Topic: Blessed To Be A Blessing [Sunday July 30, 2017]

Luke 16:1 “And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.”

LUKE 16:1-18

The unjust steward was covetous. He had not been faithful to his master or to his master’s debtors. He had wasted his master’s goods on himself. When found out, his self-serving nature considered the options, and decided there had to be a change. He decided to use his lord’s money to make friends so that when he was fired he would have someone to help him.

His master was apparently wealthy enough that he didn’t take offense at the steward’s discounting of the debts owed to him, but rather he commended the steward. He didn’t commend his dishonest ways, but he was commending the fact that he had finally used his lord’s money to plan for the future instead of wasting it on himself. Although the steward was motivated by what he would ultimately gain, there was prudence in his actions. This was lacking before.

In this sense, the children of this world (lost men) are wiser than the children of light (born again men) because they plan for the temporal future.

Jesus is telling us to use money (the unrighteous mammon) to make to ourselves friends that would receive us into “everlasting” habitations. The use of the word “everlasting” denotes that Jesus is now talking about our eternal future. The people who have been saved and blessed by our investments in the kingdom of God will literally receive us into our everlasting home when we pass on to be with the Lord.

Our material possessions have been given to us by God so that we are actually stewards of His resources. The Lord gave us this wealth to establish His covenant on this earth – not so that we could consume it upon our own lusts. You have been blessed to be a blessing!

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: You Have Been Forgiven [Sunday July 30, 2017]

“But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared.’’ Psalm 130:4 (KJV)

This scriptural text says it is God’s forgiveness that causes us to fear Him. It is not His judgment. This sounds contradictory. I thought that we take people for granted when they easily forgive. It is the man with the cane that is feared and not the one with a heart of love. This situation is true in the natural but when you understand the true love of God, then you will understand the power of the love that keeps you from sin.

In John 8, we are told that a woman caught in adultery received forgiveness and was offered the gift of no condemnation from Jesus. I guarantee you that the woman left feeling relieved and she most likely held the Lord in awe throughout her life. She knew the law against adultery and obviously expected to be stoned to death. I can imagine her with her eyes closed expecting the first stone to land on her head but nothing happened. Rather, what she heard was the voice of the Master asking, ‘’woman where are thine accusers? I am sure that woman had died several times in her head because she expected the stoning and not forgiveness.

The love of God reached out to that woman caught in adultery and she was totally forgiven. She could never understand how she was delivered from sudden and untimely death. That is grace at work.  The good news is that Jesus has already paid for all your sins on the cross of Calvary. He paid the supreme sacrifice! The Father poured out all His wrath on His only begotten Son and He has no more wrath to pour on you. When Jesus died, He said ‘IT IS FINISHED’. Which means the devil no longer has power to condemn you. You are free and free indeed. All you need do is to appropriate the love of God and receive the gift of righteousness by faith. You may not feel forgiven, but the truth is that you have been forgiven.

Further Reading: John 8:1-11, Ephesians 1:1-11

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 51-53; Evening- Romans 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: You Don’t Have to Fall [Sunday July 30, 2017]

Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. – 2 Peter 1:10

You shall never fall. When you think about it, that’s a startling statement, isn’t it? Most of us have been tripped up by the devil so many times we don’t like to think about it.

But the Word of God says it doesn’t have to be that way. He says there’s something that can keep us on our feet. What is it? Diligence.

If you haven’t already, you need to realize how important diligence is. You need to face the fact that you simply can’t live a life of victory without it.

You can’t stand strong on the Word of God and not pick your Bible up during the week. Sunday morning alone isn’t going to get the job done. Yet most believers try to get by on that. That’s precisely why we have thousands of churches all over the world filled with born-again people who don’t have enough faith to blow their hats off. No diligence.

I remember several years ago when I ministered to a lady who was healed of cancer. She’d gotten into the Word, taken a stand of faith, and had been delivered. But several years later she called me and said, “Brother Copeland, I wish you’d pray for me. This cancer has come back on me again.”

Right away I recalled the scripture the Lord had given us to stand on those years before: “No weapon that is formed against [you] shall prosper.” So I said, “Get your Bible and let’s go back to Isaiah 54:17.”

