Today’s Scripture: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” – (Hebrews 10:35, NIV)

Topic: Closer Than You Think [Friday August 18, 2017]

Have you been praying and believing for something that seems like it’s taking a lot longer than you thought? Many times, people can miss God’s best simply because they give up before they see their “due season” come. Don’t let that be you! Be encouraged today, your answer is closer than you think. If it seems like things are getting more difficult, remember, when the intensity heats up, that means you are closer to your victory. It’s always darkest just before the dawn arrives.

You serve a faithful God, and He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. Don’t cast away your confidence today because your reward is coming. And just like a new mother forgets about her labor pain when she is finally holding her newborn, you’ll forget about your struggle when you are holding on to your promise.

While you are waiting, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Wake up every morning and say out loud, “I’ve come too far to give up now. My due season is coming. I will reap my harvest.” Stay in faith and look for His hand of blessing because He has promised you victory, and it’s closer than you think!

A Prayer for Today: “Father in heaven, today I stand believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength to continue believing until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Topic: Victory through the Blood of Jesus — Saturday 19, August 2017.

Memorise: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. – Revelation 12:11

Read: Exodus 12:21-23 (KJV)

21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 21-22; Ezekiel 27:10-25, Hymn: Sing hymn 2: What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Open Heavens 19th Saturday, August 2017 Message:

For various reasons, the battle of life has proved to be of tremendous difficulty to mankind in every generation. First and foremost, the enemy is often difficult to identify correctly, coming in different forms and sizes. Sometimes, the enemy comes in the form of human opposition, criticism and antagonism, and other times, in the form of physical challenges and obstacles. The enemy also comes as natural occurrences which one would expect to naturally fade away with time, but down the line, such occurrences metamorphose into serious problems. The battles of life can come to us through a human agent in the most subtle but wicked manner and it can also take the form of a dramatic open challenge. At the onset of every battle of life, its spiritual dimension is not usually obvious. However, the Bible teaches that there is a spiritual dimension to every battle. Ephesians 6:12 says,

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

As a child of God, although the enemy of our soul may look intimidating, don’t be frightened by his visage or his history of destruction. Instead, focus on the truth of God’s word that reveals him as a conquered foe (Hebrews 2:14, Luke 10:18-19). This is the high standpoint of the Christian faith. This is the only ground on which a child of God should meet the devil and his agents. We are overcomers! The element and resources of our victory clearly supersede the resources of our wicked foes. The element of our victory is the Blood of Jesus, and the weapon of our warfare is the word of God. The battle cry in our conflict with the devil should always be the words of today’s memory verse. You must continuously resist the devil with words of this scripture and believe its declaration in your heart. You cannot confront the devil and his agents with human wisdom, scientific inventions, philosophy, or ethical principles; rather, confront them with the Blood of Jesus Christ, which signifies the seal of our victory in the Lord. Always remember that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. At the beginning of this conflict with devil in the Garden of Eden, it was prophesied that the seed of the woman will bruise the head of the serpent. Jesus is that seed of the woman! Christians must enter the battle of life with confidence that the Lord is fighting for us, and that we are simply following His banner and claiming victory in His Name. Let us praise and worship the Almighty God who has granted us victory through the Blood of Jesus.

Prayer Point: Father, please completely destroy the works of the devil in my life and in Your Church in the Name of Jesus.

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: How To Enjoy Divine Backing [Friday August 18, 2017]

God is committed only to what he commits to you.

When you are on his mission you enjoy his backing.

God lends his weight only to those who follow his ways.

When you are backed by God no man can face you.

When God is behind you no man can stand before you.

The almighty cannot be your defence and a mortal man become to you an offence.

No man can offend you when he is allowed to defend you.

When he raises you no man erase you.

Be intimate with him and no man shall be able to intimidate you.

Topic: Reward of the Wicked — Friday August 18, 2017.

Text: Job 27:11-23

Key Verse: “Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night” (Job 27:20).

Most times, it seems wicked people are having all things their own way – wealth, power, good health and so on while the righteous is afflicted. “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end”.

In the text, we are told of the portion of the wicked. “If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep”. The silver he heaps up as dust and raiment he prepares would be enjoyed eventually by others – by the righteous. His wealth might disappear in just one night.

Also his death would be sudden and unannounced. The doom that awaits the wicked is a theme that runs through the Scripture. The fall of man signalled man’s departure from the will of God. Man went his own way and the righteous God must have to judge man’s waywardness. From the judgement with flood at Noah’s time to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and other judgements in the Scriptures, God continues to say “Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him”.

