Topic: The Tremendous Power in the Name of Jesus [Friday September 29, 2017]

For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. — Romans 8:29 (AMP)

Many people—including Christians—don’t have a clue about the tremendous power in the name of Jesus.

Have you ever thought about the importance of a name? A person’s name represents and personifies his character, setting him apart from everyone else. When we call someone by name, we are declaring something about that person.

In the same way, when we say the name of Jesus, we are not just speaking a name. We are declaring a name that embodies power—not human power, but all the power and authority of God (see Colossians 2:9-10).

When we speak that name, we are describing the Person. Jesus means “Savior,” and we are calling Him according to what He does for us—He saves us from sin, from our failures and from circumstances that are not in His will (see Matthew 1:21).

Many people want to experience spiritual power, but they don’t understand that in order to release it, they must speak the name of Jesus in faith. That wonderful name has been given to those who believe.

As a child of God, speak His name in faith today.

Prayer Starter: Father God, over every circumstance in my life, I declare the name of Jesus in faith. Thank You for the saving power of Your Son.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: Growing Through Adversities [Friday September 29, 2017]

The challenges we face prepares us for different phases of life.

You never enter into next phase of life without facing the next challenge.

Faith on fire is what perfects the faith.

You must know how to turn adversity into advancement.

Adversity is not meant to destroy us but to serve as catalyst for our advancement.

Adversity will never leave you the way it met you.

Therefore take advantage of adversity for advancement.

Topic: Do Not Compromise [Friday September 29, 2017]

Out of his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy Spirit. — Ephesians 3:16 (TLB)

Horace Pitkin, the son of a wealthy merchant, was converted and went to China as a missionary. He wrote to his friends in America, saying, “It will be but a short time till we know definitely whether we can serve Him better above or here.” Shortly afterward, a mob stormed the gate of the compound where Pitkin defended the women and children. He was beheaded and his head was offered at the shrine of a heathen god, while his body was thrown into a pit with the bodies of nine Chinese Christians.

Sherwood Eddy, writing about him, said, “Pitkin won more men by his death than he ever could have won by his life.” Christ needs people today who are made of martyr stuff! Dare to take a strong, uncompromising stand for Him.

Prayer for the day: Thank You, Lord, for the examples of those who have gone before us. Help me to take hold of Your unlimited strength, too.

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: God’s Mercy Is A Gift  – Friday September 29, 2017.

Matthew 23:23 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

Text: Matthew 23:23

One of the ways that God’s goodness is revealed is by His mercy. We may describe mercy as the readiness of God to relieve the misery of fallen creatures. Many times, mercy is called compassion or lovingkindness. It is expressed toward the sinner because of the misery that sin has brought upon him.

God’s mercy to the believer is revealed by God taking away the misery of sin’s consequences through the New Covenant of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Mercy is not something merited or earned, but a gift, as the apostle Paul states, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS MERCY He saved us” (Ti. 3:5).

Paul speaks of the heavenly Father as “The Father of mercies.” The word father is used many times in scripture as an originator or as a source of something. For example, the devil is called the father of lies (Jn. 8:44), i.e. he is the author and originator of lying. Likewise, our heavenly Father is the author, originator, and source of all mercy. Each time that mankind cried out in faith, God’s mercy reached out and met their need.

God is said to be rich in mercy because of His great love wherewith he loved us (Eph. 2:4), and to have a throne called grace whereby we may come and obtain mercy. God wasn’t motivated to save us through pity or a sense of obligation as our Creator. He was motivated solely by love. God loves us.

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: Fresh Faith — Friday September 29, 2017.

Read: John 20:24–29, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 7–8; Ephesians 2

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

When our son was struggling with heroin addiction, if you had told me God would one day use our experience to encourage other families who face these kinds of battles, I would have had trouble believing it. God has a way of bringing good out of difficult circumstances that isn’t always easy to see when you are going through them.

The apostle Thomas also didn’t expect God to bring good out of the greatest challenge of his faith—Jesus’s crucifixion. Thomas wasn’t with the other disciples when Jesus came to them after the resurrection, and in his deep grief he insisted, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were . . . I will not believe” (John 20:25). But later, when Jesus appeared to all the disciples together, out of the dust of Thomas’s doubts God’s Spirit would inspire a striking statement of faith. When Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28), he was grasping the truth that Jesus was actually God in the flesh, standing right in front of him. It was a bold confession of faith that would encourage and inspire believers in every century that followed.

Our God is able to inspire fresh faith in our hearts, even in moments when we least expect it.  We can always look forward to His faithfulness. Nothing is too hard for Him!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that Your love is stronger than our greatest difficulties—even our worst doubts or fears!

God can change our doubts into bold statements of faith.

Insight:

Though God may seem silent or even out of sight, He is never absent (Heb. 13:5). He is sovereignly working out things for our good; nothing is ever wasted in the hands of our God (see Rom. 8:28). In 1 Corinthians 10:13 the apostle Paul assures us that God will most certainly work things out for us: “The [trials] in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the [trials] to be more than you can stand. [God] will show you a way out so that you can endure” (nlt). When going through the difficulties of life, let us in faith see “him who is invisible” because “he who promised is faithful” (Heb. 11:27; 10:23).

For further reflection, read 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 2 Timothy 2:13. Allow the faithful God to embrace you and give you fresh faith.

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

Topic: Delayed Provision — Friday 29, September 2017.