In the background I could hear her whispering to someone else in the room, “Where’s my Bible?” When I heard that, I almost cried out. I knew she wasn’t going to make it. Why? No diligence.

Listen, this is a daily thing. The devil’s out there 24 hours a day devising ways to make us fall. Jesus is on the throne 24 hours a day giving us power to resist him, and we need to be exercising our faith all the time.

If you’re going to stand in the days ahead, you’re going to need a lot more than Sunday school faith. You’re going to need some full-grown, mountain-moving faith, and there’s only one way to get that: By giving yourself to the Word more diligently than you ever have before.

So do it. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure; and no matter how slippery the situation gets, you won’t have to fall!

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-10

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: All Generations [Sunday July 30, 2017]

Read: Psalm 145:1–13, Bible in a Year: Psalms 51–53; Romans 2

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. Psalm 145:13

My parents married in 1933 during the Great Depression. My wife and I are Baby Boomers, part of the dramatic increase in births following World War II. Our four daughters, born in the seventies and eighties, belong to Generations X and Y. Growing up in such different times, it’s not surprising that we have different opinions about many things!

Generations differ widely in their life experiences and values. And this is true among followers of Jesus. But no matter what we wear or the kind of music we enjoy, our spiritual connection is stronger than those differences.

God’s kingdom is alive and active in all generations.

Psalm 145, a mighty song of praise to God, proclaims our bond of faith. “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. . . . They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness” (vv. 4, 7). Within a great diversity of age and experience, we come together by honoring the Lord. “They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might” (v. 11).

While differences and preferences could divide us, shared faith in Jesus Christ the Lord brings us together in mutual trust, encouragement, and praise. Whatever our age and outlook, we need each other! No matter which generation we belong to, we can learn from each other and together honor the Lord—“So that all people may know of [His] mighty acts and the glorious splendor of [His] kingdom” (v. 12).

Prayer: Lord, unite Your people from all generations to honor and praise You as we bear witness of Your love.

God’s kingdom is alive and active in all generations.

Insight:

Generational differences are unavoidable, but exalting the God who created and redeemed us is always the starting point for building unity among believers. Our Creator-Redeemer God is celebrated in both the Old and New Testaments. Psalm 145 is a marvelous springboard for expressing such unifying praise. Especially meaningful is verse 9, which proclaims: “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” It goes on to reflect on the trustworthy character of the God of compassion in verse 13: “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.”

How might this psalm inspire you to praise God and build unity with other believers? Dennis Fisher

This message was written By David C. McCasland [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Dangers of Financial Storms II [Sunday 30, July 2017]

Memorise: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. –  1 Timothy 6:11

Read: 1 Timothy 6:6-11 (KJV)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 8; Ezekiel 17:11-24, Hymn: Sing hymn 10: There Shall be Showers of Blessing

MESSAGE:

Topic: The Disobedience of Unbelief [Saturday July 29, 2017]

And Elisha said to him, Take bow and arrows. And he took bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel, Put your hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it, and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said, Open the window to the east. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria. For you shall smite the Syrians in Aphek till you have destroyed them. Then he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, Strike on the ground. And he struck three times and stopped. And the man of God was angry with him and said, You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had destroyed it. But now you shall strike Syria down only three times. — 2 Kings 13:15-19

It’s easy to say, “I believe,” but the true test comes when we have to act on what we believe. In this story, the king came to Elisha the prophet to seek his help in obtaining deliverance from the Syrians. The prophet told him to strike arrows on the ground as a symbol of Israel’s attacks against their enemy, but the king stopped after shooting only three arrows onto the ground.

Unbelief is disobedience. Period. Had the king believed, he would have struck arrows on the ground many times. Because of his unbelief, he stopped before he’d even gotten a good start. It is not surprising that Elisha became frustrated and angry with him.

Incidents of unbelief are recorded throughout the Old and New Testaments. Unbelief seems to be at work in nearly every direction we turn. Matthew 17:14-20 records the story of a man who brought his epileptic son to Jesus for healing. He said, And I brought him to Your disciples, and they were not able to cure him (v. 16).

