Topic: The wisdom of action (part 1) [Tuesday July 4, 2017]

Faith is the key to daily victories and the process of faith expression begins with what you see. As you see it you begin to think it and as you think deeper and deeper you naturally become stronger in your utterance.

There is a connection between your eyes, your mind, your mouth, and your feet. When your eyes see it, your mind will think it and them your mouth will begin to speak it. And you know, your utterances have the power to terminate stagnation. You can never be stagnated while speaking. People who speak will always end up at the peak because they are always on the move. It is what you say that supplies speed, strength and motion to your feet. So, your utterance is the fuel to your feet. But beyond that, you must begin to take steps. So, the fourth expression of faith is action. And action means taking steps contrary to your physical situations or circumstances. The devil is a coward, he keeps telling you from afar off, “Don’t take that step, don’t write that exam, you will fail!” But nothing threatens him like your action. So, if you have been planning, talking and thinking of starting a business, go and start! If satan tells you, “Don’t start that business, you will fail”, start first and let it fail. If it fails the first time, rise up and start again. Those who fear will fall, but those who act will stand.

Action is God’s wisdom for the final possession of your inheritance. The woman with the issue of blood got her miracle just by action. After she heard of Jesus, she said in her heart, “If I may but touch the helm of his garment, I shall be made whole.” And as she said that, she began to take steps. Despite her weakness, she pressed through the crowd and touched the hem of His garment and Jesus said to her, “Be it unto you according to your faith.”

Continue from part 2 tomorrow

Topic: Confrontation Can Be Loving [Tuesday July 4, 2017]

If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. — Matthew 18:15

When Dave and I got married, I was a nightmare to get along with. I just wanted to stay in control because I thought that was the only way I could keep from being hurt. Plus I have a pretty aggressive personality to begin with, so that combined with a lot of dysfunction in my background did not make me a very nice woman.

Dave, on the other hand, is a real peace-lover and very easy to get along with. For a lot of years, he went about being happy and didn’t really say too much to me while I acted badly. I believe God gave him extra patience with me because He knew the hurt I had in my life. Sometimes God calls us to put up with some things for a while, while we are praying and waiting on Him. To be honest, if Dave had confronted me in the first month we were married I would have just left him because I didn’t know any better. So there was a purpose in God not asking him to confront me right away. But you need to confront when God tells you to.

After a few years, God showed Dave it was time to confront me. Dave explained to me, “God has dealt with me that I can no longer let you get by with talking to me the way you do and acting the way you do. You’re not going to get everything your way, and things must change.” And they did. It took time, but little by little, I changed.

I was very angry when Dave confronted me. But by then I was loved by Jesus enough and I knew enough of His Word to know that Dave was right—I knew that my behavior was wrong—but if he would have never confronted me, even though I knew that it was wrong, I don’t know if I would have ever changed. So sometimes you are not doing somebody else a favor by not confronting them. It was the right thing for Dave to do for me. And even though I didn’t like it and I got mad, Dave was right to listen to God. And we are doing the work we do today because of it.

Trust in Him: Confrontation is usually not easy for the one doing the confronting, or the one being confronted, but it is an important part of spiritual growth. Follow God’s lead and confront when He shows you it is time, and do it in love!

Forgiveness is the one power you always have over the person who hurt you. Lincoln said, “The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”

Topic: How Heavy Is Your Bag?

(Matthew 18:15-22).

A University teacher told his class students to each bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes. The lesson was that for every one they refused to forgive, he told them to choose a potatoe, write on it the name and date and put it in the plastic bag. Some of the bags as you can imagine were quite heavy. He then told them to carry this bag with them everywhere for one week, putting it aside their beds at night, on the car seat when driving, etc. The hassle of lugging the bag around made it so clear what a weight they were carrying. Naturally after a while, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a foul smell.

The teacher then told the class that it was a clear picture for the price we pay for keeping our pain and carrying every worry done to us in our hearts. According to Dr. Redford Williams, the stress hormone CORTISOL which fuels anger, literally tears blood vessels, causing damage to your arteries. Continous anger against yourself or anyone else, prevents the healing process from taking place! So once the damage is done, a single bout of rage can trigger a fatal heart attack. Forgiveness is the one power you always have over the person who hurt you.

Lincoln said, “The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.” Lewis Smedes wrote: “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” George Herbert told his son: “He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.” Won’t you need forgiveness from God or man someday? Then construct that bridge now! Forgive that betrayal! Forgive that injustice! Forgive that deliberate offence!

Don’t carry a LUGGAGE God has not given you! Let go and let God! No matter how 2017 has been, I prophesy: An enemy will STUMBLE concerning you and you will be mightily announced by your God as an EVIDENCE that He is not partial in Jesus Christ name! Amen! See and use the new page called: “FAITH BOOSTERS.” See Page 34 daily!

