Topic: Destroying the Divides [Monday July 3, 2017]

Read: Joshua 7:1–12, Bible in a Year: Job 25–27; Acts 12

I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction. Joshua 7:12

A writing deadline loomed over me, while the argument I had with my husband earlier that morning swirled through my mind. I stared at the blinking cursor, fingertips resting on the keyboard. He was wrong too, Lord.

When the computer screen went black, my reflection scowled. My unacknowledged wrongs were doing more than hindering the work before me. They were straining my relationship with my husband and my God.

By submitting to our loving Creator and Sustainer daily, we can serve Him and enjoy His presence.
I grabbed my cell phone, swallowed my pride, and asked for forgiveness. Savoring the peace of reconciliation when my spouse apologized as well, I thanked God and finished my article on time.

The Israelites experienced the pain of personal sin and joy of restoration. Joshua warned God’s people not to enrich themselves in the battle for Jericho (Josh. 6:18), but Achan stole captured items and hid them in his tent (7:1). Only after his sin was exposed and dealt with (vv. 4–12) did the nation enjoy reconciliation with their God.

Like Achan, we don’t always consider how “tucking sin into our tents” turns our hearts from God and impacts those around us. Acknowledging Jesus as Lord, admitting our sin, and seeking forgiveness provides the foundation for healthy and faithful relationships with God and others. By submitting to our loving Creator and Sustainer daily, we can serve Him and enjoy His presence—together.

Prayer: Lord, please help us recognize, confess, and turn away from our sin, so that we can nurture loving relationships with You and others.

God can purge our hearts of the sin that destroys our intimacy with Him and others.

This message was written By Xochitl Dixon [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Focused Asking [Monday 3, July 2017]

Memorise: I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. – Luke 11:8

Read: Luke 11:5-10 (KJV)

5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 12-13, Lamentation 4:2-18, Hymn: Sing hymn 4

MESSAGE:
[July 3 2017, Monday]
One of the conditions to be met before one’s burden is lifted is the need to see that burden as an anomaly. You must acknowledge the existence of the burden, and be willing to be helped, before you can be set free from it. In John 5:2-9, Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38 years, “Do you want to be made whole?” You may wonder why Jesus asked him such an obvious question. Why didn’t He just heal him straightaway? The truth is, not everyone wants to be helped. I have shared the story of a sick woman who I prayed for many time without results. Then one day, the Lord told me, “Ask her if she want to be healed”. Initially, I wondered what kind of question that was, but later I asked her, “Woman, do you want to be well?” To my utmost shock she replied, “No”. In my astonishment I asked her why not, and she said, “When I was well, immediately my husband closed from his work place, he would go to club houses, but since I took ill, after work, he comes home to me. I would rather be sick and retain my husband’s attention. “There is also the case of a witch who was brought to us for deliverance some time ago. Although we prayed, she would not be delivered. So, I asked, “Woman, do you want to be delivered?” She replied, “Do you want me to lose the power I use in controlling my husband? I don’t want to be free.” As long as you are not willing to let go of the burden on you, there is nothing God will do to take it off you. In any case, God does not force things on you against your will, except in very rare cases. Open Heavens 3 July 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Focused asking
In addition, you must be ready to cry to the Burden Bearer for help like Bartimaeus did in Mark 10:46-52. He cried once and again saying:

“Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

When others shouted him down, he raised his voice even higher. He kept calling until the Lord heard him. If you are weighed down by a burden and you pray lackadaisically, it simply shows that you are not really concerned about that burden. If you are, you will throw caution and decorum to the wind and call upon the Lord with your whole heart, and He will answer you. Some people call on God for a little while and stop. Such people may not get the answer they seek because they are not desperate enough. If you want results, call on Him and continue calling on Him. Use every opportunity you have to call on Him. Let Him see that you have resolved not to get Him rest until He answers you. When He sees that the answer to your prayers means everything to you, He will answer. As you call on Him this season, the Lord will answer you speedily in Jesus’ Name.

Key Point: If you are not ready to petition God repeatedly until He has no breathing space, you are not desperate enough for your desired change.

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.

Topic: Superiority of Vision to Professionalism [Sunday July 2, 2017]

While profession is for a while, vision is for a life time.

