Topic: Be Meek—Be Happy [Tuesday September 12, 2017]

Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. — Matthew 5:5

In His characteristic way Jesus was saying something quite shocking and revolutionary to His listener with these words, “Happy are the meek.” He was saying something quite the opposite of our modern concept of the way to happiness. We say, “Happy are the clever, for they shall inherit the admiration of their friends”; “Happy are the aggressive, for they shall inherit a career”; “Happy are the rich, for they shall inherit a world of friends and a house full of modern gadgets.” Jesus did not say, “Be meek and you shall inherit the earth.” He, more than anyone else, knew that meekness was a gift of God, a result of rebirth. Jesus was not issuing a command in this Beatitude nor saying, “You ought to be meek, that is the way to live.” No! He was saying that if we want to find the secret of happiness, that if we want to enjoy living, then “meekness” is a basic key.

Prayer for the day: May I truly reflect Your meekness in my life, Lord.

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: Works Don’t Save – Tuesday September 12, 2017.

Mark 11:16 “And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.”

Text: Mark 11:16

Only Mark points out that Jesus would not suffer anyone to carry any vessel through the temple. No explanation is offered by Mark as to why Jesus would not allow this. It is probable that Jesus wanted His Father’s house to be dedicated completely to prayer and the ministry of God. Also, as with the Sabbath, work symbolizes our own effort, and our own effort will always fall short of what God demands for salvation. Therefore, anything that resembled work was inappropriate in the house of God.

What are “works of the law?” Any rule, command or law that a person observes in an attempt to be accepted in right standing with God is a “work of the law.” In other words, “works of the law” are a righteousness produced by one’s self, a righteousness belonging to one’s self, offered to God as a means of meeting God’s standard for acceptance.

It takes a radical revelation of the gospel of grace to abandon faith in the works of the law. God’s standard of righteousness is the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD alone. God has designed salvation in such a way as to eliminate any boasting from man. If salvation was by works either partially or wholly, then man could boast. But grace and faith eliminate man’s boasting altogether. Faith towards God and what He has done through Christ Jesus is the only means of receiving His free gift of salvation. Salvation by grace brings praise and glory to God. If we could save ourselves, either partially or wholly, we would take the credit for it. But that is not the case. All the glory goes to 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: Taking the First Step — Tuesday September 12, 2017.

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:11–21, Bible in a Year: Proverbs 13–15; 2 Corinthians 5

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19

Tham Dashu sensed something was missing in his life. So he started going to church—the same church his daughter attended. But they never went together. In earlier days, he had offended her, which drove a wedge between them. So, Tham would slip in when the singing started and leave promptly after the service ended.

Church members shared the gospel story with him, but Tham always politely rejected their invitation to put his faith in Jesus. Still, he kept coming to church.

One day Tham fell gravely ill. His daughter plucked up the courage and wrote him a letter. She shared how Christ had changed her life, and she sought reconciliation with her dad. That night, Tham put his faith in Jesus and the family was reconciled. A few days later, Tham died and entered into the presence of Jesus—at peace with God and his loved ones.

The apostle Paul wrote that we are to “try to persuade others” about the truth of God’s love and forgiveness (2 Cor. 5:11). He said that it is “Christ’s love [that] compels us” to carry out His work of reconciliation (v. 14).

Our willingness to forgive may help others realize that God desires to reconcile us to Himself (v. 19). Would you lean on God’s strength to show them His love today?

Is there someone you need to try to reconcile with? What practical first step can you take today?

Our willingness to seek reconciliation with others shows God’s heart to them.

Insight:

The “ministry of reconciliation” Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5:18 is the story of the gospel. We were alienated from God, but in His mercy and grace He reached out to us. In sending Jesus, the Father extended the greatest offer of peace in human history—the Prince of Peace Himself.

This message was written By Poh Fang Chia [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: “The Flesh Is Weak,” But You Don’t Have to Be [Monday September 11, 2017]

All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. — Matthew 26:41

The night before Jesus was crucified, He gathered the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane and made just one request: “All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

All the disciples had to do was stay awake and pray, but they kept falling asleep. Jesus, on the other hand, did pray, and an angel strengthened Him in spirit, enabling Him to endure the cross. The disciples didn’t pray—they slept—and proved that the flesh truly is weak.

