Topic: Time Management [Thursday July 27, 2017]

Time management is life management.

Failure to manage time is life failure, because life is measured within frame of time.
Wasting time is damaging life.

Don’t expose your life to time wasters because they are life damagers.

Life is allotted in time frames.

Allowing time to pass is allowing life to pass.

Letting go of time is letting go of life.

Letting time slip off is letting life slip off.

Have firm control of time to gain firm control of life.

Topic: Common People with Uncommon Goals [Thursday July 27, 2017]

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]. — Ephesians 3:20

God uses common, ordinary, everyday people who have uncommon goals and visions. That is what I am—just a common, ordinary person with a goal and a vision. But just because I am common and ordinary does not mean that I am content to be average. I don’t like that word. I don’t want to be average. I don’t intend to be average. I don’t serve an average God, therefore, I don’t believe I have to be average—and neither do you.

Average is basically okay. It is not bad, but it is also not excellent. It is just good enough to get by, and I don’t think that is what God wants us to be. I believe that any common, ordinary, everyday person can be mightily used by God. I believe that we can do great and mighty things—things that will amaze even us—if we believe that God can use us and if we will be daring enough to have an uncommon goal and vision. And what I mean by uncommon is something that doesn’t make sense to the mind. We have to believe God for it.

In Ephesians 3:20 we are told that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond all that we could dare to hope, ask, or think, according to His great power that is at work in us. God does it through us according to His power, but it is done through us, so we have to cooperate. That means we need to be daring in our faith and in our prayers. Some of us are not believing for enough. We need to stretch our faith into new realms. We need to be uncommon people with uncommon goals.

Topic: Be Separate [Thursday July 27, 2017]

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. – 2 Corinthians 6:17

We’re surrounded by a world which is ruled for the most part by Satan. How can we avoid getting caught up in it? How can we stand apart?

You’ll find the answer in John 17:17. There Jesus was speaking to the Father about all those who would believe on Him. “Sanctify them through thy truth,” He says. “Thy word is truth.” Sanctify means “to separate unto.” So Jesus was saying, “Separate them by the Word.” The Word separates!

When you initially believed the Word of God, you were born again. You were separated spiritually from the kingdom of darkness and separated to the kingdom of Light. Now that’s where a lot of people stop. They let the Word of God do its initial separating work and then go right on living like everyone else. Spiritually, they’re still separated from death. But physically and mentally, they’re up to their necks in it. They’re poor. They’re sick. They’re worried. They’re confused. They’re upset. In other words, they’re just like everyone else in the world.

But if you’ll give the Word of God first place in your life, it will continue to separate you from the poverty and the anxiety and the sickness and the hatred and the darkness of your old habitat.

There’s something else that the Word of God will do for you too. It will not only separate you from the things of this world, it will separate you unto the things of God.

You can’t simply separate yourself from any old destructive habit without separating yourself to something else. You can’t turn away from the things of the world unless you turn unto something stronger. I’m telling you, you can scream and squall and kick the altar bench and everything else trying to get rid of the sin in your life. You can cry, “Dear God, take this sin away from me.” But all the begging in the world won’t separate you from your sin. It’s the Word that does it!

Make a decision to give the Word first place in your life. Make it a quality decision, a decision from which there is no retreat. Lock in to the Word and let the Word do its work. Let it separate you from the things of the world and to the things of God.

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

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: Grateful Heart [Thursday July 27, 2017]

Text: Luke 17:11-19

Key Verse: “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God” (Luke 17:15).

The story is told of one Allen Gardiner, a missionary who drowned in a boat accident as he rowed out for a missionary journey. His body was found near his capsised boat along the seashore. The entries in his diary revealed a catalogue of the miseries he experienced all through the journey – hunger, deprivations, suffering and persecutions.

Yet, his last entry read thus: “I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God”. Now that is a gorgeous heart focusing on God’s blessings exclusively. Sadly, today such hearts are in short supply. Ostracised, the ten lepers had no choice but to flock together. Desperate, determined and in dire need of restoration, they pleaded passionately for attention when the Saviour showed up. They received healing in a dramatic reversal of rules by the Master. Nine of them, all Jews obviously in a celebratory frenzy headed home thoughtlessly.

Only one, a Samaritan returned to worship God in a stunning show of brokenness and gratitude. Christ took notice, confirmed and perfected his healing. Sin, like leprosy of old, still isolates man from having fellowship with God and his saints. All sinners must desist from transgression. Just like the ten lepers, they should passionately call on God and plead for mercy. Christ is the solution to Satan’s nature of sin. Forgiveness is offered by His mercy. Those who have been cleansed must constantly guard against contamination from the present evil world.

Salvation comes at a huge cost, but Christ picked up the bill. We must constantly reflect that light of God in us. Soul-winning is vitally necessary as proof of our appreciation of God’s tender mercies towards us. A daily life of praises and thanksgiving garnishes our relationship with God in no small measure.

