Topic: Marriage is a Covenant – Sunday August 20, 2017.

Matthew 19:9 “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”

MATTHEW 19:7-9

Although adultery denotes one who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another, in its much broader term, it means to violate or pollute. Israel violated or polluted their covenant with God. Jeremiah says, “She (Judah) defiled the land, and committed adultery” (Jer. 3:9).

Adultery in relation to marriage also reflects a violation of the covenant of companionship. Sex outside of marriage is adultery because it violates or pollutes the covenant of marriage by introducing another party and bringing that relationship into the marriage. “They two shall be one flesh” (Eph. 5:31).

Divorce also adulterates or pollutes marriage because it disrupts or denies the divorced parties the right to be faithful to their covenant of companionship. Any time one divorces his mate (except for fornication) and marries another, he is guilty of adultery. He has polluted and destroyed a relationship intended by God to be permanent and pure.

Why the “except for fornication” clause? Jesus is not saying that if fornication is involved, we must divorce, but rather, when fornication is involved, that is the only time when the person getting the divorce is not guilty of adultery. That is because the partner who had an extra-marital relationship has already polluted the marriage vow. In God’s original design for marriage He intended marriage to be sacred, precious, pure, and permanent. The marriage covenant represents a final, irrevocable commitment where the man and the woman renounce the right to live for themselves and become “heirs together of the grace of life” (1 Pet. 3:7).

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: When Someone Does You Wrong — Sunday August 20, 2017.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. – Luke 10:19

Someone’s done you wrong! Sooner or later it happens to all of us. Somewhere along the way, we all get hurt or cheated or lied to or abused.

It’s as predictable as it is painful. Yet when it happens most of us find ourselves strangely unprepared. In our outrage, we often cry out to God against the one who wronged us. We ask for justice, or even vengeance, and end up making things tougher on everyone involved—including ourselves.

If that’s been true of you, it’s time you found out how you can put the power of God to work for you the next time someone does you wrong.

Step one: Identify the enemy! Right here’s where the majority of us make our biggest blunder. We mistakenly identify our enemy as the person who hurts us. Don’t waste your energy ranting and raving or plotting and scheming against people who cause you pain. They’re simply under the devil’s influence. Aim your spiritual ammunition at the right target. It’s the devil who’s behind it all. Go after him!

Step two: Fire! Once you’ve pointed your spiritual guns in the right direction, fire! Hit the devil fast and furiously with the Word of God. Use the Name of Jesus and the power that’s been given you as a believer and bind the devil from doing you any further harm in that area. Then move on to the next and most important part of this spiritual battle.

Step three: Pray the prayer of intercession. In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus gives us these instructions: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.”

Crying out for the vengeance of God to strike like a lightning bolt when someone does us wrong isn’t acting like our Father. Remember, God has great, great mercy. Not just for me and you, but for everyone!

The devil will probably think twice before he bothers you again. Next time someone causes you pain, put the power of God to work for you. Identify the real enemy. Hit him hard with the authority you’ve been given as a believer. Then pray the prayer of intercession.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:6-15

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: The Turn — Sunday August 20, 2017.

Read: Esther 8:11–17, Bible in a Year: Psalms 105–106; 1 Corinthians 3

For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. Esther 8:16

As the minister spoke at a funeral for an old military veteran, he mused about where the deceased might be. But then, instead of telling the people how they could know God, he speculated about things not found anywhere in Scripture. Where is the hope? I thought.

At last he asked us to turn to a closing hymn. And as we rose to sing “How Great Thou Art,” people began to praise God from the depths of their souls. Within moments, the spirit of the entire room had changed. Suddenly, surprisingly, in the middle of the third verse my emotions overwhelmed my voice.

God never leaves us.

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Until we sang that great hymn, I had wondered if God was going to show up at that funeral. In reality, He never leaves. A look at the book of Esther reveals this truth. The Jews were in exile, and powerful people wanted to kill them. Yet at the darkest moment, a godless king granted the right to the enslaved Israelites to defend themselves against those who sought their demise (Est. 8:11–13). A successful defense and a celebration ensued (9:17–19).

It should be no surprise when God shows up in the words of a hymn at a funeral. After all, He turned an attempted genocide into a celebration and a crucifixion into resurrection and salvation!

Our surprising God often shows His presence when we least expect Him.