One could retire from his profession but vision keeps you busy and fresh all through life.

Profession is what you have or have to do but vision is what you are born and mandated to do.

Profession may bring you satisfaction but vision is what gives you fulfillment.

You could be frustrated in the pursuit of your profession and / or a career but you are ever inspired and gingered by your vision.

While profession is limited to a season of life, vision lasts a whole life time and even beyond.

Peter had a profession but Christ gave him a vision. So also was Paul, Moses, Gideon and several others.

A man’s profession may create for him some comfort but only vision can change the world around him.

Always fall in for vision rather than going for profession.

Don’t ever despise your profession but make it just secondary to vision.

Topic: Freedom of a Child [Sunday July 2, 2017]

Then little children were brought to Jesus, that He might put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But He said, Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven composed. — Matthew 19:13-14

Children seem to be able to make a game out of anything. They quickly adjust, don’t have a problem letting other children be different than they are, and are always exploring something new. They are amazed by everything!

Oswald Chambers wrote in My Utmost for His Highest: “The freedom after sanctification is the freedom of a child, the things that used to keep the life pinned down are gone.” We definitely need to watch and study children and obey the command of Jesus to be more like them (Matthew 18:3). It is something we have to do on purpose as we get older. We all have to grow up and be responsible, but we don’t have to stop enjoying ourselves and life.

Don’t let the world steal your confidence. Remember that you have been created on purpose by the hand of God. He has a special, unique, wonderful plan for you. Go for it! Don’t shrink back, conform, or live in fear.

Lord, I can’t be a child again, but I can have the freedom and the wonder of a child. I come to You as a child now, and I ask You to renew a childlike faith in me. Amen.

Prophetic Focus for July, 2017

My case is different greetings to you all in Jesus’ name. The month of June 2017 has been a most awesome month for us in this Commission as God delivered to everyone of us keys to operating in the supernatural by revelation and to God be all the glory!

In addition, we saw the good hand of God in the outcome of Operation Run agenda as God brought in multitudes of men and women into His kingdom across our churches worldwide resulting in supernatural multiplication to the glory of God.

But what is the Lord saying for the new month of July 2017?

As we all know:

• The purpose of every product is determined in the factory and not in the market
• It is God that has made us and not we ourselves (Psalm 100:3)
• We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 129:4)
• Therefore, our purpose on earth has been pre-determined from above (Jeremiah 1:5, Galatians 1:15)
• When one is saved, he steps into God’s predestination agenda (Ephesians 1:5-6)
• Redemption makes the believer a child of destiny (Romans 8: 29-30)

From scriptures, we discover that every believer has:

• A glorious destiny (2 Peter 1:3, Romans 8:29-30)
• An enviable destiny (Genesis 26:12-14, Galatians 4:28)
• A royal destiny (Revelation 5:10, Genesis 17: 5-7, Galatians 3:17)
• A prosperous destiny (Genesis 12:1-3, Galatians 3:13-14)
• A mountain top destiny (Deuteronomy 28:1, Matthew 5:13-16)

This is why believers are not permitted to live as destitutes.

• But vision is the spiritual access to our glorious destiny (Genesis 13:14-15, Proverbs 29:18)
• Walking in the center of God’s plan makes believers unstoppable, irresistible and unmolestable (Joel 2:1-8, Isaiah 48:21, Psalm 23: 1-6)

Furthermore, we understand from scriptures that we can access the plan of God for our lives through four major ways, among others:

• Through the Word of God (Isaiah 29:11-12, Psalm 119:105)
• Through Heavenly Vision (Joel 2:28-30, Acts 26: 19)
• Through identification of our unique giftings (Matthew 25: 14-30, Genesis 41: 15-16)
• Through the passion that burns within us as in Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:1-11, Nehemiah 5:1-14)

However, we must understand that God’s plan for every man only becomes accessible after one is born again. As it is written,

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” – Romans 8: 29-30

In light of the above, we should set ourselves for continuous access to God’s next levels plan as it relates to each of us through divine encounters with His Word this month.

Therefore, the prophetic theme for the month of July 2017 is:

I AM A CHILD OF DESTINY – Romans 8: 29-30

Recommended books of the month authored by me include:

• In pursuit of vision
• Understanding Divine Direction
• Understanding Vision
• The Breakthrough Power of Vision
• Remain ever blessed! Jesus is Lord!