Thought for the day: A grateful heart is a glorious haven.

Bible Reading in one Year: Exodus 37-38

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: The Voice of God – Man’s Greatest Treasure [Thursday July 27, 2017]

Scripture: The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. Psalms 29:4

Thought For The Day: To be out of touch with the Voice of God is to be lost on the journey of destiny.

The Voice of God is the compass for life and destiny. That is why one of the greatest assets on earth is access to the Voice of God. Access to the Voice of God was behind the making of principal people in Scripture. For instance, Moses heard the Voice of God, the patriarchs heard the Voice of God, and that Voice became an asset in their lives’ journey on earth.

God can speak audibly to a person or through His Word (The Bible). God also speaks through dreams, revelations, visions etc. Whenever God speaks, change is guaranteed.

What then is in the Voice of God?

1. The Voice of God is the activator of destiny: Abraham was almost a destitute until God’s Voice came (Genesis 12:1). So, to be out of touch with the Voice of God is to be lost on the journey of destiny.

2. The Voice of God is the container of power: God’s Word is pregnant with power (Psalms 29:4). When the Word comes, it empowers a person unto fulfilment. You cannot be connected to God’s Voice and be a weakling in life.

3. The Voice of the Lord is a weapon for the battles of life: One of the weapons for the battle of life is Divine revelation. One revelation from God by His Voice can collapse your enemy (Isaiah 30:31).

Beloved, please do all you can to hear from God in every area of your life.

Remember this: To be out of touch with the Voice of God is to be lost on the journey of destiny.

Assignment(s):

1. Study the Word of God daily and consistently; you will hear His Voice in His Word.

2. Determine to love and know God more (1Cor. 2:9-10)

3. Acknowledge God in all you do and seek His direction (Proverbs 3:5-6).

4. Trust Him for direction before you take any step in life (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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

Prayer: LORD, open my ears to hear Your Voice. Open my eyes to see the revelation in Your Word and give me the grace to obey You always, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: God speaks to people who think, not people who worry. Culled from, 10 PRINCIPAL SECRETS OF PRINCIPAL PEOPLE by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 19:1 to 20:37, Romans 10:14 to 11:12, Psalm 21:1 to 13, Proverbs 20:4 to 6

Amazing Fact: A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.

Today In History: 27/07/1921 – Researchers at the University of Toronto, led by biochemist Frederick Banting, proved that the hormone insulin regulates blood sugar.

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: Give and Take [Thursday July 27, 2017]

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. — Ephesians 6:24

Certain relationships in life require from the parties involved only moderate degrees of devotion. A certain degree of reserve and distance seems to be suitable in such relations as these. But there are other relationships in life where all this is changed when friendship becomes love. Two hearts give themselves to each other to be no longer two, but one. Instead of being separated, their interest and paths are now together. The reserve and the distance suitable to mere friendships is fatal in real love.

Love gives all and must have all in return. The wishes of the other party become binding obligations; and the deepest desire of each heart is to know every secret wish and longing of the other, in order that it may do all in its power to gratify those desires. Is that the kind of love, affection, and obedience you have for Christ?

“The whole Bible is a love story,” Billy Graham once said. Hear more in this 1-minute clip.

Prayer for the day: Jesus, I say I love You and yet so often it is a selfish, “taking” love. Let me love You in such a way that Your desires will be mine.

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: Negatives Become Positives [Thursday July 27, 2017]

Luke 15:18 “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.”

LUKE 15:18-19

This is a good example of true repentance. This son did not claim any goodness of his own or try to justify his actions, but he humbled himself and appealed to the mercy of his father. Likewise, we cannot approach God in self-righteousness, but we have to humble ourselves, put all of our faith in a Savior, and turn from our wicked ways (2 Chr. 7:14). That is true repentance.

Repentance is a necessary part of salvation. Repentance may include godly sorrow, but sorrow does not always include repentance. Repentance is simply a change of mind accompanied by corresponding actions.

There is a godly type of sorrow and an ungodly type of sorrow. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. Ungodly sorrow, or the sorrow of this world, just kills.

Our culture has rejected all “negative” emotions. But God gave us the capacity for these negative emotions and there is a proper use of them.

People should feel bad about sin. There should be sorrow over our failures. However, this sorrow should lead to repentance, then when forgiveness is received, our sorrow should be cast upon the Lord (Isa. 53:4).

The sorrow experienced by those who do not turn to God produces only death.

They grieve over their situation because they don’t turn to God (that’s repentance). Christians should only have sorrow until they repent. Once repentance has come, we need to appropriate the forgiveness and cleansing that are already ours through Christ (1 Jn. 1:9). The positive change that our sorrows led us to, changes our attitude towards the things that caused us sorrow. Negatives become positives through Jesus.

