Topic: Hearing God’s Voice [Tuesday June 27, 2017]

John 10:2-3 “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”

John 10:1-21

This verse promises all who are God’s sheep that they not only can, but that they do, hear His voice. Many born-again people doubt the truth of this statement based on their experience. They don’t think they can hear God’s voice. However, the Word of God is true – not our experience.

The harmony between what this verse says and what our experiences say is that it is our new born-again spirit that hears God’s voice. Although God has spoken and still does speak in an audible voice at times, very few people experience this. God speaks to our inner person (spirit) and our inner person hears Him. The problem comes when we aren’t sensitive to, or controlled by, our spirit but are walking in the vanity of our mind. The Bible calls this walking in the flesh instead of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-18).

Man is a spirit, soul, and body. Our spirits are as perfect as they will ever be in heaven. If we will change our thinking so that we believe what God says in His Word about who we are and what we have, then this agreement between our spirit and soul forms a majority and our flesh will experience the life of God that has been deposited in our spirits.

Prayer, Bible study, fasting, fellowship, etc. are ways of refocusing our mind’s attention away from the voice of this world and back to the voice of our Shepherd who is constantly communicating with our spirit. If we fail to renew our minds, we can live our entire time on this earth without experiencing the abundant life that Jesus provided for us. Listen, and you will hear His voice speak to you through His Word today.

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: God’s Medicine [Tuesday June 27, 2017]

The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. – John 6:63

We’ve seen some tremendous medical breakthroughs in our generation. We’ve seen “miracle drugs” developed that can conquer many kinds of sickness and disease.

But, you know, in the 45-plus years I’ve been a believer, I’ve discovered another, much more effective, kind of medicine: the Word of God. There’s never been a miracle drug that could equal it. God’s medicine is the answer to every need. It is life. It is health. It is the power of God. And if you put it in your heart and act on it, you will be healed.

Sometimes people ask, “If God’s medicine works every time, why are there so many believers who are still sick?” There are two reasons. No. 1, because they don’t take the time to plant the Word concerning healing deeply into their hearts. And No. 2, because they don’t do what that Word tells them to do.

Think of it like this: If a doctor prescribes medicine for you to swallow daily and you decide to rub it on your chest instead, that medicine isn’t going to work for you. You have to follow the instructions and use it properly if you expect to get well, don’t you? In the same way, if you read God’s prescription for health and don’t act on it, you won’t reap any of its benefits.

Proverbs 4:22 says God’s Words are life and health to you. So don’t wait until you get sick to start using them. Start now. Begin to put God’s Word in your heart in abundance and it will be hard for you to get sick. That Word within you will constantly be keeping God’s healing power at work in you.

And don’t worry. There’s no limit to the amount of God’s medicine you can take. You can’t get an overdose. The more you take, the stronger you get.

Start growing strong today.

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 4:20-27

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: Who Am I? [Tuesday June 27, 2017]

What a glorious Lord! He who daily bears our burdens also gives us our salvation. — Psalm 68:19 (TLB)

Edward Dahlberg, the writer, observed, “At 19, I was a stranger to myself. At 40, I asked, ‘Who am I?’ At 50, I concluded I would never know.” This unexplored personal wilderness is the home of millions of people. Ninety-two percent of all Canadian university students, according to June Callwood, the Toronto sociologist, don’t really know who they are.

The Bible says that man is an immortal soul. When God made man in the first place, He created him and “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). One’s soul is the essence, the core, the eternal and real person. And he will be restless until he opens his life to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Prayer for the day: Almighty God, knowing I am Your child is all the assurance I need.

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: Five-Finger Prayers [Tuesday June 27, 2017]

Read: James 5:13–18, Bible in a Year: Job 8–10; Acts 8:26–40

Pray for each other. James 5:16

Prayer is a conversation with God, not a formula. Yet sometimes we might need to use a “method” to freshen up our prayer time. We can pray the Psalms or other Scriptures (such as The Lord’s Prayer), or use the ACTS method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). I recently came across this “Five-Finger Prayer” to use as a guide when praying for others:

• When you fold your hands, the thumb is nearest you. So begin by praying for those closest to you—your loved ones (Phil. 1:3–5).

