Sin is a sweet, but the weight is bitter!

Topic: The Japanese Aged Thief: Every Jonah Has A Storm! [Thursday 17 August, 2017]

(Jonah 1:3-12)

Years ago, an aging Japanese thief felt the gravity of his crime when the weight of his loot tripped him down during his attempted get-away! The 70 year old man walked into a post office in the city of Kawoge, north of Tokyo and poured petrol on the floor, saying he would set off an explosion if he wasn’t given money. A clerk quickly filled a paper bag the man was carrying with coins worth 250,000 yen ( about $2,000) and it weighed 22 pounds. As the man ran off, the bag of coins broke under the weight and he stumbled, then fell. He was arrested by an angry mob and was immediately arrested by the local police.

Since the truth is parallel, the Holy Ghost wants you to know that: Sin is so heavy that you will break down under its weight someday and somehow no matter how you try to hide it. Apart from your sin finding you out, it will also press you down and smash your good name, good reputation or glory to pieces! A wise man said. “Full salvation is to realise that everything we see in Christ our Example may be ours, not by imitation, but by reproduction.” Yes, you must know that as a child of God, sin shall have no dominion over you. Plan to cut off that secret sin, before it cuts you off.

Read this from A.B Simpson: “God did not allow His chosen ones to prosper in the paths that lead them out of His holy will. He has a storm after every Jonah and an empty net for every unbelieving and inconsistent Simon.” If you will run well and win your race, use today’s devotional to deal with yourself- that public or secret sin or be ready to welcome a storm in your ship! Sin is a sweet, but the weight is bitter! Remember that 70 year-old thief! Remember Jonah! Pray now!

Prayer Points: Take any song of worship as led.

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

2. Repent from every weight (sin) around yourlife and ministry. Be Specific! Pray any other prayer now!

3. Every stronghold of death and tragedy in my family, scatter now by fire in Jesus Christ name.

4. Pray the NEW 2017 morning, afternoon and evening devotional prayers on page 7 of this booklet daily.

5. Pray any other prayers as led now. Use the ‘FAITH BOOSTERS” page 34 daily!

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

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

Topic: Be Ready to Be Interrupted [Thursday August 17, 2017]

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. – John 10:11

The more I study the men and women in the Bible whom we consider to be “great,” the more I see that they all made huge sacrifices and there was nothing convenient about what God asked them to do.

Abraham had to leave his country, his relatives, and his home and go to a place God would not even tell him about until he went there. Joseph saved a nation from starvation, but not before he was violently removed from his comfortable home and put in an inconvenient place for many years. Esther saved the Jews from destruction, but God certainly interrupted her plan in order for her to do so.

The list of individuals who entered into sacrificial obedience could go on and on. The Bible calls them people “of whom the world was not worthy” (see Hebrews 11:38). These people we read about were inconvenienced so that someone else’s life could be easier. Jesus died so we could have life and have it abundantly. Soldiers die so that civilians can remain safe at home. Fathers go to work so their families can have nice lives, and mothers go through the pain of childbirth to bring another life into the world. It seems quite obvious that someone usually has to experience pain or inconvenience for anyone to gain anything.

If you make the decision that you don’t mind inconvenience or interruption, then God can use you. You can make a difference in the world. But if you remain addicted to your own comfort, God will have to pass you by for someone who is more willing to endure the hard things in life in order to do God’s will.

Trust in Him: Think about a situation in which God is asking you to do some things you would rather not do—stay in a situation, leave a situation, spend time with someone you don’t get along with . . . Are you willing to trust the “interruption” from God in order to do His will?

Topic: How To Attract Respect [Thursday August 17, 2017]

You loose respect with people when your works contradict your words.

Respect is earned only by those whose works match their words.

It is your works that validates your words.

People no longer take your words serious when your works are far apart from words.

Enliven your words by your works.

People may applaud your words but will give you standing ovation for your works.

Topic: The Crown of Righteousness — Friday 18, August 2017.

