Topic: Nothing Happens For Your Set Back [Sunday September 24, 2017]

God never allows any incident to set us back. We must see every set back as a step back which simply prepares us for a step up.

Phil 1:12

“…the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.”

All things work together for our good.

All things including the devil are working together for my good.,

Invariably, I see good even in every evil.

TOPIC: SALVATION EXPERIENCE [SUNDAY, 17TH SEPTEMBER 2017]

MEMORY VERSE: “For the grace of God bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” – Titus 2:11

BIBLE PASSAGE: John 3:3-8

INTRODUCTION:

The Hebrew and Greek words translated ‘Salvation’ are ‘yashuwah’ and ‘soteria’ respectively. This word is used for the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians (Exodus 14:13), and for deliverance generally from evil or danger. In the New Testament, it is specially used with reference to the great deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ, “the great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3).

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Description of salvation

2. Instant and ultimate salvation

DESCRIPTION OF SALVATION

Simply put, it is to be born again, which in turn means going back to our origin. It is to have everything changed with an incorruptible seed planted in us (1Peter 1:23). It is that which changes the son of man to a son of God (John 1:11-12; Romans 8:15), thus becoming the partaker of the divine nature (2Peter 1:3-4). This implies that we are expected to experience: divine health because the same blood flowing in the vine flows also in the branches, divine vitality since Jesus is alive, we shall live too (John 14:19; John 10:10), the same power for the same works and even greater ones too (John 14:12).

It also means becoming a new creature which automatically follows that all things must become new (2Corinthians 5:17). All sins are gone (1John 1:7). Yokes are destroyed and now replaced with a peculiar nature (1Peter 2:9). Such are now members of God’s family (1John 3:9), that will not sin but with a new culture of love, unity, prayer, joy, faith, power and greatness (John 13:35; Ephesians 2:8).

INSTANT AND ULTIMATE SALVATION

After hearing the salvation message (Romans 10:17), the individual becomes saved through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He confesses his sins, ask for mercy/forgiveness and accepts Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord (Romans 10:10; Acts 4:12; 16:31). This is absolutely the work of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is the instant salvation. However, it is only those who endure to the end that will be saved (Matthew 10:22, 2Peter 1:10-11). This is the ultimate salvation. In between the instant and the ultimate salvation, there is a race to run and battles to fight: storms, mockery, false accusation, temptations, persecution, trials of faith, etc (1Corinthains 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-4; 2Timothy 2:3-5; John 16:33).

Therefore, there is the need to constantly work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). We must put on the whole armour of God to be able to stand to the end (Ephesians 6:12-18). As much as the instant salvation is grace, the ultimate involves some work. Those seeking for ultimate salvation must, therefore, be watchful (1Peter 5:8), prayerful (Matthew 26:41), patient (Hebrews 12:1) and run lawfully (2Timothy 2:5), confessing victory all the way.

CONCLUSION:

Today’s lesson must have unveiled some foundational truths about salvation to us. It is only wise to give allowance to the Holy Spirit to help relay this aspect of spiritual foundation to glory. Why not pray and decide for Jesus Christ today.

QUESTIONS

1. Define salvation.

2. What types of salvation exist?

Topic: It Is God That Kept You Alive — Sunday September 24, 2017.

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23 NKJV)

Do you know that our water is polluted? The water that goes through our taps is sometimes contaminated. But you drink it. You brush your teeth with it and yet God keeps you alive. The Psalmist declares: “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;” (Psalms103:4 KJV) I don’t know whether you read about all the disasters taking place across the globe. Things are happening! On a daily basis, lives are lost on our highways. But God has kept you and is still keeping you. He redeems your soul from destruction.

He is the one that has kept you alive. It is not because you are smart. It is not because of the security you have. It is not because of the burglary proof you have. Because when the enemy is ready to come around, burglary proof or no burglary proof, he is coming in. But my God kept you alive. Have you acknowledged and thanked Him for keeping you alive? Always remember; you are alive today because of His Grace. “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:31 KJV) “…except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalms 127:1 KJV)

You are alive today because he loves you. He crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies. Everlasting love! Even when you are messing up, and you blow it, he still says ‘I love you. I am not going to throw you away. I love you’. That is the God we are talking about. When you remember all his kindness towards you, even when you are on the road, you will say thank you, Jesus. People might even ask what he has done for you again? You will say, you don’t understand, but I know what he has done for me. I know we are approaching the month of October, and we are getting ready to lay all of our requests on the altar, which is important, but I would want us to approach this month with a heart of gratitude, thanking him for miracles seen and unseen.

Further reading: Psalms 33:16-22, Psalms 44:1-7

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Song of Solomon 4-5; Evening- Galatians 3

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: Psychological Warfare — Sunday September 24, 2017.