To me, this story proves the critical importance of prayer. As Christians, we must realize that without daily prayer and interaction with God, we have nothing.

We all struggle with living according to our “weak flesh,” but when we make prayer a priority, God strengthens us in the spirit, allowing us to overcome the limitations of the flesh.

What are you relying on for strength today? Your flesh? Or are you experiencing the power that God so graciously gives us when we come to Him?

Prayer Starter: God, I thank You for the strength You give me when I pray. I know that without You, I am weak, so I choose to continually come to You in prayer, knowing that Your strength is more than enough for me.

Topic: Little Requests Limit God — Tuesday 12, September 2017.

Memorise: And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  – 1 John 3:22

Read: James 1:5-6 (KJV)

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 26-28, Ezekiel 40:5-19, Hymn: Sing hymn 3 – How Great Thou Art

MESSAGE:

The Lord Jesus Christ instructed us to ask until our joy is full (John 16:24). Due to a lack of faith in God’s ability to meet our needs, many of us ask for crumbs, and by doing so, we insult or dishonour God. Are you one of such people? During one of our special programmes sometime ago, while in my prayer room, God took me up on this issue. He reminded me of an incident that happened several years before then, when I went to London to prepare our Sunday School manual. After finishing it, I still had three days to go before my flight was due but I had completely run out of money. The kind of ticket l paid for on that trip was a cheap one and so it did not allow for rescheduling of dates. I felt I could go without food for three days but could not avoid buying certain materials, books and tapes that I needed. These would cost me 50 pounds and I had no money. So I said, “Daddy, it would be good if I could get 50 pounds.” Shortly after, my phone rang and I picked it up. The fellow on the line said, “Biyi”. I told him there was nobody with that name there. He asked, “Is that not so and so number?” As we talked, he got to know who I was and he screamed. He called out to his brother with excitement, telling him that he was speaking with me. Obviously, they had been discussing how they could see me and now was on the phone with them. Eventually, they came over, we talked, and as they were leaving, they gave me 50 Pounds. As soon as they left, I said, “Daddy if knew it would be this easy, l would have asked for 100 Pounds!”

Coming Up Next: Open Heavens 13 September 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Giving Determines Promotion

As I went upstairs in the apartment l was staying at, I rejoiced over the 50 Pounds l had just received. Just then, the door bell rang, and then it rang a second time. By this time, it was night already. Before l got to the door, the fellow at the door had slipped an envelope through the door into the room and left. I picked it up, opened it and realised it had come from a man l had known for a long time. He was a very wealthy man who was also very stingy. He had never given me a dime before. In the envelope was 50 Pounds and a note saying, “I just felt like giving you some money. As I went towards the bedroom, I told God that if had known this second 50 Pounds would come I would have asked for another 50 Pounds! That night, before l slept, another 50 Pounds came. Then I became afraid and told God l was joking and did not want to offend Him. In my prayer room, the Lord told me I had been a foolish boy. “If you asked me for 50 Pounds and l could provide it, why didn’t you ask for 5,000 Pounds?” Are you trying to help God conserve His resources when you ask? He doesn’t need your help! Ask, and ask big! Don’t limit Him.

Key Point: If the over seven billion inhabitants of the earth were to ask their best from God, they still could not exhaust a drop of His resources.

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: The Power of Expectation [Monday September 11, 2017]

…Thy expectation shall not be cut off. – Proverbs 24:14

What you don’t expect you don’t experience

What you don’t desire you don’t deserve

If you don’t know what you want, you may die in want.

Hope is the backup of expectation, it is the anchor of the soul. 1 Peter. 1:3; Acts 3:5; Ecclesiastes. 9:4

Expectation (hope) is the switch to proofs.

Psalm. 62:5-8; Romans. 5:5

Build up your expectation by searching God’s word.

 God’s word is the building block for the glorious destiny you desire.

Topic: Children Are An Heritage (2)

Dear Reader,

Welcome once again to God’s guidance concerning Family Life. Last week, I taught on Children Are Blessings! I said children are gifts from God and unique blends of their parents.

Today, I will like to talk briefly on “Raising God-fearing Children.” God has given you the privilege to be parents over those children so that you can raise them in His fear, in order for them to become an ensign to the world around them. Remember, no one can help raise these children in a better way than you (the parents).

