Topic: Be Your Own Teacher [Friday July 28, 2017]

You are your No 1 teacher, you are your most intimate and trusted teacher.

You have yourself around with you perpetually. Others may teach you and leave you to yourself but you personally go into the sphere of practical action and experience to authenticate what you have learnt and make appropriate adjustment.

No one will ever get all of the time to sit down with you all of your life time, only you can do that.

Accept responsibility. Be your personal teacher

A wise man once said: “If your investors are limited to this earth, you are the world’s worst investor.”

Topic — The First Wife: Your Soul! [Friday 28 July, 2017]

(Mark 8:31-38; 3 John 2)

I got this from a brother and it’s greatly appreciated. Today’s devotional story is what I consider to be a “Metaphor” ( a story in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable) or “Hyperbole” ( amplified story or claim no meant to be taken literally) depending on which angle you view it from. Such a story will be used from time to time in our devotional stories just as our Master, the Lord Himself, used parables to teach:

There was a man with four wives. He loved his fourth wife the most and took great care of her and gave her the best. He also loved the third wife and always wanted to show her off to his friends. However, he always had a fear that she might run away with some other man. He loved his second wife too. Whenever he faced some problems, he always turned to his second wife and she would always help him out. He did not love his first wife though she loved him deeply, was very loyal to him and took great care of him. One day, the man fell very ill and knew that he was going to die soon. He told himself,”I have four wives. I will take one of them along with me when I die to keep me company in my death.”

Thus, he asked the fourth wife to die along with him and keep him company. “No way!” she replied and walked away without another word. He asked his third wife. She said “Life is so good over here. I’m going to remarry when you die.” He then asked his second wife. She said “I’m sorry. I can’t help you this time around. At most I can only accompany you to your grave.” By now his heart sank and he turned cold. Then a voice called out: I‘ll go with you. I ‘ll follow you no matter where you go.” The man looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition.

Greatly grieved, the man said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!” Actually, we all have “four wives” in our lives. This is why I said it is a metaphor! See the four wives below:

A. The “fourth wife” is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

B. The “third wife” is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they go to others.

C. The “second wife” is our family and friends. No matter how close they were to us when we were alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

D. The “First wife” is our soul, neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and pleasure. It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go.

What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? A wie man once said: “If your investors are limited to this earth, you are the world’s worst investor.” Note the words, “even as thy soul prospereth” in today’s second scripture. It means: Pursue the prosperity of your soul first before you pursue any other kind of prosperity. Remember, despite all your achievements, you are leaving this earth with just one little box which shall be called your Coffin! Learn!

Prayer Points: Take your best worship song now.

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

2. Holy Ghost, flush out VANITY pursuit from my pathway on this planet. I receive a new grace to finish my Bible, a new prayer fire and a new zeal for holiness.

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: Enduring Work [Friday July 28, 2017]

Text: Judges 2:6-10

Key Verse: “And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel” (Judges 2:7).

Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest American presidents in history, once said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening my axe.” This underscores the importance of preparation in any endeavour in life, if a worthwhile feat is to be achieved. Joshua spent the better part of his life preparing for the task of leading the children of Israel into the promised land.

He was under the tutelage of Moses for many years. One instance was when he led the battle against the Amalekites as commanded by Moses in Exodus 17. This was the first mention of Joshua in the Bible and he was already taking charge at the battle front. That tells us a lot about him. He had faith in the God of Israel and there was no question about his consecration. It is therefore no surprise that he successfully led Israel into the Promise Land. He became a leader by example.

The people did not hesitate to follow his footsteps. His work and service to the Lord was an enduring one as “…the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel”. Believers and Christian leaders today must learn from Joshua. The work of God should not be taken as a stroll in the park. There is need for serious preparation, in order to have a lasting impact in the lives of the people we are called to lead. If you must stand to preach, then you must sit to read and kneel to pray.

The call to Christian service is a noble call. Why waste your life in sinfulness or idleness, chasing vanities? Remember that you cannot traverse the surface of the earth forever.

Thought for the day: Diligent service to God counts highest than routine commitment to transient chores.

Bible Reading in one Year: Exodus 39-40

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: You Are Coming Out Of It [Friday July 28, 2017]

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivered him from them all.’’ – Psalm 34:19

Your afflictions may be so many, but you shall be delivered from them all. No matter the attacks in your office, business, finances, marriage, health, or school, you are assured that it will turn out for your good. You are coming out in Jesus name.

We are told in the scriptures that Joseph was thrown into jail for an offence he did not commit. He refused to weep or lament but simply endured the pain and shame of prison life for many years until God brought him out. Do you remember that the man whose dream he interpreted in prison also forgot all about him? He didn’t throw in the towel because of that, like some of us would have done. He was not even angry with the man but kept trusting God until the set time when Pharaoh ordered that he be brought out of prison. He went to jail as a slave, but he came out prepared for the palace.

Just imagine what could have happened if he had refused to endure what he went through. Yes, maybe after an investigation, Potiphar his master may have discovered he never committed the crime he was accused of but he would have certainly missed the palace. That will not be your portion!