Text: Joshua 17:8-18

Key Verse: “But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong” (Joshua 17:18).

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right.

To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them. Be of good courage.” Christian courage may thus be described as the “undaunted audacity of a sanctified heart in adventuring upon difficulties and undergoing hardships for a good cause upon the call of God.” From our text, the tribe of Manasseh and Ephraim received their inheritance in the land of Canaan; but they complained that the land was too small for them. After a listing of many border towns in the space occupied by both tribes, it appeared every attempt they made to create more space was resisted by the strong Canaanite neighbours who had chariots of iron.

When the Ephraimites complained about the straitness of their inheritance, Joshua encouraged them to boldly move against the Canaanites in battle in order to acquire more territories, He boosted their morale and encouraged them to see themselves as winners. Courage moves us beyond our limitations by taking us to a higher level. It allows us to grow by making us stretch beyond what we are now, serve God to the best of our ability and reach our potential. As a believer, you should not allow the enemy to make you feel as if he has won the battle already before it begins.

As Christians, we must understand that greater is He who is within us than he that is in the world. Those who claim the promises of God and confess their victory ahead of the battle are always victorious.

Thought for the day: You must first win the battle in your mind before it manifests.

Bible Reading in one Year: Hebrews 5-9

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: The True Disposition Of A Servant [Sunday September 24, 2017]

Scripture: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Philippians 2:7

Thought For The Day: It is not where a man sits in life that matters but what sits inside him.

In my walk with God and in the privilege of serving Him, I have discovered that one of the causes of the decay in our generation is the craving for recognition.

Many people want to be accorded recognition for what they are. For instance, in occasions where such people are not given the front or high seat where all eyes can see them, they become annoyed, and they can do that even in church. They have forgotten to realise that it is not where a man sits in life that matters but what sits inside him.

A true servant will not behave like that; a true servant’s disposition is that of humility. A true servant is unassuming.

Sometime ago, I went to a big church and sat at the back row. While the pastor was preaching, he noticed my presence and sent an usher to bring me up to the altar where other ministers of the gospel were seated. I told the usher that I wanted to sit at the back row but the pastor refused and said that if I sat there, he would stop the message.

Beloved, I counsel you to live the kind of life David lived: a life that does not seek or struggle for reputation with men. When God saw these qualities in him, God concluded that he was the kind of man He was looking for.

Remember this: It is not where a man sits in life that matters but what sits inside him.

Assignment(s):

1. Always make humility your life principle.

2. Do not struggle to be known by men but strive to know God.

Prayer: O LORD, help me to live like Jesus lived; not to struggle for reputation in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: MAXIMIZING YOUR LIFE.

Quote: Service is the cheapest way to be blessed in the kingdom. Culled from SERVICE: YOUR UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST by Dr Becky Enenche.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 43:14 to 45:10, Ephesians 3:1 to 21, Psalm 68:1 to 18, Proverbs 24:1 to 2.

Amazing Fact: The highest mountain known to man is the Olympus Mons, which is located on Mars. Its peak is 15miles (25KM) high, making it nearly three times higher than Mt Everest.

Today In History: 24/09/1988 – Ben Johnson wins the 100m gold at the Seoul Olympics and reaffirms his position as the world’s fastest man.

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: God’s Will Is Liberty [Sunday September 24, 2017]

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. – 2 Corinthians 3:17

Liberty. If you could put the will of God into one word, that would be the word. God wants people to be free. Free from sin and sickness, poverty, oppression and every other curse.

That freedom is what Jesus came to provide. He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised…” (Luke 4:18). That’s what He trained His disciples to do. And if you’re a born-again believer, that’s what He wants you to do too!

Some people say, “Well, I don’t know about that. That may not be God’s will for today.”

But listen, the Bible says God never changes. He hasn’t changed His will for the earth. He doesn’t do one thing awhile and then go do another thing for a while. Jesus’ life was a perfect picture of God’s will 2,000 years ago—and it still is! That’s why He left instructions for us to go and do the works that He did. That’s why He sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to do them.

Jesus still wants to do the will of the Father here on earth—but He does it through us. He has to work with us until we’re willing to lay down our traditions and let Him do His thing. That’s what the early Church did. They started out with a bang because they did as Jesus taught them. Everywhere they went people became free.

Let’s pray for the Church of today to begin to deliver the liberty of God to the world. It’s time to quit questioning the will of God and start carrying it out instead. He said the works that He did we would do also and even greater works (John 14:12). It’s time for us to take up where Jesus left off and set the captives free!

