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.

Topic: Taking Shortcuts [Sunday July 2, 2017]

Read: Luke 9:57–62, Bible in a Year: Job 22–24; Acts 11

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

Sipping her tea, Nancy gazed out her friend’s window and sighed. Spring rains and sunshine had coaxed a riotous expanse of color from a well-groomed flowerbed of lilies, phlox, irises, and evening primrose.

“I want that look,” she said wistfully, “without all the work.”

The work of following Christ is difficult, but the reward is a full, joyful life now and forever.

Some shortcuts are fine—even practical. Others short-circuit our spirit and deaden our lives. We want romance without the difficulties and messiness of committing to someone so different from ourselves. We want “greatness” without the risks and failures necessary in the adventure of real life. We desire to please God, but not when it inconveniences us.

Jesus made clear to His followers that there is no shortcut that avoids the hard choice of surrendering our lives to Him. He warned a prospective disciple, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). To follow Christ requires a radical altering of our loyalties.

When we turn in faith to Jesus, the work just begins. But it is oh-so-worth-it, for He also told us that no one who sacrifices “for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age . . . and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29–30). The work of following Christ is difficult, but He’s given us His Spirit and the reward is a full, joyful life now and forever.

Prayer: Father, I will find the strength to do the work You have for me to do, only as I rely on Your Holy Spirit. Help me, please, to be sensitive to that today.

Most things worth doing are difficult.

Insight:

Although the Holy Spirit is spoken of throughout the Bible, two particular portions of Scripture offer us a wealth of insight about this wonderful Person—John 14–16 and Romans 8. In His Upper Room Discourse with His disciples (John 14–16), Jesus says the Spirit is a gift from the Father who has come to be our Comforter/Advocate (14:16–17). This Helper is also described as the “Spirit of truth” who takes up residence within each of God’s children so that we are never abandoned (vv. 17–18). In John 16, our Lord adds that the Spirit will convict the world and point us to the Savior, while guiding us into truth (vv. 7–14). In Romans 8, Paul reinforces these ideas by saying that the Spirit is the source of our life (vv. 2, 11), the evidence of our new relationship with our Father (vv. 9, 14–16), and One who intercedes for us when we pray so that our prayers line up with the Father’s purposes (vv. 26–27).

In what area of your life do you need the Spirit’s presence and guidance? Bill Crowder

This message was written By Tim Gustafson [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Greatness of God [Sunday July 2, 2017]

Text: Job 25:1-6

Key Verse: “Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places” (Job 25:2).

One of America’s theologians, while commenting on the holiness of God, said “When we understand the character of God, when we grasp something of His holiness, then we begin to understand the radical character of our sin and hopelessness. Helpless sinners can survive only by God’s mercy.

Our strength is futile in itself; we are spiritually impotent without the assistance of a merciful God.” From the text, Bildad aptly pointed out the infinite distance between God and man, though most of his views were also Job’s opinions about God. Man’s righteousness, at the best, according to him, is nothing in comparison with God’s. From this perception, we must be purged of all filthiness to secure outstanding relationship with God. The text obviously revealed some salient issues. First, unlike Bildad’s previous posture of differing views from Job’s, he surprisingly, this time, spoke no more on issues that put both of them at variance.

Unfortunately today, some Christians love to play antagonistic roles, love to differ from others, just for the sake of being different and not for spiritual reasons. Some brethren even employ tribal sentiments, gossip and backbiting to tear apart godly relationships among brethren. Another salient lesson from Bildad’s speech is that he spoke so well on the matters which he absolutely agreed with Job.

As couples, why not speak the word of love to your spouse? Why not talk about Christ and His work of grace? Why not appreciate your wife or husband with all sincerity of love and kindness? Must you make your family a bedrock of crises? As brethren, must you criticise every brother or sister in your local church? If we would all get our hearts filled with reverential thoughts of God and humble thoughts of ourselves, we will appreciate our spouse and brethren. May God help us to live right.

Thought for the day: True appreciation of God’s greatness begins with genuine repentance.