As you patiently await God to bring you out of that situation, ensure you stay in the word and in fellowship with God and the brethren. Give of your time talent and ability to the advancement of the gospel and grow the kingdom agenda. Stand your ground on the promises of God and they will come to pass in your life. As you continue to stand in faith trusting the Lord for that supernatural intervention, He will arise on your behalf and show you a token for good.

Further Reading: Genesis 39:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:10-11

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 46-48; Evening- Acts 28

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 Weapon That Tackles the Battles of Life [Friday July 28, 2017]

Scripture: For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod. – Isaiah 30:31

Thought For The Day: The Voice of God or Divine revelation is a weapon that tackles the battles of life.

We had previously established that one of the greatest assets of a person on earth is access to the Voice of God. The Voice of God is the secret of tranquility (Psalms 85:8). It is a weapon that tackles the battles of life.

Some time ago, a lady had chronic mouth ulcer that refused to heal despite medications. Then she slept one night and had a revelation where she saw herself chewing sugarcane.

When she woke up, she made a decision to chew sugarcane in that mouth ulcer condition as she saw in the dream. She went and bought sugarcane, chewed it and the ulcer dried up.

Now, the question is: does it mean that anytime someone has mouth ulcer, he or she should chew sugarcane? No! God showed the lady sugarcane as a solution to her own peculiar challenge.

Only God knew the mystery that could handle the satanic mystery behind that ulcer.

So, the Voice of God or Divine revelation is a weapon that tackles the battles of life; it connects you with Divine mysteries that can handle satanic mysteries.

To access the Voice of God, spiritual sensitivity is needed. Let us look at one of the secrets to maintaining sensitivity to God’s Voice.

Spirituality: Spirituality or spiritual intensity is key to spiritual sensitivity, and spiritual sensitivity is key to spiritual authority. When a person is spiritual – living a life of consecration, holiness, prayer, worship, giving, evangelism, etc., spiritual sensitivity is inevitable. Abraham could hear God because early devotion to God was his priority (Genesis 19:27). Your spirituality determines your sensitivity to God’s Voice. And the Voice of God is key to victory in battle.

Remember this: The Voice of God or Divine revelation is a weapon that tackles the battles of life.

Assignment(s):

1. Endeavour to be fervent in spiritual activities like praying, fasting, worshipping, soul winning, etc.

2. Expect God to speak to you directly or through His Word, revelation, dreams etc.

3. Refuse to be driven by sentiment and reject the operation of the flesh in your life.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: SECRETS OF SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY.

Prayer: O LORD, I receive the grace to access Your Voice. I am lost without Your direction. Lord, please lead me through life in Your Will, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 21:1 to 23:21, Romans 11:13 to 36, Psalm 22:1 to 18, Proverbs 20:7

Quote: Your spirituality is not for the purpose of luxury; your spirituality determines your immunity and affects your security. Culled from, 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: Over the course of just one day, our blood ‘runs’ the distance of 19,312 kilometres.

Today In History: 28/07/2001 – Australian Ian Thorpe became the first swimmer to win six gold medals at a single World Championship.

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: We’re Winning [Friday July 28, 2017]

Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. – Numbers 14:9

Thousands of years ago, God told the children of Israel to go up and occupy the land that He had given them. He told them to take it, by force and without fear, from the ungodly ones who were dwelling there.

He’s still saying that today. God is still trying to get us, as His people, to take the good land He’s given us. He’s still trying to get us to use the power He’s given us to run the wicked one out.

You see, this earth doesn’t belong to the devil. It belongs to God (Psalms 24:1). The devil has just moved in and taken control of things because we believers haven’t stopped him.

That is our job, you know. Jesus took Satan’s legal rights away from him on Resurrection morning. Then Jesus put us in charge of enforcing Satan’s defeat. The Scripture says that Jesus is going to sit at the right hand of the Father until His enemies are made His footstool (Hebrews 10:12-13). Do you know what that means? It means Jesus is waiting on us to kick the devil and his crew out of the affairs of this earth. He’s waiting on us to carry out the victory He won at Calvary and occupy this land.

But just like Israel had to rise up physically to take the land of Canaan, you and I have to rise up in the spirit if we’re going to establish the dominion of God in the earth. We’re going to have to get moving. We can’t do it sitting down!

Listen, you may not know it, but we’re at war. We’re in a spiritual battle—and we’re winning. In fact, if you realized what was already established in the spirit world, you’d laugh at the devil every time he showed his face.

So today if the devil has control of an area of your life or your church or your community, rise up in the spirit through faith and prayer and the Word and start taking that territory back. Don’t be afraid. His defense is departed from him. He has no weapon that can stand against you.

The Lord is with you. Rise up in the Name of Jesus and take back the land!

Scripture Reading: Exodus 14:10-31

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: Truth and Fiction [Friday July 28, 2017]

. . . make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. — Psalm 145:12

Some years ago I heard about a clergyman who had a friend who was an actor. The actor was drawing large crowds of people, and the clergyman was preaching to a few in the church. He said to his actor friend, “Why is it that you draw great crowds, and I have no audience at all? Your words are sheer fiction, and mine are unchangeable truth.” The actor’s reply was quite simple. “I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction.”

