Topic: Out of the Deep [Wednesday July 26, 2017]

Read: 2 Samuel 22:17–20, Bible in a Year: Psalms 40–42; Acts 27:1–26

He reached down from on high and took hold of me. 2 Samuel 22:17

I scanned the water intently, on alert for signs of trouble. During my six-hour shifts as a lifeguard, I watched from the side of the pool to ensure the safety of those swimming. Leaving my post, or even becoming lax in my attentiveness, could have grave consequences for those in the pool. If a swimmer was in danger of drowning due to injury or lack of skill, it was my responsibility to pluck them from the water and return them to safety on the pool deck.

After experiencing God’s aid in battle against the Philistines (2 Sam. 21:15–22), David likens his rescue to being drawn out of “deep waters” (22:17). David’s very life—and that of his men—was in serious danger from his enemies. God buoyed David as he was drowning in disaster. While lifeguards are paid to assure the safety of swimmers, God, on the other hand, saved David because of His delight in him (v. 20). My heart leaps for joy when I realize that God doesn’t watch over and protect me because He’s obliged to but because He wants to.

Thank You, Lord, for seeing my struggles and standing ready to save me.

When we feel overcome by the troubles of life, we can rest in the knowledge that God, our Lifeguard, sees our struggle and, because of His delight in us, watches over and protects us.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for seeing my struggles and standing ready to save me. Help me to trust Your rescuing love more fully.

God delights in saving His children.

Insight:

As David’s years added up, his strength began to fail. Yet this was his chance to recall once again the many times the Lord had heard his cry for help and rescued him from trouble.

In the course of a wonderful—yet difficult—life, David knew the emotions of fear and adrenaline rush. As a young man, wild animals stalked his father’s sheep. Later there was the threat of Goliath, the murderous pursuit by Saul, and military battles on many fronts. In one of his last wars with the Philistines, David became exhausted. A Philistine thought this was his opportunity to kill the king of Israel. But one of David’s soldiers rushed to his side and killed the Philistine. It was a close call. After that, David’s men said, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished” (2 Sam. 21:17). God had been so faithful to David that his soldiers made the mistake of thinking that without him they themselves would be defeated by their enemies.

Do we need to learn as they did that rescue comes only from the Lord? Mart DeHaan

This message was written By Kirsten Holmberg [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

We’re all guilty of it at one point or the other, but if we want to have more control over our finances and make money work better for us, it is best to learn to avoid these common money mistakes that can have such detrimental effects on our finances.  Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 5 common mistakes people make when they travel.

Spending Money You Don’t Have Yet

You might be tempted to splurge on one or two things and tell yourself you’ll replenish the money with your next income, however when the income comes, you quickly realize other pressing commitments come up which you have to take care of. Ultimately, you end up overspending and being broke till the next paycheck comes. This will then put you in a tight and very uncomfortable financial position in the meantime and you might even end up borrowing to make ends meet; this is likely to launch you into a vicious cycle of debt (unless you’re able to discipline yourself enough to make the necessary sacrifices to get out of it).

Forgetting That Small Purchases Lead Up to Big Expenses

Spending N500 here for a biscuit, then another N500 there for an exotic drink, might not seem like such a big deal at first especially when chilling on vacation. If you continue spending that way for a week, you would have spent N2500 more than you budgeted for and, though little, it can easily become a significant amount of money if you continue spending that way for a month. Little purchases add up, and rather than spending money frivolously, you can be using it to take care of important expenses like groceries. Pay attention to your ‘little’ expenses, if not you’ll be surprised at just how big they can become.

Not Keeping an Emergency Fund

Never make this mistake because when these inevitable times come, they can leave you completely destabilized if you’re not adequately prepared for them. It is best to have some money saved in an emergency fund or bank account, which you can earn interest on, till an emergency occurs. On the bright side, if an emergency never occurs, you would have accumulated a significant amount of money that you can enjoy or re-invest wisely to make more money.

Spending More Than You Earn

You either spend less than you earn or earn more than you spend- this is the simple principle. Your spending should never be equal to your earning (because you need to keep some money aside for emergencies) or exceed your earning (because this can lead to debt and avoidable ‘gbese’). Living from paycheck to paycheck (that is, spending as much as you earn) or accumulating debt because you spend more than you earn, are very inconvenient ways to live. The importance of being disciplined with your spending cannot be overemphasized and you should make the necessary sacrifices or lifestyle changes to make your spending align better with what you earn.

