Topic: O Rain of Grace………. [Sunday 17 September, 2017]

(1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-13).

In this second half of the year, the Lord wants you to know that walking with Him and possessing your possession is by His GRACE alone. “By STRENGTH shall no man prevail” can also be interpreted to man, “by BRAIN shall no man prevail.” Yes! By HUMAN CONNECTION or effort shall no man prevail. Paul knew this and he boldly declared: I AM WHAT I AM BY THE GRACE OF GOD! Note this: All that you will ever be for yourself or for your God will come because of GRACE and not because you are so prayerful, connected or so holy! These things are very necessary to sustain the GRACE of God that is shown to you, but they do not initiate that GRACE.

Do you know that it is possible however, to frustrate that GRACE of God (Galatians 2:21)? For example, sin, careless living,laziness in spiritual things, etc, are GRACE FRUSTRATERS while holiness, prayerfulness, fasting, etc, are GRACE MULTIPLIERS. I decree: special GRACE is coming upon you that shall lead to manifestation of all that you have waited for. Get ready for a special season of GRACE OUTPOURING which is about to come upon you. Ah! GRACE means FAVOR Minus LABOR. GRACE means Promotion without QUALIFICATION. When GRACE speaks, Protocols is suspended.

Ask Esther! When GRACE speaks, Laws are broken. Ask King David! When GRACE speaks, Educational Qualifications are Useless! Oh! Peter will tell you! When GRACE speaks, Connections are needless. Ask Joseph from Prison to Prime Minister! Today and in the upcoming Lekki anointing programme, THE GRACE OF GOD will fight your battles and EVERY SATANIC EMBARRASSMENT MUST STOP for good in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

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 any song of worship as led.

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

2. Declare Zechariah 4:7 seriously now.

3. Declare Zechariah 4:7 but mention at least 5 prayer points and declare GRACE, GRACE unto them.

4. O rain of GRACE and mercy, locate my life family and ministry afresh ( Pray until you have peace to stop).

5. Pray about today seriously and any other issue(s) affecting your peace.

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

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

TOPIC: THE SECRET PLACE [SUNDAY, 17TH SEPTEMBER 2017]

MEMORY VERSE: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1

BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 91:1-16

INTRODUCTION:

The term “secret place” comes from the Hebrew word “cether” which means “to hide or be concealed”. Other words for secret place include shelter, covering, or a dwelling place. One who abides in the secret place of God dwells in an ascended place of rest, lifted up above principalities and powers. It is a place of protection from trouble; where God surrounds you with deliverance (Psalm 32:7). It is a place of His holy concealment in all things, where God reveals heavenly secrets to you.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. How to enter the secret place

2. Benefits of being in God’s secret place

HOW TO ENTER THE SECRET PLACE

We can gain access into God’s secret place through a life of holiness (Psalm 15:1-5), praise, thanksgiving and prayer of faith (Psalm 100:3-4; Jeremiah 33:3). We must walk away from the clamour and enticements of the world (1John 2:15). Our hearts must be quiet before Him as we allow Him investigate those inner thoughts we reveal to no one else (Isaiah 30:15; Psalm 139:2). To connect with God, we must avoid distractions (Matthew 6:6; Mark 1:35). We cannot join God in His secret place unless we are willing to be transparent and honest with Him (Psalm 69:5; 139:7). We must not dwell with the ungodly (Psalm 1:1; 2Corinthians 6:17).

A consecrated and sanctified life is a prerequisite to gaining access into God’s secret place (Leviticus 20:7; Psalm 24:3-4).

BENEFITS OF BEING IN GOD’S SECRET PLACE

The benefits of dwelling in God’s secret place include:

1. Closer fellowship with God (James 4:8).

2. Living a holy life becomes possible (Isaiah 6:1-5).

3. Self-assessment of our faith will be enhanced (2Corinthians 13:5).

4. Fruit of the spirit takes root and grows (Galatians 5:22).

5. Our gaze is focused on Christ and things of eternal value (Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 12:2).

6. Divine protection and deliverance (Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 91:13-14).

7. Divine authority and attention (1Kings 17:1).

CONCLUSION:

God wants us to dwell in His secret place; not to visit. In God’s secret place, no evil can come near us.

