Topic: Do Not Give Up [Thursday August 3, 2017]

Don’t give up if you don’t want to go down.

Don’t relax if you don’t want to be released.

Don’t take it easy if you don’t want to be eased out.

Don’t slow down if you don’t want to end low.

Press on if you don’t  want to be pressed in.

Stand up if you don’t want to be pushed down.

Don’t rest too early if you don’t want to be laid to rest too early.

Move forward to maintain your position in the front. Mic 2:10

Topic: Come Ye Apart II [Friday 4, August 2017]

Memorise: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.  – 2 Timothy 2:21

Read: Acts 13:1-3 (KJV)

1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Bible in One Year: Kings 16-17; Ezekiel 20:14-26, Hymn: Sing hymn 6: Deeper, Deeper

Open Heavens 4th August 2017 Message:

As discussed yesterday, “Come ye apart” is a call to cease from daily work in order to come before God in a solemn assembly. Such calls by God to a solemn assembly are not mere religious exercises, but a time of settling important issues with Him. Hence, they are sometimes called during times of serious emergencies, as seen in Joel 1:14, where God said:

“Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,”

While the general purpose of calling a solemn assembly is to gather the people of God together for a special time of worship in a state of purity, we also see God sometimes using such terms as “deny yourselves” or “afflict your souls” when He calls for a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:27). These terms refer to fasting or abstinence from food, drink, entertainment, sexual pleasure or other things that delight the flesh. By making a deliberate effort to subjugate our body to the dictates of the Spirit at such times, we are able to devote ourselves more fully to worshipping God during these special occasions. It’s in light of such self-denial that the Bible in 2 Timothy 2:21 says,

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Individually, each of us is only one out of the billions of vessels available for God’s use. However, as vessels, we are each made of different kinds of resources, ranging from precious gems like gold and silver to cheaper materials like wood and clay. Obviously, some vessels are deployed for honourable use, while some others are to dishonour. What is of utmost importance is the fact that the Master will only use the best. The vessel that would be found suitable for the Masters use must be purged of all errors and purified from all unrighteousness. In the Bible, purging refers to the confession and renunciation of sin, while purification refers to the process of removing impurities that interfere with a disciplined spiritual life. Are you interested in having a divine encounter with the Almighty God? Would you want to be a vessel of honour in the hands of the Master? Are you looking forward to being prepared for every good work? Then, come ye apart in a holy convocation, purge and purify yourself so that you can become a vessel of honour in the hands of the Almighty. As you make effort to separate yourself unto God this season, He will find you suitable as a vessel unto honour and fill you up with His anointing in the Name of Jesus.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to purge and purify myself, so that I may be found suitable for Your use.

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. Click HERE to DOWNLOAD Daily Open Heavens Devotional from January to December 2016.

Topic: Let It Shine [Thursday August 3, 2017]

Text: Matthew 5:13 -16

Key Verse: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

B.E. Warren in one of his lyrics asserted: “Let your light so shine that the world may see how to come to Christ who will set them free; let its rays gleam bright when the darkness falls, till each sinful soul for the Saviour calls.

Let your light so shine that its beams may reach every darkened soul, thus the gospel preach; let its brighteners shine till that endless day bursts upon our sight ne’er to pass away” Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in His Sermon on the Mount, taught some cardinal virtues of the Christian faith. He particularly described Christians as the salt of the earth and light of the world. By this, He taught Christians, through their conduct and lifestyle, to portray a pure life rooted in God’s precepts and be examples to others. This would make the world easier and sweeter for people to live in.

As the light of the world, you should not hide your identity. You are to exhibit Christlike virtues, which should guide others in the proper and right way. Failure of a believer to live out the Christ in him would amount to hiding a lamp under a bushel. You must allow the light in you to shine to help people avoid taking bad decisions. This present world is full of darkness all over. People are groping in darkness; they need your light to guide them! Believers are duty-bound to lighten up the world.

Relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbours are looking up to us as guiding light to lead the way for them to follow. With your Christlike living, consecration and commitment, you can help someone to be converted to Christ and save a precious soul from going to hell.

Thought for the day: God’s light shinning in darkness can never be dimmed.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Corinthians 10-13

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: What Matters Most In Life – Avoiding The Wrong Pursuit [Thursday August 3, 2017]

Scripture: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

Thought For The Day: It is possible to work for God and not walk with God, and still end in hell.

It is certain that when we do not know what matters most in life, we end up wasting life’s energy in the wrong pursuit. Therefore, in order to avoid the wrong pursuit in life, knowing and doing what matters most in life is crucial.

Today, we are looking at more of the things that matter most in life.

1. Eternal deposits: It is not the amount of money in your bank account but the eternal deposits in your kingdom account with God that matters most. You may have billions in your earthly bank account but zero in your account with God in Heaven, that is a waste (Mathew 16:26).

2. Making a difference in time and in eternity: It is not the income you make on the earth but the difference you make in time and in eternity, that is, the lives you allowed God to change through you that is what matters most.

3. Quality of Eternal Crown: It is not the cost of your hair style but the quality of the crown that awaits you in eternity that matters most.