For instance, in terms of child raising; the Church, the school and the society cannot take your place as parents. Your children are meant for signs and wonders. The Bible says: Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion (Isaiah 8:18).

However, the greatest inheritance you can leave behind for your children is proper upbringing in the fear of the Lord. The Christian upbringing you give them today, will remain with them for life and they can impart the same to their children’s children, thereby raising a generation of godly children.

Also, when you create the fear of the Lord in their hearts, you would have secured a great and glorious future that cannot be dashed or tampered with. Your children must be raised on a solid foundation because if it is faulty then there is no guarantee for the future. No wonder, the Bible says in Psalm 11:3: If the foundation be destroyed…

Invest in the foundation of your children, so that you will have joy from them. Their foundation shall not be faulty in Jesus’ name!  I pray that all parents reading this article today will find joy over their children’s tomorrow in Jesus’ mighty name!

However, man is a tripartite being. He is composed of three parts – spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). This automatically means that man has spiritual, emotional and physiological needs which have to be met. Children are no less human. They too are spirit, soul and body. It follows, therefore, that they have needs in these three realms, which must be satisfied.

Now, let’s consider the three main aspects of children’s lives and see how you can instill the fear of God into them.

The Spiritual Aspect

Just like adults have spiritual needs, so also the children do. The Bible tells us in John 4:24 that God is a Spirit. God made man in His image; therefore, man is essentially a spirit being. It is with that spirit that contact is made with divinity. Hence, each of those children can have contact with God; that is, they can establish a relationship with Him.

Never assume that your children are going to heaven, simply because they are born into a Christian home, or because they attend the Sunday school. No! They must confess Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour. Thus, it’s your responsibility as parents to lead them to do so.

After this foundation has been laid, then we can now begin to build on it. You have to create time to sit down to share the Scripture with them. This is of great importance, because it will instill the fear of God into their hearts so that when they grow up and get into the world, God’s fear that has been planted in them will preserve them (Proverbs 22:6). Do you remember Joseph? His parents were not there, yet, he refused to sin against God (Genesis 39:9).

It is important to note that every single life has a purpose, including children. Jeremiah 1:5 says: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah was ordained a prophet from the womb. Thus, by prayer, locate your children’s ordination and propel them along that part.

Also, teach your children how to pray correctly, bearing in mind the different kinds of prayers. Introduce your children to their heavenly Father, encourage them to pray daily. Finally, on meeting their needs spiritually, introduce them to active, Christian service in the house of God. Ensure that you make time available to meet their spiritual needs.

The Emotional Aspect

Children are to be loved, cared for and accepted. As a parent, you must meet their emotional needs to forestall any influence from outside, that will be engage their attention.

Today, the reason for child abuse and all manner of ills in the society is that most parents are no longer there to meet the emotional needs of their children. Ensure that you are approachable and easily accessible by your children.

Give them opportunities to ask questions about what is bothering them. Don’t be “too big” for them to the extent that they will be afraid and prefer to seek solace elsewhere.

Be there for them when you ought to so that they will not seek counsel outside. I tell people all the time, that before a child begins to get addicted to drugs, something has gone wrong at home. When you meet their needs in this area, no devil will influence them from outside.

Also, good, open and effective communication is a vital tool in helping your children to develop emotional stability. For instance, a child, who is self-assured and has high self-esteem, will be immune to foreign influence. May the Lord grant you grace to perform your role as parents!

The Physical Aspect

Cleanliness, they say, is next to godliness. As a parent, it is also your duty to make provision for your children’s physical needs. They should be neat and adequately clothed for various periods. Ensure that as you appear neat, your children also look neat both at home and everywhere they may be found. They ought to be true representatives of Christ.

1 Timothy 5:8 says: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Your children should be well fed i.e. they should be given balanced diet no matter how small. There is a need for you to supervise their feeding habits.

Also, in their academics, be there to help. Prayerfully help them in their choice of subjects, and ultimately in setting goals in their career. Although these goals may change, but at least they should have one. Discover their best in life and stir them in that direction. Please, don’t force them into your mould because, God may have a totally different plan for them; therefore, encourage them to have Bible-based dreams.

It is also important for you to teach them how to handle money, and be financially accountable. This way, they will not be a disgrace to you in future. Statistics shows that over 90 per cent of the children of wealthy people don’t end up wealthy. Why? They are not taught how to spend money judiciously, so they end up squandering it. Rescue your children now, by teaching them how to spend their money wisely.