QUESTIONS

1. How can a believer enter into God’s secret place?

2. What are the benefits of dwelling in the secret place?

TOPIC: THE SECRET PLACE [SUNDAY, 17TH SEPTEMBER 2017]

MEMORY VERSE: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1

BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 91:1-16

INTRODUCTION:

The term “secret place” comes from the Hebrew word “cether” which means “to hide or be concealed”. Other words for secret place include shelter, covering, or a dwelling place. One who abides in the secret place of God dwells in an ascended place of rest, lifted up above principalities and powers. It is a place of protection from trouble; where God surrounds you with deliverance (Psalm 32:7). It is a place of His holy concealment in all things, where God reveals heavenly secrets to you.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. How to enter the secret place

2. Benefits of being in God’s secret place

HOW TO ENTER THE SECRET PLACE

We can gain access into God’s secret place through a life of holiness (Psalm 15:1-5), praise, thanksgiving and prayer of faith (Psalm 100:3-4; Jeremiah 33:3). We must walk away from the clamour and enticements of the world (1John 2:15). Our hearts must be quiet before Him as we allow Him investigate those inner thoughts we reveal to no one else (Isaiah 30:15; Psalm 139:2). To connect with God, we must avoid distractions (Matthew 6:6; Mark 1:35). We cannot join God in His secret place unless we are willing to be transparent and honest with Him (Psalm 69:5; 139:7). We must not dwell with the ungodly (Psalm 1:1; 2Corinthians 6:17).

A consecrated and sanctified life is a prerequisite to gaining access into God’s secret place (Leviticus 20:7; Psalm 24:3-4).

BENEFITS OF BEING IN GOD’S SECRET PLACE

The benefits of dwelling in God’s secret place include:

1. Closer fellowship with God (James 4:8).

2. Living a holy life becomes possible (Isaiah 6:1-5).

3. Self-assessment of our faith will be enhanced (2Corinthians 13:5).

4. Fruit of the spirit takes root and grows (Galatians 5:22).

5. Our gaze is focused on Christ and things of eternal value (Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 12:2).

6. Divine protection and deliverance (Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 91:13-14).

7. Divine authority and attention (1Kings 17:1).

CONCLUSION:

God wants us to dwell in His secret place; not to visit. In God’s secret place, no evil can come near us.

QUESTIONS

1. How can a believer enter into God’s secret place?

2. What are the benefits of dwelling in the secret place?

Topic: Benefits Of Meditation — Sunday September 17, 2017.

Text: Psalm 119:17-24

Key Verse: “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes” (Psalm 119:23).

The story goes that Henry Ford once hired an efficiency expert to evaluate his company. After a few weeks, the expert made his report, which was highly favorable except for one thing. “It’s that man, down the hall,” said the expert. “Every time I go by his office he’s just sitting there with his feet on his deck. He’s wasting your money.” “That man,” replied Mr. Ford, “once had an idea that saved us millions of dollars.

At the time, I believe his feet were planted right where they are now. From our text, the psalmist in presenting the many benefits of God’s word, highlighted the importance of meditating on it; especially when facing persecution and trials. The writer presents believers in God as strangers in the midst of proud and worldly sinners; whose only hope of survival is the daily reliance on the counsels of God. When it appears the psalmist was almost reaching a breaking point, he turned his attention to God’s word as a refuge in the time of storm.

Meditation on God’s word gave him strength and hope. Meditating on God’s word enables us to see beyond the surface until we get to the rich depths wherein abide the real treasures that will give our souls the victory and the power to rule our worlds. We can easily turn our defense into attack through the confidence we get when we meditate on His laws. He keeps in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). The problem here is the discipline to keep our minds stayed on God. Sometimes in life, there are difficulties that cannot be overcome by willpower alone.

Many of us have tried to achieve fulfillment and purpose by our own means, and have fallen short of what God has called us to. Through meditation on God’s word, we can discover our purpose for living and find the strength to achieve it.

Thought for the day: Meditation on God’s word enlivens and empowers.

Bible Reading in one Year: Numbers 22-25

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 Your Heart — Sunday September 17, 2017.

’Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.’’ (Proverbs 4:23 KJV)

I want to tell you something critical about your mind. You must keep your mind busy and not allow it to become idle at any point. The Bible says, “keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” I like the way the message translation of the Bible puts it. “Keep vigilant watch over your heart, that’s where life starts.” You cannot afford to leave your heart fallow. Each time you keep it unoccupied, the devil invests in it. He brings to you all that you thought you have forgotten. That is why you cannot let your guard down at any time. Child of God, forget the sins of your past, that case against you was settled a long time ago.

Your heart is also vitally important because it determines where you are going. It is what is in your heart that your mouth speaks and it is what you say that you get. Your words are very powerful so refuse to say the wrong things, irrespective of what is happening around you. Keep your heart busy with God’s word. Say only the right things. Speak your expectation. Speak where you are going to. The Shunammite woman said to herself, it is well even though her child laid dead at home. In her heart, she saw the child alive and well, and so she spoke what was in her heart and not what her condition was saying to her.

Child of God, start today to think productive thoughts. The scripture 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, if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8 KJV As you think about these things, they form pictures of good things in your heart, and that is what your mouth will naturally speak about.

Further Reading: Hebrews 3:12-14, Philippians 4:6-9

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Proverbs 27-29; Evening- 2 Corinthians 10

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: Generating The Hunger That Attracts God’s Presence [Sunday September 17, 2017]

Scripture: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8.

Thought For The Day: Worship gives access to God’s Presence.

It has been established that the Presence of God with a person is called the Anointing.

Yesterday, we saw that a permanent longing for God and His Presence is key to attracting His abiding Presence.

Now, how can one generate hunger and longing for God in order to attract His abiding presence?
It is by engaging in prayer and fasting!

Prayer and fasting is key to generating a perpetual and unquenchable hunger for God that will cause the Anointing to rest on a person.

My counsel is, take one or two days of prayer and fasting every week. Your focus in these days of prayers and fasting should not be centred on asking God for material possessions but the desire to know God and His purpose for your life more.

Also, maintain a lifestyle of worship. Worship gives access to God’s Presence. Psalm 89:15 says “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.”

Beloved, maintain a perpetual stand with God in prayer, fasting and worship so that the Anointing of God will flow perpetually in your life.

Remember this: Worship gives access to God’s Presence.

Assignment(S):

1. Ask God for His abiding Presence in your life.

2. Embark on a weekly personal fast of consecration in order to seek His Face for the Anointing.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the discipline of prayer and fasting. Help me LORD to pray without ceasing in Jesus’ Name.

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

Amazing Fact: It is physically impossible for pigs to look up at the sky.

Today In History: 17/09/1911 – The first transcontinental airplane flight started. It took C.P. Rogers 82 hours to fly from New York City to Pasadena, CA

Daily Reading: Isaiah 23:14 to 30:11, Galatians 3:23 to 4:31, Psalm 62:1 to 12, Proverbs 23:19 to 21.

Quote: You may lose anything in life but one thing you must never lose is God’s Presence. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

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: The Power of Words [Sunday September 17, 2017]

The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do . . . — James 3:5 (TLB)

There is a story of a woman in England who came to her vicar with a troubled conscience. The vicar knew her to be a habitual gossip—she had maligned nearly everyone in the village. “How can I make amends?” she pleaded. The vicar said, “If you want to make peace with your conscience, take a bag of goose feathers and drop one on the porch of each one you have slandered.” When she had done so, she came back to the vicar and said, “Is that all?” “No,” said the wise old minister, “you must go now and gather up every feather and bring them all back to me.” After a long time the woman returned without a single feather. “The wind has blown them all away,” she said. “My good woman,” said the vicar, “so it is with gossip. Unkind words are easily dropped, but we can never take them back again.”

Prayer for the day: Might my words about another be ones that are spoken in the spirit of Your loving kindness, Father.

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: Our Righteousness Is In Christ – Sunday September 17, 2017.

Matthew 22:11 “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:”

Text: Matthew 22:8-14

In this time, it was customary for the host to provide their guests with wedding garments to wear to the wedding. It was an insult of the highest degree to refuse to wear the clothing provided since the guests were brought in directly from the highways and streets. The wedding garment speaks of the righteousness of Christ that God so graciously provides for all who accept His invitation into the kingdom. It must be put on by both good and bad (Mt. 22:10).

Right standing before a holy God is not to be achieved in keeping the law but in humble trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ. No one, who is trusting in his own righteousness, can have the benefit of Christ’s righteousness. The righteousness that gives men relationship with God is the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, and it comes freely through faith in Jesus Christ.