Memorise: And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. – 1 Peter 5:4

Read: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 19-20; Ezekiel 26:19-27:9, Hymn: Sing hymn 14: Take My Life

Open Heavens 18th Friday, August 2017 Message:

In several passages of Scriptures, the Christian life is compared to being engaged in a sporting activity, particularly the analogy of running a race. In other to finish strong like Apostle Paul did, we need to pay close attention to these analogies and apply their lessons to our Christian life. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 makes it clear that everyone that participates in a race does so for the purpose of winning. It also says that winning requires serious training and perseverance. Furthermore, this passage states that of the many participants in the race, only one person emerges as winner. 2 Timothy 2:5 reveals that you must play according to the rules and regulations of the game to be declared the winner. From Hebrews 12:1-3, we understand that we must have our minds set on the reward in order to endure the rigours and pains of training. 2 Timothy 2:4 says athletes must observe a discipline, controlled, and regimented lifestyle like soldiers while preparing for a competition. You need to measure your Christian life by these analogies to know how well you are fairing in the race to Heaven. You should not be satisfied with just being a Christian who enjoys the support and encouragement of the spectators only; your ultimate goal should be to make it to Heaven and receive the crown of righteousness. You should be prepared for rigorous training in the word of God, and persevere through the process of sanctification. Like the eagle, you should take the flight towards Heaven as a personal endeavour and ignore the multitude. You must strictly obey every detail in the word of God without reservation. Your mind must be fixed on the crown of righteousness and the glory that awaits the saints in Heaven, so that you can finish your course in this world with joy. Furthermore, you must submit yourself to the discipline, control and regimented lifestyle described in the word of God and as directed from time to time by your divinely appointed coach: the Holy Spirit.

The crown of righteousness is something of value promised to every Christian that would serve God faithfully in this world and endure the persecutions and tests of faith that comes with following Jesus Christ. This crown is meant for those who would joyfully accept discipline and training in righteousness, those who will remain obedient to the word of God regardless of the dictates of popular culture, and soul winners determined to sacrifice everything in order to make Heaven. I hereby pray for everyone who is earnestly looking forward to eternal life, that you will not lose your crown in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to pay the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and help me make it to Heaven in Jesus’ Name.

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: Cast Your Cares — Thursday August 17, 2017

Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat-they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food-for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. — Matthew 6:26 (TLB)

Some section hands on a British railroad found a thrush’s nest under a rail. Peacefully sitting on her eggs, the hen was undisturbed by the roar of the fast trains above and around her. Someone has written a little verse which goes:

“Said the robin to the sparrow,
‘I should really like to know,
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.’
Said the sparrow to the robin,
‘Friend, I think that it must be,
That they have no heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.’”

Jesus used the carefree attitude of the birds to underscore the fact that worrying is unnatural. I am learning in my own life, day by day, to keep my mind centered on Christ, and the worries and anxieties and concerns of the world pass, and nothing but “perfect peace” is left in the human heart. God has taken the responsibility for our care and worry.

Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, I’m happiest when I’m fully trusting You. This day help me to be constantly grateful for Your care and faithfulness.

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: Righteousness is a Gift – Thursday August 17, 2017.

Luke 18:9 “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:”

LUKE 18:9-14

People who are self-righteous often despise others. No one can compare himself with God’s perfect standard and feel good about himself. To trust in ourselves, we have to constantly compare ourselves with others. This breeds a critical attitude towards others that exalts self by debasing others.

No one can ever be righteous in the sight of God through his own righteousness. Our actions benefit us in relationships with people and prevent Satan from having an opportunity against us, but they cannot make us right (righteous) with God. We must trust in God and receive His gift of righteousness completely on the basis of faith in what Christ did for us. This is the truth that this parable is presenting.

Most people are unaware that there are two kinds of righteousness. Only one type of righteousness is acceptable to God. One form of righteousness is our own righteousness. These are the acts of holiness that we do in an attempt to fulfill the commands of the Old Testament law. This is an imperfect righteousness because human nature is imperfect and incapable of fulfilling the law.

