Topic: Becoming A Wonder [Friday 23, June 2017]

Memorise: Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. – Psalm 77:14

Read: Psalm 77: 11-15 (KJV)

11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

Bible in One Year: Judges 17-18, Jeremiah 51:45-58, Hymn: Sing hymn 5

MESSAGE:

God is a wonder and He does great wonders. I pray that He will perform wonders in your own life, so that you can testify that you have experienced His wonder-working power, in Jesus’ Name. Beyond this however, do you know that God can turn you into a wonder? For instance, look at the mad man of Gadara. He was so mad that all hope was lost concerning his recovery; but when Jesus touched his life, he was seen not only in his right senses, but also decently dressed and even evangelising the goodness of the Lord. Many people who saw him were amazed and had their doubts as to whether he was the same person who once terrorised the community (Mark 5:20). He became a wonder! Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, also became a wonder and a tourist attraction after he was raised from the dead. John 12:9 says this about him:

“Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.”

Several years ago, during a particular Holy Ghost Service we held at the National Stadium, Surulere (Lagos), there was a man with a huge growth attached to his neck sitting beside a particular woman. The growth was so huge that it overshadowed his face. While the programme was on, the woman sitting beside him kept peeping at the protruding growth. During the sermon, the word of God came that there was someone in attendance with a huge growth around the neck and that it had gone. On hearing this, the woman sitting next to this man immediately turned to look at him and it was as if the growth suddenly grew wings, flew away and disappeared. This woman was so amazed at this wonder that after the programme was over, she had already trekked from the stadium to Palmgrove, a distance of about 5km, before she remembered that she had left her car parked in the parking lot inside the stadium. When God turns you into a wonder, even sceptics will find it difficult to doubt your testimony because it will be so profound. Also, your life will become a perpetual signpost for God’s Name to be glorified. Are you in dire need of a miracle? Beyond that need, ask God to make you a living wonder for the glory of His Name. This season, as the Lord turns you into a wonder, the same mouths that have mocked you and challenged your God will become the instruments for spreading your testimony and for reverencing your God! Worship the Almighty God who alone can make you a wonder.

Prayer Point: Father, today, make me a positive wonder to my generation, so that they can come to know You.

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: “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’…” – (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)

Topic: Make Your Move [Thursday June 22, 2017]

We all go through seasons of difficulty and face storms in life. But during those times, we have to remember that Almighty God is greater than any struggle we face! He’ll take those challenges and use them to strengthen us, but we have to do our part and take a step of faith toward the victory.

Think about the caterpillar before it becomes a butterfly. When it’s wrapped in its dark cocoon on the backside of some tree, it doesn’t look like it has many options. But when it becomes a butterfly inside that cocoon, it doesn’t just sit and wait for someone to come and let it out. No, that butterfly knows that it has to make a move if it’s going to be set free to fly. In the same way, we have to do something to get out of the confining places we are in. We have to pray, we have to believe, and we have to press through to victory.

Today, no matter what you may be facing, remember, His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in you. He has given you everything you need to overcome in this life. Now is the time to break free and rise to new levels because He has victory and blessing prepared for you!

A Prayer for Today: “Heavenly Father, thank You for the strength to make it through any challenge I may face. I choose to put my trust in You. I declare that You are good and faithful. Thank You for equipping me for victory in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

A Prayer for Today: “Heavenly Father, today I set my heart and mind on You. I choose to trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I stand strong on Your Word today knowing that victory is on the way in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: The Source Of Power [22/06/2017]

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8. Read: Ac 2 :1-4

In Psalm 62:11, and David said, God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. From the above Scriptures, we understand that, God is the source of power both in heaven and on earth. Through His power, He does wonders as he chooses. Until you know the source of power, you are not entitled to His power to do exploit. Many want to do exploits for God without His power which is not possible. Daniel 11:32 tells us, only those that know God as the source of all power can do exploits for Him. Paul said, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and he could do all things because he knew Him. Phil 3:10, 4:13.

Jesus the Son of God subjected Himself to God the source of power to succeed in His earthly ministry. Before He began His earthly ministry, He sought the source of power in fasting and prayer for forty days and nights, and when He returned, He returned with the power of the Holy Ghost. Lk 4:14-18. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him”. Acts 10:38. There is no power elsewhere except in God alone. Every other source of power is counterfeit and devilish.

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Father, I believe You are the source of all powers and I come to You for Your empowerment, empower me in Jesus name.

Topic: Burn Always! [Thursday June 22, 2017]

Text: Leviticus 24:1-9

Key Verse: “Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually” (Leviticus 24:2).

God has always maintained a pure relationship with His people. In His dealings with Israel, He has always chosen His words very carefully to ensure they did not muddle up things. The command in the text was explicit enough for the children of Israel and obedience of which would guarantee a closer relationship with God. Every commandment of God is to be obeyed and kept.

The lampstand of seven bowls that gave light to the tabernacle was always to be burning continually, indicating that the work of God on behalf of the people never ceased. The purpose of the shewbread was nourishment for the priest while functioning within the tabernacle. Placed on the shewbread was pure frankincense that signified it to be a memorial before the Lord for His provision for all men. The emphasis on purity, pure oil, pure candlestick, pure table, and pure frankincense signified the attachment the holy God places on holiness and purity. That the candlestick must burn continually typifies the life of a heaven-bound Christian who must serve God continuously in holiness, all the days of his or her life. At the point of salvation, a believer enters into an everlasting covenant with God. From that moment, his light of righteousness is expected to keep burning all through life.

