Topic: God-dependent [Tuesday, 30th May 2017]

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13

We always want to do too much by ourselves, especially when it comes to the issues concerning God. But, we must appreciate the fact that, no matter how much of effort we put in, we cannot get the job done by ourselves. It is a good thing to believe in our abilities and the quality embedded in them, but, as long as it is our ability, we will always come up short, unless our ability is resting on the supply of the grace – enablement – of God.

Apostle Paul, said something everyone of us must come to appreciate. “Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5 AMP). This scripture highlights the fact that our power, abilities and sufficiency comes from God. It is God that is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases him (Philippians 2:13). Glory to God!

So, instead of being self-dependent and sustaining or sufficient, we are God-dependent and sufficient. Our abilities are limited, but God’s abilities are limitless. We are a people who have found God too reliable not to rely on. We know that His supply is inexhaustible. No matter how much of it we use, it never runs dry, rather it is replenished and it increases always. We are God-dependent, because we know that through His strengthening we can do all things (Philippians 4:13). Hallelujah!

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

I am God-dependent. My functionality is according to His abilities. This is why I produce results that are excellent, durable and full of impact. It is God that works in me, through the strengthening of my inner man by His Spirit, to do what, not only pleases Him, but impact humanity. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Topic: How to Maintain Relevance [Tuesday May 30, 2017]

Standing firm and fast at your God ordained duty post is the only way to maintain your relevance.

Refuse to be attracted to what is popular.

Stay at your appointed place if you don’t want to suffer disappointment in life.

If you don’t want to loose your defence, stay in your place.

Your safety, defence and security is in your place.

Rather than looking for position abide in your already found place. Your stardom is tied to your place.

Instead of looking for recognition, maintain relevance. Relevance is far more important than recognition.

Your fruit is tied to your root, remain rooted to remain fruitful.

Everyone has his God given capacity to shine in his place of assignment. Therefore, stand in your place, take root downwards and bear fruits upward.

Topic: True Strength [Tuesday May 30, 2017]

Sing to God, sing praises to His name, cast up a highway for Him Who rides through the deserts—His name is the Lord—be in high spirits and glory before Him! A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows is God in His holy habitation. God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell… — Psalm 68:4-6

The world is filled with single mothers whose husbands walked out on them and refuse to support their children financially. Men who merely walk away need to remember that strength does not walk away, but it works through situations and takes responsibility.

More than ten million single mothers today are raising children under the age of eighteen. That number is up drastically from the three million reported in 1970, and it’s estimated that 34 percent of families headed by single mothers fall under the poverty line. Their biggest concerns are much more basic than many two-parent homes—they worry about quality child care for their children, keeping a car running, and living in a safe house or apartment, all within a restricted budget. They work hard and try to be both mom and dad to their children. They sacrifice time, personal pleasures, and everything else imaginable because they love their children fiercely. They are certainly not weak.

These moms are giants in my eyes.

Lord, I pray for the single moms whom I know. Give them the strength and protection and fullness of Your blessings. Champion their cause and provide for them in abundance. Amen.

Topic: The Ultimate Destination [Tuesday 30, May 2017]

Memorise: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  – Matthew 7:13

Read: Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Bible in One Year: Acts 18-19, Jeremiah 38:14-23, Hymn: Sing hymn 11

MESSAGE:

God wants to change your life, but beyond this, He wants to change your final destination. Over the ages, many people have had to move from one location to another within the same country. Others have had to relocate to other countries for one reason or the other. However, at the end of the day, irrespective of where we live, we shall all arrive at a final destination. That destination is eternal and cannot be changed after we die. There are two eternal destinations: Heaven and Hell. Whether you believe it or not, you are heading towards one of these. The Bible is very clear on the truth that every sinner is heading to Hell. Psalm 9:17 says,

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

If you are still living in sin, Jesus Christ has come to change your eternal destination from Hell to Heaven. For this change to happen, you have to accept the remedy for sin which He has made available in His Blood. If a person does not achieve this crucial change before death, all other achievements during his or her lifetime will fade into nothingness, and then fellow will be faced with an eternity in Hell.

