Topic: Avenge Not Yourself [Monday May 29, 2017]

Text: Proverbs 25:16-28

Key Verse: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink” (Proverbs 25:21).

The story is told about Jane, a persecuted but non-vindictive and non-retaliatory Christian young lady somewhere in Africa. She sometimes left her clothes on the washing line at the back of their residence. Whenever she went for fellowship or evangelism, her hostile neighbours would never help her pack them inside, perchance there was rain.

They never saw anything good in Jane. They maligned, slandered and vilified her whenever she was not at home. It happened, however that one day, Jane was at home reading her Bible when rain started threatening and some of her neighbours left their clothes outside. When she looked outside through the window and saw the clothes, she quickly ran to help pack them inside. When they came back and saw what she had done for them, they were humiliated by shame because, they had never helped her to pack her clothes away from rain. It was Jane’s turn to take her own pound of flesh, but she refused to go on a mission of vendetta.

There and then, these her neighbours told her that the next day they would go to her church, should she invite them. The precept to love everyone including our enemies is an Old Testament commandment, sanctioned by our Lord Jesus Christ. He has shown His own example by praying for His enemies on the cross. Believers are commanded to overcome evil with good, rather than allowing evil to overcome them. We are to literally “lavish” our enemies and persecutors with kindness. Seek no vengeance. Commit your cause into God’s hand, however hurt you may be, just as Jane had done to her hostile neighbours. Do not allow a retaliatory spirit to have a place in your life.

Our Lord and Saviour exhorts us not to resist evil, but “whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”. We are enjoined not to rejoice when our enemy falls and we should not let our hearts be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord sees it and it displeases Him.

Thought for the day: “Wisdom is overcoming evil with good deeds.”

Bible Reading in one Year: Lamentations 4-5

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: Let Honor Meet Honor [Monday May 29, 2017]

Read: Matthew 6:1–6, Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 7–9; John 11:1–29

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

I’ve always been impressed by the solemn, magnificent simplicity of the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The carefully choreographed event is a moving tribute to soldiers whose names—and sacrifice—are “known but to God.” Equally moving are the private moments of steady pacing when the crowds are gone: back and forth, hour after hour, day by day, in even the worst weather.

In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel was bearing down on Washington, DC, and the guards were told they could seek shelter during the worst of the storm. Surprising almost no one, the guards refused! They unselfishly stood their post to honor their fallen comrades even in the face of a hurricane.

The more we serve Christ, the less we will serve self.
Underlying Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 6:1–6, I believe, is His desire for us to live with an unrelenting, selfless devotion to Him. The Bible calls us to good deeds and holy living, but these are to be acts of worship and obedience (vv. 4–6), not orchestrated acts for self-glorification (v. 2). The apostle Paul endorses this whole-life faithfulness when he pleads with us to make our bodies “a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1).

May our private and public moments speak of our devotion and wholehearted commitment to You, Lord.

Prayer: Grant me the strength this day, O Lord, to persevere, to return honor to Your name where I am serving. My desire is to give myself in selfless devotion because of Your love for me.

The more we serve Christ, the less we will serve self.

Insight:

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7), Jesus issues a warning about showcased religiosity and hypocrisy (6:1–8). After His strong caution against it, He gives us the proper motivation. Our reason to share with open hands, to raise our hands in prayer, and to fold them before an empty plate is both stated and implied. When we do these things, we do them out of love for the Father, the source of all good things, knowing He will bless our efforts. The approval of the Father is better than any praise we may receive from friends and neighbors. It is the reward from Him that we should truly and deeply desire.

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

Topic: Don’t Hesitate [Monday May 29, 2017]

He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. – James 1:6-8

What happens when you hesitate to do something God has told you to do? Your adversary takes the first step. The devil gets the jump on you.

If you want to live by faith, hesitation is one of the most hazardous habits you could ever have. It comes from being indecisive. The Bible says a man like that is “unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides” (The Amplified Bible).

If you are double-minded, the decisions you make are split. You try to live by faith and protect your fear at the same time. You make faith statements like “I believe God is going to heal me.” Then your fear whispers, “But I wouldn’t want to say I’m well just yet.” You’re so busy going back and forth between faith and fear, you can’t make any progress at all.

Kick the habit of hesitation today. Make a solid decision to trust in and act on the Word of God. Settle it forever. Resolve never to entertain doubts again. When doubt comes to your mind, cast it out quickly.

When God speaks, don’t waste a moment. Step right out in faith. That way, you can always keep the devil a step behind you!

