Topic: It Takes Grace To Run The Race! (Part 1) [Friday June 23, 2017]

“…Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and …the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, … yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence” – 1 Corinthians 1: 26-29

 Our world today is full of mighty men. There are ‘Goliaths’ in every field of endeavour. They have such exceptional qualities and qualifications, coupled with great accomplishments that are capable of intimidating anyone. When you hear of them you are tempted to say, “There is no use trying, what more can I do that has not already been done?” But I have come to understand from God’s word and from personal experience that it is possible to run with giants and still overtake them, inspite of your obvious limitations. The covenant secret that turns ‘small’ men into great achievers is the grace of God. When you know how to articulate the grace of God in your life, you enjoy ceaseless and outstanding breakthroughs all the way.

Topic: Stop Saying, “That’s Just the Way I Am!” [Friday June 23, 2017]

I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ]. — 1 Corinthians 9:22

Some people are quiet, shy, and more laid-back simply because of their personalities. I am a talker and my husband is not, and there is nothing wrong with either of us. But when anything becomes excessive to the point that it is hindering our freedom or hurting other people, we cannot say, “That’s just the way I am.” Dave needs to talk to me more than he might prefer to at times because that’s what I need, and love requires that we make sacrifices for the sake of other people. There are also times when I would like to rattle on and on in conversation, but I notice that Dave isn’t really enjoying it so I decide to be quiet or I go find someone else to talk to.

We must work with God to find the balance between being who we are and not excusing unloving behavior by saying, “That is just the way I am.” God is in the business of changing us into His image, and that means He helps us control our weaknesses and He uses our strengths.

Dave and I have very different personalities, and yet we get along fabulously. It was not always that way, but we’ve learned to be what the other needs and yet not go so far that we lose our own freedom. I try to meet Dave’s needs and he does the same thing for me. Dave likes to do things that I don’t enjoy, but I still encourage him to do them so he can feel fulfilled, and he treats me the same way. When a friend or spouse needs you to adapt in some area to make the relationship better, it is foolish and selfish to say, “Sorry, that is just the way I am.” We may be more comfortable and find it easier to do what we feel like doing, but we can make adjustments and still not lose our individuality.

We can make ourselves very miserable and have stress-filled lives by never being willing to change or adapt. We are all different, but we can get along peacefully if we are willing.

Trust in Him: Ask God to help you be sensitive to the needs of those around you and give you the grace to adapt in whatever way you need to in order to walk in love with them. Trust God to help you be all things to all people.

Topic: Our Greatest Need [Friday June 23, 2017]

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. — John 3:17 (TLB)

You can put a public school and university in the middle of every block of every city in America—but you will never keep America from rotting morally by mere intellectual education. Education cannot be properly called education which neglects the most important parts of man’s nature. Partial education throughout the world is far worse than none at all if we educate the mind but not the soul.

To think of civilizing men without converting them to Christ is about as wise as to think about transforming wolves into lambs merely by washing them and putting on them a fleece of wool. “Happy are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.” The mercy the world needs is the grace, love, and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is His transforming and regenerating power that the world needs more than anything else.

Prayer for the day: Merciful Lord, may my life be filled with Your outflowing love for others.

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: See Yourself Strong [Friday June 23, 2017]

And we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. – Numbers 13:33

How does the devil see you? Does he see you as a terrifying and mighty warrior of God…or does he see you as a wimp he can whip in a minute?

The answer to that question depends on you. I realized that one day as I was studying the children of Israel and their failure to enter the Promised Land. The key to their failure is found in these words: “And we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

The reason the Israelites were so terrified to fight the giants in Canaan wasn’t because those giants were so big. It was because the Israelites saw themselves as so small! It was what they were in their own sight that defeated them.

The same thing is true for you as a believer. It’s what you are in your own sight that will make the difference. If, in your own sight, you’re a weak, powerless Christian, the devil will run over you three or four times a day or more if he’s not busy. But when you begin to see yourself as God sees you, as a conquering son or daughter of the Almighty God, equipped with the very power of God Himself, the devil will want to steer clear of you.

