Topic: Judgment On The Abominable [Thursday May 11, 2017]

Text: Ezekiel 16:35-43

Key Verse: “And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy” (Ezekiel 16:38).

A typical 21st century society is bedevilled by all forms of crime: financial, economic, sexual and social perversions, with all forms of atrocities perpetrated against mankind. A question that should readily navigate our minds should be, how would our society have looked like, if there were no laws? This was the case of the children of Israel at the time of Ezekiel.

Though they had been given laws to follow, yet they committed all forms of crimes against God (idolatry being the chiefest). It was such a lawless society. Since there appeared to be no law enforcement agents, God took it upon Himself the role of the law enforcement Agent. Judgment was declared upon the abominable nation. This is a great lesson for all to learn.

Though it appears that there is no immediate judgment for sin and there is nobody to enforce judgment for sin, a time is coming when the cup of God’s fury shall be full and judgment shall be pronounced on sinners. Every action of man done in the secret or in the open, whether it be good or bad, shall receive the judgment of God. If God could pronounce such judgment on the nation he referred to as His bride, it shows that there is no respect of persons with Him.

Thought for the day: The wicked shall not be unpunished.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Chronicles 13-17

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: Never Fall [Thursday May 11, 2017]

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. – 2 Timothy 2:15

A lot of people have been playing games when it comes to the Word. They claim to be faith people in public. But, in private, they never open the Bible at all. Then, when a time of trouble comes and they try to stand on the Word, they fall flat on their spiritual faces.

Well, the time for playing games is over. It’s time for us to realize that real faith involves action. James 2:20 says faith without works [or corresponding action] is dead.

If you want the kind of faith that will keep you on your feet when others are falling around you, you need to take some action where the Word is concerned.

First, you need to study. You can study the Word in many ways. Not only can you read it, you can dig deeply into it with concordances, Greek/Hebrew dictionaries and other study guides. What’s more, if you have a media player, you can walk around half the day listening to teaching. It’s only one way of study, but it is a powerful one.

The second thing you need to do is go where the Word is being preached. When Romans 10:17 says “faith cometh by hearing,” it’s talking about the preached Word.

Whenever I start feeling surrounded by problems and I’m having trouble hearing from God, I drop everything and find some place where I can hear the Word preached. I’ve received more answers from God that way than I can count. Even though the preacher may not have been preaching about anything even remotely connected with the issue I was struggling with, some word of Scripture would suddenly start my thoughts in a certain direction. Then I’d realize, That’s the answer to that problem I’ve been dealing with for the past six weeks!

Third, you need to start confessing the Word you’ve heard. Find the promise of God that covers your situation and then declare it out loud as if it had already come to pass in your life.

Get serious about the Word of God. Study it. Go hear it preached. Confess it. Become such a diligent workman that the devil himself will look at you with fear and say, “There’s one believer who’s not playing games anymore.”

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-10

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: Singing with Violet [Thursday May 11, 2017]

Read: Philippians 1:21–26, Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 13–14; John 2

I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Philippians 1:23–24

An elderly woman named Violet sat on her bed in a Jamaican infirmary and smiled as some teenagers stopped to visit with her. The hot, sticky, midday air came into her little group home unabated, but she didn’t complain. Instead, she began wracking her mind for a song to sing. Then a huge smile appeared and she sang, “I am running, skipping, jumping, praising the Lord!” As she sang, she swung her arms back and forth as if she were running. Tears came to those around her, for Violet had no legs. She was singing because, she said, “Jesus loves me—and in heaven I will have legs to run with.”

Violet’s joy and hopeful anticipation of heaven give new vibrancy to Paul’s words in Philippians 1 when he referred to life-and-death issues. “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me,” he said. “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (vv. 22–23).

Each of us faces tough times that may cause us to long for the promise of heavenly relief. But as Violet showed us joy despite her current circumstances, we too can keep “running, skipping, praising the Lord”—both for the abundant life He gives us here and for the ultimate joy that awaits us.

Prayer: Lord, when times are tough, help me to find joy. Help us to live in the tough times of this world with happiness while looking ahead to something “better by far.”

When God gives us a new beginning, we find a joy that’s never ending.

Insight:

Paul’s mixed feelings about life didn’t seem to be rooted in a moment of crisis or despair. Ever since his encounter with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus he’d found a different understanding of what it means to live with purpose and to die with gain. Before he met Christ, his goal had been to inflict pain and suffering on followers of Jesus. But then he learned what it meant to consider it an honor to accept whatever it took to help others discover the mercy and kindness he’d found in Jesus.

