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).

LESSON FIVE (5): THE SANCTIFIED LIFE [OCTOBER 1ST, 2017]

OPENING PRAYER: Father, let my whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

BIBLE PASSAGE: JOHN 17:9-23 KJV

9: I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10: And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11: And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12: While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13: And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14: I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15: I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16: They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18: As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19: And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22: And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

MEMORY VERSE: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

LESSON INTRODUCTION – In the Old Testament, sanctification frequently denotes the ceremonial or ritual consecration of any person or thing to God. Thus the Hebrews as a people were holy unto the Lord, through the covenant with its rites and atoning sacrifices(Exo 31:13).

Sanctification is the second work of grace after salvation that every believer must experience. The understanding of the concept, process and practice of sanctification shall be dealt with in this lesson with the help of the Holy Spirit.

LESSON OUTLINE 1- SANCTIFICATION- CONCEPT AND PROCESS

i. To sanctify means to make holy or set apart for God. Genesis 2:3; Exo 19:23

ii. Sanctification is making truly and perfectly what was defiled and sinful.

iii. It is a progressive work of divine grace upon the soul justified by the love of Christ

iv. It is gradual cleansing from the corrupt nature to a spotless nature with exceeding joy. John 15:3; Jude 1:24

v. The Holy Spirit does the work of sanctification in conjunction with the word of God. John14:26; 17:17; 2Thessalonians 2:13; 1Pet 1:2

vi. Every Christian should be holy as God is holy. 1Pet 1:15-16

vii. The blood of Jesus sanctifies believers from all sin. 1John 1:17

viii. Through the same process of the death on the cross, the Lord Jesus saved us from penalty of sin and prepared us spotless for Heaven.

LESSON OUTLINE 2:- PRACTICES AND BENEFITS OF SANCTIFICATION

i. It is the progressive work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer from the moment of salvation to perfection.

Romans 6:13; Col 3:10; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1John 4:7; 1Corinthians 6:11

ii. Faith in the Lord Jesus is an important ingredient in the work of sanctification. Galatians 2:20

iii. The truth of the word of God also plays dominant role in the process of liberation of the believers from bondage to liberty and from all sorts of spots to spotlessness. John 8:32

iv. A sanctified believer is a holy believer. A holy believer is humble. He/She abhors evil and denounces self

v. Sanctified believers are very sensitive to spiritual things and are bonded to Christ. Galatians 2;20; 1Corinthians 2:13-16

SUMMARY – Sanctification and truth are inseparable. Those who love to be sanctified must love the truth which is the word of God. John 17:17

CONCLUSION – Jesus sanctified Himself for the sake of the believers. Believers too must live a sanctified life for the sake of Heaven to behold the glory of Christ at last. John 17:19,24

CLOSING PRAYER

i. Father, let me be with Christ in glory at last.

Topic: The Mercy & Grace of God— Sunday 1, October 2017.

Memorise: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (KJV)

1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Bible in One Year: Romans 4-6, Daniel 2:1-16, Hymn: Sing Hymn 8 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness

MESSAGE:

Over the years, I have observed that the more powerful some people become, the more wicked they turn out to be. When they are not yet in a position of authority, they will appear humble, but once they have a little taste of power, they act as if they are God. This is what makes my Father very different: He is a merciful God. In spite of all His power and majesty, He remains merciful. Having experienced God’s mercy, David thus wrote in Psalm 40:1-2:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”

Coming up next: Open Heavens 2 October 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Most Needful Thing

God is so full of mercy, and there is no one who cannot benefit from His mercy. When powerful people know that no one can query them, they do whatever they like. God is however different even though He is the Almighty God and He is all powerful, yet His mercy endures forever. Every time you call upon Him, you can be sure His grace will speak for you. Ephesians 2:4 says

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”

God’s grace grants us access to the things we don’t deserve. There are many of us who are what we are only by His grace. If not for His grace, some of us would not be alive today. If not for His grace, some of us would have no roof over our heads. If not for His grace, how would some of us have anyone willing to help us? There are many opportunities we have misused in the past, and yet we have not lived to regret this because of His grace. If not for His mercy, some of us wouldn’t have recovered from the consequences of our past life.

Can you imagine a person like Saul, who persecuted the Church of God, becoming a mighty apostle of the gospel? If I were God, I would not have saved his soul, especially when I think of the extent of the damage he single-handedly caused the Body of Christ. I then suddenly realise that I also was once in sin like him. When grace and mercy are at work in a person’s life, he will begin to make his boast in the Lord. Can you imagine Paul saying he had wronged no one (2 Corinthians 7:2)? He could say this because the grace and mercy of God had washed away all his past misdeeds. When mercy is at work, every sinner has a future, and when grace is speaking, every saint has no past. God is telling you today that He can have mercy on you. All you need to do is to make up your mind that all the days of your life, you will continue to fear Him and walk in His ways.

Prayer Point: Father, let Your mercy and grace never depart from my 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.