No man that continues in evil without repenting can escape God’s righteous judgement. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The way to avoid the judgement of God is through genuine repentance and faith in the finished work of Christ. That done, a consistent life of righteousness and holiness is needful for the earnest believer to anchor fast on the shores of Jordan above.

Thought for the day: God is not willing that any should perish.

Bible Reading in one Year: Jeremiah 39-42

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 Love Of God Reaches Out To You — Friday August 18, 2017.

“….But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” Luke 15:20 (NKV)

The parable of the prodigal son is a very familiar story amongst believers and unbelievers alike. However, I want to draw your attention to some truths from this parable to further strengthen your belief in God’s unconditional, irreversible, and everlasting love for you. The prodigal son received his inheritance from his father and travelled to a distant land, where he squandered it on various activities. By his request and subsequent action, this young man displayed a rebellious nature of wanting to live independently of his father’s will. A position that many of us find ourselves in today, even as Christians.

Unfortunately for him, a famine hit the land after he was done wasting his resources and he found himself in the pigs’ pen where he had to eat the same meal the pigs were eating in order to survive. The Bible records that after he came to himself, he decided to return to his father, not as a son, but as a servant. Now, one would expect that after all that had transpired, the relationship between the prodigal son and his father had been totally severed, but then let’s see what happened.

While the prodigal son was still a great way off, his father sighted him and ran to receive him. What does that tell you? The father had been expecting the return of his son and was always on the lookout for him. Hence he was able to recognise him from a great distance. Put on your imagination. This young man must have been battered, having suffered from the famine, coupled with the stress of the journey he had undertaken to get home. He must have lost so much weight and be malnourished having been feeding on the food fit only for pigs. Yet, in that deplorable state, the father was able to recognise him. He reached out to him embraced him and kissed him. What a display love! Such is the love of God towards you!

Further Reading: Luke 15:11-24

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 100-102; Evening- 1 Corinthians 1

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: Living beyond the Past – Key to Living at Your Best [Friday August 18, 2017]

Scripture: …but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Thought For The Day: You are at your best when you do not allow your history to become your misery.

Sometime ago, a man by the name William Carey worked for eight years translating the Bible into different Indian languages. After so much labour in that achievement, the printing press caught fire and his translations got burnt; everything disappeared overnight.

People expected him to cry. They asked him what he was going to do after such a disaster. He said that the fire has done two things to him: first, it had burnt off the interpretations that were wrong, and second, it had also given him and the entire project team the wide publicity they would not have gotten.

He worked at it again and came up with better translations within a shorter period of time because he refused to allow a setback to become his graveyard. He operated at his best because he decided to live beyond his past.

Beloved, you are at your best when you live beyond your past, when you do not allow your past to tie you down.

Daniel was a slave in a strange land but he did not allow his slavery to tamper with his destiny (Daniel 1:1-6). You are at your best when you do not allow your history to become your misery. Daniel was a man who lived a life of purpose. He refused to live an aimless life. He also decided to take a stand with God both publicly and privately.

Beloved, uphold these principles and no devil can stop you from living at your best, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember this: You are at your best when you do not allow your history to become your misery.

Assignment(s):

1. Reach out to anyone who offended you in the past and forgive them; you can call them up on phone.

2. Let go of your past mistakes or errors.

3. Make up your mind to fulfil your destiny despite your past or background.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: LIVING AT YOUR BEST

Prayer: LORD, I receive the grace to let go of my past. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: Those who dwell in their past, lose their place in the future. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Esther 1:1 to 3:15, 1 Corinthians 11:17 to 34, Psalm 35:17 to 28, Proverbs 21:19 to 20

Amazing Fact: Turtles can breathe through their butts.

Today In History: 18/8/1792 – John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, English politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (d. 1878) was born.

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr Paul and Dr 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: Where Is Your Treasure? — Friday August 18, 2017

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . — Matthew 6:20

Many young people are building their lives on the rock of materialism. I find across the country a deep economic discontent among people in every walk of life. People want more and more things. They forget that we are enjoying the highest standard of living the world has ever known. We still have poverty, and hundreds of agencies are trying to do something about it; but we are dissatisfied.

We want more, more, more. But Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and money.” He said that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things that he possesses. Adolf Berle, in his study of power, points out that riches often make people solitary and lonely and,of course, afraid. Many times a rich man knows loneliness and fear, because when he makes wealth his god, it leaves him empty. You see, without God life loses its zest and purpose and meaning.

