Topic: Keep The Right Company [Thursday September 7, 2017]

The company you keep determines the accomplishment you make.

A star player in the midst of unco-operative player can be turned into a poor player.

It takes iron to sharpen iron. Prov.27:17

Mind who you work with, carefully select your work companions. Prov.13:20

Never allow an unwilling, unexcited, unenthusiastic and pessimist to hang around you.

Keep an excited company of workers to remain connected to inspiration.

Excited workers helps to bring the best of you out. Whereas an unexcited person will demotivate you and freeze your brain, and drain your energy.

Topic: He Shall Surely Return [Thursday 7, September 2017]

Memorise: “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:11

Read: Acts 1:8-11

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 39-40. Hymn: Sing Hymn 10

MESSAGE:

One of the major messages of the Bible is that Jesus Christ will return visibly and in glory at the end of history. First to raise the dead, judge the world, and then destroy all evil and opposition to God. Christians are encouraged to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ with eagerness and joy. In Acts 1:11, two angels announced the Second Coming of Christ by saying:

“…Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven.”

However, because at least two thousands years have passed without the actual fulfilment of this prophecy, unbelievers and Christians alike are beginning to doubt the reality or possibility of rapture or the second coming of Jesus Christ. Brethren, do not be deceived, JESUS IS COMING BACK. The second coming of Jesus will occur unexpectedly at God’s appointed time. Be warned, be watchful and be ready.

Prayer Point: Father, please give me the grace not to get weary while waiting for Your second coming 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: The Mystery of Heaven — Thursday September 7, 2017.

I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. — Psalm 23:6

What will heaven be like? Just as there is a mystery to hell, so there is a mystery to heaven. Yet I believe the Bible teaches that heaven is a literal place. Is it one of the stars? I don’t know, I can’t even speculate. The Bible doesn’t inform us. I believe that out there in space where there are one thousand million galaxies, each a hundred thousand light years or more in diameter, God can find some place to put us in heaven. I’m not worried about where it is. I know it will be where Jesus is. Christians don’t have to go around discouraged and despondent, with their shoulders bent. Think of it-the joy, the peace, the sense of forgiveness that He gives you, and then heaven, too.

Prayer for the day: Whatever I face, Lord, my heart rejoices in the knowledge of my ultimate destination—heaven— where I will live with You for eternity!

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: Glorious Living by the Grace of God— Thursday September 7, 2017.

Text: John 14:12, John 16:7, Zechariah 4:6b
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. *Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. *… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

One of the greatest things that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ does for us is that it causes us to become just like Jesus and function like Him on this earth. Jesus became just like us so that we can become just like Him. He came down to our level so that He could raise us up to His level by His glorious power and grace. By His grace, God is continually forming Christ in you so that Christ can be revealed and manifested to the world through you, Gal. 1:15-16. God’s plan for us is that we will be conformed to the image of Christ, Rom.8:29. God wants us to be like Christ in all things, Eph.4:15.

Child of God, do not be unnecessarily preoccupied with how you will become like Christ and function like Him, as God desires. In the same way the Holy Ghost came upon Mary and the power of the Highest overshadowed her (Luke 1:35), by the virtue of the Holy Spirit, the power of God will also overshadow you. Your major responsibility is to keep your eyes on Christ and to continue to behold His glory. The glory of Christ is full of grace and truth (John 1:14) and from the fullness of Christ, we receive grace upon grace, John 1:16. As we continue to behold the glory of Christ, the grace of God will continue to work in us and the Holy Spirit will continue to transform us into that very image of Christ that we see, 2Cor.3:18. By the grace of God, your life will be as glorious as the life of Christ. You will do His works and even greater works because of your faith in Him.

Prayer: I thank you, Dear Father, for how you are forming Christ in me by your grace and by your Spirit and as I keep my eyes on Christ.

Bible In A Year Reading Plan: Proverbs 1-2; 1 Corinthians 16

Empowered to do exploits…

CGMI Above Only Daily Devotional, was written by Most Rev. M.E. Benson-Idahosa, Archbishop of Church of God Mission International, CGMI.