Not Having an Allowance for Entertainment Spending

There really isn’t much more that can be said on this topic than for you to ensure you have a budget for your entertainment expenses, which you must be disciplined enough to strictly adhere to. One thing that can help in creating an efficient budget for your entertainment expenses, is to understand your entertainment needs and set up a budget based on that understanding. Discipline then comes in, to help you determine the things you can in fact do without and the things you have to do without because you can’t afford them. You can then comfortably settle at a middle point, setting aside an average range for your entertainment expenses that you’re more likely to adhere to.

By Damilola Ojo
 PR Associate Jumia Travel
+2348101556883

Topic: Accessing Divine Counsel [Wednesday 26, July 2017]

Memorise: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. – John 17:17

Read: John 17:15-17 (KJV)

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 2; Ezekiel 16:6-22, Hymn: Sing hymn 15: The Comforter Has Come

MESSAGE:

Access to divine guidance is one yardstick you can use to determine whether you are a sheep in the fold of Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd. This is very central to our walk with God, as it determines the status of our relationship with Christ. Amassing years in the faith is not as important as increasing the frequency of receiving divine guidance. This means that if you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour some 5, 10, 20 or more years ago, but still cannot easily be led by the Spirit of God on various matters, you are hardly growing spiritually. Romans 8:14 says,

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

A close walk with the Holy Spirit is the bedrock for receiving divine guidance. In John 16:13, Jesus clearly stated one major reason why the Holy Spirit was sent to the world. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and so it falls within the purview of His duties to guide you along the path of truth. If you have a knotty issue that cannot be unravelled, simply go to the Holy Spirit, and He will guide you aright. He operates in the realm of truth and not necessarily facts. Some people equate facts with truth but that is not often the case. Just as lies are a distortion of the facts, facts can sometimes be contrary to truth. Facts are observations that have been subjected to interpretations based on current knowledge, and because knowledge changes, facts can also change.

What then is truth? The Lord Jesus Christ answers this question in John 17:17:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

The word of God is truth. Also, the Godhead is an embodiment of truth. In fact, Jesus in John 14:6 declared:

“…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Truth is based on faith. If you will receive divine guidance, you must be prepared to walk in God’s path of truth. The truth is ever constant. God wants His children to walk with the truth and not necessarily by facts. When a child of God is ill for example, the fact is that there are physical signs and manifestations of the ailment on that individual, but the truth is that Jesus has already paid the price of the healing of every child of God. For this reason, the Bible says we walk by faith (truth) and not by sight (facts) (2 Corinthians 5:7). This means, you must be a person of faith. You must live by the truth and not contradict God’s word by your lifestyle. Also, you cannot be telling lies and expect the truth of God to be revealed to you. Choose to live by truth today.

Key Point: A liar cannot receive a revelation of the Truth until he or she is ready to dump falsehood.

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.

Use today’s devotional to deal with LITTLE THINGS concerning your destiny

Topic: Little Drops Wear Down Big Stones! [Tuesday 25 July, 2017]

(Song Of Solomon 2:7-17)

I remember that a Russian proverb says: “Little drops of water wear down big stones.” And also, I remember John Wooden who quipped: “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen!” Excellent! A friend recently told me a story about the power of little drops. Hear him:

“When I was going to bed after using my bathroom, I started hearing the sound of drops of water from the tap in slow successions. But, since it was dropping into an empty bucket, I decided to let it be. But, alas! When I woke up the next morning, around 5am, the bucket was almost full! I was surprised that just drops even in such slow successions could produce that much. I couldn’t help it; ‘Just drops?’ I questioned rhetorically. But the following night, I made sure that the tap in my bathroom was locked completely and I checked the bucket and saw that it was empty, though wet. Then I went to sleep. I guess you already know what I saw the next morning. The bucket was not wet as I had left it, but it was now dry! Then I realized the importance of drop and how much difference it can make in all ramification of one’s compared to a dry tap.”

Imagine letting the drops be for a year, he would be scooping with drums at the end of the year! So, how about that drop of savings? How about that drop of kindness and love everyday? How about a drop of reading useful books today and every day? How about that drop of a verse of the scriptures today and every day? How about that drop of prayer today and every day? How about a drop of worship today and every day? How about a drop of a step towards your God-given dream today and every day? How about the drop of your midnight prayer no matter how brief? How about a drop of giving into your heavenly account? What virtue and discipline will you start today in little drops?