Prayer for the day: Knowing You, my heavenly Father, brings richness to my life and soul.

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: Divorce Is Not God’s Best – Friday August 18, 2017.

Mark 10:2 “And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.”

Mark 10:2-6

The Pharisees didn’t really want to know what Jesus taught on divorce and remarriage. They didn’t value His opinion but were tempting Him and desired to get Him mired in the big dispute of their day between liberal and conservative views on divorce. This was a very emotional issue then, just as it is today, and they thought they had Jesus in a “no win” situation.

However, as always, Jesus proved to be more than their match and He gave them much more than they asked for.

The Pharisees didn’t question whether or not divorce was right. They took the right to divorce for granted. But Jesus, instead of expounding on acceptable grounds for divorce, went to the very root of the problem and showed that God never intended there to be any divorce at all. If they really understood the extent of the one flesh covenant between a man and his wife, they would not be looking for an excuse to get out of marriage. This approach amazed the Pharisees and brough forth the question “why did Moses in the law make provision for divorce?”

Once a person begins to question, “How can I get a divorce?” instead of, “How can I keep this marriage together?” indicates, that there is already a serious breach in the marriage, that Jesus calls a hardened heart.

Jesus answered that divorce was permitted but never intended. God allowed something that He hated because of the hardness of people’s hearts. This was also true of polygamy and slavery. Jesus came to remove our stony heart and give us a heart of flesh so that we could walk in God’s best for us.

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: Get Out From Under — Friday August 18, 2017.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. – 1 John 4:4

Under the circumstances….  Have you ever caught yourself using that phrase?

“I suppose I’m doing pretty well under the circumstances.”

If you’ve ever said something like that, I want you to kick those words out of your vocabulary right now. Because you, as a victorious child of God, don’t have any business living your life “under” your circumstances. You don’t have any business letting problems and situations rule over you.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus—the One who is in you—ransacked Satan’s kingdom. Through His death at Calvary, He legally entered the regions of the damned and stripped Satan of everything. He took away all his armor. He took the keys to death and hell. He bound that strong man, looted his kingdom, and Colossians says He spoiled principalities and powers and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them.

Then Jesus turned around and gave that victory to you. You are of God. Remember that! You have overcome through Jesus because He lives in you. You never have to live “under” the circumstances again!

Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:9-15

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: You’re an Original — Friday August 18, 2017.

Read: Psalm 100, Bible in a Year: Psalms 100–102; 1 Corinthians 1

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his. Psalm 100:3

Each of us is an original from God’s hand. There are no self-made men or women. No one ever became talented, buffed, or bright all by himself or herself. God made each of us all by Himself. He thought of us and formed us out of His unspeakable love.

God made your body, mind, and soul. And He isn’t done with you; He is still making you. His single-minded purpose is our maturity: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). God is making you braver, stronger, purer, more peaceful, more loving, less selfish—the kind of person you’ve perhaps always wanted to be.

“[God’s] unfailing love continues forever and his faithfulness continues to each generation” (Ps. 100:5 nlt). God has always loved you (“forever” goes both ways), and He will be faithful to you to the end.

You’ve been given a love that lasts forever and a God who will never give up on you. That’s a good reason to have joy and to “come before him with joyful songs”! (v. 2).

If you can’t carry a tune, just give Him a shout-out: “Shout for joy to the Lord” (v. 1).

Prayer: I’m grateful, Father, that You are at work in me. I find it difficult to change and I wonder sometimes how or if I ever will. Yet I know that You are continuing Your work in me and as I look back I will see the growth You are producing. Thank You!

Spiritual growth occurs when faith is cultivated.

Insight:

The book of Psalms is commonly known as the hymnbook of ancient Israel. But the opening line of Psalm 100 takes this beautiful hymn out of the sanctuary of Israel and places it in the mouths of everyone: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.” Since this is written to “all the earth,” what follows applies to all of us.

Because God is the Creator of all, He is also the Father of all. We all belong to Him; we are the “sheep of his pasture” (v. 3). We are all called to give Him thanks and praise, even though believers may be the only ones who answer this call. We are commissioned to help those who do not recognize God and His faithfulness to “enter his gates” (v. 4).

Who can you invite into His “gates”? How can you show and tell them about God’s goodness and enduring love? How can you thank Him for His faithfulness to you?

This message was written By David H. Roper [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]