Topic: Strike It Rich [Thursday September 7, 2017]

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. – Galatians 3:29

One of the problems that hung around me for years was poverty. But I remember the day I decided I wasn’t going to be poor anymore. I was reading in the Word where it says that the blessing of Abraham has come upon the gentiles by Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:14). Then I got down to the 29th verse where it says, “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Suddenly the truth hit me. I got so excited I could hardly stand myself.

I turned back over to Deuteronomy 28 and—line by line—I read those promised blessings. “Blessed in the city, blessed in the country. Blessed going out, blessed coming in. Blessed in your barns, blessed in your fields, blessed in all the works of your hands.” Man, I had struck it rich!

I’d been going to school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I was living in a dumpy little house no one would want to live in. But when I read those promises in the Word, I saw the light. I realized God had already redeemed me from the curse of poverty.

Well, that afternoon in my back bedroom, I took my Bible in my hand and I said: “I want to announce to Almighty God in heaven and to Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to all the angels of heaven, to all the demons of hell, and to anyone else who cares anything about hearing it, that from this day forward my needs are met according to God’s riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

I told God, “I’m standing on Your Word, and I’m looking to You to take care of me. I’ll never ask a man for a dollar.”

That was many years ago and I never have. You know why? Because that decision connected me to the power of God. It’ll do the same for you.

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 28:1-13

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: Manifestation Of Divine Proofs [Thursday September 7, 2017]

Scripture: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Thought For The Day: God is really at work in very unusual and frightening dimensions

We have thus far experienced all manner of amazing testimonies to prove the potency of the power of God in our lives in this year of Divine Proofs.

One striking manifestation of Divine proofs was the testimony of a woman, a member of our church, who needed Fourteen Million Naira to pay her child’s school fees in a university abroad. The woman brought the matter to God in one of our prayer sessions and asked God for an encounter and intervention.

When she got home that night, God appeared to her in a trance using my face. In that revelation, God used me to give her a telephone number to call for the school fees.

When she woke up, she recalled the number and wrote it down. She decided to call the number and when she did, behold, it was a sitting governor in one of the states in the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria that answered the call. The governor asked who she was and she identified herself and told him that it was her pastor that gave her the number to call. The man pressed further and asked who her pastor was and she told him, after which the man said, “oh! That young man that always prays for Nigeria.” On his prompting, she told him her problem. The governor asked for her account details and thereafter transferred Fifteen Million Naira to her account.

This testimony amongst others proves that God is really at work in very unusual and frightening dimensions. As you put your trust in Him, you will see the manifestation of Divine proofs in your life in Jesus’ Name.

Remember this: God is really at work in very unusual and frightening dimensions.

Assignment(s):

1. Ask God for more of Divine proofs in your life.

2. Take action steps to provoke your faith for Divine proofs.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the impartation of the spirit of faith. Help me, LORD, to take faith-provoking actions to see Divine proofs in my life, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DIVINE PROOFS – THE SECRETS.

Amazing Fact: Three hundred million cells die in the human body every minute. Every day an adult produces 300 billion new cells.

Today In History: 7/9/1986 – Desmond Tutu was the first black to be installed to lead the Anglican Church in southern Africa

Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 5:1 to 8:14, 2 Corinthians 9:1 to 15, Psalm 51:1 to19, Proverbs 22:24 to 25.

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: Weaned From Covetousness — Thursday September 7, 2017.

Text: Psalm 119:33-40

Key Verse: “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness” (Psalm 119:36).

There was a shipwreck some time ago when a ship struck a rock. The lifeboat sent to rescue the crew drew near the sinking ship, and all got in safely except the captain and the first mate. “Get aboard,” said the captain to the mate. “Wait a minute, Captain,” and he dived down the companion ladder to fetch something from the cabin. The captain saw the folly of the act, and jumped into the lifeboat, hoping that the mate would soon follow. Before he could do so, a great wave struck the vessel; she rolled over and sank, and the unfortunate man cooped up in the cabin was drowned. A few days after, divers went out to see what could be done with the vessel, and they found the corpse of the mate in the cabin. In his hand was something tightly grasped.