Father, give me the wisdom to know how to pray for others.
• The index finger is the pointer. Pray for those who teach—Bible teachers and preachers, and those who teach children (1 Thess. 5:25).

• The next finger is the tallest. It reminds you to pray for those in authority over you—national and local leaders, and your supervisor at work (1 Tim. 2:1–2).

• The fourth finger is usually the weakest. Pray for those who are in trouble or who are suffering (James 5:13–16).

• Then comes your little finger. It reminds you of your smallness in relation to God’s greatness. Ask Him to supply your needs (Phil. 4:6, 19).

Whatever method you use, just talk with your Father. He wants to hear what’s on your heart.

Prayer: Father, give me the wisdom to know how to pray for others.

It’s not the words we pray that matter; it’s the condition of our heart.

Insight:

In today’s reading we see how believers can enrich their fellowship with God through intercession and praise. Prayer is a vital lifeline of conversation with the living God who made us and provided for our redemption. In James 5:13–18 we read how we are urged to use prayer in all the seasons of our lives. When we are blessed, we can offer an expression of thanksgiving and praise. When we or others are physically ill, we can offer intercession for healing. In times of temptation and struggle, prayers for victory are a priority. Elijah is an example of someone who had the same needs and weaknesses that we do; yet his prayers to God resulted in the rain stopping for three and a half years and then starting again.

What can you have a conversation with God about today?

This message was written By Anne Cetas [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Appreciating God [Tuesday June 27, 2017]

Text: Leviticus 23:9-22

Key Verse: “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest” (Leviticus 23:10).

“One of the main reasons that we lose our enthusiasm in life,” Joel Osteen wrote, “is because we become ungrateful to God. We let what was once a miracle to become common to us. We get so accustomed to God’s goodness that it has become a routine.” This is why the text today is very instructive, as it stresses the need to appreciate God’s goodness and provision. God commanded the Israelites to offer the bunch of their firstfruits of harvest.

The Israelites could not have boasted that their agricultural produce was due to their efforts, as drought and other adverse circumstance could have affected the growth of their crops. So, to have a bountiful harvest must be an act of God, which the Israelites must appreciate, not just by means of a ceremony, but through offering of their first harvested crops. Equally instructive was the feast of weeks – the Passover – which served as a remembrance of the giving of the law, precisely fifty days after the departure from Egypt. The Passover, which was for seven days, was not an idle period spent in irrelevant things, but it was marked with offerings to the Lord through prayer, praises and godly meditation. The Israelites were not to eat of their new corn until God’s part had been offered.

The outpouring of the Holy Ghost, some Bible scholars point out, was also fifty days after Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed. The apostles, on that day, presented the firstfruits of the Christian Church to God. Now, in everything, we must begin with God – the day, meal and business among others. If we do not start with God, we will never have enough for Him in our list of commitments. Our debt is first of all unto the Lord.

Thought for the day: Appreciation attracts divine blessings.

Bible Reading in one Year: Titus 1-3

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: Under Authority? [Tuesday 27, June 2017]

Memorise: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. – Romans 13:1

Read: Acts 8:12-17 (KJV)

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Bible in One Year: Ruth 2-4, Lamentation 1:1-12, Hymn: Sing hymn 14

MESSAGE:

It is one thing to serve the Lord, and another thing to submit to authority. Some people can render service to God but they cannot submit themselves to the authority of someone the Lord has placed over them. In today’s Bible reading, after the apostles heard that a deacon was making waves in Samaria, they decided to go and see what was going on. Peter was asked to lead the delegation there. On arrival, Philip received them warmly, introduced them to the Samaritan converts as his leaders and submitted himself to their authority. There was no conflict whatsoever! If it were some people today, there would have been a rift. They would have confronted these leaders with rash words such as ”Pastor Peter, where do you think you have come to? When there was no revival here, you never came to Samaria. Now that God has used me to bring revival to Samaria, you have come to take over the work and the glory. I will never allow you to do this. You may be an apostle, but I am the one God used to save these souls and perform these signs and wonders, so please return to your Jerusalem.”