The devil would rather do anything than come against someone who’s bold and courageous because he’s a coward himself. In fact, ever since Jesus came up out of that grave, Satan’s heart has melted within him at the sound of that Name in the mouth of one who has faith in it.

If you’re not strong in the Lord in your own sight, you need to change that. You need to get so full of God’s Word and so full of the Holy Ghost that you walk around like a spiritual giant. Turn the tables on the devil and let him find out what it feels like to be a grasshopper for a change.

Scripture Reading: Numbers 13:17-33

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 — Obedience: A Pathway to Accessing Divine Direction [Friday June 23, 2017]

Scripture: And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me. Genesis 24:27.

Thought For The Day: God directs the obedient.

It has been established that Divine direction is a key to distinction in life. That is why anyone who is connected to God’s Voice will be a voice on earth.

However, many people have missed their place in destiny due to lack of access to Divine direction. Divine direction is needed in order to follow God effectively.

Now, a major pathway to accessing Divine direction is obedience.

Obedience is very important in knowing God’s direction for your life. As long as you are in the way of obedience, you are in the path of direction.

From our anchor scripture, we understand that when Abraham sent his servant to his kindred to marry a wife for his son Isaac, the servant obeyed and found Rebecca. While narrating the testimony of how God led him, he said, “I being in the way, the Lord led me…’ This means that if you want God to lead you, be in the way of God’s plan for your life.

Beloved, just as Abraham’s servant obeyed his master, determine to obey the Voice of God in order to access Divine direction. God directs the obedient.

Remember this: God directs the obedient.

Assignment(s):

1. Ask God for the discipline of obedience.

2. Make up your mind to obey every word of God in order to access divine direction.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the discipline of obedience. Help me to obey Your Voice, LORD, in order to access Your direction for my life, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: MAXIMIZING YOUR LIFE.

Quote: If you must enjoy divine direction, you must have determination and passion for it. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 4:18 to 5:27, Acts 15:1 to 35, Psalm 141:1 to 10, Proverbs 17:23.

Amazing Fact: A healthy human tongue is pink and uniform in colour.

Today In History: 23/6/1902, German automaker Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) first registered “Mercedes” as a brand 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: Love Conquers Fear [Friday June 23, 2017]

John 9:27 “He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?”

John 9:6-27

This man showed great courage in confronting these religious leaders. Even Peter later backed down for fear of this same group of men (Lk. 22:54-62). Certainly one thing that gave him this boldness was that he knew what Jesus had done for him. And even beyond the physical healing, he knew that Jesus had healed him because He loved him. It’s our security in the Lord’s love for us that gives us the strength to face rejection from others. As Proverbs 28:1 puts it, “the righteous are bold as a lion.” The antidote for fear of men is a large dose of the love of God.

One of the greatest truths of the Bible and one of the hardest to comprehend, is that we are the objects of God’s love. God didn’t just pity us or feel some sense of moral obligation to save us. He saved us because of His infinite love for us (Jn. 3:16). An experiential understanding of God’s love is the key to being filled with all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19).

Paul prays in Ephesians 3:19, that we would experience the love of God which passes mere knowledge about it. How can we know the love of God if it passes knowledge? This sounds like a contradiction. It’s not. The knowing is experiencing it. The end result of having understanding and experiential knowledge of God’s love is that we will be filled with all the fullness of God. God’s love is the key that opens the door to everything that God is. God is love (1 Jn. 4:8).

It’s not just a casual acquaintance with God’s love that we need, but an intimate understanding and experiential knowledge of the depths of God’s love. Just as a tree’s roots provide stability and nourishment for the tree, so our revelation of God’s love is the foundation upon which everything else we receive from God is built.

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: Playing in Concert [Friday June 23, 2017]

Read: Romans 12:3–8, Bible in a Year: Esther 9–10; Acts 7:1–21

So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:5–6

During our granddaughter’s school band concert, I was impressed by how well this group of 11- and 12-year-olds played together. If each of them had wanted to be a solo performer, they could not have achieved individually what the band did collectively. The woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections all played their parts and the result was beautiful music!