The shocking truth about this is that God will never force a person to change his or her final destination. He won’t force you to change from the hell-bound way to the heaven-bound narrow path. He allows you to make your decision and to live with the eternal consequences hereafter. I was talking to an important personality recently about being born again. He kept arguing with me, and so I told him this: “Sir, it is not something we should quarrel about. It is not compulsory for you to go to Heaven. If you prefer to go to Hell, it is your choice.” Then he said, “Why are you begging me to be born again or to give my life to Jesus?” I laughed and replied, “Me, begging you? I am not begging you but only sounding a note of warning. If you choose to wind up in Hell, it is your choice.” Some people think that as long as they do not believe in the existence of Hell, they cannot go there. Hell is real! Many people are entering into Hell every day, and yet it is not full (Proverbs 27:20). If the only feat you can achieve on earth is to avoid Hell, it is worth the trouble. Many people were mocking those who preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to them during their life time until they ended up in Hell. Hell is worse than any type of suffering or punishment you know on earth. Do everything possible to avoid it by genuinely giving your life to Christ today.

Action Point: To make Heaven your final destination, do the following: repent and confess your sins to God; ask Him to cleanse your sins with the Blood of Jesus; invite Jesus into your life and confess Him as your Lord and Saviour and ask God for grace to live for Him till you die.

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.

Topic: The Family Altar (4)

I am excited that we have come to the concluding part of this month’s teaching, trusting God that you have begun working on your family. Besides, I believe you are seeing to the effective nurturing of your home in the way of the Lord, with tangible result.

This week, on a concluding note, I shall be discussing on, Building Your Family on the Rock. God is the one who instituted the home. Allowing Jesus Christ to take His rightful place in your family, and making Him the central focus, makes it possible for your home to be transformed into the Garden of Eden that He intended it to be.

There is nothing as good as praying together as a family. It helps to strengthen the family as there is a bonding that comes with it. Moreover, it engenders peaceful co-existence, harmony and enhances love among family members.

Whenever family members gather to pray, God responds to their prayer faster. Have you ever built a house on sand? Did you watch the waves wash it away? Of course, if you were building a house to live in, you wouldn’t build it on sand. You would want to build your house on a solid foundation; perhaps, of concrete or rock. Then, when rain falls, flood starts, or the wind rages, your house will be safe.

Mathew 7: 24 -25 says: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. That rock is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Always share the Word of God with your family; especially your children. Let them know that God loves them, He is their heavenly Father and He cares about them. Teach them that He wants them to have faith in Him and pray to Him anytime, anywhere.

While it must be recognised that collective worship finds its root in the church, worship is a vital part of the family’s social structure as well. Families should pray together, sing together, read God’s Word together, and offer thanksgiving together. It is impossible to catalogue all the ways in which healthy family worship time provides security, stability and wisdom for family members.

The family which is too fragmented to worship together is living by a value system which cannot build strong Christians. Rather, such a value system actually prepares children to yield further to the pressures of sin and a worldly society.

God is the Author of the family and your efforts outside His help will be tasking, except you accept Him through His Son, Jesus Christ and become born again. Being born again opens you up to God’s help. He, alone, will release unto you the knowledge and wisdom from His Word which will guarantee your success as a family.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord and personal Saviour of your life and you want to, why not say this prayer with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

If you prayed this simple prayer, congratulations, You are born again and you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21). With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through [email protected]; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Topic: Between God and Neighbours [Tuesday May 30, 2017]

Text: Mark 12:28-37

Key Verse: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30).

Two aspects of Jesus’ personality are here introduced: His humanity and deity. He is both human and divine. In His incarnation, Jesus came to this world in human form in the lineage of David. That is why He is often referred to as the Son of David.

However, because He is God, David himself referred to Him as Lord. Jesus, while answering the question of the scribes on which is the greatest commandment, said the most important commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and with all your strength.