This boy’s father was hurt and disappointed in the disciples’ lack of ability to emulate their Leader. We might have agreed with him had we been in his place that day. After all, Jesus had been traveling with these twelve men for several months. They had repeatedly observed as He performed miracles wherever they went. In Luke 10, we learn that Jesus sent out other followers, and they performed a number of miracles and healings. Why couldn’t the disciples do them in this instance? Jesus had constantly encouraged them to heal the sick and do the things that He did.

Yet they were unable to heal the boy, and Jesus said: O you unbelieving (warped, wayward, rebellious) and thoroughly perverse generation! How long am I to remain with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to Me (v. 17). Jesus cast out the demon, and the boy was cured. Unbelief leads to disobedience.

But here’s the end of the story. When the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t heal the boy, Jesus’ answer was clear: Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust] . . . (v. 20).

I feel sure that Jesus’ answer caused the disciples to examine their hearts and to ask what held them back. Why didn’t they believe? Perhaps they had allowed negative thinking to enter their minds. Perhaps they weren’t able to grasp the fact that Jesus wanted to use them and empower them to perform miracles.

Of course, we know from reading the book of Acts that once they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples demonstrated God’s supernatural power at work—but not in this story. He said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father (John 14:12).

The promise remains valid to this day. Unbelief will keep us from doing what God has called and anointed us to accomplish in life. It will also hinder us from experiencing the sense of peace He wants us to enjoy as we find rest for our souls in Him (see Matthew 11:28,29 KJV).

When God tells us we can do something, we must believe that we can. It is not by our power or our might that we are able to do what He tells us to, but by His Spirit working on the inside of us that we win in the battle of unbelief.

Lord Jesus, forgive my lack of faith. I know that when I don’t believe, I am disobeying You. In Your name, I ask You to help me push away every bit of unbelief so that I may focus on faithfully following You. Amen.

Topic: Esteem The Women Folks [Saturday, 29th July 2017]

Ese Ehimare Dave

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27

God is a respecter of no one. In His standing, everyone is equal before Him. If He thinks of one folk in a lofty way, He also holds the others in the same esteem. God is not gender bias; esteeming one of the sexes above the other. When, in Genesis 1:26, He said “let us create man in our own image, after our likeness…” He was not referring to the male gender, rather He was referring to the human race, which includes the female gender. This is very important. The female folks were part of God’s original and eternal plan for mankind.

Scriptures say in Genesis 1:27 that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” He created man; the male man and the female man. He went further to bless them and told them to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28). He was not only blessing the male folks, but He was also blessing the female folks. “He blessed them…” That the physical male was first made, does not remove the important place the female have in the world and in God’s eyes.

A man, in the family, is the leader of the house, but if he is at variance with His wife, His prayers will not be honoured by God. This is because God sees them as EQUAL PARTNERS to the grace of life. Scriptures says in 1 Peter 3:7 “in the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, BUT SHE IS YOUR EQUAL PARTNER in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered” (emphasis mine). So, esteem the female folks as you would the male, for before God, they are equal.

Keep winning daily.

Key Point:

The women in your life are of the same standing, before God, with the men. Never let this out of your consciousness.

Uproot every confusion and divine mistake of misunderstanding DIVINE DIRECTION in this second half.

Topic — The Wi-Fi Password: “Eat First”! [Saturday 29 July, 2017]

(1 Samuel 3:1-10).

Last week I went to a restaurant. I saw that there was a Wi-Fi service, so I asked for the password. The waitress told me, ‘EAT FIRST’, so I placed my order. After eating, I asked again for the password, and again, she told me, ‘EAT FIRST’. Feeling frustrated, I ordered black coffee. After coffee, again I asked for the password. They told me, ‘EAT FIRST’. Then angrily, I walked to the restaurant manager and asked for the password. He replied’EAT FIRST’!!! I was about to explode, when I finally saw a sign on the wall indicating “Wi-Fi password…………EAT FIRST”.

This shows that most of us are waiting for an answer from God after we have prayed, but we don’t listen to what He is saying to us. Sometimes, the Lord is showing us an open door, but we keep asking for direction, instead of looking at the door He has opened. Lots of believers ask God for instructions but do not understand when He speaks. Remember that Samuel heard the VOICE but did not know WHO had the voice. In this second half of 2017, ask the Holy Ghost to empower you to know the WHO that is behind the VOICE. Carl Lentz quipped: “You know you are hearing from God when you don’t walk away with facts but you walk away with faith.”