No matter the challenges in life, you must continue to burn for Christ. Have you ever wondered how the tender tip of a young plant finds its way out of the soil? It takes persistence for a seed to endure the breaking-up process in order to take another form suitable for germination, to contest, assert and realise its destination through the myriads of sand particles in the soil texture of which some are hard, rocky or soft, to burrow out of the soil for a new life of growth and development which eventually culminates in fruitfulness. You must continue to make progress in your Christian life for therein lies the pathway to eternal glory.

Thought for the day: Only purity of life guarantees everlasting covenant with God.

Bible Reading in one Year: Daniel 9-10

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: Expect a Harvest [Thursday June 22, 2017]

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. – Luke 6:38

Give and it shall be given unto you. That statement came straight from the mouth of Jesus. Yet there are a great many believers who flatly refuse to believe it. In fact, they actually have the mistaken idea that it’s wrong to expect to receive when they give.

The truth is—it’s wrong not to!

What would you think about a farmer who planted seeds, then let his crop rot in the field? You’d think he was a fool, wouldn’t you? And if he did it when others were starving, you’d think he was criminally irresponsible.

Well, it’s just as irresponsible to give financial seeds and ignore the harvest God promised. Especially when that harvest could help send the gospel to people who are starving to hear it. It’s just as wrong to ignore the key to prosperity that Jesus Himself gave us as it is to let a wheat crop rot in the field.

God wants us to receive from the financial seeds that we plant. He wants us to be prepared to require no aid ourselves and to be “furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation” (2 Corinthians 9:8, The Amplified Bible). He wants us to have plenty—not so we can hoard it selfishly—but so we can give generously.

Next time you give, don’t be afraid to expect a harvest! Release your faith for the financial rewards Jesus promised. Then, when they come, turn right around and plant them again. Keep the flow of giving and receiving going so that the Lord can bless the world through you!

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Topic: Why God Gives Revelations In Piecemeal [Thursday June 22, 2017]

Scripture: He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. Job 20:8 (KJV)

Thought For The Day: Disobedience is the reason behind people’s inability to hear God.

Yesterday, we looked at the mode and method of Divine operations. We understood that God does not reveal His plans to His children at once but in bits. He does so line by line and precept by precept.

The question is, why does God not reveal all of His purpose to His children at once?

Consider the three reasons below:

1. God wants us to take one step at a time in life

One can easily fall if one takes too many steps at once. In order to avoid a fall, God reveals things bit by bit so that you can take a step at a time.

2. God wants to confirm your obedience

God does not speak to disobedient people. Disobedience is the reason behind people’s inability to hear God; they have not obeyed the last instruction God gave them, yet they want to have more. So, God gives you revelations in bits and pieces in order to confirm your obedience.

3. God wants you to maintain permanent dependence on Him.

God does not want you to come to a point where you do not need Him anymore. He gives you revelations in piecemeal so that you can maintain permanent dependence on Him.

Beloved, ask God for the grace to take one step at a time and to be obedient and dependent on Him.

Remember this: Disobedience is the reason behind people’s inability to hear God.

Assignment(s):

1. Make up your mind to take a step at a time.

2. Ask God for forgiveness in all areas of disobedience to Him and make up your mind to obey Him henceforth.

3. Maintain the attitude of dependence on God.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the grace for absolute obedience and dependence on You. Help me, LORD, to take one step at a time in the journey of my life and destiny, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

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

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 3:1 to 4:17, Acts 14:8 to 28, Psalm 140:1 to 13, Proverbs 17:22.

Quote: No man hears from God and runs into trouble. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: A chameleon can move its eyes in two directions at the same time.

Today In History: 22/06/1874 – Lydia Baxter wrote this Farewell hymn, “Take the name of Jesus with you”

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: Sickness Is Not From God [Thursday June 22, 2017]

John 9:2 “And his disciples asked him saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?”

John 9:1-4

The disciples asked a question that still puzzles many people today. Why is a child born with a physical defect? Is it a judgment of God upon the parents for some sin, or is it possibly God’s judgment upon the child for sins that God knows he will commit?

Jesus Himself had previously linked sickness with sin. In this instance, however, Jesus said this blindness was not caused by this man’s or his parents’ sins.

This has led many people to interpret the rest of this verse as saying that God made this man blind just so that He could heal him and be glorified thereby. From this thinking, many doctrinal teachings have risen about how sickness and other problems in our lives are actually blessings from God, intended to bring glory to God and correction to us. This reasoning, however, does not line up with the other truths of God’s Word.

It was not God who made this beggar blind. This man was not born blind because of any one person’s sins but because sin in general had corrupted the perfect balance that God had created in nature. Therefore, some maladies happen, not as a direct result of an individual’s sins but as an indirect result of sin in general.

Deuteronomy 28 settles forever the question of whether sickness, poverty, and oppression are really blessings in disguise. God says that sickness and poverty are curses – not blessings from God. Christ redeemed us from these curses of the law so that now the blessings may come upon us through Him (Galatians 3:13). God’s curses have been placed on Jesus and removed from those who accept Jesus’ sacrifice. You are blessed!

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: The Most Unique Person [Thursday June 22, 2017]

Worthy is the Lamb . . . to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. — Revelation 5:12

H.G. Wells wrote, “Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.” Rabbi Stephen Wise said concerning Jesus, “You will find that He is divinely human. It is no mean joy to us of the house of Israel to recognize, to honor and to cherish among our brethren, Jesus the Jew, who has influenced the world more than any other man.” This person called Jesus lived on earth for only 33 years.

He never traveled more than 100 miles from His home. Yet Charles Lamb was right in saying, “If all the illustrious men of history were gathered together and Shakespeare should enter their presence, they would rise to do him honor; but if Jesus Christ should come in, they would fall down and worship Him.”

Prayer for the day: Loving Lord Jesus, I would honor You this day and evermore—in adoration I worship You, my Savior and my Lord.

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.