In conclusion, the three aspects of lives of the children I have mentioned come in that order of priority: the spiritual need, the emotional need and the physical need. Don’t put all your attention on the physical that is not right; order your priorities correctly. I pray that God will give you the grace to perform so that your children will become responsible adults tomorrow!

Without the help of God, the best of man is still not enough. To enjoy that help in raising your children, you must first accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you would want to receive Him right now, please pray this prayer of faith with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

Congratulations, you are now born again! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Topic: Never Lose Hope — Monday September 11, 2017.

“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.’’ (Romans 4:18 KJV)

The worst thing that can happen to you as a child of God is for you to lose hope. One major reason why people lose hope is that they consistently listen to the lies of the devil. The devil’s assignment is to paint a picture of hopelessness so that you can conclude that God has given up on you.

You have a duty not to lose hope. There is no way you can serve God and lose. When things become tough, and sometimes they do, stay in the word of God. Let the word of God become your stronghold. Don’t call a pity party or cancel yourself out. The scriptures in Job 14:7 (KJV) says “For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.’’ If there is hope for a tree, how much more for you? You may not be able to fully comprehend what is happening to you, but as long as your hope in God is unshaken, let the devil jump up and down, you know you have the victory.

Have you ever thought of the fact that though Esther was a slave girl in a foreign land, yet she rose to the position of being queen?  Being a slave was not comfortable. It was a bad condition to be in, yet she was catapulted from slavery to royalty. Beloved, that same grace that took away the reproach of slavery from Esther would work for you. Never you lose hope because the God you serve is a specialist in turning things around for his children. Don’t ever forget that what God has done for one is an evidence of what he will do for another.

I declare over your life that you will not remain where you are today. You will get to that height God has ordained for you. You will not be denied. I cancel every delay in your life. My God will grant you speed. He will compress time for you.

Further Reading: Job 42:10-12

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Proverbs 10-12; Evening- 2 Corinthians 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: Spiritual Specialisation [Monday 11, September 2017]

Memorise: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” – Romans 12:3

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:4-12

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Bible In One Year: Daniel 1-3. Hymn: Sing Hymn 12

MESSAGE:

God in His infinite wisdom specifically created the universe and everything in it with diversity in His mind. Consequently, the difference between people, their special gifts, needs and characters is obvious all through creation. Now the Bible teaches that the different gifts in the lives of individuals in the Body of Christ are specifically designed to be used for the benefit of all.

As a teenager, you sometimes tend to feel proud and stingy with whatever is yours. However, we are encouraged not to personalize God’s gifts in our lives, but rather to recognize that we are incomplete in ourselves and we need cooperation and fellowship with others in the body of Christ to function as a complete whole. One person operates in the word of knowledge; one in the gifts of healing, and yet another in the working of miracles and prophecy. They should cooperate with each other with the understanding that one and the same Spirit is at work in each individual to accomplish the ultimate purpose of God.

Prayer Point: Father, please give me the unction to function with total humility and submission in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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.

Topic: Don’t Be Disturbed [Monday September 11, 2017]

The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. – Psalm 33:10

You may be facing trouble today that’s being caused by people who have willfully plotted to do you harm. They may be trying to steal your business, your home, your children, or even to destroy your marriage. If so, I have a word of encouragement for you. According to Psalm 33:10, God will bring the plans of those people to nought. He will make their devices of none effect. The counsel of the heathen is brought to nought, but the counsel of the Lord stands forever!

Remember this: When you make God your stronghold in the time of trouble, no one can overcome you. No matter how powerful they are in the natural, the odds are in your favor because you trust in the Lord. They may think they’ve got an edge over you, but God is on your side and that gives you the advantage!

Rest assured, you are eventually going to triumph over this trouble. In the meantime, if you’ll set your affections on the Lord, the thoughts of His heart will continually be coming into your heart. “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (Psalm 37:30-31). God’s counsel will give you stability when all the world around you is shaking. Evil tidings will not be able to steal your peace. The thoughts of God will immediately rise up and rebuke the evil tidings from taking root in your heart.

Don’t let the temporary successes of the troublemaker disturb you. Instead, “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace” (verse 37).

Scripture Reading: Psalm 33:1-10

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.