Today’s Scripture: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – (John 10:10, NIV)

Topic: Really Alive [Friday May 26, 2017]

A couple of years ago, I was watching the news when Captain Sullenberger successfully landed a jet airplane in the Hudson River. All 155 passengers survived. It’s known as “The Miracle on the Hudson.” A reporter asked one passenger what he thought about it all. He was soaking wet, freezing cold, a little bit frazzled, but he had this incredible glow about him, an excitement in his voice. I’ll never forget what he told the reporter, “I was alive before, but now I’m really alive.”

My question today is, “Are you really alive?” Are you passionate about the life God has given you? Do you get up every morning with enthusiasm, pursuing your dreams? God doesn’t want you to just “be alive” or just exist or endure. He wants you to be really alive! You have seeds of greatness on the inside. There is something more for you to accomplish. Get excited about what God is doing! Lift up your eyes of faith to Him. Keep hoping, keep believing, keep trusting and keep living because God has a wonderful plan in store for you!

A Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for making me alive in Christ! I declare that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and because He died for me, I can live the abundant life here on earth. Help me stay focused on You this day and live with the enthusiasm that comes from knowing You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Hope For The Hopeless [26/05/2017]

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. Ecclesiastes 9:4. Read: Eccl 9:4-8

Our God is a merciful God who loves us with equal love. The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. He died for the world bringing hope to the hopeless. The world that has been under the bondage of Satan suddenly received an invitation to freedom. In Acts 10:38, Bible says, “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”. He was purposely anointed to end all oppression from men. He renewed the widow of Nain’s hope when He brought her dead son back to life.

No matter how hopeless you feel, there is hope for you, don’t give in and don’t give up. Don’t entertain that thought “Why am I still alive, is it not better for me to die than to live?” The Bible says, there is hope for you as long as you are still alive. Only those that are in the grave are hopeless. Jesus Christ is the hope of glory, only in Him can your lost hope be regained and renewed. The rest for your soul is only in Christ Jesus. Therefore, you must consciously run to Him because the world is full of afflictions and tribulations. Everything you need is in Christ Jesus, He is the hope of the hopeless.

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* The pathway to regaining, renewing and keeping hope alive in this hopeless world is through the hope of glory – Jesus Christ.

Topic: Key To Rest [Friday May 26, 2017]

“…And the people rested upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” – 2 Chr 32:8

The key to rest in life is rest in the Word.

Rest of mind proceeds from rest in the Word.

So, to access absolute rest in life, rest absolutely on the Word of God.

God’s Word is tested and proven, those who rest upon it cannot be shaken.

Men are troubled because they haven’t found the Word to rest upon.

Rest upon the Word to find rest in the world.

Topic: Be a Believing Believer [Friday May 26, 2017]

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as [happened] in the rebellion [of Israel] and their provocation and embitterment [of Me] in the day of testing in the wilderness. — Hebrews 3:7-8

In Hebrews 3 we see two wrong conditions of the heart—a hard heart and an unbelieving heart. In the wilderness, a hard heart caused the Israelites to rebel. A person with a hard heart cannot believe God easily, which is a major problem because everything we receive from God comes through believing. To receive from Him, all we have to do is come to Him in simple, childlike faith and just believe.

We call ourselves believers, but the truth is, there are a lot of “unbelieving believers.” For a long time, I was one of them. I had been hurt so much during my childhood, I developed a hardness of heart that God had to break through in my life.

Even Moses got to the place in the wilderness where he was slow of heart to believe God. That’s why it’s important for us to stay sharp spiritually so we can be quick to believe and to walk in faith day by day. We can choose to be careful to go from faith to faith and not begin to mix in any doubt and unbelief. A believing heart is essential if we want to live in close relationship with God.

Jesus wants to restore your soul, including your emotions. Let Jesus into those areas of your life that no one else could ever reach. Ask Him to change you into a person who has the same kind of heart that He has.