Do you know that there are some pastors that God used in building up a church, who down the line defy all moves to transfer them elsewhere? They believe that since they did all the hard work of building from scratch, they should be left to enjoy the ‘dividends’ of their labour. This only shows a lack of understanding. In the first place, whatever work we do in the Kingdom of God is done for God and not for any man. Also, the means used for the work, whether physical, financial or material, come from God. Furthermore, no human being can adequately reward you for work you do for God. Similarly, God does not owe any one who serves Him: He always rewards them here on earth and later in eternity, as promised by the Lord in Matthew 19:29:

”And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

There should be no conflict at all on such matters. When a person is told by their authority to relocate, it should be clear to him or her that God is most likely through with using him or her in that current location. If you find it difficult to submit to your earthly superiors, it means that you are not ready for the ministry of signs and wonders. Are you under authority, or do you resist and struggle with your superiors? Repent and make amends today!

Key Point: Refusing to submit to the powers above you makes you a rebel, and this attracts divine condemnation (Romans 13:2).

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.

Today’s Scripture: “When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in…” – (Psalm 112:4, TLB)

Topic: Light in the Darkness [Monday June 26, 2017]

Everyone goes through seasons of difficulty or times when things just seem dark. During these challenging times, know that you are not alone. God has a plan to drive out the darkness—He will flood you with His light! Notice that in today’s verse it doesn’t say, “The light will come trickling in.” No, it says that the light will come bursting in! That means suddenly, you will see God’s goodness. Suddenly, you’ll be promoted. Suddenly, the answer will come!

If you’ve been going through a difficult time, get ready for the goodness of God in a new way. Know that His light is about to come bursting in! Get ready for breakthroughs. Get ready for promotion. Get ready for restoration. You may have had that problem for a long, long time, but today could be the day that it turns around. Suddenly, things can change! God wants His glory to be seen on you. He wants you to stand out in the crowd. He wants you to be so blessed that everyone around you can see His goodness on you! So keep standing, keep believing, keep hoping and keep declaring His Word because His light is going to come bursting in!

A Prayer for Today: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your light that drives out every trace of darkness! I choose to expect Your goodness. I choose to focus on Your faithfulness. I trust that You are working behind the scenes, and I expect that You will turn things around for my good in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Topic: In Christ [Monday, 26th June 2017]

For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:28

It’s amazing to know that we are in Christ. Being in Christ is the best thing ever. God did not only give us His life, He also put us in Him. Apostle Paul said in Colossians 3:3 that we are hid in Christ with God. Christ, to us, is not just a place of dwelling but a place we function from. Christ is the place where we exist, where the whole essence of our life find meaning. And because we are in Christ, our existence is worthwhile and we fulfill purpose.

Most people are still grappling with the meaning of life and what it is worth. But not us, for those in Christ knows why He has giving us His life and why we exist, and that is to fulfill His divine purpose (Romans 8:28, John 9:4). We also know that, because we function – move – in Him, we have all been blessed with all that we need to function maximally, without any inhibition (Ephesians 1:3).

Being in Christ is being in the Anointed One and being clothed with the anointing. Scriptures say in Galatians 3:27 AMP that “for as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ.” This makes the anointing of God to be available to EVERYONE in Christ. Very importantly, we must know that the functionality of the anointing we have been clothed with is limitless. It is profitable to all things, and as long as you are in Christ, you are capable of putting the anointing to use to the glory of God.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Thank You Lord for placing me in Christ. I live, move and exist in Christ. I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. I am clothed with the anointing in Christ. And in Christ I live a victorious life daily, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.