BISHOP DAVID O. OYEDEPO

Topic: Be The Difference [Sunday, 2nd July 2017]

“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” John 2:4

In John 2, a couple was caught up in the most embarrassing situation in their lives. The day was supposed to be the most “happiest day” of their lives. They were getting married just like they dreamt they will, and it has been so much fun as there was a lot to eat  But unfortunately, the wine ran out. Some of the wedding guests have not drank enough, some might have not even tasted any wine. It was embarrassing that they had to inform Mary, whom I supposed was a relative. But guess what, they had the game changer amongst the guests. Jesus was there, and He was the difference between embarrassment and a wonderful wedding ceremony.

God created you to be the difference in people’s lives. God loves being the difference, the game changer. He loves being the talisman in the game of life. When the chips are down, He loves being turned to, just like Mary turned to Jesus during that wedding. But you see, God cannot be physically present here on earth to be the difference in the lives of people. That was why He made you to stand in His stead (2 Corinthians 5:20), to be the difference in the lives of people. When the chips are down, you are right there in the nick of time to turn things around.

Being the difference is providing leadership in times of despair and galvanizing people towards their God ordained destinies. Being the difference is offering solutions to challenges that seem mountainous. Being the difference is putting smiles in people’s faces through the show of God’s love to them. Being the difference is creating an atmosphere for your subordinates to thrive and be the best God wants them to be. Being the difference is remaining a blessing to your sphere of contact, etc. And to be the difference, you must continually take supplies of sap from the Vine – Jesus -through His Spirit (John 15:1-5, John 16:13-16). Be the difference.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for creating me to be a difference and a game changer in my sphere of contact. By the working of Your Spirit in me, I fulfil this mandate, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Topic: True Unity [Sunday July 2, 2017]

Love one another, as I have loved you. — John 15:12

As I study the subject of “separation” in the Old and New Testaments, I discover that the weight of Scripture lies in the direction of fellowship rather than separation. What is the great overwhelming evidence that we have passed from death unto life? It is love! Jesus Christ clearly was speaking of visible unity, such as can be seen by the world. His motive for praying was that the world might believe and the world might know. He prayed for unity among believers.

God, who wills man’s unity in Christ, is a God of variety. So often we want everyone to be the same—to think and speak and believe as we do. Many Scripture passages could be called to witness that love is the real key to Christian unity. In the spirit of true humility, compassion, consideration, and unselfishness, we are to approach our problems, our work, and even our differences.

How can you love someone who’s unlovable? Read Billy Graham’s answer.

Prayer for the day: In a world needing Your love, let me not judge those who love You too. You have made us all so different, Father. Teach me, by Your loving Holy Spirit, compassion and true unity.

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: Be Unreasonably Committed [Sunday July 2, 2017]

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. – Proverbs 4:7-9

If you really want to get the wisdom of God, you’ll have to do more than casually read the Scriptures a few minutes a day. You’ll have to feed on them night and day. You’ll have to get rid of the rubbish you’ve been feeding into your consciousness by reprogramming your mind with the Word of God.

“Oh, Brother Copeland,” you may say, “that’s unreasonable!”

Yes it is. But consider this: A music major in college practices for hours every day. Olympic skaters spend six to eight hours a day training for their routines. They do it because they’re unreasonably committed to their goals.

The same is true for you. If you’re going to achieve the kind of spiritual excellence you’re hungry for, you’re going to have to be unreasonably committed to the Word of God.

That may well mean that you’ll have to carry a tape player around with you everywhere you go. It may mean that you’ll have your razor in one hand and your tape player in the other or a tape player in one hand and a fork in the other.

Do whatever it takes to totally saturate yourself with the Word of God. I would speak to you no differently if I were your commanding officer about to send you into combat against the best trained elite troops of a savage enemy.

You are God’s frontline assault force. You have an enemy who is doing his dead-level best to destroy you. In this crucial, all-out, no-holds-barred offensive, Satan will dispatch hell’s choicest personnel to bring you down. If you’re going to make it through in victory, you’re going to have to put yourself in training.