Topic: Stand Up For Something [Friday 26, May 2017]

Memorise: So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. – Revelation 3:16

Read: Revelations 3:15-16 (KJV)

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Bible in One Year: Acts 10-11, Jeremiah 36:4-19, Hymn: Sing hymn 9

MESSAGE:

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.” – Revelation 3:15

If there is one state that God never wants His children to be in, it is the state of lukewarmness. As seen in the above Scripture passage, the Lord speaks His mind on this issue in very strong terms. He says if you want to be hot, be hot, and if you want to be cold, be cold; if you are neither cold nor hot, He will spit you out of His mouth. God has zero tolerance for lukewarmness. As foretold by the Holy Spirit long ago, many Christians in these last days are falling into the state of lukewarmness. Lukewarm people are tasteless in God’s mouth, and hence He cannot stand them. You cannot mix your worship of God with the worship of an idol. How can you put the Ancient of Days on the same platform as an idol that is the contraption of men’s hearts? God is greatly insulted by this. If you want to be a Christian, be a completely devoted one. Serve Him with your life and ensure you glorify Him in all that you do. If you however do not want to be a Christian, do not pretend to be one.

One soul I wish I could have won for Christ is Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the late Nigerian Afro-beat music icon. I loved him for one thing: he was not a pretender. His lifestyle clearly showed that he was not on the side of Christ. This man married 27 wives in one day! He was a law unto himself. Some people say they are serving God, and at home they have one wife, but outside, they have several mistresses. Stop pretending! If you want to serve God, serve Him, but if you don’t want to serve God, stay away from Him. Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. A lukewarm fellow will say he like something, whereas he hates that same thing in his heart. He or she lives a false life. Some people appear to be very active and zealous for God when they are in their country of origin, but when they travel abroad, you will not believe they are the same person you thought you knew. Such people are unable to stand for the truth, and so will find excuses to justify their lack of zeal for the things of God. Lukewarm people are dream-killers and act as bad influencers. If you are hot and you stay around them, they can discourage you by their attitude. Are you lukewarm? It’s time to come out of that state today! Take a stand for the truth and for living right!

Key Point: Those who find it difficult to stand up for Jesus still love the world.

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.

Our health is something we must take utmost care of, unfortunately, many times this isn’t always the case. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 4 health signs from your body that you must never ignore.

Pain After Exercise

If you are someone who exercises (everyone should exercise by the way) and you realize that you feel significant pain after exercising, not just muscle soreness but long-term pain and swelling, you should never ignore this. This pain might indicate temporary muscle or bone damage that can become permanent. If you have constant pains after exercise, try cutting down your workouts, and be sure to apply ice to the painful area. If the pain persists, go see a physician.

Severe Head Pain

This doesn’t refer to normal headaches or migraines, but that ‘worst pain ever’ kind of headache with constant peaks within seconds or minutes. The headache becomes so intense that it not only affects your vision, but your mental functions. This isn’t a sign you should ever ignore. It’s advisable to go see a doctor for a checkup.

Losing Weight Without Trying

For most people, this is considered a blessing they embrace and even celebrate, but it is important to be careful when you notice this. Rapid or constant weight loss when you have done absolutely nothing and changed nothing in your diet, lifestyle, activity or exercise, can be indicative of an underlying health condition. You are better off not ignoring this and going for a medical checkup.

Always Very Thirsty

This could be normal for most people, but if you find out that you don’t usually feel very thirsty and all of a sudden it’s like you have to consume tankers of water to quench your frequent thirsts, it’s another sign you should pay attention to. Particularly if the frequent thirst is accompanied by any swelling or rapid weight gain or if it’s accompanied by nausea or fatigue, you should ensure you don’t ignore this sign and go for a checkup.

By Damilola Ojo
PR Associate Jumia Travel
+2348101556883

Topic: Sweet Savour To The Lord [Friday May 26, 2017]

Text: Numbers 15:1-16

Key Verse: “And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock” (Numbers 15:3).

Many factors conjoin to make our food enjoyable. Food makers know so well the importance of aroma, mouth-feel and appearance when it comes to food consumption experience. The senses of taste and smell are inexplicably tied together and arc critical in food enjoyment and safety.