God’s righteousness is not something that we do, but something that we receive as a gift through faith in Christ. It’s not possible to trust in our own righteousness and in God’s righteousness. A person who believes that he must earn God’s acceptance by his holy actions must not believe in God’s righteousness, which is a gift. It has to be one or the other; we cannot mix the two. Righteousness is not what Jesus has done for us plus some minimum standard of holiness that we have to accomplish. God’s righteousness is perfect. Accept this gift He offers to you.

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: Seek His Face — Wednesday, 16th August 2017.

Ese Ehimare Dave

Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Psalms 105:4

What better way to experience God daily than to continually seek His face and to know His ways? Most folks see God as their meal ticket or as the guy that comes to fix their plumbing when it gets bad, and after that, He is allowed to stay out as long as their lives are moving smoothly until something else happens that needs fixing. How tragic is this? Because they don’t seem to know what they are missing out from. Well, if you are one of such folks, I can assuredly assure you that you are missing out on a lot of things.

Seeking the face of the Lord is enjoying the sweet fragrance of His presence that is always with us. At this time, we just pause everything else and enjoy God’s presence. The Psalmist says in Psalms 140:13: “surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.” Dwelling in the presence of God is key to us. Yes, the presence of God is always with us because of His Spirit He has given us, but we need to pause sometimes, and enjoy this presence. Be energized by the glory we see. Be inspired by the awe of it.

It is wonderful for us to pray to God to meet our needs. He even encourages us to do that in Matthew 7:7. But before then, He gave us a higher revelation of what He expects from us in Matthew 6:33, which urges us to seek first God’s Kingdom and its righteousness. And from scriptures, we’ve known that the kingdom is in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). So, we need to always go with the higher revelation of God’s Word. Seek the face of the Lord continually, let this be your daily pursuit. In doing this, you are engaging in the most important activity that transforms lives into the very personage of the fullness of God.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word. Help me, by the working of Your Spirit in me, to continually seek Your face. So I can behold the fragrance of Your glory and be changed into the fullness of Your person, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God will operate your body and remove low sperm count, cancer, fibroid, pain or any disease. If an old granny was not sick for 105 years, then God can keep your spirit, soul and body! I declare today as WORLD HEALING DAY! Amen and amen! Pray now!

Topic: A 105 Year -Old Bosnian Granny: The Balm Of Gilead Is Here! [Wednesday 16 August, 2017]

(Exodus 15:18-26; Jeremiah 8:22)

Years ago, I did a story about a 105 year-old Bosnian granny who had just been treated by a doctor for the first time in her life. Millian MARKOVIC slipped and fell in her house in a remote mountain village near Srebrenica in Eastern Bosnia recently and broke her leg. Her son told the visiting doctors that she had never been ill in her life! Wow! At 105, she had never been ill! Mrs. Markovic was not even registered then in the local hospital in Sebrenica. Imagine it again: For 105 years, a soul on this planet had never seen a doctor!

Use today’s devotional to tell God that you will not waste your money on sickness nor will you carry in your soul and body, whatever He has not planted. God is not the author of sickness or disease! God is not the author of financial lack or confusion. God is not the author of hard work with no or very frustrating results. God is not the author of mysterious deaths and stagnation. Your God is called the “Good Shephered” (John 10:11). James says that all good and perfect gifts are from above (James 1:17). Mark 3:15 says that He gave them power over sickness and demons. Exodus 15:26b says: “……….I will put NONE of these diseases upon thee……..” The actual translation is, “I will allow none of these diseases to come to you.”

Jeremiah describes the power of your God as “The Balm in Gilead.” –the medicine in Gilead. Gilead was called “THE HILL OF TESTIMONY” because it contained the gum or dissipated juice which exudes from the balsam tree, the Opobalsamum; which was anciently frequent in Judea, and was reckoned as very valuable in the cure of external wounds. As you pray today, there shall be healing worldwide! God will restore your health and multiply your good health!

