfortunate to discover that even among some children of God today, the fear of the Lord is greatly absent. This accounts for the level of character erosion that is being witnessed in the Church, so much so that even pastors are being caught in various acts of sin, such as sexual immorality. Joseph was repeatedly tempted and pressured to commit sexual immorality, but he vehemently refused to indulge in it, despite the fact that it was offered to him on a platter of gold. The Bible in Genesis 39:8-9 gives this account of Joseph’s steadfastness:

“8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

If you ask me what kept Joseph away from this sexual immorality, I will tell you that it was wisdom, brought about by the fear of the Lord. How I wish all of God’s children would embrace the fear of God, so that they can begin to live in wisdom. It is wisdom to run away from sin, because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). A foolish fellow would say, “Death will come one day all the same.” Such a fellow fails to consider untimely death like the one that took Absalom away (2 Samuel 18:10-17), the agony of death that comes as a result of sin, and the eternal death in the Lake of Fire. Revelations 21:8 speaks of the Lake of Fire in these words:

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

For this reason, our Bible reading strongly recommends that we get wisdom. The question is, where can we get wisdom? It is from the word of God (2 Timothy 3:15). Beloved, seek godly wisdom and don’t be lawless in the name of grace, because grace does not indulge in lawlessness.

Prayer Point: Father, put Your fear in me, help me to love your word and give me wisdom.

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: Bless the Lord [Sunday October 1, 2017]

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. – Hebrews 13:15

Great things happen when you continually confess the mercy of God. Faith rises up on the inside of you. The reality that God loves you begins to sing through your spirit.

What’s more, it brings honor to your Father when you believe His Word and magnify His love and mercy. You honor Him when you speak of His goodness and lovingkindness, when you talk about Him as your Father of love who does only good. It blesses Him when you praise Him as the great God of the universe who is eager to bless and who even gave His own Son because He so loved the world.

David was a man after God’s own heart. He knew how to praise his God. Until you have the Word dwelling in you richly so that you can speak psalms and praises out of your own spirit, use the praises of David to magnify God. Speak them or sing them out loud to the Father.

Put His words continually on your lips. You will soon begin to experience the thrill and the joy of realizing that God is indeed “rich in mercy” because of His great love with which He loved us. Your faith will rise to new heights and your Father will be blessed! And you will be blessed.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 89:1-18

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: Products Of A Blessed Nation [Sunday October 1, 2017]

Scripture: The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

Thought For The Day: A blessed person (or nation) exudes supernatural perfume of acceptability and opportunities.

Today is a special day in the history of our nation, Nigeria. It marks the anniversary of our independence from our colonial masters.

In reflecting on our journey so far as a nation, it is important to know that God has blessed this nation in many ways. We are not yet where we want to be as a nation, but we are sure not where we used to be.

To this end we shall be looking at the products of a blessed person or nation.

The Blessing of God is a supernatural aroma of acceptance, opportunity, and productivity. A blessed person (or nation) exudes supernatural fragrance of acceptability and opportunities. (Genesis 27:27).

Now, what are the products of a blessed person (or nation)?

1. Persistent growth and progress is seen in the life of a blessed person (nation) (Genesis 26:12, 13).

2. A blessed person (nation) experiences unstoppable success.

3. A blessed person (nation) carries the grace to change the atmosphere wherever he goes. He is an asset; not a liability.

4. A blessed person (nation) carries creative wisdom. This was the kind of wisdom Joseph had that enabled him to make impact in Egypt.

Beloved, one major secret of connecting the Blessing of God is carrying the Presence of God. The man who carries God’s Presence cannot escape the Blessing.

As an individual, I counsel you to create an atmosphere of God’s Presence around you by spending time in Word study, prayer and worship.

Remember This: A blessed person (or nation) exudes supernatural perfume of acceptability and opportunities.

Assignments:

1. Always create an atmosphere of worship wherever you find yourself.

2. Make the study of the Word, Prayer and Worship your daily assignment.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for Your abiding Presence in my life. Help me LORD, to be consistent with the study of Your Word, Worship and Prayers in Jesus’ Name.

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

Daily Reading: Isaiah 62:6 to 65:25, Philippians 2:19 to 3:3, Psalm 73:1 to 28, Proverbs 24:13 to 14.

Quote: When you walk in love, the more like God you become and the more victory you will experience on the earth. Culled from REASON FOR LIVING by Dr Paul Enenche

Amazing Fact: A person’s height is determined by their father, and their weight is determined by their mother.