To the followers of Jesus in Rome, Paul wrote, “In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Rom. 12:5–6). Among the gifts Paul mentioned are prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy (vv. 7–8). Each gift is to be exercised freely for the good of all (1 Cor. 12:7).

Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
One definition of in concert is “agreement in design or plan; combined action; harmony or accord.” That’s the Lord’s plan for us as His children through faith in Jesus Christ. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (v. 10). The goal is cooperation, not competition.

In a sense, we are “on stage” before a watching and listening world every day. There are no soloists in God’s concert band, but every instrument is essential. The music is best when we each play our part in unity with others.

Prayer: Lord, You are the Conductor of our lives. We want to play Your song of love and grace in concert with Your children today.

There are no soloists in God’s orchestra.

Insight:

There are five listings of spiritual gifts in the New Testament: Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7–11; 12:28–30; Ephesians 4:9–11; and 1 Peter 4:11. In each of these lists the emphasis is not on how many different types of gifts there are, but on how we are to use them in a loving way that promotes unity in the church, builds up the spiritual maturity of the believers, and brings glory to the Lord. To achieve this, Paul tells us not to think too highly or too lowly of ourselves (Rom. 12:3). We are to use our spiritual giftedness in humility (v. 3) and embrace diversity in the body of Christ with sincere love (v. 9) and mutual respect (v. 10).

How has God gifted you? How can you use your spiritual gifts to promote unity and harmony in the church?

This message was written By David C. McCasland [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Guiltless? [Friday June 23, 2017]

Text: Proverbs 24:21-34

Key Verse: “Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips” (Proverbs 24:28).

A story is told of a policeman who witnessed an accident while on duty. In that accident, a graduate was knocked down by a reckless driver and he died on the spot. The policeman, who was at the scene, told the driver to give him some money and move on.

That was done and the policeman was said to have told people that the young man was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. Some years after he had retired from service, his son who just returned from abroad where he studied was knocked down exactly at the point where his father covered up a crime years back. So, when the old man heard what happened, he confessed to those around him what he did. Nowadays, wickedness rules the world as some people go out of their way to say outright falsehood against their neighbour.

People are paid to frame-up others in criminal cases, while some manifest all manner of wickedness to please people. It is wisdom that citizens conduct themselves in a manner by which they can cohabit with others in society. If for any reason one shows partiality in passing a judgment between parties, then the judgment is unjust.

People will detest those officials who make judgments that allow wicked people to continue their wickedness. One should not generate unnecessary dispute with neighbours; and if there is any, the truth should be spoken. Even if one is wrong, retaliation is not justified. There should be no room for laziness for it has negative impacts on one’s life. Moreover as a thief unexpectedly comes upon his victim, so poverty will seize the possessions of the lazy.

Thought for the day: ‘Though hands join in hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished’

Bible Reading in one Year: Daniel 11-12

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.

Many of us are guilty of walking and texting with our phone. This should not surprise anyone because we are now in the smartphone age. With its arrival, we are always distracted while driving and walking on the highway. In fact, in some countries, they have put up banners warning people about the dangers of text-walking. This said advising that you should stop using your smartphone while walking may not be tenable because we all do it.  Notwithstanding, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares tips for texting while walking.

Do not send or respond immediately

We are all addicted to our smartphones. Hence, we love to chat with girlfriend, family, and friends on BBM, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram whether we are walking or not. No matter how important the message (s) is, you should not reply or respond immediately. Get to wherever you are going and settle down to reply.

Simply let your phone be

The best way to be safe while walking or driving is to let your phone be. Only use it when you are not doing any of the aforementioned.

Stand at a point and do whatever you want to do with your phone

If you have to respond to a message, step aside or stand at a point and reply the messages. This is better if you do not want fall into a ditch or hit a fellow pedestrian. It is safe and reasonable.

Download type and walk application

For every problem, there is a technology solution. There are now apps that will enable you to type when you are walking. How? You can easily type messages, read and send images and messages while walking to your destination without messing up with traffic on road or street.  You can download Type While Walk or Type N Walk which are available on either the Google Play Store or Apple Store.

By Adeniyi Ogunfowoke
PR Associate at Jumia Travel
+2348090747241