God will operate your body and remove low sperm count, cancer, fibroid, pain or any disease. If an old granny was not sick for 105 years, then God can keep your spirit, soul and body! I declare today as WORLD HEALING DAY! Amen and amen! Pray now!

THE LAGOS (OGUDU) MOUNTAIN AUGUST ANOINTING SERVICE is Sunday August 27th. TIME: 7:00am. THEME: GOD OF FAVOUR, REMEMBER ME. ( Bring your oil of favour; label it “Oil of favour.” I shall lay hands on you and your oil).

Prayer Points: Take any worship song as led now.

1. Worship the Lord now! Pray about the Word as led.

2. Lift up your hands and thank God for your health. Thank God for your healing now.

3. Holy Ghost, uproot sickness and disease from my body today. I claim my healing from this sickness NOW in Jesus Christ name (Mention it and thank God now). Send the testimonies to [email protected]

4. I nullify plans to make my family and I to spend our money on sickness and diseases in Jesus Christ name. (Pray it well).

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

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

Topic: Living Ordinary Days with an Extraordinary Attitude [Wednesday August 16, 2017]

This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24

I believe the psalmist discovered the secret to living ordinary days with extraordinary enthusiasm. He simply decided and declared that since the Lord had made each day, and that it was a gift to him, he would enjoy it and be glad. He made a decision that produced the feelings he wanted rather than waiting to see how he felt.

God’s presence makes life exciting if we have a proper understanding of life as a whole. Everything we do is sacred and amazing if we do it unto the Lord and believe He is with us. Ask yourself right now if you truly believe God is with you even in the midst of very ordinary tasks. If your answer is yes, then you can have an extraordinary day!

Power Thought: I will rejoice in “ordinary” days because God is with me every day.

Topic: Everlasting Father — Thursday 17, August 2017.

Memorise: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. – Revelation 1:8

Read: Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 18; Ezekiel 26:7-18, Hymn: Sing hymn 3: How Great Thou Art

Open Heavens 17th Thursday, August 2017 Message:

A father is the male personality among the two parents from whom children originate. Parents are uniquely linked to their children by blood, and they are the source of the fundamental and distinctive characteristics of their children. This special connection is responsible for the usual display of filial affection between parents and their children. There is a kind of deep love, compassion, dedication, trust, respect, devotion and loyalty that usually exists in the relationship between parents and their children that may not exist in other forms of relationships. Furthermore, good fathers are known to provide leadership, protection, provision, discipline, spiritual guidance, and emotional stability for members of their family. Obviously, mothers are equally important and their role as parents and leaders in the family cannot be overemphasised. However, under normal circumstances, the balance of a family is usually maintained by its organisation around a father-figure. This is why homes without a father tend to become dysfunctional families. I therefore pray that God will restore all broken homes, support all single parents, and rebuke death in our families in the Name of Jesus.

Meanwhile, there is a Father of fathers that can do far more than any earthly father. He is the ever present one who can never die. He is called the Everlasting Father in Isaiah 9:6. Through this Name, the Holy Spirit is indicating to us that all those who trust in God and yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ will never be without a Father. Because Jesus is the Everlasting Father, true Christians can enjoy all the benefits of divine fatherhood unhindered for eternity. When the storms of life rage or when you are overwhelmed by difficult circumstances, you can safely trust in the love and support of the Everlasting Father. When poverty, failure, sickness or death stares you in the face, just call upon the Everlasting Father, and your night will be turned to day. If you are out of tune with your Creator, if you are perpetually living under the influence of any power that is beyond your control, if your life is upside down and you are desperately looking for a way out, then I have good news for you. Jesus is the Everlasting Father with compassion for His children. He pities his children and shelters them with His love (Psalm 103:13). His mercy endures forever and you can anticipate his forgiveness with joy. Above all, these benefits are yours to enjoy for eternity, if only you surrender your life to Him. I decree to every troubled soul that is reading this devotional, receive the intervention of the Everlasting Father now in the Name of Jesus.

Action Point: Pray that the Everlasting Father will heal every broken home and dysfunction in your family and local church.

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.