Insight:

Esther is the only book in the Bible in which God’s name is never mentioned. Yet our surprising God often shows His presence when we least expect Him. Haman, who had tried to curry favor with the king to exterminate the Jews, found his plans overturned when God enabled Esther to expose Haman’s sinister plot. Even to this day Jewish people around the world celebrate the Feast of Purim to commemorate God’s intervention to preserve them as His chosen people.

Have you experienced a time when God surprised you by His divine intervention? Dennis Fisher

This message was written By Tim Gustafson [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Complete Your Work [Saturday August 19, 2017]

Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work. – John 4:34

I believe the Lord wants us to finish whatever He calls us to do, even when it requires patience, preservation and hard work. God wants us to grow roots and learn to endure until the fruit of His promise is manifested.

Be willing to endure patiently to see God’s plan take place in your life. If God has given you a vision of something He wants you to accomplish, keep doing whatever He has given you to do, even when the excitement for the work is over, and all the goose bumps are gone. If you don’t have a vision, ask God to show you something that you need to do, and then commit your work to the Lord until it is completed.

Topic: Arrange Your Life [Saturday August 19, 2017]

Life doesn’t arrange itself, individuals have to arrange it by Himself. Hebrews 3:1-4.

“Every house (destiny) is builded (arranged) by some man(body)…

Plan your life

Plan your future

Plan early in life if you do not want to suffer later in life.

You will not be surprised or disappointed tomorrow if you understand that whatever happens to you tomorrow commenced from today.

Topic: Hypocrites in the Synagogue — Saturday August 19, 2017.

Text: Luke 13:11-22

Key Verse: “…Thou hypocrite… ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” (Luke 13:15,16).

In the parable of The Good Samaritan, there were two religious leaders who saw a wounded man in great need but passed by without helping. Yet a Samaritan, belonging to a race that was highly despised, “as he journeyed, came where (the man) was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him”.

One of the greatest areas of conflict between our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious leaders of His day was that He healed the sick on Sabbath days. This woman, “a daughter of Abraham”, who had been under satanic bondage for eighteen years was healed by Christ on a Sabbath day. This angered the rulers of the synagogue who had openly complained that there were six days “to work”, that people should come for healing on those days and not on a Sabbath day. Christianity without compassion, devoid of “weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy and faith” is an empty profession.

Love and concern for the welfare of all humans including purported enemies is the demand of true Christianity. “Recompense no man evil for evil… therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink… (Romans 12:17,20). “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God… He that loveth not knoweth not God…” (1 John 4:7,8). The real test of our Christianity is how much we love our brethren and others, including our enemies, at all times.

Thought for the day: True love is a mark of true Christianity.

Bible Reading in one Year: Jeremiah 43-45

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: God Loves You! — Saturday August 19, 2017.

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (KJV)

Still, on the story of the prodigal son, the father did not wait for him to approach the house, he ran to meet him, embraced him and brought him home. That is the degree of love that God has for you. As His child, He is not waiting for you to come crawling, His arms are spread out to receive you. As a believer, you need to get yourself established in the knowledge, unwavering belief, and total acceptance of God’s love for you.

God loves you enough to break protocol for your sake. According to Jewish law and culture, it was forbidden and very disgraceful for a father to run as he did in the public. Following the tradition of the day, the Son would have been welcomed to a ceremony of shame. But rather than allow that, his father reached out to him in love and extended grace to him, even when the law condemned him. Even with all his filth from living with pigs, the father still embraced and kissed him.

Child of God, just like the father of the prodigal son, God does not keep a record of your sin. He has clothed you with the righteousness of His Son Jesus, thereby permanently restoring you to the status of a son. This is open to as many as receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Once you have accepted Him, you can begin to bask in His love for you, knowing that you are a son and you have rights. Do not feel intimidated to run back to Him. Even if you’ve made a mistake, His arms are always open wide to receive you.

May the love of God open doors for you and cause rivers to flow in your desert. Stand up tall, square your shoulders, and bask in the undying love of God for you. You will reign over every prevailing circumstance as a son that you are because His love never fails.

Further Reading1 John 3:1, 4:9-19

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 103-104; Evening- 1 Corinthians 2

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: The Great Virtue — Sunday 20, August 2017.

