Topic: Finding Waldo [Saturday June 10, 2017]

Read: Acts 8:26–40, Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 34–36; John 19:1–22

The [Ethiopian] asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Acts 8:34

Waldo is the cartoonish star of “Where’s Waldo,” a now-classic best-selling children’s book series. Waldo hides himself in the crowded scenes on each page, inviting children to find where he’s hiding. Parents around the world love the moments of sweet discovery when their children’s faces signal they’ve found Waldo. They also enjoy the occasions when they’re invited to help find him.

Shortly after Stephen, a deacon in the early church, was stoned to death for proclaiming Christ (see Acts 7), widespread persecution broke out against Christians, causing many to flee Jerusalem. Another deacon, Philip, followed these fleeing Christians into Samaria, where he proclaimed Christ and it was well received (8:6). While there, the Holy Spirit sent Philip on a special mission to “the desert road.” It must have seemed a strange request given the fruit his preaching was producing in Samaria itself. Imagine Philip’s joy, then, when he met and helped the Ethiopian court official find Jesus in the pages of Isaiah (vv. 26–40).

May we be prepared to share Christ as the Spirit leads us.

We too are often given the chance to help others “find Jesus” throughout the Scriptures so they may know Him more fully. Like a parent witnessing the joy of discovery in their child’s eyes and like Philip helping the Ethiopian find Jesus, it can be exhilarating for us to witness the moment of discovery in those around us. As we go through our days, may we be prepared to share Christ as the Spirit leads us, whether they are people we know well or those we meet even just once.

The biggest work a Christian can do is to find his friend and introduce him to Jesus Christ.

This message was written By Randy Kilgore [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Where Is Your Faith? [Saturday June 10, 2017]

Text: 2 Kings 18:13-25

Key Verse: “And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear…” (2 Kings 18:14).

We talk about faith when you are up on the mountain, Talk comes so easy when life’s at its best But down in the valley of trials and temptations That’s where your faith is really put to the test. These lines from the song, “God of The Mountain” clearly describe the faith of many of us. When things are going on well with us, it appears our faith is strong. But when we come face to face with the fierce and boisterous storms of life, that is when our faith is really put to test.

That was the case of King Hezekiah here in our text. His faith and courage disappeared as he was confronted with the military might of the king of Assyria. He had previously revolted against the Assyrian king, but now had to plead for mercy and forgiveness, pledging to pay whatever tribute levied on him. While Hezekiah’s action on the one hand may be viewed as an act of fear and cowardice, it actually appeared the best option open to him at that time to avert heavy defeat.

Why didn’t he call upon God in prayer like he had to do later? Fear paralyses faith, making us to seek for carnal alternatives to solve our problems. The moment we decide to pay attention the threats and the size of the enemy instead of focusing on the omnipotence of God and His never-failing promises, we become weak in faith. We need to work on our faith and always put it to work when faced with challenges.

Later on in the life of King Hezekiah, he renewed his faith and decided to pray when the king of Assyria came bragging again. In answer to that prayer, God sent Sennacherib back to his country where he was killed. So, when next you are confronted with a challenge that seems about to swallow you up, face it with faith and you will be sure to win.

Thought for the day: Unrelenting faith in God is the midwife of unending victories.

Bible Reading in one Year: Job 9-12

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.

Topic: Channels of Faith Operation [Saturday June 10, 2017]

Scriptures: Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24.

Thought For The Day: The children of the faith-operating God must possess God’s kind of faith.

It has been confirmed that we serve a God who walks and works by faith. God is not only a faithful God but also a faith-operating God. That is why it is impossible to please Him without faith (Hebrews 11:6). The children of the faith-operating God must possess God’s kind of faith.

Now, how does one operate the God kind of faith?

1. Desire it
By the power of desire, Jacob had a change of story (Genesis 32:26). If there is no other option to what you desire, your faith must work.

2. Declare it.
This is speaking it and seeing it. Many years ago, after the completion of our church building at Area 1, the gallery remained empty of people during services. So, I took some people and we spoke to the gallery. Today, not only is the gallery filled, we have over-filled overflows outside the church auditorium.

3. Believe it.
Do not declare what you doubt. Kill doubt with light from God’s word.

4. Receive it.
In the realm of the spirit, you believe it before you receive it.

5. Possess it.
When you desire, declare, believe and receive it with thanksgiving, it becomes yours.

Beloved, put your faith to work by desiring, declaring, believing, receiving and possessing your inheritance in God.

Remember this: The children of the faith-operating God must possess God’s kind of faith.

Assignment (s):

1. Put your faith to work by desiring, declaring, believing, receiving and possessing your inheritance in God.

2. Grow your faith by acting on God’s Word.

Prayer: O LORD, give me the grace to desire, declare, believe, receive and possess your promises for my life. Kill every trace of unbelief in my life, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE MOUNTAIN-MOVING FAITH.