Scripture Reading: James 1:1-8

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: God’s Will Above Ours [Monday May 29, 2017]

Luke 9:23, “And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Matthew 16:16-26; Mark 8:30-37; Luke 9:21-27

Self-denial is an important part of the Christian life. Jesus sacrificed His life for us and He demands that we die to ourselves that we might experience the new life He has provided. We do this first by recognizing that we can’t save ourselves by our own effort and, second, by trusting God – not self – for salvation. Then daily, we need to deny our own wisdom and seek God’s wisdom and direction for our lives.

Self-denial is only good when we are denying ourselves for the singular purpose of exalting Jesus and His will for us in some area of our life. Some have made a religion out of self-denial and find pleasure in their denial – not in Jesus’lordship. This leads to legalism and bondage, which Paul condemned as will worship (Col. 2:23). We are told not only to deny ourselves, but to “deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.”

The cross is what Jesus died on. There are circumstances in our lives which, like the cross of Jesus, give us the opportunity to die to ourselves each day. These are not things like sickness, poverty, etc., for which Jesus’ atonement provided redemption, but rather things like persecution (which we are not redeemed from) and the constant battle between our flesh and our born again spirit. The cross that we must bear is to take God’s Word (which is His will) and exalt it above our own will in each situation every day.

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 Mentality for Enduring Greatness [Monday May 29, 2017]

Scripture: ‘For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…’ Proverbs 23:7.

Thought For The Day: To arrive too soon is to arrive too small.

Sometime ago, I travelled with my wife, Dr Becky Enenche to China. While in China, I learnt many things. One of the lessons I learnt was about China as a country.

Few years ago, China and her citizens were struggling as a third world nation; they were far behind America and Japan in terms of development.

Today, going by every available record, I do not know how many cities in the world can be compared to the cities in China in terms of development. The American economy at global level is being threatened by the rapid growth of China’s economy.

The amazing thing is that despite their developmental strides, the President of China told the Chinese that they should still see China as a third world nation. That is to say they should not allow the arrival mentality to have a grip on their minds.

What a mentality! No wonder they are where they are today in terms of development. This is the mentality for enduring greatness.

Beloved, to arrive too soon is to arrive too small. When you reach the peak, you are set for the pit. The reason for the abortion of several destinies is the decision to conform to premature contentment.

Remember this: To arrive too soon is to arrive too small.

Assignment (s):

1. Refuse to conform to premature contentment.

2. Always let God know that you cannot achieve anything without Him.

Prayer: Enlarge my heart O LORD to see the possibilities of achieving greater things in life and give me the grace to achieve them. Deliver me, from the arrival mentality, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: POTENTIAL IS NOT ENOUGH.

Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 12:1 to 31, John 16:1 to 33, Psalm 119:65 to 80, Proverbs 16:4 to 5.

Quote: You cannot rub minds with the Almighty God and be a dull person. Culled from 10 PRINCIPAL SECRETS OF PRINCIPAL PEOPLE by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: The blue whale has a heart the size of a small car and its blood vessel is so broad, that a person could swim through it.

Today In History: 29/5/ 1999 – Olusegun Obasanjo took office as President of Nigeria, the first elected and civilian head of state in Nigeria after 16 years of military rule.

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: Keep Moving Forward [Monday May 29, 2017]

For in him we live and move and are! — Acts 17:28 (TLB)

When I was seven years old, my father bought me my first bicycle. I had never ridden one. Patiently, my family and friends tried to teach me the art of cycling. I soon found out there was one thing I must do if I was to stay on the bicycle—keep moving forward. If I ceased to go forward, I would fall and hurt myself. So it is in the Christian life. We can never live this life on the highest plane unless we are continually growing and moving forward. You should be closer to God today in heart, soul, and body, than at any other time so far in your life.

Prayer for the day: Lord, I have progressed far too slowly in my pilgrim walk with You. Might I be drawn closer to the light of Your love and grace.

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: A Co-Worker With God [28/05/2017]

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1. Read: 1 Cor. 3:4-11

Isn’t it wonderful and amazing to be called a coworker with God Almighty? Of course, it is. How can finite man work with the infinite God? This is where the work of grace and mercy comes to play. Through the finished work of Salvation on the cross, we can boldly go to the throne of grace and obtain mercy to help us work with him successfully. Heb 4:16. Note that, to successfully be a coworker with God, you must first walk with Him. Walking with Him comes before working for Him. Walking with God brings intimacy, He shows you His ways while working with Him shows you His acts. Walking with Him brings you into His glory.

God calls us to first walk with Him before working for Him. Walking with Him leads us to being coworkers with him which brings results. It pays to both walk with and work for God. Gen 5:24, 17:1. Walking with Him means obeying all His commandments, most especially “the Great Commission”. We must go as commanded by Jesus if we must experience signs and wonders. Are you a coworker with God? If you are not, enlist your name now.