Bible Reading in one Year: Genesis 4-6

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: Why Your Healing Is Now [Sunday 2, July 2017]

Memorise: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

Read: Jeremiah 32:26-27 (KJV)

26 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,

27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 10-11, Lamentation 3:37-4:1, Hymn: Sing hymn 5

MESSAGE:
[July 2, Sunday 2017]
In Jeremiah 32:27, God said something very profound:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”

In this scripture, God introduced Himself as the God of all flesh. Similarly, in Ezekiel 18:4, He said all souls are His; so we can correctly say that God is also the God of all souls. Also, Hebrews 12:9 calls Him the Father of spirits; we can therefore correctly say that He is the God of all spirits. Considering all these, we can confidently say that God is the God of all the spirit, soul and body (the flesh). It therefore means that He knows everything about your spirit, soul and body, and being the Owner of them all, He can work on any part of you. Praise God! Open Heavens 2 July 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Why Your Healing Is Now
As the God of all flesh, God is genuinely interested in whatever happens to your body. John 1:1&14 reveals that the Word was God, and He eventually became flesh. So then, what are the implications of the Lord being the God of all flesh? First, He can change any damaged flesh and make it brand new. A particular brother was taken on a visit to Heaven many years ago, and there he saw a particular store-house with spare human body parts of all types, sizes, colours and shapes. These are not needed in Heaven but meant for people on earth. He said with faith in Jesus Christ, you can pull your required body part(s) from that store into your body. Does any part of your body require replacement? Receive it now in Jesus’ Name! One individual who benefitted from this truth was Naaman. His skin was so damaged and ravaged by leprosy that God had to give him brand new skin (2 Kings 5:1-14). All he had to do was to obey God’s instruction and his skin suddenly became like that of a new born baby. In Jesus’ Name, receive that miracle of a brand new part you need for your body now! The level of destruction experienced in the flesh cannot hinder the God of all flesh from doing His job. Some people look at how certain afflictions or sores have ravaged their bodies, and they conclude that there is no more hope for them. No, don’t give up! Job had an understanding of this when in Job 19:26, he said:

“And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:”

There is a user of this Devotional who is afflicted by a sore that has refused to heal. The God of all flesh says He is doing something about it right now. When you are healed, go and testify to God’s glory. Call on God today, worship Him because he is in charge of all flesh and thereafter ask Him to replace your damaged body with brand new parts.

Prayer Point: Father, you are the God of all flesh, solve every problem I have with my body today!

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.

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: A New Month Of Rest [01/07/2017]

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Genesis 2:2. Read: Lev 25:3-5

All glory to God Almighty for ushering us into this seventh month of all-round rest for you and your household. God will give you divine rest on every side from your Labour . All your labour from January till date shall be adequately rewarded and every seed you have sown in tears shall be replaced in this new month with joy unspeakable full of glory. In the creation order, God laboured for six days and rested from all His work on the seventh day. From all your hustling and bustling, you must take time to rest. But many work round the clock, in spite of their great efforts, there is usually nothing to show for it. But I decree  in this new month of rest, your efforts will not be abate. Your little input shall yield abundant harvest. It’s a year and a month of rest and God shall give to you the desired rest in Jesus Mighty Name.

God ended His work and rested. He’s still the God of rest, He desires your rest and He shall give you uncompromising rest day. Rest, the troubles of this world would not be able to take from you shall be your portion. God Almighty shall bless and multiply the works of your hands in Jesus Mighty Name

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Father, give me divine rest in all my endeavours. Let me know no anxiety again in Jesus Mighty Name. #HappyNewMonth

Topic: You Can Have Daily Victories! (Part 2) [Saturday July 1, 2017]

Continue from part 1

Faith begins with how you see life in the perspective of God’s word. Your perspective determines your outcome in life because possession begins with sight. What you see is your attraction. The picture you see is the future you pursue. I heard the story of a man who lived in a village and one day he saw a picture of Lagos. He was so excited about what he saw in the picture that he began to declare, “I must go to Lagos.” That became his motivation and his drive.

Your future will ultimately end in the picture that you see. So when you see nothing, you move towards nothing. Every adventure of life is initiated by a picture. How do you view life? Do you look around you and conclude, “Well I don’t think I can go beyond where I am now?” Or do you see where you are as a passage to where you are going. You know why many people are poor? They are poor because of their poor perspectives. That is what has reduced them to beggars when they should be givers.

Abraham is known as the Father of faith but his faith began with perspective. God said to him in Genesis 13:14-15, “Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.” It is your vision that sets the pace for your possession. Stop looking at where you are! Lift up your eyes and look away from where you are to where you want to be. Until you can see farther than where you are, you will never go further in life.

– Meditate on these: 2 Cor. 4:18, Jer. 1:11-12