Quote: Change quote to: Those who trust in the LORD cannot rust in life. Culled from ’30 secrets to the Top’ by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 7:1 to 51, Acts 7:30 to 50, Psalm 128:1 to 6, Proverbs 16:31 to 33.

Amazing Fact: Blue whales are the fastest growing animals on Earth.

Today In History: 10/6/2002 – The first direct electronic communication experiment between the nervous systems of two humans was carried out by Kevin Warwick in the United Kingdom.

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: Holy Ghost Teacher [Saturday June 10, 2017]

John 7:15 “And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?”

John 7:14-15

Jesus received His wisdom and knowledge by direct revelation from the Spirit of God rather than by the teachings of man. Jesus had been learning, but not through man. The Holy Ghost was His teacher. Jesus had to be taught the things of God. This looks contrary to Colossians 2:3, which says that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Jesus. If Jesus was God manifest in the flesh, why would He have to learn or be taught?

The harmony between these apparently opposite statements is that Jesus’ spirit man was 100% God and had all of the wisdom and understanding of God in it, but it was manifest in natural flesh. It wasn’t sinful flesh but it was flesh, nonetheless, and had to be educated. Jesus was not taught by man, but He was taught by the direct revelation of the Holy Spirit. The knowledge was within Him but it had to be drawn out.

At the new birth, a born-again man’s spirit “is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col. 3:10). “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16), and “an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things” (1 Jn. 2:20). All of these things are a reality in our spiritual man. However, just as Jesus had to be taught, so we must draw this wisdom and knowledge out of our spirits and renew our minds with it (Rom. 12:2). This is one of the main ministries of the Holy Spirit to the believer. Through the new birth, we have received the mind of Christ in our spirit man and are in the process of growing in wisdom by drawing this knowledge out of our spirits and renewing (or reprogramming) our minds. This wisdom has to be drawn out by faith, time spent in the Word, and prayer.

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: Develop the Love [Saturday June 10, 2017]

And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it]. – 2 John 1:6, The Amplified Bible

Quite simply, God says love is keeping His commandments. That brings love out of the indefinite into something explicit. But God has done more than define love for you. He’s given you instructions so that you can know how to love as He loves. By giving you His Word, God has given you His love manual in black and white. All you have to do is follow it and you’ll be walking in love.

If you’ve made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, you’ve already taken the first step of obedience. The love of God has been born within you. But, unless you take steps to develop it, that love will remain hidden within you. Love works in much the same way as the force of faith. Like faith, love becomes active through knowledge of the Word.

Become love conscious by confessing and acting on God’s Word today. As you meditate these scriptures, see yourself living the love life. See yourself walking in accordance with and guided by the commandments of Jesus. Develop the love He has hidden in you.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:3-11

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: His Love Is Obvious [Saturday June 10, 2017]

. . . the love of God toward us . . .  — 1 John 4:9

Notice God’s love. The Bible teaches that God is love. You and I were sinners. We were aliens from God. We were enemies of God. We had rebelled against God. We deserved hell, but in spite of the fact that we resisted God, we rebelled against God, we sinned against God, we were enemies of God-the Bible says God loved us anyway with an everlasting love so that He was willing to give His Son to die on the cross for our sins. There is not a person who has the ability to love that way unless he comes to Christ. You don’t have the power to love.

Prayer for the day: Your love encompasses me, Lord Jesus, wherever I may be. There are so many who need the healing of Your love in their lives. Fill me to overflowing with “agapé” love for them.

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.

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: House Of Prayer [09/06/2017]

And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. Mark 11:17. Read: 11:15-18

In the days of Jesus Christ, the temple of the Lord was turned into a market where many sold and bought – even a den of robbers by the religious leaders of His time. The spirit of buying and selling was prevalent in His time. When Jesus came into the temple, He expressed Holy anger and drove them out and suffered nobody to carry any vessel through the temple.

In our dispensation, though the spirit of buying, selling and arm robbery is still in the Church, the most prevalent spirit now in the Church is the SPIRIT OF COMEDY. Gradually, twenty-first century preachers are turning the house of God into a cinema instead of prayer. We need drive out the spirit of comedy in our Churches today by the help of God. They do not only make jest of the preachers that invited them, they also make  jest of God and His house. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. The Bible says laughter is  medicine to the soul, but do you know that the word of God is the greatest laughter producer? Ps 19:8, 126:6, Jer 15:6. The house of God should be for prayer and His word, let comedy remain in cinemas and events centres.

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Father, drive out the spirit of comedy that is gradually taking over your house in Jesus Mighty Name

Topic: Live Pressure Free (Prt 2) [Friday June 9, 2017]

Jesus lived such a pressure free life that even in the face of very hard situations, He remembered to give thanks to God. When He saw Mary and Martha after the death of Lazarus their brother, He told them “Relax, Have I not told you that if you believe you shall see the glory of the Lord?” And when He arrived at the tomb He simply said, “Father, I thank you.” After that He called Lazarus and the man that was dead jumped out of the grave! Please, live your life pressure free! Don’t consider any issue as so serious that you cannot praise God. Life is not as difficult as so many people are presenting it! Your situation is not as hard! Stop living under pressure and tension!

