Topic: Power In The Name Of Jesus [Monday July 3, 2017]

Luke 10:17 – “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”

LUKE 10:17

It was the power in the name of Jesus plus the disciples’ faith in that power that made the demons subject unto them. This can clearly be seen in Acts 19:13-17 where certain Jews called on the name of Jesus in an effort to cast demons out of a man. They used the name of Jesus, but it didn’t work because they had not put faith in that name.

These Jews were itinerants who used incantations to effect deliverance for people who were demon possessed. The first-century historian, Josephus, wrote of an exorcism that he witnessed in the presence of Vespasian and many of his soldiers. The exorcist supposedly followed a ritual passed down from King Solomon to effect the deliverance. There is no doubt that men throughout all history have tried to resist demonic spirits, but as this example proves, only Jesus and those who have received His life are successful.

Those who relegate demonic spirits to the realm of superstition do not believe in the entire Word of God. The Gospels alone contain over 90 references to the devil or devils (demons). The Apostle Paul said when writing to these people in Ephesus, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). The devil and demons do exist, but all believers in Jesus share in His total victory over them.

The name of Jesus is not magic. It does not work like a charm. As Peter said, “His name, through faith in his name” (Acts 3:16) is what brings results.

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: Don’t Take Divine Instructions for Granted [Monday July 3, 2017]

“…Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” 1 Samuel 15:22

The scripture tells us that the just shall live by faith. The live by faith is to live by the word of God. No matter the discomfort you may suffer or how many challenges you face, as a believer you must live by the word of God, not by what you think. Jesus lamented and said that the children of this generation are wiser than the children of light. My heart bleeds when I see the enemy battering your life when you should be triumphant and victorious over what the enemy brings against you.

In 1 Samuel 13 Saul disobeyed Prophet Samuel’s instruction to wait and he told Saul that he had done foolishly. In 1 Samuel 15, God gave Saul another chance to prove himself. Samuel said to him to go and wipe out the Amalekites. They were to be completely destroyed because of what they did to Israel when they were coming from the land of Egypt. But Saul went and destroyed everything that were vile and weak but spared King Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lamb and all that were good. He used his number six. In other words, he was saying God you are stupid. How can you see all these beautiful things, as wonderful as they are and you say destroy them? God I think something is wrong with your mind. I will help you.

This may sound funny but many believers are doing exactly the same thing today. Most of us know how to spiritualize our disobedience and think we are dealing with man. God is not a man, he is God. He knows your thoughts and motives afar off. That is why the bible says he searches your heart from afar off. Human beings may see action but God sees beyond action. He knows your thought from afar. The statement you make and the service you are rendering, what is your motive for doing them?

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 15:1 – 35, Hebrews 11:6

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Job 25-27; Evening- Acts 12

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: Power in Righteousness [Monday July 3, 2017]

Scripture: The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

Thought For The Day: Whatever weakens your conscience weakens your authority.

Our anchor scripture clearly shows that the upright are as bold as a lion. This establishes the fact that there is power in purity. That is to say, if you have purity, you will have power; and where there is no purity, there will be no power. This also implies that unrighteousness on the other hand is the doorway to weakness in life.

We are looking at the scriptural example of the connection between power and purity using the life of Prophet Samuel.

In 1 Samuel 12:3-5, Samuel asked the Israelites, “… whose ox have I taken? …whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith?….” And they replied, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand…

Samuel was a man of such unquestionable integrity. No wonder he manifested unusual dimension of supernatural power. In 1 Samuel 12:16-19, Samuel called on the Lord and God sent thunder and rain during dry season.

First of all, Prophet Samuel said, “What is my fault?” (Paraphrased) and they could not find his fault. He was faultless. So, on the foundation of that faultlessness, he manifested powerfulness.

Beloved, whatever weakens your conscience weakens your authority. The strength of the conscience determines the strength of the authority. Whatever makes you feel guilty renders you powerless. So, avoid anything that makes you feel guilty.

Remember this: Whatever weakens your conscience weakens your authority.

Assignment(s):

1. Guard your heart from anything that defiles; never play around sin.

2. Study the Bible daily and fellowship with God in prayer and worship in order to assimilate His Nature.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: EMPOWERMENT BY RIGHTEOUSNESS (PART 1)

Prayer: Father, draw me closer to You. Let the flame of Your Word shield my heart from sin and cause me to think, talk, and act like You always, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 22:3 to 23:30, Acts 21:37 to 22:16, Psalm 1:1 to 6, Proverbs 18:11 to 12

Quote: Nothing invites fear like sin. And nothing invites disaster like fear (Job 3:25). Culled from 22 LAWS OF LIFE VOL. 2 by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: Negative emotions such as anxiety and depression can weaken your immune system.

Today In History: 03/07/1886 – Karl Benz officially unveiled the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the first purpose-built automobile.

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: God’s Unfailing Love [Monday July 3, 2017]

Text: Jeremiah 29:10-19

Key Verse: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

The Almighty God commanded the children of Israel to avoid any form of idolatry, “for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Exodus 20:5). This injunction is still in force and shall be a determining factor in our making heaven.

Our text shows the Lord’s relationship with the children of Israel, who were in captivity in Babylon because of their sins. First, despite their punishment in captivity, the Lord still loved them. Second, the Lord was willing to restore as many of them as would repent and seek Him in true surrender and adoration: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive” (Jeremiah 29:13,14).

However, the Lord’s displeasure and wrath awaited those who were unrepentant and continued to live in sin, under the deceptive guidance of false prophets, as well as in their vain imaginations. The Lord’s judgement is clear on such people: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.” (Jeremiah 29:17). The Lord’s love for His children endures and His mercies never dry up.

Though we pass through moments of divine chastisement, He shall yet draw us with His cord of love. All He requires is repentance and a consistent walk with Him.

Thought for the day: God corrects those He loves.

Bible Reading in one Year: Genesis 7-10

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: God’s Discipline [Monday July 3, 2017]

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? – Hebrews 12:6-7

There’s a terrible misunderstanding among believers today about God’s method of disciplining His children. They’ll point to some kind of disaster—a tornado or a car accident—and say, “I guess God sent that catastrophe to teach us something.”

No, He didn’t! A loving God doesn’t send death and destruction on His children to instruct them. He doesn’t unleash His bad dog to bite us on the leg, so we’ll learn to wear our boots!

How does He chastise His own? With His Word.

Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness, (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work” (The Amplified Bible).

If you’ll look in 2 Corinthians 7, you’ll see an example of this. There the Apostle Paul talks about a situation in the Corinthian church that needed correction. That church had gotten out of line and had to be disciplined.

How did Paul do it? Not by asking God to send an earthquake to shake them up! He did it by writing them a letter. He wrote them a word of reproof that hurt so badly they would have preferred being beaten with a stick. It cut deep into their spirits and brought them to repentance.

Your heavenly Father loves you and because He does, He will chasten you. But He’ll do it with spiritual, not fleshly tools. He’ll use the spirit-power in His Word to chasten unbelief and purify your spirit in such a way that you’ll come out strong, not weak and condemned.

So quit bowing down to disasters and start subjecting yourself instead to the Word of God. Yield to the Word. Let it correct you and trim away the flesh and the lusts that lead you astray. Remember, the sword of the Spirit is two-edged—one side is for Satan and the other side is for you. Let God use it to keep you in line!

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 7

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: 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