They brought him on deck and unclasped his clenched fist. His purse fell out. They opened it. It contained-thirty-six cents! Had that man lost his life for thirty-six cents? “Ah!” you say. “What a fool!” But what are you risking your soul for? It may be either money or pleasure, but mark you, your soul is at stake. Today’s lesson opens with the psalmist desiring God to teach him His statutes with a firm promise to keep it to the end. After praying for understanding, he requested holy inclination unto God’s word, believing that would free his heart from covetousness.

The prayer continued along the same pattern with a request for his eyes to be preserved from beholding vanities. It takes a converted, cleansed heart to fully depart from the sinful allurements and preoccupation of the soul. It takes a strong desire such as we find in the text for this new life to begin. The blood of the Lamb liberates the soul from damnable attachment to sin through salvation and sanctification.

Thought for the day: A coveteous heart self-destructs.

Bible Reading in one Year: Leviticus 21-24

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: You Are No More A Servant But An Heir — Thursday September 7, 2017.

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17 KJV)

Child of God, you are no more a servant but a son, having been adopted into the family of God. And as a son of the King, you have rights and privileges that automatically accrue to you, by the reason of your new status. You are an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ; which makes you legally eligible for an equal share of God’s blessings and resources. This means that whatever Jesus has access to, you also have the same level of access because the Father loves you just as much as he loves Jesus!

As an heir of God, not only do you have an inheritance in God, you also have a domain, a territory over which you exercise authority. Psalms 115:16 says the Lord has given the earth to the children of men. Revelations 5:10 (NKJV) says, “And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Your son-ship rights must be expressed here on earth. Though man’s authority was lost to the devil through Adam, God in his love for us through Christ has restored us to glory. And we cannot afford to allow the enemy run roughshod over us any longer.

Beloved, you are a son, and the Father loves you dearly. Don’t allow the enemy to tell you otherwise. Refuse every lie of the enemy to make you feel inferior. If Jesus cannot be denied, then you likewise cannot be denied. And since you’re in Christ, the same measure of love is expressed to you. Desist from looking down in disappointment and despair because of needs that have not been met. Your need is already met. Your prayer has been answered already. There is no need that is more important or more precious than Jesus. And if he has given you Jesus, with him, he will freely give you all things.

Further Reading: Romans 8:1-32

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Proverbs 1-2; Evening- 1 Corinthians 16

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: You Are No More A Servant But An Heir — Thursday September 7, 2017.

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17 KJV)

Child of God, you are no more a servant but a son, having been adopted into the family of God. And as a son of the King, you have rights and privileges that automatically accrue to you, by the reason of your new status. You are an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ; which makes you legally eligible for an equal share of God’s blessings and resources. This means that whatever Jesus has access to, you also have the same level of access because the Father loves you just as much as he loves Jesus!

As an heir of God, not only do you have an inheritance in God, you also have a domain, a territory over which you exercise authority. Psalms 115:16 says the Lord has given the earth to the children of men. Revelations 5:10 (NKJV) says, “And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Your son-ship rights must be expressed here on earth. Though man’s authority was lost to the devil through Adam, God in his love for us through Christ has restored us to glory. And we cannot afford to allow the enemy run roughshod over us any longer.

Beloved, you are a son, and the Father loves you dearly. Don’t allow the enemy to tell you otherwise. Refuse every lie of the enemy to make you feel inferior. If Jesus cannot be denied, then you likewise cannot be denied. And since you’re in Christ, the same measure of love is expressed to you. Desist from looking down in disappointment and despair because of needs that have not been met. Your need is already met. Your prayer has been answered already. There is no need that is more important or more precious than Jesus. And if he has given you Jesus, with him, he will freely give you all things.

Further Reading: Romans 8:1-32

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Proverbs 1-2; Evening- 1 Corinthians 16

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.