When there is need for money, relax yourself. God is in control, He is in charge, so everything is working in your favour. No matter the situation that comes your way tell it, “You are not as difficult.” Be calm! Make the devil unimportant! Even in your prayer life, be relaxed, present your case as one who is in control.

You know, calmness is not a sign of weakness, it is a means of exercising control because the word of God says, “…In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…” An atmosphere of calmness sets the pace for praise and thanksgiving and as you praise God, His strength will be manifested in your situation.

If you must flow in praise, then you must create a relaxed environment around yourself; be full of humor and excitement.

Meditate on these: Psalm 46:10, John 16:33

Topic: Joy in the Waiting [Friday June 9, 2017]

Key Scripture: Proverbs 16:9

“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.”

We think and plan in temporal terms, and God thinks and plans in eternal terms. What this means is that we are very interested in right now, and God is much more interested in eternity. We want what “feels good” right now, what produces immediate results, but God is willing to invest time. In fact, God is an investor; He will invest a lot of time in us because He has an eternal purpose planned for our lives.

God sees and understands what we don’t see and understand. He asks us to trust Him, not to live in constant reasoning and be frustrated because things don’t always go according to our plan.

Without abundant trust in God, we will never experience joy and enjoyment. We have ideas about how and when things should happen. Not only does God have a clearly defined plan for our lives, He also has the perfect timing for each phase. Psalm 31:15 assures us that our times are in His hands. Fighting and resisting the timing of God is equivalent to fighting His will.

Often, we fail to realize that being out of God’s timing is the same thing as being out of His will. We may know what God wants us to do, but not when He wants us to do it.

Final Thoughts and Action Items

Once God speaks to us or shows us something, we are filled up with it. It’s as though we are “pregnant” with what God has said. It is very much like the birth of a child. First, the seed is planted in the womb, then come the nine months of waiting, and finally, a baby is born. During those nine months, there is a great deal happening—but everything on the inside is hidden from view.

And just like parents are “expectant”, they aren’t just standing still—a lot of preparation is happening—they are very active! Clothes are being bought, nurseries are being painted, even routes to the hospital are being carefully planned. Essentially, this time of “waiting” is filled with joy because of what’s to come. I think this is what God is looking for out of His kids. That although the promises haven’t quite been born yet, we are in the active state of preparation, eagerly anticipating what’s to come. That we rely on His timing to fulfill the thing He’s promised for our lives.

Action Items

What are some of the things God has promised to you and how are you in the active state of waiting?

Are you not just waiting on those things, waiting on God’s timing, but are choosing to live in a state of joy?

What other ways can you decide to enjoy the life Christ died to give you? Look up scriptures regarding what it means to live in God’s will and how you can be a successful Christian.

Topic — God: A Wonder [Friday 9, June 2017]

Memorise: For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.– Isaiah 57:15

Read: Isaiah 57:15-16 (KJV)

15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 12-14, Jeremiah 45:1-46:12, Hymn: Sing hymn 3

MESSAGE:

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? – Exodus 15:11

One amazing thing you need to know about our God is that He is a wonder! For example, In 1 John 4:8, the Bible says that God is love, and yet in Hebrews 12:29, the same Bible says this God is a consuming fire! When you hear that God is love, you will think of embracing Him, but just then, you also hear that He is a consuming fire and you freeze, asking yourself if you want to embrace fire! Another wonder of God has to do with His size or form. The Scriptures says God is so big that the heaven and the heavens of heaven cannot contain Him (1 Kings 8:27). It also says that Heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool, meaning that as He sits in Heaven His legs touch the earth (Isaiah 66:1). Just imagine how great and long those legs are! What of His arms? The Bible says His arms are everlasting and so long they can reach any distance (Deuteronomy 33:27). When you try to picture how super-massive this God is, then you will begin to wonder how such a God can become small enough to reside inside of you. 1 John 4:4 says,

“Ye are of God little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

God is truly awesome and a wonder we cannot comprehend. As massive as God is, He can still relate with us at our tiny, very little level. As high as He is, He can still reach down to those who are lowly placed or have a heart of humility. In fact, from the height of heights, God is able to see those who are of a humble spirit. And He relates with them while ignoring the proud. Are you like God? Is the position you occupy not distancing you from those who are not as fortunate or as privileged as you are? If you are truly of God, your privileged status will not hinder you from reaching out to those who are impoverished. Recently, the wife of one of the richest men on earth visited an African country and identified with the poorest people there by trekking a good distance to fetch water like the poor women there. She carried a bucket of water on her head and trekked all the way back. She also joined in washing the dishes in a very poor neighbourhood. That is a minute example of what Jesus did by leaving His heavenly throne and becoming a man (Philippians 2:5-8). Can you leave your throne to reach out to the lowly?

Key Point: If you have truly encountered Jesus Christ, there is nobody that you cannot relate with.

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.