We, as believers are commanded to love Jesus Christ our Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. He deserves our love and reverence. We show our love to Him by obeying Him and giving our all, including our lives, to Him unconditionally. The second one is to love our neighbours as ourselves. For all the love and suffering of Jesus on the cross of Calvary for us, we should show that we love Him above all things by witnessing to sinners, to deliver their souls from hell fire.

These two great commandments as enunciated by our Lord, Jesus Christ, are the summary of the ten commandments. If you love God perfectly, you will not like to disobey Him in any aspect of your life. Similarly, if you love your neighbour as yourself, you will not like to kill him/her, you will not covet or steal anything that belongs to him/her, neither will you go into immorality with his wife or daughter, husband or son. Love therefore, is the fulfilling of all the laws. Mercifully, we can always draw from the inexhaustible reservoir of God’s grace to love Him and to love mankind with everything that the regenerated nature offers.

Thought for the day: Following Christ’s steps paves way for temporal and eternal victory.

Bible Reading in one Year: Malachi 1-4

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: Tell the Good News [Tuesday May 30, 2017]

God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:19

Very few unsaved people today have ever really heard the “good news.” Why? Because too many Christians are busy telling the world God is mad at them. And telling them that they’re terrible and wrong. Some call that “good news,” but it’s not, and it’s not what God has commissioned us to share.

He’s given us the “word of reconciliation”!

He’s sent us to tell the news that God has restored harmony and fellowship between Himself and men. All men. Not just believers. Not just the people in your church, but everyone!

That’s right. The worst old reprobate sinner in the world is every bit as reconciled to God as you are. Look at Romans 5:10 and you’ll see what I mean. It says that “when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”

Reconciled. That word is past tense. God has already restored fellowship between Himself and the world. He did it when there was not one person on earth except Jesus who believed in the new birth. He did it when the entire world was lying in sin.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has cleansed and forgiven and restored to Himself every man, woman and child on the face of this earth. All any of us have to do now is receive it.

That’s the good word God has given us. That’s the word we need to share with those who are lost. If we’ll do it, I can almost guarantee you, they won’t stay lost very long.

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:10-21

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: Expect and Extend Mercy [Tuesday May 30, 2017]

Read: Luke 18:9–14, Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 10–12; John 11:30–57

God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Luke 18:13

When I complained that a friend’s choices were leading her deeper into sin and how her actions affected me, the woman I prayed with weekly placed her hand over mine. “Let’s pray for all of us.”

I frowned. “All of us?”

 When we realize the depth of our need for mercy, we can more readily offer mercy to others.
“Yes,” she said. “Aren’t you the one who always says Jesus sets our standard of holiness, so we shouldn’t compare our sins to the sins of others?”

“That truth hurts a little,” I said, “but you’re right. My judgmental attitude and spiritual pride are no better or worse than her sins.”

“And by talking about your friend, we’re gossiping. So—”

“We’re sinning.” I lowered my head. “Please, pray for us.”

In Luke 18, Jesus shared a parable about two men approaching the temple to pray in very different ways (vv. 9–14). Like the Pharisee, we can become trapped in a circle of comparing ourselves to other people. We can boast about ourselves (vv. 11–12) and live as though we have the right to judge and the responsibility or the power to change others.

But when we look to Jesus as our example of holy living and encounter His goodness firsthand, like the tax collector, our desperate need for God’s grace is magnified (v. 13). As we experience the Lord’s loving compassion and forgiveness personally, we’ll be forever changed and empowered to expect and extend mercy, not condemnation, to others.

Prayer: Lord, please keep us from falling into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. Mold us and make us more like You.

When we realize the depth of our need for mercy, we can more readily offer mercy to others.