Help someone to do the upcoming fast. Give out this ODM edition and “WAH -12” booklet as SPECIAL July gift items for weddings, anniversaries, dedications, birthdays etc to bless a soul. CHILDREN ODM and NEW ODM CARTOON are available nationwide.

Prayer Points: Take yourbest worship song now.

1. Pray about today’s word seriously as led.

2. I refuse every SATANIC LOAD! Cancel all demotion plans fashioned against your life, family and ministry.

3. Lord, show me mercy every second of every day! I release FORGIVENESS to the following (Mention him/her).

4. Pray any other prayer as led. Pray about today seriously! CANCEL DEMOTION again and LOSS OF FAVOUR!

If you need deliveranc, 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: The Single Life

Dear Reader,

Welcome to another exciting moment in God’s presence in Jesus’ Mighty Name! In this glorious month, I will be sharing with you an important subject titled “The Single Life.”

No matter the weather condition – rainy, cloudy, snowy or sunny, the sun is never static. It keeps moving, whether we can see it or not, until it arrives at its pre-determined course in the West. In the same vein, everyone born of a woman is designed to also live according to the seasons of life. Everything on earth is designed to function according to times and seasons, according to the Word of God. To everything there is a season… (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Remember, life is in phases and as long as the earth remains, the different seasons of life shall continually be in force. Therefore, for you to fulfill destiny, you must have a good understanding of the season that you are in per time and possess a working knowledge of the demands, benefits and privileges of same.

The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines singles as “people who are not married and do not have a romantic relationship with somebody else.” The state of singleness has also been described as a state of someone being unmarried, divorced, separated from spouse, or widowed.

To be single means to be a whole, distinct and successful individual, capable of initiative and having the capacity to contribute to and enrich another person’s life. Adam and Eve were created as singles before marriage was ever instituted (Genesis 2:7, 20-21). What a beautiful scenario it would have been for them! Imagine it for a moment! Adam was created, given an assignment to keep, dress the garden and name all the creatures on earth. He was alone but not lonely and life was beautiful as far as he was concerned. God only decided to create Eve as a help-meet and not because Adam’s life lacked meaning. Also, Eve was first created as a single individual before she was brought to Adam.

Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus was single, successful and uniquely different from others in his days. He was so peculiar and positively different that God found him worthy that Jesus should come to the world through his lineage (Matthew 1:18-25). May God find you worthy as well!

Remember the four Hebrew boys: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 1:7) were singles who demonstrated the beauty of singleness in a grand style. They were so much outstanding that they were ten times better than all the others. Daniel, in particular, was said to be preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him (Daniel 6: 3).

Timothy was Apostle Paul’s son in the faith (1Timothy 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:1-2). As a man in his single years, he had an ‘unfeigned faith.’ He was one of Paul’s missionary co-workers. He grew to become one of the greatest church leaders. History has it that he was the first Bishop in the New Testament. What an accomplishment!

Think of the four daughters of Phillip, the evangelist, who was one of the first seven Deacons of the early church (Acts 21:8-9). These four ladies were in their single years. Interestingly, the Bible specifically recorded that they were virgins and did prophesy. What a gift they were and still are to the body of Christ!

Titus, Lydia, Phoebe, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, among many others demonstrated the beauty of singleness by their outstanding accomplishments while single. You are the next on the line!

Then, consider Jesus our perfect example. Even though He was on a special divine assignment, He fulfilled His mission as a single person.

Come to think of it, everyone that is married was once single. Every career fellow, businessman or woman, parent, etc was once or is still single. Little wonder then, that the single years are the foundation for a glorious and secure future.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this stage of life in your quest for an eventual successful future as well as married life. The more auspicious you are as a single person, the better your chances of thriving in your future life and marriage subsequently.

Look at this testimony:

“I was living a sinful life, chasing after girls and indulging in fornication before I gave my life to Christ in this church. I came to Lagos to visit my sister from Igarra in Edo State. The first time I came here, I came with my sister who incidentally is a member of the Winners Chapel. That was the day I gave my life to Christ.

When I was in the Orthodox Church, I was really a problem to my family. I used to go out in the evenings and late at night to visit my friends. However, now that I am born again, the time that I used in visiting people, I use it to study the Bible. The stories I’ve read and learnt from the Bible, I use to preach the Word of God to my friends who were still in the world, and today many of them have given their lives to Christ.” – Akerele, K.

The power to live a holy life can only be given to you by God when you are born again. You become born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this simple prayer of faith with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, congratulations, you are born again! You are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21). With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name. Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Topic: Religious Freedom [Tuesday July 4, 2017]

Fear God and honor the government. — 1 Peter 2:17 (TLB)

On this Independence Day we should be on our knees thanking God for all He has given us. The United States is a country in which everyone has an equal opportunity. Thank God for a country where there is no caste or class to keep a man from going to the top. If a man has a will to work and study, he can go ahead regardless of his background. In addition, thank God, He has given us freedom of religion. Whatever you may believe, no one can close your church because your religion does not coincide with his. A few people meeting in a small, out-of-the-way shack, worshiping God as they believe in Him, have the same right to religious freedom as the people who worship God in the great cathedrals on the avenues of our greatest cities.