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 61:1-11

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: Focus On Jesus [Sunday, 24th September, 2017]

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

As we walk with God we are faces with a lot of challenges. And so many adverse situations seem to want to weigh us down, or pull us away from the path we’ve chosen. There’s nothing we can do to avoid facing such situations, as they are strategically designed for our development (James 1:2-4). It is however important where we focus on during such times. This is because what we focus on becomes more real to us.

Have you even focused on not wanting to spend certain amount of money, but then end up spending it? Or wanting to achieve a feat, and then finding yourself  achieving it. Or, you have an injury on your body, and somehow it seems like it’s only the injury that people accidentally hit. This is because whatever we focus on takes priority and becomes more real to us. Our anchor scripture is instructive on whom we should look upon when faced with challenges; Christ. “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1‭-‬2).

Why do we need to look at Christ? Matthew 6:22 says: “the light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” When you’re filled with light, you see things differently and from a whole new perspective. You see things the way they really are. And then, you also see a way to get through and learn the adequate lessons during those challenging times. This is what looking at Christ does to us. It allows us to really see situations for what they truly are: to build us, and not break us. We are taught how to get through, and learn the necessary lessons, so that the next time we’re faced with similar circumstances we know how to respond to them. The Psalmist says in Psalms 121:1-2: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Look unto Christ as that is where light and help comes from, and not to the situation, where only discouragement and pain abides.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for being there to help me always. Teach and help me to always look upon You in good and bad times, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

By Esun Tekeme

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Do You Want To Live Peaceably? [24/09/2017]

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3. Read: Isa 26:1-4.

Do you want to actually live a peaceable life in this world of confusion, distress, disappointment, frustration, failures and unrest? I solemnly advise you put your total trust in the Lord God Almighty who can neither disappoint or wear you out in any way. Only in God will you find peace of mind in this world of ours. Jesus said in His words to the disciples (including you and I today) in John  14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. Putting your trust in this world is like pouring water in the basket and expecting the water to stay. God warned us not to put our trust in man in whom there is no help. Peace only comes when we put our trust in God, not in any man.

Those that trust in the Lord do not only enjoy perfect peace in this world, they also enjoy unbeatable strength from Him. God said “curse is every man that trust in man and make flesh his arm, but Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is”. Jeremiah 17:5-7. Don’t trust men directly, lest, you get disappointment and heartbreak as the result, rather, trust God to trust men. Trust God for your every needs and supply, He would use men to help you.

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Father, help me to put my total trust in You all the days of my life here on earth in Jesus Mighty Name

Topic: A Living Presence [Sunday September 24, 2017]

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. — Luke 2:32

If we could look through mighty telescopes or listen to electronic soundings, we could hear and see the metallic stars which both Russia and America have put into space in the past years. None of these synthetic stars have brought peace to the world. But God’s star promised peace to the whole world, if man would believe and trust.

Too often man’s synthetic stars bring fear and anxiety. Our gadget-filled paradise, suspended in a hell of international insecurity, certainly does not offer us the happiness of which the last century dreamed.

But there is still a star in the sky. There is still a song in the air. And Jesus Christ is alive. He is with us, a living presence, to conquer despair, to impart hope, to forgive sins, and to take away our loneliness and reconcile us to God.

Prayer for the day: Your peace reaches all who love and trust You, living Lord Jesus. Beloved Savior, I praise Your holy name!

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: Understanding Truth – Sunday September 24, 2017.

Luke 20:44 “David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?”

Text: Luke 20:41-44

Jesus took an apparent contradiction in scripture and through combining these paradoxical statements (concerning the humanity and deity of Christ) brought forth the truth that Christ is God in human flesh. Both assertions (the fact that Jesus was David’s son and yet David’s Lord) were right at the same time.

It was correct that Christ was David’s son and it was also correct that Christ was David’s Lord. This meant that Christ also was God. However, Christ was not exclusively David’s son nor was He exclusively David’s Lord. These two truths had to be combined to arrive at the whole truth. No truth of God’s Word stands independent of the other truths in God’s Word.

A lack of balancing truth with truth is usually the cause of much contention among men when interpreting scriptures. Some argue that everything is by grace, while others emphatically state that without faith it is impossible to please God. The Bible teaches us that we need both grace and faith to be born again – not one without the other. The same is true of faith versus works, and many other truths in God’s Word. Error can simply be truth taken to an extreme at the expense of other truths.

One of the concerns of many Christians is, “How can I know I’m thinking and acting properly?” If we seek the Lord with a pure heart and singleness of purpose, then the Lord will show us anything we need to change. In other words, all we have to do is focus on the Lord with a pure heart, and He promises to show us any error. The only people who need to fear that they might be deceived are those who are not seeking the Lord with a pure and single-minded heart.

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)