The way we obtain this righteousness is by putting faith in what Christ has done for us. When we place our faith in Christ, then the righteousness that Jesus obtained by His faith becomes ours.

Through faith in Jesus, we can receive the very righteousness of God as a gift. God’s righteousness is infinitely more in quality and quantity than man’s puny righteousness. No one can ever be justified in the sight of God based on his own righteousness which comes through acts of holiness. One must have God’s righteousness which only comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Paul said in Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” This is “the righteousness of God.”

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: Removing the Barriers— Sunday September 17, 2017.

Read: Philemon 1:8–16, Bible in a Year: Proverbs 27–29; 2 Corinthians 10

He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. Philemon 1:16

I saw Mary every Tuesday when I visited “the House”—a home that helps former prisoners reintegrate into society. My life looked different from hers: fresh out of jail, fighting addictions, separated from her son. You might say she lived on the edge of society.

Like Mary, Onesimus knew what it meant to live on the edge of society. As a slave, Onesimus had apparently wronged his Christian master, Philemon, and was now in prison. While there, he met Paul and came to faith in Christ (v. 10). Though now a changed man, Onesimus was still a slave. Paul sent him back to Philemon with a letter urging him to receive Onesimus “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother” (Philem. 1:16).

Philemon had a choice to make: He could treat Onesimus as his slave or welcome him as a brother in Christ. I had a choice to make too. Would I see Mary as an ex-convict and a recovering addict—or as a woman whose life is being changed by the power of Christ? Mary was my sister in the Lord, and we were privileged to walk together in our journey of faith.

It’s easy to allow the walls of socio-economic status, class, or cultural differences to separate us. The gospel of Christ removes those barriers, changing our lives and our relationships forever.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You that the gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives and relationships. Thank You for removing the barriers between us and making us all members of Your family.

The gospel changes people and relationships.

Insight:

After reading the book of Philemon, questions sometimes arise such as, “How can I trust a Bible that tolerated slavery?” and “When Paul had the opportunity to condemn slavery outright, why didn’t he do it?” One thing to keep in mind is that slavery in ancient times was different than our concept of slavery today. For example, in the Roman Empire slaves could work toward and achieve freedom. Paul is actually suggesting a change that goes far deeper than an institution change. When Paul asks that Onesimus be taken back and viewed as a brother, he is ultimately dismantling the mindset that segregates people. The Scriptures deal with how we think and not simply how we act.

This message was written By Karen Wolfe [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Approval without Works [Sunday, 17th September 2017]

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast. – Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9

I often sit and just smile amazingly at God’s everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 says: “the Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Romans 5:8 goes on to describe this love that He has for us thus: “but God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” And do you know what is even more amazing? This show of love was before we were saved, when we were not even close to carrying out His instructions and doing His will. He loved us before we were saved, all before we put faith in Him and accepted this sacrifice of love.

So, why do we start to believe that after we have been saved and reconciled to God through our faith in His Son, He is going to withdraw His approval of us just because did something wrong or approve of us because we did something right. Some folks think that by our works, we can ‘manipulate’ God into approving and loving us. Yes, we are to carry out His instructions as they not only advance the kingdom, but also build us up. We should know that our works are not prerequisite for getting God’s approval and love. For if it were so, Christ wouldn’t have come to die. Galatians 3:1-3 says: “o foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

A lot of us today are like the Galatians. We were saved by faith, but somewhere in our walk, we started believing that our works was going to make us gain God’s approval. You already got it, even without your works. Our anchor scripture states explicitly, “for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” You did not need works to get saved, it was a gift. You got salvation without works, and with salvation comes God’s approval. Your works are products of your faith. Your faith is not the product of your work. Faith is the foundation, and it is what won God’s approval not your works. Never think your works will win you God’s approval. You are approved by God without works. Your faith have settled that.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear God, I’m amazed at the love You have for me. And what amazes me more is that I haven’t learnt all of it. Thank You for Your approval given without my works, and also for the grace to work for you. Help me to work from love, and not in a bid to win Your approval. Also, by the Holy Spirit, put me constantly in remembrance that I already got Your approval in Christ Jesus, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

By Esun Tekeme