4. Intimacy with God: It is not just how active you are for God in service but how intimate you are with Him that matters most. It is possible to work for God and not walk with God, and still end in hell.

Beloved, in order to avoid wasting your time and energy on the wrong pursuits, focus on the things that matter most in life.

Remember this: It is possible to work for God and not walk with God, and still end in hell.

Assignment(s):

1. Are you on a wrong pursuit in life? Make a U-turn to the right one.

2. Would your daily activity lead you to Heaven or hell? Answer the question and endeavour to make the right decision.

3. Make up your mind to be intimate with God; avoid the life of sin and maintain the life of worship and the study of the Word.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: WHAT MATTERS MOST IN LIFE

Prayer: LORD, I am lost without You. Please guide me in Your path of righteousness, O LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: When you spend time with God, the things in your life that can take you to hell become exposed, and you have the opportunity to repent of them. Culled from WHO ARE YOU? by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 33:14 to 34:33, Romans 16:10 to 27, Psalm 26:1 to 12, Proverbs 20:19

Amazing Fact: About 275 million new stars are born every day.

Today In History: 03/08/1678 – Robert LaSalle built the Le Griffon, the first known ship built on the Great Lakes

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: Beware of Misleading Philosophy [Thursday August 3, 2017]

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8 (KJV).

Your philosophy of life is your value and your standard. It is what motivates you to do what you do. If you allow the world to mould your philosophy, you aren’t going anywhere and I can tell you that your success in life will never be good success. Joshua 1:8 talks about good success. If there is good success, it, therefore, means that there is also bad success. I know for sure that you never desire a bad success or a success that you will not enjoy.

We all want the success that will last. But if you allow the world, through what is on the internet, or any of the social media to determine what forms your philosophy of life, you are going to end up shooting yourself in the leg. The television, newspaper and social media are all begging for your attention. The billboards too are now no more the type we used to know in the late 60s and 70s. A lot of these things and much more are asking you to take them along with you on your journey to destiny and so you have to be careful. If you are not careful they may end up dragging you away from what God has said.

The only person that can give you correct philosophy is God himself. He made you and He knows what is good for you. The intention of the enemy is to spoil and rob you of what you have. There is something that has been tested and proven that you can build your life upon. It is the word of God! The word of God is infallible, impregnable and errorless. It can work anywhere. It will work in America, Europe, Asia, Ireland or anywhere. It is important, therefore, that you don’t let the world mould your thinking but the word of God only. That is why you must own a bible and give attention to the word therein.

Further Reading: Colossians 2:8-20, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:105

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 63-65; Evening- Romans 6

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: Let It Flow [Thursday August 3, 2017]

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. – John 4:14

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Gentleness. Goodness. Faith. Meekness. Temperance. Powerful forces the Bible calls the fruit of the spirit. They’re the character traits of God Himself and when the Holy Spirit came to dwell in you, He brought them with Him, so they could become your character traits too.

They’re designed to bubble up inside you, to gush forth like a powerful stream constantly protecting and cleansing you from the inside out.

Have you ever noticed that you can’t put any trash in the mouth of a flowing fountain? When it’s shooting that water up, the force of its own outflow protects it and keeps it clear of any impurities from the outside. Well, the spiritual fountain within you works the same way. When you’re allowing the forces of love and joy and peace and gentleness and all the others to flow out, the devil can’t get any of his junk in.

How do you keep the spirit flowing? You pump your heart so full of the Word of God that the forces of eternal life start bubbling out. Just a little at first…and then stronger and higher.

Choose to keep those forces streaming out of the fountain of your heart. Refuse to let selfishness and sin stop the flow. You have a fountain filled with unbeatable life forces inside you and it’s ready to come forth. Let it flow!

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 17:7-13

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: Comfort In Eternity [Thursday August 3, 2017]

Luke 16:22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;”

LUKE 16:19-31

This story clearly teaches that there is life after death. It shows that there is no “soul sleep” where our souls are awaiting the resurrection of our bodies, but we go into a conscious eternity immediately. It also shows that there are only two destinations possible after death. We either go to a place of torment for the wicked or a place of blessing for the righteous. There is no “limbo” or “purgatory” and there is no second chance, illustrating the finality of our eternal destiny once we die.

Abraham’s bosom is a symbolic term designating a place of comfort for the righteous dead. It was located in the heart of the earth, in the same region as hell, where the ungodly dead go. The rich man’s body was in the grave and yet this scripture speaks of him lifting up his eyes and seeing Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. Our soul mirrors our physical shape so closely that it is recognizable. It is probable that one’s soulish body is an exact duplicate of their physical body.

Part of this man’s torment was from the flames. However, he was also tormented by the thought of his loved ones’ lives on earth and their eternal destiny. Surely his helplessness to warn them would make his misery worse.

Also, the fact that he could see Lazarus and Abraham in a place of total blessing and comfort would keep him from ever adjusting to his situation.

In the light of Jesus’ words, we can see that hell will be much more than just a place of physical torment. Those who are consigned to that place will also be tormented with the thoughts of what could have been if they had trusted Jesus. The greatest witness that anyone could ever receive is the witness from God’s Word. The gospel is the “power of God unto salvation”.