No wonder, today’s scriptures talk about the power of little foxes. That little drop of lie, bitterness, fornication, adultery, discouragement, depression, can become your DISGRACE LAND! Never neglect the importance of drop or the little foxes that can destroy the vine of your destiny. Use today’s devotional to deal with LITTLE THINGS concerning your destiny.

GET AND GIVE OUT THIS ODM! NEVER MISS AN EDITION! When life ZIGZAGS, ODM creates SANITY!

Prayer Points: Take your best worship song now.

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

2. Holy Ghost, run a divine surgical operation concerning the following little foxes of my destiny ( Mention them).

3. Holy Ghost, show me any hidden little fox of my destiny.

4. No man or power shall delete my EVIDENCE this year in Jesus Christ name!

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

Get my new books: “Blasting Down Your Walls Of Jericho” and “My Womb Must Open By Fire” from any bookshop nationwide.

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

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

Topic: Overcome Evil With Good [Tuesday, 25th July 2017]

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

One thing we must understand in human relation is that we can’t control people’s actions toward us, but we can, hundred percent, control our reactions to their actions. This is very key to our peace of mind and emotional well being. Scriptures advise us that, if it is possible, as much as lieth in us, we should live in peace with all men (Romans 12:18). And you see, because we are believers, all things are possible to us, including living in peace with all men. Remember, in Hebrews 12:14(NLT) we are admonished to work at living in peace with all everyman. Peace with all men is a goal we must pursue.

But like I said, we can’t control the actions of people towards us. One thing I have come to expect from an unregenerated life or an unrenewed mind is act of evil. It is normal with them. And unless they are changed, they will keep on being evil. But you see, we must not, because someone does an evil act to us, attempt to do the same to him or her. If we do that, we are being defeated by that evil. And evil cannot triumph over us because we are full of good works. Any Christian that is still talking about taking revenge on someone who does him or her evil needs his or her heart renewed. That’s not the mind of Christ at work.

Check out Jesus on the cross. Crucified by the same people He came to save. They were even mocking and ridiculing Him. But instead of being overcome by their act of evil, He prayed to God not to hold their sins against them and He went ahead to pay for their sins. He did a good act to overcome their evil actions. This is what is expected of us when evil stares us in the face. Overcome evil with good works. With your good works, you are not only showing forth the praises of God, you are also showing the evil guy the best way to live his life. Let your good works put out the light of evil in the lives of people. Remember, you are in control of your reactions, and not their actions. Let your reactions change them from evil to good.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for showing me an example of how to overcome evil with good. I, by the working of Your Spirit in me, produces good works that overcome evil, when evil is done to me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Topic: The Cost of Discipleship [Tuesday July 25, 2017]

Luke 14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”

Luke 14:25-35

The parable of the man building a tower is a continuation of the teaching regarding what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus. This parable stresses commitment. “Jailhouse religion,” where a person is only sorry he got caught and is trying to get out of a bad situation, will not produce true discipleship. It takes a forsaking of all to be Jesus’ disciple. Jesus is simply saying, “count the cost.”

Jesus’ teaching on discipleship emphasizes commitment. Just as a king wouldn’t engage in war without thoroughly considering all the possible outcomes, so no one should attempt to become a disciple of Jesus without counting the cost. It would be better not to start following Jesus than to start and then turn back.

When a person first comes to Jesus, it is impossible to know everything that following Jesus might entail. No one, however, should be fearful of making a total commitment because of some imagined problem that may never come to pass. There should be a willingness to forsake everything to follow Jesus.

Once we make that decision, then Christ begins to live through us (Gal. 2:20) and we find a strength that is not our own, equal to whatever test we may encounter.

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: Sanctity of Marriage [Tuesday July 25, 2017]

How I need your help, especially in my own home . . . — Psalm 101:2 (TLB)

In the marriage ceremony, after the vows are said, the minister solemnly and reverently remarks, “What God hath joined together let no man put asunder.” Is not God the third part in a marriage? Should He not be taken into account in the marriage, and in the home that emerges from that marriage? If God joins the couple together at the outset, should not His presence be recognized in the home continually? Many homes are on the rocks today because God has been left out of the domestic picture.