Memorise: The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. – Psalm 145:15

Read: Daniel 10:7-13 (KJV)

7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Bible in One Year: Esther 8-10, Ezekiel 48:21-35, Hymn: Sing Hymn 4 – Through The Love Of God Our Saviour

MESSAGE:

More often than not, when a man receives provision before he or she has need for it, wastage occurs. Such a fellow will entertain expenditures that are focused more on unnecessary wants rather than on needs. This is why such an individual needs wisdom, guidance and lots of self-denial or self-control. May you not waste your provisions in Jesus’ Name! However, provision could also come at the time of need. This type of arrangement is preferred by some people because it eradicates the likelihood of waste. According to Psalm 46:5, when God is your refuge, He will always show up at the right time. He is never late! I pray that whatever assistance you need will locate you as soon as the need arises in Jesus’ Name.

Coming up next: Open Heavens 30 September 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Don’t Be The Guinea Pig!

In quite a number of situations, provision comes much after the day of need. This is totally unacceptable because the purpose for which the provision is needed is already defeated. Provision long after need is almost as bad as total denial. When help, assistance or provision is not available in the time of need, it will result in disappointment feelings of rejection, shame and disgrace, painful loss or even death. Do you know that many people who died in some ghastly accidents could have survived if only they received help at the time of the incident? There are some who survived for a few hours but later gave up the ghost because they did not receive medical attention at the hour of need.

John 10:10 talks of Satan’s evil mission to steal, kill and destroy. One way he does this is by delaying provision or help from reaching people in need. In today’s Bible reading, following his petition to Heaven during a fast, an answer was sent to Daniel, but it was delayed by the Prince of Persia for 21 days. Daniel should have received the answer on the first day, but it was delayed for that whole period. Every force of delay, sent to set back your provision or help beyond the time of need, shall be frustrated, disgraced and paralysed in Jesus’ Name! Whatever was programmed to reach you late shall arrive on time, you shall not be disappointed! That yoke of delay over your expectations is destroyed now! The Lord will sort you out speedily in Jesus’ Name!

Key Point: One challenge of the rich is that because they have enough to meet their needs, even for the next 10, 20 or more years, their confidence is usually in their money and not in God.

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 — Satan’s Tool To Paralyze You: Worry -1 [Thursday, September 28, 2017]

(Jeremiah 32:17; Proverbs 17:22-28).

An old legend tells of an angel who was sent by God to inform Satan that all his methods to defeat His children would be taken from him. The devil pleaded to keep just one: “Let me retain, “depression/worry.” The angel, thinking that this was a small request, agreed. “Good.’ Satan exclaimed. He laughed and said: “in that one gift, I have secured all.” Truly, legends are fable and not real stories, but they are powerful, life teaching tools. A man had a box where each time he had a worry, he would write it down and deposit it in the box.

Then on one Wednesday in which he worried, he tried to read the contents of his box. Surprisingly, he found out that most of things he had worried about had already been resolved or they never happened. In anger and sensing the deception of worry, he set the box on fire. Likewise, God is using today’s devotional to speak strongly to a soul concerning the Satanic, double barrel tool called, “Worry and Depression.” Proverbs 17:22 says, ‘A merry heart doeth good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”

Please watch it! Whatever can dry your bones can take your life! Worry and anxiety concerning any matter can end up taking your life! In times of stress, force yourself to be cheerful. Since problems will not end on planet earth, is it not wisdom to take life easy and deal with issues step by step by waiting on the Lord? Read Isaiah 49:23 and listen to Burke Hedges: “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.” Determine to trust God the more!

ONE NIGERIA ONE ODM!

Sow towards the 1St OCTOBER NATIONWIDE RALLY Tagged, “ONE NIGERIA ONE ODM.” The aim is to sow ODM into the life of every Nigeria ON OCTOBER 1ST INDEPENDENCE DAY EVERY YEAR. Let God use you. Sow into any of the accounts on page 29 of this booklet. And send a text to these numbers according to your nation: (+234) 0802-3154-316, 0807-314-6863, +27-792-849-137(SA), +44-7442-310-565 (UK) +233-263-991-400(GHANA), +1-469-386-6629(USA) for prayer points on breaking Witchcraft demotion!

Prayer Points: Take any song of worship as led.

1. The word of a king has power! Job 22:28: Thou shalt decree a thing and it shall be established! Begin to decree things that will lift your life and ministry. Pray generally about the few days ahead and 2017! Boldly declare the above declaration in this write-up again! Use the “FAITH BOOSTERS” today! See page 34 now.

By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek)
Publisher/Writer Of ODM And

Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek)
Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.

Topic: Our Spiritual Heritage [Thursday September 28, 2017]

But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired. — Isaiah 40:31 (AMP)

Jesus came to earth to be the perfect, sinless sacrifice for us because we do not have the ability to be perfect in the natural realm. Because of His sacrifice, we can become more like Jesus every day. And we receive our spiritual heritage when we live as Jesus lived.

Now, living righteously like Jesus doesn’t happen overnight, and we will all stumble. After all, if we were perfect, we wouldn’t need a Savior! Still, we must desire in our hearts to fulfill and enjoy our spiritual heritage. We also must learn to trust God, knowing that He will develop us into the likeness of His own Son, Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:11-12 says, In Him we…obtained an inheritance… So that we who first hoped in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory!

You have an inheritance, and God wants you to live with a sense of peace and security that comes from knowing who you are and Whose you are.

Will you trust God and let Him change you daily, making you more and more like His Son?

Prayer Starter: God, thank You for my spiritual heritage in Jesus. I trust You, knowing that You can mold me into the image of Your Son, one day at a time.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: Tough Times For Tough Men [Thursday September 28, 2017]

Interestingly, tough times will come whether you are prepared for them or not. What makes tough men is tough times.

Their mission is to tear you or toughen you. They are not empowered to destroy you unless you permit such it by succumbing to it.

Get toughened when it is tough.

Truly, tough times don’t last, only tough men do.