Be unreasonably committed. Get wisdom.

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 1:7-33

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: Divine Wisdom – Your Lifejacket in Adversity [Sunday July 2, 2017]

Scripture: And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. 1 Samuel 18:14-15

Thought For The Day: It takes the mentality of God to handle the calamities of life.

The wisdom of God is required for survival in this wicked world. The reason is that wisdom is a shield of defence (Ecclesiastes 7:12). That is to say, it takes the mentality of God to handle the calamities of life.

To be wise, therefore, is to live; and to be foolish is to die (prematurely) – Ecclesiastes 7:17.

The truth of the matter is, there are people who died, not because of the strength of the devil but because of the gravity of their foolishness.

So, mentality guarantees longevity; mentality averts calamity and guarantees safety. If a person is ‘wise-less’, he or she is defenceless, and therefore, vulnerable.

Now, if wisdom is a defence, how is its preservation power administered on the one who possesses it?

1. Wisdom invites the Presence of God and invokes terror on the enemy (1 Samuel 18:14-15): There is a wisdom way to behave to make witches and wizards afraid of you.

2. Wisdom brings deliverance while foolishness brings destruction – Eccl. 9:15; Proverbs 10:21

3. Wisdom prolongs life while foolishness shortens life: Let me make this simple illustration: imagine someone driving at night without a functional headlamp and windscreen wiper while there is heavy downpour. He continues to drive in the middle of the road. Assuming a trailer is parked right at the centre of the road; the result will be a fatal collision. That is the result of foolishness, and it will never be your portion in Jesus’ Name.

So, foolishness facilitates premature death but wisdom guarantees longevity of life.

Remember this: It takes the mentality of God to handle the calamities of life.

Assignment(s):

1. Live in the Presence of God through uprightness, praise, worship and prayer.

2. Avoid the path of foolishness.

3. Get a copy of the book, “21 Foolish Things People Do” by Dr Paul Enenche.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: WISDOM KEYS FOR SURVIVAL (PART 1&2)

Prayer: LORD, baptise me with the Spirit of Wisdom. Help me to deploy wisdom in all I do for the guarantee of my safety and preservation in life, LORD in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: Strategy is superior to strength in life’s battles. Wars are fought on the battlefield, but they are won from the strategy room. Culled from BE WISE & RISE! By Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 20:1 to 22:2, Acts 21:18 to 36, Psalm 150:1 to 6, Proverbs 18:9 to 10

Amazing Fact: Neurons multiply at a rate of 250,000 neurons per minute during early pregnancy.

Today In History: 02/07/2001 – The AbioCor self-contained artificial heart was first implanted.

Prophetic Parental Blessing: I declare the blessing of the womb upon you; I declare that your life shall be a blessing to your generation in Jesus’ Name.

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: Choose To Function In The Word [Sunday July 2, 2017]

“And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee….” 1 Samuel 13:13

God raised Saul up out of nothing and chose him to be the first king of Israel when he never expected to be anything. Now, he was faced with a battle or a challenging situation and the pressure was mounting. The scripture says the Philistines gathered thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horse men and people like the sand on the sea shore. Because of this the children of Israel were in distress and they began to hide themselves in caves, in thickets, in rocks and in high places and in pits. And Saul tarried seven days according to the set time that Samuel has appointed to be with him in the battle. But Saul didn’t see Samuel and the people were scattered from him.

Saul told the people to bring burnt offering and he offered it. And as soon as he was done, Samuel came. And Samuel said what is this that you have done? And Saul said when I checked that you did not come at the time agreed and I realized that the people are scattered. The Philistines were coming against me and I have not made supplication, so I forced myself. In other words, he was not led by the spirit of God. He allowed his senses to dictate to him. Then Samuel said to Saul you have done foolishly. You have not kept God’s word, his instructions and directives as a king that God has raised. He said to him: you should have obeyed God and put things in motion for God to respond to you.

Beloved, do not allow the devil to intimidate you into functioning in foolishness rather than in the will of God. When you do that you are going to fall for the enemy. But if you function in the will of God, no matter how many they are, they will fall before you.

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 13:1 – 23, Proverbs 21:16

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Job 22-24; Evening- Acts 11

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.