Except for what we consume strictly for medical reasons, food has to pass the aroma and taste test to get our acceptance or approval. God is also interested in sweet aroma. It could have been the missing element in the rejected offering of Cain as opposed to that of Abel whose sacrifice was accepted by God. When Noah appreciatively offered to God after the deluge, “the LORD smelled a sweet savour”.

Following this the Lord resolved that He would not destroy the earth with such flood and that the course of nature should never be discontinued as long as the earth remained. When Moses, in today’s text, directed the Israelites concerning the different offerings they should bring to God when they should get to the Promised Land, it was to the intent of making “a sweet savour unto the LORD”. All Israelites and proselytes (converts from other nations) among them were expected to offer. Also observe that for the offerings to be acceptable to God, they must be put together in the right quantity and quality as divinely instructed. We offer no such sacrifices today because, Christ has paid it all, having offered Himself once and for all. Yet, we must offer to the Lord a different set of sacrifices.

First, without repentance (heart contrition for sin), faith and reformation, our offering to God is an abomination to Him. The believer brings to the Lord the sacrifices of praise, prayer, treasure, talent, time, service and everything needed as symbols of our dedication to Him. Our willingness, motive and attitude with which we offer will determine whether our offerings will be sweet savour (acceptable) to Him.

Thought for the day: God accepts only sacrifices and offerings that give sweet savour.

Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 6-9

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: Discover What the Name Can Do [Friday May 26, 2017]

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. – Philippians 2:9-10

Once you make up your mind to keep the commands of Jesus and begin to allow the Word to dwell in you richly, the Name of Jesus will become far more powerful to you. It will become more than just a word. It will become a force that will cause every circumstance and every demon that tries to stand in your way to bow its knee to your command.

I tell you, the Name of Jesus works. There is far greater power in it than any of us have yet realized.

My faith is so set on the authority of the Name of Jesus that there are times I just say, “In the Name” and the power of God comes on the scene.

In fact, I’ve discovered that the Name of Jesus—just the Name alone—is effective when spoken by a Word-abiding believer. Revelation 19:13 says the Name of Jesus is the Word of God! So, when an evil spirit is trying to bring sickness, poverty, depression or any other garbage into my household, I don’t have to quote every scripture I know to stop him. I can just point my finger at him and say, “Jesus!” That’s like throwing the whole Word of God in his face at one time!

Discover for yourself what the exalted Name can do. Begin to speak it with confidence and authority. There is power in the Name of Jesus.

Scripture Reading: Acts 3:1-16

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: Navigating Rough Waters [Friday May 26, 2017]

Read: 1 Chronicles 28:9–20, Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 28–29; John 9:24–41

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. 1 Chronicles 28:20

I was enjoying the start of my first whitewater rafting experience—until I heard the roar of the rapids up ahead. My emotions were flooded with feelings of uncertainty, fear, and insecurity at the same time. Riding through the whitewater was a first-rate, white-knuckle experience! And then, suddenly, it was over. The guide in the back of the raft had navigated us through. I was safe—at least until the next set of rapids.

Transitions in our lives can be like whitewater experiences. The inevitable leaps from one season of life to the next—college to career, changing jobs, living with parents to living alone or with a spouse, career to retirement, youth to old age—are all marked by uncertainty and insecurity.

 In one of the most significant transitions recorded in Old Testament history, Solomon assumed the throne from his father David. I’m sure he was filled with uncertainty about the future. His father’s advice? “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. . . . For the Lord God, my God, is with you” (1 Chron. 28:20).

We’ll have our fair share of tough transitions in life. But with God in our raft we’re not alone. Keeping our eyes on the One who is navigating the rapids brings joy and security. He’s taken lots of others through before.

God guides us through the rapids of change.

Insight:

King David had desired to build God’s temple (1 Chron. 17:1), but God told him he could not because of the blood he had shed as a warrior (28:3). Instead, the privilege and responsibility for this project would fall upon the shoulders of David’s son Solomon. It is understandable that Solomon would be apprehensive about assuming this role. But his father admonished him to trust in God and do the work. Indeed, God was faithful as Solomon built the temple and took his father’s place as king.

Are you facing a transition? Reflect on God’s faithfulness and ask Him for strength to carry you through.

This message was written By Joe Stowell [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]