Insight:

The two characters in today’s parable have similarities and differences. The obvious similarity is that both the Pharisee and the tax collector went up to the temple to pray. They both had an idea of presenting themselves to God, of communicating and communing with Him. Each of their self-perceptions was influenced by their occupation or position in society. The Pharisees were meticulous rule-keepers, and by the law the Pharisee was likely righteous. Tax collectors were notorious for exploiting the populace and taking more than was rightly due.

The difference between them is that the Pharisee viewed himself in comparison to the tax collector, but the tax collector viewed himself in comparison to God. While the Pharisee thanked God that he was not like the tax collector and judged his standing by comparison, the tax collector did not ask to be made more like the Pharisee. He could only look down and ask for mercy.

This message was written By Xochitl Dixon [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Subduing The Flesh – Key To Destiny Fulfilment [Tuesday May 30, 2017]

Scripture: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

Thought For The Day: To surrender your life to the dictates of your flesh is to forfeit your destiny.

The flesh is the greatest enemy of destiny. There are many people who followed the dictates of their flesh and lost their destiny. This was the tragedy of Esau. He followed the craving of his flesh and lost his birthright to Jacob.

Therefore, to surrender your life to the dictates of your flesh is to forfeit your destiny. This is because what your flesh wants is contrary to your spiritual life and destiny. To follow the flesh is to end up as a failure. The flesh should be the vehicle for your life and spirit and not the driver of your destiny.

When a driver loses control of the vehicle, disaster is inevitable. In the same manner, if you are unable to maintain a firm grip on your flesh, both spiritual and destiny disasters are inevitable.

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. The willingness of the spirit must translate into the obedience of the flesh for a solid spiritual life to be developed. Always ensure that your flesh obeys the promptings of your spirit. Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation!

Remember this: To surrender your life to the dictates of your flesh is to forfeit your destiny.

Assignment (s):

1. Put the cravings of the flesh under control by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Always maintain the atmosphere of prayer, asking God to grant you grace and victory over the flesh.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE PRODUCT OF DEATH TO FLESH.

Prayer: Help me LORD, to subdue the flesh and its activities in my life. Deliver me from the works of the flesh, LORD in Jesus’ Name.

Amazing Fact: Approximately, one person in every three people has ‘A positive’ blood.

Today in History: 30/5/2013 – Nigeria passed a law banning same-sex marriage.

Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 15:23 to 16:23, John 18:25 to 19:22, Psalm 119:113 to 128, Proverbs 16:10 to 11.

Quote: To conquer anything in this world, you must first conquer yourself. Culled from 21 FOOLISH THINGS PEOPLE DO by Dr Paul Enenche.

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: Recognize The Real Enemy [Tuesday May 30, 2017]

Mark 8:33, “But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.”

Jesus was not implying that Peter and Satan were one-and-the-same, but was referring to the fact that Satan had inspired Peter’s statement. This type of metaphor was used elsewhere in scripture such as when God spoke to the serpent in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:15) as though addressing Satan. The serpent was merely the vehicle of communication Satan used to tempt Adam and Eve, while Peter was the vehicle Satan used to tempt Jesus. Ephesians 6:12 reveals that our warfare isn’t with people, but against the spiritual powers who inspire and use people. Jesus recognized that Peter’s reaction to His prophecy about His death was motivated by His enemy, Satan, so He went right to the source.

Every Christian is at war. There is a perpetual struggle against Satan and his kingdom from which there are no “leaves” or “discharges.” Our enemy goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Those who resist the devil will see him flee (Jas. 4:7).

Some of us believe that anger will put others in their place. But “the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God” (Jas. 1:20). Anger against people makes us play right into the hand of the devil. The way to overcome the spiritual powers that come against us through people is to turn the other cheek (Mt. 5:39). This makes the demons flee in terror. We cannot win a spiritual battle with carnal weapons. We must realize who the real enemy is and fight with the spiritual weapons the Lord has given us. It is supposed by many that the higher echelons of the devil’s spiritual authority take more power to rebuke or remove. That’s not true. There is no demonic power, including the devil himself, that will not flee at the name of Jesus when faith is put in that name. What a wonderful name!

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)