Memorise: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (KJV)

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 23; Ezekiel 27:26-28:10, Hymn: Sing hymn 18: Onward Christian Soldier

Open Heavens 20th Sunday, August 2017 Message:

“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.” – Jeremiah 31:3

Love is a decision of commitment that is expressed as a strong feeling of affection and attraction. Based on God’s nature and actions, the Scripture gives us insight into the source, character and value of love. The Bible teaches that God is the source of love and that His very character is love. If you have ever been deeply in love with someone to the point of obsession, you will discover that you may lose your appetite and forget to eat because of that person (Song of Solomon 5:2-8). Your mind will become occupied with nothing else but that person. The object of your love is the last thing you think of when you go to bed and the first thing you think of when you wake up. Love involves the totality of a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions. Love is a central theme of the Christian faith and is a primary characteristic of God’s nature.

“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.” – Matthew 22:37-38

The first object of our love should be God. We are enjoined to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. Indeed, you need to understand the love of God for you before you can appreciate what true love is. Having received the love of God, God expects you to reciprocate His love by worshipping Him in truth and by showing His love to others. The love of God was manifested on the cross of Calvary. Jesus, with these words, revealed the extent of God’s love for us in John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Out of love, God gave His only begotten Son as the ultimate sacrifice for the salvation of humility. He then commanded every one of us that has received His love to reciprocate it by loving one another (1 John 4:7-8). The Bible makes it very clear that the proof of love is its expression through actions, especially actions that are taken in the interest of others. Children of God should never be identified with envy, hatred, pride, selfishness, or any form of wickedness. These vices are contrary to God’s nature in us. As Christians, we must always radiate the love of God with meekness, kindness, patience, peace and joy.

Prayer Point: Father, please fill my heart with Your love, so that Your love may flow through me to others.

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.

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: The Reward of the Wicked [19/07/2017]

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Psalm 91:8. Read: Ps 91:1-16

In everything a man does, there is always a corresponding reward. Both righteousness and wickedness are seed sown that attract rewards over time. In Galatians 6:7, the Bible says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”. And in Revelation  22:11-12, Jesus said, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be”. Those that sow the seed of wickedness shall surely receive commensurate reward likewise those that do good if they faint not before their reward comes. Gal. 6:7-9. Isa 3:11, 48:22. Job 27:11-23

Who are those that will behold the reward of the wicked? Those who have made the Lord Jesus Christ their Lord and personal Saviour. Those who dwell in the secret place of the most high. Those who have made the Lord their habitation. Those who set their affection on the things above not beneath. Those who are led by the Spirit of the Lord. Those who demonstrate unwavering love for the Lord and His Word and those who are ready to obey the Lord to the letter. Even if you have been acting wicked till now, here is the Word of God for your escape, Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”.

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Father, in anyway I have sown wicked seed that would boomerang, have mercy and  forgive me in Jesus Mighty Name

Topic: Living Beyond Self – Key To Living At Your Best [Saturday August 19, 2017]

Scripture: Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. Daniel 2:49

Thought For The Day: To live for self is to live for less.

It is obvious that there is a category of people that God takes to the highest level of life. Daniel was in that category. We have x-rayed the life of Daniel and what took him to the top in life. And today we are looking at more of what it takes to live at our best from the life of Daniel.

The Bible has confirmed that Daniel was a man who was too afraid of God to be afraid of man. He was not afraid of going to the lion’s den as a result of maintaining a sound relationship with God (Daniel 6:10). He also preferred to be misunderstood by men instead of God being misrepresented. He saw himself as the representative of God.

Now, what does it take to live at your best?

1. You are your best when you refuse to live for self.

To live for self is to live for less. When you live beyond yourself, you live beyond your time. Ordinary people live to make a living but excellent people live to make a difference in the Kingdom of God and in the lives of people like Daniel did (Daniel 6:10; 2:49).

2. You are your best when you are yourself. You are your best when you decide to be located in the region of your strength and potentials. There are people who are failing in life because they are doing things they are not gifted to do. Daniel maintained his realm as a prophet, dream interpreter, academician and a ruler so he could not go down in life.

Remember this: To live for self is to live for less.

Assignment(s):

1. Determine to make impact in someone’s life today; start from where you are.

2. If God had instructed you to bless a life, do it today.

3. Refuse to imitate people, be yourself; your uniqueness is in your originality.

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

Prayer: O LORD, give me a heart of love. Help me to make an unforgettable impact in the lives of people, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: When you live for yourself, you live like a slave; but when you live beyond yourself, you live beyond your time. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Esther 4:1 to 7:10, 1 Corinthians 12:1 to 26, Psalm 36:1 to 12, Proverbs 21:21 to 22

Amazing Fact: Babies can only see black and white when they are newly born.

Today In History: 19/8/1868 – Jules Janssen discovered Helium during a solar eclipse.

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.