I fear that so often we Christians give the idea that the truth is fiction by the way we live and by the lack of dedication to the teachings of our Lord.

Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, I would completely yield my life to You, so that others may know that the Savior I love and serve is the truth!

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: The Father’s Love [Friday July 28, 2017]

Luke 15:20 “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

For this boy’s father to have seen him “a great way off” would imply that the Father had been eagerly awaiting his son’s return. Certainly, in the spiritual application of this parable, our Heavenly Father is longing to cleanse and receive the sinner, if he will just repent and come to Him for forgiveness.

Jesus was using this parable to rebuke the Pharisees for their harsh, self-righteous, unforgiving attitude towards sinners. The older brother in this parable was symbolic of the Pharisees. Like this brother, the Pharisees had not lived an outward life of rebellion and they thought that others who didn’t measure up to their standards were surely hated by God. But, “God so loved the world” and “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

Just as this older brother was self-centered and jealous, the Pharisees were not operating in the love of God towards sinners because they were so in love with themselves. They resented Jesus giving the sinners what the Pharisees thought they deserved.

If relationship with his father had been the real desire of the older brother, he would have rejoiced to see his father’s joy at the return of his son. The repentant prodigal son had learned the vanity of things and he had come home to a relationship with his father that neither he nor his older brother had known before.

The scribes and Pharisees, like the older brother, had gotten caught up in serving self through their religious actions. The publicans and sinners who repented were supplying their Father with what He really wanted – relationship.

Relationship with the Father was always available to the scribes and Pharisees, but they chose the temporal praise of men rather than relationship with God.

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: Forgiven! [Friday July 28, 2017]

Read: 1 John 1:1-10, Bible in a Year: Psalms 46–48; Acts 28

I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant. Psalm 119:176

My friend Norm Cook sometimes had a surprise for his family when he arrived home from work. He would walk through the front door, and shout, “You’re forgiven!” It wasn’t that family members had wronged him and needed his forgiveness. He was reminding them that though they doubtless had sinned throughout the day, they were by God’s grace fully forgiven.

The apostle John supplies this note about grace: “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin [no inclination to sin], we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7–9).

To “walk in the light” is a metaphor for following Jesus. Imitating Jesus with the Spirit’s help, John insists, is the sign that we have joined with the apostles in the fellowship of faith. We are authentic Christians. But, he continues, let’s not be deceived: We will make wrong choices at times. Nevertheless, grace is given in full measure: We can take what forgiveness we need.

Not perfect; just forgiven by Jesus! That’s the good word for today.

Prayer: Lord, I know I’m not even close to being perfect. That’s why I need You and Your cleansing in my life. I’m lost without You.

Monitor your heart daily to avoid wandering from God’s wisdom.

Insight:

In this passage we see how confession can restore our connection with God. We are assured that even when we make wrong choices, God will offer grace and forgiveness to the truly repentant.

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

Topic: Situation-Dependent Service [Friday 28, July 2017]

Memorise: And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? – Daniel 6:20

Read: Daniel 6:18-23 (KJV)

18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 5-6; Ezekiel 16:44-58, Hymn: Sing hymn 14: Take My Life

MESSAGE:

If your desire to see exploits from the Almighty God, you must know Him personally and believe that He is alive. Unfortunately, when some believers are going through very tough times, you will think that their God is dead. They lose their trust in God, just because they could not feel Him doing anything about their case while putting their trust in Him. Some of such people will no longer confess Him before men because they are afraid He might disappoint them. Hebrews 11:6 says that if you want anything at all from God, you must believe that He is alive and well. You must believe that He continues to exist and that He is in control. No matter how bad your situation may appear, God is still alive and He is in charge. Nothing happens in your life without His knowledge.

After Daniel was set up by some fellow leaders in the Government of King Darius, He was thrown into the lion’s den. What the king said to him while he was in the lion’s den is very instructive:

“And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” – Daniel 6:20

In other words, this king recognised that the God of Daniel was the living God. Do people know your God as the living God? Also, King Darius observed the quality of worship Daniel offered to his God. Daniel not only severed God in the times of plenty, blessings and answered prayers, but also in the times of persecution and unanswered prayers. If you truly want to see exploits, you must be ready to serve God continuously. Do you know that many people allow situations and circumstances to affect or determine when they serve God? Some people decide to down tools in God’s house just because a particular pending request has not been granted. Some even “threaten” God that if He doesn’t answer their prayer, they will stop pastoring, winning souls or doing some specific assignment that God has given to them. Can you truly threaten God? Is your love for God dependent on your situation in life? If you have downed tools in God’s service, repent and get back to doing the work that God gave to you!

Key Point: Although God can deliver His children from any unpleasant situation, He reserves the right to decide whether and when to deliver them or not, depending on what He wants to achieve from that particular situation.

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.