Describing the love that he now wanted others to know for themselves, Paul wrote, “I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more” (Phil. 1:8–9). Now—whether in life or death—Paul believed he couldn’t lose.

This message was written By Dave Branon [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: The Need for Wisdom [Thursday May 11, 2017]

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. — Matthew 24:35

Time is running out. The seconds are ticking away toward midnight. The human race is about to take the fatal plunge. Which way shall we turn? Is there any authority left? Is there a path we can follow? Can we find a code book that will give us the key to our dilemmas? Is there any source of authority to which we can turn? Have we just been placed here by some unknown creator or force without any clue as to where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going?

The answer is “no.” We do have a code book. We do have a key. We do have authoritative source material. It is found in the ancient and historic Book we call the Bible. This Book has come down to us through the ages. It has passed through so many hands, appeared in so many forms-and survived attack of every kind. Neither barbaric vandalism nor civilized scholarship has touched it. Neither the burning of fire nor the laughter of skepticism has accomplished its annihilation. Through the many dark ages of man its glorious promises have survived unchanged.

Prayer for the day: How often I take for granted the privilege of being able to read my Bible. Forgive me, 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.

Today’s Scripture: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – (Philippians 4:19, NKJV)

Topic: New Provision [Wednesday May 10, 2017]

When the people of Israel were in the desert on the way to the Promised Land, God gave them manna to eat. That was good. It sustained them for a while, but it wasn’t permanent provision. Eventually, the manna stopped coming. The people had to move forward, and then God gave them quail. They were so excited. That fed them for a while, but it was also temporary.

See, God gave the Israelites temporary provision on the way to the Promised Land where they would have permanent provision. The fact that God had something much greater in store for their future is what kept them moving forward. God could have sustained them with manna or quail, but God is a god of increase. He works in seasons, and He always has something better in store.

Don’t get stuck in a rut and think that one way is going to last forever. Instead, stay open and be willing to change, make adjustments, make corrections or try something new. If the “manna” stops coming, don’t get upset. Just keep moving forward and be on the lookout for the new provision God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today: “Father God, You alone are the just and faithful God! Thank You for always providing for me. Thank You for leading and guiding me. I trust that You have good things in store for my future and choose to keep my eyes on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: When Violence Is The Last Option. Pt One [10/05/2017]

Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:9. Read: 1 Pe 5:6-11

The devil is never a gentleman. He never plays with his mission and uses every moments he has in accomplishing it. When you see the devil play, he is only disguising to get his target. The devil’s mission is to kill, steal and finally destroy. Jn 10:10. How does he prey on men? Through the instrumentality of fear. He roars like a lion and intimidates men to destroy their lives.

Many have lost their destinies to the devil due to gentleness. They handle the devil with levity. Being gentle with the devil is to be playing with the cobra’s tail. One of the languages the devil understands is violence. Jesus commanded him with the word and he obeyed. Matt 4. If you want to preserve your destiny and see it  fulfilment, you must resist the devil steadfastly, and he will flee. Jm 4:7-8. If it’s violence that will establish your destiny, you must take the decision to fight for your destiny because, it’s all you have. Samson played with his destiny on the lap of Delilah and he missed his appointment with destiny.

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Father, help me to be gentle and violent when I need to be to defend my destiny in Jesus Mighty Name

Topic: Prized Possession [Wednesday, 10th May 2017]


He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. James 1:18

One thing that you, as a Christian, must never forget is that you are God’s most important possession. God placed a premium on you, that was why He gave up Jesus as the sacrifice to redeem you. The blood of Jesus  is the highest price God could afford. There is no other price that trumps Christ’s blood. It is the only and highest price. Yet God paid this for you.

The truth is, God could not afford to see the apogee of His creation wallow in darkness and headed for destruction. God could not stand the sight of seeing you fail and struggle through life and then end up in hell. You are just too precious to Him. He loves you too much to turn a blind eye. That was why He did not bat an eyelid when He gave His only begotten Son to be the atoning sacrifice for your sins (1 John 2:2). You were bought with a price and that price is the blood Jesus (1 Corinthians 7:23).

God chose to give birth to us anew, so He gave us His Word. No wonder scriptures says in 1 Peter 1:23 that “you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” This is because, “out of all creation, you became God’s prized possession” (James 1:18). And because you are God’s prized possession, God is committed to your all round success and prosperity. You can trust Him to produce His glory in and through you. You are God’s topmost priority.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Thank You Lord for loving me and making me Your prized possession. I live with this consciousness, knowing that You are committed to my success and all round prosperity. Thanks Lord for Your love, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Topic: Never Mind Who Is Against You [Wednesday May 10, 2017]

…If God be for (you), who can be against (you)? – Romans 8:31

Thinking of who is against you is of no use because it will make no difference to you.