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: Sweet Company [Thursday July 27, 2017]

Read: John 14:15–26, Bible in a Year: Psalms 43–45; Acts 27:27–44

The Spirit of truth . . . lives with you and will be in you. John 14:17

The elderly woman in the nursing home didn’t speak to anyone or request anything. It seemed she merely existed, rocking in her creaky old chair. She didn’t have many visitors, so one young nurse would often go into her room on her breaks. Without asking the woman questions to try to get her to talk, she simply pulled up another chair and rocked with her. After several months, the elderly woman said to her, “Thank you for rocking with me.” She was grateful for the companionship.

Before He went back to heaven, Jesus promised to send a constant companion to His disciples. He told them He would not leave them alone but would send the Holy Spirit to be in them (John 14:17). That promise is still true for believers in Jesus today. Jesus said that the triune God makes His “home” in us (v. 23).

The Lord is our close and faithful companion throughout our entire life. He will guide us in our deepest struggles, forgive our sin, hear each silent prayer, and shoulder the burdens we cannot bear.

We can enjoy His sweet company today.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for giving us Your Spirit as our constant companion.

The Christian’s heart is the Holy Spirit’s home.

Insight:

When Jesus talks about the coming of the Holy Spirit, He says the Spirit will live with us and be in us (John 14:17). However, it is the effect of the Spirit being in us that is truly surprising. Instead of saying the Spirit will know us, Jesus says we will know Him! What a thought—we can know the God who knows us and makes His home in us. J.R. Hudberg

This message was written By Anne Cetas [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: It Is Finished [Thursday July 27, 2017]

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, it is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30 (KJV)

I encourage you today to begin to see yourself as God sees you so that you can truly rule and reign in life. For so long, many believers have lived as if God was waiting around the corner with a hammer watching to see if they would make a mistake. This has robbed many of the joy and liberty of the Christian life.  I come to declare to you that what Christ did for you at Calvary was completely complete and perfectly perfect.

You must believe in this revelation and receive it because it is only then that you will be empowered to function here on earth. I am tired of believers living their lives as if sin is more powerful than what Jesus did for us on the cross. On the cross Jesus bore your sins past, present and future and declared with a loud voice – IT IS FINISHED. In other words, I have paid the supreme price once and for all time. God no longer sees you as a sinner. He now sees you in Christ. There is no point cringing and crying for hours and pleading for mercy when you have already been forgiven. Don’t you ever forget that the Father poured out His wrath on His only begotten Son and He has no more wrath to pour on you. The devil no longer has power to condemn you. You are free and free indeed.

Beloved, I know you still make mistakes every now and then, but that does not make you a sinner. Remember that the fact that you passed through a garage does not make you a car. In the same token, falling into one sin or the other does not make you a sinner. Understand that you can never get rid of sin in your life through your own effort or your own resolutions. But when you see yourself the way God sees you, then the Holy Ghost works in you to change you into what you are seeing.

Further Reading: John 19:28-30, 2Corinthians 3:16-18, 5:17-21

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 43-45; Evening- Acts 27:27-44

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: Wholeness is Possible [Thursday 27, July 2017]

Memorise: And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. – Luke 17:19

Read: Luke 17:12-19 (KJV)

12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 3-4; Ezekiel 16:23-43, Hymn: Sing hymn 5 – The Great Physician

MESSAGE:

After reflecting on the goodness of God, David wrote in Psalm 103:1:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

The lame man in Acts 3:1-8 must have taken a cue from David in praising God. After his burden of 40 years was lifted, he praised God in a very dramatic way, just like David did in times past. When David praised God, his entire body was fully involved. He went to such great extents as removing his royal robes and dancing before God like one of his subjects (2 Samuel 6:14-16). He was used to leaping in praise and honour of the Most High. Have you ever leaped to give God praise?

After God has lifted your burden, in addition to praising Him, you can give Him generous thanks – not the kind of thanks that has to be squeezed forcefully out of you. Thank Him from a heart overflowing with gratitude. Some people are just too stingy! Not only do they find it difficult to give God a good offering from what He has already provided for them, they also find it difficult to give Him thanks. What such people fail to realise is that stinginess has never helped the stingy. What you hoard will go stale, become useless or be lost. Give God thanks and do it with a heart full of gratitude.

Moreover, if you give God quality thanks, you will definitely receive something in return. In other words, when God does something for you and you thank Him generously, He becomes so impressed that He gives you something else in addition to what precipitated your thanksgiving. When all is said and done, you end up with double blessings. Those who give shabby thanks or do not give thanks at all cannot get a second blessing, and if care is not taken, they may even lose their initial blessing to the devil. If you look at the example of the 10 lepers who were healed by the Lord Jesus Christ in today’s Bible reading, you will discover that thanksgiving opens the door to a very special blessing: wholeness! This is a type of blessing that no gate of hell can prevent. When God makes you whole, everyone will know about it. Wholeness is the height of restoration. It is a return to the original state you were in before a burden was placed on you. As you thank God from today, you shall receive the blessing of wholeness in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, as I thank and worship You today, please make me whole.

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.