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)

Topic: Living in Tents — Sunday September 24, 2017.

Read: Genesis 12:4–9, Bible in a Year: Song of Solomon 4–5; Galatians 3

From there he went on towards the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Genesis 12:8

Growing up in Minnesota, a place known for its many beautiful lakes, I loved to go camping to enjoy the wonders of God’s creation. But sleeping in a flimsy tent wasn’t my favorite part of the experience—especially when a rainy night and a leaky tent resulted in a soggy sleeping bag.

I marvel to think that one of the heroes of our faith spent a hundred years in tents. When he was seventy-five years old, Abraham heard God’s call to leave his country so the Lord could make him into a new nation (Gen. 12:1–2). Abraham obeyed, trusting that God would follow through on His promise. And for the rest of his life, until he died at 175 (25:7), he lived away from his home country in tents.

We may not have the same call as Abraham did to live nomadically, but even as we love and serve this world and the people in it, we may long for a deeper experience of home, of being rooted here on earth. Like Abraham, when the wind whips our flimsy covering or the rain soaks through, we can look with faith for the city to come, whose “architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10). And like Abraham, we can find hope that God is working to renew His creation, preparing a “better country—a heavenly one” to come (v. 16).

Prayer: Lord God, You are our shelter and our foundation. May we trust You in the big things and small.

God gives us a solid foundation for our lives.

Insight:

Abraham is included in the list in Hebrews 11 of those who were “commended for their faith,” but did not receive “what had been promised” (v. 39). This chapter is a reminder that the only way to live and to please God is by faith (v. 6). Those living by faith were those who chose to live as “foreigners and strangers on earth”—people who had refused to return to the life they had left behind and who “[longed] for a better country—a heavenly one” (vv. 13–16).

Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we “are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (Eph. 2:19).

Ponder the way Jesus changed our status from foreigners and strangers to citizens of heaven and God’s children.

This message was written By Amy Boucher Pye [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: The Important Factor — Sunday 24, September 2017.

Memorise: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. – Colossians 1:18

Read: Matthew 6:31-34 (KJV)

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Bible in One Year: Nehemiah 9, Ezekiel 46:1-12, Hymn: Sing hymn 3 – How Great Thou Art

MESSAGE:

First thing first, so the saying goes. As a believer in Christ, when you come before God’s presence, the most important person is not you but Him. Also, unlike most of us believe, at God’s Throne of Grace, the most important thing is not your request, but rather the worship you offer to Him. If you fail to get this right, and you fail to adjust your approach and attitude to reflect this truth, you will always have issues with God. Do you know that every time you approach God’s presence, it is like facing a test? Believe it or not, when you come before God, there are two crucial people at the meeting: God and you. One of these two must take pre-eminence. Similarly, God has a need and you also have a need; one of these two needs must be more important.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

Coming up next: Open Heavens 25 September 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – No Skipping Details

This scripture tells us about a divine order that must be followed. It also talks about God’s need and man’s need. It tells us that God has already provided for all man’s needs. In other words, God already has all you would need at any time in your life. For you to receive them, all that He requires from you is to simply meet His needs. Give Him what He wants. Put Him first and your needs last. Give Him quality thanks, praise and worship. When you follow Heaven’s protocol, you will easily receive a favorable answer to your requests. God expects you to come before His presence with thanksgiving, praise and worship, leaving your request as the last thing. Do you know that one way to know how important something really is to you is to measure the amount of time you give to it? When you pray for one hour and you use 50 minutes of the time presenting your request, you are telling God that you and your request are more important than Him and His desires. How do you think this makes God feel? In any case, He has already expressed His thoughts about this in 1 Samuel 2:30d, where He said:

“for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

Also, what you focus on becomes magnified. If you focus on your problems, they will be enlarged. But if you focus on God and what He wants, He will be magnified to the extent that your problems will fade into insignificance. By the time you eventually remember them, you would discover that they have been swallowed up by His Almightiness, leaving you with the answer to your prayers.

Key Point: If you make God your priority, He will make you His priority.

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 — There Is Honey In Every Lion: Be Positive! [Saturday, September 23, 2017]

(Psalm 92: 1-10).

A 92 year-old woman lost her husband of 70 years and she decided to move to a nursing home. Despite her age, she made sure that she woke up in the morning fully dressed by eight o’clock with her hair fashionably curled and make-up perfectly applied. Just before she entered the nursing home, at the lobby, she was joking and was as excited as an eight year-old that had just been presented with a new puppy. Even she was told that the rooms remaining were not so comfortable, hear her reply:

“That doesn’t have anything to do with it. Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not does not depend on how the furniture is arranged. It’s how I arrange my mind. As I grew older, I already decided to love this place. I have a choice: I can spend every day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift and as long as my eyes open, I ‘ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I ‘ve stored away…….Just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account; you withdraw from it, what you ‘ve put in. So, my advice to you is to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of life. Be positive!”

Great! No matter how life has been to you, refuse to give up! Be positive like this 92 year-old woman! Note that this world will not get better ( Daniel 12:10)! Problems will increase! Betrayals will be skyrocketed; disappointments will blossom, but in the midst of all these, listen to Oscar Hammer: “I know the world is filled with troubles and many injustices. But reality is, it is as beautiful as it is ugly. I think it is just as important to sing of beautiful mornings as it is to talk about slums.”

Hope in God! Be courageous/positive about life! In this last half of 2017 and beyond, your life will disgrace your adversaries!

THE LAGOS MOUNTAIN SEPTEMBER ANOINTING SERVICES AT LEKKI On Sunday September 24th. TIME: 7:00am. THEME: SATANIC EMBARRASSMENT MUST STOP. (Bring your oil & any point of contact. I shall lay hands on you and your oil). VENUE: Oando or Chisco B/Stop, Besides Oando Filling Station, Lekki, Lagos. Call: +234-706-3324-784, +234-909-0393-966 for more information.

Prayer Points: Take Song 2: Stand up for Jesus……….

1. Thank God for today’s word and pray as you are led!

2. Cancel every Satanic arrow of confusion, self-pity, fear or discouragement in Jesus Christ name.

3. I command today to bring greater grace, favor, mercy and special promotion in Jesus Christ name.

4. Pray any other prayer(s) as led. See pages 7-9 now.

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

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