Thinking of him won’t  make him change his mind in your favour.  Focus your thought on Who is for you.  Because the more you focus on Him the more the help and support He will give to you.

Focusing on who is for you expresses your confidence in Him to help you.

God is for you no man can be against you.

Refuse to listen to the noise of opposition rather pay attention to the voice of your defender.

Topic: Putting Smiles on Faces [Wednesday May 10, 2017]

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another…. — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

God created Adam and Eve, He blessed them, then told them to be fruitful and multiply and use all the vast resources of the earth that He gave them in the service of God and man.

Are you being fruitful? Is your life causing increase? When you get involved with people and things, do they increase and multiply? Some people only take in life, and they never add anything. I refuse to be that kind of person. I want to make people’s lives better. I want to put smiles on faces.

We must all make sure that we are not like the rich man in the Bible who had so much that all of his barns were full with no room for more. Instead of giving any of it away, he decided that he would tear down the barns he had and just build bigger ones and collect more stuff for himself. He was a foolish man. He could have decided that he would use what he had to bless others, but he must have been a fearful, selfish man, who only had room in his life for himself (see Luke 12:16-20).

God called the man a fool, and said, This very night they [the messengers of God] will demand your soul of you; and all the things that you have prepared, whose will they be? The man was going to die that night, and all he would leave behind was “stuff.” He had an opportunity to make the world a better place. He could have added to many lives and put smiles on thousands of faces. Instead, he fearfully and selfishly only cared about himself.

Forget about yourself and start doing all you can to help others. Encourage, edify, lift up, comfort, help, give hope, relieve pain, and lift burdens. If that is your goal, you will be one of those rare individuals who actually make the world a better place and put a smile on every face.

Trust in Him: What are you going to do today to put smiles on faces? It won’t just happen—you have to be intentional about it. Listen for God to show you what to do and then trust that it will bless them…and you!

Topic: Microwave Christianity [Wednesday 10, May 2017]

Memorise: And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: – Hebrews 6:11

Read: Hebrews 6:1-3(KJV)

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3 And this will we do, if God permit.

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 11-12, Jeremiah 29:1-14, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:

In the midst of delay, man often comes up with alternatives to God’s original plan or purpose. This is a dangerous thing to do because man’s alternative charts a new course, which can completely take the individual concerned out of God’s original plan. Also, any such alternative is usually nothing more than just a quick fix compared to God’s permanent solution. Speaking of quick fixes, the age we live in encourages that. We live in an age of instant gratification. Most people are no longer interested in any type of process; whatever they want, they want it now! This is what I term the “Microwave Mentality”. People are so much in a hurry that they cannot dedicate time to do what they should do properly.

Sadly, the trend of microwave mentality has crept into the Church and has given birth to what I call “Microwave Christianity”. Microwave Christianity is doing more harm than good to the Body of Christ. A preacher says, “All you have to do is just believe”. The sinner says, “I believe”. “Praise God, you are now born again”, the preacher replies. He is in so much of a hurry to get the sinner saved that he cannot even tell him or her to confess his or her sins to God. Can God save a sinner who has not confessed his or her sins (Romans 10:10)? That is “microwave salvation”! The name of that sinner may be written in the preacher’s book or in the register of church members, but is it in the Lamb’s Book of Life? What about discipleship? Everything follows the same pattern – microwave! When products of this anomaly are confronted by the storms of life or persecution for their faith, they find it difficult to endure. Isaiah 28:10 reveals to us the pattern we must follow in raising champions for God:

“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”

In this age of instant gratification, God remains unmoved and unchanged: He still follows His order and timing in raising those He will use. Every spiritual microwave product portends problems, sorrow and regret in the future. From salvation to discipleship, no stage must be skipped. Diligence plays a key role in everything that concerns the Kingdom of God. Hence, Hebrews 6:1 says the elementary principles must be laid first, before you can move onto perfection. If the foundation is tempered with, the product will be unstable. When people are recommended to occupy spiritual positions that they are not spiritually qualified for, those sponsoring them are only creating problems for the future. Are you a product of Microwave Christianity? Go back to the basis and rebuild yourself!

Key Point: If we fail to diligently fight for the faith that was delivered to us, a time will come when all we would be left with will be fakes!

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.