Prayer for the day: Thank You, God, for allowing me to live in the greatest, grandest, and most free land the world has ever known.

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: Freedom from Temptation [Tuesday July 4, 2017]

Luke 10:19 – “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

LUKE 10:19

Although these are examples of God’s protection from harm caused by the physical creation, this scripture is also speaking of mastery over the spiritual realm of the enemy (i.e., Satan). This Scripture does not say that Satan cannot inflict any harm. The scriptures abound with examples, and warnings of the enemy’s damage on the godly and the ungodly alike (2 Cor. 2:11, 2 Tim. 2:26, 1 Pet. 5:8-9). However, he cannot harm us when we are walking in faith in Christ’s redemptive work.

There are no unique temptations. The devil likes to make us think there are. If he can convince us that no one understands, no one has ever had this problem before, then he can isolate us and take away our hope. But any temptation we face is just some variation of the same old thing. It may come in a different sized box, be wrapped in a different paper, and have a different bow, but the contents are the same. Understanding this diffuses much of the power of temptation.

Even though temptation is universal to mankind, we are not left on our own. God is faithful. Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, and yet He overcame every time (Heb. 4:15). Part of His ministry is to specifically aid us in overcoming temptation (Heb. 2:17-18). Most of us have experienced times when we thought we couldn’t resist another minute. Either we were wrong, or we were on the verge of a breakthrough. The Lord promised that He would not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to bear. So, at those times when you can’t stand another minute, stand two and this promise will pull you through.

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)

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Entering Into Your Rest. Pt Three [04/07/17]

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33. Read: Matt 11:28-30

In Hebrews 4:8, the Bible says, For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. The writer of Hebrew was actually saying that, if God had given rest to our fathers in time past, there wouldn’t have been rest for us. Jesus is the author of eternal rest for the soul of man. Rest also signifies peace of mind which is the third in the fruits of the Spirit. Gal 5:22. According to Jesus Christ, we’re living in a troubled world. A world devoid of peace. A world full of violence, wickedness and evil. Only in Jesus can you find lasting peace and rest because He has overcome this world full of troubles. Many today try to avoid the reality and in search of peace, protection and rest take to alcohol, drug, smoking, illicit sexual activities and all kinds of inhuman practices that separate a man from his Maker. All of the above would only multiply your sorrows because seeking after them is seeking after other gods. They can’t give you satisfaction, they would rather separate you from the Satisfier – Jesus Christ.

Hence, in our Bible reading, Jesus gave a free offer of everlasting rest to all that want to be free from the endless labour in this world and the everlasting damnation in hell. Like He asked the man at the pool, “Do you want to be healed”?, He is asking you now,” Do you want to enter into your rest”? Peace and rest in this world belong to those who will go to Jesus and surrender their lives. The choice is yours.

#BiblePromisesThought

* Only in Christ alone, your hope of peace and all-round rest is found.

Topic: Stop Celebrating Disobedience [Tuesday July 4, 2017]

“But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.” 1 Samuel 15:21

Samuel was grieved about Saul and he cried to the Lord all night. That is the sign of a good shepherd. It grieves his heart when he sees disobedience being celebrated in the midst of his flock.

When Saul finally saw Samuel after the war against the Amalekites, he said to him I have done all that God said I should do. Samuel replied and said if you have done all that God said, who is the owner of this slippers? You claim to have done all God said but your tithe record is betraying you. You claim to have done all God said but I can see you and your husband are not on talking terms.  Saul said to Samuel we have brought these ones to make sacrifice to God. These ones are too good to be destroyed. They are good to be used for the service of the Lord. That wasn’t the instruction. But the instruction is to wipe out everything.

Saul’s excuse sounds spiritual but it is really not spiritual. It sounds like it, shouts like it, dances like it but there is no atom of obedience. The Lord is not interested in what you are saying. The question is, are you obedient? Anyone can profess to be a Christian but how obedient are we? Your secular job is not your vocation. Your real vocation here on earth is to serve the Lord. God spoke to Moses concerning the children of Israel while they were still in slavery and said to bring them out of the land of Egypt that they may serve me. The reason God saved you is to serve him. That is your full time job on earth. Therefore, in your work place you are an apostle for God.

Beloved, there are things that we do not need to pray about. All we need to do is just to obey and key into it.

Further Reading: Isaiah 1:19 John 2:1-10

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Job 28-29; Evening- Acts 13:1-25

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.