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: Sufficient to Save [Thursday August 3, 2017]

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. — Proverbs 14:12

A line of human thought that seems right to many people is the idea of self-redemption. Man thinks he must work at righteousness to save himself. After all, it was man who sinned and as we say, “God helps those who help themselves.” But a greater truth than this emerges from the Bible-the truth that God helps those who cannot help themselves. We cannot save ourselves.

It is noble to be upright if we can. It is admirable to be honest, kind, and compassionate. It would seem that these characteristics would be sufficient to save our souls. But the Bible says that though this way seems right, it is wrong.

Prayer for the day: Father, I know that my attempts at living a good life are nothing compared to my beloved Savior, Jesus Christ; but because of Him I can come to You, knowing He has redeemed me.

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: Peace and Trust [Thursday August 3, 2017]

Read: Isaiah 26:1– 9, Bible in a Year: Psalms 63–65; Romans 6

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

When I was six years old I rode a roller coaster for the first time with my older brothers. As soon as we hit a turn at a high speed I started to yell: “Stop this thing right now! I want to get off!” Of course the roller coaster didn’t stop, and I had to “white knuckle” it, hanging on tight for the rest of the ride.

Sometimes life can feel like an unwanted roller coaster ride, with “downhill” drops and hairpin curves we never see coming. When unexpected difficulties occur, the Bible reminds us that our best recourse is to place our trust in God. It was in a tumultuous time when invasion threatened his country that the prophet Isaiah, inspired by the Spirit, discerned this powerful promise from the Lord: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isa. 26:3).

Life will have its difficulties, but our Savior, who loves us more than life, is greater than them all.

The peace our Savior gives us as we turn to Him “transcends all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). I will never forget the words of a woman who was struggling with breast cancer. After a group from our church prayed for her one evening, she said, “I don’t know what will happen, but I know that I’ll be okay, because the Lord was here with us tonight.”

Life will have its difficulties, but our Savior, who loves us more than life, is greater than them all.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in You so that I may live in peace.

Jesus is our peace.

Insight:

The peace Paul referenced in Philippians 4:7 closely parallels the rest that Jesus offers us in Matthew 11:28–29. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” This gift of “soul rest” is the peace that every heart craves—a peace that comes from wholeness and rightness (Isa. 26:3). This peace is much more than the absence of conflict; it is the blessing that comes from resting in Christ and His strength. As we learn to rest in Him, we will experience the resulting peace of His presence and power.

Are there specific struggles that are wearing you down? How might you become more intentional about drawing on Christ’s strength? Bill Crowder

This message was written By James Banks [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: The $5.00 Steel Bar: Your Value Is Enhanced By Pain -1 [Wednesday 2 August, 2017]

(Genesis 50:14-20; Job 23:8-10)

A bar of steel worth about $5 towards the close of the twentieth century. When this same steel of $5.00 was forged into horseshoes, it was worth #10.00, when made into needles its value was up to $350, when used to make small pocket knife blades, it worth was $32,000, when made into springs for watches, its value increased to $250,000.Then just imagine the ‘Fire’, ‘pounding’ and ‘bruises’ the steel had to go through to increase its worth from $5.00 to $250.000. Yes, the more it was shaped, hammered, beaten, pounded and polished, the greater its value. A very beloved saint of God once said: “The sharper the craftman’s knives, the finer and more beautiful His work.” God wants you to know that some trials and pain you are allowed to go through is for the sake of increasing your value. It is through pain that God gets the most out of us for His glory and the blessing of others.

The only way Joseph was promoted from a local to an international champion was via pain. Stop crying or murmuring over that trial /pain in your life which cannot be explained. There are trials which will be explained by and by or only when we get to heaven. Billy Graham said, “Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has done.” Never forget the timeless insight of LOU HOLTZ: “show me someone who has done something worthwhile and I ‘ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.”

The road to the palace is through the prison! In this 3rd quarter of 2017, and as the year runs fast to an end, please refuse to give up because in all things, including that negative circumstances, God is increasing your value. Hold on! Hold out and look up! Shame will never be your name! Amen!

THE 2017 UK ANOINTING SERVICE IS AUGUST 5TH!

Theme: THIS DELAY MUST DIE! Venue: City Temple Conference Center Holborn Viaduct, London ECIA 2DE. For booking details, call : +447818555808. Date: Saturday ( August 5th 2017). Time: 3pm. BUSES NO: 242, 25 & 8. I SHALL LAY HANDS ON EVERYONE PRESENT AS DIRECTED BY MY “THREE FRIENDS” – THE TRINITY!

Prayer Points: Take song 2: Stand up for Jesus……….

1. Lift up your hands, and praise God for a great day.

2. Lord God, by Your Hand and power, increase my value through every battle. Pray about the UK service.

3. Holy Ghost, in this 2nd half of 2017, let my progress be unstoppable ( Pray it very well).

4. Lord, let this cup pass over me ( Mention any heavy burden/ problem now and pary it very well).

5. Sow ODM into other lives as a gift today!

6. Pray the NEW 2017 Morning , Afternoon and Evening devotional prayers on page 7 of this booklet daily.

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

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