With the clash of personalities in a domestic pattern, there must be an integrating force, and the living God is that Force! Many couples think that if they have a better home, get a better job, or live in a different neighborhood, their domestic life will be happier. No! The secret of domestic happiness is to let God, the party of the third part in the marriage contract, have His rightful place in the home. Make peace with Him, and then you can be a real peacemaker in the home.

Prayer for the day: In my relationships with those I love, help me to be a peacemaker, Lord. May I always look to You, the Prince of Peace.

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: God Prepares People [Tuesday July 25, 2017]

God is never haphazard, he prepares people for the assignment He has prepared for them.

Ever before your assignment is revealed to you, God keeps preparing you.

Even before you are born He takes you through different situation, phases and stages of life as part of the preparation.

This is to build in you the capacity for the assignment.

God will never assign you until He has prepared you.

Also, the phases of the assignment assume new level to the proportion of enhanced preparation. So, to keep preparing is to keep increasing your opportunities to serve

Topic: What We Bring Back [Tuesday July 25, 2017]

Read: Psalm 37:1–6, 23–27, Bible in a Year: Psalms 37–39; Acts 26

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.  Psalm 37:25

John F. Burns spent forty years covering world events for The New York Times. In an article written after his retirement in 2015, Burns recalled the words of a close friend and fellow journalist who was dying of cancer. “Never forget,” his colleague said, “It’s not how far you’ve traveled; it’s what you’ve brought back.”

Psalm 37 could be considered David’s list of what he “brought back” from his journey of life, from shepherd to soldier and king. The psalm is a series of couplets contrasting the wicked with the righteous, and affirming those who trust the Lord.

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” Psalm 37:23

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither” (vv. 1–2).

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand” (vv. 23–24).

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (v. 25).

From our experiences in life, what has God taught us? How have we experienced His faithfulness and love? In what ways has the Lord’s love shaped our lives?

It’s not how far we’ve traveled in life, but what we’ve brought back that counts.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for walking with me throughout my life. Help me to remember Your faithfulness.

As the years add up, God’s faithfulness keeps multiplying.

Insight:

Psalm 37 is an extended antidote to anxiety, even when there seem to be many reasons to fear. The psalm, sometimes classified as a wisdom psalm because of its insight into the realities of life, invites believers to have trust, peace, and contentment (vv. 3, 5, 7) even when it seems that evil has the upper hand (vv. 1, 7, 12, 14). We find peace through looking deeper than external appearances like wealth (v. 16). Evil may have power for a time, but it is self-defeating. It cannot last forever (vv. 10, 20, 22). It’s better to live with Him, who picks us up when we fall and holds us by the hand (vv. 23–24), than to surrender to evil (v. 16). A life with God means true peace, now and eternally (v. 18). Monica Brands

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

Topic: Don’t Let Your Faith Slip [Tuesday July 25, 2017]

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. – Hebrews 2:1

Something very serious has been happening to the Body of Christ. We’ve often let the things which we have heard—the message of faith and righteousness—slip.

I’m not just talking about those believers who’ve been so surrounded by religion that they’ve never heard about the power that’s theirs in Christ Jesus. I’m talking about those of us who have heard the Word and have known the thrill of living by faith.

In my own life, for example, there were times when I’d pray for healing. I’d say all the right words, “Thank God, I believe I receive…” and all that. But inside I’d be thinking, I wonder why God isn’t healing me?

You see, even though I’d said that I believed I was healed, I hadn’t really. I’d staggered at the promise of God, believing what my body told me instead of the Word of God.

I don’t care how long you’ve been a believer or how long you’ve been practicing the principles of faith. You can easily slip into unbelief about the promises of God. And, when you do, it will cost you dearly.

“But if slipping into unbelief is so easy,” you may say, “how can we avoid it?”

Hebrews 4:11 tells us: “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

We must labor! Not by working with our hands and feet or struggling to get God to do something, but by spending time in God’s Word—hanging on to the promises of God by faith day after day. We must labor by hearkening to the Word and refusing to let it slip.

Don’t get casual about the Word. Don’t make the mistake of thinking, Oh I know all that faith stuff. I know how to receive my healing. If you do, you’ll slack off and one of these days the devil will catch you unprepared and steal you blind.

Instead, dig more deeply in the Word than ever. Labor! Be diligent to keep your faith from slipping—and you won’t have to fall!

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:23-39

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.