#BiblePromisesQuote

* Don’t just work for God but walk with Him and experience His glory and wonders.

Topic: Guided By The Spirit [Sunday, 28th May 2017]

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16

Even as God, Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan. Did Jesus had the potential to sin? Could Jesus Christ have fallen for victim of Satan’s temptations? It’s an emphatic YES. Jesus had the potential to sin, He could have fallen victim to Satan’s temptation. Because He was in the flesh and the flesh is susceptible to sin, if not Satan would never had bothered tempting Him. Scriptures says in Hebrews 4:13 that “for we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.”

What then made Jesus, who was in the flesh, not to sin? It was because He did not live His life according to the leading and prompting of the flesh. He allowed the Holy Spirit to guide His life. Apostle Paul said in  Galatians 5:16 “so I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

As long as we are in the flesh, the flesh will keep urging us unto sinful cravings. But we must allow God’s Spirit lead us, and the Holy Spirit leads us by His Word. When we get His Word in our heart, we are giving the Holy Spirit the chance to guide our lives in the right path, away from the prompting and urge of our flesh. Give the Holy Spirit the chance to lead you by hiding – storing up – His word in your heart.

Keep winning daily.

Wise Action:

Give God’s Spirit the chance to lead you always, through His word.

Topic: Help! [Sunday May 28, 2017]

For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you! — Isaiah 41:13

No matter how well we may think we run our lives, the truth is that we need help with everything. We need all kinds of help in our everyday lives. Often, realizing how much help we need takes a long time. We like to believe we can do whatever needs to be done independently and without assistance.

However, the Lord sent us a Divine Helper; therefore, we must need help. Jesus Himself continually intercedes for us as He sits at the right hand of God (see Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34), and that tells us that we continually need God’s intervention in our lives. We are actually very needy and totally unable to handle life properly on our own.

Although we may seem to manage ourselves and our lives well for awhile, sooner or later something happens and things begin to fall apart if we are living in our own strength instead of receiving divine help.

Many times, we do fine until trouble comes. It may come in the form of a broken marriage, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or something else that is important to us. But eventually, we all reach a point where we have to recognize our neediness.

If we want to live life the way God intended—filled with righteousness, peace, and joy (see Romans 14:17), we have to admit that we need help and we have to receive it from the Holy Spirit, the One God sent to help us.

Topic: Any Fruit of Repentance? [Sunday 28, May 2017]

Memorise: Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  – Matthew 3:8

Read: Matthew 3:1-10 (KJV)

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Bible in One Year: Acts 14-15, Jeremiah 37, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:” – Joel 2:12

Fasting can be used to demonstrate genuine repentance before God. Exemplifying the above scripture, Prophet Daniel embarked on a fast to show repentance for his sins and the sins of the children of Israel in Daniel 9:3-20. All through the Old Testament, when individuals or a group of people fell into sin and judgement was imminent, they returned to God in fasting and mourning, expressing sorrow for sins committed. How truly sorrowful are you when you sin against God? Is there any deep sorrow for sin anymore? Today, when you see a believer asking God for pardon over a wrong he or she has committed, you will be amazed. A few seconds after he or she has apologised, he or she is seen carrying on as if nothing ever went wrong. There is no manifestation of godly sorrow. People do not see offending God as anything anymore. They hide behind grace to cover up their evil lifestyle. However, can God be fooled?

The “repentance” of some people today is highly questionable. True repentance must be backed up by godly sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

Genuine repentance must exhibit the fruits of humility, confession, brokenness, a desire for restitution where necessary and a commitment to never return to the evil act. Take King Ahab as a case in point. He was a wicked king with a satanic wife, Jezebel. The wickedness perpetrated during his reign for exceeded that of other regimes (1 King 21:25). Yet, when God spoke to him about an impending judgment, he immediately readjusted, tore his royal robe, wore sackcloth, humbled himself and fasted (1 Kings 21:27). When God saw the fruit of repentance in him, He deferred His judgement till the next generation. When you say to God “Father, I’m sorry, please for me”, is there any fruit of repentance to back it up? Some leaders get involved in terrible sins, and after whispering, “Father, I am sorry”, they continue as if nothing ever happened. Is that genuine repentance? People hardly weep or mourn over their shortcomings anymore. They hardly set themselves apart in fasting and prayer to reach out to God for mercy. No wonder they continue in their sins. If you are sorry, you will bring forth fruits consistent with repentance through your actions. Do you have such fruits?

Key Point:  Repentance goes beyond just saying, “I am sorry”. Your comportment and inner resolve go a long way to validate or discredit claim.

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.