Do you know that most people hear a word of direction from God and think it is from Satan? They even rebuke the VOICE! Don’t make the mistake of little Samuel who heard the VOICE that was so scarce in that generation but didn’t know the speaker. Uproot every confusion and divine mistake of misunderstanding DIVINE DIRECTION in this second half.

THE 2017 UK ANOINTING SERVICE IS AUGUST 5TH!

Theme: THIS DELAY MUST END! 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 ( Buses To The Venue).

I SHALL LAY HANDS ON EVERYONE PRESENT AS DIRECTED BY MY “THREE FRIENDS”- THE TRINITY!

Prayer Points: Take your best worship song now.

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

2. O Lord, I cancel every error and mistakes in this second half of the year.

3. Lord, speak to me again; let me hear Your VOICE O Lord. Open my ears again!

4. In this second half of the year, I shall know what to do! I will hear the voice of my Shephered! Error is far from me! My spiritual ears are quickened in Jesus Christ name.

5. Pray about today seriously and any other issue(s) affecting your peace.

If you need deliverance, see your pastor or be at the Manna Mountain this week Sunday 8am ( OGUDU) or 10:30am (LEKKI)!

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

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

Topic: Step Into the Light [Saturday July 29, 2017]

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. – Psalm 119:105

As long as you live by the Word of God, you never have to be in the dark again. You never have to remain in confusion about which path to take. You never have to grope blindly along, struggling to find your own way.

Isn’t that great? Isn’t it exciting to know that the Word of God will give you all the light you need every day of your life if you’ll allow it to?

Build your faith in that Word and renew your commitment to it as you make this confession today:

“Father, in the Name of Jesus, I commit myself to walk in Your Word. I recognize that Your Word is integrity itself—steadfast, sure, eternal—and I trust my life to its provisions.

“You have sent forth Your Word forth into my heart. I let it dwell in me richly in all wisdom. It does not depart out of my mouth; I meditate in it day and night so that I may diligently act on it. Your Word is an incorruptible seed, abiding in my spirit, and it’s growing mightily in me now, producing Your nature, Your life.

“I thank You, Father, that Your Word is my counsel, my shield, my buckler, my powerful weapon in battle. It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. It makes my way straight before me, and I never stumble or fall for my steps are ordered by Your Word.

“I recognize the strategies and deceits of Satan and I put a stop to them by speaking Your Word out of my mouth in faith.

“I am confident, Father, that You are at work in me both to will and to do Your good pleasure. I exalt Your Word. I hold it in high esteem and give it first place in my life. I boldly and confidently say that my heart is fixed and established on the solid foundation—the living Word of God. Amen!”

Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:89-105

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: No More Condemnation [Saturday July 29, 2017]

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 (KJV)

I come to encourage you today to keep walking boldly with your shoulders raised high because there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Never allow an event that went wrong somewhere along the line to define your life, because all your sins past, present and future have been forgiven. For as long as you do not know this, the devil will continue to accuse and condemn you. The devil lies to you that God is about to drop a hammer on your head for every mistake you make and as a result, your boldness before God disappears and you live in constant fear and condemnation.

Contrary to popular and erroneous religious views, fear does not produce a New Creation but faith in the Lord does. Over the years, there has been the mistaken idea that God’s wrath and judgment is on anyone who falls short of His righteous requirement. To fully understand and apply the Bible, you must know the dispensational requirements.  God deals with each dispensation differently. You cannot apply His dealings with those under the law to those under grace. God deals with the new creation under grace so you cannot apply the law to them. The new creation enjoys the grace of God.

Stop walking around with your face down because of guilt. There is so much God has in stock for you that the devil wants you to lose as a result of ignorance. Arise today and enforce the devil’s defeat. You have nothing to fear because you have the victory.

The challenges you saw yesterday you will see no more forever. When God delivers, He delivers totally. You are free. You have been discharged, acquitted, case closed and no appeal.

Further Reading: Romans 8:1-4, Hebrews 8:7-13

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 49-50; Evening- Romans 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.