Today In History: 01/10/1960 – Nigeria got independence from Britain (National Day).

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: What Are You Calling Your Situation — Sunday October 1, 2017.

“…and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” – (Genesis 2:19 KJV)

After Adam was created, God stepped aside and started watching him. In other words, Adam you are now in charge. And God wanted to know how his creation would function. God brought him animals, God didn’t name them; Adam named them. God could have named them but he had finished his work and handed over to man. And scripture says whatsoever Adam called every living creature that was the name thereof. In other words, I am not going to argue with you, if you call it a desert, it becomes a desert, if you call it a failure, it becomes a failure.

What are you calling your situation? what are you calling your church? What do you call your nation? Whatsoever you say, that is what it is. God will honor it. He can’t change it. You are now in charge. In that office, stop looking at the boss, you are in charge. When light comes, technically there is no darkness. So God said let there be light and instantly there was light. You are the one the world should look up to for development. You are the salt of the earth. That is who you are. We should change the flavor of our society, we shouldn’t join those spoiling our society. There shouldn’t be anything like, if you can’t beat them. No, you are in charge, change whatever you are seeing.

Joseph was in the house of Potiphar and everything was blessed. What he was carrying was the blessing. He knew he carried the blessing anywhere he went. They sent him to jail, but the jail was transformed. Why? Because he was a carrier of the blessing. He knew it. Knowing this is not just a mental revelation, it was revelation of the spirit. I want to challenge you this month, that even as you wait on the Lord, speak as one who carries the blessing and situations will bow to you.

Further Reading: Genesis 2:19-20, Mark 11:20-23

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 11-13; Evening- Ephesians 4

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: True Freedom — Sunday October 1, 2017.

Text: 1 Kings 19:1-8

Key Verse: “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat” (1 Kings 19:5).

True freedom for a person or nation is anchored on God, not on rickety human concepts, philosophy or institutions. Otherwise, the nations of the world waving flags of so-called independence would not remain shackled by satanic fetters of economic, political and social woes. True liberty also comes by consistently abiding in God and not running away from His ways or avoiding tasks appointed by Him. It is strange that after the defeat of the prophets of Baal and the dramatic answer to prayer for rain, the great servant of God, Elijah, would flee from the evil queen Jezebel and request God to take his life.

He was discouraged and went into hiding in Beersheba, where he sought for freedom from Jezebel and her evil schemes. As he sat under a tree expecting the Lord to answer his prayer for death, he got a renewed strength from God who did not want him to abandon the mission field. There were more battles to fight for the Lord; His purpose for Elijah was not yet over. God seemed to be telling Elijah what He had told fleeing Jacob that, “…for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of” (Genesis 28:15).

Twice, the angel of the Lord woke Elijah to be nourished. He was encouraged and given both physical and spiritual food which offered him the energy to walk a distance of about 200 miles for forty days to Horeb, the mount of God. This chapter in Elijah’s life teaches us not to have the impression that we can leave God out of our lives. He does not expect us to flee from our service posts because of challenges, in pursuit of freedom. At all times and in every situation, we must depend upon the everlasting arms of God to see us through trying times. It also teaches us that lasting and meaningful freedom results from close intimacy with the Lord.

Thought for the day: True and lasting independence is rooted in God.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Kings 1-2

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: Guard Against Deception – Sunday October 1, 2017.

Matthew 24:4 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”

Text: Matthew 24:3-5

Deception can be avoided or else Jesus would not have said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Satan can only deceive those who allow him to do it.

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Putting on the whole armour of God will protect you from the deception of the devil. Just wearing part of God’s armour will not fully protect you. Many Christians have been running around with the helmet of salvation on but nothing else. There is more to overcoming the devil than just being saved. We have to understand our righteous position in the Lord. We also must possess faith, know the Word, and understand the gospel of peace.

The Christian life is a constant struggle against Satan, who is trying to corrupt us. Most Christians are aware of the warfare, but they don’t know where the warfare is occurring. The battle is in our mind. Just as the serpent didn’t come against Eve with brute force, but rather used words to deceive her, likewise Satan tries to corrupt us through thoughts contrary to the gospel. Satan’s original tactic was deception and that is still his method of operation today.

One of the characteristics of children is that they are easily deceived. They are gullible. One of the things that must take place to move from childhood into sonship is spiritual discernment. This comes from being grounded in the Word of God.

The way to recognize deception is not to analyze all the false claims but rather to become so familiar with what is genuine that a counterfeit will be easily recognizable. Anyone who is truly grounded in the Word of God will not be 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).